Annika had resumed work after Anayka was born. It had been a year since she had actually come to office. Her daughter was one and a half year old and like every daughter she was a complete daddy's princess. She wanted Shivaay more than her. Not that she complained. She absolutely adored the bond that father-daughter shared. Shivaay was only the one who encouraged her to join her event management company again. She had wanted to take a longer break so that she could give more time and attention to her daughter but Shivaay being the stubborn one had sent her to work. And hence, here she was sitting in her office cabin looking at the picture of her handsome husband and cute daughter. She was smiling continuously. She decided to call him before she started her work. Picking up her phone, she gave him a call. He picked up after five rings.
"Hello Shivaay. Why so much time in picking up my call? Where have you been and how is Nika?"
"Annika calm down, I was preparing for my meeting with Mishra. And yes, Niku is fine. I just video called Gauri and Niku has had her breakfast and is playing with Omru. Annika you forget about home tensions and only concentrate on your work till you are in office. Do well and don't take extra tension about Nika okay. She's a wonderful child. She won't trouble anyone if we both aren't at home. She's quite obedient. So take a chill pill and we will meet at home okay. I have a meeting now. All the best, you will be just fine. I love you"
"Jaanti hu, I love you too"
"Jaanta hu, Bye. Take care"
"Bye."
It was almost 7 when Annika finished her work. But she wasn't tired, instead she was hell excited. She just wanted to run home and engulf Shivaay and Anayka in a hug. She quickly gathered her belongings and went towards her car. She reached home in 10 minutes and the smile on her face widened when she saw Anayka sitting on her bed with Gauri coloring in her book. Gauri saw her and left her room as she had to go to Om's art exhibition. She was just waiting for Annika or Shivaay to come back. Anayka loved spending time with Gauri after Shivika and Gauri indulged her too. Annika went towards her and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Anayka looked at her and gave her a long, tight hug. Annika could feel the intensity of the hug. She broke the hug and took Anayka in her lap.
"Niku, what happened? You are in our room today. You sit with Gauri maasi in her room with Om chachu no?"
"Yes mumma, Niku missing you and Dadda. So Maashi and me here.", Anayka said in her cute baby language.
Annika was surprised at how much her daughter missed having her parents around. She kept her down and asked her to wait for a few minutes until she freshened up. Annika knew that Anayka was responsible and she would patiently wait until she came back. And sure that, when Annika came after changing clothes she saw her daughter still coloring haphazardly all the while enjoying herself. An involuntary smile crept up her face and she went towards her, "Niku, Mumma will also colour with you. Come, we will both spend some Mumma-beti time till your Dadda comes okay? "
"Yayayyy", Anayka clapped her hands in joy and forwarded her crayon to Annika and crawled her way to her mother's lap. They continued coloring and their faces depicted just pure joy.
Shivaay was tired to the bones when he returned home after work. He knew that Annika had come back. He had his coat in his hand, his waistcoat open and tie loosened. He walked towards the room and the scene in front of him made him smile wholeheartedly. He walked in, threw his coat and crashed on the couch. That made his presence aware to the other two present in the room. His eyes were closed and and one look at his face made Annika realise how tired he is. Annika whispered something in Anayka's ear and she giggled hearing her mother. Annika took her in her arms and went to the other couch and placed Anayka on it. Anayka stood up on the couch and bent towards her father and kissed his cheek and started playing with his beard. Shivaay didn't open his eyes and stealthily picked her up and caged her in his arms. Annika smiled and sat on the couch beside him. Anayka was surprised at her father's actions and was fidgeting with his face so that he opens his eyes. Finally giving up, he opened them and straightened up to face his naughty princess.
