Annika knew what shivaay wanted to ask. As much as she didn't want to tell him she knew there must be a lot of questions in his mind. Bracing herself she nodded. Still holding her hand shivaay made her sit on the sofa and sat beside her.

She had lowered her gaze.
"Hey Annika look at me please" he spoke in a gentle voice that made her look at him. His eyes held an unknown warmth that made her feel better.

"Annika do you want to share anything with me right now ? I'm always here with you."

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was doing so wrong with a humble man like him. He deserved love from his wife but she was not even able to tell him everything. She couldn't.

Shivaay understood she wasn't ready.

"Annika do you want to sleep ?"

Glancing around Annika looked at the clock to check the time. It was 5:30am. She decided it would be better to go for a walk instead.

"No shivaay, I was thinking to go for a walk. Can I ?" Annika asked apprehensively.

"Ofcourse Annika. Why are you even asking me ? Do you mind if I accompany you ?"

"Shivaay I've already ruined your sleep please take some rest"  Annika spoke , her eyes showing how terrible she was feeling for disturbing him.

"Annika I don't want to sleep , trust me
I really want to come with you but only if you are okay with it "

His face showed how badly he wanted to accompany her and Annika didn't have the heart to say no to him

"Go and change" Annika replied with a faint smile on her face.
Shivaay's lips curved into a big goofy smile and he rushed to change .

Soon both of them were enjoying their walk , it was peaceful. The weather was cool and it was quiet since only a few people were seen around.

Walking besides shivaay Annika felt a certain kind of warmth engulf her. She felt safe and comfortable.

"Annika since I'm going to make breakfast today what would you like to have ?"

Annika looked at him surprised.

"Shivaay why are you troubling yourself. I'll make the breakfast"

"No Annika I'll make it and it's final. Now tell me"

Annika couldn't stop herself from smiling. What was this man after all ? He was making so much efforts despite her being so aloof.

"Okay so I'll like to have aloo paratha today"

"Well well well aloo ka paratha it is
Anything else Mrs. Oberoi ?" Shivaay asked with a teasing smile which made her cheeks warm. Right now they were completely alone with not a single person in sight. She wasn't able to get her eyes off him.

"Annika it's bad manners. Stop staring now"

His comment rendered her completely speechless . Diverting her gaze she started to walk when she felt a tug on her wrist. Her heart was hammering rapidly inside her chest. His touch wasn't vulgur or cheap but soothing and safe.

She turned around , her eyes still fixed on the ground. Gently tipping her chin up with his finger he pointed towards the sky. The sun was finally up and it looked extremely beautiful.

Her eyes twinkled and a smile spread on her lips.
"This is extremely beautiful"

"It is" shivaay answered,  his eyes still fixed on her face.

After they were back to their home Annika and shivaay rushed to get ready for their respective workplaces. As promised shivaay , made aloo paratha for breakfast and Annika couldn't stop complimenting him for it.

The entire day had been really hectic for both of them. Shivaay had already messaged Annika that he would be reaching her office in a few minutes. Quickly grabbing her phone and purse Annika made way to the elevator. She was standing outside the office when suddenly her attention was caught by a car horn. Furrowing her eyebrows she tried to see who was inside when the windows rolled down revealing her husband on the driver seat.

Passing a smile to her he gestured her to sit inside. Annika couldn't help but notice how his always perfect hair were disheveled right now. He looked extremely tired. The entire ride back home was spent in silence with shivaay asking her a few questions about her day.

Reaching home shivaay quickly went to take a shower. He walked towards the kitchen to find Annika Making dinner.

"Annika you must be tired , we could have ordered something "

"Shivaay you made breakfast for us today na ? Then let me cook the dinner atleast" Annika spoke stirring the gravy.

"Accha okay but atleast let me help you "

"Shivaay everything is done" Annika spoke with a small smile.

"Okay then I'll make the table ready for us"

The dinner was a silent affair with both of them conversing a bit with each other. They gobbled up the food since they were literally famished.

Annika walked to the room after clearing the plates and found shivaay settled on the couch. Wishing a good night to each other they dozed off.

It was midnight when shivaay heard her shouting again , her hands were tightly clutching the bed sheet and her face was covered with sweat. Shivaay ran to her as fast as he could rubbing his eyes.

"Annika Annika " he held her while he spoke.

"Annika wakeup Annika .. see it's me shivaay .. you are safe " As soon as Annika heard his name she opened her eyes instantly.

His eyes met her and she could see the concern in them. She had again disturbed his sleep. Shutting her eyes for a few minutes she opened them again. Shivaay looked extremely panicked.

"Annika it's okay I got you , you're fine" he spoke in a very soft voice. Supporting her by the shoulder he made her sit on the bed and forwarded a glass of water to her. She took the glass with her quivering hands and as she was about to bring it close to her lips the glass almost slipped from her hand. Shivaay held it immediately and made her drink water all the time looking into her eyes.

Caressing her hair he scooted closer to her. Her eyes were glistening with tears. He couldn't see her so sad but he knew it was important for her to vent out all the bottled up emotions.

"Annika Don't bottle up your feelings. I promise I will never judge you , never"  He spoke Cupping her cheek gently in a very sincere tone. Maybe it was her emotional state or her vulnerability , for the first time in life Annika listened to her heart and broke into loud sobs. She hid her face in his shoulder and cried her heart out. She was tired of all this, all these nightmares had made her crazy. Shivaay caressed the back of her head gently whispering words of assurance in her ears. He had never seen her so broken but today he had made a silent promise to her and to him that he would help her come out of this misery.

After what seemed liked eternity annika's sobs subsided and she lifted her head. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying but she still looked beautiful.

Suddenly realising what she had done she scooted a bit away from him and quickly wiped her tears. She could feel his gaze on her. She was feeling embarrassed and terrible  for crying and ruining his sleep again.

"I'm sorry shivaay, I ruined your sleep again" she spoke in a very soft voice.

"Annika there is nothing to be sorry about. You are my wife and I this is my duty not an obligation" his gentle tone made her feel better.

"I feel so terrible shivaay. Ever since we have got married you've been tolerating my nonsense. Your sleep gets ruined because of me every night. I am a useless and weak woman shivaay. I'm so sorry for ruining your life " She spoke with tears threatening to spill again.

Shivaay scooted close to her and cupped her face gently

"Annika you are one of the most strong women I have ever seen in my life. You are neither useless nor weak. It's okay to have fears Annika. Everyone does. There is nothing wrong in it. And you have made my life even better , remember this"

"But shivaay I am broken , I don't know how to love. You deserve someone better shivaay who is as caring as you are"

"Annika I promise you that whatever it is we will fight it together. Just give us a chance please" he spoke in a pleading tone.

Annika could see how he was making efforts since the first day of their marriage and she was still acting all aloof. After her parents it was shivaay who had made her feel safe and comfortable. He was ready to be with her at every step. Maybe she could give it a shot.

"I'm ready shivaay"
As soon as shivaay heard her his lips curved into a full blown smile and Annika reciprocated it.

Shivaay kept on staring at her and she averted her gaze from him. She could still feel him looking at her.

"What ?" Annika asked in a very low voice.

"What annika ?"

"W..why are you staring ?"

"You are so beautiful Annika " shivaay answered still staring at her.

"I don't. Infact I look like a mess right now" she answered back regaining her lost courage.

"A beautiful mess" shivaay answered with a adorable smile and Annika swore she could feel butterflies in her stomach. Her cheeks blushed a shade of red and she stared at her lap.
Shivaay chuckled seeing her reaction.

"Annika I think you should sleep now. It's still just 2:30 am"

Sensing worry on her face, he gently held her hand "Annika I promise you won't get that nightmare again. I'm here with you. Please try to sleep."

Still apprehensive Annika lied on the bed and covered herself with the duvet with one hand, her other one was still in shivaay's hand. Closing her eyes Annika took deep breaths and tried to calm herself. Gently caressing her hair shivaay lulled her to sleep.

After he was sure she was sleeping he tried to move when she tightened the grip on his hand. Not wanting to disturb her he lied down beside her on the bed at a comfortable distance , hands still intertwined and dozed off to sleep.

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