The moment Gauri got out of Anika's room. She let her barriers break, the composed look she had still now come crashing down in a second. It hurt. It hurt more then she likes to admit. After everything, they went through together.
After the storms, they faced together, and the way Om and she stood up for Anika, helped her when no one was beside her. And this is how it all ends. They were still not trustworthy enough for Mrs. Anika Oberoi.

And it wasn't the trust factor that was hurting her so much. It was the factor that their children's lives could be destroyed because of Anika's trust issues.

Wasn't she here when the famous "The black peacock" murder case finally begin. Wasn't she here when the dashing and young DCP Ranveer Randhawa entered this house and turned the base of it upside down? Wasn't she there when the young DCP disappeared on the trails of finding the only Oberoi daughter. The daughter whose name is taboo now.

And no matter how many times, the family denies that they didn't have anything to do with the murders. No matter, how many times Shivaaye or anyone else said that the whole thing was a hoax, a conspiracy against them.
Didn't the stories and circumstances all point to the same.

Through the generations of Oberoi's beside their husband's generation. The Oberoi family whose son was the heir survived, the spares (cousins) died. Even during Tej and Shakti's time. Ten become the M.D and his family I.e Dadi and Shakti survived. But all his cousin's family died in a freak accident one by one.

And the same has been happening to each Oberoi generation. The king's family survived and the others died. Wasn't that lady too, a distinct relative to that died cousin's family. Didn't she want to kill all the Obros for the throne? Didn't she say at the end "the game will return? Only one family will survive like always, "

They hadn't taken her words seriously then. They thought it was just mad ramblings. But now, it made terrifying sense to Gauri. Both the set of parents trying to make their son heirs. Encouraging their love and unity but trying to get the eldest to the throne.

Didn't Omkara and she got married before Shivaaye? Didn't Pinky Oberoi look accordingly towards Om after each attack on Shivaaye? Didn't Ranvi disappear just as he was going to unveil the main criminal? And didn't that lady say it's your family vs my now?

Your family vs my now?

Your family vs mine now?

The black peacock murders.

If Shivomru were one then.....

Suddenly, Gauri couldn't breathe. She was suffocating. The mystery that seemed a hoax and conspiracy against them suddenly seemed very clear to her. They were the baits now. The victims of some psycho serial killer out there, who was planning and plotting to kill them all.

Starting with their children.

And Gauri couldn't breathe. Suddenly there seemed to be a boulder placed on her chest and she couldn't breathe. She just couldn't breathe. Anika's broken figure staring blankly at a wall just causing her anxiety to fly sky high.

She knew it was unfair to blame Anika for the danger lurking over her children. The killer shadow looming over them but it was so easy that way. It was so easy to blame someone else. Never mind, the fact that old Gauri would never have reached the conclusion so fast.

The old Gauri's mind wouldn't have made the connection so soon and maybe in more danger. But now, she couldn't help but think that way. And being near Anika's room she was drowning in anxiety and suffocating.

The talons of fear we're wrapped all around her throat and lungs and she needed someone to tell her maybe she is wrong. Maybe she is being over paranoid. Maybe she has read one too many crime thrillers. She needed to talk to Om right now.

Determined she stormed away from Anika's room in search of Om. Her haywire emotions dripping down her eyes. Her anxiety making it almost impossible for her to breathe but she didn't care about any of that at that moment.

At that moment, she didn't care about anything but the danger her children were in. She didn't care if it was her paranoid danger or real danger. All she knew is that lady was in control of their life even from prison. She had been deciding it for the past years even though she was rotting in jail.

She made a total fool of one Anika Oberoi. And with that thought her anger and frustration on Anika were back. She was just so pissed off right now that she was herself surprised that she hadn't yet erupted like a volcano. But she will soon, she is sure.

Didn't Anika always say that she was her sister? Didn't Anika always tell her that she trusted Gauri with her life? Then where was the trust when it was really needed? Where was the trust when innocent children were being made pawns? Where was her trust?

When this game of death was revived?

Riding on the storm of emotions she strode purposefully through the bloody halls of the Oberoi Mansion. With each step, the blood seemed more real to her. With each step, she could see children running around the bloody palace, growing up, fighting then murdering each other for this palace. With each step, the diary containing the history of Oberoi's Priyanka found, and then Priyanka, Om and she read with Ranvi seemed to come alive. She could see it all happening in front of her eyes and the characters of the stories being changed with her children. Someone's thirst for power and richness ending her children's lives.

"Omkara!!!" Gauri cried out, spotting him sitting in the living room engaged in some kind of conversation with his mother.

He turned towards her alarmed, getting up abruptly taking large strides towards her and she followed suit. Well aware of all the eyes on her.

"What happened?" Her husband asked her softly.

She knew she kinda looked like a total mess or maybe an angry troll with angry tears seeping down her eyes.

"We are going to Ishana's now, " She said in a totally bossy tone. Not caring even an ounce that her image of a submissive wife was being destroyed thoroughly at the present moment and she actually hadn't answered Omkara's question. But she didn't give a damn about it currently.

"Wh...." On didn't complete his question noticing her glare and her bubbling anger. Omkara knew from experience his caring, gentle wife can be no less than an angry Sabertooth tiger and he didn't fancy dying yet.

"Don't talk to your husband like that, " Jhanvi Oberoi snapped at Gauri watching her son not telling her off.

"And you still in contact with that no-good girl, doesn't know anything about respect and family, " Pinky Singh Oberoi said with visible displeasure and in support of her elder sister-in-law.

"Yes, she is still my best friend and I think she may know about family a little bit better than you all considering everything, " Gauri rebuked snappishly, not caring about her good daughter-in-law image shattering right about now as she gave her husband a look that screamed, "are we getting the hell out of here now or do you want to witness a world war here??"

Well, aware of the fact that his mother and chotti Ma joined hand on one topic and that's "let's slut-shame and shame Ishana in general, " Their hatred for Ishana seemed to be more than their displeasure with each other and knowing his wive's love for Ishana. He knew how bad that fight could be and that's when he is not considering his wive's bad mood. In her this mood, she won't back out from physically harming someone. So, Om squeezed her shoulder in reassurance and grabbed his car keys, cutting off his Ma and choti ma's retorts as he escaped this house with his wife.

Gauri seemed lost to him and he knew no matter what he asked her right now. It won't be answered. So letting her have her silence and brooding, he started driving towards Reyaan's mansion. Throughout the journey, Om continued stealing concerned glances of Gauri while Gauri continued staring outside.

Thinking, analyzing, and blaming.

Yes, Anika didn't tell her. Anika didn't trust her. But didn't she notice the oddity in Anika's behavior around baby Shivanya? There were times when Anika used to rain her affection on the child and then there were those times too. When Anika will just sit with baby Shivanya in her arms and stare blankly at her as if searching for something in the baby.

Wasn't she concerned then? Yes, she was with her own impending pregnancy and all. But everyone has dismissed Anika's behavior as post maternal depression and then alternatively, Baby Shivu and Ansh were with Om and her for most time to help lessen Anika's burden.

Then everything was fine. They were all happy and then they lost Ansh.

And again Anika's behavior towards Shivanya was blamed on Ansh's incident. Who would have thought such a mystery was brewing under everything? Who would have thought their children were always in danger? Who thought it had never ended? They were just sitting on a ticking time bomb totally unaware of its existence, awaiting the blast.
_________________________________________

The lavish, luxurious, and anciently beautiful Swadhinta Mansion was known for many things. It's historical significance, it's beauty, the people residing in it and it's security.

The place was considered one of the safest and most secured places in the country with it's armed to the teeth guards and latest plus ancient security checks plus tricks. There were few people on the whole planet who had a free pass to this place.

People who can enter and exit this place anytime, any day they wanted and that too without appoint. Omkara and Gauri were one of those people. Omkara's car breezed past the security checks like always and while Omkara took time to park the car.

Gauri has breezed inside the mansion. The maids and other servants in the mansion by now were well versed in the rules regarding Gauri. So, when Gauri asked about Ishana's location the servants dutifully gave it to her and didn't stop her from storming in Ishana's study like they would have if it was anyone else but Gauri.

When a raging Gauri stormed in Ishana's study and asked her few questions that didn't explain anything. Ishana went along with her without letting any semblance of questions or doubts appear on her face.

"Are you terribly attached to something in this room?"

"Will you mind if I break two or three of those ugly vases?"

To Ishana's credit, she just arched a pointy eyebrow in Gauri's direction as she directed her towards the things. She could break and the things Ishana really wanted to break. For that will give her an excuse to throw them out. And watched amused and intrigued as Gauri went on a breaking rampage.

The sounds of breaking and shattering ringing around them which was ignored for time being.

"Better, " the question escaped Ishana's lips when Gauri was finally done and slumped beside her on the cushioned recliner.

"Yeah, thanks for that " Gauri sighed tiredly, pointing in the general direction of broken vases.

"Now-now, no need for that for you're the one cleaning that mess, " Ishana said smiling

"You love me, " Gauri pointed

"Your point, " Ishana perfectly arched one eyebrow

"You hated those vases, " Gauri snorted

"Well, that's true" Ishana deemed asking instead "So, what made you a Vase breaking monster?"

Gauri rolled her eyes at Ishana's choice of words and Omkara entered the study at that moment looking a little startled by the broken pieces of vases littering the floor but thought better than questioning the women about it.

Once Omkara was also settled. Well, to be truthful he was perched on Ishana's table while both the women were sitting on the recliners. Gauri finally began with her findings and her theory. At the end of it, she looked at both Ishana and Omkara hopefully begging them to tell her she is wrong. She is being paranoid.

But they didn't, both of them looked quite grave.

Omkara added his own findings with Shivaaye and his reason behind sending Shivanya away. Plus, the picture of Anshi (Shivanya's alias name) with bullet holes and Aaina staying without contact, hidden in plain sight. Did nothing but solidify their skepticism?

While Ishana was listening to both of her best friends' words till now silently added her own discoveries. She informed them both about Panchi bringing Omav to her last night? Telling her how Omav was staying in her apartment for the past few days and the day he left her apartment and returned to his own. He was again attacked. Panchi's number saved in his emergency contact, his own alertness and her timely intervention saved Omav.

Ishana enlightened them gravely how she had a little discussion with Omav today. And how he informed her about.

"The day before the attacks begin. He was with his friends in a pub and he was complaining about how Tej Oberoi was insisting every day he takes his responsibility seriously. He is the heir and all." Ishana finished somberly.

The implications not lost to both Gauri and Omkara.

"You mean..." Gauri began but didn't find it in herself to finish the statement.

"Yes, I mean maybe you're right Gauri. The black peacock murders never ended, "

Following Ishana's words, there was dead silence in Ishana's study. The three of them contemplating everything and reminiscing what happened the last time the black Peacock case was reopened?

Priyanka, Ranveer, Rudra, Bhavya. They had lost many.

"Why...why didn't Omav tell us about the attack??" Gauri questioned Ishana brokenly.

"He was afraid, he'll be traced or you guys will be in danger, " Ishana reassured her friend warmly.

Gauri smiled slightly in return. She was dead worried. All her nightmares we're coming true.

"Will we investigate again?" Om asked Ishana softly, last time they were five and they had lost two before the case officially ended. That lady got thrown in the prison.

But looks like they never succeeded if they did their children wouldn't be in danger now.

Ishana nodded in affirm. That was the only black case in the history of her cases.

"We have too" Gauri stated firmly, there was no other choice. Their children were on the line and she'll be damned if she let her children be hurt.

The trio talked for some more time. Ishana deciding to go through the files while Rikara decided Omav was safer staying with Ishana here. They decided to add Shivaaye to the group too. Maybe his knowledge and clues of attacks on Shivanya will help them.

They didn't let their worries show when Panchi called them for lunch. Rikara behaved their usual selves with Omav who seemed totally startled to see his parents there. He didn't let it show how much he enjoyed Gauri scolding and smothering him at the same time.

The day before, he thought he will die without seeing his parents without telling them how much he loves them. He thought he'll die not letting them know how much he appreciated them. But today, he is still alive and not taking this life and its precious moments lightly at all.

So, he sat with his parents, hugging them, letting them scold and shower their love on him. He sat back and watch the harmony and love between Panchi and Gauri.

They seemed so close. He wasn't even aware his mum knew Panchi or for that matter was best buddies with her mum. But he wasn't complaining. He was in peace, realizing if death graces him this moment he won't mind it. For his loved ones seemed happy and alright around him. He won't mind dying to protect them.

Ishana and Rikara didn't let their worries show as they chatted and enjoyed the lunch with the children. But when Rikara left Ishana's home, they couldn't help but dwell on their misgiving and anxieties.

Who is really behind the black peacock?

Rikara didn't go back to the Oberoi Mansion. They didn't trust that place with themselves leave their secrets. They returned to their mansion and called Shivaaye there to discuss everything with them. They were sitting on the garden discussing when Shivaaye reached their place with Anika.

They hadn't anticipated her arrival and didn't know whether they can trust her with all this or not? Gauri didn't want to involve her to be truthful. What if she had another misgiving about Shivanya and destroy everything? But all her protests died on her lips.

When Anika looked her in the eye and said with total conviction and determination, "I want to help. I've lost my all once but not again. I let her down always but not now. I will protect, "

Gauri knew what Anika meant but it didn't mean she had to like it or be happy with her inclusion in the group. She wasn't ready for that but Omkara had made the decision for both of them.
So, she sat aside and watched as Omkara enlightened them on everything they found and thought. 

She watched as Omkara and Shivaaye discussed and compared their information while Anika pipped in timely adding her bits and pieces.

While Gauri turned a totally deaf ear to the conversation and mentally viewed the album Panchi gifted to her.

A young Aaina in boxing attire sticking out her tongue to Viaan while taking the trophy from him.

Panchi's laughter filled voice ringing in her mind. Fourth-year in law school, Aaina was the boxing champion and the college authorities had called Viaan as chief guest during the gift distribution ceremony and both best friends couldn't help but laugh and make faces when no one was looking.

A pic of Viaan twirling Aaina on her graduation day.

A pic of Viaan, Aaina, Savvy, Rohan, Ansh, and Panchi dressed in fluorescent wizarding robes with bright neon pink hairs waving their wands.

Savvy's B' day party, Panchi giggled.

A pic of the gang sitting around a bonfire with a guitar in Viaan's hand.

And finally, a pic of them in some crowded football stadium wearing their fav team's jersey with Viaan standing in the middle with a totally revolted expression as Aaina kissed his right cheek, Savvy kissed his left cheek both hugging him. Rohan stood on a seat behind them with both of his hands thrown up in the air in an "I don't know what the hell is happening gesture" and Ansh tugging on both Savvy and Aaina as if trying to save Viaan from their clutches.

It was a hilarious pic.

A crazy friendship moment full of happiness.

And Gauri knew what was at stake here.

"I'm going this for them, "

"I'm doing this for this, " she kept on chanted this in her mind as they returned back to the OM.

Omav was protected with Ishana.

Omisha, Ritisha were safe with the team and Aaina was hidden.

She was safe. She has too. Gauri reassured herself.

As the four of them slumped on the couches of Oberoi Mansion's living room.

Thinking, they need to protect Shivika. The accident can't be just a coincidence, can it?

Grim-faced lost in their own thoughts they were just about to start breathing again. When the senior Oberoi's graced the living room with their presence.

Grumbling about insolent people. Tej Singh Oberoi switched on the news and the four resting individuals immediately became totally alert hearing a name "Aaina"

"Right now, you all heard the live press conference of Aaina Randhawa, " the anchor was speaking.

But Shivaaye's focus was on the familiar blue-eyed girl on the stage. The girl with so deep greyish blue eyes that it becomes extremely hard to look away from her eyes.

The enchanting girl standing on the stage with the confidence of a rising Phoenix calmly handling about a hundred and one valid and insufferable questions thrown her way.

"I'll be very grateful if you all don't surround the hospital. My child had gone through a lot recently and I'll be glad if her face is not splattered everywhere for all the wrong reasons. I'll like her to heal in a calm, positive environment, " the clip of Aaina wearing a formal grey saree with mustard yellow saree requested from the media houses politely yet firmly. Her hairs were pinned back in a professional bun while a small black bindi rested between her eyebrows.

And Shivaaye seemed to drink her sight like a lost man drinks the sight of his home. He knew she was alive. Omkara said so but a part of his mind was still full of apprehension which all disappeared now. He was still staring at her when suddenly her words struck a chord in his brain.

"My child!"

But Shivanya isn't married is she? He threw a questioning gaze towards Omkara but Omkara was looking at the idiot box perplexed too. He seemed startled and unaware of this fact too.

Anika still couldn't tear her gaze away from Aaina while Gauri was afraid and worried thinking again and again.

"Why did Aaina blow her cover now?"

"The murderer will know she is alive too"

"Oh God, what should we do now??"

The outer silence and inner chaos were broken by Jhanvi Oberoi asking Gauri almost accusingly.

"Isn't that your saree she is wearing??"

~to be continued~

Aaina's saree and get up if anyone was speculating.