Chapter 3 : A Sweet Tsunami

“Gauri, here’s a towel, brush, soap, shampoo. You take a shower I will go change too.” Anika said, laying out all the necessities on the bed for her.

Gauri smiled, eyeing Anika. “God, you give me married women feels. Anyway, where is Jiju?” She asked.

Anika looked up at her smiling. “Must be busy with some business call.”

“So boring! He definitely gets negative points for not welcoming me!” Gauri mumbled unzipping her luggage.

Anika giggled. “Wear something decent and be downstairs for dinner!”

“What do you mean by wear something decent! Not that I plan to wear a bikini,” Gauri chuckled.

Anika shook her head. “Don’t you think Masters has given you even bigger wings and still bolder mouth?”

“Do you like it, baby?” Gauri asked grinning smugly. She loved how Anika got easily flustered with all the cheesy, girly and bold talk.

“What did you do to my Gauri?” Anika asked shaking her head.

“Your Gauri is still here!” Gauri spoke jumping off the bed to hug Anika.

“I missed you!” Anika muttered hugging her tightly.

“I know madam,” Gauri spoke pulling away, looking at her.

“What?” Anika asked raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing! I just can’t believe I am back here. Feels like home.” Gauri sighed giving her another squeeze hug.

Anika smiled giving her hand a light squeeze. “Freshen up!”

---

Gauri walked down the corridor talking to Mrs Talwar, Anika’s sweet mother, who she fondly addressed as Mother India. That name was totally apt for her. Gauri would never be enough thankful for what Mrs. Talwar had done for her. She was no less than a mother for her. “Yes, Mother India the flight was good. No, we haven’t had dinner, I am just waiting for your darling daughter. Nah, haven’t met Jiju yet.”

“Finally, Anika!” Gauri’s voice made the couple look towards the other end of the passageway.

“Talk to you later, Mother India. Love you and take care!” Gauri said quickly ending the call, looking forward to meet the man who had managed to swipe Anika off her feet.

Gauri walked forward her eyes drifting momentarily to notice the almost zero gap between them. She smiled, noticing their hands brushing as they walked down the corridor. Seemingly it wasn’t a one sided case of being doomed.

Gauri’s sharp gaze noticed how Anika became conscious stepping ahead quickly holding Gauri’s hand for no apparent reason and pulling her closer. “Gauri this is..”

Gauri smiled. “Your sweetheart husband!” Gauri completed grinning taking in the appearance of the man who passed her a formal smile.

Anika’s cheeks went pink at Gauri’s phrase, however, she distracted herself from it, looking at Shivaay she spoke, “Meet Gauri!”

“Hi!” Shivaay acknowledged.

“Hello Jiju, you’ve already got negative points. One for not waiting for me to arrive to witness your wedding. Two, for not welcoming me.”

“Oh!” Shivaay muttered amusingly. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Very bad!” Gauri told him putting up a serious expression.

“How do I make it up then?” He asked evidently amused.

“Well, we’ll find a way. But, right now I think I need food to function normally.” Gauri said glancing at Anika.

Anika chuckled, “otherwise madam will go in hangry zombie mode.”

“Like you go in hangry Hitler mode!” Gauri gave back.

“Anika and Hitler no way!” Shivaay spoke as they climbed down the stairs.

Gauri turned to look at him, “Jiju, you barely know her. I have known this idiot for a long time now. Trust me…Hitler!” Gauri said confidently.

“I quite don’t like how you address my wife, time and again.” Shivaay spoke smiling.

“God, such a Joru-ka-Gulaam!” Gauri remarked, he was definitely as likeable as Anika had described him.

“Me? No way!” Shivaay replied quickly. What was with Omkara and now this Gauri giving him that tag!

Anika smiled walking behind the two.

“So, it’s Romeo syndrome!” Gauri nodded understandingly.

“You make no sense!” Shivaay spoke pulling a chair for Anika. Gauri quickly sat on it purposefully concealing her grin. He most obviously noticed but didn’t react.

“Come on sit, Anika!” Gauri told pulling the chair beside the one she sat on. Anika turned back to find Pinky taking the other chair beside her while Shivaay looked on. He walked around the table and sat beside Rudra, directly opposite to Anika.

Pinky introduced Gauri to Shakti. Soon all the conversation was centered on Gauri.

Anika made a face as she saw the fried potatoes mixed with ladyfingers. Pinky definitely loved ladyfingers! Luckily for her, Gauri caught her staring with distaste and quickly fished out the pieces of the green vegetable and put it into her plate while putting the pieces of potatoes from her plate into Anika’s plates. Anika smiled and looked up to find the other family members staring at the two.

Gauri looked up and noticed the others staring. “Anika doesn’t like bhindi, I don’t like aloo. So we generally trade!” She smiled proudly.

“How will she get fiber and you get carbs then?” Pinky asked not liking the exchange.

“Arey, Aunty, there are other veggies to take care of that. By the way, this dal is amazing. Have you ……” Gauri went on while Anika happily ate the potatoes while Gauri kept her mother-in-law distracted. Shivaay smiled adoring Gauri. She was a total charmer in the room.

“Shivaay,” Anika looked up pointing to the hotpot placed beside his arm, “please, pass…” His immediate smirk and cock of a brow made her stop abruptly. He smiled picking up the hotpot opening it for her. She quickly took a roti, trying to hide her smile.

Gauri was very observantly watching the whole exchange amused. “Are these two always like this?” Gauri asked looking at Shivaay then Anika. Having their full attention, now.

“Always like—retro romance you mean?” Rudra chuckled.

Gauri snapped her fingers excitedly, “Right! The meeting of the eyes and then that goofy smile!”

“Shut up, Gauri!” Anika muttered glaring at her.

Gauri grinned, “madam’s all shy!” Anika covered her face looking away. Shivaay silently chuckled gazing fondly at his wife. He had signed up for a confident, independent thinker kind of woman, didn’t have an idea she’d be so easily flustered on being teased about romance. Nonetheless, he was enjoying her diffidence. He smiled at Gauri who winked at him. He broke into a silent chuckle at that. Gauri was definitely something!

---

Shivaay had thought he could team up with Gauri to have fun teasing Anika. He was so wrong. Gauri was like a tsunami wave, aiming at everyone sparing no one, not even his dad. Suddenly, the whole household was laughing and celebrating.

“Okay, so, I think it’s pretty late!” He spoke sitting up straight on the couch.

“Yeah, I need sleep!” Rudra yawned getting on his feet. “Good night Gauri di and fellow Oberois!”

“Yeah, even I am tired,” Pinky spoke. “Good night. Anika, just make sure Gauri has everything she needs and is comfortable.” Anika nodded as Pinky lovingly patted her before making way to her room with Shakti following her suite.

Shivaay got on his feet his eyes meeting Anika’s. He winked and she hurriedly looked away as though she wasn’t even looking at him.

“Good night Jiju!” Gauri wished, waving at him.

“Yeah, good night.” he wished waiting for Anika.

“She’s sleeping with me!” Gauri declared finding amusement looking at Shivaay’s bafflement. “What! Why are you staring at me like that? I am here after two years. She’s obviously sleeping with me. We have a lot to catch up on.”

Shivaay sighed, disheartened, “You must be tired after the flight. Take rest, today. You can catch up with Anika tomorrow!” He said decisively rather than suggesting, moving his hand to hold Anika’s.

“Can’t stay away huh, Jiju?” Gauri asked teasingly pulling Anika’s other hand.

“Hey, She’s my wife. So she should sleep with me.”

“So? Come on, I am not taking her away forever. Just one night!”

“You’re very annoying!” Shivaay stated not willing to leave Anika’s hand. Anika simply drew her lips into a straight line wondering which of the two would win.

“Jiju, telling your Saali she’s annoying is the best way to make her your nemesis.”

“Okay, fine. Sleep with her! But—give me five minutes to wish a good night.”

“You need five minutes to say two words?” Gauri asked arching her brow and folding her hands. She was having so much fun.

“yeah, now shoo..” he said.

“What shoo?” Gauri held back her smile.

“Go away, give us some privacy!” Shivaay explained stepping closer to Anika who was now staring at him with wide eyes.

“No way! Wish her like normal people…” Gauri continued. Oh, she was so loving this.

“You know what, she needs to change also. So she’ll meet you in ten minutes!” Saying that he pulled Anika, on second thoughts, he lifted her up in bridal style.

“Shivaay!” She gasped as he walked up the stairs.

“Your Gauri is a troublemaker!” he muttered.

“Put me down I can walk..” Anika uttered flushed. There was no way she’s ever going to hear the end of Gauri teasing her about this.

“I know you can… I need to let Gauri know that if she is going to keep you away from me I am not going to back off. I have my ways!” He winked. Anika’s lips curved into a wide smile and she hid her face in his chest.

---

“Anika, you’re happy now?” Gauri asked as she folded her clothes, while Anika sat on the bed.

“Yeah!” She replied with a smile. “I am really sorry, I couldn’t make it to your wedding.”

“Gauri, it’s not your fault. I also just had like four hours to prepare for it. Everything happened so quickly.”

Gauri smiled sitting on the bed. “Must have been terrible to have a death in the family soon after your wedding.”

Anika nodded, “I am just happy that Daadi attended our wedding before leaving us all. And, I got to wear mom’s lehenga.”

“You looked absolutely pretty!” Gauri complimented, Anika’s wedding pictures very vivid in her memory. She noticed how Anika became a little emotional.

“Now, tell me about you and Shivaay. He seems to be as smitten as you are.”

Anika smiled, “He’s a nice person!”

Gauri shook her head. “Come on tell me about the other stuff you know.” Gauri waggled her brows suggestively.

Anika shifted uncomfortably, “We’ve just kissed!”

“Anika, please, you really think I am going to buy that. It’s coming to be almost a month to your wedding and you’re telling me that you both have only got to kissing.” Gauri exclaimed laying on the bed popping a strawberry into her mouth.

“Seriously!” Anika answered.

“Come on, you’ve known him for months. And I definitely count your marriage as love. So there has to be more than just kissing.” Gauri pointed out.

“It was very much arranged.” Anika answered.

“Yes, it was an arranged marriage but then you called it off. Then weeks later you eventually agreed to marry him, that is definitely best described as love marriage!”

“It wasn’t love marriage. It was just—I don’t know what to even call it—just that feeling that you were letting go, someone, you could have a strong connection with.”

Gauri’s lips curled up, she turned to face Anika, “So the connection hasn’t been established yet?” She asked cheekily, wondering if Anika even caught the innuendo.

Anika rolled her eyes to see Gauri’s waggling eyebrows. “Shut up!” Anika rebuked.

“He’s totally into you!” Gauri muttered putting her head back on the pillow.

Anika sat up and took a strawberry from the box that Gauri had brought. “What’s up with you, you can’t be looking that hot and not have boys around your finger.” Anika said shifting the discussion to Gauri.

Gauri chuckled, “I don’t want a relationship. I am happy with myself.”

Anika smiled, “I used to live with that motto too!”

“And one look at Jiju and your motto was out of the planet!” Gauri giggled.

“Shut up!” Anika murmured, blushing.

“Oh my God, madam is in blush mode.” Gauri teased looking at Anika keenly.

“Umm, Gauri,” Anika said a little uneasily.

Gauri noticed the sudden drop of confidence in Anika’s manner, “Tell me, I am listening.”

“Nothing, let’s sleep.” Anika dismissed.

Gauri sat up holding her hand, “Is everything okay? You know, right, you can tell me.” She watched Anika wondering what was bothering her.

“It’s overwhelming!” Anika sighed.

“What is so overwhelming?” Gauri asked looking at her observantly.

Anika looked at her uncomfortably. “When he comes close.” She breathed out.

Gauri silently waited for her to go on.

“I mean, I like him and everything. It’s just that when I think of opening up to him completely… it’s just scary.”

“You trust him, right?” Gauri asked slightly confused. She wasn’t expecting Anika to be so doubtful about Shivaay after everything.

“I do!” Anika’s reply was swift.

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem. Trust me initially you feel that weirdness. But in minutes it leaves. The first time is, well, painful and embarrassing at times, but after that, trust me, you’ll be the one wanting for more!”

Anika blushed hearing it.

“Come on, Anika. You are married, he’s your husband, he surely likes you a lot, and perhaps even loves you. I am not asking you to go ahead and do it right away. No. But don’t resist whatever comes naturally. It’s nothing to be scared of.”

“You are of no better help than mumma!” Anika muttered.

Gauri giggled thoughtfully. “I have an idea, that can help you.”

“What?”

“You should initiate!”

“What! Gauri are you listening? I can’t keep up with his advances and you are telling me to initiate!” Anika exclaimed horrified.

“Yeah, you start initiating. You know the peck on the cheek, winking at him when no one’s looking. Not just smiling and staring, a little more than that. Even initiating a proper mouth kiss. It’s going to help you be comfortable around him. Trust me, that gives some serious confidence boost!”

“No way! He’s too intimidating. No, no, no!” Anika muttered shaking her head dismissively.

“Yes, yes, yes! You’re doing that. In fact, I will help you with it. We’ll begin our mission tomorrow. Let’s sleep!” Gauri said excitedly.

“Gauri, I think you left your brain behind at Philippines!” Anika mumbled.

“Shut up fatty!” Gauri muttered making herself comfortable on the bed.

“I am not fat!” Anika spoke picking up the box of strawberries.

“Fine, we’ll find a new name for you. Maybe, Blushy!”

Anika rolled her eyes. Muttering “Shut up!” she got on her feet.

“I think Jiju may like that name too!” Gauri grinned.

“Stop it Jiju ki Saali! Sleep.” Anika replied wearing her slippers.

“Where are you going?” Gauri asked frowning.

“To keep these in the fridge. They’ll rot here and there will be mosquitoes.”

“Lazy bee has learned how to do work!” Gauri commented. “Marriage is working its wonder on you lazy bee!”

“Gauri, shut up or I will seriously kick you out of the bed at night!”

“Do you do that to Jiju as well?” Gauri asked teasingly.

“Sleep Gauri!” She muttered walking out of the room.

---

Anika stepped out of the attached bathroom of her room, peeping around. There was no Shivaay but there was Gauri seated on the bed flipping through some magazine. She looked pretty in a yellow top and jeans. It was like Gauri was growing younger with days. She looked like a college girl, maybe that was one of the perks of having a short height.

Gauri looked up when she heard Anika step out. She looked at her analytically, from head to toe.

“What?” Anika exclaimed looking at her clothes—a black legging with a blue kurti.

“Whose going to say you’re newly married if you dress like that?” Gauri asked frowning.

“What nonsense!” Anika exclaimed.

“Come on, blushy! You need to feel sexy in order to be confident with a man. You can’t feel sexy in a loose kurti and legging. Poor Jiju, he gets no treat for his eyes!”

“Yuck Gauri! You also left your mouth filter behind in the Philippines!”

“Anika, this is not going to work. You’re getting out of those clothes right now. I understand that you strongly believe in what people are on the inside not what they appear outside. But one has to like what he looks on the outside in order to be confident from inside.” Gauri spoke getting off the bed, quickly shutting the door of the room and locking it while Anika looked on skeptically.

“Which is your cupboard?” Gauri inquired.

“Gauri, please, these are really comfy and it’s a Saturday, anyway.”

“Gives you all the more reason to look sexy. Which one?”

Anika let out an exasperated sigh leading Gauri to her closet. She opened it and stood with folded arms while Gauri went through her dresses. “There is no way Mother India wouldn’t have packed sexy stuff!” Gauri said to herself but loud enough for Anika to hear.

Anika sighed as Gauri picked out a sleeveless red tunic, with a sweetheart-neck. “And I was right!” Gauri declared, smiling victoriously, handing it to Anika.

Gauri pulled out a pair of jeggings. Anika hadn’t even worn that once. “Gauri no! I don’t like them. They are super tight.”

“Excellent! Wear them!”

“Gauri, this is really inappropriate to wear.”

“We are in the twenty-first-century where women wear crop tops and ripped shorts. This is very appropriate comparatively. Now, do you want me to help you get out of your clothes as well?”

“How do you manage to be so annoying?” Anika asked snatching the jeggings from her.

“Where are you going?” Gauri asked.

“To Mars!” Anika replied.

“Just change here…”

“No!” Anika muttered.

Gauri sighed, “Are you all commando?”

“What does that even mean?”

Gauri couldn’t believe Anika asked that, nonetheless she replied, “That you don’t have your undies on!”

“Eww…”

“Then change here?” Gauri suggested.

“No,”

“Look, I am going to close my eyes okay? You can’t change in front of me then how on earth will you … you get the point right?” Gauri asked taking a deep breath. She was never like Anika was now, when she was a virgin. If anything, she was excited about it. Anika seemed to be a lost cause!

Anika quickly changed and she also caught Gauri opening her eyes to peep at her.

“You need better bras!” Gauri remarked with a grin.

“Gauri, try going on mute!” Anika scowled.

Gauri grinned wider, she needed to be cheeky around Anika so that Anika could shed her shyness. Oh, it was going to be an interesting day after all!

---

“Zoya!” Omkara muttered on the phone, opening his eyes.

“Wake up Mr. Omkara Oberoi. I am so glad I decided to call. Remember you are there for work!”

Omkara sat up with a small yawn. He was up last night indulging in some great foreplay with a gorgeous woman, whose name he couldn’t recollect.

“Please don’t tell me, you are having a hangover right now!” Zoya exclaimed from the other end.

“Okay, I won’t!” Omkara mumbled getting off the bed.

“How much time is the meeting in, again?”

He heard Zoya’s long deep breath. “Thirty, damn minutes. I don’t know why I thought you’d actually be serious about this one.”

“Hey, I was serious. Just that I met this really gorgeous woman last night, and—”

“Stop, I don’t care. Omkara, get your ass off the bed and shower. I will have breakfast sent to your room in ten minutes.”

Omkara held the phone away from his ear. Sometimes she left him wondering who was the boss. He ended the call without saying anything. He let out a deep breath, and looked around his empty hotel room. He quickly got up and made his way to the bathroom.