Rikara Redux: OS#22 The Letter pg 17 - Page 6

Originally posted by: ...Anabella...

Man this was the best part.. I could feel my heart go thud thud throughout the os.. finally my stalking skills are of some use

Originally posted by: nathalie_rs_

I'm so happy that I came across your Rikara one shots.

I haven't read them yet but I'll definitely do so sometime soon as I'm busy ATM. But thank you so much for writing about Rikara. We hardly ever get the chance to see them on TV so I always look forward to reading the amazing Rikara stories on this forum. Do continue writing.

Thanks again❤️

Hey guys!! I was really nervous writing this one, but I hope I was able to do justice. The song for this one is 'No Promises' by Demi Lovato and Cheat Codes. Do check it out!

Note: Can I just say that July 17th will go down in history as the best RiKara moment till date!!😳 From the chemistry, to the beautiful convo, to the BG music, to the hair compliment, KJ and SP rocked the scene. One month later and their chemistry just screams from the TV screens!!❤️ Big shout out to the CVs for a beautiful start to the RiKara journey. 👏The scene was worth the wait!! Anyone agree?!

On to the update though!

OS#15 The No Pros Only Cons list and Firsties :)

Om sat in the living room of the outhouse waiting anxiously for Gauri to finish her shower. They had become completely drenched outside the restaurant and by the time they reached home, Om was shivering and Gauri was coughing from the cold. He signalled Gauri to change into clean dry clothes before meeting him at the terrace of the Oberoi Mansion, but it turned out that Om had finished his shower by the time Gauri was getting in and so, he ended up wandering over to the outhouse in anticipation for the much needed conversation that they were about to have.

So he had popped the question on instinct.

But he didn't regret it for a minute. He was sure that if it hadn't been for the rain, his mind would have probably forged some other way to corner Gauri and ask her out on the date. And when he did pull her close, look into her eyes and whisper Date' in her ears, he had seen her widen her eyes in shock and then relax in his hold as she considered the idea. So, the Gundi in her wasn't going to come out, he thought and relaxed. They had stood there for what seemed like hours. Gauri contemplating what he said, rather asked, and Om waiting in anxiety for what she would say. He wouldn't admit how much, but he really wished that she would say yes.

She didn't say anything though. She just looked up and Om read the fear, excitement and nervousness in her eyes. Fear of suddenly erasing the lines of friendship that they had built between them and the excitement of exploring this new attraction that had been brewing since the day they met. He knew that she wanted to talk about this, think it through, make sure there were rules, guidelines, ifs' assured, buts' addressed, vagera, vagera.

He hadn't minded, thinking it would be a conversation between two friends about jumping into something that he had proposed on instinct. He knew that though Gauri seemed like a fighter and a bold person on the inside, she was a shy woman on the inside. Dating would be serious and dating a rich' guy like him would be even more scandalous. He didn't know why she put so much thought into it, but that was the way she was: meticulous, cautious, outspoken. He sighed and smiled, hoping for the first time in a long time that this would end well. He hoped that this would be a new start to their relationship that had progressed so beautifully from strangers to companions to friends and now to this.

Gauri was drying her hair with the towel when her mind wandered to the conversation that she was scared to have with Om.

When he had slid his hands on her bare waist in the rain outside the restaurant, her heart beat thinking that this resembled a scene straight out of a movie, the one where in the climax the hero slowly pulls his heroine in to his arms and kisses her light and soft as they continue on to live their happily ever after. She hadn't thought that her best friend would turn out to be the hero from those movies who would pull her in and ask her out on a date in the most romantic way imaginable. So, when he did, she was scared to jump into the happily ever after that seemed way too ideal. She was scared. This would be her first date and her first everything. Did she want to give it to him?

No doubt, she was attracted. Ever since she had caught glimpses of him in the Mansion and occasionally stared when he was not looking, she had known that she was falling for Om, but was it enough to overcome the barriers between them?

She took calculated steps to the living room where Om was. Thankfully, Chachi had gone to a friend's wedding in Pune and Annika had gone with her. The outhouse was empty except for Sahil who sleeping in the adjacent room. They could have this conversation here without any disturbance.

When her eyes met Om's, she gasped at the beauty of the slightly wet dripping hair from his shower and the casual grey pajamas he wore. How could this man always be perfect in everything?

Om took a deep breath, trying not to get distracted by the water dripping from Gauri's hair as she sank into the seat next to him.

"So," he started. "What are you thinking?"

Gauri shrugged with a slight smile on her face. "This is new..." she whispered.

"I know, I was a little scared too."

"You were?"

"Of course I was. I mean things could have gone in a completely different direction if the Gundi in you had flared up at that moment." Om shuddered, having witnessed multiple times now the wrath of this woman.

"I can still kick your butt if it ends badly." Gauri warned, making sure he knew that she shouldn't be taken lightly.

"So you are thinking about it."

Gauri stopped for a moment, took a deep breath and then looked into his eyes. "Yes" she whispered again.

Om smiled.

"But," Gauri continued, wanting to voice her fears. "I have doubts. This is the first time that I'd be-"

"Dating?" Om finished. "Don't worry. This isn't my first time. I'll teach you." Om said to lighten the mood and it worked because he received a smack on his arm from none other than Gundi Gauri. Still, the smile on her face widened.

"I have an idea." Gauri said, having thought about this in the shower. "Why don't we be practical about this and then make an informed decision about whether we should...you know.."

"Date?" Om completed yet again. But this time he was confused. Practical? Where was Gauri going with this?

Gauri stood up from the couch and brought out a piece of paper and pen that left Om even more confused than ever. In all of the times that he had asked someone out, he had never been in this situation. But then never had he asked a girl like Gauri out before.

On the paper she drew a straight line down the middle of the page that tapered to one side at the bottom and then titled each column as Pros' and Cons'. She then turned to the 'Cons' list and wrote 'Friendship'.

"Why is that a con?" Om asked, not understanding. "The fact that we are friends first makes this easier. Put that in the Pros' list."

"If this doesn't end well then I'm scared I will lose your friendship." Gauri explained turning to him.

"That won't happen ever." Om said looking straight into her eyes. "If I have to choose between dating and friendship, I will ALWAYS choose you."

"Promise?" Gauri asked and Om nodded. "Promise"

"What about your status?" Gauri asked, putting 'Rich guy' in the 'Cons' column.

"What about it?" Om asked.

Gauri sighed. They probably got away without addressing the fact that they were economically miles apart when they were friends, but now that they were...discussing this, it was different.

"We can't just ignore the fact that you are part of one of the most famous families in Mumbai and I...am a lower-middle class, college-going, currently homeless girl. What if it..comes in between us?"

Om sighed. "Gauri, I asked you to a date. Not your homelessness, your economic status or your youth. I like you. It didn't matter when we were friends, and it won't matter when we date."

Gauri blushed at the mention of a date, momentarily satisfied with his answer. She had other things on her mind though. She turned back to the paper and scribbled 'Liar' in the 'Cons' list only to get a gasp and then a shout from Om.

"Where did that come from?" Om asked annoyed. "I don't lie."

"Okay, then tell me why you suddenly chose to ask me on a...date? Coz, I know it wasn't just your idea." Gauri said, having an inkling as to who had convinced him into doing it.

Om reddened and went quiet. "Rudi might have egged me on-"

"Ah ha!"

"-but I was thinking about it anyway. I am...attracted, you know, to, uh, beautiful people like you. You should put that in the Pros' list." Om exclaimed.

Gauri ignored him and went on. "See this was something trivial, but what if you keep hiding things when you shouldn't and I get mad and it turns out badly?"

Om took a deep breath. "Gauri, I can't say that I will tell you everything little thing in my life, but I promise to be as honest as possible. Is that okay?"

Gauri thought about it. She could live with that.

"And what is it with you and things ending badly? This will be okay. The both of us, you and me, we can make this work. And if it needs to end, then we will end it maturely and remain friends. But for now," Om reassured, "we don't need to think about it."

With that, he took the pen from her and crossed out the Cons list and wrote 'Gorgeous Gundi Gauri' in bold letters in the 'Pro' list before throwing the pen away and scooting closer to Gauri on the couch. Together they stared into each other's eyes and smiled at what they saw.

"And, uh, love?" Gauri asked timidly.

That had Om stop and look away as a slight fear engulfed his body. "Uh, Gauri, we will cross that bridge when we g-get to it. No need to w-worry about it now." Not ever, Om thought. He was attracted to her and was happy with the new phase that they were stepping into, but he didn't want to think a million steps ahead and complicate something beautiful between them.

Gauri nodded too, knowing that love was still foreign to both of them. In the future, maybe, but now was too soon. So, she scooted closer on the couch to him. One last question though.

"What if, um, your brothers don't approve?"

Om rubbed his face. "Can I put another thing in the Cons list?"

"What?"

"My to-be girlfriend asks too many questions!"

And he received another smack on his arm, but he knew he couldn't sidestep her question.

"They won't. Rudi likes you and Shivaay doesn't know, but he doesn't really care who I date as long as I'm happy."

Gauri took a deep breath and smiled. "Okay"

"So?" Om asked, leaning closer in anticipation.

"So what?" Gauri asked, knowing exactly 'what', but wanting him to ask again.

Om rested his palm on her cheek and looked at her for a long moment before asking her yet again. "Will you go out on a date with me?'

"Yes" It came out bolder and more beautiful this time as Gauri could hear the satisfaction and happiness in her voice as it reflected on his face. He pulled her into a tight hug to celebrate as his hands snaked a little lower on her waist. They weren't exactly friends now, so she let him pull her closer than normal and hold her longer than normal. When he finally pulled out of the hug though, he stared again for a moment and then reached down to her cheek and placed a chaste kiss there that left a hot trail of red down her neck.

"W-what was t-that?"

"Do I need to explain what that was?" Om asked amused by the blushing little belle in his arms. "Now that you agreed to a date, I had to seal the deal." Om said and then winked.

____________

The following day, Gauri skipped work and went to the mall to pick out the perfect outfit for the night. She wasn't given much clues as to what they would be doing on the much anticipated date, so she had to be a little creative. Being creative was hard though, with Annika di away and Sahil of no use. A pang of guilt squashed her excitement momentarily as she realized that her di had no idea about her and Om's friendship let alone the first date that she was looking forward to for the night.

First date and her di was not with her.

She shook her head and decided that as soon as her di came back from the wedding she was planning in Pune, she would sit her down and tell her everything. Sure, she and Om were still figuring things out with this 'dating' situation, but her di had the right to know what went on in her life. She couldn't hide this anymore.

For right now though, she was running late and had no idea what to wear for the evening.

Hmmm...

_______________

Exactly three hours later, Gauri stood in front of the mirror of the outhouse dressed in a simple dark green anarkali suit with a shimmery gold border that brought out the specks of hazel in her eyes. Long tasseled gold earrings hung from her ears and grazed her neck which was left bare. She let her dupatta flow off one shoulder and had her hair parted to the side in soft curls that ran down her back. As for the make up, she kept it simple and light with smoky bold eyes, fairy blush and nude lips. She gave herself a once over in the mirror and was satisfied with her work. He would be here any minute, she thought, nervousness kicking in as she walked to the living room of the outhouse and sat down on the couch to wait.

She was looking through some notes for her class when the knock on the door made her jump from her seat and look to the entrance. Blushing just a little, she stood up to open it, but was beaten by Sahil who pulled the door open in surprise.

"Lambe baalon wale Mr. Oberoi? Aap yahan?" Sahil exclaimed, surprised to see his sister's secret best friend.

"And a big hello to you too Sahil!" Om said as he bent down on his knee to come to eye level with the cute nine year old who was a devil when it came to blackmailing. Now that he and Gauri were dating, he had to impress the brother no matter how tiny he was. So, he pulled out a big chocolate Hershey's bar from his clean white dress shirt and handed it to Sahil who lit up like a lightbulb on seeing the bribe.

"Is this for me?" he exclaimed

"Of course."

Just then, Gauri stood up from her spot on the couch and drunk in the sight of her date dressed in a crisp long sleeved dress shirt that was rolled up to the elbows. He had left his hair open unlike most times where she had seen him in a tight ponytail. This look suited him better she thought as the slight breeze coming in though the window flirted with his locks. And as he stood up from his spot on the ground, his eyes travelled from the bottom of her floor length anarkali to her bangles on her right hand to her eyes that met his across the room. His lips curved into an appreciative smile as his dimple peeked through his stubble. Before anybody could say a word, Gauri walked over to the door and put her hand on Sahil's shoulder.

"Sahil, I'm going out now, but I will be back in a few hours. You are not supposed to open the door for anybody, understand?" Gauri said, worry taking over her voice at the thought of leaving her brother alone.

"Gauri, don't worry. I have told the servants at the mansion to keep an eye on the outhouse while we are gone. Sahil will be safe, I promise." Om reassured, touched by the concern that he saw in Gauri's eyes.

"Gauri, Mr.Oberoi is right. I will be fine. Tum jao on your date." Sahil said, turning to wander back into the interiors of the outhouse. Gauri stood there shocked for a moment at the audacity of her brother. Om just chuckled, beginning to develop a distinct liking for the young boy. He wrapped an arm around Gauri and turned her attention to him.

"Chalein? On our date? Ab toh permission bhi mil gayi " Om said in amusement.

Gauri smiled and headed out of the outhouse. She wondered what he thought about the efforts that she had taken to dress up for tonight, but he didn't say a thing as they headed to the waiting car. Disappointed, she made her way to the passenger seat, only to be stopped by the arm around her waist.

"Gauri" he whispered. "I have something for you."

"What?" she asked anxious by the sudden huskiness in his voice.

Out of nowhere, he held a white rose in his hand and tilted it in toward her with sincerity.

"You look beautiful tonight."

Gauri smiled a full smile and took the rose as the dimple dug its way into his face again with his smile. He moved closer and cupped her face, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before opening the passenger door for her to get in.

Together they drove a long way to a secluded field a little far from the city lights that was tinted orange with the setting sun. Gauri wondered what they were doing here. This wasn't what she had been expecting of this evening. But as they pulled up to the side of the dirt road and walked out to the middle of the field, Gauri understood why they were there.

In the middle of the field was a huge hot air balloon that was sitting ready for them to ride into the setting sky. Gauri jumped in excitement. She had always dreamt of taking a ride in a hot-air balloon where she would be high above the ground and could see the twinkling of the lights below, but she or Annika di had neither the time or the money to be able to splurge on something like this. Yet, here she was minutes away from fulfilling this dream all because of the beautiful person standing right next to her and slipping his hand in hers.

"So this is what it feels like to be on a date with the Omkara Singh Oberoi?" Gauri asked, happiness evident in her voice.

"No." Om shook his head. "This is what it feels like to be on a date with your best friend, Om.

He looked into her eyes and saw a strong emotion there that he couldn't recognize. But then she smiled and he smiled seeing her. Together they made their way to the balloon and sat in the basket as the operator slowly lifted them off the ground and higher into the air above. Gauri looked outside the balloon in excitement, feeling the butterflies in her stomach as the world below her got smaller and smaller. Om chuckled at her childlike excitement and pulled her close to his side while wrapping an arm around her waist. He always knew she loved heights since he had seen the look of bliss on her face the first time that they had gone to the Peak during the initial days of their friendship. And he always wanted to put that look on her face again since that day. When he saw he close her eyes with the strong breeze as they travelled through the sky, he couldn't help but admire the beauty he was seeing wrapped up in his arms at this moment. Beautiful was an understatement to describe how she looked tonight. He hadn't expected to see her in an anarkali suit, but when he did, it had left him spellbound and added to that was the personality of his best friend, the Gundi Gauri, who he couldn't seem to see life without anymore. He leaned over and placed another quick kiss on her forehead, so grateful to have her in his arms tonight.

"Thank you, Om" Gauri whispered into his shirt, feeling so comfortable in his embrace, as though she was meant to be there.

"Anytime."

After some time, the hot air balloon descended onto a flat table top amidst mountains and valleys that were colored with flecks of red and gold as the sun began to dip in the West. As they got closer to land, Gauri began to notice the ambience around her and her throat caught into a gasp. The whole field was decorated with lanterns that spilt light in specks across the expanse of the area. In the middle of the lanterns, there was a small blanket laid out with a picnic basket ready for them, facing the sunset.

As Om led Gauri out of the hot air balloon and into the middle of the field where the blanket was spread out, Gauri's eyes filled with tears.

"How did you plan all of this?"

Om chuckled. "It wasn't that hard, but I wanted it to be special. After all, it is your first date ever. And firsties should be memorable."

Gauri turned to him with a strong emotion for the second time that night. She had been a fool to think that he would take things with her casually, having had the experience of dating before. Instead, he had turned out to be the most sensitive person ever with the way he had taken care of her likes and dislikes. She couldn't help but turn to him and hold him to her in a tight hug.

"Thank you"

"Don't be silly Gauri, you deserve it"

"Still, thank you."

Together, they sat on the blanket and opened up the basket to find mirchi ke pakoras and biryani, both Gauri's favourite. Gauri smiled at the sight of the pakoras, momentarily forgetting the handsome man beside her.

"Mirchi ke pakodeee" she squealed, so happy to be eating them after so long. Om raised his eyes and smiled, realizing why Gauri was so different from the other women that he had dated. She was special. In the soft dreamy light of the lanterns around them, he face glowed with a heavenly bliss and all he wanted to do was pull her in and kiss her like a romantic hero in a Mills and Boons novel.

"Here, catch." he said instead, suddenly interested in this new game that he had thought of with her beloved mirchi ke pakode. He took one from the box and tossed it in an upward trajectory in the air towards Gauri's mouth, highly doubting that she would be able to catch it. But to his utter surprise, she did and her face contorted in pure bliss as she savored her favorite food. A few minutes later, she opened her eyes with challenge and turned to him.

"Your turn."

He nodded changing his casual stance and opening his mouth wide as he leaned forward for the pakora, but what hit his face was not one but three different pakoras all at once. Ringing laughter sounded the field as Gauri burst into giggles at the dumbfounded expression on Om's face. Who said she would play fair?

"Oh, you are going to pay for this." Om said getting up from his spot on the picnic blanket.

"Uh, Om listen," Gauri stood up at his advances. "I-I..bachaaao" she squealed as she turned and ran around the field with Om chasing after her as she weaved through the lanterns. He caught up with her quickly though and spun her around on the field as they laughed together at the absurdity of their behavior and the ease with which they had slipped into this phase of their relationship. He hadn't felt so comfortable with anybody on his first date and he knew it wasn't just because Gauri was his best friend. Somehow, he felt like it was natural to hold her against him and caress her face. It felt like they were meant to be on this date together and feel the currents of bliss that ran stronger than ever in each other's touch and embrace.

Om put her back on the ground and led her to the picnic spot where they quickly finished the pakore and then devoured the biryani together, occasionally feeding each other a bite amidst casual conversations about each other's day. When time passed they didn't know.

When they had finished the biryani, Gauri lay down on the blanket staring at the stars above as they winked at her from the night sky. Never in her dreams had she had a night like this where her heart had jumped and galloped at every moment she spent with the man laying down beside her. They didn't need words, but both understood the depth of emotions that the other was feeling. And as Om blinked with peace at the stars above, his hand found hers and squeezed it tight.

_________________

They stood in front of the outhouse after a long drive back home.

Gauri hadn't wanted the night to end, but reality was calling and she couldn't help but sigh with slight disappointment as they were nearing the end of their time together. She looked up to see Om staring at her with an intensity that made her blush for what seemed like the thousandth time that night. A slight breeze picked up around them and ruffled their hair so that Gauri's locks began to cover her eyes hindering Om's view. He reached out to pull them back and tuck them behind her ear. His movement was simple but the feeling was tender and it touched Gauri's heart making it gallop stronger than it should have. Whatever attraction or infatuation she was harboring for him, grew by leaps and bounds in that moment precisely because she wasn't fighting it anymore. Her heart expanded and a smile graced her lips as she looked up to see an identical smile on his face.

"Tonight was beautiful, Om. Thank you."

"It was." he whispered spellbound by the look in her eyes.

Gathering some courage, she went onto her tip toes and placed a kiss on his stubble before whispering a 'Good Night.'

Om's eyes widened at his Gauri's boldness and his lips curved in a half-smile as his hands reached up to his face and touched the spot that she had so lovingly kissed.

She was looking at him again with a smile on her face and he felt the strong urge to lean in and kiss her a 'Good Night'. He didn't though. It would be a little too soon, he thought, wanting to make sure Gauri was comfortable with the physical proximity that they were sharing.

When he said nothing and turned to walk to his car, her smile faltered and she turned to unlock the door and make her way to the outhouse. Once inside, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes for a minute absorbing the feeling of having her first date. No matter how it went, she would always remember this night and smile with a gushing feeling in her heart. But for now, she had to come back to reality and make sure that Sahil was okay. She had just started to make her way to her room when a knock sounded on the door and she turned frowning at who might be knocking at her door this late in the night.

She opened to find Om standing in front of her with a weird look of determination in his eyes. She scrunched her eyebrows in question. Hadn't he left?

"Om? Did you forget something?"

Om didn't respond. Instead, he took a step closer, never breaking the eye lock and wrapped his arms around her waist. She felt her heart pick up speed again at their proximity, but she held her spot. Om looked into her eyes making sure that he made his intentions clear before leaning down placing his lips softly on hers.

He felt her go rigid with the shock that came from contact with his mouth and he held still to let her get used to the feeling. He himself couldn't catch hold of the sudden pumping of his heart and the thousand fireworks that lit up and burst behind his eyelids at the mere contact with this live wire. Never in a million years had he imagined this ecstasy and bliss on kissing a woman, let alone his best friend. He had imagined how it would feel like to kiss her during their initial friendship, but this had far exceeded his expectations. And as she finally relaxed into his arms while pressing her lips against his, he smiled and deepened the kiss inviting her into this new beautiful bliss that engulfed both of them.

When he pulled back and looked into her closed eyes, he rested his smile on her ear and whispered, "Now it's a GOOD Night..."

__________________

Thanks!!!😳

Originally posted by: SRKisLove

Wowowowowowowowow!

I read all the OSs at one go, and they are so sweet and cute!

Love them, please write more! 😳

Originally posted by: sirimiri

Wow this was just beautiful loved it so much.
Eager for the next part.