I am finally here with an update, after a month here I presume. How have you all been? And is the title confusing? XD Well, you won't know till the next chapter.

"I know what to do!"

Kept ringing in Shivaay's ears as he kept throwing glances at Annika. First, he figured she would announce something at the dinner table. But her silence, which was almost grim, raised suspicion. He turned to Dadi when she mildly cleared her throat, only loud enough for him to hear.

"Billu, did you two fight again?" She pursed her lips into a thin line as she quietly asked, and Shivaay knew she was mentally blaming him. His family was suffice to make the whole world think he was a beast!

"Annika and I never fight Dadi!" He protested making the old lady chuckle a little. She nodded and resumed with her dinner.

"Om, can you pass the pickle?" Annika spoke for the first time. Gauri was about to reach the bottle. "Never mind! I'll take the gravy instead," She interjected quickly. Gauri was confused; she looked at Om who just shrugged.

"Di, can you pass the roti?" Gauri asked. Annika simply took the basket and gave it to Shivaay, who was as clueless as everyone else on Annika's sudden behaviour. Shivaay bent to her side and whispered, "Are we not talking to Gauri anymore? And why is that? Pray tell." Annika gave him a piercing look and shook her head.

"Is something wrong di?" Gauri looked puzzled. Everything was good awhile back. Annika looked at Gauri for a few seconds, her expression intensifying with every passing second. Shivaay too, was starting to think she was mad at Gauri. Annika opened her mouth, about to say something, but suddenly she changed her mind. She gave Gauri a plastic smile, and Shivaay swore he hadn't seen a smile so fake in his life.

"Of course not! Even if anything were, why would you be interested?" She took her plate and walked off the dining table, leaving behind a very confused table full of people.

"You must have done something terrible for that!" Tej looked at her in disappointment.

"Why would you hurt Annika of all people?" Om shook his head, again, in disappointment.

"I didn't do anything!" Gauri exclaimed as she walked towards where Annika headed to.

"May I?" Gauri asked when she knocked the door. Annika was scrubbing the photo frames and Gauri was ready to apologize. Because, if Annika was even a little close to cleaning things, it meant she was really upset. Not getting a reply, Gauri walked in anyway. "I know you are upset, and I wish I knew what it was. But whatever it is, I'm really sorry Di. You know I would never hurt you intentionally!"

"It's fine Gauri. I guess I should be the understanding one here, because so many good things are finally happening to you. First Omkara, then your work. I'm sorry I behaved like a bitch!" Annika intentionally took a pause before mentioning about the work part. Gauri realized immediately why the fuss was about.

"I'm so sorry! Gosh, I forgot to tell you. You must have felt terrible to have heard from someone else. I am the Executive Director for the Advani Foods now." Gauri bit her lip, she was a fool. She should have called and informed. She smiled sheepishly at Annika and prayed her sister would let that go. "I'm ready to make it up Di. I swear neither Om nor the work has changed this Ri of yours. You are always my number 1! Sisters before misters, remember?"

"I'll pretend like I believe you," Annika chuckled.

"Well, yes I have changed. But I still speak the truth when I said you are my number 1. In fact, next time you go out of the country, I will accompany you. Just like the old times!" Gauri's statement was all Annika needed. She immediately pitched in that she was going to Oxford the next week and Gauri excitedly agreed.

"May I ask why the hell were you angry with Gauri and what does the Oxford trip have to do with Om and Gauri spending quality time?" Shivaay asked when Annika snuggled close to him. It was quarter past twelve and this was all he thought about.

"Were you always this dumb?" Annika asked irritated. Her plan was as bright as daylight that even Rudra seemed to understand. Shivaay was about to protest when she asked, "Where is Oxford?"

"What does that have to...? Okay, don't glare. It's near London!"

"Who is going to London tomorrow?"

"Omkara... Oh!" No wonder Annika thought he was dumb not to get it. "So you weren't angry with Gauri?" Annika shook her head.

"If I weren't sleepy, I might have found this clueless Shivaay adorable, but right now, it's just annoying. Sleep, will you?" Annika closed her eyes for a moment before Shivaay spoke again. Being married meant being together through sickness, health and cosmic stupidity.

"I wouldn't be able to come with you guys. Can't we postpone..."

"We never invited you Shivaay! Now, unless it's your death wish, don't wake me up!"

Om looked at Shivaay once more and back at Annika. He wouldn't have been surprised a month ago if Shivaay had roamed around with a scowl on his face. But after Annika's arrival at Oberoi mansion, this was the first time Shivaay wore his infamous signature expression. When Om raised his eyebrow, Shivaay threw a glare at Annika and she just rolled her eyes. Om hugged everyone. Even if he was going away for just two weeks for his gallery, his family treated it with tears. Sometimes, it was really dramatic, although Annika called it sweet. He approached her and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly will Gauri be doing in Oxford?"

"Well, I don't know. But I certainly know she won't be in London doing you!" Annika winked at him and if Om hadn't known Annika better, he would've joined his brother at the Glare-at-Annika club. He pinched her cheek, which he knew she hated, and turned to leave. He, yet again, looked at Shivaay, whose eyes were on Annika and knew his brother was a changed man with the light that shone in his ocean blue eyes.

"Shivaay, in exactly twenty minutes I want you to stop sulking, because I might have good news!" Annika grinned at him and ran to the poolside after grabbing her phone. Shivaay wondered what he had to do for his wife to take him seriously. He knew he was going to miss her if she wasn't around, but she didn't seem like she would. She was more than happy to leave him behind and go to London or Oxford precisely or wherever. And above all, she made it very clear she didn't want him around. She told him that she would have work there and reasoned with him that he had already missed a lot of his work during the wedding. She was right, and he knew that. But a little bit of empathy wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? He took her suitcase out and started packing, because Annika had a tendency to do everything at the last minute, and the last thing he wanted was a rampage in their room.

"Billu Ji! I have insider news," Annika's eyes shone in excitement. "You have a higher possibility in winning business man of the year this year. But the chances are thin, so you are going to work your ass off and put your smart pants on this whole month! You better win this," Annika commanded. "Plus, it is said that Auxilium is considered to be nominated apparently! Which category, I don't know," she added.

"Your company deserves it love. I'm done with your packing by the way. Are you sure you don't want me to pack mine as well?" He asked as he pulled her and pecked her lips little by little. He moved dangerously close to her lips and let his breath touch her skin. He caught her hands tightly to prevent any little movement and he spoke huskily, "Are you sure Annika?" He looked at her very flushed defeated face and grinned. She opened her eyes and smiled slyly, "You do realize seducing me isn't going to work right?" He glared at her and let her go immediately, while she giggled.

10 hours flight and half hour car ride later, Annika and Gauri reached the Oberoi penthouse in Central London.

"Di, I still can't believe I fell for your drama! You could've told me that you were trying to get me to Omkara Ji!" Gauri said for the billionth time.

"You are a terrible actress Gauri. Had you known the truth, Viru papa would have found out in no time! Plus, I always have fun having you worked up!" Annika winked as they walked in. Shivaay casually walked across the room after giving those two a nod and Annika didn't know what to say.