Everyone was cheering her to sing a song. Then she looked at me. I gave her an encouraging smile to which she started to sing.

I always knew she could sing, but I could never hear her singing a song fully. Every time it would be like a hide and seek to hear her singing. Damn! Such a voice.

You can ask me how I knew about her singing, well let's say my stalking discovered her talent.

She, Gauri, my crush from college. She was my junior in college. Where ever I can go, I will find her. Such a small college. (AN/- Because both stalk each other. So it easy for them to find one another) Still sometimes I used to stalk her.

A crush which I had on her, maybe I would have proposed her if I had more confidence. Let's say my insecurity made me think so. When I was studying school, I was in relationship with Ishika, but it didn't last long. In college first year, I fell in love with Riddhima, but again it didn't last. Both of them used my status and popularity for their own advantage. That's when I last hope in love. So I always maintained a safe distance with girls population.

But my heart did not allow me to be away from her. Without my knowledge, my legs and eyes followed her. Her warm smile enlightened my day.

As much as I want to propose her I had insecurities, so I controlled myself.

Soon I was selected in campus. Even my father asked me to join in his business. But I asked him, fours years time. After I get experience I promised him, I will take over his business. 

My life was going smooth, until she joined here. When she joined I wanted to know more about her. So I wanted her to be in my department, but unfortunately I was a team lead only, so it wasn't in my position to segregate the trainees into departments.

But thank god her friend was put into my department, so she used to come to our department often to spend time with her friend.

One year passed, still I am trying to gather myself to speak to her, but unknown fear in me stopped doing so.

Then came this Chris-mom game. I prayed all the old and new gods to get her as my Chris child, but unfortunately Anika got her name which I peeked her chit to find it.

When I opened my chit, I got my name. Seriously? Should I, myself give a task and perform it?

I tugged Anikaarm who was excited in getting her friend's name.

"Yes Omkara?" she wondered.

"Can we exchange our chits?" I suggested.

"We shouldn't..." She started to tell the rules of the game.

I showed her my chit, she understood.

"Alright, in exchange what shall I get?" she asked me with evil smirk.

"How about I give a task to Gauri to give you an ice cream treat?" I asked her. Ours is foodie company. So everyone loves to eat anything.

"Great. She is all yours" we exchanged the chits.

I used this as an opportunity to get to know her.

Now I made her to sing a song which I was craving to hear for 4 years.

Next day this Anika gave me a task to come in Santa Claus costume with a note saying that it was revenge for not asking Gauri to give her the ice cream as a part of deal. I mentally face palmed. So I had to come in Santa Claus costume.

So next day I gave Gauri a task to convince me to take their team to lunch. And with a note that it shouldn't know that it is task.

I was waiting for her to approach me, when she stood beside me, my heart skipped a beat. 

She cleared her throat, but I didn't turn. I know it is my mistake. Let's say I was preparing myself to face her.

I way about to turn, a sweet angelic voice called me,

"Omkara..."

I turned and faced her. Her mesmerizing eyes locked mine. As much as I want to look at her eyes, I don't want to look like a pervert to her. What will be she thinking of me?

"Yes Gauri?" I asked hesitantly.

"Can I talk to you for two minutes?" she asked. Right! Task!

"Yeah sure."

"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"

Gauri, such a great liar you are. I smirked mentally.

"Shivaay? I saw him today morning." I asked her looking suspicious deliberately.

"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." she blinked her eyes frequently. Finally I found how to find her lies. Knowing this would be help me if she lies in future. Wifey, beware! Wait, Wifey? Where did that thought come from?

"Oh, I am currently busy. I have video call with client. So I will not be available till 2 pm." Can she only lie? Even I can. It is so fun. I am enjoying it.

She struggled to talk. Poor her. It amused me looking at her. I just wanted to pull her cheeks.

Then she lied about having booked 2 p.m slot. Alright enough of lying, so I gave in.

Then we went to barbecue. I deliberately sat last before seat, so that no one would come to sit at last seat. Having no other option she sat beside me.

Gathering my courage I spoke to her. Shivaay spoke proudly of her, which we don't usually discuss with them, as they may take it to their head. We do encourage, but we don't praise directly.

Then we spoke about various things. Soon I started to feel comfortable with her.

At last before while returning, she sat beside me.

"Omkara?" with her tone I knew she is going to confess the truth. Don't ask me how, I just know.

Just as I guessed, she confessed the truth.

I wanted to grin and say, 'No problem' but as per plan I should behave disappointed. So I looked disappointed. When I looked at her she looked sad. It hurt me to see her like this. So I consoled her.

That was beginning of our relationship. I came to know more about her. With each day passing I started to fall in love with her more and more.

One day I went to shopping mall with mom. That time I saw an anarkali dress. Suddenly I imagined Gauri in this dress. So I packed this dress. My mom was looking at me suspiciously. I didn't want to lie to her, but I felt this is not the right time to tell her.

I was looking at the dress. How shall I give her? Her birthday is nowhere near. Wait? Let me make it as a task. So I wrote the task asking to standing like a welcoming doll.

On seeing her, I fell for her again. My sweet angel.

Never knew this game would bring us close, if I had known then I would have participated last year itself. Now we both have become good friends.

After weekend I got a task from Anika asking me to imitate Gauri. Why is she pairing me with her? Don't think too much. Just go with the flow idiot. I scolded myself and mentally thanked Anika.

Morning Anika texted me to wear green color dress suddenly. When I asked why, she told that Gauri is wearing green color dress and gave an explanation to the task which I have to say when others ask.

I still doubt why Anika is helping me. Did she know about my feelings towards Gauri?

I imitated her, and loved when she blushed. Nowadays I don't feel nervous with her anymore which made me more confident in myself.

Evening I initiated a conversation with her. Then while having lunch I accompanied her

Soon days passed. Seeing change in me, my mom asked me what was happening in my life. I told her about my liking towards Gauri. She was so happy. So my mom discussed with dad and decide to go to their home for Alliance. First I was shocked when they brought this idea. Was I really ready for marriage? What if she rejects me?again fear in me started to grow.

Seeing the hesitation in me, "How long are you going think about that Ishika and Riddhima? I already told that I have some ill feeling when you said, you are in relationship with them. But with Gauri, I did a background check. She is so humble and down to earth person" she advised me.

True, how long am I going to run? If she is okay with me, I am happy, else I will always be a good friend to her.

Mom and dad visited their home and came. They narrated how her mom accepted our Alliance, but it seemed like Gauri wasn't interested in marriage. My mom doubted that this allaince would work. Somewhere in me hurt knowing that she didn't love me. Can't blame her, when I took no effort in expressing my feelings.

Even though there was a disappointment, I didn't show it to mom and dad. I accepted the decision and saw the explosion box I made to gift her on Christmas Eve. Now I can't give this to her. I should get her something else.

Next day I received a message from her asking me to meet her on the roof top. Maybe she is going to give me a lecture saying 'I didn't expect this from you'.

I went there evening. When I saw her I smiled at her.

"Om... Omkara" She stammered. Maybe she is not going to scold me. Maybe she was feeling guilty for rejecting our proposal. But I doubt that.

"Gauri, are you alright? Why are you looking nervous?" I asked her. I didn't want her to feel guilty because of me.

"Hey, no nothing. Umm, Omkara, I just wanted to tell you that," she paused for some seconds and continued,

"I am in love with you Omkara"

What? Is she joking? I didn't know what to tell.

"Do you lo...?" she was about to ask me.

No, I must be dreaming. When I saw her expression I realized that I said 'No' aloud. I mentally facepalmed. This isn't a dream. This is real, but yesterday?

"What did you say? I mean, I... I mean, my family..." I stammered, I wanted to ask her about yesterday.

Before I could explain, she lied by saying, "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?"

What is she blabbering? Wait, "Task? For Christmas game?" I asked her in shock tone.

She nodded her head.

I don't remember giving her any task. Did someone else... Wait, she made this up. She wanted to propose me since I said no to her, she covered it by telling another lie.

She left, I called her, but she didn't turn around. I can very well guess that she is crying.

So she loves me? Then what about yesterday? I went home to ask mom about it.

"Mom does she know that I was your son? "

"No. She came late."

That brought a relief to me. So she rejected my proposal because she is love with me.

Next day excitedly I went to office with a determination of proposing her.

I waited for her, but she didn't come. I thought of calling her, but it would create a doubt in her. I wanted to surprise her.

Then she came. I waited till others left. She was looking at the Christmas tree absent-mindedly.

I stood near her preparing myself to apologize her first and then propose her. She froze when I stood beside her.

She knew it is me but she is giving cold shoulder to me. Well I deserve that.

Finally I broke the deadly silence around us by asking,

"How long have you planned to ignore me Gauri?" she turned around.

"It was not a task right?" I taunted her.

"What are you saying? Yesterday's task? Anika gave me that task." she lied. Such a lying witch. My witch.

"Liar" I accused her.

"Excuse me" she asked me in accusing tone.

"Yes, a perfect liar." I smirked at my cute witch.

She opened her mouth to argue, I placed my finger on lips. I wish I could replace my lips over my finger, Omkara control your emotions.

"Look at my eyes and say that you did as per task and didn't say anything from heart" I asked her. First I wanted her to accept that she love me.

She remained silent. Tears formed in her eyes. I wiped her tears. I don't want to see her crying, never ever.

I placed the explosion box on her hand and asked her to open it.

She opened it and was looking at it. I asked to avoid the letter. I am keen on proposing her. Let she know that from myself first than from the love letter I wrote.

Finally as she was opening the last box I bend the knee and stood in proposing position. After looking at the dolls she looked at me and ring in my hands.

"Will you marry me Gauri?"

She started to cry, but in happiness.

She whispered "Yes" that was enough for me.

I stood and put the ring on her finger.

"Where is my gift?"I asked her.

"What? What gift? Why should I?" she wondered.

I scratched my head, "Umm I am your Chris mom." I said. I couldn't face her. Definitely she is going to kill me today.

"What?" she shrieked. She glared at me. Omkara, better escape before you get caught.

She punched me. Man! She punch like a boxer. I ran around the tree still getting the beatings from her. It was so cute to get soft beating.

I went around and hugged her and held her hands before she could beat me.

"Leave me" she ordered. Feisty huh? I am loving it.

"Never, my love." saying that I rubbed my nose on her and pecked her forehead.

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

Her cheeks became like beet root. I wanted to kiss those beet root cheeks but controlled myself.

I could guess she thought Anika as her Chris mom, so I revealed the truth. Poor Mom, I didn't even get her anything. I was engrossed in Gauri, that I totally forgot about her.

"Umm, I am sorr..." I cut her off "You can say sorry by giving me something else." I thought something of mischievously.

She blinked.

"A gift" I suggested

"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." I asked her adamantly.

"Ok, what you want?" she asked what I have been trying to get form her.

"A mistletoe kiss?" I asked with amusement.

"Where can I go for mistletoe?" she asked. So she is ready to give me a kiss but worried about a Mistletoe?

I was very well prepared for this. I tied Mistletoe to a branch of Christmas tree and pulled her under the branch.

"Now set" I said with satisfaction.

She blushed. I couldn't stop myself, I cupped her face and kissed her. There is a myth about kiss under mistletoe saying that the couple will be united forever.

We broke the kiss out of breath. She blushed. I took the Mistletoe and burnt it down. Again the same myth. It says that we should burn it after kissing. You see I am good with facts.

Then she gained her senses and punched me again.

"What is this for?" I exactly knew why she picked me. But I like to pull her legs.

"You know exactly what Mr. Omkara Singh Oberoi" 

Then I explained why I rejected her yesterday. Actually it wasn't rejection I answered some unasked questions to myself.

To which she hugged me suddenly. "I was scared you know?" I hummed in response and hugged her back.

Finally I found my soul mate which I never thought I would would find, overcoming my fears.

*** The End ***