𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 | ✓

𝔬𝔫𝔢

Shivaay stared as Annika hummed while wrapping the flowers around her bun, her choti resting on the vanity in front of them. He rolled his eyes, as she put on the earrings and the bindi.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow.

He rubbed his temple in frustration, "I still can't believe you decided to don this," he trailed off gesturing with his hands at her.

She smiled sweetly, "Kumari Rosy Rani."

Shivaay sighed, "That."

She swayed her hips, her payals jingling. Resting her hands on his shoulder she pouted, "Do I not look pretty?"

Shivaay grabbed her hands as they played with the buttons of his shirt. He pushed her back softly, "Did you have to take on this avatar?"

She frowned, "Why?"

"A bit over dramatic wouldn't you say?" He raised an eyebrow.

Annika's eyes narrowed. "Main?! Overacting?" He nodded. "Thik hain phir." She turned around and swayed away, "Aap hii Veer ka plan find out kijiye." She switched to her fake accent, "Humare eyes se butter beh raha hai."

She sniffed haughtily and left the room as Shivaay looked up at the ceiling, "Kya karu main iss ladki ka?"

<>•<>

Annika walked towards the kitchen, her eyebrows creased in a frown as she approached Shivaay, Omkara, Bhavya, Rudra and Gauri. The five were giggling and chatting as Bhavya and Rudra bickered while Omkara merely jumped in to support Bhavya. Gauri hit her husband's arm with a chiding glare while Shivaay merely smiled as he stirred the pot of pasta.

"Bhoujai," Gauri ran to her, pulling her over the threshold.

"Kya kahan Saumya ne?" Shivaay inquired.

"What would she have to say?" Annika avoided his gaze. "I'm the one who did the talking."

"Matlab plan chaupat," Shivaay sighed, letting go of the spatula.

"Kya plan chaupat?" Annika frowned. "What is your problem?"

"Your overacting," Shivaay deadpanned.

Annika hooked a finger around the shoulder straps of his apron and pulled her towards him. Her in-laws looked the other way, as Shivaay tried to detangle her grip. She huffed, turning to Gauri, Omkara, Rudra and Bhavya.

The four looked like deer caught in headlights, glancing nervously at each other.

"Tum logo ko kya lagta hain?" Annika raised an eyebrow, meeting all of their gazes one by one, "Main overacting karti hoon?"

"Bilkul nahi!" Omkara and Rudra replied simultaneously, throwing scandalised looks at Shivaay who rolled his eyes.

"Bhabhi ke chamche," Shivaay muttered under his breath.

Annika threw him a glare, effectively quietening him.

"Aap toh kirdar mein ghuske acting karti hain," Gauri added.

"And I swear Bhabhi!" Bhavya said seriously, "Everytime you walk with the flawless sway of your hips! Aapse nazar hii nahi haat ta."

"Hume bhi sikhna hain," Gauri encouraged her, glaring at her husband who groaned quietly beside her. Bhavya nodded.

"You three, move!" Annika pushed Shivaay away, making sure to do it extra hard, as Gauri and Bhavya too followed suit. "Let me teach my sisters-in-law."