Chapter 9

                                    

                                          

 
                          
It was a beautiful day , a perfect day for a long drive. But that didn't lift her spirits. Gauri was depressed, she is going to be dumped. Finally Omkara's mom managed to beat some sense into him and he is leaving her. 'I am happy. I am no longer his prisoner. I can divert my mind to some virtuous deeds rather than plotting against him. Life will be so better without Omkara. Or will it be ?, she questioned herself. Will  life be better without his presence,  his arrogance, his care, his rudeness, his support , etc, etc . The list went on & on and she couldn't get a reply. Maybe it's her fate, to gain and then to lose. Nothing mattered to her then, her loss , her anger, her desire to avenge Oberois, all of it seemed so pointless.  "Gauri, kya soch rahi ho?", his voice woke her. She shook her head and wore sunglasses to hide herself . "Don't you want to ask me where we are heading to ?", he asked anxiously. She shook her head. "Why?", he asked again. "I trust you", she told calmly. She was being honest. She was not worried about her future as she knew Omkara will do the best of his ability to settle her safely. He placed his hands on her briefly and squeezed it, "I am glad to hear it". Gauri was completely lost for the rest of the drive.
                          

                          
"We reached", he woke her from her stupor. They had reached Oberoi mansion. She became angry, Is he planning to keep her in the outhouse?  "Omkara, this is ridiculous. I told you clearly, I won't stay here like a refugee at your family's mercy", she tried hard to control her anger. "Relax, Gauri. Just now you declared your trust on me. Few more minutes and it will clear", he pacified her. A well dress handsome man with shining grey eyes came from inside the mansion to greet them. Gauri didn't  identify but couldn't shake the feeling she had seen him somewhere. "Shivaay", Om embraced him. "Om, you are here. I am so sorry, I tried my maximum to stall Jhanvi Aunty but she didn't listen to me", he apologized. "It's okay, Shivaay. Gauri, this is Shivaay, my elder brother". She folded her hands and greeted him, "Namstey, bade Bhaiyya". Shivaay was touched by her gesture, he kept his hands on her shoulder and said "Welcome to our home, Gauri. I know things are going to be tough for you. But I promise that I will be always there to support you". "Don't forget to add me too", a vivacious lady came and side hugged Shivaay. "Gauri, this is Annika Bhabhi, Shivvay's wife", Omkaara introduced her. Annika went ahead and hugged Gauri tightly. "Come", Shivaay led them in. Gauri was still confused of Omkara's intention but followed them.
                          

                          
Dadi, Jhanvi, Priyanka were all gathered near the idol of Lord Shiva in Oberoi Mansion. Om quickly introduced them all to her. Gauri greeted them, all except Jhanvi looked happy. Amidst them, he held her hand, "Gauri, these few people who means the world to me. My happiness and peace lies with them. I believe you know that I will never fake or lie infront of them". She nodded unsurely.  He pulled the ring from his pocket and said, "I, Omkara Singh Oberoi hereby accept you as my wife. I pledge myself to you. I had lost my heart to you long ago. From this moment, my body, mind and soul too belong to you". Before she could gather herself, he slipped the ring back to her finger and kissed her hand. He held her shoulder and faced his family , "Now she is my wife. I hope you won't have any objection of her staying with me anymore". Shivaay smiled and Annika gave thumbs up sign to them. Dadi was shocked but blessed them both. Jhanvi didn't show any surprise as she expected something like this to happen and she made no effort to conceal her disapproval. Priku was lost but seemed to be happy for her brother.
                          

                          
Gauri was extremely disturbed. She didn't know whether to be rejoice or be despair. She understood that Omkara's acceptance before his family meant above any ritual or legal document. Yet she wasn't ready to accept it. She diffidently pushed him away and said, "Yeh sahi nahi hain. I shan't ...I can't..". She quickly walked away from him. All were surprised except Jhanvi. For the first time, Jhanvi felt that Gauri was not some greedy female running behind her boys to grab wealth. Shivaay was the first to act, "Om, I think it was pretty overwhelming for her. She is distressed. Take her to your room and talk to her". Om nodded and went behind her. He found her in dining area, clutching one of the chairs. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his room. Once they reached , he pushed her inside and locked the door. "Is it some kind of a joke? What's your problem?", he asked angrily. "I have the same question. Is it a joke? Few weeks back you wanted me just to cash some good PR. Now you declare me as your wife before your family. Why are you doing this?", she was furious. He pulled her waist, crashing her to his chest and yelled, "Bcoz I love you. Dammit!!". Seeing her scared face, he softened. "I love you Gauri. Can't you see it in my eyes. Can't you hear it my words. Can't you feel it in my touch", he softly caressed her face. She closed her eyes and melted to his touch. 'No, this is wrong. It can't be', her mind yelled. "I was engaged to be married to your brother", she exclaimed moving out of his grip. "I don't care about your past. You are mine now, that's all I care ", he said. "I don't love you.", she raised her voice. "Really?", he pulled her back, cupped her face, forcing her to face him. "Look into my eyes and speak, Gauri. During the hour long drive we had from our home to Oberoi Mansion, did you think about Rudra even for a minute. You were anguished at the prospect of losing me. I saw the pain in your eyes when I took back the ring", he told her. She couldn't deny it and burst into tears. He embraced her when she hid her face on his chest to weep. He didn't stop her. After few minutes when her sobs subsided , he made her sit on bed and told her, "I love you a lot, Gauri. Please let go off the broken dreams you had and allow me to take you to a beautiful tomorrow. Don't let your past plague your present and destroy our future" he appealed. Before she could respond , they were disturbed by knock at the door.