"Tum?" I said with shock.

"You!" He said with a soft tone.

"You guys know each other?" Doctor Aman asked.

"Yes!" He replied

"No! I mean urm yeah kind of." I replied abruptly. We both stared at each other awkwardly and looked away straight away. I could not make direct eye contact with him.

I cannot believe what my eyes saw. He was there sat in front of me. My eyes started to water and I tried my best to hold my tears back. The person I was trying to avoid is sat in front of me. I looked at him with hurtful eyes. We kept staring at each other. His hair still long as ever and those beautiful brown eyes and that stubble. These are the things I loved about him. He's not changed a bit.

Omkara's P.O.V:

I had such a busy life in London that I felt weird sitting idle at home. I wanted to start working at the new fashion boutique straight away but Dad insisted that I stay at home for atleast a week and give myself some rest. I understand he's worried about me and my health but I like to keep myself busy. Rudra is still sleeping but I woke up quite early for some reason. I mean I don't even feel so jet lagged. Maybe because I slept early last night. I was extremely bored and didn't know what to do. Just then I remembered something. I should go and meet Aman. He is my friend from my childhood days. His family used to live next to ours but they moved to Delhi 10 years ago when we were teenagers. A few months ago he messaged me through Facebook and it was lovely to get in contact with him again. He's my best buddy. I thought I lost all contacts with him. He now lives in Mumbai and is a successful doctor. He's achieved so much at such a young age. He is extremely hardworking. I should definitely go and meet him and surprise him. It'll be awesome to meet him again and hopefully he'll be able to help me out with Gauri's dilemma. I was about to leave for the hospital when Anika bhabhi came through the front door and stopped me when she saw me.

"Aray Om kahi jaa rahe ho?" Bhabhi questioned.

"Ji bhabhi. Actually I'm going to meet an old friend." I replied with a smile.

"Acha that's nice. Have you had breakfast?" She asked.

"Yes bhabhi. I had breakfast with Shivaay before he went to office." I said.

"Okay that's good."

"Waise bhabhi aap kahi sai aa rahi hain? I mean I didn't see you all morning too." I asked her.

"Yeah actually I was at the clinic. I had some early appointments booked in so I had to go. I've got a three hour break so I thought I'll come home. Sorry Om, its yours and Rudra's first morning back in India and I didn't even stay home to make breakfast for you, I'm really sorry...." Bhabhi spoke in a sad tone.

"Bhabhi chill! We're not some guests so no need for this formality. And bhabhi work is important too. So please don't say sorry." I said assuring her.

"Acha theek hain. By the way Om kuch puch naa thaa tumsai." She stated.

"Jee puchiye!" I replied.

"Actually kuch maangnaa thaa. I wanted to ask something from you."

"Sure bhabhi go ahead."

"But before that promise me that you won't get angry or upset."

"Bhabhi I can never be upset or angry with you."

"Om can I have a few hours of your time tonight. I wanted to go out for dinner with you, Shivaay, Rudra and urm..." She hesitated to finish her sentence off.

"And?" I questioned with a slight doubt. I think I know what she's going to say.

"And urm Chutki, I mean Gauri." She said in one breath.

"Bhabhi but...."

"Please Om don't say no. You both will have to meet eventually so why not today. Besides we can go out to eat and have lots of fun. We have so much to catch up." Anika bhabhi tried to explain to me.

"Gauri agreed to come?" I asked her.

"Yeah she's okay with it." Anika bhabhi replied.

"Main nahi maantaa!" I exclaimed.

"Matlab?" She questioned.

"Matlab Gauri didn't come to see me yesterday, when she found out it was me on the phone she didn't say a word. She is trying to avoid me so she won't say yes for this dinner so easily. I know her. I know her too well." I explained.

"Sach kahu toh she didn't agree at first. But then she agreed for mum's sake because mum really wanted her to come and meet you and Rudra. So she's coming tonight for dinner and I hope you do too. Please." She requested.

"Okay bhabhi, only for you. Just like Gauri is only coming for Tanisha aunty." I couldn't ever say no to bhabhi.

"I know Om. She's so stubborn honestly. She doesn't listen to anyone easily."

"After all she is your sister." I said in a low tone.

"Kuch kaha tumnai?" Bhabhi asked suspiciously.

"Nope! Acha bhabhi I'm gonna get going now."

"Okay just make sure you come on time. I'll message you the address and time. Bye. Have a nice day."

"That's fine, bye bhabhi. Wishing you the same." I said as I started to walk out of the house.

I bid bye to bhabhi and drove to the hospital. Once I got to the hospital, a weird feeling ran through me. I felt as if my close one was here. Someone very close to me jisai mai shaayad koh chukaa hun. I didn't know how to describe this unknown sensation. In fact the last time I felt like this was when I parted ways with Gauri and left for London. Kahi Gauri toh nahi hai yahaan? After all she is also a doctor. Wait Om you do realise there are plenty of other hospitals in Mumbai. There is a very little chance that she'll work at this one. I brushed off my thoughts and walked towards the reception where I spoke to the receptionist and asked for Aman's room number. Once she gave me the room number, I thanked her and walked towards the room. A nurse came out of the room and I asked her if he was free. She nodded in yes and I knocked on the door.

"Yes come in!" A voice came through and I slowly walked in with a big smile. Aman had his back to me.

"How may I help you? OMG Om!" He turned to face me and as soon as he saw me he got out of his chair and gave me a tight hug.

"What a surprise Om! Tum yahaan? How? When?" He loaded me with questions.

"Have you forgotten your manners? Atleast tell me to sit." I said pretending to be upset.

"Sorry sorry. Excitement mai bhul gayaa. Please sit down." I sat opposite Aman and gave him a big smile. It feels so good to see him.

"Okay now to answer your questions. I came from England yesterday evening and I had to come and see you today itself. I remember you telling me you worked at this hospital so I came here to surprise you." I spoke.

"It's a pleasant surprise indeed. And you've come at the right time too because I'm on my break." Aman said in an excited tone.

Me and Aman carried on talking, catching up on each other's lives and remembering the old days. We were engrossed in our conversation when we heard the door open and then a girl spoke.

"Good afternoon Aman. I just had a few questions about a case.... oh I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were with a patient. Priya said you were on your break. Urm really sorry to disturb you I'll come back later."

That voice! That voice! That voice sounded like Gauri's. Gauri yahaan? No it can't be! It might be someone else after all I haven't heard her voice in person for a year now so I can't be sure. The weird feeling started coming back. I took a deep breath and prepared for what is to come.

"Hey it's completely fine Ri. Come inside. I'm not with a patient. I'm with an old friend. I'd love for you to meet him." Aman called out to the girl stopping him. Ri? It must be someone else then. Maybe someone called Riya or Rita? It won't be Gauri. It can't be Gauri.

"Ohhh Okay. Are you sure? I mean I don't want to be disturbing you guys." She said.

"Yes I'm sure. Come on in." Aman spoke with a smile.

I heard her footsteps coming towards us. They were getting louder and louder. I saw a figure stood next to me from the corner of my eye. She forwarded her hand out as you would professionally and introduced herself.

"Hiya, I'm Doctor Gauri Sharma. It's a pleasure to meet...." What? Gauri Sharma! Doctor Gauri Sharma! As soon as I heard those words I immediately turned around as I knew it was her. It had to be her. She was about to finish the sentence when I turned around and she looked at me in shock.

"Tum?" She said with shock.

"You!" I said with a soft tone.

She was stood in front of me. She still looked the same. Those beautiful light brown eyes. That pretty smile, her long curly hair, her petite figure. Her statement jhumkas. She looked super smart in the doctors coat. She fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor and I'm so proud of her.

Gauri's P.O.V:

"You guys know each other?" Doctor Aman asked.

"Yes!" He replied

"No! I mean urm yeah kind of." I replied abruptly.

"Urm so yes or no." Aman questioned to clear the confusion.

"I mean yes. Yes I know him." I clarified.

"Really how? What a small world." He spoke with surprise.

"Actually you know Anika bhabhi, Shivaay's wife. She's Gauri's younger sister." Omkara answered.

"Really? Gauri you never told me your sister was married to Shivaay." Aman stated.

"Urm actually you've never met her before or Shivaay jiju and I didn't know you knew the Oberoi's so..."

"That's true. But this is such a coincidence. So you guys are technically related. Nice!" Aman spoke with a smile.

"Doctor Aman I'll get going know." I said.

"But Gauri you wanted to ask me something." He called me back.

"Yeah but it's okay. I'll ask you later." I said.

"Gauri it's fine ask me now."

"It's okay I'll ask you when you're free."

"Gauri its okay. Ask." I eventually gave in and asked Aman the questions I had. I could feel Omkara's gaze on me all this while. I felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to be out of there as soon as possible.

"Acha Gauri what time are you working till today?" Aman questioned me.

"Six!" I replied.

"Okay that's fine. Can you meet me before you leave? I'll give you the rest of the reports that you will need for tomorrow's appointments."

"Okay mai chalti hoon." I quickly walked out of the room and rushed towards my cabin. My eyes were starting to water again. I closed the door and fell on the floor crying.

I knew I had to face him eventually but I didn't think I'd see him like this at the hospital. I had decided I wouldn't let him affect me. But as soon as I saw him the memories of our time together came into my mind and I couldn't stop my tears. I have to be strong! I can't let him affect me! I was trying to get a hold of myself when my phone started to ring. As soon as I saw the caller ID, I picked up the call. It was Bhavya, my cousin sister. After Anika di, the person I'm extremely close to is Bhavya. The three of us are inseparable sisters. I wiped my tears and picked up the phone.

"What's up Doctor? Everything going well?" Bhavya spoke in her chirpy voice.

"Bhavya he's back. He's back in India, I... I don't know how to react to him." I spoke whilst crying.

"Om?" Bhavya knew it straight away. Nobody else affected me to this extent as much as Om did.

"Yeah!" I narrated the whole story to Bhavya about how we suddenly found out about Omkara and Rudra's arrival, how I tried avoiding him and how I accidentally met him at the hospital.

"Gauri first of all stop crying! Why are you wasting your tears for no reason? The way I see it, you can either run from your problems or face them. If you choose to run, you'll eventually get tired and will have to stop and face your problems. So why exhaust yourself in the first place? Face your problems with confidence and courage. Walk out of that room with a big smile on your face and show Om that he can't break you. You are stronger than that!" Bhavya spoke reassuring me. She always manages to put a big smile on my face.

"Thank you Bhavuuu! I love you soo much. You're right, I'll have to eventually face my problems so why not now? I'll talk to you later, say hi to masi and masa from me. Take care. Bye!"

"Byeee! I love you too and I will do!" Bhavya spoke ending the call. I then got up, wiped my tears and started to focus on my work. I finished all my appointments and left the hospital at 6. As I walked out of the hospital, I heard somebody call my name.

"Gauri." That voice was familiar. In fact I knew exactly whose voice that was.

"Omkara." I spoke without turning around. He came from behind me and stood in front of me. What was he doing here? I mean was he waiting here for all these hours?

"Can I have some of your time if you don't mind please?" He asked.

"Sure!" I replied with a straight face.

"So Doctor Gauri Sharma. Nice!" He spoke trying to start a conversation.

"Hmmmm."

"So how have you been Gauri?" Is he actually asking how I've been? I've been anything but okay but I couldn't say that to him.

"Good I guess. And you?"

"Yeah same! Are you coming to this dinner that bhabhi has organised?"

"Yeah."

"This is all a little awkward. I mean I don't really know what to say." He got that right. It's super awkward.

"You've always been a very awkward person Omkara. You never know what to say." I bluntly replied.

"Yeah I guess." He replied. There was an awkward silence after this. None of us knew what to say. We didn't know what to say. I never thought this day would come when I wouldn't have any words for my best friend. So much has changed in this year. The silence was killing me and I was hoping for a saviour. Just then my phone rang, my saviour! It was Anika di! I quickly picked the phone up and Omkara looked at me.

"Hello di, yes I've just finished work.... yes I've seen your message I'll be there by 7. Okay bye!"

"Anika bhabhi?" Om questioned.

"Hmmm." I replied.

"Urm I guess I'll get going then. See you at the restaurant." He spoke with awkwardness and tucked his long hair out of the way. He always did that when he was nervous or stuck in an awkward situation. In this case it seemed he was a victim of both of those things. He was nervous, damn nervous and this situation was pretty awkward. I had never thought a day like this would come when I wouldn't have anything to say to him, to my best friend, to my love! Was it even love? Surely if what we shared was love then it would've lasted. What are you doing Gauri? This is not the right time to think about all these things. I thought to myself, closed my eyes, took a deep breath and prepared to answer his bye without sounding weak or breaking down.

"Yeah you too." I coldly replied and he walked off towards the car park. I took a deep breath and held myself together. It hurts, it hurts to give him such a cold treatment. It hurts not speaking to him properly and giving him short and dead replies. It hurts to see him hurt but what can I do? I wiped away my tears and walked towards the staff car park. I got in the car, started the engine and slowly drove out of the car park. As I was going past the public car park my eyes fell on him. He was stood near his car with his bonnet up. I'm assuming his car isn't working. I thought to help him but then I remembered I need to stay away from him. I started to drive again when I remembered an incident.

A/N: Chapter 5 updated! Hope you guys enjoyed it! Finally Omkara and Gauri meet. Did you guys like this sudden Rikara meet? Thank you for showering this story with your love which comes through to me through your votes and comments, it really does mean a lot to me. 😊❤️ Don't forget to vote and comment! Lots of love xxx