It was 5am when shivaay woke up the next morning. He squinted his eyes open and saw Annika snuggled into him. With a smile on his face he gently caressed her hair and pecked her forehead. Moments like these were his favorite where he Could adore her to his heart's content. She had made a special place in his heart and life and he Could do anything for her. She looked so carefree when she slept just like a baby. Snapping out of his thoughts he decided to wake her up since they needed to reach the destination before sunrise.

Carefully nudging her by the shoulder he called her name. Once, twice ,thrice but Annika was too sleepy to give a damn. Mumbling a faint let me sleep she fisted the duvet under her chin and continued to sleep. Shaking his head at her cute antics shivaay smirked. Maybe he could do some mischief today.

"Annika there's a snake in our tent RUN!!!" shivaay yelled very close to her ears. On hearing the word "snake" Annika snapped open her eyes and screamed. She immediately stood up and was about to run out of the tent when shivaay's laugh stopped her.

Puzzled she stared at him and then looked around. Her eyes widened when she realised there was no snake in their tent. Heck! The door was tightly shut and there was practically no space for anything to enter leave aside a snake. Shivaay's laughter subsided when he saw her giving him a deadly glare. He gulped nervously as he saw her standing with her hands placed on her waist and giving him a questioning look.

"Shivaay would you please explain why the hell were you yelling in my ears?"

"Ummm Annika you weren't waking up and we were getting late for the trek so I played a prank" shivaay spoke fidgeting with his fingers.

The sight was enough to melt annika's heart and she bit her lip to stop them from curving upwards.

"Now aren't we getting late for the trek ?"

Annika's question made him look up and he grinned when he found her giving him a goofy smile.

Soon they began the trek. Dressed in trackpants and sweatshirts both of them were continuously Walking towards the peak of the hill. The weather was cold and the sun had started to rise although the sky was still a bit dark.

The path they were walking on was a bit Rocky and the only sound they could hear was of the rustling of the leaves beneath their feet.

Their moment of silence was broken by Annika

"You know when I was in college I loved going for treks with my friends we used to make teams and the first team to reach would just rest while the others would set up the tents and cook " Annika spoke with enthusiasm making shivaay smile. She noticed a glint of surprise in his eyes.

"So I think I did the right thing by planning this trip. Isn't it ?"

Annika smiled in response and kept walking with him.

Soon they were on top of the cliff and the sun had started to rise. The sky was painted in hues of pink and orange and it looked breathtakingly Beautiful.

Annika stared at the view in awe and her eyes glistened with tears. She felt overwhelmed. It had been so long since she had felt so happy and free. She turned to the other side only to find shivaay looking at her with a dazed expression. The sunlight cast a soft glow on their faces and they stood in silence for a few moments.

"So did you like it ?"

"I don't even know what to say it's... it's just heavenly. I don't remember the last time I was this happy. Thank you shivaay"

Shivaay's heart ached on listening to her.

"Well then you should get habitual of being this happy everyday"

Annika couldn't help but admire him and she felt butterflies in her stomach.
They sat there watching the sunrise.

After a few hours they decided to go back to their camp.

Soon they were on their way back home. The small getaway had been really special for the both of them and Annika had enjoyed thoroughly. There was a little change in their equation that too a positive one and shivaay felt satisfied.

After reaching home, they freshened up and ordered dinner since nobody had the strength to cook. Annika was setting up the plates while shivaay was busy on an official call.

On hearing the doorbell ring Annika was about to go when shivaay gestured her to stay and he went to open the door. Annika noticed he was still on the call and Suddenly her cheeks became warm. He was protective about her and it was quite evident. Shivaay shut the door and called her name which broke her chain of thoughts.

"Annika can you please hold these food packets?"

Annika nodded and noticed he had the remaining food packets in one hand and his phone in the other. An amusing smile spread on her face.

She quickly served dinner for both of them and they ate like hungry wolves. Gosh they were really hungry!

Annika was still thinking about the incident that happened few minutes ago and as much as she wanted to ask him about it she didn't know how.

Shivaay noticed how she was playing with the chapati instead of eating it.

"Is there something wrong with the food Annika ?"

His voice startled her and she shook her head in a no.

"Then why aren't you eating it ?"

Maybe I should ask

Annika thought as she noticed him still staring at her.

"Umm shivaay about earlier why didn't you let me open the door ? I mean you were on a call I could have opened it" Annika asked earnestly looking at him

Shivaay hid the smile that was threatening to appear on his face and answered with a poker face " I like opening doors actually"

So mister wouldn't admit that he cares for me ?

Annika gaped like a fish on hearing his answer and as she was about to ask him again he quickly got up and went to dump his utensils in the sink. Once inside the kitchen a goofy grin spread on his face.

He walked back to the dining area and sat beside her. He noticed how she was still lost in some thoughts while the food remained unattended in her plate.

Annika suddenly saw a morsel in front of her eyes and jumped in her seat. But the next thing she saw was enough to melt her heart. Opening her mouth she let him feed her. They sat in silence as he continued to feed her.

After dinner Annika sat on the bed and closed her eyes. She felt so exhausted. Also she wanted to ask him again but she was scared that she might make a fool out of herself if she did that. She was behaving like a foolish teenager and that too God knows why.

She felt the bed dip beside her after a few minutes and opened her eyes sensing the movement. He was lying beside her and something about him conveyed that he was up to some mischief. She could see how difficult it was for him to control his smile and then it struck her.

He was teasing her ! Damn it! Such a devil he was !

Well two could play a game and Annika was no less. She quietly lied beside him and turned to the other side such that her back was facing him. She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.

Shivaay was a bit surprised but concealed his Expressions. After a few minutes he heard her snoring and cursed himself for acting like a stupid. He wanted to have her in his arms and sleep but now that was out of the question.

It was the 50th time in the last half n hour that He was turning sides in order to sleep but failed terribly. Annika was finding it really hard to control her laugh and she almost gave it away when she heard him curse a loud "FUCK" in frustration.

Shivaay sat up and looked helplessly towards the window.

"Not able to sleep Mr oberoi ?"

Annika finally spoke and he immediately turned towards her. She was sure he would get a whiplash.

All his frustration vanished the moment he saw her pretty face. Her eyes full of mirth and a haughty expression on her face. God she looked really hot right now !

"You..you didn't sleep ?"

"Nope I didn't. But why didn't you ? Couldn't sleep without me ?"

Annika asked in a teasing way that instantly made him smile.

He was about to wrap his arms around her when she again turned to the other side.

"Annika ?"

"Yes"

"Turn towards me "

"Only on 1 condition"

"What ?"

"You'll tell me why didn't you let me open the door " she spoke still facing the other side.

She was waiting for him to speak when she felt hot breath fanning her face and suddenly became nervous.

"Well let's just say I don't want others to lay their eyes on my girl"

Annika felt her cheeks heating up and she turned towards him. He was still hovering over her. She could feel the tension between them, Her breaths became heavy on noticing their positions and shivaay immediately moved away.

After a few moments shivaay looked at her and found her staring at him already.

"Annika "

"Hmmm"

They continued looking at each other

He scooted towards her and she did the same. He silently asked for her permission and when she nodded he wrapped his arms around her while she rested her head on his shoulder and he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Soon they dozed off to sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------
Would love to hear your thoughts
Please don't forget to vote ❤️
Ps- I'll try updating more frequently from now on 🙈