Yuhn Hota Toh Kya Hota- Rikara FF

Chapter 187

Only now she realized how strange must it have looked to the early devotees at the temple yesterday, to see Omkaraji carrying her. News spreads quickly in a small town. She didn't want any unpleasantness in Richa's wedding and to that extent she had even agreed to get engaged to Ajay for the time being. 

But she should be more careful, incidents like yesterday, could get tongues talking in this place.

"Good Morning" said Omkara, coming from behind her.

"Oh, you came back. Where were you yesterday?" Gauri demanded. 

"I thought you wanted me to leave" said Omkara, not answering her question.

"After the wedding, I asked you to leave, after the wedding" said Gauri, growing angry.

"But what difference does it make? You don't want me, anymore. I leave now, or I leave after two days, its really no big deal. Why prolong my pain?" questioned Omkara.

"Your pain? You are thinking of your pain? And what about me?" argued Gauri. 

"Only you can answer for yourself, Gauri. I came back for you, you refused me, now what can I do for your malady?" Omkara probed.

"You can.....I don't know.....just go" Gauri breathed out, helpless. 

"And we are back to the same question. I want to go, you told me to stay back till Richa is married off. Why? It will only agonize me, because our time together is short, because we can't be together. Isn't that selfish, Gauri?" asked Omkara. 

Gauri felt attacked. She didn't want to answer any of his questions, she wanted to avoid him, yet she didn't want him to leave. 

Thankfully, her mother called for her, right at that moment. Gauri was relieved for the respite. 

"Run then" mocked Omkara.

Gauri glared at him, and went to answer her mother. 

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The rest of the day, Gauri occupied herself with arrangements for the upcoming functions. 

There were three ceremonies tomorrow; Haldi in the morning, and Mehendi and Sangeet in the evening. 

It was lucky for her, as she could successfully evade Omkaraji throughout the day. 

On the other hand, the unlucky things perhaps, was that she could feel his eyes on her, following her all around, wherever she went. 

When he was not in the same room, observing her, Gauri could feel his presence, because she was thinking of him. 

When Omkaraji went with Richa's uncle, to help with the outdoor tent and catering arrangements, then she would keep sneaking glances at the door to see when he was back. 

Even when she was locked in her room, deciding what clothes to wear tomorrow, she could hear his chuckle, listen to his voice echo in her ears, reciting some shayari. 

At one point, Gauri actually opened the window to see if he was standing outside, shut it, then scrounged all over the room, looking under the bed, inside the cupboard, to make sure he had not entered her room, escaping detection just to torment her. 

If this was her state now, then what was she going to do when he actually left? 

Why did love make someone so weak? So defenseless? Was it only women who suffered like this? Were men immune to this torture? Was her Shankarji so unfair? 

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Omkara tried to pay attention to work at hand, but it was difficult to concentrate when his heart was being put through a stone crusher. 

His mind was playing a hundred scenarios of that day....what if he had waited for Gauri to come back to Mumbai, to surprise her with the news? What if he had arrived in Delhi in the evening? What if he had asked her about her trip to Delhi, instead of assuming that she was going leave Mumbai and live with her uncle? What if he had not taken her 'break' seriously and just picked up his damn phone to ask her how she was doing in the Delhi? What if he had not been so impulsive and waited for Gauri to come back to Mumbai, and explain what he witnessed? What if he had not let his insecurities overwhelm his imagination? What if, what if, what if.......any scenario which didn't end with Gauri walking away from him that day, and refusing to come back. 

Omkara came back tired from the day's activities, and entered upon a strange scene. 

Richa was talking to a group of her female friends, who looked like they had just arrived. Gauri was observing from far, and for some reason turned about, and shut herself in the room

Were these the same friends Richa was asking about that day? The ones from Bareilly?

"Psst, Richa ji" Dilpreet beckoned Richa.

"Yes, Dilpreet ji" Richa answered. 

"Richaji, why is Gauri ji nowhere to be found?" asked Dilpreet.

"I think she is in her room....its all my fault really, but then...anyways let it be. These friends of mine came for the wedding, and they are from Bareilly. They are....apologetic, I think, but they cannot even claim to stand by the truth in public, because they have families back in zila......and oh, they are embarrassed to face Gauri, as they should be" said Richa, more to herself than Dilpreet. 

Omkara couldn't make much of it, but he decided not to probe Richa further. 

He went to Gauri's door and knocked. 

"Omkaraji...." said Gauri warily, wondering whether it was her imagination, or real. 

"Yes, why are you looking at me strangely.....like the time you had bhaang filled laddoos and thought I was dream?" said Omkara.

Gauri want to giggle at that memory, but the situation had changed so much, that she wanted to cry. She swallowed the pain in her throat, and turned away from him.

"Do you seriously not want to give our relationship a chance?" requested Omkara.

"What relationship, Omkaraji? What was our relationship? Friends? Partners? Fake spouses? What?" asked Gauri not looking at him.

"Humdard (someone with whom you share your pain). Soulmates..... Saathiya (co-traveler/someone who is with you)" replied Omkara simply. 

Gauri took a deep breadth and turned to him.

"Omkaraji, this is...inappropriate, knocking on my door at night, people will see, even yesterday at the temple...it was not wise. I'm requesting you, let us not be careless. Please leave now, and don't create any untoward situation now" said Gauri. 

"You want me to leave, but your eyes are saying something else" said Omkara.

"You focus on my words. Good night, Dilpreet ji" said Gauri. 

Omkara nodded and left. 

Humdard. Soulmate. Saathiya. 

He stabbed her heart with his words. 

How was she to live now?