Rikara FF: Junoon : EPILOGUE - Pg 19 : 22-08-17; Index - Pg1; COMPLETE

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"Happy Birthday, chutki!"

Rohan and Shwetha shouted behind a huge bouquet of colorful lillies. They quickly kept the flowers aside on the floor and brought a dumbstruck Gauri into their arms, almost crushing her rib bones in the process.

"Oh!", Gauri breathed out, her eyes popping out from the force.

"Guys! Lemme breathe!", Gauri gasped out trying to breathe in oxygen.

"Oh! I am so sorry - I mean - we are sorry! Hum zara excitement me zyada...sorry...sorry.." Shwetha let go of Gauri, who took in a long breath and let it out. Then she looked tearfully at them and smiled widely.

"Thanks yaar! Main tum dono ko hi yaad kar rahi thi! Chalo, andar aao. Hum log room ke bahar khare hokar hi baatein kar rahe hai."

"Agar ye Omkara Singh Oberoi kahi mil jay na to mai iska khoon kar dunga!" Rohan seethes, after listening to Gauri's marriage history.

Gauri spoke as she let out bitter tears in Shwetha's arms. "Ek pal tha, jab main apni saari zindagi inke saath aankh band karke bitaane ke liye raazi thi.. par aaj..."

"Tu pagal hai kya?! Jisne tujhe samjhe bagair tere baare me itne galat raay bana liye..tujhe itna khara khota sunaya... tu kaise is shaks ke zindagi beetane ka soch rahi thi?!" Rohan shouted at her.

"Bhaiya, zindagi me jo bhi hota hai na...sab Shivji ke kripa se hota hai... Unhone hi sabse aiyn waqt pe hume bachane ke liye Omkaraji ko bheja tha.. Agar Omkaraji waha nahi hote.. to shaayad aaj main aapke beech yahan zinda bhi nahi rehti... Unhone humare saath jaisa bhi bartaav kiya ho.. unka humare upar bohot bara ehsaan hai. Ye hum nazar andaz to nahi kar sakhte na?"

"Woh to sahi kaha hai Gauri ne.. Rohan aap zara thande dimag se soche hume ab kya karna chahiye... " Shwetha ne apne pati se kaha.

"Aur kya karna hoga? Agar shaadi hui hai to hume court me in dono ke divorce ke liye file karna hoga." Rohan said plainly.

"Divorce?" Gauri whispered, looking towards her brother tearfully.

"Haan. Agar tumhe is shaks ke saath zindagi nahi bitaani hai to usse chutkara paane ka sirf ek hi option hai - aur wo hai talaaq."

Gauri sat straight. She kept on looking forward blankly as she thought through what he had just mentioned right now.

The thought of getting permanently separated from Omkara was... heart-crushing. Even though they had lived apart from each other for over a year and had not imagined of meeting each other again... the fact that by Shivji's wish Omkaraji and her marriage had taken place under such dire circumstances, was enough for her to live by. Which is why she hadn't thought of dating other guys even though she had received many proposals. She knew she had to move on someday... perhaps someday in the future..

"I... I need some time to think through this." Gauri whispered.

Rohan and Shwetha looked at each other worriedly. They hadn't expected this answer from her. Rather they thought that she would be eager to get separated from that man.

"Thik hai. Let's... let's just drop this topic right now. Aaj Gauri ki birthday hai. Itne ache occassion pe hum itni serious//e topic leke discussion kar rahe hai. Enough with that. Hum ye sochte hai ki aj ka plan kya hai. And by-the-way Gauri, tum kal meeting pe jaogi. And that's that. Jo kuch bhi ho jay you needn't show your weakness to him. Act like tumhe usse koi faraq hi nahi padta. Got it? After you get back from your meeting, we will head to a dance club. It's gonna be a treat from us. And then the next day we are going for shopping, phir hum Delhi wapas chale jayenge! Ok? This is our plan! Keep it in mind! Ab tum jaake so jayo! Hum bhi apne room me chale jaate hai sone, alright. If you need anything, call us immediately. Love you, jaan. So take care. Ok? Goodnight." Shwetha kissed Gauri's forehead and gave her a tight hug before standing up to head to her room with Rohan.

Today was the last meeting day. It was gonna be a really short one. Today she had to sign on the contract papers of the deal along with Omkara Singh Oberoi who dealt this department of their business.

Damn. She was gonna meet him again.

She was sitting in her seat browsing through Facebook in her phone, when Omkara entered the room. They had been waiting for him.

He sure liked to keep people waiting for him. Gauri thought as she rolled her eyes inwardly.

"Ahem." A throat clearing sound came from next to her. She looked up to see Omkara seated beside her. He looked calm. Prepared to be precise.

Without responding she looked back down to her phone.

"Tumhe yaad hai na, maine kal kya kaha tha?" Omkara asked her in a low voice.

Gauri looked up to see him smirking at her.

She glared at him and didn't bother to reply to his question.

She knew exactly what she had to do right now.

Looking at him with her poker face on, in a clear voice she said,

"We need to talk."

"So. Kya baat karni thi? Agar mujhe date pe bulaana chahti thi, you could have just asked instead of ordering me, you know." Omkara said to Gauri as they sat in a cozy cafe next to their meeting place.

"Mujhe divorce chahiye." Gauri stated calmly, looking into his eyes.

Omkara quickly took in a breath which sent him to a set of coughs.

"W*F?! Tum hosh me to ho? Yeh tum kya bakwaas kar rahi ho?!" Omkara asked her furiously. looking at her with hot angry eyes that for a moment made Gauri want to quiver in fear and apologize to him.

No. That Gauri is dead. I am not that Gauri anymore. I don't bend to anyone's will anymore.

Gauri took a deep breath and looked calmly into his eyes and repeated, "Mujhe talaaq chahiye tumse."

Omkara's shoulder drooped and he bent his head downwards.

"Mujhe pata tha that there might be a possibility ki tum mujhse talaaq maango gi ek din. Is liye main iske liye already prepared tha. Lekin I didn't expect you to ask for divorce so early." Omkara sighed and looked at her. "Do you really want it? Kya tum mujhe ek aur mauka nahi de sakti?" He asked her pleadingly.

"Omkara... I am not ready for this.. Frankly, mere life me male companions ke experience bilkul zero hai. Aur jo bhi the it was with you and Kaali Thakur. Aur dono hi bad experience the. I am sorry, but I am not ready to get entwined into a relationship or marriage. Mai ab apne zindagi me aage bar chuki hu. Mai ab wo ladki nahi hu jo kisi ke bhi baat maankar chal padti thi. I want to live my life to the fullest. Aur uske liye I need to let go off my past. And you are directly connected to my past. So, please try to understand..." Gauri explained to Omkara, what was going through her head.

She felt light after all she said because finally, she has come into terms with what she wanted in her life. Even though a year has passed, the way she was living, keeping her feelings towards Omkara bottled up, and not let anyone take his place - or even try to - in her heart, wasn't the way to live.

"Theek hai. Main tumhe talaaw dunga. Par ek shart par." Omkara finally said.

"You know I can just demand an annulment from the court. We don't have to do this shart and all of this stuff.." Gauri said to Omkara, slightly angry by the way he still wanted to take advantage of her somehow.

"Haan, aur puri duniya ko announce kar do that Amoreouz fashion brand ki owner is Omkara Singh Oberoi's wife. That would be a really great idea. Main chaahu to tumhe divorce bhi na du. What do you want, Mrs. Oberoi?" Omkara asked Gauri, sarcastically.

It feels so good to hear him call her his wife. Gauri blinks her eyes to clear her thoughts.

"Theek hai. Kya shart hai?"

"Yahi ki tum meri biwi bankar aur ek saal rahogi, mere saath, mere ghar me. Aur to aur raatko hume ek hi kamra share karna parega. So, what do you say?" Omkara looked at her, raising his eyebrows and folding his arms against his chest.

Gauri kept on looking at Omkara with her mouth agape.

Isse baat karke koi faayda nahi. Ab isse mera bhai hi deal karega.

She shook her head and stood up from the table and started walking out of the cafe.

Omkara quickly got up and followed her.

It has started to become a natural habit for him. Kya kehte hai log - haan - 'Joru ka Gulaam'.

He quickly caught up to her in the parking lot and grasped her wrist once again and turned her towards him. The force caused her to lose her balance and steading herself by positioning her two hands on his chest with a 'thump'.

They stood for a while in that position with her eyes closed and Omkara looking upon her with his hands on her waist. He got closer to her face and blew off the wayward hair that had come upon her face when she had turned. Gauri then slowly opened her eyes and looked up.

She gasped. He was so close. And so handsome.. She wished she could run her fingers over his stubble and perhaps kiss..

They both came out of their reverie as they realized they were way too close to each other for a couple who were about to get divorced.

Omkara cleared his throat and removed his hands from her waist and stepped a bit backwards while Gauri blushed scarlet, as she realized her own thoughts. What was happening to her?!

"Main tumhe kal tak ka time dunga. You let me know. I will call you on your phone." Omkara said, after momentarily calming his heartbeat.

"But aapke paas humara number nahi hai.. So aap kaise..." Gauri wondered aloud.

"Tum uski mat chinta karo. I have my ways." Omkara said, slightly smirking towards her.

"Oh. I get it. You are gonna stalk me now. And by-the-way, I am leaving for Delhi tomorrow. Main waha rehti hun."

"It doesn't matter. You will have come back to Mumbai anyways." Omkara shrugged.

"Why on earth will I come back to Mumbai again? Meri sab business dealings khatam ho chuki hai. Ab mera yaha par kya kaam?" Gauri asked Omkara, confusedly.

"Mere ghar rehne ke liye, ofcourse." Omkara said as he grinned at her, while slowly walking towards his car.

What. The. Hell. Gauri thought as she watched him leave.

Gauri sat between Rohan and Shwetha, with her head resting on Shwetha's shoulder, as she contemplated about her upcoming future.

She had returned back to the hotel in a trance. She couldn't remember anything after the moment when she read those switched documents. Could she call what Omkara did a treachery? Then what was she doing? Wasn't she doing exactly the same thing? She just got bested by Omkara and that's it.

Gauri sighed. Now she couldn't do anything but pray. Pray that a year with Omkara and his family passes peacefully without any difficulties. And then, she can be free of him. Just as she had wanted.

"We need to go shopping for Gauri's clothes and jewelleries. We need to prepare her for..." Shwetha whispered.

"No. We don't need to. Main us ghar me bahu bankar sirf ek samjhaute ke darje se jaa rahi hun. Sirf ek saal ke liye. Waha apna ghar basaane nahi ja rahi. Ek saal khatam ho jayega, to mujhe unse divorce pakar chutkara bhi mil jayega. To phir in sab cheezo ki kya faayda? Mere paas jo hai, main unse ki kaam chalalungi." Gauri said to both of them in a monotonic voice.

"I am sorry, Gauri. Main tere liye kuch nahi kar paaya. Main tera bhai hone ka farz pura nahi kar saka. I am really sorry...Mujhe maaf kar do. " Rohan said to Gauri, shaking his head.

Gauri turned to Rohan and looked at him directly.

"Bhaiya is me aapki koi galti nahi hai. Hume kya pata tha ki Omkara humare peeche uska jasoos bhejne wala hai.. Khair. Jo bhi ho... hume sirf abhi aage ka sochne hai. Ab mujhe kaise bhi karke uske saath ek saal peacefully spend karna hai. And then, mujhe usse chutkara mil jayega aur meri zindagi me phirse sabkuch normal ho jayega."

There was a loud knock at her room's door which caused all three of them to startle a bit.

Rohan cleared his throat as he got up from the bed and said, "I'll see who is there."

Gauri and Shwetha sat quietly next to each other when no sound seemed to come from the front door. They both looked at each other worriedly when suddenly Rohan came back, looking pissed.

"Gauri, tujhse koi milne aaya hai." Rohan spoke curtly.

"Kaun, bhaiya?" Gauri asked, looking confused.

"Mr. Oberoi tumse kuch khaas baatein akele me karna chahte hai. So, I think main aur Shwetha apne room me chale jaate hain. And Gauri, if you anything just call me. Alright? I'm just a call away.", Rohan said, as he looked at Gauri for her confirmation.

Gauri nodded her head. She knew if she asked him to stay with her, he wouldn't dare step out of the room. But now, she had to face her problems herself. She couldn't depend on other people forever, could she?

After Rohan and Shwetha left the room, their was an awkward silence in the room.

"Jahan tak ki mujhe yaad hai, tum.. bohot bolti thi." Omkara said, as he tried to make conversation between them.

"Time aksar logon ko badal deti hai. So... tum yahan kaise? I am not even going to ask tumhe meri address kaha se mili.." Gauri asked Omkara.

"Woh, Daadi ne kuch rasme rakhi hui hai kal duphair ko... Haldi..Mehendi ka rasam.. jo bhi kehte hai.. Tumhe aur tumhare relatives ko invite karne aaya hun." Omkara said nervously.

"Kya yeh sab karna zaroori hai? I mean, hum ek saal baad divorced ho jayenge phir in sab ka kya faayda?" Gauri asked Omkara, frustratedly.

"Meri dadi ki health bohot kharaab hai.. she might not even last a year.. Unki last wish yeh hai ki woh mera ghar basaaya hua dekhe. Meri shaadi me shaamil ho sake. And that's what I'm gonna do...give her the chance to witness my marriage. Even if it's all fake." Omkara said, his voice turning into a whisper at the end. Gauri noticed he looked almost as if... he was sad...

Gauri shook her head.

"So yeh sab kuch tum unke liye kar rahe ho, huh?" Gauri asked him with an expression that was unreadable. Andar hi andar woh Omkara se impressed mehsoos kar rahi thi. Lekin wo use dikhana nahi chahti thi.

"Yes." Omkara said softly, giving her a gentle smile.

Gauri was really confused now. Was this the same man she had met a year ago in Bareilly? This man, so sweet and caring, who could do anything for his loved one - even have a contractual marriage...

And that man... she shivered, thinking about that particular personality of Omkara that she had come upon in Bareilly.

"Theek hai.. hum chale aayenge.." Gauri said finally.

"Thank you. Really. It means a lot to me." Omkara thanked her once again, smiling at her thankfully.

"You're welcome... Main yeh.. sirf.. tumhari dadi ke liye kar rahi hun.." Gauri said, slightly embarassed by his humble behaviour.

Omkara gave her an unusual smile which warmed her insides.

"I should go.. Kal milte hai.. Aur kal ke function ke kapre aur jewelleries kal subha bhej diye jayenge. See you." Omkara said as he started to leave.

"See you." Gauri whispered to his retreating back.

*******************************

Gauri arrived at the Oberoi Mansion with Rohan and Shwetha donned with the dresses and jewelleries provided by them. They themselves brought some gifts for everyone, flowers and sweets with them as per the tradition. They had sent the groom's gifts separately early in the morning.

They were welcomed by the entire family. She was embraced by each one of them and given blessings. She kept on fidgeting nervously as she sat next to Anika bhabi and Bhavya. She didn't realize the reason until her eyes fell upon Omkara. He looks.. so handsome..

Gauri blushed as she realized she was ogling her so-called husband and turned further an intense red when she saw Omkara doing the same.

Rudra, Omkara's youngest brother cleared his throat, quite loudly as he asked, wriggling his eyebrows with a wide grin on his face,"Aap log aankhon hi aankhon se baat karte rahenge to hum rasme kab complete karenge?"

"Oh khote, kyun sata raha hai meri nayi bahu ko? Idhar aa mere paas puttar!" Dadi scolded Rudra, as she waited for Gauri to come to her.

Gauri shyly went towards Dadi who was seated beside Omkara and sat next to her.

"Kinni soni lag rahi meri bahu. Kisi ki nazar na lage. Jhanvi, wo anguthiyon ke dibbe aur woh kangan ke dibbe rakhne diye the na... Teen o zara leke aana." Dadi said to Jhanvi.

"Maa, teen o boxes mere paas hai - ye lijiye." Jhanvi smiled and held out the boxes to Dadi, who took it from her and got up from her seat saying, "Bahu tu Omkara ke paas baith ja."

"Ji." Gauri said shyly as she got up and sat next to Omkara.

"Ab tum dono ye anguthiyan ek dusre ko pehnao." Dadi gave the rings to them.

Gauri looked at Omkara, who gave her a gentle smile.

They put rings on their partner's fingers, respectively. Everyone clapped as the ring ceremony was over.

Then came the mehedi and haldi rasam.

When the mehedi designer asked her the name of her husband, that she was supposed to inscribe on her palm, she hesitated for a moment. And then she whispered, "Omkara".

She looked up to see that Omkara had witnessed the scene, as he talked with Shivaay, Rudra and Rohan. And he sort of looked... elated.

After all the ceremonies were done and the Kul Gotr puja her name was entered into the family book.

Gauri felt as if someone had grabbed her heart tightly that she couldn't breathe. She felt so guilty. Because she was playing with each and everyone's feelings. Specially Dadi. Moreover her name was entered officially in a book, where it was supposed to be the name of their real bahu. Not her.

Guilt was slowly suffocating her, so much that she stepped out to the pool room for a while. She didn't know how she got past others, but she didn't care anymore. She just needed some fresh air.

She sat in front of the pool, gazing forward, when she heard footsteps coming towards her.

"Gauri. Tum theek ho?" It was Omkara. He then slowly sat next to her and looked at her.

"I just needed some air. Hum... jo kar rahe hai.. woh bohot galat hai.. Hum unke bhaavnao ke saath khilwaar kar rahe hai... Jab unhe pata chale ga ki hum sirf - " Gauri said tearfully when Omkara interrupted.

" Sabko pata hai humare baare me."

"Kya?! Phir ye sab rasme? Kisliye Omkaraji?!"

"Dadi ka wishwaas. Aaj tak Dadi ne jo kaha hai, wahi sach hota aaya hai.. Aur unka maanna hai ki... hum dono ek dusre ke liye bane hai.. Is liye woh mujhse tumhe ghar laane ka zidd kar rahi thi. Aur wo bhi mere biwi ke haq se." Omkara explained to her, quietly as she listened.

Gauri let out a breath. Atleast she didn't need to feel guilty.

"Agar unki baat sahi nahi hui to?" Gauri asked him, gazing into his eyes.

"Aisa kabhi ho hi nahi sakta." Omkara gave her that smile, that curled her insides and made her want to kiss -

"Oh! To tum dono yaha baithkar romance kar rahe ho? Waha rasme puri kaun karega?" Rudra shouted as he barged in the room, breaking them out of their reverie. Both blushed scarlet as they looked everywhere but themselves.

*******************************

"Aaja bahu. Is rasam ko kehte hai Grah-Pravesh. Yeh bohot se jagao me badi kadak se maana jaata hai. Ek hone wali bahu ko is rasam ke pehle apne sasural me pair rakhne ka anumati nahi diya jaata tha, uske hone wale pati se milna mana tha. Yeh hum sab nahi maante. Yeh rasam to sirf hum parampara ko is jug me jagaay rakhne ke liye karte hai. Ab tu is thokri ko apne daay pair se feke gi. Phir is thaali me pair rakhegi. Aur phir is safed chaadar ke upar se chal ke andar jaayegi. Thik hai na puttar." Dadi explained the rasam to Gauri, who didn't object even though she knew the tradition by-heart.

After she walked over the white sheet imprinting it with her red-colored footprints, she looked up to Omkara, who stood beside her and was looking down upon her.

After all the ceremonies were complete and the guests had returned, it was only the newly wed couple and their family members.

"Nayi bahu ko ab room me le jana sahi hoga. Kinni sukhi lag rahi hai. Araam karegi to theek ho jayegi. Phir kal to iski rasoi ki rasm bhi karni hogi. Jaldi soyegi tabhi to uth payegi savere savere.." Dadi said to everyone.

"Kya dadi aap unhe itni jaldi unke room me bhej rahi hai! Unko to waise bhi room me hi to jaana padega! Aakhir aaj unki special night jo hai!" Rudra said while wagging his eyebrows at the newly wed couple. While the groom glared at him furiously, the bride blushed crimson and looked down, embarassed.

"Rudra, bohot teasing ho gayi hai. Hume ab Gauri ko rest karne dena chahiye. I think we should call it a night. Jao Om, take her upstairs." Shivaay said to Omkara, who got up and forwarded his hand to Gauri.

Gauri looked up, meeting his eyes in the process. She nervously took his hand and stood up.

Omkara led her upstairs, past a few couple rooms when they paused in front a room, exactly at the end of the hallway. Omkara looked at her as he pushed open the door. He pulled her in as he stepped into the room.

Both stood still for a moment as they looked at the decorations of the room. It looked spectacular. Beautiful. So beautiful, that it was perfect... perfect for a newly-wed couple. But then...what were they? They had just got married for a second time. This time with all the traditions and rituals and their relatives present.

Gauri's heart raced as she remembered the contract papers she had signed. The last clause, to be exact -

If the husband wants to have a marital relationship with the wife, he can have with or without the wife's consent.

Omkara cleared his throat and said to Gauri, " Main.. servant se kamra saaf karwa deta hun. Tum chinta mat karo. Servant se keh dunga ki tumhe in phool o se allergy hai. Tum jaake kapre badal lo.. fresh ho jao. Phir tum bed pe so jaana. Main sofe par so jaaunga."

Gauri looked up at him confused. Didn't he say he would... She immediately stopped thinking over it. Jo bhi ho! Mujhe to shukr mehsoos karna chahiye ki wo mere saath zabardasti nahi karne wala hai. But.. she felt... disappointed. She had a distinct feeling if he had wanted to do it with her, she would have given in easily.

"Main zara... ek minute me aaya.." Omkara said, and immediately went out of the room.

Shaayad servants ko bulaane gaya hoga. Gauri thought as she picked up her luggage and raised it on the bed. She took out her comfy night dress out. She paused and thought as she looked over her night dress once again.

Night dress zyada revealing to nai hai.. Khair chodo! Main uske liye apni clothing system kyun change karu? Use jo samajhna hai, wo samjhe! Mujhe isse kya faraq padta hai. Waise bhi woh mere saath kuch karne waala to hai nai..

She immediately stopped overthinking as she zipped up her luggage and kept it down. She finally headed for the washroom to get out of the heavy lehenga that she had been wearing almost for the entire day.

*******************************

Omkara on the other had sent a servant to his room to get rid of the decorations as fast as they can, because he didn't want Gauri to feel uncomfortable.

He sat in the pool room to get his head cleared.

Damn it. Usne gharwalon already bataya hua tha ye sab karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai.. Agar use Gauri ka dil jeetna hai to sabkuch uske mutaabik hona chahiye. And he could clearly see that she wasn't ready to take that step. And he wasn't quite sure himself if he wanted to... even though some parts of him disagreed.

He sighed and got up. He was nervous - about what he would have to face at the other side of his room's door.

*******************************

Gauri had just finished changing into her nightdress after her long hot shower. She came out carefully as she held out her lehanga in front of her. And as she hanged it in the almirah, she vaguely noticed that the room was cleared off the decorations and now it looked quite normal.

She was just brushing her hair when Omkara came inside the room. After locking the door behind him, he stood gazing at her.

She gasped and stood still, pausing in her action.

Omkara flushed red as he cleared his throat nervously and said loudly, "Main.. woh.. I.. I'll just go and take a shower..."

Omkara walked towards the almirah and after taking out his T-shirt and Pyjamas, he literally ran into the washroom.

Gauri continued to look at the washroom door - behind which Omkara was currently taking a shower - with wide eyes as she thought, Isko ab kya hua hai?

She shook her head and quickly finished brushing her hair. She laid down on the right side of the bed and contemplated waiting for Omkara to come out of his shower. But as her head touched the pillow, her eyes closed on their own accord and she fell into a deep sleep.

Omkara stepped out of the washroom while drying his hair with his towel, when his eyes fell upon his sleeping wife. He quietly walked to her side and stood gazing at her.

She looks so peaceful. Gauri... Main ab tumhe apni dil ki baat to nahi bata sakta. Lekin I hope tumhe jald hi samajh aa jay ki mai tumhe bohot chahne laga hun. Aur main puri koshish karunga ki maine jo galti ek saal pehle ki thi...use sudhaar saku. Aur tumhara dil jeet pau.

He slowly bends down and kisses her forehead before grabbing his pillow and walking towards the sofa that was gonna be his slumber place for the near future.