Yuhn Hota Toh Kya Hota- Rikara FF

Chapter 149

Everybody had gathered around for the Roka ceremony. 

Nobody was more excited than Rudra. 

For his brothers, this was a surprising sight, considering how their youngest brother would have, at best, month long affairs with girls. For him, to be so enthusiastic about commitment was something new. 

Omkara reflected, unlike Rudra, Shivaay didn't have an issue with commitment, but he saw relationships and commitment like deals, he didn't believe in love. Until Annika bhaabhi came in his life. 

It was opposite with himself, thought Omkara, he believed in love, but he also saw what love did to his mother, which always made him afraid of life-long commitment that marriage entails. Why take the risk of giving so much power, so much control to someone, over your life, when eventually they will hurt you? Omkara was hurt so much, repeatedly, in his life, that he was afraid, he didn't want to get hurt anymore. And yet, if he doesn't take the risk of being hurt, will he also miss out on the chance of being truly happy? 

Gauri was puzzled by Omkaraji's behavior. What had brought that on? More than that, she was bothered by her own response. It was not in Gauri's nature to do anything half-heartedly. How can she maintain this outwardly cold demeanor when internally her heart would be thumping when he was close, or ache when he is hurt? Gauri was not one to not express her feelings, and this was difficult for her. But what if she takes the plunge and he doesn't? 

 Rudra slipped on the finger in Soumya's hand first, and then clapped himself slightly. Everyone found that adorable, and Pinky even clutched her heart at how sweet it was. Shivaay and Omkara did an "aww" but it was mostly to tease their brother, while Annika and Gauri sighed when Soumya slipped in the ring, and glowed from the completion of the ceremony. 

Everyone cheered, and Dadi looked the most happy in the ceremony. 

The Ranas had also been invited to celebrate the occasion. The senior Ranas couldn't make it, but Siddharth and Mallika did arrive, and at the same time as Tia and Dushyant. 

"This is such a splendid coincidence. All of you four here, and on such a good day" said Annika, as she hugged Mallika and Tia, while Shivaay shook hands with Siddharth and Dushyant. 

Siddharth and Shivaay were bitter business rivals, but had developed a cordial relation ever since Mallika ran away from her wedding to the Oberoi family for help. She reconciled with Siddharth and got married some time later in the year. 

"I must introduce you to my sister" said Annika, as she pulled in Gauri who was walking in the opposite direction. 

"This is Chutki, I mean, Gauri. I don't know whether you read in the papers...." started Annika, but Mallika cut her off.

"Yes, of course, I did read Annika, I am so happy for you both, that you found each other. This is some movies kind of stuff, finding long-lost sisters" said Mallika. 

"Arey, toh life toh badi honi chahiye na, babumoshaayi" (Arey, life should be big no, babumoshaayi!) said Gauri, imitating a dialogue from yesteryear's superstar Rajesh Khanna's movie. 

Mallika chuckled at Gauri's imitation of that scene, "You are so cute. It totally makes sense that you are Annika's sister." 

Tia had, of course, heard of Gauri from Svetlana and Soumya, and found it a little hard to reconcile the image of a quick thinker with this bubbly girl, but she remembered Svetlana saying that Gauri's looks were deceptive and there was a sharp mind behind that chirpy girl facade.