AN/-

Hi, I would like to dedicate this story to @LittleDiana4. Once she asked me to rewrite my stories in RiKara. I said I would rewrite as soon as I complete my other stories. All my stories are about to end. So I am posting this in Rikara format. Hope you all like this.  

"Do it! Do it!" everybody cheered me up. I feel shy to do in front of everyone.

"Gauri, why are you taking so long. It is just small task." My bestie Anika shouted at her top of her voice across the hall. I seriously doubt, this could be her plan. Wait Anika, I will get my revenge soon.

I cleared my throat, before I could open my mouth I saw him and I froze. Seriously in front of him? God!!! I am going to embarrass myself in front of him.

He gave me a smile, which made me to continue.

"Sun saathiya maahiya
Barsa de ishqa ki syahiyaan
Rang jaaun, rang rang jaaun ri, haari main

Tujhpe main jhar jhar jhar jaaun
Hoon piya bas teri main
Ho chhu le toh khari main
Toh khari main khari main

Sun saathiya maahiya
Barsa de ishqa ki syahiyaan

Main ret si, boond ka zariya tu
Paa ke tujhe bheeg jaaun re
Main ret si, boond ka zariya tu
Paa ke tujhe bheeg jaaun ri

Tar jaaun tar tar jaaun
Dariya ye tar jaaun jee
Ishq ye paake main tera
Nikhar jaaun ri

Piya bas teri main
Ho.. chhu le toh khari main
toh khari main khari main

Sun saathiya maahiya
Barsa de ishqa ki syahiyaan"

I sang the song, with now and then looking at him.

When I completed last line, he smiled to which I blushed. I looked at him and he was staring at me without breaking our eye contact. Our eye contact was broken when I heard round of applause around me.

"I didn't know you had this talent. From now onwards you are going to be radio of the office" my team lead, Shivaay teased me.

I love singing and I am carnatic singer. But I stopped singing from 10th grade, when one of my friend mocked me. I know it is childish, but it made me to feel insecure. So I used to sing with people whom I feel comfortable.

No one from office know that I could sing, except one idiot, yes the same Anika. I have known her from my college, we both got placed together in this organization. She know all of my secrets including my secret crush on him.

I was not sure till yesterday, now it is confirm that she is my Chris mom. Because only that witch know that I am good at singing.

Incase you are wondering why I was singing, the answer is, in our organization we used to celebrate each and every festival by conducting games. This time for Christmas, we are playing Chris-mom Chris-child game. My task today is to sing.

So I sang the song which I would like to dedicate to him. Initially in college days I used to drag Anika with me and follow him where ever he goes like a lost puppy. I thought it was just some silly crush, which would fade away when he leaves the college as he is super senior to us. But that small crush turned out to be more than a crush as years passed.

When I was joined third year, he left the college and joined in this organization.

Initially I was relieved thinking I well get over him, but soon I started to miss him more than I could imagine. One and half years passed, I got a selected in same organization he was selected, maybe if I hadn't joined in this company I would have moved on, but the truth is I don't think I could ever move on because that's how I realized that I started to fall for him.

Coming to him, oops sorry I forgot to introduce him, he is Omkara, my crush, my one side love, a perfect gentleman I have ever seen. Plus he was the college topper and artist too.

When I joined the college, he was the most popular boy in the college. He used to be an all rounder, whom doesn't like the all rounder? So he has huge fan base in the college. Even though he was popular, his eyes were only on the studies and art works. Leaving aside his popularity, I love his character. He helps everyone. He is so simple, I heard that his father is big businessman, but he never showed off. Let's say he maintains a low profile of himself. One can ask how I gathered this information, let's say I am a great stalker. 

I wanted to propose him, but I had insecurities. Moreover I heard that he had a bitter past, so he is not into commitments. 

Even now in office, he has many girl fans, but he never bothered about them. Leave girls aside, he has many talents, but he never had head weight. Some girls say he is a rude person, but as far as I noticed, he is rude to those who flirt with him, other than he usually treat others with respect.

Coming to myself, I was hoping I could get myself in his department, bloody hell, I was put in different one. So it is very rare for me to see him, but I drag myself to the his department as Anika in his departure. Frankly speaking I use Anika to meet him.

Again Anika knows this and she used to tease me. Now she is making me to do things which indirectly impresses him.

I swear, I didn't ask her to give me these tasks. Because sometimes she used to take revenge on me by giving task which embarrassme in front of him. Of course the purpose of the game is 'entertainment' and I don't mind that, but I feel shy under his gaze. The way he got amused when I embarrassmyself, I feel like hiding myself in invisible cloak. For example yesterday my task was to dance for the song 'Jingle bells jingle bells, jingle on the way' it was funny though, truth to be told even I enjoyed it, but again I became a laughing stock to him.

As I did my task today, my gift would be waiting under the Christmas tree on the roof top. Initially only one tree was present in our floor, later to give gifts to Chris child and not to be known to others about who Chris mom is, we asked for another Christmas tree to be placed on roof top where there is no surveillance.

Later in the evening I went there and opened the gift to the see a pencil art of myself. Aww, my sweet mom presented me this. I should get something which Anika like on the Christmas eve. Poor girl giving me gifts all these days, actually she wouldn't give all these but she has to, as we are playing the game. When a task is completed, Chris mom has to give gift. With a smug on my face I took the chart work and went home.

Next day Omkara got a task to come in Santa Claus costume. So he came in that costume, evening he gave us the gifts placed under the Christmas tree.

Then comes my Chris child, my team leader, I asked him to buy Briyani for all those who is participating in this game. Even if one feels the food is insufficient, the task continues next day. Let's say it is revenge time for the times when he didn't allow me to have lunch on proper time. Mentally I smirked at him for accomplishing my task.

Next task I was both excited and nervous at the same time. I was given a task to convince the project manager a.k.a Omkara to take us lunch to barbecue on office's expenses. That's it, I am dead today. And with special note that, I shouldn't tell anyone especially Omkara that, it is the task until he agrees. If he finds out then I have to bare the expenses. Again, either I will go bankrupt today or else I will get heart attack for speaking to him. I think probability of me becoming bankrupt is more because one can easily find out any change in our behavior stating game as reason.

I gulped and crossed my fingers hoping for success. I haven't talked to him ever. This is going to be first time I ever talked to him. I wiped my hands on my dress as it was sweating due to my nervous.

I went to his table, I was standing beside him, waiting for past two minutes. I cleared my throat, but that workaholic was busily engrossed in his laptop.

"Umm Omkara..." is called him.

He turned around, and my heart stopped for a second and I felt as if everything around me stopped for a second. His eyes had that intimidating power which made me to glue too his eyes.

"Yes Gauri?" his voice is... Gauri Just stop feeling like a teenager. You are in office and you are 23, act mature, and think maturely. I scolded myself. Get a grip, don't make him think as if you are his admirer, even though you are.

"Can I talk to you for two minutes?"

"Yeah sure." he locked his systems and gave his full attention to me.

"Shivaay told us that he will take us for team lunch today. But he is on leave. So we need someone else to take us"

Didn't you get some other lie other than this?

"Shivaay? I saw him today morning." he asked me suspiciously. Uh ho, Gauri confirm you are going to be bankrupt. Lie lie...

"Yeah, he came, but due to some emergency he left. We have booked reservations, but we can't go without some senior members. So only we thought of asking you." I lied without stammering. I am really amazed at the thought of lying smoothly. I mentally patted myself.

"Oh, I am currently busy. I have video call with client. So I will not be available till 2 pm"

My face fell, for two reasons, one I am going to miss having lunch with him, and the other I am going sponsor my team. Argh. I mentally stomped my foot.

Okay, last try. Try something better Gauri, you can. I mentally motivated myself.

"Till 2 pm? Wow what a coincidence, we have booked for 2 'o' clock slot only." I exclaimed too much than I should. Gauri control your emotions, he will find out your over acting.

He cleared his throat. "Alright, I will try my level best to complete the call and come with you guys." saying that he turned to his laptop and started to continue his work.

Later we all went to barbecue. Throughout the lunch I sat beside him. Coincidence or not, I enjoyed today's lunch.

"Gauri, Shivaay spoke about your progress. Within one year of joining, you have been working great." I grinned sheepishly, what else to do, getting appreciation from the person you admire, the person you love, gives you immense pleasure. And I mentally thanked my team lead for praising me. Shivaay! I will give you an easy task tomorrow.

During whole course of time we spoke about work, little touch on personal life. I thought of telling him that we are from same college, but left that, as it would make him think I am desperate to talk to him. Maybe one day, I think I will set all my insecurities aside and talk to him freely.

At last before while returning to office I was sitting on passenger seat while he was driving. Others were chatting among them.

"Omkara?" I called him.

He hummed in response.

"Actually I lied to you. It was my task to convince you to come to restaurant with my team. I am really sorry" I apologized.

Disappointment was evident in his face. It is not even one hour before, he was praising me, now he would have been disappointed with me. I felt sad thinking about that. Stupid task! Still I loved the task.

"Umm, it's okay. It happens right, during this time of season." he said on seeing my remorseful face.

That day was the starting of my relationship with him. Even though it was formal one, let's say it was the starting point.

Evening I got a Anarkali from Chris-mom and a task added to it saying that I have to wear the it which has been gifted and come next day morning soon and stand like welcoming doll placed in clothing stores for one hour.

Very great! I thought sarcastically.

Next day I stood there for one hour. Each minute I prayed that Omkara should come late, but that man! He came at last minute, in five minutes, I would have completed my task. On seeing me he started to laugh at me.

I pouted at him, he stopped laughing and smiled at me and said "You look really beautiful in this this dress."

By the end of his comment, my cheeks become red like beet root. Anika thank you, I will get you dairy milk silk for this.

Then the day continued as usual. But the only improvement is that he started to smile at me whenever we cross each other.

Then on weekend Anika and I went out for shopping. We met after a long time, even though being in same office, we couldn't meet each other because of the project delivery plus playing game has been distracting us. So we play for one or two hours and start working without getting distracted.

I told her about all the tasks, and how it ended up with Om. She was happy for me.

Meanwhile she slipped by saying "All thanks to me" she boasted, than realized what she she said she hit her tongue but it was too late, my theory confirmed. This witch is playing match making.

I acted as if I didn't listen to her comment and started praising my Chris mom, a.k.a her. Atleast she deserve that, she had been doing match making for me.

"Uh ho, I didn't witness you convincing him to accompany you to the restaurant. I missed that!"

I laughed at her comment. "By the way who is your Chris child?" I asked her innocently.

"Hey! I won't say." she stuck her tongue out.

I pouted to which she laughed.

It had been one week this game has started. Because of this game I could speak to Omkara. Initially I was nervous to talk to him, later he made me feel comfortable when I was with him.

He sat beside me today, and started working on his laptop. When I got up to get a cup of tea, he followed me there and got tea for himself. First it wasn't that obvious, later he started to do the same actions as I do. He caught me red handed when I was busily checking out him. So I blushed, to which he also blushed. Even though I got caught, I loved when he blushed, he really looked cute when his cheeks turn pink. Soon we all understood that it was his task today to imitate me.

Actually it wasn't specified to imitate me, it said he has to imitate a person who wears the same color as his dress and shouldn't reveal till anyone point him and ask 'was it a task?' seriously where do people get tasks like this?

After that imitating incident, evening he texted me. Again our conversation started on project related, later we started to talk about our likes and dislikes so and so.

Whole week we were chatting, while having lunch, he accompanied me. First it was awkward, later we got used to each other. Sometimes Anika would join us for lunch in cafeteria, that time she used wink at me. I mouthed 'thank you'.

Still I couldn't believe that I feel comfortable with him. Because I am basically introvert, this is the first time I have ever been close to a person in short span of time.

I wish I could know whether he likes me or not. I know it is too soon, but corner of my heart is hoping for that.

Finally another one week passed with us playing games and at the same time we did deliver our projects to client.

Day after tomorrow is Christmas eve, the day we are going to expose ourselves to the Chris child. On this day Chris mom will give gift to Chris child, and it is not mandatory for the child to give it to mom. This time since we all gave gifts daily for each task performed, thought of Chris child giving gifts to mom also.

So I had to buy two gifts, one for Anika which I brought yesterday evening and another one for Shivaay, my team lead. And... I am going to propose Om day after tomorrow. Before that I need to talk to my parents about this.

I went home to get shocked. Some couple came to my home for my marriage alliance. My parents liked their family, but I couldn't open my mouth. My mom asked for my opinion, to which I nodded 'ok' in my own way which she knows that I meant 'no'.

Then she said to them that they will discuss with other relatives and will tell them about their decision. But the looks of their face, I think they deciphered the hidden meaning my mom is trying to tell tehm.

After they left, mom asked me for me neglecting the alliance.

"Mom, I am in love with my colleague" I finally told her the truth.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I thought you will never hide anything from me." Disappointment was evident in her voice.

It is not like I didn't deliberately tell. With her being a single parent, she is so friendly, I used to share everything with her.

"Mom, it is not like what you think. It is one side love. I wanted to propose him mom. I don't even know whether he likes me or not. But I don't want to lose him without knowing whether he really likes me or not. What if he like me?" I asked her.

She palmed her face, "Alright tell him your opinion, ask him if he likes you. If he also likes you then we will talk to his parents but if he says no then you have to marry the person we choose." saying that sternly she left.

I know mom would support me because she always have this trust in me. She knows about me, how I decide everything. So she always trust me and would be my side. That's what parents do right?

Next day with determination of proposing him, I went to office. I messaged him that I need to talk to him evening.

Since this is the last day for tasks, all were getting difficult tasks. As I was waiting for mine, I noticed Anika was on leave.

So definitely no last day task for me. Then only an idea popped in my mind. What if I create my own task?

I asked him to come to roof top and then he came. When he saw me, he smiled at me.

"Om... Omkara" I started to stammer. Gauri, calm down. Be cool and propose him straight away.

"Gauri, are you alright? Why are you looking nervous?" he asked me.

"Hey, no nothing. Umm, Om, I just wanted to tell you that," I paused for some seconds and continued, "I am in love with you Om" I said looking at his eyes.

Saying he was shocked is the least expression I could say, he was beyond shocked, mixed of emotions passed through his face.

"Do you lo...?" before I could ask how he feel about me, he said "No" which shattered my heart into pieces.

I know I shouldn't have built up my hopes high. I controlled my tears. I don't want to spoil his friendship with me.

"What did you say? I mean, I... I mean, my family..."

He started to stammer. I know about  his family. Maybe they would be reluctant because of the status. 

I sighed.

To break the awkwardness between us now and in future I had to say which I planned if he reject my proposal.

"Thank God you said no immediately, last task is over. First I was hesitating to tell you that, but you know about the penalty we get if don't do our task right?" I asked him.

"Task? For Christmas game?" he asked in shock tone.

I nodded my head. I couldn't lie anymore, I need to get out of here and cry my heart out.

Saying goodbye I left there.

"Wait!" he called me, but I didn't have enough strength to face him so I went home. I cried hugging my mom. She consoled me. I shouldn't have proposed him that soon. Actually I shouldn't have proposed him at all. Now it would be awkward between us. But that's also good, it would hurt me more if we were in good terms. This is better, so that I need not see him.

I asked my mom to postpone the marriage alliance. Right at the moment, I need to move on first, only then I could accept whoever my mom fix.

Next day morning I woke up late. I had no interest in going to office. But my teammates and Anika kept calling me to come to office for Christmas celebration.

So lazily I got ready and went to office at afternoon. I took the gifts for Anika and Shivaay and went to office.

Till evening we all were conducting some other Christmas games. We all planned to give the gifts in the night.

First I gave gift to Shivaay.

"You are my mom? Wait miss, I will give you tough project next week." he fake threatened me.

I laughed at him. "Sure sure. Give tough one, next year I will give more difficult tasks for you" winking at him, I moved from there.

I searched for Anika and gave her the gift.

"Hey, what is this?" she asked me.

"A gift for my mom" I winked at her.

"What? Wait, how do you know that I am your Chris mom?" she asked me. I know she would ask me, because she thought I didn't notice her slipping about her child.

"Who else know about my secret talents and... my crush on him." it hurt to think about him. But I need to move on.

"I know only you can set me up with him, by making me to ask him for team lunch." and I listed all of her tasks which involved him.

"Seriously how you think too much with this little brain of yours huh?" she mocked at me. I slapped her arm.

Many started to leave. Even I wanted to leave, but I couldn't. Something was stopping me to leave the place. Damn this heart, always waiting for him even though he made himself clear that he is not interested in me.

The time was 9 'o' clock, I was so dazed looking at the Christmas tree I didn't notice the time nor the person standing beside me.

I need not turn to find out who it is, my heartbeat is enough. I hate that he is affecting me still, even though he broke my heart. Can't blame him, what will he do, for me loving him?

I didn't turn, I just kept ignoring him.

"How long do have you planned to ignore me Gauri?" he asked me out of blue.

"Huh?" I looked at him.

"It was not a task right?" he asked me.

How the hell he knew? Gauri , maintain you lie. If you tell a lie, maintain it till end or else you will be doomed.

"What are you saying? Yesterday's task? Anikagave me that task." I lied without stammering.

"Liar" he commented.

"Excuse me" I raised an eyebrow at him daring him to speak about me.

"Yes, a perfect liar." he smirked at me.

Do you think I will give up and accept my lie? Never.

I opened my mouth to argue, he placed his finger on mouth to shut me up.

"Look at my eyes and say that you did as per task and didn't say anything from heart"

I remained silent. My eyes started to well up. I was about to wipe, he took hold of my hands and wiped my tears and replaced his hands on my hands with a box.

"Open it" he commanded. Nerve of him. I wish I could kick him. But I was curious to know what it is in the box.

It was black and red one. When I opened it, the box divided into four sides, plus there was another box in the middle. In the four parts, two pictures was collage images of my college photos. Other two were in heart shape which I was able to play on.

When I opened the box in middle again it divided into four. I have seen an explosion box in YouTube, but in real this is the first time I am seeing it. I am really awestruck with the gift.

On one of the sides, there was a pocket where it had a letter. I was about to open, Omkara stopped me. "Read the letter later, open the finale and middle box" he asked.

When I opened it, two doll came up, one was girl and other was boy. The boy was kneeling down. It was like proposal scene. When I looked at Omkara, he was kneeling down with a ring on his hands.

"Will you marry me Gauri?"

Water works started on my both eyes. I didn't care about why he rejected me yesterday.

I nodded my head and whispered "Yes"

He stood up and put the ring on my finger.

We were looking each other with love. Then soon I came to ask about his reaction. But he bet by asking, "Where is my gift?"

"What? What gift? Why should I?"

He scratched his head, "Umm I am your Chris mom." he replied and looked somewhere else.

"What?" I shrieked.

If looks could kill a person, he would have been 6 feet under the ground, sorry, he is 6.2 so still then his head would be popping out and will annoy me.

I placed the box on nearby table, and started to punch him. He ran around the Christmas tree and I followed him and beat him as much as I could.

Finally he hugged and caught my hands and held it behind me.

He smirked at me, I tried to wiggle out of his hands, but he was too strong.

"Leave me" I ordered him

"Never, my love." saying that he rubbed his nose on mine.

I blushed to which he pecked on my forehead.

"Gauri, I don't remember giving you any task yesterday. Then who did give you the task miss?" he teased me.

I wish the Christmas tree could engulf me. Argh! why in the world did he become my Chris mom. Wait if he is Chris mom then Anika?

"Anika is my Chris mom" he answered reading my mind.

"Huh?". Damn I even got her gift. I am going to take that gift and keep it for myself. She is really a witch.

Leave Anika, first handle the man in front of you!

I jerked from thoughts and looked at him. I was embarrassed and ashamed to pull a stunt like yesterday and lying through my teeth.

"Umm, I am sorr..." Before I could apologize, "You can say sorry by giving me something else." he suggested me.

I blinked.

"A gift" he answered to my unasked question.

"Actually I thought Anika is my Chris mom so I brought a dress for her."

"Ohh, thank God you got her a gift. I didn't buy anything for her. Alright, you didn't bring gift, but I need now." he asked adamantly like a baby.

"Ok, what you want?"

"A mistletoe kiss?" his eyes shone in amusement.

"Where can I go for mistletoe?" I asked him.

He showed his hand which he held a mistletoe plant. He tied that to a branch of Christmas tree and pulled under the branch.

"Now set" he said with the smug on his face.

I blushed. He cupped my face and brought his soft lips and imprinted his mark on mine. 

To be continued with his POV...