𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 [ON HOLD]

𝔱𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶 𝔣𝔬𝔲𝔯

Annika stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes sunken and her cheeks hollow.

She shut her eyes recalling the smiling face of her sister, before the sight of her sister's blue lips and bulging eyes snapped them open.

"Annika?" She heard a knock on the door, as Shivaay's voice floated through. Splashing cold water onto her face, she swallowed nervously, before steeling her nerves and opening the door. Shivaay tugged her elbow and pulled her into his embrace, "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

Annika's arms wrapped around him instinctively. She closed her eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of him—— the cedar and pine of his cologne, and the coffee he loved so dearly.

She tightened her arms around his torso, nodding slowly.

She wasn't alright.

But she wasn't about to let him know that.

"Annika?" Shivaay coaxed her to look at him, as he tilted her chin gently to face him. Her eyes blinked open, and she tried to move away. He tightened his arm around her waist, gripping her neck firmly, yet gently, as he held her in his grip. "What's wrong?" He asked softly. She swallowed, glancing away, her lips pursed into a thin line. "Annika?" He let out an exasperated huff. "Talk to me," he rested his forehead against hers.

Annika said nothing, and he opened his mouth once more, to urge her, when the sound of the ringing doorbell drew their attention.

"Who is it?" She frowned.

Shivaay arched an eyebrow.

Now, she'd suddenly found her voice?

Annika stepped away from him, and hurried down the stairs, walking towards the door. She pushed away the curtains, and let out a surprised squeak as she noticed the familiar looking trio.

"Annika?" She stood rooted in her spot, as she heard her husband call out, from behind her, while he walked down the stairs, "Who is it?"

The hurried steps came to a halt behind him, and she knew that he'd seen the three of them on the other side on the glass door.

Annika blinked, coming out of her stupor and opening the glass door, ushering in the newcomers.

Annika forced a smile onto her face as she faced the trio, "Come on in! This is a lovely surprise!"

She glanced at her husband who stood rooted to his spot.

Omkara was the first to break the silence as he cleared his throat, "It's good to s-see you, Sh-Shivaay."

Shivaay swallowed, nodding once as he glanced at his cousin.

"Bh-Bhaiya?" All four pairs of eyes darted to face the youngest Oberoi brother present, as he sniffled. "Bh-Bh-Bhaiya," he wiped away the water that ran down his cheeks and nose with the back of his sweater. "I m-m-missed you, Bhaiya."

Annika gripped Gauri's elbow gently, before inclining her head, "Come on," she whispered softly, steering her sister-in-law—— who had tears streaming down her cheeks—— away into the lawn outside.