🥳🥳Happy new year guys... An update for you 😍... to enjoy... may we all get all we wish and work hard for in this year...
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Three months later....

"Saale... jaan buuch ke haara tha tuu...(you had lost willingly)... why?"

"Kyun ki Baap kamina tha tera... mein kamina huun but itna bhi nahi... apne bache ko haarta dekh khush ho raha tha...(Because your dad is an ass... he was happy watching you lose... I am not him)"

"I don't want your charity... I was done with him when I left the house"

"Oh.. why did you give that winning speech that day then.. you wanted to tell everyone that you won... you are a loser Rohan"

A punch landed on his face while his wife ran back to her friends asking them to stop the best friends fight.

"Let them fight Shanaya... they held on for 10 years... let them come to terms with it"

Rudra sighing tiredly looked at Omkara dozing away in his seat. It was a Sunday afternoon and the brothers along with Gauri sat down to watch a movie in their home theater. After arguing endlessly as to what movie is to be watched, the brothers decided to be chivalrous and grant the wish of the new addition to the pack.

Result,............ Omkara and Rudra sitting together, groaning at the cliches and illogical sequences of a college romance while Shivaay who they thought was beginning to be Gauri pro, sat with her enjoying the gig on which he would have otherwise never spared his precious time.

Rudra nudged his brother and pointed towards the other side of the room where Shivaay and Gauri were watching the movie completely involved in the story. The brothers gave a look to each other before they sat straight and turned to the duo whose expressions seemed more interesting than the actual movie.

As Gauri bit her fingers in worry as the two male leads of the movie fought and accused each other, Shivaay kept dragging her hand away from her fearing she would eat away her hand in the process. When the look on her face changed from anxiety to relief, they looked at the screen again.

When they heard Abhimanyu say "Kiss to nahi karega naa...(you are not planning on kissing me right?)" to which Rohan replied "Hug bhi nahi karunga(not even a hug)" they grimaced and switched off the screen having enough of the bromance.

"Omkaraji... why did you switch it off? It is the climax... wouldn't have lasted for more than five minutes" complained Gauri.

"As if the five minutes was going to change anything... they got their happy ending so that is enough.. now let us watch something worth watching"

"What? Why did you not like the movie Omkaraji... Rudy bhaiyya.. aap bhi?"

"Sorry Gauri Bhabhi... I am with O in this... it was terribly boring" Rudra seconded his brother as he rummaged through the CD s...trying to pick a movie.

Gauri pouted and turned towards Shivaay who smiled at her "It was not that bad Gauri... we can watch it some other time when these guys go to some business trip"

Omkara gasped stopping his work "Shivaay!! Not you... how can you like something like that? Does it even have any logic in it? I mean the lead couple are a couple who are not in love with each other but they think they are in love with each other and the girl acts to cheat on her boyfriend and then really cheats her boyfriend for his friend?..... as if that is not enough she victimized herself saying they two don't think of her?.... now that is called trash"

"But Omkaraji... it is not cheating... she ..."

"Gauri... she kissed someone when she has a boyfriend... that is cheating... there is no other definition to it"

"But she doesn't love him... she loves the guy's friend"

"Then she should have broken up with the guy before proceeding to do it... and why did she like the other guy? because his grand mother was ill and she felt pity?.. come on"

"Guys... it is just a movie.. stop arguing over it" said Shivaay sensing a fight coming up while Rudra just watched on with interest.

"No.. because she thought her boyfriend was not giving her importance and she felt Aman gave her" Gauri continued not paying heed.

"So... shouldn't she check with him...and make things clear? Is it not wrong?"

"No she is not"

"Oh really?? If I kiss someone else thinking you don't love me... am I exempted from punishment... is that justified then .... can I make...?" he asked and stopped midway.

Gauri looked at her husband fuming internally to have thought of uttering those words. She calmly got up from the place to walk out of the room when Omkara turned to his brothers huffing.

"Om... why do have to argue with everything"

"Aree... what did I do.. she was the one arguing.. I was just giving back answers... that heroine was a dimwit and the movie was nonsense"

"I agree with the nonsense part...but the heroine was good looking" said Rudra and got 'shut up Rudy' from his brothers.

"Now go and say a sorry.. she didn't like what you said"

"Are you kidding me? ... Why should I... What I said was an example... I didn't kiss anyone in the real sense that she got up from her place and left... she didn't win the argument so she was jealous.... According to your Anika... these are her 'nakhre noorjahan ki' understand"

Shivaay sighed and stood up walking towards the door "Okay... leave it... come... I will make you some white sauce pasta... it has been many days we have cooked together" he said and the brothers grinned before they too followed him out.

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Next day at college,

"What?? He said that... that he will kiss someone?" asked Anika outraged.

"Di... he didn't say that... he said if he kissed..."

"Aree.. matlab to vahi hua na... you gave him the idea that there is nothing wrong in kissing someone if you are not happy in the relation"

"But he is happy with me" said Gauri worriedly.

Richa who was silent till then, spoke "How will he be Gauri... you haven't done the deed yet... he is a normal male... when they don't get what they want from their wife.. they tend to look for it somewhere else... it is quite common"

"I think Richa is right Gauri.. common to hai" said Anika.

"You people are scaring me... Omkaraji aise nahi hai (he is not like that)"

"So stop delaying and go for it" said Anika grinning to which Gauri groaned.

"Ab kyaa...(Now what... ?) previously you had a doubt if you loved him or not... now you are sure you love him... why the back step" asked Anika.

"But my studies"

"Ek tamacha dungi kaan ke neeche (I will give you one tight slap)..." growled Richa showing her hand and Gauri gulped 

"Matlab... you can go to tours... watch movies, chill out with us like you never did before in Bareilly... we have internal exams lined up and you watched a movie today instead of completing the assignment... and by God... you still managed to answer all the questions Professor Mallika threw your way today.... you have problem only being with your husband... jaise ki duniya badal jayegi us se...(as if your world will change) with that" Richa said exasperated making Gauri bite her tongue.

The real reason was she was nervous... he has been a very understanding husband till date... they never had a serious fight which might affect her mood... never did he interfere in her decisions or order her around... that freedom she never had in her maternal home was presented to her in a silver platter and she made the maximum use of it..... greedily.

Her husband never even remotely scolded her when she argued with him knowing she was wrong.... exceptions were like yesterday when they meaninglessly argued about the most absurd subject... a damn movie where she over-reacted again... and he was cross with her for it.

"Uhhh... I think... he is angry" she mumbled guiltily.

"Good.. he should be..." said Richa and Gauri groaned.

"Richa yaar.... You are my friend... why do you..."

"Because I know you since we were kids... I have seen how you were before marriage and I am seeing you now... you were worried this marriage would hamper your freedom... but you were wrong...if anything it gave you wings Gauri... Omkara is the best thing that has ever happened to you... when will you realize that and stop taking him for granted?"

"When did I..."

"Oh... Come on... He professes his love for you every other day... did you even reply to that? Like ever? Okay leave all that love part....have you at least talked to him casually... unless you wanted to tell him you are going out with us or you wanted him to do something for you? I did not tell it to you but he was upset about you Gauri" revealed Anika.

"What are you saying Anika di... did he tell this to you?"

"Not directly Gauri... he never discusses about you.. he always had that longing smile when he talks about you but lately... he is a bit closed off... I don't know what else to infer from it" said Anika with a grave face and Gauri felt her heart drop to her stomach.

Was he really that unhappy?.... did he give up?... no it can't be... he was always straight forward about his feelings... he would have told her point black.... said a voice in her brain.

But..... he never got angry over a petty issue either... did he? said another.

"Gauri...."

"Gauri!!" they shouted when she was lost in thoughts.

"Haa... I don't know what to do..."

"See.. the decision is yours... we have told you what we thought... come... it is late for the class already... bye Anika" wished Richa dragging her friend with her while Anika winked at Richa before she went to her class.

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"Rudy bhaiyya... where are you? I am waiting for you at the college entrance" said Gauri into the phone after their classes.  Since she and her brother in law went to the same college, he made it clear that they go to college and went home together.

"I am coming Bhabhi... just a minute" came the reply after which he hung up.

Gauri moved towards the bench in the garden near the parking lot and decided to scroll through her phone when she saw a familiar Audi stop before the entrance and her husband come out of it. She smiled and walked towards the car when she saw a good looking lady dressed fashionably, get out of their vehicle smiling at her husband.

The lady looked like a diva in a casual t shirt topped with a grey tailored breasted blazer matching it with a pencil skirt... her hair was done into a high pony which seemed smudged at places with a strand or two out of place...giving her a just out of office look. At any other time, Gauri would have complimented her choice advising her on trying brighter colored suits which would compliment her complexion and make her stand out rather than being dissolved in the background but at the moment her mind was occupied with more serious thoughts.

From afar, it looked like they conversed in a friendly manner and Gauri wondered who the mystery girl was when her brother in law joined her huffing.

"Sorry Bhabhi... I made you wait... come let us go.. I parked my sedan on the other side" he said taking her hand when she stopped him pointing at her husband who was laughing merrily with his friend.

Rudy looked in the pointed direction and said "Oh..no Riya Mehra... where did she come from"

Riya?? She heard the name before... when? .... Did her husband mention it?

"Your brother seems to be too friendly with her... who is she?"

"Kuch nahi...She is one of his ex-girlfriends Bhabhi" he said casually making her raise an eyebrow.

Yeah... he did mention her name.

"Ohh.. interesting... come let us go greet her then" she said marching towards the pair dragging Rudra along.

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Omkara was chatting with Riya looking around the parking lot to find his brother and wife. He was about to make a call when he heard his companion greet his brother.

"Hey Rudra... how are you... it has been what two years?" said Riya giving a wide smile which Rudra returned, giving her friendly hug.

"Yup... two years... when did you return from states"

"Huhhh... long story... but I came back to stay here permanently... and guess what I am working for your brother... Riya Mehra... secretary of Omkara Singh Oberoi" she said, much to Gauri's dismay.

Did she not get any other employer in the whole world other than her husband??? that too when they had a history.... How the hell do people manage to be just friends after a real relationship was a question she always had. Her friends had messed up her brain and this wasn't the ideal moment she wanted this woman in their life.... more particularly in her husband's routine.

"Oh... who is the pretty lady behind you" asked Riya looking at Gauri with a friendly smile.

"Rudra?? Your girlfriend?" she asked turning back to Rudra.

"My wife" answered Omkara who walked up to Gauri giving her a side hug and his habitual cheek kiss.

Gauri would have swooned at her husband's attention if she were not busy staring at his ex, trying to decipher her reaction. She could swear she saw the girl's smile dim before she covered it up with a brighter one.

Nope... not a good sign.

"Oh... you are married? Finally found 'the one' then?" she asked and Omkara smiled "Yup" he said popping the p.

"Hi... uhh..." started Riya

"Gauri.... Gauri Omkara singh Oberoi" said Gauri with a smile although her mind chastised her for sounding out rightly braggy.

"Hi Gauri... I am Riya... nice to meet you"

"Same here..." said Gauri looking at her husband "If we are done with the pleasantries can we get going? Are were you heading anywhere else?" 

The brothers shared a 'look' before Omkara turned to his wife and shook his head in a no.

"No Gauri she just wanted to meet Rudy... they were close before... I was to drop her here and go home but since I came here I thought we could go out together... Rudy can drop her home" he said and turned to his brother.

"Of course O... you both get going... have a nice time... bye" said Rudra smiling and waving while Riya raised her eyebrows.

Without waiting for a response Omkara dragged his wife away and made her get into the car to drive away to their date.

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That night at the pool side,

"Riya Mehra?.... she is your secretary?" said Shivaay looking at Omkara and holding back his smile.

"Yes... you can laugh out loud... no need to hold back" said Omkara sipping on his dark chocolate and his brothers finally burst out laughing.

"Some evil is definitely looming over your head O... I mean you are one of the best passed out candidates of the college, you have a perfect plan for establishing the German franchise, yet the deal always gets blocked due to some reason or the other... you are married to a woman you love and yet remain a virgin... to add on to trouble... your secretary resigned due to personal reasons without prior notice and when the German deal is looming over our heads in two weeks you had to hire Riya...out of all the people" Rudra spelled out his brother's difficulties.

"Yes... you pretty well summed it up... thank you" said Omkara sarcastically.

"Om... let me just make a few calls... you don't need to go through all these tensions... you are an Oberoi... we are well established here... the deal will be done in no time if they know my name"

"Exactly Shivaay... I want to be known as Omkara and Omkara alone not as Shivaay's brother... no offence there... you know me... I am sure the deal will be done the next week.. they just asked for certain formalities that are to be done and last minute changes in contracts..." he said confidently.

"Kajal, my former secretary would have made my life easier because she is highly organized... but she had to resign because of her family problems... I tried to talk with her but to no avail. In few days... I had to hire someone who can handle the pressure and Riya is perfect for the job... I know her from college and we share the same opinions on many business issues... In the current circumstances... I couldn't take a chance to hire someone entirely new Shivaay... I want the deal to be dealt with at any cost"

"I understand... you did the right thing... but hire someone else too... after you are free enough... Riya is good at business no doubt but as I told you previously when you were together, she is double faced... she is not a person I would keep by my side" Shivaay advised when Omkara nodded thoughtfully.

"Vaise bhaiyya... O is becoming smart day by day... you should have seen him cleverly tackle the situation today when Bhabhi met Riya"

"What did he do?" asked Shivaay smiling.

"Come one... it isn't a big deal... Gauri didn't like her... I don't want an argument with her on why did you hire your ex... so I tried to tell her that she is the one who is important to me not Riya... simple"

"She didn't like her?"

Rudra grinned and imitated his sister in law "Hi... I am Gauri... Gauri Omkara singh Oberoi" he said with an extremely fake accent and smile making Shivaay double up with laughter so much that his eyes started to water. Even Omkara smiled at his younger one although he hit him with a pillow for mocking his wife.

"There is improvement... she wants to claim her husband... it won't take much time if she finally reciprocates your love" said Shivaay wiping his tears away, after calming down.

There was a silence amongst the brothers after the statement. Shivaay and Rudra looked at Omkara staring into the water and hugged him from either sides.

Omkara closed his eyes and embraced them back. Despite all the tensions, he could feel the ache in his chest ease a bit.

"It will be okay Om... she loves you... I know"

When Omkara remained silent still hugging them, Shivaay nudged him "Om..."

"I am trying to tell that to myself Shivaay"

Rudra sighed knowing his brother's plight... he also knew his sister in law was reserved and slightly selfish but he decided to keep his opinion to himself... he knew his brother would not hear a negative word against her... not even from them. He silently waited for him to vent out if he had any complaints which he rarely did.

"I did everything I could do to tell her that she matters the most... that she is a woman I love ... I always gave importance to her wishes... her space and her career... in return I only asked for her trust that I would not be a barrier for her dreams... I only asked for love Shivaay... is it too much to ask for or am I too unlovable?" he voiced out sighing.

"We have had our moments but every time that happens she shrinks away and I had to control myself not to yell at her that those are things normal couples do... it isn't a crime"

"Shhh... Om..."

Omkara shook his head and rubbed his face tiredly "It is okay... I know she will come around... I just feel neglected and I need to vent at times... sorry guys" he said in a self-assuring tone  and his brothers smiled at him patting his back.

"Leave about me... what about Anika... did you tell her that you are thinking of dating her?" Omkara asked his brother.

"I will... when I am ready to tolerate her craziness" said Shivaay and they laughed as he continued "She is too loud for me guys"

"She is interesting while you are boring.. you will make a great couple... please don't wait and make her upset bhaiyya... I already have a dukhi aatma to deal with" said Rudra referring to his brother "I can't have two on my plate"

"Shut up Rudy" chorused the brothers and the conversation went on for some time before Omkara smiled and got up from his place along with his brothers to retire for the night.

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Omkara walked into his room, confused to see the light turned on and Gauri reading a book sitting on the bead leaning on the headboard.

"Gauri... you didn't sleep yet? Are you not done with your assignment?"

"No Omkaraji... I was waiting for you" came the response surprising him.

Gauri waiting for him?...Didn't happen before...

"What is wrong?" he asked in worry coming towards her worriedly.

Gauri looked at the concern in his eyes and felt bittersweet. Bitter because he thought something was wrong since she waited for him... obviously... she never put in an efforts for him before... sweet because despite her ignorance he cared for her.

"Nothing wrong Omkara ji" she said smiling "I just wanted to talk to you before bed... it should be what normal couples do right?"

Yes... but we are not normal?? Are we? ... he thought but didn't utter a word.

"How was your day?" she asked when he remained silent.

Okay... something is definitely wrong...

"Gauri... you were waiting for me to come back to talk about my day? Tell me what is bothering you... get to the point"

Gauri sighed and took his hand in hers "I promise... there is nothing wrong... I just wanted to talk ... I understood that I am not being the wife you deserve... I just want to be one"

Did she overhear his discussion with his brothers earlier today?  is his first scary thought.

"Ar... Are you angry... did you come to the poolside a moment ago?"

When she gave him a confused look, he sighed in relief, hope finally making way to his heart.

He looked at her who was waiting for his answer and smiled "Does that mean we won't have a wall of pillows between us today?"

On seeing the wicked tint return to his eyes after days, Gauri hugged him overwhelmed... She missed that part of him which would find excuses to get her alone... which would make her embarrassed with his overt professions of love any time of day but make her smile thinking of his words over and over.

Lately he refrained from making any untoward advances and she knew why... every time they got close, she would escape his eyes for the following few days acting as if nothing happened returning to square one. Despite everything he was never cross with her... She saw him trying to change himself for her to get comfortable around him but God knows how she missed her Omkara... the one she knew she loved but never confessed to.

Her friends were right... if not anything else... he deserved to know that she loved him too.

"I am sorry" she mumbled into his chest and he just hummed hugging her tight, kissing her hair.

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That ends the chapter on a positive note....right?

The starting fight over the movie might seem silly but most of the couple fights are... I wanted to bring to you the change in the attitude of the couple... getting irritated over petty issues when one is starting to feel uncared or unchartered for is a common tendency. Hope you understand each of the POVs.

I want to see how many of you scolded Gauri or empathised with Omkara in your comments or are as always biased... see if a man ignoring a woman is wrong, same applies to the other gender... Life is short... one needs to tell a person he/she is loved if they really love them. It really is important.

So, do the usual... let me know your thoughts... keep voting and commenting.

 Come on yaar... it is new year and fan fic writers are sitting typing and editing to give you an update... vote t banta hai...

See you all in the next update...