Part 3-
Gauri sat on the bench by the lake, the wind made her hair rise up and flow around her, her right hand gripped the bench tightly, her eyes shut, New York was meant to be a fresh start, yet it seemed she would have to leave again, this mysterious stranger seemed so nice and nice did not fit in her world, she would call him and then explain that to him
She went to grab her phone when she realised she had lost his number, and she didnt know his name either so unless they bumped into eachother there was no way she could explain why she wasnt going to dinner with him
She stood up slowly and turned around when her eyes fell on him, he was stood tall with an elderly woman, helping her sit on a bench, he passed her a bag of bird feed and sat quietly by her side, Gauri couldnt help but walk closer to get a better view
The old woman turned towards him "Who are you again"
He clenched his fist "Im your son, Omkara"
She smiled and tapped his head "And wheres Tej"
"Hes not here anymore ma"
Gauri clenched onto the tree, so his mother was suffering with dementia, she smiled softly, Omkara, a great name for an even greater man
She understood how important a mother was and was glad he loved his mother just as much as she loved hers
"Not here anymore" she shouted, standing up "You liar" she screamed
Gauri rushed forward and held the elder woman's hand "What he means is he isnt here right now, but he will be"
She calmed down, smiling she patted Gauri's head "And who are you"
"Gauri Sharma" her eyes met Omkara's and he smiled greatfully
"I want to go home now" she turned to Omkara and he stood up
"I need to take my mother home, but I can give you a lift if you need one" he offered
Gauri smiled, "That would be great"
Gauri helped Jhanvi sit in the front then she sat at the back, she caught Omkara's gaze through the rearview mirror, he started the car, one eye on the road, the other on her
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Gauri moved to the front seat as Jhanvi was taken in by Omkara to the elderly home, she turned and waved at Gauri who waved back.
Omkara sat back in the car and turned to Gauri "So other than watching me, what were you doing at the park"
Gauri's cheeks flushed red, "I was thinking about uh you" she stopped, shaking her head "I mean, thinking about your offer"
Omkara smiled "Its okay, I think about you to" he said nonchalantly as if it really wasnt anything to fret over.
"So have you decided" he turned slightly to face her as he pulled up on her road
"Just dinner and nothing else" she asked
"Yes, what kind of man do you think I am"
She knew exactly what kind of man she thought he was, one that was to good for her
But the temptation was to much to ignore and he seemed so kind, "I agree but I want it to be done at my house or yours, not outside"
He leaned closer "Anyone would think you're embarassed of me Gauri"
She shuddered, no one had ever said her name like he had, there was just something about him that didnt make her just feel like an ordinary girl anymore
"Its not that, its just" she closed her eyes painfully
How could she explain that being out frequently could be dangerous? "Please, its just something I would prefer"
Omkara frowned but agreed, she could probably ask for anything and he would do it, that was how drawn in he was
Gauri bit into her bottom lip anxiously, the safety she felt with Omkara was unlike anything she had felt before, and she just wanted to spend a little more time in his presence "Would you like to come in for a while"
The shocked expression on his face did not go past Gauri
"Sorry I just meant if you" she looked down at his index finger on her lips "You talk to much, come on"
Omkara followed Gauri inside, focusing on the six bolts on the door
"Like to stay safe do you"
She shrugged "Something like that"
Massive hint in this chapter, can anyone work it out?
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