Surprise would be an understatement for Annika because right now she was in udaipur, the city of lakes. They had flown to udaipur that very night and right now they were in their presidential suite. Annika had been asking him through the entire journey but shivaay had just one answer "wait and watch Annika". She had become so frustrated that she didn't talk to him the entire time and kept on looking out of the window . However once they reached the hotel that was built on the famous lake pichola her anger vanished. The view was beautiful and the twinkle in her eyes was enough to tell that she was really happy.

Shivaay's heart soared with happiness on seeing her. She was busy staring at the lake and noticing all the beautiful structures in awe. She turned around to find him staring at her with a smile.

"So did you like it ?"

"I love it shivaay. Thank you so much"

"Well I'm glad otherwise I thought my workaholic wife would be angry at me for keeping her away from her work."

Annika watched him with narrow eyes and then both of them burst into peals of laughter.

"Well to be honest I was a bit angry at you when we were boarding the flight and on top of that you weren't even telling me where we were going but then this place made me forget everything" she spoke with a soft smile on her face.

"So birthday girl now tell me what would you like to do today ?"

"Although I appreciate that you're asking for my opinion but I am quite sure that you already have our day planned " Annika said with a teasing smile on her face.

When shivaay grinned sheepishly her doubts were confirmed.

"Oh god shivaay see I knew it"

"But how did you know it ?" He asked surprised

"Well we've been married for 4 months now I believe and I have noticed you hence I know it" she stuck out her tongue.

"Ohh so that means you've been noticing me ?" Shivaay asked with a smirk that made annika's jaw wide open.

"Ahh...i.m.im...." Annika stuttered as shivaay took slow steps towards her while she stepped back. Her back hit the wall and shivaay was standing very close to her. She gazed into his greenish blue orbs matching the intensity with which he was observing her.

"You what Annika ?"

"Ummm n... nothing"

He could notice her discomfort by the Expressions on her face.
"Annika relax" he spoke in a very soft voice which actually worked. She felt her stiffened body slowly relaxing.

"I am never going to touch you without your permission" he spoke ever so gently and it made annika's heart flutter with happiness.
He had been so patient and understanding with her and she promised that today was the last time she would be uncomfortable in front of him. Slowly gathering the courage she took his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers together

  "I know shivaay and I trust you"
She said in a gentle voice. Her actions stunned shivaay and all he wanted to do was engulf her in a warm hug. Composing himself he caressed her hair gently and planted a lingering kiss on her forehead.

Annika's eyes fluttered close on feeling his lips on her skin. A sense of warmth washed over her and her heart hammered rapidly inside her ribcage. His kiss made her feel at peace,  at home. It wasn't a mere kiss but a promise of respect and admiration which both of them could feel.

He pulled apart and his heart filled with happiness to see her smiling.

"Now get ready we are going out" he tapped his nose with his finger making her chuckle. Annika watched as he went inside the washroom and closed the door. She could feel her face warming up and she glanced at the mirror to see herself resembling a beetroot. Shivaay was the first and last man who was able to elicitate such a reaction from her and she had realised it. The man had accepted her broken pieces with no qualms and cared for her like no other. He was the best gift that life had given her and she could not afford to lose him.

Hearing the sound of the bathroom door she quickly scurried to take her clothes and went to change.

Soon they were roaming around udaipur. They went to see the fatehsagar lake , city palace and the local markets of the city. 

Since it was the month of November the weather was pleasant with mild breeze and the sun. Annika was enjoying the vibe of the city and it was quite evident from the excitement on her face.

It was late evening when they retired back to their room. Both of them were hell tired and extremely hungry and had slouched on the bed besides each other.

Annika opened her eyes and turned to her left to see him laying still. His breathing was even indicating he had almost slept. A soft smile spread on annika's lips at the view in front of her. His hair were disheveled and a few strands fell on his forehead. He looked like a baby. Carefully inching closer she brushed her fingers on his forehead and pushed back his hair gently. Her little moment was broken when shivaay's phone rang. She sat up immediately on the bed lest he catch her. Shivaay woke up with a groan and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm.

Annika handed him his phone and passing a grateful smile he attended the call.

"Annika let's go for dinner I'm sure you must be really hungry'

Annika chuckled at his question before nodding.

"Why are you laughing ?"

"We're going for dinner only because I'm hungry ?" She asked with a playful expression on her face.

"Who are you and what have you done to my Annika ?" Shivaay asked in a dramatic tone keeping a hand on his chest.

"My Annika ?" It was her chance to tease him again although one could see the blush spreading across her cheeks.

Closing the distance between them shivaay stared at her with a serious expression. Annika's smile vanished seeing him so close to her not because she was uncomfortable but because their proximity had rendered her speechless. The air around them grew thick and Annika could sense the sexual tension between them.
After what seemed like eternity shivaay finally spoke in a deep husky voice  " Yes my Annika"

Annika's eyes widened at his answer but it also made her insides warm.

"Now Mrs oberoi shall we go ?"

There , that smug smile was back on that handsome face and Annika swore she could feel butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

What was even happening to her ?

Composing her thoughts she followed him for dinner. Annika was too lost to notice anything that she didn't even realize where he was taking her. Only when he stopped and held annika's hand to stop her from moving forward her mind registered everything and her jaw dropped open.

The terrace garden of the hotel was decorated with fairy lights. There were two chairs and a table kept in the middle with roses and candles on it. Most importantly it was just the two of them and the hotel manager.

Annika looked at him in surprise and her reaction was enough to tell she had a lot of questions in her mind.

"So did you like it ?"

"Shivaay I...I... All of this is for me ?"

"Yes wifey all of this is for you. It's your birthday right ?"

"But shivaay you already did so much what was the need for doing this ?"

Annika looked at him with a dazed expression , her eyes moist.

"Annika you make me happy. Ever since we've got married my life changed completely. You changed it for better. I know you still have a lot of inhibitions but trust me Annika I'm not doing or saying all of this because I want you to reciprocate it. I'm doing this because I want to."

Cupping her face tenderly he continued "you are the queen of my heart Annika and I would never want to change that. You are important to me and I just want you to be happy that's it" he spoke earnestly without a hint of tease.

Annika stood still not knowing how to react or what to say but she knew shivaay wasn't lying or faking it. The soft expression on his face made her heart flutter with happiness and she did the first thing that crossed her mind. She flung her arms around his neck and engulfed him in a hug. Her face was buried in his chest right above his heart. Smiling he wrapped his arms around her and rested his face in the crook of her neck breathing in her embrace. Their hearts were at peace and they wouldn't even want it to be any other way.

Parting from the hug annika smiled at him and he led her to the table. He had ordered all her favorites and they relished the meal in silence stealing glances at each other. After they were done they retired back to their rooms.

Annika was sitting on the bed in her night clothes while shivaay was still changing. Annika replayed the events of the day and her lips curved into a smile. Shivaay's words were echoing in her ear. He had Indirectly confessed what he felt for her without expecting anything in return. He was a true man who knew how to respect others. His words had filled her with a sense of confidence that maybe she could leave behind her past memories and start a new life with him and not all men were the same. Most importantly she now wanted to make this work for him , for her , for them.

Shivaay's chuckle broke her chain of thoughts and she looked at him with questioning eyes to which he simply shrugged.

He lay on the bed besides her and closed his eyes. Annika continued staring at him and what she did next left him completely stunned.

She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. She wrapped an arm around his torso and closed her eyes.
Shivaay opened his eyes and looked at her. Annika mentally slapped herself for pulling such a stunt. She felt embarrassed and angry now. As she was about to move away from him shivaay wrapped one hand around her shoulder pulling her close and intertwined the other with her hand resting on his chest. Planting a kiss on her forehead he drifted to the most peaceful sleep of his life.

Annika's lips curved into a smile and she too dozed off in his arms.

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