The next day morning.
Gauri saw Omkara staring at her when she did the tulsi pooja.
Gauri (in mind): why does he always stare at me like this when I do pooja? By the way, I have to check his wound, he wouldn’t even care about himself.
Gauri goes towards Omkara which shocks him, so he gets up from the ground and looks on.
Gauri: how do you feel now..?
Om was confused what she was talking about.
Om: about you? You look like an angel.
Om said dreamily while Gauri stared at him in disbelief. He internally cursed himself for letting out his words.
Gauri: did you change?
Gauri asked with much concern on her face. Omkara, who thought she was referring to his behaiviour said,
Om: Of course I did Gauri.
Gauri looks at the bandaid and realises it’s the same as the day before’s.
Gauri: why are you lying?
Om: You know I don’t lie Gauri, I’m telling you the truth.
Gauri: that’s what even I thought, that you don’t lie. But look at you lying for this.
Om: Gauri please believe me
Gauri: no I won’t. I can clearly see you’re lying.
Om: what should I do to prove to you that I’m not lying?
Gauri (in mind): how will he prove that he changed the bandage when he hasn’t?
Gauri: you don’t have to lie about this, come with me.
Omkara was now genuinely confused. Why did she ask him to go with her? Gauri could see the confusion on his face and his confusion made her confused. Why was he staring at her like that?
Gauri: Aap agar yahi kade rahenge, tho kya bandage khud change hone ke liye aapke paas chal ke ayega?
(If you stay here, will bandage walk and come to change itself?)
Omkara stared blankly at her, taking a few seconds to process that she had been referring to the bandage and not his behaviour. He mentally slapped himself for being so stupid and then obediently followed Gauri to her place. She quickly changed his bandage and left him outside her door.
Gauri: woh..about yesterday…I accept your friendship.
Before Omkara could say or do something she closed the door on his face, but he was too happy that he found himself racing towards his room to inform his brothers and bhabhi that Gauri had accepted to be his friend!
In the next few days, Omkara tried his best to help Gauri with all the wedding preparations of Gopal’s sister. Although Gauri refused his help at first, she let him help her later on. The rest of the young Oberois couldn’t be stopped back in mumbai any longer either. Anika and Rudra thought that it would take a whole century for Om to finally bring back Gauri, so they decided it was finally time for the young Oberois to step into action. ‘Mission unite Rikara’ they had named it.
It was Gopal’s sister’s sangeeth ceremony when the Oberois had come. Although Om never got to know their intentions, he couldn’t convince them to return.
Rudra to Anika: bhabhi, why are we Oberois so late at realising things? We never bother about it when we have it and then one day when we loose it, we realise it’s value and then we have to put in so much effort to get everything back. Only if O had some logic, we wouldn’t have to stay here with all these mosquitoes.
Rudra complained one morning.
Anika: Now what can we do, if Oberoi’s brains work so slow?
Shivaay clears his throat to show his presence: rudra, don’t forget you’re an oberoi too.
Anika: but better than you, at least he has some logic.
Shivaay: that’s stupidity, not logic.
Anika: what wrong did he say? Whatever he said was entirely true. Tell me shivaay, how much long did it take you to forget your tadi(attitude) and confess your love?
Shivaay: um… that..I..
Anika: tumhe pata hain ki oberoi love story kaise banthi hain Rudra?
(Rudra, you know how oberoi love stories are formed?)
Anika said, turning her attention to her devar who looked at her curiously.
Rudra: kaise?
(How?)
Anika: pehle todphod, phir tashan, tadi, nafrat, balti bar bar ke galat faimiya, phir kuch kuch hona, par nahi, tadi ke vajah se kuch bolenge hi nahi, phir balti bar bar ke galat bathe keh dena, phir ladki root ke chali jaathi hain, phir ake humare pyaare oberoi ko apni pyaar ki realisation hoti hain, phir peeche pad jaathe hain maafi mangne.
(First breakage, then hit off, ego, hatred, a lot of misunderstandings, then some feelings take place, but no, your ego won’t let you confess, then you say all the wrong things, then the girl goes away and love realisation happens. Then, you go behind her for forgiveness)
Shivaay looks on in disbelief while Anika shoots him a glare and then pleadingly turns to Rudra.
Anika: main tumse haath jodke keh rahi hoon tum please aapne bhaiyon ki tarah mat bana, please inki tarah pyaar ko har bar return ticket deke mat bejna. Yeh mat sochna ki yeh toh parampara hain, main kaise ise tod sakta hoon? Kamse kam tum apna tadi side pe rakh ke dil ki sunna. Shivaay ka toh phir bhi tik tha, woh toh hamesha se sadu singh oberoi the, par Om? Apne sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha Om ka yeh din dekhna padega.
(I’m requesting you not to become like your brothers, please don’t send love away from yourself each time it comes. Don’t think it’s a family tradition how can I break it ? Atleast you should keep your ego aside and listen to your heart. Shivaay was a gone case, he was always arrogant. But Om? Not even in my dreams did I ever think I’ll have to see this day.)
Rudra thinks about Bhavya while Shivaay stands surprised.
She just insulted the oberois yet why do I agree so much to her points? Why does her words make so much sense?
Shivaay thought to himself.
Rudra: you’re right bhabhi, I should learn from their mistakes. Aur phad mein jaaye parampara, mujhe nahi banna aur macharon ka shikar. Main apniwali ko jane nahi dunga.
(To hell with traditions, I don’t want to become the prey of these mosquitoes again. I wont let my girl go away)
A minute later, Rudra got back to his senses. Anika and Shivaay hadn’t missed what Rudra had said but before they could ask about it, Rudra called in the plan.
Rudra: focus. We didnt come here to point out how stupid oberois are when it comes to love. I know we’re stupid but let’s try to clean the mess O has created.
Bhavya too joined them: exactly.
Rudra: mission unite rikara.
Anika: don’t worry, I have everything planned. In today’s function, everything will be set.
Shivaay: what’s the plan then?
Anika: ab mera plan hai toh khidkitod hi hogi nah!
(If it’s my plan, then it’ll be amazing right)
Shivaay(mutters): that’s what I’m afraid of.
Anika: kuch kaha aapne?(Did you say something?)
Shivaay: nahi, tum plan batao (no, you tell the plan)
Anika tells her plan making Shivaay shocked while Rudra and Bhavya look on surprised.
Both Shivaay and Rudra speak at the same time.
Shivaay: no
Rudra: yes
Shivaay: it’s too risky, you know what happened to us when we did that right?
Rudra: what if it works for them?
Bhavya: it’s a 50-50 chance.
Anika: Shivaay, I think it’ll work, this way we’ll get to know what’s really in her heart.
Omkara: whose heart bhabhi?
Anika: arreyy, ga-
Before she could complete her sentence she realised that it was Om. The four of them had been so into their discussion that they hadn’t noticed Omkara had walked into the room. They look on shocked at a confused Omkara.
Everyone tries to come up with a perfect excuse to cover up but can’t think of anything, finally Rudra speaks.
Rudra: arrey O, actually Bhavya felt Siya was getting married against her will so bhabhi said we should ask her what’s in her heart, since tonight is the marriage.
[Siya is Gopal’s sister]
Bhavya nods absently and then realises the meaning of his words. Shocked, she glares at him for trapping her.
Omkara: there’s nothing like that, if it was like that, Gauri would’ve known by now.
At night after the function.
Gauri was too tired to work any more, today was the marriage after all. She had wrapped up everything along with the other helpers and was heading back to her room. The function had started beautifully and ended with tears for the bidai. During all the functions, Gauri couldn’t help but think of her dreams as a girl, about her own wedding. She never got the chance to do anything, forget the functions, she didn’t even know if her marriage even had a chance to last.
She had asked Anika and Bhavya to stay in her room ever since they had come, since Om’s room couldn’t accommodate everyone. So, as Gauri walked into the room, she found Anika waiting for her. Seeing Gauri, she quickly for up and handed her a glass of juice.
Anika: you look very tired, drink this and all your tiredness will vanish.
Gauri: but bhaujai, what was the need-
But before Gauri could complete her words, Anika widened her eyes and Gauri obediently drank the juice.
Anika: that’s my girl.
Anika (in mind): sorry Gauri for mixing the bhaang in your drink but I want to know what’s in your heart. Please forgive me.
Anika showed a big thumbs up to Bhavya who was standing behind the shelf and Bhavya informed Shivaay and Rudra.
Bhavya: part A of plan accomplished. Now time to execute part B.
Soon the bhaang started to have an effect on Gauri and she held her head to stop it from spinning.
Gauri: bhaujai, my head is spinning…
Anika on phone: Om, please come here fast
Om: what happened bhabhi?
Anika: Gauri is not feeling well.
Om: I’m coming now!
And like how he said, he was at their door the very second he cut the call. Bhavya quickly opened the door and let Om in.
Om: what happened to Gauri?
Anika: you see
Anika showed him towards Gauri and quickly left with Bhavya. Before Om could say anything, they had vanished. He turned his attention back to the Gauri who was sitting on her bed looking curiously at him.
Om: Gauri…are you ok?
Gauri: ok? Humara naam Gauri hain, ok nahi. (My name is Gauri not ok)
Om thinks: what’s happened to her?
Gauri: you’re Omkaraji right? Why did you come here now? Where were you when I wanted you?
Om stood confused
Gauri: and why are there so many you? Answer me!
Gauri got up from her bed and came towards him, but because of the bhaang she slipped and was about to fall but Om held her.
Milke Tumse Khush Hun Lekin
Dil Hai Phir Bhi Uljha Uljha
Door kar De Paas Laakar
Kal Humein Na Koi Lamhaa
Pad Jaye Na
Dil Pe Kahi Gam Ka Nishan
O Saathiya
Pad Jaye Na
Dil Pe Kahi Gam Ka Nishan
O Saathiya
Saathiya Saathiya
Saathiya Saathiya
Saathiya Saathiya
Saathiya Saathiya…
Om realised that she was drunk by the way of her talking.
Om: are you drunk Gauri?
Gauri: cheee I dont have such bad habits, I dont drink.
Gauri said, frowning. Although she tried to make a digusted look on her face, Om couldn’t help but chuckle at her cuteness.
Gauri: why are you not leaving me even though you don’t like me?
Om was too surprised by her questions. He just made her stand properly and then made her sit on the bed.
Gauri pulls open his perfectly tied man bun. Om looks on surprised by her act.
Gauri: keep your hair open, it suits you better.
She said dreamily. And then almost suddenly jerked off.
Gauri: Omkaraji, tell me why did you come? Was it just for my forgiveness?
Tears streamed down Gauri’s face, Om couldn’t bear it anymore. He was now rethinking his thoughts of taking her back with him. He questioned if he actually deserved her as a life partner. Yes, the Om who was calm and talked of feelings and love deserved her but not the monster he had turned into. And it made him question if he should just return and let her live her life.
Gauri: why is my fate so bad? I have no one.
Om: Gauri stop crying, I’m here with you.
Gauri: you’ll leave me again. Like how you always do. you married me and left me. You left me again when you got to know I was Gauri not chulbul, you left me with that kaali! You misunderstood me, hated me, insulted me, pointed a finger at my character! You’ll leave me again right?
Om was too shocked to respond. She was right, he had always left her, misunderstood her, did everything he shouldn’t have. Did he even deserve her?
Nooooo you dont! his brain screamed.
Gauri: and still I can’t stop loving you! Even when I know you can never be mine! Why is my fate playing twisted games with me? Why always me? I don’t want to run anymore.
Om was shocked. It felt like time had stopped for him. As if every moving thing had stopped listening to her words. She just confessed that she loved him. How? How was she so good? So pure? How could she love a monster like him? Why was she so good? In that moment he thought she deserves someone way better than him, that he was always just reason for her pain. It seemed like each of her words made him even more guilty. How could he even think of having her back?
Gauri: when I think of a life without you, I feel like I’ll die. I can’t live without you but you’re not mine right? You don’t consider this relation. How can I still want you? I wish this wasn’t so complicated. I wish we could have been together away from all this mess and misunderstanding. I wish my fate wasn’t so bad.
Om: but Gauri, I want to be with you
He blurted out without realizing.
Gauri: what? how? I mean why? You don’t love me then why would you want to be with me?
Om was too shocked. She wanted to be with him. He had to confess his feelings but not like this. Not when he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t remember anything the next day. Not when he wasn’t sure if that’s the right thing to do.
Om: that’s not true Gauri
Gauri: why are you so difficult to understand? When I look into your eyes, I feel like you want to say a lot but you never say what you should, you always end up saying the wrong thing.
Om: I will tell you everything Gauri, but not like this. Please sleep right now. We’ll talk tomorrow ok?
Gauri: what did you come back for?
Om: you. I came back for you
Gauri: why?
Om: because I- because you should sleep now.
Gauri: today I won’t sleep without knowing what you think. Tell me Omkaraji, what am I to you?
For a whole minute Om was trying to calm down the war that had taken place inside himself, his brain and his heart were at odds.
Tell her you love her, you fool. His heart screamed.
No you don’t deserve her, you’re a monster. His brain countered
She loves you! She has to know!
You’re just giving her more pain, she’ll never be happy with you!
She can decide for herself. His heart finally said and Omkara decided to go with it. After all, his brain had only hurt Gauri. Had he chose to belive his heart, he would’ve never misunderstood her in the first place. Maybe his heart could give her some peace?
Gauri: please listen to your heart….please tell me the truth. Don’t go on and just be silent.
As if knowing his internal battle, Gauri spoke. Omkara couldn’t help but wonder how she could read him so well.
Mustering all his courage And taking a deep breath, Om asked
Om: why do you love me Gauri? How can you love a monster like me?
Gauri: I don’t know, I just know that without you life is miserable. When I look into your eyes, they feel lost. I know you’re not a bad person, I’ve seen your goodness. I don’t know how it happened but I know I can never love anyone else like I love you.
There it goes. She just confessed how important he was to her. Now if he left her again, wouldn’t that be the worst thing he would be doing to both her and him?
Om: you’re the colors that make my life colorful Gauri. I promise I’ll tell you everything I feel about you. But not like this. Tomorrow. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow ok?
Gauri: but-
Om: I promise. I promise I’ll tell you everything that’s there in my heart. I promise I’ll answer all your questions.
Gauri looks on and then nods
Gauri: Please don’t leave me again. This time please tell me the truth ok?
Om: I promise I won’t leave you again and I’ll tell you the truth. Now you should sleep.
And then Om made her lay down on the bed and was about to go.
Gauri: please rukh jaayiye na.
(Please stay)
Gauri asked with puppy eyes and Omkara couldn’t help but admire her innocence and cuteness. Why did he take so much time to realise her importance? How he wished he had met her when he was the old Om and not SSO 2.0. He smiled a little and stayed by her side, holding into her hand.
This wasn’t about if he deserved anything or not. She has the right to know what he feels. She had the right to think for herself. He was not going to go without telling her everything, that would be the biggest mistake ever. Om thought...
To be continued…
********
So how was the update? It wasn’t exactly as good as I planned but ok..