Rikara FF: Junoon : EPILOGUE - Pg 19 : 22-08-17; Index - Pg1; COMPLETE - Page 4

The moment they entered inside and the door was locked, she was pushed against the door and her face was pulled harshly for a kiss by Omkara.

He broke off the kiss to whisper in her ear, "Tum sirf meri ho." And then, he kissed her shoulder and bit her lightly to mark her his...

The rays of sunlight which poured through the white curtains falling directly on Gauri's face roused her from the most peaceful sleep she had in days.

She blinked slowly, bringing her right hand sluggishly on her face to block the sun ray and snuggled to her leftside pulling the duvet to cover her face with it. She would have fallen back to sleep but the duvet wouldn't budge and when she turned to her leftside or tried to anyways, something blocked her.

She opened her eyes to see what was blocking her, when she realized that it wasn't something but rather it was someone who blocked her.

She sat up with a gasp, and felt cold air meeting her upper-body..

She looked down to find herself witnessing the most shocking sight of her life, that too for the second time in a row, and in the very same day as well. The first, realizing that she had fallen asleep last night in Omkara's arms. But this one was just the tip of the iceberg.

She quickly covered her upperbody with her sheet and looked around. As she looked at Omkara's nude backside covered by the duvet from his waistdown and their clothes lying haphazardly around the room, that too in a tattered state - She came into terms with the fact that amost felt like a slap to the face - Omkara had just made love to her last night!

The stickiness between her thighs were just the proof to her assumptions.

Gauri kept on trying to remember what exactly had happened the last night and to stop herself from crying aloud and panicking and... and.. mabe killing Omkara with her own bare hands.

"Gauri, hume chod ke mat jao." Omkara mumbled in his sleep.

But before she could run off to the washroom to shower, she felt Omkara's hand on her shoulder.

"Gauri? Kya hua - Oh no.." Omkara sat up in shock and realized in what sort of big mess they were in. He blushed red as he came into terms with what had taken place between them the last night. While Gauri, who thankfully had covered herself with sheet wasn't able to meet his eyes due to embarassment.

"I'm so sorry, Gauri... Kal raat ko jo bhi hua, even though mujhe kuch yaad nahi hai, I know, abhi hona nahi chahiye tha.." Omkara said to Gauri, running his fingers through his hair nervously.

"Excuse me?! What did you just mean... by 'Abhi'? Oh, you mean to say that you were planning to do this someday in the future? Huh? Yeh sab tumhari wajah se hua hai! Na tum jealous hote aur naahi ye sab - !" Gauri shouted as she looked at Omkara furiously.

"Wait a second! Listen here, maine apni galti accept ki hai, even though It definately takes two to tango! Ye phrase to suna hi hoga na? Aur rahi baat jealousy ki - then you are right. I was jealous, alright. But I was downright angry as well! Kyunki us chicchore ko koi haq nahi banta ki woh kisi aur ki biwi ko touch kare! And therefore, I was just claiming my right!" Omkara said to her furiously ,while Gauri looked at him with her mouth agape.

"To - to tumne ye sab sirf jataane ke liye kiya ki main tumhari hun?! I can't believe this! Tumhe andaaza bhi hai ki tumne mere saath kya kiya hai?!" Gauri screamed at him, her voice shrill as her face turned further red with anger.

"Gauri... just take a deep breath.. calm down.. We were drunk and... Aur mujhe yeh ehsaas hai ki - " Omkara tried to calm her down with soothing words, but he was coming short of what to say as he had no clue what they should do next.

"Tumhe koi ehsaas nahi hai! And don't try to 'calm me down'!" Gauri said to him angrily and jumped out of the bed, pulling the sheets with her, as she marched into the washroom without looking back at him.

Omkara quickly pulled a pillow on his lap as he felt the sheets being pulled from below him leaving him quite naked and baffled.

Gauri stood in front of the dressing table as she got ready for the day. She never thought she would have to use concealer for some other purposes other than hiding her dark circles and acne. But here she was, using concealer to hide her hickeys... given to her by none other than her dear husband.

Gauri came out of her thoughts when she heard the door being unlocked. She stood up quickly to head outside as she didn't even want to face him right now. As she passed he grabbed her hand and stopped her in her place. She still tried to avoid looking at his face because she wasn't sure what she would feel when she would look at him.. Would it be Anger? Hatred? Or would she feel weak and surrender to his whims? Just as she had done that night? Why did she feel that she was equally responsible for that night? Not just because she was involved in doing that but also maybe... because she wanted to do it. Perhaps...

"Kaha jaa rahi ho?" Omkara asked her as he turned her so that she would look at him. But she was adamant, therefore she looked at anywhere but him.

But he wasn't any less, Gauri thought as she felt him touching her chin to make her look at him. She shuddered at his touch, as she remembered how he had grabbed her face that night...

Gauri cleared her throat. Even though her cheeks flared red, she looked him in the eye and answered him with a question of her own.

"Tumse matlab? Main jahaan bhi jaau, tumhe isse kya?"

"Mujhe isse matlab hai! Meri biwi kaha jaati hai... mujhe isse matlab hai!" Omkara answered her curtly.

"Acha! To ab main tumhari biwi hun? Ye mat bhulo ki hum kuch hi mahino me alag ho jaayenge!" Gauri said to him furiously, her blood boiling.

"Kaisi aurat ho tum? Kal raat jo hua usse tumhe koi farak nahi padta? Sabse zyaada farak to ek ladki ko hi padti hai... but yahaan to ulta hi hai... Mujhe laga tha ki main tumse baat karunga.. humari beech jo darmiyan hai... unhe khatam karne ke liye... Lekin tumhe to mujhse alag hone se matlab hai na? Main bhi kya sabse bada gadha hun... jo ye soch mere dimaag me bhi aayi. Khair. Theek hai.. Tumhe jo chaahiye wo tumhe mil jaayegi.. Balki kuch hi dino me mil jaayegi! Chali jaao yahaan se.. Tumhari koi zarurat hai ab... Jao!" Omkara shouted at her, and then he turned and walked out of the room.

Leaving Gauri alone in the room... She fell to the floor crying hardly, covering her face with her hands..

Gauri had just finished packing her bag and was set to leave as Omkara had kindly asked her to, when she heard a knock at the door.

She looked at the door without any expression on her face, expecting it to be Omkara.

But it was Dadi.

"Puttar tu kya kar rahi hai akeli akeli? Saare din wich tujhe dekhne ko nahi mila.. Chal puttar, aaj hum sab ladkiyan ek saath time bitaayengi.. Aur munde sab ek saath.. Chal sabhi tera intezaar kar rahe hai.." Dadi said, as she came to her and held her hand.

"Ji Dadi.. Chalte hain.." Gauri said to Dadi, smiling at her warmly.

Gauri sat with everyone gossiping in Anika's room. But her thoughts were elsewhere as she thought through about what Omkara had said to her.

She was lost in her thoughts when Dadi came and sat next to her.

"Gauri puttar, tu mere saath chalegi..mujhe meri dawaiyaan laane hai.." Dadi asked her.

"Ji Dadi, chaliye.. Chalte hain" Gauri stood up quickly, helping Dadi as well and they set foot outside towards Dadi's room.

But unknown to her Dadi had other plans.

Gauri who was so lost in her thoughts that she was too late to realize Dadi's plans. Dadi bumped into Gauri purposefully causing her to step into the spilled oil on the floor causing her to slip and fall on the floor.

Gauri let out a small scream as she fell hard on the floor. She felt a sharp pain in her right ankle when she heard a familiar voice shouting her name.

*******************************

Omkara was just heading towards the lounge to meet his Dadi as he had got a call earlier from her. Apparently she wanted to speak to him about something important. He was just about to enter the room, when he saw Gauri and Dadi heading towards him. He realized she wasn't even looking where she was walking when she suddenly slipped, letting out a small scream as she fell hardly on the floor. Before he could realize he was already running towards her.

"Gauri!" Omkara shouted her name as he ran to her. He quickly righted her up to a sitting position. Gauri whimpered loudly as she felt her right ankle cramping.

Even though Dadi knew her plan worked, she felt tremendously guilty for hurting Gauri.

"Omkara puttar! Tu Gauri ko apne kamre me leke ja. Main turant Rudra ko koi doctor ke saath ko bhijwati hun. Chal ja puttar, isko apne god me utha ke leke ja!"

Omkara felt his heart ache as he saw how much pain Gauri was in. He rubbed her tears and held her face in his hand.

Gauri opened her eyes and looked at Omkara with tears running afresh down her face.

She quietly whispered, quiet enough for only him to hear.

"I am sorry."

Omkara shook his head slightly and helped her stand up.

He lifted her in his arms, not removing his eyes off her and walked towards their room.

Gauri's leg was quickly checked out by the hotel doctor, and everyone, i.e, Omkara, Dadi and Rudra were informed that she just had an ankle sprain, and there was nothing to worry.

Dadi and Rudra left them alone after advicing Omkara to take care of her.

Silence wafted over them, after they were left alone. They looked everywhere but at themselves.

Gauri took a deep breath and spoke quickly despite her nervousness, "Main aapse maafi maangna chahti hun. Mujhe aapke saath aise behave nahi karni chahiye thi. Pata nahi... mujhe kya ho gaya tha... jabse Goa aayi hun... and the first night, jab aapne mujhe Harry se protect karne ki koshish..us din mere andar jo bhi bhadaas thi... saari aap par nikaal di.. Mujhe laga ki... aap mujhe kamzor samajhte hain.. And I don't want you to look at me like that.. as if.. I am weak.. I want you to know that main apni ladaai ab khud ladh sakti hun.."

"Tum se kisne kaha... ki main tumhe kamzor samajhta hun? And why would you assume ki main tumhare baare me aisa soch bhi sakta hun? Gauri ek baat bataaun? I never saw you as a weak person. Even in Bareilly. Yaad hai? Ki tumne kaise meri gaadi par bulldozer chada dia tha? Just because I was being an arrogant fool? Koi bhi kamzor ladki aisa karne ke baare me soch bhi nahi sakti.. Even despite me assuming those bad things about you... tum Kaali Thakur se kaise bachke nikal aayi thi.. really.. No weak person can do that.. The way you built up yourself.. No, Gauri. You are definately not a weak person. Us din, I just.. didn't like the way Harry looked at you. And I am sorry, if you felt like this. But mujhe pata nahi kya ho gaya tha... I think.. you were right. I got jealous. Kyunki even though, tum is rishte ko nahi maanti... lekin main zaroor maanta hun. And therefore, I couldn't tolerate him looking at my wife in that manner. I don't accept this relationship between us just because of the night we.. um.. had.. I mean.. you know.." Omkara stammered as he tried to explain. Gauri pressed his right hand as she whispered,"I know." Omkara gazed at her eyes, a bond of understanding forming between them.

"Main ye kehna chahta hun ki main is shaadi ko maanne laga hun aur mujhe yeh lagta hain ki hume beete hue kal ki baat bhulaakar hume humare beech is rishte ko phirse ek mauka dena chahiye. Main yeh promise nahi kar paaunga ki mujhse future me koi galti nahi hogi.. lekin main tumhe khush rakhne ki puri koshish karunga. Har kadam par tumhaara saath dunga.. apni patni hone ka pura haq dunga, ek ache pati hone ki koshish karunga aur shaayad.. tumse mohabbat bhi karne lagunga." Omkara said to her in a low voice, trying to be confident. He heard Gauri gasp in shock, but still continued on."Tumhe iske baare me soch na chahiye. And I will give you time, how much ever you need. Main tumhe pressurize nahin karunga is baar. Please, just think over it." Omkara finished speaking and finally looked up to meet her eyes which were filled with unshed tears. He pressed her hand which was still in his, whether in support or understanding he wasn't sure. He gave her a slight smile and stood up, deciding to give her some space by leaving her alone.

"Kahan jaa rahe ho?" Gauri asked, grabbing his arm.

"Woh.. main tumhe sochne ke liye time dena chahta hun us baat par. And so, giving you some space would be quite right..." Omkara explained.

"Please mat jaao. Mere paas raho." Gauri blushed, stammering on. "I mean, stay in this room. Jo sochna hai main soch lungi. Filhaal tum aaj yahaan par hi so jao... is kamre me."

"Theek hai." Omkara whispered. He gave her a small smile, feeling happy that she didn't want him to leave.

They slept peacefully that night, even though not in each other's arms but satisfied with the feeling of warmth and safety in each other's presence.

The next few days, Omkara and Gauri spent together getting to know each other in a very different ray of light. They spent their days walking around the beaches hand-in-hand talking about everything and nothing; and their nights, doing their own things but still being in a close proximity. It was as if they couldn't tolerate being far from each other.

A couple of weeks had passed already and both of them were acting nonchalant despite thinking over and over about their future.

Gauri was severely confused. But she had now come to terms with some things. One, that the Omkara she had met in Bareilly and the Omkara who is in front of her, taking care of her, cracking jokes to cheer her up - they are the same person and not the same person simultaneously. And the second thing that she was confident about, is that she definately cared about Omkara. And the thought of leaving him caused a certain ache in her chest that she had no way to explain. Not even to herself. And lastly, the thought of Omkara loving her, causes some sort of fluttering in her chest again, perhaps in a very pleasant way.

Or has already fallen, she wasn't sure. She wasn't sure if her brother and best friend will be happy with her decision. But she knew they would support her nontheless, and therefore her decision was made.

Gauri was finally ready to give him and their relationship a chance. She just hoped she wouldn't regret her decision later on.

It was in the third week of their vacation, one night after their confession, they sat together watching television in their room. Only a few days were left of their vacation in Goa, and they would once again get back to their regular lives. The bandage on her right ankle was already removed that day in the morning and she could finally move around freely.

"Omkara." Gauri called him nervously, making him look at her with a confused look.

"I am ready." She hadn't realized that the three simple words that she would utter, would cause his face to light up with such a beautiful smile, but it definately warmed her heart.

It has been a couple weeks since the whole family had returned from Goa. And everyone could

find a very distinct change between the new couple. They could see that they looked happy.. as if a certain burden was lifted from their shoulders. It made them happy to realize that they were more closer not only emotionally but perhaps, even physically.

The red tint in their cheeks when they were left alone, and their hands that would wander on their accord, caught once or twice by the family members gave off the hint that they might be... close.

But still, it made them happy to see that everything was ok between the two. Especially Dadi. Her plan had finally worked.

*******************************

Gauri had just finished helping the women in the kitchen preparing the sweet dishes for the God Bharai ceremony for her Anika Bhabi, when her phone beeped with an incoming text message.

She wiped her hands off and swiped open her phone screen to see that it was her husband.

She quickly read the message -

Par main 20 minute ke andar main upar kaise jaaon? Gauri flushed red as she wondered what he would do once she would enter...

"Gauri!" Gauri came out of her thoughts as she heard someone shout her name. She looked around and realized that she had caught everyone's attention... Her cheeks further flushed a dark crimson as she looked down in embarassment. As she thought over excuses to give, she missed the amusement on the other's faces and the sly exchange between them.

"Gauri puttar tu theek nahi hai kya? Tujhe kitna paseena aa raha hai. Chal aaj ke liye hum kaam yehi khatam karte hai.. Sabhi sone chale jaao.. baaki ka kaam hum kal subha khatam kar lenge. Theek hai?" Dadi said to everyone and all of them let out a breath of relief as they were really tired.

As all of them, headed towards their room, Gauri stalled a bit as she was nervous about what she was gonna face once she entered their bedroom. Yes, their bedroom. She had finally forgiven Om and accepted him as her husband. The only thing left between them was the... physical intimacy. Even though she was ready, she was quite shy to admit it to her husband. And she could see that he was definately ready, but he says that they would take that step when she will be ready.

She slowly knocked on the door, and when there was no answer she slowly opened the door.

When she entered the room, it was submerged in darkness and as she tried to switch on lights, none of them worked. When she was about to get out to call for Rudra to check for the lights, suddenly a hand grabbed her at her waist and turned her back.

She gasped as she came at a standstill to realize that it was him.

"Aap is andhere me kya kar rahe hai? Ligths kaam nahi kar rahe hain... Kisi ko bulaakar - " She stopped talking as she felt a finger on her lips.

"Shhh. Hume light ki kya zaroorat jab tum ho yahaan? Tumhari is kamre me hone se hi roshni chaa gayi hai... Dekho.." Omkara whispered in her ear, and then with a click of a button the whole room was filled with golden twinkling lights. A wall was decorated with the lights shaped into a heart shape. She could see a small table has been set at the centre of the room with some dishes on it .

Gauri looked around the room, gobsmacked.

"Om, yeh sab kya hai? Yeh sab kis liye?"

"Yeh sab is liye hai kyunki, main tumhe dher saari achi yaadein dena chahta hun. And that is why, aaj hum humaari pehli date pe jaayenge. Kahi baahar to nahi le jaa saka, functions ke liye.. I am sorry for that.." Omkara said, guiltily.

"Shh. Sorry kis baat ke liye? Yehi mere liye kaafi hain. And I love this. Chalo.. hum pehle khaana khaate hain.. Mujhe phirse bhook lagi hain..." Gauri smiled at him, while pulling him towards the table.

After they finished eating.. he took her hand and went outside to their balcony, where they could see the full moon.

They stood for a while in silence, Gauri in Omkara's arms. Watching the moon.

"Kitna khoobsurat hain na aaj ka chaand?" Gauri asked Om, smiling towards the moon. She felt at peace, feeling thankful and lucky, that she got such a loving husband. Even though the circumstances under which their marriage had happened, she somehow felt that... they were just meant to be.. Or else her Shankarji wouldn't have sent him twice to her.

"Haan. Bilkul tumhari tarah." Omkara whispered as he turned her towards himself and held her waist. "Tumhe pata nahi hain ki main khud ko kitna lucky mehsoos karta hun kyunki mujhe tum mili ho. Pichle janam me shaayad maine kuch achaa hi kaam kiya hoga jiske badle me mujhe is janam me tum mili ho. And I am glad. Bohot shukr guzaar hun kyunki main tumse... bohot mohabbat karta hun. Aur main tumhe khud se kabhi alag nahi hone dunga." Omkara said as he caressed Gauri's face, and wiped the tears that fell as she gazed at him.

"Om..." Gauri whispered as she lifted her hands to hold his face between them. She raised herself on her tiptoes, bringing his face closer and locked her lips with him. They continued to kiss and separated to breathe in the much-needed air. "Om... please.. aaj mujhse... beintehaa mohabbat karo.. I.. I need you.." Gauri whispered shyly to him, while blushing crimson red.

Omkara gazed at her with a questioning look, and when she nodded slowly, giving her permission he knelt and lifted her into his arms. Not removing his gaze from hers, he laid her on their bed.

"I love you, Gauri." Omkara whispered as he bent down towards her...