Everything I Do - RiKara SS

7

Chapter 7

Run
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He couldn't sleep that night; or the next, or the one after. Her words haunted him, like a ring in the silence, hanging in the back of his conscious like something ominous. "I'll be there..." she had promised him. But why? Was it pity? He often wondered, there was an odd flicker of emotion in her eyes - like an understanding, an acceptance, something too deep to decipher, a sadness that was hauntingly beautiful; he had filled an entire sketchpad scrawling their shape and details - but nothing came close to the vision in his memory. He was nowhere near as brilliant as the hand that created Gauri Kumari Sharma.
Bua Ma laughed like thunder rumbling in the sky, the entire assembly joined her. Omkara shook his head, plastering a smile to hide the fact that he had missed the joke and his eyes fell on his sulking brother.
"Kya yaar O," Rudra whined. "Here I'm giving you tips to escape and you're lost in your own la la land!" He was definitely in high spirits, after Saumya's return. He was surprised to know it had been Ri who drove him to the airport after his car gave away mid route. Perhaps it was the girl's way of redemption, showing him that she had realized the multitude of what she had done. Rudra did not share what conversation had transpired between them, even at repeated inquiry; but something had bonded them. He seemed to genuinely care for Ri as much as he cared for Annika, if not more.
"Oye, Omkie is thinking about his bride, let him do it, aaram se!" Bua Ma slapped the back of Rudra's head and laughed again as she applied the cold paste of turmeric and sandalwood generously on both his cheeks, finding an excuse to pull them as well.
"Why should I escape?" Omkara hissed to Rudra as he watched Bua Ma joining his mother and the crowd sitting around him. They did not know the real deal of the marriage, perhaps no one except Shivay and his father did. Omkara did not want to enlighten them, as he watched the blissful smile gracing his mother's face. It was better to let them think this was his decision, and he was happy.
"That's what I'm saying, you weren't listening to me. Aap ko patha hai, humari yahaan haldi mein kya karte hai?"
"Nothing happened in my Haldi," Shivay frowned. "Right?" Omkara nodded at him and turned to Rudra with a raised eyebrow. Rudra rolled his eyes.
"That's because no one wants to stick a hand in the lion's mouth," he said matter - of - fact - ly. "That's the difference between SSO's wedding and OSO's wedding. I'm sorry O, but aap se koi nahi darr ta!"
"Come to the point will you, Dumbbell Oberoi?"
"All these people -" his eyes traveled around to include all the laughing faces. "First they apply turmeric, phir maza chaka te hai! Aap ki Oh My Mata hone wali hai O, listen to me and slip away now."
"Who is gonna slip away?" Annika was curiously looking from one brother to the other. All three swallowed. "We're just getting started, aren't we guys?" Rudra nudged him, giving a pointed look of I - told - you - so. Omkara let out a sigh of relief as his phone started to buzz. "Yeh kya?" Annika protested. Her hands on her hips. "I made it clear no mobiles allowed in any functions right? Now dhulha himself is breaking the rules?" She snatched the mobile from his hand before he could check who it was. "Hum bhi toh dekhe, kiss se baate ho rahi hai!" She answered the call, winking at Omkara. Her expression changed as soon as she heard the first line of whatever was being spoke. "Om," her voice shook as he looked at him. "Gauri's car..."
He was on his feet before she had completed her sentence, snatching the mobile from her shaking hand he answered the call.
"I'm coming!"
The other's stood after him, as he rushed out, wiping the paste on his face with the sleeve of his kurta.
**
She couldn't breathe, although her lungs screamed for air. Aditya's name flashed in her mobile screen, with a long forgotten selfie they had taken. She was wearing pigtails, and a large smile, her arms around him, as he tried to smudge an ice cream on her nose. Silly - but that was them. Carefree and childish. She couldn't even find a trace of that self within her anymore.
"I can't do this, I'm sorry - I'm sorry!" And she run, picking up the long flowing skirts of pale green, her golden dupatta trailing behind her and her anklets tinkling with every step. Ri did not stop until she had locked herself inside her car, and turned on the ignition, pulled the gear and slammed her feet on the accelerator hard.
The speed made her mind reel with memories, spin between Aditya and Omkara, past and future. It was like the walls were closing in, she felt claustrophobic, she felt guilty and afraid. She would end up betraying them both, her already broken heart would prick both of them. Tears drained down her face and her lips trembled. She kept chanting those words. "I can't - I can't!" She wanted to run, but had no idea where to. It was as if her entire world had changed in to a golden cage, no matter where she went, she would find a barred gate. She had to save Aditya from Tej Oberoi's wrath, the way that man dealt with his son spoke a lot about what he might to do someone hindering his plans. But in the process, she couldn't commit more crimes.
The road was wet and slippery with recent rainfall, the wheels made a screech as she took a bend, the steering slipping from her control. The bump that followed made the top of her head hit the car roof, and the push that came next flung her against the steering wheel, hitting her forehead against it.
Dark spots danced in front of her vision, before she slipped out of consciousness.
"Oye madam, will you come out or should we drag you?" The voice was rough, greasy with inebriation, and disrespect. The throbbing ache in her head, made her groan as she opened her eyes.
Ri blinked once at the mess of colors, and then once more. There was a crowd around her car - god, had she hit someone? The nearest, looked like hardened men, obviously drunk and angry.
"Come out!" One of them barked again. "Appun ke basti mein todh podh kar ke, aise hi jaane denge kya?"
Following her instinct she locked her door, a moment before someone roughly tried to pull it open. A fist banged on her window, a string of cursed words followed. They weren't relenting, she realized slowly, this angry mob of people. They won't give her a time to explain. As she tried to move, pain shot through her leg, it was stuck, in an odd angle.
A scream escaped her dried throat as something heavy smashed the windscreen. Ri crouched down, curling into a ball on her seat, trying to shield her self from the shower of glass.
"Please don't do something you'd regret," A voice spoke to the sudden silence. She knew who it was, but her body did not relent, refusing to relax into the odd sense of relief flooding through her veins. His words were ever polite, but the threat underlying, obvious and sharp.
**
The entourage of Oberoi guard had diminished the courage of the crowd. They parted, making way for him to reach her, Omkara realized he hadn't breathed since; his lungs stretched painfully as the night air filled them. He had no idea how much he yearned to see her. He tapped gently on her shutter, watching how she had tightly clasped herself into a ball rocking back and forth gently.
'Gauri?"
Mechanically she unbolted the door, letting him reach her by pulling it open. His arms found their way around her shaking frame, pulling her into his embrace, away from that disfigured tin - can and she let him, her arms in turn wrapping themselves around his neck. Omkara hoisted her into his arms easily, his eyes never leaving hers. She watched her white, shaking reflection in his dark orbs, trying to keep her tears at bay. The conflict she had tried to run away from, return at full blow.
She tucked her head in his chest, breaking in to bitter sobs.
"Please don't hate me! Please don't! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ri had no idea if her words made sense or not, but his grip tightened around her and his breath tickled her ear.
"Can you walk?" His voice was low, a gentle whisper. Looking at him she shook her head gently, more tears marring her vision. Wordlessly he carried her to his car and sat her down in the passenger seat. Easing her sprained leg with care and fumbled with her seat belt. She breathed him in, basking in the feeling of their proximity. His cologne was enticing, something that had hints of wood and mint, something that made her think of due drenched forests in spring mornings.
"Hum kissi ki jaan nahi le sakte..." She muttered feverishly, leaning her head back on the headrest. He tapped her cheek, a touch that lent her warmth but cautious; he still remembered her words.
"No one's hurt." His words were simple and he turned to beckon one of his men. "Deal with the police, tell them whatever the damage is we're ready to pay. It's just a wall - there's nothing to kill and die for." He added the last past with distaste, spearing a dark look at the now dispersing crowd. His gaze found its way back to her. "You scared all of us, you know that?" She nodded silently, more tears trickling down her cheeks. "Gauri, you're scaring me now. Does it hurt a lot?" When she looked at him, the concern in his eyes brought a fresh bout of tears. He didn't touch her again, instead his arms had fallen numbly to his sides. She wanted to say a lot and wished he could read her silence. Alas, he could not; and words she did not have.
**