"Omkara, I just want to say... You.... That.... I... L.."
"Ohoo Ri, how much time you take to complete one sentence. Now listen I have something to say. " He said sounding excited.
Gauri looked at him and nodded.
"Gauri, Ishaana is coming to India tomorrow. Can you believe she is coming to India after 10 years. 10 years Gauri. " He said swirling Gauri by lifting her in his arms happily.
"Umm... Ishaana??? " Gauri asked confused once he placed her down on her feet.
"Ishaana is mom's best friend Naina aunty's daughter. They used to stay beside our house when I was a kid. Ishaana and I were best friends. Later one day her father had to move to states in order to expand their business. So they moved away. And today after 10 years they are returning back. " Omkara said his voice was happy.
"You know Gauri, when we are kids Naina aunty promised mom that she will give ishaana's hand in marriage to me. And now that they are coming to India my family decided to get us engaged next week."
Shock was a small word for Gauri. Her heart broke and she was having a hard time controlling her tears.
"Gauri, why are you not reacting. I know I didn't said you about Ishaana and Me before. But I never had an intention to hide this from you. Ishaana is very sweet girl Gauri, I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her. Gauri, kuch toh bolona why are standing expressionless. " Omkara said shaking Gauri.
"I... I am happy for you Omkara. " Gauri said hugging him and crying.
"Hey Ri... Why are you crying? "
"It's tears of Joy Omkara, my best friend is getting engaged and how can't be happy. " Gauri said faking a smile.
"Thank God Gauri, I thought you will be angry for not saying you about Ishaana before. And now don't cry if anyone sees you crying then they will think I had broke your heart by saying about my engagement with Ishaana. " Omkara said laughing.
"I had to leave now Omkara." Gauri said.
"You were about to say something. "
"Nothing important, bye Om. " Gauri said running away from him.
"Gauri, what happened why are you crying dear. " Richa asked Gauri who is crying laying on the bed.
"Omkara is getting engaged Richa, all these times I am was living in my dreams building my own dreamy castles. And now they are shattered that each and every piece is stabbing me hard in hear. " Gauri said pointing towards her heart.
"What are you saying Gauri, Omkara is getting engaged!! No, it can't happen may be he is getting engaged because of his family pressure or something. He loves you right."
"No Richa, he doesn't loves me, it me and only me who loved him and took his gestures wrong. He loves Ishaana, his childhood friend. I am just a friend to him Richa. Nothing more. "
"OMG Gauri, how can you leave him so easily. You should have confessed him about your feelings. "
"No Richa, I don't want to make him feel guilty by confessing my feelings. I am just a passing cloud in his life Richa. I will attend his engagement and will leave to my hometown. My feelings and my love for him will always be within me. He will not have a slightest idea about the girl who had loved him to her life. "
"O Gauri. " Richa said hugging her.
Gauri cried her heart out to Richa.
"Ishaana, meet Gauri my best friend. You know all these days she was the one who took care of me." Omkara introduced Gauri to Ishaana after their engagement.
"Hii Gauri, I am happy to meet you. " Ishaana said smiling at her.
"Hello Ishaana, same here. I wish you both a happy life ahead. " Gauri said giving them the gift she brought with her.
"Omkara, I am leaving to Bareilly in evening flight. " Gauri said.
"Hell no, you are not going anywhere until marriage. Gauri didn't you heard I am going to get married in 5 days and you are saying you are leaving to Bareilly. No, you are going only after my marriage. "
"Omkara, please understand. "
"Gauri, you know how stubborn I am. So you better stay here till my marriage. "
Oberoi Mansion was decorated with flowers and lights for the marriage of Omkara.
Gauri came to marriage along with Richa. She held Richa's hand tightly and stood in front of OM looking at the board which read Omkara weds Ishaana.
"Gauri, it's okay if you don't want to attend the marriage. We can go back to hostel. " Richa said sensing that Gauri is going to break down. It's been days since she had seen Gauri smile and eat properly.
"I am okay Richa, It's just a matter of an hour. As soon as the marriage gets completed we can leave. " Gauri said taking slow but heavy steps towards OM.
OMG Ri... I have been getting tensed about you where have you been duffer. Your mobile is also not reachable. Is this the time you come to attend your friends marriage. I thought you will be the one running around doing all the works of my marriage. But here you are coming like a guest. You know I missed you being on my side." Omkara said hugging Gauri.
"I am sorry Om, we got struck in traffic. "
"Okay Fine. " Said making a sad face.
"Omkara, it's your marriage and you should be happy. In fact I wish you be happy always. In a few hours you will be married. And you will have Ishaana to take care of you. But still my heart is not stopping me from saying this to you. Omkara, please be careful while driving, don't exceed the speed limit and drive when you are drunk. You see last time when your car hit the tree, I felt like I am dying. Take your food and medicines on time. And don't be stubborn and fight like a kid like you do with me with Ishaana poor girl seems to be good. Be happy and safe wherever you are. Shankerjii kare duniya ki sari khushiyaan tumhe mile." Gauri said hugging Omkara.
"I will miss you Ri. " Omkara said hugging her back.
"Omkara, pandit ji is calling you it's muharat time. " Jhanvi called Omkara.
"Ri, I have to go down. "
"Yes, you go I will be coming down shortly. " Gauri said.
Once Omkara and everyone left Gauri collapsed on the ground crying bitterly.
"Why this has to happen to me Richa, why? Is it my fault that I fell in love with him. I loved him Richa. But he is going to be someone else's now. " Gauri cried hugging Richa.
"Shh... Gauri calm down. Please don't cry someone might here us. We have to attend his marriage. "
"No Richa, I can't see him getting married. It will leave me broken beyond repair. Please take me away from here Richa please. I don't want him to feel guilty seeing me breakdown." Gauri sobbed.
Gauri and Richa left the OM from the back door not before seeing happy looking Omkara, who was laughing with his friends for one last time before leaving him and India forever.
