"Maybe I should not have called her. What was I thinking! Om, after you pointed out, I guess I did go too far." Shivaay ran his fingers through his hair as he sipped on to his espresso.

"Yes Shivaay, you should have texted her first. At least she would have responded when she was free, with the engagement next week, I'm sure she is running in a tight schedule."

"But Bhaiya..."

"You are still a baccha Ru, you don't understand these things" Om responded quietly.

This was always the problem with his brothers. Had they listened to him, then all these misunderstandings would be cleared off. But no, Rudra was a "baccha," right? When Bhavya and he were discussing cordially- okay, maybe not cordially, but they only fought four times the whole 17 minutes- anyway, she had mentioned about Annika's last minute meeting and how they had no time for finalizing the clothes for the engagement. But then what would a "baccha" know! Rudra rolled his eyes.

The doorbell rang and Jhanvi rushed to the door amidst their dinner, leaving Shivaay and Om surprised. The rest knew what was going on -courtesy Rudra- but then their brothers hadn't given an ear to what he had first intended to inform them about. Bhavya and the star designer Remo walked in the mansion. Wasn't it really late for all this, Shivaay thought. But then, he wouldn't have had time during the day. Bhavya came in and greeted him with this really broad smile. Through Gauri, she had come to know how he had called her Didu and that added as another thing to like him. He hadn't extinguished the fire by merely texting her, he had called instead! Unlike his stupid brother...

The color picked for both the families was forest green and the stars of the event were to wear pistachio green with pastel pink. Shivaay decided against wearing a suit if he had to wear those colors. He refused to look like a clown on their important day. Wouldn't it have been nice if Annika was there with him while selecting his apparel?

As if God heard his wish, Annika rushed in with Gauri following her, both panting.
"Sorry... I'm... Late... Traffic!" Annika said amidst breathing heavily. While Shivaay rushed to Anni, Om rushed to Ri both with a glass of water.

"Oh my mata! Annika beta, whats the rushes! You lands only some time before na?" Pinky exclaimed.

Landed? Was Annika out of town? Shivaay wondered, maybe that's why she didn't call back.

"Offo Bhabhi, breathe! You seem tanned and tired, guess Dubai didn't treat you well." Rudra brought out a wet wipe and started wiping Annika's face. The next moment, Jhanvi brought in two large glasses of juice for both Gauri and Annika, dragged them to the lounge and were pampered till they pleaded they were alright. Gauri started telling Jhanvi that she gave orders for the flowers and she needed the decorators to examine the Oberoi mansion by the next day, while all the talks continued, Annika's eyes never left Shivaay.

Well, who wouldn't have been excited to see her fiance give a surprise call?  But her bad, she had just boarded the flight, thus she had to cut him off. After landing, she'd rushed to the meeting. Mr. Fischer had informed her that he was holidaying in Dubai with his family and was not in Germany. If she got their deal over with, she wouldn't have anything major for the next month. She wanted to breathe well before tying the knot, and make sure her mom doesn't go over the top with any of the arrangements. To say she was guilty would be an understatement. If Shivaay, being one of the busiest business men in the country, was able to take time out for her, she should be always free for him. And with that, Annika was nervous. She didn't want Shivaay to be mad at her. She knew, maybe not firsthand, but knew his temper was the fire anyone would dread. Shivaay looked at her. His eyes which was steely grey moments ago turned to a soft blue, without looking at his lips, she knew he had a smile. Phew!

Shivaay saw Annika look at him worriedly, and that made him very happy. No, no! He didn't want her to worry at all, well you understand right? Rudra was right, Annika seemed tired. Her eyes did not have the same zest but her face never gave that away. She kept straightening up, not wanting anyone to notice. Annika was similar to him in this, showed the world only what she wanted them to see. He doesn't let anyone know whether he is tired or sick, just the way she does. That made him think, was the Annika he thought he knew same as the actual Annika.

Gauri felt like a specimen in laboratory, with one particular pair of eyes brooding on her. Omkara, from the moment of her entry, didn't take his eyes away from her. Well, these were the same pair of eyes that didn't spare a second glance four years ago, she sighed.

"You hate these, don't you?" Shivaay chuckled as he sat down beside Annika who was swiping all the designs she was shown. All of them were either too blingy and gaudy, or of a pattern she wouldn't dare wear even if it was for trial. She looked up Shivaay, about to apologize for not calling back "Now, don't ask sorry. I understand you were busy Annika. You know what we need, a custom made design for my beautiful bride!" Shivaay turned to Remo's assistant and told him he needs a whole new patterns and colors. If anyone had told any of the Oberois that their elder son would assist his future wife in designing her outfit, they would have been in splits, but seeing Shivaay describe some patterns of blouse in the most absurd way and Annika correcting him whilst laughing at all his blunders did serve as a shock fit to the Oberois.

It was half past twelve when they called it a wrap. Remo had had the worst nights of his life with an overly criticizing family of customers he had ever seen. In such short notice, when the Advanis asked him to design for the grandest engagement of the year, he was more traumatized than honored. Because, even separately, the Advanis and Oberois weren't easy customers, together were all his nightmares come true. Their fashion house had a week of overnights' work to do now, he thought worriedly as he left the place.

"I have booked a meeting with Sabyasachi Mukherjee the next week. Rudra and I will be meeting him, and his assistants will be sent for measurements. Any preferences, then let Rudra know Jiju. And next Friday, I want everyone at Advani Mahel for brunch, so we can finalize all the designs. Have all your schedules free then." Bhavya went on with a commanding tone making everyone nod readily and Rudra really hated that. No one ever listened to him in his family, and here she was, ordering the Oberois around. He was a baccha but the great she-Dracula was a responsible person, as if they knew. Hard to accept, but the rest of the Oberois were the most injudicious humans in this whole blue planet! Thought Rudra, hating his family...

"Puttar, it is very late now. I don't think it is safe for driving back home. Aaj raat yahin ruk jao!" Dadi ordered the three Advani girls and retired to bed.

This was a blessing to Prinku, who was more than glad to have a company of girls in her male dominated house. It was decided that they would have an impromptu slumber party, and watch some chick flick with popcorn and wine. Shivaay definitely did not agree to this. He didn't want his Annika to look like corpse the next day! His Annika? Om had raised his eyebrows to that making Shivaay crimson on the cheek. Well, don't ask how! But Annika Advani managed to break the armor around his heart.

Annika slowly left the chitter chatter of the girls and wandered around the mansion. It was not magnanimous like Advani Mahel, but this was one of the coziest place she had ever been. Probably because every pillar here beamed love! Though the Advanis lived under the same roof, the feel of family that the Oberois had was missing big time. They rarely saw each other because all were running on toes all the time. The whole family together was a seldom occurrence, but they too were a close crazy squad in their own way.

Her foot directly took her to the pool side, where the air suddenly electrified. The reason for this change was lying in one of the lawn chairs, eyes closed. His always scrunched eyebrows seemed to be relaxed, there was a baby-like expression on his face and the wild midnight wind played with the strands of his hair. She could stand there watching him all her life.

"Come here Annika," He said eyes still closed, him still in the opposite direction. How did he do that? she wondered. "I sensed you!" He replied as he gestured her to sit beside him. Looking at her expression, Shivaay chuckled. "It's crazy I know! but..."

"The air seemed different" Annika finished his sentence. He nodded and took her hands inside his.

"Nervous?" He asked softly, he didn't buy her pretense anymore.

"Like hell! Everything is..."

"Changing!"

"Not a small change Shivaay! Literally everything... I had to be an Advani all my life, now an Oberoi too. I am scared, what if I don't manage all this?"

"No, all you have to be is Annika, and I am sure the rest will fall into place." Shivaay squeezed her hand, and the warmth of his hand reassured her heart. Failing someone was Annika's biggest fear and she had her reasons. But with Shivaay around, she somehow knew he will never let her fail. Both sat down there, holding hands and gazing at the open sky, before drifting to a peaceful slumber. The wind toned down to a gentler breeze and tuned the night romantic, with the rustle of leaves adding the tempo, for the hearts that started to beat together.

The updates would get longer as it goes! If you liked this chapter, consider giving it a vote!

Loads of love,

Kripa <3