The following day, all the other pending rituals were completed and life was back to normal. Annika didn't had a hard time to mingle with the family members as they already adore her, especially Dadi. Though she was still a bit reserved to the elders, owing to the environment in which she was brought up, everyone tried their level best to make her feel comfortable. Within just a week, she gelled up with everyone and was no longer the same shy Annika anymore. Shivaay, on the other hand, got busier with his office works but only busy enough to keep him in the office during the office hours. He used to bring back work to home but after a strong reprimand from Jhanvi, he had stopped it. 

Their mornings began together with a cup of coffee and breakfast. They loved their little private coffee moment before hitting the breakfast table as that's when they talk. Then, Shivaay leaves to the office along with his father and uncle while Annika becomes busier with the other members of the family. She gives fashion advises to Priyanka, his younger sister. And takes a special gym training session with Rudra A.K.A. Rudy. Rudy and Priyanka were just fraternal twins for namesake. Their behaviour was strikingly opposite and they always, always faught for Annika's attention. She had became their best friend after all.

Apart from that, she spends her time with Jhanvi and helps her to cook. Dadi's stories always amused Annika. Unlike typical Dadi's who only talk religious stuffs, Dadi used to talk about her romance with Dada. She learned from Dadi that their husbands were very much alike and that Shivaay got his unique eye colour from his grandfather. Then, at night, Shivaay and Annika talk to each other about how their day went and cuddle to sleep. On Sundays, Shivaay, being true to his words thought Annika how to cook. Whenever she ruins a dish, he just knew how to mend them.

A few days passed by and one night, Shivaay was struggling with a deal contract. All the clauses seemed to be perfect but something about it was off and Shivaay sensed that it might bring a loss to the Oberoi Industries if not identified. He went through the file over and over again but still, there was nothing. Finally, having had enough, he gave up and threw the file in frustration.

"Ouch!" He heard Annika's voice crying in pain.

When he turned around, he saw her by the door of their room, rubbing her left ankle while the file was right next to her feet.

"Oh no! Did the file hit you? I'm so sorry Annika!" Shivaay apologized as he walked towards her and helped her to the bed.

"Shivaay, I'm fine. It was just a file. It didn't hurt much. I'm absolutely fine! Don't worry about this!" She gave her most genuine smile.

"Stop doing that Annika! Don't be fine with everything. How can you tolerate this? If there's anything that's bothering you, you should fight yourself! How many times must I say this to you?" Shivaay retorted, mostly due to the clouding of stress and concern for her.

"Shivaay, what are you talking?"

"I'm saying that if someone hurts you, get angry! Get angry at me for hurting you!" Shivaay roared.

Annika couldn't help but broke into fits of laughter when she heard that from him.

"Oh my God! Shivaay, you are being really very cute right now!" Annika cracked up as she pulled his cheeks.

"What?!" He was surprised to look at his wife's reaction. Wasn't she supposed to be angry?

"Annika, what exactly are you trying to do?" Shivaay questioned her upon finding his wife laughing like a mad person.

"I'm not trying to do anything husband dearest! It's just that you're being so cute right now! Get angry at me, scold me!" She tried imitating him, but failed badly as she cracked up again.

Shivaay also chuckled and finally loosened up. They had a little hearty laughter together. Annika's laughter died when she felt Shivaay's hand around her calf suddenly. He was examining her ankle closely. 

"It doesn't hurt, right?" He asked. His worry was obvious in his voice.

"I had even forgotten that the file hit my leg Shivaay. It was a brief pain. Nothing now!" Annika smiled at him.

"Okay! So, how was your day? How many dishes you burnt today?" He got up and settled next to her on the bed.

"My day was just fine and yes, I didn't burn any dish today. In fact, the dinner which you had was made by me, okay?" She flicked her hair back proudly, making him chuckle.

"How was your day and what's with this file?" She questioned him when he remained silent after that.

"My day was just the same old. Meetings and work. This file needs a correction but I can't just find the mistake yet. Dad thinks it's all fine, but I just know that something isn't." Shivaay expressed as he took the file from her and opened it again.

"Can I see?"

"Yeah sure! Here you go!" Shivaay handed the file over to Annika and gave her a pencil.

Within minutes of going through the file, Annika found the mistake in the clause. It was a consignment deal but it had a little loophole in it wherein the other party can break the deal or escape from it. It wasn't difficult for her to find out but Shivaay was completely mind-blown when she pointed out the mistake.

"Wow! Like really wow! You are good at this Wify!" 

Annika smiled sheepishly and moved on to grab her nightwear when Shivaay pulled her back on the bed. Since she was in a saree, she tripped over the pleats and fell on him. His hands moved up to her bare waist while she had fisted his shirt's collar tightly. Looking into his eyes, she lost herself and had forgot how to breath. He, on the other hand, looked at her closely, being completely lost in her beauty. They were used to a certain level of physical contact, but none of it was like this. It was always the platonic hand touch and hugs. Though, they cuddled every night, it was nothing like this. The cuddling part was always an unconscious one, but this closeness was a very conscious and awakening. Slightly arousing as well.

"Shivaay!" She whispered his name when his grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer into him.

Shivaay hummed back in response. He was completely a goner for her and being this close to her consciously was very much awakening to him.

"I need to change." She barely managed to whisper it.

Gaining his self-control back, Shivaay let go of her waist, she got up, composed herself and rushed into the bathroom. As she closed the door behind her, Annika leaned against the door and placed her hand over her heart, trying to calm it down. She saw her blushing face on the mirror in front of her and blushed even harder. What was happening to her? Shivaay couldn't stop his goofy grin even after she ran into the bathroom. He had never been this close to any girls before this. And their closeness was beautiful for him.

Annika came out and they silently laid back on the bed. They turned to look at each other occasionally but neither said a word to each other. It was like, they were still contemplating over the moment they had a little while ago.

"You know, it's absolutely normal for husband and wife to be that close." Shivaay broke the silence. He was afraid that their moment a little while ago might bring them back to the first stage of their relationship.

"I know Shivaay." She answered back honestly. Right at the time, both of them turned to look at the other.

"I don't want us to be awkward because of it. Trust me Annika, I don't want us to have any physical relationship now. I mean, I have never had anything before, you will be my first and I really don't want it to be happening in a haste or just in the heat of the moment. I want us to feel the magic, like they describe it in the books and movies. So, is it okay, if we don't get awkward about that moment?"

"Shivaay, I... you... I can't speak everything openly... I'm a little shy. You will be my first everything too, and I also want to give it time. But I'm just... I really don't know how to explain the feeling. It's hard."

"I understand!" Shivaay assured her as he brushed his palms against her cheeks lovingly.

"You do?" She asked in surprise.

"Yes, I do!" He smiled back at her, content with her answer.

They needed more time.

"You're very sweet, you know!" Annika told him as they cuddled.

"Wow! A praise from you! It feels good to hear that!"

"I always praised you!"

"Those were more like praises that was formal. This one was personal, from your heart!" He grinned.

"If I knew you would be this cheesy upon hearing the praise, I would have never said it out loud!" She sighed.

That morning, during their coffee session, Shivaay had asked Annika to join him into Oberoi Industries but Annika denied right away.

"Come on Annika! You have a first class MBA from London and you're wasting your talent pointlessly like this!"

"Shivaay, you don't understand. My family will never let me work. The only reason I got to go to London was because I got the scholarship. If they knew about me working with you, that's it! World war 3 would be started here!"

Annika dreaded her family the most. She can never go against anything that they say. She was always the silent and obedient Annika while Gauri was the outspoken, rebellious one.

"Then let it come. I promise to be there with you, fighting right next you! I'm sure the entire Oberoi clan will be there, as a matter of fact!" Shivaay assured her after a little silence.

"What?"

Shivaay placed his cup aside and went on his knees in front of her. Annika held the sides of the cushion she was sitting on tightly as she kept her gaze on him. He slowly ran his hand through the length of her forearms and took her hands in his.

"Annika, I recognize talent and potential the moment I see how a person works. It was so foolish of me for not asking you this earlier, but, I see a lot of potential in you. You have this raw talent that I really want to see being developed into something great. I have complete faith in what I see in you. All that I'm asking is that you join the Oberoi Industries. You'll be working under me and be reporting to me. Okay? Give this a chance. Give yourself a chance." Shivaay was almost begging to her.

"But Shivaay, my family..."

"They don't have to know!" Shivaay shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay, I'll talk to Mom about this first. I'll talk to Papa and Dadi also. If they said okay, then I'll join the office!" Annika decided.

Shivaay just smiled back in response. Before this, he was doubtful whether she would join him in the office or not. But, now, he was certain that she would be there. His parents were the most supportive parents in the entire world and he knew that his Dadi would also encourage Annika to have her own career. Plus, when Shivaay decides to start his own venture, Annika could take  over his place until he would be able to manage both the companies at the same time. 

That whole day went off with Annika talking to the elders in the house about what her husband had proposed to her that morning. To her surprise, everyone spoke in her favour and encouraged her to join the office. In fact , Priyanka had made the effort up to getting her sister-in-law some formal wears to be worn in the office and Rudy had given her a little tips on how to deal with flirts at office. She was totally amused at their never ending support and love. This was something she had craved for from the very beginning and now when she was getting it all, she couldn't be more than grateful to God and of course her fate.

"So, what did everyone say and what have you decided?" Shivaay asked her, initiating their usual before bedtime conversation.

"Well, I've decided to join the Oberoi Industries", which made Shivaay's face glow immediately but only to fade away the next moment when she said, "But, I want to work my way from the bottom. I don't want to work under you and definitely not going to have any privilege of being your wife. Is that okay?"

"Not okay! Absolutely not okay!" He wanted to scream that out, but he knew that this was one of the best decisions she must have taken for herself. Besides, wasn't he the one who wanted her to stand up for herself and voice it out? Hence, when she was finally doing it now, how can he be denying her?

"Okay, fair enough! You shall start from the bottom, with no privileges of being my wife, but you'll be reporting to me. Woh... actually, I've been wanting to train you to take over the Oberoi Industries for some time in the future."

"Huh? Take over? You've got to be joking!" Annika tried to chuckle it away.

"No, Annika. Unfortunately, I'm not! I'll be venturing into my own company soon and until I could stabilize it and manage both of it, I'll be needing your help. I'm being very honest here!" Shivaay put his hand up, as as sign of 'it is what it is'.

"I... I really don't know..." Annika stammered being skeptical about herself. 

"You will ace it. I know you will!" Shivaay said as he cupped her face and leaned closer. Annika closed her eyes right away when she realized their proximity. Upon seeing her reaction, Shivaay sighed and moved away, muttering an apology under his breath. But, to his surprise, as soon as he turned away, Annika hugged him from the back and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Please don't be sorry!" She whispered and pulled away the hug. He turned around to look at her and was surprised when she kissed him on his cheeks along with a goodnight wish. He was completely awestruck by her kiss and began blushing profusely, like a teenager who had just knew that his crush likes him back. And why wouldn't he be? His wife had given him a kiss after two weeks of marriage. It had to be something special. That night, while they cuddled to sleep, Shivaay had kissed her on her forehead. Annika smiled shyly and lifted her head to look at him.

"What? Only you get to give me goodnight kisses, is it?" He asked, being goofy.

Annika simply shook her head and rested her head on his chest again. As much as she wanted to tell him that she really likes him, she was still shy. Besides, it was still to early. She came to a conclusion and quietly let sleep take over.

Three months passed by in this phase and both Shivaay and Annika were slowly beginning to develop feelings for each other. It was already there from the very beginning, but recently, the attraction towards each other was stronger than ever. Especially with their good night and good morning kisses on each other cheeks and forehead. It was definitely giving their relationship a whole new definition! Apart from that, they were also spending all their time together now, given that she was working for him. 

Then came The Annual Business Awards show and the entire business magnets were invited and nominated as well. It was quite a surprise when Annika was also nominated as the most promising new face in the industry. As much as Annika wanted to avoid being overshadowed by the Oberoi surname, she still can't avoid some of the privileges that comes with it. Shivaay was as usual nominated under the best businessman category. The Oberoi Industries was also nominated under a few categories. But, what took everyone, especially the Oberoi's was that there was a special award that year, for the most powerful couple in the industry and Shivaay and Annika made into the nominees along with Tej and Jhanvi. Hence, preparations for the awards had begun way earlier than it was supposed to be.

Annika who normally opted for traditional wears only, decided to go bold and took her mother-in-law's advice. She had worn a nude coloured, backless, button-up evening dress which had embroidery working on them. Her loose curls was set down with a minimum jewelry of just a pair of earrings. Her light make-up with a bold red lips completed the entire look perfectly. He, on the other hand, had gone all traditional, considering his wife's liking. He wore a knee length, black sherwani with a white pants to go with it. Though both of them were on a two different type of attire, they complemented each other perfectly.

"Wow! You're looking amazing!" Shivaay commented as soon as he saw her entering their room. She was getting ready in Priyanka's room where all the other ladies of the house were.

"And you look dashing!" Annika blushed as she praised him.

"Why, thank you! Actually, this is my wife's preference you see, so I'm bind to look dashing!"

"Oh! Well, as a matter of fact, this dress was chosen by Mom, but she did told me that my husband prefers this! So, I believe I had to look amazing!" Annika flirted back with him the same way he did a little ago.

Then, while looking at each other, both of them began to blush and look away. They were being the dorky, cheesy couple and it was sort of fun for them!

Once they got down from the car at the red carpet, the whole media's attention turned towards the new hottest couple in town. Everyone was asking for a couple pose of them and Shivaay goofily brought his left hand towards her waist and pulled her closer towards him. Though Annika was caught off-guard with his sudden action, she still managed to put on a smile, that of a Queen's, with her head held high in pride. And her husband, was looking nothing less than a King.

* * *

To be continued...