Gauri couldn't stop her heart from pounding like waves crashing into the big cliff rocks by the sea. Every time she looked at him push the boat closer to them as she stood by the dock she would clench her fists really tight to control her fear. She even started to look up at the clear morning sky to avoid seeing the water that was calm and still as the ducks and geese floated above peacefully. This was too deceiving as she has experienced first hand as a child. The feeling of water filling your mouth and your eyes seeing nothing but the blurry vision of the sun above.  Only when panic sets in that her arms were digging through the water to reach the surface but it felt that no matter how hard she tried the water was pulling her back down.

"Gauri?" Omkara called out when he saw her body trembling as she basked her face in the warm sun.

When she didn't answer him he became concerned. Her fists were clench to the point that her knuckles were white as a sheet and she seem to have difficulty breathing. Omkara quickly grabbed her warm cheeks as he blocked the bright sun. "Gauri....look at me....breathe..."

She didn't know she was holding her breathe until her head was spinning but luckily Dilpreet was here. His voice and warm eyes pulled her away from her childhood nightmare.

"Dilpreet...." His name slipped through her lips as she inhaled the morning air. She could feel both his thumb rubbing against her cheeks as his brows furrowed.

"I'm okay...."

"Maybe this was a bad idea...we ca-"

Shaking her head Gauri grabbed both his wrists as his large palms cradle her face.

"No...let's go..you said you would not let the water touch my feet."

He couldn't describe into words how good it felt to have the woman you long for trusting you to this extent. However, when he realized that he was still wearing a mask posing as "Dilpreet" the fear of her turning away from him scared him. He could take any loss in life but not her. As he stared at her eyes beaming with trust he desperately took hold of her hands and bringing them towards his chest.

"Gauri....if...I mean..when you find out who I am....would it weigh more than the feelings you might have for me?"

When he felt her pry her small hands from his and started to touch his masked face he couldn't help but flinch.

"Gauri..."

He dared not move or pull away. If she decided to pull his mask down now he would just brace himself for whatever may come because he was sure that no matter what he would not give up. Be it Dilpreet or Omkara he only had one heart and this heart belonged to her. But who was he kidding; he was scared shitless right now.

She wanted to laugh seeing his eyes widen and his body tensed up upon her fingers trailing along the back of his ears where the mask was securely tucked by a string. Would she treat him differently if she saw his face? She wanted to say no but how could she be so sure? She didn't want to lie but at the same time she didn't want to string him along either. He was truly making it really hard for her.

"Let's get into the boat."

She pulled away from his mask and casted her gaze at the boat. "How do I get in? Me first? Or you?"

He couldn't deny that he felt a big wave of relief come over him as she changed the subject. Was this her way of giving him "time?" Omkara decided to just forget about the matter and quickly pulled the boat closer to the dock.

"I will help you board the boat first."

As she put one foot down she could already feel the boat wobble. She quickly grabbed his hand tightly with both hands as she tried to balance both feet into the boat.

"It's okay. Just sit down."

It was only when he actually sat across from her did the pounding in her chest subside. Seeing him row the boat further away from land her body started to tense up.

"Relax Gauri...I will row slower."

This was her first time returning to the water ever since that day and she had to admit the scenery was beautiful.

"How do you know about this place? No one is here."

He had rowed away from the dock for about 20 minutes until they arrived at "his" place. Surrounding themselves within the shades of large trees and a swarm of ducks Omkara put down his paddles.

"I love to find new places to relax and one day it so happened that I was rowing while my mind was elsewhere and this place appeared."

With so many ducks surrounding them he let the boat just float peacefully as he grabbed the bag of food.

"You will feel better after feeding them." Omkara smiles with his eyes as he threw small bits of biscuits into the water.

Seeing the many ducks fight their way towards the food startled her.

"Wow...they are really going at it."

As he continued to throw bits of bread into the water Omkara broke off a piece for Gauri.

"Try it."

When he saw her throw it very far he couldn't help but laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" Gauri asked with a pout. "Did I do something wrong?"

Shaking his head Omkara threw more pieces of bread while the ducks fought their way for the food.

"No...it's just like you to try and throw it far for the other ducks to get a chance to eat."

It was her intention as she saw the other ducks unable to fight their way towards the boat. She pitied them as they flapped their wings trying as hard as they could.

"If she realized it then why are you still continuing to drop the bread at the same spot?"

"I was like you once. Pity the ones far behind but then I realized something."

"What?"

"Just look at those ducks that you tried so hard to feed. They are no longer trying to fight their way towards the boat but rather they are waiting for you to feed them. When you start giving handouts they will not try anymore. Do you see these ducks that are fighting for the bread? They push, shove and dive. You can see their efforts. They learn that through their hard work they will get rewarded. It's a means of survival for them. The weak minded will be left behind. I wish to see you thrive and get pass these obstacles you are facing."

When he saw her smile he was glad she understood his meaning.

"Thank you for trying to comfort me Dilpreet."

She felt so much better after a day at the lake. Dilpreet was right. If she let what happen yesterday consume her she would not be able to survive. She didn't want to be left behind while the undeserving prosper. The dirty tactics that was used only made her smarter. She could no longer just sit around and not fight. She had to survive.

When they finally returned to the house Bhavya and Rudra was still there waiting for them.

Rudra: Finally you are back!

Bhavya quickly came to Gauri's side and whispered "Are you okay?"

"I am." Gauri smiled.

"Well...we will leave to let you relax."

A part of her did not want him to leave but she had too many things she wanted to do and so she reluctantly walked them to the door.

"Dilpreet..."

Omkara turned around before stepping out of the door "Hm?"

"Thank you."

He placed his hand on top of her head while his fingers ran through her soft silky hair. "I will come tomorrow to pick you up for work. You can thank me by packing me a portion of your delicious food."

Gauri smiled at him and nodded.

"Okay."

For the rest of the afternoon Gauri spent most of her time on the computer.

"What are you doing Gauri?" Bhavya asked.

"Oh...I joined this small group that discusses about the latest fashion from other countries. It opens my eyes to new designs and gives me inspiration. Right now we are discussing this unique design from a student in the US. It's incredible. She is very talented."

"Let me see!"

"Wow the dresses are gorgeous! Isn't she afraid someone might steal her ideas?"

Gauri laughs. "That's why when she shares it within this group she can prove that these were originally hers. No one wants a reputation of stealing another's design. That is like throwing your career away."

"Oh...I see."

"Besides she is still a student and really wants feedback from others like her. You see that embroidery on the cuff?"

"OH yes! that what makes the dress stand out."

"I suggested that." Gauri smiled.

"You did? Why would you not keep that idea for yourself?"

"Bhavya....you should have more confidence in me. Just because I give out suggestions does not mean I have no more ideas for myself. Besides I've seen her designs before....in the company."

"What?!"

"Tomorrow I will go make sure first before I jump to any conclusions."

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

With the packed lunch in her hand Gauri waited for Dilpreet to get on the bus. She could already see him at the bus stop with his black shirt and jeans.

"Morning Gauri."

"Morning. Here. I packed you ginger chicken and rice I made last night."

He could already smell the ginger seeping out of the lunchbox. "I can't wait to try it."

Her mood was different today. She seemed happy and that made his worries disappear. He was afraid that she would not be able to face her co-workers without being reminded of what had happened on the weekend.

"Are you....okay going to work today?" Omkara asked just to make sure.

"To put it more accurately...I'm very excited...to go to work today."

Gauri had a hunch and if she was right then the games will begin.

"Did something happen yesterday?"

With her piercing gaze looking out the window where she could see the Oberoi Fashion building "I was lucky to stumble across something a while back but has now decided to actually use it to my advantage."

He was indeed proud of her and her determination to play the game. He wanted to tell her that no matter what she did not need to worry because he would always be there to watch after her. Especially today; he needed to know who was responsible for the atrocious acts against her.

"I'll see you after work?" Gauri asked before leaving the bus.

"I will be here."

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

Gauri didn't let the presence of Ajay at the coffee shop distract her. She had things to take care of today and didn't want to deal with him so when the entered the office Gauri rushed to the fabric room. It didn't take long for Riddhima to pay her a visit.

"So Gauri...how are you feeling today? Too traumatized to work I see."

She could see Riddhima's eyes scan her unfinished dress up and down.

"I feel great actually. Great works takes time. You seem to have all the time in the world lately. Not working on your designs?"

Riddhima felt something was off about Gauri. "Usually this girl kept to herself. Why all of a sudden...."

"Anyways...I just wanted to drop by to see how far you have gotten since the deadline is at the end of this week. You do know that if you can't finish....my dress is the one to be in the commercial." Riddhima taunted.

Gauri walks closer to Riddhima "Do you dare use that dress of yours?"

She could see Riddhima flinched in surprise at her words and knew that her suspicions were becoming true.

"What do you mean?! Why wouldn't I dare?! You know Gauri! I wanted to come here to check up on you but I can clearly see that you have taken my generosity for granted. Don't come at me when you fail to present your dress at the end of this week."

"Keep your generosity to yourself....I dare not be at the receiving end of that giving nature of yours."

Riddhima clenched her fists and stormed out of the fabric room. Gauri was very patient. She could tell that Riddhima was a creature of habit and would always go down to the canteen to have lunch. That was the only time she could vent and gossip to her group of vile friends. Gauri used this opportunity to enter Riddhima's locked office. With just a little tug of her nail filer the door opened smoothly.

"Let's see....if I am right..."

Riddhima's dress was draped nicely on the mannequin. It was indeed beautiful. If only it was hers then Gauri would actually give her credit. Slowly approaching Riddhima's desk Gauri went through many folders but found nothing but then when she accidentally moved the computer mouse her eyes brighten.

"Gotcha."

Omkara has been observing Gauri since the very beginning. When he saw her grin as she stared at Riddhima's computer screen his eyes darkened.

Just like he had predicted. He didn't need Rudra to tell him who the culprits were that night. With his fingers lightly tapping on his mouse Omkara zoomed in on Riddhima's face that was enjoying her lunch.

"What to do.... seems like Gauri has plans for you.... but..."

Khanna knew all too well what that smile on Omkara's face meant and he was glad he was not on the receiving end.

"Khanna......I have work for you...."

"What is it boss?"

Omkara slowly opens his lunchbox to devour the ginger chicken. Once he took the first bite his lips curved up into a very satisfying smile.

"I will let her play around with Riddhima while I make sure to cut off the root to where this weed had sprouted from."

Khanna: "....."

"I have had enough of her trying to use her family's influence to get by. Send me the files of all their business dealings in Mumbai. Even Aunt Jhanvi cannot stop me this time."

**Hope you guys like this update. Just trying to move the story along...losing a bit of interest so I will try to wrap this one up soon.**