Guys...sorry for the terribly late updates...i know some are very upset and some have lost interest...but my work schedule is really horrible
Here is the update...
PART 9
OOTY 1976 :
Omkara didnt get any further opportunity to converse with Gauri...though their eyes kept meeting...
Om had so much to say...but his luck didn't favour him any further on that day
...
Everyone was indeed tired by the long day out for the picnic...but Om was desperate to speak to Ashutosh.
It was almost 10 PM...when all had retired to their rooms...that Om knocked at his friend's door...
A sleepy Ashustosh opened the door and was surprised to find his friend at this odd hour...Om looked somewhat upset as was evident...which surprised Ashutosh all the more.
"Come in Om..." he said...and as Om entered...he immediately enquired "what happened?...are you okay Om?...Are you not feeling well?"
"No Ashutosh...there is nothing wrong with me...I am fine..." Om said.."But you please take your decision...before things go out of control"
"Decision?...what decision?"...Ashustosh asked surprised...what exactly what is friend talking about ??
"Decision regarding Gauri"...Om answered bluntly...
That surprised Ashustosh even more..."What decision?...you know my decision very well...I am not going to marry anyone except Trishna...so any decision about Gauri is negative even before I came here"
"Then please make your decision clear...before its too late..."...Om was restless..."Gauri has a lot of hope and anticipations...she will be shattered..."
Ashustosh was at a loss of words...he knew deep inside that he was being unfair to Gauri...but this pain would be momentary...if he married her...the pain would be for her life...but what he couldnt understand was ...why was his friend so restless...that he landed up in his room...almost nearing midnight?...he did see Om stealing glances at Gauri...but had ignored them...probably those were not to be ignored...
Nevertheless Om was correct at this moment...he needed to clear his stance as soon a possible
"Om ...you are right...I shall announce my decision tomorrow itself...and then we leave for Delhi tomorrow ...because after this I dont think we can stay here further...things would be very awkward"
Om really didn't know what to feel...he was happy that his friend would speak up...worried about Gauri's response...but primarily he was upset...that he would have to leave for Delhi the next day itself...he was certainly not prepared for this.
As if reading his friend's thought...Ashustosh asked..."What happened Om?...you look disturbed...arent you happy that I finally mustered up the courage for this situation?...despite the fact that Mr Sharma is a Hitler in his own rights"...he giggled
Om didnt know what to reply...he wanted to tell his friend..."Yes I am upset...I dont want to leave this place...I dont want to leave her alone...at this time..."...but no this was premature...he wasnt sure what was happening...
"Ashustosh...we will leave tomorrow...I just hope things go well"...saying this he rushed out
Ashustosh smiled..."poor Om...he is in this mess and he hasnt realised it"
...
"Sharma Uncle..." Ashustosh cleared his throat..."I am sorry but I have to say this...Gauri is a very good girl and she is extremely talented...but I dont think we would be compatible...we are two different people...very different infact...so we would probably be trapped in relation which would be meaningless...any guy would be lucky to have Gauri as his wife...but I am not that lucky guy"...Ashustosh concluded in a calm tone
It was the seating room...Mr Sharma, Gauri and Omkara were present apart from Rajshri Maa
Mr Sharma didnt have any reaction...though Om could make out he was probably fuming within and would burst out any moment...
"Okay Ashutosh"...he said in a grim tone..."I shall not question your decision"
"Uncle I hope this decision doesnt affect the family relations"...Ashutosh continued..."we shall leave today itself"
Mr Sharma nodded..."The car would drop you at Coimbatore station"...he said curtly and left
Ashustosh heaved a sigh of relief
Om was constantly staring at Gauri tbroughout the conversation...she was quiet...without any response...a blank staring face...he was worried about her...she was not a girl who would have an outburst...which was even worse
Ashutosh turned to Gauri..."I am sorry...extremely sorry"
Gauri looked at Ashustosh and gave her rare sweet smile..."Its okay Ashutosh Sahab...I sincerely hope you would keep Trishna happy"...saying this she gave a glance at Om and left
To say that two friends were surprised would be an underestimation...
"So she knew?"...Om asked...Ashustosh didnt know what to reply
...
They were packing their luggages...and were due to leave in 30 minutes
Om was extremely subdued...his mind was clouded by the thoughts of just one person...her eyes...her voice...her beauty... the very thought of leaving the place was frustrating him...he wanted to talk to her...he wanted to listen to her...he wanted to just sit in front of her
He would have to meet her once before leaving...probably he would never meet her again...but where would he meet her? she was elusive
While loading the luggages in the car he realised he still had 10 minutes...he hurried towards the estate...hoping against hope that he would get a glimpse of her...
And there she was standing facing the estate...but why was she here at this time of the day?...that was unusual
Om cleared his throat from behind...Gauri turned facing him...
"Gauri...I dont know what to say...I mean I want to say but dont know what to say...I mean...I hope you know what I mean..."
Gauri kept staring and him...and replied..."Don't worry...I am not upset...I am very happy for Trishna"
Om looked at those mesmerising eyes...he handed out a set of 3 books to her...
"Please do read them...its my collection...I hope you like it..."
Gauri smiled "Thank you...I shall definitely read them"
"And how would I know whether you liked it?"...Om enquired...
Before anyone could talk further...Ashustosh called out...they had to leave...
Om looked at Gauri and took her leave...maybe they wouldnt meet again...that would be terrible
As the car was passing by the estate...Om saw her standing with his set of books...
Omkara's thoughts echoed.."Yes I am upset...I dont want to leave this place...I dont want to leave her alone...its not premature...its not immature...in my poetic world this would be termed LOVE..."...he found the answers for his unexplained restlessness...yes he was in love
But his Love couldnt end abruptly...he will meet his Gauri again...
Shankar will meet his Uma...that was destiny...
The car sped off the Nilgiri range...with two happy men who found their love...
To be continued
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