Staffs rushed here and there inside the skyscraper of Mumbai, Oberoi industries. As always, 8am was a rush hour for them with a bit of extra work from the previous day.

Minutes later, a car stopped in front of the building, and to the shock and surprise of everyone, instead of Shivaay Singh Oberoi, came his younger brother, earning a pretty good amount of sighs and stares from the female employees.

Omkara greeted everyone with a smile before entering Shivaay's cabin. His smile dropped the moment he entered as a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"Khanna, make sure Shivaay eats on time." He instructed their trusted man in the phone before diving into work. Few seconds later, he leans back and rub his temples as he thought of Shivaay.

Ever since his girlfriend broke up with him, Shivaay had been like this. He over worked, skipped his meals, even skipped sleep for long. The previous day, Omkara had found him all drunk in his room. Never in his wildest dreams, Omkara thought that he would see his brother like that.

"Sir?" Omkara's thoughts broke when Shivaay's PA called him and he sat straight. "What happened?" He asks and Abhay forwarded him a document. "What the hell!" He exclaims as he studied the details of the document and frowned at Abhay.

"Who the hell is this Gauri Trivedi? And how did she suddenly become the owner of 50% of our shares?" He asks outraged making Abhay gulp in fear. "Sir, Trivedis are our long time business rivals. Few months back, they made an effort for a merger. But Shivaay Sir denied it pointing out to some loopholes in the documents. I don't know further Sir." He says and Omkara chuckles in sarcasm.

"How does that make them the owners of our shares?" He asks and threw the file on the table. "Sir, Ms. Trivedi is here." Abhay says fearfully as he saw Omkara's frown deepening.

"Ask her to come inside" Abhay nods and walks out while Omkara stood there awaiting his 'guest'.

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

Gauri looked around the guest room with a smirk watching the photographs of Oberoi brothers. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to execute her plan.

The eldest O-bro, she hated the very existence of that man. He was cunning, cruel and everything she despised.

She was going to destroy them all. She would make them pay for his mistake.

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

Omkara turned as he heard the sound of heels echo in the cabin. For a moment, he was caught off guard by the petite woman walking towards him with a smirk.

She stopped a few steps away from him and settled herself on the couch before looking at him. "You may take a seat." His brow arched at her statement as he sat opposite.

"Where is Mr. Oberoi?"

"I'm Mr. Oberoi."

"I mean, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi?"

Omkara looked away before coming up with a suitable lie. Gauri didn't miss the uncomfortable feeling that occupied his demeanor suddenly.

"He's home because of some health issues. I'm his brother"

"So, how are-"

"Cut the crap Ms. Trivedi! How the hell did you become the owner of 50% of our shares?" Omkara couldn't hold back the exasperation seeing her nonchalant expression.

Gauri softly chuckled at him and looked around. Seeing the document on the table in front of her, she smiles at him. "You may check the document. It's signed by Mr. Oberoi." Omkara frowned at her words before skimming through the papers.

It was indeed Shivaay's signature. He re-read every line checking for any loophole. Alas! Luck was not on his side.

"Convinced?" He heard her ask as she played with a pen. He gripped tightly onto the armrest as anger rushed through him.

"See you again Mr. Oberoi." She walked out leaving behind a furious Omkara.

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

Gauri felt a different sense of satisfaction run through her veins as she scrolled through various sites. Every site had the same heading.

Oberoi industries taken up by Gauri Trivedi.

Her smile dimmed as her glance reached her sister's photograph. A lone tear rolled down her cheek as she caressed the picture.

"I'll avenge you Di. All of them will suffer!"

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

Omkara sits down tired as he cut the call. Every site would have the news removed for tomorrow. How was he gonna clear this mess!

"Om" He looked up as he heard Dolly calling him. He smiled as she sat beside him. "What happened? You look stressed." She asked and he shook his head. "I'm just worried about Shivaay, Bua Ma." He said making Dolly sigh.

"I understand. But Om, he has to move on." Omkara nods and stands up while checking the time. "It's quite late. I have to sleep. I'm going to let Shivaay take a break from business. Let him clear his mind." Dolly stood there looking at Omkara's retreating figure as her glance turned pitiful.

Omkara was a brother anyone would wish for. He had always been there for Shivaay, be it in personal matters or professional ones. But amongst everything, may be, he forgot to live a life of his own.

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

Omkara's brows furrowed as he heard some commotion downstairs. Taking a last look in the mirror, he walks down, his frown increasing with every step he took.

"Arey! What are you doing?" He heard Dolly exclaim followed by some guy entering with a few bags. "What's happening?" He asks to the guy who walked away without replying.

"What's this?" Shivaay's voice boomed making Omkara shrug. They kept looking at the entrance for a reply and as if on cue, entered Gauri with a smirk.

"You!" Shivaay and Omkara simultaneously yelled in surprise and outrage respectively.

"Oh! Hi Oberoi brothers." She says with a smile earning herself a glare from Omkara. "What are you doing here?" He asks and she clicks her tongue.

"What type of a question is that? Now that I own half of your properties, I have every right to come to this house." She said and shook her head as she walked further examining the house.

"What the hell!" She heard Shivaay shout and the next moment she was forcefully grabbed by her shoulder and turned. "If you don't get out this moment, then I'll call the cops." He said, his grip turning tighter with every second.

Gauri withdrew herself from him and dusted her shoulder before passing a glare at Shivaay. "Ask your brother and clarify the misunderstandings. And, don't you dare talk to me like that, again." She says and smiles as she walked away to find someone to help her.

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

"What?" Shivaay's shout made Omkara sigh as he forwarded the documents to him. "This- I didn't sign this Om!" He said as he kept on reading the same line again and again.

"It's your signature" Omkara calmly replies as he watched a panicked Shivaay look at him. "Om- don't you believe me?" He asked and Omkara rose from his seat. "I do. But that doesn't change the fact that she's now owning us." Shivaay ran his hand through his hair in frustration as Omkara forwarded him a glass of water.

"How do you know her?" Shivaay looked away at that question.

"I-"

"Tell me the truth Shivaay"

"We met at the bar"

Omkara sighed at his answer but soon his face had a frown etched in confusion. "Do you remember the date?" Omkara asked as some bell started to ring. "Two days back."

"She's so vile!"

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

Gauri was walking to the kitchen when she saw Dolly at the dining table. A smile appeared on her face as she observed the elderly woman. She had heard a lot about her from her sister.

"Ms.Trivedi"

She looked back as she heard a familiar voice, sarcastically addressing her. "Yes Mr.Oberoi?" She asked back with a smirk which she was sure would irk him. But to her surprise, he smiled making her frown.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Shoot."

"How old are you?"

"Huh!?"

Omkara was trying hard not to break out into a smile seeing her baffled face. He was sure she was caught off guard by his question. From what he had observed, she wasn't someone who trusted someone so easily. So to think that she would keep the original document with herself was a hope.

"Mr.Oberoi?"

He looked at her, and this time, he was lost in her expression. His eyes travelled all over her face before once again looking into her eyes. Honey brown swirls in pitch black background; never had he observed someone like this.

"Mr.Oberoi?"

"Yeah yeah?"

"What did you ask?"

"Oh yes! How old are you?"

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

Shivaay wiped off the sweat from his forehead as he checked the last drawer. No sign of any documents. Where did she keep that damn thing! Omkara was right. She was vile!

He was roaming his eyes around the room when his eyes caught a photograph. A very familiar photograph. He walked towards the table as his eyes turned glassy. She looked every bit like she used to look. A whisper escaped his as his heartbeats raced to match his thoughts.

"Anika!"

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

Dolly had been observing Omkara and Gauri talking. Every now and then, Omkara would awkwardly smile and Gauri would arch her eyebrows.

What was going on?

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

"What do you want?"

"Om!"

Gauri and Shivaay's voices simultaneously rang in Omkara's ears as he switched his gaze between both of them. He could see the distress on Shivaay's face.

"We have a client's call."

Omkara knew that was his cue to follow his brother. That's when he saw Gauri rushing to her room. Omkara sighed and hurried behind Shivaay before throwing a final glance at Gauri.

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

Dolly looked between the people sitting with her immersed in their own world. Ever since, Ms.Trivedi as Omkara mentioned her, came, Shivaay and Omkara had been restless. Well, how can they not be! Oberoi Industries couldn't sink like a paper boat.

But from she had observed, Gauri wasn't a greedy woman. She was sharp. She was in some deep frustration and, she was helpless. Dolly liked her. She had a good conversation ability.

Right now, Omkara and Gauri had their necks deep buried in their phones while Shivaay stared into space. Dolly shook her head and looked at Omkara in a hope to start a conversation.

"Om"

"Yes Bua Ma?"

She smiles at his immediate response. A minute ago, he was immersed in his own world but at a single call, he had looked up and asked her for the reason.

"What happened? You look disturbed"

"I'm fine Bua Ma"

He says and sighs after she walked away. His glance turned to Shivaay who sat there with a straight face.

"You found something in her room?"

"Huh?"

Shivaay was not keeping attention to his words; Omkara was sure about that.

"What happened Shivaay?"

"Uh, no nothing! There's nothing in her room!"

Omkara didn't miss the distress that flashed through his eyes every now and then. What was worrying him other than Gauri?

"Don't worry Shivaay. We'll figure a way out"

Ever since that, Shivaay would sit and stare into space lost in a world of his own. Omkara decides to start a conversation but that's when he noticed Gauri staring at him intently.

She immediately looked away to her phone making him smile. Why? For some odd reason, Omkara couldn't hate her. Ofcourse, he didn't like either. But that was so unlike him.

She had made Shivaay sign some documents without his knowledge, invaded their business, and even their home. Why was he still patient with her?

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

Shivaay looked on as Omkara and Gauri left one by one. A heavy sigh escaped his lips at the latter's thought. Gauri Trivedi; she had turned his life upside down from the moment he met her.

Shivaay slumped down the glass on the table and gestured the bartender for another glass of the same liquid. His life was messed up ever since she left.

Anika! A beautiful chapter of his life that ended too soon. He loved her. He had dreamt of a life with her. A small confusion of his had caused her to walk away. How he wished he could just rewind and fix everything!

He was about gulp down the next glass when someone gripped onto it. He turned and looked at the woman who grabbed the glass and emptied the contents to the floor.

"Who are you?"

He saw her smile at his slurry tone. It was only a few seconds before everything went black and the next thing he remembered was waking up in his room. From what Omkara said, Khanna had found him and took him home.

That was all he remembered. Gauri was there only for a few minutes. Then how did she get his sign on those documents? Why was Anika's photograph there in Gauri's room? How was he going to clear this mess?

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

Omkara was waiting for breakfast while doing something on his phone. That's when he saw Gauri rushing downstairs ready for work.

"Ms.Trivedi?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are you off to?"

She rolled her eyes and sighs before replying to his question.

"I have an office to look after Mr.Oberoi. So if you could excuse me, bye!"

With that she had stormed away but just before she could step out she had Khanna blocking her way. She frowns and turned back and saw Omkara smirking at her.

"Busy huh?"

Gauri frowned as he sat down on the couch with his gaze fixed on her. The next thing she saw was guards blocking her path and her car keys being snatched.

"What the hell!"

"Yes! Hell, that's what I'm trying to make for you."

Omkara's words made her blood boil as she gritted her teeth. She looked around for a way outside but found none. She sighed before sitting down.

Omkara was surprised to see her accept defeat so easily. He had expected her to react fiery but she simply sat down with her laptop.

"Gauri?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you fine?"

Gauri was surprised to hear that. His eyes showed concern for the person who was hell bent on making his boat sink. She could feel her eyes turn wet with that question. She was hearing someone ask that after a long time.

"Gauri?"

"Uh- yes. I'm fine. Can you please let me go?"

Omkara had immediately actioned Khanna to make way for her. She looked at him with a small smile before swiftly walking outside.

At a distance, stood Shivaay, watching his brother's actions closely. He shook his head before walking away.

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

Shivaay was forced to look up from his phone when he heard a knock on his door. Frowning, he walked to open the door.

"Bua Ma!" He exclaimed and smiled before letting her inside. The elder woman patted his head and walked inside with a warm smile.

"How are you Shivaay?" Dolly asked looking at her nephew who was disturbed since months. "I'm fine Bua Ma." He replied with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"What happened to you my boy? Are you still stuck on that girl?" Her question made him avert his gaze onto the floor. Tears pricked his in seconds as he thought about Anika.

"I was going to introduce her to you." Dolly nodded prompting him to continue. He gulped a lump in his throat as he fought the drops of water threatening to fall down from his eyes.

"But I was scared Bua Ma. Dad and Mom too were so in love when they got married. Their wedding bliss had ended in a very short time. She asked whether I would marry her. I said I wanted time."

Shivaay stopped to inhale a sharp breathe. That memory still choked him. They fought badly that day.

"She said that she felt insecure about us. That I'm not sure about love and I may leave her the moment I see someone more attractive. I got angry and said that she could think whatever she wanted to. She walked away that day and I haven't seen her since-"

He broke down to tears as soon as he finished those words. Dolly caressed his hair in consolation as her eyes showed pity for the young lad.

"I loved her. I still do." Shivaay said and covered his face as innumerable tears rolled down his cheeks in streams.

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

Gauri sat down on the bed after her shower. She had skipped dinner but that didn't make a difference to her right now. All that mattered at the moment was her sister.

She had got a call from the hospital that afternoon with an update from the doctor. There was hope. Her sister may wake up soon.

Anika Trivedi; her sister who was in comatose after meeting with an accident 2 months back. Gauri was on call with her when her car lost control.

She shut her eyes tightly as that fateful day replayed in her mind. The last name Anika said was of her boyfriend, Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

All Gauri could assume from those words were faults on his side. And she had concluded that he was reason for her sister's condition.

Tears flowed down to the pillow from her eyes. She was frustrated and sad. She missed her sister. She didn't know what to do. She was alone.

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

Omkara stared at the sky wrapped in the blanket of stars. It looked beautiful. He smiled as he averted his gaze to the garden. Night flowers had bloomed and some of them spread fragrance.

That was a habit his mother taught him. Plant something once in while. She was a beautiful lady. If he was something today, then it was because of the few years he spent with her.

Gauri had a strong resemblance with his mother in character. She was fierce but kind too. She was strong. She could go any lengths for her loved ones.

Omkara smiled as he thought about the girl who was once a thorn for him. Right now, as he thought from her side, everything seemed right. Everyone from his side was wrong in that view.

He knew, he was falling for the Gauri he discovered from another angle. It surprised him how she had many qualities he wished to have in his life partner.

"Omkara!"

He turned as he heard a familiar sound exclaim his name. His eyes softened as he saw Gauri standing there. He smiled and patted the place beside him indicating her to sit.

She slowly walked towards him and sat down all the while her eyes fixated on the garden.

"It's beautiful." She said pointing at the flowers on either sides. "Thank you." He said as he continued watching her.

"Omkara, my lawyer is coming tomorrow. You can have the properties back." He was expecting this. She was playing with the strands of her hair while talking to him.

"I'm leaving. Sorry for the trouble I caused." She said as she wiped away a tear. "How did you get Shivaay's sign on those papers?" He asked smiling to which she looked at him confused.

"Of course I would want to know. How did you outsmart my hawk eyed brother?" She chuckled at his choice of words. "Your brother is sharp. But not when he's drunk. He was signing a cheque to pay the bill at the bar. I kept the documents there instead. He made my work easy." She said shrugging to which Omkara blinked his eyes a few times.

"I'm sorry. I had a misunderstanding-"

"You are Anika's sister."

Gauri was shocked to hear that from him. She looked at him and saw him smiling. "I know. I digged up everything. And honestly, it was natural for you to react like this. Neither my brother nor you are at fault." Tears welled up in her eyes as she heard that.

"Don't worry Gauri. Anika will be fine." He said to which she nodded with teary eyes. "Papa passed away 2 years back and it's been me and her since then. I was distressed with her accident. I didn't think of anything or anyone else. I was suddenly left alone and it was disturbing." She said as more tears escaped her eyes.

"You're not alone Gauri."

She looked at him as he held her hand. She was unsure of her feelings for this man. This wasn't the first time she was feeling guilty for putting him through all that.

"Shaayad." she whispered looking at him.

"Shaayad?"

"Shaayad."

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

Shivaay walked through the hospital corridor with wobbly steps. He was informed of Gauri's true identity a week back. It was a mammoth revelation for him.

Yesterday, they were informed of Anika waking up from coma. He had been waiting since then to see her. Right now, standing in front of her room, he was feeling jittery.

Suddenly, Gauri opened the door and smiled at him before pushing him inside. He sighed as he walked inside. He was welcomed by the sight of a smiling Anika.

He felt tears hit his eyes the moment he saw her. She looked the same except for the tiredness on her face. "Shivaay." She called him and he rushed to her side.

"I'm sorry Anika, I-"

He couldn't continue as she hugged him. Tears choked him as he hugged her back, careful not to hurt her in the process.

"It's me who should be sorry. I shouldn't have said all that." She said and kissed his forehead as he closed his eyes feeling her warmth after long.

"We are getting married." He said and she smiled in tears.

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been this sure before!"

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

Gauri walked into the garden at night, her eyes searching for Omkara. As usual, she had expected him sitting on the bench but instead found him near the flowers.

"What are you doing there?" She asked to which he smiled and shook his head. "They remind me of Mom." He said as he looked at them again. Gauri watched as he sighed and sat on the ground.

"Do you fear commitments?"

"If I did, I wouldn't be growing these flowers."

Omkara chuckled at his answer and Gauri smiled. He was a man of words. She sat beside him and held his hands. The fragrance of the flowers travelled between the little space between them. It was beautiful.

"Why did you ask that?"

"Simply."

He smiled at her as he contemplated on whether to speak or not. She was trying to figure out her feelings; he had been noticing.

Slowly, she leaned onto his shoulder as his face broke into a wide smile. She mirrored his expressions as she intertwined their fingers.

Nothing was said. They just knew.
---------------------

Oberois and Trivedis had merged surprising the business industry. It was baseless to let the differences go on.

Shivaay and Anika were getting married that week. Both Omkara and Gauri had taken it on their shoulders to gift their siblings with the best wedding.

Omkara stood beside Gauri as they looked at the decorations. He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned onto him.

"It was all fate!"

"Shaayad."

"Shaayad?"

"Shaayad!"

Hey all! Hope you all liked the story. This story is not actually how I wanted it to be. But this is how it came out. The dialogues or the storyline may appear incomplete but that's how it turned out. There is nothing special about it, but still somewhere, it is special.

Do tell me your views. Criticisms are openly welcomed.

Thank you for reading 💛.

Stay safe✨. Be happy 💛.