"I missed you so much Pinky" said Rudra tightly hugging her while she laughed.

"I missed you too Rudy... How are you... How is Bhavya?" she asked him, kissing his cheek.

"She is fine... I am fine now because I saw my favorite maami" he said winking at her and Gauri rolled her eyes.

"Are you done with flattering your maami? Can we also get a hug" said Shakti smiling at his nephew and was soon engulfed in a tight hug making him stumble back while the rest of the elders laughed.

"Dramebaaz" muttered Prithviraaj looking at Kalyani who whispered "Haa.. daadu pe jo gaya hai... hoga hi na(he took after you...)"

"Jhanvi... see your mom has become too boring these days. You need to come here more often to give me company meri bachi" Prithviraaj said to his daughter who hugged him.

"Boring?... you are boring not me" said Kalyani said defensively looking at her daughter for support.

"My papa is the best in the world... How can you even say that maa" said Jhanvi efficiently lying, taking her father's side while Kalyani muttered "Papa ki chamchi (father's side kick)" making them giggle and give a hi five to each other.

"Don't worry maa.. I am with you" said Shakti coming to his mother.

"See... I have my own support system" she said holding Shakti's arm.

Omkara watched the family banter from afar. He didn't want to join them lest Jhanvi and Rudra spoil their mood.

Gauri and Pinky saw him standing at a distance and Pinky nudged her "Go... ask him to join beta... Rudra knows him right?"

Gauri nodded and walked towards him.

"Won't you join?" she asked him and he smiled at her nodding a no.

"Let it be... your maami might not like my presence" he answered taking her hand and soon enough Jhanvi's voice neared them.

"Right Omkara... I wouldn't have appreciated seeing you with my family" she said, taking Gauri's other hand and pulling her away from him "Stay away from Gauri" she warned while he sighed.

"Aunty I understand that you are angry but I regret what I did" he started when she showed him a hand stopping him.

"Where is Shivaay Gauri ? let me talk to your fiancé" she stressed the last part smiling... "It has been a while since I talked to your charming husband to be"

Omkara felt anger rise inside him but he kept cool not uttering a word.

"Mom... what is it?" asked Rudra reaching them.

"Nothing... we are going upstairs to meet Shivaay... come along" said Jhanvi taking Gauri along with her.

"Hi Rudra" greeted Omkara politely while Rudra smirked at him.

"Do you know at one point of time I used to admire you...you were my inspiration. I even suggested that Gauri marries you Omkara sir..... Now looking at you standing all alone craving and begging for love I don't think I will ever want to be in your place"

Omkara tried to ignore his jibe but he was affected, nonetheless. Rudra is right... he is alone... begging for love which he doesn't know if he would ever get.

"Don't come near Gauri... I don't want to see her hurt because of you... you have done enough damage. If possible leave the place and go on to lead that lonely life of yours. It suits you better... you don't deserve Gauri at all" he said and Omkara left him without a second word.

Rudra looked at his seniors' back guilty for a second. Did he cross the line? But he did hurt Gauri didn't he? No...he had no right to hurt her... he deserved it. He resolved before turning to the stairs and stopped short when he saw his cousin's teary eyes looking in Omkara's direction.

"Gauri..." he started when she turned around and rushed ahead while he followed her.

"Gauri... I was harsh I know but he needs to be put in place... he hurt you" he said to her on reaching her room and she glared at him.

"For God's sake Rudy... can you stop saying that? He hurt me... correct... but don't you get the intention behind it? he wanted me to be happy"

"I don't care... he should have discussed it with you... he could have done it in a million better ways but he chose to hurt you and I will not spare anyone who dared to do that" he shouted at her.

"Why don't you understand Rudy... this... whatever happened between us... is about us.... It should be between us... You or Jhanvi maami or for that matter no one in the family has the right to talk about it. Couples fight for the silliest reasons and later patch up because it is only them who knows what the other person feels" she tried to explain.

"I love him, he loves me and for me that is what is matters... you don't know him the way I know him... don't judge him for a single mistake. You know what kind of a man he is. How can you hurt him like that Rudy... You insulted him Rudy... If he wanted, he could have picked up a fight but he didn't because he knows how important you are to me... If he doesn't deserve my love for wanting to see me happy then I don't understand who else does" she said crying and Rudra sighed.

"Fine...fine... I won't hurt him... don't cry... I can't see those nasty droplets from your eyes" he said stingily embracing her and Gauri smiled through her tears.

"Don't repeat this again Rudy... I cannot see you both at loggerheads all the time... you both are important to me" she said hugging him tight and he kissed her head muttering an okay unhappily.

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Omkara is frustrated... the whole day he had been waiting for a chance to spend time with Gauri but Jhanvi wouldn't leave her alone.

It was a little after ten at night when he walked down the corridor to Gauri's room. He knew Jhanvi wasn't glued to her this time as he saw her talking to Rudra in the garden. He knocked on her door waiting in anticipation and sighed in relief to look at her open it.

Without delay he pushed her inside, entering the room and locked the door behind him.

"Om... did you look at the time? What if someone sees us.. Go to your room now" she ordered though she knew it was a waste of effort.

He pulled her in for a hug and she sighed before giving in. "Om... if maami comes now..."

"What if she comes?" he asked in annoyance, parting from her.

"I don't understand Gauri... I know I hurt you and I really feel guilty for it... but if you can forgive me then what is her problem here? ... Rudra is younger...I can accept it if doesn't understand but your maami... she should be wiser to let me at least explain my side of the story...I couldn't touch you for the whole day today" he said angrily and Gauri looked at him surprised that he lost his cool too soon.

"She doesn't have to throw it on my face time and again that you have a damn fiancé" he said and she understood the reason behind his uncharacteristic rage.

"Who said I forgave you Omkara" she tried again and got a 'don't give me shit' look from him.

"Seriously... what do you people take me for?" he asked and was answered by her silence.

"Why don't you tell me what the problem is Gauri? ... we have wasted enough time... I want to live with you now... Is it so difficult to understand that I am a human being and I need love too? I am done hearing to people praising Shivaay and can't sit to watch him snatch you from me. I will talk to Shakti uncle tomorrow" he informed her and she panicked.

"No!!" she said a bit loud than necessary making him raise his eyebrow.

"I mean not you... I will talk to papa in a few days" making him surprised.

"Really?... you accept that you don't love Shivaay and will break the engagement?" he asked happily and she nodded her head.

"Then why wait till a few days... I can't wait... let me just talk to your parents Gauri... It might take them sometime to accept me too... this is a big decision right... you are going to break off your engagement"

"Om... tomorrow everybody will be busy with the pooja and fast... Papa will go to Mumbai for few days the day after, to look over some project. After he comes back I will talk to him. Till then please keep calm" she requested and he sighed defeated.

"But... Jhanvi aunty is making it difficult Gauri... I can't keep away from you for the whole day... why am I even staying here? To be with you.... nothing else matters to me if I cannot do that" he said hugging her and she smiled rubbing his back.

"Don't talk back to her please... she is angry at you and nothing else... I want you to be in good terms with every member of the family" Gauri asked him and he nodded kissing her temple "You know I won't insult her but... it's just that she sticks to you like glue and adores Shivaay"

"You don't have to be jealous... whatever happens... I will not leave your side Om.... Will you trust me?" she asked him softly and he smiled caressing her cheek.

"Do you even have to ask? I trust you more than myself and I will always do so" he replied loud and clear, making her heart soar.

"There is a glitch though" he said and she looked up in question.

"Now that your maami refuses to leave your side all day, I have to meet you at nights" he said and she widened her eyes.

"What!!! If you have problem with that too then I am talking to your father first thing in the morning"

"Urgghhhh... Om... when did you turn so manipulative? Do you realize that this is what is called blackmailing?"

"Ohh!!! I see... I told you already... I have strict orders to bring you back... if I abide to my morals... that is not going to happen...and you madam are too important to lose" he said cupping her face leaning closer.

She closed her eyes in anticipation when she felt him kiss her forehead.

"It still feels wrong to kiss you when you have a fiancé" he said sadly making a face.

Gauri laughed pulling his cheeks "my Mr. Perfect" she said kissing them a moment later and hugging him tight.

"Now don't push your luck... I am on the verge of breaking every damn rule in the list if it means I can have you" he said and she giggled.

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The next day..............................

"You are pushing him maami" stop doing that pleaded Gauri.

"Are... he hurt you... did you forget? Let him cry for some time too... me and my son should have our revenge fulfilled" Jhanvi replied and Gauri looked at Shivaay.

"It is not that aunty... if you keep doing it, Omkara will take some step to take Gauri away and once the family knows that he did not want time to get ready for marriage, Pinky aunty will be the first to start the preparations on the spot. We can't risk it. Mom told me that he still cares for her... it will only take a few more days to make him warm up to her. Gauri will try to make him understand" Shivaay explained.

"How did you forgive him so easily Gauri... you should have given him a tough time... you cried for two days straight after he shouted that he doesn't love you and there isn't one day in the past one year that you didn't crave for him" said Rudra angrily "Thoda tadapne do use bhi"

"Rudy bachpana kab chodega tu?" asked Shivaay smiling.

"Not again" said Gauri tiredly sighing "What do you think this is? ... a game? You give me two rupees and I give you two more in return? You should forgive and move on when you want to give the relationship more importance than your ego. He left me not because he doesn't want me... he left me because he wanted me to be happy... he must have craved for me too. What makes you think he would stay in the same place as his mother if not for me?" explained Gauri.

"Still... we want some ... we missed seeing you ignore him" said Rudra and Gauri rolled her eyes while Shivaay laughed.

"Yes... don't forget that your parents and my mom still don't know what he put you through. You smoothly lied to them that he went to UK for studies and you both are giving each other time to think of marriage. Don't make me leak the information..." said Jhanvi looking at her niece. "Let us go down for the pooja... Pinky should be coming to call us anytime..." she grinned making Shivaay and Gauri look at her suspiciously.

"Why are you so happy? What are you planning now maami?" asked Gauri and Jhanvi shrugged her shoulders before she walked out of the room, Rudra in tow.

"Jiju... I doubt them... something is definitely cooking" said Gauri looking worriedly at Shivaay.

"That is okay.. I will handle it... don't worry... let us go down Gauri" he said and Gauri nodded her head still unsure.

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"Are you kidding me? You can't even drink water?" asked Omkara glaring at Gauri who nodded cutely.

"Don't give me that face... I don't believe in these... Shankar ji won't ask people to not eat and drink for him"

"Yes... Shankar ji did not ask us to do... we are doing it for our wishes to get fulfilled" she answered.

"What wishes may I ask?"

"To get a good husband" she said smiling and he rolled his eyes.

"Seriously?... how many husbands do you want now?"

Gauri gasped and hit his arm "You are still not my husband... I am asking Shankar ji to make you as my husband"

"Gauri..." started Omkara but was cut off when Pinky called them.

"Gauri... come here... it is time for aarti"

Gauri got up from her place to go to her mother who whispered to her "Tell daamad ji to come... you both can do the aarti together" she said and Gauri shook her head in a no and started "Maa...he doesn't.."

"Yeah... okay... I know he might not feel comfortable with all those peering looks but my friends are asking me to introduce him to them... I told them that things are not official yet. Please ask him to come Gauri... at least they will have a look at how handsome my daamad is" Pinky said proudly smiling and Gauri just couldn't say no to her mother... but what if he suspected something? she thought.

Meanwhile, Omkara looked around the place filled with women of various ages dressed in traditional wear sitting before the idol of Shiva and Parvathi folding their hands in prayer.

What is he doing here again? he sighed and turned his face to the other side when he saw Shakti and Prithviraaj talking to Shivaay at the farther end and decided to join them. He got up from his place to walk towards them when he heard someone call his name.

"Omkara?" the lady asked him in doubt and he nodded a yes. She then excitedly called her other friends making him look at her in confusion.

"Geeta... Sonal... see I told you right...he must be Omkara... He is a very big doctor in US" she said and he corrected "Aunty... I went to UK... not US"

"Ohh... yeah yeah...I am Kartika... best friend of Pinky" she said smiling at him and he couldn't help but smile back.

"Pinky told us about you... How did you meet Gauri?" she asked and he raised an eyebrow in question.

"Ji Gauri?"

"Ha... who else... actually... I know you don't like to" started Kartika when Gauri came to them.

"Are Gauri... we just met Omkara... handsome hai" she said caressing his cheek showing her teeth...increasing Omkara's confusion.

What is happening? He thought.

"Aunty... it is time for aarti... shall I take him with me?" asked Gauri smiling politely.

"Yeah... we will talk later... you go beta... all the best" she said putting her hand on Gauri's head in blessing while Gauri bent to touch her feet.

Thinking it was mandatory, Omkara mimicked Gauri making the woman extremely happy.

"Hairabba... kitna acha ladka hai... Go beta... we will talk later leisurely" she said making Omkara fake smile and Gauri giggled at his expression.

"What was that?" asked Omkara as they walked towards the main mandap.

"Nothing... my mom told them about Priyanka's health and she is happy that you cured her"

"Really? How did she know that I know you from before? I was supposed to be Shivaay's friend right?"

"I recently told mom that I met you before..... through Rudy" she smoothly lied and he nodded his head.

They did the aarti together making the family incredibly happy looking at the adorable couple.

"Gauri... should I not eat too?" asked Omkara looking at the women leaving the dining area while their husbands sat down for lunch.

"Why?"

"To give you company... I know you must be hungry"

"Awww...so sweet...but no... eat.. this is a custom for unmarried woman mostly... mom will come down to eat in a short while... I have my friends to keep me company" she said pushing him to the dining table and he obliged too hungry to object.

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After lunch Gauri with Pinky were talking to other ladies while Omkara stayed with Shakti and Shivaay. He tried talking to Rudra who unapologetically ignored him and happily interacted with Radhika further irritating him.

"Gauri... take this" said Pinky handing her a packet.

"What is this maa?"

"You know Mithali right... she designs lehengas... I liked one of her designs and she gave it for you to try it on... after dinner try it to and tell me if it fits well" she explained and Gauri agreed.

"Where is Jhanvi? she said she will bring the mehendi artists with her" asked Pinky and not seconds later, they heard her voice.

"Now comes the interesting part of the function" loudly announced Jhanvi grinning and Gauri looked at her confused.

"As you all know, Teej is celebrated to remember the re union of Shiva and Parvati as his wife. Parvathi fasted, was austere for many years and was accepted by Shiva as his wife in her hundred and eighth birth. So, young woman keep fast today to get the men they love to become their husbands"

"All the unmarried girls ...are you ready?" she asked and earned a cheering response.

"It is said that whichever guy's name is written in your mehendi today, has high chances of becoming your future husband...so be ready with the names to be written and the artists will design as told. Engaged woman can have their fiancé's name etched on to their hands" said Jhanvi and looked at her niece.

"Gauri... come... you are first since Prinku is still upstairs with her friends" she said and Gauri looked at Omkara worriedly who was busy glaring at her maami.

Pinky pushed her in the said direction and having no other go, she took steps towards her maami.

"Madam whose name should we write?" asked the mehendi girl sitting beside her while people watched her eagerly to hear the name.

Ab kyaaa.... Shankarji...... I can't tell Om's name and maami is hell bent on irritating him so, she definitely is planning something she thought and true to her thoughts, Jhanvi made the situation worse.

"No... let Shivaay come here and write it... what say Gauri?" her maami asked loudly and Gauri closed her eyes.

"Shivaay come" she called him and Shivaay who was shocked at the announcement looked at Omkara who was positively raging.

Satyanaash... Shivaay cursed.

He was still thinking whether to go or not when Shakti said amusingly "Go Shivaay... it seems you learnt mehendi designs for Priyanka... my sister got a word of it... Go and write before she takes you there herself"

Shivaay got up and went towards Gauri and took a seat before her.

"Hailaa... it is so good to have a husband who draws mehendi isn't it?" she sighed dreamily making everyone except Omkara look at her confused.

Pinky nudged her sister in law and whispered ... "Kya bak rahi hai ? (what are you saying?)"

Jhanvi smiled at Pinky and said in a low voice "I wasn't talking about Gauri... I was talking in general Pinky... Anika is so lucky... is it not?" and Pinky nodded her head in understanding.

For the next half an hour Omkara sat on burning coal, steam coming out of his ears mentally cursing Jhanvi and counting numbers to calm down lest he erupted and spill lava or better march towards Gauri and take her away.

"Done" said Shivaay getting up and Jhanvi continued to oohh...and aaa at the artwork.

Shivaay smiled while Gauri thanked him and later proceeded towards his sister who sat eagerly waiting in line for him.

Gauri got up for the next girl to take her place before the mehendi artist and looked at Omkara who was already staring at her. She gave him a pleading look as if saying a sorry and he nodded his head with a small smile.

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Omkara watched the wall clock in his room waiting for it to strike ten so that he could go to Gauri's room. Ages later, the hours hand reached ten and he stood up smiling, ready to go.

As he walked through the corridor, he saw Jhanvi coming in the opposite direction. He decided to calmly pass her avoiding talks but she didn't let him go easily.

"Where are you going at this time of night?" she asked giving him a stink eye.

"I was going to get a glass of water aunty"

"The kitchen is that way" she said pointing the opposite direction and he sighed.

"I was going to Gauri's room to get a glass of water"

"I told you to stay away from her... didn't I?"

"Aunty... I already apologized before and I am willing to do that again... please understand that I really regret what I did" he patiently explained.

"I don't care Omkara... you hurt her and made her cry... that is enough for me to ask you stay away"

"Why should I... she doesn't mind and so shouldn't you aunty"

"She is too good for you Omkara... what do you even think of yourself? That you can break her heart and come after a year and a half saying a sorry? Seriously? ... she is a princess in this house... your only qualification is that you are Kaali bhai Saab's son... otherwise I would have thrown you out of here" she said angrily.

"Jhanvi!!!" they heard a shout and looked in the direction to see a terribly angry Kalyani and Pinky standing a few feet away.

Kalyani walked towards them glaring at her daughter "Is this the way to talk? Ye mat bhoolo ki vo is ghar ke hone vale daamad hai (Don't forget that he is the future son- in law of this house)" she said making Omkara widen his eyes in shock.

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Now that is the end of Chapter 15...

Let me know your thoughts...

Till the next update... signing off... yours Soujanya.