Annika knew, she shouldn't have listened to what Rudra had to tell about how girls would be swooning over the most eligible bachelor in India and as well as all over the world. She would catch a glimpse of his face on magazine covers in the stores, and a whole page dedicated to him and with his face flashing worldwide, she doesn't expect girls to not drool over, he was handsome, of course he would be having a line of girls behind him.

She huffed in annoyance, if only she knew Shivaay Singh Oberoi wasn't going to return back to India for Christmas, she would have never let him go. How could she? When the tradition of spending every Christmas with him was on the verge of breaking right now. And in all, he hadn't been talking to her much, Annika knew he was busy, but it still didn't let her live in peace.

Now sitting by herself in the airplane, she gazed outside, the bundle of clouds floating in the dark sky. It's been more than ten hours in the flight, Annika was bored out of her mind. It would take several more hours for her to reach New York. Sighing out, she turned to look at the women who had been sitting next to her since the very start of the journey.

The woman looked no older than the age of thirty years, probably in her late twenties. Annika noticed the way she would play with the locket in her neck every now and then, like was anxious about something. Annika tried not to intrude her privacy but she was getting curious, would it be bad if she striked a conversation with her? Maybe, not.

"Hey, I'm Annika Trivedi" Holding her breath back, she waited for her to respond and she did, by giving her a small smile. "It's nice to meet you, Annika. I'm Sonali" Annika nodded at her, fidgeting with her fingers in the process. Sonali gave her a curt nod and drew her eyes back to the screen in front of her.

"So are you going to New York too?" Annika questioned, trying her best not come out as a nosy person. Sonali turned her head towards her one more time. "Yes, I am. I'm going to see my niece, she just turned two" Annika nodded her head and tugged a hair strand behind her ear.

"I'm going to visit my boyfriend, he was supposed to come back for Christmas but he didn't. So here I am, on my way to surprise my boyfriend"

"Must be hard staying away from him for a long period of time, right?" Annika nodded her head once again but this time her gaze was met with Sonali's face eyes which were filled with tears. Annika frowned, did she say something wrong? "I'm sorry if I did —"

"Oh no, it's none of your fault. It's just that, my late husband used to love Christmas, it was his favourite season and now that he isn't here by my side this year, I just can't think anything but the time I spent with him all these years"

"I'm so sorry for your loss. I believe that he is looking at you from heaven, he would be missing you as well. He is at peace now, he would love to see you smiling during his favourite season" Annika bit her bottom lip, trying her best not to break down in a pool of tears hearing Sonali's words. But then, when Sonali wiped a tear off from the corner of her eye, and gave her a sweet smile, it made Annika relieved.

For the next few hours, Annika and Sonali talked more, jumping from topic to topic until a yawn escaped Annika's mouth and she knew she was sleepy. Sonali told her to get some rest while she did the same. Annika wondered if the next time she wakes up, will she be in New York already?

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Annika gazed out of the window, her body tired from all the travelling but she was still excited to see her boyfriend who was now probably sleeping like other people right now in New York. The snow was pouring heavier than ever, and she remembered the first time Shivaay had taken her to New York an year ago, it had been a memorable day.

The cab driver drove ever so slowly, passing through several buildings and restaurants, Christmas was tomorrow and it showed as the decoration in the surrounding, the Christmas trees standing tall with lightings around it. She drove a deep breath in, and gazed at the phone in her hand, the address provided to her was by Rudra and she believed it was the right one.

Her eyes felt heavier than ever, some more minutes and she would be there in his apartment. She rested her head against the window, thinking of all the times she had spent with Shivaay on every Christmas, dancing, singing and cuddling. All these years, she truly believed that she wasn't getting anyone like him ever in his life and it was true, he was the one and the only for her.

"Ma'am, we are here" The driver broke her stance and she immediately took out the cash from her pocket and passed it to him in haste, eager to meet her boyfriend. When she got out of the car, she was met with a giant building of about twenty floors. Annika wasted no more time and rushed towards the lobby of the building. Her suitcase dragged along with her.

Annika looked at the address one more time and when she was sure it was the correct address, she impatiently waited for the lift. Some more minutes and she would be snuggling with him in the bed, the thought itself relaxed her. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she stood in the elevator, three more floors up and she would reach him.

With a steady pace, Annika looked at the room number given to her and standing outside his apartment, it felt surreal, several thoughts rushing through her head, would he be annoyed if she disturbed his sleep? Would he be happy to see her? What if he was still awake? Shaking her head, she went ahead and knocked at the door slowly, it barely was a knock.

Pressing her lips together, she did it one more time but this time a bit loudly. This was it, the moment her boyfriend was going to appear and probably sweep her off the ground and twirl her or he was going to be really surprised and not react at all. Chewing on her bottom lip, she waited for him to arrive.

The noise of approaching footsteps made her excitement reach its peak, any second, Shivaay would be standing in front of her. Playing with her fingers, she heard the door knob turning and Annika closed her eyes instantly. For some seconds, she didn't hear a noise, it was silence. "Annika?" It wasn't a familiar voice and when she looked up, she wasn't sure if she had ever seen the man in front of her.

"Do I know you?"

"No you don't, but I do," Annika frowned, thinking who he was and what he was doing in Shivaay's apartment. "I'm Sid, one of his friends here and here to help him with a project. And you might be thinking how I know about you? Shivaay couldn't keep your name of his lips, showed me your picture and just went to bed whining about you not being around, he did drink half bottle of champagne"

Annika bit her bottom lip as Sid went on talking and when he motioned for him to come inside, she did. Looking around, she found the living room quite clean. "I just cleaned it, your boyfriend made a huge mess in here" Sid chuckled and Annika suppressed her giggle, she had never seen Shivaay making a mess, until now.

"He is probably sleeping in his room, it's the one on the right side" Sid pointed at th room and Annika gave him a small nod and smile, walking with her suitcase towards Shivaay's room. Pushing open the door, Annika found herself standing in the room full of darkness, the lights were out. Opening the curtains to the window, Annika dropped her suitcase to the ground and saw Shivaay sleeping peacefully with his mouth slightly open.

Annika chuckled, he looked cute yet tired. Taking her sweater off, she headed towards the bathroom and cleaned herself. When she returned back, she saw her boyfriend sitting on the bed while rubbing his eyes drowsily. "Am I dreaming or your really here?" Shivaay questioned, not able to comprehend the fact that she was really here.

Annika didn't hesitate a bit before placing her lips onto hers, Shivaay's eyes flew wide open. "I hope that this clarifies your doubts" Shivaay reached for her waist but she pulled away from him. "Now tell me, why were you drinking?"

"How did you reach here? Why and —"

Annika made her way up to him before he could complete the sentence, straddling him as she sat down on his lap. "What are you doing?" Shivaay asked, not moving his eyes off her. The moonlight striking her face made her look like a goddess and he ran his finger down her cheek. "Shouldn't you be knowing the answer to that question? I'm not ever going to break our tradition. You're not getting rid of me so soon"

"I'm never going to let you leave me anyways. You're stuck with me your entire life" Annika chuckled, giving him a chaste kiss on his cheek and running her fingers through his soft hair. "Thankyou for coming here. I'm sorry I couldn't come back to India" Annika shook her head, throwing her arms around his neck and bringing him closer to her.

Shivaay looked outside to find the snow still pouring, and with his girl in his arms, everything seemed perfect to him. Annika moved closer to him, feeling his warmth, the steady beat of her heartbeat calmed her. "I love you" Annika muttered to him and he lifted her chin with his index finger. "I love you, Annika" Shivaay pecked her lips, tucking a hair strand behind her ear.

"Now, come on, cuddle with me. Tomorrow we will decorate the Christmas tree and I have already received my present"

"What present? I never gave you one"

"It's you, you're the best present I'm ever getting for Christmas" Chuckling, Annika laid herself back on the bed, next to Shivaay, and she knew she was home when his arms snaked around her waist, holding her forever. Annika would have never asked for anything more when she had him by her side throughout her whole life.

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Merry Christmas guys! I wanted to write a Christmas-y themed one shot so there you go. Enjoy.