PROMPT :
One accident- 4 people- 2 deaths- what happened and what remains ahead?
WORDS :
1350
GENRE :
Horror
COUPLE :
RiKara
*_*_*_*_*
Memories are the hardest things to live with, because it keeps telling you how beautiful your life was and how better it could have been if not for the few consequences of your choices. Omkara stood alone in the balcony with memories of the best time of live, the time he enjoyed with his wife, Gauri.
"Omkaraji. She heard the soft tone of his wife call him from behind.
Omkara looked at his young wife with pain in his heart. God forbid if he lets his worry show in his face. Omkara walked towards her not paying attention to her un-kept hair, pale skin, thin appearance and dark circles under her eyes.
"Are you worried because of me? Gauri asked once her husband put his arms around her shoulder and bought her closer.
"I am not. He said kissing the top of her head. "I am only worried for you.
Gauri lifted her head and looked at him. Her mirthful eyes that once held love and mischief, now held hint of sorrow and fear. Omkara was once again embraced by memories of how he saw this beautiful woman stand eye to eye and challenge him. How he fell for her never give up attitude and happy go lucky style. How he married her going against his parents' wishes with the help of his brothers. How they built a wonderful life for themselves in the one year of their marriage before the fateful incident happened. Yes, not all memories are pleasing. The moonless sky, chill wind, dead silence, screeching car tyres and shrill cries still gave him nightmares.
"Is it all because I didn't listen to you that day and insisted on driving?
No, Omkara was not ready to go back to that conversation. He was tired of Whys and What Ifs. It was time for answers and solutions.
"Gauri. he uttered her name in the tone of reprimand. "Don't over think all this. You have to rest. He said
Gauri wanted to protest, she wanted to tell him her decision. Decision of freeing him from her burden, but Omkara stopped her by placing a finger on her lips. "Rest, Gauri. he said. "That is what you need now.
Lifting her bridal style, Omkara placed her on the bed and covered her with the duvet. He smiled at her and cupped her cheek. "Just a small nap. I will wake you up with hot pasta and chocolate shake. He said. Gauri nodded like an obedient school kid, before closing her eyes clutching the duvet close to her chest.
Omkara made a quick call, before changing his clothes and picking up the file he was given to read a week ago, a file that contained clues to answers for his question.
Bedroom door was knocked just when Omkara was ready to leave. He already knew who it was.
"Bhabhi. He greeted Annika with a nod.
"How is she?' asked Annika entering the room.
"Better bhabhi. She is sleeping now. He said. "I am going to meet Shivay, can you...
"I will. Said Annika even before Omkara could complete his request. Omkara smiled at his sister in law gratefully. What would have happened to him if not for the support of his brothers and their wives?
*_*_*_*
Shivay closed the file that was handed over to him after reading and looked at his brother. They didn't want words between them to know what the other was thinking. So, one nod from Omkara conveyed to Shivay what his younger brother wanted.
"So, you are convinced. Said Shivay more of statement than question.
"If this is last option then I am willing to try.
"Do you think we have exhausted all other options? asked Shivay
"We have met the best doctors around the world, taken all sorts of tests and medicines, and attended all types of counselling. I guess this is our only hope.
Rudra was not as subtle as Shivay with his expression. Knowing the younger Oberoi, one would think he will be willing to experiment something out of the box.
"Ridiculous!! Exclaimed Rudra. "Bhabhi is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. She needs peace of mind, not this.
"Rudra, we have tried all that. I think we should... Omkara was stopped mid sentence by the look of displeasure Rudra threw at him
"So? Now you are telling me Gauri bhabhi is possessed?
Silence filled one of the biggest conference rooms of Oberoi Industries and the brothers could hear nothing but each other's heartbeats.
"Rudra, this might seem silly to you. How can an educated man believe in ghosts and spirits and let a pandit see his wife to free her from spirits? But trust me a man in love understands no rationality. I have seen with my own eyes how Gauri suffers after the accident. Even I was certain that it was just trauma of the accident. But, have you seen her behaviour? Her cries and howls are abnormal. She behaves differently at times and speaks a completely different language. She keeps calling herself, Madhumati. Now, I am done thinking that my wife addressing herself as the death victim of that fatal car accident is co incidence. "
Shivay was more than aware of the incident. First call Omkara made just from the site of accident was to Shivay. Gauri has just learnt to drive and she wanted to practice driving. It was too late after the party and both were sober, so Omkara didn't have a reason to stop his wife. When Shivay reached the place, he was informed that Mr and Mrs. Oberoi suffered only minor injury, however a lady who was crossing the road was admitted in the hospital. Three days later, they were informed that the lady passed away. Money, name and power played hand in hand and Shivay had no guilt in saving a family member by closing the case. However, troubles started soon. Gauri became quiet and distant. Initially, it was thought that it was due to the fact that she was sad and guilty until one day she became hysterical calling herself as Madhumati and demanding to get back what she lost. No modern science and medical help cured her. So, Omkara did some homework and now was with the mind to leave things in hands of religion and God.
Shivay would have been against it if he had himself not seen plight of Gauri in more than few occasions and they are with no improvement even after six months of that incident. Like a husband ready to go to any extent to cure his wife, Shivay as a brother was ready to help cure the woman he has come to love as a sister.
*_*_*_*
Annika was the bravest of the lot present in the living room that day. She was long before taught by her sister in law that once God is involved we have nothing to fear. So, she sat beside Gauri holding her hand while the pandit chanted mantras. Gauri's whole body began to turn cold before it began to shake vigorously. It took three strong Oberoi brothers to stop Gauri, rather the one inside Gauri, from running away.
"What do you want? asked the pandit in a voice that no one knew he was capable of
"I want what I lost that day.
"What is that?
"My baby.
*_*_*_*
Gauri was sleeping on the bed with her head on Annika's lap. Rudra and Omkara were waiting patiently for Shivay to finish the call.
Once Shivay entered the room with a straight face, all eyes turned to him curiously.
"It is after all not one life that was lost that day. Shivay said. "The lady was apparently pregnant.
Shivay didn't give time for his family to question on his revelations for he dropped another bomb of truth.
"And... he said. "She didn't die because of internal injury. She had a heart attack something the doctor swears that the accident could not have caused.
Dread filled the Oberois as they heard Gauri, still eyes closed and body relaxed, tell, "He caused it.
*_*_*_*
Edited by Ms.Lizzie - 7 years ago
CID
