So Dilpreet Singh Ji has officially won me over, using pure charm and Kunal's acting prowess. This is a light hearted end to this light hearted track, with a teensy bit of emotion thrown in (squint and you might catch it).
Gauri huffed as she placed the cup of tea on the kitchen counter, her force causing a 'clink' as it hit the work top. 'DilpreetJi' had requested a change in it's preparation. Apparently his mother had tended to drop glucose biscuits in his tea as sweetner. Gauri scoffed. Jhanvi Oberoi did not experiment with tea, and she well knew of her son's hatred for sweets. This 'DilpreetJi' was beginning to wear on her nerves. Who exactly did he think he was fooling? Gauri had sought out OmkaraJi blindfolded... did he really think hiding his jatadari hair would stop her identifying him in broad daylight?
She had only kept quiet since Karva Chauth because, despite what he called her kaurafathi brain, she could not fathom his reasons behind doing this. OmkaraJi had demanded she leave him - his house, his family. She knew him well enough now to realise it had been his anger talking, after all how many times had she witnessed his infamous third-eye opening? But she'd had enough of letting it go - of letting her self-respect be shredded slowly. Of course that didn't mean Gauri hadn't missed the man she had accepted as her husband, in fact the complete opposite was true - she had missed him more in these three days than she had in the fifteen days she had left him previously.
Love was a funny thing she mused. Gauri knew that nobody would ever accuse her of maturity, but she KNEW that she understood what caring for someone truly was. Forgiveness and love always went hand in hand - where there was love (the epitome of happiness and warmth), why waste time trying to be vindicated? His mistakes could not stop her loving him, so consciously or subconsciously she had awaited him. Waited for her OmkaraJi to come and take her back home. Instead she had been faced with her husband dressed in the most conspicuous costume in the world. Yes his hair was one of his winning features, but it was certainly not what had drawn Gauri to him. Personally, his longer hair had thrown her a bit when they had first met, but had grown on her slowly and surely, just like his unique personality - sometimes the susheel and shaanth chirota and at others the dreaded but impressive VolcanoKara. Funnily enough what annoyed Gauri most about her husband's ploy, was the fact that he was hiding his locks. She had long overcome her jealousy of his lehratein zulfein flowing hair (lucky girl, I'm not over it yet), and now she missed looking at it and sometimes to the point of distraction, wondering how it would feel to run her hands through it. It had always been a private fantasy of hers to give him a head massage, taking his luxurious strands in her hands. But no. Now his well maintained locks were kept tightly under wraps.
Initially, Gauri had played along with ease - a little role play seeming less troublesome than confronting her husband - but this had only seemed to encourage OmkaraJi, who had embraced his new accent and eccentric behaviour wholeheartedly. The only gleam of amusement Gauri could find in the outwardly hilarious situation was the irony of how much she had enjoyed playing Chulbul and in reverse how quickly she had become tired of OmkaraJi's new avatar. Yes she might have also enjoyed that the man that had in Rudy Bhaiyya's words been 'sach ka bhaai-friend' (LOVED the segment when Shrenu asked Kunal if he would be her BHAAI-friend), was now doing anything but, however she still could not comprehend the reasons behind the ruse. Part of her had hoped he had come here to uncover the truth about all his misunderstandings, but then a larger part was annoyed that he would find that necessary still. Often in her youth and even more increasingly in her teens she had heard crazy girls talk about their secret desires of having some concoction that would make men fall in love with them... alternatively she now found herself wishing for a potion that would make OmkaraJi trust in her. She knew that women had been known to fast for loving life partners, but she would do every pooja and vrath just so he would have an iota of faith in her. Odd how she was always at the opposite end of the spectrum from other girls.
Shaking of the depressing cloud that was trying to encompass her, Gauri grabbed the biscuit to drop inside his cup. The worst part about this whole situation was how CUTE OmkaraJi was being, trying to help her at every turn whilst also bringing up all the nice memories they had together. She had realised that he wanted to fix their relationship, now if only he would do it as himself, not this stranger, who she couldn't stare at for too long without arousing her suddenly inquisitive mother's curiosity. It would not do for her Maa to get the wrong impression that Gauri was a little too interested in another man - with the way Maa sang her 'DamaaadJi's' praises Gauri knew she would side with him in this fictional battle. Why couldn't her husband drop the act now and take her home? All they had to do was have a real conversation.
Suddenly Gauri realised something disturbing - in all the time she had known him, OmkaraJi had needed her to make his plans successful. Maybe even today he required her assistance? Ever the Pati-vratha Patni, Dutiful wife, she decided to help him (and in extension, herself) out. Enough subterfuge. Gauri Kumari Sharma- sorry - Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi missed her husband, Omkara Singh Oberoi. Now she just had to show him that he could do all the Rasleela he wanted, but she would always seek him out... and if she had a little fun along the way... well, he started it by challenging a pro. Picking up the tea tray with new zest, Gauri headed to her 'tenant's' room.
As she threw open the door she glimpsed him settling into a less dignified and more relaxed pose as if he had been watching out for her. He had to get better at his timing. Had hers been so flawed as Chulbul she might have been caught out earlier by the Oberois - and those were certainly not the most observant people. For all their suspicion they always seemed to misjudge the wrong people. Oh well, Gauri would take her ignorant in laws over Richa's mother-in-law any day... well, maybe not Pinky - but you can't have it all, right?
"Ohhh!!! Aoaaa Ji! Aoaaa Ji! Chai le aaye ho Ji? Kamaal kitha... Kamaal!! Come in Ji! Come in Ji! You did amazing... Amazing!! Thank you, Ji!" The over exuberant voice and hand movements began. Gauri subtly covered her ears, her OmkaraJi had always spoken softly when his third eye was not open, so this was taking some getting used to. The invasion of her personal space however was the usual, only now she had to further worry about propriety, lest he believe she was willing to get close to another man... actually not a bad idea, Gauri. Time to mess with HusbandKara.
"Yeh leejiya, DilpreetJi. Aapki chai. Maine isme glucose waala biscoot bhi daal diya. Here you go, DilpreetJi. Your tea. I have added a glucose biscuit to it." Gauri placed her hand on his arm as she passed it over to him. "Waise humme bhi aisi hi chai banaane ka shok hai... par... Actually I like to make tea this way... but..."
Omkara had lifted the cup to take a sip but stopped at her pause. "Par kya? Achi chai banaati ho. But what? You make nice tea."
Gauri raised an eyebrow. "Aapko kaise pata? Aapne toh abhi chai pee hi nahin. How do you know? You haven't had the tea yet. "
He quickly backtracked, regaining the accent. "Oh nahin Ji! Matlab aapke haath itne sone hai, toh unse bani koi bhi cheese soni hi hogi, na? Oh no Ji! I mean your hands are so beautiful, so anything they make will be amazing too, right?"
'Nicely saved, but it doesn't do to flirt with another man's wife,' Gauri mused, having genuine fun for the first time since plotting Bade Bhaiyya and Bhaujjaai's reunion.
"Woh kya hai na, DilpreetJi, ek biwi ke liye sabse zyaade uske pati ki pasand, napasand zaroori hoti hai, aur joh hamare pati hai na... unhe hamare hathon bani koi bhi cheese achi nahin lagti. Isiliye humne bhi faisla le liya hai... Hum ab waapas unke ghar nahin jaaynge. The thing is, DilpreetJi, for a wife her husbands likes and dislikes are most important, and my husband... he doesn't like anything I make. That's why I've decided... I will not return back to his house. " Gauri composed her face as she shared her dukhdaa sad tale.
Omkara blanched... the tea was meant to sweeten their relationship by reminding her of him, not end their marriage.
"Ab yeh bhi kya baat hui GauriJi?! Aapke pati ki pasand kharaab hai, toh aap unko chod do gi?! Aise toh nahin hota Ji! Now what is this GauriJi?! Your husband has bad taste, so you left him?! That is not done Ji!" He tried to convince her. "Waise bhi, I'm toh sure Ji ki aapke pati ko aapi bohot fikar ho rahi hogi. Aapko bhi unki yaad aarahi hogi, haina? Anyways, I'm sure Ji that your husband must be very worried about you. You must be missing him too, right?" His voice quietening in anticipation at the last part.
"Ab aapne toh dekha hi hai ki yahan pad hamari kitni musibatein chal rahin hain, toh unko yaad karne ka kya faida? Now you have seen how many problems are going on here, so what is the point of missing him?" Gauri put on a troubled face.
"Areh... sunno Ji. Musibat ke waqt hi toh pati patni ek dujeh ke kaam aate hain. Aap itna bhi nahin jaante? Hey... listen Ji. In times of hardship, husband and wife come to each others help. Don't you know that much?" Omkara felt like he would finally be able to get through to Gauri. After all she had aided him in all his problems without his knowledge, so surely she should understand that it was not only the right thing to do but also HER right to come to him with her problems? Maybe this conversation would finally lead to a resolution for their marriage.
"Hamare pati koh hamari musibaton se koi matlab nahin hai. Aur waise matlab hota bhi toh woh humari madat kar hi nahin pathe. My husband does not care about my problems. And regardless, he is not able to help me out." Gauri exaggerated her frown.
Omkara felt saddened that Gauri felt her problems had no meaning to him, but this only made him more determined to make her realise that anything troubling her should and would have to face him first.
"Aapki koi zaroor galat fami hogi Ji. Aaisa ho hi nahin sakta ke koi apni inni soni voti ki parwaa naa kare. Aur kyun nahin kar sakte woh tumhari madat?Apne pati se paihe lene mein kya sharam? Joh uska, vahi tumhara. You must be mistaken Ji. It cannot be that someone can not care for such a pretty wife. And why can't he help you out? What shame in asking money from your husband? What is his, is yours."
"Areh aap humme galat samjh rahein hain. Hum unse sharma nahin rahein, balki unko sharminda hone se rokh rahein hain. Woh kya hai na... unke paas itne paise, kahan se aayenge? Hey you are getting me wrong. I am not embarrassed to ask him, rather I don't want to embarrass him. The thing is... where will he get so much money?" Gauri deliberately hesitated and ducked her head sheepishly, all the while applauding her own wit mentally.
"Kya matlab kahan se aayenge Ji? Aapke pati Omkara Singh Oberoi hain. Unke paas kaafi paihe honge. What do you mean Ji? Your husband is Omkara Singh Oberoi. He must have a lot of money." Omkara was confused at the turn in the conversation and how embarrassed she suddenly looked.
"Aapko unka naam kaise pata? How do you know his name?" Gauri grabbed at the opportunity.
Omkara panicked, unsure what to say, and she decided to let it go as she was really starting to enjoy herself.
"Oh... Maa ne bataya hoga. Haan humara saasural raaiz hai, par apne sasuraal se toh paise nahin le sakte na, DilpreetJi. Haan agar woh khud itna kamaate hote, toh phir hum unse pooch bhi lete. Oh... Maa must have told you. Yes my in-laws are rich, but I cannot take money form them, DilpreetJi. Yes if my husband earned so much, I could have asked him." Gauri sounded regretful at her husband's lack of salary.
"Kya matlab Ji?! Aapke pati bhi toh kamaate honge?! What do you mean Ji?! Your husband must earn too?!" Omkara was shocked that Gauri thought he did not earn enough to help her out. Surely she had just mistakenly assumed that he would not share his earnings with her as it was something they had never discussed, but she was his spouse and as she was unemployed their income was joint.
"Kamaate hain... par baat aisi hai ki woh ek chitrakaar hain, isliye unke paas itne paise kahan se aayenge? Aise bhi woh side mein Bhagwano ki murthi ka bhi bijniss karte hain taake woh apne lambe baalon ke liye mainga shampoo laa sakein. Itni mushkil hoti hai unhe, ki kahin saalon se woh apne baal bhi nahin kata paaye. Pad phir bhi bade khudaar hain... paison ki kami ki wajah se woh apne size ke kapre bhi nahin kareed pate... kabhi badhi bhooshirt, kabhi khulee pathloon aur kabhi toh pasee hui. He does earn... but the thing is he is an artist, so where will he get so much money? Even as it is he makes statues of Gods to sell so he can get expensive shampoo for his long hair. It is so hard for him, that he has not been able to afford a haircut for many years. But still he is very self-reliant... due to lack of money he cannot afford to buy clothes of his size... sometimes he wears huge shirts, sometimes loose pants and sometimes tight ones." Gauri struggled to keep her composure at his spluttering and aghast face. "Par woh rahtein apne Mata, Pitah ke saath hain is liye unhe karaaye ka koi tension nahin. Joh khud ka karaaya na de paiye, unse kya umeed rakhi jaa sakti hain? But he lives with his Mother and Father, so he has no tension about rent. The one who cannot pay his own rent, what hope can I place on him?"
Omkara could not believe all the assumptions his wife had incorrectly made about his professional life and styling choices. He was momentarily lost for words and Gauri took advantage of his silence to deal her final cards.
"Aap jaise thodi na hain woh, DilpreetJi. Aap ne toh apna khud ka bijnis khola hai - mithai wala - , unse toh apna bana banaya bijnis nahin samla - Badhe Bhaiyya kehte hain padai mein kamzor hain... ek bhaar toh galti se apni Bhaujjaai ke naam poora ghar kar diya tha. Padai kam ki hogi na unhone, tabhi toh achi naukri nahin mili unko aur aisi galtiyaan karte rehte hain. Haaai!!! Hum toh bhool hi gayye, ek bhaar toh itni bhadi galti ki thi unhone ne. Woh kya hai na, unke ghar mein aksar ek churail aathi thi - Sultana. Uske saath galti se unhone pre-pre-prenup-pre- He is not like you, DilpreetJi. You have opened up your own bijnis - Sweet one -, he couldn't even take of the business created for him - Badhe Bhaiyya says he is weak in studies... once he put the house in Bhaujjaai's name by mistake. He must have studied less, that's why he could not get a good job, and he keeps making such mistakes. Oooh! I forgot, one time he made such a big mistake. The thing is, there was a witch who often came to his house - Sultana. By mistake he made a pre-pre-prenup-pre-"
"Prenuptutial agreement," Omkara supplied in a daze, unable to believe where this conversation was going.
"Haan, wohi. Aapko kaise pata? Khair chodiye... Hum kahan the? Haan Sultana. Usko bhi sab kuch dene wale the woh galti se. Aisa aksar hota hai unke saath. Aap jaise kaabil aur khoshyaar nahin hain na. Kaash hamari shaadi aap jaise kisi mehnati insaan se hui hoti, toh aaj hum kitne khush hote. Waise aapne socha hai? Shaadi ke baare mein? Yes, that. How did you know? Anyway leave it... Where was I? Yes Sultana. He was about to give her everything too by mistake. It happens to him often. He is not smart and capable like you. If only I had married someone as hardworking as you, I would have been so happy today. By the way have you thought about it? About marriage? "Gauri purposely put her hand on Omkara's shoulder then ran it slowly down his arm. His sleeves were rolled to the elbow, and as soon as their skin made contact both jumped at the ever present current between them.
Omkara was completely bewildered by what was happening to him. On the one had he was being thoroughly roasted by his wife, and on the other that same wife was setting him on fire with her subtle ministrations. Her hand was now rubbing up and down his exposed lower arm, hitting repeatedly against the kara he was wearing... wait... not his kara... not his arm. HIS wife was touching Dilpreet Singh's arm. She was complementing Dilpreet Singh and lamenting that she had not married someone like him, all while mocking Omkara. PossessiveKara reared his head. Enough of the slow game. He could not lose his Gauri to a man that didn't even exist.
Dropping the accent and readopting his own husky voice, Omkara grabbed his wife's hand halting her actions, then he stepped further into her personal space, and grabbing her shoulders, pulled her into him.
"Tumhara pati ek world famous artist hai Gauri - manne woh bohot hi bara aadmi hai. Woh chahe toh poore sheher ka kiraaya badh deh. Rehi business ki baat, toh main tumhe bataa doon Gauri-JII, ke tumse milne se pehle usne business mein haath bataana shuru kar diya tha aur bohot badhi deal bhi crack ki thi. Studies mein usse arts zyada pasand the isliye woh art school gaya tha aur log uske art ke piche marthe hain. Puri duniya Omkara Singh Oberoi ke piche bhaagthi hai, par woh sirf aur sirf TUMHARE piche dora aaya hai. Your husband is a world famous artist Gauri - means he is a very big man. If he wants he can pay the rent for the whole city. As far as business is concerned. then let me tell you, Gauri-JII, that before meeting you he had joined the family business and cracked a very big deal. He referred arts in studies, so he went to art school and people die for his artwork. The whole world runs after Omkara Singh Oberoi, but he only runs after YOU." Omkara grinned in anticipation of his big reveal. "Aur rahi meri shaadi ki baat. Meri shaadi ho chuki hai. Maine ek paagal chirraya se shaadi karli hai, par woh mujhse rooth kar apne maike aagayi hai. Usse manaane toh aana tha na. And as far as my marriage is concerned. I have already married. I have married a crazy chirraya, but she got angry and left me for her maternal house. I had to come and plactate her." Stepping back he began to unwind his pagdi, watching Gauri. Having expected her surprise, he was shocked when she merely raised an eyebrow.
"Toh akhir aap apni nautanki se thak gayye. Shukar hai, apke bure punjabi sher sunn sunn ke hum thak chuke the. So finally you got tired of your acting. I am thankful, I was tired of listening to your bad Punjabi poetry" Smugly Gauri lifted a hand to run her fingers through his unwinding locks. "Ab chai toh tandhi hogay aapki, toh kaane ka kuch sochein? Aapke pas baare paisen hain, na? Toh aaj sabko aap hi treat denge. Now your tea is cold, so do you want to eat something instead? You have lots of money, right? So today you will treat everybody."
With that Gauri made to walk off, but he held her in place.
"Tumhe baat nahin karni? Itna sab hogaya... Tumhe kuch discuss nahin karna? You don't want to talk? So much has happened... Don't you want to discuss it?" Omkara asked her carefully.
"Discuss karne ke liye poori zindagi abhi bhaki hai, OmkaraJi. Abhi toh humme ghar jaane ki tayari karni hai. Aap bhi na... ghar jamaaie banne ka iraada hai kya? We have our whole lives left to discuss, OmkaraJi. Right now we have to get ready to go home. You're too much... do you plan to live at your in-laws?" Tutting she pushed him out of her way.
Slowly an overpowering grin spread across Omkara's face. 'Dulhan hum le jayenge...' indeed. It looked like Gauri was the one taking her 'dulha' back home.
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