"Hey!" She was greeted by Omkara, as soon as he opened the door.

"Hi!" She muttered walking in. It was around seven in the evening.

Their was an awkward silence between them. Gauri took a deep breath and glanced at him. He seemed lost in his thoughts as he sat back on the chair, his laptop open upon the dining table.

"Om," she called softly.

He slowly looked up and turned to her. "Yeah?"

She walked up to where he sat. She stood a little more than a foot away from his chair, by the dining table. "Are you mad at me?" She asked softly.

"No!" He answered without a thought. "Why would I be angry at you, Gauri? I am just... trying to absorb it. I mean..." he paused staring away into empty space. Gauri quietly dragged a chair and sat on it, facing him.

He looked up at the sound. His gaze pierced into hers. "Are you okay?" He asked, feeling something off. 

"Yeah," she nodded, "I was just, thinking about it. And, I am sorry. I should have told you before the marriage. And honestly, it crossed my mind many times. But I chose to not tell you, Omkara. I know... it was selfish of me. But," she looked away blinking her tears, her fingers forming a fist around the fabric of her kurti. "I... I didn't want you to... reject me." She completed, hanging her head down in shame.

Omkara blinked looking at her. It was bittersweet. Bitter because she put herself before him. Sweet because, she didn't want to lose him to anything. "Gauri, you really think I wouldn't have chosen you?" He asked quietly.

She glanced at him defeated.

"Gauri," he said and then closed his mouth wondering what words would make her understand better. "You mean the world to me, Gauri. I don't see how anything can change that. I love you. I am sorry, if I have made you feel that you are just another option to me. No, you're not an option, Gauri. You are what I need. You make me a happy man. Gauri, I love you. You are like my other half. How can I not love you?"

Gauri's lips slowly moved to form a heartfelt smile. The amount of efforts he put, the sincerity in his words and the love in his eyes, it all made Gauri feel alive again. "Thank you!" She said overwhelmed.

Omkara's lips slowly formed a smile. "You know, I ... I did want to have kids, our kids. "

Gauri's smile wavered.

"But, Gauri, more than anything I want to grow old with you by my side. I want you to be my companion and home. I know it isn't going to be easy. I know there will be more challenges along the way. I know my past is a bummer to our relationship. I know we've both made mistakes. But, I am tired Gauri. Tired of struggling alone. Let's battle everything together, okay? I know, it's easier said. But, let's, please try..."

Gauri smiled through teary eyes, nodding affirmatively. "We will!"

He held her hand and Gauri took the cue and stood up from the chair moving closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder while his arms snaked around her waist. She pressed he rchin gently against his hair. Tears from her eyes rolled down her face and fell on his hair. 'I promise,Om, I won't hurt you.' Gauri said in her mind, making a promise to herself. She wouldn't repeat what she had done with her baby. She won't give up. She will fight whatever comes her way and be the home that can keep him safe and in love.

"Aren't you hungry?" He said pulling his face away from her abdomen, tilting his head to look up at her. His hands smoothly settled on her waist.

"I am, let's have an early dinner today!" She said with a smile, unable to keep her fingers from fiddling with his hair that loomed over his forehead. 

He smiled watching her as her fingers slowly started pushing his hair back. He was glad that he wasn't the only one who wanted to stay like that for a few more minutes. 

"Do you even cut your hair?" She asked,her gaze meeting his eyes.

"Jut go for trim. To you know, keep them sexy!" He winked.

Gauri's lips formed into a wide smile, adoring her husband. The pad of her thumbs started aimlessly moving over his forehead.

Omkara closed his eyes, locking his arms around her. "That feels good!" He murmured referring to her fingertips that caressed his forehead. 

"Hmm," Gauri agreed, gently caressing his eyes. Those thick eyebrows and dark eyelashes. She leaned closer and kissed his forehead. Just like he did more than often, these days.

Omkara slowly opened his eyes while  a smile blossomed on his face. "Sometimes, I feel like I am in a dream."

"Me too!" She said laying another kiss, this time on his temple.

"How about waffles after dinner?"

Gauri's face lit up. "Definitely, but so far I haven't really found the best kind of waffles in this city!"

"Oh, I know just the place!"

"Cool then let's have dinner, first." Gauri said giving him the cue to unwrap his arms. 

"I don't feel like leaving!" He said with a gentle curve of lips.

"Then don't, so what if we both remain hungry and have to cancel waffle plans!" Gauri remarked smartly with the hint of a smile.

Omkara chuckled, unwrapping his arms. "You're playing a me on me!"

Gauri shrugged with a winning smile, "You were being like me."

"Well, a more civilized version of you." He pointed out. "Remember the time, you literally slept on me so that I don't get off the bed?"

"Well, that... I don't remember!" Gauri said, dismissing it although she had immediately recollected the memory. Well, she used to be a stubborn girlfriend!

"Liar!" Omkara accused following her into the kitchen.

* * *

Gauri leaned agaisnt Omkara's arm as they sat watching the Worli-Bandra Sea Link bridge that looked like a huge tail set on fire with all the headlights of the cars zooming over. 

"That was the most delicious waffle I have had in a really long time."

Omkara smiled, "You know when I returned from the States, I had to literally eat at some thirty different cafes to find the kind of waffles we both love."

Gauir smiled. "I am glad that you brought me here. Let's make this our new go to spot."

Omkara chuckled, "Sure thing!"

"Om,"

"Hmm,"

"What if we didn't meet again?"

Omkara glanced at her with a solemn expression.

"I mean, just a what if..." she shrugged her shoulders, thoughtfully.

"Then, I think I would be living everyday trying to convince myself, lie to myself that I am happy."

Gauri's expressions turned sour at that. 

"What about you?" He asked gazing at her.

"I would be happy... but not...this." she said honestly.

"You had really moved on?" He asked. It did make him a little surprised that she was happy without him. He had tried looking for happiness too. But the kind of happy he was without Gauri was very shallow. It wasn't a true happiness. It was just a facade to convince himself that he was happy.

Gauri looked away at the dark waters. "I don't know. Sometimes you just have to live life, it's like you have no other option. So better find all the tiny reasons to be happy and ignore the missing pieces of your heart." She glanced at him with a forced smile.

He threw his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close to himself. He kissed her hair. Gauri smiled loving his silent rreassurance. Her arm curving around his abdomen. Maybe, she could be full again like the moon. Maybe they could be happy again and this time forever.

* * *

"Omkara!" Gauri shouted charging behind him, running out of the room.

He laughed running away. They dodged around the dining table. 

"That's such a horrible drawing of me!" She exclaimed disappointed.

"That my dear wife, is the truth. You sleep like that. Look at poor me." Omkara said holding out his drawing book. "And come on, let Shivaay have some fun!"

"No, you're not going to send that to him. Omkara, I have reputation to maintain." 

"Fine, I won't. But I have ome condition."

"Yes to everything!" Gauri said hurriedly.

"Really?" Omkara smiled with amusement. "Anything?"

Gauri nodded confidently. She really didn't have to worry. Omkara could barely make her do anything she didn't want to. He was also not into kink as far as she knew. So nothing could be worse than giving her Jiju a drawing of her that he would tease her with.

"Fine, you have to strip for me!" Omkara said with a smirk, folding his arms. 

"You're kidding!" Gauri muttered stumped at his demand.

"Come on, you said yes!"

"Jeez!" Gauir exclaimed, "Where's my civil, cute, adorable, sweet, kind boyfriend?"

Omkara grinned ear to ear at the words she used for him.

"Well, let's just say he's become smarter with time!"

"Om, please. Come on destroy that piece of paper and delete that picture you took of it." 

"Dear wife, you're taking me too easy. Do what I said or let me take my brother's side." Omkara grinned looking at her with challenging eyes.

Gauri narrowed her eyes at him and ran around the table to get him he quickly ran towards the sofa. She was smart and grabbed the book. 

"Gauri, you'll tear it!" He warned.

He quickly raised his hand holding the book, out of her reach. Gauri jumped to get a hold on the book. He laughed at her attempts. She made a desperate attempt again, fisting his shirt in one hand and stretching her other arm to reach the book. 

Omkara dropped the book on the single seater sofa and grabbed her by the waist putting her down on the couch, hovering over her. 

"Om!" She gasped and her cheeks flamed up burning under his piercing gaze. Omkara captured her lips, igniting a passionate kiss. 

Gauri loved how hot she felt. Her hands that were on his shoulder, clutching on to the shirt, moved to the back of his neck. She responded hungrily to that kiss. Ever since that troublesome night they had kept their lips parched, away from the other. 

Omkara broke away breathing heavily. Only she could kiss him like that. He smiled, steering the hair off her face. He desperately wanted to make love to her. Feel her again. Feel their breaths and body mingle in the most intimate way to be one again. "Gauri, I--"

His sentence was broken by a loud rattle of the door. Their eyes widened looking at each other. Omkara quickly pulled away and Gauri struggled to sit up. The door opened as sooms as their gazes reached the door.

"Hi!" Anika said loudly, keys dangling in her hands. Shivaay entered behind her looking amused. 

"Hi!" Gauri said trying he best to not look flustered or like a criminal caught in he act.

"What, you are not surprised?" Anika asked puzzled. Shivaay caught the look on their face and the quick exchange of their look. Damn, seemed like they had a little bad timing. 

"Not the right, time?" He asked amused. 

"No, no." Gauri said standing up from the couch, "I mean, wow. I am just shocked. Didn't expect you.." she tried her best to smile, running one hand through her hair.

"Yeah, exactly," Omkara added.

"See told you!" Anika said turning to her husband. 

"But you know it could have also given us a heart attack if you just appeared inside the house out if nowhere." Gauri added with a timid laugh, fidgeting with her fingers.

"Well, anyways, so what were you guys upto?" Shivaay asked amused folding his arms, wearing a smug grin. He wiggled his eyes brows looking at Omkara.

"We were... we were...talking." Gauri said. "About lunch. Discus8what we should make."

"Right," Shivay said holding back his smile. Anika looked awkwardly. 

"How come you decided to surprise us?" Omkara asked,  tossing a sugar coated smile af Shivaay.

"Oh, we thought we could you know join you two for a nice Sunfay lunch."

"Yeah, and food you guys haven't got to cooking, we bought some amazing food." Anika added walking upto the dining table.

"Wow, smells good what is it?" Gauri asked following her.

"Talking? Really?" Shivaay whispered looking at Omkara. 

'Shut up' Omkara mouthed.

"Sorry," Shivaay muttered with a small chuckle.

"What's thi?" He named picking up the book from the single seater sofa.

Omkara quickly snatched it from his hand, "that is my stuff!" He said with a smile.

"Never seen you be so possessive about your art." Shivaay pointed out observing his brother closely. 

"It's... personal." Omkara reasoned.

"Damn, is that some kink?" Shivaay asked amused.

"Shut up!" Omkara said turning to the ladies. "Excuse me!" He said to his brother and disappeared into the room, while Shivaay had a heart filled laughter. 

Lunch was a fun affair. After lunch, they all sat comfortably in the living hall talking about random things and sharing about their lives.

"Anika," Shivaay said suddenly, seemingly prompting her.

"Right! So we came here for a reason." Anika said looking at her husband.

"I am pregnant!" Anika said with a blush, holding Gauri's hands. "We both decided to wait until three months to tell everyone, but we both couldn't just keep it. So we decided to tell you both first."

"Well, I could, but Anika...well, she couldn't!" Shivaay added 

Gauri put a up a bright smile. "That is awesome!" She quickly giggled Anika. 

"Yeah, that's a wonderful news." Omkara gave Shivaay a hug. "You'll make an awesome father." 

Omkara glance at Gauri. They both had quickly figured the poignant smile on the other's face. They settled back on their seat as Anika and Shivaya wne ton to reveal how they just couldn't keep the good news to themself. Omkara slipped his hand, to hold Gauri's. The flare of her dress covering their hands. She looked a little zoned out although she smiled and responded to Anika's excitement. Her fingers curved up around his hand. 

It wasn't that they were not happy for Anika and Shivaay. It was just that fate was rubbing salt on their fresh wounds. 

* * *

"Gauri?" Omkara called entering his room after Shivaay and Anika had left. 

"You okay?" He asked sititng beside her.

"Yeah, I am fine. Anika looked happy." She said with a smile. 

"So did Shivaay." Omkara added.

"Om, I can't give you that happiness. Doesn't it bother you?" She asked exasperated.

"Are we going to do it again?" He sighed. "Look, I understand that it would have been harder on you Gauri. But I think we can be happy with just each other. Like we were. . ."

Gauri smiled, through her sad thoughts. "Thanks!"

He looked up puzzled.

"You didn't show that stupid drawing to Jiju!"

Omkara smiled. "Well, sooner or later you will strip for me. So. . ." 

Gauri laughed turning to hug him. 

He curved his arms around her. His smile slightly faltering. He hoped it only got easier from now on. He held her closer to himself. Gauri seemed to be more affected by it all than she admitted or showed. 

-Anami!♡