Gauri came back to the Oberoi mansion from Sunday school, late in the evening. She sought Shivaay, as soon as she entered. She was secretly glad that Annika Jiji was busy with Saahil.
"What happened, Gauri?" asked Shivaay, a little concerned as Gauri pulled him to her room.
"Bade bhaiyaa, I had a small request of you" said Gauri.
"Ask anything, Gauri, I told you, you just need to make a wish, and I'll make it happen" said Shivaay firmly.
"I was thinking of the day that day when you found out about Omkaraji's fake marriage to me. Even though you were hurt that he and Maaji kept the truth from you, you still welcomed me into your home. You could have suspected me, my motives for helping the family, and I wouldn't have blamed you, especially after the stunt I pulled with Chulbul, you would've been right in mistrusting me, but you didn't. You have shown so much faith in me, Bade bhaiyaa. And you keep saying that you will grant my wish, you already granted me my wish, made impossible possible, you united me with my sister. What more can I ask for? Except that...can I tie you a rakhi today?" said Gauri, earnestly.
"Toh phir pooch kyun rahi ho?" (Then why are you asking?) said Shivaay warmly, extending his hand, for Gauri.
Gauri's eyes were moist as she tied him the rakhi, and took his balaayein (moving the hand around a person, to keep off bad omens from them).
Shivaay touched Gauri's head, and blessed her.
Protected and loved by both her brothers, Gauri truly, for the first time, felt blessed on Rakhi.
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Omkara was idly strolling around the mansion next evening, ruminating about something.
He didn't see Gauri the entire weekend, when she returned last night, she was too occupied spending her time with Shivaay, and later Annika bhaabhi and Saahil, like a happy family. Of course, Om was happy for her, but he also unintentionally remembered the time when he, Gauri and his maternal grandparents lived like a family in their house. They had shared some joyous moments too, except that, thanks to his misconception about Gauri, there was a friction between them. Now he wanted that time back, so that he could redo somethings, and relive some moments. Omkara too lost in his own thoughts, didn't notice Gauri coming from the opposite direction, from the entrance.
Gauri, also thinking about her classes, and all revision she had to do, didn't realize she was about to collide with Omkara. Omkara caught her hand just in time to stop her from toppling over from the collision. He held her hand, while looking at her startled face, and suddenly pulled her closer, on instinct.
Both felt awkward, and after a few moments, and Gauri quickly excused herself, to rush to her room, while Omkara looked similarly embarrassed.
Annika and Shivaay watched the entire scene play out, and gave each other knowing looks.
"Om seemed upset two days ago, when Gauri left for Dandi's without telling him. I know, she is not obliged to tell him, but I think he feels bad that Gauri doesn't share anything with him" said Annika.
"I understand Om, but the thing is from my conversation with Gauri yesterday, I gathered that Om didn't trust her when he needed to. I've told him this long back, that he shouldn't judge people so soon. I think that is responsible for whatever for the friction between them currently. But also, my young brother is commitment phobic, which only adds to the issue" sighed Shivaay.
"I think maybe the situations aren't conducive to them having a conversation either, it gives Gauri ample chance to avoid him" said Annika, thoughtfully.
"I know that look, what are you thinking Annika?" asked Shivaay, narrowing his eyes at his wife.
"Billu ji, you know what I am thinking, because don't we come to the same conclusion, always?" Annika winked at him.
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Next morning Dadi made a request at breakfast.
"I was wondering if one of you could do me a favor; its regarding a friend" she said.
"Which friend, mummyji?" asked Jahnvi.
"You wouldn't know, Jahnvi, it was when I and your father-in-law started our new married life in Mumbai, and laid the foundation for Oberoi business empire. When we shifted to Mumbai, we were new to the city, and along with us, one my friends, who also got married around the same time, shifted to Maharashtra, and settled at Kolhapur. Initially, me and your father-in-law struggled a lot in setting a base in Mumbai. Then one day, my friend and husband came to visit us in Mumbai. They were living happily in Kolhapur. Hearing of our troubles, they went out of way, and in their large-heartedness, gifted a Shiv Parvati idol to us, but only for a year. They said that this idol blessed their family, and they hoped that this idol would bless ours too. We did a pooja and established that idol in our house, and my friend was proven right. Our business just grew and grew. But we got so busy that we forgot to return that idol to her after a year. Then when Tej was born we invited all our family and friends to our home. Thats when my friend came and took back that idol with her, since it rightfully belonged to her. Since then, we have kept in touch, but we aren't that close anymore" bemoaned Dadi.
Everyone was listening to the tale with rapture, especially Gauri, whose ears perked up on the mention of a 'ShivParvati' idol.
"Its been almost fifty five years since I conversed with my friend properly. I think she is still a little mad at me. But since we are both old now, I want to make up with her, I think she wants it too. So, she sent me an invitation, to a huge pooja and mela (fair) at her place which is happening this week. But my health has acted up, and I can't go meet her right now. I was thinking I would meet her when my health recovers, but if I send no representative from my family to her pooja then she will that I am not interested, and it will look abominably condescending of me. So, can any one of you do me a favor and visit her this week?" asked Dadi.
Now Dadi didn't expect any of her two sons to raise to the occasion; she had long stopped expecting from them. Tej made some excuse about business while Shakti, though interested since it was a religious affair, was stuck in the same business matter. Jahnvi genuinely wanted to go, but her business was new and she had to be there at her office. Pinky wasn't interested in going to some random city of Maharashtra, so she denied.
As always, Dadi's grandsons volunteered to go for the task.
Shivaay volunteered for himself and Annika, but then the idea struck him and Annika both at the same time, that this would be a great opportunity to reduce the distance between Om and Gauri.
Taking the hint from Shivaay, Annika said, "Dadi, I'm sorry I just remembered that Shivaay has some business dealings with the Korean this week, but that does not matter, your wish comes first."
"Arey, no, no bhaabhi, bhaiyaa's business is important, you both stay back, time for me to do something. I and Soumya can go to the pooja" announced Rudra.
This earned him simultaneously a kick from both Shivaay and Soumya, on two sides.
Soumya narrowed her eyes at him, no one amongst the elders knew about their relationship, and Rudra making such an announcement would get them into trouble.
Thinking on the same lines, and trying to smooth over the awkward moment, Shivaay quickly covered up for Rudra, "Rudy, this is not college, you cannot bunk your internship. The Ranas seem happy with you, don't sabotage your internship by taking leave. And you didn't even ask Soumya, maybe she is busy at her internship?"
Soumya nodded eagerly. Rudra, realized his error, and nodded too.
"I think Om is free this week. There are no exhibitions, right?" asked Shivaay.
Omkara who would never say no to Dadi, agreed, and said he would be happy to go for this pooja, for Dadi, even though he thought to himself that he doesn't believe in all this.
"Chutki, why don't you go too? Just yesterday you were telling me, how much you miss your temple and its environs back in Bareilly. You would enjoy this" said Annika.
"Me? But Jiji, Dadi said a representative of this family, and...." Gauri broke off.
"Gauri, I thought I was your brother, so you are definitely a part of this family" said Shivaay.
Gauri was warmed listening to this. "Thankoo Bade bhaiyaa, but..." Annika interrupted Gauri this time.
"Haaw, Chutki, you won't go to Shivji's pooja? And you say that you are Shankarji's favorite!" said Annika, knowing her sister's Achilles heel.
"Jiji, yeh galat baat hain!" (Jiji, this is wrong!" frowned Gauri, and pouted. Of course, she knew what was going on with her sister, and brother-in-law. "Alright, I will go. For the pooja"
Omkara was no fool, he knew his brother and bhaabhi were in cohorts trying to help him and Gauri. He wished they wouldn't, but a traitorous voice in his heart was glad that he could finally get an opportunity to talk to Gauri, without any excuse for her to avoid him.
*********************************
"Well, I shouldn't speak against my sister, but I think she's been a little harsh with you. Avoiding you, like this. My suggestion, don't talk to her until she talks to you" said Annika.
She was in Om's room, giving him, what she considered helpful, advice before they left for their trip.
"But bhaabhi how can I not talk? Its a long journey, if we don't talk, then we'll get bored" said Omkara, reasonably.
"Achcha, but don't show that you are dying to talk to her" said Annika, internally laughing at her poor devar.
Meanwhile, Shivaay was giving Gauri some helpful advice. "Gauri, just be careful. The route you guys are taking, its a little unsafe these days. So, take this pepper-spray, it will come in handy."
Gauri took it and was about to experiment it on Shivaay, when he held her off.
"Wait, wait, not on me. Just....if you get into some trouble, god forbid, then use it on that person" said Shivaay.
Gauri thanked him, and packed it with the rest of her stuff.
Annika took her sister aside before they left.
"Chutki, play some songs on the way, okay, so that you don't get bored" she said.
"Of course, bhaujaai, we are going for God's work. We'll play bhajans (devotional songs) all along the way" said Gauri enthusiastically.
Playing bhajans was not what Annika had in mind when she suggested her sister this.
"Chutki, play some romantic songs, you know what I mean?" said Annika, trying again.
"Love songs? Okay, then I'll play Radha Kisan songs" said Gauri.
Annika gave up.
Dadi had some last minute important things to tell Om and Gauri.
"Maithili, my friend, is spiritual on another level. That will be no problem for Gauri, but you need to be careful, Om beta. Just...just don't say anything agnostic in front of her. Also, she is a little strict and short tempered, so be a little careful. If you both are obedient, good kids, I am sure she will be happy with you, and forgive me completely. I am so glad that you both are going there, I just hope that she is happy, and I regain my friend" said Dadi wistfully.
"Don't worry, Dadi, we'll make sure that she is satisfied" said Gauri, moved by Dadi's emotions, and determined to impress this Maithili. After all, she was Shankarji's chiraiyaa, nothing is impossible for her.
Omkara nodded as well, ready to do his best for his Dadi.
Shivaay and Rudra exchanged knowing looks; for them the sole focus of this trip was Om making up Gauri. It was same for Annika.
"Best of luck O" said Rudra, not able to contain himself, while Omkara looked at the trio of them suspiciously.
Well, this trip better be eventful.