Chapter 6: Mahadev maha ekaaki
Omkara's room
She couldn't gather the courage to walk inside and say what she had to. He needed her the most now. But, it was not like she was opting to do it, there was no option'. She knew he would understand and even forgive her but.. but for the first time she felt bad for him. Till now, he had only been an opportunity for her- to get her more fame - the fame she had always crave for. He found solace in her and she wouldn't be a fool to let go the son of such a big name. But it had been different from a few days. She had actually started falling for him. And these feelings made it all the more difficult for her to say those vice words to him.
'Hi'
'Om...'
The lawyer seems to be overly positive. He and his arrogant daughter don't think that I am at fault even. A girl got killed and they don't feel I am at fault.'
She listened to everything he said, like always. Her listening capacity had always won her numerous friends. It made her feel that everything was normal.
'Om..'
'Sorry, I started ranting even before you could say anything.'
She took his hands in hers.
'I am scared Om'
'Don't be...I..'
'Not about your case, I am in the same league as Mr. Sareen, Om. But what I am going to say now- you might never forgive me for that- I won't be able to forgive myself for that.'
Om had been prepared for the worst. He looked on with narrowed eyes trying to make sense of what she said.
'I...I... Om... I...'
'I promise to understand, Riddhima, say it'
So he knew. Of course he did. This made Riddhima even weaker. Now, when she saw the goodness in him and didn't want to leave his side...
'We have to break up- my mother is getting more worried. She wants me to go and take more projects abroad.'
'Thanks for always having being there Riddhima. I have asked you for much more than you could do. I understand.'
She knew she had broken him once again to the core. He would blame himself. But, she also had to care about the people who had invested so much time and love to bring her up. A lone tear from her eye apologised to him and after a last hug, she went.
The corridor
'Hey, Riddhima, you are going already? Wait for an hr or two- we'll have dinner together. Anyway tomorrow is an important day for Om- his (sigh) first hearing.'
Shivaay and Rudra were on the way to Om's room taking some sandwiches and evening coffee (of course black for Shivaay and normal for both of them)
'I...I... am sorry, Shivaay'
Rudra stood beside him.
'Sorry?'
She couldn't face them anymore. She just walked away. Shivaay wanted to negate the first thoughts that came to his mind.
Not again! She knew Om since beginning, she knew what happened a few days ago. How could she!!' And he realised what he's just spit out. He had promised Om not to tell Rudra a word of it. But...
'What happened a few days ago, bhaiya?'
'Rudra...'
'And I want to know the truth, please.'
'Om... Om had taken drugs again.'
Rudra froze where he stood. He understood which day it would have happened. That is why; Om had suddenly decided to stay with Riddhima so suddenly. That is why; he had forgiven her even for her lie!- because only she could have kept him away. And he was busy with his own stupid confusions, when his brother had needed him the most.
'You didn't even tell me.'
Om didn't want to see this pain in your eyes which I see now, Rudra. It was my fault. I knew something is wrong with him and I didn't do anything.'
He wanted to confront his elder brother for taking him to be a baby. Funny it is, what gives you the most love from everyone and pampering can become such a bane at times. He decided to keep it subtle.
'And, if I had done something like this and asked not to tell O'
Shivaay gazed him. The youngest Oberoi was smart with words. He conveyed his hurt without ny confrontation. Shivaay had always thought of him as a rowdy baby brother but today, the calm he saw on his face, even after being hurt amazed him. He patted him on his back. For now, going to Om was the most important thing for them.
Omkara's room
Today, he had lost everything. The after effects of his confession were worse than he thought. He didn't blame Riddhima- he did make her life difficult. The room was dark and he gazed at the stars from the window- holding himself so tightly as if he could shatter into pieces any moment. His brothers' hearts broke watching him in that state.
'Ouch!' He had never liked light in his dark moments.
'O! See bhaiya special coffee and sandwiches.'
'I... am... not... hungry'
'But I am! O! See, you know we'll make you eat one way or the other, so better that you eat it.'
Shivaay smiled at the baby brother. The Rudra he just saw outside was so different from this one. For the first time he realised that had Rudra been on a serious side, their lives would miss so much humour- how important were his stupid acts which had lightened the mood always.
The baby brother went to Om who wasn't looking at them as yet- he patted him on his shoulder.
'O! Look at the sandwiches. They are calling us.'
Om sighed and went to have the sandwiches and coffee with them- contrary to their expectations. Both looked each other knowing that how broken was their brother. On a normal day, Om would have got irritated on his baby brother for disturbing his introspection bit today, he simply obliged.
'Om?'
'The sandwiches are nice.'
His attitude scared them- this was not how Om would be. Shivaay could no more maintain his patience.
'Stop acting as of everything is normal'
'On the contrary, I don't think anything could get worse.'
'O! Tomorrow is your hearing noe-everything will be sorted after that. They'll declare you innocent.'
Om looked at shivaay with distrust and fear.
'Om, bade papa is not using any illegal means to save you. Mr. Sareen doesn't think he needs to.'
'He is to overconfident. And, about Mr. Oberoi- how can you trust him Shivaay?'
'It's not about trust Om. If bade papa were to do something, especially related to you, I would come to know of it.' He said reassuring Om that no one, appsalutely, no one, even if it were his dad could hurt him in anyway or do something to his displeasure.
'What have I done Shivaay?'
To this, Shivaay had no response. He wanted to comfort his brother but was unable to. He wanted him to forgive himself but Om needed a reason which Shivaay did not have.
'Let's make a pact!!!' Both looked towards Rudra as if he had gone mad- once again!
'Pact' said the other two oberoi brothers in unison.
'Yeah! If O is declared innocent by the court, he will forgive himself and we'll go on a holiday!'
They both looked at him with a disbelief. There were certain things in the world which really only Rudra Singh Oberoi could do. But soon Shivaay's disbelief in the eyes turned to a sparkle- for he understood what his baby brother was trying to do.
'And what to do if I am declared guilty?'
'That'll never happen O! I know it and just don't ask me why. Tell me, are you in for the pact?'
Shivaay placed his hands on Rudra's signalling that he also wanted to make the pact. Om laughed sadly, that his brothers had so much faith in him, he very well knew their antics to make him feel better and this was the least he could have done for them. Hence, he placed his hands on theirs.
And Rudra roared, 'DIL BOLE...
OBEROI' came the voice in unison, which was heard by dadi who was passing through Om's room and gave her some consolation that till her three grandsons were together, nothing can break the Oberoi family and their spirit. What else would she want.
(The main hall)
Tej did not want any stone unturned to make the elder daughter of Mr. Sareen comfortable. He had told everyone to be present in the hall when she arrives to welcome her. No tthat anyone ad a doubt about his intentions in being so interested to host this girl. On one hand, Mr. Sareen would take Om out of the mess' (at least in terms of how Mr. Oberoi thought) and on the other, Ishaana was his last hope to somehow get Om in the Oberoi business, now that foolish girl, Riddhima had left him. He had to keep Sareens pleased.
When the manager of the mansion informed them that the awaited guests had arrived, the whole family had gathered to welcome the Pihu and her husband , Kabir but all they could see was a young man, probably a little older to Shivaay smiling at them- Pihu was nowhere in the sight.
'Where's Pihu?'
Kabir smiled and gestured that she was behind him through his eyes. The Oberois were confused- why would a person- that too from such influential family, hide behind her husband's back- what was going on.
And then, they were shocked.
(Music from Aashiyan, Barfi)
Suddenly the lights go off, and a puppet comes near her saying 'hello pihu di, kaisi ho tum'
A girl in jeans and a top peeps from the back, trying to catch the puppet but it moves away. She moves ahead to catch the puppet and comes in the full view of Oberois- who are more than confused about this girl who is elder to Ishana. Her full concentration is on the puppet and to catch it.
Itni si hansi
Itni si khushi
Itna sa tukda chaand ka
Khwabon ke tinko se
Chal banayein aashiyan(x2)
Suddenly the lights sare switched on and Ishana appears with the puppet and the string through which she was pulling it. And says in the same tone, shaking her head- 'hello pihu di, kaisi ho tum?'
The girl says in a deep and heavier voice 'Ish- Ishu- Ishu puppet'. Both start laughing and hug each other.
Dabe dabe paaon se
Aaye haule haule zindagi
Honthon pe kundi chadake
Hum taale lagake chal
Gumsum tarane chupke chupke gaayein
But then she suddenly leaves her and says.'I am angry. Ishu and Papa are busy.' And turns her face the other side.
That is our mistake. Ishana agrees. 'Papa!' And both hold their ears and start doing sit ups. At the end of 5-6 times, both fall down taking Pihu with them and end up laughing hysterically.
Aadhi aadhi baant le
Aaye dil ki ye zameen
Thoda sa tera sa hoga
Thoda mera bhi hoga apna ye aashiyan
The Oberois stand stunned. The father-daughter duo was so different with their elder Sareen around- so childish and loveable different from the arrogance and confidence that they had seen earlier.
Finally, when their excitement comes down a bit, they notice the waiting Oberois. They introduce Pihu to everyone who gestures Namaste without directly looking at them. A minute later, Anika calls them for dinner. At the dinner table, Pihu and Ishaana feed each other.
So weird it is, a girl who just lives for luxuries could love her sister so much that she doesn't care about what the world would think about them. Alas! for a believer of eiter black or white personalities, it was difficult for Omkara to comprehend her. And who knew, once he understands her, it would transform into the ocean of love.
Suddenly, Pihu looked towards Om's eyes forming an O' with her mouth.
'Maaa'
A shocked Ishaana looked towards her, back in her stiffened and arrogant self. No one; not even her dad had noticed that since she had met this guy- something was bothering her deep down the soul. She was drawn to him as much as she wanted to run away and this, the very attraction was something which annoyed her.
'Kabir, I think Pihu needs to sleep. She's tired.'
Neither Kabir nor Mr. Sareen felt it was better to ignore the situation. Certain things are better left unsaid or so to say, unnoticed. The Oberois, except Om and Shivaay who were far from where the Sareens were seated and hence, couldn't listen to what Pihu had just said.
'Anika, why don't you show Mr.kabir and Pihu their room'
'Sure, tej uncle.'
After them, Ishaana also retired to her room. Before the other Oberois could leave, Mr. Sareen clarified, 'Pihu is autistic, if there's any trouble due to her, I'll apologise'
This time Shivaay spoke up, 'Ofcourse not, Mr. Sareen. Don't worry.'
Omkara's room
'What are you guys doing here, this time?'
'Well, planning to sleep I guess. Whatsay, dumbbell Oberoi, any other plans in your mind.'
'No bro, we got to wake up early tomorrow, let's sleep.'
'Hello! Why will you sleep here? And with who's permission.'
'Hello! We do not need anyone's permission, at least till you get married to sleep here'
Om smiled at his brothers' concern. He knew they got to know about Riddhima and were worried for him.
'Guys, I'll be fine.'
'Dumbell Oberoi, pray switch of the lights, I'm sleepy.'
Knowing that his brother's won't budge, he felt better to sleep off.
(Around 3-4 am in the morning)
His monsters came back to him like always. He could clearly see the incident again. Prinku driving in the night. The girl coming in front of the car. Om turned side numerous times, though carefully, somewhere in his mind being aware of his brothers' presence in the room. But the monsters grew. He saw them looking at the bloody dupatta. He saw them trying to find her... and he woke up with a jerk, waking up the other Oberoi brother's in the process.
'Om. Are you okay?' said a very concerned Shivaay gesturing Rudra to get water. Om sat motionless coming to terms with the dream. His body was shaking. Rudra got some water and a towel to wipe his sweat. Both cursed themselves for not having understood that if Om had resorted to drugs, it could not have been his dad who was the reason. He was not that weak a soul.
Om hugged Shivaay as if conveying about how scared he was. Rudra higged them from behind. Rudra and Shivaay looked towards each other as if convinced about their decision to stay with Om was so right. Later, he sleeps off holding their hands. There was no way that the Oberoi brothers were going to leave him alone again. They would put up as much fight as was needed to save him.
(A dining hall in a what looked like a 2-3 BHK apartment)
ACP: This is the best information that I could have got about him. Now, nothing, appsalutely nothing can save him, Ms. Shikha ji.
Shikha:' Be careful, randhawa, except for this one thing- that also might not be counted as proof if that guy, what's his name, Omkara, is a decent manipulator. We do not have evidence, except for his confession and this. I am telling you honestly, as a public prosecuter, Randhawa, these rich animals- it's difficult to catch them even with proof and we do not even have proof.'
ACP: 'Don't worry, Shikha ji. I'll do anything for my Deepti- to get her justice. I will go to any extent. Omkara Singh Oberoi will be in the jail. I'll destroy his spirit.'
And with this the poor glass on the table fell off as Randhawa banged the table with his fist. Only next morning would tell that out of the two people- both who looked people either in black shades or white, who would be broken in spirit and who would get justice. Funny it is, that sometimes in having rules about how the world is, we forget that a human is highly individualistic- what is true for one can be false for another.
Note: This time I am a little nervous, and hence took some time before posting a new chapter. So, i would write a bit about the new character- Pihu. She might seem to be a cliche autistic character, however, i wanted to put my shades in her sort of characters. i have tried to look up a bit about autism though if something seems impractical or I, at any point seem insensitive about her character (though she would have only as much as probably Sahil does. Awaiting eagerly for your reactions.) Please do add me as a buddy if you want me to pm you.
Edited by appynehra - 8 years ago