Shivaay doubtfully looked at the man before him while the later squirmed under his scrutinizing gaze. As promised Gauri sent Rudra a chopper which landed in Mumbai an hour back after which he was brought to the mansion in a Mercedes-Benzes. No sooner, Gauri ushered Rudra into Shivaay's study eager to see what magic her younger brother would spell on her older.

"Hi bhaiyya" greeted Rudra cheerfully trying to diffuse the tension though Shivaay gave him a frown in return.

"Bhaiyya?"

"Yup... I don't know why but I get bhai vibes from you" said Rudra with a grin.

He kept his bag on the couch in the room and sat before the cat eyed man with a smile.

"You are Gauri's friend?" Shivaay asked sighing, trying to come to the point and Rudra nodded a no.

"No... bhaiyya... Gauri is my would-be Bhabhi..." answered Rudra making Shivaay's frown deepen.

"Bhabhi?"

"Haa... you see... O is like my brother.. Omkara" he explained and Shivaay's anger started to raise.

"Now I would have lied but what is the use.. you will anyways know about it sooner or later right.. I prefer transparency" said Rudra noticing the change in the former's mood and Shivaay just nodded at him. Though he didn't like his sister being called Omkara's future wife, he preferred truth over lies at this point and his impression grew over the younger man sitting before him smiling like they were long lost friends.

"So... you are here to blame the entire thing on me? Did your brother sent you here like Anika?" he asked in attitude.

Anika's words did affect him in more ways than he gave credit. It was indeed true that his sister suffered for his father's sins. His father though brought up in a good family did commit mistakes. But he cannot accept defeat so soon now... Can he?

The fact still stayed the same that Omkara is not rich.. he wouldn't be able to look after his sister in a better way than him. He always wanted the best for her and he would give her that... he calmed is conscience.

"No bhaiyya... I am my own person... who are they to command me... more over I am angry on them" said Rudra and Shivaay gave him a confused look.

"They are wrong bhaiyya... and they are blaming you" he said while Shivaay still looked at him doubtfully.

"I promise.. I am not sugar coating you... I genuinely feel that they are wrong... O is an orphan while you are rich... he hardly knew Gauri at the time he fell in love with her... they sneaked behind you for two years and when you are angry at them they say that the entire fault is yours... this is not justifiable at all" said Rudra strongly believing in his words making Shivaay relax.

Finally... someone who really understood his point of view.

"Now.. which brother in India will agree to give away his sister just like that...to a person he hardly believed in?... it is entirely natural that you got angry bhaiyya" he further said and Shivaay remained silent asking him to continue.

"On top of that... O asked Gauri bhabhi to choose between you two... now how can he do that... Now tell me this bhaiyya... If I ask you to choose between your family's name and your sister who would you choose?" he asked and for a moment Shivaay felt guilty.

He too asked her to choose between them right.... It must have been tough for her. He pondered for a moment over his choices.. Gauri... or family name...

Shivaay closed his eyes for a mere second and the answer came clear to him.... He would give the world for his sister... family's name was important no doubt but not more than Gauri.

She too choose him over her love... didn't she? he thought his heart filling with pride.

"I know you will choose Gauri bhaiyya... I can see it in your eyes" said Rudra and Shivaay couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you here Rudra.. that is your name... Isn't it?"

"Call me Rudy... apne lagte hai"

"Okay Rudy.... Exactly...Why are you here... obviously not to butter me up right?"

"Of course not... I came here to talk bhaiyya... in all of this action movie... people forgot logic... rishtey ki baat karni thi.... Jang nahi lagna tha... (the goal was to fix alliance...not to fight a war) so I came to talk that..." he said and when Shivaay opened his mouth to oppose he immediately spoke the next words "First listen to me Shivaay bhaiyya... whatever you knew about O... was either here say or your pre judice... don't you want to know what your sister loved in him? you are a businessman right... you cant decide a deal without completely knowing the clauses"

When Shivaay nodded his head Rudra grinned and started "Now whatever I say is unbiased... I assure you... I am not his blood... and I support Gauri Bhabhi more than him. You can always cross check the information which I give now" he said

Two hours later, Shivaay came to know of Rudra Shukla, his family, their seven ancestors and yes....also Omkara. As Shivaay patiently listened to the longest story of his life tiredly, he cannot deny that he was impressed with Omkara's qualities but in the end.... The man's middle class status still mattered.

"What are you thinking bhaiyya... you can send your detectives to see if I am wrong... no worries... I will wait till you are completely convinced..."

Shivaay nodded before he called Khanna to enquire about the same.

"I somehow believe you but I don't want to take chances Rudy..... it is about Gauri after all" said Shivaay but Rudra grinned.

"No... bhaiyya... I really don't mind... so tell me do you still not like my O?"

Shivaay waited for a minute before he cleared his throat and gave a response "I have misjudged him I guess"

"So.... You are okay with the alliance?" Rudra asked enthusiastically but Shivaay nodded a no making his smile dim.

"I agree that Omkara is a good man but I still don't want to marry my sister to a commoner Rudy... she has already suffered enough... don't you think she deserves comfort now?"

"Oh... right..." said Rudra who got into deep thinking "But we can have a way out of it Bhaiyya" he said after a while and Shivaay looked at him with interest.

"Look at it this way bhaiyya... you agree to your sister's wish... be the better man amongst you two... your sister already choose you.. she will now also support you if you put forth any conditions"

"What conditions?"

"See... if Gauri marries O, she will stay with him... they obviously can't stay with you.... So, you can give them a house to stay and look over your sister's expenses" said Rudra.

Shivaay sighed "If Omkara is the man you told me about he won't agree to it Rudy"

"That is the game bhaiyya... you just put forth a small, tiny condition... If Omkara doesn't fulfill it, he will be the wrong one here na... Gauri will not blame you for their separation then... you will not face the accusation" explained Rudra.

"If Gauri Bhabhi manages to make him agree, then you will also have the upper hand.... You agreed for their marriage... your sister will be before you always... you can visit her whenever you want and she will be happy that she can always g=have the comfort you provide her... is it not?"

"Brilliant" smiled Shivaay and Rudra grinned "So... deal pucca samjhu? (is the deal on?)"

"But what is your gain in all of it?"

"I like Gauri a lot bhaiyya... you know since childhood I had always been with my brother and O... I enjoyed their company no doubt but I wanted a sister for myself... even maa used to complain teen-teen bandar ko kaise sambhalu mein akeli... kaash meri ek beti hoti (how am I supposed to control three monkeys alone... how I wish I had a daughter)..." said Rudra with a fond smile.

"Gauri Bhabhi is just like a sister to me... even if O marries her not agreeing to the condition and she comes to Bareilly I promise I will take care of her... both maa-papa like her very much bhaiyya" he confessed and Shivaay couldn't be more happier that his sister will at least have a loving family.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************

Gauri looked at the clock and cursed... it has been three hours since Rudra went inside.. what are they even discussing... she is dying of tension here...and they were cooped up inside talking God knows what.

Wait are they even talking or punching each other... but she didn't hear any noise at all.

Gathering courage, she gentle pushed the door open only a bit too peep inside. On seeing Rudra give a hi five to her brother she gasped softly her eyes turning wide into saucers.

Babaji Rudra had done his magic yet again she thought smiling to herself before she made her presence known to the two men.

"Ahh Gauri bhabhi come ... you are just in time for the good news" said Rudra with a grin making Gauri's smile widen.

She looked at her brother who walked up to her giving her a warm hug.

"Do you think Omkara is the one for you?" He asked and she vigorously nodded without a doubt making him laugh.

"Okay gudiya... you will marry him then" he approved and she jumped at him giving him a tight hug chocking a 'thank you bhaiyya'.

Shivaay returned the hug happy that she became alive returning to her chirpy self... How he missed it the past two days... he thought feeling relieved.

"You have to thank me too" said Rudra in a complaining tone and Gauri left Shivaay to give the latter a hug and a sisterly kiss.

"I cannot thank you enough Rudy bhaiyya... I just cannot..." she left the sentence incomplete as a happy tear escaped her eye, which he wiped away.

"I know... I am just too awesome... ain't I?" he winked making the rest of the two smile nodding.

"Now it's time to woo your angry man" commented Rudra and Shivaay frowned.

"Woo? Why should my sister do that?? He should consider himself lucky that she loves him" he said in attitude and Gauri stopped herself from rolling her eyes.

"Bhaiyya ... I hurt him... didn't I... I should say a sorry at least" explained Gauri.

"So? He shouldn't have asked you to choose... if this is going to happen in future... he has another thing coming Gauri" said Shivaay in warning making Gauri panic.

"Bhaiyya please... at least you don't start a fight... you are much more matured than him... aren't you?" said Rudra immediately coming to rescue and Shivaay sighed.

"Gauri... listen... I agreed for this marriage but on a few conditions which you should know" said Shivaay and Gauri gave him a confused look which soon changed into a look of horror after she learnt about the clauses.

"Bhaiyya... Omkaraji nahi manenge" she said in a deflated tone and Shivaay just shrugged.

"He asked you to choose... he might as well do that...choose you or his ego Gauri"

Gauri mentally screamed at his brother saying, "It is not ego... it is self -respect bhaiyya... which you seemed to be digging at again and again" But she remained calm...not speaking a word.

Rudra pulled her aside and whispered, "Just agree for now bhabhi... we will talk it out later".

Trusting Rudra, Gauri nodded a yes to her brother and he grinned triumphantly before his phone rang reminding him of a business empire he had to run.

As Shivaay excused himself to attend the important call, Gauri turned to Rudra and spoke nervously "Omkaraji nahi manenge Rudra bhaiyya...(he won't agree) ... you know him"

"Bhabhi... in love, a person should push his limits... which he or she normally doesn't do... you are not asking him to change himself for you... these are minor promises... which he can agree"

"Minor promises?? Bhaiyya... he won't take a ride in my car... forget living in a house which my brother has gifted me. How am I supposed to ask him that?"

"Are you acting naïve now?? Should I explain how a girl is supposed to make her man agree to her wishes?? Come on Gauri Bhabhi... you are dabang... you can make it possible"

"He is already angry... if I ask this he will erupt and burn me with lava that comes out"

Rudra clicked his tongue in disappointment and Gauri felt bad that she let his hopes down...

"Hmmm... okay... I will first lure him.... Calm him down... and just when he is the lovesick Omkaraji again... I can put forth the conditions... what say??" she said after thinking and Rudra grinned.

"Ye hui na baath (that's more like it)... good... you are still my bhabhi... I thought you lost your charm and have become the boring Gauri Singh Oberoi" he said and she smiled hesitantly.

Now how is she supposed to make him agree... was all that ran in her head.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Thump!!!

Thump!! Thump!!

Thump!! Thump!! Thump!!!

The sandbag groaned in pain as Omkara continued to hit it... diverting all the anger on his love's brother on to the poor thing.

Veer who is freshly showered walked up to him wiping himself clean with a towel.

"Okay... that's enough... your muscles will be soar by tomorrow" he said stopping Omkara.

Removing his boxing gloves, Omkara picked up his phone to look for any calls from Gauri but angrily caste it away on to the nearby chair not finding any.

Did she give up on him already? After hurting him... she called him continuously for two days and then nothing... no messages no calls... he was half expecting her to turn up at his apartment's door to see him as he didn't respond... in fact he hoped for it...so that he could permanently lock her away and never send her back to her arrogant brother.

"What... no calls today?" asked his friend and he merely went into the gym washroom to have a calming bath.

"What??? Are you sure??" asked a shocked Veer the moment Omkara exited the bathroom, clean and dressed in his casuals.

"Rudra... what about Gauri's opinion" Veer asked and Omkara rushed to him taking the phone from his hands to switch on the speaker button.

"When did bhabhi's opinion matter to any of the two... she is just numbly following her brother's orders... getting engaged to Suraj Mehta" said Rudra and Omkara cursed out loud.

"When is this supposed engagement Rudy" he asked in a chilling tone and Rudra snorted "Today evening at six...Tujhe kya.... You don't want to talk to her... you don't want to listen to her..."

"Cut the crap and tell me the venue... Rudy" he growled as he noted the time on the clock which was nearing five in a few minutes.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Omkara drove to the resort like a man possessed by the Satan himself.

Like hell he would let another man put a ring on her finger. How dare her brother think of marrying her off forcefully... she will be better off without him he thought as he reached the place.

As he ran inside anxiously, he failed to notice that no one stopped him on his way to the banquet hall where the ceremony was supposed to happen.

It was only when khanna greeted him with a radiant smile and ushered him near the pool which was beautifully decorated no doubt but loomed in dim light...did he stop to analyze.

Did he come to the wrong place? No... Khanna is here... Shivaay should be here along with his sister.

How did the security head let him enter the location without a fight?

And why aren't there any guests....?

As he still contemplated, the place turned luminous with lights illuminating it while soft music from violins played in the background....

From a distance he could see a path of rose petals leading to a secluded area covered with hanging curtains... he could make out the silhouette of a table in the center of the enclosure and two chairs on either side. He walked the path to lift the curtain and look around.

He half expected to find Gauri waiting for him there but was disappointed to find the space empty. He noticed a packet on the table and eagerly opened it to note the contents. He smiled in nostalgia.

The packet had a set of anklets, a pair of jhumkas, a simple necklace along with sets of bangles which he knew he bought for Gauri... they weren't made of gold nor were they studded in diamonds... just simple crafted imitation jewelry which Gauri loved...His girl asked him to buy them for her whenever he took her to the Bareilly melas in the past two years. Along with the jewelry was a note which read:

Remember these Omkaraji?

Each one of them has a memory attached to it...

Of course that doesn't mean I need a sovereign to remember those moments but yes I can wear them for sure... Letting people know that I love them more than the millions worth jewelry my brother showers me with and assure you that I will never put any diamond above them.... Above you...

I am sorry I hurt you but please forgive me... I had to do that for reasons of my own... if you find it in yourself to forgive me come to the terrace... I will give you my reasons and you can punish me yourself.

Yours Gauri....

Omkara grinned at the cliché note... so like her... always the drama loving... So this a plan to apologize?... she didn't give up yet.

No... you are not giving in this easily... not by a mere letter...she hurt you remember? ... chided his brain and the smile dimmed.

If she thought she could cajole him with money thrown-grand date set ups and emotional letters... she had another thing coming he resolved.

Nevertheless, he took the packet with him and reached the top floor of the huge building just to seewhat more she can do to melt him.

***********************************************************************************************************************************************
Hi guys... did anyone miss me??

Sorry for the delay... I was held at work... and of course with the festival celebrations... I was supposed to give an update early today but again... I got busy.

I won't hold the suspense for longer... you will get the next chapter in a few minutes... enjoy reading...

I will wait for the comments... see ya