"No Rudy, the theme should be red and beige...this is not negotiable. It is my dream to see Gauri in a red lehenga. I am not compromising on it ...nope..." said Jhanvi denying her son's wish.

"Mom!!" whined Rudra "O is not a huge fan of red. Let it be some lighter shade...like sky blue or baby pink"

"No. You and bhaiyya will take care of the catering and gifts while me and pinky along with maa will take over the decoration and clothing. Your father and my father are anyways not creative so they will take care of the remaining boring works of the wedding" she declared.

Gauri gaped at the mother son duo...Are these guys seriously planning her wedding already? Shankarji... why did you give me such a weird family... she thought but then chastised herself...she wouldn't have anyone else in their place... she loves them to the core.

After she was caught red handed by her maami, she escaped the scene by giving an excuse that she was getting late for her class and she would explain everything once she came back. Unsurprisingly, when she returned home that evening, Rudra who finished his exams the same day was waiting for her at the entrance.

One look at him and she was all set to take a step back to flee from there when Rudra caught her in time and pushed her into his room where her maami was already waiting. She was blackmailed, harassed and tortured until she confessed her feelings along with the incidents of the day before.

Fifteen minutes later, they finalized the marriage venue and guest list. Now they were discussing the arrangements and she wouldn't be surprised if they decided the names of her children a few minutes later.

"Heloo... guys..I am right here...remember me?" she asked sarcastically and they ignored her, seriously continuing their discussion.

It was when Rudra brought out a pen and paper out of his desk and started taking notes while Jhanvi dictated the 'things to do' that Gauri lost her cool. She snatched the paper from his hands and tore it to pieces glaring at them all the while.

Rudra stared at her for a moment before he started to cry dramatically.

"Maa... see... she is so mean... I almost jotted down ten points in that list" he said complaining while Jhanvi sniffed even more dramatically.

"Aao...bera bachaa... don't cry baby... ladkiyaan hamesha parayadhan ho jate hai shaadi ke baad... ab kya hua if Gauri started to not consider her family's feelings even before marriage... We should be happy that she is moving on right?" she said hugging a wailing Rudra when he merely nodded his head saying "Yes maa...you are right...we should be happy"

"Tumhe doctor nahi actor banna chahiye Rudy ...(You should be an actor rather than a doctor) ... and maami... you joined him too?... I only said I love Omkara and you people are planning my wedding... what if he doesn't like me? Moreover I don't know him completely... what if I won't like him later on... Let me decide after I am sure enough... will you please wait till then?"

"Kyaa? (what?) why won't he love you? Uski itni himmat ki meri Gauri ko na bolega vo?(dare he say no to my Gauri)" said Jhanvi angrily.

"Maami... ye kya hai...(what is this) It is his life...his decision.. We can't force him"

"Gauri... stop being so pessimistic...O genuinely seemed interested in you... he might have seen many girls who I hung out with in the two years I worked with him. He never asked about any other girl...in fact we never had any personal conversation in a long time... He doesn't even know I have a girlfriend until I told him about Bhavya on the night you met him... As far as I remember he doesn't have any close friends"

"He isn't the 'live life with chill' kind of guy Gauri... He was always focused and unyielding both in his career and personal life. He did things only and only when he knew he wanted them...so, if he asked about you, he isn't looking for a casual chat... I know he likes you"

"What?" exclaimed Gauri "I thought he was your friend ... but you both seem so distant to me now... what do you mean by 'never had a personal conversation'...friends are supposed to know what is happening in each other's lives right? How do you know so much about him if he doesn't let anyone come close then?"

"Me and maa knew him personally because papa and Kaali uncle were best friends since many years. Kaali uncle always worries that O thinks with his mind too much that he forgets that he has a heart to cater to."

Gauri groaned "Rudy... Don't tell me he is a bore"

"Now when did I say that... you enjoyed his company didn't you... even I do... If you have a difficult day at work, I suggest you go spend time with O for a few moments and he will make you smile... You don't know how he talks with his patients and their relatives... he does magic until they adore him Gauri... He is not what I call is stuck up... he goes to parties but out of curtesy rather than for chilling with friends... He has friends but he never lets them close enough to let them know what is happening with his life...in his life. Did you get me?"

Looking at Gauri nodding uncertainly, Rudra sighed "Yeah, he is a bit complicated but he is a good person. If you want to know him more, you should ask him out" he said in a matter of fact tone.

When Gauri widened her eyes at the statement, Jhanvi rolled hers saying "Come on... gone is the time when you wait for the guy to make a move... if you are interested, you should let him know Gauri"

"But maami what if he thinks me too modern and dominating? I mean wouldn't a man's ego take a beating if the girl is like that? Too straight forward?"

"I don't know about all other men, but Omkara doesn't think that way Gauri... so, that shouldn't bother you" said Jhanvi convincingly.

"Still... it will be embarrassing if I ask him out and he says a no to my face" she said whining.

"Okay...leave that to me then... let me double check if he is really interested in you or not" said Rudra and Gauri frowned at him "What are you planning?"

"When Rudy is here...no fear Gauri... be ready to go for a date with Mr. Perfect" he said winking and giving a high five to his mother while Gauri smiled excited.

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"Why isn't Rudra answering his phone Omkara?" asked Jhanvi calling the later.

"He is washed up for a case aunty. He will be free in thirty minutes I guess" said Omkara looking at the pictures in article he was reading.

"Okay...will you convey him a message then?" she asked politely and Omkara said a yes.

"Tell him that Rohan will pick up Gauri today...he needn't go to her college" she said as innocently as possible making him narrow his eyes.

"Who aunty?" he asked taking the bait and Jhanvi grinned.

"Rohan... Gauri's friend. I am so thankful to you Omkara... Gauri told me what happened yesterday. She looks so vibrant today ready to welcome change in life. She decided to move on...isn't it wonderful"

Move on? With Rohan? Should he ask? No....let it be... what will aunty think of him... wait a minute... the morning before, did she dress up for this Rohan guy? he thought.

"Yeah aunty that is wonderful" he agreed praying that his voice sounded excited though he didn't feel an ounce of it. All he could feel was restlessness.

After the call, Omkara paced in the changing room, waiting for Rudra to come back after the case.

"Rudra...Jhanvi aunty called me and asked to convey her message that Rohan will pick up Gauri from her classes and you don't need to go there" he finished in one sentence on seeing his friend.

"Ohh......great, one thing less to worry" said Rudra smiling at him.

"Umm... you know this guy Rohan?"

"Not personally no...Gauri went on a date with him a month back I guess... she said he was cool" he said.

"You should seriously do a background check on people you let her meet Rudra...You are the one who introduced her to Ajay... she told me" he said in an irritated tone.

"What????...not you too... Ajay was my classmate O... she met him in one of our parties. I did not 'introduce' him to her as she puts it and for your kind information once she told me they were together; I did warn her that he wasn't the one. She didn't pay heed" Rudra said sighing.

"Gauri is mature enough to know what is right and what is wrong... she has her own opinions O... how can I dictate who she should date and who she shouldn't" Rudra explained.

"But it is your responsibility to see that the person is not a jerk... Ajay was one" Omkara said angrily his temper raising by the second.

"Why are you getting so affected O? what happened to Mr. Cool?"

That statement was like a bucket of ice-cold water thrown at his face. Omkara stood motionless analysing his thoughts. True...Why was he getting worked up. Gauri was going out with a man and it is her choice. Who is he to even give his opinion on that matter? They weren't friends nor is she committed to him.

"Right" he sighed. "Sorry Rudra. I was just worried for her... she was too affected with the last break up that for a moment I forgot I don't have any right to question her choices"

Rudra noted the drastic change in his friend's behaviour and cursed. This is not part of the plan. Why does he close himself off at the first sign of human emotion?

"I am happy that you care for her O. What do you suggest then? should I stop her" Rudra said immediately.

"No... you are right...let her decide" replied Omkara when they were interrupted by the nurse informing him of an emergency, ending the conversation for the day.

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"So, he didn't object?" asked Jhanvi dejectedly.

"He did maa... he did get angry... but maybe he is not ready to accept that he cares for Gauri" said Rudra deep in thoughts.

"May be you are taking too much meaning out of his words Rudy...leave it... it is completely okay with me if he is not interested"

"There... she started again" said both Jhanvi and Rudra rolling their eyes.

Rudra was ready to rebuke her when his phone rang.

"Hello Kaali uncle what happened?........ What do you mean by he didn't return home yet uncle? He was to leave by six in the evening it is almost ten now... Okay it must be some emergency... You should stop worrying uncle. He would have called you if he had time... I will call the hospital now and get back to you in a moment" he spoke to the other end.

"What happened Rudy?" asked Gauri worriedly but Rudra didn't answer her and instead called the hospital.

"Oh god...why sister... how did that happen?... Fudge...that's bad...okay if he returns to the hospital to collect his mobile, tell him to call his father... Okay good night sister" said Rudra as he hung up the phone sighing, looking at Jhanvi and Gauri waiting for answers anxiously.

"O is not going to be in a good mood for the next few days Gauri... let us plan something later" he informed.

"But what happened beta" asked Jhanvi stealing Gauri's words.

"He lost a patient maa" answered Rudra "That is a rare occurrence considering the precautions he takes for every case...now that it happened, he will go into silent mode until he gets over it" he said.

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Omkara sat alone on the promenade, his mind raging with thoughts in contrast to the calm sea meeting with sky before him. It was merely a day before that he was here with Gauri. He knew she needed time for herself and on a reflex, he brought her here to his get-away abode which wasn't known to anyone but his father. Why did he bring her here? He didn't have an answer.

He was still getting in terms with the fact that she affected him more than he gave her credit, when disaster struck him in the most unexpected ways today...

It was after many months that such a thing happened to him. He lost a young female patient who had a brain clot because of a road traffic accident. He didn't think it would be complicated on first look. Apparently, she had a heart problem which was undiagnosed before and the stress of the surgery led to a heart attack in the immediate post-operative period.

No amount of resuscitation they had tried, could bring her back. All he remembered now was the expectant look of the woman's ten-year-old son that he saw, just before he went into the operation theatre. Life is clearly unfair.

"So, this is your hide out spot?" said a voice and he smiled instinctively before turning around.

There she stood as beautiful as ever, her long tresses flowing with the wind while she tried to hold them away from her eyes. She gave her signature smile to him making him momentarily forget his turmoil and helplessness.

"Why are you here Gauri...it is late" he said turning back and not answering her question.

She sat beside him not speaking a word and in the process her shoulder touched his arm. He felt the same jolt of energy as the day before when she hugged him. Damn this woman...makes him feel things he never felt before...

Gauri looked at Omkara watching her and said, "What? You didn't answer my question, so I won't answer yours" smiling sweetly.

Omkara laughed "Okay... yes...this is my favourite spot and I brought you here on a reflex when you said you didn't want to go home that night"

"Kaali uncle was worried for you. He called Rudy and we got to know what happened" she explained.

"How did you know that I would be here?"

"I didn't...I and Rudra searched randomly calling your friends since you very intelligently left your mobile in the hospital and I somehow felt that we should check here too and we were lucky...I found you" she said proudly and he shook his head with a smile.

No... don't smile like that... my poor heart Omkara thought Gauri trying to calm her heartbeat which seemed to race at the mere sight of him.

She and Rudra had been searching for him since more than an hour and they were lucky to find him this soon. This man before her seemed to be a mystery. None of his friends had an idea that he had a hide-out spot which he came to, whenever he was upset. They decided not to ask his father as Rudra lied to him that Omkara was busy in the hospital working an unexpected night shift as a colleague's replacement, lest Kaali would be more worried.

Clearly, Omkara himself doesn't want his father to know as he left his mobile in the hospital asking one of the night staff to answer his father's calls and inform him that he was busy at work.

Why does he not allow anyone to get close to him?

What are you hiding darling she thought as she looked at his ever-calm face which seemed to lock up hundreds of emotions behind that charming smile? If at all, she was now more determined than ever to crack the puzzle.

"Umm... Omkara?" she started uncertainly "It is not your fault"

"I know Gauri"

"Then why are you hiding? Why did you leave your phone at the hospital?"

When he remained silent, she urged "I agree we don't know each other that well but I can see that you are upset, in spite of that smile"

Omkara turned to her surprised "Really? What else can you make out?"

"Did you know none of your friends know about this place?" she asked and he nodded his head "I didn't want them to know...I am a very private person Gauri.. I like to keep things to myself...That is me"

"No.. it is not that simple... you are not an introvert... you are clearly keeping people at a distance for some other reason" she said with conviction.

"Too confident, aren't we?" he asked with that smile again.

"That I am" she said with a twinkle in her eyes "Now since we aren't friends you can...uhh... may be talk to me about it... I heard private people are more comfortable in talking out their feelings to strangers"

"You heard wrong and you are not a stranger Gauri" was his answer.

"We are not friends too" she argued

"It is nothing actually" he sighed, "It is just me wondering about the 'what ifs'. I wasn't expecting the complication and went ahead with the surgery. She was young and the surgery was necessary. If delayed, she might have had a permanent neurological damage but now thinking of it she would have at least been alive" he sighed. "I remember talking to her husband and her ten-year-old child assuring them that I would take care of her. I couldn't keep my promise" he said staring at the waves when she placed a comforting hand on his.

"That boy's expectant face reminds me of someone. That someone who eagerly awaits his mother to come back to him" he said. He still is waiting he wanted to say but didn't.

See...people have bigger worries in the world to cry over and you have been wasting the last year crying over an asshole... she chastised herself.

Gauri could tell that he was talking about himself from the longingness in his voice. What happened to his mother? Was she really that selfish that she chooses something other than her own son? a son who loves her.

"Om" she called him making him look at her "Everything happens for a reason. You might think that your decision to not operate might have let your patient live for a bit longer, but can you assure that her heart wouldn't have given away then? or can her family withstand the fact that she is neurologically handicapped had the surgery been delayed? Will they be happy that way?"

"If Shankarji has taken away something from you it is only to give you something far better... It is the way of life...the boy has his father with him...he will be okay" she said and Omkara could only think of his father.

True that he didn't have a mother, but his father never loved him any lesser. He was his source of energy and inspiration to never look back when you stumble...instead go ahead until you learn to walk better.

Omkara nodded his head wordlessly and continued to stare into the darkness.

"Where is Rudra? You didn't come alone at this time right" he asked with a frown suddenly remembering.

"He was afraid of your mood swings" she said laughing and he rolled his eyes "I don't have mood swings Gauri" he said defending himself.

"Hmm...I will not know if you had any right... but yes you have many secrets... Mr. Mystery" she said narrowing her eyes at him. "Someday...I will solve you" she said with a wink.

"Ohh? Why take so much strain? Why do you want to solve me?" Omkara asked her amusedly and she looked caught before she recovered.

"Because you are interesting" she said.

"And..." he asked leaning towards her "What makes you think that I will let you solve me?".

She looked at him dazed forgetting to fill her lungs as she felt his breath close to her face.

"Be...because"

"Hmmmm" he asked looking straight at her.

Good God... can somebody please ask him to move away so that her mind will start working again?

As if he heard her thoughts, he moved back giving her space and she exhaled.

"You were saying something Gauri"

"Because I want to know you more and I don't care for your permission" she said determinedly and saw an intense look in those beautiful brown eyes, before he blinked it away.

"It is quite late. Shall we leave?" he asked getting up and she nodded following him to his car.

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End of Chapter 5

Any thoughts on Omkara?

Let me know through your comments.

P.S. thanks for the cover dibbu-priyu ❤❤❤

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