Omkara Singh Oberoi was an entirely different person compared to the rest of the family members. Relaxed, concocted, gracious and modest were his virtue to be tagged. Being the middle child of the family he might have been loved less compared to Rudra, the youngest and Shivaay the oldest nevertheless he was considered better mature, understanding and composed thus giving him a little attention. He was equivalently adored and cherished by all. He was huddled by his parents when the family was put forward into difficulties, he was given a chance to speak like a grown-up just like they would ask for Shivaay. He took the responsibilities as a son when his older brother moved to Canada for his studies, even though it wasn't much of an obstacle in his nineteen-year. Never had he been envious of Shivaay for all the privileges he reaped, the respect as a grown-up he got, a more detailed affection and liking he received from the family. However, today looking at his delighted and grateful complexion he was a bit covetous.

And he knew that it was wrong to be envious.

Shivaay's smile glistened as he peeked through his eyelashes hunting for his wife, who minutes back took off to her room to get fresh, deeming their early morning conversation on him being drunk and followed by an almost kiss against the kitchen countertop.

Om sat next to him and noticed his shaking form. His fingers fluttered as he cracked them, his eyes always fixed on the room door opposite to them.

"Shivaay are you alright?" Om raised a question not wanting to show his discomfort in his happiness.

"Uhm. Yes, Om. I'm just nervous about Annika being welcomed as a daughter-in-law also scared by her antics. How will others respond to her childish acts?" Shivaay answered truthfully not wanting to fabricate, after all, he was his soul brother who understands his plight and emotions despite their distance from a few years.

"Don't worry about it. It will go fine." Om mumbled with sadness engulfing and disheartening that his brother choose to withhold his wedding even when he saw both together at the supermarket.

"I'm sorry Om. I was scared, scared of your reaction when you saw me together with Annika. At that time I didn't know what to do, also we were not having clarity on this. Regardless of that now we have overcome and are trying to make this work." Om swirled around to look at Rudra and wondered if he heard about the supermarket issue thankfully Rudra was busy on his phone playing the 'Township' game.

"Are you really happy with this? It's not any obligation or forced to stay on. These relations are a crucial part in one's life, one wrong stride and all gone." He reimbursed his attention to Shivaay as he nervously fiddled his fingers lowering his eye level.

"I'm happy. More than happy to say. Annika says that few decisions are meant to be taken in haste and I know that I will never regret this. It's hard to find partners who accept another partner with flaws and I'm blessed to get Annika. She recognizes my need for perfection, my anger, my cleanliness and everything, she puts all she could do." He felt a pang in his heart hearing Shivaay talk. It surprised him that they were so compatible with each other in the span of two months.

"It's not about flaws and understanding it's about whole life staying together. Two months doesn't decide." He reasoned out seeing him go sightless talks.

"If it was an arranged marriage, this would have been similar. The only difference is in an arranged marriage is that our parents would have met foremost and decided on the dates. Aai, Ajji and Uncle are all nice and I am on the good side except Uncle, but that will eventually be better. I guess."

[Trans- grandmother. Mostly used in Karnataka and Maharashtra which have few common wordings.]

"What about age? She is young so you are. Will not it spoil your carrier? What about hers?"

"I know we are young to be married but I can't help it. It's already done and I can't back out now. Marriage is a lifelong commitment that is not achieved with obligations but devotion. Anybody in Annika would have forced me to join the industry when I told about my challenge with Baade papa. Now Annika is been helping me to create my character, my reputation even in her busy days. She likes me for my passion for cooking with this I can conclude that she loves being self-sufficient and a Freebird without having background support. In future, I will do everything to assist her if she wants an independent life."

Omkara chuckled watching his facial expressions he was seriously devoted to Annika. He never thought that Shivaay would be severe in this but with his words from the heart, he knew that he all again lost hopes.

"Was it too long? Staying with her has rubbed on me." Biting his lips, waiting for his response Shivaay scraped his light well-trimmed beard.

"It is fine. Forget all and put everything of yours in this relationship. Make me proud brother." Shivaay gleamed as Om patted his shoulders brotherly and gave some wisdom that he was desperately in need of.

"Thanks, Om."

Shivaay muttered and went on to grab cold water from the refrigerator. Meanwhile hearing Rudra whistle from the background he swirled around only to catch a sight of his beautiful wife standing at the doorstep wearing an olive green saree paired with a blood-red blouse and gold embroidery. She was indeed an embodiment.

Gawking at her he chocked on the cold water and abruptly spit everything and went ahead coughing badly. Well, after the effects of glancing his wife in a saree after their wedding.

"Shivi why do you all away get chocked. A kid." Mumbling at his clumsy self which only happens when she discloses something Annika grabbed a hand towel and tossed it in his direction.

"Not always. It is you who do something unpredictable. First wanting Sitara now wearing a saree, often planning to kill me." Whispering to himself he wiped his wet mouth and moistened his black formal shirt with the towel. He opened his mouth again and this time louder. "If I'm not wrong you have never worn traditional attire, then how come it was easy for you to wear a yard length saree?"

"Haven't you heard of pre-stitched saree? I specially ordered it before the wedding." Giving a lopsided smirk at him she walked passed Rudra and looped Shivaay's arms with hers.

"Rudy boi click few good pictures of us. Together" Rudra twisted his mouth as he angled himself to get a perfect picture of them together.

"I didn't know that my wife would look too elegant and adorable and at the same time." Shivaay crouched to her height as he whispered in her ears. She flickered with tints of light pink shades lingering on her cheeks as Shivaay complicated her.

"Black makes you hotter, I must include." Annika nudged him looking from top to bottom. He wore a black formal shirt paired with a cream and kaki combined office pants.

"Bhaiya no kissing. Think about Papa's poor cataract eyes and my nineteen years old virgin eyes." Rudra yelled in disbelief sense that they were about to kiss.

Passing on embossed reddened cheeks at him both decided to stay mum and just pose for the photos.

"Annika this is my brother Omkara, he is to be a sculpture artist in the coming days," Shivaay concluded that it was high to introduce him formally, considering all had taken off to the Oberoi mansion to welcome them.

"Hi! You can call me Om." He stretched his hands for a traditional handshake. Giving to him she too gave in and shared with him.

"What do you call brother-in-law in Punjabi?" She uttered wanting only Shivaay to hear but with her enthusiasm, all three heard gave a full-blown smile to her innocence.

"Devar."

[Trans- husband's younger brother]

"Hello. I'm really sorry for bumping into you in the supermarket that day. I would never do that if I knew you were my devar. I would have never done that. Leave all those things, was that girl your girlfriend?"

"Who? Ishana? The girl who was with me?"

"Yes."

"I don't know. She has opened her feelings for me perhaps I don't know what to do."

"Never let go a person who dearly loves you. You may love someone else but the one who loves you is valuable." Shivaay widened his eyes hearing her all go philosophical.

"When did you become a Saint from a kid?" Laughing at her he side cuddled her, bring closer to him.

•••••

Annika is advising Om. What should he do?