Anika Shivaay Singh Oberoi
"What do you mean you cannot do anything? Are you telling me that I should tell them all to eat paneer instead of chicken?, I almost shout at the chef. He seems to wither under my angry gaze. Of all days in the year, our chef decides today to burn the entire batch of chicken. Urughh..
"Anika di. It is ok. Calm down. I hear Ri tell me softly. She turns me around to face her and tells me to take deep breaths. I close my eyes and decide to do exactly that. I know chef Motturam will be dead otherwise. I can hear him scuttle away and I take deeper breaths.
Gauri is talking to someone over the phone. By the time I open my eyes, she is smiling.
"My hostel warden knows this guy who knows another guy. They are bringing a new batch of chicken. Problem solved. Now relax.
I almost jump in joy and hug my devarani-to-be.
"I love you Ri. Do you know that?, I tell her, and she gives me one of her beautiful smiles.
"Why are we still standing here? Come on. It is getting late. You need to be ready in a couple of hours. Go, go to my room. I will be right there., I tell her, shooing her away to my room.
I have another task in hand that I need to complete, and Gauri does not have to know about it.
I watch her walk up the big staircase. She turns around at the top, smiles at me before mom finds her there. I wave at them both and then tell them to go to my room. Mom nods and takes Gauri with her.
I turn around and walk determinedly. I need to find my husband.
After searching for five minutes, I find him in one corner, talking furtively into his cellphone. I know it is office work. Shivaay and his phone are best buddies. His best buddy never leaves him alone, not even on his brother's engagement day. I am usually very understanding about it but today, I see red.
As soon as he sees me, he hurriedly tries to hide what he is doing. If I am not so angry, I will probably laugh at his futile attempts.
"Shivaay, I call out. He smiles sheepishly and tells me that he will not take another call from work until the function is over. I just stare at him.
"Where is your brother?, I don't dawdle nor do I beat around the bush. I know from Shivaay's guilty expression that Om is not home yet. Patience is not my forte, but I have been extremely patient in this matter. Now my tolerance limit has been breached. Shivaay knows that I am about to lash out. He moves next to me and takes my elbow to guide me behind a pillar so that I do not lose my temper in front of all the contractors working in the hall, decorating and getting the home ready for the engagement.
"Calm down Ani., I hear him say and that is the last straw.
"Shivaay Singh Oberoi, you are asking me to calm down, CALM DOWN?
Before Shivaay can stop me, I continue, "We women put up with a lot for you Oberoi men. We are patient, understanding, calming and helpful but when you men just cannot put us on top of your priority for one day, one day I tell you, that is when I start to wonder.
I have been wanting to get this out for a long time. Shivaay's expressions show me that my words are right on target. But it is not Shivaay I should be mad at. It is his brother, the man who is supposed to be engaged today. I cannot believe that he is still not home. I am not sure what his intentions are.
"Tell me something Shivaay. Does Om really want to get engaged or has someone forced this on him?, I ask my husband the one question that has remained unasked in the past two weeks.
It is Shivaay who looks angry now.
"Anika, I suggest you stop saying crazy things without reason.
I hold his stare steadily and he does mine, though I know that it is all bluff on his end.
"If he has no problem with this marriage, why is he not here Shivaay? What is so important on his engagement day that he is still not home? Even the Police Commissioner is back.
I can hear my own frustration. I try to take deep breaths again. It is not often that Omkara is at the receiving end of one of my rants. He is one of the most sensitive people I have met and is a good man. But I find it hard to accept his current behavior.
When he agreed to marry Gauri, I was ecstatic. Ri has become almost like a sister to me in these short few months I have known her. I have grown very protective of her. Partly, it has to do with the struggles she has come through in her life. I don't want her to be put through any heart breaks and Omkara is on track doing just that. s
The Omkara I know is not someone who makes such decisions so easily. He takes a long time to decide something and when he does, he sticks to it. This sudden decision agreeing to marry someone he does not know is frankly, very surprising. While I have brushed aside my reservations, his constant absence this week is discomfiting.
I tap my foot impatiently, waiting for Shivaay to answer my question. Then I see Him. The man of the hour walks in, his head bowed. All that anger blows away when I take one look at his tired face.
"Om, I call out, partly in relief and partly in worry.
"Bhabhi, I am sorry., he says as he walks towards me. "I will get ready quickly.
"It's ok Om. Go to your room. I will send someone with the food. Refresh a bit and then get ready. He nods and runs upstairs while Shivaay watches me in disbelief.
"What are you looking at?
Shivaay stares at me and then rolls his eyes in disbelief. "What happened to all the complaints and questions?, he asks. I shrug helplessly. A tired looking Om is not what I was gunning for. I cannot bring myself to chide him given the way he looked. Without waiting for my answer, Shivaay simply pulls me closer to him.
"I know you are worried. he whispers close to my ears. "Don't be. I will talk to Om
He walks away then, leaving me speechless.
Shivaay Singh Oberoi
While I am cross at Anika for bringing the matter up today, I must be honest with myself. I am concerned about Om's behavior off late. One day Omkara is single and the next day, we are talking about his engagement during breakfast. Two weeks later, we are all getting ready for the aforementioned engagement. It all seems we are running in fast forward. Is he truly into this relationship or has been accepted something without his heart being in it? Is it time to apply the brakes?
I find him stretched out on his recliner, his legs extended, eyes closed, in his room. The plate of food remains untouched on the table. Thoughts about his strange behavior take a back seat when I see the worry lines on his forehead. I sit on the bed, silently, giving him some time to regroup.
"When does it stop Shivaay? He asks out of the blue. He does not have to explain in detail.
"It doesn't., I tell him calmly, inherently understanding what he is referring to and not wanting to sugarcoat what is to come. I have been at the same place he is right now. It happens to the best of us in the force. His eyes remain troubled and tired.
"Are you having those nightmares again?, I ask him quietly. He simply nods looking at me and then averting his gaze. There are dark circles under his eyes plainly revealing the sleepless nights he spends. We sit in silence again.
Om was called on a case early today morning. He had texted me about it before leaving. I know that it must be a really bad one for Om to be shaken up like this.
"How old was she? I ask him, dreading the answer I am about to receive.
"Just fifteen. It looks like she was tortured too., Om's answer is a whisper. "It is similar to the cases Mukesh has been handling. I have sent it over to him for further action. I grunt, knowing full well where the file will end up in a few days' time, in the pile of unsolved cases.
We sit in silence again, each contemplating the ugliness that we come across every day.
I finally stand up. "You have done what you can, atleast for today. So, unless you want to be late for your own engagement, you better get ready., I tell him. I pull him up and he sheepishly smiles before nodding his head.
His sherwani and kurta are laid out. I point them out before starting to leave the room. But I stop.
"Om... He looks up at me as he takes the sherwani from the bed.
"Are you really ready to be engaged? You are not just doing this for dad and mom, are you?
There I said it finally. I know it is not be the right time, but the question needs to be asked. Om looks guilty for a moment and then he shutters down. I know that his defenses are up, and he is not going to be forthcoming about anything. We will get nowhere even if I persist this line of questioning.
"It's all good Shivaay. I finally hear him say. His voice is clipped, dismissive.
I nod and then tell him to get ready again before leaving. But I am very worried now.
Omkara Singh Oberoi
"You are good with this engagement, right? You are not just doing this for dad and mom, are you?
Shivaay's question leaves me guilty as hell. So, I do what I always do. I close myself off. I see Shivaay walk out without pushing it and giving me space and I am grateful for that. But as soon as he leaves the room, I slump down on the bed. I know that if Shivaay who has known me all his life feels this way, so will Gauri.
In the past few days, I have ignored a lot of my personal things. Unlike my dad and brother, I do not compartmentalize well. Meeting Gauri, Bhabhi and mom on their engagement shopping spree was on the cards but I just could not bring myself to happily shop after seeing a bruised and beaten wife who would just not file a complaint against the monster that is her husband. So, I made my excuses much to my mom's disappointment and Bhabhi's chagrin. I realize that it might have seemed like I have avoided being with Gauri. I did not realize the consequences of my action then.
Now though, my guilt eats me up. While my intentions were never to avoid Gauri, I realize that it is exactly what I have done. No wonder I am so bad at relationships.
I search for my phone intending to call Gauri and explain. The start of our relationship should not be filled with doubts or mistrust.
"Are you looking for this? I hear her voice from near the door of my room. "It is in the key bowl near the door. You probably dropped it there with your keys.
I look up and my breath hitches. Gauri looks ethereal in her pink lehenga, all decked up. Bhabhi has gone all out this time.
"Yes.. I was.. You.. You look beautiful., I stammer.
She smiles at that and then tells me worriedly that I look tired. I nod and then shrug.
"Work..
I don't have to complete my sentence for she seems to understand. She walks into the room and then sits on the recliner as she looks curiously around the room. She then pats the place next to her. I don't have to be told twice. I sit down next to her, fully meaning to apologize and give her the explanation she deserves.
"Gauri I..
"Omkara, I..
We both smile as we talk over each other. I ask her to have a go first.
"Well, I came to show you these. I wanted you to see them before the engagement. They look a bit plain but I hope you like it.
She holds out her hand. On her palm lies two rings, circular gold bands, simple, plain and beautiful.
Our engagement rings. They look..
"Perfect., I tell her in a loudly and her face breaks into one of her incredibly beautiful smiles.
"Aren't they?, she intones. "They are engraved.
I pick mine up and hold it to the light. Each ring has the other's name engraved on the inside diameter.
"I am glad that mine says Gauri and not just Ri.
I realize I said that aloud. She looks at me curiously then but does not inquire further about my utterance to my relief. I am not sure if I can answer her questions just now.
"Thank you. I tell her. "And sorry.
She now turns to me, confused. "Thank you, I understand. That's for the rings. But, what are you sorry about..?
"For not being there for you this week. I tell her looking down.
She is silent for a minute and I worry. I worry because I know I let her down. I worry that I have messed up the beginning of our relationship due to my own shortcomings. I don't want Gauri to think that I am being forced into this engagement like Shivaay did.
I feel her hand on my chin and she gently lifts my face up until I am staring into her eyes. She looks somber and the smile she had a moment before has vanished.
"I need you to listen to me carefully Omkara. She tells me seriously. "Don't ever try to crash land on our all-girls shopping sprees. You will have to be sorry if you do, not otherwise.
It takes me a couple of seconds to process what she said. And when I do comprehend, she breaks into a laugh. I realize I look funny, my expressions going from panic to confusion to disbelief.
"Gauri, what.. I don't have a chance to finish.
"Sorry. I could not resist that. You looked so serious just then. Her voice turns soft as she continues. "But really Om, I didn't think you are avoiding me. You did call me to let me know that you are on a case and I understand what your job entitles. There is no need to be sorry.
I cannot believe just how lucky I am.
"Thank you. I tell her again. She nods, smiles and then whispers urgently, "I have to leave. It is not very proper for me to be seen in a man's room, alone, before my engagement. And for your information, if someone asks, I came into your room by mistake. I was lost, and you are just trying to help.
"Of course., I tell her and smile. She smiles back and leaves the room quietly with one last look. I watch her go out on a tip toe after checking either side of the corridor. I shake my head and cannot but smile at her antics.
I keep smiling as I change into my sherwani. The smile stays on as Shivaay comes to accompany me downstairs. I am still smiling when I see her walk down the stairs to stand beside me. She fits perfectly next to me just like the rings fit our fingers. Perfection. And just like that, we are engaged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gauri Sharma
I am engaged!!!
I want to shout it out loud. Does everyone feel this way when they get engaged? I don't know. But in this short span of time, this house, this family and most of all, Omkara have become very dear to me. I see happiness in every face and knowing that I am part of that happiness is exhilarating. This is like nothing I have felt before. I finally belong.
The Oberoi Mansion looks beautiful, decorated with flowers, confetti and lace. It is like a dream land. Omkara looks dapper in his Sherwani. Better still, his smile is back. He is talking to Rudy Bhaiyaa over phone now while I watch him covertly. I am still blushing. The evening has been memorable in so many ways.
I am already high with excitement by my sudden but successful decision to sneak into Omkara's room. I confess, it was on a whim. I overheard Anika Bhabhi telling Pinky aunty that that Omkara is back in his room. I realized that I hadn't seen him in a week. We had met a couple of times after the first meeting and then he had been busy. I suddenly had this urge to see him and talk to him alone, just one more time before we got engaged. Was I having second thoughts about our relationship? I am not sure.
But one look at him and that is all I need. I know instantly that there is no going back for me. I look at his tired face and slumped demeanor and I know innately that he is suffering. Something bad at work probably. My first thoughts are to comfort him. At that moment, I realize that irrespective of the reason, I cannot see Omkara sad. He then apologizes. To think that I am partly responsible for his sadness is unbearable to me.
All silly and stupid things I said thereafter is just to make him to smile and smile he did. I left him with his smile and I watch him now, smile widely as we exchanged rings. His eyes twinkle with merriment and I know he is remembering our meeting.
I know at this exact moment that we have made the right decision. He suddenly leans in to take my hand in his and then entwines his fingers with mine. I finally feel like I am home.
Every good thing in life though comes with its own set of disasters. For reference, I have filed my first press conference as a to-be-Oberoi can be filed under that very same category.
It starts out great. After the ceremony, we shift to the small enclosure reserved for the press. An Oberoi getting engaged is big news.
Everyone is smiling, the press is happy, questions are a breeze in the beginning. Then suddenly the mood changes. The focus shifts from my designer lehenga and Anika Bhabhi's saree to more serious topics. There are questions on the recent spate of kidnappings and murder. The Oberoi men handle the questions with poise and dignity even as the questioning becomes shrill and repetitive. At some point, it turns into a game of baits. Every answer is twisted, and the follow-ups are hostile.
Then it becomes worse. The questions become markedly vile. A private ceremony is taken out of context and one of the reporters accuse the Oberois for celebrating when the city is reeling with unsolved murders and kidnappings. Anika di would tell me later that when the press smells blood, they go for the kill. While Shakti sir holds his ground, I can see Shivaay Bhaiyaa and Omkara becoming angrier. They hold back though, not wanting to create a scene. The mood becomes somber and angrier by the minute. Then out of nowhere comes the question that marks the end of the press conference.
"Gauri ji, do you think picking a charity case, someone like you who comes from an orphanage as their daughter in law is the Oberoi way of creating good PR?
It takes me a couple of minutes to understand that we are being humiliated for no other reason except for the fact that it is all a juicy piece of gossip for tomorrow's papers. But before I can react, Omkara stands up, pulling me up with him.
"ENOUGH!!
His voice rings through the entire room and I stand stupefied by the anger. The room grows silent at the sudden outburst.
The next minute we are walking out. When I mean walking out, I mean I am running behind Omkara while he drags me along. The others are close behind. "Damn these bas***ds. We should have done this sooner." I hear Shivaay Bhaiyya say.
The room has gone deadly silent. Then there is an uproar.
The headlines on most newspapers the next day reads Oberois celebrate as bodies pile-up'
To be continued..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is a wrap of part 2. 😊
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
