<Chapter 10>
After a while..
Omkaara was watching outside the window in his room. The climate was cold and breezy after rain. Gauri wasn't to be found after she ran away from him during the rain. She must have locked herself in the other room, he thought. He was thinking about his surge of feelings and was reminiscing their moments during the rain. She is right mixture of everything, he thought. She is nave yet strong, caring yet controlled, selfless yet clever. She knows how to talk without hurting anyone but is clear on her stand. He was even surprised she lost control today. What the hell happened to him? He didn't even exhibit control, remotely. He lost himself totally
He knew she is not gonna come for the night, to the room. He thought he should let her be since she would definitely be uncomfortable.
Gauri was looking outside window. She was feeling a mixture of emotions. Guilt, anxiety, some kind of ecstasy which refused to die down (much to her shock) and mostly it was fear. Fear about losing her so easily in his arms. What would he think about her? After talking all glorious things and displaying cold and indifferent attitude that she is not affected by this marriage, she got totally mesmerized in his embrace and giving in to him with much more anticipation. She could still feel his warm tongue in her neck and shoulders which gave her goosebumps. No this is not right; she can't afford to lose herself. She has just done this to help Jhanvi and they are poles apart. He belongs in a place in which she doesn't belong to, even remotely.
She heard a knock at the door. She opened the door and was standing like a statue. It was Omkaara.
"Andar aa saktha hoon?"
She moved away from the door and he came inside. She was feeling embarrassed to look at him properly and her cheeks were getting heated up. He was feeling her awkwardness and tried to ease up the situation. He extended his hand with a key
"Room key bhool gaye ho. Here is your key. Main samajh saktha hoon tum bahut uncomfortable feel kar rahe ho. Agar tum raat ko room aana chahthi ho, yeh use kar lo. Haan ek aur baat. I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable" He turned away and went off.
Gauri was moved by his gesture. He wanted her to come there and has come to hand over the key. She is one to have lost control but he is feeling sorry for it.
It was almost 2 and Omkaara was still awake. He knew she is not gonna come and tried to sleep. He tossed and turned but couldn't sleep. He was checkin something in his ipad when he heard the door open. Is she still awake?
Omkaara kept his device and looked at her. She was surprised to see him wide awake. She came inside with hesitation thinking what she would say him.
"aap abhi tak soye nahi?" She asked him first to buy some time
"Nahi I was watching something. I thought you had slept off already??" he asked with a question
"Nahi main bhi kuch kaam kar rahi thi. Phir need aayi mujhe.yahan aagayi" She tried to cover up her inner turmoil
She was arranging her pillows while he was arranging his. Finally he could sleep.
Both exchanged glances and retired to their own positions. An uncomfortable silence prevailed among them when Gauri broke her silence.
"I am sorry. Main kuch akal kho gayi thi. Bahut din hogayi aise baarish mein bheegke. I was a little excited and excitement mein kya kar rahi thi, pata nahi tha. Aap please mujhe maaf kijiye"
He felt bad that she is apologizing for that beautiful moment. He remained silent not wanting to speak on this.
"Its ok Gauri. Actually I should have handled myself better. Galti meri bhi thi"
Now it's her who felt a little disappointed. Is he saying he got impulsive and made a mistake?
Both remained silent but images of whatever happened were flashing in their minds. He was lying straight slightly tilted towards her side while she was lying with her back facing him. She tilted a little towards his side.He was looking at her for a while when she was trying to sleep. When she tossed around, he closed his eyes with all hurriedness.
Two days passed in this awkward silence and that day Gauri went for a night shift. She came early in the morning and was in deep sleep when omkaara woke up. He saw some small gift wrapped boxes lying on the table beside her. He checked the wrap and it read "Happy birthday Gauri
Is it her birthday today or was it yesterday. She didn't say anything to him?
He didn't want to disturb her sleep and went and check the documents she submitted while joining here. It was today. He wanted to do something special for her but had restraint how she will take it. He was growing aware of how he is inclining towards her more even though she is on and off in this. He wanted to restrain himself from doing that but he was not able to do that whenever he sees her. May be it's the pity that she is all alone, may be it's the gratitude that she did so much for him and family or may be it's her innocence or simplicity. He didn't know what was pulling him towards her. Whatever it is, he wanted to make this special for whatever it's worth it.
He went and informed Jhanvi and they had a surprise cake cutting arranged in the evening. She woke up around afternoon and freshened up. She never had a reason to celebrate her birthday but her close friend remembered it and had gifted her on her birthday night. She went to meet Jhanvi. Jhanvi didn't reveal any of their plans and was talking normally.
In the evening, Omkaara returned much sooner to her surprise.
"Aap itne jaldi aagaye?" She only got an inquisitive look from him as a reply.
"aap mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe?" She again got an "I-know-it-all look from him.
She was wondering what was wrong with him. Around 5, Jhanvi came in and gave her some nice suit and jewellery. Gauri was wondering why she was again asked to deckup. May be someone is coming to visit her? Jhanvi asked her to get ready and come to living room as soon as she is done.
When Gauri came inside the living room, there was big cake sitting in the table with party decorations. She was taken aback. How in the world they knew it was her birthday? Surprise was evident in her face. Omkaara was standing with a simple smile and Jhanvi went and got her close to the table.
"Aaj tumhaari birthday hai. Tum nahi batogi to kya humhe pata nahi chalega? I really wish you a very happy year ahear gauri and bhagwaan tumhaari har manokaamna poori kar de.." she hugged her with all the motherly warmth.
Gauri was overwhelmed "Thank you maa"
Cake cutting was done and Gauri went to on to feed Jhanvi first. Jhanvi pushed her hand aside and placed it near Omkaara's mouth. She fed cake looking at him longingly while he kept looking at her and fed the cake in her mouth. She expected him to wish her but he chose to remain silent. She was remotely disappointed since she wanted to hear from him specially.
Jhanvi handed her an expensive piece of jewellery as a gift to which she looked petrified. She tried to refuse but she had to take it anyway. Everyone gave in their gifts and they retired to their rooms after the ceremony. Gauri had a night shift that day also but she didn't have interest to go to the hospital now. She went to the room reluctantly, to get ready.
While she heard a voice behind, "aaj chutti le sakthe ho, I want to take you out'
Gauri was surprised but remained silent. They had not spoken much with each other since an uncomfortable silence prevailed between them for past 2 days.
"Chutti, par kyun. Kahan jaana hai"
"aaj tumhaari birthday hain so I wanted to take you out for dinner" He looked at her eyes. She looks gorgeous today, he thought.
She so wanted to go out with him, so badly. Her mind was jumping like crazy but only for a while. She got reminded that he didn't wish her till now. She had a rebuke in her expression, slightly.
"Mujhe pata nahi aap mujhe bahar le jana chahoge. Aap ne wish bhi nahi kiya abhi tak" She said in a most innocent way.
<To be cont>
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