FF: Shiv ki Gauri (KAA updated 19/03) chapter 12 - Page 2

Shiv Ki Gauri

Chapter 7

10pm in Kapoor house a few hours after the wedding, a somewhat quite atmosphere throughout the house with a few housemaids are walking around cleaning up the remains of the mess left by guests.

Members of the family tired from the day's events have taken to their bedrooms whilst Shiv and Prateek still in there wedding outfits take rest on the sofas whilst sitting talking. Shiv and Prateek are in-between a conversation. Prateek had forced Shiv to sit down after the wedding rituals indenting to spend 5, 10 minutes discussing gauri's depression and how it could be treated. Even though Shiv insisted that he was aware of Gauri's condition, Prateek was having none of it.. he wanted to make sure Shiv was fully prepared. Having said only 10- 15 minuets the conversation had gone on for well over an hour without them realising that the subject matter was also fading away into more general talk.

Shiv's face is expressionless possibly due to the fact he really didn't have anyting to say…he was just listening to what Prateek had to say. Prateek makes a note of how shiv has been listening to him endlessly saying very few words. To incite a response from Shiv Prateek asks "are you ok shiv?"

Shiv: "You know what I'm really just glad it's all over now….i mean we didn't have any major problems"

Prateek:"so your tinking about the wedding?...Kya baat hai shiv aaj toe hamne shiv kapoor ki sensitive side bhi dekhleya, vaise kaafi kush lagrahete tum shaadhi mein."

Shiv: "I was happy and what do you mean by sensitive side."

Prateek: "Meine dekha ..gauri ke saath kaise behave karahe te tum. You know what over 20 years of friendship shiv and I still don't understand you… I know you do have a caring side which people often don't see…I mean everyone sees businessman tycoon Shiv Kapoor rock hard personality…stature, authority, power and all that but there's another side to you Shiv."

Shiv: "I have no idea what you're talking about…and what are you trying say… Tumhe ne toe kaha tha be gentle with her, I was just being gentle." Shiv acts ablivous to Prateek's comment but somewhere deep down he knew Prateek was right. There was much more to shiv kapoor then he let on. Prateek gave shiv a look filled curiosity which Shiv ignored and tried to reinforce his explanation by repeating himself.

Shiv: "I Was just doing what you told me to, being gentle that's it…"

Prateek: "Yeh I know but I just hope this being gentle lasts."

Shiv: "What do you mean by lasts?"

Prateek: "Come on shiv we all know you have an uncontrollable temper and not to mention tremendous expectations that you have for everybody around you, when they don't meet your expectations…that's when your anger comes into It. Look all I'm trying to say is remember what we talked about this morning….Gauri is still recovering."

Shiv: "yey I know… but I think you're wrong… I have high expectations of people, muje lagta tha ke tum gauri ke depresstion ke bare mein baat karna chate ho…aren't you going off the topic"

Prateek: I'm not going off the point… Your behaviour is going to effect Gauri's recovery. I know I've spoken to you before and you think I'm just going over the same thing over and over again but I'm Gauri's doctor so…in that sense I'm just reminding you.

Anyways I've spoken to the rest of the family about this so that should help. Just give her time and space that's what will help her the most, it's likely she'll avoid you for a while…until she feels a little more comfortable…and o yes I forgot to mention keep Gauri away from certain places in the house..Samars room, things she associates with Samar… places that remind her of the incident. At a later stage she will have to confront all these but not now….

Prateek is about to continue…when dadi walks into the seating area in her nightgown it looked like dadi had woken up midway from her sleep.

Dadi: "aap dono kya bate kar rahe hai…yey koi vakt hai.

Dadi's comment both prateek and Shiv to take a look at their watch. It was 11.30pm.

Dadi: Shiv aaj tumari shaadhi huee hai aur tum yaha bhet kar bate kar rahe ho…"

Shiv: "Dadi…hum woh gauri ke bare mein baat kar rahe the"

Gauri: "mein janti hoon par tum ne vakt dekha hai…yey saab bate toe baad mein ho sakti hai"

Prateek: "dadi theek khe rahi hai shiv, aur kal subhe kaam..woh bhi early in the morning so I should go." With that prateek gets up from the sofa ready to leave." oh yeh …gauri ko remind kar na…kal appointment hai uska.."

Shiv: "yeh ok" Shiv gets up off as well to see prateek out.

Prateek: "its ok shiv I'll see myself out, don't forget to tell gauri.."

Dadi: "Theek hai..Theek hai agar shiv bhool bhi jayega toe mein hoon na.. don't worry"

Prateek: " ok bye, prateek walks towards the hallway when he stops part way and turns back. "hah aur tumara mobile phone" Prateek pulls out Shiv's phone from inside his sherwani pocket and hands it to him. "yey lo..tumara phone, tumare bed pein tha, and what was so important anyways…phone toe kabhi bi miltaja."

Shiv: Actually nothing woh, important business contacts stored hai naa is leiye

Prateek: "meine notice kiya tha..kafi miscalls the.. "

Shiv: "yeh who business associates…Its ok I'll get back to them, thanks Prateek..for finding it"

Prateek: "no, no it's not a problem, vaise tumara kaam nahi karta toe shaadhi ke baad muje hi maar padte!" Prateek smiles at shiv " muje ab jana chayiey, bye." Prateek leaves

Dadi: ab shiv tum jao gauri tumara intasaar kar rahi hai. "

Shiv looks at dadi and pauses thinks about what Prateek has been explaining over and over again, giving gauri space, time… and all that.

Dadi notices how shiv seems lost in thought at her comment.

Dadi:"Kya hua beta…muje maloom hai prateek ne bataya tha, gauri ki halat. Woh guest room mein hai..jab tak uski halat thodi sudhar nahi jati….meine socha….. theek kiya naa?."

Shiv: "meri dadi kabhi wrong ho hein nahi sakti" Shiv gives a smile and makes his way upstairs.

Walks down the corridor he walks past numerous rooms, shiv gets to his room turns the door handle pushes open the door and takes a step in to see his room just as he left it…it looked a little shifted here and there from when Prateek had searched his room. Shiv stood and looked around his room when a thought crossed his mind.

"gauri guest room mein hai"

he turned back and walked out of his room into the corridor, the guest room was parallel to shiv's room. Shiv took a few steps from outside his room towards the guest room and stopped at the door where he saw rays of light coming from the gaps in the door way. It looked like the lights were switched on in the room, shiv thought to himself.

"lagta hai gauri soyi nahi, khaee mera Intasaar toe nahi kar rahi"

Shiv paused a little turned the door handle slowly pushed the door open gently trying not to make any sudden noises he walked in slowly to find Gauri sleeping. Shiv took a few steps into the room and stopped as he got to the bed. He looked at Gauri who was comfortably sleeping all curled up in bed on top a layer of rose petals. It looked like dadi had gone to the trouble of having the room decorated even though she was aware of the whole wedding scenario it looked like she still had hopes. Shiv overlooked these details and surroundings as he couldn't take his eyes off Gauri who looked so angelic as she slept. Gauri was curled up innocently like a baby, still in her vibrant wedding outfit. Shiv couldn't take his eyes off Gauri who wore a sweet expression on her face, a tranquil smile which Shiv felt content to see, this was the very first time he had approached Gauri and the very first time past events seemed faded in the moment, nothing mattered.

It was a perfect moment ….

A gust of wind from an open window interrupted, Shiv watched as the breeze hit Gauri's skin and how Gauri shivered in response to the harsh touch of the chilling breeze. The slightest chill disturbed the tranquilly on Gauri's face which made Shiv think on just how sensitive gauri really is.

Shiv removed his shoal from around his neck and placed it on top of Gauri, feeling the warmth of the shoal, Gauri clutched onto the material, curled up tightly like a child and an even more beautiful innocence became apparent on her face, which Shiv could not help but smile at.

gauri awakens, sits up in bed find her self rapped in shiv's white shoal. She looks a round estranged to the fact that shiv had entered the room and it was his shoal she was rapped in A strong frangrance of aftershave came from the material.

Thinks to herself: "yey shoal…?" As that thought crossed through her mind there was a knock at the door.

A calls voice from behind the door "Gauri!!!!"

Gauri rubs her eyes to try and awaken from her tiredness, looks around the room in search of a clock, on the sidetable was sat a clock which read 8am.

""aath bajgaye" gauri gets of the bed, to be faced by a mirror on the left of the room. Gauri looked exacty the same as she had done before she fell a sleep, still in her wedding outfit all her jwelerry, mangal sutra and sindoor, there were only a few minor details that were out of place.

Looking into it she straitens her out fit out which had become a little crinkled from the way she was sleeping at night. She adjusted a few strands of hair which were out of place, tried to rectify her smuged eye makeup which she rubbed away a moment ago.. and quicky walked towards the door pulling the shoal over her self a little more as she walked.

The voice again from behind the door "Gauri!!! Beta uttho"

As Gauri walks to the door she recognises the voice as being dadi and she is right. Gauri opens the door to find dadi all ready dressed in a vibrant purple saari all cheerful and awake smiling at her.

Dadi: Good Morning beta,

Gauri touches dadi's feet, "good morning dadi" and smiles

dadi smiles back having noticed how gauri was all wrapped up in Shiv's shoal "Kafi der ho gayee hai, tum ab tayar ho jaon, yey lo, yey phenlena. " dadi hands gauri a red sari and smiles. "Dekho beta mein aur tumare dadaji kuch der ke leiye bhaar ja rahe hai…

Gauri looks up at dadi and gives a worried look which dadi notices.

Dadi:"fikar maat karna hum kuch der mein aajayege..tum sirf tayar ho joan..aur breakfast kar lena, waise raamu kaka hain naa..mein raamu kaka ko khe diya hai..woh saab naasta tayar rakhe ge"

Gauri is just about to say something when dadaji calls from downstairs

Dadaji: "chalo Krishna ji…kaha hai aap…hume der ho rahi hai!!!"

Dadi looks at gauri, placing one hand on her right cheek, "dekho beta hume jana hoga..prateek kehrahata ke tumara appointment hai bhoolna mat."

Gauri: "jee dadi"

Dadaji calls once again: krishnaji!!!!!

Dadi shouts back in response: "ayeee" with that dadi leaves.

An hour later Gauri walks out of her room all ready looking as beautiful as ever in the simple yet elegant red saari dadi had given her, her usual light makeup, an array of gold and red bangles on each hand very little jewellery only her mangalsutra and simple earrings, sindhoor filled In her parting with her hair which she wore down neatly parted and straightned.

Gauri walks down the staircase to find kapoor mansion completely empty there is no one to be seen, not even any cleaners. Looking around all areas of the house are empty and Raamu kaka is no where to be seen. Gauri walks into the dining area to find the table filled witth different breakfeast dishes from traditional panjabi paratas and chai to orange juice and toast, it looked like raamu kaka had left breakfast for Gauri. Even having seen the prepared breakfast Gauri eyes still wonder around the house in search of people as she feels a little reluctant to do anything without permission, still her eyes in search around the house she notices the mandir. She leaves the dining area and heads for the mandir. Having had walked to the entrance of the mandir gauri sees a statue of bhagvan Shiv, Gauri and Ganpatiji. The murti is beautifully unique and not to mention spectacular in its artistic sense. At its first sight it manages to put a smile on Gauri's face. She pulls her saari pallu over her head and just as she is step into the mandir she hears a loud tone of voice coming from upstairs.

"RAAMU KAKA..!!!, KAKA….

MERE LEIYE CHAI COFEE KOI LAAYEGA…KAKA!

"EK KAAM BHI DHANG SE NAHI HOTA IS GHAR MEIN!"

Upstairs Shiv was going mental whilst getting ready for work, he mumbled to himself angrily putting on his shirt..

"useless, yaha yey rammu kaka aur vaha woh so called secratery jisko coffee aur tea mein farak hein nahi karna aata"..shiv was recalling on how he last attempt to have his morning drink in the office resulted In him throwing coffee back at his secretary.

On the other hand Gauri alone downstairs, having realised that the person shouting upstairs was shiv was feeling worried.

"KAHA MAR GAYE SAAB!"

Having heard shiv again she thinks to her self In shere distress:

Hai bhagvan Ab mein kya karoon, yaha toe koi nahi hai…she walks to the kitchen to see if raamu kaka is around but the kitchen is empty.

"ab kya karoon…" gauri puts her hand on her cheeks and starts to panic …

"hai bhagvan ab aap hein meri maadat kejeeye.."she looks up with a pleading expression

when she sees a tray lying on the kitchen counter with a cup and saucer. Gauri walks up to the counter to see the cup filled with tea, or was it coffee. Gauri stares at the hot drink in front of her to figure what it is but there was no way of knowing. The steaming drink in front of her was of a light brown liquid…but both It could be either tea or coffee.

Gauri thought to herself: ab mein kya karoon, yey chai hai ya coffee..??? ine chai chahyiye ya coffee… chak bhi nahi sakti…aaj toe mera vraat hai.

Gauri's thoughts are distured by shiv's shouting which was getting louder and louder each time…."KOI AYEGA BHI KE MEIN KHUD AAJAAOON!"

Gauri was shook by Shiv's voice..an even deeper nervousness filled her within. She then came to the conclusion that best thing to do would be to take this drink upstairs and whatever it was, it would be much better than shiv storming down in anger, then how she face him, she was already terrified as It was. She took the tray and headed out of the kitchen towards the staircase.

Meanwhile …

Upstairs Shiv rapidly loosing his patience was repeatedly looking at his watch. it was nearly time for him to leave and there was no sign of Rammu kaka who on a daily basis under no circumstances is aloud to forget to bring shiv his morning drink. One thing about as well as being rich power and authorative he was fairly stubbon when It came to certain things and his morning reachme was one of them, he expects on the dot service whether it was In the office or at home.

Shiv Thinks to himself…."ane do.. saab ko kaam se nikalta hoon, just wait.."

Gauri slowly walks into the lounge trying not to spill any of the drink.. as she walks towards the stair case she passes the mandir area, and stops there for a while to catch a glimse bhagvan before she has to face her husband. Looking towards the murti…she takes advantage and asks god for a little courage. "Bhagvan aap please kuch keejye muje nahi maloom ke is mein kya hai…"she looks down at the cup front of her… "Par job hi ho sahee ho" she looks back at the murti… "aap samaj gaye naa"

"KAKA….!"

Hearing shiv screaming..again.. gauri makes way upstairs, she walks through the corridor. Having seen that the door to Shiv's room is open she reluctantly walks towards the entrance of the room. Worried of what shiv's reaction would be. Gauri in her nervousness and fright decides to keep quite and wait until Shiv notices her presence.

Shiv fails to see gauri waiting at the door as he is to busy fiddling with his tie and grooming himself until he looks in the mirror to straighten his tie and sees gauri standing at the entrance of his room with a tray in her hand. Still staring at what he was looking like in the mirror..he called gauri into the room.

Shiv: "vaha kyun khadi ho..come inside" shiv's tone is rather serious… where as his facial expresstion seemed somewhat relaxed for someone who had been angrily shouting for the last hour or so.

Gauri gave no worded response but the way she was behaving said it all. She was so nervious..shiv's presence was making her heart thud in anxiety. She stood still in the same position with her eyes lowered clutching the tray In her hands tighter to try and reduce her nerves.

Shiv stilling standing In front of the mirror this time adjusting his blazer buttons looks at gauri again through the mirror noticing that even having asked her to come in she was still standing in the same spot. Shiv gave Gauri a smile though mirror which Gauri failed to see he then turned around to face Gauri.

Shiv standing in a black vintage suit and purple shirt and tie all ready for work looking handsome with his hands in his trouser pockets staring at gauri in Shiv makes a note of how pretty gauri was looking In her sari and not to mention her fright which could be clearly seen in the way she had composed her self with her eyes fixed to the floor.

Shiv: "Come in Gauri" this time in a much lighter tone.

On the second time of Shiv asking, Gauri takes a few steps into the room and stops quite a distance away from Shiv. Shiv notices Gauri's hesitancy and comes to the conclusion that building a relationship with Gauri was going to be the easiest thing. It took twice for him to ask her just to come into the room and even then she seems so frightened.

Shiv tries to make conversation "so, what do you think, how do I look?" Shiv pulls up his tie up proudly and smiles at Gauri.

He gets no response… "so bura lagra hoon?"

Gauri "Mein, Jee woh"

Shiv: "Kya?, bura lagraha hoon"

Gauri: "jee..woh"

Shiv: "kya…"

Gauri: "nahi…"

Shiv: "hum..vaise tum bhi kuch buri nahi lagrahi, nice saari"

Gauri looks up surprised at shiv's words: "jee??" As soon as shiv makes eye contact gauri shys away in fear and again lowers her head which shiv notices and gives a smile in response.

Shiv looks at the tray Gauri was holding and walks a few steps closer to gauri as shiv moves closer gauri's anxiety starts to overflow and her hands start to tremble slightly,as a result she spills some of the drink into the tray. Looking at gauri he realises that that his moving close was disturbing her and in response he stops and takes a step back increasing the distance between them whilst observing Gauri's reaction and noticing the change in her posture which had become a little more relaxed as Shiv moved away.

Shiv looking at the tray in gauri's hands asks.

Shiv: "yey mere leiye hai?"

Gauri nods a yes avoiding eye contact with Shiv and in a quite voice replys : "Jee"

Shiv walks towards still with his hands in his pockets..totaly relaxed and he felt even better having seen his morning drink. He walks towards gauri to take his drink…but seeing gauri's nervousness creep in again stops part way and smiles at her rubbing his forehead a little, he wasn't angry but a little worried thinking to himself: Kya really mein itna darata hoon?

Shiv looks at gauri:"ok ek kaam karon…apni anken band karlo "

"Jee"…..Gauri thinks to her self anken bandkarloo??, meine kuch gatalat toe nahee kiya?

Shiv repeats: "Anken band karlo, just do as I say" this time in a more forceful way.

Gauri squeezes her eyes tightly shut and as the darkness falls on her eyes her nervousness starts to rush up and down her body uncontrollably, with all these feelings she feels lost confused…what was he going to do??? "agar meine kuch galat kiya aur.." the fear within her was growing as she started thinking of reasons…why he had made her close her eyes. She just wanted this encounter with Shiv to end. Hoping someone will call for her give her a reason to escape and run away…she knew that was near enough impossible.

Shiv smiles at Gauri's innocence, she was so nervous around him, so reluctant. Shiv walks towards her slowly pacing himself to make sure …His footsteps sound against the tiled floor as he walks towards Gauri.

………………………

Hearing Shiv's footsteps coming towards her makes Gauri's heart thud. Shiv watches as gauri's facial expression changes with his each footstep fear increases as he approaches closer and closer. Shiv stops at touching distance picks up the cup off the tray and takes a look at its contents and then at Gauri who still had her eyes firmly closed.

Shiv: "tum ab anken khol sakti ho"

Hearing shiv's voice gauri paused a little before she opened her eyes, shiv was so close she could hear his breathing and not to mention a strong aftershave fragrance lingering. Opening her eyes, she looked up a little and saw shiv standing with the cup and saucer in his hands staring at the drink.

Shiv looks towards gauri, who looks down at the floor to avoid eye contact :"yey kya hai?"

Shiv: "coffee ?"

Gauri starts to stumble with her words: jee woh….nahi

Shiv: "chai?"

Gauri: nahi woh….mein

Shiv: Toe yey nahi coffee hai, naa chai…kis ne banaya yey raamu kaka ne, vaise hai who kaha kab se chila raha hoon, ane do use…kaam se nikal ta hoon. Shiv sounded a irritaited with the fact that he had been waiting so long.

Gauri: woh…mein yey...

Shiv: toe tume banaya hai???

Gauri:Nahi…matlab…woh

shiv: Ok forget it mein try kar ke dekhta hoon agar yey…galat drink hua naa toe I wont be responsible for my actions, ..sab jante hai..ke I cant stand people who make stupid mistakes…and yey kaka..une toe kitni baar batana subhe time par muje chai chaheeye aur evening mein coffee…. ..une toe mein baad mein dhekloonga.

Gauri: thinks to herself…chai chaheiye… bhagavan kare ke yey chai hien ho, nahi toe yey kafi ghuse mein lagte hai.. agar yey…

Shiv sees the fear on gauri's face and tries exploiting it for a little for fun. He began to speak In a much more firmer tone then before "Har galti ke sasa hoti hai..agar yey galat drink nikla toe …tum uski simidar hoge…is leiye saasa bhi tume milige, mansoor hai"

Gauri nods in a yes

Shiv takes sip from the cup…whilst maintaining his eye contact with gauri.. who was standing with her head lowered hoping the drink she had bought for him was right, a more pleading epresstion took shape on her face "o god please make sure it turns out to be what he wants". just as he takes a sip of the drink and swallow his phone rings. He reaches his one free hand into the pocket of his blazer pulls the phone out.

Phone Displays:

Unknown number calling...

Shiv picks up the call

"yes shiv speaking, yes I'm just on my way now" he walks out of the room past gauri with the cup still in one hand and phone in the other carring on with his phone conversation he leaves the room and just as he leaves gauri relaxes and becomes some what more comfortable again. Looks up in the air…thanks god or even the person who made the phone call saving her just at the right time "thank you shivji" just as she is about to leave the room she notices the wall clock which displays 9am and she realises that she is late for her appointment and rushes off.

In city hospital: Prateeks office, prateek and gauri are sitting at the desk inbetween a conversation.

Prateek: "tumara aajka therapy session to complete hua, now tell me hows married life, saab kuch theek toe hai naa?, tum kuch worried se lagrahi ho..shiv ne kuch kaha??"

Gauri: "nahi woh actually aaj subhe raamu kaka ghar mein nahi the toe..." gauri was just about to explain when prateeks phone rings.

"Ek minuit gauri, mein yey phone call leiyloon, is that ok?"

Gauri replies with a smile and prateek picks the phone up:

Prateek : Hello Prateek Mehta.. the caller turns out to be shiv.

Shiv: Hi prateek, shiv bolraha hoon…I was just ringing to make sure ke aaj gauri ka appointment tha..did it go well?

Prateek: yey nothing to worry about all is well, vaise appointment toe finish hogaya, mein abhi free hu..agar tume koi kaam na ho toe its stills morning so chai ke leiye chale.???

Shiv: gauri ne already piladi..woh bhi coffee

Prateek: "o I see ..is leiye thode stressed sound kar rahe ho, magar tume gauri ko is bare main sataya toe nahi.

Shiv: "no.kuch nahi kaha….not yet anyway"

Prateek: "uski galti nahi hai… she was not to know waise bhi if I get any complaints from her.." making a note of gauri's presence Prateek stopped in-between his sentence.

At this point gauri had figured out that the person on the other end of the phone was shiv and the whole nervous feeling started making its way within gauri.

Prateek smiled at gauri as he spoke on the phone "ok..gauri yaha hai tum use baat karna chahte ho?"

Shiv: "teekh hai use phone doe.. vaise bhi hamarey bate thodi adhoori se reh gayee thi"

Prateek passes the phone to gauri and smiles "shiv ka phone.."

Gauri:"mere leiye"

Prateek: "aur kis ke leiye hoga..lo" Gauri takes the phone.

Shiv: "prateek kehra tha..ke appointment acha raha…good, aur this moring kuch kaam Agayatha is leiye hamari bate puri nahi hue, vaise jo drink tumne muje diya tha..coffee woh agar tumhe yaad ho toe ….muje chai chayetee..

Shivs tone of voice was fairly serious which enforced the nervousness in gauri. Vaise coffee kafee ache thi..magar galti toe tumne ki…is leiye saasha bhi meiligi.

Gauri: "ji..??"

Shiv: kya saasa hogi… voh tumhe mein ghar ake bataoonga

Gauri kept silent… she was slightly embarrassed as well as scared, she was going all nervous just by listing to shiv's voice.

Shiv: ab mein rakhtaa hoon,…meri baat yaad rakhna …

Shiv puts the phone down and sitting in his office smiles to himself on how innocent gauri really was and how much his presence effected her behaviour. There was that one sweet side to it but also a worry that what Samar did to Gauri has effected her badly…what would it take for her to recover???

On the other hand in prateeks office gauri was still recovering from the conversation she had had with shiv, or even the conversation he had with her. Prateek makes a note of gauri's behaviour and comments. "toe ishq ne apna aasar dikha na shuru bhi kardeeya..ya yey…. woh coffee ka asar hai???" Prateek smiles at gauri…who begins to shy at his comment and also feels a little embarrassed to the fact that even he knew.

Prateek: "Toe hum chale… don't worry not coffee or tea then..juice." Prateek smiles at gauri. both of them get up and leave the office

Shiv ki Gauri

Chapter 8

Recap: night of the wedding, Prateek forces Shiv into having conversation on gauri condition following the incident..prateek hands shiv his mobile phone which shiv seemed desprate to find during his wedding and on prateek asking him the reason for this shiv mentioned important buisness contacts as the excuse. Dadi tells shiv that gauri is staying in the guest room for the night as this will help settle her condition and make her feel comfortable in the house. Shiv enters the guest room to check on gauri to find her sleep..covers her with his shoal and leaves. In the morning gauri finds her self all alone in the house when shiv begins to demand his morning drink. Unknown to what shiv expects and with a fear of having to confront him and possibly his anger for the first time gauri takes up a drink which she finds lying in the kitchen unaware of what it is. Shiv takes advantage of her nervousness for his own pleasure and tells her that if the drink she had bought up for him turned out to be wrong then she would have to suffer the consequences. Shiv takes a sip of the drink when his phone rings and interrupts ..shiv rushes off and gauri is saved from the situation. Later on whilst in her appointment with prateek shiv rings to ask about the therapy session ..and informs gauri that she had served him the wrong drink and therefore she is in trouble and he would inform her of the consequences when he gets home.

4pm in the kapoor house it had been hours since gauri had returned from her appointment with prateek and ever since having returned she had been busy, it was her first day in kapoor house dadi was making her go through all the traditions of a daughter inlaws first day at her new home from…doing very first puja in the house to cooking her very first meal. Dadi was pleasantly surprised by gauri's talents she knew that being aloks daughter she would have great knowledge of tradition and culture, spirituality and faith but she had also inherited his singing talents which dadi discovered when she had asked gauri to so the arti..she was the ideal bahu for the family incredibly innocent, well mannered and rooted. It was her very first day and the family could not stop complementing her……

"khene padeka Krishnaji hamari bahu naa aapse behetar meethai banati hai!"

dada,dadi,mehen and mehen's sister and brother in law (maya and aiyush) just arrived at kapoor house for a visit and were busy catching up in the seating area of the house whilst gauri was surving them the first dish she had made…

Aiyush: kheer!!!! Wah…badi achi hai beta.. he complemented whilst having his mouth full... gauri giggled at the fact maya was scolding him on eating like an ape..

Maya: bilkul janvar ki tare khate ho.. kabhi toe sudhro ge

Ayush: Tum kuch bhi kehlo maya.. mein toe khaaoonga …aur aise hein vaise tum toe aise ache kher to nahi banatatee…

Having served the kheer to each person gauri was standing there waiting for there verdict on how it tasted she couldn't help but laugh at maya and ayiush's bickering.

Maya notices gauri laughing ..Gauri yey toe aise hein hain u'll get used to it…tum vaha kyun khadhi ho..kheer bohot achi hai now..yaha akar hamare saath behto naa aur muje naa tumhe sagun dena hai.

Gauri comes and sits on the sofa next to maya

Maya: yey lo beta, maya opens her purse up and pulls out some money and hands it to gauri.

Gauri: magar is ke kyaa sarurat hai … maya interrupts

Nahi yey naa ek rasam hai..jab bahu peli baad kuch banati hai na toe bade tofa dete hai Sorry hum ne naa shaadhi miss ki woh aiyush ko bemari hone se baje haam travel nahi kar sake. Maya smiles at gauri.

Vaise tum in saab rasmon se thak gayee hogi naa…vaise woh wali rasam ki kya…jab naye dulha dulhan saab ke samne ek dusre ko apni dil ke baat batate hai

Maya: Nahi maa…!

Dadi: aise koi rasam nahi hote maya…

Maya: Hote hai…meine ki thi naa meri shaadhi ke vakt …

Dada: Nahi beta ..hamari ghar mein aise rivas toe nahi hai

Maya: Woh hoti hai !!! aiyush nai mujse…iska maatlab tum ne jooth kaha tha…

Aiyush: hah woh toe meine aise hein jooth muth ke banayeethi..

Maya looks at him in dis belief and annoyance: "KYA JOOTHI RASAM!"

Aiyush: agar mein yey nahi karta toe tum pyaar ka Ishaar kaise karti!!!!!

Maya: …tum!!!

Dadi tries to brake up the quarrel as the rest of the family sit in ammusment of the conversation, on the other hand gauri is sitting quitly..realeved of the fact that she wouldn't have to do anything of that sort it was bad enough thinking about what happened in the morning at what shiv's response would be to the mistake she made with his drink she hadn't even plucked up the courage to make eye contact with him never mind doing anything like talking to him in front of the whole family..

Dadaji: ok ok, never mind rasam nahi hai toe banalon is mein kaun si badi baat hai…aajse yey Is ghar ka naya rivas hoga. Kush!

Maya: "ok..thanks papa, koi to meri baat soonta hai"

Gauri got her hopes up to high she thought she had escaped…but not yet, she felt nervous.

Dadi noticed gauri's silence and to make her feel better dadi added:

"Magar gauri ko itaraas naa ho toe, gauri ko koi nahi satayega"

A sharp husky voice came from the distance:

"Gauri ko kaun sataraha hai???"

Everyone but gauri turned around to see shiv standing at the entrance of the room.

Hearing his voice put a shiver through gauri she knew it was shiv and as soon he had finished his words gauri got up from her seat to try to make a run for the kitchen to avoid him but..this wasn't good Idea the atmosphere went all quite with everyone seated gauri ended up be caught trying to escape. She was now standing alone amongst the family who were looking at her in question to where she was going and not to menion the presense of shiv who was staring directly at her with a questioning expression on his face

Seeing gauri uncomfortable and overhearing dadi talking about not teasing gauri..Shiv asked again this time aimed the question directly at gauri:

"Tumhe kaun sataraha hai gauri?" shiv asked again in a more serious tone.

Gauri was standing nervously trying to avoid shiv looking everywhere but at shiv fiddling with her sari pallu,

Gauri very quietly replys: "nahi..woh " she struggles to complete her words when dadi jumps in to help.

Dadi:"nahi shiv, gauri ko koy nahi sataraha..woh toe haam rasam ki baat kar rahe the, waise tum aaj early agaye.." dadi gets up from her seat and starts bombarding shiv with the usual stuff. Whilst dadi explains to shiv gauri takes advantage and makes her escape which Shiv does not fail to see but he lets it go.

Shiv: " yey Kaunsi rasam ki baat ho rahi hai??"

Maya: "mein batati hoon shiv" maya smiles at shiv who responds back with a smile.

"is rasam mein naa naye dulha dulhan ek dusre ko sab ke samne samne apni dil ke baat kehni hoti hai, magar lagta hai tumari dulhan toe sharmagaye."

Knowing that gauri is still part way to the kitchen and she can still hear shiv takes advantage.

Shiv: "is mein kaun se badi baat hai bua, agar aap keh rahee hai toe yey rasam bhi puri kardete hai." Shiv watches gauri as he speaks gauri was paused just at the exit of the room on hearing what shiv had said.

Maya: "nahi shiv.. gauri toe chali gayee ab nahi ho sakta" shiv gave a mischievous grin having noticed gauri standing at the doorway of the room listening.

Shiv:toe kya hua, meri girlfriend hai naa.

Maya: Girlfriend! Maya was confused expression on her face. Whilst dadi,mehen and dadaji were smiling as they had clocked on to the fact that gauri was still present in the room and shiv was making an up most effort to tease her.

Gauri overheard was even more shocked. Shiv looked at her grining.. unaware to the fact that shiv was watching her..gauri's confusion became impenint ..she started going pale shock as well as trying to handle her nerves at the same time. She thought to herself: girl friend?? she was stunned.

Shiv stood stud in amusement whilst dadi gave him disapproving looks on how he was teasing gauri.

Shiv: "yey girlfriend, bohot purani girlfriend bua..aap janti hai naa she's drop dead gorgeous"

Maya now gets the jist and joins in "kaun..hai tumari toe itni sari girlfriends hai naa yaad nahi rehta…hame bhi kabhi milaon!"

Its all getting too much for gauri now she cant belive what shes hearing and now maya bua was also talking.. unki girlfriend…aur ghar wale jante hai.???.

Everyone is now staring at keeping quite watching gauri 's reaction who is unaware of the situation

Shiv "aap jantee hai use bua..us din hum date pein gaye the..you met her remember?"

Maya: "Kaun shiv??"

Date pein?? Gauri thinks to herself...gauri cant handle it any more and tears start forming in her eyes and she starts to walk out of the room.

Shiv: dadi of course!, sab jante hai mera pehla aur akhree pyaar dadi hai. Shiv smiles at dadi and then complements her "looking stunning as always"and then looks towards gauri who just as she is about to walk out realises what shiv said pauses and as she takes it all in feels relieved smiles when she sees the light side of it and leaves for the kitchen.

Dadi:"dekha tum ne kya kiya..bichari..masak ki bhi koi haad hoti hai shiv..har vakt to tum kafi serious rehte ho.. aaj kya hua..gauri ke halat jante ho aur hame pooch rahe the naa Gauri ko kaun sataraha hai.. aur khud!... jab dekho sab pein kusha karte ho use toe chordo..."

Shiv smiles at dadi "I know..kya karoon dadi shiv kapoor aisa hein hu…i.couldn't resist.."

Dadi: use satauo maat…woh bohot bholi hai shiv!

Shiv leaves to head for his room to freshen up but diverts at the thought and heads towards the kitchen instead He stands behind gauri in silence watching her every move which she fails to notice as she is busy clearing up dishes in the kitchen thinking about what had happened a few minuets ago and she was getting all worked up over nothing… The more she thought about it the situation seemed humorous.

Shiv calls her from behind "Gauri"

Hearing shiv gauri drops her thoughts leaves what she Is doing and turns around. Shiv is standing leaning on the door frame with his arms folded. He notices that gauri's eyes had gone red and his teasing her was a bit too much..she had been crying? Having noticed this the expression on shiv's face softens as he smiles at her.

Shiv: "im sorry gauri "

Gauri looks up at shiv with misplaced eye contact, shocked at his apology she nods negatively as a gesture to ask him not to apologise she didn't want him to apploligise, she felt it was her stupidity that she couldn't take a joke.

Shiv smiled at Gauri's reaction Gauri was really bholi bhali as well as sidhi saadhi to the extent that she didn't want her husband to apologise to her even though he was the reason she was upset ...shiv got the impression that gauri would be like one of them really traditional indian wives the ones who believe their husbands can do no wrong.

Shiv: "muje dekho gauri… Gauri makes and effort to look up at him but soon as she makes eye contact lowers her head again.

Shiv: "agar mere masak ne tume kuch dard pochaiaya ho toe..please muje maaf…"

Gauri: nahi aap….please, this time she was actually looking at directly at shiv and for the first time she cut him off whilst talking, shiv was pleased at least she was making more of an interaction now…just as this thought went through his mind..gauri again went back to her usual nervous posture of looking at the floor and fiddling with her saari to which shiv gave a sigh.

Shiv:"huuum, viase tum janti ho naa hamari ek rasam aur baki hai "

Gauri looked worried at shiv's comment

Shiv: Woh subhe tea or coffee wali baat, yaad hai??? Shiv started walking towards gauri at this point

Gauri feels anxiety within her erupt as she sees shiv approaching she starts to feel tense and all the fear and nervousness comes back to her.

Shiv: "meine kaha tha..ghar ake tumari saza kya hogi woh bataoonga"

Gauri nodded a yes and when she looks up sees that shiv has left a considerable amount of space between them which makes her feel a little more relaxed he leans over towards her slightly and wispers in her ear:

"tumhari saza yey hai ke….." he paused

Shiv pauses and keeps his eyes fixed on gauri, shiv can see gauri's anxiety clearly, gauri started to tremble as shiv whispered…he could hear her heart beat thudding as he spoke

Tumhe aaj raat … he pauses again

Gauri's nerves were over flowing as she could feel shiv's breath on her skin, Sweat beads began to form on her forhead as shiv continued:

Mere saath ….

Mere kamre mein…

Raat gusarni hogi"

Shiv ki gauri

Chapter 9

Gauri's nerves were over flowing as she could feel shiv's breath on her skin, Sweat beads began to form on her forhead as shiv continued:

Mere saath ….

Mere kamre mein…

Raat gusarni hogi"

Shiv smiles at Gauri and notices how Gauri had closed her eyes even after he had finished. He moved away folded his arms back and waited for her a few seconds in silence with a grin on his face.

A minuet or so later Gauri relaxes and hearing very little noise she assumes that Shiv had left and opens her eyes to see shiv standing it front of her…with a rather serious look on his face which he tried to amend just a second before gauri looked at him. Seeing shiv staring at her with a rather serious look she diverts her sight.

"mein tumara intasaar karoonga …. Mere I mean hamare kamre mein" Shiv turns around to walk out of the door and just as he does Gauri feels relieved and relaxes her self. When shiv turns around.. "aur ek baat aur gauri" gauri straightens her self back just as he turns to face her and up looks away from him.

Shiv pauses like he was about to say something but changes his mind…you could see a thought process was going through his head, he was about to say something much changed his mind………….. "mere leiye ek coffee bhijwana…nahi aise karon tea kuyn ki subhe coffee pilayee thi naa..Shiv smiles at gauri.

Gauri feels embarrassed at the fact that shiv was reminding her of her mistake, gauri nods a yes and with that shiv leaves.

A few hours later..10pm, Shiv sits in his room working on his laptop when his phone rings…the phone displays:

Unknown Number calling….

"How many times do I have to tell you do you even understand!!!"...you are not to ring me, Shiv puts the phone down.

The phone rings again

Unknown Number calling….

Shiv picks up again in double the frustration "Do not ring me while I am at home…I'm warning you for the last time." He puts the phone down and carries on working; he was getting incredibly stressed at this point if he could very well kill someone right that minuet it was lucky that no one was around other wise they would have been the victim of Shiv's exploding anger. Taking out his anger on the keyboard tapping on the keys harder and harder when his phone buzzes. He picks up the phone off the desk and is just about to throw it off the desk when he sees…. Displayed:

One new text message

He opens the message and reads:

I need to see you…its important…please don't say no

Blue diamond hotel…tonight. xxxx

Shiv reads the message deletes it and writes his own:

Ok..i will try but cant promise anything, Take care

He pauses to look at the message and then sends it. Shiv checks the time on his watch switches his laptop off gets up to heads for his cupboard for a change of clothes as he was still in the same shirt he had been wearing all day Just as he opens the cupboard there is a knock at the door.

Rather irritated from people disturbing him shiv shouts in an irritated tone.

Shiv: "Come in!"

The door opens slowly and shiv sees gauri standing at the entrance of his room.

Shiv: "andar aajao gauri…"

Gauri walks in reluctantly looking around the room.

Shiv: Shiv stops rustling through his wardrobe to invite gauri into the room. "betho… he gestures Gauri to sit on the bed whilst gauri makes her way closer and sits on the edge of the bed nervously. Shiv closes the wardrobe door checks the time on his watch and then looks at Gauri who looks anxious.

Shiv"tum theek ho naa gauri?"

Gauri extremely terrified look on her face, she did not know what to expect shiv had called into his room…and she would have to stay there the night…she felt frighted at the possibilities and that was clearly shown on her face..as she nodded a yes.

"Waise…don't worry when I said tumhe raat gusari ni hogi I didn't mean… but agar tum..aisa chahtee ho toe…."

hearing his comment Gauri's face amounted to tremendous anxiety.. never mind the overflowing fear inside her as she looked up at shiv who was standing with his hands tucked in his pockets….

Having witnessed gauri's reaction shiv smiled " don't worry I'm just joking"

Gauri felt relieved, only she knew how she was feeling inside..shiv's comment had relaxed a worldwind of feelings inside her.

"dekho gauri mein janta hoon ke hamari shaadi kaise halat mein hue hai..hum ek dusre ke leiye anjaan hai…Aur use badkar jo tumare saath hua …."

Looking at gauri shiv could see tears forming in her eyes which she was trying to hide from him.

mein samajsakta hoon, mein janta hoon ke tum mujse darti ho, yey chehra tumhe taklif pochata hai magar tumhe is ka saamna kar na padgea. Viase your stuck with me for life now anyway.. u'll have to get used to it. Shiv smiles at gauri trying to lighten the mood, he knew talking to gauri about what shed been through was going to be hard but he was trying his best.

I know tumhe vakt lagega aur is leiye mein chahta tha ke tum muje janon mujse baate karon apna dard mujse baton, I know your not ready and I wont push, tum jo chahe kar sakti ho mujse jitna darna hai darlo but someone has to take the first step or you will never recover is leyie meine decide kiya hai from now on this room will be our room, aur tum yaha rahogi. And vaise mere paas doctor ki permission hai so no complaining to prateek, usne bhi yey recommend kiya hai….

Just as shiv was talking his phone rings. He digs it out of his touser pocket with an extremely irritated expression on his face. "ise bhi abhi bajna tha…"

Shiv picks up the call and talks to the caller on the other side:

"yey don't worry im on my way now…. bye" he puts the phone down and looks at gauri who is still sitting their her eyes wondering around the room looking at everything.

Shiv: Gauri, muje jana hoga, I know mene kaha tha ke mein tumse baat karna cahta hoon but muje jana hoga. Gauri nods a yes and gets up to leave while shiv turns around to pick out clothing from the ward drobe noticing gauri about to leave the room shiv grabs her wrist which made gauri miss a heartbeat.

Shiv: tum kaha jarahi ho???, mein kuch der keliye bahar jaraha hoon iska matlab yey nahi hai ke tum yaha se bhaglogi. Tumhe ab yaha rehna hai

Shiv noted how his touch was making her feel extremely uncomfortable to the extent that she was trembling and in response he released his grip and gauri relaxed.

shiv took his clothes and went into the rest room to get changed just as he opened the door and was about to walk in he turned around to look at gauri who was looking around the room helplessly where he had left her.

"tumhe darne ki koi sururat nahi hai gauri….mein shiv hoon samar nahi..hah agar tum abhi bhi jana chatee ho toe ja sakti ho mein tumhe roku ga nahi" he gave gauri a smile and went into the restroom.

Gauri couldn't believe what she had just experienced, she had the best feeling she had in days..shiv seemed so understanding he cared for her so much…all these thoughts were filling gauri with sense of satisfaction even if all the fear was still existent… she had been thinking about all the interactions she had with she…she shyed away at the thought of each incident but thinking about them made her smile….she knew amongst all the harshness of marriage there was something special…gauri became lost In her thoughts.

It had been around half an hour since shiv had gone to get dressed and gauri had explored the whole room and was now looking out the window at the night sky…when shiv walks in. gauri heres the door opening and turns around. Shiv is stood in a black shirt and blazer with a smile on his face…which gauri failed to see as she tried to avoid looking at him.

Shiv: How to I look?

Gauri looks up at him and nods negatively which shiv is totally taken back by…

Shiv: Kya??

Gauri: "Nahi woh…" gauri was unable to process her words she was too overwhelmed by shiv's presence.

Gauri: woh….

Shiv: woh kya???

Gauri points out that his shirt collar is out of place but instead of using words she interacted it using her hands. Shiv gets the jist and amends it..

Shiv smiles at gauri: "ab theek hai?"

Gauri: "jee" gauri also responds with a smile which shiv did not expect at all. It looked like gauri was much more comfortable now..shiv's experiment had work, even though it was only minor…it was an improvement which she was overjoyed to see.

"ok im off now..i will be back soon..abhi toe hamari bate adhoori hai..baad mein baat karte hai, make your self comfortable.

Gauri: "jee"

With that shiv leaves.

It was 1am as shiv walked into his room…he was exhausted he looked around the room in search of gauri when he sees the bed emptly he thinks to himself: gauri should be sleeping, kaha gayee, shayad guest room mein chali gaye hogi." Shiv tired…drops his blazer on the bed, removes his shoes and heads for the rest room. Just as he walks past the bed he sees gauri curled sleeping on the floor beside the bed in a pink nightgown.

Floor pein so gayee??? Shiv Is overwellmed my the fact that gauri was sleeping on the floor when she could have taken the bed..she had left the bed for him to sleep in Or maybe it was just the fact that she wasn't comfortable with the idea of sharing a room with him. What ever it was shiv stood watching and found the sight adorable.

……………………..

In the morning shiv awoke in his bed looked around to see the room empty..he looked down beside his bed where gauri was sleeping to see the area had been cleared of bedding and gauri had gone. it was 6 am he was awake on the dot like usual and headed for the shower..half an hour later shiv moring anger routine took course.

Shiv: "kaka!!!"………"kaka!!!!"

Rammu kaka enters shiv's room

Kaka: "kuch kaam tha beta"

Shiv: " Meri chai kaha hai..mein aapko abhi se kehraha hoon kuyn ki ke muje woh mere office jane se phele chaeeye….! Aur ek baat aur aapne gauri ko dekha???

Kaka: " appki chai toe kabki vaha rakhee hai , Gauri ne banayee thi…aur patanahi subhe se kahi chali gayee, shayad mandir gayee hogi."

Shiv turns around to look at his bed side table where he sees a tray containing a cup and by the side of it was stuck what looked like a note.. "theek hai, ab aap ja sakte hai" Kaka leaves.

Shiv walks towards the table to see a cup filled with what looked like tea as Gauri had made it he couldn't be to sure, he picked up the note stuck to the tray and read:

Yey aapke leiye…agar phir se koi galti hogaye toe I'm sorry… Gauri

Shiv gave an amused grin at gauri's tact, she managed to avoid him as well as keep him happy.

Meanwhile…city hospital in prateeks office…

Gauri: "Mein nahi janti par kal raat ko mein bohot dar gayee thi.."

Prateek: kuyn tumne shiv ko nahi bataya????

Gauri: une kaise batati….

Prateek: "But you now gauri, your just worrying too much…sirf prank calls hoga that's it..log aise cheap harkate karte hai…"

Gauri: nahi. "There was an incredibly confused look on gauri's face."

Prateek: "ok toe bataoon exactly kya hua."

Gauri: "kal raat ko jab woh ghar se nikla..uske baad…phone calls shuru ho gayee, mein pani leiyene neeche gayee thi aur call aya… koi aadmi tha...ajeeb se bate kar raha tha.. magar usne kuch khaz nahi kaha, sirf baar baar phone kar ke kaat diya."

Prateek: "meine kaha tha naa gauri..prank calls that's it. Gauri still wasn't satisfied; she still had a concered expresstion on her face."

Prateek: "ok tell me tumara depresstion looks like it fading away… kal meine hein recommend kiya tha shiv ko uske saath aur vakt gusarna, it was ok, koi problem toe nahi hue."

Gauri: "nahi"

Prateek: "Good that's very good I was afraid ke tum shiv ke presence mein phirse tumari condition, par aise kuch hua flashbacks aisa kuch."

Gauri : "Nahi magar …abhi bhi daar … prateek noticed that gauri was lost in her thought maybe she was still thinking about those prank calls."

Prateek: "gauri tum sun rahi ho naa??"

As soon as she hears prateek questioning her gauri pulls her self out from her thoughts "sun rahi hoon. "

Prateek: "use vakt doe..aur baat hai gauri tumhe kabhi naa khabhi toe who hadse ke bare mein baat karni hogi, use situation go dorana hoga kyun ki, wohi ek problem hai tumare daar ka..but its ok we will work on it. Anyways gauri dekho im sorry mere next appointment ka vakt ho gaya hai…aur dekho don't worry everything will be ok."

Gauri: "Ok thanks" with that gauri leaves prateek makes a note of how disturbed gauri looks and as gauri gets up to leave he reassures her

Prateek "gauri, don't worry, sab kuch deekh hojayega" gauri smiles showing a disturbed expression and leaves.

Back at the kapoor mansion Gauri walks in to find that there is no one around expect ramu kaka.

Gauri: "Kaka ghar mein saab kaha gaye???"

Kaka: "woh beta sab shopping kar ne gaye hai..woh maya mem saab ayee hai naa is leiye ghum ne gaye hai.."

Gauri: "theek hai, aur Kapoor sahaab?"

Kaka: "woh toe kab ke office chale gaye.., hah woh kuch message ki baat kar rahe the shyaad apke room mein."

Gauri, smiles at kaka, as he leaves..she thinks to her self "message…???"

Gauri makes her way into the bedroom to see the cup of tea she had left sitting in the same place she had left it… except at gauri's relief the cup was empty which meant shiv had drank it. Accompanying the empty cup was a note stuck to It :

Jab aapki galti hein itni sweet hai..toe hame apka yey galti baar baar karna mansoor hai….Shiv

That's when Gauri realised she had done it again, "O no..meine phir se.." when the phone rang….hai bhagvan yey inka hein phone hoga, ab kya kahoogi. Gauri started to worry as she walked to the phone…what If shiv questions her again about the whole drink thing what would she do.

Gauri: "hello"

Caller on the other end: "Mein shiv se baat kar sakti hoon please. It was a female voice."

Gauri: "Sorry woh abhi ghar pein nahi hai, kya mein message …" just as gauri was about to finish talking the woman on the other end put the phone down.

Gauri: "Ajeeb, aise hein phone kaat diya?"

The phone rang again gauri picks it up.

Gauri:"meine aapse kaha woh nahi hai…aap message"

Caller: "mein shiv se nahi tumse baat karna chahta hoon gauri"

Gauri: "mujse???, aap kaun bolrahe hai."

Caller: "tume is se koi lena nahi hai, jo mein tumhe kehne jaraha hoon woh dhyan se suno, mein janta hoon tumare saath kya hua… aur yey bhi janta hoon ke tum jise apna pati hai woh hein tumara gunegar hai…"

Having heard enough gauri decides to put the phone down "apni bakwas band karon, tum kya janoge.."

"Phone maat rakhna gauri kuyn ke mein bohot kuch janta hoon, bohot sare raaz janta hoon mein. Vaise tumare pati ko puchon ke woh adhi raat ko kise milne jata hai…."

Gauri: "agar tumne phone nahi rakha toe mein police mein complaint likhvaoongi!"

"Pochon shiv ko voh blue diamond hotel mein kya kar raha tha voh bhi ek ladki ke saath apni shaadhi ke ek raat pehele …Tum bhi kitni bevakoof ko..jis insaan ne tumara balatkar kiya us hein insaan se shaadhi karli."

Gauri: Kya???

"Hah...satchayee toe yahi hai…aur saboot bhi hai, tumara ohm pendent jo us haadse mein ghum hogaya tha..woh shiv ke paas kaise???? Iska matlab wohi hai naa."

Gauri: "Tum kaun hote ho yey sab kehne wale, jisne yey kiya woh salakho ke piche hai."

"Galat…galat insaan gauri galat insaan …..

saboot hein kya tha..doctor prateek?? woh toe shiv ka dost hai obviously woh shiv ka hein saath dega. Aur tum can you really be sure you picked the right person. Asli proof toe woh pendent hai..jo shiv ke paas hai, toe nikla naa woh asli gunegar. Yey saab uski chal hai, usne tumare rape kiya, saab chupa kar tumse shaadhi ki aur ab acha hone ka natak kar raha hai. Pyaar toe woh kisi aur se karta hai…woh blue diamond hotel wali…tumne notice kiya, jo baar baar phone call ate hai shiv par…nahi tum toe ise itni der se toe nahi janti..shayad tumhe nahi pata…."

Gauri: "Kaun ho tum, tum.."

Gauri is totally stunned by what she hears, what was he talking about, who was he and how did he know all this: "Kaun ho tum!!!"

After a short pause she gets a reply

"Samar kapoor"

Gauri is shocked and drops the phone; she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "yey saab uski chaal hai aisa kuch nahi hai….ladki..blue diamond hotel, yey saab muje kuch samaj nahi aaraha. " Gauri was going all read in frustration she had the shock of her life. Mera pendent..??? gauri looks around the room, yey sab ek plan hai..mera pendent yaha nahi hoga, inke paas nahi hoga. She frantically started searching the room. Draws, desks pratically everywhere she feels relived when she doesn't find it the only place she hadn't looked was shiv's wardrobe..she couldn't do that..looking at samars words go through her head "woh pendent shiv ke paas hai..aur jiske paas yey hai woh tumara gunegar.." she knew going though his cupboard was wrong but she had to do it to re asure her self. She opened the cupboard looked at the array of clothing; she opened the lower level drawers to find nothing but business files the rest was just other normal things. Gauri was reliefed there was nothing of the sort until incidentally one of shiv's shirts clinged to her saari as she was about to close the wardrobe, she pulled the shirt out to straighten it up on its hanger when something fell out of the shirt pocket onto the floor. She lent down to pick it up and saw lying there her pendent. As she picked it up she couldn't believe her own eyes tears rolled down her face, she couldn't take the shock

"is ka matlab????......"

Shiv Ki Gauri

Chapter 10

Recap: Shiv tells gauri that her punishment for bringing him the wrong drink is for her to spend the night In his room which gauri is terrifed by. On the other hand shiv recives a number of phone calls which he picks up and yells at the end user in response telling them not to call him. Later on he receives a text message asking him to come to blue diamond hotel. Gauri enters shivs room and shiv explains how he is aware of her condidtion is trying to help by making her spend time with him whether she liked it or not. He tells gauri has to go some where and leaves. In the morning shiv finds that gauri is not around meanwhile gauri is at the hospital telling prateek she is worried about pranks calls last night. She comes hope and gets a phone call from an unknown woman who asks for shiv and then puts the phone down. She gets a second call this time a man who tells her that shiv is to blame for her rape and the pendent he possesses is the proof..he also tells gauri about how shiv is going out with a woman..who he meets at blue diamond hotel and did so the night before there wedding. On gauri asking the man on the phone turns out to be samar.

Shiv parks up gets out of his car and then pulls out a bunch of yellow flowers and a card which were lying on the passenger seat and thinks to himself: hope she likes im sure yellow is her favourite colour. He walks out the car park into the entrance of hotel blue diamond. He looks around, checks his watch and then walks to the reception.

Shiv: "yes er..mein kisi ka intazaar kar raha hoon.. should be room 801, shiv smiles at the receptionist who looks kind of worried, shiv was a regular she knew very well the extent of his anger and was therefore being extra nice."

Receptionist: Hello sir, good afternoon shayad aap woh mam ki baat kar rahe hai but Im sorry to say woh abhi abhi kahi bhar gayee hai.

Shiv thought to himself: kahi gayee hai, meine kaha tha use she is not allowed to go any where. Shiv was getting irritated at this point, he looked towards the receptionist who was standing smiling at him

Shiv:"can you possibly tell me where she has gone?"

Reseptionist: "sorry sir, I'm afraid I don't know"

Staring at the receptionist a though process was going through his mind, he was wondering where she would have gone a second on contemplating he then snapped out of his thoughts : "ok, never mind please can you give these to her when she returns. tell her they are from shiv..she will understand."

Receptionist: "ok sir" With a smile the Receptionist takes the flowers and card from shiv.

Shiv leaves.

Meanwhile gauri is walking the streets in extreme sunlight all on her own.. She goes past arrays of people who are all walking for there own destinations but gauri seems lost, she was not at all concentrating on what she was doing and where she was going, she was to busy thinking about what had just happened it was like her hold world or what was left of it had come crushing down.

The unthinkable was going through her head not to mention questions she was scared of asking herself kya yey saab saach ha?, kya maine galti ke…… mera gunegar ……nahi yey nahi ho sakta…yey shab chut hai…magar us aurat ka phone….??? Gauri couldn't take it anymore she had been thinking and not to mention crying over the same thing ever since the phonecall.. she just wanted it all to end, everything to get better….

The same words were going through her head over and over again..

Pochon shiv ko voh blue diamond hotel mein kya kar raha tha voh bhi ek ladki ke saath apni shaadhi ke ek raat pehele

Yey saab uski chal hai, usne tumare rape kiya, saab chupa kar tumse shaadhi ki aur ab acha hone ka natak kar raha hai. Pyaar toe woh kisi aur se karta hai…

Gauri stops to compose her self… she looks around to see her self at the entrance of the mandir but hessates to go further looking around she sees a taxi driver who was parked up on the side of the road she approaches him.

Gauri:"bhai sahib woh aap muje yey bata sakte hai ke hotel blue diamond kaha par hai?"

Taxi driver: "woh yaha nahi shahear ke dusri side pein hai, aap jana chahyeiyegi.???"

Gauri: "nahi,…nahi jana hai"

Gauri was to scared by the thought of finding out what was dreading, she had always had this perception that when she gets married it will all be perfect, her husband would mean the world to her..everything, above everything and he does she couldn't possibly think of shiv like that it was against her morals "jis insaan ne mera haath thama woh kaise……muje aisa soch na bhi nahi chahyey."

Lost in her thoughts she walked….the more she thought the more Samars words hurt to the extent that all the pain from what she had suffered made its way back,

When her thoughts are interrupted when walking into the entrance of the mandir she hears a little voice crying..having looked she found the little girl sitting in her dads lap crying her eyes out.

The girl looked like she had fallen over grazed her knee the person who looked to be her dad was reasurring the girl trying to make her feel better:

Dad: "Dekho beta…roh mat, it will be ok papa hai naa.."

The little girl was continuously crying whilst her dad was blowing on her wound

Dad:"Look, teek ho jayega …that's better..dekho beta rote nahi, ham bhavanji se milne aye hai na.woh sab kuch teekh kardege"

The little girl looked confused…ham shiv ji ke mandir mein aye hai naa toe woh saab kuch theek kar dege

Girl: Really papa???

Dad:Hah tum shivji se pooch kar toe dekho

Girl: Yey shivji kaun hai papa????

Dad:Wohi jise hum milne ja rahe hai…

Girl: O toe bhagvanji ka real naam shivji hai papa ????

The little girl was so cute, gauri couldn't help but smile at her inocess but looking at the scene In front of her gave her hope, all her life her faith had been her inspiration which she had used as her strength, her dad had taught her from an early age that faith in god was the one thing that could overcome any obstacle and she believed in this deeply. Gauri watched as….

The girl smiled and hugged her dad. The sight reminded gauri of her childhood and how her dad would explain similar things to her just in the same way. She missed her dad, she had a needed urge to see him, he was the only person that she could talk to openly the one person who would understand her, help her. With that thought going through her head the only thing she could think about wanted to see her dad she hurried up the temple staircase in search of her dad. She looked around everywhere but he was no where to be seen. Gauri's eyes searched everywhere…there were a few old people in the mandir praying but apart from that it was totally quite gauri is totally surprised to see her dad missing…he was the priest afterall it was very unusual for him not to be around.

Baba kaha hoge, is vakt toe une yaha par hein hona chahyeta. Gauri looking around but alok is no where to be seen "shayad ghar pein hoge…" gauri makes her way to the house which is just around the corner from the mandir. Alok or gauri's home as it was really very minimalist it was completely the opposite to the kapoor house..the kapoor mansion farm house was bigger than aloks home after all he was only a small temple priest.

Gauri got to the entrance of the house and in all her excitement and she called out for her dad.. Enthusiastically really openly which she felt she could not do at her in-laws especially not when shiv was around.

"Baba!!!!!, baba….!!!! Kaha hai aap", gauri was so happy to have stepped back into her old home it was familiar territory where she felt comfortable in doing what she wanted as she walked into the hall she felt happy looking at all the familiar objects of the house… the ganpati murti that sat at the entrance of the hall, the array of wall hangings which were old black and white pictures of herself and her mum and dad. She stopped to look at them, the sight of them put a smile on her face.

"baba!!!! " gauri called out again when there was no response "mein janti hoon aap muje satane ke leiye aise kar rahe hai.." even though she was having to shout for him endlessly and wasn't getting any response she was still tremendously happy because it was like old times she would look for her dad but he would hide from her and then she would find him like they were little kids playing hide and seek.

Gauri walks into the lounge of the house to see alok sitting on the sofas but his back was turned towards gauri so maybe he had failed to notice gauri.., in all her exicitment and happiness gauri rushed up to alok and hugged him from the back. "baba!!!!" alok was overwellmed to see gauri he got up and gave gauri a hug.

"Kaisee ho gauri beta" gauri didn't respond, tears swelled up in her eyes as she stood still in aloks arms… just as she was about to respond her sight moved and she noticed that someone else was also in the room. Then she came to realise it was none other than shiv who was sitting smiling at them she felt really awkward again she couldn't belive hw was there and she was just about to tell her dad everything she felt uncomfortable even though she was only hugging her dad she felt really out of place with shiv's presence. she hid her tears and at once moved away composed herself and gave alok a smile.

Alok"dekho.. beta daamad ji bhi abhi aye hai… Alok makes a gesture towards shiv but gauri avoids looking at shiv and acknowledges his presence by nodding a yes at Alok.

Shiv notices gauri's change in behaviour, how she seemed so relaxed when she thought there was no one around but her dad and how uncomfortable she became when she realised that he was there. Shiv did not fail to notice a certain sadness and worry on gauri's face..but he assumed it to be the whole father and daughter moment which did that to her. Not wanting to interrupt he kept quite.

Alok: "Beta ek kaam karonge tum shiv ke lieye kuch chai coffee kuch"

Gauri: Jee baba, gauri walks into the kitchen while shiv and alok carry on talking ….wondering what shiv was doing there yey yaha kaise… .???, thinking about it there was no actual reason that came to mind she stopped thinking about it and headed to for the cupboard when she paused thought for a second and instead walked to the fridge and pulled out a carton of juice.

Meanwhile in the lounge

Shiv: "aise hein uncle woh yaha se gusar raha tha toe meine socha aap se milta chaloo"

Alok: "bohot acha kiya beta.."

Shiv looks around the house noticing all its simplidti and notices a wooden framed picture of a little girl sitting on the coffee table in the centre..noticing it he picks it up.

"yey gauri hai?" the picture was of a little girl with pig tails in a little dress..the picture was awfully cute.

Alok: hah..yey tasvir, jab woh chotee thi

Shiv: "kaffee cute tasvir hai " shiv smiles as he puts it back down on the table.

Alok: Yey toe kuch nahi hai..tumhe naa gauri ka kamra dekhna chahiye….

Gauri comes in with a tray which holds a glass full of what looked like orange juice. Shiv smiles at her thinking she's not gone for either coffee or tea this time…which she fails to notice as she had been avoiding him throughout the whole time. Gauri props the tray at shiv still trying to avoid gauri, shiv takes the drink and says "thank you" which gauri does not reply to instead she goes back into the kitchen to put the tray away and then comes back in and stands in the corner behind the sofa that her dad was seated on.

"Gauri beta tum khadi kyun ho betho naa, vaise mein shiv ko tumara karma dekha ne vala tha"

"Nahi baba woh meine woh, abhi tak darshan nahi kiye…aur woh puja bhi aaj .. nahi ke toe mein…"

theek hai beta tum jaon

gauri poised in the same place for a few seconds like she was waiting for something looking in shivs direction..it was as she was waiting for his permission.

Alok: kya hua beta jahon naa, aur suno..puja ke thal maat bhulna

Gauri: jee baba,…

"Shiv: its ok gauri tum jahon…vaise muje tumare dad se kuch bate kar ne hai..i mean baate kar ne hai."

Gauri: nods a yes and then leaves….

Walking out of the house she cant help but think on the things samar told her over the phone…and things were now even more strange, what was Shiv doing there??..

Gauri reached the alter at the mandir and began her puja but she wasn't at all concentrating she missed out a number of things and not to mention the errors she made..all her attention was given to

It had been over an hour since gauri had been gone alok had showed shiv around gauri's room and haand alok had began to wonder where she was…

Alok:Ajeeb hai.. use abtak to ajana chahiyie tha.. woh roz yey puja karti kabhi itni der toe nahi lagti, aur ab toe mandir band hone ka vakt hogaya hai…

Chalo dekh te hai, aur viase bhi usne kuch khaya bhi nahi hoga

Shiv looked at alok with a rather questioning look

Hah, woh puja kiye bina kuch khati nahi hai..toe hum chale

Both of them leave.

A few miniutes later alok and shiv walk up to the mandir to find gauri sitting on the temple staircase lost in her thoughts.

Alok: Yey yaha bethi hai...

They are both just about to approach gauri when shivs phone rings, shiv pulls his phone out of his blazer pocket and on it reads:

UNKNOWN NUMBER CALLING….

Shiv: Sorry uncle urgent phone call hai

Alok: Koi baat nahi beta tum phone lo mein gauri se milta hoon

Shiv: Unclule use kehyeyga ke agar woh ready hai toe chale..

Alok: Theek hai beta

Alok makes his way up the stairs towards gauri who is still unaware of there nearby presence while shiv stops and takes the call a few steps away from the mandir staircase.

Alok comes and sits next to gauri who is sitting with a worried yet lost expresstion on her face still holding the puja plate in her hands.

Alok: "kya baat hai gauri yaha kyun bethi ho..itni der kaise lagi" alok notices that gauris behaviour was a tad strange and something was concerning her.

Alok: gauri sab kuch theek toe hai naa

Gauri turned to her dad and smiled trying to hide all her worries "ji baba sab kuch theek hai" she didn't want her dad to know the problem she was facing, he had all ready been through enough as it was and as for once today he seemed really happy.

Acha beta…alok smiles at gauri.. tumne nahi bataya tumhe itni der kyun lagi???

Woh mein, kuch nahi aise hein

Alok noticed the plate in gauri's hands looking at it he noticed how certain things were still remaining in the plate, milk, sindhoor, ghee.. "tumari thali aise kyun padi hai…is mein yey saab, is ka matlab tumne puja teek se nahi ke???" yey fuul kyun tumare paas hai..yey toe tume puja samapt hone par shiv ji ke charno mein rakhna hota hai…tabhi toe tumara vrat khul sakta hai.

Being a pujari..gauri's dad was really strict on these types of things and gauri knew it

Gauri: Woh baba shayad mein bhool gayi

Gauri tum saach kehrahi ho naa sab kuch teekh hai naa, tumne aisa kabhi pehle toe nahi kiya toe aaj

Kuch nahi hai baba woh aise hein

Agar tum keh rahi ho toe theek hai, magar sach kahu toe ab muje koi fikar nahi hai kyun ki mein janta hoon ke shiv tumara bohot kyal rakhega …

Saach gauri, shiv tumari bohat parvar va karta hai, aur jo usne hamare leiye kiya hai woh ham kabhi nahi chukka payege. Aur viase bhi uski baton se pata chal janta hai ke tum uske leiye kya maayne rakhte ho. Woh dekho who tumara intasaar kar raha hai.

Looking down from where she was sitting she was surprised to see shiv standing smiling with a little girl in his arms. It was the girl gauri saw earlier she sitting in shiv's arms and they were both laughing. It was such an adorable sight that made think twice about shiv…it was like a complety different side to what she had seen before which made her even more confifenint in her belifes that shiv was not to blame. Seeing him in this light made her feel guilty for even thinking that he was in the wrong.

Alok: "Toe tum yaha ruko mein abhi mandir kulvata hoon tum tumari puja khatam kar lene

Gauri: Rukriye baba…is ki koi sarurat nahi hai

Alok: Aise kaise chalega beti…agar tum puja nahi puri karogi toe vrat kaise tute ga, kal tak bhukee rahogi kya.

Gauri doesn't respond instead she takes her puja plate and walks down the stairs to where shiv is standing with the little girl and places the flower at his feet and touches his feet without him realising.

Alok watches and is overwellmelled by the sight, where as shiv is completey ablivous as he is too busy talking to the little girl:

Uncle aap bhagvanji ho na

Nahi mein toe shiv hoon

Hah mere papa kehte hai ke bhagvanji ka real naam shivji hai

Yes but mein to sirf shiv hoon, bhagvanji nahi

Agar aap bhavan ji nahi hai toe, toe abhi us anty ne aap ke pairo mein kyun phool rakha..phool toe sirf bhagvanji

Shiv ki Gauri

Chapter 11

Recap: Shiv a bunch of flowers to give to a certain lady in room 801 blue diamond hotel but the receptionist tells him that the lady he is talking about is not at the hotel so he leaves leaves. Meanwhile gauri is walking the streets she gets to the mandir and decides to go and visit her dad and tell him about the recent incidents but when she gets there she is shocked to find shiv there as well. She avoids shiv by going into the mandir to do darshan. Whilst shiv stays with alok and explores her house…gauri had not returned for a considerable amount of time so shiv and alok go to find gauri and find her sitting on the mandir staircase. Shiv gets a call and stays behind to receive It whilst alok goes to talk to gauri. Alok notices gauri's strange behaviour but on questioning gauri denies all. Gauri had not finished her puja..alok insists on reopening the temple for her but instead she refuses and completes it by touching shiv's feet instead which was unknown to shiv as he is busy talking to a little girl. Shiv has to rush off when he gets another phone call. Later on in the day gauri gets a call from the receptionist at hotel blue diamond who asks gauri to come and pick up some things that shiv had forgotten there, getting there she finds that someone had already collected Shiv's things..so instead she decides to ask if shiv had booked a room and she finds that he has done but also with some woman..gauri sadded and shocked tells Prateek about everything to which Prateek tries to reassure her that its all a misunderstanding but she is not convinced right at that very moment shiv happens to be there having heard everything.

Gauri was feeling uncontrollably nervous, shiv had heard everything..what would his reaction be, sacred to face up to the situation gauri keeps her back turned to shiv whilst prateek trys to cover things up by smiling.

Prateek: "Nahi shiv ham toe sirf….aise hein, gauri wasn't feeling so well"

Shiv was having none of it.

Shiv: "Jooht mat bolo prateek"

Shiv: "muje gauri se akele mein baat karni hai

Prateek: "shiv everything is fine, its all sorted now"

Shiv: "LEAVE PRATEEK!!!!!"

Prateek gives her a reassuring look in response "I'm only outside" and then walked towards the door and stopped where Shiv was standing. Looking at Shiv Prateek could read what was going through his mind…it was anger concern and disappointment all rolled into one.

Prateek: "Shiv please don't…." Prateek stopped partway as he knew Shiv was not at all listing or was going to, he was standing with his hands in his pockets trying to maintain his normal self but his face was clearly showing hidden rage and concern. Prateek decides it is best that they both sort it out amongst themselves and he leaves.

There is nothing but silence in the room, the atmosphere was tense, Gauri was still standing with her back to shiv whilst shiv stood at the entrance of the room..quite a distance away from Gauri.

Gauri was feeling uncontrollably nervous, shiv had heard everything..what would his reaction be and it was even more terrifying now prateek had left, scared to face up to the situation gauri keeps her back turned to shiv, now that she was in shiv's presence she was trying incredibly hard to keep hold of her emotions and stop crying but it was of no use.

On the other hand shiv's thoughts were running him mad, his face depicted nothing but anger ..how could she even think that I would..everything he had heard was all erupting inside him as rage as he watched gauri standing idol no movement at all she did not even make an effort to explain her self, never mind explain she had her back to him which got to him even more Shiv saw it to more of a gesture of ignorance than fear.

Shiv: " Muje dekho gauri" is taraf dekho gauri!

Gauri didn't respond and shiv was losing his patience.

He could hear gauri's silent weeping. He walked up to gauri pulled on one of her sholders and turned her around..his anger softened a little as he saw gauri's fearful and distort expression…shiv had his hands wrapped around gauri's shoulders he was looking right at her, his touch made gauri tremble and she wouldn't dare make eye contact. Shiv was well aware of gauri's fear he could feel her trembling at his every move..but he overlooked it his anger was taking over his senses and instead of letting go of her he tightened his grip.

Shiv: "Mein saahi keh raha hoon naa , Is leiye muje dekhna bhi nahi chahtee… tumhe lagta hai ke…meine….. he stopped half way in between.

nahi muje tumare muhn se suna hai, kahon gauri kya lagta hai..abhi toe prateek ko batarahi thi..meine tumare saath kya kiya..??..bolo…"

Shiv was totally furious his eyes were filled with total rage as he stared at gauri… but gauri still wouldn't respond is was just crying looking down at the floor. She felt suffocated, shiv was so close..she was so scared, she couldn't differentiate between right and wrong for her self, how was she meant to answer him. Shiv's anger was out of control and she couldn't do anything about it.

Shiv: "Is ke phele ke mein apne aap se bhaar hojau tum mere saval ka javab doe gauri"

"Mere saval ka javab doe gauri !!!"

"MEIN TUMSE KUCH POOCH RAHA HOON !!!!" Gauri gave no response but shiv anger was becoming increasing aggressive..he began to tighten his grip on gauri and shake for a response.

"KAHO NA KE MEINE TUMARA BALAATKAR KIYA…YEH HI SOCH TI HO NA TUM!", gauri couldn't take it any longer and crying furiously she tried to move back away from shiv but shiv's grip on her was to strong as she tried to move away from him but shiv pulled her back harshly which tore the front of her saari revealing flesh and even more sadly it revealed deep scars and bruises just below her shoulders on her chest. Shiv had just that moment come to his senses the sight of gauri's scars bought him back to reality..in all his anger he had revealed buried wounds for gauri and made matters even worse then they were. It was such a shocking sight for shiv, he knew gauri was hurt depressed but seeing her scars for himself he realised just how horrific it was.

Prateeks words flashed back at him in that single moment: its not just mental scaring shiv..is haadthse ne use physically bhi scar kiya hai…just warning you l shiv woh is baat ko lekar bohot sensertive hai ….

Shiv was standing in total shock with gauri's saari piece in his hands….he

looked at gauri who was endlessly crying frightened with her eyes closed tightly tears were rolling out of her eyes as she shuddered putting her hands over her bare skin to hide the scars from shiv.

It was then that it hit shiv..in his rage he had forgotten everything, he was being totally inconsiderate towards gauri and looking at her in such grief, fight and having seen her in that state having seen her scars and how she was so vulnerable and hurt he realised how his approach towards the situation was completely wrong. He took a few steps closer to gauri still with her saari piece in his hands…he stared at gauri as he moved closer. Gauri had her eyes firmly shut. She was tremberling as shiv approached her closer and closer there was only silence just the sound of shiv's footsteps and gauri's silent crying.

Gauri: "Please…please..Nahi" all sorts of thoughts were going through her head, she was scared to think, what if she encountered the same horrific ordeal once again if for a second time her dignity was taken away from her , what if shiv…

Gauri: "plea….please…nahi" gauri could hear shiv's footsteps approaching closer, gauri moved back further and further away with each of shiv's footsteps until she hit the wall behind her.

Shiv stopped as he got right up to gauri, took the saari pallu which was in his hands and placed it back over gauri's shoulder to cover her. gauri could feel the material being placed over her skin, She was relieved when she felt warmth of it cover her skin. There was nothing but silence for a minuet as shiv stood looking at gauri. Gauri was still stood poised with her eyes still shut in fear, tears had even made there own place down gauri's cheeks and beads of sweat were running down her forehead. Shiv was continuously staring at gauri, looking at the pain on her face, the fear..he thinks to himself on gauri's reaction he contemplates on the fact that she thinks that he would do such a thing as rape her..and even a moment ago she was thinking the same thing..??that he would do that to her. There was distress and pain that he felt within him but also a sense of disappointment, anger towards her..towards the situation… towards her thoughts, he was feeling utter disgust at what she was thinking of him and that is what was causing a build of anger within him.

After a minute of mutual silence gauri opens her eyes to find shiv stood an inch away staring at her. shiv still maintained that very serious anger driven expression even though his eyes portrayed something else..they were filled with compassion and sadness.

Gauri stood encapsulated in shiv's presence, she couldn't avoid him in anyway what so ever he was stood so close staring right at her, staring not only at her but It was as he could see through her deeper down.. sensing her feelings and thoughts and even her scars had been revealed to him. Everything was out in the open..everyting she feared and wanted to hide was out there for him to see, she felt exposed and shiv could sense it. She stood trying to avoid Shiv but it was of no use. Shiv pulled up gauri's face and looked into her eyes, gauri tried hard but struggled to avoid shiv's stare:

Shiv: "Mein itna bhi gira hua insaan nahi hoon ke apni patni ke saath aisa kuch karoon."

Gauri was just continually crying as she looked into Shiv eyes….and before Shiv could say any thing else

There was a knock at the door.

Hearing the knock at the door Shiv moved away from Gauri at once and second later became aware of his surroundings he tried to snap out of his uncontrollable state of mind but he was not to successful in doing so his anger and distress was still visible on his face, he reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to Gauri. Gauri wasn't aware of this at all she was overwhelmed by everything and was trying to control her self.

Shiv: "Apne asoon poch lo" he gestured the handkerchief up at gauri for a second time and this time hearing him she reluctantly took it from him and started wiping her tears.

There was another knock a the door

Shiv: "come in" the door opened and it was Prateek.

Looking at shiv and gauri he noticed the incredible amount of intensity between them which they were trying to hide. It was obvious that gauri had been crying, her face showed it all..it was much more sadness then it had done when he had left her.

Prateek: "sorry.. everything is ok isn't it", Prateek's was gesture more towards gauri then shiv, he noticed how distort and upset she looked.

Shiv nodded a yes.. "but we are not finished yet so…"

Prateek: "I know I'm sorry, magar mein gauri ko davay dene aya tha.. I take it she hasn't had her anti depressants." Behind pateek there stood a nurse with a tray carrying a glass of water and a sliver tablet sachet. The nurse walked in and left the tray on the table.

Shiv just stood staring at Prateek, he knew it was all just an excuse just to check up on them and even Prateek was well aware that Shiv would have sussed him out.

Prateek: "So ok I'll leave you to it" Prateek closes the door.

Once Prateek had left there was once again a tense silence.

Shiv walked towards the desk which was in the centre of the room, picked up the glass of water and diluted the tablet with the water and took it towards Gauri who was standing in the very same place she was earlier lent against the wall.

Shiv handed the glass to gauri without saying a word. Looking up from the floor..having looked at the glass she nodded negatively, she didn't want it.

Shiv: "Take it gauri!" shiv still got no response and he was becoming extremely annoyed.

Shiv: "aw I see kyunki tume abhi lagta hai ke meine tumare saath..!!! " in his building up anger shiv smashes the glass against the floor which makes gauri jump.

Shiv: "Tumne yey nahi socha ke agar mere aisa koi erada hota naa toe, meine aaj tak tumse door kyun raha..agar meine ek baar tumara rape kiya toe phir se bhi kar sakta tha…!!!! shaadhi ki raat hein tum pein mera haq jamasakta tha na..INFACT ABHI BHI CHU SAKTA THA TUME..PATI HOON NAA TUMARA!!!!!"

"you know what kyun naa haam yey saab yaha hein katam kar de!!!"

Gauri was too frightened to respond.

"jana chahtee ho naa tum..satchayee kya hai!!! , tumhe lagta hai ke tumara pati gunegar hai…lagta hai naa!!!! toe mein tumhe bata hoon!!!"

"Viase bhi tumhe toe lagta hein hai naa ke meine tumare rape kiya..lagta hai naa!!!!

To yey bhi janlo ke hah meine blue diamond hotel mein ek room book karvaya hai aur woh bhi ek ladki ke saath!!!"

Shiv: Satchayi jaana chahti ho naa toe chalo mere saath mein tumhe bata hoon .. Shiv grabed gauri's wrist and pulled her across the room and outside in to the corridor where prateek is standing. Prateek sees shiv the struggle between shiv and gauri and stops them.

Prateek "yey kya kar rahe ho shiv, gauri ko chodo..kaha ley ja rahe ho use" shiv ignores prateek and carries on right down the corridor, outside in to the car park, he opens the car door for her and forces her inside and gets inside the driver side. Prateek had followed shiv out to the car park and worried by shiv's anger and what he was going to do he to got into his car and followed shiv.

20 minuets of rash driving and silent anger, shiv stopped the car outside Hotel Blue diamond. Gauri was still In no state to think straight her shock and fright at shiv's behaviour was too much to take in.

Shiv: "ok gauri no more crying behave appropriately and I will respond in the appropriate manner…yehi chahti thi naa tum so then get out of the car and do as I say"

Gauri didn't respond but took on what Shiv had said and got out of the car. Both of them entered the hotel and walked into the reception desk.

Shiv: "Can I have keys to my room please, Mr Kapoor room number 801"

Reseptionist: "sure sir" the receptionist opens a drawer to find the keys

"Sir..im afraid I don't have the keys, but mere khyal se yey room abhi vacant hai so aapki partner shayad room mein hai."

The words "aapki partner" struck gauri really hard..she jus stood in utter despair waiting reluctantly behind shiv.

Shiv: "ok thank you." Shiv began to walk towards the hotel rooms and gauri followed him behind until they got to room 108. shiv was just about to open the door when he took a look at gauri who was standing a few steps behind him. Shiv had no expression on his face..just traits of anger which had now seemed faded. He ignored gauri who clearly showed a hesitancy to go in there..and instead gave a more forceful look as he opened the door.

Gauri stepped in to the room to find a woman sitting in bed covered in layered blankets and sitting next to her was someone who looked like a doctor. gauri didn't recognise the woman but the lady looked as she knew gauri. Shiv walked in behind and closed the door.

Shiv: "Dr aap ja sakte hai ...thank you" the doctor leaves.. the woman sits up in bed looking at gauri..and then shiv

Woman: Kya baat hai shiv, kya hua ..itne ghuse mein kyun ho..aur yey, the lady looked towards gauri with a questioning look.

Shiv interrupts before the woman could carry on : "tum gauri ko bataon ke hamara rishta kya hai"

The Woman looks at shiv really confused: "what are you talking about shiv???"

Shiv: Baton use ke tum kaun ho!!

Woman: "magar kyun shiv, baat hai kya hai"

Shiv: "just tell her!!!!"

Woman: "mein kaya hoon……"

Shiv: "aur kahon, tumara rista kya hai mujse "

Kaya: "mein tumare bhai ki wife hoon, samar ki patni..tumari…

It was then that it gauri realised samar ki patni….????????

Kaya: magar yey saab kyun pooch rahe ho"

Shiv: Kuyn ke gauri ko yey lagta hai ke mere koi affair chal raha hai! Aur yey hein nahi use yey bhi lagta hai ke meine uska ghunegar hoon..mein uska rape kiya.!!! Shiv's anger was gradually building up as he tried to explain; before he could go any further…

There was a knock at the door.

Shiv paused on hearing the knock and all three of them looked towards the door. The door opened, it was the doctor "Kya mein aap se baat kar sakta hu Mr Kapoor." Shiv had enough he was trying his level best to keep control but it was too much.

Shiv: "if you must!", Shiv replied in a very irritated tone and then walked out of the room to go and talk to the doctor.

Gauri was stood totally overwhelmed and not to mention confused with what she had heard. She didn't know what to think, she was still shocked to hear that the woman in front of her eyes was samar's wife and not just some woman that he was having a relationship with as she was lead to believe.

Kaya looked at gauri who was looking incredibly upset yet bewildered out of place stood in the corner of the room. in her head kaya put it all done to shiv's behaviour, she knew it was probably all his shouting and screaming that had been the reason for her state.

Kaya tried to make gauri feel better by smiling but she knew that that was going to be of no use gauri's sorrows looked to be much more deeper than first seen on her face and It would take much more than a smile to make her feel better, "kadhi kyun ho, yaha betho…its ok shiv nahi hai naa..you can relax. Kaya gestured gauri to come and sit next to her and gauri did just that. Gauri looked at kaya in couriosity…

Kaya: "Gauri aisa kuch nahi hai belive me, mein Kaya hoon samar ki biwi trust me, woh toe tumare hadse ke bare mein jane ke baad meri tabyet kuch theek nahi hai is leiye. Mein janti hoon gauri jo samar ne tumare saath keiye woh bohot galat hai magar jo tumare saath hua shiv nahi tha samar tha. Aur yey pheli baar nahi hai ke samar ne asia kuch kiya..woh toe…

Kaya paused; a deeper sadness took over her face as she spoke about samar.

Kaya: Mein sirf itna keh rahi hoon ke tumhe galat faime hue hai..aisa kuch bhi nahi hai.."

Gauri was really overwhelmed to be hearing this, she was wrong all along, that shiv had never done anything of sort she was thinking of. Numerous questions were going around in her mind, this was the right time to have them answered. After a considerable amount of hesitation she managed to ask: "Phir woh pendent???"

Kaya: Woh samar ke paas tha..usne shiv ko diya tha yey keh kar keh yey mera hai..yey saab uski chal thi gauri aur kuch nahi.

Gauri: Aur… Aur… woh phone calls??

Kaya: "Yey calls mere the…shiv muje regularly phone karta hai mere health ke bare mein pooch n eke leiye..aur kuch samar ke bhi, woh abhi bhi shiv ko phone karta hai, apni baat manvane keliye… jail se choot n eke leiye woh kuch bhi kar sakta hai.. magar ham tumhe kuch nahi bata sakte kyunke agar tumhe pata chala toe …

Pause…. Ke samar jail mein bhi hokar apni chale chal raha tha toe tum…

..shiv nahi chahta tha ke tume aur taklif ho is leiye hamne yey saab chupaya tumse, is mein shiv ki koi galti nahi hai gauri."

Gauri just sat In shock at what she had experienced, yey saab ek galat faime hai??? When she thought about it all made sence, phonecalls from the hotel, the pendent, samars phonecall it was all just a big misunderstanding. She had blamed shiv for no reason and her regret for that was building up uncontrolaby..she had accused him of rape without knowing any of the facts..she had accused him of adultery.

Gauris wordwind of thoughts were interrupted by what sounded like a ringtone, kaya and gauri both looked around to find shiv's phone left on the bed. Both of them looked at it hesitantly:

UNKOWN NUMBER CALLING….

Kaya looked at gauri: "gauri phone uthao" gauri nodded negatively at kaya and then a second of contemplation and she picked It up.

Although she picked the phone up she did not say anything, she was in no state to talk to anyone after a short pause the caller on the other side:

"Shiv…shiv….aw..i see ke your speechless aaj koi gali nahi dene hai…well .what can I say, mere ek jhoot ne tumar zindagi ke kya halat kar di…..or shall I say gauri ke kya halat kar de…bichari yey samaj ne lagi ke tumne uska rape kiya………".

On hearing these words gauri froze, she knew that the person on the other side samar she was shocked by what he had said a single tear drop rolled out of gauris eye as she listened…it was true it was samars plan all along and she had fallen for it. Gauri felt so ashamed inside..so many people had tried to assure her that Shiv was not responsible but she overlooked them all and doubted him. Kaya overheard samars voice and took the phone off Gauri and rejected the call at once.

Kaya could read gauri's expression, it was just sheer guilt and shock and sorrow. Just as she was about to try and console gauri, shiv walks in and gauri and kaya both get up. Gauri moves back into her more enclosed posture avoiding shiv and she goes over everything in her head again and again.. shiv's words prateek's reassurance everything comes back to her in the form of tears.

Kaya: mein abhi ati hoon, kaya walks past Shiv and out of the room.

Shiv looks at gauri to see she was still with tearful eyes, looking at her he assumes that she had been ignorant towards even kaya's explanation.

Shiv: "Abhi vahi soch rahi ho naa!!!…"

Gauri was dying to make her confession tell Shiv everything to apologise for doubting him, but Shiv did not give her a chance to speak and she couldn't bring herself to speak up in front of him, instead she just stood quietly listening to what Shiv had to say and now even his anger did not hurt as much because it was clear within her mind that he was not to blame, if anyone was to blame she felt it was only herself. Regret was the dominant feeling within her..it hurt her to think that she was the reason for her husbands distress.

Shiv: "tum janti ho gauri yey saab hone se pehle mein yey soch tha ke syaad In kuch dino mei n mein tumse…pyaa….."

shiv didn't finish off, he just stared at gauri with eyes filled of compassion which gauri didn't notice as she was looking away from him but she had realised how his tone softened, like he was trying to tell her something, something personal.

Shiv: "Tum nahi samjongi….

…maybe mein galat hu, the wrong person for you. Is leiye toe tumne mere baare mein aisa soch leiye. tumare nazaro mein meri kya aimeat hai gauri?..... is baat ka jabvab bhi nahi de sakti naa tum, mere kisi javab ka saval ka javab nahi de sakti..nasre ootha kar bhi nahi dekh sakti naa muje. Kya mein itna bura hoon?

Afsos toe is baat ka hai gauri ke shaadhi ke baad meine tumhe apni zindagi maanleiya magar aaj pata chala ke tumare leyiye mein.. kuch nahi..kuch bhi nahi.."

Shiv walks out of the room leaving gauri alone with her guilt and tears.

Shiv Ki Gauri

Chapter 12

Recap: Gauri was dying to make her confession tell Shiv everything to apologise for doubting him, but Shiv didn't give her a chance to speak and she couldn't bring herself to speak up in front of him, instead she just stood quietly listening to what Shiv had to say and now even his anger did not hurt as much because it was clear within her mind that he was not to blame, if anyone was to blame she felt it was only herself. Regret was the dominant feeling within her..it hurt her to think that she was the reason for her husbands distress.

Shiv: "tum janti ho gauri yey saab hone se pehle mein yey soch tha ke syaad In kuch dino mein mein tumse…pyaa….."shiv didn't finish off, he just stared at gauri with eyes filled of compassion which gauri didn't notice as she was looking away from him but she had realised how his tone softened, like he was trying to tell her something, something personal.

Shiv: "Tum nahi samjongi….…maybe mein galat hu, the wrong person for you. Is leiye toe tumne mere baare mein aisa soch leiye. tumare nazaro mein meri kya aiymehat hai gauri?..... is baat ka jabvab bhi nahi de sakti naa tum, mere kisi javab ka saval ka javab nahi de sakti..nasre ootha kar bhi nahi dekh sakti naa muje. …..Kya mein itna bura hoon?Afsos toe is baat ka hai gauri ke shaadhi ke baad meine tumhe apni zindagi maanleiya magar aaj pata chala ke tumare leyiye mein.. kuch nahi..kuch bhi nahi.."Shiv walks out of the room leaving gauri alone with her guilt and tears.

……………………………………………….

8 am in the Kapoor mansion, it was all quite dada and dadi had finished there morning routine and were sat at the dinning having breakfast, the table was filled with numerous dishes from toast and juice to paratha's and even sweets which dadaji had his eye on and began to playfully complain on how his diet had been restricted with the hope that dadi would feel sorry for him and let him eat them.

Dadaji: "Kya Krishna ji aap bhi… kabhi toe apne pati ki baat maanlejiye, ek jalebhi kha tha toe kya hojata. Vaise aap ko mere armaano hi koi fikar nahi hai…" Dadi does not respond and seems completely lost and dadaji was well aware of it, there was definitely something that was wrong because he knew If everything was normal than his wife would have responded with an equally teasing and apt reply by now, dadaji thinks of changing the subject in response to his wife's worrying silence.

Dadaji: "vaise aaj toe gauri ke leiye hame kuch khaaz kar naa chahiyey"

Dadi: " Nahi! Dekhyey aagar gauri keh rahi ke use koi shore nahi chahyey toe ham aisa kuch nahi karege.." Dadi replied in a rather rash and distressed tone which made it even more apparent that there was something concerning her.

Dada: "Aise kaise Krishnaji, aaj ke din toe use" dadaji sees a concern on dadi's face and pauses to look at her. "Magar aap itna paresaan kyun ho rahi hai Krishnaji??"

Dadi: "Kyun..ki apke pote ne pata nahi kya kaha use, bichari gauri kal raat se pareshaan hai, pehle se uski haalat naasuk hai..pata nahi ab shiv ne kya kiya."

Dadaji: "aap yey kaise keh sakti hai ke yey shiv ki galti hai, vaise pati patni ke beech mein aisi bate hoti rehte hai."

Dadi interrupts

"..ushiki koi galti hogi.. aap ne dekha woh kal kaise roti hue ghar ayee thi, aur shiv..shiv toe pata nahi, shaarab ke nashe mein adhi raat ko ghar aya tha woh kya kya bol raha tha. Aap kuch bhi kahe par muje naa, fikar ho rahi hai, gauri ne kal ki raat guest room mein bitayee, muje lagraha ta ke sabkuch theek hone wala hai magar…."

Dadaji is just about to console dadi when gauri walks into the dining area and seeing her he quickly changes the subject to make sure gauri does not become aware of the on going conversation.

Dadaji:"Dekhye aagayi…birthday girl!!!! , haam ab tumari hein baat kar rahe the beta" dadaji sounded awfully excited and overjoyed, seeing gauri put a beaming smile on his face which managed to put a sweet smile on gauri's face.

Dadaji: "Happy Birthday beta..are vaha kyun khadhi ho, yaha ao hamare saath nasta karlo."

Gauri was standing quite a distance away from the dining table in a light yellow saari with a puja plate in her hands she looked like she was heading for the puja ghar. As usual she was wearing her essential jewellery red bangles and sindoor you could tell it was still early her face showed a discomforting tiredness whilst wet hair left loose gave the indication that she hadn't had the time to groom her self as usual but still she maintained a very simplistic glow which was enhancing her beauty. Hidden amongst all that was concern a sense of anxiousness which was conveyed only by her eyes, dadi was continually staring at gauri to make out her feelings, looking into her eyes she saw discomfort and guilt. Gauri could sense dadi staring at her and in response tried to hide her feelings under a smile.Seeing gauri lost dadaji smiles at her: "are beta kaha kho gayi, chalo aaj tumara janam din hein naa toe tum mere saath breakfast karo…kya pata shayad is bahane muje kuch meetha khane ko miljaye.." dadaji had a really cheeky smile on his face as he looked towards dadi with that comment.Dadi replys to the comment in an irritated manner whilst Gauri watches in amusement.

Dadi: Mein jaanti hoon ke aap kya chahte hai, yey hein chahte hai naa ke mein apko dher saari mithay kha ne du…toe theek hai" Dadi picks up the plate of jalebies on the table and places them in front of dadaji and gives a pretentious smile…"khayey khayey" Dadaji is now overwellmed with happiness and picks up a jalebi and just as he is about to put it into his mouth..

Dadi: "khaye magar jab aap hospital ke bed mein pade hoge naa tab mein aap ka kyal nahi rakhne waali!"

Dadi's comment puts of dadaji completelty put amussed at his wifes anger he dosnt stop teasing, he looks towards gauri "dekha tumne beta, Gauri very amused and finds the situation really cute, dadi had turned in her seat folded her arms so she wasn't facing dadaji and had the most irritated expression ever.

Dadaji: "kehne ko mein unka pati hoon par bilkul nokaro jaisa salook karti hai, seekye aap ki bahoo se,gauri ko dekhye,shiv ke saamne oochi awaz tak mein baat nahi karti aur aap hai joe batcho ke samne daat rahi ho..arey bhai hamari toe koi aiymehat nahi." Dadaji comment reminded gauri of shiv's words:

tumare nazaro mein meri kya aiymehat hai gauri?..... is baat ka jabvab bhi nahi de sakti naa tum shaadhi ke baad meine tumhe apni zindagi maanleiya magar aaj pata chala ke tumare leyiye mein.. kuch nahi..kuch bhi nahi.."

Saddened by the thought of last nights events, gauri's amused expresstion fades away as she beings to feel her guilt, before she could go any deeper into her thoughts..

Dadaji:"yey saab bate toe hoti rahe gi, magar is saab mein haam gauri ko bhul gaye, ajaon beta betho " dadaji promps gauri to take a seat at the table.

Nahi dadaji woh, meine apni puja nahi ki is leyieye baad mein kha longi

Dadaji smiles at gauri "magar jane se pehle ek minuit yaha ana"

Gauri walks towards the table where they are seated and dada and dadi gets up to give gauri a hug.. "janam din bohot bohot mubarak ho" gauri takes there blessings and just as she is about to walk across out of the dining area towards the puja room Prateek and Kaya enter.Prateek looked extra cheerful dressed in his usual light blue doctor style shirt holding a bunch of yellow flowers accompanied by kaya who was dressed in a pink saari looked slightly weak put as happy.

Prateek: "Happy birthday to you…happy birthday to you..!!!" prateek's over exited attitude added to gauri's smile, she had never thought that he would be aware of her birthday. Prateek handed the bunch of flowers and wished her happy birthday.

Prateek: "many many happy returns of the day gauri"

Kaya: "aur meri taraf se bhi happy birthday!"

Gauri: "thank you" gauri hugged kaya and whilst doing so kaya took the chance to question gauri.."sab kuch theek toe hai naa gauri" as gauri pulled away from her she nodded a yes but kaya saw the remains of concern in gauri's eyes and gave an understanding smile. Seeing prateek and kaya there put a smile on gauri's face and she was now beginning to feel out lifted from her worries. Whist prateek's eyes were wondering all around the house for shiv.

Prateek: "Are… shiv kaha hai gauri?????,

Shiv was standing staring out of the window, lost in his thoughts. It looked as if he attempted to get dressed but not finished off, he was standing in a partially buttoned up white shirt with an odd colour tie hanging around his neck untied. He was staring into space lost in thinking about last night's happenings or what he could remember anyway. meine gauri se ghuse mein itna kuch kehdiya…itna kuch hogaya… when he thought back flashbacks of the events were in front of him, him revealing gauris scars, dragging her to the hotel, her endless crying.. What was I thinking it was only a misunderstanding and the way I reacted….His thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the wall clock ticking on the hour and when he turned to look at the clock realised he was late and rushed off into the restroom to finished getting ready.Whilst tidying him self up in the mirror he began to think over his reactions, it was the first time he was feeling so lost or even upset the more he thought about it the more his emotions changed and he came to the conclusion that his approach to the situation last night was maybe not correct but in his eyes his actions were approved he couldn't help it he was Shiv Kapoor and that's just how it was, his anger was something he did not have control over especially when his own wife began to doubting him. Even after last night maybe there was still a hint of bitterness and hurt left within him because gauri's thoughts on him had not changed.Shiv began to experience a sharp pain in his head and began to rub his forehead, it was all

the alcohol he had consumed last night, it was all having its impact, it was becoming unbearable he was just about to shout for Ramu kaka when he turned around from facing the mirror and his eyes fell on the bedside table he noticed a tray containing a mug which looked to be his morning tea and a glass of what looked like water diluted with medication. Walking towards the table he's eyes fell on both the filled containers and then an envelope propped up on the cups headed:

Mr Kapoor

Shiv picked up the envelope and ripped it open to find a written note and an audio cassette. He unfolded the note to read:

Yey khat meine is leiye likha hai ke shaayad ise par kar aap meri galti maaf kar de, mein jaanti hoon ke Meine apke jasbaado ko thes pochayi hai.Aap pein shak kiya meine aur janti hoon ke shyaad meri galti maaf karne layak nahi hai.

Aap ko pura haq hai naraz hone ka, aap ne mere leiye itna kuch kya aur mein aapko kuch savalo ke bhi javab naa de saki

Woh javab aab mere paas hai aur kal bhi the, magar shyad darti hoon ke kal jo hua uske baad aapka samna kar paun ya nahi is leiye meine woh kuch bate Is tape par record kar le hai.

Hosake toe muje maaf kardijeeyey, aap ki ghunegar

Gauri

Shiv was touched by what he had just read and even the slightest hint of anger within him had begun to fade. She had apologised when it wasn't her fault alone, sure the fact that she began to doubt him was the cause for his anger but her apology in this way was something unexpected for Shiv. He looked at the letter once more and a soft compassionate expression took over his face.He looked at the accompanying audio tape, contemplated over it a second and then took it towards the audio player and inserted and pressed the play button. there was a short pause.. The tape starts to play and Shiv hears gauri's discomfort filled and upset tone of voice:

Mein janti hoon ke aapne apna faisla khat paad kar hein ley lea hogo aur woh jo bhi hoga woh mein apnaane ke leiye tayaar hoon. Jo shaak meine aap par keiya woh mere leiye koi paap ya ghuna se kaam nahi hai meine us insaan par shaak keiya joe mere leiye bhagvan se baadkar hai. Aapne poocha tha ke Aapki aimhiyat kya hai mere leiyey..magar shaayad mein aap ko yey lafso mein batasakti.…aap jante hai us din mandir mein aapke pairo par ek ful tha, us din meine apna vrat mandir mein toda tha woh bhagvan ki puja kar ke nahi joe mandir mein bethe huea the magar inki puja jine mein aapna bhagvan maanti hoon. Sahee kaha tha aapne, aapke saamne nazare nahi utha paati kyunki insaan haamesha apne bhagvan ke samne sar jukhaakar baat karta hain toe mein kaise……..Mein aapki zindagi nahi hoon mr kapoor magar aap meri zindagi hai, aap mere leiye saab kuch hai aur aap nahi toe kuch bhi nahi.

Aap muje nahi bhi maaf kare toe bhi mein is baat se kush rehloongi ke is faiysle mein aapki marsi hai. The tape stops. Shiv is stood overwhelmed with emotions; gauri's words were so emotionally touching he was thrown back and felt a sense of regret for questioning her, her words were so meaningful filled with emotions that his feelings for her were nothing in comparison. A single teardrop rolled down his eye as he thought on gauri's words, he was speechless.The sound of footsteps became apparent and in response composed himself trying to change back in to his usual relaxed posture putting his hands inside his trouser pockets… shiv's room was open and he noticed raamu kaka walk past and stopped him part way.

Shiv: "Kaka" shiv shouted from his room, rammu kaka entered the room.

Kaka: " ji" Ramu kaka noticed the change in shiv'a expression he looked emotionally overwhelmed but was trying to hide under the whole shiv kapoor persona. Shiv: Yey, yaha kisne rakha?? Shiv made the gesture towards the diluted medicine

Kaka: "Ji woh gauri betya ne kaha tha ke shayaad apki tabyet kuch teekh na ho toe meine usne kehne paar davayee rakh di thi, aur saath mein ek chiti bhi de thi." Shiv nodded a yes as he reached for his tea to make out that everything was as normal and he had no other altera motive in asking these questions. Just as Shiv was about to swallow down the first gulp of his tea a thought crossed his mind and he paused before drinking.

Shiv: "Gauri ne breakfast kiya?"

Kaka: "Nahi jaha tak mein janta hoon nahi kiya..woh niche prateek sahib aur kayaji ayee hai naa toe,woh log gauri ke janamdin ke baare mein baat kar rahe hai aur jaha tak mein janta hoon.

Shiv: janamdin????

Kaka: "hah aaj gauri ki birthday hai naa"

Shiv: "Birthday…." Shiv had a really astonished look on his face, it was Gauri's birthday and he wasn't even aware of it. Meanwhile downstairs in the lounge prateek, kaya and gauri are still busy talking in the very same place.

Gauri: "toe aap ko kaise pata chala ke aaj meri birthday hai?"

Prateek: "I'm a doctor gauri, saab kuch janta hoon, everything about everyone" gauri gives prateek a dead disbelieving look.

Prateek: aise kya dekh rahi ho its true mein saab ke baare mein saab kuch janta hoon…ok ok to tell you the truth my secret is patient records,you hein pad raha tha and I noticed ke aaj toe tumara birthday hai..so chala aya. Prateek smiles at gauri. Gauri is just about to respond and carry the conversation on when she sees Shiv making his way down the central staircase.

Gauri: "woh mein abhi ati hoon"

Prateek: "kaha ja rahi ho gauri??"

Gauri: "woh puja kar ne bhul gayee, abhi ati hoom" gauri walks away just before shiv makes his way down to where they were standing. Shiv: gauri kaha gayi, abhi yahi thi naa?? Shiv was questioning prateek but inside he knew she was avoiding him, he watched her talking to prateek from the staircase and soon as he came down she had disappeared. Prateek: "Hi shiv good morning, kya baat hai mr shiv kapoor and being late…that's not like you." Prateek noticed how shiv eyes began scan around the house.. "hah gauri woh kuch puja ke baare mein baat kar rahi thi…" before prateek could finish shiv had walked off towards the mandir.

Prateek: "shiv hurry up, were already late!!"

Shiv responds while making his way to the puja room.. "I'm coming"

Prateek is left on his own standing checking his watch.

"huum… saab chod kar chale gaye..and im going to be late

kaya enters.

Kaya: "kya hua prateek, shiv kaha gaya..???"

Prateek: "I don't know but shaayad gauri se milne"

Kaya: "oh ok…." Prateek and kaya both smiled at each other thinking about how sweet it was that shiv had gone to say bye to gauri when a thought crossed kaya mind..prateek??

Prateek: Hah

Kaya: Shiv aaj office jaa raha hai??

Prateek: "hah, kyun..woh muje hospital drop karne wala tha and now I'm late, anways why do you ask??" Prateek gav kaya a strange questioning look.

kaya: "use pata toe hai naa ke aaj gauri ki birthday hai"

Prateek: "yey of course…I told you to remind him"

Kaya: "I told you to tell him Prateek!"

Kaya and Prateek both looked at each other in sheer disbelief.

Meanwhile in the puja room, Gauri was standing in font of the Shiv murti with her hands folded and eyes shut…the room she was filled with the essence of insense and the atmosphere was peaceful and When gauri opened her eyes she was a reflection of Shiv in the murti and just that moment realised he was standing behind her watching her. Seeing a glimpse of his reflection unexpectedly threw up a slight nervousness in Gauri; she quickly wiped her tears and adjusted her sari which was a little out of place , took a deep breath and turned around with the full intention of avoiding shiv and taking her leave from the room. Shiv is standing just outside the entrance of the mandir, was stood with his hands tucked within his trouser pockets a crisp white shirt and black suit, purple tie which hung off his neck neatly sparkled and added elegance to his attire and taking away the simplicity of his look and surprisingly complemented the yellow Gauri was dressed in. As usual Shiv had managed to maintain his sophisticated formal look even though his morning routine had been broken. Gauri failed to notice these details as having turned around she kept her head lowered trying to avoid Shiv she focused mainly on the wooden floor in front of her although she did notice shiv's shoes sparkling polished black shoes as she approached the doorway she did not move her sight up from that point. To leave the room she would have to walk past shiv but he was standing blocking the doorway so Gauri stopped leaving distance between them hoping shiv would move out of the way. There was a stunned silence but gauri could feel Shiv staring at her. Shiv didn't know what to say to her, he stood overwhelmed by her beauty she looked so innocent and her confession was so hart felt that Shiv did not know how to respond.

Shiv: …."Happy Birthday, Gauri"

Gauri looked up at shiv surprised he even knew about her birthday and responded with a nervous.. "Thank you"

Shiv: "Vaise tum ne yey nahi bataya ke tume tofe mein kya chahiyey"

with a little gathered courage she looked up at him and very nearly silently whispered "Aap ki maafi" Gauri responded in a mumbled tone of voice as if one part of her wanted him to hear her and another side of her wanted the moment to pass.

Shiv: "Kya chahiyey???"

Shiv walked towards gauri..hearing his footsteps coming towards her Gauri worried in thinking of would shiv's reaction would be, she wasn't sure if had read her confession and forgiven her or was his anger towards her still prominent. As shiv's footsteps made there way closer Gauri began to feel anxious….Shiv stopped an inch away looked at the uneasy expression on her face and smiled on how Gauri had closed her eyes when in his last few encounters he had , he knew his presence was making her nervous but he overlooked it..he lent over her a bit closer took his hands out of his pockets and rubbed away the tear droplets which were making there trail down her face. The moment had frozen for Gauri as she felt the warmth of his fingers wipe away her tears, she began to feel the formation of guse bumps as he touched her. He was so close she could here his breathing and smell the strong aftershave fragrance lingering around her.

Looking at Gauri, shiv noticed how beautifully innocent she looked as well as how stunning yet simplistic, this was the first time he was looking at her in this way and he noticed every single detail from her sindoor filled maang and wet hair to her beautiful facial features, but he couldn't help it, he was drawn towards her the glow on her face was breathtaking..

Shiv took a step closer and placed a kiss on her forehead his touch made Gauri shiver and move away slightly he could feel her anxiety and looking at, he pulled up her chin and looked at her closed eyes and gave a smile. "anken kholo gauri" there was a pause and a few seconds later gauri opened her eyes to find shiv staring she tried to look away from him but had held of her chin and she could no longer avoid his stair, she was forced into looking into his eyes.

Shiv: "I'm sorry Gauri" just then they were interrupted..

There was a Knock at the door….. Hearing It shiv pulled away from gauri trying to act as if everything was normal where as gauri was still stunned by what had happened and nervously quite. Shiv looked towards the door to see ramu kaka standing In the door way holding a tray carrying a glass of orange juice.

Kaka: "Yey aapne juice mangaya tha"

Shiv: "hah kaka please..aye" kaka enters and shiv takes the juice from him.

Kaka: "Aur koi kaam tha"

Shiv:No thank you..aap ja sakte hai raamu kaka leaves.

Shiv turns to gauri holding the glass in his hand.."yey lo"

Gauri looks up at him to find him prompting the glass towards her, she looks at him with a confused expression and shiv smiles at her and she looks away in anxiousness.

Shiv: "Woh tumne breakfast nahi kiya naa is leiye"

Gauri still gives no response.. and starts to stumble with her words.

Gauri: "Woh mein..abhi nahi"

Shiv: "Kyun abhi kyun nahi ???" shiv looks at her questioningly, now what was wrong.

"Woh" gauri eyes start searching the room and she looks back at her puja plate that she had left behind on the alter.

Shiv: "Kya hua?", gauri walks back to the murti and picks up her puja plate and shiv watches her every move with a confused look on his face as she watches her walk back to where he was standing.

Just like the day in the mandir Gauri bent down and placed a flower and touching shiv's feet, Shiv stood overwhelmed as looked at Gauri lent down at his feet, he picked her up looking at her he was speechless for a second he just stared at her thinking upon how much she must actually love him to even behave in that way, think of him in such a respect, it was more than just formality.. it was love and maybe even she was oblivious to it.

Shiv: "Ab toe pee sakti ho naa shiv smiled at gauri." Gauri put her hand forward to take the glass from Shiv but shiv pulled it away and gauri looked up at him surprised.

"Aise nahi, tumhe mere haatho se peena hoga…"

Gauri looked at him anxiously..shiv responded to her expression with a smile and put the glass of juice up towards gauri's mouth so she could drink from it, gauri felt shy nervous but with hesitance did as shiv told her to and drank the juice and having finished it stood silently still trying to avoid shiv looking everywhere but at him to avoid any other situations which would plunge her into more anxiety..

Shiv: "gauri mein kal tumse kuch kehna chahta tha, jo keh nahi paya…mein janta hoon ke haamara rishta abhi juda hai aur kaafi problems ke baad haam still ek dusre ke leiye.. you know haam. All I want to say is ke muje lagta hai ke tumse….. tumse .."

Shiv had not yet finished an interrupting cough was heard from the entrance of the room.

"Erhum….. sorry to interrupt

agar aap dono ka romance khatam hogaya ho toe, shiv haam chale.

Prateek and kaya were standing at the doorway smiling.

In his mind shiv was cursing prateek for turning up at the very moment and ruining it all ise abhi hein ana tha!! ! Prateek could tell from shiv's annoyed expression that he had messed things up for him but he was just amused by it on the other hand gauri was feeling really uncomfortable and not to mention embarrassed.

Shiv looks at prateek with the most irritated expression and then hides it with a smile.

Shiv: "yey lets go"

Precap: gauri was successful in making her confession but will it be the same for shiv, will he be able to tell gauri about his feelings..finish off his incomplete words and if so what will gauri make of it.