Sorry, guys. I know I was meant to be updating Changed this weekend, but Friday's episode got me so riled up I had to write up something amusing so I didn't vent my angst out on OSO in Changed - poor guy he's already on the hot seat as far as Gauri is concerned. Then I got a PM from our very own @_PrincessPooru_ - the Birthday Girl, so this one's for you, Happy Birthday! - even though by the time this is posted it will be Happy Belated Birthday!
This one is very lighthearted and has all the elements that combine to make RiKara the couple I love. For the very FIRST time I've tried to add...(gasp)... ROMANCE... so if it's too much or too little forgive me, please. Having said that I would really appreciate constructive criticism on the romance bit because it's a whole new ballgame for me.
Omkara
Omkara altered the position of the last petal and when he had it just perfect he stepped back. All the candles were ready to be lighted and the decorations completed to his artistic satisfaction. The A.C. had been kept on a compromised level, because Omkara knew Gauri got cold very easily, but he did not want to be sweating himself either. Tonight he would play the role of her blanket. The random thought sent a tingle of excitement through his body. The glass doors that allowed a full view into his bedroom had been thoroughly curtained, so none of his passing (incredibly nosey) family members would bear witness to their evening.
He had taken special care to inform Rudra not to come disturb them tonight, with an intentionally phrased threat that endangered his ability to exercise for the week. Of course Rudy was only too happy that Omkara was finally setting out to grant him his wish of a 'lambe baal wala chota O long-haired miniature O', and he advised his brother to get to work at eight pm sharp, before running off to dodge the slap that was aimed towards the back of his head. Omkara had even gone so far as to call Mishra and bribe him into ensuring Shivaay was not working tonight so that Anika Bhabhi was kept occupied with her own taadibaaz pati and did not come looking for his paagal chirraiya.
Luckily he was his Mother-in-law's favourite and she had immediately obliged his strange request for 'Bhaang Wale Ladoo' and sent them express from Bareilly, thanks to which his Choti Maa was in a deep slumber and could not come along on her crusade to stop consummation in the Oberoi Mansion. He had been busy persuading his mother that she needed to sleep early and not walk around the mansion tonight on her own personal missions, when Tej had swooped in and read his son's expression. Immediately, his (for once useful) father informed Jhanvi that they needed to attend a party tonight and the venue was quite far so they would stay in a hotel overnight. As Omkara made to leave the room - his mother busy complaining about Tej's lack of notice (what would Jhanvi wear?) -Tej grabbed his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Good luck." Flashing him his first grin in years, Om almost sprinted out of the room. Dadi always slept early and her room was at the other side of the mansion so no worries there, and his crazy wife had been allocated useless chores via phone since morning as a way to keep her overly inquisitive mind far away from his surprise plans.
After confirming no disruptions, Om set to work on giving his wife the Suhaag Raat they both deserved. During his short tenure as Dilpreet Singh, he had discovered much about his wife's preferences and had taken care to incorporate her colourful aesthetic with his own subtler style. Fairy lights adorned his bedroom, alongside fresh rose petals and perfumed candles. Everything was just perfect.
Now the only thing missing was his wife, Mrs Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi. He had asked her to get his downstairs studio cleaned hours ago, so she should be back by now. Hopefully, she would be dressed in the red sari he had instructed Rudra to give her, if only his not so smart brother did not forget. Gauri looked amazing in everything but red was the colour of passion and tonight would be full of it. Omkara loved his wife's saris, although he wished the backless blouses that often drove him to distraction would be kept reserved to the walls of this room, where only his eyes could see. It would have to be discussed, but at a later date. For now, where had she gotten to?
Gauri
Gauri was frustrated. (Not the sanskaari type of fustration, guys) The reason behind her frustation was her elusive husband. What was that Nandi Singh Oberoi thinking avoiding her all day? Had this been why he had so sweetly cajoled her into returning home with him? Had this been why he had spent the past month as Dilpreet in Bareilly? Just to ignore her and keep her busy in useless tasks. She knew that studio was little more than a store room, so why had that recently crowned dictator demanded it needed a thorough cleanse? Further adding to the torture, he had specified to the staff that she was not to do anything herself, but simply oversee their work. Sometimes she thinks he forgets that she was once his own personal servant - she was not used to letting others work as she relaxed.
Since their return to Oberoi Mansion three days ago, and even in the two days they spent in her house in Bareilly without the facade of Dilpreet, Omkara had been giving her special attention, refusing to let her out of his sight - even his brothers had noticed - , but suddenly today, he had become Mr India himself, whilst also giving her extra pointless jobs that had kept her from seeking him out all day. He had even gone so far as to cancel her movie night plans with Bhavya and Rudy Bhaiyya, as her Devar had just informed her. Poor Rudy Bhaiyya had been so disappointed, he was red-faced and shaking with suppressed tears as he informed her that OmkaraJi had threatened him bodily harm if he did not go to sleep on time. This Nandi! He did not need to be so strict on his little brother. On top of that he now had an issue with her entering his room in the clothes used while WATCHING others clean, and had told Rudy Bhaiyya to instruct her to change. As if! She accepted the package wrapped clothes anyway and promising to tell her husband off, Gauri left her brother-in-law's room.
OmkaraJi must be in a horrendous mood today if he was taking it out on them all, but what had caused this sudden change in temperament? The issue was that OmkaraJi never shared his inner most feelings with Gauri. In front of her he refrained from releasing his angst, which meant she could never help him. As Chulbul at least OmkaraJi expressed himself in front of her. The way he shared his pain with his best buddy was something that Gauri sorely missed - her husband was a quagmire of unresolved issues, ones that he never mentioned to her. Did he not realise that she was the same person he had been able to confide in? Had he forgotten how happy he had been to have someone to share his dilemmas with? OmkaraJi had always been willing to talk to Chulbul. He would tell Chulbul everything... He would tell Chulbul...everything...
Chulbul...Chul...bul...
Suddenly, a crazy idea came to Gauri. Grinning, she headed off to arrange for her clothes - anything could be found in this mansion by those who knew where to look.
Half an hour later, Chulbul entered OmkaraJi's bedroom to find it devoid of any light. Before he could find a light source, he found himself grabbed in a bone crushing hug from behind.
Omkara
Having grown accustomed to his wife's quiet footsteps, Omkara detected the exact moment she approached the door to the bedroom. With the lights already switched off, he got ready to surprise his little chirraya. Using all his stealth he came up behind her and grabbed her in tight hold, ready to begin their perfect evening... only, something felt weird...
The electricity that crackled between them whenever they came into contact was present as ever, but rather than feeling her direct flesh - which was always exposed in the loose dresses she wore, constantly testing his sanity these past few months -, he came into contact with bulky cloth... like a sweatshirt. His nose which should have been buried in her luscious locks was instead being scratched by harsh and cropped hair. For a terrifying moment he thought his crazy wife had chopped off her gorgeous hair, but then taking a deep breath he could not smell her natural scent. Thinking he had been horribly mistaken and was hugging the wrong person, Omkara tried to spring away, simultaneously twisting the mystery figure around to face him. As he moved to detach himself, a bundle of fairy lights came undone from the decoration on the ceiling and fell on top of the two. Omkara reached to yank the lights off and accidentally switched them on.
Omkara found himself looking into Chulbul's bespectacled eyes.
For a long moment he could only stare at imp he had not seen in months... what-the-hell?... Was he dreaming? Then Omkara recalled that his wife was crazy, and that nothing he dreamed up would ever be this convoluted, whereas she had a tendency to make such situations arise with ease and regularity in the real waking world.
"Gauri!!! Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai apna?!Gauri!!! What state have you made of yourself?!" Omkara was very annoyed, knowing that this paagal chirraya had spilled water on all his perfect plans. "Maine tumhare liye saari li, aur tum yeh pehen kar aagayi?! Dimaag kharaab hai kya tumhara?!I got you a saari, and you came wearing this?! Are you brain-damaged?"
Gauri could almost jump for joy. Already the overly polite OmkaraJi had disappeared and the man in front of her was not using his manners, but rather expressing himself. Patting herself on the back for remembering to raid her old servant quarters for the desi nuska that allowed her to disguise her voice, Gauri - sorry, Chulbul - replied, "Par OmkaraJi, hum saari kaise pehen sakte hain? Hum toh chirota hain, aur saari toh chiraaya pehenthi hai? Hai dayya! Humme toh soch kar bhi sharam aarahi hai.But OmkaraJi, how can I wear a saari? I am a boy, and saaris are worn by girls, right? Oh God! I am embarrassed just thinking of it."
Omkara jumped at the manly voice leaving his wife's mouth, but his anger at his failed plans fuelled him on.
"Kya bakwas kar rahi ho?! Yeh natak bandh karo, Gauri! What rubbish are you speaking? Stop this drama, Gauri!" Omkara began to struggle with the lights now entangling them both.
"Gauri? Kaun Gauri? Hum toh Chulbul hain. Chul-bul. Aapke best buddy. Gauri? Who Gauri? I am Chulbul. Chul-bul. Your best buddy."
Omkara looked incredulously at his wife. Now he was fuming. "Aaj hi ki raat mili thi tumhe apne dual role ko yaad karne ke liye?! Puri mehnath par paani pher diya tumne! Sab perfect tha, Gauri! Maine sab ko kisi na kisi bahane busy kar diya, thake koi humme disturb na kar payye - par bhool gayya tha mein ki meri biwi ka zyaada chaltha dimaag toh khud hi sab se baari disturbance hai! Ab aisi haalat mein romance kareinge hum?! Dress up karna hi tha, toh kam se kam ladki toh ban kar aati! Was tonight really the only night in which you could remember your dual role?! You spilled water on all my hard work! Everthing was perfect, Gauri! I had ensured everyone was busy in one thing or the other, so nobody would disturb us - but I forgot that my wife's overworking brain is the biggest disturbance in itself! Now will we romance with you in this state?! If you wanted to dress up, you could have at least come as a girl!"
Hearing his words and looking at the fairy lights that were the only source of illumination in the darkened room, Gauri began to realise that perhaps she had made a mistake. But why did OmkaraJi want to spend time with her in a dark room with just these meagre lights - was this a modern version of romance that Salman KhanJi had not yet covered in his pictures? Aisa kya romance jahan samne wala dikhe hi na? What romance was this where the opposite person could not be seen? Gauri knew OmkaraJi had a strange sense of what was fashionable - he was the artist in a family of already overly fashion-forward people -, so maybe this was just another one of his eccentricities. Whatever the reason she would have felt guilty for ruining his 'perfect' plans, had he not shouted at her. This Nandi, how was she to know that he had spent the whole day preparing to hug her in the dark and have fairy lights drop on them? Such romance could only come from the minds of truly troubled people.
"Ek toh humne aapki khaatir itni mehnat ki, aur aap hain ki hum hi ko sunaa rahe hain!I went to so much effort for your sake, and you are having a go at me?!" As she yelled her voice returned to normal and Gauri did not make the effort to put more beads into her mouth, her attention on her angry husband.
"Meri khaatir? Maine kaha ke tum wig aur ladko wale kapre pehen kar aao? Tumhare liye saari lyaa tha, woh kyun nahin pehni? For my sake? Did i tell you to come wearing a wig and boy's clothing? I got you a saari, why didn't you wear it?" Omkara was bewildered at how she possibly thought ruining their perfect evening would benefit him. "Gauri tumhe samajh bhi hai ke aaj ki raat hamare liye kitni zaroori thi?! Everything was perfect, par tumne sab barbaad kar diya!Gauri do you even understand how important tonight was for us?! Everything was perfect, but you ruined it all! Frustrated, he finally managed to untangle himself from the lights and fumbled to light the nearer candles as the main light switch was too far away.
As the numerous candles were lit Gauri found herself looking at all the effort her husband had put into decorating their room and understood what had kept him busy all day. All the indignant anger fled her as she realised he had done so much to please her, using her favourite colours and preferred lights. She was awed by what he had created, but with the pleasure of seeing such beauty came the guilt of ruining his perfect scenery by not turning up in the probably perfect saari he had intended for her. That must have been why Rudy Bhaiyya handed her the package and asked her to change as per OmkaraJi's instructions. He was going to make her his inspiration again. Gauri had never meant to spoil his surprise and she felt awful, so much so, that she burst into tears.
Omkara was shocked by the sudden waterworks, fully expecting Gauri to keep up her antics. "Hey...hey, don't cry Gauri. Ssh... sshh... I'm sorry. Ab main tumhe nahin daantoon ga.Now I won't scold you. Please don't cry."
"Hum-hum aapki daant ki wajah se nahin roh rahe - hum apni khud ki bewakoofi par roh rahe hain. Aapki itni khubsoorat taiyaari zayya kar di humne. Humme maaf kardo, OmkaraJi, hum bas aapka dard baatna chahthe the - aapko pareshaan karne ka koi iraada nahin tha hamara.I-I am not crying because you scolded me - I am crying at my own stupidness. I wasted all your beautiful preperation. Forgive me. Omkaraji, I just wanted to share your pain - I did not mean to upset you." Gauri sobbed as Omkara tried to console her through the fairy lights that still enveloped her.
As Dilpreet, Omkara had really gotten to see the selfless entity Gauri truly was and in doing so had discovered a lot about her atrangi thought process. She had just revealed she wanted to share his pain so his best guess was she felt he was not open with her the way he had been with Chulbul, and this had been her way of reminding him that they were one in the same - a fact he had come to realise was very true. Gauri was Omkara's best buddy - the only one outside his brothers whom he could trust blindly. His avoidance of her must have planted the idea that something was bothering him into her one track mind, and no doubt Rudy would have added flames to that particular fire - unknowingly or otherwise. Omkara felt horrible for yelling at her when she had only been thinking of him in her own unique way.
"Nahin, nahin. Main hi ghada hoon joh itni choti so baat par apne Nandi bhel wale sing nikaal raha tha. Par tum roh kyun rahi ho, paagal? Mujhe daanton, gussa karo, but don't cry. Main tumhari aankhon mein aansoon nahin dekh sakta, Gauri.No, no. I am the donkey that I got out my Nandi bull's horns for such a little thing. But why are you crying, crazy? Scold me, get angry at me, but don't cry. I cannot see tears in your eyes, Gauri." Omkara looked deeply into her eyes which, despite the thick glasses, he could see were shining with tears. He used his thumb to wipe a tear from her now damp cheek as she finally quieted.
"Aapne sach mein humme maaf kardiya, OmkaraJi? Humne aapka sur-surprise kharaab kardiya, phir bhi?Did you really forgive me, OmkaraJi? Even though I ruined your sur-surprise?" Gauri sniffled as she shrugged off his hands and began wiping away the remainder of her tears.
"Arre meri paagal chirraiya, surprise toh tumhare liye tha, issme maafi kahan se aayi?Hey my crazy chirraiya, the surprise was for you, so where does forgiveness come from?" Omkara smiled at her in an attempt to reassure her that he was not angry with her. He had vowed to himself that he would never be the cause of her tears again, but he was failing miserably. "Ab zid maat karo. Aao, main tumhari madat kar deta hoon. Hilna maat.Now don't be stubborn. Come, let me help you. Don't move."
Gauri obediently stood still as her husband began to slowly remove the strings of lights that entangled her. Omkara initially began with great focus to his task, wanting her out as swiftly as possible, but then he looked back at her face and a wicked idea entered his mind. His crazy wife had done her best to wreck the mood of his perfect romantic evening, but he was also Mr Gauri Kumari Sharma - thoda paagalpan aur zidd tho Omkara mein bhi hai- Omkara can be a bit crazy and stubborn too. However, he would never be able to focus on his task if that wig remained. Without any warning Omkara changed the course of his hands and swept the wig off her head, freeing her long locks. In the next moment he removed her spectacles and tossed both items aside. Gauri was confused by his sudden change in expression, but she kept still knowing Omkara would certainly get her out of this jam. He again picked up the end of the string of fairy lights and began to unwind the net around her, this time making her turn as he manoeuvred the lights, so her back now faced him. Omkara made quick work of the rest of the lights and Gauri was just about to step away from him when he extended his right arm to keep her in place - his front to her back. Omkara brushed aside the hair cloaking her neck and then wound both his hands around her to unzip her hoodie.
"Yeh aap kya kar rahe hain, OmkaraJi? Chodiye humein, What are you doing, OmkaraJi? Leave me," Gauri squirmed in his arms, feeling very exposed without a dupatta when her hoodie was unzipped. "Sharam aarahi hai humein... Chodiye...I am feeling shy... Leave me..."
"Mujhse kya sharam, Gauri? Pati hoon tumhara. Pati-Patni ke bheech kaisi sharam?What shyness from me, Gauri? I am your husband. What shyness between husband and wife?" Ignoring her feeble attempts to shrug him off, Omkara began to pull the hoodie down from her arms exposing the shirt she wore underneath. When it finally came loose, he tossed it aside, all his focus maintained on his wife. Holding her hair aside with one hand, he breathed against her now exposed neck then bent further to place a kiss on it. Gauri completely froze when his lips made contact with her flesh. What was OmkaraJi doing? Her nerves on fire, she attempted to reason with her husband.
"Aapne kaha ke aaj ki raat hamare liye bohot zaroori hai, OmkaraJi. Phir aap humme sataane mein waqt kyun zaaya kar rahe hain? Bohot kaam karna haina aapne? Chalo kaam shuru karte hain. Hum leht jaayein?You said tonight was very important for us, OmkaraJi. So why are you wasting time teasing me? You have a lot of work to do, right? Come on, let's get to work. Should I lie down?" OmkaraJi would need her to pose while he sketched her, surely.
Omkara was taken aback for the second time that night and released his wife. He had fully expected his naive chirraiya to demure, but here she was urging him to get to business. However, never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he swiftly recovered from his shock and took his wife up in his arms. Carrying her to the bed he mused that he had been daydreaming of removing her saari, pleat by pleat, but now he would have to make do with a slow unbuttoning of her man jeans. Another difference between the perfect night he had imagined and the one they had actually embarked on. Laying her down, he reached across her to switch of the main lights, thinking she would be shy in a full beam of light.
"Arre, aap baati kyun bhuja rahe hain? Aap humme dekhenge kaise?Hey, why are you putting out the lights? How will you see me?" Gauri lifted her head to question him.
This time Omkara could not overcome his shock. What boldness had overcome his wife? "Gauri main tho tumhari comfort ke liye bandh kar raha tha. Main tumhe dekhoon tho tumhe koi problem, nahin hain?Gauri I was closing them for your comfort. Do you not have any problem with me looking at you?"
"Problem kyun hogi humme, OmkaraJi? Agar aap humme dekhenge nahin, tho humara chitra kaise banayenge?Why would I have a problem, OmkaraJi? If you don't look at me how will you draw my picture?" Gauri was genuinely confused at his strangenous.
"Chitra? Picture kon bana raha hai yahan?Picture? Who is drawing a picture here?" Omkara could not understand what she was talking about... until suddenly he knew exactly what she was thinking. Gauri must have misunderstood that he had gone through all this effort to recreate her own evening of inspiration. Looking down at his beautiful wife, Omkara began to chuckle. Laying his head down on her stomach, he stretched out on their bed, roaring with laughter. Gauri had officially wrecked his perfect romantic night - but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Gauri kept shaking her husband, asking the reason behind his sudden hilarity, but he just continued laughing. Annoyed at being ignored, she made to rise from the bed, but he held her in place. Finally, he looked up at her, tears of laughter glistening on his cheeks. "Thank you Gauri. Thank you for being you. You've given me so much happiness. I love you so much. You've made my life perfect, even with your imperfect romance."
Gauri, who still struggled with a lot of English words despite her crash course, did not understand all his words, but knew he was speaking from his heart and that made his pronouncement perfect for her.
So the chirraiya and her chirota spent the night basking in the bliss of their hearts, while their bodies' needs remained unanswered, but only for now. (If you want to read about Rikara fulfilling both these needs simultaneously then Pooru has the perfect stories for you - steamy, steamy, steamy Rikara in PooruLand)
How was it guys? Drop a comment and let me know how much I suck at romance, or if you see some potential here. Once again Happy Late Birthday, Pooru!
Shiv Shakti
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