Shivika OS- Paradise (09-12)

Annika smoothed out her skirt and crossed her legs before staring out of the window. They were about to land, and she could begin to make out the outline of her city. It was the beginning of December, so a thin layer of fog was covering Mumbai. It looked beautiful though, so early in the morning. Annika checked the watch adorning her wrist, and found that it was only 6. No wonder the city looked so peaceful.

She was broken out of her thoughts when one of the two airhostesses came to her.

"We'll be landing in 5 minutes, ma'am. Do you want some tea meanwhile?"

Annika smiled up at her. Suvarna, her name was.

"No, thank you, Suvarna. And I've told you to call me Annika."

Suvarna just smiled, before moving away to take her own seat. Thanks to her blooming Wedding Planning business, that was quickly gaining recognition in other countries, Annika often had to travel in their private jet. As a result, she had become quite friendly with the pilots and airhostesses. They even knew all about her food preferences now. Wistfully, Annika thought about how much her life her changed since she had married Shivaay around a year back.

Ah, her baggad billa. How much she had missed him. Admittedly, she had only been gone for 3 days, but that had been enough to make her restless. Impatiently, she urged for the plane to land faster, so that she could finally go home, to her husband's arms. To her paradise.

Taking out her phone from a small, Louis Vuitton travel bag, she wondered if she should call Shivaay. They had descended far enough for her to get network, but pondering it over, she decided to just meet him once she got home. He had insisted on coming to receive her at the airport, but she had firmly declined. He had had a late-night meeting last night, and she hoped that he was still sleeping, to get his much-needed rest.

Finally, the plane landed, making Annika grasp her armrests tightly. Landing never did go well with her- another reason her husband had given when wanting to accompany her on this trip. It had taken 2 days of arguing for Annika to finally convince him to let her go alone; although his care of possessiveness flattered her, his overpowering need to be with her all the time could get a bit overbearing. Especially now that she was a successful woman making frequent business trips.

"We're here, Annika ma'am."

Annika opened her eyes to finally the big teddy bear of a man- Khanna ji- staring down at her. He was, on such occasions, her 24/7 companion, since Shivaay would absolutely not let her go alone. And Khanna ji was the only bodyguard he would trust with his wife's safety.

Beaming, Annika got up.

"Phew, finally we're here."

Smoothing out her attire, Annika grabbed her bag and headed towards the exit. As she stood at the door, she could feel the cold wind blow, and realized that Shivaay would throw a frenzy over her outfit- a white, full sleeve top with cold shoulders, and plaid skirt that reached her mid-thighs. Biting her tongue, Annika braced herself for Shivaay's wrath. Firstly, he would reprimand her for wearing this in this chilly weather and secondly, he would follow it with the usual possessiveness he showed when she revealed more skin than he wanted the world to see'.

Shaking her head but smiling nonetheless, Annika descended the stairs, and followed Khanna ji towards the helicopter- oops, chopper- that would take them home. Rolling her eyes even as she got on, Annika marveled at what her life had become now. Private jets, helicopters, expensive cars. But ofcourse, she hadn't forgotten her loyal Champa, and still took her out for a ride sometimes, much to the chagrin of her husband.

The chopper soon landed on the helipad of Oberoi Mansion, and Annika couldn't control her excitement anymore. Soon, she would be with her family.

"You go ahead, ma'am. I'll bring your suitcase."

Annika offered a grateful smile to Khanna ji. No matter how many times she told him, he wouldn't budge from calling her ma'am. The man was a sweetheart.

Quickly, Annika made her way into the mansion. It was uncustomarily quiet; no one would get out of their room before at least 10 on a Sunday morning, and it was only 6.30 now. As she made her way towards her room, her ankle heel boots made clicking sounds against the marble floor, and she had to slow down. Best not wake the family up so soon.

Finally reaching their bedroom, Annika cautiously turned the door handle, and was relieved to find it open. Stepping half inside without making any noise, her face lit into the brightest of smiles when she spotted her kanjiaankhonwala. He had just woken up, was sitting on the bed with phone in hands, still wearing his white kurta. His bed hair was all ruffled up, and as he yawned adorably, Annika felt a surge of pride. Her husband really was devilishly handsome.

She was about to step inside after quietly locking and let him know of her presence, before he himself looked up and met her eye. Even in this half-asleep state, his Annika-detector seemed to be working just fine. As soon as he saw her, his face lit up and he was out of the bed in a second. Practically running to where she stood near the door, he yanked her by her petite waist and engulfed her into a tight hug.

"You're back," he said into the crook of her neck, rocking the both of them side to side.

"I am," Annika said, laughing. God, she had missed him.

"I missed you so much," he said reading her thoughts, not breaking the hug. Annika struggled to free herself, and when he finally let her go, she took a deep breath.

"I missed you too," she replied, cupping his face into her hands and staring hard at his grinning, beautiful face.

"Not more than I missed you," he replied childishly, before scooping down and capturing her lips. After a breathless kiss, they pulled back.

"God, Shivaay," Annika said breathlessly, rubbing of some red lipstick from the corners of his mouth, "let me atleast enter the room first."

Shivaay laughed. Taking her the bag from her hands, he put it on the table and made her sit on the couch.

"Do you want to eat something?" he asked.

Annika shook her head.

"Nope, I had breakfast on the plane. Now come and sit beside me."

Shivaay obliged, but instead of sitting beside her, he pulled her onto his lap.

"You look gorgeous. Gosh, I'm so happy you're back. I hate it when you're not around, babe."

Annika giggled, and then moaned as he began nuzzling her neck.

"I don't like being away from you, either," she said, making him face her and get her thoughts in control. Even after one year of their marriage, his proximity could reduce her to a puddle of hormones.

"But," she continued, "I have to work too."

Shivaay nodded with an understanding smile, and lovingly caressed her wild, curly hair that reached till her waist now.

"How was France?" He asked.

"It was amazing, Shivaay!" Annika exclaimed, passionately indulging in the story. "I'm so glad the Mehras' decided to hold the reception there. It's a khidkitod place. And the people are so nice too!"

"I know, love. I've been there, remember?" He said, making Annika pout. He kissed her on the lips again, hands moving down to her thighs. Suddenly, he pulled back, and Annika knew what was coming.

"Why are you wearing this in such a cold weather?" He chided seeing her mini skirt, and Annika rolled her eyes.

"It isn't that cold yet, Shivaay," Annika whined. Shivaay only looked at her sternly.

"But what's the need to wear this when..." he trailed off, wondering if he should proceed. Annika raised an eyebrow haughtily.

"When?"

"When I'm not around," Shivaay mumbled.

Annika closed her eyes in frustration, but despite herself, a small smile did escape. She really did know her baggad billa too well.

Looping her arms around his neck, she placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Can you leave everything else and focus on me for a while?" She asked in what was a highly seducing tone, and Shivaay instantly forgot everything else but her.

"Yes, love." He whispered, and without wasting a minute, carried her bridal style to their bed. What followed was a session of passionate love-making, that soon turned into many sessions resulting in them missing breakfast. But after three whole days of being apart, who was complaining?