Something very like panic sent chilling tentacles through Omkara's spine as he hung up the phone call.
He had made a mistake, a serious mistake, by leaving Gauri. He should have listened to his heart and simply cancelled the trip
Now he had to pray that he had sufficient time and the opportunity to put it right. And if he didn't?
Good lord, that option could not even be considered!
Gauri walked down the steps of the mandir after spending an hour there with her family doing some pre wedding poojas
She had gone over to find some peace and had terribly failed as her mind kept going back to what she had come to know yesterday
She stopped on the stairs as she saw Omkara get down from the car.
"Heyy. Isn't that Omkara?? " Richa asked
"He was supposed to return next week. He is a stickler for schedules" Gauri said confused
"Seems like you bridegroom missed you more than you know as he is here now" he mother said teasingly
Sheathed in a dark business suit teamed with a white shirt and silvery tie, he looked both formal and formidable. His lean, handsome face was taut, the line of his beautiful mouth forbidding. A jolt of dismay ran through Gauri and quite instinctively she found herself wondering if she had done something wrong.
Ava flew down the stairs without heeding to any warnings and launched herself into her dada's arms
As they reached down the stairs his dark chocolate eyes immediately sought hers as though he was looking for something and then he quickly turned his attention on to the other family members.
To a backdrop of Advi's squeals of excitement and loud vocal appeals to be noticed, Omkara responded smoothly and pleasantly to her family's greetings before taking swaying Advi from Aditya
"Hush" he said softly to his son while ruffling his hair. "You can't always be the centre of attention."
"Well, when he isn't he likes to let us know he doesn't like it!" her father quipped cheerfully. "He's a terrific little scene stealer."
"Let me take him" Gauri's mother urged, holding out her arms. "You and Gauri should have some time together in peace.We have a little more shopping to do too"
Advi complained loudly at the transfer, demanded Gauri with pleading arms and then sobbed.
"It's okay ma. Give him to me" Gauri said raising her arms to pick up a crying Advi but Omkara caught hold of her arms before she could reach Advi
"No!! Let him go with your parents. We need to talk" Omkara said
All her nervous antennae were telling her that something was badly wrong. His long, lean, powerful body was incredibly tense, his movements less fluid than usual and his lean, strong face taut with tension
Oh, my goodness, she thought in sudden fear. Maybe he had returned early because he had changed his mind about marrying her!
It was a nightmare scenario with the wedding guests all invited and preparations almost done, but it was perfectly possible that he had got cold feet and come back early to tell her.
After all he was a commitment phobe
Omkara shot another veiled glance at Gauri.
She was pale and there were shadows below her beautiful eyes and he could see that she looked nothing like a happy bride on the brink of her wedding. Inwardly he cursed himself again and he reached for her hand.
