"Billu ji... why did you call me all of a sudden?" asked Anika as she barged in un-announced into Shivaay's cabin at Oberoi Industries.

Shivaay who was talking to his secretary gave her a look of reproach, gesturing his secretary to leave before giving Anika his complete attention.

"Anika... I have a reputation to maintain here... I asked you not to call me that.. at least not in front of my staff" he said in irritation.

"What should I not call you??..... Billu?" She asked knowingly with a twinkle in her eyes and he sighed giving up.

"Why do I even ask things of you... specially when it comes to irritating me... you won't leave a chance... will you?" he said and she smiled going to him and kissing his cheek.

"Does this irritate you too billu jiiii?" she asked and he shook his head with a smile kissing her back.

"Okay... before I forget the main point... let me tell you that Om agreed to go to Bareilly" he informed and she sighed relieved.

"Thank God some improvement... I thought Om almost gave up... Gauri was very wrong this time Shivaay... even I would have given her a good scolding if she met me... I mean why wouldn't she answer even my calls? Rudra is still angry" she said.

"Yes... so, daadi asked me to go with Om... if Rudra goes, he might say something in anger hurting Gauri or worsen the matter" he said and she nodded.

"Is this it?? You are going to Bareilly so you called me to inform me.... You are going to miss me right??" she asked pouting and he rolled his eyes.

"It is just for a week Anika"

"So? You won't miss me? Then why did you call me??... ye info to phone pe bhi de sakte the (this could be told on phone)"

"I wanted your help" he said and she looked at him in question.

"Rudra and you are good at all these tips and tricks which might help Om and Gauri... you know... I don't have any idea of all this... Rudra cannot come as I need someone here with daadi in case of emergencies... She complained of knee pain last week and the doctor advised rest.... So, can you come?"

"Ohhh.... But I have to submit my project Shivaay. I cannot come" she said in apologetic tone.

"Hmm...Okay... but I will call you if I need help. Like normal people keep your phone with you... not inside the car or outside your room" he said and she smirked.

"Why can't you agree that you can't stop talking to me so, you keep finding reasons to call me... wherever you go"

"Because I don't lie"

"How un-romantic" said Anika making a face... "That is why you like Gauri.... Hai na...? Like spirit animal... she is like your spirit sister" she said with distaste "But remember I am not so patient like your brother okay... you better change to a romantic billu ji soon"

"Okay madam... anything else? If not, you can go back to college"

"Kaise boyfriend hai aap... I left college to come to you... it is your responsibility to drop me back... I thought you are a gentleman"

"Why?? You have your car right?"

"Yeah... I also have a driver and I sent him back... now you have to drop me"

"I have work Anika... I will have to wind up a few things before we start tomorrow morning" he said

"Fine... I will give you company" she said grinning and he shook his head in a no.

"No... ask your driver to come.... You are a distraction..."

"Achaa... what distraction?" she asked in a sultry tone as she hugged him.

"Anika..." Shivaay said in a scolding tone.

"Hmmm" she mumbled placing a kiss on his chest.

When he stood unaffected ready to rebuke her, she pouted anger, saying her usual "You don't love me anymore" and he laughed hugging her back.

"Okay... I lied... I will miss you ... hence I called you to see you before I leave" he complied kissing her hair and she grinned in victory.

"Happy?... now get out" he said but looking at the frown that started to set on his girlfriend's face, modified it into a more polite sentence by adding a please.

"Good... miss me three much... no ten much" she said and pulled his face down to kiss his lips.

No matter how much he tried, Shivaay could never be prepared for her sudden kisses and outbursts of love. He just started to reciprocate her kiss, pulling her closer when Rudra barged into the cabin to gasp aloud.

"Hey bhagwan... what did you make me see... someone please give me ganga jal to clean my eyes"

"Rudra... you should learn to knock" said Anika after she pulled away from an embarrassed Shivaay.

"This is office madam... not your house that I need to ask permission to enter my own brother's chamber... you spoilt my grand-mother's innocent grandson" he said in accusation for which Anika shamelessly grinned.

"That is my talent... hai na billu ji" she said wantonly making Shivaay glare at her.

"Haawww... she calls you billu now?? Hitler has to know these changes.... You will be married by the end of this year" said Rudra making his brother panic.

"Look at the irony... some people do nothing even after marriage while some do everything before it.... All depends on the partner you choose... I wasn't entirely wrong that day... hain na?" he said indirectly hinting his other brother's relationship and Shivaay sighed.

"Rudy.. stop it... It was just a kiss"

"Ohh... just a kiss... daadi ke sharmile bachaa... we will ask Hitler directly" said Rudra taking his phone when Shivaay ran towards him to snatch it away.

"As if I won't go home and tell daadi" said Rudra smirking at his brother's fruitless attempts at stopping him.

"But I am not ready for marriage yet... I still have to...." started Shivaay and Anika frowned.

"Why did you kiss me then?... you had no problem with that??.... why do you men have problem only when it comes to marriage?? baaki sab to..."

"Oh... Hello... don't generalize... haven't you seen the dukhi aatma at home?? He was all set to marry in a month of knowing his wife... and now what??... Probably Shivaay bhaiyya is being cautious.... Intelligent move bhaiyya.... I appreciate it"

"Shivaay?? Is that the reason?? You know I would not..."

"Stop it Anika... don't take his words seriously"

"Then what is the reason" she asked narrowing her eyes and he sighed turning to his brother.

"Rudy... let Omkara's problem come to a closure... I will tell daadi myself" he said and they nodded.

"Why did you come here Rudy?" asked Anika.

"Just to warn my brother that he has to take O's side and not bhaabhi's side as he is going to Bareilly"

"Rudy ... why so serious... gussa thuk do na yaar... she is your sister in law" said Anika placing a hand on his shoulder while her friend gave her a look.

"I don't have any issues with her Anika... I love her for what she is...but no one troubles my brothers... not even their wives... it applies to you as well... even if you are my best friend" he explained "And if it was O's fault... I would have supported her"

Rudra turned to Shivaay and said "You know what daadi tells us... a person might have many reasons for justification of his or her actions but what is wrong...is wrong... I was angry the other day... I will apologize to her if at all she comes back changed.... But dare you bring her back to torture him more"

"Alright sir... I will make sure... you check for yourself once she comes back" said Shivaay.

"Of course... that you don't have to tell me... she has to pass Rudy's test before she gets on to my good books again" he said with finality and they smiled in agreement.

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

"Gauri... is everything arranged? I think damaad ji will be coming shortly" said Gayathri as she saw her grand daughter setting her room to accommodate her husband.

"Haa daadi... everything is set... he likes light colors so I choose the lavender and cream bedsheet and quilt, he loves bright light coming into the room during the day...the reason for the thin curtains, also he prefers a study place within the bedroom. I put some paints and canvas in that corner so that he can paint whenever he feels like it.... Unhe bahut pasand hai" Gauri blabbered showing her around and Gayathri smiled.

"You also check if I missed something... I almost cleared my cupboard so that he can put his clothes... vo kya hai na... he gets irritated if he has to open his suitcase time and again.. he likes to keep things orderly.. aur..."

"Bas bas... I think he will be so happy that you took so much effort in making him feel at home" said Gayathri.

Gauri just nodded with a smile and continued to recheck things when her grandmother advised again "Forget that incident ever happened Gauri..." making her stiffen and stop.

"I know you still find it difficult to forget it but he is your husband... you can't run away from him forever... understand?"

Her grand-daughter was about to reply when they heard Dandi's shout, informing them of the arrival of the O-brothers and they hurried downstairs.

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

"Namaste Papa" said Omkara bending to take the blessings of his father in law while the later put a hand on his head with a warm smile.

Shivaay followed suit and Shakti blessed him too, before inviting both of them inside the mansion.

Omkara looked around the place, the memories of his wedding greeting him like an age old relative, making him fondly think of the day he took the woman he loved home. Strange that even today, he came here for the very same purpose but this time he wished she came with him not as a girl of that house who feared her future with him but as a wife who trusted her husband.

True that, memories make one hold onto things they love... the things they never want to lose.

"Namaste Damaad ji" Gayathri wished him and he turned to the elderly woman with a smile. When he saw his wife walking behind Gayathri looking as beautiful as ever, dressed in a bluish green saree with minimal ornamentation... just vermillion adoring her hair partition, her signature jhumkas, glass bangles and her mangalsutra encircling her neck, he fought the urge to go and hug her.

He averted his eyes from his smiling wife to wish his daadi saas and took her blessings.

"Congratulations beta... I heard of your success... we are immensely proud of you" Gayathri said as she smiled at both the brothers.

"Thank you daadi ji"

"It must have been a long journey... why don't you go to our room and freshen up?"

Gauri who had been waiting for her husband to look at her and smile was disappointed when he looked everywhere but her and talked with everyone but her.

He is angry... she deduced very lately and sighed. She instead turned to her husband's brother who was looking directly at her and smiled, going to his side.

"How are you Gauri" Shivaay asked placing a hand on her cheek and she nodded her head replying "fine".

They began talking about the things at home when Shivaay carefully avoided talks about Rudra and Anika being cross with her.

"Gauri... show them their rooms... let them rest for a while before they come down for lunch" said Gayathri and the boys followed Gauri upstairs into their respective rooms.

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

Omkara couldn't help but smile once he looked around Gauri's room which she arranged with such precision that it almost resembled their room at the Oberoi mansion.

At least...she knows what he liked in a room... his heart and brain said together but one with happiness and the other with sarcasm.

Hiding the smile and ignoring Gauri who was standing expectantly behind him, he took out his toiletries bag. As he began searching for a towel, she neared him and handed him one.

He gently pushed her hand away and continued his search. Finally finding the piece of cloth and a facewash, he walked into the bathroom shutting the door with a loud thud.

Once he was fresh and ready to go down, Gauri stopped him to ask the most obvious question "Omkaraji... are you angry at me?"

"I am hungry" came the reply before he walked past her and out of the room.

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

"Om seems to be in your good books daadi ji... you have cooked all of his favorites" said Shivaay putting a morsel of the delicious food in his mouth while his brother ate silently.

"Yeah... Gauri made everything for her husband... you should scold her for ignoring you Shivaay" said Gayathri chuckling.

"Someone seems to be trying hard to impress" Shivaay whispered to Omkara who simply scoffed in response.

The rest of the day passed with Gauri trailing behind her husband, finding reasons to start a conversation while he royally ignored her.

Giving up, she retired earlier to their room and decided to wait up for him.

He would definitely talk with her at night... one of his favorite habits... she thought hopefully.

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

"Why are you acting pricey today?" Shivaay rebuked his brother "She followed you everywhere like a puppy and you won't talk to her" settling on the bed in his room in the mansion.

"In case you forgot? she ignored talking to me the past few days.. she should know how it feels to be ignored" said Omkara settling beside him, ready to sleep.

"What the hell are you doing... are you sleeping here?"

"Any doubts? I am dead tired" said Omkara picking up the blanket when Shivaay snatched it from him.

"Go sleep in your room... I need my privacy" he said and Omkara rolled his eyes.

"Omkara... why did you come here... for vacation?"

"I am having a hard time controlling myself... not to hug and kiss her... I cannot do that if she is sleeping on the same bed with me... you understand that?"

"Then don't stop yourself... who asked you to?"

"No Shivaay... I am expecting certain things from her and unless she fulfils them, I am not going to bend this time... if I do, she will always have her way"

"I don't care... get out of my room now"

"Technically... this is my wife's house.. so... this is my room and you are the guest" smirked Omkara before lying down and closing his eyes.

"Okay... let me call daadi..." said Shivaay grabbing his phone and Omkara's eyes flew open in alarm. He sat straight and snatched the gadget from his brother.

"Urgghhhh.. Shivaay... grow up will you? Stop broadcasting everything"

"You promised her you will bring Gauri back"

"I did and I will... but"

"No more discussion... GET...OUT" Shivaay said leaving no room for discussions,

Why could not his grandmother allow Rudra to come with him? His life would have been much easier... Omkara thought angrily before he got up and marched out of his brother's room.

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

Omkara quietly entered Gauri's room praying that she slept already... since it is past her bedtime. Alas, luck had never sided him in the past few weeks.

"Omkaraji" she called him with a smile as he neared the bed and he looked at her expectant face with fake dis interest.

Taking two pillows from the nearby couch, he placed them beside her on the bed and settled himself beside them making her frown.

Damn!! ... it hurt... did he feel the same when she did that?

"Omkaraji... I have been waiting to talk to you since morning" she said and his eyes flew open in surprise.

She wanted to talk...?? He was expecting her to say a sorry and move on as if nothing happened.... but she got on the right track this soon? Okay hope for good.

"Ohh... about what?"

"About your project... you just said you got the partnership... nothing else" she said casually and he sighed.

"I think we have more important things to discuss Gauri" he said giving her a stern look and she turned away.

"I am not comfortable talking about it... let us just forget it happened... can you not.."

Why did I even expect.... he cursed mentally.

"No... I cannot ignore the fact that when someone comes and says anything about me... you run away without giving me a chance to speak"

"Because there was nothing to talk... I was in no position to talk Omkaraji... I cannot talk about your activities with your secretary" she said in anger further hurting him.

"Activities?? So you believed what she said?" he asked staring into her eyes and she turned her face away.

"I don't know... I would say I don't want it to be true... but with your past friendship..." she left the sentence hanging.

"Right... I thought... just may be you needed time to come to terms... but Gauri when you don't trust me... I don't think I can do anything"

"There is nothing there to trust... you both were drunk she said"

"And you trusted her?? What is she to you?"

"Why will she lie to me?" she said making him wonder if she went mad.

"Are you out of your mind?? She wanted you to leave me so that she can get back into my life" he spelled it out "And you did the exact same thing"

Gauri widened her eyes "I did not go that day to leave you Omkaraji... why will I? ... You are my husband... whether you had slept with her or not... intentionally or not... It is me who has to be with you... not her" she said.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means I cannot leave you..."

His heart felt hope rise within, when she shattered it with her next statement "Because divorce is not an option..." she said.

Omkara felt his heart develop a crack.... It seemed like every time he expected something out of her, he would be hurt to such extent that he should go mute until he recovers... However this time, recovery seems to be too far away.

Does she really feel nothing for him? Is she staying with him because divorce is not an option? he knew none of their families would approve of it.

He closed his eyes to not scream out his frustration and then rubbed his face with his hands. Raising the duvet, he covered himself with it and settled down to have a sleepless night.

"Omkaraji..." she said hurriedly "I.. did not mean..."

"I have had enough Gauri... just let me sleep for today... please" he muttered turning away from her leaving her guiltily stare at his sleeping form.

God...That came out all wrong... she just wanted to talk... Just talk anything but Riya... and all this happened... hurting him was not the intention.

Mumbling a sorry, she lied down on the bed, their conversation playing in a loop in her mind.

Why was she so poor in letting him know her thoughts... with actions she did well but words always backlogged her. All that she wanted to tell him was that they need to forget everything and start on a fresh note. But what did she convey?

Sighing, she turned to his side, tightly gripping the pillows which separated them. Physical distance she could reduce my merely throwing those cushions away...but what about the emotional distance they had between them?? How can she reduce it?

How did she let things go so bad? she scolded herself.

Half an hour passed and her thoughts turned out to be betraying friends when they failed to help her null her guilt, instead accused her of more wrongs.

She looked to his side and carefully pulled the pillow away, moving close to him to take a look at his calm face. Not wanting to disturb him, she touched his arm gently rubbing it.

"I did not want to hurt you" she whispered leaning to give a soft kiss on his shoulder.

She then moved back, placing the pillow in its right place and lied down on her side of bed with a sigh, before giving in to a restless sleep yet again.

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

The next morning,

Omkara woke up to a small hand softly slapping his face and calling his name repeatedly.

Still sleepy, he held the chubby hand in a firm grip trying to stop its action, simultaneously muttering a "let me sleep please" when he heard the serious scolding.

"It is bad manners to sleep after seven in the morning" the sweet voice said and he opened his eyes to see a cute girl, glaring at him with a set of beautiful emerald green eyes.

A smile formed on his frowning face and he shifted in his bed trying to get up from the mess of a duvet, leaving the girl's hand.

Sitting straight on the bed, he rubbed his face and then passed his hand through his lustrous hair, trying to make a bun out of it when the girl spoke again.

"Don't do it... you look good with open hair" she said with a dreamy smile and he chuckled letting his hair loose.

"Thank you and Good morning" she said with a cheeky smile and he wished back, patting on the bed asking her to sit. The girl jumped on the bed and settled beside him.

"Yes??" she asked in a question gesturing him to talk.

"What is your name and why did you wake me up?"

"My name is Kareena... you can call me Reena... that is what Gauri bua calls me... as for your second question, bua asked me to wake you up so that we could have breakfast together... I am hungry" she said rubbing her stomach.

"Oh... Hi Reena.. I am Omkara"

"I know duh..." she said with attitude, flicking her shoulder length hair with her fingers making him laugh aloud.

"Okay... my bad... I didn't know you before..."

"Yeah.. I attended your wedding... you were busy marrying bua... I know Rudy... we played for some time at the function" she said.

"Ohh..."

"You should go and freshen up" she reminded him and he smiled getting up from the bed before a thought struck him. He turned to Reena and asked her "Why couldn't your Gauri bua come herself to wake me up?"

"Umm... she said you were angry at her and slept with a bad mood... she asked me to make your mood better" she said thoughtfully "I did it right? ... you are smiling"

Omkara shook his head thinking of his wife... She finds new ways to bring a smile on his face but why does she mess up when he wanted more than mere sweet gestures?

"It is also bad manners to keep someone waiting for answers" Reena's voice brought him out of thoughts.

"Absolutely" he said in reply to both of her statements and bent to kiss her cheek when she moved back shrinking her face.

"Ewww... you should brush" she said and he closed his mouth before he ran into the washroom.

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

Gauri watched her husband from outside their room, hurry into the bathroom and chuckled.

At least he had a nice start to the morning... she thought and turned around when she bumped into her brother in law.

"So, are you done ogling my brother?" teased Shivaay and she blushed.

"I was just..."

"You don't need to explain Gauri... he is your husband... haq banta hai tumhari (you have the right)" he said and she gaped at him.

"Shivaay bhaiyya... you too?... not fair"

Shivaay chuckled "I am having fun... we missed you at home" he said patting her head and she smiled "Me too"

"You should say that to Om as well Gauri" he said his tone turning serious with meaning and she nodded her head understandingly.

"Come down for breakfast... I will go and look over the arrangements... there are guests in the house" she said.

"Okay"

Gauri smiled and walked past him when he said "Sometimes, silence is not healthy Gauri... one needs words for approval or refusal... please don't delay it more".

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

Meanwhile in the kitchen,

"Geet... Where is Kareena? She has been bugging me for food since morning... ask her to come.. I will serve her first... let the children eat, then we elders can have" said Gayathri and Geet smiled.

"She is with her Omkara fufa ji... Gauri sent her there to wake him up... I hope she didn't jump on him like she does with her father"

Gayathri laughed "She is the most active girl in our family... how is she studying?"

"Ohh God who is talking about studies early in the morning" came a voice from the kitchen door making the women turn in the direction and smile.

"Aree... Bhavya, Reshma, Payal... come... where is your cousin?"

"Gauri is on some secret mission on waking up her husband.. she must be coming" said Reshma.

"Hmm... how are the preparations going on at Kamal's house?... If the boy's side relatives are many, they can stay here.. we have spare rooms Bhavya.. talk to your father and tell me so that we could prepare" instructed Gayathri and the bride's sister sighed.

"Di wanted a small ceremony daadi... you and papa are not at all in a mood to listen... it is just an engagement... Shaadi thodi nah hai ki ladke vale sab sheher se aajayege yaha rehne...(not marriage that all the people from groom's side will come from the city to stay here)"

"Shut up... you don't understand all the traditions... we wanted to plan Gauri's engagement too in a grand style but the time was very less that it happened that way"

"Let your father have the contentment at least... I know you are anyways not going to marry the one your father chooses for you" said Gayathri in distaste and Bhavya laughed.

"True... I am not Garima di who will settle for an arranged marriage... I will marry the one I fall in love with" she said dreamily.

"Ye dekho... shameless girl... you and these both equally crazy friends of yours, don't dare speak such non-sense and spoil my daughter... stay away from her" Geet warned Bhavya.

"Kareena?" scoffed Payal "She will give us classes on how to make men fall for us... you don't know a thing of that shaitaan"

"Oh god... look how they are talking?" Geet exclaimed and the young girls made funny faces making Gayathri chuckle.

"Are waah... who made my grand-mother chuckle?" asked Gauri entering the kitchen and the girls ran to her, crushing her in their group hug.

"I...I Ca...nt" Gauri struggled and they left her making her take a deep relaxing breath.

"Gauri di... I heard your husband and his brother came... will you not make us meet them?" asked Reshma, her cousin.

"Yeah... we haven't talked to him much during the wedding and you never came home after that" asked Bhavya.

"What will you talk?" asked Gauri with a frown and Bhavya grinned "I want to ask his hand in marriage... handsome husband you stole from us"

"Kyaa?? Eii... stay away" said Gauri with a frown pointing a finger in warning and they couldn't help but laugh.

"Acha ok... your husband is off limits... tell me which brother came? That muscled one or the cat eyed one?" asked Payal.

"Shivaay bhaiyya" said Gauri with a grin and they pouted in disappointed.

"Damn... he is taken right? Anika di would kill us... why couldn't your dewar come yaar... he is handsome and also a chill dude" said Reshma and Bhavya turned to her with a frown.

"Excuse me... he is taken too" said Bhavya and Reshma rolled her eyes.

"Yeah... he flirted with half of the girls here during the function... whatever made you think that he is hooked on to you" said Payal.

Bhavya turned to her cousin with hope "Di... he must have talked to you about me right?"

Gauri didn't want to hurt Bhavya but she couldn't lie as well. Deciding to divert the topic, she asked "You guys stop with this talk.... It is getting late... help me arrange the table" she said and started to work making the other follow suit.

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

"That is how I broke up with my first boyfriend" said Reena and the brothers raised their eyebrows giving an amused look to each other.

"Eii... little devil what story did you cook up this time" said Bhavya walking to the trio along with her friends.

"Ohh... Om and Shivaay... this is Bhavu bua... she thinks she is the most beautiful girl amongst us" Reena gave the introduction with a bored look.

"But you know she is not" the girl completed making her bua gasp.

"Teri too..." Bhavya raised her hand to playfully hit her when the girl ran away giggling making the rest of them laugh.

"Hi jiju" Bhavya wished Omkara and he smiled "Hi Bhavya"

"Aww... you remember me? That is so sweet"

Shivaay smiled at Gauri's cousin "How will he forget? After all, you made him do all those weird rituals to marry your sister"

Bhavya giggled turning to the elder Oberoi "Right... Hi Shivaay Bhaiyaa... looking dapper today" she said.

"Thank you Bhavya"

"Hei... this is unfair... you didn't compliment me... I am sure I look more handsome than Shivaay" said Omkara offended.

"Gauri di will kill me if she heard me... I have been warned to stay away jiju" she said.

Omkara sharply turned to Shivaay with a raised eyebrow, and he in turn smirked at him shrugging his shoulders.

"Shivaay bhaiyya... come... the breakfast is set" said Gauri walking towards them.

"We are coming Gauri" said Shivaay getting up from his place 

Gauri turned to walk towards the dining, after locking eyes with her husband and giving him a smile.

"Yeah Bhavu... I am famished... while we are at it, tell me what all you dreamt about me last night? even I missed you so much" said Omkara with a flirty smile making his wife stop in her tracks and turn around with a frown.

Shivaay gaped at his brother while Bhavya looked petrified.

"Come on" said Omkara dragging Bhavya with him, while Reshma and Payal looked at their Gauri di who was visibly fuming with anger.

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

There you go... long update for the long comments... 5000+ words.

But when the update tends to be too long, it seems tiring and boring... I hope I did not do that to you.

Thanks again for the feedback... even a few of the silent readers had commented on the earlier update which made me extremely happy.

I was to update this yesterday but I was held up at work.

Sorry for the delay..

Hope you enjoyed the update...

Vote and comment dearies...

Signing off your Soujanya...