*The next day*

[The Oberoi mansion woke up with a startle to the sound of a loud conch. A few moments later, they heard the sounds of bells ringing and immediately rushed downstairs.

They found Gauri standing in the front of god's altar, holding an aarti thali in her hand.

Dadi couldn't stop smiling at sight. Her love for Gauri had multiplied ten-folds!
Anika and Shivaay looked at each other and smiled, because they had come to realize how close Gauri had become to them, and Om?

Om was just staring.

It had almost hit him that she was so beautiful. Dressed in a pretty yellow suit, wearing a bindi on her forehead, and her hair on one side, the sight was enough to take anyone's breath away.]

Gauri: (Applying teeka to Shivaay) Humaare yahaan holi ki shuruat pooja se hoti hai

[Gauri proceeded to put teeka on everyone, and when she reached Om, an unusual feeling came over her. She stood on her tip toes and whilst applying teeka on him, felt his gaze on her. The moment her fingers touched his skin, both of them immediately moved away from each, almost as though they had been electrocuted. ]

Gauri: Ah!

Om: (Confused) T-tum...yeh c-current...

Gauri: (Confused) Wohi toh! Aapse current?

Rudra: (Whispering to dadi) Isse kehte hai electrifying chemistry, kyun dadi?

Dadi: chup kar! Khamakha itne khwaab mat dekh! Gauri kissi aur se pyaar karti hai, bhool gaya?

Rudra: Lekin chemistry toh O ke saath ho rahi hai na!

Gauri: (Confused) H-hum...h-hum abhi aate hai

Om: (Confused) Haan, main bhi...

[Gauri and Om walked the opposite direction, and the whole family witnessed the scene.]\

Anika: (Excited) Please koi bata do sirf mujhe nahi lagta ki dono ki jodi ekdum khidkitod hai!

Shivaay: Hum aisa soch bhi nahi sakte! Gauri Vikram se pyaar karti hai, so please, aise khwaab na dekhein!

[A few hours later, everyone met again downstairs as the guests arrived.

Everyone stood in the lawn, talking and chit chatting, and Gauri stood alone in the corner, observing everyone.

Suddenly, she felt a strong force of color on her cheeks and turned around to see Rudra, who had mischief in his eyes.]

Gauri: Rudy bhaiyya! Ab toh badla lekar hi rahenge!

[Gauri filled both her hands with color and began chasing Rudra, ready to color him, but as she ran, her body hit a tall and sturdy frame making him and her fall on the grass below.

Gauri found herself on top of Om, with the color's on her hand staining his crisp white lucknowi kurta and her hair. His hands were invariably placed on her upper back, to give her support, and as he looked into her eyes, he saw the strands of hair that covered her delicate eyes.

Slowly, his hands reached her face and pushed her hair behind her ears, revealing her pretty yet innocent eyes.

For the first time, Om felt like something was happening to him.

Something unusual happened to him when he looked at her. Something he hadn't felt before.

Gauri knew this wasn't right. She was here for Vikram, and she couldn't hurt him and Om. She immediately got up, trying to pretend nothing ever happened, and Om too, did the same.]

Gauri: Woh hum...Hum Rudy Bhaiyya par ee rang daalne waale the

Om: (Applying color on her cheek) Koi baat nahi.

Happy holi, Gauri

[Gauri gave him a slight smile before turning around and walking away from him.

As he saw her walk away, a weird feeling took over him.

Om just couldn't understand what he was going through, and what he was feeling.

Was he starting to like Gauri?

Why did he have to like someone who would only end in trouble and disaster? ]

Rudra: (Handing Om a glass) Kahaan khoya hai? Yeh Le, pi le!

Om: Bhaang? Chee Rudy, you know main yeh sab nahi peeta

Rudra: Chee? Theek hai, main hi pi leta hoon phir---Yeh kisski awaaz thi?!

Om: (Worried) Gauri ki lag rahi thi, Chal!

[Rudra and Om ran towards the sound, and found Gauri and Anika standing on top of the table, both of them holding glasses in their hands

Gauri was drinking bhaang.

Probably a bit too much.]

Rudra: Kya baat hai! Inka alag andaaz dekhne ko mil raha hai!

[Gauri took another big sip of bhaang before sitting on the table and then laughing really loudly.

Om slapped his forehead in embarrassment, knowing that he would have to put up with drunk Gauri now.]

Gauri: (Loudly) Bhaiyon! Beheno! Aaj ke mehfil ko nazar mein rakhte hue, hum ek sher arj karna chahte hai!

Om: Oh god, no, no, no, please

Anika: Irshaad!

Gauri: Na yeh Rang, na yeh khaana deti hai itni khushi

Jitni bhaang ki 4-5 glass hai deti!

[The crowd cheered for Gauri, who then let out another laugh before drinking another glass of bhaang.

Shivaay rushed and carried Anika away, before she drank more bhaang and Om shook his head and carried Gauri in his arms before she created any more ruckus.

As he carried her in his arms, she slowly wrapped her hands around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.]

Gauri: (Drunk) Aap baal baandhna chod dijiye, aap khule Baal mein jyaada acche lagte hai

Om: Chup! Tumhe andaaza bhi hai tumne kitni pi rakhi hai?

Gauri: (Crying) A-aap daat kyun rahe Hai? Hum itne acche hai, Aur aap daat rahe Hai hume?!

Om: (Silent)

Gauri: Hum aapse baat Karr rahe Hai! Baat suniye!

[Om dropped Gauri on the couch, and she started crying.

Again.]

Om: (Irritated) Ab Kya hua?!

[Gauri stood on the couch, trying to balance herself, and then crying before making another speech.

How the hell did Om put up with her?!]

Gauri: Hey bhagwaan! Main aapke paas aa rahi hoon! Iss zaalim aadmi ke saath rehne se behtar hoga ki hum aapke paas aa jaaye!

Om: Ho gaya tumhaara?

Gauri: Aapko ee sab majaak lag raha hai ka?

Om: (Giving her yogurt) Yeh lo, yeh khao

Gauri: Nahi! Hume kuch nahi chahiye!

Om: Chup chaap baitho! Chalo! Bahut ho gaya!

[Gauri obediently sat down and Om sat besides her, and fed her a spoon of yogurt, hoping it would tone down her intoxication.

As he fed her, he noticed a bit of yogurt left besides her mouth, and gently wiped it off with his bare hands. By the time Om placed the bowl back on the table and turned around, Gauri had already fallen asleep.

Om smiled to himself and gently picked Gauri up, taking her to her room, and placing her on the bed, before pulling the blanket over her.

Om didn't want to leave, for some reason. He still didn't understand why he was liking her, despite the fact that doing so would only end up in heartbreak

Om stood up, to walk downstairs but felt a tug on his arm. He turned to find Gauri's hand gripping his arm lightly, like she wanted him to stay.

He wanted to stay, but he knew he couldn't. He had to make sure his emotions didn't take over his senses.

With her heavy heart, he moved her hand away, and walked out the room.

He couldn't get close to her, because things wouldn't get good.

For either of them.

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