Tangled: A Rikara SS. *Completed* (Note on Page 44) - Page 20

Om woke up with a pounding headache. He looked around for his wife but she was nowhere to be found. The events of last night came back to him. Suddenly a dark green concoction appeared out of nowhere. 'Drink this, you'll feel better.' Shivaay offered. 'No, thanks.' Om jumped to his feet and put his slippers on. 'Just drink the damn thing Om and then we can plot about bringing Gauri back.' Hearing her name, Om took the glass from Shivaay and gulped it down.

Gauri stayed in bed listening to her mother downstairs. She had barely slept a wink. She picked up her phone to check for any messages. Nothing. Gauri was disappointed. 'But you said you needed time,' her inner voice spoke. Gauri got dressed and headed downstairs. 'Gauri tu kab aayi?' Pinky asked before she'd even made it to the last step. 'Crap, now what do I tell her?'

'Chup kyun hai?' 'Mom woh kal raat ko aayi. Richa didi ki shaadi hai na, to unka haath batane aayi hai,' Rudra, who has just entered the house spoke. Gauri mouthed a thanks to her little brother, who just shrugged. 'Aur damadji? Woh nahi aaye tumhare saath?' Gauri froze. 'Woh shaadi par aayenge,' Gauri said, without thinking.

Om had just got out of the shower when he saw his tshirt that Gauri had worn a few nights ago. He pressed it to his nose, inhaling her scent. He quickly put it on wanting to feel her close to him. Just then his phone rang. Om hit answer and pressed it to his ear. 'F Bar in one hour. Don't be late!' Om grabbed his keys and headed downstairs.

'Where are you going?' Shivaay, who was walking in the opposite direction asked. 'Out,' Om answered. 'I'll come with you.' Shivaay expected a refusal but was pleasantly surprised when Om motioned for Shivaay to follow him.

Om spotted Rudra at the counter and made his way towards him. As soon as he saw Shivaay, Rudra's expression changed. 'What is he doing here?' Rudra asked, pointing towards him. 'He wanted to help,' Om answered. Rudra gestured for them to sit down.

Om narrated the happenings of last night to Rudra, who listened patiently. Rudra pretended to think. 'Only the love guru can help you out.' 'Great. Let's go,' Om said, getting up from the stool. 'O you don't need to go anywhere. He is right in front of you,' Rudra said pointing at himself. Shivaay rolled his eyes. 'Let's go Om. Between the two of us, we can come up with something better.' Rudra looked insulted.

'Trust me. I am Gauri's twin. I know how her mind works,' Rudra said, looking proud of himself. 'Hang on Shivaay. He may have a point.' Om was willing to try anything. 'God help us,' Shivaay crossed his arms around his chest while Rudra just grinned. 'After all, I was the one who made her realise she has feelings for you.' 'Gauri said that?' Om asked. Rudra hit him on the head playfully. 'Shivaay ye tumhara hi bhai hai na?' (Shivaay is he really your brother?)

'Let's go now,' Om said impatiently. This new revelation made him want to see her even more. 'You guys go ahead. I have another Sharma girl to pacify. Wish me luck,' Shivaay said hugging them.

Gauri was sitting at the dinner table with her mother when she heard the front door open. 'Badi der laga di aaj Rudra,' (what took you so long Rudra? her mother was the first to speak. 'Arey damaadji,' (son-in-law) This comment made her look. He walked in behind Rudra, hands in his pocket. He was wearing a black tshirt with black jeans and his tan sandals. He was a sight to her sore eyes but a few seconds later she noticed his eyes were sunken in, his hair didn't have its usual shine and his face a little swollen. Something the world wouldn't have noticed but she had memorised his face by now, thanks to her staring sessions in the morning.

She saw him walk up to her mother and fold his hands in a namaste. He then bent down to take her blessings. All this while, He wasn't looking at her, something that didn't go unnoticed by her. 'O mujhe raaste main mile to Maine socha unhe dinner par le aau,' (I met O on the way so I invited him for dinner) Rudra sat, pulling out a chair opposite Gauri. Gauri wanted to smack him on the head. 'Ye tune acha kiya,' (good) Pinky replied.

'Gauri damaadji ko khana to paros.' (Gauri serve Om). Om looked at her for the first time. She was munching on a cucumber slice. He gave her a small smile. 'Woh khud bhi to le sakte hai.' (He can take it himself). Pinky ignored her. 'Here try this aloo matar. Gauri made it for the first time,' Pinky said, pushing a bowl towards him. 'Mm it's delicious,' Om finally said. Rudra gave him a thumbs up. It was only Gauri tasted hers that she noticed it was absolutely bland.

Dinner was done and Gauri collected the plates. 'Acha to main chalta hoon. Thanks for dinner,' (I better get going) Om replied getting up. He noticed her dropping a spoon which Rudra quickly catched.

'Ab aa hi gaye ho to kal chale jaana. Kyun Mom?' (Since you are here, now go tomorrow) Rudra said with a serious face. What is it with Rudra, Gauri thought. 'No I must get going,' Om said, pretending to leave. He had wanted to see her reaction. She held on to the plates tightly. 'Nothing doing Om. Tum kal subah jaoge.' (Go tomorrow morning). 'Rudra ise kuch kapde de de sone ke liye,' (Rudra give him some clothes to sleep in) Pinky ended the discussion.

Once inside Gauri's room, Om shut the door. Gauri who was in the shower, came out dressed in a tshirt and shorts. He quickly went up to her. 'Gauri I'm sorry,' he tried to take her hand but she was too quick for him. She took a bedsheet from the cupboard. 'Gauri please,' Om pleaded while she took a pillow from the bed and that's when he realised what she was doing.

'Gauri tumhe zameen pe sone ki zaroorat nahi hai. This is your room.' (Gauri you don't need to sleep on the floor). 'Yeh mere liye nahi, aap ke liye hai.' (This isn't for me. It's for you) Gauri said handing him the pillow as she climbed on the bed. Gauri knew sleep wouldn't come easy to her tonight.

Om's phone pinged. 'How's it going? -R.' 'I don't think this was a good idea. She said she needed space.' 'Jitna space doge, utni door chali jayegi.' (The more space you'll give her, the more she'll drift apart) 'Plus I'm sleeping on the floor.' 'Let me see what I can do about that.'

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. 'Gauri,' Pinky called out. Gauri panicked. She quickly leaned over the bed and tapped Om on the chest. 'On the bed. Now!' Om obliged. Once he was on the bed Gauri opened the door. 'Ye woh doodh, damaadji ke liye,' (This Milk is for Om) she smiled. Gauri murmured a thanks and shut the door.

Gauri looked at the milk and at Om. Om knew what was going through her mind so he just winked but what she did next surprised him. She drank it all in one go. 'I need this, to deal with you,' Gauri said wiping her lips.

Once Gauri was sure he was asleep, she turned around to look at him. There was just enough moonlight for Gauri to notice his slight smile. Om was sleeping so peacefully. 'He needed this' Gauri thought.

Gauri continued to gawk at him. A small smile appeared on her lips as she thought about checking her own husband out. Gauri knew He was a handsome man but he had a beautiful soul too. Despite the harsh things she said last night, he was still trying to win her back. Gauri touched his cheek, unable to believe he was really hers. 'I'm sorry Om,' she spoke softly. Placing her head on his chest, she tried to sleep.

Om woke up feeling a soft weight on his chest. He opened his eyes to see what it was and that's when he noticed her sleeping on his chest so serenely. Om didn't want anything to ruin this moment so he stayed still. Om wanted his every morning to begin like this so he vowed to get her back no matter what.

Om placed a kiss on her forehead and that's when her eyes opened. She had a small smile on her face when suddenly she realised the position they were in.

'What are you doing?' She jumped up. 'Me? I didn't do nothing. You came to my side of the bed.' Om said, sitting up. 'Why were you kissing me?' Gauri asked. 'Why were you hugging me?' Gauri stayed quiet. 'Besides you can't hug me and expect me to not do anything,' saying this he grabbed the towel and headed for the bathroom.

Gauri smacked her head at what she'd done. She had thought she would wake up early and move away but he caught her by surprise. Last night, Gauri finally admitted she loved him but that didn't mean she would give in so easily; Mrs. Omkara Singh Oberoi would make Mr. Omkara Singh Oberoi work for it.

Part 11: Page 30

Thoughts guys? We are finally coming to the end of this FF. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and its what kept me going even when I felt lazy so virtual hugs for you all.