I was done with this chapter on Saturday and I have no idea how I forgot to put it up.

I guess I wouldn't call it a filler though it kinda is🤔

Earlier, in India.

"Rudy, I'm sorry. I just had a lot of work. Dad is being hard on me. He says by the end of this month, he will decide if I will have to shift departments. I haven't been this busy all my life. I hope you understand!" Bhavya arranged her bed as she spoke to Rudra.

"Yeah, it's fine. I was thinking, maybe we should try kickboxing tomorrow!" He was playing a video game with his phone on speakers. He knew she was busy, but it was Bhavya; she always made time for him.

"I have to be in the office at 7. I am packed Rudy boy. I'll call you up when I get free in the evening?"

"Alright, I'm free as a bird!"

The night slowly paved some way for the light, with the sun still hidden amidst the clouds in the sky. While the night was filled with ravenous passion, one would expect some romance at the dawn as well. No one is to be blamed though...

Annika's leg was almost frozen when she woke up. He, her husband dearest, had brazenly snatched major portion of the large cozy quilt that had kept them warm through the night. Even though he was adorable in his sleep, she was sure the early December cold would freeze her blood leaving her to die. She turned to see that the fire was out. She halfway climbed on him in a not-so-romantic way because it was just cold.

"Shivaay..." She shivered as she called him out, "Shivaay? SHIVAAY!" she screamed at the top of her voice in his ears. He woke up with a start and glared at her.

"Are you mad?" He shook his head vigorously, trying hard to open his eyes.

"I AM COLD!" She yelled. "You took the blanket from me and left me cold! Half my body is frozen and I am naked and hungry. But you! YOU are just sleeping." She gritted her teeth.

"Okay fine! I'll find and switch on the heater Get off me." He almost got up until the cold hit him. He snuggled back in comfortably. "There is no way I'm getting out of here!" He declared.

"Aren't you my knight in shining armour?" She said sarcastically and looked around. She saw his shirt lying on the corner of the mattress. She immediately reached for it and put it on. She swiftly got up and rushed her way to the coats to get one, else she would probably be a snowman sans the snow. Near the mains, she saw a gazillion switches.

"I think it's this one!" She heard her 'knight' behind her.

He was neatly wrapped in the quilt while she was sure she was having a frost bite. She was busy glaring at him when he fiddled with the switches. She heard the heater switch on and she heaved in relief. She tried walking away when Shivaay pulled her in. He wrapped her in, "Where is the bedroom?" His raspy voice made her skin go cold, which was much different than what the winter did to her.

"Dude, you said we'll meet in the evening!" Rudra was yet again playing video games in his pyjamas the next night.

"Sorry Ru! I'm not joking when I say Dad is hard on me. I was just busy; I wish I could predict what would come up beforehand." Bhavya yawned.

She sounded really tired that Rudra almost felt criminal to keep her up. He said his goodbye and hung up the phone. He sat for a while and realized his life was nothing like any of the others. He always knew what he was doing and he was always free. The only time he sounded like Bhavya was right after an intense workout.

It was Wednesday afternoon and Annika was lying lazily on Shivaay's chest. She was drawing patterns on him while he was on phone. He caught hold of her hand and gave her a glare. She chuckled and replaced it with her lips instead. When his body shivered in a little agitation, she knew he was biting back a groan. She never got enough of teasing him or the wonderful consequences.

"Annika!" He tossed his phone to the side table and pulled her to his face. She smiled at him mischievously and his stern expression slowly turned into a smile.

"Are you just going to stare at me like that?" She bit her lips and was not surprised to one bit when she was tossed to her back on the bed.

"Why is it Thursday already?" Shivaay murmured as he put on his tie.

The snow had cleared enough for him to drive to London. He went down to get his breakfast half heartedly while Annika went through some notes.

"I hope I sound smart!" She exclaimed when she saw him.

"You ARE smart Annika. Now for heaven sake, eat!" He took her plate back to reheat it.

"I am meeting with the world class neurologists today. And Prof. Burke is going to be there! I have no option but to sound smart."

"People at John Radcliffe are going to love you today. They are the best in the world and they have agreed to meet with you. You ought to have been smart for the consideration in the first place, right? Now, EAT! And I am getting late, so make it fast." He shoved some bread in her mouth and sipped in his coffee.

The two of them hadn't got enough sleep the whole of two days and he hoped it didn't show on his face. They started from their cottage and Shivaay dropped her at John Radcliffe Hospital before her left for London. Annika waved at Prof. Burke who stood near the entrance and ran to give him a hug.

"Hello there rock star! Ready to blow everyone's minds away?" He asked as he hugged her.

"I'm very nervous right now. I don't want to let you down."

Prof. Burke shook his head and squeezed her hand slightly. He hadn't seen anyone like Annika all his life and she was made for research. She always strived to bring in innovations. Her last sentence was the reason why the research world lost such a smart person to business, even though her heart did not lie there. They went in together and he was sure everyone was going to love her.

"We are absolutely delighted to work with you Mrs. Oberoi!" Doctor Adcock, the head of Neurology, exclaimed. Their idea for developing an assistive device for people with Dyskinesia and associated diseases was brilliant and if it worked, it would help a lot of people.

"The pleasure is ours Doctor Adcock," Annika shook her hands. They left the conference room and Annika happened to see into the ortho room.

"Are they developing a titanium leg?" She asked, amazed.

"Yes..." Doctor Adcock saw the expression in Annika's face. "Would you like to see? I don't think Doctor Campbell would mind," She smiled at the excitement that crossed over Annika's face and took her inside. With the interest Annika showed, both Doctor Campbell and Doctor Adcock had no doubt she would have made a great surgeon had she opted medicine.

Rudra wandered around the mansion. His grandma and Chachi were at some satsang and the other three elders were in a meeting. Bhavya too was busy, and he knew he couldn't call his brothers because they were, again, busy. For the first time in his life, he was countered with loneliness. He couldn't blame anyone because he was the only one who did not have anything productive to do. He reflected on how his life was going to be and realized it was time to do something about it. He could not sit away his entire life. He remembered how Bhavya spoke about one of her friends who was a CEO of some company at their age. He realized there was no way she spoke about him with such reverence to anyone.

Maybe, it was time to grow up... 

Now, I'm off to study for the impending semester examination for tomorrow.

Although it is an easy paper, I might need some luck, so wish me nice!

If you liked the chapter, hit the VOTE so I'll know :)