A few hours later, it was late evening when Shivaay woke up after a profound slumber. As consciousness gradually oozed into his mind, he delighted in the warmth that enveloped him courtesy of the plush quilt. Eager to share a warm hug with his wife, Annika, he stretched out his arms with expectation only to be met by the chilly emptiness of the now deserted bed.
Rubbing his eyes, he meticulously fetched his pair of frameless glasses from the nightstand, allowing his vision to sharpen and reveal the details of the dimly lit room.
His blue-green eyes darted around, searching for any trace of Annika and her comforting presence, but were greeted only by the noiseless murmurs of silence. The actuality that she was not by his side sparked a sparkle of curiosity within him. Determined to locate her whereabouts, Shivaay mustered his strength and rose from the bed, slipping his legs into a pair of comfortable black pants that differed perfectly against his boxers.
The honeymoon suite, the encase of their blissful memories, was a world within itself. It showed off a luxurious yet pleasing ambience with spaciousness that spoke promises of utmost calmness.
Eager to find comfort and relief in Annika's presence, he allowed his footsteps to guide him toward the balcony where the cool evening breeze brushed against his bare chest and evoked a shiver down his spine.
To his pleasant surprise, the scene that unfolded before his eyes was something straight out of a fairytale. Bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, Annika stood there radiant as ever, adorned in her splendid outfit. A resplendent lavender bodycon dress lovingly accentuated her every curve, perfectly paired with her treasured and costly stiletto heels that promoted her grace to new lengths. Her luscious locks had been neatly styled into a low bun, with a few fizzy strands playfully annoying her temples, touched by the gentle wind. She exuded an aura of sheer beauty and effortless charm that affected him, short of breath.
As Shivaay shifted his gaze from her figure, he noticed the bunch of blood-red roses that she held in her delicate hands. The scent of freshly arranged roses combined with lavender essence scented the air, combining with the crispness of the evening breeze. A realization dawned upon him at that very moment—Annika was preparing for their first anniversary.
In contrast to Annika's detailed attire, Shivaay resisted a sudden wave of self-consciousness. He glanced down, his bare chest paired only in a simple jogger that had served as his comfort. His hair unruly and untamed fringed his handsome face in a wild and carefree manner, and his glasses added to this.
Gathering his hereditary strength, Shivaay took a moment to appreciate Annika's persistent devotion. He admired the lengths she went to to create this adorable atmosphere for their special day. The warmth that flowed between them was laced with threads of affection—it was everything to him.
No longer blurred by self-doubt, Shivaay took a determined step forward, making his presence known to Annika. His footsteps echoed with reason. As he closed the distance between them, his heart swelled with gratitude for the blessing of an extraordinary woman who had chosen him to be her lifelong partner.
He faked a cough."You woke up already! You weren't supposed to be this early," Annika rambled. "Why did you wake up this early? You were supposed to wake up by eight tonight!"
Annika rocked the blood-red roses that she was holding and looked at Shivaay with wide eyes. Watching her making weird and funny expressions, Shivaay couldn't hold his laughter and burst out crackling at the end. He asked with some hesitancy after his small session of laughter. "Was I supposed to be in some dress? You have worn this 'never worn before' dress. I look odd!"
Annika smiled at him. "Shivaay, you look perfect-- tip-top. Anyways how are the arrangements? For our first wedding anniversary?"
"Wonderful! I never thought I would see this one day in my life. Thank you so much." With a gentle smile, Shivaay wrapped his arms around Annika's waist and kissed her temple as he whispered, "My lady, with your humble actions, you are spoiling me. I have set my expectations high right now."
Hearing his words, Annika lowered her eyes and blushed.
For a good couple of minutes, both Annika and Shivaay stood in the same position, leaning on each other. The silence enveloped the hall, and it was as soothing as ever; only their breathing was heard. It was only after a few minutes that she raised her eyelids and met his blue-green eyes. It was a magical moment as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a trail of vibrant hues. Shivaay and Annika embraced.
"Happy anniversary, Shivaay," Annika whispered and brushed Adam's apple with her fingers. Shivaay tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her more into him, crashing her soft chest to his hard one. "A year back, I would never have anticipated that my life would change like this or what it is today. I can't understand why and how illogical I was. I said many bad things to you, didn't know what to say but anger and feelings of rejection had covered me. But then, today, you have been my support, my emotional pillar and whatnot in my life. You stood for me when everyone was against me, you have everything that I wish my husband would have. Thank you so much for being with me. I can't complete my words without thanking you, thank you so much. Thank you for being my husband."
As Annika completed her words full of gratitude, she couldn't help but tear up.
"Today I may not have a good relationship with my parents or with my brother, but I would continue to hold gratitude and gratefulness for them. Because they are the ones who have discovered a groom, a gem in you—in my husband. I have no words to express—thank you so much. I have so much to talk about with you and tell you, but then I don't know what to say. One day when I am not nervous, when I am not too excited or anxious at the time or when I am in my sane mind, I will tell you how much I love you, and how much you mean to me, but then let's just hope that the day will come sooner. I love you, Shivaay, I would love to have you every day beside me through thin and thick. I would love to share the future with you, and I would love to share your family as mine, Shivaay." Annika confessed.
Sucking a mouthful of oxygen Annika looked straight into his ocean-like eyes and mumbled. "And I mean it Shivaay! Every single word." Shivaay eyed her sincere glittering eyes, and without a doubt had the instinct to trust her and her words. To believe in her sayings. She took a deep breath, lowering her head and accommodated on his shoulder as she continued, "I know you are still not healed from your past wounds. however, I request you provide me with an opportunity to show my love. I wouldn't desire anything in return."
Annika completed her heartfelt gratitude confession and raised her head to meet her husband Shivaay's blue-green, ocean-like eyes. His eyes were teary, and his glasses blocked the view. Shivaay had his hand around her waist, and as she looked into his eyes, she could see the emotions that her confession had stirred in him. She could feel his warmth and affection for her, making her heart swell with joy.
Annika's mind wandered to the first time she met Shivaay-- when all the female students were fans of him and she couldn't fathom it. She had also wondered about the secret behind his patience and skilful talks. She recollected how his piercing blue-green eyes had targeted her in the classroom right from the moment they met. He had been strict throughout their journey as a professor and student and he kept on addressing her as Ms Tripati, until her mother-in-law had warned him and clarified that she was an 'Mrs Oberoi'.
She realised in their relationship through, that she had never seen such beautiful eyes before, and she knew that she was in trouble. Shivaay's eyes were of a mesmerizing and enchanting shade of blue-green, resembling the vast and ever-changing expanse of the ocean. Their depth and complexity evoke the feeling of gazing into the heart of the sea itself, a place where secrets are hidden, and mysteries lie waiting to be uncovered. As the light dances across his eyes, they seem to come alive, exuding an incredible sense of tranquillity, just like the serene and peaceful nature of a quiet beach at sunrise. However, when passion or vigour takes hold of him, his eyes transform into the stormy and rugged side of the ocean, reflecting the wild, untamed power that lies beneath the surface.
She had fallen in love with him, and she knew that she would never be able to resist him. As she continued to look into his eyes, she noticed that they were the same colour as the ocean on a clear day. She could see the adoration and passion that he had for her, and it made her feel safe and secure.
She knew that she could always count on him to be there for her, no matter what.
Hearing Annika's emotional confession touched Shivaay's heart. He couldn't understand how to respond to her words, so he yanked his glasses and brushed his eyes.
He held her chin with his free hand, positioning himself to kiss her. "Say 'No' if you don't want to," he murmured, holding his glasses in one hand and the other hand rubbing her lower back above her backless dress.
"Yes. Please continue." Seeing no reluctance, Shivaay began to approach her slowly and sensually. Shivaay leaned in to kiss Annika, a gesture that spoke volumes of his deep passion and connection with her. As their lips met, it was as if time itself had come to a standstill. Shivaay's lips, soft and tender, found the perfect harmony with Annika's, and their mouths moved together in a dance of pure, unadulterated love. Their kiss was a testament to the passion that had torched between them, a slow and plotted probe of one another's desires and affections.
Shivaay's hands gently cradled Annika's face, his touch warm and reassuring, conveying his devotion and care. Annika's arms wrapped around his waist, drawing him closer, as if she was trying to integrate their very souls. Their bodies pressed into one another, creating a sensation of perfect unity, as their hearts beat in sync.
As he kissed her, Annika felt a rush of emotions. She felt loved, cherished, and desired. She knew that she was the luckiest woman in the world to have a man like Shivaay in her life. As they broke the kiss, Annika looked into Shivaay's eyes once again. "I love you, Shivaay," she said softly.
She knew that she would never tire of looking into those beautiful blue-green eyes. She knew that they were the windows to his soul and that she would always be able to see his love for her shining through them.
"You left no crumbles!" Shivaay said as he rubbed her wet and swollen lips.
As the gleaming knife sliced through the layers of the cake, their smiles were illuminated by the flickering candlelight. The sweet, faint fragrance of the plum cake filled the room. It was a moment of sweet happiness, of dreams discovered, and a future full of promise.
Amidst the celebration, Shivaay's parents, Pinky and Shakti, had joined in through a video call, their faces beaming with pride and affection.
"Happy anniversary dono ko. Stay happy throughout." Pinky wished them with her biggest smile ever. "By the next year just give us a grandchild to play. even our papa is retiring in three months, consequently, we would be free. What do you say?"
Annika reddened, whereas Shivaay whined at his mother for bringing this up again.
"Shiv you are already crossing thirty in a few months. Your father had Shubh by your age, so stop whining." Shivaay thought of different ways to shut his mother, however he knew that she wouldn't stop at this, merely.
Watching the frustrated look on his son's face, Shakti came up to his rescue. "Pinky ji they are kids themselves. How will they manage their studies, and work along with a child? let them have some space for themselves. Whatever happened-" Shakti paused "it is past. Whatever will happen is in the future, regardless of that just focus on the present. I'm sure that there is a bright future waiting for you both. I wish to see you together in a place that people didn't think of. People have laughed at us and you should take that as a challenge and stand uptight."
"Thank you, papa, please wait for a couple of years."
"I'm sure Uncle Ji, you would be proud of your son one day," Annika admitted with a wide smile.
The virtual presence of family added an extra layer of warmth and significance to the evening, making it even more memorable. Their words of love and blessings echoed through the room, creating a sense of unity and continuity between generations.
Following the cake cutting, the atmosphere transitioned without any flaw into a candlelit dinner. Annika's eyes sparkled with excitement as she presented Shivaay with a bouquet of fragrant red roses, their deep red petals symbolizing love and desire. The roses, given with earnest intention, carried the poundage of her emotions, and as she handed them to Shivaay, she asked the question that had been on her heart, setting the stage for a deeper, more profound connection and understanding between them.
"I told my deep thoughts and yet didn't receive any response or reactions to it. Do you think I'm not your type or am I lacking some-"
"How dumb can you be while being intelligent at the same time!" Shivaay commented as he gazed at the bouquet of red roses. with a smile lingering on his lips, he caressed the petals gently. Shivaay took a picture of the atmosphere and the ross before he placed them in a vase so that the flowers wouldn't wither.
Annika waited for a while for him to explain what he meant. however, when he didn't show any signs of reacting, she reacted out to his hands and pinched him. "what do you mean?"
"How can you be so dumb, Annika?" He tsked. "I wouldn't have kissed then and there if I wasn't touched by your confession. I wouldn't whine and blush when Maa mentioned babies. I wouldn't have arranged this vacation if I wasn't interested in you."
"So kehena kya chate hein aap?"
[Trans- What do you mean?]
Shivaay shut his eyes and squeezed his lids mercilessly seeing her stupidity. "Pyaar karti hein aap?" As he asked Annika nodded with her pitiful eyes twinkling.
[Trans- Do you love me?]
"I know you don't have any trust in love after the happenings. But I would like to assure you that things won't turn that way. I shall be by your side throughout, I-"
"You won't return to Atharv right?"
"You wish!" Annika scoffed. "I am just meeting him for the closure I need. After that, he is someone who I don't know. What did you think of this? That I shall use my stupidity once again while leaving heera for a glitter."
"Pakka?"
"Pakka wala promise!" Annika guaranteed with her smile. hearing her, Shivaay got up from his seat and stood right next to Annika's seat. As a cue, Annika similarly stood up and faced him.
"Can you hug me?" Shivaay's voice held a gentle, almost vulnerable, as he stood before Annika. His eyes, soft and earnest, conveyed a silent appeal, an unspoken desire for a connection that surpassed words.
Annika, moved by the tenderness in his voice and the raw emotion in his eyes, nodded in response. Her heart swelled with love and affection for Shivaay, and she longed to provide him with the comfort and solace he sought whenever needed. She opened her arms, inviting him into her embrace, and as he moved into her waiting hug, it felt like the universe planned to bring them closer together.
Annika's arms enveloped Shivaay's body, offering warmth and reassurance. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, resonating with her own.
Shivaay, though initially content in her embrace, whispered, "Can you hug me tighter?" His tone was tinged with a mixture of emotions that Annika couldn't quite pinpoint - perhaps a yearning for even greater closeness, a need to feel the solidity of their connection, or a desire to hold onto this moment forever.
Annika obliged, tightening her hold around him.
The world around them seemed to melt away as she pressed her body against his, conveying her love and commitment through the strength of her embrace. Her arms encircled him with a protective and unwavering warmth, symbolizing her unwavering support and devotion.
After a while, Annika whispered. "Let's have dinner. I have ordered something nice. I'm sure you will love it." Separating from her hold, he muttered a small sorry but nodded to her.
The intimate dinner was a banquet for the senses. The table was adorned with delicate china, and the soft candlelight created an intimate and cosy setting for their conversation to unfold.
After the heartfelt confessions, the cake cutting, and the intimate dinner, Shivaay and Annika retreated to the balcony. Annika settled onto Shivaay's lap, feeling his comforting presence enveloping her.
"I love you, Shiv. I will continue to shower more and more."
"I trust you." He answered. Annika was quite satisfied with his response rather than dwelling that he didn't reciprocate. "I shall treat you no less than goddess Lakshmi. You are the lady of my home and life."
The night sky above was adorned with stars, echoing the glittering lights of the candles from the room. They sat in peaceful silence, gazing at the world beyond.
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the huge delay. The delay must be blamed on my tight schedule. I once again participated in a MUN, in UNHRC as the delegate of Poland. and to my surprise, I did pretty well after my first experience. I was ranked 12th in a total of some 70 to 75 delegates.
Recently there have been some incidents that are happening, which are very similar or straight out of this book in my surroundings. Be it the breakup part of Shivaay and Kritika or the student and professor relationship that leads to the resignation of the latter. It feels that I have some supernatural powers to sense the future happenings.
And yes the TF deserves an epilogue and I shall give it someday.