RiKara SS - Amor Intermissus part 08 updated Pg 32 (30/07) Complete - Page 22

And who could forget the ever-so-perfect family man that was Tej Singh Oberoi... well, aside from the entire family that is. To his misfortune, Tej never had the opportunity to set foot inside the Oberoi mansion when all of Pinky's drama was going down and none of the family members thought it important that he know about the new changes in their relationship dynamics. He hence had the pleasure of realizing that his elder son's life was well and truly ruined by the nameless, background-less village idiot, only when the two were unapologetically all over each other in the midst of a party hosted by the Ranas.

This would be almost a month after the family had been treated to some happy revelations courtesy of Pinky Oberoi's fainting fit. She'd physically recovered enough to be at the party that night, but she still felt her blood pressure shoot up at the sight of either or both of the Oberoi bahus and now, even her son and that good-for-nothing artist son of her jethani's.

Having had almost no impact on any of the family with her plans and schemes over the past month, Pinky was almost ready to pull her own hair out when she spotted her Jethji with the everpresent botox kumari Svetlana on his arm. Quickly scanning the room for Jhanvi, Pinky spotted her chatting with one of her many friends' and walked up to her jethani, intent on making some mischief tonight.

"O my Mata jethaniji... Aap ne dekha ki jethji bhi is party mein aaye hue hain? Wo bhi aapki full souten aur meri half-jethani ke saath?"

There was a long and supremely awkward silence among the group of ladies before Jhanvi took a deep breath and turned to Pinky with a smirk twisting her lips, looking every bit Jhanvi Oberoi, the legal force and tack-sharp brain behind the Oberoi group of companies.

"I know Pinky... The Ranas told me about it and I didn't have a problem with it. Ab Tej aur main separate ho chuke hain, is ka matlab ye to nahin ki hum achaanak different social circles mein ghoomne lagenge. We're still from the same society and he'll just have to deal with seeing me around Pinky... but thanks for your concern"

With that, Jhanvi's lips stretched in a glowing fake smile, she turned smartly and restarted her conversation with the other ladies, who took cues from the older Oberoi bahu and ignored Pinky Oberoi altogether... something that had the already frustrated Pinky hitting the roof.

At the other end of the big ballroom, stood a group of youngsters, thoroughly enjoying spending time with their friends.

Mallika Siddharth Rana stood with a hand securely on her seven month baby bump, grinning widely at Anika and Gauri as they tried to explain something funny that had happened the previous week at Oberoi mansion. With both Anika and Gauri's peculiar dialects merging and producing something truly marvelously funny, it wasn't only Mallika trying not to roll on the floor laughing. Soumya was standing by her, holding her sides which were aching from laughing while their husbands stood by, smiling fondly at their ladies bonding so beautifully.

Siddharth Vikram Rana, who'd never believed in God, thanked the divine force daily, for sending an angel to him in the form of his Mallika. Though their relationship had had a rocky start, he wouldn't trade a second of it for anything else in the world. Mallika was his queen in every sense of the word and he would live his life protecting her and loving her and their family with every breath he had in his body.

As he turned to Shivaay and Omkara, he knew that he was in the company of men who clearly understood just how blessed they were and how special their wives were. The Oberoi brothers had seriously lucked out in finding women who were perfect for them... in the fact that the women were way out of their league and they made them better men every single day.

Anika had brought Shivaay Singh Oberoi back to being a human being from the business robot he'd become over the years. Siddharth had had the pleasure of laughing in Shivaay's face recently, when the Oberoi had panicked at the time their meeting had run to and rushed out to meet his angry wife, who'd be waiting for him at a restaurant for their weekly date night. Of course, he'd gotten an earful from Mallika that night too, and it had been doubly emotional as she'd been about four and a half months pregnant then and very, very hormonal.

While Shivaay and Anika seemed to thrive on their little arguments, fights and all that 'tadi' as the lady herself called it, and the youngest Oberoi couple seemed to be going the same way, if only in a different manner, Siddharth had been very curious to see the middle Oberoi scion and his wife as they hadn't really had a chance to interact the previous time they met. Being introduced to Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi had been an experience in itself. She wasn't what one would expect to see as Omkara's wife if one knew him, but somehow, once you saw the two of them together, you knew just how perfect they were for each other.

Both of them had this quiet dignity, they exuded a sense of calm when they were together, like they were home when they were next to each other. She was the perfect energetic balance to his collected placidity and he helped anchor them to the ground while her dynamo-like enthusiasm helped them reach for the stars. Together, they made a perfect whole and Siddharth had found it curiously refreshing to spend time around the couple that was so obviously in love with each other.

They weren't very demonstrative like Shivaay and Anika, who were almost oblivious to their surroundings once they got into it, and neither did they try to hide their attraction like Rudra and Soumya, who seemed to be belligerently denying their closeness in public. Omkara and Gauri's was a strong, silent and secure relationship and they didn't seem to want to hide their love for each other if it wasn't necessary.

Even as Siddharth stood next to her, a calming hand stroking her already aching lower back while he distractedly tried to converse with an equally unfocused(read focused on his wife) Shivaay, Mallika's eyes were trained on the uber interesting pair of Omkara and Gauri. She saw Omkara casually move to stand next to Gauri and let his free hand drift toward his wife while her body leaned toward him subtly, in a way that told Mallika she'd sensed her husband's intention and had moved accordingly. She had to suppress a smirk when Omkara's hand came to rest on Gauri's lower back, left exposed by the almost backless anarkali dress she'd worn that night, and saw Gauri shudder lightly and let out a sigh of relief at the touch.

Both Gauri and Omkara seemed to relax a whole lot more now that they were in physical contact with each other but Mallika knew this wouldn't stop there... the drama was just starting and she almost had the urge to ask Siddharth to get her some popcorn. Not even half a minute later, Mallika really had to bite her lips to keep the grin from showing as Gauri started to fidget because her husband's fingers weren't staying still on the sensitive skin of her bare back. As their eyes met, Mallika almost laughed out loud at Gauri's glowing blush that could probably be seen from miles away... and Omkara's smugly satisfied expression just made it impossible to control her laughter.

"Om... teri wife bohot cute hai yaar. You've seriously lucked out huh?"

"Too true Mallika... I'm the luckiest man in the world"

Omkara casually dropped a soft kiss on Gauri's hair, his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Gauri's blush showed no signs of receding, but she burrowed closer to her husband's body, fitting herself to his warmth, her arm going around his waist in return as she said with a sparkling grin

"Aur hum bhi kuch kam lucky nahin hain..."

"And what's being discussed here may we know?"

Siddharth it seemed had finally had enough of pretending to converse on highly technical topics with Shivaay and the two, along with Anika were crowding around Mallika, Om and Gauri.

"Nothing major... just trying to figure out if Om or Gauri is the luckiest in the world"

Mallika snickered while Gauri's blush brightened once more and even Omkara's ears reddened a bit. The whole group broke into chuckles at that, and the conversation changed directions once more, to focus on lighter more social topics.

It was a few minutes later, that Omkara felt Gauri stiffen next to him and squeeze his hand in a warning manner... looking to see what had affected her to that extent, Om found his mother's ex-husband walking in their direction with the everpresent Svetlana clinging to his arm. He squeezed Gauri's cold fingers gently to let her know he was aware and that he was okay... or as okay as he could be.

"Siddharth Rana... Long time..."

"Mr. Oberoi... Thanks for gracing us with your presence. We're happy we could host you all after such a long while."

Tej Singh Oberoi turned in his typical 'why do I have to mix with the riff-raff' manner and nodded stiffly at Shivaay and Rudra

"Bade Papa.."

"Dad..."

If Tej was hoping for any more acknowledgement from either Oberoi youngster, he wasn't gonna get it. Since the separation from Jhanvi, things had been very different for Tej regarding his own family. They'd chosen as a whole family, to let Jhanvi stay at Oberoi Mansion and asked him, the older son of the family, to move out. But he'd done it happily because it would give him his own place where he could be happy with his Svetlana.

By the time Svetlana was out of prison and in his house, Tej Singh Oberoi had started to realize just how much his own family had moved on without even a thought spared for him. It was as if, his presence or absence didn't even matter to any of them and this was an incredible blow to his mountain sized ego. So he'd lashed out in typical fashion and tried getting his retribution by flaunting his relationship with Svetlana on the social stage, right in front of Jhanvi and his family... which had received less than satisfactory reactions from them.

The day Jhanvi made the executive decision to leave her husband, she'd once more become the Jhanvi Khandelwal she'd been earlier. The Jhanvi who'd been the focus of a love triangle made up of two of the most powerful men in India then. She knew she needed to stand up for herself, for once in her life and it had warmed her to the bottom of her heart to find that the entire Oberoi family had stood beside her in support of her decision, even going against Tej in the process.

Her sons had been her biggest support in the intervening days, with Gauri and Soumya coming to their Mom's aid whenever Jhanvi felt like she was failing. God couldn't have given her a better family, more loving sons or more encouraging and supportive daughters... because that was what they'd become. Soumya and Gauri were no longer daughters-in-law of the Oberoi family... they were Jhanvi's daughters just as much as Rudy and Om were her sons.

And so, as a family, they'd seen to it that no one reacted in any way to Tej's temper tantrums or his horribly obvious public display of amorousness.

Even now, all he got as an acknowledgement for his existence at that party, was a nod from Jhanvi and a not-so-very courteous glance from his older son. The slight smile he got from his elder son's so-called wife was returned with a sneer and an eye-roll.

"I am sure you know my companion... this is Svetlana, my... partner"

The word partner' was said with a satisfied smirk directed in his sons' direction, with the hope of some fireworks in reaction but all he got was a seemingly disinterested glance from Omkara and a resigned head shake from Rudra. Siddharth Vikram Rana turned a commiserating glance toward Omkara and Rudra before his social manners reasserted themselves and he nodded at Svetlana with a blatantly insincere fake smile

"Svetlana... it's a pleasure I suppose"

Apparently his good manners weren't all that great... but Siddharth Rana couldn't find it in himself to be concerned. After all, he wasn't the one planning some sort of sting operation to unmask the 'botox lomdi' as she was called by the Oberoi ladies and now even his wife.

"The pleasure's all mine Mr. Rana..."

Svetlana's eyes were roving the crowd, clearly disinterested in the man standing next to her. She'd fought tooth and nail against Jhanvi Oberoi for this man but once she had him, the thrill of the chase had gone and all she was left with was an old man, who didn't even have the same pull he'd had in the industry or social circle he'd enjoyed as being the head of the Oberoi family.

"Hello Omkara... I see you've finally brought your... little wifey out to play."

"Svetlana, you're looking... well I don't even know what you look like beneath that mask of yours" Said Omkara with a smirk twisting his lips, as the rest of the younger Oberois didn't even try to contain their amusement at that.

"Waise Omkara ji... jail mein bhi inhein beauty treatment ke liye wo baraf waala dabba dete the kya? Bilkul waise hi lag rahi hai ye Sultana jaise us din lag rahi thi jab aap ne ise police ke haathon ghar se nikalvaaya tha"

Piped up Gauri, her clear, low voice carrying to everyone in the group but not beyond.

Anika, Rudra and Shivaay, who were aware of the incredulous story of the freezer and the mask behind which Fakelana hid herself, chuckled at that, making Svetlana and Tej glare at them all. Omkara on the other hand, looked vaguely troubled at the mention of the freezer, his arm around Gauri's waist tightening as if to make sure she was fine and to assure himself that she was right there beside him.

Tej Singh Oberoi had had it with this uneducated classless gold digger daring to comment upon his Svetlana. He didn't realize just how much like Pinky Oberoi his thoughts sounded at that moment or he might've reconsidered.

"Omkara... put a leash on her. What were you thinking bringing this... this village idiot to an event such as this? I know the family name means nothing to you but think of the Ranas and their prestige at least."

Before Tej could go on, Siddharth Rana had cut in quite smoothly

"Let me assure you Mr. Oberoi... we couldn't be happier having Gauri here at our party. It has been a privilege getting to know your... sorry, the new Oberoi daughters. Mallika and I are proud to count Anika, Gauri and Soumya among our friends"

"Siddharth... ye humara personal family issue hai. I would appreciate it if you didn't... interfere. Aur tum... Omkara, is ladki pe control rakho..."

Siddharth Rana raised an irritated eyebrow at that, but stepped back to watch the fireworks he knew were gonna happen... returning to running a soothing hand over his pregnant wife's back while she leaned comfortingly against him. Once more, before he could go on, someone had interrupted Tej. Only this time, it was Gauri

"Humara naam rakha hai humari Maa ne Mr. Oberoi..."

"Pata hai... bohot baar bol chuki ho Gauri. Kumari. Sharma... or should I say Chulbul" smirked Svetlana

"Oh... my bad. Aap ko to pata nahin hoga right? Aap jo itne din jail mein thi. Humara naam Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi hai. Acche se yaad kar lijiyega..."

"Please... as if an uneducated, classless, no name greedy little s**t could be an Oberoi in this life... you should dream only within your reach little girl. Remove the idea of conning your way into being an Oberoi from your twisted mind now"

Omkara's control, which had already been tenuous after meeting Tej Oberoi and Svetlana, now snapped as he felt Gauri stiffen next to him, tiny tremors wracking her body as she tried to control her tears at the caustic name calling she was forced to listen to from her husband's father.

"Khabardaar Mr. Oberoi! Stay within your limits if you want to leave this party in one piece. My wife is more of an Oberoi than you could ever hope to be. So don't waste your breath on useless accusations. If I hear one more insult from you regarding my wife or any of my sisters, I will rip your tongue out and hand it to you."

All of this was said in a low, mild tone... his voice not even carrying beyond their immediate circle. But Omkara's expression was stony and his stormy eyes made it very clear that crossing him would result in immediate destruction.

"Svetlana, if you know what's good for you, you'll take him away from here now and leave this party. If I see you hanging around, I will destroy you. You know I don't lie Svetlana... choose your next step wisely"

Svetlana didn't even need a second to decide that she was much better off as far from this crazy man as soon as possible, but Tej Singh Oberoi wasn't about to budge. He'd been taken aback at his older son's earlier statement but his ego and a pretty inebriated state weren't helping him make good decisions that night

"How dare you?! Do you even realize you're speaking to your father? Who the f**k do you think you are? You're nothing without me! Nothing, you hear me?"

"Keep your voice down bade papa. Don't make this a bigger issue than it already is. We'll resolve this later. Please go home now... we'll take care of this later"

"Shut up Shivaay! This is between me and this... this son of mine. Don't you dare speak in the middle"

As Shivaay and Rudra moved to try and take Tej away from there, Omkara motioned for them to remain where they were. He walked up to Tej till he was right in front of him and in a very soft voice that carried a steely edge to it, said

"Mr. Oberoi, aap shaayad bhool rahe hain that you hold no position in my life anymore. You might have been the donor of half my genes but that is all you are. You are no longer my mother's husband, no longer my father and no longer an Oberoi in anything but name. It would do you well to remember that in the future. You never have, nor will you ever have any right over me or mine. Gauri is my wife... and she will remain so for the rest of my life. I will not stand for anyone... anyone trying to mess with her or my family. You know what I am capable of and I would advise you to think about your next words carefully... rather don't say anything to any of us... at all."

With that, he turned and twining his fingers with Gauri's, pulled her away from the group, sending an apologetic glance toward Siddharth and Mallika as they walked out of the party hall and into the garden through a set of doors.

Gauri could feel the amount of anger roiling inside her Omkara and knew that it was up to her to make sure that VolcanoKara didn't make an appearance tonight. She was also on the verge of having a breakdown, having witnessed her husband stand up for her against his own father...

As soon as they were clear of the doors and out of the view of any party-goers, Omkara felt himself being pushed against the nearest wall and as soon as his back hit said wall, he watched distractedly as his petite wife kicked off her heels and clambered onto his shoes, making her almost as tall as him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she fit her lips to his in a ravenous kiss that completely wiped anything he'd had on his mind, before he'd had any chance to react in any way.

Her rosebud lips, which were perennially tempting to him and always accepting of his advances, were leading him into a quagmire of emotional responses tonight, with his fierce lioness claiming her rights on her husband in a way that made his blood sing and his mind go blank of everything except the feelings, sensations and emotions his Gauri was engendering.

Feeling herself grow dangerously low on oxygen, a buzz already making her feel quite dizzy, Gauri uncoupled her lips from Omkara's with difficulty, only to move them to his chin, his neck and his ear. She felt her husband shiver slightly when she murmured in his ear

"Take me home... now please"

His hands going to her wonderfully soft, long hair, he twisted some strands in his fist and used it to pull her back from him gently, so that he could look into her eyes. What he saw in them, had him losing whatever shred of control he'd retained past that hungry kiss... her eyes were almost fully dilated, sparking with deep, ravenous emotions that had his heart thudding painfully in his chest while his hand on her waist tightened roughly, making her hiss. But she never looked away from him, her eyes wide open and guileless, trying to convey to him just how much she loved him, adored him and needed him at the moment.

In that moment, Omkara knew... he knew that this woman would do whatever it took to save him... whether it was physically, psychologically or emotionally, Gauri had always been and would always be there, saving him, rebuilding him and supporting him. And the only way he could even begin to repay her was by adoring and worshipping her for the rest of their lives, keeping her the happiest she could be and removing every trace of fear, sadness, anger or hatred from her life.

Every day, he'd felt the love he had for her grow and mature... but tonight, the pride he'd felt at hearing her declare that she was Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi, the sheer amount of adoration his heart was overflowing with at the moment and the indescribable feeling of need he had, to make her understand all of this had him burying his face in the crook of her neck, his arms banded around her waist and back, every little part of her body pulled flush against his, the two of them off in a cocoon of their own, away from the rest of the world and its pettiness.

Gauri understood without words, the excess of emotions her Omkara was reeling under the onslaught of just like her, and quietly pushed herself even closer to him, her small hands stroking his hair and running down his back in a comforting manner.

Without any warning, Omkara suddenly pulled back, his arms going around her shoulders and knees as he lifted her up effortlessly into his arms, making Gauri gasp out loud before she settled back into his hold, her arms going around his neck and her head snug on his shoulder. Once they were in his car, Omkara called his brother

"Shivaay, I'm taking Gauri home..."

And the call was ended even before his brother could reply. How they managed to drive from the Ranas' home to Oberoi mansion without any major accidents or a crash was probably divine intervention because at no point of the drive did Omkara let go of Gauri's hand and never did she try to move away from him. Once again, when they reached home, Omkara picked Gauri up like it was the most natural thing to do and she too, just snuggled into his hold as he walked up the stairs to their bedroom. Their eyes kept meeting each other's reveling in the sheer amount of love and adoration reflected at them from their soulmate. No words were needed... words had never been needed between them and tonight, they would be superfluous considering their eyes were doing all the talking.

The door swung shut behind Omkara as he stepped into their bedroom, cutting off the rest of the world from their little universe that contained only the two of them. Tonight would be all about the love that shimmered in the air between them. The rest of their lives lay before them in a glorious promise of incandescent joy... but tonight was all about their love and there would be no interruptions.