Rikara - FF - Book | ✓

FF #3 || Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Unexpected Call 

"Gauri!"

Gauri looked up plastering a small smile on her face, nodding at her father. She stood up turning to the man,"this way." She had multiple thoughts running through her mind. Aman Singhania the man who was now trailing behind her was the one her parents has chosen for her. He was a nice man. He was well-educated from a reputed university and ran his own financial soultions firm. He was tall almost as tall as Omkara. Although he lacked in other departments, he did not have those long locks or those deep brown eyes. He had hazel brown eyes instead. His parents were nice people as well. They had taken an instant liking for Gauri when they had first seen her photograph, as they put it. The Singhanias had asked for her hand in marriage for their son Aman an year back as well. At that time her father had politely declined the proposal stating Gauri's career studies to be the reason. She was surprised when her father told her that they had actually waited for her to complete her graduation. Gauri wasn't blind to her parents liking of the family and the man, also their inclination towards this particular proposal. She couldn't deny to something that held her parents happiness.

"This way." She smiled politely leading the man to their small terrace garden.

"It's beautiful." Aman appreciated as he ran his eyes around the well kept terrace. The flower-pots arranged along the railing, looked extremely well kept.

"Thanks. Mom loves this place and takes care of it." She said, turning back to him. "Please sit."

"No formalities, please." he smiled at her, indicating her to be seated.

She sat down forcing a smile. She couldn't help but compare him with Omkara. He seemed to be a less boring person with a mingling attitude, with what she could judge by the little time they were downstairs with their families. This was so wrong to compare him with Omkara. No matter how hard she tried not to she still did.

"So, tell me about yourself. Downstairs you barely spoke. Either you're the very reserved kind or you were probably uncomfortable." He said warmly.

"What do you want to know?" Gauri asked politely. Not liking the fact that he was already trying to understand her. Well, another woman would've appreciated this, but it irked her. Because she did not want him to score better than Omkara in any department.

"For starters, do you even want a marriage - an arranged marriage right now?"

Gauri stared at him. Did she? She wanted a marriage but a one where she wanted to be in love first. There was only one person she felt that kind of love for- Omkara! Forget about reciprocating he wasn't even aware of the fact. Her mind warned her. She was doing wrong, terribly wrong.

"Take a deep breath and think what if he's more than anything you could ever imagine? What if he makes you feel in a way you didn't know you could feel? What if he loves you more than himself?"

When before her stood a wonderful man willing to give her respect, understanding, a married life, perhaps even love, she was running away from it towards something that was akin a mirage. Perhaps what she wanted never even had a chance of materializing! She had harbored deep feelings and dreams of a man who probably would never be a part of her or her life. Oh she wanted to cry right now, this was unfair. Very unfair. She had a fleeting thought of her life, her family, her future and she knew this wasn't the time to back off. Why did Omkara have to say those precious words to her?

"Gauri, your parents want the best for you. I mean just put yourself in their shoes. At their age, in this world...they just want your future to be secure. Let's be practical. ......"