Omkara cursed himself for not feeling happy that the one girl he began to like... finally got someone who loved her. He couldn't bring himself to even wish her well or say a goodbye when she started to pack her things getting ready to leave. Instead of solace that she will have someone to take care of her, his heart was filled with dread that he might not get the chance to be with her.

Will she forget him and their relation? Did they even have something between them in the first place? All that has been there were pranks and lies... will she consider them seriously...or will she laugh his feelings off?

Anika came to him to put a comforting hand on his shoulder and he didn't dare look into her eyes... he was in a very vulnerable state and he might embarrass both of them if he did that.

"Om... won't you talk to her? She will leave in a mere ten minutes" said Anika and he nodded his head in a no.

He cannot be that selfish... she suffered enough in her life to deserve all the luxury in the world... now when she is about to get all that... he cannot ask her to reconsider her decision of going with her brother only because he felt that he has feelings for her... only because he felt he could find a family in her.

He smiled as he reminisced his time with her just few hours ago... when he felt he could give her comfort by letting her into his life... and now... she seemed to be far away from his reach... too far away that he wouldn't reach her status in this life time.... How life changes in a span of few hours...

"Gauri.. there is no need to pack anything... we have everything at home... if not... you will have anything you want at your feet in minutes... come soon" said Shivaay impatiently giving a look to Omkara and Anika.

He didn't like the way his sister looked at Omkara when he asked her to come with him to their mansion...not one bit... Did the guy manage to manipulate her mind already?.... in what... five days? Even if he were not a person with meticulous planning and non-emotional thinking...he felt the idea of love in five days will seem absolutely absurd... He isn't going to allow that orphan anywhere near Gauri...he vowed.

"Yeah bhaiyya... I am ready" said Gauri coming out of the room, luggage in hand.

"Khanna... why is my sister holding the bag? Do I need to tell you everything?" he growled and Khanna ran to take the luggage from her.

"Come... let's go" said Shivaay taking her hand when she said in a low voice... "I need to say a proper bye bhaiyya... these people have been nothing but kind to me" she said and he nodded at her.

She went to Shakti and Pinky who looked disturbed... Pinky was already in tears "I didn't know we are to part from you this soon Gauri" she said and Gauri hugged her smiling tearfully.

"I will come and meet you mummy ji... soon" she said and the elder one nodded.

After taking their blessings, Gauri moved to Rudra who merely smiled and hugged her wishing her good luck... she then proceeded to where Anika stood with Omkara.

"Thank you for everything di" she said gratefully and Anika hugged her kissing her cheek.

"Be happy Gauri... I will miss you" she said and Gauri nodded smiling.

When Omkara refused to spare her a glance, she went near him to touch his arm when Shivaay pulled her away.

"Gauri... we will return after you settle down there... this isn't a goodbye... is it?" he smoothly lied and his sister nodded. Giving a final glance in Omkara's direction she walked out with Shivaay who securely held her hand in his.

Once she left, Anika started to explain "I am so sorry Om... I withheld so much from you"

"Since the first time I met Gauri, I found the similarities in personalities between her and Shivaay... when she said that she lived with her chaacha and chaachi in Masuri a village in U.P and about the hard life she endured, I just had to make a few calls before I knew that she was the one we were looking for..." she said

"But I couldn't bring myself to tell you or Shivaay about it Om... I knew you liked her... I was just stalling time until one of you opens up and then I can say it to Shivaay... but he got to know from my call tracings who all I contacted before we went on our mission and in no time he understood I knew about Gauri... I was caught red handed Om... I am sorry... I made things worse for you" she said as he took his hands in hers and he shook his head in a no.

"It is okay Anika... I am alright" he said in a voice which was not even convincing to himself and slowly walked to his room.

Few minutes later, when Omkara stood numb in the solitude of his room, the tinkling sound of anklets filled the air. He turned around in hope and was not disappointed when he was engulfed in a tight hug by his birdy. His heart wept with tears of joy, his body returning the hug and soaking in her warmth.

He was still not ready to leave her when she parted from him.

"You like me.. don't you?" she asked her voice filled with hope and he nodded a yes. She smiled tearfully and kissed his cheek after she whispered, "Then you are not going to get rid of me anytime soon Omkaraji. It is only a small bye for now"

He smiled at her when she playfully winked and held her hand when she rushed to leave...stopping her. Pulling her to him, he cupped her face and gave her a kiss on her forehead before letting her go.

This time when they heard the loud sharp noise of a chopper's blade rotating as it rose from the ground, Omkara felt happy that his bird finally got the chance to fly her first ride home.

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Two years later.................

Shivaay was reading the business news for the day sitting at the dining table... when the cook brought him a cup of steamy hot coffee. Keeping the paper aside for a minute, he raised the cup to his mouth to savor a sip of the hot liquid and sighed in relief.

"Did Gauri wake up chacha?" he asked Lakhan who came with a plate of English breakfast.

"I guess not Shivaay beta... she wants you to wake her up everyday.... Today is no surprise" he said with a smile and Shivaay returned it getting up to go to his sister's room.

It was a little past six thirty but as usual Shivaay is dressed and ready for work...He likes his life ordered ... that is what he learnt from his father and his father... in order to take over the world, you need to be early both in thinking as well as in your routine.... As he walked up the stairs, he smiled thinking of his little sister who has become the center of his world.

She changed his life so much that he, who always had anger on the tip of his nose and was feared by people who worked for him, was tamed to a respectable employer who is loved by his employees... he learnt from her that people should work for you not out of fear but out of respect and trust... Replacing his stoned heart with a love filled one, she managed to make him dance to her command and he is happy he found a purpose in his lonely life.

All his life he was brought up with a sole purpose of taking over his family empire... his grandfather Prithviraaj singh Oberoi made sure that he imbibed the right principles and values in him to become a ruthless business man who gave extreme importance to name, lineage and heritage. Being the only son of his parents, he never had the chance of sharing his feelings with a sibling nor did he have time for friends.

His father Tej Singh Oberoi followed his grandfather words to the last syllable and his mother Jhanvi sigh Oberoi was a dutiful wife. When Shivaay was born after three years of their marriage, his grandfather was ecstatic that his family had an heir to take over the business... from an early age he was molded into a stoic person who knew nothing and who caters to no one except their family's name.

He did not share the normal bond of a son with his parents...as they were too busy to please the society rather than give love to their son. The closest he had ever been to any human was his father... who sometimes showed him his softer side... reminding him from time to time that he was indeed loved and was not merely a responsibility.

When his parents and his grandfather died in a car crash five years back, he lost himself in the chase of business completely immersing himself in work lest he falls weak being all alone. The only new aim he had in life was to find his sister about whom he knew of when his father told him about it on his death bed.

It was quite a shock for him since he didn't expect it from his father... He didn't think that a forced marriage between Tej and a woman his father chose for him... Jhanvi, their family's business partner's daughter born and brought up in royalty who never raised a word against her in laws or husband...nor ever seeked love in a marriage, was nothing but a mere duty for his father. He failed to understand that some men like his father....seek love and companionship over duty and responsibility and when they don't find it in their own marriage, they sideline...

When Shivaay was five years old, Tej singh Oberoi who never stepped out of the line his father drew for him, committed a grave mistake that one can ever do to make Prithviraaj singh Oberoi spell murder. He went against his father's wish to marry someone out of a royal lineage who was apparently not up to their family's standards that too cheating his wife.

Hell broke loose when one day, Tej came to Prithviraaj with his one month old daughter and wife in tow. When the family's head threatened his son to disinherit him, Tej gladly agreed ready to sacrifice his family wealth for the woman he loved. He sent the divorce papers to Jhanvi but few months later when his father resorted to threats of killing his wife and daughter whom he loved to death, he had to let go of them...to live a live of guilt and remorse rather than have them killed....for he knew his father wasn't a man to give empty threats.

When Shivaay got to know about the existence of a sibling.... an Oberoi who was snatched off the comfort and luxury which should have been her birthright only because of his father's sins, his conscience was loaded with guilt... his heart went out for her who must have suffered the brunt of his father's sins... for how could one be happy without money?

He came to know that the woman who gave birth to her was not from a rich family and he cannot have an Oberoi live like that. He restlessly searched for her... taking all the help he could... even resorted to the police though he knew of their bribed institution.

He had enough money to lure them to play to his tunes... everybody does... He was determined to find her at all costs in spite of failure in gathering proper information... because he is an Oberoi and Oberois never quit. In all the years of finding her, Shivaay didn't realize that what started as a search for his father's daughter changed to search for a sister... a companion... his blood... his only family that he could hold on to.

After he brought her home and knew of the way she was treated by her pathetic uncle and aunt, he was enraged... He made sure the people who dared to hurt his sister were served a slow torturous punishment, of course hiding the fact from her sister who was too generous to ask him to let go.

He pampered her with all the love in him which he had never showed to anyone... not even to his mother... It was like a dam which secured his heart was opened and love gushed out in un-inhibited waves. She was a sweet little doll he felt extremely protective of from the moment he saw her. When she stared at him defiantly ready to punch him in the face on their first meet... he knew his sister was a fighter.... his heart loved her from that instant and it only grew as days passed by.

Opening the door to her bedroom, he entered to see his sister cooped up in a mushy duvet only part of her face visible...looking absolutely adorable. His sister was cold intolerant... he shook his head smilingly and increasing the room temperature, he went nearer and sat on her bed.

"Gauri...will you get up now?" he asked taking the duvet off her face completely.

"Bhaiyya... I don't feel like going to college today... I will sleep" she said her eyes closed and voice still groggy.

"Okay Gudiya... take rest... I will inform the principal" he said and stood up when she held his hand.

Taking her duvet off, she sat on the bed and pulled his hand gesturing him to sit with her to which he gladly obliged.

"You are supposed to scold me for being lazy and lecture me to not miss college bhaiyya" she said with a smile and he laughed at her.

"No... my sister is brilliant student and if she misses college for a day she can manage...the sky won't fall down..." he said and she rolled her eyes.

"You are spoiling me" she accused and he nodded before giving her a kiss on her forehead "and I will continue to spoil you... it is my right Gauri" he said and she smiled again.

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"Sir.. I wanted to ask you about my promotion" said Omkara after saluting his superior.

"Yeah... I am putting in my recommendation Omkara... you are efficient and your services have always made the department proud. But you know the politics here... it will take some time but you will get what you deserve" came the diplomatic reply and Omkara nodded before taking his leave.

The moment he came out of his boss's cabin, Anika came to him "What did he say? Any results to be expected?"

"The same old" said Omkara sighing and Anika rolled her eyes.

"These good for nothing people have become assistant commissioners and you who is successful in every mission is being denied the post" she spat looking at ACP Ajay Vatsav who just smirked at her arrogantly.

"Anika... don't start it... things will happen when it is the right time... don't worry" he said and Anika nodded though she wasn't convinced.

"Chalo... thike... leave about the depressing topic...tell me what the plans are for tonight?" she eagerly asked while he smiled at her giving a wink.

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"Khanna... did you get the cake?... is that it in your hands?" whispered Shivaay to his bodyguard slash assistant slash security head.

"Yes Shivaay sir... Gauri will be drooling over it I am sure... she loves your cakes" he said with a grin and Shivaay smiled at him.

"Okay... come... let us enter" he said in the same low voice and gently unlocked the door of her bedroom eager to give a surprise.

Sadly, the moment they entered, the lights came to life and Gauri grinned at them sitting at the center of her bed.

"This is cheating... you were supposed to sleep Gauri" said Shivaay and Gauri laughed running to him "As if i don't know that you will come to wish me" she said with a smile on her face.

Shivaay took her into a warm embrace kissing her temple and wished "Happy birthday my Gudiya"

Khanna added "Happy birthday Gauri madam" and got a glare from her... so, he corrected his wish to "Happy birthday Gauri"

"Thank you" said Gauri "Come ... bhaiyya... give me my cake...I can't wait to taste the dish you made for me" she said licking her lips making him laugh handing her the cake.

Soon enough the cake was cut and Gauri fed his brother earning a cheek kiss and then proceeded to give a piece to Khanna.

"Tell me what you want as your birthday gift" asked Shivaay and Gauri only smiled at him.

"What??? No wishes this year too?" he said disappointed.

"I will ask you when I really want something Bhaiyya... what do I not have with me now..... you make sure to bring me everything even before I think of it"

"Still.... It is your birthday"

Gauri thought for a moment before she smiled and said "I will ask you tomorrow after thinking over it tonight"

Shivaay smiled widely "Come on... it is time to sleep" he said and Gauri nodded as they left her in peace.

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Sometime later, as she settled in her bed with a smile on her face, Gauri closed her eyes and thanked her Shankar ji for the nth time for giving her a life she always wished for... she just couldn't believe that life can be this beautiful. She is the sister of Shivaay Singh Oberoi, studying in a well reputed college ready to graduate in the next few months. Her dream to stand on her own feet will be true in a few months... only one thing left...she thought as her smile widened.

She turned to her side and was about to fall into a sleep dreaming of a certain someone, when she jerked awake feeling a familiar hand encircle her waist from behind for the second time in her lifetime. She turned her head to her side to see him smiling at her and gasped softly.

"Omkaraji.... What are you doing here" she whisper yelled making him frown.

"Your questions are turning stupid and dumb day by day... what do you think I am doing" he said pulling her closer and she rolled her eyes.

"You are police... you are not supposed to sneak into houses Omkaraji... that is against your job profile" she said exasperated.

"Yeah... but you know I can change rules for you... don't you?" he huskily whispered leaning closer while she blushed.

"Happy birthday Gauri" he wished and before she could thank him kissed her squarely.

Gauri offered no resistance relishing the feel of his lips on hers and entangling her tongue with his. The kiss conveyed his love, passion and most importantly trust she knew he had in her. She pulled him closer and ran her hands through his hair which is her second favorite thing to do other than kissing him.

Omkara parted from the kiss to take a breath while she immediately pulled him for a second.

"Someone seems to be too eager" he whispered into her ears to earn her blush and was not disappointed.

"Thanks for coming Omkara ji" she said with a smile and he kissed her cheek before gently biting it.

"Ouch" she said and he grinned "Your cheeks look like strawberries when you blush... I had to take a bite" he said winking and she laughed at him.

"So... since it is your birthday... can I get a gift?" he asked slipping his hands under shirt to grab her waist as she pushed him away playfully "It is my birthday.... Not yours" she said keeping a serious face.

"Does that mean we can do it on my birthday?" he asked hopefully counting the months left for it.

"No... not happening.... We need to get married first Omkaraji" she said and he nodded.

"Yeah.. you are right... come on.. get up.... Let me talk to your brother" he said sitting up on the bed and she widened her eyes at him.

"What?"

"We obviously need his permission to get married isn't it? Come Gauri" he said and pulled her to the door making her panic.

"Omkara ji... what are you doing"

Ignoring her protests he opened his mouth to call her brother "Mr. Shivaay" and she closed his mouth.

"Omkaraji... what is this... you will wake him up"

"I want him to come here and know that I am in your room asking your hand in marriage... enough of this hide and seek Gauri... he needs to know"

Gauri sighed and hugged him as she muttered "I don't want to hurt him... You know how he is."

"Unless you take a step... things are going to stay the same Gauri.. I know you feel guilty when you are with me... I don't want you to feel that... when you are with me...I want you to fully be with me in mind and body rather than thinking of how your brother will react when he comes to know of us" he came clean and she nodded her head.

"I promise I will tell him tomorrow" she said.

"You will?" he asked his eyes filled with hope and she nodded before giving him a sweet kiss.

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Hola... how's it?

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Till the next update... Signing off.... Yours Soujanya.