Pinki's words kept revolving in annika's mind. She was devasted on learning that shivaay was illegitimate not because she had any problem but because the great wall of SSO would crumble down on knowing this.
She knew how much shivaay valued Naam,Khoon ,khandaan and how proud he was of being Shivaay singh oberoi.
No, she could not let him break.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt some movement and then heaviness on her lap.
She looked down to find her husband lying in her lap with his head snuggled into her stomach. His hand was encircling her waist while the other was free.
Annika stiffened as he snuggled more and a blush crept up her cheeks. This was new to her. Seeing her lost shivaay called her name "annika"
annika looked down to find him smiling goofily at her.
annika's heart skipped a beat and gathering herself she responded with a "hmmm".
"annika what is it?"
"N.. Nothing shivaay"
" you know you can't lie. now tell me"
Damn this man. He knows me too well thought annika.
"Shivaay I'm just tired. Nothing else"
shivaay got up and caressed her hair and planted a small kiss on her forehead.
" okay fine but remember one thing annika you are not only my wife but also my life. I might be the Great SSO but before that I'm your shivaay. I will always be with you."

He didn't want her to take much stress so he decided to let go of the topic as of now.
Suddenly shivaay's phone rang and he went to answer it.
Annika's heart was heavier now. The poor girl had so much to think about. Tears flowed down her eyes.
First, pinki had asked her to leave the house by tomorrow.
second, shivaay's care and affection was making it more difficult for her
third, she loved this man so much. How could she live without him.
Sighing she got up and went to the pool side.
Shivaay was still on his phone and looked quite angry as well. But that wasn't new for he was SSO and a stern man for the outside world.

Few hours later she went back to their room. Shivaay was pacing across the room but stopped on seeing her.
Annika went closer and held him by his shoulders.
"shivaay, aap soye kyu nahi ab tak? kuch pareshaani hai ?"
"Nahi annika mai theek hu"
"jhooth aap jhooth bol rahe hai mujhse. bataiye na "
"Jhooth tumne bhi to bola tha annika"
"Ye aap kya keh rahe hai shivaay. Maine aapse kab jhooth bola?"
"Mom ne kuch kaha hai na tumse"
annika's face went pale on hearing this. She couldn't let him know about the truth
"Na.. nahi to "
"Tum mujhe chodhke jaane waali thi na annika"
"Sh...Shivaay" annika could not continue further. Shivaay had tears down his eyes.
Seeing him a lone tear escaped annika's eyes.
"Batao annika, tum mujhe chodhke jaane waali thi na kyunki mom ne tumse aisa kaha hai? "
"Shivaay aap galat samajh rahe hai. Mai..mai.."
"Tum kya annika? Mana humari shaadi jin haalaton me hui aur jaise hui vo galat tha lekin ye rishta galat nahi hai annika.
Tum meri life me sabse important ho ye jaanti ho na tum?"
Both annika and shivaay were crying vigorously by now.
wiping his tears annika sat in front of him "Shushhhh .. shivaay rona band kijiye please"
"Annika mai nahi jaanta ki mom ne aisa kya kaha tumse lekin aaj mai tumse kuch maangna chahta hu"
"kya shivaay?"
" Annika waada karo mujhse ki tum mujhe chodhke kabhi nahi jaogi. Mai marr jaunga tumhare bina"
Annika was surprised at this unexpected confession. But seeing the love of her life in such a devasted state in front of her she decided that come what may she will never leave him. Hell with pinki. she was khidkitodh annika who had dealt with so many problems alone , she would deal with the next also.
She went ahead and cupped shivaay's face. Wiping his tears and then planting a kiss on his forehead she hugged him close to her chest.
Shivaay wound his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
Coming out of the hug Shivika sat in each other's embrace on the floor.
Annika was no longer worried.
Breaking the reverie of her thoughts shivaay held her hands in his and said
" Annika mai jaanta hu ki humari shaadi kaise haalaton me hui. Meri shaadi tia se hone waali thi lekin mai usse shaadi nahi karna chahta tha."
Surprised, annika sat straight and further spoke " par kyu billuji aap to tia baby se shaadi ke liye mare jaa rahe the"
Shivaay frowned
" Mai tia se sirf deal ke liye shaadi kar raha tha, mera dil to kahin aur tha" he spoke looking at annika.
"Annika mujhe nahi pata ki yeh waqt sahi hai ya nahi par mai itna zarur jaanta hu ki i cannot live without you and You mean the world to me . I ... i love you annika"
" i love you too shivaay... aap mere kanjiaankhon waale tadibaaz baghadbille hain" she completed while shivaay chuckled hearing the last words.
the next morning pinki faced something unexpected.
Shivaay confronted her in front of the whole family and out of anger she told everyone what she had said to annika and that it was all a lie to throw her out of his life.
Shivaay was heartbroken and slipped inside his room without anyone noticing him or as he thought but Annika's eyes were on him throughout the whole fiasco.
When she went inside what she saw broke her heart.
shivaay was sitting on the floor with a blank expression on his face and his knees curled up to his chest.
Annika kneeled down in front of him and cupping his face in her hands kissed his forehead.
"Shivaay ... mujhe pata hai jo kuch aaj bahar hua usse aap par kya asar padha hai, par shivaay ab sab theek hai.  "
Taking her hands in his and kissing her palms, shivaay said " Annika , mom ne jo kuch kiya uske baad mai tumse nazarein bhi nahi mila sakta"
"Shivaay, aapko pata hai aap na meri zindagi ka sooraj hain, meri zindagi me pehle sirf andhera tha aur kuch nahi. par aap ne meri zindagi ko khoobsurat banaya hai.
Jab tak saansein hai na annika sirf apne shivaay ki rahegi "
" aur shivaay apni annika ka " shivaay completed.
They took each other in a tender kiss which held only love and respect for the other.
Shivaay and annika were now shivika and together they promised to face all the hurdles of life and be each other's forever.