A week had passed and Omkara and Gauri were still getting used to be being around each other. Gauri spent most of her time indoors while Omkara went out for work. They had little interaction during the evenings when they had dinner together. Apart from that Gauri stayed in the room, mostly. She had applied online for a few job roles and was waiting to hear back. She had aimed at small companies. When she got back three rejections and no responses from others she decided to apply for a job at a few local cafes. She needed money, sitting and waiting wouldn't work.

Luckily, a cafe five kilometers away was in need of an employee who could join immediately. Gauri had dressed up in her denims and black tee, something she wore every other day. She had only four pair of casuals. But having limited money she had put off buying clothes at the end of her list for now. She was being very careful with her expenses. She had already paid the rent but she felt bad that she didn't pay for the food neither did she buy food. However, she made her contribution by doing most of the cooking. Something Omkara seemed to really appreciate.

"Hey!" Omkara greeted looking up from his iPad, when the door to her room opened. One glance at her and he guessed she was going out.

"Hey!" Gauri smiled and then added, "Uh, I am heading out for some work. You'll be here right? I don't have the key." She explained.

"Yeah, I will be here. And as for the key, I have a spare. Let me give it to you before it slips out of my mind." Saying that he quickly disappeared into his room and then returned with the spare key. 

"Thanks!" She spoke, securely putting the key in her handbag. "See you later."

"Gauri!" He called before she could even turn fully.

"Uh, I don't have your number."

Gauri blinked trying to register what he said. "Oh, yeah, my cell number. I have yours ..." she said confused and then realized she hadn't had the need to call him so he wouldn't have hers. "But you don't...let me give you a call right away." Saying that Gauri quickly dialled his cell number. She smiled when his cell began to ring. "There!"

"Have a good day," he wished cordially with a very formal smile.

Gauri smiled with a slight twinkle in her eyes, "Thanks!" With smile on her face she stepped out. 

Once the door had shut, Omkara brought his lips into a straight line. Where was she headed on a Saturday? He shook his head dismissing the thought. It was none of his business. She seemed like an okay person. Maybe he should just mind his business. 

He hadn't made an official contract with her or anything of the sort. She had paid the month's rent in advance and he was okay with it. She didn't seem to want a proper document or contract. There was something about her that seemed mysterious to him. Or maybe again he was just overthinking... She had runaway from home. Maybe she was just scared she'd be traced or something like that. That made sense. 

The ringtone of his phone caught his attention. He took a deep breath and took the call. "Hi, Shivaay!"

"You really don't miss any of us, do you?" Came his brother's voice from the other end. Omkara smiled. He seemed super pissed.

"Not really," Omkara replied teasingly.

"Yeah, of course. I was really hoping you'd called."

"Shivaay, I... I don't know what to talk about."

"Everyone wants to talk to you. They literally plead me at least once every freaking day. Talk to them once. I have reassured them that you're doing well. But you know that's not enough..."

Omkara sighed, throwing his head back on the headrest of the couch. "Fine. But you're warning them to not bring up anything from the past."

"Deal. I will call you back in some time. Face time."

Omkara sighed, "okay!"

"You're okay right?" His ever concerned brother asked warily.

"More than okay." Omkara replied smiling.

"You know you can..."

"..I do." Omkara  replied without waiting for him to complete. He smiled knowing that his brother probably smiled at it too. "And, I miss you..and Ru!"

" Finally!" Shivaay sighed in relief. Omkara chuckled.

"So, how are things between you and Anika?" 

"Umm, we are figuring out..." came a mumble in repsosne.

"Really?" Omkara chuckled. "I am not buying that."

He heard his brother go silent and that gave him enough clue that his brother was hiding something. "Spill the beans already!" He urged.

"Okay, so...umm, we have fixed things you know... and, it feels nice."

Omkara smiled broadly. "Really Shivaay? Fixed things?" He let out a heartfelt laughter. "Can't you just say, you love her, directly? Just say the damn words. I wonder what took you so long to accept it. I think everyone else knew before you did that you love her madly and she's no far behind you, at that."

"I don't know. I can't do this stupid love talk and all, but yes, what I feel for Anika is ... it's just inexplicable."

Omkara smiled longingly. "I am happy for you both. You better treat her better and please, don't go all angry man on her. She deserves every little bit of your love."

"She does, I agree." Shivaay agreed thoughtfully. "Okay then, I will give you a call in some time."

"Okay, see yaa later!" Omkara spoke finally ending the call. 

Silence loomed in the air. 

He was really happy for Anika and his brother. He always had a strong liking for Anika. Her strong headed, stubborn personality on the outside and the caring girl who wanted to rescue everybody and anybody in need of help, deeply moved him. Her liking towards his brother was very evident. She was like a moth who just craved to be around the fire, fire being Shivaay. Their connection made Omkara crave something  meaningful like that in how own life with someone special. A person who can't tolerate you but still would do anything for you. It was kind of special to have someone like that.

* * *

It was six in the evening and Gauri hadn't returned yet. Omkara had had a long day. First talking to his family and then adding the final touches to his statue that he had left abandoned for so many days. He was encouraging himself to get to the kitchen and start cooking. It took him a while to cook. Something his brothers always joked about. He couldn't really help. 

His phone rang, he wondered who was the unexpected caller. He quickly looked around and made his way to the room where he had left his phone. He was surprised to read the called id - Gauri. 

"Hello?" He spoke picking up the call. 

"Hey, Gauri here. Umm, what's your preferred pizza topping ?"

"What!" Omkara exclaimed, bemused. 

"I am in the queue, my turn is next. Tell me fast, what's your preferred topping?"

"Uh, I like all...I mean gardenia. It has ca.."

"Got it, got it. I like that too. Bye!" Saying that she hurriedly ended the call.

Omkara's eyebrows drooped with thought. What was that? He shrugged smiling, he didn't have to cook. Humming to himself he walked out of the room. 

Twelve minutes later, his phone beeped with a message. It was from Gauri that read - Don't make anything for dinner. Treat is on me.

Omkara smiled. A minute later he realized he was smiling. His smiled faded and he decided to shower up. He hadn't bathed since the morning. 

* * *

"Dandelion Garden?" Omkara asked as Gauri was setting up the dining table by arranging all the food she had bought. 

"Yup," Gauri answered. She was really happy that the old lady at the cafe had immediately hired her after talking for five minutes or so. She had signed a simple contract that stated the job role, the payment, leave allowances and finally two weeks notice she was supposed to give before leaving.  Gauri didn't really mind that it was the second shift of the day.

Gauri really wanted to celebrate the tiny milestone. After weeks something was finally happening like she wanted it to. She had decided to pick up some pizza and have a treat for dinner with Omkara. 

"That place serves some of the best strawberry muffins." He mused.

"Really? Thanks for the heads up. I am definitely going to try that first." Gauri winked and Omkara smiled.

* * *

"Is that a DVD player?" Gauri asked walking out of her room. Sundays were boring and extremely slow. She had watching three episodes of the web series she was currently hooked to. 

Omkara looked up as she walked put of the room and made her way towards him. "Yep it is."

Gauri's eyes were on the screen, "That is Kishore Kumar right?"

Omkara smiled looking at the screen, "yes. It is a song from the movie Bombay To Goa."

Gauri looked on impressed, "So you're into old Bollywood classics?"

Omkara slowly nodded, "that's one way to put it. But I would count the sixties flims and before that as classics."

Gauri squinted her eyes and looked at him, "and this is?"

"Seventies!" He answered thoughtfully.

"Hmm, for me anything before two thousand is classic."

Omkara chuckled, looking at the second hand television while Gauri picked up the DVD album and started flipping through the pages. There were volumes from Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, R.D Burman and others. "Woah, you're a total Bollywood music fan!" She spoke looking at the titles displayed on the compact discs.

"Ninties and before yes, songs nowadays suck big time." Omkara spoke looking at the screen.

"Not all." Gauri pointed out, looking up at the screen as the next song played. Roop Tera Mastaana. 

"Isn't that Rajesh Khanna?" 

"Yes," he answered, growing slightly awkward.

"And that's Soha Ali Khan's mother right? I forgot her name." Gauri muttered thinking hard.

"Sharmila Tagore." He answered.

"Yeah! Well, my knowledge isn't that bad."

Omkara sported a smile, not saying anything to that. 

"Do you want to go for a walk around?" Gauri asked a few songs later. 

Omkara liked the idea. He anyway went for evening walks around the blocks. "Cool!" He accepted the suggestion. 

"Give me a minute, I will be back." Saying that Gauri disappeared in to the room to wear her pullover and socks. Omkara thoughtfully walked into his room to grab his jacket. 

It just felt weird having a female companion that he barely knew. But, it did make his life less monotonous and dry. Plus, Gauri was an expert at making theplas and parathas. Something he wholeheartedly loved  it reminded him of home.

Okay, so, umm, it's been a long time. 🙋‍♀️

I had started this before In A Heartbeat and somehow, I finished that long back. The inspiration for IAH came from the comments on this book. So keep commenting...never know when another idea like that hits 😄

Also, if you have ideas for this story or something you would like to see, comment it in and let me see if I can fit it. 

Do vote, that will let me know if you're still interested to read more from this book. :)

-Anami! 🧡