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It was already 10 in the morning when she returned home. All thanks to Saarika who convinced her boyfriend cum boss so that they can start from there soon . Annika walked in excitedly only to find Pinky seated there on the couch ,watching some random serial on TV . As soon as she saw annika there ,she walked directly upto her, smiling.

P - 100 years annika , I was just thinning to call you .

A- aapko bhi 100 years aunty , you know what ? I actually imagined that you'd be watching some boring daily soap this time and voila! I was right , in that case for these extra details . Let it be 150 years then . What say ?

She nudged her shoulders and giggled while pinky smiled shaking her head.

P - don't laught at these shows annika ,one day even you would do the same .

A - I hope that day never comes , acha teek hai . Where is your son ?

Roaming her eyes all around the place , she enquired .

P - he was just here, waiting for you desperately. Par , suddenly he received a call as some important work clicked up at office. Already he took an off yesterday , so I guess there must have been some emergency .

Annika's face fell down in disappointment watching which pinky continued.

P - koi nahi , he told he would come soon .

Pinky assured rubbing her shoulders lightly and annika just let a nod .

After changing into something comfortable ,she stood focusing her gaze on the mirror to check whether her sunscreen worked or did it leave some tans on her skin somewhere. Her hair looked a bunch of dry strings and she really felt sweaty near the back neck which irritated her much. Sighing off , she opened the draw and inserted her hand in to grab a clutch and fix the mess as soon as possible.

Capturing every tiny tendril of her hair , she clutched it to a high bun and exhaled deep . Peace,

As she closed the draw and turned casually , something stricked her. There is something else in the draw . She didn't waste any second before opening it again . Injecting her arm till the extreme corner inside it , she traced her palm to find anything. Soon she knew there was a tiny box kept there . Gripping it tight , she fetched it out .

A small ring box is what she found.

A- I don't remember buying any ring recently . When did shivaay started using ladies ring ?

She frowned a little before clipping out the small lock to open it .

As soon as the box opened ,her face bloomed shining with a surprised smile which traveled through her lips till eyes ,listening to his voice recorded in it .

' I love you paanika ' is what she heard .

Inside was one beautiful ring ,embossed on it was the word 'us'.

His soft tone in that sound clearly made her visualize the entire scene like what would have been his expressions when he actually recorded it . That itself made her blush like anything.

Even if it's the nth time she gets to listen these words ,she'll feel a bird in sky high . It is special, be it the first time or the nth because he himself is one differently special person in her life. She kept the box close to her heart and smiled happily . Life with him is never a fairytale but still, she would yearn for him alone because that's how it has always been . Him with her , is everything about life according to her.

At times she has really been silly , certainly. If it wasn't him on the other side , she would have faced more difficulties in upholding this relationship. Only her idiot is capable of withstanding her acts and she knows that. Especially yesterday when he had apologized . Like even if she argues, there are times when deep down something within her claims that she even is at fault. When he has decided to leave back all his attitude and ego just to comfort her then why can't she ? How insane of her to pull such silly fights on the other day , when he shared about his school memories. She had literally behaved a mad , she smacked herself.

A- muje bhi sorry bolna hai ,

Afternoon ,

Reaching home ,he straightaway walked to his room to find her lying on the bed . The sleepyhead mode on,

He chuckled before sitting beside her but frowned soon on noticing some discomfort on her face as she pulled the duvet over to hide her whole self as if she felt cold. His palm reflected a warm sense when he traced it on her forehead . She moved a bit feeling his touch and opened her eyes only to witness him looking at her worriedly.

A- hey idiot ! You're here finally .

He helped her as she got up to sit ,leaning on the bed board .

S- you're sick ? Did you call the doctor?

Sighing casually , she took his hands into her's before speaking .

A- kuch nahi huwa muje , just a slight fever and cold. Maybe because of the water I drank there , I don't know.

She shrugged carelessly and he remained silent for a moment .

S- see , that's why I'm always reluctant to send you anywhere . You never take care of yourself.

A- arey , what's my fault in this?

Twisting her mouth , she put up a grumpy face for him to sigh off.

S- ok leave that ,tell me whether you've called the Doctor or not?

A- aunty had already given me the medicines . I'm feeling far better now . And haan , listen !! . Our editor went clean bold when we presented our project. He looked so pleased , and he even appreciated me much. Baldy head!, you know what all he said to me the other day ? But now , he is super proud that I'm his team member. Now , he would know this annika's value.

The way she pulled her imaginary collar and changed faces within seconds , expressing everything really surprised him. His wife could make a good drama artist one day, he thought.

S- you are precious annika .

He muttered below his voice being totally lost somewhere else but annika did hear it which made her smirk happily.

That's when pinky came by the room . She really felt good watching them being all like them again .

There was no chance to find any sign that showed these two actually played fighting till yesterday. Well , it's always been like this .

They just move in with each other way causally that none could even guess that they had been fighting till then . That's how friendship enhanced their relationship of love .

P - annika , ab kaisi hai tu ?

A- ji aunty ,I'm ok now.

Showing a thumbs up , she smiled when pinky added .

P- that doesn't mean you can jump all around and snatch the cool drinks from the fridge . Shivaay ,I already caught her once , I'm going to the temple now so it's your duty. Don't let her drink those ,

As pinky completed shivaay was all ready to find a grumpy little kid by his side ,which exactly happened.

A- those tablets are so bitter aunty , have some pity on me plss .

She dragged her sentence with pleading eyes for pinky to just deny her ,strictly.

P- that's why I gave you a toffee ,that'll do . No cool drinks !

A- even god himself won't forgive you for this aunty , hmm! No use of going to the temple today .

Pinky just shared looks with shivaay watching the cute annika .

P- I ain't going to the temple to pray for myslef , have you forgotten ?it's Yamini's birthday today and I go to the temple on this day every year . I would have taken you along if you were fine , but it's ok . Aur haan , let god punish me for this but no cool drinks for you .

Pinky put up a strict face as if she was some hostel's warden when she left from there.

Annika couldn't hear anything after when she mentioned of her mother's birthday and shivaay clearly noticed those changes in her reactions . He pressed his hold on her hand to grab her attention.

S- hey , what happened?

A- my mom , she'll be very angry with me right? I always forget everything about her.

She stated and a weak smile wandered on her lips soon .

S - it's not your fault annika ,she'll be really happy that her daughter is strong enough to grow in life without her support. Infact she'll feel proud ,

His proclaiming eyes assured her but still she couldn't convince herself .

A- I hate myself for this shivaay . For acting as though I had forgotten my parents already , I shouldn't be like this right ?

Looking into his eyes straight ,she questioned feeling guilty herself. And he slowly cupped her chin within his palms before voicing anything.

S- I don't know what to say annika . You barely got to be with them in your life , you were just a tiny baby yet to walk back then when she left you . You don't have to be sad for not feeling anything for them , because I know my annika. I know what all she could do for the sake of her loved ones. I know you love mom more than me even , that's how you've always been annika. You don't have to feel guilty.

Annika took a short gulp and smiled lightly hearing his words. He be her solace anyday ,she felt blessed.

A- someone's praising me way too much today , let there be a thunderous rain today . Acha can I know what all did I do to hear these honey words from the great great shivaay .

He watched that playful smile on her face and crooked his eyes . She never leaves a chance to taunt him .Well he agrees , it's not everyday that he praises her . Ok , he's expecting rain too.

S- everything , from the surprise visit which you wanted to give me on our birthday at london ,till your stupid stunt you carried when you thought you'd be marrying Dev.

There was a gloomy reaction on his face when he said the latter . A minor thought of that day would leave him entirely upset. She, who listened to him keenly, jerked a bit .

A- how did you know that I was going to visit you?

S- I even know that you did come there ,

A- how ?

Her mouth went entirely round and she questioned being shocked.

S- mom told me ,and you know what ? I'm actually angry on you for that , why didn't you meet me there that day?

A- I saw Mrinali proposing you with pretty lights and beautiful flowers all around, like some dreamland.

S- so ?

He interrupted abruptly and she blinked hard .

A- I didn't want to disturb you,

S- disturb? Really ? It was our day annika ,do you even realize how happy I would have been if you had actually met me there !

She looked down slowly witnessing his expressive face, maybe she should have done that .

A - sorry shivaay , I have always hurt you. Sorry .

Hearing her straight apology, he went baffled . What has went into her today ?

S- what happened to you annika ? Itni aasni se galthi maan gayi ,

His casual smile reverted back when he witnessed her serious face looking at him with a sort of guilt.

A- aise nahi, even you apologized yesterday. I've been so rude and silly so many times, I've hurt you too . I'm sorry .

S- hey enough , ye sorry sorry bandh kar. Maybe , I took time . But I have realized ki shaadi mei sirf friendship kaafi nahi hoti ...it requires a more of adjustments too. And with you , married life is all about adjustments alone .

A pillow landed directly on his face as he completed.

A- haaww! not only you , even I had to make so many adjustments you know ? Wait , take my bag .

S- haan ?

A- take my bag .

She grabbed it at once when he gave it to her and started searching for her mobile. Fetching it ,she threw the bag away which hit his face again making him glare and as always she ignored him casually ,pretending innocent.

A- where is it ...?

Scrolling through the pictures in the gallery, she scanned to find one particular image which she finally found .

A- haan , take a look at this .

S- what's this?

A- you know to read right ?

He rolled his eyes listening to her dominating voice before catching a glimpse of the picture she showed. It was a black board in classroom ,on which something was written. A list like something,

S- 1. Not like shivaay
2. Shouldn't argue with me
3. Should be a normal staff in a company and not one big authority or a businessman . Businessmen are boring.
....

Seemed like some conditions , going through it he looked at her questioningly while she smirked .

A- deka ?, these were my expectations from marriage and husband .

His eyes popped out when she admitted this . Man , no point matched with him . Match ? God , the first point was all enough to kick him out of the field even .

S- when did you prepare this ?

A- that was one stupid dare given when I was at high school . They sent the picture yesterday in our school group. That's not important now , what you want to say about my adjustments haan ?

S- I'm out of the game by the first point itself.

A- actually that day I think we both had a fight and we weren't talking with each other ,even if not then too that would have been my first point .

Saying which she grinned widely ,making him put on a defeated face .

S- then why me ?

A- kya karoon ? Pyaar tho sirf tumse huwa na ?!

He , who was looking down all this time slowly prepared to traverse his vision upto the owner of this suddenly sweet voice. A shy smile crept on her lips as she said this to him but there remained no damage to their eye contact.

Their hands were clasped together but they merely knew it . He was holding her curled fingers within his's while his sight played only into her eyes ,sucking a kind of emotion which's name only he knew .

S- mein bhi tumse bahut pyaar kartha hoon annika , you can never become my disturbance anytime. Ab se , if it's anything which bothers you... like if you think I'm doing wrong, stop assuming anything and just talk to me on my face. I can tolerate anything annika ,but not your ignorance.

Her eyes glistened lightly . Happy tears were they , but before even it could take chance to flow down , his hand reached up to clear it right on her lower lid itself. She smiled taking a gulp.

Those true feelings which soaked in his touch and eyes were literally life and she certainly went drowning in his love , all over again .

A - hey idiot don't make me senti now ,tell me ye kab maanga tumne?

He enjoyed how the word idiot from her lips sounded as though she claimed full rights on him , and that's when he noticed the ring box in her hand. She found it ? All his surprise plans , burned and buried .

S- it was long ago ,

A- you're such a dumbo man , what were you doing with this without giving it to me ?

Smacking his head lightly , she asked .

S- what will I do ? Everytime I decide to give it , we end up at two poles after a fight .

He shrugged playing very innocent and she glared.

A- you had so many chances to convince me with some romantic surprises , you could have used this ring too but no , you always wanted to be an idiot . Haina?

She noticed his cute grumpy face and sighed .

A- acha teek hai , jyada mat kar . If you want ...then,...

Stretching her words until when he'd pay attention she slowly released her curled fingers straight feeling which he looked at her .

He smirked joyfully before seeping his palm to trace her's and hold in firm. His gaze stayed on nothing but her as he fit the ring in her finger for she was paying equal contribution in that sweet eyelock they shared at that moment. When she was about to pull her hand near to get a view of the ring in her finger ,he didn't let go making her frown little . But soon that very cute reaction changed when he grasped her hand close to his face .

For his lips to play half on the ring and remaining on her skin there , he planted a smooth kiss feeling which she curled her other fist more which again was caught in his hold . He smiled .

S - I love you paanika ,

That's it . She forgot to blink as now capturing the man here in her pretty small pupils was more important than anything. She bit her lips for a second which was in process of quivering if she doesn't do that .

A - we have been friends since birth, and a married couple since last few months . So I gues it's high time we practice this lovers game too, what say ? Kuch din pyaar try karenge ham ?!

Her calmly excited face went all low as she saw him shaking his head , denying at once .

S- kuch din nahi , poori zindagi hai annika .

That husky tone brought somersaults all over inside her stomach that she looked blank as a doll ,loosing herself in his very own enchanting sight . But soon when his words got registered in her head slowly , a pleasant smile came rushing to ride on her face watching which he took no second to think further before doing his next act.

His lips synced gradually with her's giving her all the time for her to come along which she did . Her bloomed eyes settled back when she felt his lips working on her tenderly to add more butterflies to those somersaults occurring within her . The shy annika looked no more the same as her hands had already climbed up to play rough on his hair , pulling him more against her which he was actually enjoying. Infact those tempting patterns which he made on her waist brought that bursting annika who was now so in to claim domination .

While his one hand roamed around her bare skin which peeped a little just between her top and pyjama, the another traced her neck to hold her in position. It was nothing but pure love and passion plainly being expressed . They acted as though nothing mattered rather the other and seemed so lost in greed on wanting each other.

Breathing huge , she directly leaned on his chest before he even could admire her pink face. She behaved a quite more stiff when he tried to look at her face and he just smiled. Well , his own heart was thumping fast feeling the heat of the moment and he knew it would take time to settle normally .

She , who was hugging him tight all this time loosened up suddenly and looked at him in worry .

A- what if you get ill too ? Move back ,

Saying this she was about to crawl back to hit the bed board again when suddenly he wrapped his arms around her waist , pulling her on his lap such that she collides to hug him again in that sudden jolt .

S- it's ok .

She blinked twice slowly on knowing that she was actually on his lap , so close that his very light breath could be felt on her skin perfectly. Her warm skin was no longer the same now because his cold touch which wandered on her skin did it all . But still she shivered in cold , for different reasons though.

A- fine , poori zindagi then .

Punching a tight kiss on his stubble , she muttered hiding her face in his crook and he just captured her securely in his arms , planting few soft kisses on her hair all around .

|Shivika|

A couple designed like puzzles which only they both can solve to evolve for the better and bring a new meaning to the word love everytime .

Chapter dedicated to sidlove143 Kh_amalendhu Ammujuly2507 Andetheres Archana1989 ❤

My motive was to show that any problem between a couple could be solved if given a chance to speak up to the other . Just a simple conversation is enough , many times .

Dragging it more is not needed I suppose  .

Finally both realized how important it is to be expressive and patient to withhold a relationship. That's all about Realizing about us . This book was brought first to depict the series of changes in feelings between two best friends who choose no life without the other . I had actually planned to end this with their marriage, but certain readers want me to continue and so I did choosing to show some usual things, like what might happen when two besties end up together in life.

From the start , I had no plans to impose any negative role in the story so I kept it that way . And I'm really happy on the way everyone supported me .

Thank you so much guys , for taking time to read my work and encouraging me throughout.

Can't believe that Realizing about us has ended !

Would be happy if everyone shares your views on this book . How was it ?

Did you all like this book?

What caught your attention?

Something which made this book different ?

What could have been done such that this book could have moved even more better ? Like , from my part .

It could be anything ,be frank. Your comments can certainly help me to improve.

If possible check my works in the book, We collide to combine. I've even published a 2S , Not fate but time , recently . Would be glad if you check that .

So once again, thanks to all my readers ❤