As newlyweds, Omkara and Gauri folded their hands in prayer and sought blessings from the deity of the God and Goddess at the temple. Then, after seeking the blessings of Daadi, who beamed with pride and happiness, Gauri looked at Omkara with a smile, as if telling him that getting married in a short time was worth her happiness.
Om, on the other hand, pretended as if he didn't really bother, but deep down was happy to see his Daadi happy, despite the tiredness and frailty with which she blessed them with trembling hands. Omkara would never admit to another soul, including Gauri, that he was inwardly happy to have fulfilled a wish that Daadi never thought she would see. He felt slightly guilty while thinking for a fleeting moment, that this time, instead of her Billu, it was he who made her happy.
True, that Annika and Shivaay deserved all the happiness in the world and whatever troubles they were going through he wouldn't wish that even upon his enemy, but he couldn't help but recall all those times during his childhood when Shivaay was her favourite grandson, while he was always the black sheep of the family who was rebellious, brooding and in solitude. It wasn't Shivaay's fault at all, neither was he blaming him for Daadi's biased behaviour. However, all his childhood and teenage, he wished Daadi would be as proud of him as she was of Billu. But now, to see Daadi look at him like the way she always looked at her Billu made him feel a strange sense of peace and happiness in his heart – that it was he who fulfilled her wishes, not her Billu, as always.
Gauri and Omkara sought Janhvi's blessings, who simply hugged them and blessed them with lifelong happiness. "Always keep her happy. From now on, she is your priority. Everyone and everything else is secondary." Omkara couldn't help but kiss his mother's forehead at her words. He could see how strong a woman she was. Gauri smiled warmly as Janhvi exclaimed to her, "Welcome to our family. We can get crazy at times, but you'll eventually learn to get along and love us." Gauri smiled, knowing how true that was from all the incidents she'd heard from Oberoi, who right now was giving her an 'I told you so' look.
Gauri was about to go towards Pinky and Shakthi, when Omkara stopped her by holding her forearm. "Your parents are waiting for us," he whispered to her soft enough for no one else to hear. Gauri saw the look on Pinky's face when Omkara stopped her, as she taunted that for a woman, her sasural should now be a priority than her maayka. As Gauri looked at him, he simply turned a deaf ear to whatever Choti Maa said, and gently dragged Gauri to her parents.
"Hamesha khush raho; Bhagwan tum dono ko iss duniya ke saari khushiyaan de," Shalini said in an emotional tone as she placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead, whose eyes were slightly misty. Omkara nodded with a smile, as he touched his mother-in-law's feet and then hugged her.
"Papa!" Gauri's voice turned a bit shaky, and Omkara immediately placed his arm around her, knowing how sentimental she had gotten. Perhaps, he did understand what she was going through at this moment. Staying away from the family that one grew up in – who could understand better than him. And he wasn't even so attached to anyone other than his brothers and his mother. Here, Gauri was so close to her parents, wherein she was treated like a delicate flower all her life.
Arvind smiled warmly, noting how his son-in-law had comforted his daughter, resting his heart at peace, that he now had nothing to worry about her. His daughter had definitely been blessed by having Omkara as her life-partner. Gauri simply hugged her Papa wordlessly, as her emotions and her tears did all the talking. Arvind, whose eyes had welled up with tears, smiled as he wiped his daughter's cheeks.
Looking at Omkara, Arvind said to him, "Ever since Gauri grew up, I knew that someday I had to give her away. I now realize, no amount of preparation could ever make me feel ready to give her away. But Omkara, if there was anyone in this world, I always saw my daughter happy with, if there was anybody who could make her smile through her tears, who could support her unconditionally, it was always you. I don't think I've ever felt more pride than in this moment to call myself her Papa, and now, yours too!"
Omkara felt a lump in his throat and he almost cried at what Arvind just told him. In the corner of his heart, deep below all the hurtful things his own father had done, all the hatred that he had for the man, Omkara did miss having a father figure around. True, his Chote Papa was there, but the man was more of a silent spectator. Listening to Arvind right now, made him want to hug the man, which he did, making everyone smile warmly as he called the man 'Papa'. A sentimental Rudra even blew his nose loudly, making everyone scrunch their noses.
Arvind said still hugging Omkara, "I wish I could say to you, 'Welcome to the Sharma family', but the truth is, ever since we've met, you've always been a part of our family." Omkara pulled away from the hug, with tears in his eyes, as he whispered, "Thank you... Papa!" Arvind smiled at him happily as he wiped Omkara's cheeks too, touched by the fact that he couldn't stop calling him 'Papa'. The man in front of him was still a little boy at heart, yearning for unconditional love and acceptance from his father. Arvind vowed to himself to always be that father figure in his life, as he lightly patted Omkara's cheek
Looking at the two of them, Arvind then said, "Seeing my daughter looking so happy, beautiful and radiant is such an amazing feeling, but it is also a reminder that she is all grown-up. Although, for me, she will always remain my little girl – the very same one whom I first carried in my arms at the hospital the day she was born."
Gauri sniffed as she cried, while Omkara too smiled. Everyone present there had tear-glazed eyes. Cupping her face, Arvind kissed her forehead, saying, "Today, you begin a new chapter in your life, and starting now, you will have your husband to whom you'll turn to, for everything in life. But I want you to know that as your Papa, I will always be there for you." Gauri nodded, smiling through her tears. Looking at Omkara, Arvind said with a smile, "Gauri is the most beautiful bride I've ever seen since her mother, all those years ago!" While everyone chuckled, Shalini almost blushed as she beat her husband's arm, mumbling, "Kuch bhi bolte hain aap sab ke saamne!" Arvind smiled as he looked at his wife lovingly.
Then, with a final word of blessing, Arvind said to both of them, "Beta, a successful marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, but finding a person that you can't live without and I know you've found that with each other. May you both always be happy, and someday, God willing, I hope you have the fortune of giving away your daughter's hand in marriage to a man she chooses!" Omkara smiled in awe at him. He had the knack of saying the simplest things in the most profound way. "Khayal rakhna, apna aur iska" he said, exchanging a meaningful glance at Omkara, who nodded in an equally emotional manner.
"Arvind Bhaisahab," Pinky spoke up, making everyone's heads turn towards her. With a smile, she said in her usually contemptuous tone, "Hum understands kar sakte hain aapki tensions ko. Ab betiyan toh hoti hi hai paraya dhan. Saari zindagi Maa-Baap daughters ko paal-pos kar bada karte hain, phir shaadi hote hi usko vidaah karte hain... Sach kahun? Too much emotionals hai. Lekin, bhaisahab, Gauri toh aayi hi hai iss duniya mein hamare Omkara ke liye, aur aap Omkara ki amanat ko usko hi without worries saunp rahe hain." Pausing for a moment, she said in a sly tone, "Aur khush aapki beti rahegi hi; raaj jo karegi apne raeez sasural mein. Oberoi khaandaan ki bahu jo ban gayi ab!" Omkara frowned at that and gave a pointed stare at Shivaay who was about to reprimand his mother for speaking unnecessarily.
While Shalini was flustered at that comment, Arvind simply smiled, saying in an extremely polite tone, "Pinky ji, that is your thought and I respect your point of view, lekin meri soch thodi alag hai." Although Shalini tried to ask him not to say anything to their daughter's in-laws, Arvind couldn't refrain from giving it back. After all, he wasn't a fool to not notice her desperate attempts to try to embarrass the Sharma family.
Arvind began, looking at Gauri, "Pehli baat, meri bachchi, kabhi bhi, na mere liye paraya dhan thi, aur na kabhi hogi. Woh hamesha meri bachchi, mere dil ka tukda hi rahegi. I've had a very special bond with her even before she was born. How can my own child, who had always brightened our lives and our home be a paraya dhan to me? She will always be our daughter even if she is married, till our very last breath. Our hearts and home will always be open for her, as well as for Omkara. Marriage is always equality between both partners, Pinky ji. My daughter is married to Omkara as his companion, and she is his equal- his other half. Iss liye, mujhe poora vishwaas hai ke jis tarah se Omkara uska khayal rakhega, waise hi Gauri bhi uska utni hi achchi tarah se khayal rakhegi."
With pride in his voice, Arvind continued despite the simmering anger in Pinky's eyes, "Secondly, meri beti kisi ki amanat nahi hai - na Omkara ki, na meri, na kisi aur ki. She is an individual person, her own person, with her own individual identity. Woh koi 'cheez' nahi hai ke main usko 'amanat' kahoon – nobody owns or possesses her. Aur rahi baat raaj karne ki, toh main aapko yakeen dilata hoon, ke jaise Gauri Oberoi Mansion mein raaj karegi, waise hi, Omkara bhi Sharma Residence mein raaj karega. Haan, Omkara ke paas, Gauri jitna raeez sasural nahi hai. Lekin hamare ghar mein usko hum dher saara pyaar, apnapan aur khushiyaan denge..."
In response, Omkara held the man's hands in his and touched the back of his hand to his forehead as a mark of respect. With happiness and pride beaming in his eyes, Omkara said to him, "Aur mujhe usse zyada kuch chahiye bhi nahi, Papa. In fact, those are the only three things that I've always wanted and received in abundance from your home. And like you said, nothing changes."
Looking at a teary Gauri, Omkara said, "Main kal bhi iska Oberoi tha, aaj bhi hoon, hamesha rahunga; yeh kal bhi meri Sharma thi, aaj bhi hai, aur hamesha rahegi! Ab toh hum dono life-partners bhi ban gaye hain. Hum ek doosre ka bahut achche se khayal rakhenge." Saying that, he wiped Gauri's cheeks with the back of his hand, and then teased her about her makeup getting ruined with her tears. Everyone but Pinky had a sweet smile on their faces when he said that.
Pinky was about to speak something bitter again when Shivaay glared at her asking her to keep quiet. "Please Mom, enough is enough!" Shivaay murmured to her, making her look away. Still holding Arvind's hands, Omkara looked at his in-laws and his eyes conveyed a silent apology for Pinky's words. Arvind smiled, letting him know it was not a big deal. Instead, he patted his shoulder, asking him to seek the blessings of the others as well.
Next was Omkara's Choti Maa and Chote Papa in line. Pinky had almost tried to taunt Gauri again, but when Shakthi warned her beforehand to not create a scene, she pasted a fake smile on her lips and blessed her with "Sadaa suhagan raho." Of course, when Omkara touched her feet, she mumbled sarcastically, "Mera beta toh joru ka ghulam ban gaya Annika ki haaton, ab tu bhi Shivaay ke kadam pe chalega" Gauri looked at the woman with a slight frown, not liking her tone, but decided to let it slide when she saw Omkara pretending not to give an ear. "Aaj toh haircuts karwa leta tu!" Pinky also grumbled and Omkara secretly rolled his eyes while flashing an equally fake smile at the woman.
Shivaay and Annika walked towards the newlyweds and hugged them both. The moment Shivaay hugged Omkara, Rudra too jumped on Shivaay's back hugging both his brothers, chiming a "Group hug, group hug" without letting go of them, making the two brothers frown and smile at the same time at their little brother's antics. Annika and Gauri laughed at the sight while hugging each other sideways, as she said to her in a warm way, "Welcome to our family, Gauri." "Thank you, Bhabhi!" Gauri beamed.
Rudra immediately let go of his brothers and ran to hug both his sisters-in-law, saying, "Team Rudy is finally complete! Ab main apne dono bhai ki shikayat apne dono Bhabhi se kar sakta hoon, taaki woh mere bhaiyon ke kaan pakadke unko seedha kar sake!"
"Kya bola tune?" "Seedha karna? Matlab hum tedhe hain?" both the brothers said in a threatening tone, while Rudra hid behind his Bhabhis, now mocking his brothers with his tongue sticking out at them, saying, "Haan, wohi bola. Lekin aap dono kuch nahi kar sakte hain, kyunki Team Rudy ki special force mujhe protect karne aur mujhe pamper karne ke liye ready hai." Shivaay smirked as he said, "Lekin kabhi toh tu akela milega na? Tab tujhe humse kaun bachayega?" Omkara and he high-fived each other, making Rudra pout and whine, "Bhabhiiii!"
"Shivaay, kyun mere bechaare Rudra ko pareshaan kar rahe ho?" Annika frowned at her husband, while almost coddling Rudy as she ran her hand over his hair and hugged him with very motherly affection. "Yeah, stop troubling him!" Gauri added, making Omkara frown saying, "But I didn't even do anything!" Gauri narrowed her eyes as she said in a softer tone, "I was warning you in advance!" As Rudra grinned at them, Shivaay and Omkara looked at each other, exchanging glances.
"By the way," Rudra whispered in Gauri's ears so that no one else could hear, "Your cheese burst pizza is waiting in the car." Gauri grinned and almost squealed, as she felt her mouth salivating at the mere mention of pizza. When Omkara raised his brow at her sudden bout of excitement, she stated, "I suddenly got excited thinking about how much fun we'll all have at home!" Shivaay cupped Gauri's cheek with one hand, and in a very joyous voice, welcomed her into the family. "We can't wait for it too!" he said, making her grin.
"Chalo, let's all go home now!" Janhvi announced, and then looking at Shalini and Arvind, she said, "Please come home with us. We'll have lunch together." Shalini and Arvind looked a little hesitant, but when Omkara rightfully told them they are coming and aren't arguing anything further, they obliged.
Omkara walked up to the car that was decorated for them and held the door open for Gauri, who without noticing it, almost ran to the other side to open the door for herself. Omkara stood gaping at her as she slid into the car in a hurry. Then, he too sat next to her in the backseat. Rudra occupied the seat next to the driver and grinned at the two of them.
Only when Gauri reached out for the box of pizza that Rudra handed over, did Omkara realize why she was so excited to 'go home', and why she didn't even wait for him to hold the door for her. Gauri opened the box and almost moaned as the aroma filled her senses. Picking the first gooey-cheesy slice, she took the first bite and instantly fell back into the seat. "I've never experienced paradise, but this must be close to it!" she said making Rudra and Omkara chuckle. Then, she offered the box to Omkara, who asked her to eat. "You were the one who was hungry and hadn't had breakfast. Tu khaale!" he said. Rudra, in the meantime, reached for the box and grabbed two slices, giving one to the driver as well.
Gauri looked at Omkara and said, "Tujhe bhi toh bhook lagi hogi na? You also eat; there's enough for all of us." Omkara smiled, as she brought the half-eaten slice to his lips, and he opened his mouth as she fed him. "Awww" Rudra said with a goofy smile on his face, which both pretended to have not heard. They, in silence, shared the rest of the pizza, taking turns to share and eat the same slice.
***
After extending a warm welcome and completing the required ceremonies, Janhvi announced lunch would be served. The whole household was gathered in the living room, having their food, and laughing while sharing memories. "You know," Kalyani said in a soft voice, holding Gauri's hand, making everyone look in her direction. "When Omkara was younger, he used to write beautiful poetry. Such profound words, such deep thoughts..." she said with a smile. Rudra chuckled as he said, "Haan Bhabhi, usme se 90 percent mere sarr ke oopar se chala jaata tha!"
Gauri looked at Omkara in surprise when she learned this new piece of information from Daadi. Omkara, however, was shaking his head at Rudra and said, "Tere sarr ke oopar se toh seedhi kahi hui baat bhi bounce karke chala jaata hai. Shayari bahut door ki baat hai." Shivaay instantly quipped, "But you can recite one shayari for your lovely bride, today, Om. Itna toh banta hai. Right, guys?" Shivaay finished and the whole family cheered him to recite one.
Omkara shook his head saying, "Guys, your cheering won't suddenly pop lines inside my head. I used to write poetry years ago..." Omkara's tone softened as he recalled how he had given up all that he was passionate about when he stepped into a world of vices. Quickly snapping out of it, knowing that the whole family was also recalling his dark phase, Omkara said, "Moreover, one needs inspiration and the right mood to come up with lines. Aise kaise on-the-spot hoga?"
"Haan toh?" Rudra said with a mischievous smile, "Gauri Bhabhi is a good inspiration for you to come up with some deep, meaningful lines. As for the right mood, what better mood could you possibly be in when it's your suhaagraat tonight?" The whole family suppressed teasing giggles and smiles, and Janhvi had to shush Rudra with a stern glare despite a small smile on her own lips. Gauri, for a moment, looked flustered, but when Omkara asked her to ignore it, she became alright.
Diverting the topic, Omkara turned to his Daadi, saying with a warm smile, "Ab aap khush ho na, Daadi, that we fulfilled one wish of yours?" Kalyani nodded with a smile, and then looked at Shivaay saying, "Uss din agar maine bhagwaan se Billu ke bachche ke liye bhi maanga hota, toh shayad woh khush-khabri bhi mujhe mil jaati!"
Omkara's smile dimmed a little as he stared at his grandmother. Gauri and he had decided to get married in such a short span all because Daadi had started pleading him. It was a different story that Gauri and he were also aboard the idea when they started thinking practically about their decision. But right now, merely an hour after they got married, Daadi was still looking forward to her Billu's child – something that would never, ever happen! It was a renewed realization for Omkara that no matter what he did, his Daadi would always find a way to dismiss it and still look at her Billu as if he was her Santa Claus. A part of him hurt and ached as to why she never looked at him that way.
A soft touch on his hand made him look down, and he smiled to himself when he saw her hand with dark-henna and bridal bangles gently caressing his hand as if soothing his pain. How she knew he was hurting from within, he'd never know. When he turned his head to look in her direction, she was looking at Daadi. She had felt his hurt without even looking at him, and that spoke volumes about their bond. He considered himself lucky, in that very moment, for having taken the decision to marry her. So, what if Daadi wasn't too sensitive towards him? He had his Sharma, who was now his bride, by his side, who understood him better than he did himself. Quietly, he placed his hand on top of hers, encasing her hand in both of his, making her smile a little.
"Daadi..." Rudra chimed at his grandmother, "Uske liye bhi 9 mahine lagte hain. it's a baby we're talking about, koi khilona nahi, ke aaj maangoge aur aapko ek hafte mein mil jayega!" Turning to Shivaay, Pinky said, "Haan Shivaay! What we couldn't imagine also happened – Omkara got married! Ab toh tum dono khush khabri de do; iss khaandaan ko uska pehla waaris de do! kyun Mummy ji?" Pinky said looking at Kalayni who agreed with a nod. Shivaay and Omkara exchanged pained glances before Omkara looked at Annika.
When he did, Omkara's heart almost broke when he saw the flash of distraught look Annika's eyes for a second, before it vanished. Annika, putting on a shy smile, looked away. None of them noticed the hurt so evident in her eyes, and Omkara too would've missed it if he hadn't known the truth and watched so closely. Annika was brave; his respect for her increased massively without a doubt.
But there was also a thought crossing his mind – why was she subjecting herself to so much pain instead of letting the family know? Was it worth, killing one's own happiness and peace, at the cost of putting temporary smiles on the faces of one's family? Shivaay looked suffocated as Annika excused herself saying that she wanted to help herself with an extra serving of custard. Pinky and Janhvi casually giggled that Annika probably felt shy at the discussion of having babies. No one, but Omkara and Shivaay, noticed Annika's hand subtly wipe the tear while she was facing the other way, hiding her face from the family.
"Ow, Oberoi!" he heard a sharp whisper and looked at Gauri, who had a small frown on her face. He immediately released her hand, realizing he was holding it a bit too tightly, and the ring bracelet she'd worn was biting into her skin. "Sorry! I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?" he asked, almost panicking as he examined her hand. She shook her head in a no and asked him what the matter was. "You look lost and worried. All okay?" she asked, and he nodded with a half-hearted smile. He couldn't lie to her telling her he was fine, neither could he tell her the truth without Shivaay's permission. Gauri sensed his hesitation and smiled, "Whatever is bothering you, sab theek ho jayega, don't worry!" He smiled, mouthing a 'Thank you' to her.
***
After lunch, Gauri was escorted to the room, so she could change into something 'more comfortable'. Janhvi and Shalini offered to help her with changing from the heavy lehenga into something less complicated. Gauri had dreaded the thought of wearing the saree, but her mother had told her that it was something she needed to agree on without arguing. Janhvi, of course, told her to wear something comfortable and Gauri was tempted to take the offer. But Shalini had spoken on her behalf, insisting that Gauri would be comfortable in a saree. A frowning Gauri had no choice but to drape the nine yards of silk when her mother said, "You just got married today! How will it look if you wear a salwar-kameez, leave alone a kurti? You're supposed to look like a bride at least for a week!" Gauri inwardly groaned at the thought of wearing a saree for a whole week but also rejoiced at the fact that Omkara was determined to move back to the apartment by tomorrow evening, where she could relax and be herself in her t-shirt and shorts.
Omkara was with Shivaay, Annika and Rudra by the poolside after he had changed into his favourite black kurta-pyjamas. The moment he had come downstairs after changing in Shivaay's room since his own room was occupied with the three women, Pinky had commented, "Shaadi ke din yeh, manhoos kale rang ke kapde kyun pehna hai? Jaa kuch aur pehenke aa." He, as always, had turned a deaf ear to her and simply walked outside, shortly after which the three of them had joined him. He had also texted Gauri to join them by the poolside, as soon as she was done changing her clothes.
Meanwhile, Shakthi offered Arvind a tour around the house, and since both of them found out that they were fond of gardening, they busied themselves in the garden, where Shakthi was happily showing off his collection of flowers, while Arvind was also bragging to him of the garden at the Sharma Residence, and both the men happily chatting away while exchanging gardening tips. They then moved on to the topic of sports and politics as they sat in the lawn garden, each with a glass of lime soda on a warm afternoon.
***
At the poolside, the four of them were chilling, still waiting for Gauri to join them. "So, O, how do you feel getting married, finally?" Rudra asked, sipping on his cup of hot chocolate, while Omkara frowned thoughtfully, saying, "It's just been an hour. It's too soon to say, actually. But as of now, I feel no difference. I mean, it's just Sharma, not a stranger!"
"You mean, Missus Oberoi, right?" Shivaay asked with a teasing smile. Annika grinned and Rudra waggled his eyebrows. Omkara pursed his lips as he said, "I haven't had that discussion with her if she would like to take the Oberoi surname. If she's okay adding the Oberoi in her name, it's her choice. But for me, she'll always be my Sharma!"
Gauri, who had finally changed into her bright pink silk saree, walked into the poolside with a frown as the pleats kept getting under her foot. The moment she walked in, she heard Omkara, and she stood at the threshold giving a curious ear.
"Om," Annika said, making them look at her, "I agree it's her choice to take the Oberoi surname or not. I mean, even I have not changed my name and added the Oberoi surname officially. But, obviously, she cannot be called as Sharma; at least not after marriage."
"Why?" Omkara questioned with a ridiculed expression. "I am not called as Mr. Omkara Sharma, right?" Before he could be interrupted, he said, "I know, I know. It's societal norms for a woman to take her husband's surname. But she has an identity of her own, right? Mamma-Papa are the ones who have raised her up and made her the woman she is today. Just because she is married, doesn't mean she has to give up on her surname that she has lived with for almost a quarter of a century, right?"
Pausing to take a sip of his hot chocolate, he said, "But, that is my perspective. She is free to do whatever she wants. However, I'm still going to call her Sharma. For me, Sharma isn't just her surname. Sharma is who she is as a person- her thoughts, her personality, her entire being. Calling her Missus Oberoi is going to make me feel like I'm addressing someone else. As for calling her by her name, let's see if I can get myself used to it. However, I doubt that even if I call her as 'Gauri', she would be okay with it. We're too comfortable calling each other by our surnames!" He finished with a polite smile at his Bhabhi.
Omkara was explaining himself only because it was his favourite people who had asked that question. Had Daadi or Choti Maa asked him that, he wouldn't have bothered with explaining himself, and would have politely told them to mind their own business. However, he loved these people, and there was a soft corner towards Annika Bhabhi, especially after knowing whatever she was going through.
Gauri smiled to herself, listening to all that he had said. Her mother too had asked her the same question – whether she was going to continue calling him Oberoi after marriage, and she had said something along the lines of the answer that Omkara had just given them - that is their comfort level in calling each other by their surname, not even marriage would change that. However, she was floored with the way he had simply told them that she was free to do her will and wish with regard to taking the Oberoi surname.
Knowing that the family had its own set of rules and values, the confidence with which he said the same gave her reassurance that it was worth making this decision of a lifetime to marry him. For it wasn't just about the surname; the very fact that he respected her consent, her will, her freedom was what touched her heart. Love may be a long way, but the mutual respect they had for each other, even behind each other's back, warmed her heart.
"Arey, Gauri! Come, come!" Annika's excited voice broke her out of her reverie, and she nodded with a smile. With her gaze on Omkara, she slowly walked toward the poolside, and almost blushed when Omkara did not take his eyes off of her. Her blush lasted for a fraction of a second because in the very next one, she stepped on her saree pleats and fell forward. Gauri instantly closed her eyes as she fell, waiting for the impact with the tiled floor that never happened. Omkara, God alone knows how, had quickly rushed and held her in his arms. However, he too had lost balance and ended up on the floor, with her on top of him, as he cushioned the fall for her.
"Oww, fuck!" he groaned as his back hit the floor. "Oh God!" Gauri exclaimed in horror. The three others rushed to them, and a worried Shivaay asked him while helping him to get up, "Are you okay?" A panicked Annika also helped Gauri to be upon her feet. Omkara glared at his brother, before saying sarcastically, "Of course I'm fine. I practice falling down and banging my back against the floor, every day!" Shivaay decided to shut up and check if Om was hurt instead.
"O, you need an ice pack?" Rudra asked, and he shook his head. "I'm so sorry!" Omkara looked up to see Gauri in tears, guiltily apologizing to him. "Arey, why are you saying sorry yaar? You didn't fall on purpose!" he said, chiding her. She immediately held his arms as he slightly limped when he reached out to her and held her by her shoulders, asking with a worried frown, "Are you hurt?"
"No, but you are. And it's because of me!" she said as a big fat tear dropped down her eyes. "Pagal! Ro kyun rahi hai? I'll be fine in two minutes. Chill!" he said with a grin, wiping her cheek. A worried Gauri wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, still mumbling a sorry, while he chuckled and kept telling her it was no big deal.
"Oh my maata!" Pinky said as she walked into the scene along with Janhvi and Shalini. Gauri and Omkara pulled away as they looked at the older women. "Om, are you okay?" Janhvi asked with a worried frown. Shalini admonished Gauri by pulling her aside, and saying loud enough for all to hear in an upset voice, "Couldn't you be more careful? Were you walking with your head in the clouds? Dhyaan kahan rehta hai tera?"
Omkara frowned, as he said shocking everyone, "Mamma, with due respect, please don't take that tone with her!" "Omkara, I was just -" But Omkara shook his head, saying in a slightly less stern tone, "I know you were worried for me. But it wasn't her fault. If I didn't hold her, God forbid, she would have banged her head to the floor, and we might have had to rush to the ER if it was bad." When Janhvi widened her eyes at him, as if asking him to calm down and not talk that way to his mother-in-law, he said in a polite and calm tone, "I'm completely fine, Mamma. Don't worry." Shalini nodded, now slightly embarrassed at shouting at her daughter in her sasural.
"Haan bhai," Pinky began, and everyone knew it would be something bitter that he had to say; she did not fail their expectations, "Ghar mein nayi bahu ke kadam padte hi Omkara ko chot lagi. Aur pata nahi aage kya kya dekhna aur sunna padega. Tu apna dhyaan rakha kar, Om. Main toh kehti hoon, Jethani ji, Omkara ke healths ke liye koi pooja-vooja karwate hain."
"Choti Maa, I think that's enough!" Omkara said in a stern voice, looking at her. Pinky began, "Maine aisa bhi kya -" "Mom!" Shivaay warned too. He had maintained his silence for a really long time, even when his mother would speak rudely to his own wife.
Janhvi turned to her and said, "Pinky, you don't have to worry about my son's health, or my daughter-in-law's luck. Tumhe pooja karwani hi hai, toh Shakthi ke liye karwao na. He is in dire need of it," she finished, as she smirked at her. Pinky narrowed her eyes and asked, "Aapke kehna ka meanings kya hai? Ke main Shakthi ji ke healths ki dushman hoon? Ke mere lucks theek nahi hain?"
Janhvi shook her head saying, "Those are your words, Pinky. Not mine. Maine aisa kuch nahi kaha..." Pinky twisted her lips, mocking her, saying, "Mujhe pata hai ke aapne aisa directs nahi kaha. Lekin matlab toh aapka wohi tha na?" Janhvi sighed in exhaustion, not wanting to continue the argument on her daughter-in-law's first day at home. She patted Gauri's cheeks as if conveying a silent apology for whatever Pinky said, and walked off.
"Jethani ji, aap aisa kuch bhi bolke nahi jaa sakti. Maine poocha ke aapke kehna ka matlab kya tha..." Pinky followed Janhvi back into the house, and they all heard a "Shut up, Pinky" "Aap chup rahiye, jethani ji" in the next five seconds, after which the voices faded.
Shalini stood there, wide-eyed, inexperienced about all this family drama; she had seen all of this only in daily soaps. She thought she was the one who was dramatic, but this drama was on a whole new and different level. Shivaay apologized to Shalini and Gauri, while the latter immediately said it was nothing.
Omkara looked up at Gauri, saying sarcastically, "Sharma, welcome to my happy family!" Gauri walked to Omkara, who was standing with his fingers pressed against the corners of his eyes. "It's okay, it happens!" she said in an attempt to calm him down. "You know it is not okay, and you know it doesn't happen!" he said in a vulnerable tone.
Everyone's mood had turned sour, and Gauri didn't like that a bit. She turned to Rudra and signalled him for help to lighten the mood. Rudra, immediately jumping into action, said, "All that is said and done. But O, what sort of behaviour is this? Aapne Gauri Bhabhi ko dekhke unki tareef toh bilkul bhi nahi kiya! I thought when Bhabhi walks into the scene, you would fall holding your heart, and we would have to hold you – just like the scene where Shahrukh Khan saw Deepika Padukone in Om Shanthi Om?" Pausing for a second as his Eureka moment came, he said, "O! Aapka toh naam bhi Om hai, aur aapka naam bhi OSO hai, just like the movie Om Shanthi Om!"
Before Omkara could growl at Rudra for his lame sense of humour, Gauri snatched the moment as she said in a mock-complaining tone, "Rudra is right! You never told me how I looked! Neither when I was wearing the bridal lehenga, nor even now! What sort of a newlywed groom are you, Oberoi?" Omkara smiled looking at the small smile curving up her lips. Heaving a sigh, he said, "You looked nice in the lehenga; you look nice now as well!"
"Bass? Nice?" Annika said with a tone of distaste, continuing, "What is with you Oberoi men? Biwi ki tareef karne mein itni kanjoosi kyun karte ho? Waise toh badi badi baatein karte hain, lekin biwi ki tareef karne ko kaho, toh mooh pe fevikwik laga lete hain!" Turning to Rudra, she said, "Ek tum hi ho, Rudra, jo itni achchi aur, meethi meethi baatein karte ho."
Rudra patted his own shoulder saying, "Kya karein Bhabhi? Iss ghar ke saare gunn mere mein hi aa gaye hain – chahe woh sweetness ho, good looks ho, ya phir smartness! Baakiyon ko-"
Rudra stopped talking when his two brothers glared at him as if daring him to continue. "Err... err... Shalu Aunty!" he said suddenly, making her look at him amused. No one other than Arvind ever called her Shalu. Holding her hand, he said, "Come, I'll show you our whole house." Then whispering to her, he said in a plea, "Please let's go. Or else, I'll get beaten by my brothers!" Shalini almost laughed, and nodding at them, she walked inside with Rudra. She was already fond of this brat.
"Toh, Annika? Main tumhari tareef karne mein kanjoosi karta hoon? Main meethi baatein nahi karta hoon?" Shivaay asked, to which she huffed, saying, "Aap toh apne khoon mein sugar kam karne ke liye dawaai lete hain..." "...Annika, please! It's not sugar; can we please call it diabetes?" "Wohi!" she said, and then making an irritated face at him, she said, "You know what? I don't want to talk to you right now. Main jaa rahi hoon, aur mere peeche peeche aane ki bhi zarurat nahi hai, bata rahi hoon!" But Shivaay frowned as she stormed in and walking behind her, he said, "Ek second, baat kyun nahi karni hai? What did I do?"
As they walked out and their voices faded, Omkara and Gauri realized they were the only ones by the poolside. Gauri was about to go back into the living room when Omkara called out to her. She turned around, only to find him smiling at her. He hung his arm around her shoulder, and bending a little, he said to her in a soft tone, "You looked amazing today. Papa was spot on when he said you made the most beautiful bride." Gauri grinned, and pulling his cheek with her fingers, "Thank you, husband!" she said to him, and then with a raise of her brow she asked, "And how do I look now?"
Omkara moved away and looked at her, head to toe, making a thoughtful expression. She posed in front of him, her hands on her hips, and twirled once in front of him. "Raapchik. Ek dum kadak lag rahi hai..." Gauri narrowed her eyes at him, trying her best not to burst into laughter. He saw the attempt she made to hide her smile, and he said, "Dhaahsu lag rahi hai. Bijlee re bijlee..."
Gauri burst into laughter and slapped his arm, "Pagal, thoda dheere bol. Apni dulhan ki tareef koi aise karta hai? Koi sunn lega toh?" He clicked his tongue, and pulled her by putting his hand on her shoulder. "You think I care if anyone hears? Aur main apni biwi ki tareef kar raha hoon, padosi ke biwi ki nahi! Nobody should have any problem with that!"
She knew there was no point in arguing, so she nodded with the smile still intact. "Ek baat bata?" Omkara asked as he walked slowly with her, "Are you comfortable wearing a saree? Or did someone insist that you've to wear this?"
Gauri knew that if she told him that her mother insisted, she wears a saree and that she really isn't comfortable, he wouldn't hesitate to walk up to her mother and school her as well. The promise he made to her father this morning, of taking good care of her, he was taking it quite seriously by telling off anyone and everyone who tried to say anything to her. While that was sweet of him, it was also making her uncomfortable since Pinky Oberoi had already made the 'Joru ka ghulam' comment. Now she didn't want anyone to think that she was the reason he was behaving that way.
She looked at him as he said with a small frown, "Because if you're uncomfortable, you can change into something lighter. And if someone says anything, I'll tell them-" "I know, I know!" she said, forcing him to stop talking, as she said, "I like wearing a saree, okay? It was my choice. I'm just not used to carrying myself around, but otherwise, it's comfortable." Noticing that he was looking at her with an 'I-don't-believe-a-word-you-said' expression, she smiled mischievously saying, "And dear patidev, which Dulhan wouldn't want to look raapchik, dhaahsu, kadak, bijlee, on her first day in her sasural?"
Omkara smirked before grinning at her. Then, turning serious, he said in a hushed tone, "Listen, don't unpack your suitcase here. For tomorrow morning, as per ritual, you'll have to wear a saree gifted by Mom for the pehli rasoi ceremony. After that, we're anyway going to Mamma-Papa's place," Gauri smiled, feeling happy at the way he called her parents as his own. If anything, each time he said 'Papa', there was a sense of endearment attached to it. She knew how he longed to have a father-figure in his life, and each time he came home and spoke to her Papa, she could see how he secretly yearned for his love and attention.
Omkara furrowed his brows when she stared at him with a smile. "What?" he asked, and she shook her head. Then, with a small frown as something struck her mind, she asked him, "What do you mean by 'we are going to Mamma-Papa's place'? As per tradition, I have to go; you don't have to tag along. You only have to come to pick me up in the evening."
Omkara laughed as said to her with a comical expression, "You think I'm mad to spend the whole day here? In between all of them? No way! They will all drive me nuts! I'd rather laze around at your place! Also, not to forget, Mamma pampers me with loads of yummy food, and Papa always takes my side and favours me. Why wouldn't I take this chance to spend time there?"
"Mamma-papa ne tujhe bigaad ke rakha hai!" she said with a small frown, to which he shrugged his shoulders saying, "Bigda hua ya sudhra hua, hoon toh ab tera husband! Deal with it. You've got no other choice, baby!" He gave her a mock-evil laugh, at which she poked his tummy mouthing a 'shut-up'. Then, holding her hand so that she doesn't trip again, they walked back into the house, chattering about anything and everything.