The slap resounded in the room loud and clear. 

The silence that followed was stretched long but the echo rang in Omkara's ears for much longer.

He felt the sting on his cheek but the pain in his heart had nothing to do with the physical abuse.

"After all this time, I expected better," he heard the angry words of his wife.

He breathed in a lungful of air and tried to remain still. His face downcast and his tears hidden away from her sight.

"Today, you proved to me that I will never get what I want from you," Gauri said, her voice cracking at the end.

"Trust Omkaraji," she paused.

"You broke my trust today and I am breaking off all my ties with you," she said biting back a sob.

"Gauri please don't. This is just a misunderstanding," it was her professor who said the words and not her husband.

She stared at Omkara, still giving him time to speak something... anything which would stop her from wanting to kill him right then and there.

When he remained unmoving and apathetic, she decided that she had enough of him. 

Giving him another long condescending look, she turned around to leave the place, her every step increasing the distance between her and him.

"Om," Arjun spoke after the heart broken wife left the room.

"Please believe me. These photos are a lie. We have been..."

"Go from here Arjun," Omkara said in a low voice.

"Please listen to me. That night..."

Omkara roughly grabbed his friend's collar and pulled him close. His other hand fisted and raised to land a punch on him.

Arjun shut his mouth and closed his eyes, ready to get the hit.

"Gauri left alone. Be with her, take her home," Omkara whispered, making the the former open his eyes in shock.

"Go from here before I kill you," Omkara screamed loudly and pushed him away.

His friend stared at him in confusion.

Did he hear him right?

"Just leave" Omkara repeated, gesturing him towards the door.

Still confused, Arjun nodded his head.

Mumbling a weak sorry, he left the studio to find Gauri.

Omkara's eyes darted towards the small opening in between the huge curtains. He could see the man with brown boots retreat from the place.

Turning around, he marched towards his suite and closed the door with a loud bang.

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

Shivaay patiently waited for the call wishing that things went as per the plan.

"He will call you Shivaay, don't worry," Karan walked inside the room.

At that moment the mobile rang and Shivaay jumped to answer it.

"Om, what..."

Karan watched the colour drain from Shivaay's face as he heard his brother talk on the other end of the line. In the next few minutes, the Oberoi regained his calmness.

"You did right Om, she will understand," he muttered a reassurance.

***

"No, you cannot go to her now."

***

"Om, please try to be patient. Do you want her to go through the same judgement that you faced with Svetlana's video? We cannot risk Gauri's respect."

***

"I repeat, do not use your mobile. Only use your staff's phone like you did now. I will find the bas**** real soon," he assured and ended the call.

"What is wrong?" Karan asked the next second.

"Gauri walked in when Omkara was acting like his angry self."

"Holy sh**," he swore while Shivaay clutched his head.

"How did she reach there? Nobody was supposed to..." Karan started and stopped in thought.

A moment later, he slowly clapped his hands with a smirk.

Shivaay frowned.

"What is it?"

"They pulled the same trick."

"I didn't get you Karan."

Karan shook his head with a small smile and started to explain.

"When my father was hospitalized, Svetlana came to me to turn me against Tej Oberoi. She wanted to use me to destroy you people."

"I know that. What is your point now?"

"Gauri is Harshvardhan's daughter but she doesn't know it yet. She was not supposed to know that Omkara was behind Arjun's dismissal. Yet she came to know of it. I don't know how but she was sent there I guess."

Shivaay widened his eyes as the words sink in.

"They want to turn her against your family by breaking her heart Shivaay. The threatening call that they would leak the false video if Omkara doesn't destroy Arjun was a gimmick they used to divert our mind. So that we will not get to know of the actual motive."

"But Gauri will never turn against us."

"They must be thinking that she might go against you if she knows that your family killed her father. A broken heart only adds to the hatred."

"God, Om said that she got too angry."

Karan nodded his head and tried to think of a solution.

"Call your brother and ask him to go talk to her. Clear the misunderstanding," he said after a while.

"No, Omkara is being watched. He saw a guy outside his studio when he was talking to Gauri and Arjun. We don't know if there are more spies. We cannot risk Gauri's reputation.

"If our theory is correct, we would know where exactly this man or men will be posted," said Karan.

"Arjun's house? That is where Gauri will be," Shivaay answered making his friend nod.

"Ask Bhavya to send men to scan the place. If we find even one doubtful person, we can leave Delhi because..."

"That is where Goenka must be waiting with your father," Shivaay completed.

"Correct," Karan gave his friend a high five making him sigh in relief.

"Goenka wants dad to talk to Gauri. He cannot have him far away from his target."

Shivaay took out his phone to call Bhavya first. When the call was diverted to voice mail, he informed Karan of the same.

"They must be on their way back from Bareilly. Maybe they do not have network. Call the commissioner instead, we don't have time."

The former nodded and proceeded to do the same.

"Done," the eldest of the Oberoi brothers sighed with relief before he dialled his brother's number.

"Shivaay," Karan called making his friend look at him in question.

"If needed, ask your brother to beg."

"He would die to get her back," came the reply.

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

"My phone is dead," Bhavya groaned out loud.

"No issues, we are about to reach the mansion. You can charge your phone there. Also, stay back for the night," Rudra said from beside her.

"But I have to..."

"You can do your work tomorrow. Please, stay back Bhavu," he cooed making her smile.

"Okay."

"Good girl," Rudra winked at her.

"Tough day it had been," she said controlling her yawn and rested her head on his shoulder.

Rudra smiled and extended his arm to gather her into a hug.

The couple were seated in the back of the car, on their way back to Oberoi mansion. The trip to Gauri's homeplace had been successful in confirming her identity as Harshavardhan Trivedi's daughter.

When they asked Sharada for any of Gauri's childhood pictures, she gave them the one which also had her sister with her. On close inspection, they concluded that their younger sister in law's childhood appearance closely resembled the little girls' image in photograph with Harshvardhan.

Bhavya proceeded to send both the pictures to the forensic department for further confirmation and as expected their guess was right. Not only Gauri but also her elder sister's image matched with that of the other girl with Trivedi.

As she rested her head on her fiancé's chest, Bhavya mumbled in a tired voice.

"You were brilliant Rudy."

"Hmm?"

"If not for you, we wouldn't have put two and two together."

Rudra scoffed loudly.

"I am always right. It is you who do not acknowledge my intelligence."

Bhavya parted from him and smiled, looking at the huge grin on his face.

"Sorry," she mouthed and he pecked her, accepting the apology.

She re-assumed her position to rest on him while he sat back caressing her hair for the next few minutes.

"Sir, we have reached home," the drivers voice made them part from each other.

"Home, sweet home," Rudra sighed and they alighted the vehicle together.

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

"Did Om confess?" Anika asked Jhanvi, sitting on the bed of her room.

"I hope so," came the reply.

"Should we call?"

"Nope," came the warning.

Anika sighed.

"Why did Rudra and Bhavya not come home maa ji. It is almost time for dinner," she asked, looking at the watch.

"Rudy called me an hour back Anika, they will be here in no time."

"Is anyone missing me?" the voice made the two women turn to the doorway.

"Rudra," Anika smiled at her brother-in-law.

"Why are you so late Rudra," Jhanvi asked her son as she greeted Bhavya who entered the room after him.

"Work matters," Rudra said with a shrug making the rest of them raise their eyebrows.

"Okay, forget it. Anika bhabhi, I heard you were waiting for me. Khanna told me the moment I reached here."

"Yeah," his sister-in-law nodded and told him about Sahil's marks report.

"Oh, no problem. Come, we will go search in bhaiyya's study."

"No Rudy, you must be tired. Have your dinner and then..."

"It is okay Bhabhi. Together, we will finish your work soon and then we can eat," he said and pulled her with him.

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

Anika stared at the heap of files before her and sighed.

"Do I have to look at all of these?" she asked Rudra.

"I think so," he responded doubtfully. "I have no idea how he organized his files. So, we must search for what you want without causing any disorder. Otherwise, I might get killed."

"Okay, let us start one by one. I will check this pile and re arrange in the same order. You do that pile," Anika said and he agreed.

After half an hour of search, they realized that Sahil's marksheet was not present there.

Rudra looked back at the closed cupboard in doubt.

"Could he have put it in the classified section?" he wondered out loud.

"Why don't we check that too?"

Rudra contemplated for a minute. He was specifically asked not to touch that section.

"What are you thinking for so long?"

"No, actually..." he started but stopped.

Anika was family and he need not be that careful about not disclosing details. His brother will anyways tell her after he comes back.

"Rudy?"

"Nothing, I will open it," he said and proceeded to do the same.

With fate's interference, as soon as the locked opened, the file along with its contents tumbled down on the floor.

Rudra cursed aloud and bent down to collect the papers while his sister-in-law rushed to help him.

A moment later when he heard a shocked gasp, he diverted his gaze away from the documents.

"Anika bhabhi?" he asked in confusion, looking at the former staring at Harshvardhan's photograph.

When she continued to stare and not give him an answer, he moved towards her and touched her shoulder.

Anika couldn't believe her eyes.

How could this be possible?

Why did Shivaay have this photograph in his secret locker?

She could hear Rudra call for her attention but she couldn't form words. No... not when she saw him after decades.

With tear filled eyes, she looked into the concerned eyes of the youngest Oberoi brother.

"This..." she mumbled showing him the picture.

Rudra's eyes darted between her and the photo in confusion.

"Why is this with Shivaay? For what purpose?"

"He is Harshvardhan Trivedi Bhabhi, and old enemy. Bhaiyya will tell you about this after he comes back."

Anika shook her head in a no.

"Please, tell me now Rudy. I want to know about him. What is he to Shivaay?"

"What happened Bhabhi?"

"I want to know," she repeated her words not giving him any explanation.

As her sobs increased, Rudra sat beside her on the floor. When he offered her a comforting hug, she accepted it without complaint.

"Rudy,..." Anika sobbed.

"Do you know him Bhabhi? Please tell me why you are crying."

"He... he is my father Rudy," he heard her say.

It was his turn to get tongue tied.

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

"I can't believe that man can doubt his best friend and wife," Arjun's wife angrily said as she served dinner.

Mithila, Himani and Arjun seated at the dining table could only stay silent, hearing to the accusation.

"Why do you have friends who always torture you?"

Mithila cleared her throat and Himani shifted in her place.

"I did not mean you Himani," Arjun's Gauri clarified.

"It is okay. You are right in your place. I know I was at fault and a sorry has been long overdue," Himani accepted her fault.

"No, I think it is Arjun's fault. He always...."

"Let us stick to one topic here. Gauri is in a terribly state and I don't think she will eat," Mithila said trying to save her teacher.

"What is there to say? No matter what we say, we cannot mend her broken heart. Poor thing."

"I think Om doesn't believe those pictures," Arjun said breaking his silence.

It took him some time to come up with a meaningful explanation for his friend's behaviour.

"There he goes again. Trying to find good in his friend," Gauri Shastri sighed, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Do you have a reason to say that sir?" Mithila asked with hope.

"I think yes Mithila. I was thinking about our argument earlier today and I think we misunderstood Om."

The women at the table straightened in their seats with interest as the man continued.

"Om did say that he should have trusted me but he also asked me why he wasn't informed. If he thinks I and Gauri had betrayed him why will he ask, 'inform him?'. Doesn't it mean that he knows that something else happened and he was angry that I did not tell him?"

His wife widened her eyes understanding his words.

"When Gauri left from the place, I stayed back so that I could explain everything to him. He acted as if he will hit me but he never did. Instead, he was more concerned that Gauri left alone."

"What?" Himani gasped in surprise.

"Yes, he asked me to take her home."

"He cares for her."

"Excellent. This makes me so happy," Mithila smiled brightly and so did her friends.

"But why did Omkara fire you? That gave us a very wrong impression of him," Gauri Shastri pointed out.

"I don't know why he did it but I am sure he will have an explanation," Arjun replied.

Himani stood up from her chair and started to walk towards the guest bedroom.

"Wait, let us confirm it from ..."

"Confirm what?" Himani frowned at Mithila.

"If Omkara wanted Gauri to know, he would have told her then itself. He must be having a reason even for not doing it. Right?"

"Right," Himani clutched her forehead.

"Is there nothing we can do to better her miserable state? I can still hear the sobbing from this far," she asked in concern.

A knock sounded on the main door and Arjun stood up to answer it. A moment later when a worried Omkara walked in, they all couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"How is she?"

"Miserable," Himani answered on behalf of everyone, showing him the door of the guest bedroom.

Omkara anxiously knocked on the door.

"Himani, I am okay. I don't want anything for now. Let me be," came the answer from inside.

"Gauri, it is me. Please open the door," Omkara knocked again.

There was a long gap followed by her angry order.

"I will not come out ever if that man is there in the house."

"Gauri please. Listen to me."

"Just go away," she screamed back and he helplessly leaned his forehead on the door.

"I did not believe those pictures Gauri. I had to say so," he talked to the door.

"Please let me explain. Forgive me this one time," he asked.

Everyone outside the guestroom nervously waited in anticipation. Seconds ticked followed by minutes but the door remained close.

"I don't think she will open it," Mithila mumbled and Gauri Shastri nodded her head in agreement.

Himani waved her hands in air with frustration.

"Do you know to break the door?" she asked Omkara.

Arjun's wife gasped in horror.

"That is a handmade door imported from Italy," she exclaimed.

Himani raised an eyebrow, looked at the door and turned her gaze towards Arjun.

"Uhh, sorry I lied. I got that from Nasik."

"What?" his wife screamed, taking a step towards him but Mithila pulled her back.

"How can you lie like that Arjun?"

"Come on Gauri. I am a professor not a millionare. Your wish was out of my budget."

"But.."

"Excuse me but I think this guy here will die with all the crying while you people argue about a piece of wood," Himani growled pointing towards Omkara.

The couple shut their respective mouths and at the same time the door opened.

Omkara heaved a relieved sigh hearing to the door click open. When he got a glimpse of his wife with unkempt hair, crushed clothes, eyes swollen as saucers, cheeks dirty with traces of tears and looking half dead, he rushed to embrace her.

Himani took it as her responsibility to close the door to give the couple their privacy. She then glared at the gaping people and gestured them to return to their respective places in the dining room.

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

Gauri's eyes watered more as she felt her husband's arms cup her face to kiss her all over.

"I am sorry, I had to do it, I did not mean it," he mumbled in between, wiping her face clear of all the tears.

"You are not lying, are you?" she sobbed clutching his hands.

Omkara vigorously shook his head in a no.

"No matter who tells me, I will never believe that you would cheat me," he said making her cry, this time with happiness.

"I trust you because I love you Gauri," he uttered the very words she had been craving to hear since ages.

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

Another long update.

Do you people still have doubts?

You can ask me through your comments and I will try to clear them.

Love you lots 😍😍

See you until the next update... bye 🙋‍♀️.