"Then we better start working on a plan" said Gauri with determination.
For some reason, Omkara didn't feel too welcoming about this idea.
"There is no 'we' in this. One, this is not investigating like Ranveer. Two, you are not part of this. I know that you might think so because you are stuck in this sham marriage with me, but you are not part of this problem. Its got to do with me, my mother, my family" said Omkara
"But you didn't say this when I helped you last time, as Chulbul?" argued Gauri.
That was what was bothering him.
"Chulbul was my friend. I didn't feel strange seeking help from him. But now its different. And in any case, you have helped me, my mother, and my sister a lot. I can't take any more of your help." and saying so Omkara got up, took Gauri's plate and left the room, presumably to go to the kitchen.
Gauri didn't understand this hot and cold attitude of his. In the same day he would ask the cook to make her favorite food, make sure she ate because she was tired, and then back off from any further conversation with her.
Who was he to tell her what she could or could not do? Well, if Omkara wasn't willing to take her help, she knew who would be. Tomorrow she had a half day at work, so she'll go and meet Jahnvi in the afternoon.
*********************************************
Next morning, Omkara woke up to see that Gauri had already left for work. Well, maybe he was too short with her last night. Maybe his remarks were uncalled for. Since they had no choice but to put up with this farce for a few days, it would be better if he didn't always being up her transgressions, otherwise how were they to have any semblance of peace? And Omkara always believed in live and let live, though unfortunately his family was a little on the whacky side for that to be possible.
Omkara got dressed and went down for breakfast, and found his grandparents already having paranthas. "Come beta we were waiting for you only" said his Nani, offering him a plate of paranthas.
"How are things between you and Gauri?" asked his Nana, tentatively, without really looking at him.
Omkara found it surprising that his Nana took active interest in this matter. He had always had a cordial relationship with this Nana, though Rudra's equation was much better. Om knew that his grandfather didn't approve of his art, a little like his father, but never really commented on it to his face. He was a little resentful of his grandfather, for not being there for Jahnvi when she needed him, for reasons of his own; Om felt had he been there maybe Jahnvi would not have spiraled so badly.
"Things are okay, or in any case, as tolerable as they can be under the circumstances" replied Omkara
"Well,...we thought that maybe there was some argument between the two of you. Since, two days, Gauri leaves early in the morning and returns late at night. It seems like she is avoiding you" said his Nani, apprehesively
"Its not like that. Her workplace, the temple that is, is far from here, and she refuses to take the car, so it takes her a lot of time traveling" explained Omkara
"Oberoi bahu working a measly job in a temple making idol clothes?" asked his Nani, a little condescendingly
"First of all, you both are forgetting that she is not an Oberoi bahu, this marriage has no value. Secondly, she's playing this role for a few days, but once the drama is over, she has to go back to her regular life, so why should she stop working and put her employment in jeopardy? And finally, even if she was an Obeori bahu, she has the freedom to do whatever she wants, wherever she wants, to earn her living " said Omkara, with finality.
It seemed quite hypocritical to him, that his Nani who accepted his artistic profession would judge Gauri for working on her own profession.
"All that is fine. But the girl is too smart to work in a cloth shop" remarked his grandfather. "You said that she is taking open education classes, isn't she?"
Omkara nodded, not knowing where this conversation was headed. His grandfather nodded too, looking meditative, as if not part of the conversation anymore.
***********************************
Jahnvi was trying hard to focus on her work, but the looming threat of Svetlana, made it difficult for her to concentrate.
A peon came and informed her that Gauri madam had come for a visit. Jahnvi told him to let her come in, she was eager to meet Gauri herself.
"How are you, beta?" Jahnvi asked, as Gauri entered and sat down opposite her
"I am good, Auntyji, how are you?" she asked concerned.
"I....am unable to concentrate because of Svetlana. I don't know what she is planning next" Jahnvi sighed.
"Well, obviously she is going to try and prove this marriage fake, if she wanted to leak the video she would have done that by now" said Gauri
Jahnvi nodded sadly. "Tej sent a private investigator after her, to retrieve the video, but.." said Jahnvi, miserably.
"But they couldn't succeed and alerted Sultana that we are looking for it. Typical. From what Omkaraji told me about her, she sounds almost invincible" said Gauri, frowning.
"Well, it certainly looks like that. Until we get the video, it will be like a sword hanging on our heads" said Jahnvi.
"I don't think the video is of issue, if she had to use it, she would have. I don't think she is after money either, because she could have blackmailed for a heavy amount. No, she's made it quite clear that she wants to be part of the Oberoi family. I don't think its related to business, because you once told me that she was.....your husband's secretary, so if she had to ruin the business she could have done that without getting married into the family. No, I think she wants to cause your family personal harm, or there is something inside your house which is of value to her?" said Gauri, looking at Jahnvi questioningly.
"Well, that is a possibility. A lot of weird things did happen in our family, which haven't been traced to anyone yet" said Jahnvi.
Gauri looked at her confused.
"I think I might as well tell you about the family you married into,...or well, temporarily married into" said Jahnvi.
"You know about my marital issues and how they effected my kids. There's the other thing that my sister-in-law, Pinky, who you met at the Jagraata, doesn't like my sons, or in any case sees them as rivals to her son, Shivaay, Annika's husband. So, she was the one who insisted that Omkara be sent away from the house, because he joined business. Makes no sense to me, but Pinky never has anyways. Then last year there were all these attacks twice on Shivaay's life, once Rudra almost got electrocuted, one lady managed to sneak into our house to plant a fake video that almost send Tej and my brother-in-law to jail, Shivaay almost married this girl who was already married and was conning him for money, under her mother's pressure.....there's a lot" sighed Jahnvi.
Gauri thought her life was difficult, but she was astounded by the level of outlandish incidents happening in the Oberoi mansion. How were they all even alive at this rate?
"Oh, and I forgot to mention, my son Rudra, and Soumya whom you have met already, they got a little intoxicated once and got married accidentally. You should know why Svetlana doesn't really see Rudra as a potential target" added Jahnvi
Compared to the life threatening attempts, a marriage under the influence of alcohol hardly seemed out of the ordinary for this family. Now Gauri felt Omkaraji being misled by that policeman was not that unusual.
"Well, I think its obvious, that someone from inside the family is involved. Or someone who has inside knowledge of the family. And Sultana does seem a candidate for that" mused Gauri.
"It could be. Svetlana was the head of security for the company and family. Maybe she let all these lapses happen on purpose. But the point is we have no proof" said Jahnvi
"And we won't either. If Svetlana was so smart to carry out all these attempts on people's lives since last year, then she will not leave any evidence behind. No, its best we trap her some other way" said Gauri, still talking to herself mostly.
"What? How?" asked Jahnvi.
"I need to think about it. Jahnvi auntyji, thanks for telling me all this, I know it must have been difficult to tell all this to an outsider" said Gauri, but Jahnvi cut her off.
"You are no outsider to me Gauri. After all that you have done for me, and now for my son, you are my family" smiled Jahnvi.
Gauri felt elated, and at the same time a little sad, because Omkaraji was still upset with her.
************************************
Gauri reached home in the evening, to see that Omkara was already there. He didn't acknowledge her in any way. Gauri sighed. It seemed like he is still annoyed with her from yesterday's argument.
Gauri sat down, and started googling something on Internet chaachi, her best friend.
"Gauri, what time is your class tomorrow?" asked Omkara, suddenly standing in front of her.
"Class?" asked Gauri confused.
"Your open education classes. You have classes on Sundays, right? You missed last week because....well, I mean, you have to attend tomorrow and make up for what you missed, I guess" said Omkara, looking down at her furtively
Gauri was stunned that he remembered about her classes, when she had forgotten herself, in the middle of all insane things that were happening around, and to her.
"They are at nine in the morning. Why are you asking?" Gauri asked him.
"I'll drop you there, I'm going out anyways to meet Rudra, and no, I am not asking you, I'm telling you" said Omkara, giving his final word on the matter and turning away, not giving Gauri an opportunity to argue about 'favors' and 'paying back'.
I just don't understand him, thought Gauri, and shook her head, taking out her books, which Dandi bhaiyaa had placed inside her bag when she wasn't looking. Gauri was glad that Dandi bhaiyaa cared for her so much, but it also warmed her heart that Omkaraji cared too, if not about her, then at least her education.