"I just hope everything goes well Pinky Ji. I know Papa Ji made the promise years ago and also told me that I must fulfill it with Annika, but still, I am a mother and I just want her to be happy." Amala had always felt guilty because sometimes she felt that she was duressing Annika into the whole marriage. Annika was never the child that would rebel out of her loved ones' will, if she knew it would make someone happy, she wouldn't think twice to do it. Hence, Amala and Vijaynath knew that she would marry Shivaay for them, even if she loved someone else, she would still do that. This had them worried, and they were stuck in between the happiness of their daughter and the duty towards Raghuvir.

"Annika is such a darlings Amala Ji, but I am worrieds about Shivaay only. He completely ignoreds her sorry, is that a ways to do?" Pinky did not still get over that, and this sentence made Kalyani smile.

"Offo Pinky puttar! When will you ever learn to read the unsaid in silences! Billu did not ignore Annika, did you both not see the gleam in Billu's eyes while Annika was here? And Annika's face was glowing ever since she had come down after dressing up? And Amala puttar, I can already see the Ishqbaazi between Anni and Billu, tu chinta na kar!" Kalyani lovingly caressed the foreheads of the two concerned mothers.

"Don't you guys want to see the place around? It's almost a Labyrinth, I hope Om and Rudra don't get lost during the wedding!" Annika was extremely awkward; with the phone call, she was able to vaguely guess what could have been the reason behind the sudden reverence. Her family always spoke highly of her, but Annika had always felt that even a small thing she does brings out so much appreciation that actually overshadows all the achievements of her equally talented cousins. No, don't get her wrong, she loved it whenever she gets acknowledged, but it was essential for all it to be worthy enough for the appreciation. According to her, she hasn't done much to have all the credits, yet.

"We are having the wedding... here?" Phew, great escape Shivaay! Thank God for 'here'. He didn't want Annika to think he didn't want to marry her, but weren't they supposed to talk alone, or have 20 questions before that? The matter of fact way Annika stated it took him by surprise, nevertheless engulfed his heart with a new found warmth.

"Of course, don't the weddings usually happen at the Bride's? Why Shivaay, do you have a problem with that? It's alright..."

Shivaay didn't let her complete the sentence, "I am ready to tie a knot around your neck anywhere, Annika. Under the stars? At the top of a mountain? Right here? The place really doesn't matter."

And with that, Annika swore his eyes changed colors, it was almost turquoise before it changed into a paler blue. Shivaay was hands down the sweetest person under the sky. Who would have thought that the two people who stood there lost in each other's eyes, breathing in the same rhythm had only met a few hours ago! Who would have believed that the groom was actually reconsidering this whole idea when he had stepped into that house! And far away in the galaxy, there were three stars that shone the brightest, almost as if they were grinning.

"But Bhabhi, why would you..."

"Oh God! How could you? Not AGAIN! What fun do you have ruining beautiful romantic moments? This one was almost out of a movie!" Bhavya swore she would have cried when Rudra tai tai pissed the whole moment, if it was up to her, she would have shot him down in no time.

"Yes Rudy, they could have kissed for all I know!" Omkara was highly disappointed with Rudra for two things, one because his otherwise austere cousin was legit uttering those words that came as a bolt from the blue and secondly, as Bhavya said, that moment seemed very heartening and private that made him feel as an uncomfortable intruder.

"Tsk-tsk Omkara Ji! They are your Bhaiya and Bhabhi for god sakes!" Gauri looked at him disapprovingly.

Oh no! Way to make good impressions Omkara, he patted himself. Him liking a girl wasn't written everyday in the stars, so, Om's little heart wanted to woo the lady right away. He wanted to seem to be the one who was confident, yet the first time, his voice had betrayed him. Say the right things was his motto, and here she was looking at him just like one does when you say the right things. All Om could do was look apologetically.

"But Gauri di, Om bhaiya is right! How cute were they! Now they look like ripened tomatoes (turns to Rudra) Why don't you rechristen yourself to Ruin Singh Oberoi?" Bhavya snorted making Rudra pout like a little child. While Shivaay, Gauri and Omkara suddenly found the ceiling interesting, Annika stood there looking at Bhavya in opprobrium. "Yes, and now you are going to scream at me right Didu? I am always at fault, okay sorry Rudra! See, I apologized." Bhavya screamed and walked out of that place leaving the rest four startled. Shivaay took the matter in his arms and followed Bhavya to the balconet.

"Bhavya..."

"I'm sorry for creating a scene Jiju!" She replied in a small voice that almost melted Shivaay, he was able to tell that there was something else that bothered her.

"And Rudy was just a victim of another vexation, right?" Bhavya looked at him with her eyes almost shining, was she welling up? Shivaay instinctively placed his palm on her cheek and looked questioningly.

"Didu will be leaving soon with you right? And in no time, Rudra will replace me in her life." Two pearls fell down from her eyes and moistened the thumb of Shivaay, his expression softened and he looked at this precious little girl who had nothing but love for her sister, in front of him.

"Bhavya, you are Annika's jaan! I am the last person who knows Annika and I can tell you that her love is not replaceable. When she becomes my wife, she would have many new relationships in her life, but that doesn't mean the old ones change. In fact, YOU are luckier, that in addition to Annika you have more people to love you. Now be a good girl and cheer up. And about Rudy, even if coal and diamond are carbon, coal can never be diamond right?" And that made Bhavya let out a small laugh, but Shivaay cursed himself using that analogy, all he could pray was his little brother never comes to know this.

When Bhavya and Shivaay walked back, he saw his tigress was up in arms. Shivaay just could gulp, "So, if someone is being unreasonable, would you just walk up to them and reassure them they are right Shivaay?"

"But Annii..."

"No buts, I know what would have happened because only one thing would make Bhavya smile"

"So what Annika? The best way is to make the person speak up and clear the air! Unlike you, I don't jump into conclusions!"

"I jump into conclusions? Really Shivaay? So Bhavya just screaming at people for trivial things is the right thing to do right? Is that what you would do if our children do to others?"

"No I won't, but I would ask our children to speak up first Annika, you know to hear their side of story!"

"Really? Am I actually talking to Shivaay Singh Oberoi?"

This kinda went on for a while until those two got tired, leaving the rest four bemused. Well, it was normal to talk about future children after almost two hours of meeting a person, yes it is perfectly normal!

Unknown to the six of them, three ladies stood near the door watching them on. Two amused and one grinning, "And this is how my puttars, old married couples bicker!" Kalyani exclaimed.

.vote.