Kyun teri yaadon me mujhe rula diya

Chapter 8

"Mom, aap yahan. Itni subah subah?", Omkara tried very hard to suppress his shock of seeing Jhanvi. "I know you are unhappy to see me", Jhanvi looked at him disgustingly. When Om traced her look on him, he found Gauri's kohl to be smeared on his kurta.

"I hope you will atleast let me come in", Jhanvi was fuming now. "Mom, please. Don't be so childish", he let her in, leading to hall and praying to almighty that Gauri won't be found sleeping on couch. His prayers were answered as Gauri was nowhere to be seen.

She was angry, "What is all this Omkara? Shivaay has been stalling us ever since your engagement news came on TV. He kept on assuring us that you have perfect explanation for it. But this is the limit, you are flaunting your mistress at places where your mom & sister frequents". "Mom, please. She is your future daughter-in-law, don't insult by calling her my mistress", he raised his voice.

"How can I consider her as you fiance? The same girl who was going around with my younger son just a year back is now attached to my elder one. Don't be ridiculous. I can understand that you want to protect Rudra and his marriage. But for that you don't have to give such a big sacrifice of marrying his ex-girlfriend", she told angrily.

"Mom, me and Rudra , we both love you a lot. But unfortunately you have failed to understand either of us", Om told her regretfully.  Jhanvi was hurt by his words, she bit her sob to recover quickly. "You are coming with me. I won't allow you to stay here even for a minute", she declared. "I won't leave Gauri alone. Unless she is welcomed to Oberoi mansion, I will not come", he was firm too.

"Your Mom is right , Omkara. You should leave. I will be fine here", mother-son duo was surprised to see Gauri. She wore a white salwar-kameez and looked every bit like his old Gauri. Jhanvi looked at her intently, the picture she had of Gauri in her mind was entirely different yet she didn't budge.

She gave a disapproving look at her and turned to Om. He said "I won't come home leaving her alone here. Her health is still not stable, she needs care", he was adamant. Jhanvi was irritated to core. She knew her elder son too well to argue any further. She desperately wanted Om to be away from Gauri.

"FINE, she can stay in guest house of Oberoi Mansion. Now do you agree ?", Jhanvi said. Before Omkara could respond, Gauri cut in, "I don't agree. I am fine to stay here alone. But if I come to Oberoi masion, I won't stay away from Om. We will stay together . Both Omkara and Jhanvi were startled and said together "WHAT??". 

"Don't be so shocked Omkara. I am not a fool to jump into a shark tank. Me being alone in a huge mansion full of strangers and hostile people, NO WAY. Any harm could fall on me", she explained. "I won't let anything happen to you", he quickly declared.

"I know. That's why I want to be near you and not in some isolated part of your mansion", she told him clearly. "Wow, you are really a cunning vixen. You won't leave my son alone", Jhanvi was bitter. "With all due respect Ma'am, I have no interest to pursue your son. It's your son who is obstinate here. I am fine to be left alone here, I feel safe here. It's... it's... homely", she said softly.

"Om, finally tell me your decision", Jhanvi turned to him. "I won't stay away from her. She needs me", he grabbed Gauri's wrist and declared. Jhanvi was shocked by Om's statement, she never expected that Om would disobey her to this extend. Her eyes were filled with tears but she controlled herself and walked briskly outside avoiding them. Omkara swiftly went behind her.

Jhanvi sat on bench in the garden and wept. Om quickly went near and knelt before her."Mom, please don't cry", he pleaded. "How could you do this, Om? How could you fall in love with a girl who was in a relationship with your brother?" she asked helplessly.

"Mom, I have told you everything. I was always in love with Gauri. When fate put her in Rudra's life, I was angry and despair. Then the accident and her near death experience, fear of losing her made me close to her. I can't live without her", he told her.

Nothing in Om's life was hidden from Jhanvi. She was well aware of his feelings. In past whenever she questioned him about his relationship with a girl who may never wake up, he had given same reasons to her. Yet Jhanvi consoled herself that like Rudra moved on, one day Om will also fall in love with someone else and will forget Gauri.

That day never came and now Gauri is awake & moved in with him. "How could you love her even after knowing her past?", Jhanvi asked genuinely.

"Coz I am your son. Even after knowing Mr. Tej Oberoi's vile deeds, you still love him and cannot be apart from him. In my case atleast, I am never cheated. She is no longer committed to Rudra and Rudra had happily married to Bhavya whom he loves. Gauri's past doesn't matter to me. I want to be her present and future".

"She doesn't love you, Beta. She may not love you ever. It's a risky business", Jhanvi told him sincerely. " I know Mom. I love her wholeheartedly. And I believe one day she will love me like I do", he told confidently. Jhanvi glanced at her son, she could find her own reflection on him.

She too loved Tej madly, though in return she received hatred and infidelity. Earlier her parents, later her own children had advised her to leave him but she couldn't . She still loved him, hoping that one day he will realise her love. 

How can she ask her Omkara not to follow his heart? She cupped his face lovingly and kissed her forehead. She could only bless him that he won't be heart broken and bear a cruel misfortune like her. "Om, I understand your point. However what you are doing now is not correct", Jhanvi told him.

Gauri watched son and mother from within the house. She couldn't hear them but could understand the whirlwind of emotions they were subjected to. She felt envious of Rudra and Omkara, for having a family to support them and take care of them. Her Nani tried her best to fill the void of her parents but she had her limitations.

Gauri always missed her parents especially her mother. Maybe if she had a mother to guide her when she was lost , to fight with her when she was wrong, to console when she was broken, to protect her when she was unsafe , then life would have been different for her.

For a fraction of a second she wished that she had met Omkara in different circumstances, fell in love with him, married him with blessings of elders and accepted by his family as their own. Then she too would have had chance to have love of a mother like Jhanvi.'Wake up, Gauri. Don't be emotional', her mind slapped her, 'These people destroyed your life. You need only revenge from them . 

Do distract herself , she searched for her mobile and found her broken handset at corner of the hall. As she wondered how it happened, Omkara came back. Jhanvi had left. "All Okay?", she didn't want to sound anxious but her voice betrayed her. He nodded.

"We are leaving. Get ready", he told her. She didn't question him, as she knew he was not his usual self. His mom's sudden visit have shaken him, maybe he decided to leave her alone. She should be happy, yet she felt strange prick in her heart. Her doubts were clarified with what Omkara did next.

He came near her and took her hand, " I am sorry, Gauri. I have to take it back". He held her finger and took out the ring which he had given her. A lone tear escaped her eyes, when he kept it in his pocket and moved away. "I am waiting in the car", his calm voice disturbed her. She walked briskly to her room to avoid breaking into tears infront of him.