Anika woke up excitedly to find Shivay sleeping cuddling to a pillow. Her excitement level increase realising that she is going to cook at her in law's place for the very first time. After much special treatment her mother-in-law at last has allowed her to cook something special for their family. Actually she was getting bored of not doing anything as her wedding leave is still continuing for five more days and she isn't allowed to work at her in-laws place.

"I am getting bored Shivay" she has complained last night to which Shivay admitted the same because being newly married he is as well not allowed to do anything but take care of his wife.

"I will cook for you tomorrow" Shivay has said this before they went to bed as they got permission to do work, precisely to cook for the Oberoi family.

"No Shivay, I will cook" she argued back.

Knowing his defeat later in this arguement Shivay let go and now she is excitedly getting prepared to cook for her family. She remembered how her father had always praised her cooked food even though they weren't up to the mark. She smiled at a memory that casually lingered in her head as she gathered her clothes to wear after bath.

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"Use cardamom darling, it will brighten up the flavor" mother of an eighteen year old Anika advised as she stirred the ladle over the special rice, that she mentioned as Anika's special Biriyani.

Listening to her mom she added few and continued stirring as the cooking book advised to. After half an hour, as advised by the book, her biriyani was prepared and her excitement increased a notch up listening to her father already praising the colour and scent of the food.

"Bapi, please taste it" she filled the rice over a spoon.

Her father happily had it.

"It is awesome my child" her father praised patting her back and the smile over his face was unimaginable.

Looking at that her mother adored her daughter and blessed her in heart, Ishana clicked picture in their family camera and smiled more bright wanting to taste that special food.

"I will serve" Anika was very excited as she served and at last filled her plate and sat to eat.

She once again to read expressions of everyone's face. Her father and mother were happily having the food, Ishana had red eyes but she smiled as her eyes fell on Anika and curled up her fingers to show that the food is amazing. Anika feeling weird filled her spoon and noticed her family bowing their head together to look at the plate. She ate her first morsel and realised how much spicy the rice is. She immediately putting the spoon down and gulped the entire glass of water placed in front of her.

"It is so damn spicy" she remarked irritatedly thinking why the hell her family didn't point out her mistake.

"But it is tasty Di" she heard Ishu confessing smilingly though her red eyes reflected few tears.

"Shut up Ishu, I know it is not eatable but none of you commented and ate it, now what if all your stomach gets upset?" irritation was far evident in her voice rather than concern.

"Beta, the love you poured in making this, is more special to us. The food and it's taste is completely another factor. Now you and Ishu eat paranthas I made for you and I and your father will eat this biriyani" her mother smilingly took the food from her and her sister's plate and served them a new plate with tasty paranthas and curry.

"But Maa, how poor my future jiju will be" Ishu commented mischievously and laughed aloud looking at the glare Anika gave looking at her.

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'Click' her chain of memories broke listening to door opening.

She has locked the door right, then how is it opening, oh shoot she didn't lock the door. Her eyes grew wide realising the fact.

Looking around she was confused what to say and how to stop the person from entering in the bathroom right at that moment.

"I am in" she shouted spotting the figure walking close to the bathing area that is covered by designed glass.

"I am sorry Anika, the door of the bathroom was open so I thought... I am really sorry" it was Shivay's apologising voice that rang the immediate moment clearly stating how much embarrased he is.

The next moment sound of his retreating steps calmed her raised heartbeats slowly. Cold water traveled down her figure getting her more relaxed and making her smile at the memory of that very moment. She giggled imagining wild and then scolding herself of thinking such. The entire time she was in, her blush just increased more with passing time.

"I am sorry" he admitted again in a very apologetic manner as she came out.

She was wearing a blue coloured kurti and black coloured jeans. How can someone look so much beautiful in such a simple dress? His heart questioned melting slowly. Wedding bangles and that smudged vermilion made her look more beautiful, his heart throbbed fast making him realise that he is falling for her, yet again, and probably even more this time.

"It is not your fault D, it was me who forgot to lock the door" her hand slowly brushed through his cheeks. That innocent smile at the corner of her lips, tickled his senses.

Wanting to taste her lips he held her hand and inched closer. Smelling her intimate cologne, for a moment he imagined something that he regretted the very next moment.

What if Anika and I make love in that bath tub? Was the thought that crossed his mind for a moment. He immediately pulled himself back and took fast breaths to calm himself down.

His warmth was lost suddenly and the hold of his hand engulfing her's was getting loosened too, feeling such she opened her eyes to see him looking at her smilingly. Failing to hold herself back she hugged him tight hiding her tomato red face in his heart.

Love you Anika. He thought engulfing her in his tight embrace.

Love you Shivay. Anika blushed thinking so and pressed her face more into him.

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"Bhaiya what is special say na" Rudra shouted making noises using the spoon.

"Wait for it Rudra" Shivay shouted the same sentence once again.

Elders waited for their son and daughter-in-law to come out of the kitchen where they are banned to enter because something special is getting cooked. Shivay and Anika is making dishes that they have specialisation in. This thought of togetherness has already made everyone proud as they waited for the food to get served. Somewhere inside everyone was eagerly waiting to taste what Shivay is going to make because it is less often that Shivay enters in kitchen to prepare something and that day Shivay is more than excited to prepare something special. Smell of Anika's dish suddenly made their stomach to knot in hunger.

"Are you done my children?" Pinky shouted sounding excited and at the same time irritated of waiting so long.

Listening so Anika smiled expecting her mother-in-law to get happy looking at the dish and they hi-fived. Shivay just planned to impress his dear wife by feeding her his made food.

'The way to the heart of someone's husband is through his stomach' he has heard this particular sentence enough number of times as his mother advised his sister to learn how to prepare food. But then he thought why don't he impresses his wife by making her happy using his cooking skills, perfect plan to reach to her heart.

"At last they are here" Omkara declared setting his plate.

"Serve the food soon, I am hungry" Rudra almost snatched the bowl if not Shivay pulled it back glaring at Rudra.

Shivay served the food and asked everyone to have it. On the other side Anika prayed that she has not done any mistake and her in law's would be happy eating the dish. She tried reading expressions over everyone's face.

Omkara as usual ate silently not commenting anything. Rudra looked at Shivay weirdly for once and then continued having the food. Everyone else was as well silent. Shivay Anika turned to look each other. He asked what is the matter through his eyes. She moved her head from east to west signaling she doesn't know.

"How is the food Mom?" Anika asked Pinky gathering courage to listen to any taunts.

"Beta, the food was amazing but beta may I give some advise if you don't mind" the voice was extreme polite and Pinky's kind expression made Anika's heart melt.

"Sure mom" Anika answered, the smile never leaving her lips.

"The fish curry you prepared in your own way tastes amazing but in our house we prefer to have fishes prepared in exotic way. I hope you are understanding" Pinky asked slowly brushing her hand over Anika's back.

"I will try to learn mom" Anika answered nodding yes.

Inside her heart Anika did feel bad knowing that she somehow failed to impress her in laws but she was very happy knowing that no one taunted her and even they did not question her up bringing and uttered sour about her family, as she has seen in one of the television series long back, most probably during her college days.

How much fake television series do show about the life of newly wed bride after marriage. She chuckled at her own thought and recieving forehead kiss from her mother-in-law the hurt feeling inside her heart erased immediately.

"And what was that Shivay? A preparation that is healthy but has no taste right?" Pinky taunted Shivay pointing at his dish.

She herself knows how she suppressed her urge to laugh aloud reminiscing how she asked him to add a pinch more salt and chilli powder to make the preparation tasty but he denied saying his family only likes low spice healthy food.

Now suffer, her eyes spoke as his eyes fell pleadingly over her.

Please, his mind spoke to him and she indeed understood looking at his eyes.

"Mom, I asked him to prepare it according to Daadi's health so he added less salt and spice" Anika answered calmly in a soft voice.

"That is so sweet of you Anika, but just once eating spicy from my grandson's hand wouldn't have done any bad" Daadi replied holding onto her kind smile.

"Okay Daadi, next time for sure" Shivay said.

"And I promise you that" Anika as if completed his sentence.

Laughter, love and bonding followed thereafter. Pinky caressed Anika's face and asked her to stay happy and such amazing always. The sentence that touched Anika more increased her respect for Pinky.

"You are the elder daughter-in-law of this house beta, therefore if anytime you feel like choosing a contradictory path to keep your family together then never get afraid of that. Destiny is that what is already decided and all you will have to do is listen to you heart. As the time will pass, more members will get added and you are responsible to keep them together always along with Shivay. And never let Shivay impose his decision over you, question him, confess your side and then move ahead with a conclusion" Pinky's understanding voice and her sweet smiles while saying this made her rise high into another level in Anika's heart.

She went inside her room analysing the entire day and realising her inner content she smiled.

"Thank you Anika" Shivay said engulfing her hand in his hold.

"I am your friend before everything else bub, and saying thank you to your friend is completely stupid and childish" she brushed the back of his hand comforting him.

"You are my best friend Anika" he admitted initiating the hug this time.

She hugged him back locking her hands. Dropping a kiss over her head his heart cried love you. The rhythm in which their heart synced seemed most melodious to them. Leaving a sigh Anika closed her eyes resting her head more comfortably over his chest walking towards their bed.

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I am so much loving writing this phase. It is so cute, isn't it? Heya just let me know what you all want to read next. I was planning to separate RuMya story from this one, so before I do that I want to complete all other stories and regarding Shivika you all suggest something. And married ones, if any in my reading session, let me know all your experiences after marriage. Chalo bye, stay happy and enjoy.

Thank You so much to everyone who read, voted and commented. Hope you have enjoyed this part as well. If so then please do hit the star button and leave your comment or criticism down.

NEXT EPISODE WILL GET POSTED ON SUNDAY.

-NILANJANA