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𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 - (3)
[ Final ]
Gauri looked at him in the eye. He held her hand and moved to the narrow passageway between the rows of racks and the wall.
"The desk that used to be here is gone," He said softly.
Gauri smiled despite the heaviness of her heart. One isolated desk with two chairs used to be placed in the passageway, it was where they used to sit and discuss their project. Mainly because Omkara didn't want to be spotted in the reading area in the library by his friends, which would somehow make him not cool and party because the strict librarian didn't like discussions going on in the reading area.
He sat on the floor against the wall, where the desk used to be. Gauri looked at him and then at the floor. "Seriously? It's dirty!"
He held her hand, stretched his legs. "Sit on my lap?" Gauri couldn't clearly see his face in the darkness but she was sure he was smirking. She sat beside him, without another complaint.
"I saw you talking to your group of friends."
"Please, don't remind me."
"Did you meet Tanya, by the way?" He asked, pulling her hand into his and letting their interleaved hands rest on his lap.
Gauri rested her head against his shoulder. "No," she said softly. The night had been quite an eventful one, and it wasn't even over yet. It was strange how most days were boring and monotonous while suddenly one day would come with all the surprises.
"I was too late I guess..." She added thoughtfully.
Confusion twisted Omkara's eyebrows. He shifted his head slightly, "what do you mean?"
"I met Fatima Ma'am. She said Tanya passed away four years ago."
"What! That's —" He ran out of the right words.
"Tragic!" Gauri completed, wrapping her arm around his. She felt terrible after hearing that piece of news.
"I used to really like her. She was different! Never got the chance to say that to her."
Omkara gave a gentle squeeze to her hand, angling his head to kiss her hair.
"It's strange how we... regret after having so many chances. I should have kept in touch with her. She was the only person in my class who was genuinely nice to me."
"Gauri, you're overthinking," Omkara said softly, caressing her arm. Her words sending his own thoughts into a spiral.
"It's contagious maybe — overthinking. I think I got it from you!"
Omkara smiled little.
"This place is my favorite place in school." Omkara said looking at the window from where few stray rays of light filtered in.
"Liar. Field and canteen?"
"Not lying. This was the place I actually started loving, after I met you. I learned that I could be in silence, I could be alone and not be irritated or annoyed with that."
"This was my favorite place in school too."
"Because you spent most time with me here?" He teased.
Gauri chuckled and he joined soon after.
"Marry me, Om, please."
A pin drop silence fell as his chuckle faded and her words rang in his ears.
He froze. He could feel her breath on the side of his neck.
"These last few months without you have been hard... I want to be with you." She confessed softly.
"please," she added, hoping he'd understand what her heart felt. "I am scared... of losing you."
Omkara took a deep breath, his eyes blinking. "Gauri,"
Gauri shifted her face slightly away from his. From that tone she knew that this wasn't going to be easy.
"My family is screwed up. Mom wants me to permanently move back to Indore. She has never said that before. She has always let me make my choices. Even when I wanted to study here in Bhopal. Then go abroad for further studies. For the first time...in years, she's asked me to stay at home."
Gauri held his hand firmly, patiently waiting for him to go on.
"Rudra is barley home, he's made a mess of his life. Priyanka is more interested in changing boyfriends than in making her career. Mom is pretty worried about them. She's... got a bad habit too, drinking. They're ... lost, Gauri. Way more in soup than I thought. I feel guilty... for running away. I was the eldest son. It was my responsibility to hold the family together after .... my mother's husband left us."
Gauri steadily snaked her arms around him. "Then go back Om, it's never too late."
"What can I possibly do? I think they hate me." Omkara's voice shook with an overpowering emotion.
"Do what you can... We can't change people, Omkara. But we can be there for them. Maybe your being around will get the family together. Maybe it will make your mother happy. Or maybe it will at least wash away the regret and guilt."
Omkara turned to look at Gauri. She could see the glimmer in his eyes due to unshed tears.
"It's a hell hole. I don't want to drag you in. I want to give you the life you deserve, Gauri."
Gauri sighed and rested her head against the wall. "They're your family, Omkara." Her gaze drifted out of the window. The sky was dark.
"They are!" He uttered resting his head against the wall, holding on to her hand.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
"I don't mind, as long as you're by my side."
A weak smile appeared on Omkara's face. "Would your parents marry their only daughter to a household like mine? My brother has fights that leave bruises every other day. My sister, well, her character is questioned upon by almost every other person in the neighbourhood. House is small and decent. Mother is ... becoming a habitual drinker and father is a parasite. Honestly, I wouldn't ever let my daughter stay with such people under the same roof."
"You missed out the most important part."
Omkara glanced at her.
"the man who respects women, is a kind, is loyal, responsible at most times... moderately good-looking,"
Omkara grinned, "You're being a little less precise... devilishly handsome..."
Gauri smiled, turning to look at him. Their eyes met. "You're everything I want, Omkara. Besides, if my parents don't agree... I will tell them I am carrying your baby!"
Omkara's jaw fell and he stared at her.
"What?" Gauri shrugged. "That's plan B. Just in case... I know my parents will support my choice."
Omkara blinked. "My mind had been adversely affected. Whatever has happened to my miss-two-goody-shoes?"
Gauri's lips twisted into a smile as he curved his arm along her shoulders. Her gaze rose up to meet his. A question floating in her eyes.
"You'll runaway."
Gauri's jaw dropped. "I won't. I am ready for it."
Omkara turned himself and looked at her squarely. "I promise, we'll marry. I won't marry anyone if not you. But, Gauri, I need some time, I need to help my family at the moment. I want to be a good son, a good brother... before I become a good husband."
Gauri sighed, her gaze falling to her fingers. His gaze followed hers.
"Why are you even wearing another man's ring!" He muttered, his fingers quickly attempting to slip the ring off. It came of effortlessly. "It's loose," He pointed.
He then looked at her. "A girl who treated library books like delicate flowers because she had to return them... wouldn't wear a loose ring and walk around... why?"
Gauri looked away, her gesture displaying her guilt.
"To make me jealous huh?" He smiled looking at the ring. It looked quite expensive.
"No. To make you realize that... "
"I need to make a move or someone else will be your husband."
Gauri smiled a little.
"What happened Gauri?"
"I am thinking ..." She mumbled.
"About?"
"What next... I have an idea."
Omkara looked at her skeptically.
"I am going to tell mom dad that I like you. But never had the guts to tell you and that I would want them to initiate marriage talks. That way this Thakuraal problem will also be solved and you'll be my fiancé and the ring on my finger would be yours."
Omkara smiled. "Miss Problem-Solved, you really think you'll be able to tell your parents that you like a guy?"
Gauri's lips firmed a tight line before she said, "I can try."
"I'll come to your place. All you need to do is say a yes and put a condition that you don't want an immediate marriage. I am going to come with Maasi."
"Your mom?"
Omkara sighed.
" Please bring your mom too?"
Omkara looked at her. "I don't want to mess this up, thus is the only beautiful thing I have."
Gauri's lips curved up. "Bring your mom too. I am sure she'll be happy."
"I hope so..." He sighed. He had always heard that mother's became hostile towards their son's wives as a natural instinct to not have the affection divided. But he hoped his mother liked Gauri.
"Om?"
"Hmm,"
"Did you eat anything?"
He smiled, he absolutely adored her little concerns for his well-being. "I can eat you, if that's what you're trying to ask for?" He teased glancing at her.
Gauri like always had her cheeks turn pink and opened her mouth to say something but stopped and instead gave whack on his arm. "Let's go, I am hungry."
Gauri had barely taken two steps away when his hands were on her shoulder pulling her back. He backed her against the wall standing close to her. "Sweetheart, what's the hurry?"
"Om!"
"God, I miss those different variations of my nick name." He smirked. " Oh, Om. Slow.. fast..oh, Om..Omkara..Ah!"
She blushed, snaking her hands around his neck to the back of his head, pulling him down to shit his teasing mouth. Their lips reuniting passionately. His hands went to her waist. He broke the kiss, "you look ravishing hot today, by the way." He murmured, bunching up her dress.
"Omkara ,no!"
"we'll be quick!"
"not here!"
"Right here." He challenged, his one hand moving under her dress, between her legs while he kissed her neck.
"Oh, I hate you for...Oh Om.."
He smirked, lifting her thighs, icing them around his waist , walking to the neared side table.
A thrill ran through Gauri. Their reunion couldn't get any more scandalous.
~~~~~~~~♡~~~~~~~~
Sorry to keep you all waiting... got busy over the past few days.
Thanks for all those prompt replies you gave to the prompts chapter. I combined Reunion & Library.
Senior and Junior, science and commerce, make out in library, and bullying, covered them all. :)
Let me know if you enjoyed this. I have another OS on mind with the prompts, will strat working on that tomorrow perhaps.
-Anami!♡