#Fun Fact - There's only one letter that doesn't appear in any American state name. There's a Z in Arizona and an X in Texas, but no Q in any of them.

"But Sasur Ji I'm not skilful-"

"You are Sonu. You have to take over, one day the world. I know you can."

"No, I won't. It's the fate of Oberoi sons, not me, I can't just go ahead and run the industries when you and your family built it."

"When was mine and your Sonu? When did it differ? You are my daughter, you have equal rights on this matter. It's not like I took this decision in minutes but years ago. I'm sure of it."

"I appreciate your points but one day Rudy or Omkara may entreat your judgment of giving daughter-in-law powers. I don't want that to happen Sasur Ji."

"They won't. They won't cross my words. Precisely Om is into arts and society, Rudra in the entertainment industry, my lad in chains of restaurants. My sons are too busy to look after Oberoi Industries. They aren't that enthusiastic about it."

"Don't you think Sasur Ji, one day Om or Rudy's wives may point out this? They would want power and wealth."

"I'm not saying that I won't give them their shares but you would have more responsibilities with a place to name yourself. Rudra and Om are all okay with this one. Our family decided it years back. Will your husband be okay with this?"

"I don't know. I won't agree if he does. I don't want such a high position without any intense struggle. We have a life in the US. We are settling there and presently it's complicated."

"Okay then. You will resign your post from the pharmaceutical industry and start assisting me. With every achievement, you would be promoted."

"Sasur Ji- please understand."

"To date, I haven't expected anything from you nor your husband. It's up to you to decide what to do next. But I prefer a yes! I and Jhanvi can shift there and help you. And listen, reach the conference hall in the head office today. Got it?"

"Yes. I will resign sooner."

"Great."

"Where are you up to? Now?"

"I will inform you that immediately after I and Shivi visit the hospital."

"Are you okay? Lad?"

"All fine. Uhmm I'm with child."

"What's that supposed to be? A riddle? I believe you are visiting to get your cast off, don't joke me Ms Hothead."

"Yeah. Uncover my words till I come."

"You are insane Sonu!"

"Only for my husband, your lad."

••

"Stop asking such questions!" Shivaay mellowed Annika, resisting his urge to run away from the doctor's sight. The male doctor was giving weird looks answering Annika's endless queries.

"What questions?" She knitted her brows.

"Those intimate things- what was the need to be intruded. It shouldn't come out of the bedroom." He whispered leaning closer to her ears and passing a nervous smile to the moody Doctor.

"Dr Chethan?" She approached.

"Yes?" The doctor straightened his back and let go of the clicking pen heeding to her.

"Please ignore my husband." Shivaay huffed knowing her next moves. "I was asking if it's okay for low thrusts and regular sexual orientations."

"It's alright till the end of the second trimester. I advise for lesser orientations at your current state but lower thrusts and massaging are satisfactory."

"What about positions and stuff like that? It's our first pregnancy and that's what it's scaring us." Dr Chethan smiled watching the candid woman, she might be the first in his five-year professional practice who talked about this over passing her husband.

He was surprised by it.

"Sonu!" As a response from Shivaay, he groaned and buried his face in his palms. His ear tips and cheek veered into a radiant hue of rosiness. Her words were embarrassing for him.

"Why shame after the deeds? Already baby in inside." Annika rolled her tongue tip in her inner cheeks glancing at her shy husband.

"That's nothing wrong with that. It's ideal to ask about such topics. Such topics are still concealed." The doctor laughed softly looking at Shivaay's flushed face. "It's okay. I understand your struggle with a loud girlfriend. No offence, though."

"A loud wife to be exact. He has been tolerating me for years, actually right eight long years." Annika narrowed her eyes throwing sharp glares at him and her husband, who thought this as an opportunity to snicker at her.

"Peace!" The doctor commented.

Discussing other nutritional diets, exercise and the absence of menstrual cycles, Dr Chetan clarified them. Annika expressed her disappointment for not showing any symptoms as of yet.

"This is early in the pregnancy, so do expect shortly. Blotting, tender breasts, mood swings similar to the start of monthly periods and many others to name. Did you see any signs?" Dr Chethan asked.

"Nope." Annika instantly answered.

"She is being too bossy than before," Shivaay mumbled making Annika's eyes go wide for a second before she elbowed him.

"Pregnancy is a period when you need to enjoy being parents. You learn something new, you start nursing your offspring. Do enjoy it well than stressing over small business. Happy pregnancy." Dr Chethan said with stretched lips.

"Doc is travelling fine? In this case?" Shivaay continued as he gave a confused look. "We are here to visit our parents, we have a life in the States. So is nice to travel?"

Annika desperately wanted Shivaay to know the conversation she had with her Sasur Ji. She doubted that they would have to shift back to India, she hoped not. She uncomfortably fiddled her fingers as the doctor spoke.

"That's nothing to worry about. The first trimester is prone to miscarriages but looking after the mother is safe and secure and also effective. So travelling isn't dangerous." The doctor completed.

With this, her concentration was again fixed on her baby! She was months ahead of being a mother. She felt achieved, she didn't want anything more than this. A baby, a better half to call her own.

Later the doctor solicited them to settle with an amount at the reception desk.

"Can't you reduce the fee? I mean we haven't had an ultrasound, to have a glance at the fetus growing. So can't it be nice if reduced?"

Shivaay clenched his jaws tight and face palmed heeding his wife, who wanted to bargain and do business in every way.

"You see state chief minister's daughter is standing in front of you and my husband is the eldest son of the Oberoi family. Your clinic would be circulated from us if reduced. You know free promoting. No advertising campaign."

"Annika shut up!" Shivaay snapped. "Doc don't mind her please."

Thanking the doctor, who was astonished expression on his face he dragged his wife out and completed the payment of the consultation. By now Annika was pouting with her lips pulled out and wide innocent eyes looking at him.

••

"Mr Oberoi, is there anything else to discuss other than merging The Shastry's with us? I believe you have something to say." Elder council member spoke sipping his water of water.

"Yes, Ranvijay. I'm here to talk about my successor to the industry." Tej authoritative spoke shutting the screen display off and focusing on the members of the council.

The members frowned but tried grasping the gravity of the situation and its intense complexity.

"That's actually good Sir. Your search for a beneficiary is steadied now, your nephew Shivaay is a good choice." Another voice told it was Malti Thomas head of the technical assistance department.

"It's not Shivaay nor my sons. But my daughter-in-law Annika. She is one of the largest shareholders in the American pharmaceutical industry, and also the youngest Indian CFO. As of now, she is simultaneously prepping for her doctrine in finances."

Few scrunched their faces for bringing a non-blood-related family member while others smiled at the rebellious thought of Annika's entry.

Tej swirled his head as someone knocked on the glass door. Hearing a faint yes, as answer Annika and Shivaay slowly peeked their head.

"Annika Shivaay come in."

They uncomfortably stood up beside Tej.

"My sons weren't much enthusiastic in business. Shivaay has his chain of restaurants, Om is into paintings and another nalayaak son is into the entertainment industry."

[Trans- good for nothing]

"That would be great. Annika would be a great chairman of the board." Someone responded.

"She won't have any privileges. She will begin from the starting point. Also as a chairman, I won't step down sooner." Annika smiled as her father-in-law was true to himself not showing favouritism, not as she called him nepo in the early days.

"I will be overlooking her progression and then she would be promoted each level-" Annika excused herself as her phone rang, it was her father.

"Sonu- Ajji-" he breathed heavily.

"Baba calm down. Take a deep breath of fresh air and listen to me. I have good news, I'm preg-"

"Your Ajji is gone. Gan- gangrene infected badly."

"Gone Matlab? She is on a religious trip, right?"

[Trans- meaning?]

"Yes. I don't know what happened? Kalyani maa called just now. The operation was unsuccessful." He cried.

His words created chaos in her mind. Tears continuously rolled out mercilessly. His words bled her heart.

She gripped the wall with one hand and the other supporting her weight sensing her imbalance, black spots overhauled her vision. Her legs wriggled and finally lost their strength as she gave up her consciousness and slumped down, dropping to the floor. Her phone crashed with her father's tensed voice, his voice rang before she conks out.

"ANNIKA!"

***

This update is for my dear reader jhanvi6684. it was her birthday yesterday (lol, I thought today, the time zone you see!) So let's wish her a happy and prosperous year ahead.