"You don't have to watch this," Annika said as she hid her smile.

Surfing through Prime video, Annika had settled on watching a horror film after dinner. When Shivaay had come, she told him to go away before he got scared- in front of his family. Now, Shivaay had a point to prove, because Rudra made fun of him all the way from America when he had called. Shivaay was clutching on to a pillow, ignoring the looks she was giving him. Dadi and Om had decided to watch the film too, and to Shivaay's surprise, Dadi did not even flinch. He had an image to maintain. He knew Om would holler soon, and Shivaay could use that to escape.

"I'm not scared," Shivaay declared in his weakest voice as he mentally cursed Annika. Couldn't she prefer rom-com or something? He was taken by surprise when Annika took the pillow away. She interlaced her fingers to his and took a firm hold of his hand. He reclined a little and lifted his legs up. Once he was comfortable, he rested his head on Annika's shoulders. She put her other arm around him as if she was shielding him from the scare of the ghost. Whenever the background music turned spooky, he would close his eyes and hide his head on his wife's shoulders. His prediction came true when Omkara screamed at the scene where a lady bounced out of her grave, making an eldritch screech. Om mumbled good night and scurried away to his room. But Shivaay didn't leave. He was comfortable where he was. A little while later, Dadi too, retired to bed. By that time, the movie became background noise for Shivaay. Annika was making circles through his hair while patting occasionally. Her countenance had seriousness written over it like a poorly written letter, and her eyebrows were crunched in concentration like the centre of a dartboard. He straightened up, which made her look at him. She looked like she wanted him back on her shoulders.

"Going to bed?" She asked with dripping disappointment. Instead of giving her an answer, he took back the throw pillow from her side and placed it on her lap. He then lied down, with his face towards hers. She ran her fingers through his hair and her lips puckered for a second as if she wanted to give him a kiss. Her eyes immediately went to the screen while he studied her features and expressions. His eyes began to close a little, but they flung open when Annika's hand caressed his chest. Still watching the movie, her hands moved up and down his chest in the meekest way possible creating havoc to the rest of his body. Had her hand halted a little, she would have even felt his racing heart. She looked at his dazed eyes sharply, as if just realizing that he was staring at her. She bent forward and kissed his forehead. She looked up, ignoring his eyes, and Shivaay swore he saw a smirk on her face. Epiphany hit him that moment; none of what Annika was doing was involuntary. In a swift motion, he sat up straight. She shot a glance at him with a tad bit of mischievousness that shone through her eyes. That moment, he made a mistake. He took the remote and turned towards the screen to pause the movie. The very lady who rose up from the grave was staring at him with an eerie smile while holding a severed head on her hand. Shivaay screamed, and Annika broke into fits of laughter.

"Stop. Laughing." Shivaay gritted his teeth, which only made her laugh more.

"I told you not to watch it."Annika shrugged.

"I was taken by surprise," Shivaay argued.

"Sure." Annika nodded her head solemnly as she bit back a chuckle, and Shivaay groaned. He switched the TV off and turned to sit facing her. She did the same.

"What were you doing?"

"Watching the movie," She said with an innocent face.

"Were you?"

"Yes."

"You don't know me."

"I do. You are Shivaay."

"Joke tha?"

"Nahi tho." Annika shook her head. Shivaay slammed his hands to the couch, trapping her between his arms as he leaned towards her. She shifted her weight to her hands for support as she leaned back. Sure she was messing around, but she did not expect this from him.

"Good. Now, answer honestly. What were you doing?" His voice suddenly turned quiet and husky. Annika gulped as she took uneven breaths.

"I was watching the..." Before she could complete that sentence, Shivaay moved further closer and blew a little on her face. The hot air danced through across skin, and she shivered. He hadn't even touched her yet. "Shivaay... we're in the living room." Annika managed to say.

"So?" His voice whistled out when he kissed her eyebrows. He let his lips linger a little longer when he felt her hold the air she inhaled. He went a little further up and kissed her hairline. She let out a sigh right on his chest. Satisfied, he placed a lazy peck on her jaw, which was immediately followed by a persistent one. He nibbled towards her ear, and Annika was heaving for air. Red-faced and closed eyes, Shivaay liked what he saw. He scooped her body and got under her.

When Annika looked up, she saw a devilish smile on his face teasing her. She wanted to groan, but it seemed like she got a blush attack. She buried her face on his chest, and he flung his arms around her.

"Annika... you looked a little disappointed. Why? What were you expecting?"

He maintained an earnest face and Annika knew he was only going to give in if she voiced it out. Her innocent impulse put her there, only for her to lose her voice. Okay, maybe not-so-innocent. But please blame Katy Perry and Katrina Kaif; even her husband for that matter. Pressing her lips to a thin line, she gazed at him, making him chuckle. He ran his hands through her hair, and gently massaged the back of her neck, making her squirm. They fell into silence, while Annika wondered what he was going to do next.

"By the way, if you don't mind me asking, why were you asking us to remain silent when your Tai comes?" He asked, with his voice suddenly serious. Annika sat up and looked at him.

"She might taunt me a little. But she's a nice lady." Her eyes were lowered, which made Shivaay frown. He had trouble believing that she was a nice lady. And he did not like how Annika sounded. "Shivaay..." Annika called his name, and he looked at her.

"If she crosses the line..."

"You still won't say anything. Okay?" She looked at him expectantly.

"But..."

"Please."

Shivaay sighed in defeat. He could not argue with those pleading eyes.

*

Annika fiddled with her dress as she walked back and forth the hall. Her Tau Ji had called, and they were arriving shortly. She was going to be tangled between her Mausa and Tau Ji all over again. Annika heard Dadi's chants with the holy bell. If Annika had had a little contingency over the existence of God, she would have even prayed for some strength. The doorbell rang, and Shakti went to get the door.

Virendar walked in.

He was followed by Rajendra, Lalitha and Annika's Dadi.

Annika was surprised. She did not expect her Dadi to accompany them. Part of her wanted to run and give the old woman a hug. She took a step forward but immediately stopped when she saw the expression Lalitha had on her face.

"Namaste," Lalitha greeted Kalyani and Pinky. They gave her a warm smile; however, their hearts pondered over the reason Virendar and Annika were a little cold. They only knew that there was a dispute between Virendar and Lalitha after Annika's parents passed away.

Annika joined her hands and muttered a 'Namaste', before turning to Padmini.

"How are you, Dadi Ji?" Annika asked in a low tone when she bent to get her blessings. The old lady patted her head and pulled Annika into a hug.

"I've wanted to see you ever since I heard you were getting married. It took one whole year, my Chikoo." Padmini's voice cracked a little while she said with teary eyes.

"Of course, we would have come earlier if we were properly invited," Lalitha said in a stern tone. Her eyes held so much contempt when she looked at Annika. She eyed Padmini, and the old lady stepped back.

"We would..." Pinky started saying, and Lalitha immediately interjected.

"It isn't your fault, samdhan Ji." She threw a dirty look at Virendar and smiled at Pinky. "We brought shagun on behalf of Harsh Bhai. I'm sure these rituals weren't done up to our standards." With a tone full of mockery thrown at Virendar, Lalitha handed few bags to Pinky. Virendar looked like he was ready to storm out. Annika immediately gestured him to stay calm and pleaded with her eyes.

"This wasn't necessary." Pinky smiled, uncertainly, as she took the bags.

"Despite how she is, Annika is still the daughter of the Trivedis."

Lalitha's statement was not taken well by anyone in the room, especially Shivaay, who had just walked in. He was mentally prepared to be polite to them for the sake of Annika, but the first statement he heard from the lady was venomous. His eyebrows furrowed, his teeth clenched, and his fist balled up with rage. Annika immediately held his hand and shook her head lightly. She introduced him to her Dadi Ji first, who blessed him wholeheartedly.

"Jeete raho," Lalitha blessed him with a warm smile, which left Shivaay a little confused. "Sada suhagan raho." There was a stiff change in her voice when she uttered those words to Annika. They seemed genuine, Shivaay thought but had angry connotations. He noticed how Annika's eyes never met her Tai's.

Her Tau Ji was a different story. He hugged both Shivaay and Annika tightly. Rajendra patted Shivaay's shoulders and placed a light kiss on Annika's forehead. Shivaay was able to notice the hesitance he showed towards Annika. And she looked at her Tau Ji with guilt. There was definitely an unpleasant history that happened there. Shivaay wondered if he should have asked Annika beforehand. He knew she would have told him. But Shivaay had a fear that if he stepped too far in, she would withdraw completely. After all, Gauri had warned him long ago that Annika shut people out in a blink of an eye.

"She wanted to come," Rajendra whispered to Annika, and she nodded. "I am glad you called us over to your new home," He said a little louder now.

"Of course, we are. Regardless of whatever reason you did," Lalitha said with a saccharine smile and Annika visibly flinched. Shivaay's expression grew soft towards Annika. He should have spoken to his Dad and convinced Virendar to accept the money. From what he could garner, the Trivedis did not seem to know the money was for Gauri's education. Lalitha would have probably jeered more at Virendar if she did.

Shakti tried to engage them in a conversation. While Rajendra spoke to him openly, Lalitha only looked around disinterested. Kalyani and Padmini seemed to mingle well too. Annika mentally thanked the Oberois for being accommodating. Before she could sigh in relief, Lalitha abruptly stood up.

"Chikoo, show me around your new house," Lalitha ordered. Annika nodded and silently got up. Shivaay looked at her with a worried expression, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

Annika took Lalitha around, and they walked with silence running between them which seemed to mute the waves of vexation that washed over them.

"Are they demanding?" Lalitha finally asked, and Annika looked at her, confused. "Your in-laws, are they demanding for dowry?"

"No, Tai. They are very nice people. They look after me like I'm their own daughter." Annika mustered the courage to look at Lalitha's face.

"I hope you aren't the daughter you are to them."

Annika felt a sharp pain hit all over her when she heard those words. Her eyes stung a little, and a lump formed in her throat. She bit the inside of her mouth and shook her head.

"Is he nice to you?"

"He's wonderful, Tai." Annika smiled a little. Even if the warmth that was once there had fizzled out, it was not always icy. At least, she was concerned.

"You should have called. When will you stop running away?" Lalitha asked in a condescending tone, and Annika knew the moment had passed. "Mend your ways, Annika. Don't ruin what you have. You don't want it to be too late, again." Lalitha ambled towards the stairs when Annika stopped her.

"Tai... I'm sorry."

Lalitha's stern expression softened a little. She caressed Annika's face lightly before she withdrew her hand. Her face turned stony again. She nodded and proceeded to go down the stairs while Annika trailed behind her. Her face slowly lost its colour, as if all the blood drained out of it.

Annika was suddenly surrounded by a mist of sorrow.

The human brain was designed to bring in the cataclysmic memories right back; might be at the utterance of a word, at the sound of a song, at the change in the weather, and almost anything remotely associated with that particular memory. The memories dug out the buried in pain in less than a second and brought out irrepressible emotions that made you want to fade away.

Annika would do anything to go back in time. Annika would do anything to change how she was. If she could, she would have gone with them.

Or, made them stay. If not anything, Annika would have at least given her parents the death the deserved. Her last words to them came haunting back at her.

*

I'm sorry I'm late.
I'm planning to set a day in a week for every story and update regularly. Sitting for a few hours altogether to write a chapter isn't working anymore.
Kindly bear with me till then. :) ❤️