"That Ridhima is pissing me off!!"

"Why don't you ignore her and concentrate on work, Gauri ma'am."

"Just because she is Anika jiji's sister-in-law, I am tolerating her." Gauri was twisting her dupatta.

Bhavya ignored her colleague's constant rant that she was enduring since past an hour.

Bhavya examined the last History answer copy, while putting the aggregate marks on the sheet.

"Finally it's over." She tied all the papers in a bunch. Gauri was still fuming over Ridhima's attitude who seemed to have removed Gauri's name as the in-charge of Cultural Festival next month. It was a very celebrated event of 'Gurukul Institute of Arts & Science'.

"Let's go. Isn't it time of your period?" Gauri didn't answer anything.

"What will all the students think of me Bhavya ma'am? My image is already tarnished due to her."

"Good Morning ladies!" They looked at the handsome epitome-Omkara Oberoi, the Assistant Professor, Department of Economics.

"Morning sir." Bhavya answered while Gauri ignored him. 'Bitch's boyfriend.'

"Hello Gauri ma'am!" He addressed Gauri getting no response from her.

"Hi!" She snapped. While Bhavya covered up, "She is not feeling well actually."

"Oh, you should rest then ma'am." Omkara's worried voice riled her up, while Ridhima who had just come also clenched her jaw.

"Om, I think we should leave her alone for sometime. She needs time to cope up, isn't it Gauri?" Ridhima's voice was full of sarcasm. She couldn't take her boyfriend showing worry for someone else specially that Gauri.

Gauri's sister Anika was getting married to Ridhima's brother Shivaay.
Both Ridhima and her mother Pinky were against this marriage, but Shivaay was hell bent. That led to the constant bickering sessions between Ridhima and Gauri who were teaching in the same college.

Suddenly an idea came to Gauri's mind, "Don't worry Omkara Sir, I'm fine." Seeing Ridhima so worked up, Gauri tried to have some fun. In the same sweet tone she continued, "Just a bit dehydrated. Do you have water?"

"Haan, here it is!" Omkara frowned at the weird behavior of Gauri. Taking the bottle from Omkara, Gauri touched his fingers deliberately, while Ridhima fumed.

Omkara cleared his throat. He didn't want to be the centre of his possessive girlfriend's wrath. "Excuse me, it's my lecture time. See you."

"Actually Om....Sir. I am also going towards classroom section. I hope you won't mind if I come with you. I am feeling a bit dizzy." Gauri held her head, acting to be sick.

Bhavya looked preplexed at her friend. 'What have gotten into her head?' While a grinning Gauri and nervous Omkara moved out of the staff room leaving behind a mad Ridhima.

That's how Gauri got the perfect plan to tease Ridhima. So she started to be with Omkara when Ridhima is around, as much as possible. Acting to be her virtual girlfriend!

"Om sir" She knew that Ridhima was watching, "Will you taste these jalebis? I have prepared it with my own hands."

The most pitiful creature in this cat-fight was Omkara. Since Gauri had started behaving so lovey-dovey, his love life had become hell. He was also affected by the unprecedented love from Gauri Sharma. But he knew that she was acting just before Ridhima.
Now he couldn't behave harsh with the very beautiful woman, for the sake of his girlfriend. He had no choice.

"No ma'am thank you. I am cutting calories now-a-days."

"Oh common Om sir...you are already so fit and healthy. Whole college swoons over you."

Gauri could see Ridhima hurrying towards them. She was chitchatting with those college boys who considered her as the hottest professor in the college.
'Wearing skimpy, clingy sarees and deep neck blouses to pollute young minds!!'

Gauri immediately sat on the vacant chair beside Omkara when she sensed Ridhima behind her. "Take it na Om...", she put hands on his shoulder, "You won't be less handsome if you eat just one jalebi." Her voice was husky.

"Gauri, it's enough!!" Ridhima was pissed off.

"Oh, Ridhima!! I didn't see you." She blinked her eyes slowly.

"Just shut up and stay away from Om! Don't you feel ashamed trying to woo a committed man?"

"Oh no Ridhima! I will never do such thing!" She was faking worry. "I thought Om sir loves you. Did something happen between you two?"

"No, no Gauri ma'am. Nothing like that. What are you saying Ridhima? Wooing and all...You know I love you." Omkara had known that Ridhima was not liking proximity between him and Gauri. But they had not yet talked about it openly.

Ridhima stomped her leg and went away from there. When Om tried to follow her, Gauri again stopped him."Om sir, jalebi!" Omkara sighed. Now he was sure that he is being exploited between these two women.

._._._.

Gauri was dressed in beige lehanga with backless blouse. Styling her hair open she had pinned the net dupatta to the side. It was her sister's marriage today and she was busy in wedding preparation.

It had been three months since her game of 'Annoying the hell out of Ridhima'. A lot had happened in this period. It had started to trouble Ridhima and Omkara's relationship, while Omkara seemed to be affected the most. His behavior had also changed. He had stopped consoling Ridhima every time she got angry.

"Professor Omkara and Professor Ridhima were having some trust issues. They were fighting in the Chemistry lab." Whole college was buzzing with the latest talks of the popular couple.

"I think Professor Omkara likes Professor Gauri. He looks more happy with her. That Professor Ridhima always tries to dominate the Greek God." Another gossip was in the canteen!!

Gauri was also not oblivious to it.
"Gauri ma'am, in your childish strife, you are putting their relationship at stake. It's too much now. Please stop it." Bhavya had admonished her.

"That should be the problem of Ridhima. Her behavior hasn't changed a bit, Bhavya ma'am! I am protecting Omkara sir from that witch!!"

Gauri couldn't see any problem in harmless flirting with Omkara. He was a decent man, always in limits. Twice he had offered her to drop her home. 'Once it was raining and second time my scooter had broken.'

Only once they had gone for a cofee. 'That because I had got cold and Omkara sir insisted on having something hot...beverage.'

Except that everything was formal between them in the absence of Ridhima.

Gauri inspected the dining arrangements lest Pinky aunty would start her drama. She was going towards mandap when she collided with something hard. She looked up only to see a very handsome Omkara. He had held her from falling down with his one hand on the bare back and one on her thin waist.

She steadied up but Omkara didn't leave her, still in stance.
'She is looking so beautiful.'

"Om...kara sir!!"her voice sobered him up and he removed his hands.

"No need to add sir. Om is fine. We are not in college anyways." He said sheepishly.

"Huh!! Haan. Hmm." She didn't know what to say. She seemed to be too much affected by his cologne or his crisp golden kurta or his perfect jawline. She couldn't think properly.

"I am glad you could attend the marriage." Finally she found her voice to say something sane.

Before they could talk further, Gauri and Omkara's mothers appeared there.

"Gauri, did you check with Panditji?"

"Haan Ma. He is in mandap." She introduced Omkara to her. While Omkara introduced them with his mother.

"Thank you very much Jhanviji for coming."

"Don't be formal Garimaji, after all we will be relatives!"

While everyone looked confused on Jhanvi's comment, she clarified, "Don't you know, Ridhima and Om will be engaged soon."

"Oh, I didn't know. Congratulation samdhanji!" Gauri's mother hugged Jhanvi while faces of both Gauri and Om became pale.

Both of them excused themselves and vanished in opposite directions.

._._._.

Gauri was arranging her cupboard. It had been a week since her sister's marriage. She heard her parents talking while having tea on a Sunday afternoon.

"One of our responsibilities is over. Now we should concentrate on Gauri." Her mother was determined to marry off Gauri soon.

"Why do you worry so much Garima! Let her enjoy some more days of freedom, to concentrate on her career!"

"Shashi! She is already in such a good job. She can also enjoy life after marriage. If marriageable age will slip away, it will be difficult to find good proposals. She is already 27!"

Gauri sighed. Since her mother heard about Bhavya's engagement, she had started pestering her. She had even planned to marry off both daughters simultaneously.

"My friend Manorama's son is doctor. I have seen him in Anika's wedding. If you say I will talk to her. If both Gauri and him like each other then we'll...." Her mother's voice trailed off behind as Gauri came to balcony.

The marriage talks were making her restless.

._._._.

She posed for a photo with the newly wed Bhavya and Rudra in their reception party. She was looking breathtakingly beautiful in the blue anarkali.

It had been two months to her sister's marriage. She saw Ridhima coming towards the stage with Omkara. The facade of Gauri-seducing-Omkara was not over yet. In fact it had become a routine now. Both of them didn't feel awkward about it. Ridhima was still the same- Torturing Om, and trying to keep him away from her.

"You are looking drool worthy Om sir!" She chirped in as they stood beside the couple for the pictures. Om ignored her. Gauri had purposefully come to his side from the other corner. While Ridhima was holding him from other side.

Gauri felt immense bliss seeing that frown on Ridhima's head. But when she tried to hold Om's hand, he didn't let her. 'It's not first time that I am holding his hand.' Gauri felt a pang.

In these 5 months, Gauri had clinged to him, hugged him and there was even a peck on cheek by her. But both of them knew that it was not serious.

When she sit for the dinner beside him, Omkara had changed his seat with one of their colleagues. Now it was disturbing for Gauri. 'He is ignoring me. Let him. He is not my boyfriend anyway.'

She pretended to be not affected but she was feeling like crying.

As usual Ridhima started showing off.
"You know, Om has gifted me these diamond earrings. He is so romantic na. I feel so lucky with him. But some people are so unlucky that nobody even looks at them." She took jibe on Gauri, while talking to one of her friends.

Gauri wanted to answer her back but her head had started aching badly. She decided to call it a night.

"Gauri ma'am it's late. How will you go alone? You didn't bring your scooty, did you?" Bhavya asked her.

"I'll tell someone to drop you. There must be some driver around." Rudra told her.

"No jeejaji, it's ok. Everybody is busy. It's just 11, I'll get a rickshaw." She denied them, and come out of the reception venue.

It was very dark outside, with dark clouds ready to pour down heavily. Her parents were not in the city. While her scooter was showing tantrums so she had left it at home.

Even after an hour she couldn't find any rickshaw. She saw Omkara and Ridhima coming out and sitting in the Omkara's car.

'Why is she standing alone?' Omkara looked at her

"Ridhima, I think Gauri ma'am is looking for a ride. We should help her."

"Om!! Did you forget what I have said to you. Girls like her lure rich men, as her sister had done. Don't come into their trap. Just ignore her from now-on or forget our relationship."

Omkara contemplated whether to do what Ridhima said. But her last sentence made him ignore his heart.

Omkara and Ridhima's fathers were childhood friends. Both had decided to change their friendship into kinship. His marriage with Ridhima was decided since their childhood. When they came to age, he didn't object his parents' decision. Ridhima was a beautiful girl, educated and from a well-to-do family. Although a bit obnoxious, he had accepted her as his to be life-partner. Or he had thought so....

Gauri saw the vehicles going past her.
'I don't need anyone's help.' She held her head high and started walking on the now empty road. The stormy winds had started and she couldn't find any rickshaw or taxi. She should have accepted Rudra's offer.

Suddenly it started raining. She took shelter under a tree while her wet outfit was not any helpful. Taking her phone out she tried to call someone or Ajay but it had no network.

She felt the lights of a vehicle on her. An all-men jeep had slowed down. A sense of phobia engulfed her while she could imagine all the things that could happen to an alone young girl in a rainy midnight.

Before she could think of something else, a car stopped just ahead of jeep. She ran to the other side of car when she saw the person on driver-seat. As soon as she closed the door, the car moved away.

"What were you thinking, standing there alone in this state?" He blasted on her, as soon as he came out of the numbing shock. He had panicked seeing her in that situation. After dropping Ridhima he had come back.

'Just to check if she has gone home safely.'

But not finding her near the reception venue, he decided to go back home only to find her on that road.

"I think....There was no rickshaw...My phone...", she was shivering badly.

Her answer didn't help him to cool down. "Do you know what could have happened if I have not come there?"

"Says the person who didn't even ask a needy person for lift!" She couldn't take his ironic comments any more.

"Why do you think I come all the way back in the middle of a stormy night? To count the trees on highway?"

Gauri had no proper words to retort back. The panic, tension and the cold temperature and his behavior in the reception had affected her.

All through the way they didn't talk anything. After their outburst both of them were engrossed in their own thoughts.

Their communication was never such streamy. Either it was just hi-hello or one or two light hearted things that had started since last 5 months. Anger, attitude, ego, sorrow were never part of it, until today.

He stopped the car before her house. Without uttering any word, she tried to run away not wasting any second.

"Gauri!!!"

She ignored him.

She reached the door, only to find that she had forgotten her handbag in the car.

Sensing his presence behind her, she turned back only to slip in his arms. The warm proximity in the cold weather started affecting them. But before they could lose senses her phone rang. She snatched her phone from Om's hands.

"Hello...yes I have reached Bhavya ma'am...had lost the network...I'll see you later." She cut the call while he was waiting there under the portico with her.

"Thank you!!" She couldn't decide, why she was thanking him.

"Gauri, I want to tell you that...we...you should..." He didn't acknowledge her gratitude.

"Don't worry Omkara Oberoi. I got the message. I won't bother you ever." She sensed where he was hinting.

"Listen Gauri, I never told you anything. But now I think things are serious. I am getting engaged to Ridhima next week. I don't know what it is between you two, but please don't bring me in."

'Your fake love is affecting me in real.' He wanted to say but couldn't.

"I will not even see your face now onwards." She said annoyingly.

"It's not like that. I just want you to behave maturely."

Her anger rised hearing him.
'So I am childish. And that Ridhima??'

"Good Bye." Was it her last goodbye.

She turned her back towards him not wanting to talk about anything.

Closing the door behind her she went directly to her bedroom. Changing in fresh clothes she plopped on the bed. Amid continuous trail of tears she went into deep slumber.

Omkara was driving aimlessly in the stormy weather all night. As dawn neared he realized that he was angry at something which even he didn't know.

'Did I fall in her love?'

._._._.

"I am getting engaged to Ridhima next week." The sentence was still annoying her mind next morning. She even dreamed of their marriage last night. Frying another batch of jalebis she put them in the syrup.

'Did I fall in his love?'

"What is the matter, Gauri?" Her mother asked sensing something wrong with her daughter since they were back in the morning.

"I am ready to get married to Ajay, Ma. Ask Manorama aunty if engagement can be held next week or before that." She had perplexed her mother who had accepted failure after nudging her for marriage a million times.

._._._.

She was looking like a princess in Green lehanga. As per her wish the engagement was decided to be held next week but a day earlier than his.

'Because...Ajay of all the people in the world has to be the cousin of Omkara.'

The treacherous week was very hard on both of them. They had ignored each other in the college but still missed each other. Gauri had got so much into the fake wooing game, that it was seeming realistic.

The whole college had come to know that "Professor Omkara and Professor Gauri broke up." Ridhima seemed to be happy while Bhavya had asked, "Are you sure you didn't fall in love with him?" She had avoided the talk while Omkara had observed her the whole week. Not able to ward his eyes off her.

Now when he saw her with that ring ready to slip in that Ajay's finger, he was feeling nauseous. Why did he have to come here? Why was he feeling so enraged? And the most strange thing was that he didn't know the answer.

"Let's start the ceremony." Her mother's voice seemed to have stabbed her. Why was she feeling that this was wrong. She should not have to get engaged just because he was starting a new life.

Ajay took her hand to slide the ring.

"Stop it. This engagement can't happen." She looked up listening Omkara's voice.

"Gauri, I know that you are doing this for our families, but don't punish us with this." She couldn't understand what he was saying.

"What happened Om! What punishment?" Jhanvi asked.

"Ask your daughter-in-law." He held Gauri's hand.

"What?" Garima, Jhanvi, Manorama and Pinky screamed simultaneously.

Gauri's mind was not working.
'Why is he lying? Did he go mad?'

"Gauri, what is he saying. Are you married?" Garima was clueless.

"Ma..." Before she could elaborate further, Omkara interrupted again. "Aunty, I mean Ma", Jhanvi widened her eyes when he addressed Garima as Ma, "let me talk to her. Come Gauri, let's sort this out. Our families need to know." Before anyone could tell anything he pulled her to one of the rooms.

"Have you gone nuts or did you hit your head somewhere?" She was super-angry while he locked the door and pulled her to the wall.

"What do you think? Only you can act?" He said coming close.

"Don't be a Nandi Bail! What rubbish were you talking? Marriage, punishment...?"

Before she could tell anything further, she was involved in a mind-numbing-heart-opening kiss. When they broke apart breathless she was frowning.

"I love you!" Just three magical words from him and silence.

"Is it also a lie? A revenge? An act?'' She asked with tears. In reply another aggressive kiss followed. Her blouse dori got opened while his shirt buttons were not in place.

After 5 minutes, she was totally disheveled, so was he. Their actions speaking louder than words.

"What do you think now?" He asked with their foreheads touching.

"I will act with you in this. Just promise me that you will kiss me the same way, even if we get old." She said panting.

"Even if you loss all your teeth and your flawless face hide in wrinkles, I will kiss you like this only." He was turned on. They heard knock on the door.

She grinned while pulling him to herself, "Let's seal it with a kiss, SIR!"

"As you wish MADAM!" The knocks had increased.

._._._.

Outside

"Tej Bhaisaab, what Omkara has done is totally unacceptable!" Pinky, Ridhima's mother was screaming at Omkara's father. While her husband Shakti was standing behind taking a helpless face.

Anika was happy, for her sister but remained quite, for the sake of her sister-in-law and husband.

While Jahanvi was busy in making her husband and Pinky understand, Shashi was doing same to his wife!

"Garima, we should support our daughter. She is mature, knows about right or wrong!"

"If she is so much mature, then why didn't she tell us, when I proposed Ajay to her? What will I answer to Manorama? "

There was chaos everywhere while Omkara and Gauri were nervously sitting since they had come out of the room an hour ago and declared their fake marriage to all!

Rudhima came forward, not able to control anymore, "Omie, is it some joke? When did you marry this gawar? You love me right?"

Before Omkara could say something, Gauri came forward, "Miss Phati Saree! Don't you feel shame, wooing a married man? Call him Omkara Sir, otherwise it will be my kick and your face!"

Omkara tried to control his smile.

After scurrying away Ridhima, Gauri whispered to Om,
"I think we should not have lied to our parents!"

"There was no other way Gauri! Your mother and my father would have never understood, marrying us off to their choice. Now at least we have an excuse!"

As Om finished, Ajay came towards then, "Gauriji, I love you very much! Why did you hide it from me?" He was about to cry when Om cut him short, "Ajay, she is your Bhabhi now! Stay away from her." His tone was enough to shoo away poor Ajay.

After half an hour the final verdict was ready, as Tej Singh Oberoi came forward, "Om! We don't approve of this marriage. We have given words to Shakti. Now you have to choose between us or that girl!"

Garima Gupta was also not behind, "Did you hear that Gauri? When they are not ready to accept you, then why are you hell bent on ruining your life? Leave Omkara. Ajay is a good guy. He will accept you even after all this."

Both Om and Gauri were irritated on the behavior of their respective parents.

Holding each others hands, they showed everyone that they are not meant to be separated.

._._._.

"We can arrange only this, at such a short notice, Gauri Ma'am." Bhavya said opening the balcony door of the 1BHK flat. Yesterday after their dramatic stunt, their parents had refused to accept their marriage, forcing them to leave home.

Shashi and Jahanvi had tried to stop them, trying to make their children as well as spouses understand. But no one budged.

"It is more than enough, Bhavya Ma'am! I don't know how to thank you for this." They were looking for a rented accommodation, which was very difficult in Delhi. "Gauri is right. We will manage in it for now."

They had spent the last night in Bhavya and Rudra's home, on their insistence. "Om, Gauri, you call me Jeejaji, then let me do my duty. Come with us, that's not a problem." Rudra had taken them to his home and also arranged this flat in the proper locality.

By the evening, Gauri was done with arranging their things, which mostly consisted of their clothes they had brought before leaving their homes.
Om had gone out to buy some necessary things. She heard her phone rang, "Haan Om...."

"...."

"why..."

"...."

"not now, there are a lot of things to do..."

"...."

"Ok, just for 15 minutes." She hung up, getting ready to go out somewhere she didn't know yet.

"Mandir?" Gauri asked as Om parked his bike. He had brought it with him while leaving home.

Om took her hand, leading her upstairs.

"I want to turn our lie into a permanent truth, Gauri!" He took out Mangalsutra and Sindoor from his pocket.

She had tears in her eyes, when he tied the sacred thread in her neck along with sindoor. "We will get married in grand way, after we get blessings of our parents. This is just to respect our morals. If I am living together with you then only after keeping your honor intact!" He said wiping her tears. While she could just hug him in response.

._._._.

"That bitch spoiled my whole plan!" Ridhima was fuming while Pinky was sitting with hands on her head.

"Why are you not saying anything Mumma!!" Ridhima coaxed her mother.

"After all this, you dare to scream at me! What is left there to say now! You have done everything to disgrace us!" Ridhima lowered her face while Pinky stood up from her seat coming close to her.

"How many times had I told you to keep away from those good-for-nothing boys! But no, why will you listen to me! My bad luck that I got kids like you! That Shivaay married that Khoon-bhari-tang and you....I feel ashamed even to utter it!"

"I had got drunk Mumma! It was mistake of that Daksh. He had spiked my drink and then took advantage of it."

"Stop repeating it. I am fed up listening to it since last 2 months!"

There was another issue troubling this mother-daughter duo. Ridhima was pregnant with Daksh's child. Daksh was a spoiled brat, student of final year in her college. In the farewell party two months ago, he was successful in sleeping with her. Not that she was innocent.

"I had suggested you the abortion!" Pinky again screeched.

"But we had planned to trick Oberois! I was about to get married to him and everyone would have thought that it's Omkara's baby."

But their plan failed, leaving them frustrated.

._._._.

It was late night when Om and Gauri reached back after having dinner at a restaurant. They were too tired to prepare food at home.

Locking the main door they reached their bedroom only to realize that there is only one bed there, with no recliner or sofa.

"I will sleep on floor!" Om suggested.

"Om, you sleep on bed, I will manage on floor." They had decided to not take their relationship forward until their parents bless them.

"Gauri, it's just one night. You rest on bed. Tomorrow we will arrange for another bed."

"If it's just one night, then you sleep on bed na!"

Finally they both decided to sleep on bed. "We can control ourselves. We are not teenagers anyway!" Om said nervously.

"Right. It's just matter of one night. No problem!" Gauri was also unsure.

As they both laid side by side there were butterflies in her stomach while his hand was itching to touch her.

After half an hour of pure discomfort he rolled on her kissing her sensuously, while she responded, moving her hands all over him.

"A slight change in our rules. We can kiss!" He said panting after the hot encounter.

"Anyways we had kissed even before we got married." She tried to reason.

He lay beside her still feeling hungry for her touch. 'She is very sweet, a combination of honey and fresh cherries!'

"How many kisses are allowed in one day!" She asked, making him hopeful for another skirmish.

"Are 100 enough! No, 500. Okay?" Om asked innocently while Gauri nodded blushingly.

They didn't wait for one more second, assaulting each others tongues passionately. When they were breathless, he moved down grazing his teeth till he reached her sensuous dip where secret treasures were hidden.

If Gauri remembered about their resolve she didn't dare to remind him.

After another hour their clothes were discarded metres away from them. She was lying between his legs, her hair sprawled all over him while he was moving his hand on her smooth bum. She was nuzzling her nose in the crook of his neck, peppering his chest with kisses, preparing themselves for the second session.

._._._.

As sunshine emerged through the fourth floor widow, Gauri was playing with the foil wrapper, feeling blissful after last night. Omkara was lying over her, his hands and legs covering her nude body while his head resting between her bosoms.

"Om, why did you have condoms in your packet?" She asked him sensing he was awake, as his tongue was making sinful movements...on her sensual parts.

He lifted his head, sliding above to her ears, "Shivaay had handed me, when I had come to take you!" Gauri's eyes were wide, not expecting her Jeejaji of all the people.

'How embarrassing!'

"He didn't want us to do another haste, when things are already so complicated." He said nibbling her earlobe, while she was relaxed. She had thought he was involved with Ridhima.

'I am really a PaglaitChiraiyya to think like this!' She was guilty.

._._._.

Om had prepared omelettes when she came freshly showered. After another session in the morning she had gone to sleep, while he had admired her until they were hungry...for food.

"I didn't know you know cooking!" She hugged him from behind after putting milk to boil.

"Well that's why I am the most eligible bachelor!" He pulled her making her sit on the kitchen slab.

"Not any more! You are not a bachelor now." She said, while he pecked her on lips.

"Our marriage is not registered yet baby. So technically I am!" He teased her while she smacked him.

._._._.

It had been a week, since they had joined the college. After making all basic arrangement in their home, they had resumed jobs. It was a bit hectic to manage both the responsibilities but their love was making it easy.

After taking shower she was making a warm cup of coffee when her phone rang. Om was not back, being engaged with new classes and all.

"Hello?"

"...."

"Is it Ms. Gauri?"

"Yes..."

"...."

._._._.

She rushed to the emergency ward. Omkara's bike had met with an accident. The phone was from police who had got her number from his mobile.

"How is he, doctor?"

"There is a head injury, a strong blow to the left side. Although he seems out of danger, it will take him 4-6 hours to get consciousness."

._._._.

Gauri was weeping silently keeping her head on her mother's shoulder. It had been 12 hours since Om got consciousness but he didn't remember anything, not even her.

"It looks like post-traumatic Amnesia." Doctors had told them.

Before she could absorb this situation, there was another trouble ready.

"I am pregnant with Om's child." Ridhima had declared before everyone. Gauri had felt the ground shaken under her feet.

"Don't lie Ridhima. This is not possible. Om had never touched you!" She had tried to argue.

"No Gauri. We had slept, in the party that day. He had got drunk and....", she had started crying getting sympathy "I had thought we would get married. If you don't believe me then I may prove it with the clinical test." Ridhima continued "Please Uncle Aunty, believe me. At least think about my baby. Don't snatch its father. Please give my Om back to me."

Gauri was confused whether it was a lie or she couldn't see truth.

._._._.

After Few Days

She was lying in her bedroom with a blank face. Exactly one month ago they had got married in the Mandir. But Shankarji might not have accepted it. That's why she was punished.

Ridhima was successful in getting the DNA test report in her favour. Om didn't remember anything but he was made to believe that it was his baby.

"Why did we get married without telling our parents? Why did you get ready for engagement with Ajay if we were married?" Om had asked her.

Life had played a cruel joke with her. The lie, she and Om had told to everyone, had pushed her to her own grave.

When she had told the truth to everyone, no one had believed her, "First you told us that you were married. Then you are telling us that it was a lie but later you got married. Gauri are you thinking us fools?" Pinky had insulted her before everyone. Her parents also not believing her.

Om was total clueless. "See, Miss Gauri, I don't remember anything and I have no choice but to believe my parents." He was believing only valid proofs,"Why was our marriage not registered if we got married? Is there any photograph, the priest or any of our friends who were present there?" He had asked.

His family, her family, Ridhima's family all had tried to separate her from him. There was no way ahead.

"Om, everyone is tricking you! Are you not feeling our love. Please try to remember!" She had pleaded last time, before she had lost all hope.

"Gauri beta, I respect your feelings. But it is good for everyone if you guys got separated." His mother had suggested.

Her trust over love ended that day.

Now she was trying to forget him, but how could she forget her soul, her life her heart!!

._._._.

Gauri draped the red saree around her, his favourite. It was Ridhima and Om's marriage today. "Ma, Papa! I am also coming with you. She is jiji's only sister-in-law. How can I miss it?" She had shocked her parents.

Although she was not feeling well, she wanted to go there. Challenging her love.

'If my love is true, he will not get married to someone else!' She thought.

._._._.

The bride was brought down, as the groom was already in mandap. He had not seen her even once.

'Does he not feel any dhak-dhak as I am feeling now.' She was sweating with anticipation.

As the wedding rituals proceeded, her hope was draining making her more sick.

As he brought his hand to fill her maang, she was waiting in nervousness that he would look towards her. But nothing happened.

"Marriage is complete!" The priest announced as her tears broke all the dams. Her head became heavy and she was about to fall when a pair of strong arms gathered her.

"Gauri!!!!"

._._._.

She opened her eyes to find those eyes looking at her with concern, worry, guilt, sorrow, love and more and more.

"Tum thik ho? How are you feeling now? Is there any pain? Answer me damn it?" He got irritated getting no answer from him. She looked at other side. They were all alone in that room.

'Where are my Ma, Papa?' She was puzzled. She realized that she was at a new place...his place...his pictures could be seen on the wall.

"Let me go!"

"You are not moving from your place. Stay where you are. If you need anything tell me!" He commanded her, making her more annoyed.

"Stop ordering me around! I am not anyone to you! Where is Ma, Papa?"

She was trying to get up when he held her still making her more annoyed.

"I don't want to remain in your vicinity even for a second Omkaraji. Go to you newly wed wife!" She had started very confidently all angry but as she spoke the last sentence, words had got stuck in her throat, tears about to fall.

"Are you done? Now drink water." He made her drink water forcefully "You are right, your are not 'anyone' to me, because you are my wife!" She snapped her head towards him, "...your Ma, Papa are talking to doctor who just diagnosed you, and I am with my newly wedded wife who is having mood swings because she is pregnant."

She was too confused to utter anything. But after some time she was clear.

The sehra-clad groom with whom Ridhima got married was not Om but Daksh!!

Om had doubted Rdhima when she had suddenly declared her pregnancy after his accident. Gauri had also hinted about it.

"If Daksh was in mandap, then where were you?" She had asked, skipping the pregnant thing.

"Behind you!" That's why when she had fainted, Om was the first to notice. "You knew about your pregnancy?"

She remained silent in response, proving his query true.

"When were you going to tell me?" He was hurt.

"Would you have trusted me?"

His hurt changed into guilt, on his behavior towards her in last few days.

"I will, now on!"

"Do you remember everything?" She asked him.

"No, but my heart says that if I ever loved someone it is you!"

After she lost her senses, there was a lot of melodrama. Ridhima had got shocked finding Daksh with her.

"Thanks to Professor Omkara, I got to know about my baby Ridhima!" Daksh was furious on her, for hiding such a big truth. Everyone condemned Ridhima and her mother for such actions.

Om had not waited, taking Gauri to his home.

._._._.

After 5 years

"Papa, that Chintu troubles me everyday!" 5 year old Amaira complained.

"If he again troubles you, then tell him that your Papa will break his nose." His little angel giggled while Gauri glared at Om for putting such violent ideas in their daughter's mind.

Chintu was son of Ridhima and Daksh, learning in same school as Amaira.

After her marriage Ridhima was too angry on Gauri. She had dreamed of becoming a Oberoi bahu but her intentions were not right.

Daksh had mended his ways after marriage and now a clerk in the Gurukul Institute of Arts & Science. But Ridhima being Ridhima was always complaining.

"Why Mumma, that Gauri is living a life of status, respect, luxury and I am stuck in this middle class life."

"Ridhima, life is not just about money. Love is more important." Anika's words were ignored by the mother-daughter.

"Amaira, it is bad thing to quarrel. Your Akira didi never do such thing."
Akira was daughter of Anika and Shivaay, three months older than Amaira.

"Ok Mumma!" Their daughter replied innocently.

After birth of their daughter both Oberoi and Gupta families had accepted Rikara. They were also lamenting on their past behavior, which was compensated by a simple but proper wedding.

As Amaira fell into deep slumber, Gauri tucked her to bed, putting the night lamp on. She had insisted on giving her separate room, just like her friends. So her room was adjacent but separate to her parents. Keeping the door ajar, she came to their room, only to get arrested by her husband.

"Amaira seems to be too lonely. She needs another sister!" Om suggested nuzzling her neck.

"No, a brother. I want a baby boy now!" Gauri demanded. Her first pregnancy was as a result of failure of protection. After that they had not planned their second child.

"Okay, your wish is command for me!" He mumbled to her soft mounds, sucking them wildly.

"Hmmm..." She moaned as she lost all the senses.

Amaira was a miracle for them. Bringing happiness in their lives again and this time permanently. Om had not gained his past memories back but the new one they made were enough for them.

"Om, how come you remember everything about sex, even after your Amnesia." She teased him, as he secured her in his arms.

"Because it is love-making and it is done from heart which didn't forget anything." He answered pressing himself more into her.

._._._.

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