Gauri woke up early in the morning as usual. She didn't expect to be awake so early, after yesterday's party but old habits die hard. She looked sideways at her mother sleeping peacefully next to her.
Everyone had been extremely nice to her mother in the Oberoi mansion, except well of course, Chhoti Maaji, but nobody really paid her any attention, not even her own son Shivaay, who had now started referring to her as Mrs. Oberoi whenever she confronted him.
Jahnvi maaji and Annika bhaujaai especially, were excited to meet her, because she was Gauri's mother. Even Omkaraji's Nana and Nani, who had arrived late to the party, were glad to meet Gauri's mother. That Gauri had in such less time earned the affection of this family, made Gauri feel really lucky and grateful to Shankarji.
No one mentioned Gauri and Omkaraji's now-dissolved marriage, because Jahnvi maaji had told them before hand that Gauri's mother knows nothing about this.
After the party, Omkaraji himself drove them to Dandi bhaiyaa's house, because Gauri had refused his request to stay back at the mansion. Gauri had also insisted that he doesn't need to drive them home himself, but at that point he had steadfastly held his own.
Back in the chawl, Dandi bhaiyaa and his friends were elated to meet Gauri's mother, and regaled her the rest of the night with their tales from their drama or movie shooting, or how much of a hit Chulbul was. Gauri's mother was a little shocked to learn of Chulbul, and scolded Gauri lightly for always being rather naughty for a girl, but she gave up when Dandi and others laughed their heart out about Chulbul's antics.
Gauri took a bath and got ready as usual. Her heart was full of positive emotions and optimism as she thanked her Shankarji for everything he had bestowed upon her. Despite the lies, the Oberoi family was so kind to Gauri, and she had found closed ones among them.
The only thing that made her slightly uneasy was her equation with Omkaraji. What was their relation? The undefined nature of their relation made Gauri queasy because she saw no point in pretending that he was just her savior and a good human being, no, that mile had been crossed long back.
Gauri's thoughts were interrupted with her mother and Dandi bhaiyaa waking up. Gauri wanted to skip school, to stay with her mother, but her mother insisted that she attend because she should not miss out on any classes, and Dandi bhaiyaa also supported her saying that he would entertain her mother till then. So, Gauri packed her bag and left for her classes.
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Rudra knocked on Soumya's door.
"Ready?" he asked, as Soumya opened the door.
"Rudy? I thought I had an hour" said Soumya, as she was still in her PJs, just about to go for a bath.
"Sumo, you promised me the weekend. Yesterday went in the party, and we have only this Sunday, tomorrow your internship starts, and we'll have less time together" said Rudra pouting.
"Aww, I'm exhausted after yesterday's party, but give me twenty minutes, I'll get ready soon" said Soumya, and hurried to the washroom.
"Ten minutes" Rudra called after her, and went to his room.
Forty-five minutes later, Soumya knocked on Rudy's door. Rudy, eagerly opened the door, and his jaw dropped to the floor. Its not that he had not seen Soumya dressed up before, for the hundred functions they had at the Oberoi mansion, but since they had started dating she looked extra pretty to him. Soumya was wearing a red flowy dress with a denim jacket over it, and had straightened out her fringe to look a little different.
"Munh band karo aur chalo" (Shut your mouth and lets go) said Soumya, smiling.
Rudra and Soumya went to watch a movie, a proper movie according to Rudra, who couldn't resist joking about Rehan's documentaries. Soumya pretended to be offended but burst out laughing, agreeing that he did have a terrible 'movie' choice. The had a good time watching this romantic comedy film, munching different bags of popcorn, Rudra his 'diet' version of popcorn which Soumya dissed as being fake, while she enjoyed her caramel flavored popcorn.
After the movie, Rudra took Soumya to a small amusement park, a little on the outskirts of the city. Soumya loved such parks as a kid, but now she wasn't too eager to go on the rides. However, Rudra cajoled her into taking her chance on them, and thought initially apprehensive, Soumya enjoyed it.
"Rudra, its getting late, isn't it? People at home will wonder where we've been all the time" said Soumya.
"Sumo, we are adults, who cares? And just to make sure, I told Prinku, in case someone asks, to say that we are out with our gang. No one needs to know its only us" said Rudra, winking.
"Okay, but last ride" said Soumya.
"This one's fun, its a water ride" said Rudra excitedly.
They both put on their water proof jackets provided to them, and hopped inside. The ride was fun, but the jackets only protected their clothes from getting wet not their faces or hair. Soumya and Rudra got down from the ride with water dripping from their hair.
They both went and sat down on a bench, in the small garden like enclosure, inside the park. Rudra shook his head playfully, like a dog, just to annoy Soumya with the water droplets falling on her.
"Rudra!" said Soumya playfully hitting his shoulder, and giggling.
Rudra stared at her face, her hair wet, full of laughter. He was charmed.
"You know Soumya, you arranged a nice party for me, but you never gave me a birthday gift" said Rudra slyly.
"Ha, ha what more do you want? We were out together the entire day" said Soumya, surprised but still smiling.
Rudra didn't say anything just moved slightly closer and gave her a significant look. Soumya's heart leapt in an unknown feeling. She didn't know why she felt like that, after all she had been in relationships before, had hugged and shared kisses before.
Soumya slowly inched closer, until their noses touched. Both stopped still at that moment not knowing whether they should proceed. Then simultaneously, they both moved forward, and their lips touched. It was a very chaste and quick kiss, but to both of them it was like the best kiss of their lives.
Rudra who had been in physical relationships with many girls before, felt like he was unlearning everything. It was a curious feeling, but he felt a little scared to explore it. He just held Soumya's hand tightly and they both looked at each other and smiled.
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Gauri was a little late for work, since yesterday after returning from school, she and Dandi bhaiyaa took out Gauri's mother for visiting the beach, and they came home late., consequently they they were late this morning. Gauri was relieved that Majmudaariji hadn't fired her yet, she was sure this had something to do with Jahnvi maaji, who might've spoken to him, otherwise considering the job situation in Mumbai, Gauri knew she wouldn't be allowed to take a week off after three weeks.
She was busy, stitching away, not really taking a break for lunch, when her boss came and told her, someone's here to meet her. Who now? Maybe her mother?
Gauri went outside to see a person she least expected: Tej uncleji.
"Namaste Uncleji" Gauri said politely.
"Namaste Gauri. Can we...can we talk?" he asked, hesitatingly.
Gauri nodded. She wasn't inclined to talk to him, but she couldn't refuse him that easily.
"Gauri, the last time you were in the house, I didn't get a chance to speak to you, what with Annika's accident and Rudra's birthday, and then you left. You came back after weeks only to expose Pinky, and yet I suspected there was something fishy, so I felt triumphant to find out that you had made that call to Dhurindhar, only to come to know that you had already told Jahnvi all this. I think...I think its then I realized what Jahnvi and Omkara have been trying to tell me. I'm sorry I didn't value you life during that whole Svetlana incident, and I'm sorry I judged you from your background even before knowing what kind of person you are" said Tej.
"You don't have to be sorry to me, Uncleji. I'm just sorry that Omkaraji seems to have inherited your distrusting nature" said Gauri, wondering why she said so.
"Omkara wasn't always like this, Gauri. He had a big, trusting heart, but he's been betrayed too many times, and mostly by women, which has made him suspicious of everyone I think. Of course, it was me who gave the final blow with that deal" said Tej.
"Then undo it" said Gauri simply.
Tej looked at her puzzled.
"Cancel the deal, change it. Whats the point? You wanted to make Omkaraji a business man, for your own desire to have an heir. But you know he doesn't like, this business....it suffocates him. Why not let your children pursue what they want to in life? Or will you still leave Jahnvi Maaji after the contract period is over?" asked Gauri suspiciously.
Well, considering he was suspicious of Gauri, no wonder she was suspicious of him too, and she had good reasons, thought Tej.
"No, I wouldn't leave Jahnvi, I wouldn't dream of it now, or later. But she might, and she would be right to do so, after all I've done for years" mourned Tej.
"Then what's stopping you? This is your chance to prove that you are not selfish, and you do care about Omkaraji. It would be easier to win over Rudra and Prinku's hearts, they were protected by Bade bhaiyaa and Omkaraji, but it will be difficult to win over Omkaraji. Try " said Gauri.
Tej nodded, and they both went their separate ways, back to their work.