Shivaay came down after his call with Mishra when Om seemed to be too unsettled about something.

“Shivaay.. You saw Annika?”

“No Om.. I told you I had a call..she was somewhere here that time right” he asked unflustered.

“Yeah..but she is not to be found anywhere now.. I searched almost everywhere” Om seemed to be tensed.

“Om relax… she must be somewhere around…” Though he vocally said that, he was mentally disturbed too by now.. Something in his mind told him, there was some problem.

“Ok now don’t panic.. We will look for her in the first floor” Shivaay convinced him and they walked up to the top floor to look for her.

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

----Sometime back :-----

 
Annika walked near the kitchen counter to notice that all were occupied with a lot of work. When she turned towards the hall, she also noticed that, Om and Ru were busy with decorations. She sighed and after a few moments of thinking, walked upstairs.

“All are busy. And, these people are asking me for a big ladle and few other items too..Let me try to look for them myself.. If I disturb the cooks down, their work will be impacted.” She spoke to herself and walked upto the store room on the top floor.

The door was huge and she had great difficulty opening it.. It made a screeching sound and then, she finally walked inside after a few moments of struggle.

The lights inside were too dim and she somehow managed to find some old vessels in a corner..She started gradually looking for the other items when she heard a bang sound on the door. She quickly got up and went to check what the noise was, when she noticed that the door was shut close.

“O bete Ki…what do I do now?” Facepalming she went and  tried to open the door.. However, the room was on the top floor and there was significant wind from the other side. Added to that, the door was too heavy for her to pull open.. Nevertheless, she tried for a few more moments, but to her bad luck, the door got jammed unevenly.

Not able to struggle further, she started banging on the door heavily and screaming for help.

“Help!! Someone help!! Om Rudra.. Somebody help me!!!” But, she also knew that the room being on the top floor and all others being down, they would not even be able to hear her.

She looked for some heavy object to pull open the door, but could not find any. The room being dimly lit did not help much too. Atleast, previously, she had kept the door open. Now, with it being shut closed, she hardly found any light. She was also sweating heavily due to the lack of air flow. She managed to look for any window or glass in the room, but found none. The only option she had left was to keep banging the door and scream for help.

“Help…someone help me please!!! Priyanka.. Om Rudra…” She kept screaming, but was exhausted after a little while.

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

As Shivaay went upstairs to look for Annika, one of the cooks came walking out of Priyanka’s room with a juice glass. Initially, he thought the guy would have no idea. However, changing his mind, he decided to stop and ask him.

“Huh… ek minute…”

“Ji sir.. tell me” he replied.

“Huh…Did you see Annika somewhere by any chance?” he asked.

“Ji Sir.. I saw her..”

“Where?? When???” he asked a little satisfied.

“Sir.. not now..I saw her about an hour back.. She was asking me details about the kadai for making sweets.. I told her we keep in the storeroom upstairs.. After that, I am not sure” the cook gave details.

“Did she say that she is going there by any chance?” he asked too perturbed.

“No No..not at all.. she just told me that she needs some items from there before tomorrow morning..And I told her I will get them for her..She also accepted and left..”

“Ohhh…Ok fine..thank you.. You continue with your work” he thanked the cook and wondered where she would have gone in the meantime.

He was not sure why. In spite of the confirmation from the cook that she wouldn’t be going there, his feet still advanced towards the storeroom and his heartbeats relatively increased.

However, as he walked closer, he found that the door was locked.

Heaving a sigh of relief, he started walking away from the place. But, as soon as he advanced a few steps, his feet retreated to the same spot again. When he gave another glance at the door, he noticed that it seemed to be jammed.

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

“Daadi.. we searched everywhere.. she does not seem to be around..” Om came panting.

All others were completely clueless as to where she had disappeared suddenly.

“Arre..she was here so long..where did she go suddenly?” Pinky was worried now.

That was when Priyanka came down to notice everyone gathered together and discussing something seriously.

“What happened?” she asked oblivious of the discussion.

“Prinku.. you saw Annika by any chance?” Jhanvi seemed disturbed.

“Haan Badi maa.. before sometime.. she was with me, helping me shortlist Mehndi designs.. why what happened?” she asked shaking her head.

“Haa I guess that was last when I saw her too…I was asking her about preparation of sweets” Daadi thoughtfully replied.

“But why are you guys so worried? I mean she must be somewhere here.. Did you try calling her mobile?”

“Yeah Prinku. I called.. Didi’s phone was ringing somewhere near the dining hall and she was not anywhere around” Rudy sounded low.

“By the way, where did Shivaay go now?” Om asked realizing he was missing too.

Rudy and Priyanka gave an understanding look towards each other.

“Guys..this is not the time to play” Om murmured raising his brows at their reaction.

“Hey wait.. I saw Bhaiyaa going upstairs when I came down.. I thought he was going to attend some call or something” Priyanka remembered seeing him as she walked out of the room. “But what is there on top?”

“Huh.. I think there is a storeroom on the top floor” Meera stated.

“Annikaaaa” they heard Shivaay scream from the top floor.

“Bhaiyaa’s voice..O, let’s go check” Rudy said almost dragging Om upstairs.

The remaining stood stunned.

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

“Shivaay.. what happened?” Om asked as he and Rudra ran towards the storeroom.

“I think she is stuck inside…Initially, I thought the door is locked.. but see looks like it is jammed..I have been banging the door and calling her.. but no response.. Can you guys help me push open this door?? Seems to be too heavy..let's check once” Shivaay blurted out all at once in a flow.

The three of them somehow managed to push open the door and went inside. There was a very dim light and no windows around. That was when Shivaay noticed that Annika had fallen unconscious at one of the corners.

“Annika..Annikaa.. get up..” he held her face and shook her head.

“Shivaay..let’s take her outside.. No ventilation here” Om suggested.

Shivaay immediately carried her in his arms, took her outside and made her lie on the couch in the first floor. They tried shaking her vigorously but she hardly responded. Om and Rudy started rubbing her palms gently.

“Yeh ladki bhi na… how careless she is.. sometime back, she was almost going to fall and now she fainted itself..let her get up..she is going to get nicely from me today” Shivaay grumbled seriously.

“Bhaiyaa.. poor Didi..let her first get up..” Rudy took her side and Shivaay composed himself and simply nodded.

By that time, all others had assembled there.

“Annika…what happened to her?” Pinky came running towards the couch and placed her head on her lap. Meera and Vanitha followed.

“What happened to her Billu??” Daadi asked and Shivaay was already too grumpy to answer.

“Woh Daadi.. looks like she fainted…Mom, should we call the doctor? Not sure since how long she is in this state” Om asked Jhanvi.

“No No beta.. just get some water na someone..” Even before Meera could complete, Shivaay had already brought a glass of water and poured it on her face with full force.

She jerked in response. And, after a few moments, slowly and gently, she opened her eyes.

Holding her head tightly, she got up from the couch.

“Aaram se Annika. You are better now?” Pinky asked with a lot of concern.

As soon as she opened her eyes properly, the first thing, rather first person she happened to notice was Shivaay, standing right in front of her, with a glass. He was all set to interrogate her and scold her, once the others were done. But, what she did next left him completely shook.

“You poured water on me?” she asked with a pout.

“What??”

“I know.. you wanted to take revenge because I poured that paint water on you that day right??” she questioned him again.

“What??!! Annika.. you know what.. you are unbelievable..just UNBELIEVABLE” he facepalmed.

Om and Rudy were already chuckling.

“Bhaiyaa.. you wanted to ask Didi something?” Rudy purposely intrigued.

“Shut up Rudra.. and I forgot.. I completely forgot about it..” Shivaay almost exploded.

“Annika puttar.. you are better now?” Daadi asked this time.

“Ji Daadi.. I am completely fine” she replied with a smile.

“Why did you go to the storeroom Annika?” Meera interrogated her daughter.

“Woh mumma.. I just went to check if some items are available…But the door was heavy and the wind was heavy too..” she made a puppy face.

“But, you could have taken someone along na Beta?” Vanitha asked her.

“Woh aunty.. everyone was busy.. I did not want to disturb anyone” she sadly replied.

“Haa toh.. you could have called me right in that case?” Shivaay immediately asked and OmRuPri teasingly stared at him.

“I mean.. Me or Om or Rudra..someone..” he stammered.

“Ya Didi.. of course me and O were busy.. but you could have called Bhaiyaaa.. you are right Bhaiyaa..” Rudy winked at Shivaay.

“Ya I know.. I am always right” he managed to reply, while Om and Priyanka chuckled.

“Puttar.. listen.. we have people to do this work.. so what if they are busy.. it is hardly going to take sometime.. accha leave it.. don’t repeat this next time, ok?” Daadi instructed Annika and she understandingly nodded her head.

“Ya ya and Didi.. if at all you still want to go, take Bhaiyaa ok” Rudy said and Om smacked him slightly. “I mean.. Bhaiyaa or me or O” he added.

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

The rest of the day went in decorations for the engagement. Around evening, the panditji came and held a small puja at the house. Annika was running around and helping in decorations and other arrangements. Her parents were also actively helping Pinky and Jhanvi. Daadi was really impressed with Annika’s family and how they were always ready to come forward and help.

Seeing Annika tirelessly involved in all the work and getting along so well with his mom and Badi Maa, Shivaay’s anger went down the drain, and a small smile crept up his face.

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

After the puja, Daadi insisted the Trivedis to have dinner with them. Initially, they were reluctant, but since Jhanvi and Pinky urged them too, they eventually accepted. This being Shivaay’s favorite time of the day, he got a good opportunity to observe Annika.

They were almost done when Daadi intimated that all of them should be here on time the next day as the engagement was supposed to be held in the morning itself. Annika promised to come early, much to Shivaay’s expectations, so that she could help Priyanka get dressed up.

“Bhaiyaa.. why do you keep staring at her huh?” Priyanka asked raising her brows at her brother. She was seated next to him followed by his brothers.

“Huh?! What?? When did I stare??” came his instant reply as they expected.

This was the forth time today that he was caught off-guard by his siblings and each time it was Om or Rudra who asked him for an explanation, but now, his own sister joined the league too.

“I.. I..” he stretched.

“What Bhaiyaa?You have a call to make to Mishra, am I right?” she asked casually.

“Huh…haa… yes yes.. right..” he said and quickly fled from that place.

“Om Bhaiyaa.. he seems to be smitten only” Priyanka winked at Om.

“Rudra…Looks like we need to talk to him soon” Om stated and Rudy accepted. Priyanka asked them to ensure she was invited in the conversation too.

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

As Shivaay walked towards his room pretending to check emails on his phone, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

“Shivaay Beta..” Meera called him.

“Hello aunty.. tell me.. you want me to drop you?” he asked like an excited puppy.

“No no beta..we have the car.. I just wanted to thank you for all the help..” she said gently holding his hands, while he blinked.

“Thanks for saving Annika, beta…if not for you I don’t know what would have happened!!” she said worriedly.

By that time, Om and Rudy had come looking for him. But, after noticing that Harsh and Meera were talking to him, they stood at a distance to listen to their conversation.

“Aunty.. I did nothing..” he smiled in response.

“Beta.. she told me about all that happened in the afternoon.. What if you hadn’t gone there at the right time? Matter could have been serious.. “ he said worriedly and Meera nodded too.

“It’s ok uncle..you people are part of our family.. Don’t treat me like some outsider” he said generously.

“Haww O… he already decided? He is saying family and all” Rudy gasped.

“Sshhh.. keep quiet” Om signaled.

“Anyway thank you Beta…we will leave now.. and meet tomorrow” they smiled and took few steps when Shivaay stopped them.

“Huh..uncle one minute” he said softly.

“Yes Beta…” Meera looked keenly at him.

“Nothing much.. Just ask Annika to be a little more careful next time.. Today we were all at home…so okay.. what if none of us were there” he hesitantly conveyed.

“Sure Beta… I will talk to her…” Harsh smiled at him.

“And don’t worry.. we will tell her specifically that you insisted this” Meera joked.

“Huh?!! No no.. then she will definitely not listen” he said shocked.

“Hahaha…you are too cute.. I was just joking” Meera laughed seeing his reaction.

He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

“O.. do you see that he has already impressed his in-laws?” Rudy exclaimed.

“Duffer..keep quiet..they themselves will hear you” Om smacked him.

Once Annika joined them, Harsh, Meera and Rohit’s family left to their place.

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

Shivaay, Om and Rudy were seated in Priyanka’s room and having a random discussion.

“Shivaay.. when are Dad and Chote papa coming back? I thought they will be here by now” Om asked thoughtfully.

“Yeah Om.. they were supposed to be back by now. But, it got delayed at one of our guests' place..They will be coming early tomorrow morning…” he replied.

“Accha…” he paused when Rudy signalled him to ask something about Annika. They had decided they will speak to him tonight and that Priyanka was present, it was a good chance too.

“Huh Shivaay.. Are the Kapoors invited too?” Om asked again.

“Huh?! I don’t know.. I mean I have no idea.. Bade papa’s close aquaintance.... so high chances they will be invited” he tried to sound as casual as possible.

“So, Tia will be here too? “ Rudy purposely asked and Shivaay glared. “I mean.. Bhaiyaa…They are mom’s distant relatives.. So I just thought…” he stretched..

“Who cares?” Shivaay responded with agitation.

“Oh yeah.. who cares? Tia was invisible two years back itself right, ab toh who cares” Om purposely taunted him.

“Om bhaiyaa… it’s ok leave it….I wanted to say something.. Annika is there na….” Priyanka paused to notice that Shivaay quickly looked up as soon as her name came up.

“Yeah what happened to her now? Is she fine? Or she fainted again?” Shivaay was restless now.

“Bhaiyaa…I was just trying to say, she was wearing a ear stud today…It looked stunning..” Priyanka shrugged her shoulders.

“Huh? What?? No no.. she was not wearing a stud today.. she was wearing a ring.. or some hanging.. definitely not a stud” he said in one go and all the three blinked looking at each other, covering their mouths.

“Bhaiyaa.. tell me something..have you ever noticed what Tia was wearing on your, hmmm, Roka?? Accha leave that.. do you know what I was wearing yesterday?” she asked him with her hands across her chest.

“Huh?!! Woh woh….” He stammered.

“Shivaay… tell me something.. how come you notice every single thing about Annika??” Om raised his brows.

“Om.. it’s nothing like that huh.. don’t exaggerate” his words faltered.

“Really Shivaay? We have been noticing you for the last three or four days and you know it too.. what is happening between you two huh?” he demanded an answer.

“Om.. what between us two?? There is nothing between us.. absolutely nothing till now..” he replied without looking into their eyes.

“Accha bhaiyaa…what do you think about her?” Rudy asked, as he knew Shivaay would surely blurt out something now.

“She is smart.. very sincere.. so cute.. her eyes are lovely.. and those expressions she gives…” he was going to continue when he realized the blunder he had created. He paused abruptly.

“Seriously Bhaiyaaa… I am not sure even if I noticed this much” Priyanka gasped.

“O and Prinku.. leave it.. he is following conventional method” Rudy winked.

“What do you mean?” Shivaay asked Rudy.

“Bhaiyaa.. we saw you were trying to impress her parents.. it is ok huh..looks like you hit two birds with one stone today” Rudy teased and Shivaay almost turned beet.

“Shut up Rudra.. kuch bhi…and stop teasing me huh.. I mean us.. me and Annika” he said and quickly barged out of the room, not prepared enough to handle their teasing glares and stares anymore.

“These  people have gone mad…god.. how am I going to deal with them?!” Shivaay thought and walked into his room with the blush still not wanting to leave his face.

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

As Annika and all others reached home, she quickly retired into her room saying she was too tired after the kind of work she did today. Rest of them decided to chat for a while before retiring to sleep.

“He is such a nice guy.. hai na Harsh ji..” Meera said recollecting the eventful day.

“Hmm.. the entire family is good..how much they care..and with what Shivaay did today, I have no words..” Harsh added.

“You know what Bua? I am impressed too… I mean with what Prinku has told me, I always had this thought like… woh Annika kyaa bolti hai woh word..haa I always used to feel he is akdu tadibaaz and all to the outside world.. Of course, he has always been very sweet to us.. But, Prinku used to say he doesn’t get attached to anyone quickly…But, I see that he gets along so well with you guys.. I am surprised too..” Rohit exclaimed with excitement.

“That’s true…he is a gem” Meera was surely impressed, specially after he saved her daughter.

They, then spoke general stuff regarding the upcoming ceremony, and called it a day, as they had to wake up early the next day.

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

“Mummy ji… can I come inside?” Pinky asked with hesitation.

“Of course Pinky…come come” Daadi was amused to find Pinky in her room at this time of the night.

“Mummyji.. everything is set for tomorrow.. I think this is the first time we are so relaxed before a function at home” Pinky smiled contently.

“Of course.. All thanks to Annika” Jhanvi smiled entering the room.

“Jhanvi.. you are here too..come come”

“Haa mummyji… I was not feeling sleepy.. Just thought of dropping by and I noticed Pinky entering too” Jhanvi replied with the same vigour.

“So.. Pinky tell me.. what is it?” Daadi questioned her.

“Nothing Mummyji.. same reason.. jethaniji told you right…” she sheepishly smiled.

“Really? But, why do I feel you both came for something else?” Daadi asked with a glare.

“Mummyji….actually….hmmm” Jhanvi mumbled.

“Hmmm.. what if I say I already have an idea why you both came?” Daadi asked confidently, while Pinky and Jhanvi gasped.

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

This chapter is dedicated to IndraPriyadarshini arshi-suchi and Karthisundar who managed to make the right guess in the previous chapter😉😉😉

I came back early this time since this chapter was almost done over the weekend itself... As promised Karthisundar , but I am not sure, if I will be able to do this every other week..will try anyways 😉

Silent readers...Why are you guys not at all guessing anything?? 😔It's ok guys, just guess whatever you feel like.. leave some comments, so that it will be more interesting😎

Ok.. question(s) of this chapter :-
Why did Jhanvi and Pinky come to Daadi's room? Is there some new problem coming up?? Or they came to ask her something else?!

Will the engagement happen without any problems??!! Why is Rohit calling Shivaay akdu?? There was no instance where Shivaay behaved that way right?! Is something cooking up in Rohit's mind??!!

As always, the one who answers correctly will have the next chapter dedicated to them 😉

Having said that, I have one more thing to add...the IB fanfic awards are coming up..Do nominate your favorite writer there and let the deserving win 🙂