that evening:

O.M:

om came back from rishi's house, entering from the backdoor in order to avoid any chaos but unfortunately as soon as he entered from the backdoor, something wooden hit him on the back of the head.

om: ouch!

he turned to see pinky holding her grandson's cricket bat. he was damn lucky not to pass out. 

pinky: what you doing?! entering this house chupka chupka...no shame?!

om: voh...

pinky: please don't talks! I don't want to be deafs! 

roop, rudy and shivika came to the kitchen hearing pinky being loud.

anika: mummyji, what happened? why is shivansh's bat in your hands?

pinky: that's so no thief comes to steal our money.

roop: pinky Bhabhi! why did you hit my son?

om: mum, calm down....

roop: how can I calm down om?! just looking at that cricket bat, I can easily make out that she hit you with it! pinky Bhabhi, stop torturing him! what has he ever done to you?!

before pinky could say something, rudy spoke: you mean what has he done to all of us? because of him, our two sisters are living away from this house! because of him, my mother turned to alcohol.

om: what? why would our sisters move away because of me and why would jhanvi mami turn to alcohol because of me?

rudy: because you...

roop interrupting: om beta, ignore them. they get angry really quickly and in anger, they say things like that.

rudy: let him know everything!

roop: no! I am his mother, not you so just shut up! 

om: mum, calm down.

roop: om, go upstairs before things get violent.

om: mum you are coming with me.

roop: lekin....

om held his mum's wrist and made her leave the kitchen with the other oberois rolling their eyes. om brought roop to her room and made her sit down on the bed.

roop: why did you make me leave?

om: we already have a bitter relationship with them. arguing with them would worsen things up. 

roop: om beta, can I ask you something?

om: sure mum.

roop: how come you don't hurt by their words and their actions?

om: I became immune to it when I was little.

roop: don't talk like that.

om: but it's the truth mum.

roop hugged him, tears rolled down her eyes as she got the flashbacks of carrying baby om in her arms for the first time...he was sick, he was fighting to breathe, he was super weak and now look at him, you couldn't tell that he was a sick weak baby.

sharma household:

gauri was in the guest room, on her laptop. she had just finished cleaning her room and moving most of her stuff into the guest room since she doesn't trust her dadi with the stuff she owned. just then mahir came in the room and gauri said without looking up from the laptop: who said that you could come in here?

mahir: no one but it's a free country so it is not against the law if I came into your room.

gauri: can you just go? I am trying to watch Netflix.

mahir: what are you watching?

gauri: insatiable.

mahir: that show is so dead.

gauri: oh really? so then your 'the protector' is amazing?

mahir: yes. the protector is probably the only good series on Netflix.

gauri: what happened to 13 reasons why?

mahir: got bored of it.

gauri: KYA?! how can you get bored of 13 reasons why?! the story, plot, scene setup and everything else is just perfect. there are a lot of good series on Netflix just you don't put in the effort to watch them.

mahir: someone's rude.

gauri: why are you even in my room, annoying me?

mahir: because tomorrow is your birthday, you will be 17 so today is the last time I can annoy you when you are 16.

gauri: I am so surprised sid bhaiya isn't bullying me today.

mahir: oh he will be soon. sid bhaiya is not at home at the moment.

gauri: he is with Bhabhi right?

mahir: yup. he is coming soon though.

gauri: what about dadu and dadi?

mahir: dad went to pick them up from the train station.

gauri: bhaiya, when do you think sid bhaiya will get the courage to propose to Bhabhi? I mean they have been dating for 3 years...they should have tied the knot by now.

mahir: you're right gauri. they should marry by now but sid bhaiya is a pussy.

gauri laughs and says: that's why I like you more than sid bhaiya. you two annoy me but you don't annoy me as much as sid bhaiya does.

mahir: really?

gauri: haan. 

before mahir could speak, juhi spoke first from downstairs: GAURI! MAHIR! YOUR DADU AND DADI ARRIVED!

gauri and mahir got up from the bed and started to walk.

gauri: shit.

mahir: it's only one day.

gauri: that's too much torture for a little girl.

mahir: you are not that little.

gauri: I was asked the other day if I was 13.

mahir: not my fault you are short.

gauri: I am only 5'3.

mahir: that's very short.

gauri: shut up. isn't 7'0 too tall?

mahir: only a shorty like you can say that and for your kind information, I am not 7'0.

gauri made a face making mahir pull her cheeks as they went down.

mahir: namaste dadu and dadi.

dadu: mahir puttar, how are you?

mahir: good thanks. what about you?

dadu: we are also good. tell us, how are your studies going?

mahir: they are going good thank you.

dadi: when will you graduate? 

mahir: next year.

dadi: that's good. where is the other son, sid?

juhi: he is sorting out some files in the hospital. he will be home soon.

dadi: accha.

gauri whispering to mahir: sorting out files or flirting?

before mahir could whisper something back, dadu said: gauri, did anyone not tell you not to whisper? whispering is rude. juhi, Shashank, you both have done an amazing job with sid and mahir but with gauri...I guess people are right, raising a girl is hard work. I guess even the teachers couldn't teach her manners! why are you spending money on her education instead on her marriage? it's a wastage of money to educate a girl child. 

Shashank: dad, leave gauri alone. gauri has turned out much better than her two brothers. if she whispered, it's not the end of the world. also why on earth would people say that raising a girl is hard work? 

dadu: because they are.

Shashank: well then they are wrong because raising a girl child is a million times easier than raising a boy child, and for your kind information gauri is the topper in her school and I couldn't be more prouder. she is too young for marriage and I much rather think of her education than her marriage! if she wants to study abroad for university then I am willing to pay for it. so please dad, I beg you leave gauri alone. if you were not my dad, I would throw you out right now.

dadi: Shashank is that how you speak to your father?

Shashank: then you tell dad not to speak ill about my daughter!

she just rolled her eyes and said to her husband: let's book a hotel and spend the night there. it's better than having to stay under the same roof as that girl who made our son disrespect his own parents. 

dadu: fine. we will come tomorrow to cut the cake.

they both turned and left the house. as soon as they left, gauri smiled.

gauri: yay! thank you papa for always being there for me.

she hugs Shashank and Shashank kisses her forehead, saying: anything for my princess.

just then sid came, looking confused.

sid: wasn't dadu and dadi supposed to be here?

mahir: they are staying at a hotel.

sid: kyu? what did I miss?

Shashank told him everything and sid side hugged gauri: this is your birthday gift, no dadu and dadi. 

gauri: so you won't buy me anything?

sid: too much effort.

gauri: I HATE YOU!

she started punching sid's arm only for sid to start tickling her. Shashank and mahir and juhi just laughed knowing that eventually it would stop.

O.M:

om's room:

om was on his phone talking to rishi.

rishi: oh shit bro, that must have killed.

om: it didn't.

rishi: how come?

om: I am immune to it rishi. shivay, rudy them lot....they used to beat me out as soon as they saw me ever since I was little. I just became used to it and suddenly their punches didn't kill anymore. mum always tried to stop it.

rishi: why don't you just leave the house with your mum and sister?

om: mum tried but she can't get a place anywhere...also when her dad died, she got no house or land in the inheritance so we are stucked here.

rishi: that's cold.

om: I know.

rishi: well you can stay with me if you like.

om: I would but I don't want to leave mum alone yet. this year will be my last year with her till I go to uni. 

rishi: and the world's best son award goes to omkara singh oberoi.

the boys laughed and continued talking but their conversation was being heard by roop who was hiding behind the door, tears in her eyes. she walks from the door to the her room. as she was walking, she bumped into the eldest son of the oberoi family....tej singh oberoi.

tej: roop?

roop rudely: tej.

tej: is that the tone you use for your big brother?

roop: you lost the title of my big brother long back. not just you but shakti did as well. you both deserved it, especially you!

tej stayed silent as roop walked past him. 

the next day:

morning:

sharma's household:

gauri's room:

during the course of the evening, gauri managed to put everything of hers that was in the guest room into her room. she was sleeping peacefully in her head hugging the giant snowy white teddy bear. sid and mahir entered the room, in sid's hands he had a plate of oreos. they tip toed into her room, and mahir's fingers reached gauri's neck....within a few seconds, she started laughing, waking up from her beauty sleep. 

gauri: mahir bhaiya, stop tickling me. I am only little.

mahir stopped as she sat up.

gauri: today is my birthday and you didn't let me sleep in.

sid: well it's your job to walk daisy. 

gauri: that I will do.

sid: theek hai so just for some energy, mahir and I got you some oreos.

he held out the plate and gauri picked an oreo up. she looked closely at the white bit - the cream.

gauri: you know what? I am going to go to chum chum café and order a mocha. you eat these oreos.

mahir: why spend money on a mocha when we are giving you oreos for free?

gauri giggles: but sunita maasi always gives me a mocha or hot chocolate for free. now where is papa and mama?

sid: gauri, we brought you these oreos with so much love.

gauri: really or did you remove the cream and replaced it with toothpaste with so much love?

sid and mahir looked at each other, annoyed.

gauri: I expected better from you two. this prank is such a classic. 

mahir: I told you so.

sid: stop blaming me.

'happy birthday princess' two voices chirped.

sid and mahir turned to see their parents whilst gauri smiled. juhi was carrying daisy whilst Shashank carried a yellow-wrapped box. they walked further, sid and mahir stepped aside, as juhi pulled gauri's cheeks, keeping daisy on her laps.

juhi: happy birthday meri jaan. can't believe you are already 17. 

gauri: thank you mama.

mahir: how come you don't complain when mum pulls your cheeks?

gauri: because mama does it lightly.

Shashank: happy birthday to the apple of my eye.

he kissed her forehead and then said: unlike these two idiots, me and your mama actually got you a present.

gauri: aww how sweet. thank you mama and papa. 

juhi: open it before we make you take daisy for a week.

gauri: ok.

she undid the ribbon and then tore the wrapping paper to see a lot of pandora jewellery:

and then a gift stuff from the body shop:

gauri: wow. thank you mama and papa. I love you both so much.

she hugs her parents.

juhi: we love you too.

sid: you know it would have been cheaper to buy her a gift card.

Shashank: sid, leave your sister alone on her birthday alone.

gauri: look daisy, you are so lucky not to have any brothers. they are horrible, they ruin everyday for you and they don't even leave you alone on your birthday.

daisy licked her cheek whilst mahir said: today just marks the day you came into our lives and us two remained miserable.

gauri: chup karo na!

Shashank and juhi rolled their eyes looking at each other. siblings fight which is normal but their three children fight all the time that it doesn't seem normal at all.

after a few minutes, everyone left her room so gauri could change, get ready for the day. gauri got out her handbag and a checked two piece outfit perfect for summer:

she brushed her hair, brushed her teeth, washed her face, finishing off with clear lipgloss.

she went downstairs with daisy to get the leash. as she attached the leash to daisy's collar, Shashank said: gauri, are you having breakfast with us or with sunita maasi?

gauri: is it okay if I go to sunita maasi and then the orphanage because in the evening; chahat and richa are taking me to lakeview café.

Shashank:of course princess. when are you planning to go with chahat and richa?

gauri: chahat texted me last night saying it would be at 6:30.

Shashank: so we can cut the cake at 6 then.

gauri nodded, smiling. she stood up and said: bye papa. I will be taking daisy with me.

Shashank: bye princess.

gauri hugged her dad and then left with daisy.

outside:

as she left the house, the neighbours saw her.

neighbour 1: happy birthday Gudiya.

gauri: thank you aman uncle.

neighbour: happy birthday to the life of this neighbourhood.

gauri: thank you Sanjana aunty.

as she walked, everyone who knew her said happy birthday and she smiled, saying thank you again and again. soon she reached chum chum café. dogs weren't allowed and she was in no mood to leave daisy alone so she knocked gently on the window, making sunita see her. she spoke to one of the waitresses who nodded and then she went with two paper bags and a cup. she went out and smiled seeing her favourite customer who was like her daughter.

sunita: mera baccha! happy birthday.

gauri smiled and hugged her.

sunita: I knew you were coming so one paper bag has doggy treats for daisy and the other has your favourite cupcake...

gauri excitedly: tiramisu cupcakes with mascarpone frosting?

sunita: yes that's right and then your mocha.

gauri: I love you sunita maasi.

sunita: and I love you too baccha. 

she gave gauri the paper bags and she kept them in her handbag then she gave her the mocha.

gauri: sunita maasi, yesterday I requested those treats, please may I have them.

sunita: bilkul.

she went into the café and came out with three pink boxes giving them to gauri.

gauri: thank you.

sunita: no problem. now unfortunately I have to go else I won't be allowed to go to your cake cutting.

gauri: did mama tell you the time?

sunita: yeah, she said that your dad said that you were going with your friends at 6:30 so at 6, we are cutting the cake right?

gauri nodded: yup. so see you soon.

sunita: you too. tell the kids I said hi.

gauri: I will.

they hugged and then gauri and daisy walked from the café and sunita went back into the café.

meanwhile:

pandora jewellery shop:

rishi was looking at all the gorgeous charms, bracelets etc...whilst om was on his phone.

rishi: om, help me! what should I give gauri? this charm or this one?

om: ever heard of a gift card?

rishi: what good would a gift card do?

om: you put an amount of money on it and then she can buy whatever charm, ring etc she wants.

rishi: good idea. so what have you got her?

om: I don't know what she likes.

rishi: that's why I am here. she likes anything from the body shop....forget the gift card, let's go to the body shop.

om: ok sure.

he puts his phone in his pocket as rishi and om went from pandora to the body shop.

om: what scents does she like?

rishi: she loves strawberries and white musk.

om: found something.

rishi: that quickly?

om: I grew up with a sister, it's kinda easy shopping for girls.

rishi: there are days I wish I wasn't an only child.

om: who said that you are an only child? oh hello mr, you have a brother, me!

rishi: thanks goodness! so what did you choose?

om picked it up and showed rishi:

rishi: I am sure she will love it.

om: is it too much though. I never met her before so...

rishi: it will be fine. I finally found a gift for her. we'll pay for them and then you owe me a starbucks.

om: why me?

rishi: because last time I got us starbucks.

om: fine.

rainbow orphanage:

gauri and daisy came in with gauri carrying the three large boxes whilst daisy was well-behaved.

children: happy birthday to you. happy birthday to you. happy birthday dear gauri didi. happy birthday to you.

the orphanage warden, asha, came up to gauri and daisy smiling.

asha: they were waiting for you two.

gauri: sorry if we were late. my friend stopped me on the way.

asha: it's fine. we are happy that you are here now.

gauri: and I brought treats from everyone's favourite place, chum chum café!

the children: yay!

she sat on a chair, letting go of daisy's leash. the children played with daisy as gauri kept the boxes on the table and opened them up.

gauri: so children, share the treats and don't give any to daisy, ok?

children: ok gauri didi.

daisy whimpered and gauri said: daisy, these treats aren't for you.

she went into her handbag and checked the paperbag before saying: but these treats are for you. so for not making me fall, two doggy treats.

she fed them to daisy who became happy. as the morning changed to afternoon, gauri was playing with the small children.

that evening:

6pm:

sharma household:

gauri's room:

gauri was trying to find something to wear at the lakeview café.

gauri: couldn't they have arranged an reservation at the under 18's club? I rarely get to wear these dresses and I can't even wear one on my birthday. there are some jumpsuits. haan this is the one.

she smiled and she quickly changed into that jumpsuit:

she went into her jewellery box and wore some silver hoop earrings and then put on two pandora charm bracelets on her right wrist and then on her right ring finger, she wore the ring her parents gave her in the morning. she brushed her hair and wore her silver high heels just to make herself tall since she was too short. 

gauri: might as well apply some blush else those two idiots who I am related to will ruin my face.

she got her makeup brush and brushed blush on her cheeks....not too little and not too much.

she went downstairs where she found her brothers on the phone, her two parents, sunita and her husband and her son who was the same age as mahir. there was no sign of her dadu and dadi.

everyone: happy birthday.

gauri: thank you again.

sid: why are you wearing heels? they don't change your height at all.

gauri: maybe not but they are better than sandals because it will hurt you more when I hit you with them.

sid: oh hello shorty, you are still banned from hitting me with your shoes.

gauri: mama please cancel this ban.

juhi: I don't want any violence here. 

gauri: fine!

sid stuck his tongue out making gauri do the same. Shashank went into the kitchen and got out the cake whilst everyone sang happy birthday:

she blew the candles and cut the cake, feeding her dad and then her mum. she fed everyone else but sunita's son adi, sid and mahir.

adi, sid and mahir: what about us?

gauri: you three bullied me since I was born. get your own slice of cake.

sid: are you hearing this dad? she says all this and you scold us.

Shashank: it's her birthday leave your little sister alone.

the three rolled their eyes as gauri gave an innocent smile showing her dimples off.

gauri: I am so happy dadu and dadi didn't come. I guess yesterday night was so much for their egos!

mahir: at least we don't have to witness war.

juhi: we witness world war 3 everyday.

sharma siblings: matlab?

juhi: kuch nahi.

just then chahat came, her hair set in a princess braid and she was wearing a short yet decent bottle green dress with three golden charm bracelets jingling on her left wrist.

chahat: happy birthday gauri!

gauri: thank you bestie!

she runs up to towards her and hugs chahat. 

chahat: hello everyone. hope you are all doing well.

Shashank: we are fine thanks chahat. what about you?

chahat: I am fine thank you. is it ok if I can steal gauri?

mahir: go ahead. you are doing us a favour by stealing her.

chahat: thank you. chalo gauri.

gauri: ok. bye.

Shashank: I want you home at 9:45...10 will be fine as well but after 10, no more parties.

juhi: the only time you are strict.

gauri: ok papa. bye. 

she and chahat went out and went in the car where richa was waiting.

richa: happy birthday doll!

gauri: thank you richa!

richa: are you seriously wearing a jumpsuit?

gauri: we are going to a restaurant...why are you two wearing dresses?

chahat: oh gauri, oh sweet innocent gauri,  everyone knows that you can wear a cocktail dress to a restaurant. 

gauri: really?

richa: yes. luckily we knew that you didn't know this so our birthday gift to you is in the bag behind the driver's seat.

gauri picked the bag up and took out a package. 

gauri: oh my gosh! you two are the best. I can't believe you brought me a dress.

chahat: you love it?

gauri: I do...ek minute, where am I going to change?

chahat: gauri, it's times like this that you have to change in the car.

gauri: say what?

richa: she's right. ek minute.

richa drove to an area that had no humans whatsoever.

chahat: quickly change else the restaurant will cancel our reservation.

gauri nodded and managed to change into the dress from a jumpsuit. once that was done, richa drove from that area and went back on the road.

meanwhile:

party place:

rishi and om came... it was dark though the star-like lights filled the massive hall and the deep pound of bass vibrates through the brick walls. cookies and sodas fill the table along with fancy meals and cheeses beside artisan crackers and sparkling apple cider in champagne flutes decorated with a floating strawberry inside, there was even liquor and shots. another table was filled with presents.

rishi: give me your present om. i'll put it on the table. 

om: ok.

he gives rishi the wrapped present and he goes to the gift table. whilst he did that, a tall girl came towards om, holding a slim glass filled with champagne, her darkish blackish-brown hair reached her chest and she was wearing a mini strappy midnight black dress with very high black heels. she came in front of om and her glossed lips formed a smile. 

girl: hi.

om: hi.

girl: I have never seen you before. you don't go to our school so who are you?

om: I'm om, rishi's friend.

girl: hi om, I am Shreya.

om in mind: oh that Shreya. how do I escape? rishi, stop getting distracted and help me out!

Shreya: cat got your tongue?

om: no, sorry I am just tired.

Shreya: aren't we all sleep deprived at the end of the day?

om: yeah true.

Shreya: so how do you know gauri?

om: I don't. actually I am moving to your school for the new school year and rishi sort of forced me to come to this party to get to know everyone.

Shreya: well you will love it here. do you have Instagram?

om nodded.

Shreya: shreya.m125, dm me.

om smiled and she smiled back but her smile turned into a frown when rishi came.

rishi: so om, I see you met Shreya?

om: yup I did.

Shreya: well I should go, bye om.

she winked at him but when she turned, rishi said: bye bitch.

Shreya: bye dickhead.

she went to join a group of girls as rishi turned to om and said: I am so sorry that you had to talk to her. see what I mean though? she flirts with every boy. 

om: I can tell.

rishi: you are fresh meat for her, good luck.

om: thanks man, I need it.

just then rishi got a call.

rishi: bolo chahat! why the fuck are you whispering? oh right gauri, sorry. I will be your personal photographer for that outburst. ok yeah got it. will tell everyone.

he cuts the call and gets the mike from one of the boys.

rishi: everyone, fairylights off and be quiet. don't move, stand still, no one makes a sound. gauri is coming. also important thing, when richa speaks then turn the main light on.

the noise died out and the lights were turned off. just then you could hear heels clicking.

gauri: arre richa, chahat, I thought we were going to lakeview café. why are we in this dark place?

om in mind: that crow voice? is it possible for two girls to have the same crow voice?

chahat: chup karo na doll. you will know everything in three...two...

richa: ONE!

the main lights turned on and everyone yelled out: surprise!

you could see the entire class but om couldn't see her face due to the crowd of people and you could see gauri's new dress:

but you could really see her smile. her smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. you could see how it came from deep inside to light her eyes and spread into every part of her. everyone hugged her expect om but when it came for rishi to hug her, she said: you was also in this plan! I can't believe you didn't tell me.

rishi: what's funny is that you never suspected a thing till now.

gauri: are you saying I am too suspicious?

rishi: no....

gauri gave him a look.

rishi: maybe....

gauri gave such a look that he had to confess.

rishi: yes.

gauri gave a small smile and pulled his ear.

rishi: ow ow ow ow ow!

gauri: thank you.

rishi: no problem birdy.

richa: what about me and chahat? stop praising your bodyguard a lot.

gauri hugged her two friends and said: thank you for this surprise. I love you both.

chahat: we love you too jaanu.

they broke the hug and rishi said: oh gauri, meet my friend.

gauri: who? 

rishi: the new member of our class, my childhood friend om.

rishi dragged om and as soon as om and gauri saw each other face to face....the shock on their faces were indescribable. 

om and gauri: YOU?! HERE?! WHAT?! 

precap: sorting out a drunk gauri

get ready for drunk gauri at the next chappy!!!!!

why does gauri decide to get drunk?

will om sort out a drunk gauri?

who knows?

anyway what did you think of this chapter? if you liked it, do vote and comment because I would love to know what you think of this chapter and the story so far...thank you, have a good day.

target: 15+ votes and 5+ comments