Changed - RiKara FF

For the Angel who flew away too soon

AN: I heard a news that completely shocked me today, and I'm totally unaware of how to handle it. I'm not aware of the details - honestly, I don't know if I've even accepted the situation - but I know that I want to pay tribute to someone who has only ever given me positivity and hope... someone who I really do consider a friend... May she rest in peace.

Truthfully, I'm not sure if this fits in with the story... Like I said, I've moved on from RiKara long ago, but this story was the one that began my friendships in the fandom and so I felt it only right to wish goodbye to a wonderful soul  using it. I don't know if this work still has any readers, but if you're reading this, please pray for her soul. She was a diamond and she will be missed. Writing fan-fiction brought us closer, so I thought this would be a fitting farewell.

For Savi.

20 years later

Aadhya approached the doorway with timid footsteps. She gulped and ran over her memorised speech once again mentally. She had thoroughly prepared sufficient answers for the flood of questions that she just knew was coming, but now that the moment was before her, she was drawing a blank. What if Papa refused to even listen to her? Maybe she should wait for Mama before having this discussion. 

'No Aadhu. Don't be silly. You don't want Mama and Papa to fight because of you... This is Papa, he will definitely hear you out...'

Rationally, she knew that her Papa was never the type to explode at her, but years of enduring endless daily soaps (courtesy of her best-friend) and trashy bollywood sap-fests (she was the daughter of GKS after all) had instilled in her the belief that this was a conversation no father - no matter how level-headed - would respond well too. However, she had been brought up to believe that running away was never the resolution to a problem, instead she needed to face any situation, regardless of how difficult it seemed. So finally, she took a deep breath and pushed open the door. 

Omkara Singh Oberoi's study was a far cry from the art studio that Aadhu had only seen in old photos, not that she minded. This room comforted her. It was the first place she would run to when she needed warmth. These walls had borne witness to many a temper tantrum and seen many of her wishes be fulfilled. The air in this room always settled the storm raging inside her, or maybe it was the affection in the voice that greeted her which fulfilled that role.

"Arre Aadhu... Tum yahan? Sab teekh hai? Aao, behto... Hey Aadhu... You're here? Is everything okay? Come sit..." Omkara took in  his daughter's features as he closed the file he had been working on.

Aadhya took the offered seat and gathered her strength. She would just say it. Closing her eyes tightly she rushed it out in one breath

"PapaMujheShaadiNahinKarniMujheMaafKardo! PapaIDon'tWantToGetMarriedForgiveMe!"

Omkara blinked at her. Anybody else would probably need her to repeat that ramble, but he had years of experience deciphering her speech,  so he got it in one go. But he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Shaadi? Kiski shaadi? Tum abhi college mein ho... shaadi ki baat kahan se aayi? Marriage? Whose marriage? You're still in college... where did wedding talk come from?"

"Papa I know what you guys have all discussed. Natasha has been telling the whole college that I'm engaged  to her brother! Please Papa, you cannot do this!" As she grew more tensed, Aadhu dropped the hind and adopted the more comfortable English. If her father did not relent soon, she was sure her own waterworks would start. If there was one thing Aadhu hated, it was the weakness of crying.

"Natasha's brother? What brother? Raghav? Is she insane? He's almost 40!" Other than confusion, Omkara could feel a bubbling of anger that had not surfaced since he'd almost ripped off Pinky Oberoi's head 20 years ago -  let's just say she was lucky Gauri was so merciful... "Where is this nonsense coming from?"

"Please Papa. I know it's important that Shivi Di gets married, but please convince Choti Dadi that it doesn't mean I should be married as a buy one get one free. Please Papa... I'm begging you!" Oh no, she could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks now.

'Pinky Oberoi' - Suddenly it all made sense to Omkara. 22 year old Shivani was getting married to Raunak Kapoor, the perfectly eligible and highly qualified 26 year old that had been scouted out day and night by the Oberoi women. He was also cousin to Natasha and Raghav Kapoor, all belonging to a wealthy family that earned their fortune in  textiles. A perfect match worthy of SSO's daughter. However, lately there had been trouble in paradise. The elder Kapoors were all adamant that the widowed Raghav be wed before his younger cousin. The rest was not hard to figure out. Omkara was well aware what Pinky would have done to bring his daughter to his study in such a state. Unbelievable. Sending his daughter's proposal without his consent was by no means above her, he had only wrongly assumed she wasn't so stupid. He tampered down his rage however choosing instead to focus on getting that terrible expression of his daughter's face.

"Hey, don't cry. It's nothing my silly Aadhu. Have a little faith in your Papa. No such thing will ever happen. It just looks like your Choti Dadi still has a few screws loose that I was unable to fix 20 years ago. Don't worry, I'm still fully equipped for surgery now. Does your Mama know about all this? I'm surprised she hasn't run a bulldozer through the house yet." Omkara grabbed a tissue and rounded his desk to kneel beside Aadhu. Gently he brushed away her tears.

"No, Mama is still away meeting the seamstresses at her factory in Kashmir. I didn't want you guys to fight... hicc... so I haven't told her yet." Her tears were clearing as she realised her Papa was on her side like always, but they were replaced by tiny hiccups.

Omkara could not suppress a soft smile as he gazed at his daughter. Sweet and kind Aadhu, who always thought of others first.She had brought him and Gauri together, how could she think she would ever drag them apart?

"Silly, look at the state you've put yourself in. Next time come to me as soon as you hear any such nonsense. Marriage? What for? The only guys you need in your life are your Papa and Ved. Does that little prankster know about this?" 

Ved was her younger brother, always annoying her and teasing her, but also fiercely protective of his Aadhu Di.

Aadhya grimaced. He knew alright.

"He's been grounded. When he heard Choti Dadi talking about it to her friends, he wrecked their whole tea party. I think Choti Dadi bought that china set from France."

Omkara felt a rush of pride and affection towards his youngest.

" Grounded? I think it's time he finally gets his first car!" Papa's grin made Aadhu giggle. " Now let me go sort this all out. You relax."

He got up to go and end this once and for all, but was stopped by a hand on his wrist.

"Papa... the guys in my life... I think there's one more you should know about." Aadhya hadn't planned on disclosing this, at least not until she was sure what 'this' actually was, but she'd forgotten how light she felt when sharing her troubles with Papa. This was not a conventional conversation for a father and daughter to have... at least not how dramas showed it, but hey, they didn't have papas as great as hers on television.

Omkara closed his eyes before turning towards her. This was a conversation he'd hoped to put off... perhaps for an eternity. Of course he knew of the boy who sent her flowers, chocolates and pretty articles of jewellery. Of course he knew of the car that dropped her off sharp on her curfew and waited until she was safely inside to drive off. Maybe he had run a background check. Maybe he had grudgingly liked what he found out. But that didn't mean he was ready for ths conversation. He sighed.

"After... Let me sort this... Then you can tell me all about him." Omkara managed a smile before he hastened away. 

He'd found his life again in Kashmir 20 years ago, but he'd also found his soul. Now it felt like the time was drawing closer for when he would need to share that precious piece of him with another. It filled him with dread. But hey, that was fatherhood. That was how he'd Changed.

AN: Thank you so much for reading. I know there will be many mistakes, but forgive them and please again, pray that Savi rests in peace.