The moment they reached their mansion, Kalyani Singh Oberoi gave each of her grandsons a much needed whack and a lecture on family's name, decorum before she glared down at them.

When the trio sat on the couch before her like three little ducks from Uncle scrooge, hands folded on their chest, mouth drawn into a pout, giving her their most innocent look, her heart couldn't hold more grudge and she laughed... making them grin joining her happiness.

"Khotiyoo... kya tha vo (what was that idiots) ... couldn't you tell me more clearly or warn me prior? ... I almost had a heart attack when your friend... that Anika hugged Shivaay crying... Good that all this ended well but what if they cancelled the proposal altogether?... All that drama you did would have landed us up in a soup if they doubted the entire family and my upbringing... Shivaay... in dono shaitanoon ke saath tu bhi mila hua hai? (you too joined these fellows?)"

"Daadi... I had no idea what they were planning... I was as shocked as you when that girl kept wailing that I was her lover" Shivaay exclaimed and turned to his brother with a glare "You could have at least warned me"

"Aree bhaiyya... samjha karoo na...time nahi tha aur kuch deer aur late hua to O ke Dulhan aap ke biwi ban jati... to usse 'bae' ki jagah 'Bhabhi' bulana padta iskoo... (Dear brother.... You need to understand O's fear here... we didn't have much time and if things went south instead of being his bride she would have become his sister in law)... we did not pre-plan this either" explained Rudra and Omkara made a puking face at the word bhabhi.

"This is all your fault daadi... had you shown me the picture of Gauri when I begged you to... all this drama wouldn't have happened" Rudra said accusingly.

"Great... it is my fault now... who asked you to get into fights every other day... I wanted to punish...."

"Daadi... stop... we are getting deviated... the main point here is my brother is apparently in love" said Shivaay nudging Omkara who smiled in return.

"Right... ab batao... seedha... what did you like in her... Rudy did say about how you guys met but I want to listen from your mouth" said daadi smiling settling beside the trio.

"I don't know daadi... I ...uhh... didn't think things would turn this way. She is brave and kind... fierce and beautiful... I was just curious... you know... to get to see her again...talk to her and may be know her more but the moment I realized she might not be mine... I just couldn't take that..." he said looking away "No... not even for my brother".

"Hai...mein marjawaan... Jealous are you?" said Kalyani with a smile and the brothers sniggered.

"Whatever it was... I only felt better when she nodded a yes to marry me daadi... and that is what matters for now... I am not letting her go anywhere"

"I thought Rudra was the possessive one... I didn't expect it from you Om..." said Shivaay surprised at his brother's determined tone.

"Okay...everything is at the right place now... but why were you so eager to get back home?" asked Rudra confusedly.

"Yeah right... you were even avoiding Gauri during the dinner" said Shivaay.

"Ummm... I ..uhh...I might have..." said Omkara still contemplating whether or not to confess.

"You might have?...what?" they chorused and he sighed.

"I kissed her" said Omkara earning a gasp from them.

Daadi gave him a playful slap while he grinned shamelessly... his brothers still gaping at him.

"Om... itna besharam kab se ban gaya hai tu... (when did you become shameless) you met her today and kissed her?"

"I couldn't help it... she looked so cute daadi... and for your information it is only a cheek kiss" he said in his defense making them chuckle.

"So you were worried she would rebuke you?" asked Shivaay and his brother nodded vigorously.

"I don't want that 'let-us-give-each other-time' talk... I am her fiancé... I can give a cheek kiss right?"

"Chup khotiyaa... (shut up) she should like it too... take it slow Omkara... aise mein to dar jayegi vo (she might get scared)" advised Daadi.

"Who will get scared? Are you kidding me daadi... she won't run away.. she will make him run" said Rudra in his brother's support.

"Now how should I make you understand..." said Kalyani sighing.

"Come on Daadi... I am tired being the love guru always for a change you could take my place" said Rudra smiling.

"Look... a girl might appear all straightforward... outspoken and social but when it comes to physical proximity... all women aren't the same... you should know when to take a chance and when not to... you said she agreed to marry you... that doesn't give you lease to get close to her Omkara... you should note the subtle signs of disapproval or for that matter approval"

"She blushed" said Omkara happily making Kalyani laugh at the enthusiasm.

"Okay... if she talks to you and says a no... you should heed to her wishes...understand?" she ordered and he nodded making a face.

"Mera pyara bacha... (my good boy) I am so happy you got someone like Gauri" gushed daadi kissing her grandson's cheek and the brothers smiled in happiness.

"By the way daadi... now that Shivaay is not under any promise... can we match him with Anika?" asked Rudra making his elder brother and grandmother widen their eyes in surprise.

"What?? Come again" said Shivaay and Omkara chuckled.

"Anika crushes over you Shivaay... bechari (poor thing) ... she is a good girl...She helped us so much... didn't she? Do her a favor and marry her" said Rudra and got a 'not-funny' look from Shivaay.

Kalyani clicked her tongue as a sign of disapproval and said "This is not a joke Rudra... no one is doing a favor marriage in my family... Pyaar karna and Ishqbaaz banna zaruuri hai (you should fall in love)"

"Don't worry we will take care of that part... kyun O" said Rudra and Omkara winked in response.

"Hello... I am right here... can you stop talking as if I am not there? what do you mean by taking care?"

"You will know bhaiyya... for now... let us celebrate O's engagement" said Rudra.

The family then continued to have a fun filled chat followed by a movie night before they gave into a resting sleep.

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The next morning at college,

"Was Shivaay impressed with my acting skills?" asked Anika eagerly.

Omkara, Rudra and Daksh dramatically sighed in sync and she pouted sadly "Why?"

"Because you didn't just act Anika... you lived the character... I just asked you to come and claim that Shivaay is your lover... you came and hugged him? I mean don't you think it is a bit over do? He doesn't even know you... now he thinks you are a crazy girl which should be kept away for safety of his mental health" said Omkara.

"Come on Om... Only because I did all that, they now believe that your brother was truly in love with me... you should be thanking me"

"Yeah... no doubt there... I am indebted to you I agree... but you created an impact on Shivaay... not so good one... you shouldn't get too touchy"

"Say's the man who kissed a girl on their second meeting" mumbled Rudra with a smirk and Omkara nudged him to keep quite.

"Yee... kya phus phus ho raha hai dodno bhaiyoo mein?( what secrets are you both sharing?)" asked Daksh frowning.

"Umm... nothing... but Anika... don't worry Shivaay is a bit touch-me-not type... he will come around... we have lots of time" said Rudra placatingly and she grinned enthusiastically.

She then turned to her long haired friend "Hmm... so you love her and she doesn't..." she asked earning a yes from the brothers.

"Not a big deal... she doesn't know you ... and once she does... she will be irrevocably and undeniably in love" said Anika ever so dramatically and Omkara wished her statement to come true.

"You said she should marry next month right? You have exams Om... how are you going to make her fall in love before it?" asked Daksh

"I don't have a choice but to wait till the exams are done Daksh. If not before marriage it will happen after it... honi to usko mera hi hai(she has to be mine anyways)" he said possessively when Anika grinned at him.

"Hmm... right... let the exams be done with... I am going to the library ...are you coming?" asked Daksh and Omkara nodded standing up bidding a bye to his brother and friend.

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

Gauri was still contemplating whether or not to tell her friend about her engagement with Omkara whom she apparently crushed on when the subject came running to her.

"Gauri...come" said Richa pulling her towards the library.

"What happened Richa... where are you taking me?"

"Omkara is in the library... let us go talk to him... I mean you apologize for the incident...while I stand beside, silently admiring him" she explained dreamily and Gauri gulped.

No Gauri... might not be the best time to reveal... may be later...

"Uhh... Richa... let us have lunch now... we can talk to them later... it is quite late...don't you think?"

"No... let us talk to them first... I didn't see him since morning.... I think he is busy studying" said Richa dragging her to the place mumbling the last part to herself.

"But Richa..."

"Gauri?..." called Omkara who just came out of the library to go to the college canteen.

Gauri closed her eyes with a groan... Hey Shankarji... ab kya kareen.

She glanced at Richa who already turned to her fiancé with an i-am-so- happy-to see-you look and rolled her eyes.

Omkara smiled and walked towards her ready to greet her with a hug when he noticed the panicked look on her face.

Taken aback he was...but then considered his grandmother's advice again... she might get scared...

Right... go slow... he said to himself.

"Were you coming to read? Had your lunch?" asked Omkara smiling after reaching her making Richa frown.

"Omkaraji... this is Richa... my friend" introduced Gauri and he smiled formally.

"One minute... you cleared everything Gauri?" asked Richa confused.

"What clear?" questioned Omkara.

"That day she slapped you... she wanted to apologize for it"

"Ohh that... yeah... we talked about it yesterday" answered Omkara.

"Yesterday? But she did not come to college right?" asked Richa again and Omkara turned to Gauri questioningly.

She looked between her fiancé and her friend shaking her head in a no...making him understand that for some unknown reason she didn't disclose the information that he was her future husband to be. If he was not hurt before... he definitely did feel a pinch then.

"Come we can chat over lunch" he said avoiding answering Richa's question with a fake smile hiding his disappointment.

Doesn't she want anyone to know that she will be his wife? He had been bragging about it to everyone of his friends since morning and she didn't tell her best friend about him? Is it so unimportant or is she unhappy?

Gauri noticed the change in Omkara's smile and couldn't help but feel guilty... Shankarji... why do I get stuck in such situations??

"Sure...come Gauri... we should talk... I need to know my future Bhabhi too" said Daksh making his presence known and Gauri wished he were not present then.

"Bhabhi?" said Richa in shock and Daksh informed "Your friend is engaged to Omkara Singh Oberoi yesterday... to Bhabhi hi hogi na mere liye" making her gasp this time.

"Gauri... is this true?" she asked her accusingly making Omkara confused at the tone.

"Um... vo... I..."

"Yes or no"

"Yes... he is my fiancé" said Gauri sighing ready for the stream of protests and angry words but was surprised when her friend grinned happily engulfing her in a warm hug.

"Ahh... finally... so you are going to be fine with your in laws... thank god for that... this definitely is good news... congratulations Omkara" said Richa and Gauri gaped at her.

Omkara smiled shaking hand with Richa who excitedly took his hand in both of hers. He wished his fiancé to be half as excited as her friend in near future.

"Okay... we are getting late... you both carry on... will meet you later today" he said and moved away with Daksh leaving them to talk.

Gauri stared at his retreating back ... He is hurt... True she didn't know him enough...but from what he showed, she knew he didn't like her hiding facts and hoped he understood her.

She will talk to him later...now she has to attend her friend.

"You withheld such a fact from me? Why?"

"I thought you would not be happy Richa... he is your crush and..."

"Come on Gauri... I don't love him... he is the Omkara singh Oberoi... he is handsome and I like to see him... but I never wanted to marry... tum bhi naa... it is the basic right of every girl to enjoy the beauty of God's blessed creatures" she said grinning making her friend laugh.

"I can't believe this.... he knows my name now... Hayee...can you give me his number too? No... I already stalk him on Instagram.. let me give him a follow request today... even on face book... better... such handsome pictures he has..." Richa continued to rant and Gauri listened to her smiling.

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

"Omkaraji... a minute" said Gauri when she returned to the library, this time looking for him.

Omkara looked up from his book to see her standing before him "Yeah?" he asked closing the book.

"Can we talk outside?"

"Okay... wait for me in the garden.. I will be out in just ten minutes" he said and she nodded walking to the said place.

Looking at the boungainvilleas climbing up the walls of the garden, Gauri couldn't help but wonder how such a colorful plant which has the ability to grow with the basic of requirements, shaping around any tree and any wall giving them its beauty be so shady. On the outside it looked innocent, harmless but when neared, it pricks you hard when not alert.

"Gauri?"

She turned around to find Omkara give her a smile and she returned it with a brighter one.

"What is it?"

"Did I disturb you?"

"No... I was about to take a break"

Great... she has been preparing since the day before about how to talk to him about that kiss... and when the time came, words abandoned her... She doesn't want him to take liberties but at the same time she couldn't neglect the guilt she went through when he looked hurt sometime back.

When she smiled and remained silent, he tried to make her talk "I agree I like your smile but if you wanted to just smile... we would have done that in the library itself Gauri...on second thoughts I like your blush more... can you do that instead?"

When she failed at hiding his favorite emotion, he laughed aloud. She looked at him carefreely laughing while combing his hand through his long locks and for the first time realized she is to marry a very handsome man.

"You can talk to me... I won't kiss you.. Is that what you are worried about...?"

"No Omkaraji...I"

"No? can I kiss you then?"

Gauri hurriedly shook her head to which he smiled again "Okay... not now may be later"

"Omkaraji... you are making fun of me"

"I am just trying to ease you... now spill"

"About Richa... I know you are hurt... but I had my reasons... I thought she wouldn't be happy"

"Ohh... why?"

"Umm... because she has this huge crush on you"

"What?? And you are okay with it?" he asked and she nodded with a smile.

Oh... good... the non-possessive kind she is... kind of better... it would be trouble if both the partners are jealous and clingy... he thought.

He dramatically exclaimed "Marrying your best friend's crush... hawww... that is so bad of you Gauri"

"AAp phir se mazaak uda rahe hai humare...(you are again taking things light)"

"No... you are taking things seriously... she seems to be a great girl... I don't think she has a problem with us being together"

"Yeah... I realized it later"

"So.. this is it? is it what you wanted to talk?"

"I also wanted to talk about that kiss yesterday"

Omkara cursed mentally.... Don't ask me not to do it again...please... he prayed.

"What about it?

"I am not comfortable with ...."

"Gauri... we are getting married in a month... don't you think at some point we have to be intimate? A lot more than a cheek kiss?" he asked making her tongue-tied.

"We have to start at some point... and I thought yesterday was a perfect moment... for me it really was.. I am to marry a girl of my liking... shouldn't I be happy... it was just my form of expressing it"

"But..."

"I told you I won't come in the way to your dream... I am willing to be a friend if you want me to guide you but I won't be friend zoned by my own wife Gauri" he said surprising her again with that bluntness.

"I can understand if you need time to grow your feelings for me... but you can't stop me from showing mine... it is only fair...yes?"

"Means?"

"Umm... means I like you so I will hug you in happiness and when I find you cute...I will kiss you... nothing you don't like... if I take your blush as the answer yesterday" he said efficiently making her red in no time.

"Anything other than that... well... let us give it time.... things will happen on their own accord when moment comes" he smartly said making her doubt her own judgement.

That simple??? Why did she ponder so much since a night? she surely must be overthinking... she thought.

Omkara looked at her in thoughts... he knew he was manipulating and taking advantage of her innocence but he would be damned if he was denied his small pleasures.

Gauri nodded after a moment and he grinned in victory "Great... good decision again" he said not wasting time in taking her hand in his.

"Can we go out for coffee? After your classes?"

"Okay" she said taking few seconds to think again and he smiled happily.

"Six o clock at coffee by Di bella" he said, quickly kissing her cheek for the second time checking the parameter before waving a bye and walking back to his books.

Gauri looking at Omkara's back...coming to terms with the fact that... she has not only got a handsome future husband but also a mischievous one. Better she kept her heart in check... she won't be surprised if he manages to steal it at short notice.

Love is a distraction as suggested by her village friends and she will pay heed to the warning. Now is not the time... they have an entire life together.

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

Omkara stared at the menu card in irritation... if at all he didn't like something, it is lack of punctuality. Gauri was late to the café by half an hour... that was still forgivable had she not brought along a chaperone with her who smiled at anything and everything he said. His cheeks had been hurting with the fake smiles he has been giving him in return. Not wasting time he texted Rudra and hoped his brother comes early for rescue.

Gauri on the other hand was controlling her smile once she noted the playful smirk on her fiancé on seeing her, change to a frown once he saw Dandi tag along her side.

Like any good Indian girl, she informed her grandmother that she would be late from college and came clean when the later asked for a reason. Result.... Dandi was sent to watch over the exchange.

According to the age old tradition, the future bride and groom aren't supposed to meet over coffee before marriage but considering the place where her grand-daughter's future in laws are placed, Gayathri considerately sent Dandi instead of refusing the meeting altogether. The ordeal sounding entirely illogical since the point of the meeting was ignored. Though typically orthodox to others, Gayathri thought it was very much liberal and understanding on her part to agree to such a meet.

"What would you like to have? I am a cappuccino person" asked Omkara finally tired of reading the same thing over and over.

"I don't have much idea about coffee... can you suggest me something also for Dandi bhaiyya?" replied Gauri and he nodded his head before raising his hand to call the waiter.

Exactly ten minutes later,

"What a pleasant surprise O... you are here with Gauri?" Rudra exclaimed before taking a seat beside his brother.

"Who is this person here?... KMH" he asked next turning to Dandi with a glare.

"KMH?" asked Gauri.

"I meant kabab mein haddi"

Dandi squirmed at his place awkwardly... he obviously knew his presence was a hinderance but dare he said no to his daadi's orders.

"He is Dandi... Gauri's distant cousin it seems" said Omkara who now left the fake smile act.

"Hi Gauri" greeted Rudra and got a formal smile in return.. she didn't like her cousin being talked to that way.

"My grand mother sent him forcefully... he had to come" she said looking at Omkara.

"Bro... come I will show you something very interesting just outside the café" said Rudra this time smiling at the man.

Dandi looked at Gauri in alarm "But she will be alone... no.. let us all go together"

The brothers rolled eyes at him and Rudra said "Why will she be alone... my brother gives good company... you don't worry....come" he said and dragged him out while Gauri looked at the protesting cousin with a smile, shaking her head.

"Seriously Gauri... the whole purpose of our meet was to get to know each other and you came with a watch man.. how am I supposed to talk to you with him looking at us?"

"Omkaraji... my grandmom..."

"Right... I should have thought she is the culprit.... Us buddhi ko mein....(that old hag)"

"Omkaraji!!" scolded Gauri and he corrected himself "I mean... it was very thoughtful of her but I don't like anybody interrupting my time with you"

"She is just being conscious... no bad intentions Omkaraji"

"No bad intentions..... she was greedy" he said and mocked "My grand daughter should be the elder daughter in law"

"She was just looking out for me Omkaraji"

"Nonsense... she should think of what you like first... you are an adult and your choice is all that should matter"

Gauri sighed "Can we not argue now? Please"

"Right... I don't want to talk about your daadi... let us concentrate on the issue at hand" he said slyly taking her hand placed on the table.

She felt the familiar shiver and nervousness but she let him continue to hold.

Over the next one hour, Gauri learnt that Omkara was much more than the wicked and angry man she judged him to be.

He is an academic, a part time artist and a full time problem solver for his brothers with whom he shared a very pleasant rapport. The brothers respected their daadi and her word was the final verdict in all of their lives. He aspired to start his own business after a few years in partnership with his younger brother different from what his elder one is currently dealing with. Expansion of the empire on his rules he called it.

He was looking for someone who would stand by him and his family supporting them to get up from falls... if any. When she heard him casually mention about a string of girlfriends who he dated and another group of women whom he didn't consider worth his time, she looked at him bewildered.

"What... you don't expect me to be single my whole life waiting for your entry Gauri...or do you? ... I am okay if you have had boyfriends before... it is the future that should matter"

"I understand but when you have so many criteria... how did you come to the decision that you like me so soon?"

"I already gave you my reasons... I don't mind praising you again... but we can make use of this limited time in other ways" he smirked while bringing her hand close to his lips and slightly kissing it.

"Omkaraji..." she meekly said attempting to remove her hand from his hold when he tightened it and looked at her questioningly.

"You might be used to being in a relationship but for me, this is all new... what if we don't work out fine"

"Why do you keep saying that Gauri... what are you afraid of exactly?"

Gauri looked caught for a moment but shook her head in a no "Nothing like that... just that I am new to this... in fact I have never met a man who is as honest as you... talking your heart out and being confident that it is the right thing to do is not everyone's cup of tea"

"That is the good thing right... you at least can trust me that I won't hide facts... in arranged marriages that is hard to find" he said and she nodded.

"Gauri... believe me every relationship is different... because every person is different... I might have had a girlfriend before but what I feel now.. I did not feel it with any other girl before... take it from me that we both are new to this and we both will work this out... together" he said looking into her eyes.

Either it was by the way he told her that or the fact that he is always straight forward ... Gauri found herself nodding her head trusting him involuntarily though the rational part in her warned against believing a stranger.

"Good... now tell me about you..."

"What is there to tell... I am a simple small town girl with aspirations big enough that compromising for it seemed to be way too normal"

"What do you aspire to be Gauri"

"I am doing a fashion designing course Omkaraji... my father wanted me to study MBA but I liked to create new... business isn't my forte... since I refused to put down my dream I had to agree to this marriage... more as a compensatory act... you know... going against your parents" she revealed with a sad smile.

Omkara sighed loudly "You know I should feel deeply sorry for you that you had to compromise but.... I don't" he said clicking his tongue and she frowned at his insolence.

"I am way too happy that you agreed for this marriage... otherwise I would have missed you darling" he said winking at her and she laughed.

"That is more like it... life is never easy Gauri... everyone has problems.. it is just that others have different ones... laugh your problems out... fight for your dreams and remember whatever happens is for the good..." he said with an urging smile.

"You want to be a fashion designer... you will be" he concluded. 

"I know" she said "I will definitely be a good one a that"

"See... I know you are my girl since the start" he flirted again and she giggled.

"You are flirting"

"Of course I am... haven't you heard of the saying 'flirting is good for mental health... it is like yoga'..."

"I watched Yeh jawani hai Diwani"

"Right... easy for understanding then... what about your......."

The conversation went on for some more time drifting over lighthearted topics with Omkara's innocent flirting and Gauri's occasional blushes acknowledging it before Dandi hurried back to them saying it was time to leave.

Gauri got up from her place surprised to feel a longing to stay there for some more time just to hear him talk and ease her worries.

This time when he hugged her and kissed her cheek, sadly bidding a bye, she didn't feel awkward even though Dandi gasped out loud and Rudra awed at the gesture... She felt at home ...like it was the most normal thing to do. 

She smiled at the brothers and followed Dandi home.

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Hi...Got the picture?

You now know what can go right and what can go wrong...

Keep thinking...

So the chapter is 4700 words... @Sirinfathima hope you keep your chapters long enough.

I will update the next chapter next week...

Please vote and comment .. it keeps me going...

Signing of ... your Soujanya.