Wishing a very Happy New Year to all my fabulous readers! 💕

After that 'almost' kiss, things were a tad bit awkward between the two. Shivaay finished cooking as Annika sat and watched, too shaken up to speak anything. After he was done, she helped him carry the food to the dining hall. They ate in silence; not just because things were still slightly awkward, but because the food was so good, Annika couldn't focus on anything else.

"Honestly, Shivaay," She started as they carried the dishes back to the kitchen. "This was one of the best meals I've ever had. You're an amazing cook."

"Thanks," Shivaay said, sheepishly. "I'm glad you liked it."

"So tell me," Annika continued. "Why did you take up cooking as a hobby?"

"Well, it was a long time ago, actually. When we were young, our parents would let us play around in the kitchen – mostly because they were barely around to monitor us. This one day, Rudra came home from school all upset, whining about how all his friends would bring tiffin made by their moms, while his was made by the servants."

Shivaay stopped, smiling fondly, perhaps at the memory of a young Rudra.

"After that, I decided that if Rudra wasn't happy with the tiffin made by the maids, I'd make it for him. It wasn't the same thing as Badi Ma making it, but it was something."

As he finished, Annika couldn't help but feel super proud of this man in front of her. She kept her hand over his on the kitchen counter.

"That's very thoughtful, Shivaay," She admitted. Then, to lighten up the mood – "Anyway, I'm glad all of that happened. Now, I'll have a husband who can cook for me every day!"

As soon as she said that, Annika bit her tongue. Shivaay, however, found this amusing.

"I have a business to run, you know," He grinned, while Annika turned pink. "But," Shivaay continued, "If not every day... maybe every weekend?"

Annika brightened up that, relief surging through her that Shivaay hadn't found her blunder offensive. She was being quite an idiot today, really.

"Deal," Annika smiled.

With dinner over, there really was no reason for Annika to stay back anymore. But the others had not returned yet, and Annika really wanted to stay longer in Shivaay's presence. Shivaay perhaps had the same feeling, because he suggested they watch a movie.

"If you're not in a hurry, that is," He added, rubbing his neck in that adorable manner again. Annika squealed inside.

"I'm not," She stated calmly. Shivaay nodded and led her to their living room.

"What do you want to watch?" He asked as they settled down on the couch and logged into Netflix on the TV. Annika shrugged.

"I don't know. Anything. Ooh, let's watch something horror!"

"You sure you won't be scared?" Shivaay asked, raising an eyebrow. Annika scoffed.

"Huh, I watch horror movies all the time, okay? They're not scary. Watching horror movies is just a vibe check with the demon."

"It's a what?"

"Never mind," Annika grinned. "Play a horror movie, na."

"Okay, okay."

After searching through a bit and even fighting over which horror movie they should watch, they settled for a Hollywood one.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Shivaay said as the movie started. Annika snorted.

"What, scared you're not gonna be able to sleep at night?" She asked. He turned towards her long enough to glare at her.

"No. I just think this is going to be a waste of time."

Annika grumpily clutched a cushion tighter to her chest. Look at him being all romantic, she thought.

"Well, you should have chosen some other genre, then," She told him. "I was open to suggestions."

"Sure you were," Shivaay rolled his eyes. "Anyway, shush now. The movie's starting."

For a while, they paid attention to the movie. It was quite boring in the beginning. The plot was being set up, and no ghosts had arrived yet, much to Annika's annoyance. She yawned.

"You bored?" Shivaay asked. Annika shook her head hastily.

"No no. Actually I woke up thoda early today na, that's why."

"Oh. When did you wake up?"

"9 am," Annika sighed.

"That's early for you?" Shivaay laughed. It was Annika's turn to glare.

"Well, I'm sorry I don't wake up at like, 4 am like you, Mr. Workaholic."

Shivaay shook his head, still laughing.

"6 am, actually. Anyway, do you want some coffee?"

Annika perked up at that.

"Sounds lovely!"

Pausing the film, Shivaay got up to make coffee for the two of them.

"Not your kaali coffee, please!" Annika called out behind him. "Cappuccino for a normal person like me." She heard Shivaay chuckle and smiled herself; this was turning out to be their best date so far. She decided to check her phone till Shivaay came back. Scrolling through Instagram, she saw a post by one of her college friends, Hailey. She had posted a picture with her boyfriend, and they looked super cute. Annika was happy for her, but she frowned at the fact that she barely had any pictures with Shivaay. The only ones they had were from the roka and engagement ceremony, but those didn't count. Annika made a resolution to manage a selfie with him tonight, and show off her beau on Instagram.

Shivaay soon returned and handed her a mug full of steaming hot coffee. They resumed the movie. Things were starting to get more interesting, and Annika tucked her legs beneath her to get more comfortable, thankful that she had chosen a casual outfit of a sleeveless top and black tights. Shivaay was sitting right beside her, and although their bodies weren't touching, she was close enough to be able to smell his manly cologne. The scent brought back memories of what had transpired between them in the kitchen earlier, and she blushed.

It was during one of the scarier scenes that something unexpected happened. It was a very casual move, really. Leaning slightly towards her, Shivaay kept his arm behind Annika's head, on the sofa. It wasn't anything intimate, but still Annika's heartbeat shot up. If she leaned her head back a little, it would be resting on Shivaay's arm...

"Hey, you okay?" Shivaay asked, perhaps being able to hear Annika's slightly accelerated breathing. Annika gulped and nodded. How could she tell him that the fact that they were almost cuddling had rendered her dysfunctional?

"Wait, are you scared?" Shivaay asked, clearly amused. "You're breathing faster and your cheeks are all red."

"No I'm not!" Annika replied, appalled. It wasn't her fault that Shivaay had pulled this casual arm move right during one of the scary scenes in the movie. "I told you. I don't get scared of horror movies."

"Sure," Shivaay replied, entirely unconvinced. "I can almost hear your heartbeat – it's so fast!"

"Yeah but that's not because of the movie!" Annika blurted out.

"Yeah?" Shivaay asked, confused. "What is it, then?"

It's because you're so damn close, you idiot, Annika thought, cursing her luck in her head. Why did she need to be so defensive, anyway? She should have just gone ahead and lied that she was scared. Maybe that way, he would have even pulled her into his arms to comfort her...

"It's nothing," She replied, a little snappily. "If you're done with your interrogation, can we watch the movie, please?"

Shivaay shrugged in response, and they resumed watching the movie. By one point, Annika had forgotten that his arm still lay behind her, and she leaned her head back to rest, only to come across his  well-defined muscles.

"Shit, sorry," She mumbled, embarrassed.

"It's okay," Shivaay cleared his throat. "You can, um. I don't mind."

Mouth almost open in shock, Annika decided to take his offer up before he changed is mind, and settled her head against his strong body, near the juncture between his shoulder and chest. If anyone asked Annika what happened in the movie after this, she wouldn't be able to answer.

The movie ended too soon for Annika's liking. Sitting up straighter, she stretched.

"It was a good movie, na?" She asked with a wide smile, even though she had no idea if it had actually been any good.

"It was okay," Shivaay admitted reluctantly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"It won't kill you to agree with me for once, Oberoi," She narrowed her eyes, and lightly smacked the cushion she had been holding against the side of his face. She was in a very good mood.

"Hey!" Shivaay retaliated, laughing himself. "Fine, it was a good movie. But forgive me for being prejudiced against horror – I've seen too many bad films, thanks to Rudra."

Their conversation was interrupted by Annika's phone.

"Yes papa?" She asked as she picked up. "Mm-hmm, I'm still in Oberoi Mansion. Yes, don't worry, I'll come home soon. Bye, love you."

Hanging up, she told Shivaay that it was time for her to leave.

"Dad worries," She told him with a smile. "Which is stupid, because I've lived alone in London."

"That's just fathers, I guess," Shivaay smiled. "Is your car here? Or I could drop you."

That would have been fantastic, and Annika realized she should have asked Mahendar bhaiya to leave after he had dropped her here. But now that he had been waiting for so long, she would feel bad if she sent him away.

"No, my car is here," She thus replied. "But thanks for the offer."

"Anytime."

The two of them walked towards the gate in silence. Annika wanted to tell him how much she had enjoyed their date but couldn't utter the words.

"Oh, before I forget," She said as they reached the main doors. "Can we, um, can we take a selfie?"

"Oh, of course," Shivaay replied, his face breaking into a wide smile. Opening the front camera, Annika tried finding the perfect angle. As Shivaay came closer, he casually kept his hand on Annika's waist, making her smile become even wider. With her 'cute Instagram picture' finally clicked, Annika walked ahead towards her car. Before she could get in, Shivaay held her hand.

"I had a lovely time," He told her. Annika beamed.

"Me too," She said softly.

"Let's meet sometime this week. Does Tuesday work?"

"Tuesday sounds perfect."

Shivaay nodded. Just as Annika was about to get into her car again, he stopped her.

"Annika?"

"Yeah?"

Shivaay didn't reply. He only leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Goodnight," He whispered into her ear.

The entire ride back home, Annika was in a daze. With every beat of her heart, it was only Shivaay's name that she chanted like a mantra.

Shivaay. Shivaay. Shivaay.

I've mentioned this in my other story as well, but the next update might take a while because my brother is coming back home after a long time. Please be patient; I'll update whenever it will be possible for me!

May your 2020 be amazing, people!