RiKara TS: And this time...Forever [Epilogue - page 11: 28/03/2018] - Page 8

Originally posted by: sakshi0123

Nice ff

Epilogue as promised. Ignore the mistakes :)

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~~ Life is about trusting your feelings, taking chances and finding happiness ~~

Omkara was terrified. Where was his daughter? He frantically searched at every place only to realise that she was nowhere to be found. He stood in the middle of the road completely clueless while he ran his fingers through his hair not knowing what to do. Desperate tears ran down his cheek. What was he supposed to do? How can he be so careless? That was when he felt a pat on his back and turned around to see Nitya looking at him.

The moment he saw her in front of him safe and sound was the moment a lone tear escaped his eyes in relief. He bent on his knees caressing her small face and hugging her to his might asking her if she was alright and kissed her forehead. No one will be understand what he went through those few minutes of his life. He already lost his wife. He couldn't even think of a life without his daughter. His eyes then went to the bandage on her leg.

"Yeh kya hua? Yeh chot kaise lagi? Aur kisne baandha yeh? He asked visibly worried slightly caressing the wound with his thumb.

"Uss aunty ne she said pointing her finger to a certain direction.

Gauri came running behind Nitya trying to catch up with her pace and that is when she saw her with a man. She looked up to see who he was and got the biggest shock of her life. There stood the only person who she left seven years ago. The only man she loved and she would always do. The one who meant the world to her. The one whom she could never forget. Her husband. Or was he? She thought looking at the small child in his arms.

She stood there rooted to the ground without blinking her eyes. Was it really him? He looked a bit old maybe? And the dark circles under his eyes were palpable. He seemed to have lost few kilos. And his hair was the same. Silky and a bit longer maybe. Amidst all these, she didn't miss the small twinkle in his eyes. And that intrigued her.

Om on the other hand stood flabbergasted. Was it a dream? Or was it real? Was she really in front of him? Will she disappear if he closes his eyes like she did all these years? He stared at her without blinking his eyes. His eyes slightly teared up.

Seven years and there was no change in her. May be there was. She grew a bit thin. And the dark circles under her eyes were clearly visible. Was she taking care of herself? He looked at her intently and found that there was a different kind of glow on her face. She was beautiful but something about her seemed intriguing to him. He didn't miss the presence of a small pinch of vermillion on her forehead. But the mangalsutra was missing on his wife's neck. Wait? Wife? Was she?

"Ga..Gauri? His voice came out as a plea.

"Gauri..Tu..Tum yaha? He asked with a voice full of uncertainty.

"Haa..Haan Omkaraji her voice choked.

"Hum...Hum yahi rehte hai she managed to tell him.

"Gauri..Kya..Kya mei tumse ek..Ek baar baat kar sakta hoon? His voice faltered at the end, his eyes begging her for one chance to talk.

She looked at him with an expression which was quite unfathomable for him. She was confused. Was it her shankarji who again made them cross each other's paths? Was she getting a chance to get over the little amount of guilt that settled in her chest for never giving him a chance to talk? She looked at him while she got lost in her own thoughts not knowing about the mirade of emotions going through the man standing in front of her. That one minute silence felt like ages and he heaved a sigh of relief seeing her nod her head making him smile heartily.

He followed her with his daughter in his arms while she lead the way to her home.

"Maaa... she called out knocking the door.

Her mother came out only to get surprised by the sudden presence of his damaad. Or was he? She wondered looking at the kid. Nevertheless made way for him.

Om dropped Nitya down from his arms and bent down to take her blessings. It took a moment for her to react but eventually she placed her hand on his head making him sniff slightly.

Gauri then asked him to sit while she went inside to get him something.

Gauri went into kitchen and started making tea and got lost in thoughts. And that is when she turned to find him leaning against the slab looking at her.

"Aap ..Yahan? She asked and looked at him and then at the hall where she found Nitya and her mother playing with each other making her smile slightly.

"Haan..Bas aise hi aaya tha he said scratching the back of his head.

She continued making tea while she heard him question her.

"Ghar pe sirf tum dono rehte hai? I mean...

"Haan Omkaraji! Sirf hum dono! She gave out a sad smile "Humare liye shaadi sirf ek baar hothi hai aur woh ho chuki hai she said and their eyes met for a moment before she looked away turning her focus towards the boiling water.

He stilled for a moment and looked at her in admiration. His respect for her grew with each passing second. He was such a fool to make her feel what he made her feel seven years ago. Why had he been so blind? He thought for the umpteenth time. He slightly sniffled controlling his emotions knowing that the sadness in her smile was because of him.

That was when they heard a roaring laughter and turned their heads to see the most beautiful sight of her mother ticking Nitya while the latter laughed her heart out.

Gauri saw Omkara adoring his daughter which made a way to a small smile. But there was this acute pain she felt in her heart. Wasn't she the one who asked him to move on? Then why was her heart in denial? Maybe some things are better unquestioned. She thought.

"Bilkul apne maa pe gayi hai. Wahi innocence, wahi himmat, ek jaisi muskaan aur sabse pyaari he said looking at his daughter fondly while Gauri felt her heart breaking a little.

"Wahi maa jiske liye mei saalon se tadap raha hoon he completed looking into her eyes and that stunned her. What was he talking?

Maybe she's overthinking. Maybe he was talking about someone else but not her. Her mind won over her heart.

"Yeh lijiye... she said offering him a glass of tea while she took another one to give it to her mom.

There was a pin drop silence in the hall while Nitya sat on her father's lap munching on a chocolate given by her Gauri aunty.

"Beta...Jaake Omkara beta ko sheher dikhake aao Gauri's mother was the first one to break the silence as she sensed the tension in the air.

"Aur chintha mat kijiye, hum nitya ka khayal rakhenge she added.

Soon both the souls were on the road walking down the lane at the dawn, the rays of the sun peeking out from the clouds making the tip of the mountains look like a serene flame.

They walked in silence. The silence which held all the questions. Om saw her occasionally waving at the people. This made him realise that she was quite accustomed to the place and he had so much to know about her. But will he get a chance? He didn't know.

"Lagta hai yahan ke sab log tumhe jaante hai? She heard him ask.

"Haan...Yeh humare ghar hai Omkaraji...Aur yahan ke sab log hamare apne she said fondly making him smile.

There was some awkwardness which prevailed until Om broke the silence again.

"Gauri.. They say we realise the importance of something or someone only when we lose it... And the reality hit me hard the day I read your letter... He became emotional at the end while she sniffled slightly. Nevertheless they continued walking looking ahead.

"I kept thinking about it, where had I exactly gone wrong? What made me change into a person I never was and about the empty promises I made to get you back in my life and trust me when I say..I am ashamed of myself Gauri...I never was a good husband. Never He wiped the lone tear that rolled down his cheek.

"I an not here to justify my actions Gauri. Because I was wrong. All I ever wanted was a chance. A chance to let you know how much I regret being indifferent to what you had to face because of me. A chance to let you know how much sorry I am. A chance to tell you that nothing was intentional. I can never hurt you intentionally Gauri. Never!

By that time they reached the river bank.

"Gauri! Never in my life I prayed for something like I prayed for a single chance to apologise for all my doings. I'm really really really sorry Gauri! I never treated you as a wife, never gave you importance, never thought of how you would have had felt every single time because of my ignorance, my indifference. I'm really sorry! He pleaded her holding both her hands in his while tears poured down from both their eyes continuously.

"Jab tum chali gayi thi, mujhe pata nahi tha ki mei kya karoon. Kis se kahun. Mei paagal hothe gaya. Mujhe kuch samajh mei nahi aata tha. Aur..Aur tumhare shankarji ne mujhe Nitya ko bheja meri zindagi mei. Woh bilkul tumhari jaisi hai. Bachi hai, par bade bade baatein karti hai. Jo pyaar meine tumhe nahi de paaya, mei uss ko dena chahta tha. Jab..Jab usne kaha ki uske zindagi mei koi nahi hai...Mujhse raha nahi gaya...Hamari beti bilkul tumhari jaisi hai Gauri...wahi muskaan aur wahi himmat he gulped down his tears.

"Lekin...Lekin Gauri, tumhare jagah koi bhi nahi le sakta Gauri...Mei aaj bhi tumse utna hi pyaar karta hoon jitna mei pehle karta tha...Aur..Aur shaayad usse bhi zyada" he said holding her shoulders while she looked at him startled.

"Pata hai ki mei ek bewakoof tha. Par Gauri mujhe meri galthiyon ka ehsaas hai. Aur pichle baar ki tarah jhoote waadhe karne nahi aaya hoon. Mei sirf maafi maangna chahta hoon Gauri aur kuch nahi. Shaayad aaj bhagwan ne mere sun li. Gauri...I really missed you Gauri...Ek ek pal beeta meine yeh soch kar ki mujhe maafi maangne ka mauka kabhi nahi milega

"Aaj tak jo kuch bhi meri wajah se tumhe sehena pada aur jo kuch bhi meine jaane anjaane mei kiya I'm really very sorry Gauri. Pata hai maafi maangne se sab theek nahi ho sakta lekin mere yakeen maano I never wanted to hurt you. Aur haan, meri zindagi mei tumhare alawa kisi ko koi jagah nahi tha aur nahi hoga. I love you Gauri. I really do. Please ho sake toh mujhe maaf kardo he folded his hands infront of her "Maaf kardo mujhe he bent his head down completely missing the plethora of emotions that played on Gauri's face.

He had many questions in his mind. About her. About her past. About how she had been all this while. But he knew he lost the right. He had this sudden urge to wipe her tears. But he knew he lost his right.

"Chalta hoon Gauri. Hamesha khush rehna he wished her and left the place wiping his tears with his sleeves leaving a broken and confused soul behind. It hurt him more than it could ever to leave her all over again. All he wanted to do was to run back to her and hug her to his heart's content. But he knew he lost the right.

Few days passed

She was confused. Her heart was a mess all again. Did she make a wrong decision seven years back? But one thought about how successful she is today, she knew she took the right decision. But her heart did betray her deep down. Was it not too late? Was there another chance for them?

She walked to the school not able to decide on anything. She did confide in some of the people whom she was close to. Inspite of them asking her to take a chance, something held her back. Maybe her fear? Fear of getting crushed again? Fear of losing herself never to find back again? Or may be the pain that she would have to leave the very place which was her home for years if she follows her heart and gives them another chance. She still remembered how he addressed Nitya as hamari beti. Her heart swelled in happiness and pride every time she thought about it. But was she daring enough to take another chance? She had no clue.

That is when she felt a slight pull and turned around to look at her daughter look at her with longingly. Her daughter? That made her smile heartily. She then realised something. She might or might not give their relationship yet another chance but Nitya will always be their daughter. She knew she did not interact much with her but few bonds need no time nor justification. They just happen and this was one such.

"Arey Nitya tum yaha? She asked her smiling fondly.

Nitya gestured her to bend down and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek making Gauri smile wide.

"Aap meri mamma ho? Her innocent question caught her completely off guard.

"Meine papa aur aapke photo dekha papa ke phone mei

"Papa aap se bahut pyaar karte hai she said gesturing with her hands.

"Aur mei bhi she added making Gauri's heart bleed.

"Aapko meine bahut miss kiya. Kya aap humare saath waapis nahi aayenge?

Gauri's eyes brimmed with tears. She herself didn't have the answers.

"Har din papa aap ke liye rote hai. Unko lagta hai ki mei nahi jaanthi par mei sab jaanthi hoon she said making her cry further more.

"Aur mere paas apne papa hai par mamma bhi chahiye. Parivaar maa ke bina adhoora haina

"Aap please waapis aajao she said and Gauri couldn't help but take her petite form into her arms crying her heart out.

Nitya came out of the hold and wiped her tears. Just like she did five years ago. But the ones of a different person. Her father. She indeed was a ray of hope in their lives. The lives of two strong but broken souls.

The other side, Omkara couldn't leave the place knowing that his wife was here. How could he? He was seeing her after seven years and his stubborn heart wouldn't just allow him to leave. He secretly observed her every day. Every night ended with him caressing her photos. The ones he took with his camera. Few of them were with the children at orphanage, few at school, few at the NGO organization and many of various poses of her dancing her heart out during galas. He was proud of the woman she has turned out to be and had no intentions of bringing her down by asking her to come back. He would happily be her secret admirer all his life than spoiling her life by intervening in it. At least that's what he thought.

That night he went to the river bank. The place where he found his peace. He was looking at his own reflection in the water when he felt tiny hands going around his chest from the back clutching his shoulders.

"Happy anniversary Omkaraji he heard a whisper which was enough for him to send shivers down his spine.

That was the exact moment he broke down. The exact moment she broke down. Tears continuously poured down their eyes.

He turned around and hugged her fiercely while she buried her face in his chest both living the moment.

Soon they withdrew from the hug and Gauri apologized for taking so long while Om nodded his head in a no trying to shush her.

"Hum bhi aapse bahut pyaar karte hai Omkaraji she sniffled making him smile teary eyed.

"Aur Nitya ko bhi.. she said innocently wiping her tears.

"Toh... he asked

"Toh..? She questioned him uncertainly.

"Hume ek acha bada wala ghar doondna padega he said making her confused.

"Ghar? Kyun? Kahan? She asked him

"Yahan. Aur kahan? He told her as if it's the most natural thing.

He caught her by her shoulders

"My home is where my wife's home is he said while she broke down all over again in his arms. She felt lucky. She felt blessed. She had everything she wanted and she needed nothing else.

"Mere saath chaloge? He asked her while she nodded her head though she had questions running in her mind.

He brought her to the temple and made her stand in the middle. The same temple where Gauri questioned her shankarji a few days back.

He took out the mangalsutra from his pocket and tied it around her neck marking a new beginning on their own wedding Anniversary. The feelings were something which can never be put into words.

Shankarji smiled in the background watching the two souls reunite. He never took sides. Omkara wanted a chance to apologise. Gauri wanted him to show her a path. All they needed was a push. And when they both met they eventually knew what had to be done.

One year later

Omkara was found holding a paintbrush in his hand and standing in front of the canvas watching his wife chasing his daughter while there were roars of laughter in the otherwise serene and silent river bank. The bank which was the witness of a reunion of two beautiful people and their journey to happily ever after. Soon he was asked to join them and the little family was lost in it's own happy world unfazed by the world outside.

Destiny they say is indeed ajeeb. The power above made them cross each other's paths in the name of destiny. But eventually it's their hearts which made them stay together. Their love won against all odds. They truly were at a place where they belonged to. He, she and their little own family.

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*Goes back to hibernation mode* 😆

Please do leave your feedback 😊

Originally posted by: lourel24

awesome

Originally posted by: aayushi1

Amazing!!😊

Originally posted by: eufara_naghm

Res

Unres

Am I first?!

Oh yes I secured the place...

Oh the story was lovely it's sad that its ending but its awesome👏

Thank you so much for the pm dear

Originally posted by: annsaw

such a beautiful and emotional ending.

Originally posted by: Farri25

THIS WAS B E A U T I F U L !!! ❤️