A month had bled by since the accident, its raw edges slowly clotting into a dull ache. Annika, though, had blossomed anew. The trauma that had threatened to consume her had loosened its grip, thanks to Shivaay's unwavering presence. He had been her anchor, a steady hand through stormy seas, guiding her back to the shore of normalcy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sure, Mr. Iger, we will be there with our whole team," Shivaay said during the video conference. The meeting was about the annual gathering of all Disneyland parks in California from across the country, and this time, they were the new addition to the event.

Once the video conference was overed they discussed a few more things regarding the future event and then Shivaay dismissed all other employees,, only Annika was left there.

"Want to grab a coffee in my cabin?", Shivaay asked looking at her with hope.

"Sure, and after this dull meeting, I'm going to need a strong espresso shot," Annika declared with a theatrical flair.

Shivaay chuckled seeing her over drama. They walked to his cabin and he asked Mishra to get one espresso and cappuccino in the cabin.

Soon, they settled down with their coffees. While Annika chatted about random topics, it was clear that Shivaay was mostly just listening, his eyes fixed on her with a warm intensity. He felt a surge of happiness seeing her back to her usual, bubbly self after the tough month she had endured. Her laughter and animated gestures filled him with a sense of relief and joy that he hadn't felt in a long time.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," he called out, surprised to see Om standing there. To be precise, it was a rather shy-looking Om, which was unusual for his typically confident friend.

Standing up from the couch, he walked over to Om and hugged him. "Hey, Om! What a pleasant surprise!" he exclaimed, genuinely happy to see his friend.

"Indeed, when your friend is so busy, I have to come to get his darshan!" Om teased, earning a light punch on the arm from Shivaay.

"Hey Annika, nice to meet you!" Om said, looking at Annika and passing a teasing smile to Shivaay, who royally ignored it. Annika greeted him back.

"Well, guys! I know this might come as a shock, but you need to hear it—I'm getting engaged this Saturday!" Om exclaimed with a mixture of excitement and anticipation, looking at his friends for their reactions.

Shivaay's eyes widened in surprise, his jaw dropping slightly. "Engaged? Om, that's... wow, I didn't expect this! Congratulations!" he managed to say, a wide smile breaking across his face despite the initial shock.

Annika clasped her hands together, her face beaming with happiness. "Oh Omkara, that's wonderful news! Congratulations, but who's the lucky girl!" she exclaimed warmly, stepping forward to give him a congratulatory hug.

Omkara chuckled at their reactions, grateful for their warm wishes. "Well, you may not know her. Her name is Gauri—Gauri Sharma," he said, a hint of pride and affection in his voice as he shared his fiancée's name.

Shivaay's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, isn't she the same Gauri that Rudra was telling me about? The one who organized bade papa and badi ma's anniversary party?" he asked, trying to connect the dots and recalling the details Rudra had shared with him earlier.

"Well, yes," Om replied with a slight blush, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Shivaay grinned, realising the connection. "Well, I can see why you're getting engaged then," he teased lightly, nudging Om playfully. "She must be quite something if Rudra's stories are anything to go by."

Annika joined in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Om, how did you two meet?" she asked, eager to hear more about Gauri and their relationship.

"Rudy called me for help with the party, and that's where I met Gauri. It was attraction at first sight, but after the party, we kept running into each other through mutual friends," Om explained, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. "We started talking, and things just clicked. After six months of dating, I proposed to her, and now we're planning to get engaged soon, with a wedding likely later this year," he finished, smiling warmly at his friends.

Shivaay and Annika exchanged happy glances, genuinely pleased for Omkara. "That's wonderful, Om," Annika said, her voice filled with warmth. "It sounds like everything fell into place perfectly."

Shivaay nodded in agreement. "Congratulations again, Om. Gauri seems like a perfect match for you," he said sincerely, giving his friend a supportive pat on the back.

"Thanks, man! So, guys, both of you come on Saturday, okay?" Om said eagerly, his eyes reflecting his happiness and anticipation.

"Of course, Om! We wouldn't miss it for anything," Shivaay replied warmly, his enthusiasm matching Om's excitement. "Count us in."

"Absolutely," Annika chimed in with a smile. "We'll be there to celebrate with you and Gauri."

Om's face lit up with gratitude. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot to me," he said sincerely, feeling fortunate to have such supportive friends by his side.

Soon Om left from the office leaving Shivaay and Annika alone in the cabin.

"I'm genuinely thrilled for him. Every time we meet, Om exudes such warmth and kindness! It's clear that Gauri brings him immense happiness," Annika remarked, her expression reflecting her heartfelt joy for their friend.

Shivaay nodded in agreement, then something clicked in his mind. "Ah, Annika, I need your help," he said, his tone serious yet seeking her assistance.

"Sure, Shivaay. What do you need help with?" Annika asked.

"Actually, it's their engagement, and I'll be meeting Gauri properly for the first time. So, I was thinking of getting a gift for both of them, but I have no clue about girly things. I was hoping you could help me out," Shivaay explained earnestly, seeking Annika's advice and expertise in choosing a thoughtful gift.

"Of course, yeh bhi koi puchne ki baat hui!" said Annika playfully. "If you were to get a gift for them, it would probably be a task scheduler diary or, worse, something business-related," she teased, with a grin.

Shivaay sighed lightly, accustomed to Annika's teasing ways, and smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, do you have any ideas in mind for the gift?" Annika asked as they settled into Shivaay's car later that evening.

"Well, yes, I was thinking about a necklace for Gauri and maybe a platinum chain for Om. I spoke with dadi, and she mentioned that giving jewellery to the bride and groom at the engagement is considered auspicious," Shivaay explained, sharing his thoughts with Annika as they discussed potential gifts.

"Sounds good to me, so do we need to find a jeweller then?" asked Annika.

"Actually, I know one. Our family has been getting jewellery from there for generations. Badi ma suggested we go there; they have great designs. She was supposed to come with us, but you know she's a bit tied up with her new book release," Shivaay explained, nodding thoughtfully.

"But she did mention that they have some exquisite pieces, especially for engagements," Shivaay added, recalling Badi ma's recommendation. "I think it's a good idea to visit them. They might have just the right pieces for Gauri and Om."

Annika nodded in agreement. "That sounds perfect. Let's go there and see what they have. I'm sure we'll find something wonderful for them," she replied with a reassuring smile.

As they navigated through the traffic, Shivaay suddenly remembered something important. "Annika, I'll need yours and your team's passports for the Disneyland event," he said, glancing at her.

Annika nodded, understanding the urgency. "Sure, I'll make sure everyone has theirs ready," she replied, mentally noting to inform her team as soon as they arrived at their destination.

"You know, I'm really excited for that trip. I've always wanted to visit Disneyland, and this is my first time," Annika exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she thought about the upcoming meeting.

"I'm sure you'll love it. I've heard there are some really fun events, and if you want, we can participate in those too!" Shivaay enthusiastically suggested, eager to share the excitement of the upcoming trip with Annika.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once they arrived, the owner greeted them warmly, showing a special fondness for Shivaay, treating him almost like a son. They were then ushered into a private hall where they began to peruse the various jewellery designs on display.

As they began to browse the various jewellery designs, the owner brought out a selection of exquisite platinum pieces. Shivaay's eyes were immediately drawn to a rather unusual necklace. It featured a bold, avant-garde design with geometric shapes and an asymmetrical pattern.

Annika noticed his choice and couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Shivaay, what on earth are you choosing? That looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Let me handle this," she said, shaking her head with a teasing grin.

The jeweller, noticing their banter, smiled warmly. "You two make a lovely couple," he remarked, causing both Shivaay and Annika to burst into laughter again.

"Oh, no, no," Shivaay corrected with a grin. "Annika is my good friend, not my girlfriend."

"Exactly," Annika added, still chuckling. "We're here to find the perfect gifts for Shivaay's friend Omkara and his fiancée, Gauri."

The jeweller, still smiling, nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Well, let's look at some more exquisite pieces."

Annika's eyes fell on a delicate platinum necklace with intricate detailing. "This one looks beautiful. I think Gauri would love it," she said, imagining the artistic and simplistic personality Omkara had described.

Shivaay nodded in agreement. "And this platinum chain would be perfect for Om. It's simple yet elegant," he said, picking up a sleek chain.

The chain Shivaay chose for Omkara was a polished platinum piece with a subtle, refined design. It had a solid, masculine feel, with a modern yet timeless appeal, perfectly complementing Omkara's artistic nature without being overly flashy.

"Finally you chose something humanly, nahi toh I was expecting some cycle chain for Om" Annika said teasing him.

Shivaay chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Alright, alright," he conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You win this time, fashion police." His gaze lingered on her for a beat too long, a hint of something unreadable flickering in his dark eyes.

Annika felt a warmth bloom in her cheeks, a sensation she couldn't quite explain. She quickly looked away, focusing on the delicate platinum box nestled in her hand.

As they walked back to the car, Annika nudged Shivaay. "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

Shivaay raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Do we?" he teased, stretching the word out with mock surprise.

Annika, feigning offence, swatted at his arm with a light punch. "Hey! Don't act so surprised, Mr. Oberoi."

Shivaay chuckled, a warm sound that sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. "Alright, alright," he conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We do. In fact, you were the mastermind behind the operation. My dazzling skills were clearly overshadowed by your impeccable taste."

Annika grinned at Shivaay, the playful glint in her eyes a familiar sight these days. They settled into the car, a comfortable silence filling the space between them. It wasn't always quite like this. Once, they were rivals, then business partners, then friends.Now, one look held a whole conversation. A raised eyebrow from Annika meant he did something wrong, and a worried glance from Shivaay meant something was not okay. They had developed an unspoken language over the months, allowing them to communicate effortlessly without saying a word.

But lately, things felt different. A playful touch lingered a beat too long, a shared joke sent shivers down their spines. The line between friends and something more was blurring. They weren't sure what came next, but the car ride felt different, filled with unspoken questions and a delicious anticipation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The engagement took place at a picturesque outdoor venue overlooking the serene waters, with the setting sun casting a warm golden glow over everything. The venue was adorned with elegant floral arrangements in shades of pink and white, and fairy lights hung from the trees, creating a magical ambiance. Guests mingled on the lush green lawn, where a beautifully decorated stage awaited Omkara and Gauri. As the couple exchanged rings, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, making the moment even more enchanting.

Shivaay looked dashing in a royal blue sherwani with intricate gold embroidery,and perfectly gelled hair. Annika was a vision in a stunning sky blue lehenga, embellished with delicate gold and silver threadwork. Her outfit was paired with traditional jewellery, including a statement necklace and chandelier earrings, and her hair was styled in loose waves adorned with jasmine flowers.

If anyone looked at them, their eyes wouldn't linger on the exquisite details of their outfits, but on the way they interacted. Throughout the entire event, they were inseparable. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, punctuated by bursts of laughter that echoed above the celebratory music. Annika, ever the talkative one, would lean in to whisper a playful remark, while Shivaay's gaze lingered a touch too long on Annika's face. They seemed oblivious to the curious glances their easy intimacy attracted. To anyone watching, they were a couple deeply in love, their connection undeniable amidst the evening's festivities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once the engagement event was over, Rudra decided to throw a party. Omkara, Gauri, Annika, Shivaay, and a few of Rudra and Om's friends joined them as they headed to the area Rudra had booked beforehand. The boys quickly changed into linen shirts and pants and settled near the bar, while Gauri decided to change into something lighter before joining them, and Annika tagged along.

As Gauri and Annika chatted, their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and shared interests. They quickly discovered a mutual love for books, art, and lively banter. Annika's infectious energy and Gauri's warm, friendly nature made them feel like they had known each other for years.

Annika, with a wide smile, said, "You know, Gauri, it's rare to meet someone who gets my quirky sense of humour right away. I feel like we've been friends forever."

Gauri nodded enthusiastically, "I feel the same way, Annika! It's so refreshing to meet someone so genuine and fun. I can tell we're going to be great friends."

They both laughed, feeling the warmth of their newfound friendship. As they finished changing and made their way back to the party.

When Gauri and Annika returned to the party, Shivaay couldn't help but steal a glance across the room. Annika, a vision in a cool blue sundress, looked like a breath of fresh air amidst the vibrant crowd. The dress flowed effortlessly around her, catching the soft glow of the fairy lights strung overhead. Her hair, cascading down her shoulders in loose waves, framed her face in a way that sent a familiar warmth through him.

Their eyes met, and a playful smile tugged at Shivaay's lips. He raised a hand, his fingers spread wide, and performed a slow, exaggerated fanning motion in front of his face. The silent message was clear – she looked absolutely stunning.

Annika's cheeks flushed a delightful pink. She couldn't help but return the compliment, a wide smile spreading across her face. With a playful jab of her thumb pointed upwards, she silently acknowledged his own change of attire – the linen shirt looked good on him.

Suddenly, a gentle cough broke the silent exchange. Gauri, standing beside Annika with a knowing smile, cleared her throat to regain her friend's attention. Annika, startled, spun around, the blush on her cheeks deepening as she realized she'd been completely oblivious to Gauri's presence, lost in the wordless conversation across the room.

"Enjoying the view, Annika?" Gauri teased gently, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

A flustered laugh escaped Annika's lips as she turned to face Gauri. "Oh hey, Gauri! I, uh, didn't hear you come back." Her voice trailed off, a touch breathless, and her gaze darted back towards Shivaay, only to find him already looking at her. Their eyes met again, the silent exchange continuing for a beat longer before he winked, a playful glint sparkling in his eyes.

Annika felt her cheeks burn even hotter. She quickly looked away, the heat spreading down her neck. "Sorry, Gauri," she mumbled, trying to regain her composure. "I must have gotten lost in the...decorations?" She gestured vaguely around the room, hoping to deflect attention.

Gauri's smile widened. "Beautiful decorations, aren't they?" she said knowingly, her voice laced with amusement. "Especially the ones that move and talk." Annika shot her friend a playful glare, the blush still evident on her face. "Gauri!" she protested, a touch of exasperation mixed with the growing fondness in her eyes.

Soon they settled at the deckchair with the mocktail.

Gauri notices Annika gaze on Shivaay, taking a sip of mocktail Gauri asks her, "Do you love Shivaay na?"

Annika paused for a moment, considering Gauri's question thoughtfully. "I... I'm not sure," she replied honestly, her gaze drifting towards where Shivaay was engaged in conversation with Rudra. A pang of something akin to disappointment flickered through her, quickly extinguished by the warmth that spread through her chest whenever their eyes met.

"We are really good friends," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "and there's definitely something there. A connection, you know?" Her voice trailed off, a question hanging in the air. The playful banter, the stolen glances filled with unspoken energy – it all pointed to something more than just friendship, but 'love' felt like a bridge too far. It was a word loaded with history, expectations, and a vulnerability she wasn't sure she was ready to embrace.

Gauri squeezed Annika's hand gently. "Sometimes, connections blossom into something beautiful, Annika. Don't shut yourself off. Give it a chance." Her words were a gentle nudge, a reminder to explore the uncharted territory of her feelings.

Annika looked down at their intertwined hands, a pensive expression clouding her features. "Love," she whispered, the word tasting foreign on her tongue. The undeniable spark between her and Shivaay was there, but could it blossom into something deeper?

Gauri's smile softened. "Love, Annika," she began, her voice filled with a quiet wisdom, "isn't a single, grand gesture. It's woven from countless threads, like the way Shivaay's eyes seem to search for you across the room."

Annika's breath hitched at the observation. It was true. Throughout the evening, she'd caught Shivaay's gaze lingering on her, a warmth in his eyes that sent shivers down her spine.

"See how his smile widens a fraction just for you?" Gauri continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "And the way he subtly positions himself closer, as if creating a silent barrier between you and anyone else?"

Annika couldn't help but steal another glance at Shivaay. Gauri was right. His body language spoke volumes – a quiet protectiveness, a desire to be near her.Especially during the Rishabh and Satvik incident, Shivaay embodied a silent strength, instinctively positioning himself as Annika's protector. His unwavering presence became her shield against the turmoil, his eyes reflecting a depth of care that spoke louder than words ever could.

"Those, Annika," Gauri said, her voice filled with a knowing smile, "are the whispers of a heart falling in love. It's the sincerity in his every word, the way his laughter seems a little brighter when you join in."

Love, Gauri explained, wasn't just grand pronouncements or dramatic gestures. It was in the everyday moments – the stolen glances, the shared smiles, the unspoken understanding. It was the way Shivaay seemed to anticipate her needs, offering her a water bottle before she felt parched or a hand to steady her on the uneven ground.

"Love," Gauri concluded, "is a journey, Annika. And sometimes, the most beautiful destinations are discovered on paths we never expected to take."

Annika looked back at Shivaay, a new perspective filling her heart. Maybe Gauri was right. Maybe the spark between her and Shivaay wasn't just a fleeting attraction. Maybe it was the beginning of something deeper, something real.

She muttered to herself

"Do I love him?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FINALLY SOMEONE IS REALISING THAT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER<3

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ANNIKA WILL DO??

DOES SHIVAAY ALSO FEELS THE SAME WAY FOR HER?

AND EXCITED FOR THEIR CALIFORNIA TRIP?

THAT'S IT FOR TODAY ENJOY IT AND HAVE A WONDERFUL SUNDAY ; )

WITH LOVE 

DIA