Ishqbaaz – Rikara Trust 52

O(Thinking): That voice… I heard it somewhere but where?

He looks up and sees the biggest surprise of his life.

O: Gauri!!

Gauri was sitting on the chair with her legs crossed and Ritik by her side. Just like queen sitting in her throne.

G: Sorry, I am Kesha. Kesha Malhotra. I am sorry that I could not meet you earlier.

O: Gauri, stop lying. I met Kesha.

G (Gets up from chair): I AM KESHA!! YOU WILL CALL ME KESHA! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Also, I do not prefer showing my face to media so I used my secretary, Maya, as my representative. She acts like Kesha but I am the brains that tells her everything.

Maya comes out and smiles at Kesha.

O: But, how did you survive? I saw your body and we performed your last rites.

G: Shivaye did, not you. I do not have time all day to explain to you. Now can you paint our portrait?

O: I am not painting a picture of a manipulative liar like you. Ritik, she is probably after your money as well. Do not trust her.

G: Omkara Singh Oberoi, mind your language!! This is my empire and Ritik is my boyfriend (Gauri holds his hands) . We can decide how to move forward.

O(Thinking): This is the first time she screamed at me like this. (Om looks at Gauri and Ritik). So, Gauri owns all of this. How can Gauri move on like this? She is holding another man’ s hand and she is not even hesitant.

G (Authoritatively): You will paint our picture. You have already accepted the payment so now you have to. That is the primary reason why I gave you cash instead of a cheque. You can easily rip up a cheque but not cash.

Om takes the money and goes up to her. He puts the money on the chair.

O: I do not need your money. Do you understand?

G(Smiles): The great Artkara promises that he will paint a picture of the Kesha Malhotra but then backs down at the very last minute. Imagine media figuring about this. They will destroy your image in a heartbeat. No one wants to hire a person who is not dependable. (Gauri takes the money and puts it beside his canvass.)

Om goes back his canvass and picks up his paintbrush.

O: Ritik, please sit on the chair and Gauri can sit on his lap. (Whispering) This is what she has been doing in the past as a living so she will love to do that.

As soon as Om finishes the sentence, Gauri’s eyes turn red in anger and looks like she is going to rip him apart. Then she talks a deep breathe and calms down. She snaps at him to get his attention and Om looks at her.

G: Here, I, Kesha, makes the final decision. I do not like listening to advice. I will sit here, Ritik will stand beside me and you will paint our picture. Now, Ritik, put you hands on my shoulder. This picture needs to show that we are such a perfect couple.

O(Thinking): How can she do this? She has changed so much and this is all because of me.

O: Can you guys atleast smile?

Ritik smiles but Gauri does not.

G: l lost my smile a long time. Now, I only smile if I see someone in pain. If you want me to smile, then I have to make you suffer. Do you want me to do that?

Om just looks at her and continues to paint.

All these questions were floating in his head as she was painting.

O(Thinking): How did she survive? How did she create this empire and what is Ritik’s position in her life?

Throughout the entire time, Gauri did not smile at all. All she did is look at him as if she is trying to rip through his heart and devour it. She looked like a devil looking for her next prey.

O: The painting is done. (Gauri walks to Om with a bundle of money. She looks at him and slaps him with the bundle of money.) (FLASHBACK TO WHEN OM SLAPPED GAURI WITH MONEY)

G (Smiling): Here, take it. I never expected you to paint this for me. Looks like I know how to pull the right strings.

Om looks at her angrily.

G: What are you going to do? Slap me? Do it and it will directly reflect back to your family. Do not mess with me. (Gauri looks at the painting.) This is incomplete. (Om looks at Gauri confused.)

O: What do you mean? You are in the picture and… he is in it so what else you need?

G: Your signature. You need to sign it so everyone knows the Omkara Singh Oberoi painted it. (Whispering) Do not worry, I will not tell anyone that you painted your ex-wife and her boyfriend’s picture. I am ashamed to call you my ex-husband.

Om picks up the paint brush.

G: Wait, can you write draw a heart on the side. In it write Gauri + Ritik and then put your signature?

Om looks at her and does what she says. Gauri just smiles at him. First Om write Gauri but then his hands shake when he writes Ritik. And, then he finishes it with his signature. Gauri smiles at him.

G: Good. Maya, put this in my room. Do not touch it. The paint is still wet and then I have to call him again. I do not want to see his face again unless I am the reason he is suffering. Thank you, Omkara. I promise you that this is not our last meeting. We will definitely meet again.

Om walks out of the room and sits in his car. Gauri goes to the balcony and looks at him.

O (Thinking): Well played, Gauri. I will remove this façade and make you mine again. My Gauri.

G (Thinking): The game has just started. I will make you realize your mistakes. Your punishment: No matter what happens I will never be yours.

R: Gauri, what is your next plan? You met him at the party and now at your house. I will always be by your side and so tell me what you need.

G: The Oberoi…

Guys, I am tired of CV creating such complex male personalities and weak female personalities. They also focus on the male development as the story progress. We have seen a darker side of Om and now it is time to see a darker side of Gauri.