Pinky, Kalyani and Jhanvi were in the living room of the Oberoi mansion. Jhanvi was worriedly pacing the room while the other two were watching her in silence when Omkara returned from work.

Watching his mother's stance, he frowned in confusion.

"Mom is there anything wrong?" he asked and got her attention.

The mother rushed to her son and said, "Did Gauri call you? I am waiting for her call since afternoon. How did the test go?"

Omkara heaved a sigh of relief.

"You scared me mom."

"Did she call you?"

"No, Shivaay called me and informed that she did good in the written test and was preparing for the interview next. So, I couldn't directly talk to her. Do not worry, she will be okay."

"Shukar hai tune bataya. I will take a class for Billu once he comes home. Why didn't he tell Jhanvi? She didn't listen to me and kept getting hyper since afternoon," Kalyani rebuked her grandson.

Pinky couldn't help an eye roll at the family making a huge issue out of a mere admission test.

What is so great about it?... she couldn't fathom.

"Did Sharada maa reach home safe?" Omkara asked.

"Yes, she did and she called me once she reached. Not like my irresponsible sons," Jhanvi passed a jibe.

"I am sorry mom. I was busy and it sort of flew out of my mind once I got back to work post lunch. I thought Shivaay called you but he must have been busy handling Gauri and his meeting together."

"Jethani ji, I don't think it is that wrong of him. I really don't understand why is this such a big deal. Gauri wants to join college and my son will make sure that she will. Whether she passes the test or not, how will it matter?"

"Pinky, she wants to do things on her own. She will be upset if she did not get through. It must have been years since she ever attempted any test and she was surely stressed," Jhanvi said.

"If you ask me, it is totally unnecessary of you to let her go. New place means new contacts and new friendships. What if she gets veered away form Omkara?"

Kalyani looked at her grandson and noted his grim look. It was not difficult to infer that he wasn't happy with the statement his aunt passed.

"Pinky, don't you think before you speak?" Jhanvi glared at her sister in law.

"What wrong did I say, it was with great difficulty that we got rid of that Karan who is obviously gaga over your daughter in law. Now if she makes someone else fall for her, what will become of your son. Think about.."

"Just shut up Pinky," Kalyani scolded, making her stop.

"My words might sound bitter but I always speak for the family's good mummy ji. I am just worried about Omkara. After everything he finally found a girl who could look past his addictions and fallacies, why do you want to test your luck more?"

"Enough, I do not want to hear..." Jhanvi started when she heard her daughter in law's cheerful voice.

"Omkara ji," Gauri called her husband and he turned around to look at her smiling face.

On seeing a happy Shivaay walking behind her, Omkara couldn't let his aunt's taunt curb down his own happiness. He walked towards his wife and took her into his arms, though he knew she would scold him for making her embarrassed before the rest of the family.

"Congratulations," he whispered as she hugged him back unlike usual.

"Thank oo," he heard her say and smiled, tightening the hug.

His mood lifted by many octaves just with her gesture and he was thankful that she was not aware of her actions.

Perhaps, she was too happy to care... he thought.

Not long after, he cursed his brother who cleared his throat loudly making his wife conscious and she struggled to make him let go of her.

Jhanvi was next in line to greet her daughter in law whom her son had begrudgingly let go.

Gauri smiled as she heard the congrats from the rest of her family.

"How did the interview go?"

"I managed to answer maa ji."

"See, I told you that it won't be tough."

Her daughter in law smiled.

"It was tough maa ji, but my professor helped me out. I was very nervous and he tried to calm me down by being friendly."

"Already?" Pinky muttered and Kalyani glared at her.

Taking her to a side, she whispered.

"I do not want a scene now."

Her younger daughter in law countered in a low voice, "Ask the age of the professor mummy ji."

"Pinky, stop it please," she pleaded when she heard Jhanvi ask Gauri.

"Oh, is he Shivaay's friend?"

"No, it seems he knows Omkara ji," Gauri replied.

"Really?" Omkara asked with a smile.

Had he looked at his brother, he would have noted the change of expressions on his face.

"He said he was your classmate and he wants to meet you soon."

"Sure, what is his name Gauri."

"Arjun Shastri," she said and he jerked his head towards Shivaay who avoided his brother's smolder.

Pinky could clearly note the unhappy look of the artist of the house and so did the other elders but Gauri was busy explaining to her mother in law of how helpful her new professor had been.

"I told you, didn't I mummy ji? It is some Arjun now and our boy doesn't seem to be chummy with him," she said with a smirk.

Kalyani sighed as walked away from her and joined the others.

"Gauri, go and rest for a while. Jhanvi, take her in," she advised and Gauri nodded with a smile, following her mother in law inside.

"Are you okay Om?" the matriarch asked once she was sure they could talk.

Omkara drifted his gaze from his brother to his grand-mother.

When he did not speak, she placed a reassuring hand on his arm, gently squeezing it.

"Things are getting normal Om. They will get better only when you take the right decisions. Gauri is good for you and I hope you will discuss things with her if you are not comfortable with anything," she stressed.

"Daadi, it is nothing serious. I will take care," he said and dragged his brother with him.

******************************************************************************

"Out of everybody, Arjun Shastri is Gauri's new professor. Really Shivaay?" Omkara growled.

"Om, how would I know that he is working there? I can enquire about the institute but not about each and every person working there. It just happened and he seemed to have changed for good."

"Changed my foot."

"Come on, Mehar wasn't even your girlfriend then."

"You think this is about a girl? I am married and I love my wife. I won't be cribbing about Arjun stealing some girl by lying."

"Then what is this all about?"

"He lied to me, he betrayed me."

Shivaay rolled his eyes and was just about to rebuke him when he heard Rudra calling for them.

"O, Shivaay bhaiyya," he called as he ran towards them in excitement.

"I heard Chulbul Bhabhi passed the admission test , vo bhi first class mein," he asked brightly.

"Yes Rudy, she made me very proud. She was nervous at the beginning but she did well," Shivaay confirmed making the brothers exchange looks.

"Phir is manhoos insaan ka muuh kyun latka hua hai?" Rudra was fast to interpret his elder's brother's forced smile.

"Her new professor is the Arjun Shastri," came the irritated answer.

Rudra frowned in confusion when Shivaay reminded him of the age old silly fight.

"Is that a problem? It is not like Chulbul Bhabhi is your girlfriend right? She is your wife O. What does this have to do with anything?"

"He is not someone I want her to get acquainted with," Omkara said in annoyance.

"You just want a reason to spoil your own mood. Chill, and listen to me. I have a good news to tell you both."

"Really? What is it Rudy?"

"Prinku called earlier. She will be coming to the mansion tomorrow," he said and his brothers smiled happily.

"That is indeed a great news. Did she tell you the reason?"

"No, but Ranveer jiju seems to be in the mood. I am ninety nine percent sure that there will be a good reason."

"Daadi is right. Things are getting better," Shivaay commented with a bright smile and his brothers couldn't help but agree.

******************************************************************************************

"Uncle are you sure? You only saw her picture."

"No Svetlana, the girl looks exactly like her father. When I asked you to show me pictures of Gauri, I wasn't even thinking of the possibility. I only wanted to know the face of the girl who costed us Karan. He refused to help, didn't he?"

"I mean what are the odds. Harshvardhan Trivedi's daughter is Omkara's wife? Their families are rivals, she ended up marrying her father's murder's son?" Svetlana couldn't help the smile on her face.

"Indeed. We might have got ourselves a powerful weapon. I need some time before I gather evidence about the same."

"The only thing bad is that I cannot imagine the pain that Omkara would go through after she leaves him."

"Going soft are we Sweety?"

"Of course not. They all deserve the pain but you know I have a soft spot for the philosophical, righteous son of the family."

"We have time to celebrate. Make sure your men kept a close watch on Karan's father at the hospital. The moment he wakes up, he should be in our hands Sweety. We cannot lose at any cost this time."

"Sure uncle."

"Also, the girl might not help us right away. Make Omkara break her heart in such a way that she will be his family's worst enemy."

Svetlana took to silence for a while thinking about the idea.

"Is it difficult?" the voice asked.

"He was a commitment phobic who did not love her before. Things seems to have changed now," she answered.

"Many a times, a man's possessiveness can be his worst enemy sweety. Try out a way to make him believe that his favorite thing is being snatched. We can sit back and watch the show then. Omkara seems to be a gullible target."

"I will think of something."

"Good, catch you later."

*************************************************************************

"Congratulations Gauri, aaj to pucca Om ko French kiss milne vala hai. What say?" Anika loudly announced barging into her sister in law's room.

Jhanvi widened her eyes at her statement and looked at her flushed daughter in law.

"Oops badi maa ji. I did not expect you here, Rudra told me of the news just a moment ago and I..." Anika started to apologize.

"No problem Anika."

"You are okay with me teasing your daughter in law then," Anika asked grinning.

Jhanvi chuckled and the former clapped her hands in excitement.

"I think Om should be getting his wedding night today. This moment calls for a celebration."

"Bhaujai," Gauri screeched in embarrassment.

"What? Jhanvi maa gave us permission to talk crass, didn't you maa ji?"

"Of course Anika. My son deserves a gift tonight," she said, making Gauri loudly gasp closing her mouth with her hands.

Anika laughed loudly and Jhanvi couldn't help but join her.

"This isn't fair," Gauri cried out.

"Yeah, it is not fair that you are making him wait till now."

"Bhaujai, aap...." she started when they heard Shivaay's loud call for his wife.

"I will be back in just a minute. Let me see what the Baagad billa wants," Anika announced for both of them as she rushed out of the room in the same swift way as she came in.

"Maaji, I cannot believe you just said that scandalous statement," Gauri said and Jhanvi chuckled.

"Well, I was just playing along. She was quite in the mood."

"I thought you would help me."

"I did help you right? I did not divulge the information about the hickeys."

"Hey Shankar ji," Gauri exclaimed covering her face.

Jhanvi laughed and patted her head.

"You are adorable Gauri."

Her daughter in law frowned with a pout and the elder one further asked.

"You are taking the contraceptive pills regularly right?"

"Yeah," the younger one mumbled and her mother in law noted the sadness behind.

"You just started your career Gauri. I assure you will not need additional responsibilities at this point."

"But maa ji, children are Shankar ji's gifts right, how can we..."

"Gifts can wait until later darling. I am telling this for your own good. If you want, you can discuss with Om as well. I am sure he will suggest the same."

"You know him better," Gauri said with a small smile and got an appreciative nod.

"Good, learn to put yourself before anything else Gauri only then can you be happy and keep the people around you happy. I learnt it the hard way," the elder one said caressing her cheek.

"You are one of the strongest women I have ever had the chance to be with maa ji. I am so happy that you have re joined the family company. If you need anything, I..."

"I will definitely ask you but for now, I think you should help my son," she quipped.

As if called, Omkara's voice sounded from afar, cutting their banter short.

"He seems to be in a good mood," said the mother.

"Maa ji," Gauri exclaimed and got a playful wink in return.

Like mother, like son... she thought with a smile and shook her head as Jhanvi took her leave for the day.

"Blush blushy? What did my mom say to make you pink?" her husband asked noting her colored cheeks.

"It is all your doing," she accused and he raised an eyebrow in question.

"Really?"

"Aur nahi to kya? You hug me in front of everyone and they tease me. Why am I their favorite subject? Why can't they tease you?"

"Because you get affected and I won't."

She huffed in annoyance and he smiled settling beside her.

"So..." he started as he moved his fingers on her shoulder.

"What?" she asked slapping his hand.

"Shouldn't we celebrate?" he asked in a teasing whisper.

"No," she said getting up from the couch.

Omkara too stood up and pulled her to back hug her.

"Whyever not?" he voiced close to her ears.

Gauri closed her eyes feeling the familiar thrill and her husband took advantage.

Peppering wet kisses on her bare shoulder, his mouth reached her neck when she craned to the other side in a reflex, granting him more access.

Her hands raised to tighten around his artistic ones which gently squeezed her waist.

"Gauri," he whispered again.

"Hmmm," she mumbled too preoccupied with his caress to find words.

"Your body listens to me not you," he said mouthing her earlobe.

The possessiveness in his voice was unmistakable nor was his hunger.

"God," she muttered before she opened her eyes and turned in his arms to face him.

"It surely does," she agreed in a moan before her lips were attacked without mercy.

*************************************************************************

Late, but it is still Wednesday.

See you until the next update🙋‍♀️... signing off yours Soujanya. ❤

*****************************************************************************

******************************************************************************