Omkara~

"Happy Anniversary, Ishaana." I greeted giving the bouquet and a hug to Ishaana.

"Thank you, Om." Ishaana said reciprocating the hug, "Glad you came."

"How can I miss it, if I have to be alive on the next day." I said making Ishaana laugh.

"Ishu." Samar called coming towards us.

"Hello Mr. Obe... " Samar said and Ishaana glared at him, "I mean Omkara, it nice to meet you again." Samar said shaking hand with me. And Ishaana gave a appreciative smile.

"Hello Samar, Happy Anniversary." I said smiling.

"Thank you, Omkara." Samar smiled, "If you don't mind, can I borrow my wife for few minutes." He asked.

"Sure, she's all yours." I said.

"Thank you." Samar said taking Ishaana's hand in his, "Please enjoy the party, while I introduce Ishaana to few of my friends." Samar said pulling Ishaana with him.

I walked towards the Bar area where different drinks were being served and occupied an empty stool.

"What would you like to have, Sir?" The bartender asked.

"One Martini." I said and he served the drink. I turned around to look at the party.

Ishaana and Samar were happily speaking with the guests looking at each other with so much love. I never saw Ishaana this happy and contended may be love makes that to the people, just like how I feel like I am top of the world, carefree and most importantly happy like never before.

I am happy for Ishaana that she found her soulmate in Samar, who was now looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world and I am also happy that I found Gauri, The one who entered into my life when I thought I couldn't be happy anymore and made my life bright and colorful with her presence. I began to remember about all the moments with her. I don't know whether it's love or attraction but life feels much better when she's around. Right now, I am confused about my feelings.

"Whom are you dreaming about, Omkara?" Ishaana's voice came.

"Gauri." I said dreamily and remembered I said it out loud. "No one." I corrected immediately but the damage is already done.

"Don't lie to me Romeo." Ishaana laughed out aloud sitting beside me. "I can see that love for Gauri in your eyes, every time she's near you." She said patting on my arm.

"Oh, no Ishaana, you are assuming things." I defended.

"Oh, oh... You must have realised by now that you are a terrible liar, Omkara." Ishaana laughed, "that blush on your face tells everything."

"Ishaana, stop teasing him." Samar said coming towards us carrying his daughter in his arms. "Leave the poor man alone."

"Wow, Earlier I was asking you two to not fight with each other and now you two became one team." Ishaana said with her hands on her hips.

"I am just rescuing my fellow male from the investigation of a my detective wife." Samar said giving his daughter to Ishaana, "I changed her diapers, now it's your turn to feed her."

"Okay fine." Ishaana said bouncing Baby Sahana in her arms, "I will be back after feeding Sahana, have a good time, Om." She said walking away.

"That you love Gauri." Samar asked calmly.

"I don't know, I am confused about my feelings." I said honestly.

Samar chuckled softly making me turn in his direction.

"What's so funny?" I asked looking at him.

"Oh, nothing." Samar chuckled again making me raise a brow at him.

"Sorry, It's just you reminded me of my past self." Samar said smiling lightly, "Even I was once confused about my feelings towards Ishaana, I know I would be happy around her, carefree like a child and be my own self but I always used to deny my love but deep down I knew I love her but never had courage to express it."

"One day I realized that I couldn't be happy in my life without Ishaana, it's like she's a drug and I am an addict who cannot live without it. But then it was already late, Ishaana taught I don't love her and left to India and got engaged to you." Samar said looking at the drink in his hand swirling it, "I was heart broken, when I came to know about her engagement, I thought I lost her, I cried so many nights hating myself for not realising my feelings earlier. I thought about giving up my life but then she came back to me, and I was the most happiest person in the world, I didn't delayed a minute, I asked her to marry me and she agreed." He said smiling. "And now we are here happily celebrating our togetherness for one year with a cute baby girl to add more happiness to our lives." He said looking at Ishaana, who was now talking with Samar sister with Sahana in her arms.

"The thing is Omkara, sometimes even if we know about our feelings towards a person, we keep on denying them because of fear, probably fear of rejection. But once we dare, victory may or may not be ours but at least we can live the rest of our lives without any regret. God gave me  a second chance to have Ishaana in my life, but I doubt how many others were given that chance. And I am glad I got one cause I couldn't imagine my life without her." He said waving at Ishaana, who waved back at him from a far.

"So, Omkara realize and express your feelings before you regret." Samar said looking at me. "Ask yourself whether you can imagine a life without her and then you will have your answer."

"What you two are planning together?" Ishaana asked coming towards us.

"Oh nothing darling." Samar said standing up from his place and wrapping an arm around Ishaana's waist, "I was asking Omkara to taste the new wine that I brought from California last week, he may not get a chance to get drunk once he gets married." Samar said swinging the Orange juice glass sadly.

"Shut up." Ishaana said smacking Samar arm.

"What? I am saying the truth." Samar defended.

"Omkara, Sahana's not feeling good, we are heading home, enjoy the party." Ishaana said giving me a small hug.

"Hey Joe, Serve him the best quality wine." He said pointing me to a blonde boy in the bar counter.

"Don't spoil him, Samar." Ishaana scolded pulling Samar with her.

"Omkara, enjoy the bachelorhood while it lasts." Samar shouted laughing while Ishaana pulled him away towards the parking area.

"Can I live my life without Gauri?" I questioned myself. "Can I love without her constant tantrums, her cute curses, her support and encouragement and most importantly her Love and care?"

My Heart and Brain shouted a loud "No".

Yes, I couldn't imagine my life without her, unknown to me she became a big part in my life and I began to love her and was afraid to accept my own feelings because I was scared from what I faced in my past relationship. But not anymore, I have to overcome my fears and express my love to Gauri before I regret. I am going to confess my feelings for her tomorrow.

"Sir, your drink." The Blonde boy, who's name I think is Joe said giving me a glass of wine.

"Thanks Joe." I said taking the glass from him and chugging the drink in one gulp. "Keep the drinks coming, Joe. It's celebration time, I am happy after a long time." I said and Joe smiled pouring the drink into the glass, as I began to chug it down feeling truly happy about my realization.