Twenty Days Later:

"Anika will you please relax. "

"Shivaay didn't you look at the other women? They are all dressed in gowns and I am here in this saree. " she said anxiously looking around as they stood in a secluded place in the parking lot.

"Anika. You look the best, and I am being very very honest." He said trying to convince his wife.

"Shivaay, why don't you ...carry on....I.."

"You want me to be alone? Mom dad couldn't make it. Now you also don't want to come. Fine. Even I won't go. I will have someone collect the award on my behalf " he said walking back to the driver's seat. 

She took quick strides reaching him and held his arm. His perfume was all her nose sensed. "Are you mad? Let's go. "

"That's my Wife." He kissed her cheek. 

She giggled, "You just know how to tackle me." She gazed at his face. 

"That I have taken PhD at!" He winked leaning closer and taking in her smell. She smelt so good – scent of roses blended with vanilla. His olfactory senses weren't that strong– he knew it because he'd bought that perfume for her.

She was about kiss his cheek when he moved his head back. "No...your lipstick is too dark. It will leave a mark."

She laughed and snaked her arms around his neck. "Who cares?"

"You don't want the Headlines to be Mr and Mrs Oberoi's PDA. Actually on second thoughts it is a wonderful idea. " he pulled her closer by her waist, careful enough to not disturb her saree. She took an hour to get ready, she'd lose it if that went wrong.

"Shut up Mr. Oberoi. let's go." She said pulling back her hands. He did it every time. Every time she thought she was playing bold he'd show what bold was. 

"Anika...one.."

"Shivaay."

He chuckled releasing her. Then laced his fingers with her. "Breathe, I will always be by your side. "

She smiled at him as they walked. She particularly did not like the attention. But for him she could stand against the world this was nothing. She was nervous when it came to big functions and this one was the award night of the most prestigious business awards. She was the wife of the man being awarded the Rising Businessman Of The Year – Shivaay Singh Oberoi. 

Anika could see that pride on his face. That confidence in his stride. Her man owned the world. She became conscious as she heard clicks. Almost immediately his hand was around her waist. "Look up and smile, Mrs .Oberoi." he whispered. 

She didn't have to fake the smile for the cameras it came at his words. Once they were seated she grabbed the water bottle on the table. That walk from the gate to the entrance of the huge hall was hell of a walk. She simply maintained her smile and looked at him while he answered the questions shot at him. 

"Don't drink so much that you have to use the washroom. With that saree I am sure you'll take a good half an hour." He grinned cheekily.

She took the benefit of sitting beside him and drove her elbow into his ribs. "Ouch!"

She smiled, revenge.

The show began and Anika would have slept if it wasn't his witty remarks and comments that kept her awake and grinning. It was worse than the two-hour lectures at college. He'd occasionally comment on the women. Of course in her ears. At times she'd glare- if he appreciated the woman's look and at times she'd give him a cute smile – when he'd appreciate her. 

They were interrupted by an official. He had a list in hand and was whisper talking to him. Shivaay smiled and took the sheet from him and forwarded it her with a pen. "Sign against your name." He said leaning side-wards. She looked at him baffled and then simply picked the pen and did as she was told. Her eyes glanced upwards. The title read Awardees For The Night! Why was her name in that list? 

He then took the pen and signed against his name. 

Once the man left I looked at him. "Care to explain?"

"Surprise!" He winked. 

"What surprise?" She blinked still unsure of what was happening. 

"Oberoi Event Management company is on the list of People's Choice Criteria. So Madam Anika, its just not me who takes an award tonight, It's you as well." He beamed with joy. Ever since he'd been informed he was so excited. The day couldn't get any better. He'd been informed a week back. He kept it a secret wanting to surprise everybody. Unfortunately, a distant relative of his mother had passed away the previous day so they had to leave immediately to pay their respects to the deceased.

Anika looked shocked. 

"Shivaay can we talk somewhere.." She said annoyed at the new speaker's high pitched voice. He looked at her gauging her mind. 

He led her to the garden outside. Once out, Anika asked him to repeat. 

"Shivaay, isn't the company on your name. Then why was my name on the award list?"

"Because you are the owner legally now. " he spoke looking at her. He sort of expected this. She hated social attention. 

"When did that happen? "

"Last week. I legally gifted the ownership to you. "

"What! Why?"

"Because it's yours. I mean.." He shrugged like it was the most obvious thing to understand.

"You knew this from before.?"

He nodded affirmatively. 

"Why ..."

"Because I knew this was coming. You've worked hard. You've put in the efforts..It's your personal touch to the work that gets us good feedback. It's your way of dealing that the company has been a favorite among the people. So obviously you deserve to stand there and take the appreciation."

"You know...I don't like it....I don't want it." She said softly in a defeated voice.

"Why are you so unsure...why this insecurity? You have no clue how good you are at what you do. I can't be happier today. " he blinked to not allow tears.

"I can't." She said decisively. "You are going up there. I can't. I can't"

"Why not? I am here. To see you up there. It's time to let the world see how amazing you are. "

"I don't want it. I just want what I have. I am happy. "

"I want to see you up there. I want to see you get the best for your efforts. " he said placing her hands on her shoulders. 

"I won't be able to...Shivaay. It's not my thing." She tried making him understand. "I don't want to make a fool out of myself. You know it...I will ...I can't."

"For me you will. Today and now. " he said looking at her right into her eyes. 

She nodded in a no. Pleading eyes looking back at his.

"I will walk up with you...then?"

She stared at him. She could do anything if he was by her side. "I am unsure. "

"And I have full confidence in you."

"I hope I don't do something that...spoils your name."

"You can never. I don't care of the name or what they say. It's just you. "

"Do you want vodka?" He asked playfully.

"No, an entire bottle of whisky!" She replied laughing nervously. 

"Then things will get interesting in this boring night!" He remarked, curling his and around her shoulder walking back in with her.

The People Choice awards had begun. Anika looked skeptically in the direction he had walked away in. He said he would be back in five minutes it was ten already. What took him so long?

A man came up to her asking her to be seated in one of the front three rows. She panicked walking. She tried calling him but couldn't connect. Where was he?

Her heart jumped up when her name was announced. She smiled somehow, her heart sinking. He said he'd be there by her. Then where was he? A forgotten feeling was what she remembered. Being alone, being by herself. Being without him. She immediately took a sharp breath, no not again. She closed her eyes momentarily and then walked. With every step she tried to feel like he was by her. But somewhere her heart was sinking. He should be there when he said he would. Just before she reached the stairs there was a hand in her waist. She smiled. The widest charming smile ever. 

He smiled holding her hand with his other as they together climbed the stairs. She heard the loudest clap to be his standing right behind when she received the award. 

"Mrs. Oberoi this is your first award would you like to say something?"

Anika's mind stopped working. No she couldn't. No she didn't want to. He came forward quickly holding the mic for her. "Anika..your parents this is the moment." He whispered, turning on the mic. Anika was too overwhelmed at his words to say anything. She placed her fingers on his and imagining only him to be her audience she spoke. 

"I owe my success to my parents, to my parents I got on being married and the man who is the reason I stand here. My husband, Shivaay Singh Oberoi. " until she took his name there were tears in her eyes. But the moment she spelt his name they were down on her cheeks. She looked down and proceeded to get off the stage he was behind her by a step and soon caught up. She didn't stop until she had got out of the crowd in the open garden that was adjacent the hall. 

He was touched by her words. He was almost sure she'd make mention of his name earnestly. But the moment she mentioned his parents before him he knew there could be no one better. She simply was the best. 

She turned abruptly crying into his chest. He was surprised at the sudden strong force with which she crashed into him. He held her and caressed her hair. "That was one of the most beautiful moments of my life." He said his shaky voice held evidence of his emotions at that point.

She broke apart, smiling. She had conquered much more today. She had won much more today. Those seconds in between the announcement and her speaking, were so precious. Her love for him and won. She had managed to kill that feeling of insecurity. She knew there was no chance it was coming back again. Even if he went a planet away, she knew he was with her. He was already wiping those tears delicately from her face. 

"What are you doing?" She faked annoyance.

"You are crying again." He said helplessly.

She smiled. "Do I look ugly?"

"Beautiful people can't look ugly!"

"Stop being cheesy and also stop flirting. "

"I am not being cheesy, and I can't stop flirting. " he grinned .

She giggled. "Let's go...my favorite moment is yet to come. "

He looked down smiling. She would call it a blush. "Aye.." 

"Mention my name in the last. Dare you say that rotten line– behind every successful man there is a woman. There are many people who are behind. "

He laughed. "Aye Aye Madam. Anything else. ?"

"Don't say ' I love you ' on stage!" 

He laughed heartily. "Why not?"

"That's for you to say, but only me to hear." she smiled sniffing.

 "Anything else?"

"Keep it short. I am dying to go back home. "

"Now...this is giving me ideas."

She shook her head. This man would always have his crooked comments. In all honesty, she never wanted him to change that.

" I can't take this place anymore.  To top it all this saree doesn't help. " she explained.

"This so giving me more than ever ideas. You want me to...get you home...where there will be no one but just you and me and then rip this off your...." he spoke in his husky voice.

She put a finger on his lip. "We are in public. If someone hears they are going to judge Mr. SSO."

"Who cares?" He shrugged, biting her finger. She slapped his face lightly, playfully. "Let's go. "

"Come up with me .." He said pulling at her hand. "

"No.I have other plans. "

He frowned, "Like?"

"Like standing at the front, and capturing that moment myself. " she said dreamily. She had always seen that dream. She loved capturing moments.  Photography had always been her passion. She had especially got her camera. He stared at her. She was different. A lot different. Totally not like the general type. She was one unique piece of awesomeness put on earth only for him.

"Can we go?" She asked. He nodded.

When he received the award, there were hundreds of cameras capturing, but his eyes were fixed onto one. He knew behind that lense there were tears of happiness she concealed. He couldn't be more grateful for his life to give him her as his wife. 

Why am I sad updating this?

Cause The epilogue is next!😭

This was supposed to be the epilogue but went too long!

Keep showering your love as votes and comments.

-Anami!💖