Voice: Miss Gauri Kumari Sharma, Mr Rishi Arora, get off your phones and pay attention. Om kept his laughter in as he witnessed Gauri and Rishi groaning as they kept their phones away. Basically they were now in English and the three coincidentally were put into the same class with the same teacher. Rishi, Om and Gauri were all on the same table with some other boy and Om-Gauri were sitting next to each other since they were both left-handed so less elbow war.

The teacher was late so Rishi and Gauri went on their phones and now that the teacher was here, they had their phones away as much to their dismay.

Gauri: mam, why can't we just be allowed to go on our phones anytime we want?

The teacher gave Gauri a look saying: because schooltime is for learning not to go on social media. Now students, kindly get up and I will tell you my seating plan.

Everyone in the class groaned. Gauri looked at her teacher and said: but mam, we are happy where we are sitting. Please don't change the seating. I beg. You are our favourite teacher mam. You are literally the best teacher ever.

Teacher: really?

Gauri: haan mam aur the best teacher ever doesn't change the seating right?

Teacher: fine. Stay seated in your current seats then.

Om whispered to Gauri: how did she agree so easily?

Gauri whispered back with a cute mischievous-like smile: voh I had her last year for English and I was that good that I am her favourite.

Rishi heard this conversation and whispered: oh hello madamji, you were not the favourite.

Gauri whispering: oh hello, jealousy doesn't suit you.

Teacher: Gauri, Rishi and the new boy Omkara, if you three are going to whisper in my class, I will change the seating plan.

Gauri, Rishi and Om: sorry mam.

Teacher: good. Now everyone, my name is Mrs Patel. You may know me if you had me last year but the introduction is for those who were either not here last year or didn't have me as their English teacher last year. Our English department's main focus for the following term is poetry since we got news that in your exams, there is going to be two papers on poetry.

Everyone groaned. Om gave a little groan though he loved poetry. He loved writing poetry but he didn't like annotating poems.

Mrs Patel: quit groaning people.

She turned to the whiteboard and with a whiteboard black marker, she wrote in her neat handwriting 'Jhansi Ki Rani'.

Seeing what she had wrote on the board, the entire class gave another loud groan.

Mrs Patel: I know you all hate poetry, I much rather go on that cruise to Ireland with my husband instead of teaching you poetry but hey here I am, stuck teaching a bunch of moody teenagers so deal with it! Anyway I would like Miss Gauri Kumari Sharma to read out the poem.

Gauri: do I have to?

Mrs Patel: Gauri, if I am to be very VERY honest then you are the only student who is the best at poetry in this class, and I haven't had any coffee so I don't want to read the poem.

Gauri: urgh fine!

Mrs Patel: stand up please and say the poem out loud.

Gauri sighed as she got up to read the poem. Definitely not something she wanted to do. She started reading the first stanza. Though there was disinterest in her tone, Om noticed how sweet her voice sounded when she read through the first stanza. As she read the first stanza, it almost sounded like she was singing and had he heard that dipped-in-honey voice before?

Mrs Patel: stop right there. Let's see, Mr Omkara Singh Oberoi, let's pick on you.

Yeah, let's pick on the new boy, way to go Mrs Patel.

Mrs Patel: please translate that stanza in English Mr Oberoi.

He nodded. He was about to speak when...

Mrs Patel: and stand now before you speak.

He nodded again and stood up, luckily he knew the poem translation from his last school.

Him: the throne got shook, and the tension erupted among the Raajvanshs, the royal heirs of the throne, in aged India, a new wave of youth was spreading, all the inhabitants of India had realized the worth of their lost freedom, all of them had decided to get rid of the British rule, the old swords started glittering again like new ones in the form of the freedom movement in 1857. From the mouths of the bandelas and the harbolas, we heard the tale of the courage of the Queen of Jhansi relating how gallantly she fought like a man against the British intruders such was the queen of Jhansi.

Mrs Patel: fabulous. So harbolas are religious singers of Bandelkhand because let's be real, most of you didn't know that. Well...you all didn't know that.

Rishi: you got that right mam.

Mrs Patel: stop shouting out in class. If you have something to say, put your hand up!

Rishi: ok mam.

Mrs Patel: ok Miss Sharma, next stanza. Mr Oberoi, stay standing up.

Gauri: Kanpur key nana ki muhn boli bahen chhaveeli thi, Lakshmibai naam, pita ki woh santaan akeli thi, nana key sangh padhti thi woh nana key sangh kheli thi barchhi, dhal, kripan, katari, uski yehi saheli thi. Veer Shivaji ki gaathaayen uski yaad zabani thi, bundeley harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi, khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali rani thi.

Mrs Patel: and in English?

Om: she was as dear to the nana of Kanpur as her real sister, her name was Laxmibai and she was the only daughter of her parents, she had been with Nana from her early childhood, since she was a school student. spear, knife, sword, axe were her companions all the time. She had learned by heart the valorous stories of shivaji. From the mouths of the bandelas and the harbolas, we heard the tale of the courage of the queen of Jhansi relating how gallantly she fought like a man against the British intruders: such was the queen of Jhansi.

Mrs Patel: well done.

The lesson just dragged on, both Om and Gauri hated speaking in front of the class but alas they had no choice. Mrs Patel seemed to be enjoying their misery. Soon English was over and it was now break. During break, Gauri, Om and Rishi joined with Chahat and Richa and got a table in the massive hang-out hall. Yes their school had a hang-out hall because the school figured that teenagers prefer staying inside during break especially on boiling hot days.

As Gauri spoke to her friends, she got a text message from Sid saying that he was picking up her today and he was taking her to her family's hospital. She made a face. Om noticed and asked: is everything okay Gauri?

Gauri: yes everything is fine. I am just going to kill my brother out of boredom.

Richa: which brother? You got two.

Gauri: guess Sherlock!

Richa: oh.

Chahat: don't kill Sid he is adorable.

Gauri rolled her eyes as Om said: so what did Sid say to you?

Gauri: yeh ki I have to go to his workplace because I have no choice. I need my driver's license.

Rishi: you would have gotten it sooner if you could do left hand turns.

Chahat: and if you didn't start debating with your instructor.

Richa: we told you that your smart mouth would get you in trouble one day.

Gauri: Om, you are now my number one best friend and my only best friend because these people are mean.

Om: I feel so honoured.

Richa, Rishi and Chahat laughed. Om looked at Gauri and said: if you like, I can drive you back to your house.

Gauri: thanks but I haven't got my house keys.

Om: you need to keep your keys on you.

Richa: we told her but she never listens.

Gauri: oh give me a break.

Everyone laughed whilst Gauri made a face. Om noticed how cute she looked with her cute pout and sad eyes. Ummmmm why was he thinking about how cute she looked? He only saw her as a friend and nothing else. They already came to the point that they were friends so he needed to see her as JUST A FRIEND. That kiss definitely was messing with his head.

Gauri: Om?

Om: hmm?

Gauri: you good? You zoned out for a minute.

Om: oh yeah I'm fine.

He didn't even know that he zoned out for a minute. Yup that kiss had definitely messed his head up.

...

It was the end of the school day now. Om was about to go into his car when Gauri came up to him and said: so how was your first day?

Om: it was fine thanks. Better than my last school.

Gauri: was your last school not that great?

Om: it was okish but not that great.

Gauri: well this school will be amazing for you because I'm here!

Om: pretty sure Rishi would disagree with you.

Gauri: ignore Rishi.

Rishi: why ignore Rishi?

Gauri: why do you always come everywhere?

Rishi: I'm getting a lift with Om and alsolittle Miss teeny tiny, your brother is waiting for you.

Gauri: tell him to suck one.

Om gave a soft chuckle whilst Rishi rolled his eyes.

Gauri: great he texted me with a blackmail.

Om: what did you do?

Gauri: get drunk....

Rishi and Om laughed whilst Gauri made another face. She then said: I have to go now. Bye.

She hugged Rishi and then she turned to face Om to hug him. Om hugged her back before she left to go to her big brother Sid.

Om: how come she hugged me and you?

Rishi: she hugs her close friends. So congrats because people die to even get a hi from her.

Om: let's just go. Can I chill at your place for a bit?

Rishi: sure...is everything okay at home?

Om: yeah just well you know. I like staying away from home as much as possible.

Rishi gave his friend a side hug. He knew about Om's situation at home. His mother and sister adored Om but the rest of Om's family....no one knew why they hated Om.

They went in the car and Om started the car so that they could drive to Rishi's house.

Meanwhile Gauri went into Sid's car and pouted at her big brother.

Sid: Gauri, stop giving me that pout.

Gauri: you are so mean. Why do I have to go to hospital with you?

Sid: because you know I can easily make mum and dad turn on you.

Gauri: you're such a horrible person.

Sid rolled his eyes as he continued to drive and they soon reached Sanjivani hospital. They got out and went into the hospital. Gauri was immediately greeted with a lot of 'hi's from the hospital staff.

Sid: why are you so popular here?

Gauri: because I am amazing.

Sid: so full of yourself.

Gauri punched her brother's shoulder as they walked to their dad's office cabin. Shashank looked up from some files to see his two kids....the bully and his princess at the door.

Shashank: Gauri, you here?

Gauri: daddy, he brought me here. If Mahir bhaiya was picking me up then he'd take me home but this mean person brought me here.

Shashank: aww meri princess, come here.

Gauri went up to her dad and her dad gave her a hug whilst giving Sid a look but Sid seemed not to be affected by his dad's stern look.

Gauri: where's Jasmine bhabhi?

Sid: she's here...now!

Gauri: why did she just come?

Sid: shifts.

Gauri was a little confused. She never really understood shifts and stuff. Sid looked at Gauri and signed her to come near him. Gauri was scared because she was totally convinced that her eldest brother was a serial killer....yes her imagination was wild. Still she came near her brother since he knew about her getting drunk on her birthday.

Once she came near him, Sid dug deep in his pocket and brought out a tiny box....Gauri sighed in relief because it was not a knife. Sid opened the box to let Gauri see what was in it.

Gauri: are you....

Sid: yes.

Gauri: omg that's great! I will laugh if she says yes.

Sid: you are so mean.

Gauri: not as mean as you.

Sid pulled a strand of Gauri's hair making her wince and she kicked his leg.

Shashank: Sid, stop bullying your sister.

Sid: she kicked me, did you not see that?

Shashank: Sid...

Gauri smiled sheepishly at her brother whilst Sid gave her an annoyed look before going out of his dad's office. Gauri was about to follow her brother when Shashank said: Gauri, you and your brother better not start world war 3 outside my office.

Gauri: don't worry we won't and by the way, your eldest son starts world war 3 not me.

Shashank rolled his eyes with a smile as Gauri went out of the office to follow her brother. She saw her brother going on his knees and pulling out the ring asking Jasmine the question "will you marry me?"

The tension was in the air. Gauri along with everyone else in the waiting room held their breathes as Jasmine opened her mouth to speak....

Jasmine: yes.

With that announced, Sid kept the ring on her finger then got up to hug her tightly whilst Gauri and the people in the waiting room squealed with delight. Shashank went out of his office confused with why there was squealing whilst Juhi came out from the staffroom, also confused.

Juhi: Gauri, Sid, what happened?

Gauri: mama, your eldest son is going to marry soon.

Shashank: what really?

Gauri: haan.

Shashank: Sid, why are you entering a hell called marriage?

Juhi: Shashank!

Shashank bit his tongue whilst Gauri, Sid and Jasmine laughed. Shashank and Juhi signed Jasmine to come to them and she did as told.

Juhi: God bless you and Sid.

Shashank: we are looking forward to have you in our family. Do you want to bring your family this weekend so we can discuss the marriage?

Jasmine: of course Shashank sir.

Shashank: it's papaji now.

Jasmine smiled then Gauri said: Jasmine bhabhi, you are so amazing, so pretty and can get any man...why did you say yes to that special specimen?

Sid: do you want to die Gauri?

Gauri: my ideal death is not in hospital.

Everyone just laughed. Jasmine couldn't wait to become a part of this crazy family that still loved each other. Her small world was her mother and brother and then everyone else in her household was irrelevant to her. In her home, there was always some sort of conflict and that's why she always felt that Sid's family was like hers and now it was going to be hers and she couldn't wait to tell her mother and brother.

...

Pinky: we're alsos going.

Pinky announced as Jasmine, Roop and Om were about to leave. Roop and Om got to know about Jasmine's big news and Jasmine put Roop in contact with Juhi to discuss Saturday plans. Pinky overheard the conversation and told everyone else that Jasmine was very soon to be wedded. Now it was Saturday.

Roop: it's fine Pinky bhabhi, it's just us three going to the groom's house for today.

Dadi: but we're the bride's family. Besides why are you taking that son of yours? He only breaks up marriages. What if his evil eye curses Jasmine's relationship before she even marries?

Om looked down, Jasmine saw that he was upset and she knew that he wasn't going to say anything since though the rest of the Oberois treated him like trash, he never said anything mean to them since he considered them as his own. She didn't know why. If she was him, she wouldn't consider these people as her own or give them an ounce of respect.

Jasmine: we're taking Om because he is my brother and he doesn't break marriages. I don't get why you all have a problem with him but if you have a problem, please keep it to yourself. Waise bhi we're only meeting my boyfriend's family to discuss my shaadi, it's not a sangeet or haldi or any fancy function where the entire family is needed.

Om: Jasmine didi, don't speak in that tone.

Pinky: haan listen to what he has to say.

Jasmine: there is no point arguing with you people. I don't want to ruin my mood, come on Om, Mum, let's go in the car.

She and Om walked out of the mansion and Roop was about to walk out of the mansion when the sudden strong smell of alcohol hit her nose, she knew who came out of their room...

Jhanvi: be careful Roop. He broke my marriage. If he breaks Jasmine's marriage, don't come crying to us.

Roop turned to see Jhanvi on the stairs and said: kids don't break a marriage, it's the mistake of the people in the marriage. Your husband made a mistake and you, the kids and Om are all suffering for his disloyalty. Om is innocent. He didn't do anything. He was only a baby.

Jhanvi: who broke my marriage! He may have been a baby but he broke my marriage!

Roop: your husband's disloyalty broke the marriage but Om! You are just blind Jhanvi bhabhi. I pray everyday for you to finally see the reality. Kids are innocent, because of their parents' mistakes they suffer.

With that said, she turned to leave the mansion. Jhanvi looked at Roop with angry eyes...it was Om's fault. Om broke her marriage and now her and Tej's relationship was non-existent. Why couldn't Roop see that? She was always supporting Om who was the biggest mistake and the bad omen in her life.

Meanwhile in the Sharma Household....

Sid: why is there rooh afza?

Juhi: because rooh afza is what we normally give guests.

Sid: do we have rasna?

Juhi: yeah...

Sid: mum, I am putting the rooh afza away and getting the rasna. Voh Jasmine, her mother and brother aren't fond of rooh afza. They all like rasna.

Juhi: why do you know this?

Sid: her mother wanted to meet me when she found out that Jasmine was dating and we went to a nice restaurant where they didn't serve coke or pepsi but drinks like rooh arza, rasna, Nimbooz so yeah.

Juhi: look at you keeping your girlfriend's tastes in mind. What's my favourite cake flavour?

Sid: vanilla?

Juhi: no.

Sid: chocolate?

Juhi: Mahir, what's my favourite cake flavour?

Mahir: red velvet.

Juhi: correct. Sid, you should keep your mother's interests in mind too. After all in every man's life, their mother is the first woman. Now get the rasna.

Sid: yes mum.

Gauri went downstairs wearing ripped jeans and an off-shoulder white top. Juhi looked at her daughter and said: Gauri, change into a kurta.

Gauri: kyu?

Juhi: because Jasmine's family is coming over. I can't have them see my daughter wearing ripped clothes and showing off her collar bone. Everyone knows that you need to look presentable when the families meet.

Gauri: papa, mama is being old fashioned!

Shashank: just listen to her Gauri. I will buy whatever lehenga you want for the shaadi functions.

Gauri: promise?

Shashank: yes I promise.

Gauri: okay, I will wear what mama wants me to wear then.

Gauri went upstairs to go change making Juhi roll her eyes. Shashank always needed to promise Gauri something just to make Gauri listen to her. It was cute but honestly these papa princesses get spoilt too much.

After sorting everything out, Gauri came downstairs dressed in the baby pink kurta her mum wanted her to wear. Daisy came up to her, wagging her cute tail. Gauri smiled and said: I'm just taking Daisy to get some fresh air.

Juhi: fine but be quick.

Gauri nodded as she got Daisy's leash and attached it to her collar before leaving the house to let the small puppy get some fresh air. After a little quick walk, Gauri walked back to her house with Daisy and that was when Daisy dragged Gauri since the puppy saw a tall man talking on the phone by his car near their house.

Gauri: Daisy! Daisy ki bacchi! It's just a person!

Daisy made Gauri bump into the man. The man grabbed Gauri with his free arm before she fell on the floor.

Gauri: Om, what are you doing at my house?

Precap: Om-Gauri's families talk + history lesson

So yes I have updated after forever. Reason why I didn't update - demotivation. I am not setting any targets for now, I just want to see the response to this book. I might either give the book a rushed ending if the response isn't good or unpublish it. I have some hopes for this book because the plot I wanted to try for a while so please do give some love to it.

All ready for the family talk and history lesson?

Any guesses on the history lesson?

Will we find out why Jhanvi blames Om for her marriage breaking?

Do vote and comment. Silent readers, please vote and also guys, do comment so I know your feelings about the book.