Gauri woke up to the morning light disappointed that she was alone on the bed. Why can't he sleep for a bit longer... she loved snuggling to that warm body of his early in the morning... Mr. Early-bird... she muttered and frowned... her eyes still adjusting to the light.

She hated his habit of opening the blinds of his window soon after he wakes up... can't he let her wake up normally...and not to the sun glaring down at her? What time of the day is it anyway... she thought looking at the clock to see it was past seven thirty in the morning.

He must be in the gym... she concluded getting up and making her way to the washroom opening her bag for her utilities. Once she was clean and dressed in her tracks, she made way to the kitchen to greet his mother.

"Good morning aunty" she said hugging her and Jhanvi chuckled ruffling her hair.

"Good morning Gauri... when did you come?"

"Night" she replied making Jhanvi look at her pointedly.

"Don't tell me you came to Om to lecture him on not fighting with his father... while you did exactly the same thing..." said Jhanvi in a scolding tone and Gauri avoided her eyes.

"Gauri..."

"Jhanu aunty... he was wrong"

"And so is Tej...when he forces Omkara"

"But..." Gauri started and sighed shaking her head... "Leave it I don't want to start the day with an argument.. give me your special coffee Jhanu aunty please... please..." she asked cutely instead making the elder woman mutter "dramebaaz bacche"

"But you love me"... sang Gauri and Jhanvi grinned "That I do" she said and kissed her cheek.

"Hey... what about me then... pati ko bhul gaye ho(you forgot your husband)" said Tej who walked into the kitchen.

"No... I don't love you... You keep pestering my son" said Jhanvi and Tej rolled his eyes... "I just asked him to take over his responsibility... how is it so wrong?"

"Look... even Gauri supports me in this... she is on my side... aren't you chutki" he asked turning to her and she vigorously nodded her head making him grin in satisfaction

"Dekha... that's like a good girl... and look at your son... always argues with me"

"Haa haa... we were just discussing how you and Omkara get along so well unlike Gauri and her dad..... nahi?" said Jhanvi in all sarcasm glaring at Gauri.

Gauri immediately got to Tej's side and hugged him "See uncle... she is glaring at me for being honest... let us get you married again... I want a sweet and simple aunt" making Tej laugh as he hugged her back.

"Sure... I was thinking the same my dear"

Jhanvi gasped at that raising her hand to give both of them a whack while Tej steered Gauri away from the kitchen still laughing.

Once confirming that Jhanvi wasn't running behind, Tej parted from Gauri who was already staring at him.

"Hmm... heard you broke your promise yesterday Uncle" she commented.

"I am a father and he is my son... it is a rule that we should argue once in a while chutki" he said smiling

"Really... you come up with such dumb excuses now uncle?"

Tej sighed "I agree he doesn't like my ways... but the empire now supports hundreds of families Gauri... after me someone has to take over the business right? He gives speeches on righteousness...can't he understand that the families dependent on the business might get affected if the company gets into the wrong hands?"

"I understand... I will talk to him and we can come on some common arrangement... but don't pester him before that... if he doesn't join the company... you have me anyways... don't you trust my abilities?"

"If I trust anybody's efficiency after my son.. it is you... but you poured water on my dreams when you refused to marry him... the company has to be in the family's hands Gauri" he stated giving her a disappointed look.

"Uncle... I..."

"I don't know what happened to change your decision all of a sudden... I left it then because I don't want to force both of you into marriage.. he will hate me for that... but just tell me one thing Gauri... don't you love him?"

When he saw her nodding her head in a yes he caressed her head "Then what is stopping you?"

"He doesn't love me back uncle..."

"My son is many things but he isn't an idiot"

"He loves me but as a friend... not the way I want him to love me"

"Rubbish... I know my son better... talk to him and clear things out" he said in a no argument tone and she sighed nodding her head.

"Good... let me know what he says... I need to confirm if he is still negotiable or a completely lost case..." he said and she smiled at him.

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

Gauri walked to the home gym ten minutes later with a glass of cherry juice in hand and a strong resolve to talk to him about her feelings in her head.

Last night talk with her mother and Tej's advice a few minutes ago gave her much needed push to give her love... one fair chance.

He won't be mad at her... will he? What if their relationship turned awkward? It happened three years back when their parents decided to get them married and she refused that idea outrightly after witnessing a horrific sight. But they somehow managed to diffuse the awkward air and get back on smooth road.

What if the situation cannot be handled this time? a pessimistic part of brain cried out it's worry and she reassured it that no matter what... she wont let go of him.... lover or not.. she will surely be his friend for life.

As she entered the gym, she could hear his sounds of exhaustion and walked in the direction... not long after she saw him doing his chest work out, his muscles tense and tired, body dripping in sweat.

She froze in her place and started at him dreamily for a while chastising herself for being such a creep...

This isn't the first time you are seeing him shirt less... get your brain out of the gutter milady said her brain.

Can't he be any less handsome? May be it will be less painful to lose him...her heart grimly thought.

Is that droll I see there... on the right side of your mouth? smirked her brain again.

Mentally screaming at both of them to stop, she called his attention "Om... your drink"

"Yup.. thanks" he said standing straight and walking towards her.

As her heart involuntarily sped up looking at him coming nearer, she got nervous and put the glass on the table beside her to stand at a distance...making him frown at her.

"What is wrong? You could have handed over the glass to me..." he said taking the glass and gulping the drink in a minute.

"Nothing" she said her tone still shaky getting all his attention though she absolutely didn't want it at the moment.

He took a step towards her and she stepped back only to curse looking at the look on his face.

"Gauri.... you are running away... what is wrong with you?"

"Y... You are sweaty... and smelly... I don't want to touch you right now" she said the first thing that came to her mind and face palmed.

Seriously Gauri..... screamed her brain... did you just insult him?

"Ummm... sorry... I mean..." she started opening her eyes and stopped looking at him devilishly grinning at her.

"Om... no... you are not..." she said knowing fully well what he planned from that grin and turned to run away when he ran behind her.

"Om... stop... stay away..." she protested still running only for him to increase his pace.

In no time he caught her from behind lifting her off the floor while she wiggled from his hold... kicking in the air.

"Sweaty and smelly huh?" he mimicked her rubbing his cheek to her face not knowing the damage he was doing to her heart.

"Om.. you pig.. stop rubbing...kamine... yuckkkk"

"Naah... I am not leaving you until you smell like me...Ms. Trivedi... you are being mean to me early in the morning" he said and Gauri had no choice but yank at his hair.

"Oouch... monkey... how old are you...five?" he said loosening his hold while she giggled.

"Serves you well" she said momentarily thanking God for at least making him stop the intimate gesture... which apparently her buddhu of a friend didn't yet realize..

Alas not long after, she screamed again when he tickled her.

"Come on say a sorry... Gauri" he said as she laughed her heart out trying to wiggle out of his firm grip.

"Om... this is cheating... ha..ha...ha... you can't make... oouch... ha ...ha...ha... leave please... Om" she screamed but he didn't budge.

"Say.. a sorry...and I will leave you" he whispered in her ears making her breath hitch.

"Sorry" she gasped out more to get away from him rather than getting tired of laughing and he left her grinning in victory.

Gauri sighed relieved on getting some breathing space while he spoke again "Hmm...good girl" he said playfully hitting her head making her smile.

Gathering courage, she looked at him and said "I need to tell you something"

"Let me go take a shower and then we will talk?" he asked and she nodded.

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

Once he was dressed and got ready for work, his mobile kept him busy with work calls and emails which needed his immediate attention.

Gauri looked at him running from one corner of his room to the other, searching for files and at the same time munching on his sandwiches breaking his fast.

"Om..." she called him while he continued to go through the file.

Sighing she took his phone and ordered to whoever was on the other end "Om is yet to have his breakfast... He will be at the office in an hour... I guess you can manage the work till then?" she spoke in a non-negotiable tone and hung up the phone when she heard a yes mam from the other side.

As he looked at her proudly smiling, "Eat" she told him showing the plate and he obliged.

"Done? Want more?" she asked and he shook his head in a no "I am full"

"Hmm... instead of roaring at your employees for unnecessary things... you can put them in line by asking them not to disturb you in the morning until it is absolutely necessary... what is so important about budget sheets early in the morning? It can be done after you reach the office right?... If I remember correctly the Nutan's deal isn't due till next week... why are they worried about it today?"

"They had a few doubts Gauri... they are new staff right"

"So? They won't even let you eat in peace?... and why are you clearing doubts Om.. you are the chairman... what are the rest of the people doing? Who is the CFO... Ajay?"

When he looked at her with an unfathomable expression which he gave her whenever she bossed over him, something between amusement and adoration, she raised her eyebrow in question.

"Okay madam... I will give the necessary instructions" he said with a smile and she hummed in response.

"You wanted to talk?" he asked and she bit her lip suddenly feeling nervous...

She can deal with tens of board members and hundreds of employees but to tell her best friend that she loved him seemed to be a task close to impossible.

"Gauri..." he urged her when she remained mum.

"Haa... vo...I..." she started when his phone rang yet again.

Irritated at the interruption she grabbed his phone to give a good dose of verbal warning to the person when she froze looking at the caller's name.... the one person she didn't want to interact with in her lifetime... the one person who is responsible for her heart break three years back.

Tanisha... Tanisha Kapoor.. her senior and Omkara's classmate who joined him in his final year of college. To her dismay, Omkara who never payed interest in talking to any other girls except her, gelled up to Tanisha... The girl made her feel extremely insecure until one day when she broke all of her dreams.

"Who is it?" asked Omkara and when the phone continued to ring, took the call himself.

"Hello Tani... girl... how are you baby" he asked cheerfully while Gauri looked at him absolutely numb.

He is still in contact with her..... and she doesn't know of it... Why?

"Yeah... come meet me at my office... I will ask my assistant to cancel a few appointments... we are meeting after forever" he said his face beaming and her confidence washed away.

After he hung up with a smile still intact on his face, he informed Gauri... "Tani... I mean Tanisha... you remember my classmate right... she is in Mumbai... she wishes to meet me.. I have to go early Gauri... come with me" he asked and she denied.

"No... you go... may be you need to catch up with her" she said and he rolled his eyes... "Of course we will catch up but you need to meet her too... come... I just messaged Rudra... he will be there" he said and dragged her along ignoring her protests.

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

"Om!!" exclaimed Tanisha on seeing him and ran towards him to give him a hug which he reciprocated without hesitation.

Gauri looked at Rudra who was already staring at her in silence and gave him a not so assuring smile.

When Tanisha proceeded to give a loud kiss on Omkara's cheek, Gauri fisted her hand controlling herself not to grab her hair and throw her out of the office.

Omkara smiled at the woman and introduced Gauri to her.

"Of course you are Gauri... didn't change at all did you... the same... simple and plain" Tanisha commented giving her a look and Omkara gently nudged her while Gauri squirmed uncomfortably by the weird look the woman always gave her.

"So... how long are you going to stay here Tani"

"Just for a few days Om... I came here for my brother's marriage" she replied smiling "Can we go out to party today? I missed you"

"I missed you too... let us go out"

"We have a meeting today with the Australian clients O... you are required for it" said Rudra though he knew well that they could do without him.

He didn't like Tanisha...not one bit... and when she being with Omkara disturbed Gauri... he needs to set things right.

"Rudy.. you can do one day without me... she is important" said Omkara while Gauri softly gasped looking at an equally shocked Rudra.

Never did he ever say no to a meeting... not even to meet her. How important was Tani exactly?

"Aww... you are giving up on a meeting for me... you just made me fall in love with you all over again" Tanisha said in a dramatic tone effectively stabbing Gauri's heart as Omkara chuckled in response.

"This is an office... stop the PDA will you?" said Rudra irritatedly making Omkara frown at him.

"What is wrong with you today Rudy?"

"That is my question... when did you start quitting meetings to chill with friends? How is she that important? I never know you were in contact with our classmate since three years"

"So? Should I tell you everything... ask your permission and keep in touch with people?" asked Omkara not liking the tone his friend used.

"Do you realize that you are arguing with me... for her?" asked Rudra pointing at Tanisha who smirked in return.

"You are making a mountain out of a mole hill Rudy"

"No.. you are not understanding things here" he said and walked away dragging a numb Gauri along with him.

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

"Woah... such drama... Rudra didn't change a bit" said Tanisha touching Omkara's arm while he still stared at the door with a confused look.

"What was that?" he mumbled dumbly and Tanisha side hugged him.

"No wonder... he is protective of Gauri...that is it"

"What does that mean Tani"

"Did you tell Gauri about us?" she asked and he nodded a no.

"Then it is obvious isn't it? he is trying to steer you away from me so that she won't be jealous or insecure"

"Kyaa... jealous? Why would she be jealous... she is just a friend"

"Really Om... just a friend to you?" she asked as he avoided her eyes.

"Mr. Omkara Singh Oberoi... the girl loves you man"

Omkara shook his head with a sad smile "You are mistaken Tani... she doesn't... she refused the idea of marriage three years back... if she loved me.. why would she do that?"

"That is for you to ask and find out... you love her since college right... even you are family friends... what the hell is your problem Om" she asked and he glared at her crossing hands on his chest.

"Okay.... You thought of proposing her on your graduation part and I ruined it by getting both of us drunk" she reminisced guiltily and he huffed in annoyance.

"In plain words you were being a jealous bitch"

"Om... I apologized a million times for it...at that time it was difficult for me to see you proposing her baby"

"Seriously Tani?" he asked giving her an unbelieving look and she smiled sheepishly...

"Blame my poor heart dear Omkara... I know my mistake, but that was three years ago... what are you doing till now"

"Tani.. I told you our parents asked us our opinion to marry and she said a clear no..."

"So? You could have talked and convinced her... tell her how much you loved her"

"How can I force her into marriage? When she clearly told that she doesn't want that marriage... did you know how awkward it had been then? it had been hell for me to stay away from her... those few days.. I can't imagine going through that again... I can't get rejected again"

Tani sighed loudly "Did you at least say this to Rudra? He would have talked to her"

"I can't trust Rudy with secrets... peth mein kuch chupta nahi hai uska...(he can't hold any secret for long) he would have told her directly only to make us more awkward"

"Shut up and go talk to Gauri.... your friend must have taken her home... she looked pale to me... may be shocked that we were still in contact"

Omkara felt hope rise inside him when he called the security to confirm if Rudra did take Gauri out..

If she was really that affected with Tani's closeness with him why can'tshe say it?.

When he was informed that Tani was indeed correct, he rushed to his car speeding to reach Trivedi mansion.

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So yeah... that is the second shot....

So they both love each other...

What do you think happened three years back...

Let me know your POV s...

Signing of until next shot... yours Soujanya.