𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 [ON HOLD]

𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔯𝔱𝔶

Rudra was the first to rush ahead and envelope his grandmother in a tight hug as Kalyani Singh Oberoi chuckled wholeheartedly and patted her grandson's cheek lovingly. "I missed you, Dadi."

"I missed you too, khoteya," Kalyani smiled.

"Duffer, stop hogging all of Dadi's love," Omkara slapped the back of his brother's head. As Rudra stepped back grumpily, he wrapped an arm around his grandmother and placed his cheek on top of her head. "It's good to have you back, Dadi," he whispered softly. 

Kalyani chuckled at her grandson. "Missed me, did you?"

Omkara grimaced. "I apologise for my words when we were leaving h-ho—— Oberoi Mansion," he sighed, head bowed down in apology.

Kalyani sighed, "It's alright. I didn't take it to heart, Om." Patting his cheek, she turned to Shivaay who walked forward and bent down to seek her blessings. "Billu," her voice softened as her eyes laced with tears.

"Dadi," Shivaay sighed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Please don't cry."

"I'm so sorry that I couldn't——" she began, sniffling softly.

"Dadi, it's not your fault," Shivaay sighed, smiling softly. "Annika? Gauri?" He turned around to see his wife and sister-in-law standing to a side. While Gauri seemed hesitant, Annika simply looked displeased.

Glancing at her sister-in-law, Gauri chewed her lower lip. Her eyes darted to Omkara, who was frowning at her in puzzlement. Bowing her head, she walked past Annika towards Kalyani, and bent down to touch the elderly woman's feet.

"It's nice to see you again, Dadi," Gauri smiled hesitantly.

"I missed you too, puttar," Kalyani smiled gently, before her eyes darted towards Annika. Tilting her head, the elderly woman's eyebrows furrowed. "Annika? Puttar, is everything alright?"

Annika pursed her lips, eyes darting to Shivaay who was looking at her with a curious frown. "Everything's fine, Dadi," forcing the words out, with a tight lipped smile, Annika dragged her feet towards Kalyani and sought the elderly lady's blessings.

Although hesitant and confused, Kalyani blessed her nonetheless. "Jee te reh, puttar," Kalyani's gaze pierced Annika's, prompting the latter to shuffle on her feet before stepping back hesitantly.

"Bhaiya, this was a brilliant surprise!" Rudra grinned, clapping his hands.

Shivaay chuckled. "Well, we still have more things to prepare for."

"What things?" Omkara's smiling face morphed into one of confusion. "Shivaay," he arched an eyebrow at his older brother who smiled smugly. "What are you planning?"

"You'll see," Shivaay grinned.

꧁꧂

Annika chewed her lower lip as she rang the doorbell of the unfamiliar manor in front of her. Stepping back, she tapped her foot impatiently, the card clutched tightly in her hands.

She clenched her jaw in irritation as she recalled Shivaay handing her and his brothers cards which he'd ordered and had printed a few days ago, having already planned a party in honour of his grandmother.

Apparently, Kalyani Singh Oberoi's visit had been a plan in progress for a long time.

"Hello," Annika startled out of her reverie, as she blinked at the young woman in front of her.