Metaphor ||✔

|17|

"Annika...are you free on Saturday? We have Bhoomi puja before the construction starts." Shivaay started buttering her up in the hope of pacifying her.

"First concentrate on the present then we will talk about it." Annika shushed him and walked past him to the alter. Shivaay groaned at her answer but still followed her.

He was happy that the doctor had recommended removing the cast on his foot. He felt again as normal; walking the same with arrogance dripping. The sensation was nostalgia.

"Akdu" Annika mumbled as she glanced him over her shoulders. Shivaay drifted his eyes from the newly wedded couple Khanna and Mitali who were following the rituals the priest asked them to his wife. She was huffing-puffing with anger; it was all because of him. He pulled his lower lip out and pouted hearing her.

"I'm not akdu. I'm a good boy." He self pated and beamed with innocence. It was only till she glared at him, and as a reflex action, he raised his hands in surrender.

"You just accept that you are scared of dogs and cats." She gave a stink eye to him. He twisted the ends of his mouth before answering her back with the same attitude.

"I'm not scared of kittens but puppies are different...you know what I mean." Annika laughed hearing his lame excuses for not wanting a pet.

Shivaay was awestruck with her pearl white sets are she started laughing. He was rooted to the spot looking at her laugher, the moment felt so serene that he wanted the time to stop. And also gawk at her. Annika snapped her fingers in front, making him turn out of his thoughts. She shook her head seeing him scrape his nape in embarrassment.

"Baby, please join me in the inauguration. Please" Shivaay pulled out his best puppy face, while she looked away not to melt seeing him.

"Call me again baby, I will break your handsome jaw." She cringed hearing him giving her a pet name. Which she felt too filmy, cheesy and also dumb at the same time. Shivaay gave a toothy grin hearing her threaten.

"Fine, Gabbar Byko" he whispered coming near her ears, and as a response, she rolled her eyes.

"Byko? I never knew that my husband had mastery in the Marathi language." She raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner.

"Born and brought up here." He pulled the collar of his sherwani in a proud. "Please come naa..." He again requested.

"I would come only if I get a pet. Even a hamster is fine." Annika patted his cheeks before passing a huge fake plastered smile. Shivaay rolled his eyes watching her repeat, all the same, she said at home.

"Vaadhu aur vaar apne maa baap se ashirwad le." They both diverted their concentration from their bickering to the newly wedded couple, where both were taking the blessing from Mitali's parents.

.

"Badhaee ho. Bhagvan aane wale bachche ko ashirwad de." Bhavya smiled brightly as dadi placed her palms on her head, blessing her.

"Rudra congratulations." Omkara congratulated his younger brother happily. Rudra glowed as all congratulated him and his wife. After many days something was happening worth, and he was happy about it.

"What about your work? Are you taking leave or having a volunteer retirement?" Gauri raised her brows and asked bitterly. Omkara scowled at her glaring at her to stop her nonsense.

"Bhabi, I will be working in the station head office looking into the paper works for still a few months and then I will apply for maternity leave," Bhavya answered the unknown question while elongating it.