Shivaay wondered why he was nervous, as he stood in front of the door. Maybe he should have prolonged the bro talk... He knew the two of them needed time to take things forward physically, but the wedding itself did something to him. The fact that she was his exhilarated him and also, there was something about the way she looked that night. Her sindoor had his name on it. Shivaay cringed, when did he become such a 1950s guy! He shook his head and entered his room. His jaw dropped...

"Did you bring the whole house here? I've never seen so much luggages in my life!"

Annika rolled her eyes. "Aren't you the husband every girl dreams about? You sure know how to greet your new bride!" Every word was dripping sarcasm. She got down the bed slowly while Shivaay grinned at her sheepishly.

"I thought you were only bringing eight suitcases honey." She had brought five more with three smaller ones.

"I'm not here for a vacation, am I? Plus, I didn't want to leave some of the stuffs back. But you are right, its too much?"

Seeing her shoulders slouch pricked his heart. She left her whole life behind to start one with him, and he was complaining about the things she brought with her. He walked past it, towards her. Before she knew, she was in his arms. He held her tightly.

"If you want anything else, bring that too. We can always make more space!" His mind drifted to the Bidaai, he couldn't see his strong woman cry so much. He pulled back and held her shoulders. Annika's eyes were a little welled up. Shivaay kissed her forehead gently and Annika smiled. Maybe that's what tranquility felt like...

Annika came out of the bathroom. She had changed into her new nightgown the one she had bought on her lingerie shopping with her girls. Mallika made sure Annika only had babydolls and some other piece, none of it modest. She, with difficulty convinced them to let her take something that was comfortable to sleep in. At last, Gauri took some pity and made sure the others 'allowed' her. She wore a satin and chiffon white night gown, with spaghetti straps. It had a thigh slit on one side, with some lace on the bodice. Annika had managed to sneak in a robe without their knowledge. She wasn't generally a shy woman, in fact she was proud of her feminity. However, the whole idea of wedding night made her nervous. Though, she did know they were going to take things slow, one cannot trust themselves on a romantic setting right?

Shivaay started hyperventilating when Annika came and sat beside him on their bed. She gently pushed away the rose petals, and their fingers brushed. Shivaay bit back a curse. Her lace robe did not manage to cover much, and it made him gasp for air. The dim lighting provided all the static needed. For the first time ever, Shivaay and Annika felt awkward. Shivaay lied down on his back and looked at Annika. She smiled at him when he opened his arms for her. She snuggled in his arms and looked up at him. Awkwardness what? They were the other half of each other after all...

Annika closed her eyes harder as the sunlight glared at her. Suddenly, the light wasn't reaching her eyes and she opened her eyes. Shivaay was lying on his elbow, looking at her with his eyes still sleepy. Talk about sexy!

"Good morning!" Annika said as she stretched and yawned.

"The morning isn't good yet."

"Billu Ji, I haven't brush..." Before she could complete her sentence, he slammed his lips on hers. He pulled her under him and gently kissed her. He lifted his head up and mumbled a good morning. He slowly got up but was pulled back by his wife.

"Let's sleep for some more time nah!" Annika cuddled and settled in his arms. He couldn't help chuckle, only she could go back to sleep after their little 'session'. He wound his arms around her and sighed contentedly.

Annika fiddled her pallu as she stood in the kitchen. She did not want to kill her family on the very first day. She took the jug of milk. She was going to make kheer just the way her Nani ma used to do. She just could hope it wouldn't magically become poison.

"Dadi, I love you. Ma, I'm sorry if I've ever hurt you. Bhaiyas, I hope we are together even in the heaven, and Dad I hope you don't go to hell!" Rudra said dramatically before Annika brought in kheer. Tej glared at him, not that Rudra paid any attention to him.

"I really hope you people don't fall sick!" Annika exclaimed. Cooking was never her forte after all. Shivaay smiled at her reassuringly.

"Puttar, it won't be bad I tell you!" Kalyani said as the elders gave her gifts. Annika felt as if she was anticipating her exam results when the family took in the first spoon. Shivaay grinned at Annika, the kheer was indeed good.

"Annika, tell me the truth, you've been lying all these years nah?" Jhanvi asked and Annika sighed in relief. She looked at everyone's faces, most of them were smiling, except one.

"Is it really bad Om?" Annika asked worriedly. Om shook his head and smiled weakly,

"It's good Anni! I've got some work to do!" Saying that, he got up and left, leaving the rest of them wonder what was possibly wrong.

"I'll also leave! Going over to a friend's place." Rudra opened his phone and a smile forming on his face.

Om sat in front his blank canvas and his mind was blanker than it. He took his phone out. Should he call Gauri? Would she like it if he did? He threw his phone on the couch nearbyin defeat. Gosh, he missed her so much...

"Another round Bhavya?" Rudra asked mischievously. Bhavya gasped for air and was completely red faced. She looked at him in disbelief, where did he even get his stamina. She nodded anyway, and let him do whatever he wanted. Because Rudra Singh Oberoi was not the one who would listen...

"I should have listened to mom. How are you going to be there alone?" Shivaay paced to and fro their room worriedly.

"I've lived alone..."

"No, your Nani stayed with you!" Shivaay knew she wouldn't like it if he was being overly protective, but still being worried was something Shivaay was born with.

"Billu Ji, breathe! I promise I will take care of your wife!" Annika hugged him with a grin. She secretly enjoyed seeing him worried, that's something only women understood after all. They retired to bed as Annika had an early morning flight. Shivaay knew he would miss her a lot for the next four days.

COVER COURTESY- Amyra aka ImLilMissComplicated