When the morning light seeped into the bedroom, Omkara lazily opened his eyes with the light directly falling on him, disturbing his slumber. He tried to turn only to realize his movements were restricted owing to a soft body pressed against him.

A smile made a way on to his face looking at his wife literally sprawled all over him making it close to impossible to move an inch without disturbing her. Her legs weighed down on his legs, her chest pressed against his in a tight embrace while her soft snores tickled his neck.

As the clocked chimed six in the morning, holding her body to him, he turned both of them to the side trying his best to not wake her up. As he gazed down at her face, he felt a surge of emotions hit his gut... confusion, anxiousness, love ... all at once. He felt himself very vulnerable at the moment and his resolve to wait for her to come to him seemed to be too tedious a task.

Whatever made her open up to him... he was grateful she did. He was struggling in professional life and not having his wife beside him... not having a partner who would listen to him... did have a negative impact on his mind making him insecure since the past few weeks.

Now that things were falling into place he prayed they only improved henceforth. He hoped, she will still stay friendly with him and not run away today since she slept with him hugging her close the previous night because that is what happened every other time when he got touchy or when they did little more than the usual kiss.

He knew not how she became such an important part of his life in such a short time that his life felt incomplete without her presence. He craved for her attention every day and when he got formal good mornings, accidental touches, blurry good nights in return to his close to obsessive confessions, he couldn't help but be disappointed, although he tried to find ways to change himself for her comfort.

"When will you start loving me the way I do Gauri" he whispered caressing her cheek gently and placed a kiss on her forehead.

The act seemed to disturb her nap and she frowned making him panic. He quickly closed his eyes pretending to sleep lest she moved away seeing him watching her love sickly.

Gauri opened her eyes to the serene sight of her husband sleeping holding her close and smiled happily. She moved away the chunk of hair which fell on his face and caressed his thin stubble only to feel a ray of warm light hit her hand.

She noted the time and frowned. Her husband was an early riser...hard working and a die-hard fan of punctuality. Gauri always found herself waking up alone in the mornings to find him either at the breakfast table having a file in hand or talking to someone on his laptop.

What day is it today? it is definitely not a Sunday... is it?

Confirming that the day isn't a holiday, she slightly patted his cheek and called him "Omkara ji... get up... aren't you getting late?"

He being his dramatic self, answered with a fake yawn "No... I want to sleep for some more time today"

Gauri hummed and moved closer, pressing herself more to his firm body, placing a kiss close to his heart. Omkara opened his eyes in shock. His heart soared to cloud nine and he almost pinched himself out of the romantic dream when he heard her voice.

"Omkaraji are you free the next weekend? I have a test in few days after which we can go to a short vacation.. may be the next week?" she asked and he cursed his fate.

The one time he was actually busy with the German deal... his wife chooses the very weekend to go out on a picnic? Kyuun Bhagwan ji... why?

"Gauri... I'm sorry... I might have to travel to Berlin... can we go next month?" he said and she parted from him to look into his eyes.

"You don't have to sound so guilty about it.. we can go some other time... if not a holiday...you can teach me to paint this Saturday... you like to do it when you are stressed right... it might help you to get away from those files for some time" she said smiling and he couldn't stop himself from kissing her.

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"Acha.... Phir kya hua...(then what happened)" asked Anika nudging Gauri who had been blushing since morning and Richa gave an equally expectant look.

"Uske baad kya..... (what else)... phir ...Omkaraji ko call aya aur vo jaldi jaldi nikal gaye office ke liye...(Omkaraji got a call from office and he rushed to it)" she completed making her friends roll their eyes and hit her forehead.

"Ouch... why did you hit me?"

"Tu yahi layak hai... ek kiss ke liye itna kyun sharma rahi hai... shaadi hue teen mahina ho gaye... aur gaadi kab ke vahi atki hai (You deserve it... you gave a build up as if something else happened... you are stuck with a kiss since three months Gauri...) when will you move forward" said Richa.

"Wahi to... me and Shivaay aren't even married and we already..." started Anika and stopped realizing.

"AAA..... already?????" chorused Richa and Gauri.

She gave a fake smile and said in a sweet tone "Don't get diverted.. I will give the full details of our intimacy after your deed is done... okay Gauri?"

"Shivaay bhaiyya... is supposed to be innocent as per daadi ji" said Gauri still surprised at the revelation.

"It all depends on the partner... mein to huun hi khidkitood... while you on the other hand" said Anika and sighing heavily shook her head... "Bechara Omkara"

Gauri pouted "Now how can I say that to him directly... he should understand na"

"Why will he understand... if you turn into a tomato the moment he touches you... he will run away thinking you will not talk to him later" said Richa and Anika nodded.

"Par..."

"Par var...kuch nahi... when did you ask him to make time for you... Saturday?" asked Anika and Gauri blushed again.

"Urgghhhh... abhi mujhe gussa aa raha hai... sharmana band karo aur seedha seedha batao (Urghhh you are irritating me now... stop blushing and talk)"

"Yeah di... Saturday"

"Good... let us go shopping after the test day after tomorrow... we need to get you some lingerie"

"Haa... I need to buy a saree too" said Gauri making them frown.

"Are... He likes me in a saree... I know him better" she explained making them grin.

Anika and Richa rolled their eyes "Saree.... Itna saj dhaj ke paint karne jayegi?? (you are planning to get ready in a saree to paint??... isse acha...do one thing... go and tell him directly Gauri" said Richa.

Gauri narrowed her eyes "No... I can't... let him work on taking hints... I wear a saree sometimes at home... it isn't a new thing... and I did notice him giving me the hungry look when I do"

"You are a merciless devil... you know that... right?" said Richa smiling making the other two laugh.

"Don't worry... I am a fashion designer... I know how to mellow down my look" said Gauri and her friends nodded.

"Right... good... sexy saree then... uuhh....do you know the subtle art of seduction or do you want to read some mills and boon books?"

"Koi zaruurat nahi hai di... humara chirota smart hai... (not needed Di... he is smart...) he will know... I just need to dress up for the occasion" said Gauri confidently surprising them.

"To ab tak kya draama kar rahi thi... sharmili chirayya banke? (then why were you acting like a blush baby till now?)"

"He likes me that way naaa.. now come on... get up... we have an exam to prepare Richa..." said Gauri and dragged Richa away "Anika di... you go to your class"

Anika watched the girls hurry away and smiled... Omkara was right Gauri... you are not what looks to the eye... she thought before she left for her class.

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Omkara was busy reading a file in his cabin when Riya walked in dressed in a body hugging shirt and trousers carrying a box in hand. Her jacket was intentionally left on her seat in the cabin outside that of the CEO's.

"Om..." she called him in a husky tone.

"Hmm"

"You haven't had your food till now... I brought you lunch"

"Hmm... thanks.. keep it on the table and go for lunch"

"Om...!! First look at me and talk"

Omkara sighed and turned to her "What is it Riya?"

"I brought you lunch with so much love and your head is still in the file... come and have food... this is for both of us"

"Riya... I like to eat alone... please if you don't mind"

Riya pouted and sat on the chair before him "I eat here with you or I will not eat at all" she said and he rolled his eyes.

"When did you turn into a drama queen?"

"I am still learning from your brother" she said smiling and he shook his head returning the smile.

"Now come... let us eat" she said holding his hand and dragging him out of the chair while he agreed making a face.

"See... I ordered your favorite... white sauce pasta" she said serving him while he calmly ate.

As she settled down to eat, she looked at him gulping down his food, checking his phone, not sparing her a glance, she asked "So, how long were you married?"

"Three months" came the answer.

"Ohh... newly married... then you should be talking to her every now and then right... I don't see you doing it... I heard it is an arranged marriage"

"She knows I am busy Riya... what are you getting at?"

"Aree.. nothing... just casual talk... we used to talk and enjoy our time together... did you forget?" she asked touching his arm and he moved his hand subtly, to get away.

Ignored, Riya fumed but outwardly gave him a concerned look "Are you happy Om? I mean... I think she is too young for you... Is she even mature enough to handle you?"

This time Omkara looked straight at her "And why are we discussing my marriage? You are my secretary... so stay that way Riya"

"Om... what are you saying... I am your..."

"My what?" he said cutting her off silently putting a spoon of food into his mouth but she could sense the coldness in his voice.

"Your... your friend"

"That is outside the office and we aren't that close that I need to talk to you about my wife"

"Why?? We used to share each other's problems before... didn't we?"

Omkara sighed and gulped the remaining of his food hurriedly before he drank a glass of water.

Not getting a response from him, she gently touched him again making him get up from his place.

"Let us not bring our past here Riya... people change... and move on... I am not stuck in the part where I considered you more than a friend..." he said and walked back to his table.

Just before he reached his seat, he turned back and looked at her "I needn't tell you this but since you are my friend..." he started... giving her a smile "White sauce pasta isn't my favorite anymore... I like dal chawal with garlic chutney made by my wife" he said and sat down opening his file, getting back to work.

Riya felt the jibe rightly hit her stomach making her loose her appetite. Still, she monotonously finished her meal and calmly walked out of the chamber hoping to coax him later.

She cannot give up this soon... He loved her in the past and there is a chance he would love her now if she tried her best.

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On 'the Saturday' evening,

"Gauri... yaar... what are you doing inside... come fast..." said Omkara as he put a fresh canvas on board and took out his new color set.

"One minute Omkara ji..."

"You have been saying that since the last fifteen minutes... what are you doing inside the dressing room... we aren't going out... come out wearing something... anything"

"Haa... coming"

Omkara sighed rolling his eyes "Okay... I will sketch something in the meanwhile for you to fill in colors... take your time" sharpening his pencil.

Dressed in a dark blue shirt and joggers, his hair made into a man bun, he settled himself on the stool before the canvas. He looked at the empty canvas asking it to tell him what it wanted him to draw.

Art had always been extra close to his heart... Though he hadn't had time to give it his undevoted attention, whenever he did, he was transported to a world of cherished memories with his mother, who was a mosaic art expert...

Colors had been his company through a major part of his childhood, at least until when he had his mother with him. His daadi still recalled his naughty encounters when he used to run around the house covered in one color or the other much to his father's chagrin and mother's happiness.

Jhanvi Oberoi, his mother, taught him to sketch and paint making him take baby steps in art holding her hand. For many years after his loss, he shut himself out not allowing any color to reach him as it painfully reminded him of his mother and her absence, until his late teens when his grandmother brought him back to the canvas making him hold a brush again.

"In shutting out pain, you are also losing the beautiful memories attached with your mother Omie..." he remembered Kalyani saying caressing his head "People say art is a language of the wordless... you can communicate through it... when you used to draw, your mom used to gush about it all day... amongst your brothers, she said you have her talent etched to your hands" she said kissing his little hands.

"Instead of making it a bitter memory, transform it into a recreation through which you can connect to your inner self... your mother will be happy that way" she had said many years ago.

Omkara smiled reminiscing his first real drawing which had been his mother's eyes... the family broke down to tears seeing it, hugging him and begging him to never ever stop his work come what may.

Since then art has been his confidante with whom he shared the deepest of his memories and his escape from the tiring balance sheets and pie charts which were his real life.

Ten minutes since his pencil touched the piece of paper, a girl with open hair waiting at the lake side on a full moon night began to take shape. He roughly sketched a tree in the corner, too involved in deciding the type of leaf to draw, that he failed to notice his wife standing behind him.

Gauri took extra precaution to look as normal as possible despite the nervousness gnawing at her stomach making her hands tremble no matter how much she tried to calm it down. She was dressed in a simple lime green georgette saree with a jet back sleeveless blouse with a deep neckline and a stringed back.

To avoid the casual party look which the saree might otherwise have given, she made a messy bun of her hair with strands falling off at various places. Going for the no makeup look, she just lined her eyes and tinted her lips with nude pink. She wore only her mangalsutra, simple ear studs and a pair of bangles, tucking the end of her pallu into the waistband of her saree giving herself a 'domestic' look.

Giving a final look to herself in the dressing room mirror and pulling the waist end of the saree to just below her belly button, she got out of the room to go to her husband. As she neared him, she saw him engrossed in his work that her fragrance wasn't enough to pique his attention.

She etched closer, gently touching his shoulder when he stopped his work and said "Finally... you are here... get the palette and the colors...I will be done in a few minutes" he said resuming his work and she left him to do as told.

Sorting out the colors, she asked him innocently "Which color?"

"Take the navy blue and white first... we can do the black later" he said in a serious tone and she took some of both the colors in separate sections and a paint brush ready to mix.

She walked to him with it and stood beside him silently, waiting for him to finish his work. Omkara stopped his work and gave it a satisfied smile after a mere minutes. He then turned to his side and did a double take, his smiling face replaced by a shocked one, noting the way she looked... a bloody seductress.

As his eyes admired her face and travelled to her breasts and down to her waist, they stopped there attracted to the creamy tone.

Gauri grinned as she followed his eyes, pleased with his reaction... but as the intensity in his eyes increased by the second, her heart thudded in anticipation and she croaked out his name "O..Omkaraji"

As if woken up from sleep, he looked at her disoriented when she showed him the palette filled with the colors he asked.

Her husband hastily got up from his stool, standing up and clearing his throat avoiding looking at her altogether.

"Take one portion of blue and mix it with half portion of the white" he said and she did as was told. She occasionally glanced at him as he held his hands behind him looking only at the palette in her hands.

"Enough... put it on the paper... let us see if the shade is good enough" he instructed and she painted the sky as told.

The silence stretched to a point of annoyance and the tension in the air increased to its peak, making Gauri's hands shake a bit. Her brush took another blotch of paint ready to paint. As her brush failed to stick to the borders of the lake smudging into the tree on the side, she held her breath in order to decrease the tremble of her fingers.

When she did the same mistake again, his hand held hers stopping her.

Her breath hitched as his other hand brushed her waist as he tried to take the palette from her.

"What happened?" he asked her taking in her trembling form and she vigorously shook her head in a no.

He mixed the next color taking more time than necessary and she took that time to calm herself down.

God... this is more difficult than planned... when will this torture end?? she thought.

As he handed her the brush, she tried to take it, her cold hands touching his warm ones. When he refused to let go of the tool, she looked up at him to see him watching her intently.

As he took a step nearer, she stepped back and he sighed stopping for a bit. Taking the brush and palette away from her, he calmly placed them on the stool he previously sat on.

When the next minute, he pulled her to him, she didn't squirm but clutched on to his shoulders looking into his thirsty eyes, as if she predicted the move.

"Did you really want to... only paint?" he asked caressing her cheek with his knuckles.

When she merely stared at him un answering, he bent and kissed her cheek making her close her eyes.

Her throat felt parched, and her vocal cords strained to form words. When he called her name for a second time "Gauri", ... She took a filling breath, looked at him and nodded a no giving him his answer.

His mouth came down crashing on hers and she sighed relieved of the stress her mind and body had been taking since a long time.

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I leave the rest to your imagination... bye... bye... 😈😈

Sweet dreams...

See you in the next update...

Signing off... yours Soujanya...