"Wait...wait...wait!!!" screamed Kaali running towards the entrance and Gauri halted in her steps scared, while Rudra looked alarmed.

"What happened Uncle" asked Rudra while Gauri gaped at the elder man.

"She is entering my house for the first time... Let me invite her in properly" said Kaali making them roll their eyes.

"What next uncle... will you do her aarti now and she will enter kicking a pot of rice?.... If O sees it he will run for the hills" said Rudra making Gauri chuckle... "Where is he by the way? Are we early for the party?"

"No... I sent him out to bring some essentials, so that he won't yell at me for welcoming my bahu properly" Kaali said grinning looking at Gauri and making her blush.

"What are you going to do uncle?" asked Rudra again.

Kaali brought a piece of white cloth and spread it on the floor beside a plate containing golden colored paint. He asked Gauri to step on the paint first before stepping on to the cloth and she obeyed smiling at him.

Once Kaali is satisfied with the print, he picked up the cloth and asked them to come in while he entered inside a room. Gauri and Rudra followed him closing the entrance door and peeped into the room only to gasp in wonder.

The room was filled with stunning portraits of various themes. Some of them had beautiful sceneries while some had mosaics of modern art. Some canvases had faces showing various forms of expression...of which Gauri could tell that pain was the most prominent one. Some were bright colorful, exuding life while others seemed to be dark shadows of past and pain.

"Welcome to my art room" said Kaali making Gauri turn to him.

"Wow... uncle... there are many new paintings that I haven't seen the last time" said Rudra smilingly.

Kaali rolled his eyes "That was a year ago Rudra... you doctors barely have time for artists like me..." he said while Rudra looked guilty.

"Sorry Uncle... I promise I will visit you more often... your son keeps me on toes...he doesn't have a life and doesn't let me have one" he said accusingly and Gauri nudged him scowling.

"Ha... ye dekho... your bahu doesn't allow me to even complain against your son" said Rudra and Kaali laughed aloud.

"He just wants you to learn more cases Rudy" she said and Rudra huffed. She then turned to Kaali "I knew you were an artist but I didn't expect this level of excellence Uncle... Om always says you are wasting your talent and now I know why"

"It is just a hobby Gauri... I sketch memories and paint emotions... This is my personal abode and I don't want to exhibit any of these... I am a private person too who does not wish to put up my life story to others for entertainment" he said "Now I am going to make a painting out of this print of your feet... you can see for yourself how beautiful that memory will turn into" he winked at her making her smile wider.

Oh...so the introversion comes from him she thought silently.

As she moved to the other side of the room to have look at the painting of a boy around ten years of age smiling as if posing for a picture. She smiled recognizing his features and looked at Kaali for confirmation.

He smiled and nodded his head "This... is my master piece till date" he said as he showed her other pictures of Omkara's childhood. Hidden amongst them, not in direct view was a portrait of a beautiful woman, her smile similar to the one she loved.  

"Uncle who is this?" she asked curiously still looking at the picture and Rudra cleared his throat trying to get her attention. She turned to her cousin who signaled her to keep quite and she knew she must have asked something she shouldn't have.

"She is Omkara's mother" uttered Kaali coldly and Gauri cursed herself for spoiling his mood. Trying to be cheerful and get off the topic, Rudra asked "Where are the rest of the guests? Why don't I see anyone else? The party is supposed to start in five minutes"  

"No... it is supposed to start half an hour later... I called Gauri to come earlier" said Kaali warmth returning to his tone making Gauri thank Rudy and Rudra nodded in understanding.

In no time, Omkara returned and the house filled with guests. The party started on a good note with friends meeting each other and having a nice chat savoring delicious food and drinks with silent music playing in the background.

"Gauri" called Omkara making her turn to him with a smile.

"This is Arjun" he said introducing her to a man who was slightly shorter and leaner than him.

"He was my batchmate in under graduation. One of my few close friends" he said and Gauri nodded grinning at Arjun.

"Hi Arjun" she greeted and was enveloped in a friendly hug by the man.

"My pleasure to meet you Gauri" he said smiling at her and Gauri couldn't help but return the charming smile.

"His father owns a publishing house... I wanted you to talk to him" said Omkara with an encouraging smile and Gauri nodded.

"So you are an upcoming writer I gathered... what genre do you write Gauri? Which company did you sign the contract with?" Arjun asked while Omkara was called by one of his colleagues. He excused himself and left the two to continue their conversation.

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It was a little after eleven and Gauri was helping Kaali to clean up the kitchen.

"Gauri... leave this and go check on Bhavya... she seemed to be having a hard time controlling Rudra. I don't understand where he got alcohol from. The guy is wasted...no wonder my son gives him a hard time. He is one cunning fox and a trouble-maker" said Kaali and Gauri laughed.

"Om is with him... he will take care... don't worry Uncle. Only one or two plates left... it won't take much time to clean them off" she said and Kaali sighed giving up.

He looked at the door before he asked "So, when are you planning to permanently shift here?" making her freeze.

She turned to him with a fake smile and he frowned.

"Om... he..." she started and sighed shaking her head.

Kaali dropped his work and walked to her "Say it Gauri..."

"He is a good man uncle... I love him and I am ready to spend my life with him but I want him to ask me. He always freezes when I try to get close to him. I don't think he wants me anytime soon" she worded out her worries.

"No Gauri... I know he loves you and I am sure he will ask you before he leaves for UK. Will you marry him in less than three weeks? He can take you with him and you both together can have a wonderful time there"

Gauri remained silent making Kaali look at her in worry.

"What is the matter Gauri?"

Gauri smiled at him after a moment "Yes uncle... If he asks me I will not think twice before saying a yes... days or weeks doesn't matter to me" she said and Kaali hugged her happily.

"I will make sure he marries you before he goes away from me... I won't be able to pester him later on when he is out of reach" he said determinedly making her chuckle.

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Two days later..............

"Uncle, did Om come home?... I have been trying to talk to him since afternoon and he is not lifting my calls. Is everything alright?" asked Gauri.

She was feeling uneasy since the start of the day. What else can go wrong in her life except for one unpredictable person.

Their relationship remained unnamed even after the kiss. She feared Omkara's reaction post that event, but thankfully he didn't avoid her nor did he raise the topic again. There was a sense of belonging and ease that he showed when he talked to her. She also felt that he was opening up. That should have been a positive sign but she didn't let her hopes go high. Unless he confessed that he loved her, she refused to make a move.

Hope he does that sooner...she wished. He is unsure and he made her feel unsure of him.

One time he looks at her with so much love... as if trying to tell her that she is the most important person in his life and the next minute he blinks it off acting unaffected. Quite a few times she felt he wanted to tell her something but then he again chooses to remain silent.

They talked till late last night discussing his course details and stay at the new place and now, he wasn't answering her calls... He might be busy...yes that is a possibility...but never did he make her wait for so long. Even Rudra said that he was not in the hospital. What could have happened in mere twenty hours. They were to go out to dine in an hour as he asked her yesterday and here, there is no news as to where the man disappeared to.

"He just returned home Gauri. He is taking a shower I guess. Should I ask him to call you?" asked Kaali.

"No... he said he will take me out today. I am dressed up and ready to go... I will come home in less than half an hour and we will leave together" she said and hung up after hearing an okay.

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"Om!!..." shouted Kaali from the kitchen as he heard his son walk out of his room twenty minutes later. "You should have told me not to prepare dinner today since you are going out with Gauri. Who will eat my chicken curry now" asked Kaali smilingly.

Not getting a response, Kaali shut the stove off and walked into the living room.

"Om!!" he called again making his son look at him.

"What happened? You don't look okay" said Kaali noting the melancholic look on his son's face.

"Did something happen at the hospital? Gauri said you weren't answering her calls... What is it?" he asked holding his son's shoulder.

"No...Nothing... everything will be fine... I guess" Omkara answered avoiding his eyes and alarm bells rang in Kaali's head.

"Om... tell me what the matter is. Gauri said you both are going for a dinner... you aren't planning to hurt her. Are you?" he asked and Omkara remained stoic.

"Omkara... please don't mess things up... you are making me scared now... She is perfect for you...I know you love her... don't do anything that you might regret later. She will be here any moment now... tell me what is wrong?" pleaded Kaali.

Omkara was about to open his mouth and stopped when he heard the sound of heals approaching. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and looked at his father in fake anger.

"Dad.... when did I say that I love her? Why do you keep pushing me towards her ...? I don't love her and I am certainly not marrying her...do you get that?" roared Omkara before he entered his room shutting it with a bang.

Kaali kicked the teapoy of their living room cursing loudly when he noticed her presence in the room.

"Gauri.." he uttered hurrying towards her "Gauri... please don't take his words seriously...he..."

"That is okay uncle...I am alright" she said more to herself than him, trying hard to keep her tears at bay even though some of them failed to obey her.

"I cannot force him to love me..." she said and Kaali prayed for all of this to turn out to be a nightmare...

This can't be happening...... not when everything is perfect.

"I will leave now uncle... tell Omkara that I got the message" she said and left the place her heart breaking for the second and last time.

Why can't she understand the other person's feelings sooner... Did he really not love her? Did she really error when she thought that he loved her from the way he looked at her? No... that is not possible. What could be the reason he burst out like that? Did he give up on her without a fight? Wasn't she worth his effort?

Why her?...why should she be the understanding one always.... She thought angrily before she grabbed a cab on her way home. When she was halfway through, her mobile rang making her come out of the million thoughts running in her mind... most of them depressing.

"Hello?" she answered not looking at the name of the caller.

"Is this Gauri?" asked a man's voice which sounded familiar.

"Yes ..... Who is this?" asked Gauri and listened intently once she heard his name.

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Kaali cursed all Gods... Why does this disaster have to happen now? ... he thought as a tear streamed down his face. Within seconds, the sadness and helplessness changed to anger and he marched to his son's room ready to slap some sense into him and kicked the door open but all the anger vanished into thin air once he saw Omkara's state.

His son was crouched on the floor beside his bed, tears streaming down his calm face. He looked at his father "Did she leave?" he asked smiling sadly "you can shout at me now"

Kaali rushed to hug him tight as his son cried his heart out. Omkara rarely ever complained. He never depended on anyone nor did he let anyone close enough to have a complaint against them. That fact always disturbed him, but as closed off he is, Omkara refused to tell him the real reason.

Omkara's father trusted his son to be mature enough to decide his life and live on his own terms. When the later scripted his own life in detail not yielding to any temptations in his path and came up successful in his career, Kaali felt proud of him. Maybe he was wrong in letting him be on his own...

He should have told him earlier in life that one shouldn't always be so planned leaving no room for change that when something better knocks on the door, they cannot accept it only because the doors were permanently closed.

His son never cried before him when he...his own father... struggled with alcoholism. Never did he wail when he was absent for days together drinking away his grief until Tej knocked some sense into him. He also did not sob when he waited alone for his father to take him home from his school while Kaali forgot his responsibilities due to his hangover ... He never showed his weak side... not even when he rejected his only wish of getting his mother back to him two decades ago.

Now looking at him break down like a man who lost his very reason to live, jabbed his heart. He knew that pain... he felt it too... years ago and he wished his son never would go through it...but fate was cruel to him then and now the story is repeating itself.

Kaali loved his son... he was his life... if not for him, he would have given up living long back...that very day when he realized that his then perfect life was all a lie.

"Om... What happened beta? ... Why did you do it?" Kaali asked looking at his sobbing son.

"I can't take what she selflessly offered dad" he said his voice barely audible "I can't bear it if she regrets giving it to me"

"Okay... calm down now... wait a minute here..." he said getting up from his place to find a glass of water.

Half an hour later when Omkara's hiccups considerably decreased, Kaali sat on the bed near to his son and softly asked as he caressed his son's head who still sat on the floor kneeling "Now...tell me what went wrong"

"I was planning to propose her today dad... She loves me and I love her too... I love everything about her...her goals, ambitions and dreams everything equally" he said as a tear escaped his swollen eyes.

"Gauri signed a contract for publishing her book a few days back. She was so excited when she told me about it on our trip. I was happy too... I also called Arjun asking him to collaborate with her. Arjun is a doctor, but his dad's publishing house is well known for its selection of stories, almost all of their books have become an instant hit."

"Arjun informed me that he will enquire about the contract details with the publishing company Gauri is currently working with, so that they can plan the next book once the contract period finishes off. Apparently, the head of that publishing house was their family friend. He called me today morning asking why Gauri was talking about nullifying that contract. I asked him to confirm it once again and he called me few hours back"

"He informed me that the contract which she signed states that she has to work with them for her next two books which will be published in a span of one year. She has to stay here to write, discuss the editing and for the entire process of publishing, if she was to complete her books in time as per her contract" Omkara said looking at his father.

"I then knew why she did it...That night at the party you asked her to marry me and go with me to UK in a month, right? She agreed without a second thought dad. She was ready to give up her dream to stay with me... I cannot let that happen" he said determinedly.

"But Om... you can talk it out with her... there is no need to hurry for the marriage...you both can marry after one year when everything is alright...why do you have to break her heart for it? I only asked her because I thought I don't have to worry for you when she is with you " asked Kaali.

"It is not about the marriage dad...it is about her very nature... I know how much love she put into that story... she knew me for merely three months dad...but for me she gave up the idea of publishing her book. I am scared of what all she will have to give up once we get into a serious relationship... to think of it...she didn't even discuss it with me... I only got to know of this by chance... through Arjun... if not I wouldn't have any idea"

"Om... you are thinking too much into this..... She might have told you a few days later... It is her dream, her life, her decision... A girl gives priority to the one she loves over everything else. If not now, she will pursue her dream a bit later Om"

"I am asking why?? Why should she do it... what if she never gets a chance later? Why does she wants to compromise anything for me dad... What if she regrets it later... what if I didn't deserve her?"

"Om please..!!" Kaali started when Omkara stopped him showing his hand, looking at him angrily.

"I will never repeat the same mistake that you did" he shouted at his father making him gape at him.

"What??... what mistake? I don't understand which mistake you accuse me of doing... for god sake you didn't even see your mother or talk to her. She left you when you were two... what do you even know about her" Kaali growled.

"I know.... She told me.... She told me that you wouldn't let her work, she gave up her career to marry you and she could never again see her dream come to life. She asked me not to tell you about it saying you will hate her more for meeting me" Omkara disclosed and Kaali gasped in shock.

"What rubbish Omkara... when did this happen"

"When I was twelve... when I pleaded you to talk to her, bring her back to me and you conveniently refused" he accused him and Kaali denied shaking his head.

"Om... she... your mother is not what you think... please Om... don't do this to Gauri... she will break down"

"She won't... she has a beautiful family to help her out... Let her once again ponder over her feelings. If we are really destined for each other no one can break us dad. I am taking a flight to UK in two days... Once we both settle in our own careers and once, I am ready to face her again, I will come for her. Till then this distance is required" said Omkara getting up and leaving the house along with his father behind.

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Okay.... So this is it... things will get a bit more clearer in the next chapter.

You should realize that Omkara is a closed off person...years of pain, bottled up will make a person afraid of taking a step towards happiness. He knew Gauri is the one person he could be happy with, but he is afraid to have her...overwhelmed by her love.

I often listen to people saying "Life mein itna sab acha kaise ho raha hai... zaruur kuch to gadbad hoga baad mein"... I even saw people afraid to be happy thinking some bad is lurking around the corner.

Omkara is one such person... too held up in the past, expecting so much from the future which made him loose his present happiness...

For that matter even I think like that sometimes... What about you? Let me know your thoughts about it.

As I said before... try not to hate him... he is just any normal being... He will realize his mistakes soon.

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