The Heart Gets What The Heart Wants/FF ShivIka(Ud:May08 Ch:34a/pg141) - Page 61

Originally posted by: LyssaPie

Please update soon

Originally posted by: pritzz

Woman! When are you updating .. I am waiting

Kitna intezaar karwayegi ab...

Update karde warna jaha tu dikhi forum me waha spam karna start kar dungi "update.Update" karke 😆😆

Originally posted by: NYCForever

hey aasya - brilliant update! i have read it a few times, now on to the next chapter, hun! cant wait 😉

Originally posted by: asya34

Soon ... promise 😊

Originally posted by: asya34

I will dear. Just been busy with work and have not had much time ... but I promise soon :)

Chapter 27: Sun salutations and Sworn promises to oneself

The January morning was misty and dreamlike as they stepped out from the backdoor that led to the kitchen garden, which was at the back of the Mansion, eager to avoid bumping into anyone who might have been awake at this hour. They were crisply greeted by Rajveer, who was a little taken aback to see his boss accompanying his wife today, her arm firmly tucked into his and his face looking relaxed for the first time since he started working here , which was almost 10 years ago. Annika casually greeted Rajveer with her usual 'Good morning Bhai Saheb' at which Shivvay snapped his head towards a very uncomfortable looking Rajveer who was wearing an apologetic look for being addressed as such by Mrs. Annika Oberoi.

Shivvay shook his head in disbelief at her informal attitude towards his staff and grinned down at his completely oblivious wife's, marveling at her ability to make the most insignificant person feel important and noticed. Shivvay realized after walking a short distance that Rajveer had been discreetly following them a few paces behind, his eyes constantly scanning the grounds sharply. He was further amused that he had to assure the man, at least a couple of times that, 'Yes, Mrs. Oberoi would be safe under his care and that no harm would come to her.'

He wondered, in hilarity, if he would be scanned and patted down the next time he walked into his wife's presence. It was obvious that Rajveer took Annika's safety as a personal responsibility rather than a duty and he was curious as to why. After chatting his wife up a bit about Rajveer he learned from her that Rajveer's wife had recently been the victim of a robbery, when she was going home from work one evening, a few weeks ago. She had been hospitalized for a serious would on her neck and the poor man had been beside himself with worry.

When Annika had found out from Khanna, she had asked him to drop her off at the hospital to spend a few hours every day by her bedside, till she had been discharged to go home. She was on the mend now but that incident had shaken Rajveer Bhai up real bad. He had told Annika that he knew exactly what it felt to fret and worry about a loved one and thus would never let Annika out of his sight during her morning walks because he knew exactly how Shivvay Sir must feel about her safety.

Shivvay was astounded once again at Annika's kind and compassionate heart, wondering if he ever would be deserving of her and her love. How natural it was for her to care for and help people without wanting anything in return? How had he been foolish enough to hurt such a kind soul and how much would he have to repent to wash his sins away? As he listened to Annika in silence, taking in every expression and gesture she made, she led the two of them in the direction of the 'Secret Garden'.

The sun was almost up, as Shivvay stopped at the entrance and unhooked Annika's arm gesturing that she go in, while he turned to walk away. He was surprised to find her slip her hand into his to stop him from leaving and pull him gently towards her. As they stood inches apart facing each other, Annika put her other hand on Shivvay's heart and smiled softly.

"You are not going to leave me halfway now, are you Mr. Oberoi??! You promised to never leave me alone again, remember??", she asked with a small smile as her eyes shone with sincerity.

I felt my heart fill up with love and thankfulness that she wanted to share her sanctuary with me. I knew that she came here to get away from me and it all, but today she was actually inviting me to join her in her sacred space. I nodded wordlessly, afraid that if I spoke I might break the spell that wrapped itself around us.

She hooked her arm in mine once again as we entered the Jasmine filled arbor into the garden and strolled in companionable silence on to the arched bridge. She stood where she always would, on the highest point on the arch of the bridge but this time with me behind her and not just an outsider looking in, as I had done for more than a dozen times in the past.

Then she closed her eyes and tilted her face up, smiling at the first rays of the sun and sighed softly in contentment, as if drinking in the rays like a Goddess on Earth. I looked at her, mesmerized as always, but today it was different. Today I could touch the vision I would normally worship from afar.

"Annika... !!", I whispered as I watched her in revered awe, my eyes never leaving her face and my heart beating erratically. I could have sworn I saw her glow and shine like she was the daughter of the Sun God himself, bathing in his glory, and as if he was going to lift her up to the sky and away from me because I had been unworthy of her.

I could not restrain myself from slipping my arms around her and holding on to her, least she float away from me and into his domain forever.

I knew in that moment that I would die without her and renounce the Earth just like the Lord had done for his wife Sati, if I had ever lost her to the other world. I had decided then that she was mine to hold and keep forever, no matter that I would have to fight death for it.

She was now my life (Jaan) without whom I would be a hollow shell of a man and everyone knew that Shivvay Singh Oberoi did not lose his life (Jaan) that easily. I pressed my lips on her upturned forehead and breathed in the essence that was Annika, promising myself that I would never let her go; no matter what barriers I would have to overcome.

But I knew very well that, for that to happen, the Shivvay Singh Oberoi of twenty odd years had to slowly die first and only then would the new one be able to take his place. There was a lot of changing to do and a lot of old beliefs, which I had grown up with, that, would have to be laid to rest. I had to choose between my need and my want and Annika was clearly my 'need'.

My thoughts were broken by Annika's soft questioning voice, "Isn't this calming and beautiful Shivvay??", and then she turned in my arms slowly to look at me with her soft deep black eyes that I could drown in.

"Yes it is", I replied in a dazed voice, as I drank in her beauty and serenity like it was a magic potion, "very beautiful and enchanting."

"I am speaking about the sun rising Shivvay!! But I get the feeling that is not what you are referring to", she said a bit annoyed, one eyebrow raised at me, in displeasure, for not making an effort to enjoy what she was. I smiled affectionately at her tiny tantrum as I shook my head at her childlike innocence.

"I am speaking about the sun, Annika, who is reflecting her light on her moon and in turn making him shine", I teased with a smile and continued, "you did say I was your moon once, remember?"

"I was referring to my 'chand' stuck in your wrist watch not you," she retorted as she gently unwound my arms from her and walked down the bridge towards the bench by the pond, "so don't go around getting a swollen head about it. I never called you my 'chand' ever."

I grinned impishly as I followed her down the bridge, took my place on the bench next to her and then throwing my arm around her comfortably I pulled her close to me before she could protest.

"But I AM' your chand!", I countered with full intention of teasing her as I leaned in to kiss her cheek, my lips just a hairsbreadth from her soft skin, and finished by saying, "because you do light me up and get my blood going every time I am next to you."

She froze and almost stopped breathing as I slid my hand up her arm slowly and buried it in her soft curls while I took my time and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

Then my lips slid down, never losing contact with her soft skin, and nuzzled her neck while I breathed in deeply to soak Annika in and said, "I am banking this one so that it lasts me for the rest of the busy day. I know you train with Papa today and I won't see you till dinner, and even then I will have to be my usual 'Taddibaz' self with you to keep up the pretenses in front of Tia for now".

I felt her tilt her head slightly to one side so as to give me better access and I groaned in pain at the tight self-control I was fast losing a battle with since last evening. I instantly remembered the taste, the feel and the depth of the heady kiss we had shared just a few hours ago, along with her passion filled response to me and I made my decision.

I swiftly turned her cradled head towards me, while her face wore a surprised expression, and I mumbled in a desperate voice, "I am sorry Annika but you seem to be a very bad influence on my normally perfect self-control and I know that if I do not do this I am not going to be able to work all day. So in the interest of your husbands mental health and Family Business I have no other choice but to kiss you", and I swooped down to claim her slightly parted lips, with the full honest intention of banking this one too, to last me until desert.

We always parted for lack of air to breathe and then rested our foreheads to catch our breath. Kissing my wife, at every opportunity that presented itself, was fast becoming a delicious habit and one that I was very happy to acquire, I was proud to say.

I lightly ran my thumb over her swollen lips as she gasped slightly and smiled in wonder, amazed that I could have such an effect on her. The same girl who had said to me that 'I did not affect her in the least' was now swooning in my arms since yesterday. It could make any red or blue blooded man, for that matter, feel like Don Juan.

I was drifting on cloud nine with Annika right there beside me when I realized, to my bitter disappointment, that we would have to leave Paradise and come back to planet Earth for now. There was a lot to do and a lot of business to take care of from my end to make sure that Annika remained a permanent part of my life.

"Annika ...", I whispered against her hair as I stroked her back gently.

"Hmm??... ", came the soft dreamy reply that cut through my heart. I was suddenly struck by the scary thought that I had almost lost this beautiful and endearing woman because of my foolishness once.

"Please promise me you will give me a fair chance to redeem myself and help me on my road to redemption as well", I begged as I held on to her tight. She moved back slightly and looked up at me with her usual serene face.

I gazed down at her my heart hammering in anxiety and continued, "I have no idea if what I am doing is enough or right, so I need you to tell me what it is you need from me as we go down that road", I finished with a gentle squeeze.

Annika smiled and nodded while she replied lightly, "Trust me Mr. Oberoi I will. I have never hesitated to pull you up in the past and will not hesitate to do it in the future as well. You can count on that. Now shall we go back? I am hungry from the midnight chat and tired from lack of sleep", she asked with a slight nod in the general direction of the house, as she stifled a yawn.

I unwrapped my arms from around her reluctantly and slowly stood up, while taking her hand in mine and saying in the sternest voice I could muster, making sure to avoid her adorable sleepy face, "No training today till after lunch. I will speak to Papa about it. You just eat and take a nap till you are ready to focus on numbers. We both know how good you are at math when you are fully alert, half asleep you will be completely useless at it".

That was enough to bring back the old Annika as she snapped back in her usual challenging tone, "Maybe I am bad at math because you are a lousy teacher Mr. Oberoi. I am sure Papa is better, smarter and a more patient teacher than you are. I challenge you that, after training with Papa for a month, I will be as good as you Mr. Calculator Singh Oberoi!"

I grinned roguishly as a mischievous thought crossed my mind. I tucked strand of hair behind her ear, tempted to kiss the spoilt brat face that she was fast developing around almost all of the family who pampered her to the moon and back, as I replied in the same challenging voice, "One month is it??!! Alright... challenge accepted. If you win I do whatever you say for one week and if I win you do whatever I say for one week. Agreed??!!!", and I arched my eyebrow questioningly.

I saw the look of panic cross her face at the terms of the challenge and I goaded her on purpose, "What's the matter??!! No confidence in yourself or in your Papa??!! I thought you were sure of him being a better teacher than I but now I see you have niggling doubts about that though."

Her eyes widened at the statement and then narrowed in anger at the insult. Then with a proud toss of her head and her chin jutted out in rebelliousness, she replied firmly, "My Papa IS better than you are!!! Challenge accepted!! I am going to make you scrub his 'Puja Room' floors on your hands and knees till I can see my face in it."

I laughed at her annoyance, as she turned on her heel smartly and started walking towards the house her head held high in defiance and thought with delight, "I was so going to enjoy Mrs. Annika Oberoi doing my bidding for a week."

I followed her, mentally rubbing my palms together with glee and planning all the delicious ways I was going to claim my prize for a whole week from my irresistible and very untamed' Pannika.

The numbers were adding up rapidly in my head as I thought, "That was 7 days which was equal to 168 hours and that meant..." but before I could calculate any further I heard her clear voice call out from over her shoulder as she approached the kitchen door saying, "I can hear the wheels in your head turning Mr.Oberoi. I would not start counting my chickens before they hatch. You obviously have forgotten the word 'Check Mate' that was thrown at you in the very recent past by none other than charming 'ol ME"

Chapter 28 - Page 97

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