[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Gauri - G, Rudra - Ru, Bhavya - B]
Shivaay couldn't understand what was happening
S: Why? Did I do something? Have I hurt you?
A: Do you like Tia?
S: Why are you asking that?
A: Just answer, please.
S: We're old friends
A: Is there something between you two? Do you have any feelings for her? Rudra told me you dated briefly and your parents wanted you two to get married
S: No, as I said, we're just friends. And it was just 2 dates, we didn't really date. And anyway she's engaged now
A: Oh! Good.
S: Annika, what's going on? Please tell me clearly, you're making me nervous
A: Here's the thing, I have liked you for a long time and I'm pretty sure you know that. I don't like seeing you so close to other women. So tell me how you feel about me. If there's someone else I'll back off, we'll still be friends
Her voice faded by the end of her statement. Shivaay's heart was racing, he could finally tell her he loved her. He was excited yet nervous. He felt butterflies in his stomach
S: there's no one else
A: Will you be my boyfriend?
Shivaay's heart skipped a beat. This was all he wanted. He quickly blurted out
S: Yes!
A huge smile appeared on Annika's face. No more worrying, no more pushing her feelings away. And with this realization that they would finally be together, a blush crept up on her face, her cheeks turned into a rosy red shade
A: Good (she said shyly).
She started walking towards the door. Shivaay had other plans, he held her hand and pulled her back
S: Can I say something now?
She looked into his eyes trying to decipher what he was going to say next. But something about the way looked at her, made her heart, beat loudly like it would break out of her ribcage
S: I've been meaning to tell you for some time now, I'm in love with you Annika. Unconditionally, madly, truly in love with you.
Her eyes moistened. She moved closer to Shivaay and started hitting him
S: stop! stop, you're hurting me. Are you upset?
A: Why didn't you say this sooner you idiot? I love you too
S: I didn't know how you felt
She hit him again
A: are you blind or dumb? Which girl ever initiates a kiss with a guy when they're not even together?
Shivaay chuckled
S: I'm sorry, let me rectify that
He moved in closer and kissed her. This kiss wasn't their first and yet it felt like the first time or perhaps better. As their lips explored, they felt fireworks. There was so much passion, so much love, and desire in that kiss. Panting, out of breath they pulled apart
A: Are you sure about this? About love?
S: I know I said I don't believe in love and I don't have any place for love in my life but that has changed now. You have changed me.
A: You've made me wait a long time for this, you know
S: I know and I want to make up for all the time we've lost
A: How do you plan on doing that?
He pulled her close again for a kiss and mumbled when his lips were millimeters apart from hers
S: Like this
They broke apart to catch their breath
A: Let's go, they must be wondering where we are
The two of them went back and joined everyone.
Om: Where were you Shivaay?
S: I was here only
B: Something's different.
G: You're glowing
Ru: Yes he is and so is Annika didi
A: I'm not glowing, just makeup Rudra
B: No. The two of you left together and you've come back together
Om: You told her, didn't you?
Shivaay nodded and that led to a loud scream by Rudra. He was jumping with joy
G: Oh my god, I'm so happy. You guys!
A: Calm down Gauri, you're the bride. You're getting married tomorrow, let's focus on that
G: No, no, no, we have to celebrate this. Ru, get the DJ to play another song
Ru: Yes. Finally, you both are together.
All of them danced together and then retreated to their rooms. After all, the wedding was still left.
Annika and Shivaay were so excited that neither of them could sleep that night. In the morning, Annika, and Chanda went to the Oberoi villa for Om's haldi. Both of them were dressed in yellow lehengas.
One by one everyone applied haldi to Om. Annika took some extra haldi and very quietly sneaked behind Shivaay.
She rubbed her fingers slowly across his arm to apply the haldi. Shivaay felt the cold haldi along with an electric feeling because of her touch. They whispered to each other as she stood innocently next to him
S: What are you doing, Annika? There are a tonne of people here
A: Are you feeling shy, billuji?
S: Don't call me that
A: What should I call you then? Shivaay baby? I'm going to call you billuji only
S: Just you wait. You're enjoying teasing me right now, wait till I get my turn
A: You won't, because you're not allowed to be at Gauri's haldi
S: I'll get my chance. (he smirked)
They removed Om's haldi to apply it to Gauri. Annika took the bowl with her and went out. Shivaay followed her and pulled her behind a tree
S: So, miss Trivedi, are you ready?
A: Shivaay, let me go. They're waiting for the haldi
S: You got to play, now it's my turn. I'm not letting you go so easily
A: Someone will see us Shivaay
S: Excuses, you're blushing.
He moved closer whispered in her ear
S: Are you nervous?
Very slowly and sensually, he rubbed his arm across her back to apply the haldi. She felt goosebumps, her breath hitched. Neither of them broke eye contact until he was done.
S: What happened? Don't you have to go now?
Annika came out of the hazed state she was transferred to. She covered her back with her dupatta and turned to leave
S: Wait! I have to tell you something
A: what?
S: I love you
No matter how many times he said those words, it still made her heart flutter. She blushed and rushed to get the haldi to Gauri.
********
It was a beautiful wedding ceremony at sunset on the beach. All the guests and the newly wedded couple were now at the dinner party.
Annika approached daadi and hugged her
A: Thank you daadi
Daadi: What's up puttar?
A: I took your advice, I said what I wanted to say
Daadi: So you told billu how you feel about him?
A: Yes, but how did you know?
Daadi: My eyesight has gotten worse over years but my instincts are sharper than you youngsters. Did my 'Khota pota' tell you how he feels or not?
A: Yes, he did
Daadi: pandit ji is still here, should we get you two hitched today?
A: Daadi!!!
Daadi: Do you want to get married?
A: Yeah but not yet. Your billu has taken so long to admit his feelings. It'll take some time to get him on the right track
Daadi: It's going to be a challenge, convincing him. But I have complete confidence in you, puttar. Bless you both
Post dinner, Annika and Chanda changed and packed their stuff. Most guests were gonna leave the next day but Annika had a meeting, so she was leaving with Chanda tonight. They said their goodbyes to the Sharmas and Oberois.
S: Annika... Don't go, please
A: Shivaay, I have a very important meeting. And it's not like I'm going away or anything. You'll be back tomorrow
S: At least let me drop you guys to the airport
A: No, you attend to your guests. Your brother just got married, be with your family. Chill with your friends.
S: Fine. call me when you reach home
A: I will
She sat in the cab with Chanda and waved him bye from the window.
Hey guys I hope you like this chapter
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