Dedicated to I_S_H_U

Omkara sat in his balcony sipping his tea. His day started with a tea. He can drink it any day, anytime. He was enjoying the morning as the light wind flew through the curtains of his apartment. He still had time before going to the gallery. He looked at the adjacent balcony and sighed in relief.

But before he could enjoy the peace, a radio started singing and he closed his eyes defeated.

Mere Saamne Waali Khidki Mein
Ek Chaand Ka Tukda Rehta Hai
Afsos Ye Hai Ke Vo Hamse
Kuchh Ukhda Ukhda Rehta Hai

A petite woman came dancing at the adjacent balcony singing along with the song. He looked at her annoyed and she blew him a flying kiss. He shook his head and she gave him a bright smile.

"Good morning Om" she said giving one of her brightest smiles. "Don't you get tired of this Gauri?" He asked irately to which she shrugged. "It's not my office duty that I'll get tired of it. I like doing this" She said and he looked away rolling his eyes.She went inside her apartment and he lightly smiled.

Gauri Sharma; the girl next door. He had rented this apartment 3 years back. On his first day, his bathroom was devoid of water. He had ringed her bell and that's how they met. Light conversations to balcony dinners, they formed a very close bond in one year. That's when, all of a sudden, on a fine morning she proposed him. Since that day, every morning she plays songs professing her love for him.

He was amused that she didn't announce her love for him today. A small part of his heart silently wished to hear that from her but he shook those thoughts away. As if hearing his thoughts, she suddenly appeared.

"Omkara" she called and he looked at her. For a second, he was stuck in her beauty. "I love you" she said breaking his trance and hopped inside. He smiled and rolled his eyes as he too proceeded into his space.

The day was not eventful. Omkara had to supervise a few things as his gallery was under renovation. Gauri, as usual, was buried in a heap of files.

After a tiring day, Omkara stepped out as he started walking towards the bus stop. He loved this freedom; he was not expected to fulfill anything. The weight of being an Oberoi couldn't surround him.

Upon reaching back, switched on the fan but to his bad luck, the power was gone. He sighed and walked to the balcony, hoping to breathe fresh air. He smiled as the light breeze blew among his hair.

"O My God!" He turned as he heard Gauri's voice. He smiled confused as he saw her standing with widened eyes and slightly open mouth. "Why are you gaping?" He asked and she closed her mouth.

"You looked sinfully handsome!" He looked away at her words. "Why don't you smile like that more often?" She asked and he sighed. "Shut up Gauri" he admonished her with a small blush. He breathed in relief as he saw the fan working. He walked inside not giving into Gauri's calls.

Omkara was about to drink some water when the radio started playing from Gauri's balcony.

Yeh chandsa roshan chehra
Zulfon ka rang sunehra
Yeh jheel si neeli ankhen
Koi raaz hai inme gehra
Taarif karun kya uski
Jisne tumhe banaya

He could hear Gauri singing but right now, he needed a bath. Smiling to himself, he walked to his room.

-----------------------

Gauri smiled as she turned the radio off and walked inside humming the tune to herself. She had been doing this since long. At first, it was just fun; to make him fall for her.

But then it became a routine. She'll feel itchy if she doesn't wish him like that. She chuckled at herself as she sat on the couch sipping her tea.

A slight drizzle had begun which made her smile wider. The monsoons had started and she loved rain. The fact that Omkara would spend more time in his balcony made her love it more.

A sad smile appeared on her lips as her thoughts went back home. She and her parents would sit and talk for long hours when it rained. She missed them.

Sighing she turned the radio on as some old classic played.

Kya bataoon maa
kahan hoon main
Yahan udne ko mere
Khula aasmaan hai
Tere kisson jaisa bhola salona
Jahan hain yahan sapno vala
Meri patang ho befikar,
Udd rahi hai maa
Dor koi loote nahin,
Beech se kaate na

-----------------------

Omkara woke up to the loud bangs on his door. He rubbed his eyes and walked to the door cursing the person who disturbed his sleep.

"O!" He was engulfed in a hug as soon as he opened the door. "Stop choking me Rudy!" He said and Rudra left him. "You're the worse brother ever!" Rudra pushed him aside as he entered.

Omkara rolled his eyes at that. He closed the door and glanced at the clock and saw that it was ten. Holidays are the best; you can sleep without limit.

He turned to look at Rudra and to his horror, he was in the balcony. And at the exact moment he heard the increased volume of the radio.

Tum ne vo kya dekha jo kaha deevana
Hum ko nahin kuchh samajh zara samajhana
Pyaar hamein kis mod pe le aaya
Ke dil kare haye, koi to bataye, kya hoga

Rudra stood with his mouth open as he saw a girl singing and dancing with the song. She was pathetic but she looked cute.

"I love you" Rudra's eyes widened as he stared at the woman who said that with a flying kiss. The very next moment, he saw her looking at him in shock.

"Who is this?" Both of them asked Omkara who was standing behind Rudra with a defeated look.

"Why is she saying I love you?" Omkara sighed at Rudra's question while Gauri narrowed her eyes. "Who is he to question my love for you?" She snapped making Rudra glare at her.

"Rudy, this is Gauri. My neighbor. And Gauri, this is Rudra, my brother" Omkara said and wide grins appeared on both their faces.

"Bhabhi!"

"Rudy!"

Omkara was confused at this. A moment ago, they fighting like kids and suddenly all problems vanished.

"You should've told that this is Bhabhi. We fought for no reason" Rudra said and Omkara raised his brow. "When did she become your Bhabhi?" Rudra rolled his eyes at that question.

"You only told that she loves you. In that way, she is my Bhabhi" Rudra said and Gauri smiled proudly. "She loves me but I don't love her. In that way, she's not your Bhabhi" Omkara said sternly and Gauri chuckled.

"Leave him Rudy. I've heard about you from Omkara. Well we're meeting officially" she said as she turned the radio off. "You're very cute Bhabhi" Gauri grinned at Rudra's comment.

"Stop calling her Bhabhi" Omkara tells with a frown. "Just call her Gauri" he said and walked inside. Rudra shrugged and waved at Gauri before walking inside.

"I like her. So, when are you bringing her home?" Omkara ignored Rudra's question and walked to his room. "She's very beautiful" Rudra casually says while surfing on the TV.

"Shut up! She loves me and not you. And stick to calling her Bhabhi!" Omkara said before shutting the bathroom door, confusing Rudra. "First he had problem with me calling her Bhabhi. Now, he wants me to call her Bhabhi. What the hell is happening!" He exclaimed to himself and turned his head to the TV.

-----------------------

Gauri was engrossed in her phone when there was a knock on her door. She opened the door and was surprised to see Rudra standing there.

"O had some emergency at the gallery. I'm bored!" He said whining and Gauri took him inside with a chuckle. Omkara was right; Rudra behaved like a baby.

"So, how are you?" She asked as she served him coffee. "I'm great" he said as he munched on the cookies. "How's everyone at your home?" Rudra smiled and showed a thumbs up.

"Well, soon it would be your home too" Gauri chuckles at that. "How are you so sure?" She asks and Rudra sits straight.

"One, he's annoyed with me calling you beautiful. Two, he never lets anyone be this close that they know everything about him. Three, I know my brother" Gauri was amused at Rudra's level of confidence. Even she wasn't that sure.

"What's that sound?" Rudra asks as a tune echoes inside the hall. "Oh! I think Omkara is back" Rudra was shocked. Was she some spy?

Gauri chuckled at Rudra's expression. "These two apartments were one at first. When the balcony opens, a tune would be heard all around. Later on, the landlord made this into two. Now if the balcony opens from either of the apartments, the tune would be heard at both sides" she said and Rudra nodded amused.

"Gauri" they hears Omkara calling and she walks to the balcony. "Did you see Rudy?" She smiles in reply moves aside letting him see Rudra.

"What are you doing there?" Omkara asks and Rudra shrugs. "Just came to see Bhabhi" Omkara sighs in exasperation. "Stop. Calling. Her. Bhabhi!" He says and asks Rudra to come back while Gauri laughs.

"Ajeeb Insaan!" Rudra mutters and walks out while Gauri walks to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

----------------------

Omkara sighs as he saw Rudra flirting with the girl at the counter. He ignores and walks to a nearby table. Taking a seat, he looks through his phone, bored.

"Keep that aside atleast now!" He hears Rudra saying while sitting down with their orders. "How do you flirt so effortlessly Rudra?" Omkara asks in fake admiration and Rudra raises his imaginary collar.

"Well, if you want I can teach you" Rudra said earning himself a smack and shut up from Omkara. Omkara was about to take a bite from his burger when he sees Gauri. He frowns as he spots her talking with a guy.

Must be some office friend He muses but keeps his eyes fixed on them. His frown deepens when he sees Gauri sitting with her head in her hands. Soon, he saw Gauri walk away wiping her tears while the guy sat there sadly.

"That looked like a break-up" he heard Rudra, who was looking at the same direction. "What?" Omkara was shocked to hear that. "Yeah. May be their friendship broke" Rudra says shrugging and resumes eating.

Omkara's eyebrows arches as he saw the guy smiling looking at the phone. A while ago he was sad and now he was smiling.

"I'll be back Rudy" Omkara says getting up and walks towards the guy. Rudra was happy to have the untouched burger and nodded without looking at him.

"Why was she crying?" The guy looks up with a frown. "Excuse me?" He was confused by the stranger's question. "Why was she crying?" Omkara repeats his question a bit sternly. "That none of your business" Omkara frowned at that.

"We share a relation. And we may end up doing anything. We may make each other cry. What's your problem?" The guy asks and that was Omkara's limit. "How dare you make My Gauri cry?" He says grabbing the guys collar angrily.

"What's your problem! Why are you so bothered about my sister?" He says freeing himself and Omkara frowns. "Sister? Shivaay?" He asks and the latter nods confused.

"Uh! I'm sorry" Omkara says embarrassed and Shivaay shakes his head. "I'm Omkara, her neighbor" he says and Shivaay smiles amused. "Hi! The guy she bothers with her radio?" Omkara nods with a chuckle at that question.

"You were smiling even after seeing her cry" Omkara states in a monotone. "You expect me to cry seeing my son's photo?" Omkara was once again embarrassed and looks away.

"Why were you so worked up?" Shivaay asks and Omkara was confused. Why was he angry? Why couldn't he see her cry? "As far as I know, she loves you and not the other way around" he hears Shivaay say and his eyes narrowed.

"Shit!" He mutters and gets up falling deaf to Shivaay's calls. He drags Rudra not giving into his protests. He was too happy to wait. He loved her!

-----------------------

Omkara stands in his balcony waiting for Gauri to appear. Normally, she would be there the moment he opens the balcony door. He sighs and walks inside and smiles thinking about ways to ask her out.

-----------------------

Gauri wipes yet another tear that flowed down her cheek. She was the devastated with the news her brother gave her. She never saw that coming.

She hears her phone ring and looks at the screen. Anika Bhabhi she cuts the call and switches off her mobile. She looks at the radio and turns it on hoping to distract her mind.

-----------------------

Ajeeb daastaan hai yeh
Kahan shuru kahan khatam
Yeh manzile hai kaunsi
Na voh samajh sake na hum

Omkara frowns as he heard the song. That was a sad song. He walks to the balcony and calls her "Gauri?". No response. He hears her reducing the volume and finally turning the radio off.

"Gauri?" He calls once more and this time she appears. He could see her tear stricken face through the grill. "What happened?" He asks but she remains silent.

"Are you okay?" She smiles at his question and nods her head. Omkara was not convinced. He could see that her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"I'm coming there" he says and asks Rudra to eat his dinner in case he's late.

-----------------------

Omkara stares at her as she kept looking at the sky without a word. "Gauri" he softly calls and she looks at him. "What happened?" She looks away at his question.

He heard her sniffing as she wiped away her tears. He shifted closer and patted her back and she turned. "You can share it" he says and she wordlessly hugs him.

Omkara's hands automatically goes around her as he rubbed her back trying to calm her down. "My parents are getting divorced!" Gauri says between her sobs and his eyes widens in shock.

He pulls away and makes her look at him. "Are you fine?" He asks and she shakes her head. "I don't know. I'm- just-" she stops as she broke down into sobs.

"Gauri" Omkara calls once she calmed down. She was leaning on his shoulder and looking at the sky. "It's their decision. They must be having a reason"  he says as he put his arm around her.

"What reason Omkara? After all these years of happily being together, suddenly-" she stops and sniffs. Omkara sighs and then smiles.

"You know, my parents had a love marriage. They eloped and got married. I've never seen them fighting or shouting at each other. Yet, one day, they came and told us that they're getting divorced" Gauri looks up and sees him smiling.

"We were initially sad. Rudy stopped talking to them. But then we thought from their side. If they'd taken that decision then there must be a reason. Gradually, we got adjusted to the truth" he stops and looks at her.

"They share a healthy friendship now. What I mean to say is, if your parents have taken such a decision, then they've thoroughly thought about it. Leave it to them. After all, it's their life" Gauri sadly sighs and leans back to him.

"What if they have serious issues? What if they stop talking to each other?" Gauri says and Omkara smiles. "Gauri, if we keep thinking about what if's, then life would be nothing but pressure cooker. Trust your parents" he says and she hums.

Gauri smiles after a while as she replayed his words. He was right. She should talk to her parents. It's not going to change with her crying.

Omkara sees her smiling from the corner of his eyes. He withdraws her from him and makes her look at his face. He softly kisses her forehead and holds her close.

He looks at her and sees her looking at him confused. He chuckles and pinches her nose. "I love you Gauri" he says with a smile and her eyes and mouth widens in shock making him chuckle.

2 years later

"Gauri I'm sorry!" Omkara loudly says as he banged on the bedroom door. He could hear her huffing and mumbling something in anger.

It was their anniversary and he had promised her to come home early but miserably failed in keeping his word. "Love please open the door!" He says only to get silence in response.

Aap yahaan aaye Kisliye?

Though he knew she was angry, he chuckles as he heard her playing the song. His wife was weirdly adorable.

He was about walk away when the door opened and he was pulled inside. "Who will sing the male portion!?" Gauri asks frowning and he laughs seeing her like that.

Aaye hain to kaam bhi bataayiye she sings and turns away.

Haa haa
Pahle zaraa aap muskuraayiye
Omkara smiles and pulls her closer as their lips reached each other.

Hey! Hope everyone's fine. Stay home everyone.

I was not sure of publishing any of my drafts as my mind was really drained.

I_S_H_U  your motivation helped me a lot. Thank you❤️.

Do tell me your views.

Criticisms are openly welcomed.

Thank you for reading💛.

Stay safe💛. Be happy😊💛.