"Hawww?? I thought you love butter.. Accha.. Leave that..But, you were the one who said you will have anything? And, you don't need anything separate and special for you right??Ab kyaa hua??" she asked him with a tinge of sarcasm while he blinked not able to answer anything.

Meera walked forward to control her daughter, while Daadi stopped her midway. She signalled her saying she wanted to see his reaction.

"Come on.. Have it" Annika said in a little pleasing manner purposely and Shivaay just looked at her bluntly, not knowing what to react.

"Come on.. Kyaa hua?" She asked yet again and he sheepishly smiled and began eating.

She was literally taken aback, as she expected him to give some more lame reasons, but here he was having the food absolutely relishing it, or that's what it seemed like.

"I hope I don't fall ill" he murmured.

"Kyaa hua? You want some more side dish?" Annika extended the ladle to serve an almost equal quantity of whatever was already there on her plate.

"No no no...." he almost screamed while all others looked at him with shock.

"I mean.. It is sufficient.. You see, we should never have too much food for dinner.. We should eat like a beggar in the night.. Hai na, bade papa? You always taught me?" he stammered and looked at Tej for support with yet another sheepish smile and Tej understandingly nodded.

"Annika.. This is not fair huh.. You are giving special treatment to him, but not me" Rohit made puppy eyes and Annika just then realised that she had been too keen in serving Shivaay and all others were eating by themselves. She immediately kept back the bowl on the table and sat down at her place.

"Huh..aisa kuch bhi nahi hai.. It.. it is ju- just that you guys already started eat-eating and huh no one was there to he-help him" she stuttered intermittently and began eating, not giving even a glance at anyone else.

Shivaay giggled at her state and thought of troubling her in return. However, her cute antics just brought a smile on to his face and he decided to reserve his teasing for some other time.

************************************

All were done with dinner and had a small chit-chat session before retiring to their rooms. That was when Annika remembered that she had downloaded some themes on her laptop for the various ceremonies and wanted to show them to Priyanka to finalize one on her choices. She did not have to discuss the same with Rohit for two reasons - one being she already knew his interests from A to Z and another being that, her mama and maami had already said that everything would be of Priyanka's choice.

She entered Priyanka's room to notice that she was missing and while thinking where else to look for her, she heard the noise of water dripping from the washroom. After concluding that Priyanka was inside, she decided to wait. She stood near the window of the room and noticed the moon shining brightly.

When she was young, this room was used by her Daadi, who was no more. She remembered how her mom used to struggle to make her eat food and the only option left was to bring her into this room and feed her showing the moon. Her lips slightly curved up with a smile due to those memories. Ever since her Daadi passed away, the room was hardly used unless guests came. Moreover, she had also grown up them giving very less chances to her mom to scold her for being adamant.

Shivaay finally managed to establish a call with Mishra, which had been continuously getting disconnected from the evening. As he heard details from Mishra, his heart danced with joy.

"Really? That is such a good news... Yes, you mail me the details.. I will check... And yeah, I have to go and tell this to everyone at home.. Just send me a text once you are done emailing.. Yeah thanks.. Bubyee" he hung up the call and ran towards the main corridor to share the happy news with his family members.

He was so much into the moment that he just entered one of the open rooms, thinking it to be his Bade Papa's room. That was when he assumed that Priyanka was standing facing the other side looking somewhere outside. He misunderstood that she was frightened thinking about the wedding and moving into a new phase of her life. He decided to lighten her mood by giving her the best news he had just received.

Annika who was standing facing the other side, was equally lost in the moment, that she did not realise that someone had entered the room. The memories of her childhood had come flashing in front of her eyes, after looking at the beautiful moonlight.

Shivaay moved forward with slow steps and hugged her from behind.

"Prinku.. You know what? We won the dealllll.. This was my dream project and I am going to be working on it very soon" He happily hugged her and went on and on.

Annika realised a few moments later that there was someone hugging her from behind and was taken aback. She immediately shrugged her shoulders that made him release his hands from her. She turned to gaze at him and that was when he noticed Annika giving sharp stares at him.

"Woh sss.. Sorry.. Maine.. I mean I thought it was Pr..Prinku" the ever confident Shivaay Singh Oberoi's voice was painted with shock.

She continued to stare at him fiercely when he slightly bent his head.. "Woh I am extremely sorry Annika.. Did not expect you here at this point of time.. I was so excited that....." he struggled to put forth more words.

Before she could respond, Priyanka came out of the washroom.

"Arre.. what are you both doing here at this time?" she asked looking at both of them simultaneously.

"Woh.. I.. I came by mistake..was looking for Bade papa's room.. You guys carry on.." he hesitantly said and left immediately to avoid further embarrassment.

"What happened to him?" Priyanka looked at Annika with a lot of confusion.

"Huh kuch nahi.. Looks like he won some dream deal and wanted to let you know" she said in between shallow breaths.

"Really?that was his dream project Annika... oh my god.. I am so happy for him.. Bhaiyaa has worked extremely hard for it" Priyanka was excited.

"Hmmm.." Annika replied managing a smile.

"Accha.. What brings you here by the way?" she asked trying to divert the topic, as it was not related to Annika and she would anyway not find anything interesting discussing it.

"Woh.. I had downloaded some themes.. Remember I told you.. Thought, if you are not sleepy, I will show them to you.. But, looks like you need to go there..." she said pointing towards the direction Shivaay left.

"Arre nahi nahi... I will talk to Bhaiyaa about it later..come let's check on this first.. This is more important" she smiled.

The next hour went in discussion with Priyanka choosing themes of her choice and giving the reason why she chose each of them. Annika was impressed with her way of speaking. She genuinely felt happy for the girl, who was supposedly taking her place, unknowingly. The glow on her face when she spoke about the wedding and Rohit reflected how much she loved him. She smiled within herself continuing to note down whatever Priyanka was telling her.

************************************

Next morning, as Shivaay got up, the first thing that came to his mind was the previous night's happenings.

Though his heart fluttered at the thought, his mind was little stunned and he felt embarrassed for a few moments thinking 'What if Annika is angry? What if Annika has mistaken me? What if she never talks to me after this? What if...?' His never ending what-ifs were brought to a halt when he heard Rudra continuously banging on his door.

"What happened? Why are you banging the door like this?" he was slightly irritated.

"Bhaiyaa... you are still sleeping? Come on.. We need to go to that new house" Rudy's words lingered in his mind and left him agitated.

"New... house?" he asked sadly..

"Arre bhaiyaa.. I mean that ancestral house.. We need to shift there, hai na" he said enthusiastically.

"Oh.. haan... yeah.. I will.. get .. ready" he said sadly.

"What happened Bhaiyaa? You don't seem ok" Rudy asked doubtfully.

"No no.. woh nothing.. Just that I had a disturbed sleep.. You go.. I will come" Rudy was kind of convinced now and left.

************************************

Since there was an upcoming wedding, preparations were on full swing. Everyone had an early breakfast and sat down to split the work between themselves to ease out Annika's pressure. She was so glad when not only Om and Rudra, but also Jhanvi and Pinky came forward to help her in whatever way they could.

"Annika puttar... can you bring that guest list we prepared yesterday? I will check it once" Daadi asked Annika who was busy with Om and Rudra in some planning.

"Ji Daadi.. But, Daadi.. What for?"

"Puttar.. If we finalise it, you can hand it over to Shakti and Tej.. They will take care of inviting them"

"But Daadi.. Are they going to personally invite them? I mean.. There is no time na Daadi"

"Annika.. .they are anyway going to Mumbai once or twice.. So, they will invite those people personally.. We do not have a very big guest list Puttar.. Since, we decided to have the wedding here, we are inviting only a specific set of people.. We can have a reception later in Mumbai.. And remember, you will be organising that too" Daadi said authoritatively and she nodded happily.

They sat down to check the list and once done, Annika left to hand it over to Shakti and Tej who were seated at the garden.

************************************

"How can they say that now, Bhaisaab? We had told them we will be busy" Shakti asked Tej in an irritated tone.

"That is what I don't know. But we don't have an option Shakti.. We need to tally these reports and take them along when we go.. We hardly have any time left..Let's split it among ourselves and do it"

"Hmm.. you are right.. I do not want to unnecessarily involve Shivaay"

"Yes me too.. I am done with the glares that Jhanvi has been giving me already" Tej said fearfully thinking about his wife.

That was when they noticed Annika standing close to them, smiling.

"Annika.. What is the matter Beta?" Shakti asked concerned.

"Woh uncle.. Daadi had sent me to hand over the guest list to you... But, seems like you are busy.. It's ok I will come later" She almost was going to walk away when Tej stopped her.

"No No.. beta.. This is more important.. Give.. we will take care of it" he smiled.

She handed it over to them and gave them some instructions as Daadi had informed her and was going to leave, when she suddenly remembered something and turned back -

"Huh .. uncle.. If you don't mind, can I ask something?" she asked them hesitantly.

"What is it Annika?"

"I heard you both discussing about some report.. If you need some help, I can help you.. Matlab, if you don't mind" she added.

"No No beta.. You already have lot of wedding planning to do.. If we disturb you, then Jhanvi will throw me out" Tej laughed.

"Arre.. no no uncle...my work starts only after ten" she said playfully while they both looked at her confused.

"Haha.. the shops open around half past nine or ten.. And now, it is just half past eight.. So, I still have time.. Tell me what help you need.. I will do it if I can" she said confidently.

Tej and Shakti were delighted at her confidence and decided to take her help, but were still a little hesitant.

"Uncle.. Don't worry.. I will make sure Jhanvi aunty doesn't come to know of it" she winked and whispered softly, while they patted her lovingly in response.

She sat around them, trying to figure out what needs to be done, when they said, they were in the process of preparing some audit reports and they had all the information collectively in a folder. She listened keenly to their instructions and began preparing the report.

************************************

Shivaay, who had walked over to his Dad and Bade papa's room the previous night, had noticed that the lights were already switched off. He concluded that they would have slept owing to the tiredness caused by the wedding preparations and walked back into his room.

He had now eagerly come over to the garden to inform whatever he had missed yesterday, when he noticed that Annika was busy helping them with something. He decided to wait there itself and watch what they were upto.

"Uncle.. It is done.. You can check" she smiled handing over the laptop to Shakti, while Tej joined him in to verify the details.. Her report was excellent with major points highlighted, which did not even give them a feeling that she had no prior experience.

"Annika.. Have you worked somewhere before? I mean..I heard you just came back after your Masters.." Tej was impressed.

"No Uncle.. It's just that.." she bit her lips.

"Hmm... impressive..I think you can take up a job at the Oberoi industries" Tej remarked and she smiled along with Shakti.

"Accha.. Looks like madam managed to impress Bade papa.. I can't believe this..Hmm.. soon, I guess Annika will replace me" he jokingly thought to himself and smiled. He walked towards them and asked casually.
"What is going on?"

"Huh? Sh.Shivaay.. When did.... You..come?" Tej was searching for words.

"Well.. maybe when you were appreciating Annika" he smirked.

"Huh.. that.. Yeah she has so skillfully prepared the guest list you see.. Accha.. We will go huh..I think Jhanvi was looking for me, I mean us..." he said almost dragging his brother along, not before smiling at Annika.

Annika was also going to leave the place, when Shivaay stopped her.

"Annika. Ruko"

"Huh?! Haa tell me" she sheepishly smiled with her hand behind her neck.

"So, all set?" he paused when she thought he was asking about her planning.

"Yeah.. of course. " she smiled with pride.

"So, when are you taking up the job in Oberoi industries?" He asked and her eyes widened in shock..

"Woh woh..." she stammered.

"Shivaay Bhaiyaaa" they heard Rudra calling him from inside and Annika heaved a sigh of relief.

He simply smiled and turned to leave seeing her expression when she called him out.

"Billuji..." Everytime she called him that, though his irritation was evident on one side, his heart mentally jumped on the other side. And, now that she had called him out by herself, he also realised that, she had not taken the previous night very seriously and felt relieved.

"Haa.. what happened?" he asked with a serious face.

"Woh.. I was just helping them.. I mean they said no need.. But, I only forced them.. Don't tell Jhanvi aunty, pleaseee" she pouted making his heart melt.

'How many expressions does she manage to make in a minute?God.. help me save my sanity!' he thought to himself.

He just smiled and nodded his head.. "Ok fine... don't be so sad.. I won't tell her" and was going to turn when she asked him

"Pinky promise?"

He turned back to notice that she was extending her pinky finger towards her.

"Huh? What?What's this??"

"It's a promise.. Please don't tell anyone huh" she pouted yet again and he had to turn away to get distracted. He intertwined his finger with hers and promised her as she said and they then walked inside.

************************************

"You were looking for me, Rudy?" Shivaay asked as he walked inside the house.

"Haa Bhaiyaa.. We will leave?"

"Leave?? Where?"

"Arre Bhaiyaa... I told you na... to that new house" Rudra stared at him.

"Oh.. haa" he replied sadly.

"Haa haa Billu.. Go and come" Daadi joined in.

"Daadi.. We are shifting there?" He asked resentfully.

"Yes Billu.. We will shift there tomorrow mostly.. Just go and check if all okay.. I thought of sending only you.. But Rudra also wants to see.. All of you go and come" Daadi said cheerfully.

"Hmm okay" Shivaay was still upset which was noticed by Daadi.

"What happened, Billu?"

"Daadi.. I was just thinking...If you people are comfortable here, we can stay back here"

"Kamaal hai Shivaay... you were the one telling us that day we will stay in hotel.. Ab kyaa hua?" Pinky who walked there, asked with questioning eyes, while Om and Rudra chuckled.

"Nahi woh just.. I just said.. Ok, let's go then.." he tried diverting the topic and the rest agreed.

Harsh came forward to help them check out the house, while Annika said she will take care of it. She knew that her dad was busy with some work and also as she too had to visit the place to see where to set what, she self- volunteered.

"Papa.. you don't worry.. Carry on.. I will handle this" she smiled confidently and her dad obliged.

************************************

Shivaay, Omkara, Rudra, Rohit, Priyanka and Annika decided to visit the place and walked out.

They decided to take the car initially, but then realised that, only five people could be accommodated in the car, while they were six in totality.

"No issues.. We will take the other car" Rohit suggested.

"Why unnecessarily?" Annika said thoughtfully eyeing towards her two-wheeler.

"Oh haa.. You both take the champa and come" Shivaay said in a flow and Annika gasped, while all others' eyes widened in shock.

"CHAMPAAA?" They asked in unison.

************************************

Ok, so what do you think will happen next?

Why do you think Shivaay is hesitating to go to the ancestral house? Is it some mystery?? 🤔🤔

And, what do you think is Shivaay's opinion about Annika and Annika's opinion about Shivaay?

Will they shift to the house or not???

This chapter is dedicated to hijk2017 who did so much tareef of this book last week 😋 Thank you so much😊 I'm overwhelmed😊😊😊

To all others, Vote if you liked the chapter and do comment your views!!!!