Priyanka's birthday brought immense happiness to the family. Being the only daughter of the house, she was privileged since her childhood in getting everything she asks for. Rudra envied her for this, although in jokes. But as they grew together, their brothers and sister bonding turned more into friendship. She missed her Shivay bhaiya as they celebrated her birthday. As always her Shivay bhaiya didn't forget to send her, her most special gift. This time he gifted a handmade jewellery set to her, thanks to those DIY videos over internet and his dear wife who scolded him continuously over minor mistakes as he prepared the gift keeping her on for the video call late at nights. To his happiness the gift reached just before her cake cutting ceremony. She was so happy and seeing that over the screen Shivay's eyes shed tears, how he misses being beside his family, how he wants to tease and get teased by his siblings, how he wants to get scolded from the elders and lastly how he wants to love his wife immensely and assure her that he is there, everytime for her. Anika looked happy, it has been days that the couple has had their lone time talking. From few days, Anika and Pinky both talked to him together as he video called letting him no chance to romance his wife through cheesy sentences.

Shivay missed those days before their marriage when he used to sneak into her room and they used to have hours of talk. What they discussed had no topic but the flow and their budding love. But on this day he wants to talk to his wife all alone, by hook or by crook. As the birthday celebration ended Anika entered her room to sleep, it was all fun amid missing Shivay and the new change that has built between her and Rudra. She knows she would take care of everything and most importantly her Shivay would be there with her in every correct decision she takes. Her phone buzzed, Shivay.

"Yeah mister, let me get fresh and then I promise to call you back" Anika hurried to end the call, those heavy make up that Priyanka forced her to apply was making her feel uncomfortable.

He didn't speak anything, but his eyes, those oceans of love had a pain inbuilt getting her concerned.

"What happened Shivay? Are you fine?" she asked, the discomfort for makeup was long forgotten.

He slowly nodded no looking away from the screen. He has so much to share, he has so many reasons to celebrate with his family but he can't do it. He is hurt, he is in pain as he thought about the physical distance between him and his family. Looking him rubbing his thumb down his eyes, Anika sat straight. The man who smiled and shouted from the other side of the call just an hour back is looking so numb suddenly. Is his health fine?

"Tell me Shivay"

"I got the most expensive deal over which we were working since years, worthing thousands of dollars and see I have no one here to celebrate this news. I miss you all, I miss you" a painful sob left his mouth.

This feeling of loneliness is hammering his heart, thinking more about it Anika realised that she has the complete family to support her and celebrate on every achievement of hers but this man, he is all alone. All alone to suffer and celebrate his days. All alone to face the problems just to make his family happy and proud and now she can't leave him alone after seeing how much pain he is in. Seeing his tears, tear drops cascaded down her eyes unknowingly. They were staring into other's eyes and the time slipped slowly.

"Don't cry, I can't see your tears"

"So am I mister, I can't see you in pain"

Chuckling at their said words, they left the matter go. Trying to cheer her husband up, Anika congratulated him while dancing around and asking him for any gift he wants from her on this achievement.

"My family Anika, a little family" his eyes turned dreamy and that charming smile of his, widened.

"Okay, I am asking everyone to plan for a mini vacation to you and please stop crying like a kid for your family, they are all good and most importantly I am here to take care of them right" not getting what he actually meant, Anika said it all smilingly.

"No Anika, okay just say that how do you feel when you think about starting your family with me? You, me and a little one?" her face flushed listening to it all.

It is not that, that she hasn't dreamt of a family with him but suddenly this question had her numb. Last time when they discussed about this, it was Shivay who insisted to take time as they know each other better and enjoy the company of other before they take up anymore responsibility. Moreover, no elders from their family has spoken to them about this yet then why is her husband suddenly over this matter?

"I don't know" her heartbeat has raised. 

She found it difficult to stare at him back. Is she doing it wrong by trying to ignore the matter for now? At least they have planned to take their own time over this matter, then why suddenly now? Why is her husband suddenly asking about a baby? 

"Mily is pregnant Anika" he broke another great news with a serious face on.

Her face immediately turned towards the screen listening to this. Her lips shivered thinking to smile or not. Looking at his laughter that suddenly broke into fits seeing her trying to recover from the poor prank he thought he has succeeded, her mouth pouted in anger, fake anger. How can he just prank over this matter? She will teach him a harsh lesson for this. But one thing she too agreed, that this man is a perfect tease, how has he perfectly got her serious over this touchy matter. Their lovely banter and talks continued until hours.

Days passed in jiffy, and that day had him all tensed. Anika went to her workplace on an urgent call and back at home she asked everyone to not plan any celebration. She would rather love to spend her family time once she returns. It is the noon hour and Oberoi family tried contacting Anika again just to recieve 'I am in meeting' message.

"She cares for none choti maa, leave her and concentrate over all your works" Rudra was irritated of waiting, thus, he confessed the words that were running in his head.

"Shut up Rudra, respect her at the least if you can't love her" Omkara's voice rose high.

"What is going on between you two Rudra? We all have noticed an indifference between you and Anika since the night of your birthday party" Pinky interrupted in between.

"Nothing much, she just want me to sacrifice all my happiness and I refused. So, she is irritated" although Rudra's answer didn't convince any.

"But we can see that you are the irritated one Rudra and not her, rather she is constantly trying to make you understand something that we don't know" Omkara reasoned.

"Bhai I have lot many works to do, I am going"

Without increasing anymore words Rudra walked off. He would respect the words his bhabhi has said to him, he cannot let the secret matter of Soumya get out in front of his family until he takes a decision but at the same time he cannot agree to what Anika wants and marry someone just for the sake of her daughter. He is very much confused and all these confusion led to the bitter behaviour that he is showing in front of everyone to his bhabhi, the person whom he respects the most.

Anika walked in, she was irritated too because of the sudden meeting on the special day she took leave. Her mother and Pinky were in the kitchen while everyone else were busy in decorating the hall a bit. She saw the balloons and the cake and smilingly went to her room to get freshened up. This family won't listen to her when the matter is about her birthday. Well she regrets this first birthday of hers after her marriage. Her own sister isn't there and of course her husband too who has called ten times since morning. He promised to make all her next birthdays the most special one as he could not make up in this one, and she knows that he is the man of one word. Getting freshened up and wearing the new dress Shivay has baught when she visited Shivay, she went down. By then everything was prepared. 

Her mother has arranged a perfect bengali food thali. Seeing the number of items her eyes went broad.

"How would I eat all these?" 

"You just sit, rest your eating part is over us" Pinky said.

After much of her denial, at last she sat while mumbling words and her mother stuffed rice into her mouth. The food tasted heavenly, or maybe it tasted so good as she is eating her mother's handmade food after so long.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Anika, happy birthday to you"

Smiling, clapping and enjoying every moment to full everyone completed their lunch. Soumya joined them on the start of the evening. It was fun unless Rudra shouted loud from his room.

"Who has asked you to touch my stuffs? Didn't your mother teach you to behave properly in a guests house?"

Anika remembered that Sahana along with Soumya has went upstairs. She ran to Rudra's room just to see papers lying over the ground that has scratch marks. Maybe Sahana did it for fun, and Rudra got angry but where is Soumya? Anika took up Sahana and walked back to get out of the room when Rudra stopped her with the most unexpected shock.

"Why did she lie to me bhabhi? I never expected her to lie to me" the broken voice of his rang in Anika's ears.

Yes Soumya has lied to Rudra, yes Sahana isn't Soumya's daughter but she is more than that to Soumya. Is this the only reason for which Rudra is angry?

"She doesn't love me bhabhi, she loves her husband and is proposing the marriage for the sake of Sahana which could result into disaster" taking heartbreaking pauses in between Rudra confessed his fear.

"Mumma... loves... mumma..." Sahana giggled mumbling the words along with her baby claps.

Throwing up her hands and pointing at Rudra she continued saying 'mumma loves'. Rudra immediately ran to her and took up Sahana in his hold and hugged her tight. How much it pained him to behave rudely to Soumya, Sahana and his bhabhi. How much it pained him as he shouted over this little soul whom he also loves like his own daughter? It pained him much, and now it is clear to him that this vulnerable side of his just wants them, Soumya and Sahana.

"Sorry beta, Rudy promises not to shout over you again, very sorry beta" 

Anika saw the purest bond of love and the most special gift she got on her birthday. Reconciliation between Rudra and Sahana couldn't have been more special on the other days. Anika walked close and softly dropped a kiss over Sahana's cheek and saw Sahana pouting. Rubbing off her cheek Sahana threw her hand towards Anika. Taking this little girl in her hold her mind diverted back to Soumya, where is she?

"Where is Soumya?"

"Someone called, so she went down hurriedly dropping Sahana in my room and asking me to take her care"

"I hope her to be fine"

Saying so Anika and Rudra rushed downstairs. She can't let her sister fight any battle alone anymore and he can't leave his love alone in this fight anymore. He has decided and his love would be enough for both of them to spend their life together. Getting inside the car, Rudra increased the speed and soon they reached to Soumya's place. Few people were standing there and Soumya was trying to explain something to them. They watched it all from the distance, how she managed those people and sent them away. After those people were gone Anika walked forward, asking about the matter. Soumya answered that everything is under control and those people came to see whether Sahana is in comfort or not. "Court has granted me few more months until Sahana turns three to prove myself sufficient enough to take care of Sahana for life" Soumya explained further.

Anika smiled in relief, a perfect birthday with return of many happiness in her life. She isn't regretting this birthday anymore. She is indeed lucky, feeling such she blushed remembering the poem Shivay has gifted her in the morning as her birthday gift.

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Everything is becoming good again, but is it really or it is the calm before the major storm? Well well I won't scare you all much. Just stay tuned and enjoy. Anika is to go to Shivay again on the next chapter or after that, I am so excited for it. So let's plan few romantic scenes together. What say? Until then, bye.

Yaayyy people we crossed 8k together. Thank you so so so much to everyone who remained glued to the story in its ups and downs. I just donno how to show my gratitude, just I can say that I would try hard to keep you all happy in the upcoming chapters as well. Love you all so very much.

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 THURSDAY.

-NILANJANA