At the wash of the new light, Omkara opened his eyes, giving up his efforts to rest. Thoughts of the previous night plagued his mind and his wife sleepily mumbling him a sorry every few hours wasn't re-assuring.
Why was she so bothered?
It wasn't the first time that they slept without making love but he could feel that something was amiss by the way she reacted to him. He was so worried by her almost panic attack and he would be damned if he believed in her lie.
He looked down at his wife resting on his chest, her hair almost covering her face. Slightly moving her to the side, he brushed her hair away to get a clear view of her innocent face.
She seemed to be fast asleep, her eyes closed and unmoving, her body relaxed and pressed against him. Her plum lips were partly open and he could see the trace of drool which had left a wet patch on his night shirt.
Despite the tension in his heart, a smile broke out on his face and he loosened her hold on him, making her lie on the adjacent pillow. Unable to stop himself, he gently wiped her cheek and chin, all the time staring at her inviting lips.
Gauri's sleep was disrupted when a hand gently caressed her face. She frowned in her sleep and felt her husband's lips touch her forehead. Slowly rubbing her eyes, she opened them to look at her man smiling down at her.
"Good morning," she greeted him with a bright smile and he chuckled.
"You sleep like a baby," he replied and bent down to peck her lips.
His wife on the other hand tricked him into a proper kiss, her hands winding around his neck and fingers messing up his hair as encouragement.
Omkara was pleasantly surprised by the invite. When he leaned in, he was expecting a reaction similar to the one he witnessed last night. In fact, he was preparing himself to properly question her when she closed her lips on his.
His body gave in without complaint though his mind was still in chaos.
Was he overthinking?
Gauri parted from the sensuous kiss and gazed into her husband's chocolate brown eyes. Cupping his face, she brought it nearer and kissed his eyelids.
"I love you," she told him.
He remained silent and unmoving, his eyes boring into hers.
"Is everything okay?" he asked after the pause.
She smiled and looked away, nodding her head in a yes.
Omkara was disappointed but he tried not to show it on his face.
"Let us get ready for the day," he mumbled and moved away.
Gauri corrected her clothes and sat on the bed while her husband got down. He headed towards the cupboard for a fresh set of clothes and turned around.
"Do you want to go in first? Mithila ji told me that you have an early class today."
It was then that Gauri realized that she was to go to college. It will be the first time that she would be revisiting the place after the terror she experienced few nights ago.
Was she even ready for it?
How was she supposed to explain it to her husband?
"Gauri?" Omkara loudly called her a second time, making her jump in her place.
"What happened? You have been staring since the last few minutes."
"I..." she tried to think of any viable explanation.
"I was thinking if we could spend time together for today. Y...you just came back and..."
"Really? Did you just say that you would wantedly forgo your college for me?" he asked in surprise.
She nodded her head with a smile but he wasn't convinced.
"Just like that?"
Gauri frowned at her husband.
"You are talking as if this never happened before Omkaraji."
"That's right Gauri, this did not happen before."
"Not funny. That day when you did not want me to go, I..."
"I asked you to not go. It wasn't your decision," he pointed out.
"I want to stay back today. Do you want me to be with you or not?" she asked in irritation.
Omkara sighed and walked back to the bed.
"Did you really ask that question?" he asked.
Gauri stared at him for a moment before shaking her head .
"I am sorry, I get irritated when you ask so many questions," she apologized and he shook his head.
"I need to be sorry because when you are ready to stay back for me, I cannot."
When she gave him a questioning look, he further explained.
"I am required at the studio. I have a meeting with the venue organizers."
Why Shankar ji...why?...
Gauri cursed her luck but she avoided her disappointment to be outwardly evident. Silently, she nodded her head in understanding and he caressed her face.
"I am really sorry my chirayya. I will clear my work schedule for tomorrow," he said guiltily.
"It is okay Omkaraji," she gave him a small smile and he kissed her cheek.
"Go and freshen up. I will drop you to college today," he said.
Having left with no option, she nodded her head and got up from her place.
Omkara watched her moodily look for a set of clothes and couldn't help but feel bad.
She was just about to walk into the bathroom when she turned back to look at him.
"Can you pick me up in the evening too?" she asked.
"Of course. I will be there," he replied, eager to please.
Gauri could do nothing but hope that she will live through the day and not faint with anxiety.
****************************************************************************
Mithila and Himani reached college earlier than normal and waited for the couple to arrive. They knew that their friend will be needing them to get her away from the place as soon as her husband dropped her off.
"I hope she is okay," Mithila prayed, her eyes glued to the entrance.
"Don't worry, she will be," Himani assured when they heard the Oberoi car making its way through the college gate.
"Mithila, we are bad at lying and Omkara might get a doubt. So, we should take Gauri away soon. Don't stop for small talks for today," Himani instructed and the other one agreed.
"Hi Omkara," they greeted the husband first.
Gauri alighted from the vehicle with relief, the sight of her friends already easing her nerves.
"Hi. Were you waiting for my wife?" Omkara smiled at them.
"Yup, we were wondering if she would make it for the second hour at least. She missed the morning special class."
"Your friend didn't seem to be in the mood to come to college at all," he joked but the three women froze at their places.
"W..Why do you think so?" Mithila stuttered and earned a glare from her friends.
"She took an hour and a half just to get ready," Omkara replied looking at his wife who tried to fake a smile.
"It must be nothing you know. She was missing you and she was looking forward to spending some time with you and..." Mithila started to explain.
"Mithila, Omkara knows that. He must be joking," Himani pointed out.
Omkara watched the exchange of looks between the girls.
How did they know of their morning conversation? Did Gauri call them to tell them of the same?
Was she that upset with him for not giving her time?
"Aren't we getting late for the class?" Himani loudly asked pulling him out of thoughts.
"Come Gauri, we must go," she said and waved him a bye.
"Bye, Omkara. We will talk later," Mithila said and he nodded.
After a few more apologies and promises to make it up for her, Omkara kissed his wife a goodbye and got back to his car.
*****************
Gauri and her friends exhaled a relieved breath after the car left the campus.
"Are you okay Gauri?" Mithila asked and got a simple nod in response.
"I told you to avoid small talks," Himani rebuked her other friend.
"I...kind of.. s.."
"It is okay Himani. Nothing went wrong so, there is no reason we should have this discussion. Let us go to the class," said Gauri.
"No, you can go to Mithila's house. You need not..."
"How long will I hide Himani. It is okay."
"But...." Himani started but Mithila stopped her.
"Gauri is right, let us go to the classroom," she supported her friend's decision.
The trio walked together and reached the class in a few minutes. Just when they took the seats, Gauri remembered that she left her lunch in the car backseat.
"Gauri, the professor will come in shortly," Himani reminded and true to her words, the teacher walked in.
Gauri looked at her phone to see her husband calling her. She sent him a message to give the box to the college watchman and that she will take it from him after the class. When her husband replied an okay, she took out her notes and tried to focus on the whiteboard.
***********************
"Om, will you tell me the reason why you barged into my conference room a few minutes ago?" Jhanvi asked her son.
It was one of the few busy days since she started working in Oberoi industries. She was to take a decision regarding the budget for her upcoming project when her son walked into the board room full of executives and demanded that she talked to him.
Thinking the matter to be something which needed her immediate attention, she apologized to her team and postponed the meet to a later date.
Now, looking at her son silently staring out of the glass wall and talking nothing, she grew restless with worry.
Omkara looked at his mother but said nothing. His mind went back to the unexpected encounter an hour ago.
**************
Up on realizing that his wife forgot her lunch, he drove back to the college to give it to her but getting her text, he walked out of the car to give the box to the watchman.
Just when he was about to leave, he saw one of Gauri's classmates hurriedly walking into the campus.
"Umm, Miss. Sonia?" he called her name.
The girl turned in his direction and widened her eyes.
Omkara walked towards her with a smile while she remained glued to her spot.
"Did I remember your name correctly?" he asked as she stared at him.
"Sorry, if you don't mind will you give this box to Gauri? She forgot her lunch," he said forwarding the bag to her.
Sonia looked at the bag in doubt but she took it from him with a small smile.
"Thank you," Omkara said, his stance ready to leave.
"Is Gauri okay?" she asked and gauged his reaction.
When he looked at her in question, she thanked luck for presenting the opportunity. Deciding to make good use of it she continued to talk.
"I meant to ask if her health is alright. She did not come to college the past few days. So, I was just worried for her," she innocently voiced out her concern.
Satisfied with the look of shock on his face, she mentally patted herself.
"Mr. Oberoi, what happened? Did I say anything wrong? I just..."
"Uh... yeah, she is okay."
She gave him another of her sweet smiles.
"I will surely give this to her," saying this she left him alone.
The questions of the morning, returned with a bang and Omkara stood at his place not knowing what to do. Unable to come up with answers he sought his mother in the most barbaric of ways, disturbing her at work.
"Om," Jhanvi called again.
"Gauri lied to me mom," he answered this time and his mother frowned.
"In what context?"
"I cannot tell you mom."
"Ask her why she did so," she said and he shook his head.
"She lied to me," he repeated.
"So, you assumed the worst?"
"Mom, you asked me to come to you whenever I feel things are not right," he reminded her.
"Yes, because you mess things up when it is about your wife," she agreed.
"She is hiding something from me, mom. I have reasons to believe so."
"Okay?"
"I want to know why she did so."
"Can't you ask her directly?"
"I just told you that she lied mom."
"She must have a reason to do so. Give her some time and she might tell you herself."
"I don't like the fact that she lies to my face," he replied, getting irritated.
Jhanvi tried to be patient. She sighed and made him sit on her cabin couch.
"Om," she cajoled, caressing her son's cheek.
She knew that her son is a believer of truth and the reason behind his strict rules. How she wished things were different and he wasn't pushed to be what he was today.
Stubborn and sensitive.
Sitting beside him, she tried to think of some way which would make him understand that people cannot always be brave to face the bitterness of truth.
"She promised me that we will not hide things from each other," her son added to his complaint.
"Then she must be waiting for the right time to tell you."
"Did something happen while I was away?"
Jhanvi shook her head in negative.
"Nothing that I know of Om. She was not at home at night and I let her be occupied thinking that she was just missing you."
Her son looked away and sat in silence.
"Is it that bad? Can't you tell me what exactly happened that you ..."
"No," he said shaking his head and she sighed.
"Sometimes, people prefer to lie because the truth might not do any good."
"But mom,..."
"If something has happened, her friends would know. Will you try from that end?"
"Should I? What do you think?"
"If you can wait for her to directly tell you, then you might not need to."
Omkara contemplated for some time before he nodded and stood up from his place.
"What did you decide?"
"I want to know it from her mom," he said.
"Please don't mess up Om," she said, her voice giving away.
Omkara held his mother's hands in assurance.
"I will not mom," he said making her smile with a nod.
"What about the plan to confess your love?" she tried to remind him.
Her son tried to smile a little.
"Soon mom," he said and walked away.
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Sorry for the very late update.
I have an exam in the next week and with luck not in my favour, I was busy with work too. Also, I didn't want to put up a message for you because if I did, I will not even try to write anything. So, I was stopping myself till today.
Hopefully, I will update soon.
Just hang on for a week more please.❤