"Sister hand me the scalpel please" said Omkara adjusting his gloves, his focus on the scrubbed, painted and drapped portion of the patient's head.

"Drill burr sister... Rudra cauterize please"

"Sister forceps" asked Rudra and immediately got to work with the instrument.

One hour and thirty minutes later when Omkara was satisfied with his artwork, he turned to the anaesthetist and said "Okay.... This is done I guess mam you can increase the blood pressure to baseline...let me check the bleeders."

"Wow...that's pretty fast O" exclaimed Rudra.

"What were you expecting Rudra...it's a simple craniotomy...shouldn't be taking much time anyway.."

"Still, that was fast for a complicated case... the place is oozing on a mere touch"

"Hmm... that's alright I was expecting it... the patient is a hypertensive and pressure fluctuations are common, so is the bleeding" explained Omkara.

Once they were done with the surgery and washed out they proceeded to the dining area as it was past lunch time.

"So this cousin of yours...where is she from?" asked Omkara trying hard to avoid Rudra's gaze, looking at the food before him. He was skeptical to broach the subject but he has no other way.

The girl stole his sleep last night and he couldn't help but look at their picture in his mobile again and again. He went to Rudra's house first thing in the morning on the pretext of picking him up on his way to the hospital though he rarely did that, expecting to catch a glimpse of Gauri.

Fortunately, he was rewarded with yet another amusing sight of her in her mickey mouse t-shirt and shorts running after his friend. She is cuteness overloaded and he couldn't help but smile fondly at their banter, at the way she ran from him embarrassed.

Rudra curiously looked at his friend "Why do you want to know O?" he asked raising his eyebrows and Omkara sighed "I was just making a casual conversation Rudra... you both seemed to be close and I never saw her before with you. I was merely curious" he explained and Rudra nodded.

"Gauri is my Dad's sister's daughter... She stays in a joint family in our village and rarely comes to Mumbai when she needs some space or when she is fed up of the family's pleas to get her married. You know that dad went to our village last week right...She came with him" he explained.

"Marriage? She looks quite young for marriage" Omkara asked confused.

"Well, she has a degree in literature and aspires to become the next Chetan bhagat/J.K. Rowling. Her parents coming from the village background are worried about her future. They say and I quote 'Let's get you married first...you can continue doing your work later on'."

"Basically no one from the family have any idea about the career she chose and consider it immaterial given she is neither a doctor nor an engineer. So when she sits cooped up with the books and articles all around her furiously writing something, they assume she doesn't have official work. What difference does it make if she is married and has to manage household. She anyways is wasting time on a hobby rather than a full time profession" completed Rudra and Omkara looked at him baffled.

"You are speaking rubbish... Do you know that? Seriously Rudra? What difference does it make you say? She wants to make a career out of writing and it is her choice... her dream... just because she doesn't go to a 9 to 5 job doesn't make it any lesser. And what is with getting married when you are anyways at home thing? She is working and marriage comes with responsibilities. It may influence her commitment and decisions."

"I agree O, but my family doesn't. What age do you think women get married there? A girl reaches twenty and people swarm in asking for the girl's hand for marriage and she is three years past that age"

"My goodness!! do they live under the rock? This isn't eighteenth century" Omkara protested and Rudra laughed.

"They aren't forcing her into marriage yet O. They just bring up the topic every now and then making Gauri frustrated...that's it ... I mean Daadi the family's match maker didn't yet start her 'mission Gauri' varna ab tak ho chuki hogi shaadi."

"Ohh so you have a cool daadi atleast..." stated Omkara.

"Super cool Daadi... no one dares to disobey her not even daadu" said Rudra chuckling "Gauri is her favorite and she won't let anyone hamper her happiness"

Rudra's phone rang at the same moment flashing Gauri's name and he answered it with a smile "Hello madam ji... how is the hang over treating you" he asked.

"Rudra... I need to go to the central library to get some books...what time are you coming back...I need your car."

"What!!" exclaimed Rudra dramatically making Omkara look at him in question.

"I am not giving my baby to anyone. I will drive you myself. I will be done by five in the evening so, be ready by that time" said Rudra and hung up when he heard an okay from the other end.

"What happened?" asked Omkara.

"Nothing important O, I need to leave by five in the evening let us get going. Gauri will bug me if I go late" said Rudra and they both got up from their places to return to work.

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"Richa stop setting up blind dates for me. I am happily single and I hope to be that way forever" rebuked Gauri talking into the phone.

"But Rohan is a nice guy Gauri. He saw you in one of the parties we had with our classmates last year. He is a friend of Mukesh and has been asking me to introduce you since then. Why don't you just meet and say a formal hi. I am sure you both will click."

"Yeah and so did Rithesh, Krishna and Santosh" said Gauri sarcastically.

"Rohan is definitely different and he is hot too" added Richa and Gauri groaned.

"So?? Even if a man looks like a greek god unke soch to typical chavunistic hi hota hai. It doesn't make a difference to me Richa"

"What matters then Gauri? enlighten me."

"One who doesn't think a girl should be confined to the kitchen taking care of his children, one who treats me as a wife, not a maid and one who doesn't find my career choice childish and immaterial"

"You have been single since a year after your break up Gauri... He is an asshole and it is not your fault if he dumped you for a better earning girl. Forget him for god sake and get out of that 'All men are dogs' zone" said Richa scolding her friend. "Me and Bhavya are on a mission to set you up with someone by the end of this year and mind you we are dead serious"

"Richa!!! This is ridiculous...leave me alone. Convey my message to that Bhavya too"

Richa refused to back down "Gauri... you need to meet Rohan and then decide what he thinks of his future wife and her career choice. Not sit at home in your own world of fictionary characters waiting for your Mr. Perfect to arrive at your door-step"

"Fine!!" sighed Gauri getting enough lecture for the day. "I will meet him this Sunday. Ask him to send me the location and time so that I can be there. Now leave me I need to write a story" she said and hung up without waiting for a reply.

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"Oh God... does he have to be late this very day when I have work" cursed Rudra into the phone.

"Sorry Dr. Rudra" the assistant apologized. "Dr. Arun had a family emergency and there was no prior intimation. You just need to cover for two hours after which he will resume his call. Please sir, the casualty is full and they are about to shift an EDH case into the theater for evacuation in less than twenty minutes" she completed and Rudra muttered an okay.

He saw Omkara coming out of the room dressed and ready to head home.

"O...please can you do me a favor" asked Rudra running behind him and Omkara smiled at him sweetly saying a 'nope' making him angry.

"Why do always act pricey... you are going to drive Gauri to central library and drop her back to my house. That's it" he ordered and Omkara raised his eyebrow.

"Umm... I mean... please? She would be waiting for me and I am stuck for another two to three hours. Arun cannot join his shift early" he explained and Omkara nodded his head.

"Thank you O" Rudra said hugging him tight and Omkara rolled his eyes muttering a "welcome".

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Gauri was dressed in denim jeans and a long sleeveless red colored kurti. She sat in the living room of Agarwal house reading a love story while waiting for her cousin when her mobile rang.

"Hello Rudy" she answered.

"Gauri I am stuck here. One of my colleagues will join late for his shift and I am covering for him."

"Rudy yaar... I need to go today... But okay... it is fine.. I will book a cab you don't worry" she said.

"No...I sent O to take you there and drop you back home" he informed and Gauri panicked.

"That guy who saw me in my shorts in the morning? Rudy please... this is awkward. Who asked you to do this?"

"I thought you loved his company last night" said Rudra laughing.

"Call him now and tell him I went away in a cab. His help is not required" she pleaded him.

"Nope baby... he started an hour ago... he must be reaching home soon" he said earning a curse from the later.

"Urghhh... why do you have to be my cousin Rudy... I don't deserve this" she cried and Rudy laughed out loud muttering an 'enjoy'

Fifteen minutes later Omkara entered Agarwal house and found Gauri waiting in the living room.

"Gauri?" he called with eagerness coated voice and she looked at him faking a smile.

His enthusiasm dimmed at that. Why is she looking so uncomfortable? he thought.

"Shall we go?" he asked and she nodded in response quickly following him to the car.

They drove to the library in absolute silence and Omkara had to glance at her time and again to make sure she is actually present and didn't accidentally slip out of the running car.

"I will wait at the café on the side street. You grab your books and come there" he said as she opened the car door to get out.

"Okay" she mumbled and proceeded to do her work.

Half an hour and one café latte later, when Gauri refused to meet his eyes, Omkara decided to break the ice.

"Why are you awkward Gauri? Am I making you uncomfortable? we hardly talked" he asked surprising her.

"No... no...umm sorry... actually I don't remember anything from last night and Rudy won't tell me a thing. I... I'm sorry if I caused you trouble" she apologized genuinely.

"Nothing happened last night and no you did not trouble me Gauri. Chill..." he said and she visibly relaxed smiling at him.

Omkara chuckled and said "I was worried if you don't drink anything other than vodka and I made you drink coffee forcibly" he said with a wink and Gauri gasped looking around to find few heads turn in their direction.

"What??" he asked confused.

"We live in India and a girl's name in the same sentence as alcohol is still considered a sin. People are judgmental" she whispered and Omkara loudly said "Bull shit"

"If a girl wants to have a little fun, what is wrong in it Gauri?" he stated and Gauri looked at him amused.

"Either you don't live here or you are acting ignorant Omkara"

"Neither of that is true... I just don't care what people think. I have my own opinions" he said and Gauri smiled impressed.

"So you are Rudra's senior at work?...Should I address you as Dr. Omkara?"

"Call me Omkara or Om and I will call you Gauri. We don't need to address our professions right ...otherwise I will have to call you writer Gauri"

"You know what I do?" she asked and he nodded "I asked Rudra...I wanted to know about the girl who refused to leave my hand last night" he explained with cheeky grin and Gauri looked at him mortified.

"What else did I do?" she asked worriedly.

You kissed me he wanted to say but he didn't have the heart to embarrass her further.

"Nothing other than hugging my side and refusing to let go even after reaching your house. I had to carry you to your room while Rudra watched out so that aunty and uncle wouldn't know" he explained and Gauri closed her face with her hands muttering "Sorry"

"Hei.. I didn't mind it" he said smiling at her ... further making her widen her eyes.

Is he flirting with me? Surely not... may be he wanted to ease me that I am embarrassed... Gauri... why will such a handsome man flirt with you.

The waiter came to them smiling, asking for any other orders and Omkara looked at her seriously "You sure you don't want Vodka?" he teased again and Gauri groaned.

"Omkara...stop teasing me" she complained earning a chuckle and a nod from him.

They ordered some pastries as they talked about other non-embarrassing things in each other's lives.

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Kaali was surprised to see his ever punctual son reach home thirty minutes past eight in the night with a charming smile on his face.

"Om?" he called him to gain attention.

"Yes dad" he answered him with the same smile and Kaali questioned him "Where are you coming from? Hospital?"

"Ummm... no... I just caught up with a friend in a café" he lied smoothly making Kaali raise his eyebrow.

"Who?" he asked and Omkara hesitated for a moment before he answered "An old friend dad.... You don't know him"

"Okay... go freshen up" he said and Omkara nodded heading into his room leaving the mobile on charge.

While he was in the bathroom, his mobile rang and Kaali looked at it. Seeing it was from Rudra he answered it smiling.

"O... thanks for the help again man. Gauri called me saying she reached home. I am still at the hospital and will head home in a few minutes" said Rudra in one go and Kaali got on to one point.

"Rudra? Who is Gauri?" he asked at once.

"Hi uncle... sorry I thought it was O... How are you? Long time no see" he asked smiling.

"Come home sometime when you find time Rudra... you talk as if I am the busy one here. I only look after a minor portion of your father's business ventures" said Kaali grinning. "By the way you didn't answer my earlier question. Who is Gauri? your cousin from village Tej brags about?"

"Yes uncle... She came with dad few days back. She had to go to the central library for some work and I couldn't make time. I asked O to do the job for me and he helped" he said and Kaali grinned.

"Okay Rudra I will inform him once he comes out of the washroom" he said and hung up after Rudy promised to meet him soon.

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With Omkara's phone in his hand, Kaali contemplated whether or not to trespass his son's privacy... It wasn't difficult to unlock the phone as he knew his son's age old password. It is ethically wrong but the father in him was curious to know why his son lied to him for a girl... Not to forget that smile on his face.

Finally shushing the ethical side of him, he unlocked the phone unapologetically and checked the contacts and messages...

Nothing... he thought disappointed when he opened the gallery.

One look at it and he almost dropped the phone. Looking at the picture of a girl kissing his son's cheek as he smiled at the camera, Kaali's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

After recovering, he grinned like a man winning a lottery "Achaa... beta.... Apne baap se chupayegaa... dekhte hai (Ohh... so you started hiding things from your father... let us see)"

"Dad... is dinner ready or you need help?" asked Omkara coming out of his room freshly showered and changed into his track pants, drying his hair with a hand towel.

"No... everything is ready...set the table till then" said Kaali and walked into the kitchen while Omkara followed the orders.

They were having dinner quietly when Kaali broached the subject "Rudra called when you were in the bathroom" he informed making Omkara stop eating.

"W...What did he say?" he asked and Kaali smiled "Nothing... he was thanking you for some help you did to him... what was it Om?" he asked innocently.

Omkara looked at his father carefully to see for any signs of mockery. When he didn't find any he answered taking a leap of faith. "Nothing important dad... just a personal favor" he said evasively and Kaali grinned wide.

"Oh... Okay...it is good to help our friends" he stated and Omkara looked at him doubtfully. However, he didn't dare to comment and changed the topic to still waters.

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"So?" asked Rudra lying on Gauri's bed in their house while she sat beside him a book in hand trying to sketch a plot for her story.

"What Rudy?" she asked him not turning her attention to him.

Rudra pulled the book away and sat straight before her.

"Tsk... kya hai?" asked Gauri irritated.

"You tell me... you went on a coffee date with my friend" he finally spoke his thoughts.

"Seriously Rudy? Date?.... I was feeling extremely awkward with him and he like a good Samaritan helped me dissolve the awkwardness. That's it... end of conversation"

Rudra made a face not liking the statement "A handsome man and a beautiful girl go out to talk over a cup of coffee... it is called a date in India...at least in Mumbai"

"Is this one of your settings? You joined the team with Richa and Bhavya?"

"Nope... O is a good man... I never thought of setting you up with him but the idea doesn't seem to be bad Gauri. He seemed to be interested in you too... He isn't stuck up like Ajay. On top of that Kaali uncle is a cool father in law to have" he voiced out and turned to his cousin to note the hint of tears threatening to spill out of her beautiful hazel eyes.

He worriedly cupped her face wiping the tears away which now seemed to not stop.

"Gauri...I am sorry...If you are not comfortable...I will not broach the subject kidoo... please sorry...don't cry"

"How can you Rudy... you know what I went through... do I need to have a man to be happy in life? Doesn't a girl be happy on her own? Why is everyone pushing me...I cannot go through another heart break. I cannot trust anyone at the moment" she said hugging him and he let her.

After a moment when she started to hiccup, "Gauri...listen to me" said Rudra seriously.

"I never stopped you from crying in front of me... but not anymore... It has been more than a year and I have had enough" he said angrily.

"I don't want to blame you for not listening to me when I said he wasn't the one for you, but i cannot help saying that Gauri. Ajay is a scumbag... you are not at fault... never ever think that you are any less than that make up box he is marrying" he said with such conviction that she stopped her hiccups.

"But... she is beautiful, well settled and owns a company" she said in a small voice.

"She is not down to earth, she doesn't put other's wishes before her own and she definitely doesn't love people the way you do. You are the most beautiful person I ever met" he countered.

"But...."

"No... dare you even take her name before yours... he doesn't deserve your love nor does he deserve your tears... understand?" he asked her and she merely nodded with a pout.

Rudy smiled at her and kissed her cheek before he took her into a warm hug "Promise me that this is the last day you are going to cry for him Gauri" he murmured as he rubbed her back.

"I promise" she softly said after a minute.

"Promise me that if you find the right person in the near future you will try your best to move on" he asked again.

"Rudy...please" she said parting from him but he objected.

"No Gauri... I need a promise today... now" he firmly said.

"I promise" she said and he happily hugged her grinning widely.

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End of chapter 2....

Let me know your thoughts guys...

Till the next update... signing off...yours Soujanya.