Chapter 13
Distance
Under the lights of their study, Omkara looked like a ghost. There were dark circles under his reddened eyes and his face was pale. Shivay felt bad for waking him up in the wee hours of the dawn; he had been watching over Gauri the entire night. But the information he had could not wait.
"Aditya Vikram Rana? Omkara repeated emptily, "Sidhdarth's brother? That's why my people couldn't locate him or that dad of his again?
"I didn't believe my detective first, but then Malika called me. Frankly she didn't sound very enthusiastic about the development. Shivay nodded, as Omkara sunk into his leather chair, his hands covering his face.
"Was he playing her Shivay? He asked darkly. "Was it all some kind of a dirty game?
"You know, I wouldn't put it past a Rana especially when you count the famous rivalry between Sharmas and Ranas.
Omkara's rattled intake of breath made him stop.
"The truth will destroy her Shivay, he muttered. "She wouldn't be able to take it.
"She doesn't have to know things that hurts her Om, Shivay suggested slowly. "Tuje sirf uss ki kushi se matlab hai...
"How can I " He couldn't complete his sentence as someone opened the study door loudly. For a moment his heart raced wildly wondering what he would do if Ri was standing there at the threshold. To his relief it was Bua ma, her dark gray dressing gown trailing after her. Both brothers rose from their chairs, exchanging a curious glance.
"Do you need anything Bua ma?
"Omkie? The woman sounded determined and he noticed she had a folder in her hands. "I need your signatures here.
"What is it? He reached out to take the folder unconsciously and flipped it open, his eyes skimming over the content. "Bua ma yeh toh "
"They are divorce papers, she completed his sentence and pursed her lips. "Sign them Omkie and free yourself from this trap.
"Bua ma aap yeh " Shivay tried to intervene but the old lady glared at him.
"I'm doing this right thing Shivay. That girl cannot be our bahu and you know it very well. Her tone was brisk and rough, Omkara winced at her words.
"Kiyun nahi ban sakti? He had to ask.
"You are asking me that Omkie? You know very well what kind of a girl she is, and you want to stay married to her?
"Yes. His answer was short.
Bua Ma lend a hand on his shoulder, giving him an understanding nod.
"You're worrying about your father right? I will take care of him. He will not say a word against it chal sign kar de! Omkara didn't move, he simply placed the file on the table and folded his hands. "You won't sign?
"No.
"Omkie wo ladki tere liye sahi nahi hai. Wo bina shaadi ke maa banne wali thi can't you see how they've been trapping you?
"She was in love Bua ma.
"Don't be a fool Omkie! Bua ma waved her hands. "Pyaar has it's limits you know? Unhe cross nahi karte. Aur jo karte hai unhe characterless kehete hai.
"I've been living in with Riddima for five years, Omkara pointed out calmly. "Toh main bhi chartacterless hua na?
"Omki you're not getting me there's a difference between this and that,
"Mujhe nahi sunna, he shook his head and left, giving her a dark look in parting.
"You have to listen Omkie! Her voice called after him, before the door shut with a snap.
**
Ri woke up to find Omkara gone; his side of bed empty and cold and the pillows arranged around her to cuddle into, filling in his absence. She stretched gradually, her muscles screaming in protest and opened her palm slowly. She had been clutching into a wooden bead all night, she knew where it came from, it's one of those beads he wore around his neck. She had known it was him, the moment her lips had touched him. The pain clouding her senses had not been powerful enough to blind her to that distinct whiff of his cologne, or the husky tone of his voice. But it had touched her deeply that he let her imagine the person she wanted beside her, instead of waking her up to the undeniable realities of their lives. She had never known someone sensitive enough to let down their own egos to share another's pain especially when their wife took another man's name. It was that incredible man she had kissed last night.
The voices outside were getting louder, words being spoken distinct.
"You said it today, but please don't repeat it again. I'm not going to stand here and listen to anyone insulting my wife! Ri had heard her husband sounding furious before, but the fury coating his words had her wincing for a second before another voice replied, this time a higher pitched one of a woman.
"Jo sach hai, wo tujhe sunna padenga Omkie I wonder, kya jadu kiya hai uss ladki ne tuj par?
"I'm not going to sign that, Omkara said after a long breath. "Please take it off my sight right now Shivay " his tone changed. "This conversation is done.
There were some more low toned conversation, in which Omkara took no part. The door opened and closed, bringing him back to her vision. He wasn't looking at her, still under the impression that she was asleep; instead he marched into his work space and pushed the half completed sculpture off the table. Ri bit into her lower lip to stop the shuttering sound from making her jump.
"Hypocritical people! He hissed under his breath. "Sab ko apni naam khoon khandaan ki padi hai. They feel marriage is some kind of a game that you play at leisure time. Bloody Oberois! Some more glassware went flying. Even Ri could not pretend to sleep anymore, she held her breath from groaning as she sat up straight.
"Omkara?
Both of them jumped at the sound of her voice. He turned to her with a guilty expression, finally realizing how loud a noise he had been making, and she marveled at how weak her tone was. He approached her gingerly, his eyes travelling over her face checking for any pain.
"You need something Ri?
She ignored the sudden use of her nick name and looked into his eyes, suddenly finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than the broken expression in them.
"Humein ghar jaana hai, her tone was cold and distanced, he sighed before sitting beside her. She dropped her gaze, fiddling with the end of the duvet covering her and continued. "There's some ritual right pagphera?
"Abhi nahi jaa sakte na, he sounded confused, a little disturbed. "You need to rest.
"I'll rest at home, she still refused to meet his gaze, knowing it might undo her courage. "Waise bhi it's better if I stay out of the discussions.
He closed his eyes and exhaled.
"You heard them? His tone was empty. "Ri you must know I don't "
"Bua Ma was right girls like me, we're not bahu material. You should have listened to her. She slapped away the hand he stretched out to touch her cheek. "Hum teek hai, it's okay. I just need to be alone for a few days.
His large hands cupped her face, forcing her teary gaze to meet his.
"And you'll solve everything on your own? His tone was insistent, forcing her to answer.
"That's what I've been doing.
"Right. But you don't have to do it any more.
"Why? What has changed?
"You've got me now.
"And I don't need you. There was a pause, in which they stared at each other, his hands still cupping her face, her eyes still fixed upon his. Something akin to a disappointment crossed his gaze and she blinked. "This is your guilt talking and I'm not some community service project.
He let her go, getting back to his feet, Omkara turned away from her.
"Fine. He buried his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "Get ready, I'll drop you off.
"Thank you! She said curtly and the silence dropped its curtains.
**
Waiting to hear your take,
Thanks for reading!
Sorry for any disappointments.
Love,
Sakura
Health and Fitness
