SHOT ONE
Gauri juggled between the kitchen, the display counter and the payment desk, it was the early morning rush in her bakery just like everyday but she was doing everything with extra enthusiasm today ... its her birthday. She has served coffee with muffins and cookies to every service person stopping by, all the freshly baked bread is sold out ... the school going kids have come to purchase biscuits and cream rolls. Everything is functioning smoothly.
And binged her phone. It was her sister Anika who had reminded her that she had to deliver a red velvet cake to Omkara Singh Oberoi's studio apartment. As far as Gauri knew, Anika had told her that Omkara was not a fan of sweets ... but she realized it was something really special when Anika asked her to ice a "Will you marry me? on it instead of a birthday or anniversary wish.
Gauri did not know much about Omkara, just that he is Jahnvi Aunty's son . ... Anika excitedly kept chirping about everyone in the Oberoi family ... enjoying her time of working with them. As the morning service at the bakery got finished ... she instructed her assistant dandi to take care of the place and customers for a while because she had to deliver the cake and before that she had to change her flour adorning clothes.
With a gentle knock on the door ... Gauri tapped her foot nervously. Looking at the cake box in her hand. She did various kind of orders when it came to cakes, pastries, puffs and rolls but never she did a delivery and that was what she was going right now standing in front of the door of his studio apartment and why? Because Anika had insisted to do so. She tried to calm herself down ... after all its just a cake, she is just delivering it and he is just a man. A very handsome man indeed ... her heart thumped reminding her.
"Hey ... I was expecting you sooner. Omkara said opening the door and Gauri stared at him with the innocent eyes of a child. He is so tall. Extra tall.
"Should I be sorry about it? Gauri asked cutely ... giving it a thought.
"No ... just come on in. He smiled and moved aside to welcome her.
"Hmmm... I just came to give this cake. She said handing over the box to him.
"Yeah ... but I think we will have to talk ... please, I will not take much time. He insisted and she had to step in.
"She looked around the unclean place. She could see half molded clay and dry clay too. Embossed sheets of foil, carved wood, sculptors, paintings, books ... Scattered pens, pencils, brushes and paint cans. The room looked attractive in a very disorganized manner.
"I will arrange stuff here as soon as I find some time. He explained to her eyesight of a cleanliness inspector.
"I bet I create more hassle with flour, sugar and baking powder. I know how things can get out of control. Both of them chuckled.
"Can you show me around. She asked.
"Yes ... definitely. He walked ahead to unwrap his canvases.
He kept explaining to her the concept of each painting and she observed his strokes and even the way he spoke. He was all about expression. Art.
"Hey I like ... what you are wearing with your bangles. He complimented the pompoms and the tassles.
"Your shirt looks good too. She complimented in return feeling so victorious. She really liked his red and black checkered shirt and she is going to find herself something similar.
"Now will you please tell me ... what is so important for you to talk to me about it? Gauri asked after almost half an hour of what seemed like art tutoring.
"Have a seat ... I will be back. Omkara said and tuned to make some coffee for both of them. Returning with two cups ... he saw her sitting on one of his sculptor table with a paintbrush in one hand and a pencil in another. Making both the things fight. She is such an adorable baby. Looking at him she kept both the things aside and waited for him to speak.
"Why did you invite me in? She asked curiously. He kept aside both the cups and opened the box of the red velvet cake and showed it to her.
"Will you marry me? What she iced on the cake was felt more like a question now.
"Yeah, I wrote it ... see this is good handwriting, I know this sounds odd for a cake but Anika told me you wanted it so ... and this cake tastes good. Nobody is going to dislike it. I am telling you ... I also take orders, cake... pastry ... buns ... bread. Tell me. Omkara sighed as she blabbered whatever came in her mind.
"I am asking you ... Miss Gauri Sharma ... WILL YOU MARRY ME? He said in a very serious and straightforward tone towering her with his hands crossed on his chest.
"You said what??? Gauri shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"I technically proposed you young woman, now I need an answer. He leaned onto her holding the sides of the table.
"Is this a prank, I know people are hiding here ... or are there cameras. Everyone is going to laugh at me. She complained with moist eyes.
"Relax Gauri ... I am very serious ... and I can explain the back story. Omkara consoled wiping the a single tear from her eyelid.
"Go on. She snapped and looked away. Really not able to understand of what the hell was going on!
"Anika works with my mother ... in a consultancy firm. He began.
"I know! She spoke in a shout of a whisper because if this would end silly ... she knew she was going to cry and he was going to get a good jhaap.
"My mom saw your photograph ... in her phone on some work day. He continued.
"We both share the same blood mister ... she is my sister. Gauri was getting annoyed.
"Yeah ... and my mother asked to your sister if you would like to marry me. Omkara completed.
"So your mom wants that I become your wife ... like we come a couple ... like Mr. And Mrs. Oberoi? Gauri asked thinking deeply.
"Yes Gauri ... everything like that. He confirmed.
"Just by looking at a photograph? Gauri became doubtful.
"Yup, even my Dadi liked you ... both my women said that you can be the right person to be my wife ... and I trust their choice. Omkara trusted their experience.
"And you want to marry me? Gauri asked with an astonished raised brow.
"Well ... I have been thinking about it ... so yes.
"What if I don't want to ... what if I say no ... What if I say that I have a boyfriend? Gauri enquired every possibility.
"It's okay if you don't want to ... I will be fine if you do not accept me and for that matter I know you do not have a boyfriend. Omkara was very well prepared.
"Anika told you everything right? Gauri spoke with a slight blush.
"Yes, you are the only person my whole family keeps talking about for more than a week now and they tease the hell out of me. I know your favorite fragrance, I know that you want to go to udaipur for a holiday and I know that your favorite color is yellow but trust me red will suit you more. She was amazed. This man had studied her.
"You will not feel bad if I say no? Not even a little bit? Gauri felt sad ... yeah he was telling her that he wants to spend a lifetime with her but it felt so different.
"Yes ...even now I am feeling many things standing here with you and I am going to feel many things if you deny me but I am very choosy about what I let the other person know when it comes to my emotions and what is more important is that you don't have to feel any pressure. Omkara said comforting her.
"Omkara ... you really want to marry me? Gauri was not able to believe his proposal.
"YES.
"Why?
"Because you are a beautiful woman Gauri, you give me a lot of positive vibes... and meeting you I realize that you have a lot of patience ... you can bear with me ... I know, even if we don't get married we can be good friends. He said trusting her.
"I felt so good that you talked to me about this ... but how come Anika has been tight lipped in front of me for so long? Gauri asked him.
"I had asked her to ... because I wanted to meet you and talk to you and about her secrecy ... she is planning a big surprise party for tonight and she has instructed me that even if we have talked about our future plans ... we ought to act surprised. He chuckled.
"You considered me Omkara ... you thought so much about me ... a genuine man like you is worth my efforts ... even I am feeling that we can be good together. She said admiring him.
"Thank you Gauri ... He said embracing her lovingly.
"You are such a sweet heart. She said giggling in his chest.
"I am a possessive man Gauri ... and I really like you ... I want you to be in my life. He said caressing her hair.
"And for that you make me bake a cake on my birthday and make me write that if I will marry you! She laughed quizzically.
"Anika said you liked red velvet. Omkara began scratching his head.
"I do ... I do... She nodded her head.
"So... He smiled at her
"So... She smiled at him
"Happy birthday Gauri.
Edited by Cinnamon_Kisses - 7 years ago
