Chapter 2. Gauri.
"She was chaos and beautifully intervened. A tornado of roses from divine."
I couldn't get that burkhe wali out of my head the whole night. I don't know how many times I have replayed my last night encounter with her in my mind.
I drank the last sip of my cold drink and thudded it on the table.
"Thank you so much Ms.. Umn.. Aapka jobhi naam hai.. The dinner was really good.. I think I should take a leave now.", I said with an extra big sarcastic smile and got up from the table.
"You don't know how big opportunity you are missing..", The burkhe wali too got up from her seat and said from behind. I looked back at her and laughed, "Listen Ms. Burkhe wali.. Me ek achi khasi job kar rhi hun.. Salary bhi mere akele ka dhyan rkhne ke liye bahut hai.. Aur meri life bhi track pe chal rhi hai filhal.. Then why do you think Ki me apni job chodkar itna risky kaam karungi.. I mean ap Oberois Ki baat kar rhi hai.. The Royal family of Ameerkot. C'mon. Be sensible!"
" Risky? From where did this word came into your dictionary? ", she asked," Jahan tak mujhe pata hai tum toh woh kaam hi nhi karti jisme risk na ho. "
" Aap hai kon? And how do you know me?", I asked seriously this time.
She came close to me," That's not important. Bas itna jaan lo ki yeh kaam karne se tumhe vo milega jiski talaash tumhe aajtak hai. "
"Aisa kya milega mujhe?", I asked looking straight into those eyes which were the only thing visible from her face because of that burkha.
"Tumhari pehchaan. Tumhari family.", the lady replied. If I would say I was surprised then that would not be enough, colours drained from my face.
"What did you just said? Meri identity? Meri family? How do you know them? Hai kon ap?", I was loosing my mind now. I literally shouted at her.
"I know your blood boils very easily Gauri but have a grip on yourself.. Sit here, bethke baat Karte hai..", the lady said with an authority and sat gracefully at her place.
What's going on?
I just kept on glaring at her with anger visible on my face. I couldn't see her face. Her dominating eyes were the only thing I could see.
But not dominating enough for me!
"Gauri I said betho.. Agar tumhe sabkuch Jan na hai toh tumhe meri bat sun ni pdegi..", she said. Though I didn't wanted to obey her but I still sat down.
"Shoot!", I spatted.
"Agar tum yeh mera yeh mission pura karti ho toh me tumhe tumhare baare me sab kuch btaoungi.. Who are you.. Where are you from.. Where is your family.. Each and Everything!"
"Aap mere bare me sabkuch kese janti hai?", I asked restlessly. I was trying to find the truth about myself since last fourteen years of my memory less life but was unable to and today this lady comes and says she knows everything about me.
Just not fair!
"That's not the question! The question is Ki kya tum Vo sab Jan na chahti ho..", she said. I could see her eyes glinting in hope.
"Me hi kyu? Why do you want me to do this?"
"Kyuki jahan tak mujhe pata hai you love adventures.. Aur Vo Oberois hai.. I don't wanna take any risk.. I want the best to turn them down and only you could do this.. So do you really wanna know about yourself or you are going to miss this opportunity?", she asked calmly. She was praising me but was hell irritating too. WHO THE HELL IS SHE???!
"Kya karna hoga mujhe?", I finally gave in. She has already pressed my weak spot and thus I was helpless. I could feel her smirking even through her black veil.
"Tumhe Oberoi family ko barbaad karna hai.. Naamonishaan mit Jana chahiye un Oberois ka..", she said venomously. Hatred was dripping from her each and every word.
"Are you someone from Raigarh?", I asked her.
"You and your questions Gauri! Kabhi khatam nhi hote na tumhare sawaal..", she leaned at the table by keeping her hands on it, "Me kon hun.. Kya hun.. Kyun hun.. That shouldn't be your concern.. Tum bas yeh mera kaam Kardo aur tum Jo deserve karti ho.. Tumhe mil jayega..", she said. I just rolled my eyes at her.
Irritating Burkhe Wali! Jabse ayi hai dialogue maar rhi h.. Who is she? A Retired actress?
"Yeh lo..", she took out a big file from her bag, "Isme Oberoi family ke har member Ki details hai.. Tumhare kaam ayegi..". She got up from her seat, "I hope you enjoyed the dinner.. Good night!", she said formally.
"Wait a minute!", I stopped her right beside me, "Me Oberoi mansion me kese ghusungi? Ap mujhe ek Royal family se panga lene ke liye keh rhin hai.. Yeh kehna jitna asaan hai karna utna hi mushkil.."
"Yeh vhi ladki keh rhi hai jisne 17 saal Ki Umar me ek gangster se 10 ladkiyon Ki trafficking hone se bachayi thi.. Vobhi akele..", she said looking at me intensely. My eyes widened. How come she knows this much about me?
"I know tum yeh kaam kar Sakti ho Gauri and rhi baat Oberoi mansion me ghusne Ki toh tum uska bhi koi na koi raasta nikal hi logi.. I have full faith in you..", she said and walked back to her lamborghini, sat behind and her driver drove her away while I just saw her leaving in bafflement.
I sighed. Who was she? How does she knows about me? And why does she wants only me to do this? And what's with Oberois? I know she can provide me with my identity but still, I can't hurt someone for my own selfish reasons. She must be knowing that Gauri doesn't do any injustice then why she came to me? Well, I have to meet Rehan, that's it.
I picked up my phone and called him again. It was my 34th call to him since morning. He still didn't picked up.
What the hell is going on?!!
I was about to throw that shit called mobile but it suddenly beeped.
You saved yourself today by beeping! This message better be good..
It was a message from Rehan. It read, "Busy in some important stuff. Lets meet at 5 in the office. Okay?"
Really Mr. Rehan Khan? Whenever I need you the most, you have to be busy.
"OMG Gauri tum raat bhar soyi nhi ho kya?", I heard a horrified voice beside me. I looked in the direction of the source and found the very expected person.
"I know you have the keys Bhavya.. Par phir bhi kabhi kabhi you can try that thing called bell outside..", I said moving inside the kitchen.
A cup of coffee is much needed!
"Uffo.. Don't change the topic.. Yeh itne dark circles kyu hai? Soyi nhi raat ko tu?", she said still hooking up to those dark circles.
"First tell me.. Why weren't you picking up my calls since morning?", I said finding coffee beans on the shelf.
"Rehan Sir ne kaam de rkha tha yar.. I just got free..", she said yawning.
"Bahut bdia! Matlab phele me us burkhe wali ki wajah se I couldn't even sleep whole night.. And then Rehan's not taking my calls.. Aur tujhe bhi kaam pe laga Diya Taki me tujhse bhi baat na kar saku.. What does he want? Me pagal ho jau??", I exclaimed banging the jar of coffee beans on the slab.
"Wuhoo girl.. Just calm down.. Who's burkhe wali? And Rehan sir se itni important baat kya karni hai? What's going on?", she asked.
"Long story", I replied.
"Okay Tu bahar wait kar.. Me coffee bnake lati hun.. Then we will listen to your story!"
"Cool.", I said and stormed out of the kitchen to which she just sighed.
-----
Bhavya is the only one who can bear my short temper with a wide smile on her face. Bhavya is the only close friend friend of mine.. Umn.. I mean the only friend of mine. I never come close to people. I never could. I don't know how to do that. Maybe, this thing is also lost by me along with my memory. Though Bhavya has everything which a friend could ask for but still with her too, I always have a wall around myself which she also respects and don't dare to cross. Though she says one day someone will come into my life who will dare to cross that wall which is hiding my heart and I will let him.
So cheesy right? I don't why does she watch those romantic movies so much! They are hampering her brain..
I had never let anyone come near to me, to know me completely, to know my vulnerabilities, my fears, my insecurities. For the outside world, am just a sassy sarcastic tomboy with whom you won't wish to mess with. Why? Well, me being a trained fighter explains that. Sometimes, I feel I myself don't know who the real me is. And that's also true in another sense. I know nothing of my existence, my family, my parents. I don't even have a single memory of them. I have been living a memory-less life since I was fourteen. Before that, I don't even know who I was, why I was, where did I came from. I know nothing and yesterday suddenly a lady comes up saying that she can give me my identity if I accomplish a mission for her. What does she think I am? Something to play with?
"Coffee!", I heard Bhavya's chirpy voice as a fresh smell of caffeine hit me. She kept my mug on the table while she sat opposite to me on the same sofa with a cushion on her legs and a coffee mug in her hand.
"So start ..", she gestured.
I picked up my mug and took one sip. I closed my eyes. That was such a relief! Her coffee was the only thing that could help me after such a sleepless night. I finally looked at her and started telling her my encounter with that burkhe wali from the very beginning.
-----
"I still can't believe that she said she knows about your family!", Bhavya exclaimed, "Does Rehan Sir know anything about all this?"
"Pata toh tab chalega na jab me unse milungi.. But he has no time! ", I said and frustration was clearly written on my face.
"Toh tu yeh mission accept karne wali hai?", she asked.
"Pata nhi.. I want to talk to Rehan first.", I told her.
"I think you should go.. Oberoi brothers are really very hot.. Specially Vo Rudra Singh Oberoi.. Kya pata tujhe ladkon me interest ane lag jaye..", she resumed to her non sensical behaviour.
"Am asked to destroy them.. Not to fall for them Bhavya!", I retorted.
"Whatever.. But if you will go for this mission na.. Toh am pkka coming with you to Ameerkot!", she said dreamily. I just could roll my eyes at her.
I got up and wore my grey sweater jacket hanging on the dining table's chair, "Listen mujhe bahut zyada bhuk lag rhi hai.. Lets go out and have something!", I told Soumya.
"Bhuk zyada lagi hai ya dimag zyada kharab hai kyunki tujhe dono situations me khana hi soojhta hai.. Your food habits are really unhealthy Gauri.. You should try dieting.", She told.
"Do you really think mujhe dieting Ki zarurat hai?", I said proudly pointing towards my perfect figure. She rolled her eyes, "Kya fayda aise figure ka? Ladke toh phir bhi tujhse door bhagte hai.."
"Because men don't have a feature to handle a girl like me..", I said shrugging my shoulders. Bhavya was again about to say something but I spoke even before her, "Just chuck it Bhavya.. Teri har conversation ghum phirke seedha ladkon pe hi aajati hai.. Ab jaldi chal.. Mujhe sachme bahut bhuk lagi hai..", I said picking my car keys from the table.
"Ok fine..", Soumya finally got up, "Mera na aj kuch meetha khane ka man kar rha hai..", she said excitedly clasping her hands.
"Tu toh main course se phele hi seedha dessert pe pahunch gyi.. Kya Hua Teri dieting ka?", I taunted her as we went outside my apartment.
-----
"Umn.. The pasta is amazing, isn't it?", I said savouring the taste of my red sauce pasta. On not getting any reply from Bhavya I glanced at her. She was stairing nothing at particular on the table while the fork in her hand was playing with the poor pasta lying on her plate.
What's with girl and her mood swings? Is she down?
"How can you disrespect such a delicious thing Bhavya?", I asked. She didn't took notice of my words and kept on playing her Oh-Am-So-Lost game.
"BHAVYA !!!", I almost shouted banging the table which also earned me some pathetic glares from people around me.
As if I care!
"Huh?", this Is all I got from her.
I looked at her unbelievingly, "Kya Hua hai tujhe? Why are you so lost?"
She gave me an embarrassed look, "Sorry.. Actually me kuch soch rhi thi.."
"I know that.. Par kya soch rhi thi?", I said resuming back to my pasta.
"Vo.. Vo.. Acha me tujhse kahun kuch?", she said after hesitating.
"You don't need my permission to say anything.."
"I think you should go to Ameerkot! You should opt for this mission..", she said looking hopefully towards me. I kept the fork back in my plate and moved all my concentration towards Soumya, "Yeh achanak se kya hogya tujhe? Tu abhi tak usi ke baare me soch rhi hai?"
She casted her gaze down, "Look Gauri.. I know you don't show your emotions but I know that how much you want to know about your identity, your past, your family.", she finally looked at me, "Aur agar tujhe mauka mil rha hai yeh sab Jan ne ka toh you should go for this."
Did I forget to tell you that this girl is crazy? She can talk about make-up and in the very next moment about space and outer orbitals. Her eyes were telling that she was genuinely concerned for me. What have I done for her to earn this concern? Apart from beating the boys who has hurt her because of her own foolishness, I haven't done anything for her. She doesn't need my financial support and am not good at giving emotional support to anyone. Emotions are just not my thing. I don't know how to handle them. I suck when am into an emotional situation like this one. Here my friend is showing concern towards me and my life and I don't know what to reply.
"Bhavya but I can't do something just because it benefits me.. Mujhe phele Rehan se baat karni hogi Ki what's with these Oberois.. And I think Ki Rehan bhi mujhe yeh karne se mana krenge.. I just can't hurt someone aise hi.. And I have made peace with my life Bhavya.. I don't need anybody..", I said.
"Par Gauri.."
"Bhavya pls.. We wont talk about it until I talk to Rehan!", I ordered and she just nodded. I again started eating my pasta but this time all lost in my thoughts. After all, whom am I kidding? I hell wanna know about my identity, all the memories that I don't remember now. The blurry images of people and places that come in my dreams turning them into nightmare haunts me even in the day time but I didn't tell about them to anybody, not even Bhavya. I didn't even tell her that name 'Oberois' itself is creating a havoc in my head. Why? I don't even have a clue about it.
We finally finished our lunch.
"It's almost time to meet Rehan.. Me office ja rhi hun seedha.. Will you manage yourself to home or shall I drop you first?"
"No please.. You go.. Mujhe firse Teri darawani driving experience ni karni..", she said almost horrified.
"You are such a chicken!", I laughed and hopped into my car. She just gave me an angry glare.
-----
Finally I reached at our secret office base from where all are missions start. I met Rose and she told me that Rehan hasn't reached yet. I knew it as I had come early than the decided time. Rose manages here everything like everyone's needs and maintenance of the office, etc. She brought me a cup of coffee as she knew how much I hated waiting be it for Rehan. Indeed, she is very sweet.
Rehan and my story is very unique. He is a well built man in his late fourtees who doesn't bother about the world and it's rules and that's the reason he runs a secret crew which tries to abolish society's problems and bring justice to the needful. We are a secret crew as we work illegally because if justice could easily be granted legally by Royals or government than there was no need for Rehan to form this crew. He had collected the fine youngsters from all over the world to bring a change in this society. We have best trainers, fighters, hackers and what not. We have been on many missions. We have brought justice to many socially and economical weak sections of the society, eliminated many corrupted officials and even killed people who were a threat to humanity. I am like a right hand of Rehan. I have accomplished his many deadly and life risking missions and I love doing this. I mean who doesn't love adventures that too if its going to help somebody.
Rehan found me in an orphanage fighting with some boys for my pendent which was my only possession then since then he is my mentor. I don't know why did he took me with him maybe because I was a rebellious teenager and he needed the same for his work but whatever it is he is the reason why I was never left alone. He was also a lonely soul without any family and I was also a teenager who was fighting for her identity. Though we never had any emotional talk but we know that we have each other's support. He trained me, made me a fighter and his best in command. What more I needed to survive in this world?
"Gauri.. Sir has arrived.. He has called you in his cabin..", Rose informed and I went towards his cabin.
I thrust his cabin door and went inside. He immediately looked at me, "Knock karna kabhi nhi seekhogi na tum?", he taunted.
"You yourself have called me so you must be prepared that am gonna come.. So why should I knock?", I said shrugging my shoulders. He gave me a You-Will-Never-Change look and gestured me to sit on the chair in front of him.
Rehan:
"So..?", he asked keeping his files aside which he was reading before my arrival and fully concentrated on me.
I told him everything how this strange lady approached me and all the conversation between us.
"Who is she.. Bas ek baar yeh pata chal jaye..", I exclaimed.
"That's not important right now..", he stated coolly.
"And why it isn't? Ap jante bhi hai usne mujhse kya kaha.. She said she can give me my identity if I destroy that Oberoi family for her.", I said getting a bit agitated.
"Toh?", he asked.
"Toh?", I asked unbelievingly, "Toh me kya karu?"
"This mission can get you to your identity.. You should go for it..", he stated it as a matter of fact. I stared at him with a questioning look.
"You want me to do this? Seriously? Why should I destroy Oberois? Kya galti hai unki? Just because someone came and asked me to do it, I won't do such a thing.. Vo lady thi kon? Kyu Vo Oberois ko nuksaan pahunchana chahti h? What's happening Rehan?", now I was getting really impatient.
"Gauri.. I know tumhare man me bahut sawaal hai but I promise that you will get all your answers once you go to Ameerkot. Tumhe kya karna hai.. Kyu karna hai.. Tumhara maksad kya hai.. Tumhe khud ba khud pata chal jayega..", Rehan said intently looking straight into my eyes, "And I promise you one thing.. You won't regret going to Ameerkot.."
-----
Life can really leave you all surprised at times. I mean the mission I was planning not to go till evening, I was working for that now. The tickets to Ameerkot were in my hands. Me and Bhavya have to leave tomorrow only for Ameerkot. Bhavya is one of our best hackers so she is assigned with me for this mission. She after packing all her stuff came into my apartment for the night. Unlike me, she is very excited about the whole thing. Since she has come here, she is only babbling about Oberoi family and Obbros and giving her lame ideas of entering into Oberoi Mansion. I somehow escaped into my room while she got busy watching TV. Who doesn't love their ears? I had to save mine.
Now, I was here in my room glaring those tickets in my hand and remembering my conversation with Rehan. Why was he behaving all together different about this mission? It was confirmed that it wasn't any other mission for Rehan. I think he even knows who was that Burkhewali but why didn't he tell me? And what my identity has to do with all this? How does that Burkhewali knows about me? Why won't I regret going to Ameerkot? And what's with this Tej Singh Oberoi? I sensed hatred dripping from his mouth when Rehan took his name. He told me that he is into many corrupted business and unfair means and that I should have a check on him.
I sighed. Am not very good when it comes to handling curiosity and questions. I always need my answers right when the need arises. You see, am very impatient and life loves to test me that's why it has landed me into a whole bunch of questions with not even a slightest clue for answers.
'This time, you yourself have to find all your answers.. No one will answer them for you.. Just remember, use your brains, but don't forget that you have a beating heart inside you too..', I remembered Rehan's words which totally surprised me. He never talks about heart and stuff but today he was different.
-----
I think it's almost been two and a half hours since I was having this file given by that burkhewali in my hand. No doubt, it has a lot of information about the Oberoi family that too about each and every member. I wonder from where she collected all this because it contained all the information about the daily routine of each member. She either must be very close to them or must have been very close to them.
As I reached to the last member of the family, it suddenly grasped my attention. Like every family member's, there was a photograph of him, the one and only son of Tej Singh Oberoi, Omkaara Singh Oberoi.
He was sculpting something. His eyes were bored into his art. His long smooth hairs were flowing signalling that he was sculpting in open. He seemed so flawless, so pure, so divine.
"Omkaara", I savoured the taste of his name on my lips. It was so complete in itself. It didn't even needed the surname 'Oberoi' to adorn itself.
There was nothing in common within him and his family members. Among all the Oberois, only he has a self established carrier. His sculptures hold a great value in the market. The more I read about him, the more I got amazed. How can he someone from a Royal family be like this?
What held me was his eyes. I can't get my eyes off his black orbs. They were so intense, so transparent and so concentrated on his sculpture. I could feel how much he loved his art.
"Gauri!! Gauri!! Jaldi aaa..", I heard Bhavya's shout from the living room and I came out of my thoughts.
I rushed to the living room wondering what must have happen but I just found Bhavya glairing at the TV screen. When she finally noticed my presence, "Oh.. You came.. See.. Oberois Ki Maha Aarti..", she said pointed towards the screen keeping her popcorn bowl aside. Rehan told me about it. It's Oberoi's ritual to choose their heir. These big people and their even big fat dramas.
"Toh hum apko Oberois Ki Maha Aarti Ki live footage dikha rhe hai.. Vo waqt aagya hai jiska sbhi ko besabri se intezaar tha.. Aaj Ameerkot ka varis chuna jayega.. Toh dil thamke yeh footage dekhiye..", the reporter blabbered and then she got replaced by that live footage on the screen.
The Oberoi brothers were standing in front of the Ganesha's idol with Omkaara in-between and their whole family behind them. All three were dressed in white complimenting each other.
"Ameerkot Ke varis kripya age ayen aur Maha Aarti kren.. Muhurat hogya hai..", Panditji standing near the idol said. Omkaara smiled and stepped forward and came near the idol. I smirked, "Dekha Bhavya.. Jab baat gaddi ki ati hai toh kisiko bhai ka pyaar yaad nhi Ata.. Tu aise hi Oberoi brothers Ki tareef kar rhi thi..", I stated.
And here you were judging this guy through one photograph!, my mind mocked at me.
I stood up and was going back towards my room but Bhavya interrupted, "Oye ruk.. Dekh toh Sai ekbaar..", she called out me not leaving his eyes from the TV screen. I looked back at the TV uninterestingly but what I saw surely surprised me. Omkaara lifted his both hands and looked at his brothers on his either side one by one. They smiled at him and stepped forward and took his hand. Then the trio walked up to that lighted Diya and did the Aarti. It was a must watch scene. Their family was also surprised. The pandit wanted to say something but couldn't open his mouth. The whole audience became the mute spectator of their unbelievable brotherhood.
"I don't believe this..", I finally admitted while Bhavya grinned, "Jis family Ke sare bade log apas me lad ladke kabhi thakte nhi.. Us ghar Ki young generation me itna pyaar kese? Vobhi itna that they don't even want to become the sole heir of Ameerkot.", I continued.
"I told you na.. Yeh Oberoi brothers hai.. Yeh aise hi hai..", Bhavya said proudly.
"Tu toh aise khush horhi hai jese tere bhai hai..", I joked. She threw a cushion towards me which I catched immediately, "Hey.. Don't call them my brothers.. Itne hot ladki ko kon apna bhai bnata hai..". I just rolled my eyes at her comment.
My eyes again moved towards the screen. He was having such a genuine smile on his face. The white and golden Sherwani really suited him and the way his long hairs adorned his face, it seemed so godly. Wait! Was I really checking out a guy? I never did that! I first got lost in his photograph and then this. I hope am sane.
The brothers were done with the Aarti and kept the Aarthi ki thali back at its place. They after greeting the Ganesha were getting down from the podium but suddenly the nariyal which was in the thali blasted. Really? A bomb in a nariyal? I immediately went near the screen while Bhavya got all shocked. All I could see was the smoke and people running here and there on the screen. I was worried. Worried for him. Was he fine? Suddenly I heard his cry when the another nariyal blasted, "Shivaay!" He pushed his elder brother back and got his hand burned in the process. Then Shivaay Singh Oberoi after getting over the shock made Omkaara and Rudra go down from the podium with him. As they got down, the last nariyal too got blasted. God! It was such a deadly attempt to murder them!
Attempt to murder are always deadly Ishaana!, I slapped myself in mind.
"What the hell is happening?", Bhavya exclaimed.
-----
We both were stucked to the TV since then.
"Toh sutron se yeh maloom Hua hai Ki yeh Ameerkot Ke varis ko maarne Ki yeh ek Sochi samjhi sajhish thi..", the reporter said.
That's obvious idiot! Age bol !!, Don't know why but I was getting impatient.
"Is hadse me keval Omkaara Singh Oberoi ko apne bhai Shivaay Singh Oberoi ko bachate hue chot ayi hai.."
I hope he's fine!, Why the hell am worried for him?
"Par chinta Ki koi baat nhi hai.. Unka hath keval thoda Sa jala hai jiske liye unhe medication mil chuki hai.."
That's good! Good or bad? How does it even make a difference?
"Par is waqt Ki sabse badi khabar yeh hai Ki Mr. Tej Singh Oberoi ne yeh declare kar Diya hai Ki ab Vo ek naya security head hire krenge vobhi jald se jald.. Lagta hai pichle kuch Dino me hue hadse aur aj ki Maha Aarti me Hue is attack ne Oberoi family ko yeh decision lene ke liye majboor krdiya hai..", the reporter informed. I smirked listening to that as an idea popped into my mind.
"Itni khush kyu ho rhi hai tu?", Soumya asked suspiciously. I raised my eyebrow stating the obvious. She looked at me and then at the TV screen, "Don't tell me!", she exclaimed all horrified. I laughed at her expressions and went back to my room as I got the answer of a million dollar question 'How an gonna enter Oberoi Mansion?'.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Thankyousomuch everyone for your previous feedbacks! 😃 Hope to get even more love from you this time.
What do you think of Gauri's characterisation? 🤗
Both suggestions and criticism are welcomed!!
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Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
