I am back after a while 😅

Thanks to Andetheres chauhankrishna RupaShah2 sreelakshminaks suryaarjuna missingmypassion FazlaIlyas arshi-suchi ib123456 DiwakarMisra pavithra82 IndraPriyadarshini user41717447 hijk2017 narbhi_fan ayatkhan97 Anchaloberoi user02759713 for your inline comments and for your patience 😋 and as always, sorry if I missed out anyone!!

Dedicated to arshi-suchi missingmypassion narbhi_fan Andetheres ayatkhan97 for the partial right guesses 😉

Let's see what happens next 😅

Happy Reading and a happy weekend ❣️..

***************************************
The next morning kept everyone quite busy as it was the wedding day of Rohit and Priyanka.The wedding was supposed to be held late morning and hence they had planned a simple Haldi function in the early hours of the morning itself.

Meera came looking for Annika when she found her asleep in an uncomfortable position on the bed. She was still in the same lehenga, the one she had worn for the Sangeet. The previous day, as soon as each one of them came home, they were too tired to do any chit-chatting and planned to hit the bed straight away. Moreover, they also had to get up early due to the Haldi function and the other pre-wedding rituals.

Annika was awake for a long time in the night, and fell asleep only when there were no more tears left to drain and no more energy left in her body.

Her mom gently woke her up caressing her hair.

"Annika..it's getting late" she said.

Annika slowly woke up rubbing her eyes and holding her head.

"Sorry mumma...it became late. I will get ready quickly and come" she replied without looking into her eyes.

"Kyaa hua Annika?why do you look so pale? And, why haven't you changed yet?" Her mom asked with questioning eyes.

"Nothing Mumma... woh I had a headache due to that loud music yesterday. So, I just had some medicine and straightaway slept" she lied purposely.

Though her mom was not fully convinced, her messed up hair and pale eyes made her believe it partially.

"Acchaa..have another tablet if you are still not ok.. And, we all are leaving now.. Maami and I have to be there for the haldi function.. I already informed Chanda.. she will be coming in a while..You both come together, thik hai?"

"Sure Mumma.. will get ready and come soon" she replied nonchalantly.

"And Annika..one more thing..." Meera hesitated.

"Tell me Mumma.." she asked casually as if she already knew what the matter was.

"I know you may feel things are rushed up..I know it is just a week and you are still not over the past.. In fact, none of us have got over it..But, it is for your good that we readily accepted this..Papa and I discussed and we have our reasons too" Meera paused.

"Haa Mumma.. I know you have reasons.. I know you and Papa would have discussed well before finalising such a big thing.. And, I trust both of you Mumma.. nothing is more important than your happiness to me" she replied controlling her emotions and tears, with a little sarcasm, which her mom failed to catch.

"And, you should also remember, nothing is more important to us than your happiness" Her mom said pecking her forehead. "I know you are quite mature and responsible.. And, you should also know Shivaay is a very assertive guy..And, they all genuinely love you a lot"

"I know Mumma.. I love them a lot too" she tried smiling.

"I know.. I have seen it too.." her mom smiled patting her cheeks.

"Accha.. now I will leave.. you get ready and come"

"Thik hai.. bubye" she said.

As soon as her mom left the room, the tears that were waiting to come out, rolled out of her eyes continuously. Sighing to herself thinking of her fate, she decided to go and get set for the grand wedding, her first assignment.

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

The wedding house was full of josh and the ladies were all set on one side for the Haldi, when Meera and Vanitha arrived.

"Come come.. Prinku is getting ready.. we will start in another ten minutes" informed Daadi cheerfully.

"Waise.. where is Annika?" Pinky asked looking for her.

"Huh..she was not ready when we started.. she will come in a while..Anyway, she will not be needed right..So, we just came" Meera replied casually.

"Arre.. aise kaise not needed..she is the future bahu of this house..Prinku's Bhabhi...she is one of the prime members needed" Pinky said authoritatively..

"Pinky is right...Anyway.. we will proceed and let her join in" Jhanvi suggested and the rest agreed.

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

"Annika.. ready?" Chanda asked Annika as she entered her room.

"Haa.. we will go" Annika replied in the same blunt tone.

"Wait..Aunty told me what happened..so it's final? you decided?" Chanda asked her eagerly.

"Hmmm..they all decided and I readily accepted" she mused.

"Annika..it's a big decision..you thought over it properly right?" Chanda asked again.

"Of course Chanda..why do you ask?" she asked trying to move out when Chanda held her arms.

"Because your response sounds otherwise" Chanda scowled pulling Annika to face her.

"Chanda..remember you told me once..when I am confused and not sure of what decision to take, I should go with others' happiness.. And, that's exactly what I did now" she smirked.

"Annika.. that was..that was a random discussion.. This is your life "

"Haa..but when I neither have a reason to say no, nor when I know where my happiness really lies, my options are limited right" she replied without any emotions. "Let's go Chanda.. I have left things to fate"

Having little option and not wanting to turn off her mood further, specially when the wedding was in another few hours, Chanda decided that she would patiently deal with her post the wedding. Soon after, they left to the mansion.

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

Priyanka was elegantly dressed when she came and sat for the Haldi ceremony. Each of the elderly women started applying Haldi on her.

With the function still in progress, Annika and Chanda arrived.

"Oh my maata.. you finally came? I was awaiting you" Pinky cheerfully invited Annika there.

"Come on.. go and apply some haldi"

"Me? why me aunty?" Annika asked with confusion as she stood beside Priyanka.

"Annika..oops Annika Bhabhi..apply na come on" Priyanka whispered smiling widely and Annika was shocked.
"I can call you Bhabhi right" Priyanka asked doubtfully watching Annika's changing expressions.

"Haa.. Haa you can" she tried smiling.

Annika gently applied the Haldi on Priyanka's cheeks and both of their lips curved into smiles.

Meera and Vanitha were overwhelmed to see the bonding between them and how soon they had accepted Annika so wholeheartedly.

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

The wedding was supposed to take place almost about an hour and a half post this ceremony.

Breakfast was arranged at the back side of the mansion and meanwhile, the Mandap was being arranged with the pyre and the Panditji was taking care of it.

Annika noticed Om clicking random pics using a camera.

"Hey Om.. what are you doing?" she asked fully surprised.

"Huh.. just clicking some random, you know candid pics" he winked.

"Wow..you are.. I mean a professional photographer??" she gaped.

"Not exactly Didi.. but he is almost one" Rudy came there smiling. "Huh oops.. Bhabhi.. hai na, Om?" he winked.

"Huh.. Bhabhi? I can call you Bhabhi right?" he asked looking at her confused expressions.

"Haa..haa of course.." well, what else could she say, he was the second person asking her the same question on the same day.

She was surprised how they all got so attached to her overnight to an extent of addressing her as "Bhabhi". Though she loved the affection they showered upon her, she was still skeptical about all the things that were happening in such a hurry, or atleast that was what she felt.

"He has indeed clicked a lot of nice pics of you too, Bhabhi" Rudy's voice broke her thoughts.

"Huh?? Mine, what??"

"Rudra.. shut up" Om signalled him while Annika was now curious to see what he had clicked without her knowledge and of course, when.

"Nothing Annika... just ignore him.. I will show you the pics after the wedding.. They are just casual random ones" Om tried telling her and she simply nodded.

"Om and Rudra..Daadi is looking for you" Shakti's voice came as a saviour to Om.

"Haa chote papa..coming.." he said.

"You guys carry on.. I will check on other things" Saying so, she left from there.

"Rudy.. paagal.. can't you stay silent?" Om smacked Rudy slightly.

"Arre...the pics were nice, O" Rudy blinked.

"But it is not just her pic.. it has Shivaay too.. and if they knew I clicked their moments without their knowledge, they both would go mad at me" he snapped back.

"But O"

"Shut up and now chalo let's go" he said and almost dragged him away from there.

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

"Bhaiyaa..all ok in the catering right? And, enough place is there for everyone? It would be manageable even if more people than expected arrive right?" Annika kept asking the same questions again and again to the catering guy, and he patiently nodded saying that everything was taken care of.

Shivaay happened to see this and simply smiled. This was like the forth time he was watching the same scene with same dialogues. He was fascinated at how the guy did not lose his calm even after this level of interrogation for the umpteenth time. He knew the guy was a close acquaintance of Annika's dad and he also knew that she was very skeptical as it was her first assignment. However, if he was in the same place, he was sure he would have lost his cool during the third time itself. But, in spite of that, he admired the fact of how she made sure everything was perfect. It was evident when the guests were all praises for her.

"Bhaiyaa.. can you just fit that light a little more above that railing?" she asked one of the workers.
Once again, Shivaay simply shook his head and smiled.

"Waise Pammy.." came the most familiar voice when Annika slightly turned to notice the famous gossip duo of her town "Pammy and Sheela". She decided that the best way to deal with them was the weapon her mom had trained her with - "ignorance" and simply turned her attention back to the worker.

Though Shivaay noticed the change in her behavior, he could not make out the exact reason for it. All what he noticed was she was hell irritated to see someone around and the only people he found there was two new ladies fully decked up with lot of jewellery.

"Haa Sheela.. tell me"

"Did you notice something? The supposed-to-be bride has become bridesmaid here...Hmmm..what to say?" the woman sighed.

Annika tightened her fists and controlled her anger. Shivaay understood the women were commenting something, but could not hear them as he was on the other side of Annika. Annika simply signalled the guy to get back to his work.

"Hai na Sheela..what to do? that's why they say you can't have the cake and eat it too..Good they atleast treat these people with respect, even after going off from here.. her parents should have atleast realised that they are higher class people now and won't choose someone like her for their son..moreover, who knows.. maybe they shifted to Mumbai just for avoiding this proposal" the lady added more fuel to fire and Annika was on the verge of going out of control now.

Noticing this, Shivaay came closer to hear what exactly they were speaking, as so far he only understood that they were taunting her.

"Hmm..well what to do? Did you see when she herself is supposed to get married by now, she is here organising someone else's wedding" the lady mocked Annika and she lost all that patience she had retained so far.

Well, it was nothing new.. She was used to these ladies speaking this way since long. They had judged her back when she was going to do her Post Grads, that too, outside the town, in another state. Her mom had always advised her to ignore these women, as they had no other work than to provoke others. But, today, they had gone overboard.

As she turned towards them to snap back at them, she felt a firm hold on her arm, across her shoulder. She shuddered at that and turned to notice it was none other than Shivaay, her Billuji.

He gently smiled and she gasped in response.When the two women noticed this, they stopped their gossip abruptly and their mouths were wide open in shock.Annika chuckled when she noticed this.

Shivaay had come closer to listen to their conversation, and all what he understood was they were mocking Annika since she was still unmarried, while organising another wedding there. He decided to give the ladies a taste of their own medicine.

"Hi Darling... did I tell you, you look pretty today" he almost whispered and Annika's eyes widened in shock.
"Huh, by the way, who are those aunties? Looks like, from a long time, they have been craving for your attention, but you hardly looked at them and you have been ignoring them??!! what is this, Annika?" he asked so casually and she chuckled at that.

Wow!That was perfect! She had been waiting for such a moment. She simply enjoyed it. No, she did not enjoy his hands over her arm, but she did enjoy how he gave it back to them. Exactly what she had wanted to do since long.. She decided to play along.

"Huh? who??? Ohhooo..I did not notice they were around" she lied deliberately.

"Haa..ok that's fine.. Now that you know, why don't you introduce me to them?" he asked her and she did not respond.

"Accha never mind... let me introduce myself to them.." he winked walking her towards them, his hands still on her arm. Since her concentration was fully focussed on giving back to the aunties today, she did not mind his hand much.

"Hello aunty.. I am Shivaay.. Shivaay Singh Oberoi" he smiled smugly. "Huh.. ok to explain.. the bride's brother.. the groom's friend.." he paused voluntarily and they were listening carefully without blinking their eyes..

"And haa, most importantly, will tell you a secret" he said that in a whisper and they nodded blinking. "No one knows this yet, aunties..we have not yet announced.. But, you are special right.. that is why, telling you beforehand" he husked and the ladies continued to look at him with fear and panic.
" I am Annika's would-be husband, her fiance" he declared and the ladies were completely shook.

"WHAAATTTT?" Sheela managed to ask in spite of her panic stricken state.

Wow, she loved this!

"Not WHAAT aunty.. you should say WOW... don't you think we make a perfect couple?" Annika rolled her eyes at that remark, but was nevertheless enjoying this.

"Huh? Well you are wondering why I am saying this to you right?You both seemed to be too concerned that she is not married yet, so giving you this little piece of news and making you happy" he smiled broadly and said that as casually as possible.

"Sacchhiii?" Pammy asked and Shivaay nodded confidently in a YES.

Immediately, the lady almost fell off, when Sheela held her hands.

"We..we will go.. she fainted.. I will go" Sheela stuttered and dragged that lady forcefully inside not letting any more embarassment get to them.

As soon as the aunties left, both of them ended up giggling at whatever happened, that was when Annika noticed his arm's position.

"Wh..What is this?" she asked.

"What?" he asked as though he had no idea.

"What was all that? I mean this.." she asked pointing towards his hand.

"Oh come on Annika..they were making fun of my girl and I just gave it back to them" he said nonchalantly.

"But.. but,thiss.. this was not needed" she pointed at his hand yet again and he chuckled.

"And, what was that declaration all of a sudden huh? when nothing is announced yet?" she asked innocently unsure of what else to ask him.

"Haa toh.. it will anyway be done in few hours" he winked and she gasped again.

"Huh Annika" Chanda came there suddenly and she was completely taken aback to notice their position. "Sooo..sorry.. I.. I think I came at the wrong time" she said trying to turn away.

"NO not at all.. you came rightly.. what is it?" Annika asked quickly pulling herself away from him and walking towards her.

"Sure?" Chanda tried to confirm.

"Haa.. now can you tell me what it is?" Annika asked sternly and Shivaay chuckled at her reaction.

"Aunty was looking for you" Chanda said and Annika grabbed the opportunity to run away from the place.

"She seemed so happy today! Well done, Shivaay! Looks like she is impressed with the way you dealt with those silly aunties. Anyway, that's progress!" he smiled to himself, rubbing his hands behind his neck.

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

A little while later, the wedding took place with a lot of pomp and grandeur.

As Priyanka and Rohit took a last round around the pyre, a lone tear escaped Annika's eye.
Chanda held her arm discreetly and pacified her with her eyes, indicating she was there for her to share her sorrows, no matter what. Annika quickly rubbed the tear off her eye, and tried to smile normally.

There was a wide range of appreciation for Annika - for the decorations, food and the stay. Everyone was so content, that they said at every other wedding, they found atleast one of these things at fault, or atleast a little disappointing. But, here, they were genuinely happy with every other thing planned.

Pinky was so proud and almost wanted to blurt out by showing off that it was all organised by her future daughter-in-law. However, refrained from doing so when she received strong glares from her husband, Shakti.

After the wedding, Rohit and Priyanka took the blessings of the elders, followed the which everyone clicked a few family pictures.

After a few more post wedding rituals, the bride and groom along with the family had a sumptuous meal, which was supposed to be followed by the Grahpravesh. For now, they had decided to do a semi-formal grahpravesh function at the Trivedi Villa and a bigger and proper one would be planned once they were back in Mumbai..

As they all sat down post the rituals, Pandit ji had come along to fix the timings for their post wedding rituals, as Pinky was very particular when it came to planning any such things.

While he was done, Daadi expressed she wanted to discuss another important thing with him. When he asked about it, they all explained, all that was planned over the last two days.

With their horoscopes in hand, Panditji began his calculations and everyone looked at him eagerly.A broad smile formed on his face after a few minutes of scanning and skimming.

"That is a perfect match" he declared and the face of all the people in the room brightened, except one's. Annika wondered if some miracle would happen, and help her escape this situation. But, alas, god was not on her side this time too. Or perhaps, he was on their side.

"Can you look for an appropriate date for the other functions to follow and tell us, Pandit ji?" Pinky asked curiously.

"Since today is a very special Muhurat, you can plan for the Roka today itself.. For the other things, I will check and let you know" Saying so, he drifted his concentration back to what he was doing - calculations.

The people around continued to wait for another few minutes, with even more curiousity.

"Hmmm.. you can plan it sometime during Feb next year" he declared.

Though Pinky was little disappointed that the date was almost ten months to a year away, she still convinced herself that it was fine.

"But, Pandit ji.. that is too far off.. Is there not even a single date available earlier?" Meera asked with apprehension.

"Hmm it is there...But, you would not prefer it.. That was the reason I suggested the February date" he smiled.

"Why Panditji? what's wrong with that date?" Daadi asked with confusion.

"Because it is in another three days and it is obvious you would not prefer it" he smiled yet again and others gasped in shock.

"So early?" Shivaay asked completely taken aback at the suggestion.

"Yes Beta.." he sighed and then turning towards Daadi "but it is indeed a very good Muhurat, Kalyani ji" he conveyed. "But I also understand, it is not possible to do this within this timeframe..Still, I just intimated since you asked me" he stressed.

"No.. nothing of that sort" came a sharp voice and everyone's attention turned there.

Annika stood completely motionless, devoid of any emotions at all. Something was wrong, terribly wrong in her life!

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

Hmmmm.. so was this something you all expected?? Points of views please!!!

And, what do you think is going to happen now?!

Who do you think is ready now and said it's ok to carry on within three days? It could be anyone in the crowd, were you able to guess??

At this point of time, do you think Annika's opinion about Shivaay has changed??!!

Keep commenting and do hit the vote button if you liked it! Point out glaring errors if any 🙂

Have a happy weekend ☺️