(#6 in Rikara as on 27th March, 2019)
Now I know the title says Rikara FF, but there is going to be quite a bit about other characters from the Oberoi verse, so bear with me.
Also, I'm no writer, this is just something that has been bugging my min...
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Omkara entered Gauri's room and shut the door swiftly.
He waited for this opportunity, Gauri was alone in her room, and Kali Thakur was entertaining some guests. He knew it will look creepy to him later, but right now he had to sink to this level to talk to her.
"This is unbelievable." said Gauri. She was standing near the dressing table, looking rattled by Omkara's sudden appearance. "How many times do you feel the need to be insulted?"
Omkara calmly walked to her.
"I want the truth." Omkara said.
"Then go. Go and meditate under some tree, you already have the hair like some sage, maybe you'll find the truth too." said Gauri off-handedly, as she turned away from him, but Omkara held her hand and stopped her from doing so. He made her face him.
"I'm tired of this sarcasm. Answer me truthfully." he said, growing impatient.
"You dare order me?" Gauri asked haughtily.
Omkara pulled up her tiny figure by her shoulders. He hated physically imposing himself on any woman, but there seemed to be no way to get answers out of Gauri.
"Why did you help me in Mumbai? You came with me to Panchgani, you broke into Ranveer's house, you figured out his entire plan, what did you get by doing that? What was your gain in helping me clear my name and free my sister from the forced marriage? What did you get by helping out a stranger?" asked Omkara, desperately holding on to something that would tell him, that Gauri had been play-acting ever since she entered Bareilly, and not in Mumbai.
"What did you get by saving me from the villagers last time? I was a stranger too, what did you get by saving a stranger?" Gauri whispered.
"As a matter of fact, I did gain something from helping you out in Mumbai. Unlike you, who loves to fight for what is right and just, I like to do things to settle accounts. You saved my life in Bareilly, I cleared your name and your sister's in Mumbai. Hisaab barabar. (Now we are level). I don't like to stay in anyone's debts, and your's was a heavy debt to pay." said Gauri calmly
"So this.....this was all a deal?" asked Omkara, the hurt surfacing in his voice.
"Well, not a deal exactly, because we didn't contract it voluntarily. But yes, in essence I suppose so. You didn't want to see my face after last time, and the opportunity just presented itself when I was returning from the play that evening. You would have never allowed Gauri to help you, but you were fine with Chulbul. So, I got to return your favor. Now will you let me go?" asked Gauri.
Omkara loosened his hold on her, but didn't let her go completely.
"I thought you were my friend." he said slowly.
"But did I say that? No. I wanted to stay away from you, but like a leach you stuck to me. You even sent your elder brother after me, he almost caught me that day. I never wanted to be your friend, just help you out and be done with the whole thing. Gauri Kumari Ssarma never remains in anyone's debt. And anyways, why are you so bothered by Chulbul? What did you know about him anyway? You had two meals with him and you thought he was your friend?" Gauri laughed "Why do you care about Chulbul?" she asked again
