Rikara OS - Khwaab

A man sat at the front of the cafe, playing his guitar and singing a song. He was none other than Omkara Singh Oberoi, one of the latest top-most singers in India.

It is said that he owned this little cafe and he would come once in a month and spend the entire night singing and spending his time with the community people because once upon a time, this used to be his earning source - singing in this very cafe.

He was not only famous for his talent but also for his epic love story. There was a rumor that he fell in love with his wife in this very cafe when he saw her here for the very first time.

It was a mystery because he always refused to disclose the details himself. And the local community members in his hometown refused to disclose as well, despite being offered huge amounts of money... because they were very loyal to them and considered them as part of their family.

But on the occasion of his 25th wedding anniversary, he has finally decided to tell his love story.

He had invited a journalist from the India Forums channel to his hometown for the interview.

The India Forums journalist, Rita Singh, was very nervous to meet the famous singer. Even though she worked cordially and was really good in her job... this was a huge deal-breaker for her. And if this interview came out to be successful, her promotion would be sanctioned and she would be titled to be one of the latest top media journalists.

Rita, who had just arrived, sat at a table and called in a waiter for a drink. She had been given a set time for the interview and still had about a half-an-hour. She looked around, getting relaxed. This place looked cozy enough, giving off the vibe to everyone - to just let go.

Rita took a deep breath and let it out along with her worries. She would worry about the aftermath later. Now, she was going to enjoy doing her work... because unless you enjoy doing your work.. you don't give your best in it.

She saw a beautiful looking woman, around middle-aged sitting at the corner all alone, reading a book. Just minding her own business. But once in a while she would just look up and see something, that would cause a slight rosy tint to form on her cheeks.

Rita wondered as she looked around, trying to see what the woman was seeing. But she couldn't find anything in her sight of view except for Omkara Singh Oberoi, who sat at the front of the cafe, conversing with some people.

She realized that she had about 10 minutes to get ready for her interview and stood up to head towards the VIP room Mr. Oberoi had called her in.

"Good evening, Mr. Oberoi. My name is Rita Singh. I have come from the India Forums channel for your interview." Rita said, as she shook hands with Omkara Singh Oberoi, who gave her a warm smile and told her to have a seat.

"Yes. Yes.. I have finally decided to spill all of my secrets to the media." Omkara said as he laughed lightly.

Rita smiled as she noted the laughing lines on his face, and realized that even though he had aged well, he still looked handsome as ever at the age of 45. She blushed slightly as she shook off her thoughts and concentrated on her work. She took out her tape recorder and her notepad in which she had noted down the questions she wanted to ask him and signaled to him if they could start. When he signaled 'yes' she switched on the tape and started speaking.

"Good evening, sir. How are you?"

"I am good. Just having some health problems that comes with age. What about you?" Omkara chuckled.

"Nothing serious I hope! I am good, thank you for asking. And thank you for inviting me to your cafe today as well... It's really a beautiful place! I hope you know the purpose for which I have come today?" Rita asked, smiling expectantly at him.

"Yes... Yes.. It has something to do with my love life, I think. My kids must be having a laugh out of this..." Omkara said, as he laughed.

"Yes. Everyone has been dying to know the mysterious story of your love life that you haven't given us the pleasure of knowing till now. Even though some sources say that it has been almost more than two decades. And yes, congratulations to you and your wife on your 25th wedding anniversary, sir!" She said, giving him a wide smile.

"Thank you so much! We hadn't even realized that time has passed so quickly even though our kids are all almost grownups..." Omkara said with a sad smile.

"Sir, can you please tell your story? Your fans all over India and all around worldwide are dying to know." Rita said, with an eager smile.

"Yes, Of course." Omkara sighs with a slight smile on his face as he remembered the day he first saw her...

"Om! You are getting late for your classes! This is your last year, Om. Please do not slack this year and be sincere! Nothing is going to happen if you just sit idle strumming your guitar! Please concentrate on your studies and then only you can become something productive in your life!" Omkara's mother shouted as she entered his bedroom.

Omkara who sat at his table trying to write down some lyrics to his new song, looked up.

"Mom, have you ever got a bad remark about me from any of my teachers? Or have I ever presented you my grade sheets with poor results? Please stop worrying, mom! And isn't Dad arriving today from Dubai? Why aren't you preparing something special for him?" Omkara said, as he stood up and hugged her from side.

His mother hugged him back, kissing his forehead and smiled at him. "I have already prepared. Don't you know me?"

They both laughed as Omkara started gathering his books and grabbed his favorite guitar, which was gifted to him from his father.

"I better find leftovers when I come back! You guys are coming to the cafe, right?

"Of course. We won't miss it for the world!" His mother grinned at him.

Today he was going to perform for the first time. Before, he only used to participate as a guitar player in the band but because of the main singer's illness he got the chance to sing, which he had always wanted.

"Thanks, Ma. You know, you and dad mean the world to me." Omkara said as he hugged her.

"Yes, of course. But you won't say the same when you will fall in love." His mother said to him, as he headed out.

"We'll see. We'll see. Bye, mom! Love you!" Omkara shouted as he sat in his bike.

Omkara had finished his classes and had just arrived at the cafe. He quickly got inside and stood for a while taking in the number of customers. There was a slight rush, everyone sitting in the front waiting for his arrival.

He grinned at everyone as he shouted out, "Hey guys! What's up, everyone?!"

"Hey!" Everyone shouted back.

He went to the front and sat on a stool, waiting for his other band-members to arrive.

As he looked around the cafe his eyes fell on a girl who sat all alone by herself at the very back corner of the cafe, reading a book.

Someone grabbed his shoulder, and asked him, "Who are you looking at, man?! She is the new girl in town, if you haven't heard. She just got here yesterday. They are from Gujarat and belongs to a very rich family. I have also heard that the girl has a lot of attitude... I mean she just doesn't talk to anyone!"

"Ok... ok... Did I ask you for all this information? Why are you telling all of this to me?" Omkara asked Rakesh, trying to stop himself from looking at the girl.

"I am telling you all of this because this is the first time I have noticed you taking an interest on a girl... Or else we had definitely come to the conclusion that - Maa Ka Laadla Bigad Gaya!" Rakesh said, as he and some of his friends laughed aloud.

Omkara rolled his eyes as he said, " Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. It's just that since I haven't seen her around... I was just wondering about our new customer.. and that's all.."

Everyone rolled their eyes as they shook their head at his lame excuse.

"Ok... so why don't we get started? Almost everyone has arrived!"

And they all spent the weekend night enjoying and listening to Omkara's songs and just partying, while Omkara had his eyes fixed on the new girl.

About a couple months had passed and there was still no response from the new girl... Omkara had noticed when everyone clapped or shouted after his song performances she never looked up. She behaved as if she heard nothing.

He even tried to look for her in his college. Apparently she was too cool to study with them in school and had decided to be home-schooled by the teachers.

He had finally given up on his crush (which he had reluctantly admitted to himself) on her altogether when one day he found her crying softly at her usual table. His heart gave out to her... He thought of asking her if she was alright, when his friends had dragged him aside.

And then, he came to contact with the harsh reality on the very day he came to know about her secret.

He had just entered the cafe when he found it completely empty except for the new girl and a boy who sat in front of her. At first, he couldn't explain but an unknown feeling had overcome him and all of a sudden he felt furious at the boy.

And when he passed them, he realized they were not talking anything but making weird hand signs at each other.

And then he understood.

She had no attitude. She wasn't ignorant. She definitely wasn't a snob.

She was disabled. She couldn't listen and therefore she couldn't talk.

The guilt that he felt build up in himself, made him drop everything and get out of the cafe to clear his head.

He was so wrong! How could he just judge someone without knowing them?

On that day, he made a promise to himself. That he would befriend her. He suddenly felt this feeling towards her, that made him want to take care of her.

From that day onwards he started to learn the sign language and everyday sat in front of her at her table pretending to just mind his own business.

She would just look at him confusedly, but never asked him anything.

And one day, after observing him for over a month, she finally tapped him on his arm and asked him, What is your name?

He replied, Omkara Singh Oberoi.

She told hers and then asked, Why do you sit here everyday when there are many empty seats around?

He replied, signaling back to her , I want to become your friend.

And when she asked him back, Why?

He just replied, Simply.

And then she gave him a small smile.

Spending almost the whole time with her, when he wasn't at home or school or performing songs in the cafe, which she finally watched, taught him a lot about her.

She was an orphan and lived alone with an ignorant grandfather. She also had a brother that he had seen her with, on the day he had come to know about her lived in the USA with his family and came to visit her alone, once in a while. It seems that her grandfather was a really strict person and didn't allow her to step outside more than a couple hours because in her opinion he was embarrassed about her.

About a year had passed, and they had slowly started to have feelings for each other, much to everyone's pleasure.

Omkara had finally found his 'The One' and it made everyone happy to watch them slowly fall for each other.

Omkara and Gauri had both graduated from their colleges with flying colors and were thinking about their career options. They both wanted to achieve their dreams, Gauri wanted to be an author whereas Omkara wanted to become a singer.

Omkara had talked about Gauri to his parents and his friends who completely supported his decision.

To propose her.

He had made his plan. He would propose her in the very cafe where they first met each other.

He hoped she would just say yes.

That day he sang a song that he had composed for her, while hand signing the lyrics to her. He came down from the stage and walked slowly to her. He held her hand as he brought her to the stage along with him and knelt on a knee in front of her as he signed and spoke aloud,

"I know, it hasn't been that long since we met... but I had fallen in love with you on the first day I had lain my eyes on you. You sat there, minding your own business looking beautiful as ever that I couldn't look away from you. But the more I got to know you, the way you take care of your loved ones... makes me fall in love with you over and over again. I know.. I can't promise you with the riches, but I will try to make sure you won't be left wanting for anything. Even though you are an independent girl, I know, you despise asking for help from others... But I still want to say this to you... Even though I can't promise to fix all of your problems, but I can promise you one thing... You won't have to face them all alone. I'll be there with you all along, in every step.. So.. I am sorry I am going to have to hurry this up.. as my knee is kind of cramping up now.. Will you marry me, Gauri?" Omkara asked, making everyone laugh with his last comment.

Everyone waited for Gauri's answer, holding their breath.

Gauri, who was continuously crying finally nodded, letting everyone know her answer.

Everyone shouted in joy and hooted as Omkara quickly stood up and kissed her right on her lips.

They came apart to take in oxygen as they were both breathless and faced everyone with wide smiles on their faces.

"And that was how, our love story began... After proposing her, I directly went to her grandfather and asked him for her hand. He asked me millions of questions, before finally giving his permission, because he had seen positive changes in Gauri, how happy she had become after coming here from Gujarat. But he told me one thing - that even though he didn't show much care for his granddaughter, he loved her. And he kind of threatened me.. that if I somehow hurt her, he would find me and hurt me more. Those words... I never thought, even though he said them to threaten me... I felt so soothing because it made me realize that he cared for her. And that's it. We got a happy ending." Omkara smiled wistfully, as he finished narrating.

"Wow. It's really beautiful.. Can I ask you a last question? What does your wife do now?" Rita asked.

"Well now, she is a famous author herself, under another name. She says she doesn't want people to read her books by being biased because she is my wife. Would you like to meet her? She is just coming to get me.. we have a date tonight!" Omkara said, as he looked up and grinned at the opening door. Where stood the same woman Rita had seen before.

Rita gasped.

"This is my wife - Gauri Singh Oberoi. Gauri, this is the journalist who came to interview me from India Forums."

Rita gaped slightly as Gauri shook hands with her smiling warmly at her.

"There isn't an illness in the world that don't have a cure. Before we had our kids she got a treatment which helped her revive her listening ability and learnt to speak again. She said.. as she had been deprived of listening to the sound of the world... she didn't want to miss hearing to our children's voices." Omkara explained to Rita, as she looked on confusedly at Gauri.

"Oh! That's amazing... I am so happy you got your abilities back.. Well, It was a pleasure of having to meet you both in person! I am really glad that I had the opportunity! Thank you so much for giving me your time sir! And you too, ma'am! I'll take my leave now. Goodbye." Rita bid them leave, as she packed her bags and got out after shaking hands with them.

"Om.. can we go now? I am hungry.. I have been waiting for you for so long..." Gauri said to Omkara, pouting a bit.

"Yes.. Even I have been waiting for you.. for my whole life.. I love you, Gauri.." Omkara said as he kissed her on the lips.

owning a cafe so awesome .. you can just simply chill and do whatever you wanna do in life! The independent Gauri has been portrayed so beautifully!

also i was waiting for a rikara update all day ! so a beeeg thankyou!🤗

Congrats

It's lovely

Thank you! And a very heartful welcome to you. I know how you feel. I kinda go crazy if I don't read something the entire day! 😆

Thank you so much! 😳 I just wrote it in a whim and didn't really expect it to win at all! 😆

Thank You! 😳

Thank you! 😊

Thank you! 😳

This was so pure... simple, straightforward and made me so so happy!

Thanks for sharing this li'l nugget of gold with us yaar...

Left me smiling fondly at the screen by the end of it. Om and Ri are captivating in any avatar and in this one too, the singer Om and author Ri were a balm to the sore souls of us in the RiKara fandom, who rarely get much in the form of canonical gratification.

Eagerly waiting for more amazing stuff from you soon!

p.s. The gifs in your siggy are way to appropriate for my mental images of this story!

Thank you, Genie! I have always imagine them getting their happy ending eventually. But with the way the drama is going on... I just try to imagine them in another realm, where they have a normal - well close to normal as they can get - love story! ❤️

PS: Those GIFS are my favorite! Can't wait to see more of such scenes!