"Zuri come here, fast baby." Shivaay ran behind his pet cat. Though, both share an incredibly unusual connection they have been friends for the past few days. Thanks to Annika's anger.

"I'm thinking of even dogs. Tiger will feel lonely. Two dogs are best." Annika squealed in glee visualising the scene before her eyes.

On the other hand, Shivaay abruptly stopped hearing his wife's rants. All he wanted is to strangle his wife, however, it was not possible but still, he thought of it.

First, he didn't like pets but still, he is okay with a kitten. Second, now she wants two dogs. What the hell man? For God sake, he is scared of dogs. Even if he refuses, later on, he would melt seeing her puppy cute face. So no used in to argue.

"Do want my whole income to be spent on pets?" He asked with a bewildered face. Attempting to get out of this situation in an easy way.

"So what? Two dogs and a cat don't eat too much. Few thousands are enough." Annika grabbed Zuri, who was hiding beneath the table and looking with amusement. Kissing his fur, she snuggled into his soft-coated fuzz. Zuri purred sensing her and on the other hand, Shivaay diverted his eyes not to see the scene playing before him.

"See you are too affectionate of him. You never do this to me. Zuri, you snatched my wife, she is no longer my wife." Annika sighed inwardly seeing her husband go dramatic. Shivaay wiped his fake tears and pretended to be sobbing.

"Fine. Stop your drama. Come here." Annika shook her head laughing at his expense. She pulled him by his chin, planted a loud kiss on his right cheek.

His smile grew larger, with her stunts. His eyes shone with affection for her. He pulled her by her arm and positioned his one palm on Zuri's eyes. Poor kitten struggled to reach out of his hold, whereas Annika looked amused with his strategy. She was blanked out, taking this as an opportunity, Shivaay smooched her lips. She was shocked by his irrational spite towards her Tiger though she responded with equal passion.

"Ouch!" Shivaay separated from her when Zuri scratched the back of the palm again. He breathed heavily glaring at Zuri.

"You little devil. I was kissing my wife, not yours." Shivaay stood up pointing towards Zuri while rubbing his palms, which are also wet with his saliva.

Zuri purred while furrowing his brows and settled on Annika's lap. Zuri pouted when not getting enough affection.

"Oh. My baby." Annika kissed Zuri's pout, making Shivaay more infuriating than ever.

The heavy atmosphere filled them. Shivaay sat beside her looking at her scratch Zuri's ears part. A smile formed on its own seeing her happy.

He carefully looked at Zuri, when he got up from her lap and headed to him. He was shocked when the kitten came to him and started licking his palms where his nails marks were formed. He laughed with the wet sensation of Zuri's tongue.

"You are not that bad. But still, you are." Shivaay giggled talking to him. As understanding, Zuri meowed with glee.

"My baby is a good boy." Annika clapped her hands seeing them bond together, which before seemed impossible. Well not now.

"You would have been a good dad if not me." She whispered. All of a sudden her mood lowered recollecting the past.

"I Annika." Shivaay shuttered not knowing what to speak.

"I should have talked to you. I was tense I'm sorry." She whimpered trying to stop her flowing tears down her spotless skin.

Shivaay let go of Zuri and crawled to her. Pulling her into his embrace he allowed her to cry till her heart wishes.

"It was one of the lessons for us. Even I was wrong as you were. We can't change it." He whispered resting his chin on her shoulder as she sniffed.

"We can't change anything though we want. I don't blame you nor I'm guilty." He wiped her tears and pecked her forehead.

"It was my harsh decision. I didn't think twice."

"But you were right. When we have kids, they deserve the best. They would be Shivaay S Oberoi's kids. I would lay all the best for them." He stopped then she glared at him with puffy red eyes. "I mean in a good way. No pampering and all." At last, she smiled hearing him.

"Not now. I was wrong about age, we can have kids whenever we want. But let us enjoy our married life first. Age doesn't matter now." She struggled to smile.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you extremely needed me. But I promise I will age with you, till my last breath." Annika placed her palm on his mouth asking him not to continue.

"Ok fine I won't speak like that. But are you ready for the new voyage with your Stone Singh Oberoi?"

"Definitely." She grinned.

"Two months Europe trip. Care to join." He added with his wicked smile.

"I would love to. Perhaps I don't have a passport."

"That's not the real problem." He caressed her back, before speaking.

"Tiger?"

"You want him? He is a kitten." Shivaay stayed adamant.

"Of course, he is family. He will come if you want me." Shivaay scoffed at her idea. Though he had this expectation from her, he forced a smile and nodded.

"I will talk to his vet and get approval." He said.

"Will Dr Anirudh approve for you?" She pushed back her chuckled and asked.

"Why not? He will want an environmental change, and I'm in." He grinned.

Both snapped their heads hearing Zuri's voice. He was clawing the window plane listening to the birds chirping outside in the tree. Both cracked up looking at him, a bundle of joy himself.

They awaited a new journey.

New people.

New experiences. But with letting go of past.

*****

That's the shortest of all chapters.
It's just a part with which I seemed to have missed it. Hope you like it.

The epilogue will be a bit late. Than usual. It then take care, bye see ya.

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