Omkara woke up in the morning to find Gauri had already left the room. Yesterday night when he returned to his room, he saw that she had made her bed on his green couch, and was in deep sleep.
He covered her tiny feet with the blanket, which were poking out again. He remembered the scars. Somehow, with Svetlana's threat and everything, he had forgotten about them. Gauri had evaded his question last time. What was she hiding? Maybe Shivaay was right? He should look at intentions, not actions. And what does he really know about what happened in Bareilly? Was he being too harsh, because......because he couldn't make out what kind of person Gauri really was? Was he angry not at her, but at himself, because of his shortcomings in understanding the real world and the real people in it?
Omkara fell asleep thinking all this, and woke up a little late next morning. Why? He realized that Gauri's annoying bell had been waking him up early since the last few days, but it seemed like here she preferred to do her prayers downstairs, in the main prayer hall. Was she avoiding him?
Omkara got out of bed and went for a bath. When he went downstairs, he saw Gauri sitting with Dadi and Annika. Gauri saw him coming, looked at him for a few seconds and then looked away. Dadi seemed pleased talking to both her grand-daughters-in-law.
"Om beta, I'm so happy to have you back home" said Dadi, her eyes moist.
"Yes, and I'm happy to see you too. I always wondered how you looked like. And you have brought back a pretty wife for yourself" said a new entrant in the room, who Om recognized as the woman Rudra had told him about, the one who was pretending to be Annika bhaabhi's mother.
Gauri looked questioningly at Annika, and the latter nodded. Oh, so this was the woman who Annika bhaujai had told her about. It is disgusting that there are people who try to take advantage of someone's misfortune, for their own base interests. This woman was pretending to be Annika bhaujai's mother because bhaujaai married into a rich family, ridiculing years of misery bhaujaai had to face an orphan. Gauri was well aware that this world was a harsh place. She herself had barely escaped its cruelty.
Omkara paid the woman no notice. He hated liars, and this woman was not only a conwoman, but she had also tried to harm Sahil for money. Shivaay was only keeping her in the house till he found out who sent her and helped her here. Shivaay and his plans!
Jahnvi and Pinky came there as well, and asked Annika and Gauri to accompany them to Jahnvi's room. Annika and Gauri followed them. Again, Gauri refused to look at Omkara.
"Annika, Gauri, it is traditional in the roka rasam that the girl wears clothes and jewelry gifted to her by her in-laws. Here, this is for you, Gauri" said Jahnvi, smiling, as she handed Gauri a stunning red outfit and jewelry.
Gauri smiled and thanked her.
Jahnvi looked at Pinky, who shrugged, "I just came with you, because you and Mummyji insisted. I have nothing to give to this phatichar bahu ( poor daughter-in-law). She is not worth such expensive clothes and jewelry" said Pinky, looking at Annika and leaving the room.
Annika was hurt but not surprised at Pinky's attitude. Ever since Annika got shot, and Shivaay showed more concern towards her, Pinky's behavior towards her frozen rapidly.
Jahnvi tried to lighten the awkward atmosphere. "Annika, wait here, I have some clothes and jewelry for you too" she said, smiling.
Gauri softly patted Annika's shoulder and nodded her head, to show that all will be fine. She showed her solidarity towards Annika, for which the latter were grateful.
"Here. This is for you, Annika. Now you both, have to wear these in today's ceremony in the evening" said Jahnvi, smiling.
Annika and Gauri smiled, and Annika got up to leave, looking at Gauri. "I have something to discuss with Maaji" said Gauri. Annika nodded her head and left.
"Maaji" said Gauri, as Annika left. "Maaji, I have no right over these. These are for Omkaraji's bride. How can I...."
"But you are precious to me as well, Gauri, you are like my daughter, and I would like you to wear them" said Jahnvi.
"Maaji, I'm not.....not happy lying like this to everyone" Gauri confessed.
"Neither am I, but Shivaay reckons we better keep this going a little longer. Don't worry Gauri, after all you have done, you deserve a little fun and frolic. Enjoy the ceremonies, there will be lots of dance, and music. Don't all girls of your age enjoy dressing up and dancing?" asked Jahnvi
Gauri laughed.
"Am I interrupting something?" asked Tej as he knocked on the door.
"Yes, Tej, you are not allowed to talk to her. You know if Omkara finds out, he will blast you" said Jahnvi, all smiles gone to be replaced with anger.
"If Omkara finds out, however, I just want a few seconds to talk to Gauri, alone. Please, Jahnvi, Gauri" said Tej.
Jahnvi looked like she would have refused him, but Gauri said its fine, she doesn't mind listening to what Uncleji had to say.
"Thank you" said Tej, as Jahnvi nodded and left the room.
"Gauri" he said turning to her "I know I have acted extremely casual with the risk to your life. And for that I'm sorry"
Gauri replied, "Its okay Uncleji, its almost a week since the accident, I am healed, and walking about, it doesn't matter."
Gauri got up to leave.
"One more thing Gauri" said Tej stopping her. Gauri halted in her tracks to listen to him.
"I know its probably unfair of me, and most likely you are not that kind of girl, considering all that you have done for my wife, and son, selflessly, since the day you came to Mumbai. But you must realize that I am also a businessman, and a very good one at that. I can't help but think whether all this help and sacrifice is to ultimately make a place for yourself in their hearts, and Svetlana's threat worked unexpectedly in your favor, getting you fake married to Omkara. But remember its a fake marriage, don't think all these rasams and all will convert it into a real one" said Tej, a warning underlying his words.
Gauri smiled, "Don't worry, Uncleji, I have no designs on your son. I wouldn't want to get married to the poor man who has the misfortune of being your son. You are right, you are a very good businessman, after all, how many businessmen manage to buy their sons' life for their own selfish desires?"
Thus, delivering a stinging set-down to Tej, Gauri left the room.
*********************************
"Wow, Rudy, thats great news" said Chubby excitedly, as Rudra told him and Soumya everything about Gauri and O, after their final exam got over.
"Isn't it? Achcha, you both are coming tonight to the mansion for the ceremony, its decided" said Rudy. Chubby nodded eagerly.
"Right now, lets all go and have lunch outside, and celebrate the end of exams. Gather everyone Chubby" said Rudra, and Chubby went to call the rest of their friends.
"What happened Soumya?" asked Rudra, noticing that she didn't share Chubby's enthusiasm.
"Rudra, don't you find it weird that Svetlana makes a threat to marry either you or Bade Baal vaale bhaiyaa, and two days later Bade Baal vaale bhaiyaa returns with a wife?" asked Soumya.
"What you mean Sumo?" asked Rudy slowly.
"I mean, its fishy, Rudra. What if this marriage is just something to put a blindfold over Svetlana's eyes? I know Gauri, she is a sweet girl, our age, young. She would get married to Bade Baal vaale bhaiyaa who she barely knows? And Bade Baal vaale bhaiyaa marrying her is more bizarre. Remember how he had freaked out once for days, because Riddhima, his long term girlfriend had only got him new cushions for his room!" said Soumya.
"Soumya, you are trying to be too logical about it. O, was always the romantic kind. And he knew Gauri bhaabhi before as Chulbul. Not to forget, he was hypnotized by her at the Jagraata" said Rudra, convincingly.
Soumya still looked skeptical, but suddenly she laughed.
"What happened?" asked Rudra
"I surely want to congratulate Gauri for managing to trick all the three Obros" she said, giggling.
Rudra scowled.
************************************
Gauri looked over at Bade bhaiyaa and Bhaujaai who were looking at each other with so much affection and admiration. A real married couple, who were so in love with each other. Gauri didn't know under what circumstances they got married, because it was not a perfect marriage to begin with, from what she had heard in the family in the last two days. But however they started, today they were a perfect couple, who completed each other.
And here she was, playing a charade for everyone....
Omkara looked at Gauri looking at Shivaay and Annika bhaabhi. What was she thinking? Was she feeling suffocated with the drama they had to play out? Most probably she was, because he was certainly feeling that. But there was also something else....yearning? Maybe she hoped to one day be happily married to someone, and Shivaay and Annika bhaabhi would definitely look like the dream couple to any girl of her age. Omkara hoped that Gauri would never find out how they started, or that might shake her illusions for a while.
Dadi beckoned to both the couples to come and sit down. Rudra, Soumya and Chubby cheered for both of them. While Shivaay and Annika happily exchanged rings, Omkara and Gauri were conscious of the spotlight being put on them like this. Gauri's hands started shivering slightly; she was not a girl who mocked rituals like this. She did not believe in this marriage, but this whole pretense was heavy on her conscience. She thought of how her poor mother who was still in hospital, would shake her head at this mockery of a marriage.
Someone held Gauri's hand and helped her slid the ring through Omkara's finger. Nana. He and Nani had also come to bless them in the ceremonies. Nani did the same for Omkara. Somehow Gauri's heart calmed down looking at them, she had spent so many days with them, they knew the entire truth, so their tacit support for Gauri, was strangely reassuring. Gauri wasn't cheating everyone.
Omkara's mind was revolting. On one hand he could see his family so happy for him, his Dadi especially who was glad to see him back in the house. His Nani encouraged him to place the ring on Gauri's finger. But she herself looked like a scared rabbit. Maybe all this play-acting was finally weighing down on her. Strange. The girl didn't look scared when Kali Thakur was about to marry her against her will, apparently. But she was scared of this fake ceremony with him, Omkara?
After the ceremony, there was the usual song and dance that was the highlight of Oberoi family ceremonies. Annika held Gauri's hand and pulled her into the dance. Gauri decided to enjoy, after all, this was what Jahnvi had told her, to have fun. Omkara was glad to be united with his brothers, so he let go and enjoyed the rest of the ceremony as well.
After the ceremony, Shivaay, Annika, Omkara, Gauri, and Rudra gathered near the pool. Soumya had gone back to her flat with Chubby, who dropped her.
"Gauri, last time you came here for the Jagraata you talked so much. What has changed now? Why are you so silent?" asked Annika.
"Yes, you were chatty when pretending to be Chulbul" chimed in Rudra.
"Maybe you are scared of Shivaay, he can be the brooding sort" mused Annika.
"No, no, bhaabhi, its not like that, I'm not scared of Bade bhaiyaa, in fact, I'm Dabanng (brave) Gauri, I'm not scared of anyone" said Gauri, a little more confidently.
"Oh, really?" asked Annika, impressed. "And what do you do if someone bothers you?"
"They don't know what they bargained for. If they take panga (challenge of sorts) with Dabanng Gauri, then ek jhaap mein deewaar pe satt jaaibe" said Gauri, smiling, her childish self coming back.
"Jhaap?" asked Shivaay, confused.
"Arey jhaap, Bade bhaiyaa" said Gauri showing her hand, making a slapping gesture.
Shivaay stepped back, a little taken aback with her enthusiasm for "jhaap".
"Wait a minute...I've heard this before. Jhaap, jhaap....are you the same Gauri who picked up O's call when he lost his phone in Bareilly?" asked Rudra, his eyes round as saucers.
Gauri nodded, remembering the conversation, and putting two and two together.
"So, you are the same Gauri who we all spoke to that day?" asked Shivaay.
"So, you and Om, have a history?" asked Annika, excitedly "Tell me what happened when you met the first time!"
"Oh, that day, that day I rolled a bulldozer over his car" said Gauri, proud at the memory.
"You know how to drive a bulldozer?" Shivaay was oddly impressed by this.
"No, Bade Bhaiyaa, but I'm a quick learner, and there is always the internet" said Gauri smiling.
"What a coincidence, Gauri. I also smashed Shivaay's car to pieces with a bat the first time I met him" said Annika enthusiastically.
"Not to forget you 'accidentally' burnt another one down a few days back" said Shivaay.
"I think I will stay on the good side of my bhaabhis. Don't want them getting violent with me" said Rudra, in mock fear.
All of them laughed over this fact, except Om, who was trying his best not to scowl.
Dadi looked on the scene from afar, happy to see her family happy. Now if only, Rudra and Soumya accept each other, and their wedding......