Finally !! After a long time am back. My sincere apologies for being so late but be rest assured will now be updating regularly. Without further delays.. here goes

A new working week began and everyone was busy with the event. In addition to the event, Shivaay was also looking into the merger this was a big opportunity for the Oberoi's and he had to crack this deal no matter what. This deal was going to put Oberoi's right at the top and Shivaay wanted to ensure he accomplished this at all cost. He worked long hours barely meeting people at home or even Annika she was upset but then the event was keeping her busy.

The words Tia had uttered to Annika had etched deep in her mind and heart. She wanted to prove that she wasn't less but she wasn't understanding the negative effect of her turning into someone she wasn't. Plus to add to her miseries, Tia had asked one of her friends who runs another events company to join in the planning since this was Oberoi's doing it together with the Kapoor's.  Tia's colleague was a girl stepped out of a ramp show with her done up hair and make up and clicking heel shoes. The way heads turned when she entered having an air of being the boss is what got to Annika because though she was the share holder she got not even 5% of this kind of attention. What she didn't realise at that time was that she is a people person and she has always been that way. This outer beauty fades off after a while or as soon as the person opens their mouth. This is exactly what happened with Tia's friend. She started bossing around and throwing rants at random people. The working group was irritated with the tantrums and wanted Annika everywhere.

Shivaay didn't have the time and well for Annika she was drowned in her own self. After coming from work Annika spent most of her time looking up videos of dressing, walking and etiquette's. She also didn't know why was she so hard to prove this to Tia but she wanted to do it.

Finally the day came for the event. The theme chosen was blue and gold and all arrangements were made according to that. The set up was picture perfect with the long white chiffon banners with gold detailing big borders and the lights casting a blue hue on the white curtains and the caterers dressed impeccably to show the class of the party being hosted by the Oberoi's.

The Royal Oberoi's has chosen different shades of blue as they didn't want to clash with anyone but all subtly dressed which showed royalty.

The guest started arriving a little after 8pm as none wanted to be late for Shivaay Singh Oberoi's  party.

Shivaay entered around 9pm dressed up in a stark white button down shirt with a custom fit dark blue dinner jacket and gold pocket patch. He completed his look with black shoes and a gold plated Rolex watch. The colour of his eyes turned more blue as the colour of his suit reflected in his eyes. As soon as he entered the entire attention shifted to Shivaay. He was no less a celebrity, the charisma with which he spoke and conducted himself made him desirable not only with women but also men.

As soon as he entered Tia went and hugged him causing a lot of women and the Oberoi brother's to cringe seeing her holding Shivaay's arm and kissing him. He himself was irked but maintained himself. Tia was wearing a blue and gold short dress which was little too short for comfort with a deep neck and back. It showed a little more skin for everyone's comfort around.

Annika was fuming when she saw Tia kissing Shivaay. She had entered the party late as she was at the venue till late. But that wasn't the true reason, the true reason was Annika was scared to wear such an outfit, it was tube short dress with a low back paired with gold shoes and her hair tied up in a bun. Chanda her friend had done her make up and when finally Annika looked at her self in the mirror she couldn't believe it was her. The dress was too short for her comfort, and too open.

When Annika had walked into the party her colleagues were surprised to see Annika in this avatar. They hadn't seen her dress like this before. Its not like she looked bad but this wasn't her. They all complimented her and she thanked them but she wanted to hear it from someone else. Annika kept working around but the heals she had chosen weren't the best to she kept tripping. She tried to look confident hoping no one was watching but someone was constantly. She continued to inspect the work around.

From his peripheral vision Shivaay saw Annika and his breath hitched when he looked up completely he couldn't believe the way Annika was dressed. She looked hot and more than half of the men were gawking at her. She felt a gaze on her and knew that a certain blue eyed man was staring at her. She moved around her vision lowered pushing her hair behind her ears every now and then and her cheeks turning scarlet.

She continued walked when she banged into someone, her thoughts immediately broken. She looked upto see Tia with some of her friends, "Oh Annika, is that you, I couldn't even recognise you." Tia spoke with a smirk. Annika only smiled.

"My My look at you",  and she started circling Annika. "Are you trying to be one of us." Tia spoke staring straight at Annika.

Annika chose to remain quiet and move out but was pulled back by Annika and now completely surrounded by Tia and her friends. "Annika, by wearing modern clothes and these shoes you can't be one of us. Come on you should know that darling. Your almost tripping in these heels." All of tia's friends giggled at her statement trying to impress Tia with the fake laugh.

Annika could have given back but when she looked down she could see the muck all over her bright shoes and the heels were getting stuck in the grass. She has tripped so many times that her feet were red. The hairdo itself wasn't in place and she could see that through the mirror in front. Somehow gathering herself she walked out of there, the precious tears silently cascading down.

Shivaay who stood at a distance and had heard the whole conversation was fuming but right now his priority was Annika. He walked behind her to the garden where Annika slumped on the marble pavement near the water fountain. He silently came and sat beside her.

"You know what your mistake is since you have got here?", he spoke softly looking at Annika. "Great criticism, thats not what I need right now." She spoke with a broken tone of voice.

He sighed and making her look at hm, cupping her face, "Am not criticising you, sweetheart, but your trying to be what your not. And No not for once do I say that your not beautiful or you can't wear such clothes, but this is not what defines you." He spoke with so much of gentleness that Annika just couldn't stop staring at him.

"But this is a high class party and dressing like this is the demand. Haven't you seen Tia's friend", she spoke complaining like a child.

"You don't have to become her Annika. You need to be the original Annika, the Khidkitod Annika. Find a way to do this on your own terms." He looked at her with his spectral eyes and Annika swore she felt the whole zoo dancing in her tummy.

Shivaay opened her hairs and removed her heels speaking, "there she is, I know you.. your the beautiful Annika, My Annika." With that he pecked her forehead allowing his lips to linger caressing her forehead with his lips. Annika closed her eyes taking in the feeling of being with Shivaay in his arms.