Thinking about last night Gauri was still contemplating if it was a good idea to have Dilpreet tag along with her this weekend. It was unlike herself to warm up to someone so quick and yet she neither rejected his offer nor did she feel any burden to have him around. In fact there was a part of her that felt safe whenever he was around. It was funny how just a pair of eyes was able to comfort her in such a way that she was starting to become afraid that maybe she was letting her guard down too fast. This was the one trait that she learned from her mother and the same trait that caused her so much pain; trust. Feeling a bit overwhelmed Gauri decided to just wake up a bit earlier than usual to cook some breakfast as well as pack lunch because she was not too impressed with the canteen yesterday.

When Bhavya woke up to the smell of eggs, pancakes and coffee she ran to behind Gauri who was washing the pots and pans.

"Gauri...it's great to have you here."

Laughing at her friend's talent in flattery Gauri was also happy to be here.

"You can stop hugging me now Bhavya. Go eat before the food gets cold. I also made food to pack for lunch if you want."

"Of course!" Bhavya gleefully excepted.

When the two sat down to eat Bhavya almost forgot what she wanted to ask last night but when she finally got home Gauri was already in bed.

"How was your first day of work Gauri?"

"It was fine."

"Do you like working there?"

"Of course."

Bhavya had noticed that Gauri's answers were too short and usually Gauri would only treat outsiders this way so Bhavya knew something was wrong. Though she wanted to ask Gauri more questions she knew her friend very well. If she didn't want to talk about certain things there was now way to get her friend to open up even if she tried all day. Gauri was very good at either changing the subject or closing her out completely.

"Gauri."

"Hm?"

"Let's do something fun this weekend. It's always good to unwind after a long week of work. How about we throw another get together?"

At first Gauri was going to tell Bhavya about the company outing last minute so to avoid any trouble between her and Rudra but it seem that plan was not going to work and Gauri was not one to lie.

"I can't Bhavya. I actually am going out with some co-workers this weekend."

Bhavya almost choked on her eggs as she stared at her friend who was just calmly sipping on her coffee.

"What?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to tell you."

"But Gauri you never go out. Especially without me. Are you sure you will be okay? How about I go with you? You just met these people."

Gauri could tell that Bhavya was very concerned and that truly made Gauri's day.

"I have asked Dilpreet to escort me. You do not need to worry."

"Dilpreet?!" Bhavya exclaimed.

"You hardly know him either!"

Amused Gauri couldn't help but tease her friend.

"Oh? But didn't you say that Rudra only befriends good people? Or should I not trust his judgement either?"

The last thing Bhavya wanted was Gauri distancing herself from Rudra because she had tried so hard to get them to become close friends but he fact that she was suddenly replace by this Dilpreet made Bhavya very jealous.

"No...Rudra only associates with good people. It's just that....still he's a man Gauri. A good man can turn into a wolf too you know!"

"Wolf? If he had any ill intentions towards her he would have taken advantage of her yesterday." Gauri thought to herself.

"Do not worry Bhavya. I will text you every hour okay? It's just dinner, singing, and dancing."

"What?! You hate those things!"

"I do not hate it if it is with people I like."

"Exactly Gauri. And you don't know these people."

"But that is not a good enough excuse to reject their offer Bhavya. It's just one night. You worry too much. I will come home early. You know me."

"Fine."

Bhavya waited till Gauri left for the bus to take out her phone and call Rudra immediately.

"Rudra! We have a problem!"

"What happened?"

"Dilpreet happened!!"

"Dilpreet? What did he do?"

"He stole my friend! It's all your fault!"

"Me?"

" If you would have just pick her up from work last night then....nevermind! We will be busy this weekend so make sure you are free!"

"What are we doing?"

"I'll tell you later! Don't tell Dilpreet either!"

When his girlfriend angrily hung up on him the only thing Rudra could think of was "The price I have to pay for you Omkara!"

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

As she sat on the bus she could already see Dilpreet waiting at the very same stop yesterday but today he had on a blue mask with a white t-shirt and dark denim jeans. But what surprised Gauri most was how chummy he was with the elderly lady in front of him. Thinking that lady was going to sit by her again Gauri scooted over but the woman just smiled at her as she walked passed her.

"Morning Gauri."

She could smell the faint scent of soap the minute he sat down next to her and she couldn't help but stare at his shiny black hair. It looked so soft that she had the urge to touch it but when she saw him staring at her she quickly looked away.

"Morning Dilpreet."

"What's wrong? You seem a bit flustered."

"Nothing."

Trying to let the wind blow on her face Gauri slightly sat closer to the side window hoping that her cheeks would not give her away. "How could I think of touching his hair?" Gauri mumbled to herself.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing."

"Anyways. So what time should I pick you up Saturday?"

This time Gauri was a bit shocked.

"Pick me up? You bought a car already?"

The minute he heard the suspicious tone in her voice Omkara new he had just made a blunder. Who would be able to buy a car this soon. Her eyes were now observing him while waiting for his answer and this was the time he was thankful he had on a mask.

"I asked to borrow Rudra's car."

When he saw her brows relax Omkara felt an immediate feeling of relief.

"Man that was close." Omkara sighed to himself.

As a habit he ran his fingers through his hair whenever he became nervous Omkara tried to divert the subject of the car to something else.

"So what time?"

"I'm not sure or maybe I forgot. But I will text you when I find out."

Omkara couldn't help but smile under his mask.

"You don't care about them that is why you don't remember." Omkara happily thought to himself.

When he saw that the bus had arrived at the company Omkara felt that the bus driver drove way too fast today and that he must find a way to prevent that from happening. While he was sitting there thinking of what he should do Gauri was waiting for him to get up so that she could leave.

"Uh..Dilpreet."

Snapping out of his trance Omkara quickly stood up to let Gauri pass through but then she suddenly turned around towards him.

"I made a pack lunch for you as a thank you for taking me home yesterday."

Omkara couldn't believe his ears. "Did she really pack this for me?" Omkara thought to himself not noticing Gauri was still waiting for him to grab the lunch box.

"If you don't want it I can....."

His sudden action startled her as he grabbed the box from her like his life depended on it.

"I want! I want it...."

Seeing him hug the lunchbox tightly against his chest Gauri couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well I hope you have a good day at work Dilpreet."

" You too..Gauri."

Seeing her walk towards the coffee shop to wait till the company opened Omkara was all smiles.

"I bet you are very happy." said the elderly woman.

"Yes. Very."

Sticking out her hand waiting for payment Omkara curved up his lips as he reach into his pocket.

"A deal is a deal. Make sure you do this every morning so that I can always sit by her."

Smiling brightly at the money in her hand the elderly lady nodded her head vigorously.

Then she noticed him look at the bus driver.

"Don't tell me you are going to...."

Hooking up his lips as he walks over to the bus driver who was still waiting for people at the stop.

"We need to talk....."

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

Ajay could not sleep the entire night as his mind was filled with Gauri leaving with another man so he made an extra effort today to wait for her at this coffee shop. When he saw her walk in he couldn't help but noticed just how beautiful she was. Even one night without seeing her was driving him insane. Her long wavy hair with her pink button up blouse and black pencil skirt that accentuated her thin waist and curvy hips made his desire grow even more.

"Gauri. Morning."

**Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know it's been awhile but I ate way too much during Thanksgiving LOL. Do Vote if you enjoyed it 😊**