#Fun Fact - The severed head of a sea slug can grow a whole new body.

Haniya sat hardly able to control her squeals looking at the humour-filled conversations of her daughter with a potential guy, Shivaay. She had many eternities enquired her daughter about the father of her growing baby. Despite several attempts and persuasion Mallika remained mum not disclosing anything. Her father, Sameer had scolded her, threatened and also had emotional talks about pregnancy however Mallika's secret remained uncovered.

Mallika was stubborn, they concluded.

Her father, Sameer had gotten to know that Mallika frequently visited Shivaay's flat at odd hours through his private investigators. To add up the seasoning Shivaay came over today with sweet boxes to meet Mallika.

What was more required? Wasn't this enough?

So all the doubts were cleared.

The parents decided to go meet his family and inform them of the baby which was due in the next six months. Another set of grandparents needs to know.

"So Annika what do you do?" Sameer asked looking at Annika who in return shared the identical smile as him while answering him.

"Uncle I'm an undergraduate student right now. Planning for higher studies." Annika responded by shoving a mouthful amount of roti dipped in saag.

"That's nice. Any hopes to join the work?" Shivaay proudly looked at his wife, Annika who was still chewing her food to speak. "I and my husband are moving to the States in a couple of months. We are waiting for my exams and visa."

Taken aback Mallika's parents were left surprised by her answer. Annika was young and also younger than their daughter however she was already married to a man. That was surprisingly good. Not wanting to offend her in any manner by inquiring about her husband they wrapped up the conversation by serving the sweet Shivaay had brought.

When Annika denied the sweet considering her lactose intolerance Mallika's parents suggested she would have some oranges from the basket.

"Here Rice Kheer." Shivaay passed a small Tupperware bottle with a sipper while still maintaining his composure as eating. "I knew it."

"You are the best!" Annika squeaked with happiness with the small gesture from her husband but stopped her rantings when Sameer and Haniya looked after her. "I'm sorry."

Shivaay muffled his laugh seeing Annika trying to behave well as a guest. Well, she clearly couldn't maintain her decency with her crazy behaviours.

"Bet you are such a caring man Shivaay," Sameer commented not wanting to conclude that Shivaay was extra caring towards that girl, not their daughter Mallika.

"Uncle the Oberoi family will be hosting a Dinner party this Saturday. Since Rudra is a part of the new show and also we, as in me and someone will be moving to the other country in a couple of months. Your and your family's presence will be highly delightful." Shivaay started wiping out his mouth from the towel.

"What's the occasion?" Mallika asked with a ghastly smile pulling the legs of the newly wedded couple.

"There are many things to confirm. Especially all thanks to Rudra he has spiced up everything. I need to confirm things." Shivaay replied with a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Is true beta? The wedding rumours?" Sameer sceptically asked hoping all of them to be false and his daughter to lead a happy life.

"Uncle please attend the party dinner. Then I shall clear all the way."

Chatting for some time Shivaay stood up, "Thank you for having us for lunch." He bowed in gratitude and passed a small basket of dry fruits with an invitation stuck with it.

"We all will be waiting for your presence. Obviously, except for Om, he is in Kolkata learning art over there." Annika nodded her head understanding Shivaay's words. "But he will be connected through face time." Annika giggled.

"Ji zarur. We would come. We have things to solve and talk about with your family." Shivaay kitted his brows each and blankly looked at Sameer who had a calming and assuring smile.

[Trans - yes definitely.]

"Nothing beta. Don't think too much of him." Haniya glared at her husband and plastered a fake smile covering up the blanks. "Any theme? For Mallika?"

"Yes, we have. Whites for family members and peach yellow for guests. As far as Mallika is concerned she can wear any loose yellow dress."

Mallika had reeked something. Her parents were always friendly but a bit orthodox with their religion. However, since Shivaay came over with sweets they were behaving oddly, too formally. She could not understand the looks they were throwing at Annika. Was it-friendly behaviour? Or didn't they like her?

"Please don't mind that elders didn't step forward in inviting. They are all busy with ongoing preparation. This is kinda gathering to announce something."

••

"-haha. You should have seen your face when you barged in with sweets." Annika laughed holding the kitchen knife very near to her mouth.

"You couldn't just resist my charms." Shivaay snatched the knife and added grumpily irritated with her constant teasings.

"Ooo-hh" she made a naive face batting her eyes and lashes continuously and continued. "Shivi is angry." She commented with a small pout.

Pushing her aside from the countertop of the Kitchen, Shivaay grabbed the chopped vegetables and began sauteing them in a non-stick pan ignoring her.

"Speak to me now." Annika yanked him and began hovering over him in an attempt to make to look at her.

"Okay fine. I'm sorry." She pulled her lower lips out and muttered with her eyes low. "I said right. I won't laugh at you." She kissed his nose and murmured with a slight laugh holding back.

"See again, you are laughing at me." Shivaay fed up with her antics turned off the gas stove and grabbed her. He narrowed his eyes as she started again with her fits of laughter and he sighed releasing his breath before he approach with his tickles.

"Stop it. Please." Annika collapsed on the floor with her giggles growing and moist eyes. Shivaay flashed a breathtaking pearl set of his watching her struggle to stand up on her feet.

"I would aunty. I would be more than happy to take care of my wife when she would be carrying our baby. In future. Not yet though." She imitated Shivaay's voice. Hours back Mallika's mom added asked about his wife and their baby, in future. Without any shutters, he had answered.

"I will," Shivaay added with a slight twitch on the corner of his mouth. Too annoyed by her.

"We will see."

"Oh really?" He raised his brows questioning her.

"Yes."

"What are your intentions?" He asked.

"To see whether you hold on to your words." Annika shrugged blankly and turned her face away from him.

"Hmm. Let's try out." She gulped looking at his blue-green orifices shining brightly and stepped back until her back touched the refrigerator while he stood inches away from her.

"Hehe. I was joking." Annika laughed nervously.

"No. You are right. We should see." She shut her eyes right as Shivaay leaned closer to her face with his hands tucked in his pockets.

Truth be told she anticipated something. Maybe hot breath fanning over her nape or some hot kiss raining on her skin but nothing that sort of happened. Unhappy with the thoughts running through her mind she opened one eyelid and tried peeking. There stood Shivaay at the same spot with his glory and a devilish smirk across his face.

"Did you expect something?" He asked plastering an innocent look on his face but Annika knew well of his intentions.

"I- you. Idiot go away!" She struggled to push his hovering body from hers. Watching this Shivaay laughed with a low animalistic growl with her punches.

"You know what?" He asked trapping her with his forearms. "You look cute when flustered." She blushed as he leaned closer to her lips.

"Bhaiya!" Both stumbled with the sudden streaming voice, which they recognised as Rudra.

Immediately separating themselves they ran to the living to only see Rudra standing at the door front tears rolling on his cheeks.

Annika passed a clean cloth to Rudra, from the cloth pile on the chair, who in return accepted it and blew his nose dramatically on the cloth.

"Papa kicked me out." Rudra started with hiccups and bawling loudly.

"You too? Like me?" Annika whacked Shivaay's arm as he pulled his younger brother's leg.

"What did you do Rudy boi?" Annika asked whilst motioning him to take a seat and then go further in details.

"I asked for a new bike with better engine capacity and he-" he said sobbed louder "- he told me that now I'm in the acting industry I should myself look into accommodation and bike. Even dadi didn't say anything." He wailed puffing up his chest.

"He had packed my clothes and shoes." He pointed at three extra-large suitcases at the doorway.

"Where will you go? To a friend's house? Or PG?" Shivaay asked in a hope that the answer wouldn't be his flat. Already his youngest brother had spoiled an intimate moment and now this. He could imagine the future if he guessed Rudra's answer right.

"Where else? I have a loving brother and sister-in-law. They are too good and will allow me right?"

"Awee! My brother-in-law." Shivaay rolled his eyes looking at his wife and brother who were behaving like a long lost sibling lost in some festivities. Well, his wife looked more like a sibling to Rudra than him. They had more similarities.

"I need rent from you and behave well in the household. No late-night movies, music and dance. No friends allowed. The main thing, don't disturb our moments as you did now."

••

*****
Must thank yashaswiniprasad0694. I had previously sent screenshots of this chapter so I could get back.

Girlwithhotlips earned a new buddy here. 🖤

sonalsharma27 and jiya070 this for you. 🧡🧡