Our Own Battles

Chapter 21

Anika began to wake up but she really did not want to. She never felt so at peace and content in her life. She moved a little and the hand around her waist tightened. Wait What! A hand. Anika was fully awake now. She turned slowly and looked into Shivaay's sleeping face. She slowly raised her hand and traced his features slowly not to wake him up. She looked adoringly at the man she loved with everything. Part of her just wanted to tell him everything and get it over with but the other part saw him with his family and the love he has for them, and that part wanted to protect him. She slowly placed a kiss on his cheek. Her hand now was on his chest, she decided to be selfish for once and think of herself. She snuggled closer into Shivaay's arms, which automatically tightened around her.

Shivaay let out the breath he was holding. He was awake even before her. When she turned to face him he shut his eyes quickly. To say he enjoyed he little touches was an understatement. What surprised him the most was when she kissed him and snuggled into him? He thanked the Gods for this moment. The last time she had done that she left him. God knows what today would bring.

What seemed like only a few minutes was actually an hour. They had snoozed for an hour. Gauri, Saumya was looking for Anika and Om and Rudra for Shivaay. They looked all over the house. When automatically met at the pool side. They were frantic for Anika and Shivaay and here they were fast asleep in each other's arm. Om and Rudra finally noticed Gauri and Saumya. Rudra was shocked and shouted "Somu" and ran to hug Saumya. Saumya and Rudra was locked in a tight embrace with tears free flowing down their faces now.

This woke up Shivaay and Anika instantly. Anika and Shivaay sat up immediately and looked at the audience they had, they both blushed. Anika was the first to make a move but the she was stuck. He hand was stuck on Shivaay's chest or more like his button. Anika pulled again but Shivaay remain still, this caused a jerk allowing Anika to land on Shivaay's lap. Anika began to panic and tried to remove jewellery that was stuck on Shivaay's shirt. Her eyes began to tear up.

As much as Shivaay loved the position they were in, he could not stand the tears in her eyes. Shivaay tried to help her remove the jewellery, he looked down and was shocked. Was that her mangal sutra? The mangal sutra that he tied. He looked closely and saw the diamond pendent. Shivaay's heart was soaring, he wanted to ask her so many questions but he got distracted by Anika's tears. Anika did not want Shivaay to see her mangal sutra. She yanked her hand so hard that the button came. She ran to the room.

Gauri followed her. Saumya promised Rudra they would catch up later and went after her bhabhi's. She stopped, turned and smiled at Rudra and said "I missed you", Rudra smiled and said "I missed you too". Saumya turned and went after Anika.

Shivaay and Om took no time to begin teasing Rudra. Shivaay's phone rang, it was his dad. Shakti and Tej had an emergency meeting in London and had to leave immediately. Shivaay was summoned to the office to help with prepare. Shivaay thanked God for second time that morning, this time for the rescuing him or his brothers would never stop teasing him.

Gauri and Saumya was waiting for Anika to come out from the shower so they could start their teasing session. Anika knew it was coming, she opened the door and started talking immediately "You guys, nothing happened. Don't start. We just fell asleep togeth..." she closed her mouth instantly Pinky was standing in front of her and Gauri and Saumya shaking the heads behind Pinky.

Pinky saw Shivaay leave for the office and decided it was a perfect time to show Anika her place, "I have no time for your nonsense. I came to tell you that before the haldi is Ragini's choora rasam. You are going to be her Bhabhi so you have to do the rasam. Ragini, my bahu insisted!" saying that Pinky left the room.