Two days before the engagement:

While Annika and Shivaay spent on their phones with each other idly, both the families were going crazy. It was the biggest engagement of the year after all, every media, every big name was going to be there. There was no question of having a private function, as the immediate friends and family of both sides added up hundreds. While Bhavya and Rudra tried not to kill each other amidst the thousands of trials they held for each member, Omkara was frustrated that in spite of Gauri spending almost two days in the Oberoi Mansion, he could not even talk to her. Breaking the ice was definitely an epic failure because, she did behave awkwardly every time she saw him.

Day Zero:

The Oberoi Mansion was wreathed with fairy lights ready to be switched on, and fresh flowers decked everywhere. The whole ambience was chaotic as everyone was busy checking the last minute arrangements. Annika was taken to one of the guestrooms much to Shivaay's dismay. He had assumed that she would get ready in his room and cleaned his already clean room. But Dadi told him that Annika was not allowed to enter his room before their Suhaag Raat and for the first time, he saw Annika blush. Even though he was a little embarrassed, he couldn't help but smirk at her. Her eyes widened as she noticed that and she immediately looked away. Only Annika could be a no nonsense boss and a blushing bride at the same time! He sighed dreamily as he said, "Today is going to be perfect!"

Or so he thought...

Annika stood there in the backside garden of Oberoi Mansion, fidgeting her clothes. Thankfully, no one was there. About an hour left for the engagement to start, she had to stand there with her heart rigid. Ever since she received Daksh's message to meet her, she grew restless. She knew what was coming up, he never got tired of pursuing her. She had met him around six years ago, almost around the time when Shivaay had announced that Tia Kapoor and he were planning a betrothal. Daksh made her realize that there was no point in waiting around and they started dating. Before it could move into anything, Annika called it quits. It felt very wrong to her, but Daksh professed his love. Yes, he had fallen even before they went out. He told Annika he would wait for her patiently until she realizes it was pointless to wait for a man who never was her's. But Shivaay announced himself single, which made Daksh become quieter. However, he did tell her that she would realize it was all a mistake if she gets to know Shivaay. Then came Ragini and the same happened again. So, when their engagement was announced, she was expecting Daksh's call. She had assumed he had given up until that one text. Honestly, heartbreak was very hyped. Yes, heart being broken was appalling, but breaking the heart of a person who loves you truly was equally awful. Annika, each time hated the forlorn look on Daksh's face. A part of her broke to, but she wasn't guilty as she knew, not falling in love with him was not her fault.

"Annika..." He approached her with a blood shot eyes. Annika inhaled deeply and went to him. This was going to be the very last time.

"Bhaiyaaa!" Rudra called from outside Shivaay's room for the fourth time and Shivaay opened with an irritated look.

"I can perfectly hear Rudy" Shivaay chided.

"Achha, send Bhabhi immediately, Dadi called her." Rudy said with a wink.

"Bhabhi? Annika is not here. You think she will come to me despite Dadi telling her not to?" Shivaay hung his face down, pretending to be heartbroken.

Rudy giggled and asked, "Then where is Bhabhi? We assumed she would be with you! She isn't anywhere in the house," Rudra said with a frown forming on his face.

"Did you check with Om?" Shivaay asked, and Rudra shook his head. Instinctively, they went to the garden, Om stood rooted to a spot, as if witnessing something. Rudra and Shivaay went there, and were startled to see a man crying knelt down in front of Annika. Omkara had tears in his eyes, which worried Shivaay.

"Anni, would you ever understand! I waited all these years for you to realize that Shivaay wasn't right for you... It's okay if you don't love me. But please think, is Shivaay right for you? You, you deserve much more than this man you are settling to Annika! Anni, look. Look at me, do you think you will be happy?"

"Daksh, please! I told you back then and I'm telling you now, please don't bring Shivaay into this. Please..." Annika gulped back her tears, and Daksh held her hands.

"Anni, how can I not! You know how he..."

"It was his choice Daksh, this was my choice. Neither do I have anything to do with his, nor he with mine! Daksh, listen to me. You made me love myself when I couldn't, you made me believe I am worth everything when I didn't. I am sorry I couldn't love you back... No one has ever loved me as much as you did, it really breaks my heart to break yours. Certain things can't be changed though, life is a bitch that way. I know I would be asking too much if I ask you to be happy for me or attend this engagement. But promise me, promise that when the right girl comes, who loves you immensely, you would love her more. You would give yourself that chance! Promise me Daksh." Her voice broke painfully with every uttered word. Daksh simply nodded and hugged her tightly, for one last time.

"As long as you are happy Annika." Daksh smiled and even Shivaay knew it took the man all the last energy left to do that. Annika left this man with a golden heart to be with him. Shivaay took a few steps back and left that place. Daksh made him question, did he deserve Annika? Within a week's span, he knew she was an unadulterated soul, unlike him who was tainted, she was indeed like fire he had compared to before. She was the pious fire that cleansed negativity, she was a gem. He, in the contrary, was everything she wasn't. He was brutal, selfish, turbulent, inconsiderate and the list went on. All these years, he only thought of going against his grandfather. But never did he think of the girl who was on the same boat as him. He was against the arrangement of his betrothal, but never once thought of the girl who was waiting for him. Daksh was right, he did not deserve her!

Annika slowly wiped her tears and turned to find Rudra and Om all welled up. Seeing Annika, Om went on and gave her a tight hug. Rudra, who as always hates to be left out, rushed to them and hugged her. When the three entered the back door, Bhavya immediately took Annika to the guest room for touch up. Gauri, who was oblivious to what had happened, eyed Omkara clueless.

"Dil ki thi yeh ilteja,

ke usse kabhi na de tootne,

magar mohabbat ki raahon me samja,

thodne se bhi toot tha hai dil"

Rudra had to roll his eyes, Om doesn't know how to talk like a normal human being, did he? But his mouth hung open when he saw Gauri squeeze his hand and said "Daksh will come around and Annika will be alright."

How was she able to decipher that from the alien language of Om's! Finally, his bhaiya found a girl who understood him, he should probably marry her, he thought and chuckled.

Nazdeek hai dil ke.

Shivaay saw her descend from the stairs, he heard a few gasps as the crowd acknowledged her ethereal beauty. There was no trace of agony in her face that was there an hour ago, if Shivaay hadn't seen the happenings first handedly, even he wouldn't have known.

Phir kyun lage milke?

She approached him with her dazzling smile, but her eyes did seem a little strained. Her golden smoky eye and false lashes seemed to conceal it, but Shivaay knew better. His heart skipped a beat as he saw her but his chest had a sharp pain. He never thought this moment would be bittersweet for him.

Jaise woh milon door ho!

One look at Shivaay, Annika knew something was wrong. He smiled at her, but his eyes remained stormy, as if he was conflicting within himself. She did not let her smile go away, she turned to look at Om and Rudra who looked worried, not at her but Shivaay. When she eyed them, they gestured that he too had witnessed it.

Jazba hai anjanaa.

Annika went and squeezed his hand and Shivaay looked up at her. He put this beautiful diamond ring on her finger after the pundit instructed him. He then did something unexpected. He pulled Annika into his arms, and kissed her forehead. It wasn't a 'cute' kiss, it was almost a promise. He thought to himself, 'I will never fail you Annika, you are my responsibility from now on.'

Mushkil hai samjaana

Annika felt it. She somehow understood how he felt as she closed her eyes. She had to talk to him before it's too late. She looked at the Shivaay who now refused to meet her in the eyes. This was not the man she met, or spent the day with in her apartment. This man was changing, and she had to change that.

Apna hai ya hai gair woh

Omkara looked at Gauri anxiously. Gauri had the same expression on her face. What had transpired between Shivaay and Annika was only visible to the four of them, along with Mallika and Siddharth, who got to know after they reached there. They were scheduled to a press conference next. But these people knew neither Annika nor Shivaay were in the mood to face the media. Gauri immediately got up, went and whispered something to Tej, who was a fan of her, he immediately nodded in affirmative and went to Shivaay who just shrugged. When curious Omkara looked at her when she came back, she gestured triumphantly and grinned at him. For what, none of them knew except for Gauri.

Around 8, the press conference started, at the den near the living room in Oberoi mansion. Shivaay and Annika just posed for the media and left from there while the elder Oberois and Advanis answered the media. Gauri informed the rest that she told Tej not to allow the couple to hold a press conference till few days till the wedding. This would allow the tabloids have an undivided attention over the Oberois and Advanis, which would also help their stocks. Omkara was in awe when Gauri told him this, even he needed classes from his mom before approaching his dad, but she handled efficiently. Gauri blushed a little when she saw Om's expression and yet again, his heart went on a marathon.

While Daksh stood in the farthest corner watching Annika and Shivaay, he realized how wrong he was. They seemed to fit perfectly together, almost as if they were each other's missing puzzle. "It sucks, doesn't it" He heard a voice and turned to see Ragini there. She handed him a glass of whiskey, and he sipped as he said, "But they seem happy!" She held his arm as she nodded the same.

"Well well, look at the new love birds in town!" Mallika exclaimed when she saw Annika holding Shivaay's hand as they neared these two. Never once did Annika let his hand go after the realization dawned her, though she would love to talk to him as soon as possible. Shivaay did calm a little after some time. He grinned when he saw Siddharth wrap his hand around Mallika when they stood before them. Though it had been years since Mallika and Shivaay broke, Siddharth grew into this possessive man around Shivaay.

"Enough Rana, my guy isn't interested in your girl anyway!" Annika stuck her tongue out at him, and Rana did the same to her. While Mallika chuckled, Shivaay was amused how two reputed business people behaved like children around each other.

"I know Shivaay won't, but his fiancee has been eyeing my girl." He said, and Annika immediately left Shivaay and pulled Mallika into her arms.

"She will always love me more than you!"Annika said and gave Mallika a kiss. And Mallika nodded and hugged Annika back. "Shivaay, be careful around my wife, she would snatch yours away!" He laughed and Shivaay chuckled too.

Ishq mein adhoora sa

Rooh mein hai poora sa

Dard hai yeh saari umr ka.

But then he realized Mallika was the first girl he went out with and his eyes met Annika's guiltily. Annika was sure she would smack him any time soon.

"Excuse us," Annika mumbled and dragged Shivaay to the poolside.

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