Kyun teri yaadon me mujhe rula diya

Chapter 11

 

Omkara didn't return back that night. She waited for him to tell about Rudra's return but he didn't  . She was concerned. She was unable sleep till dawn and then dozed off. When she woke, she realized that Omkara has already left for office. She felt lost without him. But Annika and Priyanka came to give her company. They spend most of the morning together. "Annika Bhabi do you know where is Omkara's office? Actually he left his mobile here and I want to give it back", Gauri told her. "Ofcourse I know. I am planning to go out by afternoon and I can drop you there", Annika said. Gauri felt at ease with Annika. Annika was a chatter box and was talking continuously about anything and everything while driving.  She was not aware of the history of Rudra and Gauri so she casually mentioned about Bhavya. "So Bhavya's family and Oberois are close ?", Gauri asked. "Not really. She was daughter of Jhanvi aunty's close friend.. After her mother passed away, Jhanvi aunty took her under her wing. She is a righteous one and didn't want to burden herself on Aunty. So Jhanvi aunty got her a job in Omkara's office. Everyone knew that she wanted Bhavya to be married to Om.  Ooops", Annika bit her tongue after spilling the beans. "It's okay Bhabhi. I don't mind. What happened then?", Gauri kept her tone casual. "Well... Nobody except Shivaay knew about you and Om. Jhanvi  Aunty wanted Bhavya and Om to know eachother so tried to push them together. She joined office. She did well as she was really talented. At that time Rudra was going through a tough time, he had with an accident and was ill. Actually he was doing really good in his career till then. He couldn't commit to any more modeling assignment and confined himself to his room. He became a ghost of himself. Even I don't know what actually happened to the most flamboyant devar of mine. Oberoi brothers could be really secretive when it comes to their own blood. Om at first was really angry with Rudra but soon warmed to him considering his condition. Rudra was on verge of falling into depression. Shivaay and Om decided to divert Rudra's mind and asked him to join office. Bhavya being closer to family was assigned as his partner in the project. Slowly but steadily, Rudra recovered and  he expressed his desire to marry Bhavya. Jhanvi Aunty , Dadi and all were not keen to get Rudra married before Om. But ShiOmRu convinced all. By then most of the family were aware of Om's secret love and her, I mean your medical condition. It's a miracle that on the day of Rudra marriage you gained conscious. Bhavya seemed to be lucky for you and Om", Annika winked. Gauri smirked at the irony of the situation.

Omkara was trying to drown himself in work to forget her. He would have been successful too if he was not been disturbed by the knock at his door. "Lily... I told no disturbances...Can't you...", he looked above and saw her. "Hi...Sorry to disturb. I just thought to return your phone", Gauri kept it on his table. An awkward silence prevailed between them. "Thanks for...everything", she said. "You are welcome", he said formally. "Nice office. Good interiors", she complemented. "Thanks. Priku did most of it", he said. Since their conversation was not going anywhere, she chose to leave. "Can you get me a cab? My phone broke and I am unable to book it", she asked. "I will drop you", Om said. She was hopeful to talk to him during their drive but he didn't utter a word. His silence was killing her. Finally when they reached home, Gauri got down and walked inside. She felt dizzy and lost her balance. Om was quick to catch her. "Gauri , are you okay?", he was concerned. She was feeling much better in his arms but fear of losing him made her feign weakness, "I don't feel fine". He picked her up and brought her to their room. He settled her on her bed and asked, "Did you take your medicines? You need proper rest. You are not healthy enough to roam around yourself. I will call Dr Sahil now". "Not needed, Om. Just stay with me", she pleaded. Omkara couldn't decide. On  one hand she wanted Rudra back and on other hand she wants him beside. What's your game, Gauri?, he mused. Reading his mind, she said sarcastically, "I understand your confusion. Just a request to not assume that your Biwi is a characterless women who wants to play with both Pati and Devar". She turned her face to other side hiding her pain. He felt guilty and his heart warmed hearing the words Biwi and Pati from her  He crawled beside her and pulled blanket over them. He hugged her from behind and whispered, " I am not going anywhere".  Gauri tried her to blink away her tears, "Mujse naaraz raho par door mat raho. I know I am asking too much. But ...". "Shhh. Sleep now Jaan. I am here wiht you now ", he consoled. "Pakka ? ", she asked. "Hmmm, but I need something in return", he said. She turned to faced him and lifted her eyebrows. " A kiss", he told softly. She nodded and closed her eyes expecting his lips touching hers. But he moved to place a caring kiss on her forehead, making her smiling on realising that she missed it so much. "I couldn't sleep last night", she told dreamily. "I know Jaan. Get some sleep", he said softly. She cuddled to him, "Aadat ho gayi hain tumhare". "Mujhe bhi" , he replied. "I am so selfish, I am sorry", her voice betrayed her pain. "Me too", he caressed her face. Within few minutes, he realised that she had slept peacefully cuddling to him.

Next day, Rudra and Bhavya returned to Oberoi Mansion. Many were happy,  were surprised and few were anxious by their return. Bhavya tried her best to keep a brave face but Jhanvi was quick to identify it.  Gauri , the reason for Rudra's quick arrival didn't come out of Omkara's room till afternoon. By evening she mustered courage to come out and take a stroll around the garden. "Kaisi ho Gauri?", Rudra's voice enquired from behind. She closed her eyes before confronting him, "Zinda hoon". Rudra expected such indifference and resentment from her. You deserve it, his mind told him. She sat on the stone bench as Rudra came near her. "Congrats on your wedding. I didn't meet her till now but Annika Bhabi told me that she is really pretty", Gauri wished him formally. "Gauri, please...", he tried to speak. "Don't pull the please card on me , Rudra", she shook her head to blink back her tears. "I hate myself. It was so easy for you to forget me and move on. And here I am sitting confused and helpless, unable to accept realities that life is throwing at me. I should have died that day", she said. Rudra fell on his knees beside her and cried, "Please don't say that. Please stop saying it". "What difference would it made to you? Me being alive or dead. You would have done the same anyways", she accused. "I am sorry. It's all my fault", tears were flowing from his eyes. "Why couldn't you bring yourself to meet me at the hospital Rudra? Why did you leave me at the mercy of your brother?", she asked earnestly. "Who told you?", he asked defensively. He got angry thinking that O had been provoking her against him. "It doesn't matter who told me. It is true, isn't it ?" she asked, hoping that he will deny it. "Yes it is true. I was guilt ridden. I lost my best friend and love due to my error. Forget you, I couldn't face my brother, my mom or anyone in this world. For months I was prisoned in my own room, wishing there was a rewind button which could bring you back", he explained. She wiped her tears, "You know Mr. Oberoi, when I was moving in with Omkara, all I wanted was to take revenge on you. I hated you so much but now I realise you are not worth it. I had wasted precious time of my life on you but I am not going to miss a moment bothering about you. I have no emotions for you in my heart. You don't exist for me anymore", she declared. "Gauri, please...", he appealed. " Hold it there. Call me Gauriji or Mrs Oberoi. Don't forget that I am your brother's wife. Henceforth formally that will be the only relation we share. Bye", she walked away leaving a shattered Rudra behind.

Rudra sat there for hours until a soft hand fell on his shoulder. He didn't turn but knew the familiar comfort it offered. "She hates me Bhavya. And I cannot counter it. I deserve it all. I am a horrible person", he said emotionally. "No Rudra, you are not", Bhavya tried to console him. "She will never forgive me, Bhavya. It kills me that I pushed her to this situation", he wept holding her. Bhavya tried to pacify him. Her heart was rejoiced that Gauri will never be back in Rudra's life yet her conscious pricked her at devastating state of Rudra. The wife in her wanted to reassure him however woman in her screamed that Rudra deserved every bit of punishment sentenced by Gauri.

Omkara was relaxing in his room after a day's hectic work. He was pouring his second cup of tea when Gauri stormed into their room and locked the door. She pressed herself against the door and stood there oblivious of his presence. "All okay, Gauri?", his question woke her. She smiled through her tears and ran into his arms. "I feel free, Omkara. I met him and broke all ties with him. I feel so light now", her face reflected her words. Though she didn't say Rudra's name, he knew whom she was referring to. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad at her revelation yet reflexively his arms went around her back. "Toh kab shaadi kar rahey hain hum?", her question perplexed him. She was like a maze, difficult to decipher and new puzzle in each turn. His silence prompted her next question, "You still want to marry me ,rt?". He smiled wickedly and replied, "No, I don't. For me, we are already married. It's you and Dadi who desperately wants another set of rituals to seal it. And answer for your first question is it's in 4 days"."OMG, just 4 days. Chalo chalo, mujhe wedding shopping ke liye le chalo", she pulled out of his embrace and jumped like a school kid. "Oh no, not again. I am yet to recover from the last shopping trip we had. Can't you manage with which you already purchased", he joked. She pouted. "Just kidding. Anything for you, Jaan. Just be happy like this", he told earnestly. She smiled and squeezed him tightly. "Then let's ask Annika Bhabi to come with us for wedding shopping", she suggested. "Good idea. Hopefully, I will try to tag Shivaay too so that I won't be the lone martyr", Omkara said making them burst into laughter.

Jhanvi who was passing by couldn't help to notice Om and Gauri laughing and leaving their room. She was delighted to see Om being genuinely happy after such a long time. Still she couldn't ignore disturbances  in Rudy and Bhavya's married life. The reason for both occurrences were the same- Gauri. I need to keep a close eye on this girl. Until I am completely sure that she means no harm to my boys, I cannot rest, Jhanvi thought.