It was the D day. Shivaay and tia were finally going to tie the knot. The entire oberoi family was hella busy in the arrangements. Omru were still sad about how tia would become their bhabhi and not Annika. Shivaay had realised his love for Annika but his mind overpowered his heart. He could not cancel the wedding at the very last moment even if it meant a life without Annika. His family's dignity was apparently his topmost priority right now.
Annika was busy seeing the arrangements. She too had given up hope on her future with shivaay. She loved him but she was an orphan at last. Shivaay would never accept that she knew it very well.
Shivaay was pacing to and fro in his room when he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in"
The door opened and shivaay was awestruck for a few minutes. It was her. Dolled up in a gold colored lehenga stood Annika. She looked extremely gorgeous today. Her hair were tied in a messy bun. She had wore jhumkas with minimal makeup.
"What is it Annika ?"
"Dadi told me to check if you were ready. Tia is almost ready and Dadi wants you to bring her with you to the mandap"
Shivaay sighed and picked up the brooch to put on his sherwani albeit reluctantly. He was not at all interested in getting married to tia but couldn't back of now.
Annika saw him struggling with the brooch. She walked towards him and took the brooch from his hand.
Shivaay couldn't help but notice how breathtaking she looked now that she was standing so close to him. Their gazes met and all they wanted  was to hug each other right and never let go. But maybe it was too late.
Annika pinned the brooch and all this while she could feel shivaay's intense gaze on her.
"It's done"
Shivaay was still lost in her.
"Shivaay" Annika spoke in a louder tone.
"Huhhh hmmm y.. yes "
"I said it's done"
"O..ohh y.. yeah"
"Shivaay do you want to say something?"
"Ummm n.. no"
Annika waited to see if he wanted to say something to her but it was shivaay who she was dealing with.
Her last string of hope was now broken and with a heavy heart she walked away from the room leaving him alone.
Shivaay sat on the bed and buried his face in his palms. He knew what she was expecting and yet again he had broken her heart. He loved her and was going to love her forever but couldn't say this loud.
"I'm sorry Annika. I'm sorry for hurting you. You deserve someone better than me".
"And who are you to decide what she deserves and what she doesn't?"
Shivaay lifted his head only to find omru standing at the door.
"Omru. I...I... Forget it"
"No shivaay. You cannot ignore this anymore. You've already made a huge mistake by not telling everyone the truth. You'll not only ruin your and annika's life but also Tia's. "
"Om, it's not as easy as it appears to. The guests have already arrived. The media is present too. What will I say to them? "
"Shivaay everything will be handled. Trust me. Just tell me if you love annika or not ?"
Om questioned him with a Stern voice this time because it was enough now.
He wanted to fix this. He knew about shivaay and annika's feelings for each other but also knew how stubborm the two were.
"Tell me shivaay. It's the last time I'm asking you. I need the final answer. Do you love annika ?"
"I...I ..I do"
"Yesssss" omru cried in unison and hugged shivaay out of happiness.
"Finally billu maan Gaya O" rudra spoke breaking the hug.
"But guys what's the plan?"
"Shivaay, everything will be handled by us. Just stay here. I'll be sending Annika here so that you guys can sort it out first." Shivaay nodded a bit apprehensively.
Omru went closing the door behind them.
It was show time.
Shivaay started pacing to and fro in the room when he heard the door click open. It was Annika and on seeing her all his nervousness flew out the window.
Heck he loved her and just seeing her brought back his lost confidence. He would anything to protect her and it was time to tell her.
"Billuji?. You asked for me ?"
"Y..yes. Annika I .. I need to t.. talk to y..out Actually"
" Please billuji don't tell me you have a problem regarding the arrangements now. It took me the whole week to do this and now I won't change it. You know how difficult it is ..."
"Shhhhhh" shivaay placed his finger on her lips to ask her to keep quiet. She looked so lovely. Her eyelids were fluttering as a result of their proximity and her cheeks blushed a tint of red.
Had they been official right now. Shivaay would have kissed her senseless.
"Annika. It's something else" he spoke taking her hands in his.
"Actually... Annika I don't want to marry tia. " Annika's eyes widened as a response.
"Annika I... I.. love you" Annika swore she could faint anytime now. Seeing her so flabbergasted shivaay made her sit on the sofa and kneeled down in front of her.
"Annika I know it isn't the right time but I needed to do this. I'm tired of acting as if you don't affect me and I don't feel anything for you. I love you Annika. I want to grow old with you. I want to come home everyday to you."
Annika was a crying mess by now. Shivaay's heart pained on seeing her cry and he engulfed her in a hug. He wound one arm around her while the other caressed her hair.
"Shhhhh Annika please don't cry. You know I cannot see you crying. Please"
Annika buried her face in the crook of his neck and tightened her arms around him. She just couldn't control her tears.
Annika broke the hug and stood up immediately when she felt shivaay tug at her hand.
"Shivaay please don't do this"
"Annika ?"
"Shivaay what makes you think you love me ? I'm an orphan. I don't know anything about my lineage or family. Why would you want to get married to a girl who is so different from you ? Tia is a perfect match for you shivaay"
Annika spoke everything in a go.
Shivaay walked to her and took her in a back hug. Annika tried to wriggle out of his hold but he tightened it further although careful in order to not hurt her.
"Annika, Tia and I are no match. I was marrying tia only for a business deal and I would probably trade a thousand deals for you. Love doesn't happen consciously Annika. I love you and that's it. I no longer care about your surname or family because it is Annika who I love. I am not forcing you to say yes but just know that you will be the only woman in my life."
Annika's breath hitched on listening to him.
Annika turned around in his hold and rested her head on his chest. Shivaay hugged her tightly and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Annika?"
"Hmmm"
"You are looking khidkitodh khoobsurat today. How I wish we were married "
Annika's cheeks looked like a tomato on hearing his words.
"Annika. I love you"
Annika broke the hug but didn't move away from him.
She cupped his face and pecked his forehead. "I love you too shivaay. I think I always did"
Shivaay's face broke into a goofy smile and he twirled her by the waist earning squeals of laughter from her.
"Shivaay stop. Put me down please"
Annika spoke in between her squeals.
"Fine" shivaay stopped and made her stand close to him.
His arms still around her waist and hers still around his neck. They could see tears in each other's eyes maybe that's what they called tears of happiness. Then without any preamble they leaned in for a kiss. The kiss was tender and full of love. It was their first kiss.
Blushing due to the kiss Annika buried her face in his chest and shivaay closed his eyes in contentment. He was finally with the woman whom me adored and loved so much. All thanks to omru otherwise he would have lost her forever.
Their moment was interrupted due to the knock at the door.
The entire oberoi family stood there with teasing smiles on their faces.
Dadi and pinki rushed towards Annika and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug. Daadi had always shipped the two of them. Pinki had realised few days back about their feelings for each other and was guilty for getting shivaay married to tia but now everything was fine.
The entire oberoi family was excited for the two lovebirds.
"So when is the shivika wedding bhaiya and bhabhi?" Rudra asked gaining everyone's attention.
"Shivika ?" Everybody asked in unison
"Arey shivaay and Annika equals shivika" the elders laughed while Annika and shivaay blushed hard.
"Okay shivaay we've handled the Kapoors and the media. The wedding Is officially cancelled. So you both don't need to worry".
"Thanks om" shivaay hugged him. For today if om hadn't given him a reality check he would have been married to tia. The thought of which made him cringe.
"Okay so let's get back to the mansion." Tej spoke gaining everyone's attention.
Everyone left the room leaving the two of them alone.
"So miss Annika would you Marry me?"
"I would love to Mr. Shivaay Singh oberoi." And with that they leaned in for another kiss.
They were finally together and nothing else mattered now.