Almost 8 months passed away, still there are no whereabouts of Gauri. Life was going on as usual with some extraordinary success from his business venture, for Omkaara. He wasn't interested in business at all, at the first place but was forced to take up when he had to get rid of Svet. He involved himself in both art and business making him free only for the time he was asleep. It was damn busy life, but he kind of wanted that so that he is not sucked up in the emptiness of his life. Despite constant overload of work, Gauri' s thoughts would come over him overwhelmingly sometimes whenever he hears or sees something related to her. Everyone were getting to see this side of Omkaara who has turned almost into a mad workaholic person, who hardly had time for the family. He used to spend some quality time with Jhanvi and his brothers & daadi.
Meanwhile Buamaa had a heart ailment and was undergoing treatment in O. Mansion. Omkaara had to leave for his artwork project to Shimla. He was working on a project which extracted colors and dyes from recyclable natural sources. He wanted to infuse one particular environment friendly concept hence he wanted to meet the owner of the factory to strike a contract for the supplies. His manager was more than happy to do this for him, but he wanted to see the manufacture and quality of the dyes once by himself. He was reluctant to leave buamaa when she was ailing, but it was just a 2 day trip. After assurance from family about buamaa's health, he started out to Shimla. Little did he know, that the surprise of his life is waiting for him there..
Omkaara arrived in Shimla early in the morning. He had come by road and was staying at a luxurious resort. He confirmed the details with his manager about the factory location and ownership and started out to the factory with his manager. He reached the factory and was greeted by the son of the owner of factory, Rishabh. He gave a tour of the factory and was explain Omkaara about the techniques they use to manufacture the colors and their use of recyclable products. Omkaara found it satisfactory. When they were going to the dyeing section, he got an urgent call regarding audit to the factory.
R: Sir, please excuse me.. I have audit people visiting the office in half an hour, so I have to go.. I will ask one of my supervisor to explain the rest of the dyeing unit process. Am pretty much done from my side, this is just a small unit and my supervisor will be able to answer all your questions..
O: Oh, that's fine Mr. Rishab. Please carry on.
Rishabh called someone on mobile. "Dyeing unit I pe aa jaana please"
R: Sir, my supervisor in on the way. She will walk you through this floor. Please let me know if you want more information. I will be happy to answer you. After you are done, we will meet in office and talk over lunch.
O: Sure, Rishabh. Omkaara shook hands..
R: Haan.. Sir, my supervisor's name is Gauri...
"Gauri.." the name reverberated in Omkaara's ears. He was standing still.
R: There she is.. Gauri. Please meet Mr. Omkaara singh oberoi. Maine kal ek consignment bata raha tha na.. wo Sir ki hai.. Make sure you walk through the entire floor and answer his questions. Agar kuch poochna hai.. contact my mobile.. teek hai..
Rishabh went on.. without even noticing the faces of the people who were totally not expecting to meet each other here..
Gauri was hell shocked when she entered the floor.. She ofcourse could recognize him and his hair from any distance. The pain which she suppressed after a long battle, was piercing through her. No, this is no the time and place. Let bygones be bygones. She should put up a brave face. Afterall, her 9 months of suffering had taught her this.. She kept a cold stoned face when Omkaara turned towards her.
Omkaara was the one who was totally blown away from this surprise. Shock, disbelief, pain, sorrow, happiness everything came at the same time and his face was almost turning pink with overwhelming emotions. He tried his best to control before Rishabh and other factory members but this was beyond his control. He was trying to see how Gauri felt, but Gauri's face was plain and without any emotions.
She came near him and speaking like a professional.. "Namaste.. Sir. Main Gauri Kumaari Sharma.. Iss unit ki supervisor hoon.. Main aapke poore unit dikhati hoon.. To chalein Sir?"
"Gau.. ri" All omkaara could manage was stammer her name in one go..
"Jee sir, Gauri kumaari Sharma.." She looked at him calmly with wiped out emotions in face and eyes.
He noticed that she was calling him Sir. Has she.. how come.. What if.. there were a ton of questions in his mind. She walked in front and was explaining him the unit functions and color dyeing process of the factory but he was just looking at her face. His manager was asking certain questions to which she was answering in English and hindi.
Omkaara was seeing a totally different Gauri, altogether. The bubbly, kampat khaane waali, gaon ki gawar is all gone. Her tone is baser, she had learnt to speak English much better and even her dressing style has changed from colourful to relatively plain and sober. Her long wavy hair was still there but was straight and pinned. Her deep kohl kajal was still there, but relatively light. She was looking ethereal even with minimum accessories. Omkaara felt there is a world which is existing outside the Gauri's frame. After she explained everything, she looked at him. He didn't even listen a word of what she said.
"Itna hi hai, Sir. Agar aap ko aur kuch details jaana hai.. to Rishabh sir se poochiye.."
His manager greeted her and shook hands..
"Thank you Ms.. yaa.."
"Miss. Gauri" she didn't even look at Omkaara who was shocked inside at this statement.
"Thank you Miss. Gauri. Aap ne bahut acha explain kiya.. We will talk to your boss for rest of the details.." He extended a hand shake. Gauri shook hands with his manager. Omkaara was standing like a statue through all this. Only one thing was going through his mind.. "How in the world is she Miss. Gauri.. Has she given up on him, totally?"
Gauri finally looked at Omkaara.. He extended his hand with a thoughtful and a saddened look. Gauri was prepared for this. She did a quick handshake and pulled her hands with a unaffected expression. Omkaara felt a little vibration on him after having experienced her touch after so long.
The twinkle in her eyes on seeing him, referring him as pati all was gone. The way she behaved as if he meant nothing to her, was killing his heart.
Rishabh called her mobile. She picked up the call and left the place answering the call. Not even once she looked back at him.
Omkaara needed to talk to her.. apologize to her badly.. He can't do so in this factory premises.. Rishabh came in to meet him after audit and they went to lunch together. It was nagging inside him to know about her more.. In the conversation, he got to know that their factory workers stayed inside quarters few kms away from the factory. He wanted to meet Gauri alone. In the evening, when Omkaara and his manager came out after drafting certain terms of contract, he saw Gauri leaving in a jeep with a driver. He got to know about the location of the quarters from one of the workers leaving the shift. He has to meet her today, period.
Around late evening, he reached the quarters and he knocked at one of the door. It was the same driver who drove Gauri in the evening. He enquired about her and got to know her quarters. He rang the door bell. "Koun hai.." came in the voice which he could recognize even in his dreams, now.
The driver shyaamlal, never saw any visitor to her house, especially men. Even though he is a driver, he considered Gauri as his sister. He wanted to ensure her safety. This tall man looking seemingly rich, was a new visitor whom he hasn't seen in this quarters at all..
Gauri wasn't opening the door until she heard any reply. Omkaara was wondering if she will, if he said his name.
"Main hoon, Gauri.." He replied with a softened tone. After a brief 2 mins, Gauri opened the door..
<To be cont>
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