"Hayyee! Nazar na lage." Rudra exclaimed smiling dreamily.

Omkara rolled his eyes hearing his brother's exaggerated compliment. But then smiled looking at himself in the mirror. He truly looks handsome in that navy blue coloured engagement dress. Both Anika and Gauri did a really nice job!

At that moment his phone pinged with a message. Remembering him sending a message to Gauri earlier, he went to pick his phone.

Before he could reach there, Rudra took the phone and saw the notification from Gauri.

"Oooooh! Message from bhabhi." Rudra said teasingly.

"Rudy, give back my phone." Omkara said sternly.

"What is this, O? You both are going to meet each other soon, then why messaging? Can't even wait for a few minutes?" Rudra teased him again wiggling his eyebrows.

"Rudra Singh Oberoi, don't test my patience. Give. Back. My. Phone." Omkara said glaring at his brother.

Dandi, who was a silent spectator till now, decided to intervene so that the situation won't go out of control. He quickly grabbed the phone from Rudra and gave it back to Omkara.

Omkara took the phone from Dandi and slightly smacked his brother's head before moving out of the room.

Patience, Mister. You can see me in that dress very soon. And just to let you know, I'm looking so gorgeous in this dress. Try not to faint;)

Omkara chuckled seeing her response. He had asked a photo of her in her engagement dress as he really wanted to see her in that dress. And after this response from her, he can't wait to meet her soon.

The engagement was happening at the Sharma Mansion.

The Oberois were grandly welcomed by the Sharmas and the groom was made to sit on the sofa arranged for the bride and groom, on the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please." Bhavya said as she stood by the side of the stage.

"First of all let me thank each one of you for accepting our invitation and taking part in this special day of my dearest sister, Gauri Sharma and my handsome brother-in-law Omkara Singh Oberoi."

Everyone clapped their hands.

"Some of you might have realised that I'm hosting today's engagement ceremony. Well yes I'm happy that I got this opportunity to host my sister's engagement ceremony. As you all can see our groom is already on the stage and he is also very impatient to see his bride. Isn't, jeeju?" Bhavya asked him teasingly.

Omkara shook his head smiling.

"Let's not keep him waiting anymore. Now it's time for our bride's entry. Shall we bring her in?"

The guests chorused in agreement.

"Presenting you my ever so gorgeous sister, Gauri Sharma."

The guests clapped their hands as the entrance door slowly opened revealing Gauri.

Omkara slowly stood up from the sofa in a daze as Gauri walked towards him from the entrance. His lips were slightly parted as he took in her appearance. She was looking ethereal in that lehenga.

Flowers were showering upon her as she walked through the aisle filled with flower petals.

Gauri smiled happily as she saw him, looking handsome as always. But today he looked.... she couldn't exactly say what she was feeling. One thing she knew, he surely did take her breath away.

Omkara got down the stage and walked towards his fiancée, who looked at him in surprise.

"You are looking so beautiful." Omkara whispered to her.

Gauri blushed happily hearing him and then turned red when everyone hooted teasingly hearing the groom's compliment for his bride.

Omkara smiled seeing her blushing and then extended his arm towards her.

Gauri held his arm with a smile and climbed the steps along with him.

"You were planning to kill me with this look, right?" He asked in a husky whisper.

"I did warn you earlier." Gauri said smiling shyly.

Omkara smiled looking at her.

Soon the family members joined them on the stage.

"Hayyee! My bahu looks so beautiful. Can I just take her home today itself, Anju?" Jhanvi asked.

Gauri blushed hearing that as everyone chuckled.

"Ooye! My damad is also looking super handsome. I'll keep him here itself then." Anjali said pulling Omkara's cheek.

Omkara grinned hearing that.

"See, Rudy bhaiyya. Now no one wants us." Avanthika said looking away playfully.

Rudra sighed dramatically.

"Okay that's enough for now. You can have all the fun after the ring exchange." Vishaal said.

The pandit came forward and some pre-engagement rituals were carried out.

Tej instructed Rudra and Avanthika to bring the rings.

Omkara took the ring from Rudra and extended his palm towards her.

Gauri put her palm on his and smiled as he slid the ring on her finger. She then took the ring from Avanthika and slid the ring on Omkara's finger.

When Gauri looked up at him, he was smiling at her lovingly that made her smile more happier.

All their relatives and friends clapped their hands in great delight.

"Now the groom can hug the bride!" Bhavya said excitedly.

Gauri turned red as she looked at her sister, whereas Omkara raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Tej and Vishaal shook their head smiling as their wives giggled hearing that.

Avanthika gave a small push to Gauri from behind as she fell, with a slight gasp, on her fiancé's arms who held her immediately.

Gauri blushed as the guests hooted with laughter and then she looked up at him, who was smiling at her.

Omkara and Gauri smiled happily as they held each other in a warm embrace, marking the beginning of their new journey ahead.

As they parted from the hug, Gauri felt him placing a sweet kiss on her cheek. She looked at him surprised who winked at her discreetly. She blushed seeing that making him smile all the more.

"May I request all of you to make yourself comfortable with the refreshments as we take the groom and bride aside for a quick photo session. Please enjoy the dance performance of our dear friends till then." Bhavya said.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Gauri, keep your chin little down. Omkara, keep your right hand on her shoulder. Yeah.... perfect." Siddharth said as he looked through the camera.

"Gauri, chin down please."

Gauri sighed exasperated and turned to him saying, " One more time you say that, I will kick you out of here forgetting that you are my friend, Siddhu."

"I just wanted to click some nice pictures of you guys from your special day and you are acting as if I ordered you to write all your properties on my name." Siddharth said rolling his eyes.

Gauri huffed in annoyance.

"I don't want to simply click some pictures. I want something unique and you are not at all helping me with it."

Gauri rolled her eyes at him. Siddharth was one of the closest friends of Gauri and Bhavya from their college. Him being an amazing professional photographer was given the opportunity to click pictures from their engagement. And currently they were clicking pictures of them in the garden.

"Tara, please make them stand on the right position." Siddharth instructed one of his team members.

Tara came forward and asked them to move a little closer.

"Sir, please put one of your hands around her waist and the other on her right arm." Tara told to Omkara.

Gauri looked at him hearing that and then looked down shyly seeing him staring at her. She felt butterflies in her stomach when his arm slowly wrapped around her waist.

"Ma'am, your hands on his chest please."

Gauri did so trying her best to control her heartbeats which were going crazy.

"Okay, guys. That's perfect." Siddharth said taking his camera.

As Siddharth clicked their pictures, she felt herself being pulled closer to him. Gauri looked up and their eyes locked.

Omkara felt himself getting lost in her eyes and everything else blurred leaving behind just the two of them lost in their own world.

Gazing into her eyes, the bubbling sensation he was feeling in his heart for quite some days intensified. The moment he slipped the ring on her finger that day, he realised where he was heading to and what he was feeling for her. He could see himself falling in love with her.

He also knew it might not be easy for her to feel the same way for him. And even if she did reach that stage, she might not realise it immediately. But for her, he was ready to wait. Infact, he was ready to face anything for her.

Their little moment was broken by Tara, who came forward to change their position.

Now Gauri's back was pressed against his chest, with both of his hands around her.

Gauri blushed feeling his breath at the back of her neck.

With the corners of his mouth rising, Omkara held her close to him.

After the photoshoot was over, Omkara and Gauri were walking back to where everyone was present.

Seeing her struggling with her lehenga to climb the steps, Omkara asked if she needed any help with it.

"No, it's okay!" Gauri replied.

"You sure, Gauri?" Omkara asked again seeing her almost miss a step.

Gauri nodded as she concentrated on her lehenga which resulted in her missing a step and falling backwards.

Omkara quickly held her hand and pulled her towards him to prevent her from falling.

Gauri gasped as she bumped onto his chest.

Omkara stared at his fiancée, whose eyes were widened and breathing quickened.

"Relax, Gauri." He said trying to calm her down.

"Thank you." Gauri said after she calmed down a little.

"Ah, that reminded me. I didn't get my return gift yet." Omkara said smiling.

"Return gift?" Gauri asked confused.

"You forgot? I gave you one gift on the stage just after the ring exchange. Remember?" Omkara asked.

Gauri frowned still confused but then she noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes.

Gauri turned red as realisation dawned upon her. He was talking about the kiss.

"Ah! Good that you realised." He said grinning.

Gauri looked down blushing but then looked up when she heard him sigh.

"Have I told you, that I find you more beautiful when you blush?" He asked staring at her lovingly.

"I don't look beautiful otherwise?" She asked teasingly.

"You do. But when you blush so beautifully, everytime my heart just...." Omkara took her hand and placed it above his heart.

Gauri blushed uncontrollably feeling his rapid heartbeats.

"So, my return gift?" He asked again.

"What do you want?"

"The same gift if not more." Omkara said grinning, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Gauri pinched his arm which was holding her waist.

Omkara chuckled.

Hearing someone's footsteps, Gauri's eyes widened.

"Someone is coming." Gauri said trying to get out of his hold.

Omkara tightened his hold around her not letting her leave.

"Omkara, what are you doing? Someone is coming here." Gauri asked shocked.

"So what? You are officially my fiancée now." Omkara said.

"We will get embarassed later." Gauri warned him.

"I'm not leaving without my gift." Omkara said like a stubborn kid.

"When did you become so shameless?" Gauri asked shocked.

"After I met you. Now give me."

Gauri sighed realising he was not going to give up.

"Okay! Close your eyes."

"Why?" He asked in confusion.

"Because I have not become shameless like you and I feel shy." Gauri said blushing.

Omkara laughed hearing her but did what he was told to.

Gauri slowly leaned towards him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

Omkara smiled feeling her soft kiss on his cheek and opened his eyes.

"Now, leave." Gauri said shyly without looking at him.

"Look at me for once." He said smiling.

Gauri shook her head in no.

"Please." He requested.

Gauri looked up only to see him smiling lovingly at her, which in turn made her smile wholeheartedly.

Omkara leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Gauri closed her eyes smiling, feeling the moist kiss.

As soon as Omkara loosened his hold on her, Rudra came there.

"You both are standing here? Everyone is waiting for you. Come fast."

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

As soon as they reached back to the stage, guests started coming there, congratulating and gifting them.

"Gauri." Vishaal called coming towards his daughter.

"Yeah, Papa."

"I have a small surprise for you." He said smiling.

"What? Really?" Gauri smiled excited.

"See there." Vishaal said pointing towards the front.

Gauri turned and stopped in surprise seeing her college friends, down the stage. She smiled happily seeing her close friends from college.

Omkara turned to her curiously.

"They are some of my friends from college. I didn't invite anyone as it was a private function." Gauri said smiling happily.

Omkara smiled seeing her excitement and then turned to look at them again. He stopped when he felt he saw someone familiar. He curiously looked among them and his widened slightly seeing him amongst them. Yadav Singhania

Omkara quickly turned to Gauri and realised that she hadn't seen him yet until he saw her froze as her smile faded away.

Seeing her about to step back, Omkara quickly held her hand.

Gauri turned to look at him.

"No, Gauri. It's not you who should be afraid of facing him, it should be him. You are not at fault and you should not feel that you have done something wrong." Omkara told her.

Gauri nodded and took a deep breath when she saw them coming towards the stage.

Feeling her hold tightening in his palm, Omkara rubbed her palm using his thumb finger.

"I'm with you, Gauri. And I will always be there for you." Omkara promised her.

Gauri smiled hearing that as her worry subsided.

"Congratulations, Gauri." One by one everyone congratulated and gifted them.

Gauri was truly happy to see all of them and thanked them heartily for coming.

Yadav came forward.

"Congratulations both of you." Yadav said staring at Gauri.

"Thank you." Gauri replied with a tight lipped smile.

"So I was right that day at the temple. He is your boyfriend." Yadav said smirking.

Gauri sighed and was about to reply when Omkara interrupted.

"Was. I was her boyfriend. But now that our engagement has happened, I'm officially her fiancé now. And within a few months, I will become her husband too. Right, Gauri?" Omkara said smiling as he put his arm around her.

"Of course." Gauri said smiling.

"You both are really envisioning a life together, right? So sweet. But what if something happens in between these few months. It's life we are talking about." Yadav said smirking.

"Yeah, you are right. It's life we are talking about and anything can happen anytime. My beautiful fiancée here has faced a lot of things in her life because of bad luck that came to her life in the form of a person. But she was courageous enough to throw that dirt out of her life. I can't explain how proud I'm of her for that. Now she is in that good luck phase, happy and content. And I'm not gonna let any such kind of bad luck to come back to her life ever again." Omkara ended with a tone of warning.

"Anyway, thanks for your concern, Mr Singhania. Please do have something to eat before leaving." Omkara said with a fake smile.

Yadav furiously gritted his teeth at the indirect insult and walked away.

Omkara turned to Gauri, to check whether she was okay only to see her smiling at him.

"Did you know that you are the best?" Gauri asked smiling.

"Yeah, people often say that to me." Omkara said pompously.

Gauri chuckled.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The function soon ended and only a few guests were remaining who were talking with their parents.

Omkara and Gauri were sitting on the sofa.

Gauri leaned her head against his shoulder sighing.

"I'm so tired."

Omkara smiled holding her hand.

"Even me."

"Why are these people not leaving? I can sleep only after they leave." Gauri complained frowning.

Omkara chuckled hearing that.

"They will leave shortly. You go change and sleep if you want." He told her.

"Mumma will scold me."

"I will tell her."

"It's okay. Just few minutes more." Gauri sighed and intertwined their fingers.

Gauri smiled seeing their rings. The symbol of the first step towards their new journey ahead.

"O, Bhabhi! They are calling you." Rudra said coming towards them.

"Are they leaving?" Gauri asked eagerly.

"Yeah!"

"Okay! Come, Omkara." Gauri said happily standing up.

Omkara chuckled seeing her happiness and followed her towards the guests.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

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