~FROM VAGUE TO VIVID~

BORN VALENTINES

February 14th had been an extremely happy day for Oberois and Trivedis.Tej Singh Oberoi and Harshvardhan Trivedi stood in the hospital corridor cradling their newborns.

Tej was blessed with a baby boy while Harsh had a baby girl. They had a difference of 5 minutes; 1.55pm and 2pm respectively.

"So? You had said that it'd be a girl" Tej said and Harsh smiled. They met 5 months back after they parted ways in highschool. Harsh had said that Tej would be having a girl while he'd be having a boy. Hence he was ready with a name for a boy and Tej had searched for all sorts of girl names.

"Well, we'll just exchange the names" Harsh said and Tej smiled.

"Omkara"

"Gauri"

The babies opened their eyes and looked at each other trying to decipher what was going on.

"Already bonding" Tej remarked chuckling which Harsh returned.

THE RED ROSE

Omkara stood with a red rose watching Gauri accepting a yellow rose from Vaibhav, their classmate.

He hesitated seeing her admiring the yellow rose. In the morning, he saw his elder brother take a red rose for Gauri's sister. So he too did the same for Ri.

But right now seeing Gauri with the yellow rose he didn't have confidence. Yellow was her favourite colour. He should have thought about that.

"Om!" Gauri shouted as she saw Omkara. He smiled hiding the rose quickly behind him.

"See, Vaibhav gave this to me" she said showing him the yellow rose. Omkara smiled at her excitement. "What are you hiding?" Gauri asked and before he could react to it, she snatched it from him.

"I got that for you" Omkara slowly said and she smiled brightly. "Why did you hide it then?" She asked with a small frown. "You like yellow more than red" he said and she smiled.

"When you give me something, it's above all other gifts" she said and he grinned. Both of them walked to their class holding their hands.

Only if the 6 year olds knew what a red rose meant.

THE PROPOSAL

Omkara ran to Gauri smiling all the way. They both were in the same school, same class and same bench.

Though they were just five but their talks matched fifty. Right now, Omkara was in a hurry tell something to Gauri.

"Ri" he called out as he spotted her in the garden. He walked towards her slightly giggling but his smile vanished when he saw Gauri sulking.

"What happened Ri?" He asked as he saw the tears in her eyes. "I miss Ma" she slowly whispered looking at the flowers.

Gauri's mother passed away soon after her birth. One of the many reasons why she was so close to her elder sister, Anika and Omkara's mother, Jhanvi.

"Ri.. Don't cry na. Aunty won't like it" he said and wiped her tears away. "You wanna hear something?" He said in an attempt to distract her and it worked.

She curiously looked at him and he grinned. "Shivaay and Ani were talking. And he asked her something" he said and Gauri frowned. "Anika, will you be with me forever?" Omkara tried his best to imitate Shivaay but failed miserably.

Gauri laughed seeing his poor imitation and he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"Om, will you be with me forever?" Gauri asked once her laughter died. "Forever Ri.. Forever" he said and both of them engaged in their talks.

Nature smiled through the winds as if it knew what would happen!

THE BLUE TEDDY BEAR

Gauri happily walked inside the Oberoi Mansion holding the gift box close to her. She saw Jhanvi in the hall and smiling at her, she went straight to Omkara's room.

"Om" She called as soon as she entered the room. Omkara, who was sketching, looked up as he heard her voice. He smiled at her and asked her to come inside.

She walked inside and placed the wrapped box in front of him. He raised his brow and looked at her. "Open" she said with excitement and he slowly opened it.

"Teddy Bear?" He exclaimed as he opened it. A small blue teddy bear. "You didn't like it?" Gauri asked as her smile dimmed. "I love it" He said and her bright smile returned.

"Boys don't play with teddies O" Rudra who just entered commented. "Who said so? There's nothing like that" Omkara snapped at him.

"And Ri gave this to me. Whatever she gifts is special" he said and Gauri smiled.

Rudra rolled his eyes at the statement while Omkara and Gauri chuckled.

NEVER. I PROMISE

Omkara and Gauri were walking back home after school. This was their last year in school. Omkara was planning to take arts while Gauri was set to take a degree in business.

Gauri was talking something so she failed to notice a car coming from the side. Omkara who saw this, pulled her to the side. Both of them landed on the dusty path but Omkara hit his head.

"How many times have I asked you to walk carefully!" Jhanvi, who was cleaning Omkara's wound, scolded both of them. "Sorry" Gauri, who was sitting beside her said.

"It's not your fault" Omkara said and she shook her head. "I should've given attention Om. I'm sorry" she said as her eyes filled with tears.

"Don't be sorry Ri. See I'm fine" Omkara said in an attempt to console her. "I was scared of losing you" she whispered and he smiled. "I will never leave you" he said holding her hand.

"Never?" She asked still not assured. "Never. I promise" he said and she smiled.

Jhanvi looked at them in fascination. Was she really invisible to them? She suppressed a smile as something struck her mind

I'LL MISS YOU

Omkara was ready to board his flight. He was going to London to pursue his dreams. Jhanvi was so emotional but was happy for her son.

"O, come back soon" Rudra said with a sad smile and Omkara chuckled. "Guys, I'm not leaving forever" he said and everyone smiled. "Omkara, take care. Call when you reach and don't take anything from anyone" Anika said worried for him.

"Okay Grandma" he said chuckling and she rolled her eyes. He had stayed back for Shivaay and Anika's wedding and the classes had already started.

His eyes finally landed on the person whom he was going to miss the most. "Ri" he called but she stood rooted to her place.

He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her. She clutched his shirt as she let the tears fall. He smiled despite the sadness rising in his heart. "Hey.. Is that how you bid bye to your best friend?" He asked but she didn't budge.

He held her chin between his fingers and made her look at him. "Don't cry. I'll not be able to leave" he said and she chuckled. "Be the best" they whispered to each other.

She hugged him once more. "I'll miss you" she whispered and his eyes turned dewy. With a small smile, he walked inside.

Shivaay slowly hugged her from the side as more tears made their way down her cheeks.

FIRST KISS

Oberoi Mansion was filled with laughs. Omkara was back after 4 long years. And adding more happiness to the already happy environment, Anika was pregnant.

"Where's Ri?" Omkara finally asked. And as if on cue, Gauri entered making his heart skip a beat.

She had grown extremely beautiful. A perfect young maiden. Omkara stood up from where he sat and approached her.

"Om" she called with watery eyes. They both stood an inch away.

"I missed you" she said and jumped to hug him. He slightly faltered in his steps but soon gained balance. It felt nice. Beautiful. Blissful. He hugged her back with all his

might.

She looked into his eyes, breaking the hug. He too looked on, as both of them realized that they were in the same spot.

"I love you" both whispered at the same time.

They smiled as tears slipped down from their eyes. Gauri tiptoed and pressed her lips on his. He kissed her back as the whole family stood gaping.

"I knew this from the day he refused to give me his chocolate" Rudra said and everyone chuckled.

Gauri buried herself in his chest as he laughed heartily.

ALWAYS TOGETHER

Omkara and Gauri sat in their balcony with Gauri leaning onto Omkara. 2 years of wedded bliss.

The clock suddenly buzzed indicating that it was 14th February.

"Happy Birthday" both whispered to each other.

Soon the balcony was filled with laughs as they talked about their childhood.

"I think we were born on Valentine's day for a reason" Gauri said chuckling.

"Yes" Omkara said mischievously and soon their lips met.

The moon shined brightly as the soulmates merged into each other.

❣❣❣