Pov ends.
Om's Pov
We fell on the couch; I fell on top of her. Although I was known by myself to keep distance from girls, I felt something amazing in that proximity. Unknowingly, my face moved closer to hers as if to kiss her, when she saw it. She pushed me aside and I fell on the floor, as I was on top of her. She quickly got up from the couch, didn't even look at me, and went towards it.
Pov ends
"These are beautiful, did you make these?" Gauri had seen paintings in Om's room when he was on top of her. The room was filled with paintings, beautiful sceneries, each and every painting depicting a story, describing Om.
"Why do you think I made them?" Om asked Gauri surprisingly. Gauri was busy looking at paintings; she moved her hand along the canvas as if she were feeling them.
"I just, it feels like you are a part of them." Gauri replied not looking at Om.
Om was shocked to hear this. He was the artist behind these paintings, anybody who saw these paintings used to think he was fond of collecting them. How did she know? He thought to himself.
After seeing the artwork, Gauri came to Om and sat beside him.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked very calmly.
"Sure." Om said looking at his work.
"Ok, what happened? I mean if you are the painter behind this then why is your life so plain." She said pointing towards the plain white living room.
"You are an artist Om; you understand colors better than anyone, in life or in a painting. Then what happened that you no longer live among them (colors)?" she asked trying to understand.
Om just faintly smiled to her question, and looked at her.
"I am sorry, if I have cut open an old wound, or a Pandora's Box you don't want to talk about, I completely understand." Gauri said thinking she crossed a line.
Om was happy to hear this and said
"It is not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that I haven't told myself why I stopped painting."
He then sighed and started his story.
"I come from a big joint family, me, my brothers, two sisters, mom, dad, dadi, chote papa, choti ma. We all live together. A few months ago my father did something I am not very proud of. For many years we knew he had a mistress of his, it was not an affair, just mistress. The whole family knew about it including my mother, but no one did anything. About 6 months ago, he tried to make my mother sign divorce paper. When she refused for family matters, he tried to harm her. He kept torturing her mentally, into divorcing. My mother was tired of all this and tried suicide, but failed. Seeing all this, my dadi, kicked my father out and everyone in the family stood by my mother. After doing this he turned my girlfriend on his side. He tried to make me sign papers of my property to him with the help of my girlfriend; and when I didn't do that he burned my paintings. So I left that hell hole of a place and came here for work. After that I never picked up my brush and this door was closed ever since I moved here until now."
Gauri had had an idea that there was something hidden with Omkara, but not that it was so deep and dark.
"I am so sorry. I shouldn't have asked, it's not nice to remind someone of their bad times." Gauri said in remorse.
"No, actually, thank you. Till now I hadn't faced the truth completely either." Om told Gauri.
"You are scared. You are scared to pick up your brush and fill your life and canvas with colors again." Gauri said looking directly into Om's eyes, as if she could see right through him.
Om's Pov
How does she understand me so well? She speaks to me in ways nobody has ever spoken, as if she understands me like nobody else. She is definitely a very special person.
Pov ends.
Om thought this and smiled.
"Wow, look at the time! It's 9:15. I am going to be late." Om said this after checking his flour covered watch, and then left the room.
"You and me Om, You and me!" She said, after checking the time
Gauri gave one glance of the room before she came out of it.
They then had breakfast, cleaned the place and Gauri returned to her apartment to change clothes.
EVENING:
Gauri had come home after 3 long surgeries, she was now very much tired.
She freshened up and changed into comfortable t-shirt, pants and put on a cardigan.
She then texted Om
'Hey, you home?'
O: 'yes, hungry?'
G: 'Yes actually, had a long day. When can I come over? I have brought the chicken.'
O: 'You can come over now, it's alright.'
G: 'Ok, be there in 5'
Saying this she kept her phone, took out the chicken from the refrigerator and went across the lobby to his place.
They cooked grilled barbeque chicken, and some veggies along- side.
Om's Pov
She looked tired today, she did not even talk that much otherwise she is a chirpy person. I went in the pantry and took out a wine bottle.
I poured two glasses and gave one to her.
We talked for some time. She was sitting across the kitchen island on the dining table for two. After sometime, she got up from there and came behind the kitchen island where I was cooking.
"I have been sitting for a long time now, let me help you." She said keeping the wine glass on the island.
"no it's alright, you are tired today. Just watch and learn no need to demonstrate." I said with a chuckle.
She quickly agreed unlike other times where he would have argued with me. She then leaned back on the kitchen platform, and watched me cook. For some reason I enjoyed her gaze on me.
Om's Pov ends
After cooking the chicken and serving nicely, Gauri refilled their glasses and set their table.
Gauri clicked a photo of him sitting in front of her with the chicken and wine. She enjoyed her view.
Later, Om noticed Gauri was pressing her neck. Om gave her a balm and asked her to rest. As friends they had become close and took care of each other.
A FEW MONTHS LATER:
It was December now, Gauri had decided that she will make Om start with the paintings again. But in these few months, neither she nor Om had got any time to spend together. They hardly met at breakfast now as she had to leave early sometimes.
One evening when Gauri went to Om's apartment
"I got some flowers in the hospital today from a patient; I already had these in my vase so I got them for you." She said keeping the colorful tulips in a complete white living room.
"Let's start filling color in your life Om." She thought and smiled to herself.
Om faintly smiled at her seeing her keep the flowers in the vase.
They had dinner and ended the day.
NEXT DAY:
Om's pov:
I had just come back from office today. Unlike other evenings I was early home today. I changed my clothes and went to drink water. Just then I heard rattling of my door knob, somebody was trying to break in. I decided to wait and see who I was. Although I was strong and muscular enough to handle the 'break-in person' I took a knife in my hand.
The door quickly swung open and I was about to attack when my hands stopped.
Pov ends
"Ahhh!" shouted the woman.
