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Hi everyone! After a really long time, I am back with an OS. So without any delay, here it goes.
The plot is based on the aftermath of Shivika Wedding Rituals. So, happy reading! Do leave comments, it makes me happy
P.S. Happy Independence Day to all my friends celebrating it. Happy Janmashtami too!
***
She stood alone in the middle of the room, amidst a hundred candles and dim fairy lights, while tearing apart the delicate red petals of few fully bloomed roses and dropping them on the satin sheets of the bed. A soft smile played on her lips as she decorated the wedding bed for her sister-in-law, who was as dear as a sister to her. Shivaay and Annika had finally gotten married, amidst the entire circus, and even though they continued being tadibaaz with each other, which was the very essence of their relationship, she knew the love between the two was strong enough to defeat the rest of the universe.
Gauri Kumari Sharma, who still had a smile on her lips, suddenly felt a dull shadow of melancholy take over her. She looked at the petals strewn across the sheet, decorated for the newlyweds to celebrate their love; their coming together. She felt a dull hollowness in the pit of her stomach. This was something she would probably never get to experience in her whole life. In spite of doing everything under the sun for him, in spite of risking her life for his happiness, in spite of staying with him for six long months, Omkara Singh Oberoi hadn't even made an effort to understand her. Instead, he had told her in a very clear manner, without mincing words, that he did not have any place for her in his heart and in his life. His words slashed through her soul , all over again, and she surprised herself at the intensity the memory of those words hurt her heart, again. A tiny tear made its way from her eye down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. She would find another day to cry at her misery, because today was a day of happiness, and would not let her sadness hamper the family's and her own happiness for Shivaay-Annika. She smiled again, despite the dull ache in her heart. Arranging the petals in the shape of a heart, she proceeded to decorate the window frames with tiny fairy lights. Little did she know that a pair of deep brown eyes were intently observing every movement she made.
Omkara Singh Oberoi had looked almost everywhere for her, but it seemed as if the earth had swallowed his wife up. Wife. He smiled to himself at the word; a word he once refused to acknowledge; a word he never associated Gauri with; the very same Gauri whom he once despised; the very same Gauri whom he now wanted to desperately have a glimpse of. He had seen her during Shivaay and Annika's wedding. If he had thought that she looked ethereal on the day she had attempted to be his inspiration to awaken the artist in him, she surprised him by appearing like a divine goddess today. Everyone's eyes were on the lovely bride, but his eyes sought only her. The way she had descended those steps with a bright smile, and the way her eyes had cast a gaze on him had left him spellbound. She hadn't looked at him since then. The only time they locked eyes with each other was when Shivaay and Annika stood up for the pheras round the sacred fire. He had sensed the longing in her hazel-green eyes as she watched the couple, and a sense of guilt rushed through him as he recalled the time he had carried her in his arms and walked round the fire, claiming to make her his wife, back in Bareilly. He watched her eyes turn glassy, and just when he thought her would threaten to spill onto her cheek, she conveniently looked away and smiled at something Bhavya whispered in her ears. And that was it; she did not look at him again for the rest of the evening.
Presently, something struck hard in his chest, and it was something very different from guilt. He recalled Shivaay's words "Don't let her go, Om. Don't repeat the mistake I made with Annika. Not all are blessed with second chances." Omkara had wandered past the corridor, still looking for Gauri, and that was when he saw her, arranging the nuptial bed for Shivaay and Annika. He smiled as he watched her smile to herself. And when he saw her tear up, he could easily guess the reason behind it. The tear drop that fell from her eye felt like several spears piercing through his chest. She was quick to wipe it away and bring a smile on her face- a smile that did not reach her eyes. He knew he had to grab this moment and let her know what was in his heart, because the more he delayed, the more he was hurting her. Taking a firm resolve, and taking a deep breath, he stepped into the room.
Gauri stopped coiling the decorative lights over the window rod, the second she sensed his presence. He had tried to be really quiet, but when he saw her turn stiff, he knew she acknowledged him walking into the room. None spoke, except for the mild howling of the wind, which ran through her waist long hair, trying hard to distract Omkara from the reason he had walked into the room. Mesmerized by the beauty that stood basking in the moonlight, he would be lying if he said that the inner male in him did not want to feel her soft, supple skin against his own skin. "Do you need any help?" he asked, distractedly, in a deep baritone, that always sent a tiny shiver through her spine. Quick to nod in refusal, she hoped he would walk away leaving her alone to do her task of arranging the room. But when had he ever obliged to her wishes, that she thought he would do so now? Her emotional state was at a wreck right now, and Omkara could sense that she would break down if he as much as stepped close to her. So he did the best he could do. Clearing his throat, he took a step away from where she stood.
"Tumne mujhse ek sawaal poocha tha, ke tum meri kaun ho? Meri kya lagti ho?" he said while watching her back, and noted that she stood numbly. Gauri refused to look at him, fearing that he would repeat the same harsh words again. When she had returned to her Jatadhaari Hippie after Rudy had requested her to be back, and had seen something akin to relief in his eyes, which she refused to acknowledge so as to protect her own heart from getting broken, she had told him that she had returned to the Oberoi Mansion because his brother had given him a reason- to bring Shivaay and Annika closer. Now that the two were married, was this moment a reminder from him to ask her to leave? Her already broken heart shattered to bits; she did not want to go through another round of pain. She shuddered a breath as he continued to speak, "tumne mujhse poocha tha ke hamare rishte ka kya wajood hai, aur aaj main tumhe tumhare saare sawaalon ka jawaab dena chahta hoon"
She refused to turn around and look at him, and somewhere, Omkara was relieved she didn't. He could probably not look into her eyes right now. He was never a man of expression; and whatever he did express through his poetry, always bounced off people's heads. An absolute sense of silence followed his words. Gauri had to look through the corner of the eye to make sure if he was still there. The moment she tilted her head to her side, she felt his warm breath on her cheek, and her cheek reddened sensing the proximity between them. Despite their tensed relationship, they could never deny the secret desire they possessed to be in company of each other. Her almost bare back, felt the heat emanating through his male body, and the thick tension between them could be cut through a knife. Gauri tried her best to not think about the craving of leaning against him, and he tried his best to ignore the sound of her heaving breath. It provided him a great sense of satisfaction that his presence did affect her, and his inner male did a victory dance at it.
A prolonged silence filled the room. Words were never a requirement for Gauri-Omkara. For, when they spoke, they only misunderstood. Silence was always the soothing balm for their wounds. Silence was the very definition of what they shared between them, and even now their silence spoke for them, to each other.
Gauri felt a shiver run through her veins as his fingers brushed against the back of her hand. The next minute, his hand clasped her hand in a strong hold, and brought it to his lips. Gauri couldn't help but close her eyes as his lips brushed against her fingers, and in response, his other hand only skimmed over the creamy skin of her other hand, slowly finding its way to her elbow, and resting firmly on the bare skin of her shoulder exposed by the flimsy blouse, held together by a merely-there clasp at the back. Sinful thoughts ran through his mind, and as if reading them, she blushed harder.
"Doon jawaab?" he whispered in her ears, reminding them of their conversation. Without opening her eyes at his voice, she nodded her head, mentally readying herself to feel the painful blow of his words. If this was how he was going to break her heart, so be it. She would be ready to die a thousand deaths if he would once, just once, look at her with love. Just then, she felt something cold against her finger. Omkara had slipped a ring on her fingers; not just any ring, but their engagement ring that was once forcefully put on her finger with his hatred filled demeanor. She turned around to look at him only to watch an entirely different version of him. His hair was left open, teased by the wild winds and his eyes were clouded by something she refused to acknowledge.
"Yeh?" was all she managed to say as her voice betrayed her, reflecting the chaotic storm of emotions going through her. "I know maine tumhe bahut hurt kiya, aur main maafi ke laayak bhi nahi hoon. Magar ab main tumhare saath ek nayi shuruwat karna chahta hoon, agar tumhari manzoori ho, toh." Gauri stood rooted to the ground, refusing to move at what he just said. "Gauri Kumari Sharma", he said, as he knelt on the floor with her fingers clasped in his, "Kya tum mujhe apne zindagi mein aur apne dil mein jagah de sakti ho, jiss tarah se maine tumhe apne zindagi mein, dil mein aur mann mein basaa liya hai? Kya tum mujhse, phir se, shaadi karogi?" Gauri felt as if the world had come to a halt. He had uttered words that she thought she would never have the chance to listen to. "Aur agar humari manzoori na ho toh?" she heard herself say, and felt his hold over her hand suddenly loosen. Omkara felt as if someone had ripped open his chest and squeezed his beating heart in a vice, deathly grip. His breath failed to reach his lungs, while he heard her continue saying, "Omkara ji, agar hum aapse shaadi karne se mana kar dein, toh? Agar hamara faisla yehi hai ke hum aapse door jaana chahte ho, toh?" Her heart ached to see his eyes turn teary. She too knew that she couldn't let go of him; she loved him way too much to walk away, leaving him hurt. She would go to any lengths to do anything for him; all he needed to do was to say it to her if she meant anything to him. And right now, he was asking her to marry him, over again, with all rituals and traditions. Of course, she wouldn't refuse. Yet she needed to know if he was just being impulsive or guilty, or if he really meant the words he said.
"Toh main tumhe force nahin karoonga, na hi tumhe jaane se rokunga" he said in a soft voice. Just when she felt her heart sink at his words, he said, "Lekin main tab tak tumhe manaata rahoonga jab tak tum mujhe apne dil se nahi apnaati. Aur uske liye agar mujhe kuch bhi karna pade, main woh karoonga. Apni jaan bhi gawaani pade toh..." he didn't have a chance to complete his words as her fingers pressed against his lips. "Marre aapke dushman...", She said as she knelt in front of him, almost in tears. Omkara felt a sense of joy wash over him as he looked into her eyes, and saw the unspoken answer to his proposed question. He smiled through his own tears and kissed her tears away, whilst cupping her face in his hands. She bunched his shirt collar in her tiny fists and smiled as he kissed her cheeks. Then, winding his arms round her, he pulled her into a tight hug, "Toh, Gauri Kumari Sharma," he said with a subtle smile, "Kya tum mujhse shaadi kar ke, Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi banongi?" She smiled against his chest, hiding her face. When he did not hear her answer, he held her chin and tilted her head up so he could look at her. There was a different glow on her face, despite her red nose and her red-rimmed teary eyes. He looked into her eyes and waited for her to speak.
"Seene mein jo dabey jazbaat hain, usko hum kya kahein... Ab khud hi samajh lijiye, har baat kya kahein?" And the moment she said this to him, Omkara pulled her closer to himself and sealed her lips with his. It took her a mere second to recover from the sudden assault of his and to respond with an equal fervor. She did not know how long they kissed, but when she pulled back for the basic necessity of air, she realized how easily they'd gotten carried away. He grinned lazily, as she looked in horror at the way she had almost ripped his kurta buttons open. His expression then turned smoldering while he traced his thumb close to her mouth. "Woh... tumhari lipstick... it's smudged..." he said as he wiped the excess that had smeared over her chin. She closed her eyes while a deep shade of red crept on her cheeks, and the next second she felt his arms enveloping round hers.
***
"Yaar, yeh Om aur Gauri nazar nahi aa rahe?" the tired groom announced in the living room, while fanning himself with the loose end of Annika's bridal dupatta. The entire Oberoi family, including the newlyweds, sat with stretched out feet, exhausted with the dancing and the running around during the entire wedding ceremony and the respective rituals. "Haan", Daadi exclaimed, "Maine toh Gauri ko oopar Shivaay aur Annika ka kamra sajaane ke liye bheja tha. Lekin Omkara kahan reh gaya?" Annika blushed at the mention of the nuptial room, and Shivaay too grinned unashamedly at his bride's shyness. However, before anyone could comment on the newlyweds and their blushing scenes, Omkara's voice echoed in the hall as he descended the steps saying, "Hum dono yahaan hai." None of them missed the way Gauri walked beside him, with a hint of blush on her cheek while he held her fingers entwined in his. "Main Gauri ki help kar raha tha, Shivaay aur Bhabhi ka room decorate karne mein, right?" he looked at her with a mischievous smirk and she could only nod in response. Rudy grinned at the opportunity to pull his elder brother's leg, "Woh toh Chulbul bhabhi ke laal-laal gaal dekhke pata chal hi raha hai, O, ke aap Bhabhi ki kya madad kar rahe the. Suhagraat wale kamre ko dekhke kahin suhaagraat wali feeling toh nahi aa gaya?" Gauri's eyes widened and Omkara rolled his eyes while the whole family roared with laughter.
As the laughter died down, Omkara cleared his throat, "Mujhe aap sab ko kuch batana hai." Everyone focused their attention on Omkara, who looked at Gauri with a small smile, while her gaze was shyly fixed on the floor. When a few seconds passed by in silence, Rudy spoke up, "Arey yaar O, kitna limelight loge aap. Jaldi bataao na..." Omkara smiled and said, "Actually, ek good news deni hai aap sab ko!" The whole family grinned at each other, almost celebrating their assumption about the young couple's good news. "I knew it!" Rudy got up and danced a small celebratory dance, "Meri advice finally seriously le li, O ne. Maine kaha tha ke 8 o clock ko darwaza bandh karke, lights off honi chahiye... Mehnat karne ke baad phal milne ki khushi kuch aur hi hoti hai. I'm so happy ke main uncle banne wala hoon! Congratulations O and Chulbl bhabhi..." The entire family cheered out loud while Omkara and Gauri did their best to clarify the misunderstanding.
"Aisa kuch nahi hai" Omkara spoke up when it seemed possible for his voice to be audible amidst the cheering and the hooting. The Oberoi's blinked at each other in silence, "Then what is the good news Om?" Shivaay asked. "Maine aur Gauri ne phir se shaadi karne ka decision le liya..." Rudy groaned, "Yaar yeh Oberoi Mansion ghar kam, shaadi wala hall zyada lagta hai. Ek shaadi se mere muscles recover hue nahi, ke phir se shaadi mein dance karna padega. Thoda wait toh kar lete, O." Daadi whacked the back of Rudy's head, "Chhup kar, Khoteya. Teri shaadi bhi karwa hi lenge jaldi, Omkara aur Gauri ki shaadi ke baad" to which Bhavya grinned and Rudy nodded shyly.
Daadi walked to Omkara-Gauri and blessed them, "Bhagwan kare tum dono hamesha aise hi khush raho" Meanwhile, Annika announced, "Main ladkiwali ki taraf se." to which Shivaay spoke, "Main bhi", leaving the rest of the family, including Omkara, surprised. Shivaay walked up to Gauri and placed his hand on her head, "Ab kanyadaan toh bade bhai ko hi karni padegi na." Gauri's eyes welled up with tears at her bade bhaiyya's words, and she hugged him as he held his arms out for his little sister. Omkara smiled at Shivaay, and in response, Shivaay pulled Omkara too in for a hug. "Ab main left out feel kar raha hoon..." Rudy whined and joined the trio in, "Group huggg!" Annika and Bhavya chorused. The older generation of the Oberois only smiled and prayed for the happiness of their children, hoping that nothing could ever break this bond of love. Happiness was just the beginning.
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