Everything I Do - RiKara SS

Interlude

Half truths
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Under the lights of their study, Omkara looked like a ghost. There were dark circles under his reddened eyes and his face was pale. Shivay felt bad for waking him up in the wee hours of the dawn; he had been watching over Gauri the entire night. But the information he had could not wait. 
“Aditya Vikram Rana?” Omkara repeated emptily, “Sidhdarth’s brother? That’s why my people couldn’t  locate him or that dad of his again?”
“I didn’t believe my detective first, but then Malika called me. Frankly she didn’t sound very enthusiastic about the development.” Shivay nodded, as Omkara sunk into his leather chair, his hands covering his face. 
“Was he playing her – Shivay?” He asked darkly. “Was it all some kind of a dirty game?”
“You know, I wouldn’t put it past a Rana – especially when you count the famous rivalry between Sharmas and Ranas.” 
Omkara’s rattled intake of breath made him stop. 
“The truth will destroy her Shivay,” he muttered. “She wouldn’t be able to take it.”
“She doesn’t have to know things that hurts her Om,” Shivay suggested slowly. “Tuje sirf uss ki kushi se matlab hai...”
“How can I –“ He couldn’t complete his sentence as someone opened the study door loudly. For a moment his heart raced wildly wondering what he would do if Ri was standing there at the threshold. To his relief it was Bua  ma, her dark gray dressing gown trailing after her. Both brothers rose from their chairs, exchanging a curious glance.
“Do you need anything Bua ma?”
“Omkie?” The woman sounded determined and he noticed she had a folder in her hands. “I need your signatures here.”
“What is it?” He reached out to take the folder unconsciously and flipped it open, his eyes skimming over the content. “Bua ma yeh toh –“
“They are divorce papers,” she completed his sentence and pursed her lips. “Sign them Omkie and free yourself from this trap.”
“Bua ma aap yeh –“ Shivay tried to intervene but the old lady glared at him. 
“I’m doing this right thing Shivay. That girl cannot be our bahu and you know it very well.” Her tone was brisk and rough, Omkara winced at her words. 
“Kiyun nahi ban sakti?” He had to ask.
“You are asking me that Omkie? You know very well what kind of a girl she is, and you want to stay married to her?”
“Yes.” His answer was short. 
Bua Ma lend a hand on his shoulder, giving him an understanding nod. 
“You’re worrying about your father right? I will take care of him. He will not say a word against it – chal sign kar de!”
Omkara didn’t move, he simply placed the file on the table and folded his hands. 
“You won’t sign?”
“No.”
“Omkie – wo ladki tere liye sahi nahi hai. Wo bina shaadi ke maa banne wali thi – can’t you see how they’ve been trapping you?”
“She was in love Bua ma.”
“Don’t be a fool Omkie!” Bua ma waved her hands. “Pyaar has it’s limits you know? Unhe cross nahi karte. Aur jo karte hai unhe characterless kehete hai.”
“I’ve been living in with Riddima for five years,” Omkara pointed out calmly. “Toh main bhi chartacterless hua na?”
“Omki you’re not getting me – there’s a difference between this and that,”
“Mujhe nahi sunna,” he shook his head and left, giving her a dark look in parting. 
“You have to listen Omkie!” Her voice called after him, before the door shut with a snap.
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