She covered her ears cuddling more into the source of warmth.

He clicked his tongue listening to the the disturbing noise and pulled closer the source of softness against his skin.

"Anika-Shivaay wake up. We have lots of shopping to do. "

"Hhhaa.." She let out a soft yawn as she cuddled in closer. And just there, against his chest, nestled in the crook of his arm she slept again.

"Shivaay! Anika!" Pinky knocked again.

"Mom! " he shouted closing his ears in sleep.

"Offo you two! Wake up it's already past nine !" 

Almost instantaneously Anika sat up half way suddenly awake. What nine? Pinky was knocking. She looked back at what was pulling her closer. Her husband. She looked at the door, hearing a knock. 

"Mumma give me few minutes I will be down!" Anika said quickly embarrassed that her mother in-law had to come to wake her up. That also when her parents were staying over. Oh they would consider her so irresponsible. She had to go shopping with her, assist her in packing, check the work for Mehra's event . Oh God, so much to do and she was still sleeping! Once she heard Pinky's "okay " followed by her retreating steps she sighed looking back at her husband. He was sleeping like a log. His well toned chest, his disheveled hair made him look so delicate and tempting. Her gaze stilled on his skin when she the night's memory dawned. She blushed looking at him, then her eyes grew wide. She looked down. Fish! She wasn't wearing anything. She quickly grabbed the duvet around her. With her free hand she tried getting free off his strong grip around her waist. "Shivaay!" She said softly poking his arm. 

"Hmm" he stirred in sleep holding on tightly. 

"Shivaay wake up." She said trying to push his arms. Thankful that his hand was above the duvet and not below on her unclad skin. 

"Five minutes!" He said pressing his face against the pillow. She smiled, he was so cute.

"No five minutes. It's -" she looked up at the clock. "It's fifteen past nine. Wake up. "

"God. No one let's me sleep!" He said irked. Opening his eyes he saw his wife sitting beside him. His sleep was gone when he saw her bare back. He thought she looked cute trying to keep the duvet up to cover her bosom. He gently ran his finger on her bare back. Anika had been sitting awkwardly wondering how to get up without him seeing her. They had practically slept naked. She was trying to find her forgotten clothes, when she felt a butterfly touch on her bare back. She turned back quickly to find him staring at her lazily. 

"We can sleep some more." He said looking at her intently. 

"Sleepy head!" She remarked pushing his hand away.

"You want us to do something else?" He asked playfully.

She blushed her eyes widening. "Pervert!" She chuckled.

He was loving this. He had missed her commenting on everything. He had missed her playful smiles. He had missed everything about her. In a quick move he jerked her back and came on top of her. She was clearly taken aback and was looking at his eyes deeply. "Shiv-" escaped her mouth before he pressed his index finger against her lips. "Shh."

"Good morning!" He bent down and kissed her forehead. She smiled looking up at him. "Good morning."

"Now. What's the plan?" He asked naughtily.

She turned over him and he let her. "You stay here. With your eyes closed and I go for a shower." She said, glad that the duvet was between them. She liked how his body still pressed against hers. 

"How about I help you at it? It will be faster. " he ran his fingers in her cascading hair.

"Oh no. It's going to be anything but faster. " she said looking at him. She had missed this. She had missed having to see him first thing in the morning. She had missed their morning banters. She had missed their morning kisses, their morning love, their playful showers, their paradise they'd made with their togetherness. 

He was gazing at her gently letting his fingers sort her tangled hair. She was still and only looked at him. They both were trying to take in the togetherness as much as they could. Her eyes blinked. He did not want her to cry. 

"Okay, if you stay longer like this, right over me. I am going to carry you to the washroom and--"

"Urgh!" She smacked his shoulder. 

"Aaahh.." He squealed narrowing his eyes at her. 

"Are you taking revenge for making you scream like that last night?" The playful grin was back in his face. 

"Aahh..Shivaay. You are such a...Close you eyes." She said waiting.

"Its not like I haven't seen -"

She shut his mouth with her hand. Of course he had seen her but right now even after last night she felt embarrassed to have him see her stark naked. "Close you eyes. Now."

"Aye Aye Madame!" He chuckled closing his eyes. He felt her weight lift of his body. Oh, he was already missing her. Once he heard the bathroom door shut he pulled her pillow and hugging it snoozed for a while.

* * *

Anika was lost reflecting back at whatever happened the previous night and today morning while she waited for Pinky to walk out of the changing room. Everything happened so fast. She just went with the flow. Followed whatever her heart said. She couldn't deny, it was so peaceful. He was her peace. She felt so content in his arms. She felt free, she felt light after last night. His love was the best thing that happened to her. The way they teased each other in the morning. She smiled remembering how he walked into the washroom when she was bathing to leave her towel and clothes. She looked down at the pink dress she was wearing, that he had chosen. It had been so long to be this way. To feel the love. To feel his presence. 

She was a little sad when he couldn't come shopping because he had to accompany Shakti for some work. So Anika's dad had dropped the three ladies to the mall on his way to work. Shivaay had said he'll join them at lunch time. Would he make it or like the past year he had been saying, say he was busy? Anika frowned. Would he come? He always promised but never kept it. Anika grew restless. Her heart prayed for him to join them at lunch as he said he would. 

Her thoughts went back to last night. Even though he said he'd be in the next room he was there with her. He was sleeping on the couch. She couldn't help but feel blessed to have him as her husband. He cared so much. But- then- why did he --? She turned as she heard Pinky's voice. She was dressed in a jeans and top with a long overcoat. Anika beamed impressed. "Wow. Mumma that looks good!" 

"Oh I make it look good!" Pinky winked deciding to buy it. Anika laughed. Shivaay surely did learn that playful wink from her. Like mother like son!

* * *

Shivaay sat looking out of the window he couldn't stop smiling. Her happiness was his happiness. Things magically seemed so perfect. Last night was the best night after that night- a day before he'd left. He remembered how sad she was that night- the night previous to the day he was going. But he liked the spirit with which she'd dropped him all the way to the airport departure gate. He sighed looking down at her photo on his phone. It was one taken last night at the party.

He knew he had to talk with her. Talk about what bothered her. He knew he was the reason. But yet she was confused. So confused about something. A call interrupted his thoughts. "Hello, Yes Mishra. No no. Not tonight. Cancel it. Not tomorrow either. Make it on the day after that. Perfect. " once again he was smiling.

The meeting had got over sooner than expected. He had an interview to attend so he'd left for his office. Shakti would have probably joined Pinky at shopping already. He liked how excited his mother was and how equally sceptical his dad was to take his mother around Europe. He always considered them the best couple, but honestly after Anika's entry in his life, he doubted it. 

He looked outside and cursed the traffic. He looked at his watch. He sank in the seat. He could take a nap while he reached his destination. 

* * *

Anika grew irritated when Shakti joined them. He only said that Shivaay had some work and had gone to his office. He added that he 'might' join them for lunch. That one doubtful word was enough to leave Anika hanging. Would he come? But how did it matter? She tried explaining to herself, that it was pointless for him to come. He had work, important work. It was sane for him to be there than here and do nothing. Anyway the shopping was to be done for Pinky and Shakti. She tried to divert her mind by calling Tanuja and keeping track of the activities at office. One more day. The Mehra wedding was one day away. Tomorrow would be. a crazy day. She hoped everything fell in place and the event was a success. She was grateful that her employees were efficient and all that was needed was her to instruct. 

As they sat at the food court she debated in her mind whether to call him or not? Will he join them for lunch? Should they wait? Or - - did he already have lunch? The others seemed to care less. It wasn't a big deal of Shivaay came at lunch or little later or if he did not come at all. But to her it was the only important thing. She felt she was stupid to have so many hopes after all that had happened. Maybe she was just being too demanding and selfish wife. He was a part of the world and had his part to play. She was only a part of his world. She had lost her appetite. 

Thoughts please. Any guesses?

-Anami!