"Hey guys..what's happening?", Annika asked as Shivaay made her sit on the long couch. Everyone were sitting around the bonfire near poolside.
"Didi, Malika di wants to tell us something", Rudra said sitting beside her and forwarding the baked sweet potatoes towards her. She was sitting between the three brothers with Shivaay on one side and Om and Rudra on other side.
"Malika, now everyone is here. Just spill na", Gauri said.
"Is everything fine puttar?", dadi asked.
"Everything is fine dadi. My mom called, she is coming to Mumbai tomorrow", Malika said.
"Oh wow, Pallavi ji is coming. It's been a while we have met", Jhanvi said with a smile.
"Yes aunty. Even she wants to meet everyone but she is coming for a reason. She..", she paused and took a deep breath before smiling softly, "she is coming with an alliance for my marriage", she said making jaw drop of young clan.
"What? Malika di and marrying someone else. I thought something will happen between Arnav bhai and her", Rudra whisper said shocked. Annika shrugged looking at everyone.
She looked towards Arnav who looked shocked and as if the land is snatch below his feet. He got up worked up.
"Alliance? As in wedding alliance?", he asked coming in front of her.
"Of course Arnav. She meant that only. Congratulations Mal, I never thought you'll be the first one in us to get married", Shivaay said with a smile.
"Beta that's a really good news. Who is the boy?", Jhanvi asked.
"I don't know much aunty. Mom said he is CEO of a multinational company. Mom says he will be perfect for me", Malika said ignoring Arnav's gaze on her.
"Malika..how can you marry someone like that?", Arnav scowled.
"What do you mean by how? I will marry the same way everyone does", she said nonchalantly.
"Malika you'll be in Mumbai only right?", Gauri asked in between.
"I don't know Ri. Though he is Mumbai based but let's see", Malika said widening his eyes.
"Okay quiet. I want to talk to her now", Arnav said little loudly and made Malika look at her.
"You..you can't marry Malika", he said softly.
"Why Arnav? Why can't I marry?", she asked looking in his eyes.
"Because.. I mean you don't even know him well", he said averting gaze. This angered her.
"So what? That's why it's an arrange alliance. I will meet him, know him and then we'll think about future", she said crossing arms across her chest.
"Okay fair enough..you don't even love him, leave love..you don't even like him right now", he said with a small smile but covered it.
"So?", she shrugged, "Arnav we live in India. Most of marriages here are arranged and even successful. Right dadi?", Malika asked looking at dadi at last.
"There's a point. Your dadaji just saw me once and then next day, alliance came to my doorsteps and in one month, my wedding was arranged. We didn't even met properly till then. Just glanced at each other now and then but we fell in love after marriage, had kids and even though he's not with me now, I can still feel his love inside me", dadi said with a smile remembering her young days.
Everyone smiled hearing her love story. Dadi smiled at everyone.
"Exactly. Love can happen after marriage. Anyways I am not in love with anyone. Neither I am in a committed relationship. I will give a chance to love after marriage", Malika said casually.
"Bhai, what is your problem if di marry someone?", Rudra said making Annika smile widely and pat his back.
"Very nice question, Ru", she complimented making Rudra smile widely getting good words from his favourite person nowadays.
"You just can't marry someone", he said as a statement looking away.
"I don't remember giving you the right to make decisions of my life Arnav. It's my life and I will marry", she said looking directly in his eyes.
"I said no means no. I am your friend and I have my rights", he said loudly making her fume in anger. Everyone looked at each other seeing the moment getting heat up.
"I said I don't give you this right. Infact you know what, I am saying mom that I am ready to marry when she is coming tomorrow. I will marry", she shouted back.
"No!", he glared at her.
"Try me, Arnav. I will", she glared back.
"You can't because I love you idiot!", he shouted earning gasps. He exhaled looking at her.
"Omg!! Finally!", Annika squealed happily and hugged Shivaay next to her. Girls and boys looked at her confused.
"I love you Malika and I can't let you marry someone else", Arnav said calmly this time. A slap landed on his cheek hardly making everyone's mouth either wide open or cupped by hand.
"It took you a threat to confess that you love me. Such a jerk you are", she shouted slapping him again, lightly this time having tears in eyes and hugged him tightly. Arnav sighed hugging her tightly, lifting her up in his arms.
Everyone rejoiced seeing this with smiles and hugging each other. Secretly, everyone wanted Arnav and Malika to end up together. For paparazzi, they were already a rumoured couple.
"Finally he confessed, Shivaay", Annika said happily and huffed him. He smiled hugging her back with a nod.
"That means now we have two official couples in our group! Wohoo", Rudra said making everyone nodded hooting.
"I always thought you look beautiful together. Your mom will be really happy to know you finally have someone in your life, Arnav", Jhanvi said as the new couple parted.
"Malika. I am sorry, I agree I was coward because I thought I am not good enough for you but now I say it. I love you, I love you with my entire heart and want to spend my entire life with you. Don't leave me", he said holding her hands in his hands.
"I love you too, I have always loved you but you being a not expressive jerk never confessed it so I felt hurt and then in evening mom called about alliance. I was so upset and angry that I was going to agree with mom but then Shivaay and Annika asked me to try one last time, they asked me to fight for my love, make you express it", Malika said with tears. He wiped it gently and looked towards his friends.
"Thank-", he was about to say when Shivaay glared at him.
"Shut up! Dare you complete it. I am already mad at you for being an idiot by not confessing it to Malika. Dare you break her heart this time and I will break your bones", Shivaay said faking anger but seriously at last line.
"Arnav, we're friends and since I have met you guys I have noticed the spark between you and Malika. It's my responsibility to bring my two friends in love together", Annika said softly.
"Mal, that means tomorrow you'll tell about you and Arnav to your mom", Gauri said, "you're ready right?", she added.
"Uh..yes I mean, mom will understand", Malika said smiling nervously.
"Malika..I want to say something more", Arnav said holding hand.
"Yeah?", she nodded.
"Because of your alliance thing, it made me realise that how important you are for me, how much you mean to me. I don't want to loose you in any case now. That's why...", he held her palm and kneel down making her gasp.
"Malika. I want to wake up every morning looking at your face and sleep having you in my arms. I promise to love you with my entire love till eternity. I will always become better person to you. I promise I will become more expressive for you and keep you safe with me. I don't have a ring right now as per proper proposal", she chuckled hearing it, "but will you marry me?", he asked with sincerity and pure love in his eyes.
Malika was speechless with her hand on her mouth. She felt overwhelmed with the happiness and found herself unable to say the perfect word.
"I..I- are you sure?", she asked looking at him..
"I have never been this much sure before", he said making others smile.
"I will marry you", she said happily and kneeled down hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, tightly feeling the love.
"I wish I could jump right now! Malika you're getting married I can't believe", Annika exclaimed hugging and opened her arm. Malika hugged her tightly. Girls joined them smiling widely.
Boys too hugged Arnav congratulating him, Shivaay first hit him but then gave a tight hug. Arnav and Malika too blessings from elders.
"Arnav beta. We need to inform Raj bhai and Minal about your and Malika, after all you're going to marry", Jhanvi said referring to his parents.
"Aunty I will call them tonight or even you guys can call, then I will talk to them", he said all the while holding Malika's hand.
"Malika, you should also tell truth to your mom now. I think she should know before making any commitment to others", Tej said.
"Uncle she is coming tomorrow anyways, I want to tell her face to face", Malika said with a smile.
"I am going to cook special dinner tonight. I am so happy", Jhanvi said with a smile.
"Chal, I will help you", dadi said getting up and both ladies went inside.
"I will go and call Raj", Tej said with wide smile patting Arnav's shoulder and went inside too.
"I am so happy", Annika said hugging both Malika and Arnav who hugged her back.
"It's going to be the first wedding I am attending after a long time", Gauri said.
"Ikr. Last time it was one of your fellow hairdresser and that too we went to only at the day of wedding and reception", Bhavya added.
"It's the first wedding from our group I see", Annika grinned.
"And unexpected one didi, I thought you and bhaiya are going to be first one", Rudra said making Annika blush. Shivaay's palm on her thigh was just adding it.
"Well I won't have mind being first one", Shivaay winked making Annika nudge to his stomach.
"I am excited for tomorrow", Malika said and nervously smiled at Arnav.
"We'll be fine", he said softly pressing her palm. She nodded smiling back.
"Awww!", the girls cooed making Malika blush while Arnav chuckled on their craziness.
|••|
Next morning as Shivaay opened his eyes, he felt cold breeze coming inside to see a window slightly open. He looked aside to see Annika sleeping peacefully with her lips slightly parted.
They were in a spoon hug position with Annika's fractured arm on a high pillow beside her for her comfort while her another hand was holding his who were around her waist. He propped up and kissed her cheek softly.
"Good morning love", he said softly in her ear to earn a smile. She hummed cuddling to him. He hugged her closer, keeping his face in the crook of her neck.
"I love you", he muttered bringing a smile on her face.
"I love you too", she replied in her drowsy voice. He chuckled.
"So I am gonna get a reply from my love you but not good morning", he said kissing her nape making her giggle softly. He smiled hearing it, That's a good morning now!
"I respect your love more", she said and turned her face opening her eyes who looked sleepy. He smiled and gently pecked them.
"How are you feeling?", he asked tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Much better today, pain in ankle is less, arm is still irritating", she said with a sigh.
"Doctor said it will take a week for your ankle to get better and a week for your arm. You'll be fine soon", he said caressing her cheek.
"Shivaay..", she said as he was covering her properly with blanket. Her t-shirt has moved up and she could feel his hand on her warm skin.
"Yeah..", he said pecking her cheek area.
"I want to walk with stick for a week then. I don't want you to carry me around", she said softly making him stop and look at her.
"What's the problem?", he asked confused.
"Shivaay if it would have been just two of us I would have been okay with it. Our family is here. I know aunty, uncle or dadi doesn't mind but I feel slightly uncomfortable. Over that, even Malika's mother is arriving today. Please?", she said softly, "don't misunderstand anything, I love when you ca-"
She couldn't say ahead and Shivaay took her lips against his. She squealed trying to break the kiss in begining because of the morning breath but his expert hands were enough to lure her. Soon she started kissing him back and he smiled getting his bed morning kiss. As they broke the kiss, she looked at him who cupped her cheeks.
"I understood you. I know you love when I carry you, it's visible on your face but you're not comfortable to be attention of everyone. I get it", he said rubbing his finger over cheekbones. She smiled softly.
"You know me so well", she chuckled.
"Proud of it, honestly", he said making her shake head hitting on his arm.
"Btw it's not fair, we didn't brushed before kiss", she scrunched.
"Oh trust me pumpkin, you taste heaven, raw", he said with a naughty smile making her cheeks heat up.
"Such a perv you are", she exclaimed and hid her face against his crook making him laugh loudly and kissing above her head.
|••|
Shivaay and Annika came downstairs with him supporting her through shoulder she was walking with help of walking stick.
"I told you I will bring you down in my arms and then you can walk by stick", he said helping her.
"I am fine babe. Don't worry, see we came down", Annika said sweetly.
He shook his head as they came down and left her shoulder bringing a smile on her face.
"Come, let's have breakfast", he said walking towards dining area with her. She nodded.
"Good morning, baccho", they were greeted by dadi as they entered. Jhanvi was preparing parathas in kitchen and dadi was sitting on the dining, talking to her.
"Good morning dadi, where's others?", he asked pulling out chair for Annika and went inside kitchen.
"Malika went back to her home after helping Annika, along with Arnav. She is going to pick-up her mother and then they'll come here. Gauri and Bhavya has gone to Allure, they had some work they said and other two are at backyard, preparing for tomorrow's new year party", Jhanvi said flipping the paratha.
"Aree! What is this billu? Annika is walking on stick, why aren't you helping her by carrying her?", dadi asked in a teasing tone. Annika looked down blushing.
"Dadi, she is fine. Annika likes be independent and I will make sure she stay one, always", he said and passed a wink towards her who smiled. Dadi smiled seeing this.
Her eldest grandson has been dearest and closest to her. She has nurtured him like a small kid even after he grew up but seeing his casual attitude regarding his personal life or keeping his feelings inside himself used to worry her. Seeing his happy and so in love, she couldn't be more grateful to Annika for coming in her billu's life.
"Hello gorgeous ladies and my boy", Tej walked inside with a smile and sat down beside Annika.
"Good morning dad, where were you?", Shivaay asked as he and Jhanvi brought breakfast on the dining table.
"I was attending a call from Raj, they are coming by tomorrow. After knowing that our Arnav is finally in love and ready to marry, they couldn't wait even a moment more to come here", he said chuckling making everyone smile.
"Annika bete, how are you now?", Tej asked keeping hand on her head in fatherly manner.
"I am better uncle. Just arm is little irritating else ankle is lot better", Annika replied with a smile.
"You'll be fine soon, you're a strong girl", Tej said patting her head softly making Annika smile with a nod.
"Good morning family", Om said as he and Rudra came there. Rudra came and sat down on other side of Annika keeping head on her shoulder.
"What happened Ru?", Annika asked softly.
"Didi, this prani makes me do a lot of work. How can I handle so much on my delicate shoulders? I know I am strong but this man takes advantage of it", he frowned glaring at Om in last.
"Such a drama king you are. I just asked you to carry those chandeliers and help the workers to fix it", Om said in disbelief.
"Do you even know O, how heavy they are?", Rudra said back arguing.
"Then why have you made this body, dumbbell Oberoi?", Shivaay asked this time hitting on the back of his head lightly.
"Ow! You'll always come in his support, bhaiya. Didi!!", he whined.
"Shivaay, don't hit him", Annika scowled caressing back of his head. Shivaay rolled his eyes.
"Okay enough. Now have your breakfast, Annika has to take her medicines also. Don't trouble her", Jhanvi said serving breakfast in dadi's plate.
"Exactly. Now get up from here", Shivaay said to Rudra who was sitting beside Annika.
"Hawh! I took the seat first next to didi", Rudra pouted.
"Your didi is my girlfriend", Shivaay said crossing arms against his chest.
Rudra pouted and looked towards Annika. She sighed and looked at Shivaay.
"It's okay Shivaay. Let him sit beside me for now", Annika said softly. He gave her a betrayed look.
"Annika! I sit beside you on dining table", he whined.
"Just today na, let him sit. He was already sitting right", Annika said with pleading eyes.
"But..who will feed you?", he asked.
"Shivaay, Annika's left arm is fractured. She can eat herself", Om snickered making a point.
"Fine", Shivaay said and sat down beside Om, grumpy.
"Annika sighed and looked towards him who didn't looked at her, ignoring her. It's going to be tough, she thought and started having her breakfast.
|••|
Shivaay was going towards the backyard to give his helping hand in the decorations for New year when someone pulled him near the staircase.
As he looked carefully, he saw Annika standing in front of him with a cute face. He kept his face normal and looked away.
"You want something?", he asked to see her lips slightly turning into a pout.
"Babee..listen na", she said cutely holding his hand. He rolled his eyes and looked at her. He raised his eyebrow asking her to continue.
"Rudra is younger than us right? And he was already sitting beside me. Don't be grumpy na. I love you", she said softly.
"And you know me, Annika. You know how I am regarding you", he said getting grumpy again.
One important thing you need to know about Shivaay is, even after being a mature and sensible man, he is a whining kid when it comes to Annika. He has grown extremely possessive towards her, even from his own family.
"Accha listen na, It's okay. He would have felt bad right? He is your younger brother", she said hitting on the correct point making him sigh.
No one can unnotice the fact that Shivaay has fatherly love towards his little brother, Rudra.
"My younger brother? He is more like yours now", he frowned.
"Ohh! Shivaay Singh Oberoi is jealous?", Annika asked teasingly making him glare at her.
"What can I do? Everyone loves you more", he said narrowing his eyes.
"Personality babe, expert in making people fall for me", she said flipping her hair back. He held her by her waist and pulled her closer.
"That's definitely true. You know well how to keep people fall for you, again and again", he said in his husky voice making Annika lower her eyes blushing lightly.
He chuckled seeing her rosy lips and pulled her closer to his chest. She gasped.
"Shivaay..someone will come, leave me", she said trying to grip out herself.
"Accha ji, now someone will come? When was this consciousness when you pulled me near the pillar, baby?", he asked nuzzling his nose with hers.
"Shivaay, chodo na", she said cutely making him shake his head and peck her lips gently.
"You know, pull against the pillar is such a hot thing and you want me to leave you now. Seriously love?", he asked nearing towards her lips. She turned red.
"Everything is hot for you", she pointed out.
"When you have such a hot and beautiful girlfriend, everything itself becomes hot and beautiful around", he said kissing her lips softly. She gasped hitting on his chest.
"Shivaay everyone is around. Someone will come and it will be so embarrassing if someone catch us like this", she reasoned looking around to make sure no one is looking at them.
"Mhm?", he asked nuzzling to her neck, pressing small kisses around, "come with me then".
Saying this, he picked her up in his arms making her gasp and cup her mouth before a sound come out of her mouth.
"Are you freaking mad?", she whispered to him.
"A lot, pumpkin. In your love", he said winking and started to head upstairs towards his room making her giggle and blush hiding face against in crook of his neck.
|••|
Hey guys! Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They means a lot to me♥️
Hope you liked the chapter. Do tell me how it was😁
Precap: it's wedding season!!
Love,
K♥️