Dearest Readers,

Thank you for all your messages. I'm still under the writer's block. Struggling to complete this book. However managed to write the last chapter of this book. This will be followed by the epilogue that's under process. Hope you like it. I may take some time to start 'The Pickle Perfect' as I'm not in the right mood. Please bear with me.

Enjoy this chapter.

Love ❤️
Srinidhi

ANIKA
✨

'Mumma why is she so small? And why is she sleeping all the time?' my little Roshni asked this for the nth time and I couldn't help but chuckle at my elder one's innocence. It has been more than a month now and our little Shamika was the most important person in Indira Nivas right now. May it be her possessive father who keeps finding stupid reasons to work from home, her Uncle Kevin who casually keeps dropping home to rob a few of her cuddles, her Aunt Simi who keeps threatening me that she may kidnap her if she looks this cute with every passing day.

Her family back in India, her Mantu-Mhava and Bappas-Pacchis, her Mamus and Masis or for that matter her Srishti akka-Sameer Maamu and Sati Akka. She was already a superstar. But most of all she was an apple of her sister's eyes. My elder one had suddenly turned into this responsible, silent baby who mostly kept admiring my little one. Roshni hardly left our room because she wanted to be there for Shamika, just in case she cried.

She was so attached to Shamika already that now I had to be a little too stricter with her because she never left Shamika's side. So much so that she would skip her meals or sleep. I was getting worried for my Roshni. She was also a little baby after all.One day I made her sit next to me and explained her how she must set an example for her little one. How she must sleep and eat well, study well so that Shamika follows her footsteps when she grows up. Since then Roshni has been trying to sleep and eat on time. She had just begun her schooling and I wanted her to enjoy every bit of it.

Life had turned beautiful with family and friends. All of the Nayak family was present at Shamika's cradle ceremony except for Srishti Di. When I asked her, she said she's a little busy and cannot be there although she sent some beautiful gifts for the baby and me, but somehow I felt something wasn't right. Sameer Jiju was also trying to avoid this discussion and Shankar had already distanced himself from all of this. He was still mad at Di for hiding their wedding.

✨

'She is slightly underweight but that's okay Anika, it keeps happening, she'll catch up!' saying Kevin kissed her forehead. It was such a relief having him by my side. Shamika was three months older now and already had a dozen tantrums. The princess never slept in the crib and was highly possessive about her father. Its like she senses his presence. The bond they have at times makes me teary.

Shankar is also extremely possessive about her. So much so that Shankar although has started going to office now, still prefers doing 70-30. And that means 30 percent work from office and 70 percent at home. That too after Omkar Anna yelled at him the last time they came to visit Shamika. Shankar although was extremely unhappy about the suggestion, when Omkar Anna explained to him that he has to concentrate on his responsibilities as he has two beautiful children and our family has grown now, although he took about a week but he eventually came around and started taking his work seriously.

However when he was home, he insisted being with his daughters. At times I was jealous of my own children. And my children were their father's fans. Roshni although loved me more but that little brat, my goodness I can't even predict how she understands my proximity. It's like 8 months of going through all that pain, mood swings and taking all those kicks, at the end of the day she doesn't even like me carrying her.

They say children feel safest in their mother's arms. Bring them all here! Look at my daughter. She's a pure traitor. She thinks of her mother nothing more than a cow to feed her. Else she just needs that gigantic man's muscular arms. She sleeps on his chest by placing head against his huge forearms like she's some princess and he's her throne. Gosh!!! They just stick to each other like quick glue.

However today after three big months Mr Nayak decided to get a little romantic. The man who tends to sleep holding his daughter like she's some treasure trunk slowly put her down in a crib and managed to circle his arms around my waist and tried to slowly get closer to me. Although which didn't last for more than an hour when his loudspeaker of a daughter kept screaming on the highest pitch possible. That woman I tell you!!! Phew!!!

I don't know how is his plan going to work out of a date when this possessive tiny lady would keep screaming in high pitch every once in a while.

Yes!!! We were finally going on a date. Our first wedding anniversary date.

✨

I was skeptical about leaving her alone in the nights is the reason we decided to have an anniversary lunch and reach home by late evening. It would just be perfect because Roshni would be in school while the newly weds Uncle Kevin and Aunt Simi decided to volunteer to babysit little Shamika.

Yup!!! Newly weds. Kevin and Simi got married last month in a simple ceremony. Nope it's not a love marriage, neither is it a completely arranged one but they call it a 'Marriage of Convenience' but I was still happy for them both. They were trying to adjust amongst themselves. It was overwhelming for both but then there were sparks and they were giving each other and this relationship the time and care needed. Eventually I believe it would definitely work out for both.

This babysitting exercise is one of their bonding activities too although it was a little too funny to see them talk in mute mode with each other because let me tell you everyone is scared of my daughter and her roaring cry but then these two soldiers were bravely handling it all.

I was pressing my lips tightly looking at the way Simi kept slowly picking all the toys that were dispersed on the floor to make sure nothing came under anyone's feet and the tigress would wake up.

'Whatttt? Stop laughing! I thought marriage was scary...your daughter is scarier!!! Ewww!!! She's indeed a Ogress by birth!!!' said Simi picking the teddy bear lying on the floor when I giggled saying

'Not my fault! Your husband offered to help and I was just waiting to have a date with mine! I took it with pleasure!' I said giggling again when she rolled her eyes saying

'That idiot! Who made him a pediatrician. He's a child himself. Must be munching chips in the kitchen. I swear Anika if she's going to start crying I don't care even if you are sucking on that Ogre's tiny fruit I'm calling you home right away!!! I'm telling you!!!' she said making my eyes bulge out and I almost choked upon my saliva as I almost yelled but seeing my daughter sleeping with a serious expression lowered my voice.

'How...howwww dare you? How can you think we will do i-'

'Oh SHUTUP you bunnies!!! You both would just fuck each other just by staring into each other's eyes and get pregnant again given if science worked that way!!! Huhh!!! I've seen that desperate man and you are no less Mrs Nayak. So just go and get ready. That idiot must be on his way!!!' she said when I looked at myself saying

'I am ready!!! What's wrong with this salwar kameez?' I asked when she slapped her forehead saying

'Anikaaaa...it's your first wedding anniversary! You both are going to get some personal time with each other. Please for heaven's sake change!!! Infact...I have got you a beautiful saree designed by the famous designer Aaryan Sehgal. It's in the guest bed room, please go change!!!' saying she pushed me a little. Although I was skeptical, knowing how adamant Simi was I agreed.

The saree was beautiful. It was a beautiful golden colored netted saree with a noodle strapped shimmery blouse. I felt slightly exposed in it as it was a little too revealing. Especially the back. The reason why I decided to leave my long hair open. It made me comfortable as it covered most of the exposed area. Simi had paired it with a pair of heavy jhumkas. I wore nothing except the Mangalsutra in my neck which perfectly complimented my look. I preferred minimal makeup with a natural lip gloss and a small diamond bindi which perfectly complimented my koka (nose piece).

I held sandals in my hands as they were pointed heels. I didn't want to interrupt Shamika's sleep and started walking outside when I noticed Shankar has already arrived. He looked extremely handsome as usual in his three piece suit, which he had co-ordinated with his Swizz watch. He had never grown his hair longer again but he indeed had a beard now. That's again because Shamika loved grabbing onto it when she would kiss him. So the traitor grew it back for this other woman. Huhhh!!!

Although he looked so handsome that I just couldn't take my eyes off him, when his eyes fell on me he almost froze.

His sea blue eyes kept looking into my brown ones like they had seen something mesmerizing. I cleared my throat when he suddenly looked elsewhere as he said

'I think we must get going!!!' and I nodded. He slowly walked towards Shamika and kissed her forehead. She slightly moved and a small smile appeared like she understood it was him. My eyes went moist seeing them both. At times they make me jealous but these moments which are so precious make me feel overwhelmed. Shankar is the best father.

I looked at Simi and she circled her arm around my shoulder saying 'Relax Mrs Nayak!!! My husband although looks like a joker still has a certificate and a degree which proves he's a children's specialist. So chill!!!'

'And Rosh-'

'Dooooont worry about Roshni!!! She'll love it here with us. I'll get her favorite donuts too. You guys have fun.' I smiled and nodded.

Shankar's eyes met mine when he forwarded his hand saying 'Shall we?? Mrs Nayak?' and I nodded saying 'Sure...Mr Nayak' as I kept my hand in his. We were up for a beautiful day.

✨

'Oh my...Rabji...this is appl-'

'Beautiful??? Isn't it?' Shankar asked as I suddenly felt his arms snaking around my waist and I almost gasped feeling his hands touch the skin of my waist.

'It...is... breathtaking!!!' I said as I slowly looked at the beautiful view of the NewYork City. We were currently at the highest residential apartment building on the 96th floor and everything looked so tiny and beautiful from here.

'You like the surprise?' he asked and I nodded when he slowly turned me around and kept a bunch of keys in my hands leaving me shocked as he said

'Happy anniversary my love!!! Congratulations on our first home!!!' he said and I was left speechless.

'Whatttt??? You you bou... bought this???' I asked and he nodded saying

'I did!!! I hope you like it' and I didn't know what to say. I looked around the house, it had about 5 bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge bar, a theatre room, a private swimming pool, a living room, a private gym and a beautiful garden. However I expected this to be just a one day thing but this man was crazy.

'Why did you buy it? It's.....it's so expensive!!!' I said when he smiled saying

'Because I wanted to. I had planned for it the very first time you fought with me and had gone back to India. That's when I decided, I'm not taking any such risks in future, we need to have a spare home.' he said when I couldn't help but narrow my eyebrows asking

'You mean...next time we fight, I come and stay here?' when he smiled saying

'Heyyy no no no...Next time we fight...you kick me outside Indira Nivas...This small house is for me in case of such tragedies!!!' he said when I hit his chest and he burst out laughing. I slowly pulled him into a hug and said

'Then this is going to be a dead investment!!!' when he smiled and asked

'Why so?' and I slowly circled my arms around his neck and said

'That is because...I'm never going to let you ever ever evvvvvaaaa go away from me' and he slowly smiled and kissed my forehead. He kept looking into my eyes when I noticed a naughty glint in his eyes as he whispered

'Wellll then let's make this home our love-nest...what say?' he asked and I narrowed my eyebrows when he suddenly lifted me up in the air and I shrieked at once when he whispered

'Wrap your legs around my waist and hold me tight!!!' and my eyes widened however I followed his command while he slowly started taking steps towards the master bedroom of the house.

He kept smiling as he slowly kept fondling my waist and I bit my lower lip. I couldn't control myself. Call it my hormones or the burning desire within me. I didn't have it in me to wait anymore. This was it. I wanted him and I wanted him all.

I simply smashed my lips against him pulling him in a passionate surprising kiss which was completely

Hot and raw.

This was our moment.

The moment Shankar becomes Anika's...

Anika's Shankar.