Delicate - A Rikara Tale (Completed!)

Five - Small Mercies

A//N: This fic will have Rumya's relationship a little different from the Show. Please bear with the changes I am making to the show because I don't watch it. Thank you for your love! Please keep voting and commenting

Dedicated to Kelina_9

Girl, your reviews are everything and I hope this does not disappoint you.

Gauri let the unknown lady hug her and didn't move an inch except for her hands which were awkwardly patting the taller woman's back. Gauri had been comforting her mother ever since she was twelve but now she was clueless about what she was supposed to do. She settled for the usual word she always said to her Maa. The words that made her Maa stop crying and believe in Shankarji again. "Everything will be okay Maa."

Gauri immediately bit her lip and cursed herself. She hadn't meant to say Maa, but the word had slipped out somehow and she could not take it back.

The woman only hugged her tighter, almost crushing Gauri.

The discomfort and cluelessness might have shown on Gauri's face because Omkara ji, no Om, gently pried the older woman away. Gauri felt Om's hand on her back and bit her lip. His hand was warm, big and she could almost feel the power he could wield with it. She had to keep herself from moving away from the man. He was her husband, yes, but that did not stop her body from reacting to his touch with a shiver of fear.

Om felt Gauri's shiver only because of his proximity to her. He looked at the rest of his family and Gauri's Maa only to be met by smiles of joy. They hadn't sensed Gauri's fear and were just happy to see the newlywed couple together. He had to ensure it stayed like that. He would sort out the matter with Gauri's fear later with her, when they were alone, with no prying but well-intentioned people around them.

By people, he meant Anika Bhabhi and Shivaay. As much as he loved them he knew the moment they even had a little bit of suspicions about Gauri and him having problems, they'd interfere. Just as they had done for Rudra and Saumya. Om knew they were trying to protect the bond between two people and Shivaay had let guilt overpower him when he had declared that Saumya was Rudy's wife and would remain in the mansion and Rudy was to accept the consequences of his actions for once. Rudy and Saumya still slept in separate rooms, acting as husband and wife only for the benefit of outsiders. Om did not resent Shivaay and Anika's interference. He knew it was only because their initial months of marriage had been full of misunderstandings, pain, and anger. Om knew that those two felt obligated to stop history from reoccurring and so he'd keep them safe by omitting certain details about himself and Gauri.

"O, kahan khogaye? Won't you introduce us to your wife?" Shivaay had a smile on his face.

Om smiled back and declared "Meet my wife, Gauri Omkara Singh Oberoi."

Gauri smiled as was expected of her.

"Gauri, this is my big brother Shivaay. That is my Bhabhi, Anika. My mother has already introduced herself to you but I'll introduce you to her formally. Jhanvi Oberoi" Om moved back to lead Gauri's Mom closer to the rest of his family. "This is Gauri's Maa."

Gauri's mother raised her hands in a namaskar. Everyone smiled back at her and Jhanvi moved closer to Gauri.

"Sorry beta, for suddenly hugging you." Jhanvi smiled, taking Gauri's small hand in hers. "You see, Om has done a lot for me and I am happy he now has someone to take care of him. You'll take care of him, won't you?"

Gauri nodded "Jiji Sasuma" and bent down to touch her feet.

Jhanvi pulled her up and cupped her face "Arre, beta just call me Maa like you did a few minutes ago. You are like my own daughter. You know Om's siblings will love to meet you. Prinku, she is my youngest, especially."

Om watched his mother talk to Gauri and Gauri's gentle smiles and genuine respect for his Maa. He felt vindicated, like his gamble to accept Gauri was a right choice. While it was too early to tell, his Maa's smile, the one thing that was often missing from her face, was back and Om would do anything to make sure his Maa kept smiling. Gauri was the one who had put that smile there and now there was no denying the fact that Gauri belonged to his Maa. He could tell that by the way that his Maa's eyes shone with delight. The light in them that Mr. Oberoi had killed was slowly being restored. Maybe, just maybe, Gauri was not as bad as he had first thought she was.

"Maa, Anika Bhabhi and Shivaay will take you to the hospital today. Don't worry, Gauri and I will stay in touch with you. You just concentrate on getting well." Om comforted the older woman.

"I am not worried about Gauri beta. You are here for her and your mother has accepted her as a daughter. What more could I ask for? I am deeply grateful to have you as my son in law." Gauri's Maa nodded at Om.

"Wait we can't leave yet. I haven't talked to Gauri. She's my sister in law after all and I want her to know that Obahus are there for each other." Anika glared at Shivaay "Just like you three muskets stick to each other!"

"Oh ho Anika, you mean Musketeers. Waise, I too need to meet Gauri." Shivaay pulled his wife along with him towards Gauri.

Om lead Gauri's Maa to the group and the two of them observed Anika's excited chatter and Gauri's confusion at Anika's unique vocabulary. Om couldn't help but smile when Gauri called Shivaay 'Bade Bhaiya'

'It's the hint of innocence in her voice and the genuine smile of hers.' Om realised. 'But she's all fear and deference with me. There's something not quite right here.'

"Chalo Maaji, we have to go to the hospital too. Badi Maa, we will drop you home." Anika had to gently tug Jhanvi away from Gauri "We'll get a lot of time to spend with Gauri when she moves in with us soon."

"Wait, before we leave there is something I would like to do. Come here Gauri" Jhanvi moved out of the huddle and pulled off two of her gold bangles "These are for you."

Gauri's eyes widened and she was about to refuse the expensive gift but she looked at Om before she said anything.

Om nodded and smiled "Take them Gauri."

The too big bangles and a hug were the first gifts from her mother in law.

A long goodbye (with feet touching on Gauri's part) later, Gauri and Om were the only two occupants of the flat.

Om closed the door and moved towards Gauri. "Chalo, come with me, there's something we need to do about our marriage."

Gauri took a step back, her eyes and face betraying fear.