Omkara kept looking at the door of her room. It was past noon and she wasn't up. He was concerned. Yesterday night, although she seemed to be healthy, he could easily say she was otherwise. He was glad she had at least eaten properly last night. He finally decided to check on her. But he remembered that she had locked the room last night, hadn't she? Nonetheless, he decided to try his luck. He gently lowered the handle of the door and it opened! 

He peeped inside and saw her sleeping cuddled up like a baby. Sighing in relief he decided to let her sleep some more. But before he could pull back his eyes noticed that her lips were trembling. She was shivering! Shit!  

He opened the door and walked in. He placed his one knee on the bed and leaned forward to touch her forehead. He pulled his hand back horrified at the heat. He saw that she wasn't wearing any blanket. 

Oh crap, he hadn't even offered her a blanket.

He quickly opened the cupboard that had the extra blanket and pulled it out. Reaching by the bed he covered her sleeping form. 

He rushed out of the room to fetch the medicine box. But she hadn't even eaten anything since past eight hours or so. He couldn't give her medicines on an empty stomach. He was once again by her side of the bed. 

"Gauri!" He called her name softly tapping her cheek. Gauri tiredly opened her eyes. Moaning as her body ached she shifted and tried to sit up. 

"Oww.!" She grumbled closing her eyes. 

She felt his hand reach her neck and then forehead. "You're running a high fever Gauri. There's a doctor who lives on the first floor. Would you like to go see him?"

Gauri blinked the warm moisture in her eyes. "No, I am fine," she spoke sitting up. Omkara looked at her, admiring her courage. Nevertheless, he was still concerned about her well being. 

Strangely, he felt responsible for her condition. "No you're not fine. Brush your teeth, I will get you something eat so that you can take medicine. If you don't feel better by the night, we'll go see the doctor. Come on!" He spoke offering her his hand for support. 

Gauri felt terrible to be weak before someone. She however, took his help in getting off the bed. She dragged herself to the washroom.

* * *

Gauri was speechless. She felt grateful that God had sent someone to take care of her. She couldn't remember when was the last time someone took care of her so tenderly. He was a complete stranger yet he was doing so much for her. He had made khichdi for her and right now he was helping her drink the water. "Take rest." He suggested keeping the empty glass aside. 

Gauri didn't know what came over her in the moment. She scooted close and hugged Omkara. She needed the human contact. She was lonely deep within, although she didn't let that come out. 

"Thank you!" She murmured.

Omkara was totally caught off guard. Her small hands wrapping around him. On any other day, he would have repulsed. However, the human touch after days made him feel better. The last time he hugged was when Shivaay had departed for India. Recovering from his shock, he looked down at the girl in his arms. Her face pressed against his chest. It was as though he was hugging a little girl. 

He had seen it in her eyes the previous day- the pain and loneliness. Much like his. However, he exercised control over his compassion and heard what his mind had to say, and tapped her shoulder. 

Gauri felt his hand tap her shoulder. She opened her eyes realizing that she was hugging a complete stranger, a man, her flatmate. Certainly, not the best idea. She pulled away anxiously. "I am so sorry. I just got a little overwhelmed." She explained unable to meet his eyes as she spoke. Omkara couldn't help but wonder if it was embarrassment or fever, that colored her cheeks in a shade of pink.

"It's okay Gauri. You take rest."

Gauri simply nodded, finally, managing to look up. He pressed a smile before exiting the room. Gauri sighed closing her eyes. 

What on earth was wrong with her! 

He would be thinking she was desperate emotional fool. She sighed and stared at her phone. She quickly removed her wallet and brought out the new sim she had bought. She had thrown away the old one in the dustbin outside the place that was supposed to be her home. She fit in the new sim. While waiting for her phone to power up she brought out her earphones. There was no way she could sleep more.

* * *

Omkara knocked on the door of her room. He heard no response from the other side. He peeped in to notice her lying on her stomach and watching something on her phone with earphones plugged in. He walked in and she looked up. She quickly sat up removing the earplugs from her ears. 

"I thought of checking on you!" He spoke, approaching the bed. 

She smiled. "I feel better now, thank you."

"You haven't been resting, I see." He glanced at her phone screen. Oh she was watching something. 

She grinned sheepishly, "I couldn't sleep."

"Hmm.." he responded. "I was making myself some tea, would you like to have some?"

"Sure." She smiled preparing to get off the bed. 

"No, stay here. I will get it here." 

She stared at him and then feebly requested, "Please no. I already feel so guilty of being a burden on you. You really don't have to do.."

"It's my way of apologizing for whatever happened yesterday." He smiled. 

Gauri felt bad. She should tell him that it wasn't his fault. She had most prolly fainted due to the stressful journey from her home to this city. She managed to smile and got off the bed. He stared at her feet. The marbled floor was cold. 

"You don't have your slip-on?"

"Uhh.." she looked down at her feet. She had just one pair of footwear that was the shoes she had worn. 

"I think I have a spare pair. You can use that." He suggested noting her embarrassment. Without waiting for a reply he walked out of the room and returned with a pair of slippers. He placed them down. 

Gauri stared at them. "These are super huge!" She commented. Cursing herself immeditaley after, she added, "But thank you for being so thoughtful." She slipped her feet into them only to appreciate his care. 

He chuckled looking at her small fair feet in his large black slippers. "They are actually too big!" 

"I think, I can use it for a while." She threw a smile his way and he returned one. 

"Has the fever gone down?" He asked after placing the tea to boil. 

She touched her forehead and then her neck. "I think so .." he smiled and stepped forward touching her forehead and then neck. 

"Yup, it's better but still hot. Do you wish to see the doc?"

"No, Omkara. A matter of a few hours and I will be fine." She spoke flashing a smile. 

He nodded in agreement, "if you say so." After  answering he asked, "Any preference for dinner?"

" Can I please help you at it? I feel bored and guilty for being a load on you!" Gauri pleaded looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Okay! I wouldn't mind a helping hand."

"Great, what are we making?"

"Depends on what I have remaining in the fridge." Omkara spoke walking to the refrigerator. "Umm, there is sweet corn, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms and eggs. And in here, there are tomatoes and coriander." He looked thoughtfully at the veggies.

"Let's make corn in tomato gravy." Gauri suggested.

"Okay and I was thinking of broccoli soup." Omkara stated.

"Is it nice?" Gauri asked scrunching her nose slightly.

"The one I make definitely is!" The only thing he took pride in.

She giggled at his confident response, "okay then." 

He smiled turning back to the fridge to look for something else. He made a face of disappointment,  "And we are out of frozen parathas and theplas, we have to make rice again."

"What! You don't eat normal rotis?" She asked surprised filtering the tea into two cups.

"No. I can't make them." He confessed a little embarrassed about the fact. 

"I can make them. Do you have flour?"

Omkara looked at her thoughtfully. "You don't have to .."

"Come on. You doing so much for me. Making rotis is no big deal. In fact, I love making parathas, theplas and rotis." 

Omkara agreed. "I do have a small packet of flour that should be enough for two people. I had tried making rotis but then the realization dawned that there is no way I can get the perfect dough. I literally made something similar to a sticky glue by putting together the flour and water.

Gauri giggled. "I used to do that too when I was young. But with time I learned how to do it the right way."

"Your mom taught you?" Omkara asked washing the tomatoes. On seeing her smile fade, he realised he might have triggered the wrong nerve. 

"No, the cook. She was too good at it. Her parathas were the best." Gauri replied bringing back the smile.

Omkara lips curved up as he remembered Daadi's parathas. How he missed home!

"Here is your tea." Gauri handed him the cup. His gaze met hers as he sipped on the tea. Maybe, having a flatmate would turn out to be a good decision.

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-Anami!♡