Shivika: Journey Till Our Hearts

|| 9. Shock! ||

Shivaay returned home at almost 9 in the night. The family was sitting in the living room with Annika present this time. She was animatedly watching the movie with all while munching on the popcorn from the tub Sahil had in his lap.

"Hello homies" Shivaay greeted everyone cheerfully.

"Hi" Everyone chorused and focused their attention back on the movie.

Shivaay let out an exasperated sigh and scratched his head with his finger. He couldn't understand the weird obsession his family had inculcated that they became oblivious to his presence. Hearing Annika's laughter, he understood. It was her love for Bollywood movies or better to say, romantic bollywood movies that had gotten the whole family addicted to them.

Shivaay faked a cough and heard Pinky say even without looking at him. "Drink some water and don't disturb our movie with that noise. Now off you go"

"Enough of this. Kaisi family hai yeh" Shivaay muttered, did his famous hair flick and went and removed the tv wire.

"What the hell Shivaay? ShahRukh was just about to propose to Kajol. You ruined it. Now put it on" Pinky roared, stunning Shivaay.

"Ha and all of you collectively were ignoring me because of an actor who is playing a fictional character and was only proposing some heroine. You do realize that none of this is real. It is all a movie. And mom, you were the one who called me in office and asked me to come home as you wanted to talk to me urgently. Now that I am here, you refuse to even look at me and be more engrossed in that stupid movie"

"Awww, look at billu getting all jealous. And that too of a film star" Pinky said and pulled Shivaay's cheeks making him cringe. He immediately held them as his mother had pulled them really hard.

"Mom" He complained as he saw everyone else were controlling their laughter or attempting to, in front of Shivaay.

"Okay okay. Calm down everyone. Billu, I need to talk to you about something. In fact, it is about you and Annika" Dadi said calmly and Shivika exchnaged looks of confusion with each other.

"Billu, after your marriage, you both said that you both didn't want to perform any rituals, but this is an age old tradition everyone in this family has done and we expect you and Annika also to do"

"What tradition dadi?" Shivaay asked softly, unsure of what's coming next.

"We all want you to leave this house and stay apart from us" Janvi was saying but Shivaay interrupted her.

"You are punishing me. Shaadi karne ke baad, you banish the men of the house?" Shivaay said with disbelief.

"Chup kar khote. Listen to whole thing first and then react" Dadi reprimanded making Omru and Prinku giggle.

"Ha toh I was saying that you and Annika need to spend one year away from Oberoi mansion and spend some time together" Janvi completed.

Whereas Shivaay and Annika's faces were in complete shock.

"Ye sab aap kya keh rahe hai? Tell me clearly" Annika said slowly after a brief moment of silence. Shivaay also nodded his head at that.

"Okay, I will explain" Tej said and asked them to sit. "After marriage, every couple in our family has to spend one year away from home, only with each other. This provision is, so that the husband and wife can get to know each other better. And about being alone, it eliminates all other responsibilities and allowes you to only focus on each other"