Helloooo guys.... Finally found some time to update ;)

Thank you chauhankrishna hijk2017 sufanazan narbhi_fan anrawsnarayan missingmypassion FazlaIlyas RupaShah2 Andetheres arshi-suchi dheepu1012 ib123456 DiwakarMisra pavithra82 for your inline comments and for your patience 😋 and as always, sorry if I missed out anyone!!

Dedicated to FazlaIlyas arshi-suchi DiwakarMisra and pavithra82 for the right guess 😉

Why have the comments decreased??🤔
Keep commenting guys 😬

Happy Reading and a Happy Weekend!!! ♥️

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"Helloooo auntyyy" came a super excited voice and Meera was so happy to listen to the most aquainted and eagerly awaited voice.

"Chanda...come come... where were you all these days huh?" Meera asked lovingly giving her a cup of tea..She was preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

"Sorry aunty..We are having a week's off the coming week ..so I was busy in settling things at office..waise bhi, I knew you guys will be busy due to the wedding..And, I did not want to disturb you..I was planning to come yesterday.. but you know, some unexpected guests came home as usual" Chanda said sipping the tea, making a puppy face..

"Accha...so the guests left?" Meera asked.

"Haa aunty.. yesterday itself... by the way, you called me in the morning itself.. any problem aunty?? Is Annika okay??" she asked with a lot of concern..

"Hmm.. she is fine... but... " Meera paused.

"What happened aunty?? tell me" she asked eagerly..

Chanda had guessed there was some sort of a problem, otherwise Meera would not be calling her first thing in the morning and asking her to come over. In fact, she thought Annika was disturbed due to some development during the wedding and it was related to Rohit. So, she decided that sooner the better.

That was when Meera narrated all that happened over the last one week..

"What??she was stuck inside the store room?? paagal hai yeh ladki" Chanda expressed her shock when she came to know about the store room incident and how Shivaay had saved her.

It was then Meera told her how the Oberois had proposed the wedding last night and Chanda could already make out the repercussions.

"So aunty, what did you decide?" Chanda asked curiously.

"They seem to be a very nice family, Chanda... They care so well for her..She also seems the happiest around them... what else do I need??"Meera's lips curved up as she said that.

"I understand aunty.. even I noticed that..she even told me, she is happy when they are around.. not only that..even Mr.Oberoi is a nice person" she said in a flow.

"Huh??! how do you know about him??" Meera asked suddenly and that was when Chanda realised what she had blurted and bit her tongue.

Of course, how could she forget how Annika went on and on the other day during their first meet and he still listened patiently, without reacting much. However, she had to quickly cover up now.

"Woh aunty.. I am just saying..I met his family members na the other day...they were full of praises for him..so it was obvious" she sheepishly smiled and Meera was somewhat convinced..

"Accha now tell me aunty. so, she is angry, disturbed, confused and not ready to listen to anyone.. and, you want me to make her understand..am I right?" Chanda asked very casually and Meera was surprised how Chanda knew every single reaction of Annika so perfectly..

"And now, she is purposely sitting in her room, avoiding you guys..am I right?" she asked again..

"Every single thing you said is right..but, can you talk to her?" Meera pleaded..

"Come on aunty..of course, it is my responsibility..hmm now I will have to tame her.. yehi problem hai na with her.. she hardly listens, understands double and assumes like ten times" Chanda sighed.

"Haha..so true Chanda" Meera smiled.. "Try explaining her...your uncle will be fully convinced only if she says a proper yes..And you are the only person to whom she will at least bother to listen..We thought of making her speak to Shivaay once, so that they get to understand each other a little.. But, for that too, she needs to agree right? They are a nice family Chanda" she stated worriedly as she did not want to miss them..

"No worries aunty..why fear when Chanda is here" Chanda said confidently and promised to talk to Annika right away..

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

"Shivaay ... Seem to be lost? all okay??" Om asked noticing a disturbed Shivaay sipping his coffee..

"Huh?! Hi Om.. good morning.." he curtly smiled.

"What's wrong Shivaay?" Om asked again.

"I... I have to talk to Annika today" Shivaay sounded worried and Om understood his concern.

"Shivaay.. relax... it's a good thing right..it's not some complicated board meeting..it's a normal talk.. speak your heart out..Annika will understand..and answer patiently Shivaay.. don't get mad at her if she asks you too many things and don't get into your typical SSO mode" Om smiled.

"Of course.. I can never get mad at her..but why do you say she would ask me too many questions" he asked doubtfully..

"Huh..I don't know..I just felt so...I mean come on Shivaay..it's just a week and she will obviously be shocked when she actually came back for her cousin's wedding but is ending up discussing her own wedding..she might be tensed, confused or whatever you may call it..so she may even be rude.. I'm just saying..I mean.. Even if Prinku was in her place, that is how she would react right...so don't take it too seriously alright" Om said smiling.

"Hmm I can understand..I can relate to it too you see" he winked "but yeah.. I will talk patiently..I will try" he assured sighing..

"Hmmmm.. That's my Shivaay..ok come on let's go" Om said getting up.

"Om.." he paused..

"Yeah..." Om turned cluelessly towards him..

"Can I..huh..Can I get a hug?" he asked with hesitation.

Om stared at him for a moment and said "Come on man..what are you waiting for then?" he said chuckling and they hugged each other...

"Feels much better now" Shivaay said with a new found energy..

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"Hellooo madam" Chanda screamed entering into Annika's room, closing the door behind her.

"Ch..Chanda...I knew you will come.. But, did not expect you to come this early" she said surprisingly shocked.

"Accha..so you knew I will come.. So I think you are smart enough to know why I came also" Chanda asked raising her brows and sitting down next to her on the bed.

"Yes I know.. And, look.. I am not interested in talking to anyone" Annika replied bluntly. "And, if that is the only reason you came, you better leave" she tried to act rude.

"Haha...Annika..you very well know I am not going without talking to you..then why even try huh?" she smiled and Annika simply stared at her.

"Accha tell me...what is the problem?"she asked again.

"As if you don't know" Annika scowled. "I never saw them like that Chanda..and, and.. It is just a week.. No Chanda, I can't"

"Accha...so..if this had happened after a month, you would have been okay with it?" Chanda asked her purposely and she did not know what to reply.

"See Annika..a week or a month or a year..how does it matter?They like you..you like them...and, they have taken a step towards it, before it became too late..I do not see anything wrong in this.." Chanda explained and Annika blinked.

"But..but I never saw them like that" she stammered.

"Like what Annika? What is there to see in that?You are so compatible with each of them in their family and they all like you a lot..that is all matters right?" Chanda asked sternly.

"But.. Chanda..how do I explain.. It..it is complicated..I did not see Billuji also like that.. I cannot see him like that.." she was running short of words..

"Like what Annika? Like Rohit?" Chanda asked and Annika partially nodded.

"So, are you trying to tell me that you know like, you can see Rohit when you close your eyes.. You find him wherever you go, and you can feel butterflies in your stomach when he touches you?" Chanda asked purposely and Annika's eyes widened.

"Are you crazy Chanda? This is so filmy" Annika scowled. "Anyway, I don't have an explanation Chanda..it is just that it has got instilled in my mind that it is Rohit from the beginning..now, it is..it is not easy to change my mind..I cannot Chanda.. Please understand"

"Ok..so how long are you going to say this?" Chanda asked her and she did not have an answer.. "Look Annika...at some point of time, you need to move on...waise bhi, what is your problem in just talking with him?"

"I..I am not interested..I don't want to even give it a chance.." she kept saying the same thing over and over again.

"Accha..ok Annika..tell me why you don't like him.. I will go and tell uncle and aunty" Chanda sighed.

"I.. I mean.. Why do I need a reason?" she asked.

"Of course Annika..you need a reason to dislike someone..whereas you do not need a reason to like someone..take my case itself..if you ask me what are the things I do not like in Rohan, I have a big list..but, if you ask me why I like him, I don't know.. I just like him" Chanda said and Annika carefully listened.

"Hello madam..what?? Tell me..give me a valid reason.. I will go and talk to uncle.." she shook Annika who was lost.

"Huh.. I.. he is one khadoos aadmi Chanda.."

"Ok.. so you are a very cool person? And tell me one instance where he was khadoos with you?" Chanda asked and Annika blinked.

"Anyway..he..he did not even speak up anything yesterday..he just kept quiet..like he is soo interested.. I..I did not like that" she blabbered.

"Accha..so what were you doing?you could have spoken up? Why did you remain silent madam?" Chanda gave back to her..

"I...how could I speak? I was shook.. I.. I did not expect that"

"What if he also had not expected it, Annika? Ok.. I am not telling he was completely unaware..but, probably, he also did not have an idea that they would discuss this over dinner?!" Chanda casually stated..

"I..I could not speak because all elders were present there.."

"So was the case with him too..Now don't tell me I am taking sides..none of your points seem valid..Listen Annika..maybe he also did not want to create a scene in front of the family..afterall his sister is getting married in two days..and who knows...maybe he is also not interested..whatever be the case, how would you know without talking to him in the first place" Chanda explained and Annika listened carefully, turning too thoughtful.

"What Chanda is saying is true..what if Billuji is also not interested..Anyway, the way I talk, he will surely get irritated and say not ok.. That should be sufficient" she decided and Chanda kind of understood her intentions.

"Accha thik hai.. I will talk to him.. But, if is a 'NO' even after that, then it is a 'NO'...then you should not say anything" she sternly said and Chanda agreed.

"Fine..let's see..but remember..talk with an open mind..stop having your usual judgemental attitude...And, listen to what he talks..don't get into conclusions even before he completes" Chanda commanded and Annika gaped.

"What?? I know about you..you will find some stupid reason to say no..who knows? You may even pick up a fight with him, like you did on the road the other day" Chanda pointed out and Annika got irritated.

"But..I am little scared" Annika said worriedly.

"Don't worry Annika..I am here with you...and I am here the whole of next week.." she smiled and Annika looked at her surprised. They spoke for a little more time and decided to leave for the mansion.

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As they came down, Meera intently looked at Chanda and Chanda smiled.

"Huh Annika..you sit here.. I will bring breakfast for both of us" she informed Annika and Annika simply nodded as she was too lost.

"Aunty..I somehow managed to convince her to speak to him.. Rest is with god" Chanda sighed..

"Thank you, Chanda.. I know you are the only person who can do that..If I go and talk to her, she would not even listen" Meera sadly said.

"It's ok aunty..anyway, I will go with her and let's see how it goes..fingers crossed..I just hope, now he also manages to convince her" Chanda sighed again and Meera made a mental prayer.

Chanda and Annika then left home after breakfast, leaving behind a worried Meera.

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Daadi and all others were eagerly waiting for Annika. Meera had called to inform Daadi that Annika was coming there.

They had decided to let Shivaay and Annika speak their hearts out so that they could come to a conclusion easily. Daadi and others also understood that Annika would be shocked since they had opened the talk suddenly and she was not even aware of it, and hence decided to allow her some time to absorb things.

"Good morning Didi" Rudra said cheerfully as Annika and Chanda entered. "Ohh..didis" he winked.

"Good morning" Annika answered, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Puttar..you had breakfast?" Daadi asked purposely to initiate a talk and calm her down.

"Ji Daadi..Huh I came to check if everything is set for the Sangeet function.." Annika smiled.

"Haa haa puttar..you go and check.. Om and Rudra will help you" Daadi replied back with a smile.

"So Annika..we will keep an eye here..huh you go and check the ones on the top floor ok" Om suggested "Rudy will take you" he added.

"Haa Didi.... I will take you.. Chanda Didi..you wait..I will come and join you" Rudy smiled and Chanda nodded.

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As they walked upstairs, Rudy led her to the balcony where there was a small tea table with two chairs placed opposite to each other.

"Didi.. you sit here..huh O is calling me for something.. I will check and come back soon" Rudy said walking away quickly.

"Uff.. drama" Annika chuckled in spite of the thoughts that were running in her mind.

"Hi..Annika..good morning" came the most familiar voice from the other side.

"Hello" Annika tried smiling.

"Huh..so you had breakfast?" Shivaay asked, not knowing how to start the conversation.

"Yeah I did" she replied bluntly. He felt a little sad that she did not ask him back, but he also knew she was worried, rather confused, so decided to brush off the thought.

"Huh..Annika.. Some tea?" he asked and she nodded.

"I want some too" he smiled.

As they both tried holding the kettle, their hands slightly brushed. While Annika hesitantly pulled back her hands, Shivaay simply smiled. They sat there for a few more moments lost without words, when Shivaay finally decided to break the silence slowly.

"Huh..so..I..I am not too good at talking stuff Annika...but I know.. I mean I understand it is all happening suddenly..like the proposal yesterday was not something I knew had been planned..but, I also feel, there must be some reason that you know, they spoke about it without delaying..I..I don't know what I am blabbering..but, I just thought we should give this a chance" he stuttered between words trying to convey that he wanted to talk and know about her expectations.

"What does he mean by giving a chance?Like he is completely ok with everything? No no..shouldn't be..maybe I am misunderstanding" she thought to herself.

"Huh..are you ready? I mean you don't even know me right?" she asked.

"Of course I can get to know you..not a big deal right..we have known each other for quite sometime now.." he answered casually.

"But..but it is just a week" she stammered.

"I understand Annika.. I know it is all a little complicated..suddenly after a week, opening up a topic about your wedding, I mean our wedding.. I can completely understand..But, you know, our family's happiness is important right..I mean for me, that is all matters Annika..if they are happy, I am very much happy..."

"But.but you hardly know me.. I mean... you may find too many girls of your class and standard in Mumbai, who will match your tastes and preferences.." she tried explaining.

"Hmmm" he smiled slightly "You know what.. Huh there is this quote I got reminded of now..maybe I can do that, but then I will keep looking for stones and in the process, I would have lost a diamond" he said looking keenly at her, but she was too lost to understand what he meant.

"Yeh bandha paagal hai kyaa..he is babbling some quote and all..what do I do now?!" she thought to herself, kind of losing her patience.

"Huh..it is too early right" she said.

"Don't worry Annika...I will talk to everyone and ask them to take it slow, if that is ok with you" he smiled.

"He is ok with anything and everything..no.. I can't..be strong Annika.." she thought again.

"Huh.. I..I am not used to your place..I have all along been here.. The maximum I went is to Delhi for my PG..but, Mumbai...I am not sure if I can.." before she could complete, she was cut off by him.

"There are a lot of opportunities in Mumbai Annika.. You will have a good growth..I don't see much opportunities in your place anyways..Huh not just that..I have lot of contacts too..You can start your own company..in fact I can help too..I can fund too.." he said enthusiastically, clueless that Annika would take it in a completely different tangent.

"Too much of tadi..Bhagad Billa.. What does he think of my place huh?! And what was that?! He is showing off that he has a lot of money and influence...what the hell?!" she stared however did not express. "But, good for me.. I got another point too..let me see what he has to say to this"

"Huh..I...I am not used to living in a big family like this..I have always lived just with my parents..I am not sure how comfortable I will be" she said trying to divert it that way and he simply laughed.

"You are not comfortable? Haha..come on Annika.. That was a good joke.." he chuckled..

"Mr.Oberoi..it is not some kind of joke ok...it is just a week.. Who knows what will happen in the long run? What if.. ya ...what if I say we will have to move out separately? Will you be prepared for that?" she scowled.

He became a little thoughtful. This was not the Annika he knew. She would never speak like this. But, then, when he remembered Om's words from the morning, he heaved a sigh of relief and simply smiled again.

"Confused she is...Patience, Shivaay...let her take some time" he thought to himself.

"Nothing of that sort will happen Annika..and don't worry.. About the time, I will talk to people...You will get enough time....All I can promise is you will get a family you love a lot..Omru, Daadi, Mom and all others..And, the best thing is they love you more than they probably love even me" he smiled and she had totally lost patience by now.

"No..I can't let this happen.. Never...everyone is trying to convince me and push me into this..Annika..no..talk to your papa...he will understand..he is the only resort now" she thought to herself when some workers suddenly came there to decorate the place.

"Sir..sorry..decoration is pending here..should we come later?" a worker hesitantly asked and Shivaay was annoyed as he did not expect anyone to interrupt them. He had few things to ask her, if she was comfortable, if she wanted to know something more about him and his past.

"Of course we are talking something important..who sent you here at this time?" he asked rudely, not giving a chance to the other guy to speak.

"Sir woh...this is the only place left..so we came."

"So.. you will just walk in like that? Don't you have the basic courtesy to.." he stopped abruptly when he realised he shouted too much, that too when Annika was also present there..

"Anyway... huh Annika.."

"Huh? Haa.. yeah we can go..we are done right?" she scuffled, as he did not bother to ask her anything in return but just kept answering all what she asked him. "I will think and let you know by evening" she added.

"Huh but.. Annika..I..."

"Billuji.. They are waiting.. We need to move out of here so that work is done..that is more important" she said with irritation.

"Accha fine then..huh you think and decide..I will talk to everyone.. Let's go then??" he asked hesitantly while she simply nodded.

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She was left confused on what to do now. If she went and told Chanda, that girl would not find any of her reasons valid. The only option left was to talk to her papa directly and give some lame reasons, in fact she had a valid reason to tell her papa about the tadibaaz aadmi.

She was so lost in a pool of thoughts as she walked back down. She walked towards the dining table to have a glass of water. Unknowingly, she poured too much water in the glass and before she could realise, it slipped out of her hand and fell down, breaking into various pieces. She was shocked and immediately bent down, when one of the pieces slightly pricked her and she hissed.

Om, Rudra and Pinky came running towards her.

"Didi.. are you okay? What happened?" asked a worried Rudy.

"Annika.. Come..sit here.. Just relax.. You are okay right?" Om was concerned.

"Did you hurt yourself, Annika? People are there to clean it..you first sit here" Pinky also joined in, dragging her and making her sit on a nearby chair.

"Kyaa hua Annika puttar?" Daadi who came casually that side, noticed all others surrounding her.

"Kuch nahi Daadi.. It is just.." she did not know how to cover up, when she looked behind Daadi to notice one of the decorations hanging down.

"Woh that one...that decoration came off..huh I was completely looking there and failed to notice this.. it..it slipped out of my hands" she tried hard to smile. While the others were almost convinced, Daadi was still doubtful.

"You did not hurt yourself right, Puttar?" Daadi asked with concern.

"Show me your hands" she said and by then, Puppy Daadi and Shivaay had also come there.

As Annika turned to show her palms to Daadi, Puppy Daadi almost shrieked with excitement. "Arre waahhh" leaving all others shocked.

"Kalyani..look at her hands..look at the color..the mehndi has become so dark.. The one she is going to get married to is going to love her enormously" she said cheerfully and all others smiled, Shivaay was in a mix of emotions, while Annika felt very awkward.

"Why only him? The entire family will love her... we all love her so much, hai na Daadi" Rudy said with excitement and Om stared at him signalling him to keep quiet.

"Oh my maata..of course.. Rudy has spoken the right thing for the first time in his life" Pinky was excited too.

"Choti maa.. Come with me na... Mom was looking for you" Om tried to drag her out of the place, so that she did not embarrass more. Om felt his family members were getting over-excited when nothing was even confirmed yet.

"Annika puttar.. You go home and take some rest.. You are too stressed out.. The decorations are done right.. Om and Ru will take care of the rest..you relax for a while and come in the evening, thik hai?" Daadi said understandingly and Annika nodded.

She wanted this time indeed. She wanted to rest, relax and most importantly talk to her dad. One part of her was torn between the love and care that the family was showering on her, and other part of her was still stuck with a mind that was one week old, and the one week older mind was more dominant in her case. She decided to follow Daadi's advise for once and making up her mind, went home informing Daadi that she would come back sooner in the evening.

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It was evening and the entire mansion was fully lit and full of josh. The relatives had returned and some more had joined in. It was the Sangeet ceremony and most of them were nicely dressed and having good fun.

One corner had some fun games and one corner had a mini henna function.

One corner was serving chats, while the other had popcorn and chocolates for kids. Though people were accustomed to such setup in cities, they were in awe of such decorations in the town and kept asking who had done such real good work.

And each time someone asked Daadi or Jhanvi or Pinky, they wanted to proudly announce it was their future bahu, however, refrained from doing so, as nothing was confirmed yet. Some of them even wanted to meet her when Daadi wondered why she had not turned up yet, as she had promised she will be coming early.

Rohit and his family, along with Meera and Harsh had also arrived, but Annika had not.

"Rohit puttar.. Where is Annika?" Daadi asked a little worried.

"She is coming Daadi..she was getting ready slowly..and she was waiting for her friend.. They both will come together" he smiled and Daadi was relieved.

A little later, as Shivaay was happily practising some steps with his brother, he suddenly felt a strange and familiar presence around him. This was something new that he had never experienced ever before..He turned towards the main entrance to find the cause and was completely stunned by what he saw in front of him.

Annika, who was dressed in a beautiful lehenga was in a pool of feelings and emotions, after what she experienced in the afternoon, on going home. She slowly and thoughtfully walked inside, her mind completely occupied by the event.

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Expecting povs please.....
It is unedited..so excuse some silly errors ;)

So, did you like the Chanda-Annika convo??? or Was it overboard??

Now, what do you think is running in Annika's mind?

What do you think is Shivaay's view after talking to Annika??

What would have happened in the afternoon and what do you think is going to happen now???

Guess guess 🌚🌚🌚