Gauri woke up moaning to the feathery kisses that her very handsome fiancé bestowed upon her. Though wide awake she refused to open her eyes and snuggled closer to him, relishing the warmth of his body pressed against her, emitting a chuckle from him.

"Gauri... wake up" he whispered and she shook her head in a no making a pout.

Omkara couldn't help but kiss the pout away making her smile into the kiss while she pulled him closer. When she traced his jawline heading down to his neck as a seductive gesture, he pulled back with a groan.

"God Gauri... I won't stop with a kiss if you don't get up" he warned kissing her neck. She opened her eyes to see him looking down at her and huskily uttered "I never asked you to stop"

He laughed kissing her cheek "Who are you and where is my shy Gauri?" he joked.

She grinned and hugged him "Gone for a lifelong vacation" she mumbled into his chest.

Omkara tightened the hug and kissing her hair as he  spoke "Wake up my sleeping beauty... it is six already... you are in my room remember?"

That seemed to alert her.... "Ohh God!!" she parted from him unwillingly "Maa will barge into my room if I were late to go down" she said sitting up and searching for her clothes.

She hurriedly wore her blouse along with the saree petticoat and turned around to grab her saree when she looked at Omkara watching her leisurely lying on the bed and resting his head on one hand. She took the pillow and threw it in his direction which he expertly caught chuckling.

"I thought we are past the shy phase Gauri" he cheekily smiled while she shook her head giving up.

"At least help me in draping this piece of cloth sooner Om" she asked and he raised his eyebrow "Seriously Gauri? ... if I come near you now, I wouldn't be 'helping' you... instead you will be delayed" he said truthfully.

Gauri distractedly fumbled with her saree for a few minutes and sighed giving up "Give me your shirt Om... this is going to take time... I need to rush" she said and he handed her a t shirt getting up to put on his clothes.

A minute later when she hurried to the door, he held her hand "Wait... walk behind me... I don't want you to cross some servant dressed like this" he said and walked out guiding her to her room.

Gauri gave him a sweet kiss before she entered her room and Omkara smiled before turning around to head back to his room. As he passed his mother's room on his way, he could distinctly hear retching sounds from within making him stop for a second and contemplate whether or not to check on her.

He raised his hand to knock on the door but then saw Shivaay walking towards him. The later was looking at his phone and still didn't notice him before his mother's door. Deciding against disturbing the mother-son time, Omkara drew his hand back and walked away.

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Gauri freshly showered and dressed in a pale pink saree, walked down the stairs towards the dining room where her mother would be busy setting the table.

"Gauri... come fast your dad is to go on a trip to Mumbai today... I need to look at the lunch preparations... set the table" ordered Pinky and Gauri nodded her head getting to work.

An hour later, when everyone in the family were having breakfast with Omkara, Kalyani asked Priyanka "Where are Radhika ji and Shivaay?"

"Daadi... Mom was not feeling well today, bhai is upstairs with her. I was about to take breakfast for them after I have mine" she explained.

"Aree... not well?" asked Kalyani worried.

"Nothing serious daadi... she will be alright once she eats" she lied smoothly.

Omkara who silently heard the conversation looked at Gauri and noticed her unease. She knows he concluded and finished his food getting up from his place after giving them an excuse.

He walked straight to his mother's room and saw her lying on the bed while Shivaay sat by her side caressing her head with one hand and holding her hand with his other.

"Shivaay" he called him in a voice loud enough for his step brother to hear him but low enough not to disturb their mother. 

"Omkara? What happened?"

"That should be my question... what happened to her" Omkara asked pointing to the bed.

"Uhh... nothing... mild weakness" said Shivaay evasively and Omkara sighed irritatedly before walking towards the bedside cabinet and opening it to look for some medicine which might help him get a clue about her illness.

Shivaay left his mother's side to hurry towards him but was late. Omkara turned to him angrily showing him a strip of tablets.

"Mild weakness? These are chemotherapy drugs Shivaay" he whisper yelled.

Shivaay took him a little away from the bed not to disturb his mother and admitted "She is being treated for a brain cancer Omkara"

"You say that to me now? After I find out for myself? Is that why she is trying to get rid of her guilt and you being the ideal son were trying to help her" he asked.

Shivaay glared at his mother's son "She isn't trying to get rid of the guilt... she is truly sorry for what she did Omkara... you can't talk like this about her"

Omkara closed his eyes for a moment to calm down lest he lashed out at the person before him "Get me her reports...NOW!!" he ordered and Shivaay nodded before he went towards the cupboard to bring back a set of files.

Half an hour later, Omkara sighed defeated.

How is he going to tell his father that his ex-wife whom he probably still loved is going to die in mere months and his son who is a neurosurgeon could not treat her illness... It was too late to consider a surgery.

"When did you know of this? This is very much advanced... why didn't you take her to a damn doctor earlier?" he asked Shivaay.

"She never took those headaches and blackouts seriously... she kept delaying the doctors visit until I dragged her there myself... I should have been more observant...persistent" said Shivaay his voice cracking at the end and Omkara felt guilty of accusing him earlier.

He rose from his place on the couch to walk towards Shivaay and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. When Shivaay looked at him, Omkara didn't see his confidant, dominative friend who had the power to take over the world... he only saw a longing son instead. He could relate with his condition... that longingness... he had been there is his place, longing for the same woman but under different circumstances.

Omkara wordlessly hugged him not realizing the tears escaping his eyes until they wet Shivaay's shirt. Shivaay hugged him back, he too crying in muffled sobs lest his mother wakes up from her sleep. He is loosing a mother for the second time in his life. The first time was sudden and shocking that he didn't have time to feel the pain... That might be the reason why God isn't satisfied and decided to make him feel the pain now... not the fast and killing type but the slow and crushing type.

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"Maa... where are you taking me? It is just past eleven... let me complete the chapter I was writing" pleaded Gauri when her mother barged into her room and without a word dragged her outside.

"Shut up... why didn't you tell me that Omkara's dad is coming? Shouldn't we make preparations appropriately? What will he think of us?" scolded Pinky as she continued to drag her daughter downstairs.

"I was going to tell you maa... I only knew it yesterday... Om said he will be here the day after... why are you fussing over it from now?" asked Gauri confused.

"Great.. not day after... he is here...in the living room" informed Pinky and Gauri widened her eyes.

"Today? but why?"

"Aree... how would I know... we cannot ask him to go and come again right... I asked your grandmother to keep him company, ordered some servants to ready a room and rushed to you... I am worried what he would think of us... this is the first time he came here and we didn't receive him properly... even your dad is not in town" said Pinky worriedly and Gauri stopped her.

"Maa... Kaali uncle is very cool.. he wouldn't mind all such things... don't worry... take a deep breath and relax" she said and Pinky nodded her head still doubtful.

"You will see for yourself... how understanding my sasur ji is" said Gauri beaming and Pinky smiled at her while they now walked in normal pace towards the living room.

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"Pinky ji... this is not needed at all... we are going to be a family soon... please don't be formal" said Kaali and Pinky smiled at him.

"Gauri... come sit... I need to talk to you so much" he said and Gauri walked towards him with a huge grin on her face.

Once she settled beside him taking his blessings, he caressed her cheek and said, "Huhhh... finally... you are coming to our home" making Kalyani and Pinky look at one another happily.

"Please make sure the marriage happens as soon as possible Kalyani ji... I doubt my son... he has this tendency to ruin things for himself when it comes to marriage... I cannot let Gauri slip away this time" he requested turning to them.

"Of course Kaali ji... we will call the pandit tomorrow itself... my son has gone to Mumbai for some business work.... He will return early tomorrow.. once he comes, we can finalize the dates" said Kalyani smiling and Pinky agreed with her mother in law.

"But..." started Gauri only to be cut off my Kalyani.

"No... nothing doing... you are getting married soon... you selected the groom now let us elders select the date... sab jagah apni manmaani nahi chalegi...no more bickering" said Kalyani in a non budging tone and Gauri sighed.

A servant came to Pinky informing her that the room was ready and she ordered her to take the luggage there. She then turned to Omkara's father. 

"Please freshen up Kaali ji... sorry that we made you wait this long to show you your room" said Pinky.

"No... it was my fault... I came without informing... actually Om said he was missing me yesterday... I had to come to see him... and having a rich friend gives you some advantages like using his chopper in emergencies" he said laughing and the trio grinned at him.

"Gauri... take him upstairs" said Pinky and Gauri nodded getting up while Kaali followed tow.

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"Do you need anything else mom?" asked Omkara keeping the plate aside.

Shivaay had to go to his room to attend a conference call when Omkara offered to look after his mother till the time he returned. Nodding at him, Shivaay left the room happily knowing his mother would feel ecstatic to finally have her son beside her willingly.

When Radhika woke up a while later she was surprised to find Omkara sitting beside her. Seeing him smile at her without hesitation, she gathered that he must have known about her illness. She attempted to sit up when he dutifully assisted her and later helped her eat as well.

"Om... you... don't hate me... do you" she asked with hope and he smiled at her nodding a no.

"Why?"

He thought for a second but answered truthfully "I don't know... may be because you are my mother and children are not supposed to hate their parents?"

She gave him a weak smile "Giving birth to a child doesn't make me a mother... I failed at many other important things Om" she said a tear slipping her eye.

Omkara gently wiped it off and said "If you truly regret your mistakes, I shouldn't be holding a grudge mom... I always believed that one should learn from the past and plan his future... but by living in the past and striving to be happy in the future...I failed to relish my present"

"I hurt the woman I loved... I knew I was wrong but I stood with my decision adamant that what I did was for her good. All it took for me to regret my folly was a single moment... that moment... when I heard that I might have lost the love of my life. I ran back to her ready to beg her to forgive me but the girl that she was, she let go of my mistakes in a blink" he said snapping his fingers.

"That is because she loves me" Omkara said with a tearful smile.

"You realized you were wrong but you still thought you did the right thing by staying away from us... your guilt or your ego must have stopped you to come back to dad and you used work as an excuse... Like me... all you needed to regret your mistakes was the moment when you knew you don't have time to delay your repentance.... right?" he deduced and she merely nodded her head.

"He will forgive you too... because he loves you" he said with conviction and she smiled hopefully.

"Dad will be coming the day after... talk it out with him mom... don't hold back" he said and got up from his place when she held his hand.

Omkara looked at his mother who hesitantly asked "C..Can...I..." she stopped midway.

"You can ask me mom" he urged her and she braved herself before making a wish "Can I get a hug?"

Omkara smiled, though his eyes shed a drop of sorrow. He took his mother in a warm embrace after twenty long years feeling happy that all those years of longing have finally come to an end. He got his mother back and he will cherish every moment with her however short it might be.

Radhika basked in the feeling of being loved by her own son. God has been way too kind to her... despite her shortcomings she was loved unconditionally by people around her. Her tears soaked her son's shirt but she refused to mellow down. She wailed out her regrets, guilt and pain which seemed to make her heart light taking away years of burden.

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Omkara tried to comfort his mother rubbing her back and kissing her temple time and again to calm her down. Just when she relaxed, he heard his father roar his name.

"Omkara!!" shouted Kaali making his son come out of the embrace.

"Dad..." he said looking at a terribly angry Kaali at the door along with Gauri who had a worried look on her face. He glanced back at his mother who hurriedly turned away from him. Holding her hand in his, he walked towards his father "When did you come?"

"Why? Did I disturb something?" asked Kaali and Omkara could sense the anger, disappointment and most of all hurt in his tone.

"Dad..." he started but his father stopped him showing his hand.

Kaali looked at the woman who was the sole destroyer of his life with unprecedented anger "I leave him unguarded for a few days and you managed to get him into your clutches... what story did you cook up now?" he asked.

"Dad... stop... it is not what you think"

"Then what is it.... weren't you hugging her.... This...this woman who refused to accept you as her child... weren't you comforting her... am I imagining things Omkara?"

"Dad... calm down"

"I won't ... you come with me... I am not going to stay here for a minute" he declared and taking his son's hand dragged him out of the room despite his protests.

"Uncle... please listen to him" pleaded Gauri running behind them but Kaali refused to stop.

"Dad... listen to me...dad... stop" shouted Omkara halting in his steps refusing to move forwards.

"Don't you dare say she managed to turn you against me again Om"

"Dad no... you are misunderstanding... she has changed"

"Seriously? Changed? Why and how.... You don't know of her tactics... make believe is one of her specialties Om... don't fall for her act"

"No dad... please... you are angry... think with a calm mind... what benefit will she have now to get me close to her?"

"Torturing me seems to be her life's motto Omkara... you are my world and she intends to take you away from me... please... come with me before it is too late" he argued.

"You are wrong dad... she doesn't want to take me away from you... she just wants to get a small portion of love from both of us"

Kaali looked at his son with disbelief "Do you hear yourself? Do you even know a thing about her? Portion of love?.... she really did cast a spell...didn't she? you have gone insane Om"

"Dad please try to understand... she...she truly is repenting and we shouldn't hold a grudge"

Kaali closed his eyes to numb his pain... more than his ex-wife's lies, his son taking her side is hurting him at the moment. He turned away walking to the room that Gauri showed him a few minutes before he heard his son's and ex wife's voices and he decided to look at the scene himself.

Change and Radhika never fit in the same sentence... he had been fooled and his heart was trampled upon too many times in the past by the same woman that he knew he cannot give her another chance to go through the same pain again. His son is momentarily tranquilized by the blind love for his mother and he was sure he will come back to him when he wakes up from his slumber.

He on the other hand needs to get away from the place since his heart was in grave danger. Despite numerous efforts and gallons of alcohol to forget her, his weak heart still has a spot for the woman that gave birth to his child whom he loved to the core. God forbid... if he decides to give her a chance and she showed her colors later, he wasn't sure he would survive this time.

Omkara and Gauri followed Kaali to his room where they saw him collect his bag and things, ready walk out of the place.

"Dad... dad please don't leave... let us just talk... please" said Omkara urgently but Kaali refused to pay heed.

"Uncle ... please... give her a chance to talk... I am sure you can forgive her" pleaded Gauri making her future father in law stop and turn to her "You are too naïve to understand her nature Gauri... just stay with Om... don't let him fall too deep into the grave his mother dug for him" he said putting a hand over her head before walking forward.

"Dad... SHE IS DYING" Omkara uttered the words helplessly making his father freeze in his steps while Gauri gasped softly.

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The trio stood in their respective places in absolute silence not moving a muscle except for the essential breaths they needed to take.

Gauri looked between the father and son... she didn't know whom to feel more sorry for... for the son who just revealed to his father that he is going to lose his mother or the father who just got to know that he will not have his wife with him for long. This isn't supposed to happen this way. She stayed silent not able to decide who needs more consolation. Should she even stay here... the moment seemed too private to impinge on.

She quietly decided to move away when she felt Omkara tug her hand gesturing her to stay.

"Dad..." he started still unsure whether to proceed or not. "I just got to know about it this morning after going through her reports... we don't have much time left with her... please just talk to her calmly... once.... please dad" he pleaded.

Kaali wasn't sure if he heard his son's words correctly... but the sadness in his voice was unmistakable...

Radhika is dying?? Surely this is a joke.... right... he wanted to confirm it himself... this must be another one of her lies to get back at him. 

He nodded his head slightly before taking steps in the direction of his ex wife's room. Thankfully his son didn't follow him this time.

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Seeing the door open he marched his way inside to see her sit on the bed nervously fidgeting her hands on her lap as if she was awaiting him. She looked up to him and got down the bed to walk straight to where he stood.

"Kaali..."

"This is a lie.... isn't it... you are definitely not dying... are you" he asked her and she smiled at him noticing the wishful tone to his voice.

She shook her head in a no and his shoulders sagged as he let the tear slip his eyes.

"Why Radha..." he uttered painfully "How do you always manage to break my heart?"

Radhika rushed to her husband hugging him and he didn't resist it. He couldn't because... if he did... he might not have her in his arms again.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier... is that why you came to me that day?" he asked her as he gently caressed her hair  and she nodded a yes.

"I am sorry...I didn't even let you speak that day" he muttered after a moment and she parted from him, vigorously shaking her head in a no. 

"You were angry... I understand... if anyone needs to say a sorry... it should be me... I don't deserve your apology" she said taking his hands in hers.

"For all the things I put you through... I wouldn't have been surprised if my son hated me... but never did you let Omkara know my mistakes... why are you so good... I don't even deserve your kindness Kaali"

"No... I cannot let my son hate the only woman I ever loved... what happened between us stays between us... he doesn't need to know" he said dismissively and Radhika couldn't help but curse herself again for hurting  such a person.

"I knew he didn't consider me the ideal husband but I thought that it was because he had this illusion that his mother wouldn't have chosen anything other than him if circumstances were otherwise.... I didn't expect you to corrupt his mind... everytime I thought you cannot stoop lower... you proved me wrong" he said, reproach clear in his tone while she hung her head in shame.

"But that isn't the end of the world Radha... he loves me more than anybody else and I never wanted more than that" he said and she merely nodded.  

"Now tell me what kept you from telling me about your condition... you can be pretty persuasive if you wanted to be... but you chose to keep mum... Om said he knew about it this morning"

She looked at his hand and caressed the ring on his finger "That day when you raised your hand to hit me, I saw this" she said with a small smile "I realized you never stopped loving me Kaali... for once in my life I tried not to be selfish..." she explained.

"Every time I tried to barge into your life irrespective of what you wanted... this time I wanted to keep away until you are okay with me. I always held Omkara responsible for our failed marriage in spite of you repeatedly telling me that it wasn't so... this time I really wanted to say sorry to him as I know only then you will let me come near you. I withheld facts from him because if he knew he would either feel pity or he would convey the information to you... I didn't want either of that... this time I promise you I am not lying... I truly love him Kaali..." she said earnestly.

"Of course... your ego will not give you permission to accept pity" he said sighing as he brushed her hair behind her ears. "You changed" he remarked when she didn't object him.

"I wish it was sooner... not when I am going to loose you in months" he said kissing her forehead.

 "Omkara is just like you... a fountain of love... I am glad I was not a part of his life" she said and he smiled "I know... he is my son" he proudly said making her frown. 

"I have one too... Shivaay... he is Sujata's son" she said as she held her head high filling him about Shivaay and Priyanka... the one thing in life she will be proud of. 

"Ohh... I will make it a point to thank him for turning you into a human" he joked and she hugged him smiling.

Radhika thanked God for granting her wish... she was with the man she loved and she couldn't help but boast herself for being lucky to have him with her now in her last days.  One thing left was to see her children married and happily settled in life. She knew with a bit of persuasion, that would come true in no time ....then, she can happily rest.

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Gauri looked at Omkara staring at the door through which his father exited minutes ago. She touched his arm making him look at her "Are you okay?" she asked though her mind scolded her for asking such a stupid question. How can he be okay in this situation?  

Omkara nodded a no looking away and she turned him towards her hugging him hoping to soothe him temporarily. He tightened the hug closing his eyes and basking in the comfort she offered.

"You should have told me earlier" he said and she faintly mumbled to his chest "I promised her"

"It is ironic right... she is suffering from a brain cancer and I being a specialist in treating them can do nothing but watch her die.... it is pretty advanced to consider a surgery" he sighed in a defeated tone and she parted from the hug to look at him.

"Om... you can't think like this" she scolded him.

"I know...  but I can't help but feel useless ... what is the use of all the degrees and certifications if I cannot treat my own mother" he said looking at the floor and she angrily lifted his chin. 

"You are a doctor not a God... you have your own limitations and it is acceptable... you cannot blame yourself for not being able to treat her Om... We are not having this discussion again... I understand you are being emotional at the moment but this is not allowable. No one belittles the abilities of my Mr. Perfect" she said her nose flaring and cheeks turning red.

Omkara smiled kissing her nose and then her lips "Thank you for coming into my life Gauri... that day I first met you at the bar was the luckiest day of my life" he said and she looked at him guiltily. 

"I still don't remember what happened that day" she cheekily confessed making him chuckle. 

"You kissed your way into my heart and I couldn't help but fall for the enchantress you were" he said making her widen her eyes. 

"I kissed you?" she asked horrified and he grinned "That and much more" he teased. She frowned asking; "Tell me.... how much more" 

"Nope... that night is for me to cherish and you to mull over" he said and ignored her protests taking her lips in a fervent kiss. 

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With that we come to an end of Mr. Perfect....

The next part will be the epilogue... 

Tell me how did you like the ending...

Also your thoughts on Kaali and Radhika's relationship.... Love can be constructive and also destructive... Kaali and Radhika's love is the destructive type while Omkara and Gauri's is the constructive one. Hope you spot the difference. 

Bye... until the next update... signing off yours Soujanya.