As the jubilant crowd thinned, Annika found herself embraced by the warmth of her chosen family. Dadi, her face etched with pride, pulled Annika into a hug. "Annika, beta," she croaked, her voice thick with emotion, "you did it! We always knew you were a star baker, but to see you win this competition...it fills my heart with so much joy."

Rudra, ever the enthusiastic one, crushed Annika in a bear hug. "See, bhabhi! I told you you'd rock it!" he boomed, his laughter echoing through the hall. Priyanka and Om chimed in with their congratulations, their faces radiating genuine happiness. Even Mrs. Ahuja and Mrs. Patel offered their heartfelt congratulations, a few tears shimmering in their eyes. In that moment, surrounded by their love and support, the ache of Shivay's absence softened slightly.

Rudra, brimming with excitement, suggested, "Bhabhi, let's celebrate your victory with a grand meal at a restaurant!"

Annika, though exhausted from the day's events, didn't have the heart to dampen their spirits. She readily agreed.

After a delightful lunch with everyone, Annika returned to the penthouse, utterly drained. Collapsing onto her bed, she drifted off to sleep almost instantly.

She awoke with a start, the room cloaked in darkness. Night had fallen.  She emerged from her room, searching for Shivay, but the place was empty.  Deciding to call him, she retrieved her phone from her purse.

A barrage of messages from Shivay flooded the screen.  She opened one: "Annika, congratulations on your win! Sorry I couldn't be there in person, but I watched the live stream. We'll celebrate when I'm back."

Another message read: "Annika, I think I'll be late today." Followed by, "Annika, why aren't you picking up your phone?" Then, "Annika, are you asleep? It seems you are sleeping."  The most recent message: "Annika, be ready by 9:00 PM. I'll send a driver to pick you up."  It was 8:00 PM, giving her a mere hour to prepare.

Heart pounding with a nervous excitement, Annika rushed to the bathroom to freshen up.  Selecting a stunning pink suit, she applied a touch of makeup before heading downstairs to wait for the driver. Promptly at 9:00 PM, a car pulled up. As Annika settled into the backseat, a flutter of nerves filled her stomach. This was the first time they would be dining out since their marriage – a potential date night. Her mind swirled with questions. What did Shivay have planned? What did this gesture mean?

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Shivay paced through his meeting, his usual composure replaced by a frantic need to get things done. Mishra, his ever-observant assistant, had never witnessed such urgency from his boss. The reason, however, was clear – the Annika competition venue.

Just as the meeting concluded and Shivay was about to bolt out the door, a phone call doused his plans. A dispute between construction workers and his own company in Pune demanded his immediate attention. The workers had walked off the project, and with the issue concerning his own company, delegating was not an option.

With a heavy heart, Shivay diverted to Pune. While stuck in a meeting with the laborers, he stole glances at a live stream of Annika's competition. Elation surged through him as he witnessed her victory, quickly followed by a jolt of surprise. A glimpse of his family cheering in the audience section sent a jolt through him. Relief washed over him – Annika wasn't alone.

The negotiations with the workers dragged on, eating into his precious time. Shivay knew Annika must be fuming by now. To make it up to her, he decided to whisk her away to celebrate her victory at a fancy restaurant.

Back on the road to Mumbai, Shivay booked a table and sent a message to Annika, his calls going unanswered. He just hoped he could reach the restaurant before her, ready to make amends for his missed presence and shower her with congratulations.

********************************

The car weaved through the bustling city streets, the neon lights blurring into streaks of color as Annika tried to quell the butterflies erupting in her stomach.  She stole a glance at her phone, tempted to text Shivay, but decided against it.  Tonight was about letting him take the lead, about savoring the surprise.

The car finally came to a halt in front of a quaint Italian restaurant tucked away on a quiet side street. Annika's heart skipped a beat as the driver opened her door. The restaurant's warm glow spilled out onto the sidewalk, inviting and intimate. Taking a deep breath, Annika stepped out, her pink suit a vibrant contrast against the cobblestone street.

As she entered the restaurant, a wave of delightful aromas – fresh herbs, garlic, and simmering tomato sauce – filled her senses. A hostess with a welcoming smile led her to a table tucked into a cozy corner. The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on the tablecloth, and a single red rose stood proudly in a crystal vase.

Annika's gaze darted around the room, searching for Shivay, but he was nowhere to be seen.  A moment later, the sound of his voice broke the silence.

"Annika," he murmured, appearing beside her chair. He was dressed in a sharp suit, his hair slightly tousled, and a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You look stunning."

Annika felt a blush creep up her cheeks.  "Thank you," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "Where were you?"

Shivay pulled out her chair and helped her sit down. "Just making sure everything was perfect for our celebration dinner," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

"Celebration dinner, huh?" Annika teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Sounds suspiciously like a date night to me, Mr. Oberoi."

Shivay chuckled, his eyes twinkling.  "Perhaps, Mrs. Oberoi," he conceded, pulling out her chair. "Consider it a reward for your well-deserved victory, and a chance to discuss the future of Annika's Bakery...unofficially, of course."

As the evening unfolded, conversation flowed effortlessly between them. They discussed the competition, Annika's dreams for her bakery, and their hopes for the future. Shivay listened intently, his gaze never leaving hers, and offered insightful suggestions and unwavering support.

The food, a symphony of fresh flavors and textures, only heightened the romantic ambience. With each bite, Annika felt a growing sense of contentment. They lingered over dessert, savoring the rich chocolate and the sweetness of stolen glances.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night air washed over them.  Shivay car came  and as they settled into the backseat, a comfortable silence descended.

"Thank you for tonight, Shivay," Annika whispered, her voice laced with emotion.  "It was perfect."

Shivay turned to her, his eyes filled with warmth. "The night isn't over yet, Annika," he murmured, his fingers brushing against hers. "Consider it the first chapter in the exciting story of Annika's Bakery"

Annika's heart soared. As the cab weaved through the moonlit streets, the city lights blurring into a magical backdrop, she knew this was just the beginning.  The competition might be over, but a new chapter, filled with delicious possibilities, was waiting to be written.

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Thankyou for Reading

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