As she changed her side on the bed she noticed a figure run past the window. She immediately sat up turning to her other side. She found Saumya nowhere. Priyanka frowned. Quickly wearing her slippers she stepped out of her room to see down the corridor. She caught a glimpse of something, rather someone moving down the stairs. She turned to looked at the wall clock on her room . It was midnight! How could it be? She had a strong feeling that the figure resembled Anika. She decided to call Dev, but then discarded the option. He was already so tired at the function. He would be fast asleep now. Finally she picked up her mobile and followed the trail. Reaching downstairs she pushed open the door of the storeroom, that was slightly open.

"Kaun hai? she asked. No response.

She took a few steps inside calling out but there was no response. Just as she was going to turn to leave the lights went on and her eyes widened. There were so many people and the room was so colourfully decorated. There were men dressed in suits and women dressed in glimmering carnival sort of dresses. But she knew none of them. Just then she was pulled by two men and her shock knew no bounds.

"Welcome to Prinku's Pajama Party read the big board, with pink text. Soon there was music and three men in hats stood before her. She blinked in surprise.

Hey surma lagaa ke

Latein uljha ke

Haath jiya pe mal-mal

Tere chhajje ke niche khade hain

Phans gaye jaise dal-da

There he was dancing like her favorite actor. In seconds tears shined in her eyes, remembering the day her brothers had promised to dance on that song on her "girls-party. His brother looked as handsome as ever his greenish blue eyes twinkling as ever. Soon the other two people standing beside him turned. It was Saumya wearing a wig similar to Omkara's hairstyle and Anika dressed like Rudra with little fake stubble.

Dancing Shivaay made her way to Prinku and wiped her tears as a part of the dance step and made her dance too.

Hey, naino ka nishana mujh pe laga ke

Goli chalai dhaayein dhaayein

Jhootha fasaana mujhko suna ke

Jaal bichhaya why? why?

Jhootha fasaana mujhko suna ke

Jaal bichhaya why? why?

Gulabo.. zara itr gira do

Gulabo.. zara itr gira do

While he danced with her sister Saumya smiled. She missed her brother immensely today. While the music played on Prinku and SHivaay danced with Anika of course. As the song climaxed, Shivaay hugged Prinku while Anika kept looking at the duo, and was about to move away, when his one hand stopped her. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and mouthed a thank-you, while he hugged Prinku. She smiled.

***

"Gulaabo..!" he sang as they walked down the corridor towards their rooms.

She turned slightly to look at him. He danced his eyebrows looking at her."It was so much fun! Hey wait tumaari daadi kahan gayi, you looked so cute."

Anika-"Very.funny.Maine yeh mucchi le li thii."

"Aww.!"

She turned at him with shinning eyes, "Aww?"

"Aw" ! he shrugged his shoulders casually. She nodded her head giggling looking ahead. He was looking terribly handsome. Her heart was already jumping excitedly when he was singing flirtatiously all along, and now that she knew his attention was on her, her heart was driving her nuts. She was tempted to peck him on his cheek.No Anika, not the kind of thoughts you should have!

She saw her room in her line of sight and sighed. He was lost in her. Even when she was dressed like a man he found her beautiful. The way she smiled, the manner in which she laughed throwing her head slightly behind, he had fallen too hard for her. It was time he should verbalize his feelings he thought. The thought made him grow crazy.

"See you tomorrow "she stopped at her room's door and turned to him!

He eyes caught glimpse of her lips in the dimly lit corridor as she spoke. His eyes then locked with hers, he took a step ahead towards her and she blinked, placing her hand on the door's frame, matching his gaze.

"thank you " he spoke leaning. "Good night!" he searched her eyes. His eyes running to and fro between her lips and eyes.

"Good night!" she whispered looking at his deep blue eyes. She was drowning in them!

***

"Try it Billu ji, I swear it will do nothing to your height!" She said forwarding her cotton candy towards his mouth.

"No.No! Don't you Anika. Nahi!" he said pulling back his face from it. This is so unhygienic and unhealthy.

But, Anika had taken up a challenge, challenge to make Baagad Billa eat cotton candy. No points for guessing it was Prinku's idea. They had come shopping to the busiest Bombay Baazar. Vikram had to skip it on account of his meeting being preponed, much to Shivaay's happiness.

"Arre try toh kariye!"

"nahi karna mujhe-try!"

"Billu Ji!"

"Anika!"

"Ahhh!"

She took a part of it in her hands, and there she was feeding him. He forgot he din't want to eat or whatever. All he knew was her soft hands feeding him. Her affection, sprinkling through her eyes.

He held her fingers as he ate it. She stiffened as his fingers made contact with his. Their eyes speaking what their voice couldn't. She quickly pulled back her hand. "Nice isn't it?"

"Not as much as you!" he winked and walked towards the exclusive boutique.

She gaped slightly her cheeks turning pink.Tadibaaz! Smiling she quickly followed them.

"This?" asked Prinku.

"Too bright!" said Anika turning back to bridal skirts the shopkeeper was showing her.

"Prinku see this.. "Anika and Prinku turned to Shivaay.

"Kaala shaadi pe kaun pehenta hai?" taunted Anika.

"What- I mean its classy, its sophisticated.."

"Anika sahi bol rahi hai, shaadi pe kala nahi!" Declared Daadi.

He threw the dress aside. "Alright, Anika ki maante hain.! " he said evidently challenged. Their choices were always poles apart.

"Yeh kaisa hai!?" Anika said excitedly.

"The color is out of fashion!" Stated Shivaay not liking the dress a bit.

"Aap log aise hi karte rahe naa, toh meri reception ki dress kabhi nahi select hogi!" Complained Prinku.

"It's because of Anika!" Shivaay folded his hands.

"Haww..me..it's because of your Billu Ji!"

"Don't call me that!" he whispered, looking around to make sure no one heard it.

"Anyone needs help?" asked Dev appearing inside the store.

Prinku thanked her stars. "Thank God, help me...with this I can't seem to select even one!"

Dev rolled his eyes, "what did we select that day!"

"Wo aage peeche ke functions ke liye thaa... reception ke liye.."

Shivaay, Anika and Daadi concealed their smiles at Dev's terror struck face.

Before Dev could turn to Anika or Shivaay the two turned to different directions and walked away. Sighing he sat beside Prinku. Who said weddings were easy job? Any day he would prefer to organise a wedding then wed!

Anika gently caressed a dress. It was so pretty. She turned the label to find the price and her eyes were almost out of their sockets. Were the dresses studded with real gems or something!

"You like it?" Prinku asked."Take it naa!"

"Nahi prinku mere paas naa bahut stock hai, aise bhaari bharkam kapde ka main kya karoongi jama karke!!" She laughed.

"Please, take one, it will be a gift from me!" Said Prinku. Daadi requested as well. While Anika cordially denied.

***

"See this!" they spoke in unison appearing from different directions with wonderful pieces in hand. Prinku stared from her brother to Anika.

"Oh no! You guys got more options!" Dev smacked his head.

Shivaay tittered.

Stealthily Shivaay indicated Anika to leave the two alone and they slipped out. While leaving Daadi in the other section to buy return-gifts and chunar.

"Coffee?" he asked.

She nodded in a no, as they walked around the shopping complex.

"Gol Gappe! she said looking at the vendor.

"No-No NoNo-No way!" he folded his hands standing rooted at the spot.

"Aap ko khaane ke liye kaun bol raha hai!?" she said pulling his hand.

"No- No-It's, it's unhygienic. " he said giving an animatedly distasteful expression.

"main jaa rahi hoon..!"

"Anika! It's very unhygienic."

She frowned."Please."

He had to give in. All he did was witness with bewilderment as one after the other she stuffed each puri in her mouth. She was soon hissing. Why did she even have to eat it at first place? He thought quickly fetching a mineral water bottle from an adjacent shop. Quickly opening the bottle he helped her drink it. "feels better!" she said thrilled.

"Bhaiyaa ek masaale waali paani ke bina dena!"

What? Did she just say that.

Shivaay's shock knew no bounds. He gaped at her.Was she for real? She just was jumping about with the her mouth cracking with effect of spice and now here she was asking for another masaale waali! Before he could express his rationality the deed had occurred. He looked away, how could people eat paani puri!

And once again she was hissing! "You-are-totally-mad-paagal-ho-tum!" he exclaimed, passing the water to her. As she drank water on and on he went, with is vivid description. In seconds the water was on his shirt. Yes ! she spat it out laughing. He stared at her in shock. The Baagad-Billa-look! Anika gulped.

"Sorry! " she uttered looking away and picking up a tissue and extending it to him.

He blinked, and then glared at people who were smiling and looking at him.

***

"Paanika! " he said still over-wiping his dried shirt.

"Mera naam mat bigaadiye. Jab koi paani peta hai usko hasaate nahi hai!"

"Maine-maine kahna hasaya? Aur sirf tumhe hi right hai kya logon ka naam bigaadne ka. Waise paanika is cute and quite apt." he argued .

"please!" she spoke looking around as they sat on a bench.

"Anika!"

"Huh?" she turned back to look at him.

"Close your eyes!"

She looked at him suspiciously. "Kyun?"

"Kyun what do you mean kyun, tum chup chaap se kissi ki baat nahi maan sakti kya?" he chided her.

"Okay.Okay.Lekin Kyun?"

"Anika!!"

"Okay Okay/.! " She quickly closed her eyes. He wished to kiss her instead of doing what he had intended to. Putting a break to his wandering thoughts he indicated a boy who quickly gave him a gift box and left.

He held her hand and placed the box on her palm."Surprise!" he said.

She opened her eyes, smiling."Yeh kya hai?"

"Crocodile's mouth!"

"Kya!" She almost left the box.

"Gift hai,kholo git oh pata chalega na!"

"Par..."

"Anika!"

She quickly opened to find a beautiful dress. Way beautiful, than the one she had seen. She looked in awe at the dress. "Beautiful!" she whispered. He smiled. "You liked it?" He simpered. She nodded in a yes.

"Great!" he said happy, that she had liked his choice. "Come you will need to give your measurements."

"No. Shi- Billu Ji!" a small smile curved up as she said that. He turned, to find her hand holding his.

"I can't take this!"

He sat back holding her hand in his palms. "I know exactly what you may be thinking. I know you Anika. But this is a really small gift. The gift of your friendship that you have given me, uske aage yeh kuch nai hai! Please le lo!"

She smiled,"Aap ek dum Daadi peg aye hain, mujhe lagta hai aapki family mein hi-kut-kut ke drama bhara hai! "

He giggled.

"Tumse zyada nahi!

"O Please.". she began.

"First come !" He said walking back to the boutique.

While he waited out for Anika he quickly called the jeweller. Soon Anika came out and they joined Daadi and Prinku at the shop.

***

"Anika"! he knocked at the open door of her room.

"Hmm" came her response.

"What are you doing!? he asked. How did she always manage to work in a bewildering manner!

"Good you came! Hold this onto yourself, bhaiya aap lighting lagaaiye! She said pointing at the lehenga.

"May ask whats happenin!?

"Wo main mandap ki lighting decide kar rahi thi. Prinku ka ghagra looks similar to this, so kis light mein wo best dikhega, wo dehk rahi thii, mere hatton mein mehendi hai, aap pakadiye.

"Wait. Mehendi ki rasam toh hone walai hai.."

"Haan toh kaam kon karega tab isliye Daadi ne mujhe baitha ke mehendi laga di!"

"I m out!"

"Billu Ji! " she called him. He closed jis eyes. Why did she have to call him that in front of everybody.

Soon he was standing putting women's clothes on his frame, to top it all she instructed another man to put the duppata over his head. "Anika!" was all he could say.

Vikram walked in laughing. "Jeez. Shivaay, tum toh khud dulhan ban gaye, dulhan dhoondne nikle thee yaan khud bane? " he laughed out, while Anika joined to laugh at his joke.

"Its not funny! " he glared at Anika, who immediately suppressed her giggles.

"Waise tumhe dulhan banaya kis ne?"

"Maine! " Anika shouted excitedly, and in a matter of seconds regretted, as Shivaay handed over the dupatta to the helper. "Ruko toh!" She ran with him chasing her.

Her laughter echoing with his in the huge house.

She was loving his attention, this new feeling, his caring side, his flirting one liners.

She was loving to be loved again!

P.S

Hope you all liked it!