Omkara shook his head when he saw Gauri unnecessarily adjusting her dupatta over her shoulder, yet again. “Don’t stare at me that way; you’re making me more nervous!” she whispered to him with a frown. Omkara couldn’t understand what was making her so nervous. It was just his Daadi’s birthday; he was not pushing her to wage war on the battlefield. “Listen, if you’re going to be so anxious, then you don’t have to do this. I will drop you back home,” Omkara said gently to her, only for Gauri to glare at him.

“Dekh Sharma, first things first! When you’re not comfortable with this dupatta and stuff, why did you even wear this? You could’ve just worn something casual!” Gauri wished she did wear something less bothersome. But it was on Shalini Sharma’s insistence that Gauri agreed to wear this pastel pink salwar set. Her mother had been keen on making her drape a saree. It was only when her Papa intervened that she negotiated, and her mother agreed that a saree could be a ‘little-too-much’ for a birthday party.

“Sharma!” Omkara nudged her when he elbowed her against her arm. When she looked at him, he asked her in a calmest voice possible, “Why are you even nervous?” Gauri wished she knew the answer. It was just Oberoi’s family! And she probably wouldn’t have been so anxious if Rudra hadn’t called her up this afternoon and teased her that the whole Oberoi clan was keen to see Omkara Singh Oberoi’s future wife. Wife! Here, these two had not yet gone on an official first date, they had barely even allowed the fact to sink in that they were trying to give ‘dating each other’ a shot, and his family was already labelling her, according to Rudy, as the ‘Doosri bahu’ of the household.

Gauri realised she was staring at Omkara, who was waiting for an answer. Shaking her head in a no, she tried her best to put up a confident smile. “Nothing, I’m alright,” she said, as she clutched the gift-wrapped boxes tightly. “Let’s go,” she told him, and was waiting for him to lead the way into the mansion, but he refused to budge. Unexpectedly, Omkara’s lips curved into a smile.

Gauri was puzzled to see him folding his hands at his chest and smiling at her, and she raised her brows asking him what was amusing him. Her expressions sobered when she felt him take her hand in his and clasp it. Enclosing her delicate hand in both of his, he said to her, “My family can be a bit… umm, how do I put this politely? Look, they can make you feel overwhelmed. I’ve stayed here for twenty-six and a half years; I’ve been born and brought up in this family. In spite of that, whenever I visit, it can be overwhelming for me. Well, emotionally exhausting too, but let’s keep that aside.”

Gauri nodded, trying to understand what he was saying, looking at a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes as he swallowed a lump in his throat. In a moment, it all vanished away as he drew a long breath. Looking at her with a bright smile, he continued, “So, what I’m trying to say is, my family can be unnecessarily inquisitive as well. Thye may ask you something, but you don’t have to answer if you’re not okay with it, alright? If they say anything, where you’re overwhelmed or uncomfortable, don’t take it to heart. And the moment you want to leave, you’ll tell me. We’ll leave immediately, okay?”

Gauri nodded with a grateful smile. Surprisingly, it put the nervousness and anxiety to rest, and somehow, she was at ease. If not anyone else, she knew that Oberoi was going to be there for her, and that alone was enough for her. Omkara smiled and cocked his head in the direction of the main entrance to the Oberoi Mansion.

Gauri had fully expected him to walk by her side, but when he placed his hand around her, settling his palm on the small of her back, she momentarily stiffened. She almost whipped her head in his direction, but all she saw was his confident profile as he looked straight ahead, as if it were a normal thing for him to walk with his hand settled on her lower back. She did not object though. His touch was anything but uncomfortable. A small smile made its way on her lips, as a soft hue of pink coloured her cheeks. And then, she sobered up. It was time to meet the Oberoi Matriarch.

***

The living room was surprisingly empty, with only the maids running around to decorate the hall. Shivaay came down the stairs with the phone attached to his ear, and the moment he saw Omkara and Gauri, he smiled at them. Between his business conversation, he hugged his brother and patted Gauri’s head. And before Gauri could even smile at him, he was already out, screaming for Khanna.

Gauri was still staring at Shivaay’s retreating figure when she heard Omkara ask one of the servants, “Where’s Daadi?” The servant directed upstairs, saying, “Daadi ji kamre mein hai, Omkara baba” Gauri took a deep breath; this was the first time she was seeing up close as to how filthy rich the Oberois were! With a nervous step, she followed Omkara upstairs.

***

Omkara knocked twice on his Daadi’s bedroom door. Just before they were about to enter, he quickly turned towards Gauri and mumbled, “If Daadi says anything, don’t feel bad, okay? She can be a little…” “Come in!” came the voice, leaving Omkara’s sentence half. “A little what?” Gauri whispered in a desperate attempt to make him finish that sentence, but he simply walked ahead. Oh boy, her anxiety had come back with a  vengeance!

“Daadi, Namaste” Omkara said, bending a little to touch the older woman’s feet. Gauri, who had been almost hiding behind him, came into view when he moved aside as he said, “This is Gauri. Gauri, meet Daadi.” Given any other situation, Gauri would have been weirded out listening to him addressing her with her first name, instead of her last name like he always did, but the sight of the older woman made her nervous. There sat Kalyani Singh Oberoi, with the legs crossed, relaxed on the rocking chair moving to and fro. Gauri quickly mimicked Omkara’s actions and touched the older woman’s feet.

“Omkara!” she spoke, after she nodded at Gauri. “Yes, Daadi?” he obediently asked as he knelt next to the chair. In a stern tone, Kalyani Singh Oberoi spoke, “Haven’t you informed her about the traditions of this house? That the women in our house always cover their heads with their pallu?” Omkara nodded nervously, and turned to look at Gauri, who stood there with an incredulous expression. ‘Seriously?’ she mouthed to him, and he nodded.

Gauri could feel her ears burning. She had come over to his Daadi’s birthday only because she was invited by Omkara, Rudra, Shivaay and Annika. She was not visiting them as one of the ‘women of the Oberoi clan’. Gauri’s eyes widened recalling how Rudra had told her they were all looking forward to meet the ‘Doosri bahu’. Did Daadi already think she had come over, not as his friend, but as Omkara’s future life-partner? She looked at Omkara, hoping he would say something. But the man seemed to have lost his vocal cords somewhere!

Gauri herself was about to say something, while Omkara stood up and pulled the edge of her dupatta over her head. “What the fuck, Oberoi?” she whispered soft enough for him to hear, but he requested her to stay quiet with a plea in his eyes. “What was her name, again?” Kalyani asked, and this time, Gauri answered stating her full name.

“Hmm, what do you do?” she asked in a disinterested tone, and Gauri told her that she worked at the same office as Omkara. In response, the older woman snorted, “So I take it that you don’t know any household work?” Gauri frowned. Before she could reply, she said, “Tomorrow when you go to your sasural, how are you going to build your husband’s home? How will you keep him and his family happy?”

There was only so much that Gauri could take, and she was all set to give the older woman a piece of her mind, when she heard someone knocking on the door. “Namaste, Daadi. I brought you your medicines” It was Annika, with the pallu draped over her head. Gauri stared at Omkara, who respectfully nodded at Annika as if they had never ever shared a friendly camaraderie. Then entered another woman with a tray of fruits. “Maaji, eat something along with your medicines,” she said. “Keep it there, Janhvi” Daadi spoke without looking at her. Janhvi oberoi – Omkara’s Mom.

“You haven’t taken blessings from Janhvi and Annika, yet?” Daadi said, and it took a whole minute for Gauri to realise that it was directed at her. Omkara nodded at her, asking her to do as told. Gauri, with a small frown, walked to Janhvi to touch her feet. Then, she turned around and walked to Annika. Gauri had almost bent down to touch Annika’s feet when the older woman burst into giggles.

“That’s it! Mujhse aur nahi hoga!” Kalyani laughed, followed by laughter from Annika and Janhvi, who immediately uncovered their heads. “Kya Daadi! She was so close to touching Annika’s feet!” Omkara said. Gauri was a little confused until she saw a mischievous smirk on Omkara’s face, grinning at her like the devil that he was. Kalyani almost pitied the girl and said to her, “Gauri puttar, yeh sab iss shaitaan ka kiya dhara hai. So, if you feel like punching him, we won’t stop you!”

Gauri placed her hands on her hips, pulling the dupatta off her head. “This was your idea?” she asked him, and he nodded, saying, “A little bit of ragging is always fun, right, Sharma?” Had she not been in the company of the Oberoi members, she was sure to have punched him in his stomach. Walking up to him, she beat his arm, accusing him, “You knew I was nervous!” He laughed, shaking his head, “I know! What fun!”

Gauri was about to beat him two more times, when she saw Janhvi walk towards her. “Omkara isn’t usually this mischievous. It is Rudra who usually does all this,” she said as she glared at her son. Then looking at Gauri, holding her face in a gentle pinch at her chin, she said, “But if you felt bad, if we hurt you, I’m sorry.” Gauri could never ever think of being annoyed at the slightest bit as Janhvi spoke to her. Hugging her on an impulse, Gauri almost pulled away, when she felt Janhvi hug her tightly. As she pulled away, Annika scrunched her nose in a cute manner, and pulled Gauri’s cheeks, before giving her a side hug. Gauri hugged her back with a bright smile.

“Ab iss Daadi ke galey bhi lag jaa, puttar!” Gauri heard the older woman exclaim and pulled away from the hug she shared with Annika. Kalyani stood up from her seat and held her arms wide open, and Gauri couldn’t help but tiptoe towards her to hug her tightly. Just when she was about to touch her feet, this time out of love and not out of fear, she heard her say, “Iss ghar mein betiyon ko sirf galey lagaya jaata hai!” And Daadi hugged her tighter.

From the corner of her eyes, Gauri saw Daadi’s reflection in the mirror as she signalled something to Omkara, who frowned in annoyance while rolling his eyes. this was followed by silent grins from Annika and Janhvi too. Moving away, Daadi said, “All this was Omkara’s planning only! He told me to rag you a bit. And I also thought, why not have some mischief on my birthday? That’s why I said all that. Otherwise, I’m a very nice person, trust me! But like Janhvi said, if you were hurt, then I’m…”

“Daadi, please!” Gauri spoke, shaking her head, asking her not to apologise to her. Instead, she glared at Omkara and narrowing her eyes, she said, “If anything, he needs to apologize to me!” Omkara stuck his tongue out at her, and pouted when Janhvi lightly slapped him at his cheek. “That, he will apologize in private!” Daadi quipped with a naughty smile, waggling her brows at Omkara and her. Annika and Janhvi grinned mischievously at that. “Daadi, please!” Omkara whined with a frown, while Gauri turned pink.

“Achcha, ab muhje wish toh kar de mere birthday pe!” Daadi said in a complaining tone to both Omkara and Gauri. With a smile, Gauri hugged the older woman again, and said, “Happy birthday, Daadi. Yeh aapke liye,” She extended her hand that held the jewellery box. Before she could open it, Omkara hugged his grandmother and said in a teasing tone, “You’re getting old, congratulations on another year!” Omkara pulled his Daadi’s cheeks when she slapped his arm as she said, “Old hoga tu! I’m forever young!”

Gauri smiled sweetly as she watched the exchange, finding it hard to believe that even though the two of them strongly disagreed with each other over the issue of filing of divorce of his parents to an extent of Omkara leaving the Mansion, they shared such a sweet bond.

“Open this!” Omkara said with a hint of excitement in his voice, as he continued, “It’s from us!” He said pointing at Gauri. Janhvi and Annika exchanged smiling glances, while Daadi raised her brows. “Us? Really? Now I’m eager to see what this is!” She quickly unwrapped it and opened it, and then with a surprised gasp, she ran her fingers over the delicate design of the bracelet.

“This is beautiful! Thank you, puttar!” she said looking at Gauri with a genuine smile. “Hey! Thank me too?” Omkara interjected to which she said, “This is definitely not your choice! Gauri only must’ve picked it up for me. Hain na, beta?” Gauri smiled as she looked at Omkara, who watched her with a pout. She knew it would annoy him to no end if she took the entire credit, and she almost agreed with Daadi. But, for no reason that made sense to her right now, she said, “No Daadi, I didn’t even know what to gift you. This was his idea. Of course, I shortlisted a few, but we both finalized on this one. I hope you liked it!”

Omkara wasn’t shocked, to be honest. Gauri was never the person to hog credit, but he was caught off-guard when she told them all that they both finalized it. “Haaye, tum dono!” Daadi placed each of her palm on their cheeks. “I did not just like it, I loved it!” she gushed, as she showed the bracelet to Janhvi and Annika after wearing it.

While they two ladies were busy admiring the bracelet, Gauri looked at Omkara, whose gaze instantly met hers. ‘Thank you’, he mouthed to her and she blinked her eyes at him. Then, she glanced at another box in her hand – a gift that they had picked up for Janhvi. Omkara nodded, and holding Janhvi’s forearm, he said to her, “Mom, Sharma picked up something for you too!” He nodded at Gauri, asking her to come ahead and give it to his mom herself.

Janhvi was surprised when Gauri handed over a pair of jhumkas. “You didn’t have to, beta!” Janhvi said opening the box. “This is lovely! Thank you!” she said as her eyes turned misty with emotions choking her up. Omkara knew that his Mom was going through a lot of emotional turmoil with everything that was happening in her life. He also knew that his Mom didn’t really give importance to materialistic things too. But one look and he knew that she was overwhelmed with the gesture. Not wanting to say anything more, Janhvi pulled them both into a warm hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.

While still in her embrace, Omkara looked at Gauri and smiled at her, and she returned his smile. She could see how emotional and protective he was about his mother. His smile conveyed it all to her. His hand accidentally landed on top of Gauri’s, which rested on Janhvi’s back. Gauri’s eyes darted to meet his, while he smiled as he gently squeezed her hand, reflecting gratefulness in his eyes at her thoughtfulness.

“Chalo, bhai!” Daadi spoke, making them pull out of the hug, as she continued, “I want all of you out of my room, right now. It’s my birthday party, and I need to get ready too! All this hugging business you can do it elsewhere. Except you two,” she said, looking at Omkara and Gauri, “You two need to maintain distance for now. Dating-shating is okay, but this hug-shug, kiss-viss and all is only after you get married!”

“WHAT?” Omkara looked at his grandmother, bewildered at her assumptions. Here, the two of them were just starting to get comfortable with the idea of dating each other, and his grandmother already reached ‘marriage’? He glanced at Gauri to see her shifting her weight from one foot to another, knowing she was as uncomfortable as him. Omkara almost opened his mouth to tell his grandmother that they hadn’t really thought of any future plans, but Janhvi stopped him with a touch at his arm and a slight shake of her head.

Janhvi knew the older woman was extremely conservative and refused to budge from age-old traditions. Given her wish and will, she would be too happy to continue the traditions of arranged marriage where the groom saw his bride only on the wedding night. ‘Prithvi ji saw me on our wedding night; what is wrong with that?’ she would often argue. However, her children were stubborn; both Shakthi and Tej were very firm in their decision of having a love marriage.

Kalyani Singh Oberoi’s grandchildren were even more stubborn. Shivaay had gone against Pinky’s decision and married a sweet, simple orphan with a humble background. No doubt, Annika was a blessing, which the whole family, including Pinky, eventually realised. It was then that Kalyani Singh Oberoi’s views had slightly changed after her Billu had followed the footsteps of her sons.

It was easier for Omkara and Rudra now, whenever they would decide to get married to a girl of their choice. Now that Gauri was in the scene, hopefully, Omkara and Gauri would get comfortable with the idea of getting married to each other, eventually. But Janhvi knew that Rudra was a hopeless case; she wouldn’t be surprised if he one day brought a girl home and announced he was going to live-in with her right under his Daadi’s nose.

Kalyani’s smiled at her grandson’s irritation and said, “Okay, not until you get married. But definitely no getting touchy-touchy before engagement at least!” Janhvi and Annika noted that while Omkara was all set to argue, Gauri looked embarrassed and awkward. Sensing the tensed situation that was about to unfold, Annika decided to do something about it. “Arey, Om! I almost forgot! Shivaay wanted to talk to you!” Annika said in an unusually high pitch, and without waiting for a reply, dragged him by his hand outside. “Maaji, you get ready. We’ll be out,” Janhvi said hurriedly as she took Gauri with her. An oblivious Kalyani, with a chuckle, shut the door as soon as they left.

Outside, both Annika and Janhvi looked at the other two and sighed. “She didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” Janhvi said, as she held Gauri’s hand in hers. “But Mom, she cannot just say anything that came to her mind, right?” Omkara argued. Annika patted his shoulder and said, “I agree, Om. She shouldn’t have. But she is of a different generation, and has a different view on all of this. You don’t necessarily have to agree with her; we’ve all learnt that. But if you try to argue with her, especially today, she might feel bad.”

Janhvi agreed as she added, “Your Daadi has softened a bit now. You weren’t here to see how upset she had been when Shivaay and Annika got married. She’s at least been a little considerate and welcoming with the possibility of you two getting married, if at all you two decide at that!”

Gauri understood what Janhvi was trying to say. In short, she wanted to tell them in a polite way that Kalyani Singh Oberoi was someone who believed in irrelevant customs and traditions, and they didn’t necessarily have to agree with her belief. However, Omkara had a different opinion, which he voiced out saying, “But Mom, if you let Daadi believe that she is right, she’ll never know she’s not! It is important to voice out your opinion, and call a spade a spade!”

Janhvi sighed as she shook her head, trying to make him understand, “Om, I know. But she’s getting older. We don’t have to hurt her and argue with her. Anyway, you children will do what you want to do. We as parents are supporting you. Don’t take to heart what she says! Let her be happy with her beliefs. She isn’t ruining anyone’s life, right?”

“Well, she ruined yours, with her stuck-up attitude on the stupid notion that Oberoi khaandaan mein talaaq nahi hota?” An eerie silence fell as soon as those words were uttered. Omkara regretted immediately after he’d said them, when he saw the change in his mother’s expressions. If he hadn’t looked closely, he would have missed the way her lips slightly quivered, her nose slightly flaring, her eyes turning slightly misty as she swallowed a lump in her throat. Janhvi, with a defiant lift of her chin, said to Annika in a dry tone, “Gauri has come home for the first time. Please show her around.” Without waiting for a reply, she walked away after a slight pat on Gauri’s arm.

“Mom!” Omkara called out in a regretful tone, but to no avail. Janhvi simply walked without a glance at him. He knew better than to run after her to pacify her. He’d pressed on an aching nerve and now, she had walked away to a corner so that she could gather herself. Omkara knew he had to apologize, but it would be a better idea to give his Mom the space she needed right now.

“You shouldn’t have…” Gauri started, but did not wish to complete her sentence when she saw him getting upset. “I know. I’ll say sorry to her once she feels better” he said, resting his hands on his hips, still looking in the direction that his mother just walked away. Annika looked back and forth between the two of them. Then deciding to give them some alone time, she said, “Gauri, I have some work in the kitchen, so I will not be able to show you around. Om, why don’t you show Gauri our home?”

Omkara smiled ruefully, as he said, “Bhabhi, you’ve forgotten that ‘my’ home is my apartment. I don’t belong here. It’s definitely not ‘our’ home. This is just…” Gauri noticed the way how the light in his eyes had simply faded as he referred to staying away from the Oberoi Mansion. Annika didn’t know what or how to respond to that. She simply nodded, sadly, and looked at Gauri, who shook her head at her. With a smile, Annika walked away, leaving the two of them in the corridor.

***

Omkara leaned against the parapet of the terrace while Gauri sat on the swing. It had been almost an hour, and Omkara’s mood had gotten better. In fact, he had spoken to his mother and apologized for hurting her. Janhvi too had hugged her son and told him not to dwell on it. Currently, Omkara watched Gauri as she smiled at him.

“You have an amazing family, Oberoi!” she said. He smiled, nodding, “Well, most of them are amazing.” Omkara said, thinking about his father, and then immediately sighed, casting his thought away from his mind. He spoke again, “But they can also be crazy. You saw how Daadi is!” She grinned and then told him with a cheeky smile, “But I’ve still not forgiven you for that stupid prank!” Omkara laughed, “Scared you, didn’t I?” She said nothing, but looked away with a smile.

“Well, about what Daadi spoke…” Gauri said hesitating, after some time, and Omkara looked away, “Sharma, we don’t need to. She’s just… she wasn’t really… we don’t have to take her words seriously!” Hearing silence, he turned around to look at her. She stood up from the swing and walked to stand next to him. Leaning against the parapet, while facing him, she said, “But at some point, we’ve got to address the elephant in the room, right?”

Omkara turned to her and in a desperate attempt to diffuse the tension with humour, he said, “Now, Sharma, I know I called you a little chubby, but it’s extreme to compare yourself to an elephant!” Gauri shook her head and gave him a look of disappointment at his lame comment, “Really? That is your response? What are you? A four-year-old?”

Omkara threw his palms over his face, mumbling a sorry. Then turning towards her so that they were now standing face to face, he said, “I know we have to address the elephant in the room. But I also know that it is uncomfortable right now to even imagine something as huge as marriage, when it is a struggle to ease into the whole ‘dating your best friend’ thingy. Okay? And I’m speaking for both of us!” Omkara paused as Gauri nodded in agreement. Then, with a gentler gaze at her, he took a small step towards her.

Placing his hands on either of her shoulders, Omkara said, “We’ll address it when we’re both comfortable with it. At our own pace, at our own time, if both of us ever decide to do that. Be it my family or yours, let’s just agree that we won’t get into any sort of pressure from them. Any decision we take, to continue or to step back from this ‘dating’ thing, it’s going to be ‘our’ decision. Yours and mine; no one else’s decision. Cool?”

As Gauri nodded, she said, “Cool. But if we both decide to discontinue this whole, like you put it, ‘dating’ thing, we still remain best friends. No awkwardness, nothing. And if we then decide to date someone else, we’ll be okay about it as well!” Omkara furrowed his brows thoughtfully, saying, “As long as we’re not dating someone else, while dating each other, or while deciding to pursue a, uhh, relationship, I’m okay with it!” He finished with a heavy voice.

Gauri knew the reason. He’d seen his own parents fall out of love. He’d seen his father desert his mother for another woman. He’d seen how his mother had slipped into depression and pain, while hoping that some day he would change, until the day he announced he was living with his mistress. Gauri couldn’t even imagine the pain that he had gone through owing to his father’s infidelity. To witness one’s parents become so toxic to each other and to the family, that they had to physically stay separate for a little peace of mind – Gauri couldn’t even picture the same happening to her in her home.

Gauri stepped closer to him, subconsciously, and took his hand in hers, encasing it between her petite hands. “You okay?” she asked, concerned. He smiled with a nod, and she noted how his smile failed to reach his eyes. “You cannot lie to me, Oberoi, so don’t even bother trying!” she said. Omkara heaved a sigh, and placed his hand on hers, “I know,” he answered.

Gauri did not know what came over her, but she took another step ahead, standing close to him. Omkara, at this point, couldn’t tear his gaze away from hers. Gently extricating her hand from his hold, she placed it softly against his cheek as she whispered, “I know you’re strong. In fact, I feel you underestimate your strength at times. You’ve been there for Janhvi Aunty and Rudra always. And no matter how much you flash that colgate smile of yours and brush it away like it’s nothing, I know how you’ve felt that void by staying away from this house, from your family.”

Omkara looked at her, as her thumb lightly patted at his cheek. “But you should also know that, anytime you need a shoulder to lean on, I’m right here. Okay?” Omkara blinked, trying to get rid of the moisture tearing up in his eyes. But when he felt her gently caress his cheek, he stopped trying. He simply closed his eyes and leaned his cheek into her palm, drawing a long breath. Gauri’s lips curved upwards, her heart reaching out for him as he tried to smile through his pain.

***

Annika and Shivaay smiled as they quietly watched Gauri and Omkara stand there in silence. Shivaay had been looking for Omkara all over the house, and when he’d asked his wife where Om had disappeared, Annika had told him that she’d last seen him and Gauri heading towards the terrace. They had reached only to witness Gauri lovingly touching his cheek, and him leaning in for more of her caresses, while their hands were clasped in each other’s hold.

Annika and Shivaay both flinched when they heard an audible gasp behind them. As expected, it was Rudra. “Oh My Maata!” he whispered, only for the other two to shush him. Rudra frowned, and with his hands at his hips, he said, “You two are spying on them? Very bad! Just as Daadi says, Dharam aur bhrashtachaar naam ki cheez hi nahi hai!”

Shivaay was quick to hit the back of Rudy’s head, while Annika shushed him again, not before saying sarcastically, “Oh hello, Munshi Premchand ji, Sharam aur shishtachaar hota hai, dharam aur bhrashtachaar nahi!” Rudra and Shivaay looked confused as the former said, “Munshi Premchand? No Bhabhi! Main aapka Rudy! Rudra Singh Oberoi!” The latter quipped, “Achaar? Why are you two talking about pickles?”

Annika shook her head, looking at the two of them. “Firstly, Munshi Premchand ji is a hindi writer! Secondly, we weren’t talking about pickles; we were referring to Shishtachaar, which means ‘Manners’. Thirdly, you two need to keep quiet and not let Om-Gauri know that we’re watching them!” However, her last sentence fell on deaf ears as Shivaay slapped his brother’s cheek and said, “You’re going to teach us about manners? Itna bada ho gaya tu?” Rudra made a crying face, and Annika glared at Shivaay for beating her favourite person.

“By the way, what’s happening?” Rudra said with a mischievous grin and looked on, as Omkara and Gauri stood there with contented smiles on their faces, looking at each other. Rudra muttered, “They keep saying ‘best-friends’, ‘best-friends’! And now, behind our back, unka alag hi scene chal raha hai!” Annika giggled while Shivaay warned him, “Now don’t tease them or make them feel awkward. Give them their space. Or else they both will be back to chanting ‘best-friends’, ‘best-friends’ again!”

Rudra agreed and in a tone of panic, he told Annika, “I swear, if these two go back to that ‘best-friends’ mantra, I’m going to strangle them!” Annika patted his back to calm him down, while Shivaay shook his head at his melodramatic brother. “Ab chalein, Rudy, Annika?” he asked, and the two of them nodded.

Before they went downstairs, the three of them happily looked at Omkara and Gauri, who were now busy talking something amidst chuckles and smiles, while high-fiving each other. “They are sooo perfect for each other!” Rudra quipped and Annika waved her hands in the air to ward off evil eyes off them. And Shivaay smiled, hoping that his brother had finally found everlasting happiness in accepting Gauri as someone more than just a ‘best-friend’.