Part 5'Are you all set Gauri?' Jhanvi asked, waking into the room. 'Yes Mummyji,' Gauri replied, shutting the wardrobe door. 'You look beautiful
beta,' Jhanvi said, placing a hand on Gauri's cheek. Gauri's lips curved into a small smile. Gauri had always admired her now mother-in-law. Everyone knew Jhanvi Singh Oberoi was an elegant woman but only those close to her knew of her compassion and kindness. After all, not many women could accept their husband's illegitimate child; let alone love him like her own.
'I remember my
pag phera. I thought I would relish being in my
maayka but all day long, I counted the minutes until I could be with Tej again,' Jhanvi reminisced. 'The wait was agonising but it was also euphoric.' Jhanvi added . Hearing her mother-in-law, Gauri wondered if she would ever want to be with Omkara like that.
In his studio, Omkara got to work. So much had happened in the last 24 hours, He hadn't had the time to process it. He placed a block of clay on the table. He pulled and stretched until it began to take shape.
'Now remember Gauri, Om will pick you up in the evening. Enjoy your time in your
maayka.' Gauri hugged her mother-in-law goodbye and left for Sharma house.
Gauri rang the doorbell twice before it was answered by an out-of-breath Pinky. 'Oh my mata, zara wait nahi kar sakti. Main kitchen main thi.' (Can't you wait a little? I was in the kitchen) Gauri ignored her mother and walked up the stairs. At the same time, the cooker whistled and Pinky dashed to turn it off.
Once upstairs, Gauri saw Rudra walking towards her with open arms. She ducked and went into her room leaving a confused Rudra behind. Once inside, she put a Salman movie and propped herself on the bed.
Gauri was a few minutes into the movie when Rudra came in with popcorn. She grabbed the popcorn making no effort to look in his direction. Rudra knew she wasn't ready to talk just yet so he sat down next to her. The rest of the movie passed in silence.
Once the movie was over, Gauri switched the TV off and turned to Rudra. 'Why?' she asked. 'I panicked Ri!' came the answer. Rudra looked at Gauri, when she said nothing, he continued, 'I went up to jij... Shivaay's room and O had knocked him unconscious. At first I thought he was an intruder but he assured he wasn't. Then he filled me on Shivaay's plans and I didn't know what to do. How could I let you through the pain of being jilted at the altar?' 'So instead you inflicted a different kind of pain on to me?' Rudra flinched. 'I'm sorry Ri but O is a nice man. If only you'd give him a chance.' 'And you've known him for what, 24 hours now!' Gauri said, crossing her arms across her chest. 'Yes but he saved you from a lifetime of pain. He could have walked away from the marriage, leaving us to deal with it but instead he made a sacrifice, never once thinking of himself.' This made Gauri think.
'You heard his story. The man went through so much yet he isn't bitter or mad at the world. I don't think We could've found a better husband for you...' saying this Rudra stood up '...and I know you blame Ma too but she only wants what's best for you. Our mother might be overbearing but she isn't malicious. After Papa passed away, she took on both roles gladly, never once complaining. I won't force this marriage on you but I have one request. Give it some thought; O deserves this much' Rudra exited the room, leaving Gauri alone with her thoughts.
A couple of hours later, Gauri joined her mother and Rudra for lunch, feeling a lot lighter. Pinky had prepared all of Gauri's favourite food and made sure she ate till her heart's content and some more. Later they all sat on the sofa and talked about old times.
Omkara took a step back and admired his work. It was as if the thoughts in his head travelled through his hands and into the clay. Omkara knew what he had to do now. At that very minute his phone rang, flashing a number he didn't recognise. Omkara wiped his hands and answered it. 'Hello, it's Gauri,' came the voice from the other end. 'Yes Gauri, tell me?' Omkara tried to sound casual. 'I was wondering what time will you be picking me up?' 'Crap,' Omkara thought. He had forgotten all about it. 'I'll be there soon!' Omkara said, grabbing his keys. Upon getting no reply, Omkara checked his phone only to realise his battery had died. He hoped Gauri had heard the last bit.
Omkara rushed to his car and that's when he noticed his Scooty parked next to it. 'It would be easier to beat traffic with this,' he thought and took that instead.
Gauri tried calling Omkara but his phone was switched off. Not knowing what to do, She decided to head home. She bid goodbye to her mother, Rudra and Saumya, who had come to visit her. Rudra insisted on dropping her but Gauri suggested that he spend time with Saumya instead.
Omkara made it to the Sharmas' and noticed Rudra standing outside with a girl. He stopped in front of the door. Rudra took in Omkara's state. Not only was he driving a two wheeler, his clothes were smeared in mud and his hair windswept. 'Ye kya haalat bana rakhi hai?' (What have you done to yourself? Rudra asked, looking amused. Omkara realised that he forgot to change his clothes. 'Shut up! I came straight from work.' 'Aur ye kya hai?' (and what is this?) Rudra asked pointing to his Scooty. Om looked at him blankly. 'Isme leke jaane wale the Gauri ko?' (Were you going to take Gauri in this? 'Do log hai na, to ye kaafi hai (This will do for the two of us) and what do you mean the? Has Gauri left?' 'She left a while ago.' 'To mere saath time pass kyun kar raha hai?' (then why are you wasting my time?) Omkara was annoyed now. 'Aapne poocha nahi,' (You didn't ask) Rudra shrugged. The girl giggled. 'Aur ye kaun hai?' (and who is this?) 'Kara sir, its me, Saumya. I took one of your classes a few years ago,' the girl said excitedly. 'Sir?' Rudra asked, cocking his eyebrow. 'Ah yes Saumya! It's so nice to see you. The last I heard, you went abroad. I'm terribly sorry but I have to leave now.' 'I understand,' Saumya smiled. Omkara said goodbye to both of them and left.
'Sir?' a still shocked Rudra asked Saumya. 'Yes. He was a guest lecturer at our college. Haaye! He was the hottest professor We've ever had,' Saumya said dreamily. Rudra felt a little jealous. 'My how things have changed!' said Rudra recalling Omkara's disheveled state.
Gauri had reached the foyer when she heard him call out to her. She turned around and the sight that greeted her made her chuckle a little.
Omkara was blown away by the sight in front of him. Dressed in a maroon anarkali, Gauri looked majestic. Her hair was gathered at the nape of her neck while a few wispy bits adorned her face. As she walked towards him, her chudas made a pleasant sound. Omkara wished he could capture this moment into a picture.
Soon she was standing in front of him, an eyebrow raised. 'Woh I came straight from work.' Omkara said, slightly embarrassed. Gauri wondered what he did for a living. 'I'm sorry, my phone died.' 'It's okay.' Gauri replied. She knew those wretched things would give up on you when you most needed them. 'I was wondering if you thought about what I said this morning?' He asked leading her out into the garden. Once at his favourite bench, he gestured for her to sit down. 'I have,' Gauri said, looking down 'I would like to give this marriage a chance.''Oh yes!' Omkara said smiling. 'I dunno what to say next.' 'How about We'll start by being friends?' 'I'd very much like that,' Omkara smiled again; this time a genuine smile, which didn't go unnoticed by Gauri. 'Well it's pretty late. I think we should head inside. Mom must be waiting. Did you have dinner?' 'Not yet,' Gauri replied. 'Then shall we?' Omkara asked getting up.
Dinner was spent with Gauri filling Jhanvi in about her day. Jhanvi was pleased to her so happy and gave Omkara a knowing look.
Omkara wished Gauri goodnight and was heading to the guest room when he heard her call out to him. 'You can move back into your room if you want,' she said. Omkara was elated and gathered his things from the guest room.
Gauri got out of the shower wearing a black tshirt and checked pyjamas. Omkara who was getting his clothes out of the wardrobe realised that it was one of his old tshirts from when he lived here. 'It suits you,' Omkara said. Gauri finally realised what he was talking about. 'I found it in the wardrobe. Hope you don't mind.' 'Like I said, it suits you' Omkara replied as he disappeared into the bathroom.
Omkara got out of the shower and realised Gauri was setting up on the couch. 'You take the bed,' she said, looking up. Omkara wanted to suggest they both sleep on the bed but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. 'No you take the bed. I'll be fine here.' 'No it's your room.' Omkara knew this could take a while. 'Okay let's alternate, you take the couch one day and I the next.' 'Fine by me,' Gauri said turning the lights off. Finally satisfied with the arrangement, they both nodded off to sleep. They both slept pretty well, excited what the next day would bring for them.
Part 6: Page 16
That's all for now. I stayed up all night writing this. Hope you enjoy.
Edited by StarryStarryNyt - 7 years ago
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
