They slowly came out of Annika's room at her apartment. They were surprised to see Gauri yelling at Om.

"Maybe it's you who needs a checkup! If you say another word about Jiju... I'll... I'll set your hair on fire!"

Omkara would have retorted, but angry Gauri was too adorable to miss. It took him quite some self control to not grin at her. How could he not fall for her? Her wrath seemed like pouring rain, you'd enjoy it if you learned to dance in it. He knew she would probably kill him if she got to know he didn't take her screaming seriously.

"Guys?" Annika called out making them turn their heads, while Shivaay chuckled. He was slowly becoming a 'RiKara' shipper himself. Annika raised her eyebrows and he just shook his head.

"Good you both aren't fighting anymore! But can't say the same about others here." Sushant eyed Bhavya and Rudra, who just stood glaring at each other. If looks could kill, both would be dead now.
"Can I ask you one thing? What exactly is the problem between those two?" Sushant whispered to Annika and Shivaay. While Annika shrugged, Shivaay pulled Sushant to his side,
"Well, your friend here thinks they have crackling chemistry! Do you see it?"
Sushant replied, "Your wife thinks she is Cupid's assistant. She probably can't sleep at night if she didn't pair up two mismatched people!" He chuckled and Shivaay couldn't agree more. Annika groaned, she knew if those two bonded, her reputation was at stakes.

The media covered the whole garden of the Advani mahel. It was the much spoken couple's sangeet ceremony, which was followed by their first interview as a betrothed couple. Hence every single media house was present there. Burgundy themed sangeet party wasn't something that would be missed by anyone. The place was crowded with all the close friends and family, with a few business families and celebrities.

Omkara's eyes only searched for Gauri ever since he got to know the Mehras were there. He had to make sure Abhishek Mehra didn't get near her. Not that Gauri asked him to, but he would make sure that man saw hell before he saw Gauri.

"Rudy, did you check the lighting? What about the sound? And the back up lighting? The backup sound? Where is the photographer?" Bhavya seemed to hop as if she needed to catch a train.

"Jeez Bhavya, relax! I have everything under control. Go drink some water, sit back and enjoy the show!" Rudra walked off leaving a surprised Bhavya. Since when did he start doing things before he was asked to?

Annika adjusted the lehenga and went ahead to join Shivaay while he stood there in his three piece Burgundy suit, addressing the media. Her breath hitched as she saw her husband to be, in his full Shivaay Singh Oberoi self. She knew why woman went crazy for the man, even though he was thought to be conceited. A man in power was such a turn on. Shivaay sensed her presence as he always did. He turned and when he smiled at her, she knew her heart was doomed. It was unfair for a man to be that gorgeous. Shivaay came towards her and took her with him.

"We both are extremely happy to have you all here. Please take the refreshments and enjoy yourself. We would join you all after the sangeet." His commanding tone was a little warm too. She just admired him, not caring about the millions of pictures that were taken. Shivaay kept glancing at her sideways, it was extremely hard for him to keep his eyes off her. The media could only look at the couple in awe.

"Excess of exes here Mr. Oberoi!" Annika commented jokingly when she spotted couple of Shivaay's past girlfriends in the hall as the entered.

"None of them would probably be here if I had listened to mom and met you before!" Shivaay said, as he smiled at her. His gaze was so tender that she couldn't help but swoon.

"Ladies and their gentlemen!" Omkara's voice echoed the hall, breaking Annika out of her trance. Shivaay and Annika sat down on their allotted table in the front.

"We all are gathered here for this lovely couple Shivaay and Annika! I cannot think of two people more perfect for each other than the two of them. And I guess I can say it, because I've known them both separately, and guys, without each other, Shivaay is just boring and Annika is too chatty!" While the crowd laughed, Annika air punched Om.

"He is probably telling the truth Annika." Shivaay whispered, earning a glare from her. "You are probably boring Billu Ji, but I'm not at all chatty!" Annika's answer made Shivaay roll his eyes.

"For the first performance, I would like to call upon the ladies of both our families!"

They performed Raas-leela beautifully that the crowd was left mesmerized. Gauri's mother Vilashi being the best dancer around, choreographed Radha-Krishna such a way that it represented Annika and Shivaay. When someone thought of prem, they always idolized Radha Krishna, and according to the families, it would be Annika and Shivaay probably soon. Shivaay had a huge smile on his face the whole time, though the performance sent Annika into thoughts few instances.

"Wasn't that one of the best? Let's hear another round of applause for the ladies. Coming up next is the most beautiful, gorgeous, wonderfully talented Gauri Advani!" Omkara's alacrity was written all over his face.

"Too many adjectives, don't you think Shivaay?" Annika chuckled and Shivaay could only shake hia head. He had given up on his brother in the aspect of subtlety long back.

Gauri stepped in with her veena. She knew Abhishek was somewhere in the crowd, but she didn't care. She was there for someone else. She sat down and played her strings.

Piya tu piya woh nahi
Man basiya woh nahi
Preet se dil ko kahin
Moh liya toh nahi

Her koel like voice spread through the whole air, filling it with tranquility. Omkara stood there, transfixed.
Annika's eyes sought Shivaay and she smiled to herself.

Badli si meri duniya lage
Pagli meri paijaniya lage
Pooche toh kiski joganiya lage

Gauri looked up at Om. With a small smile, she continued to sing, as she softly played.

Yeh nis din sataaye piya

Bhavya looked at the one person she always thought was annoying. She looked down when she saw him already looking at her.

Jo tu bani humsafar hai
Dil ki zameen thar batar hai
Kyun mujhko samajhne mein
Itne zamane lage
Puchu toh aankhen churane lage

Ke nis din jalaye jiya

Shivaay wondered how a song was capable of triggering some things in a person, that they never knew existed. His fingers intertwined Annika's. When she smiled at him, his heart was contented.

Baahon mein kasne lage ho
Phir bhi tarasne lage ho

Annika rested her head on Shivaay's shoulders. He held her waist and pulled her closer. He was very much into Gauri's song, while she was just into him.

Sajan teri nazron se jaldi pighalne lagi

Tere isharon pe chalne lagi

Gauri looked up at Om, to see whether he knew how she felt under his gaze. His gaze was fire and she was its wax, she would just melt. She didn't know what she felt, but she did melt.

Ke tere bin na laage jiya

Shivaay and Annika looked at each other. With a small smile playing on his lips, he gently placed a kiss on her cheek. Annika closed her eyes, drinking in the sensation. Music did that to the soul sometimes. After all, music is the catalyst of love!

When Gauri got down the stage, she saw him looking at her intently. She did not wish to deal with him after all the years. Before she knew, Om was on her side. She looked up him, and he nodded reassuringly. Just when she thought she was alright, Abhishek came to her.

"Beautiful as usual Ri! How are you?" He asked gently.

Omkara pulled Gauri closer, "Never been better Mr. Mehra. Hope you are enjoying this evening. Please excuse us!" He dragged her away from that man.

"You aren't going to leave me, okay?" He said threateningly, as he threw a glare at Abhishek. "Was never planning to," She replied, with a smile forming on her face.

"Show is not over guys!" Rudra yelled. He called out Dadi, Priyanka and Om. They all performed on 'Zindagi milke bitaayenge', who were later joined by Shivaay and Annika. All in all, it was definitely a night to remember!

I would like to dedicate this chapter to this person, who never ceased to put a smile on my face with her every comment, bedazzled_Apu thank you so much love❤️