As they walked to the school museum, Svetlana looked back to see if Rudra and Gauri were following them but frowned to see the corridor empty.

'Why do I feel this sick feeling in my stomach... Shankar ji... please don't let any trouble into the peace of Omkara's life... he had gone through a lot of hardships to last a lifetime ... he deserves a little happiness now' she sent a silent prayer.

"Madam... where are you going... this is the museum right" asked Omkara pointing to their left.

"Huuh... yeah...sorry... I was a bit lost" she apologized.

"Madam... don't worry... we will get those papers... that Thakur will not win"

Svetlana smiled at him "I know... you will get those papers... this school is as dear to you as it is to me" she said and he returned her smile.

"Now that you got the golden opportunity...to be alone with Gauri... make use of it... if possible... steal a hug or two kisses" she instructed in a strict tone but laughed out loud the next moment when she saw red coloring his cheeks.

"Tum kitne cute ho Omkara" she said pulling his cheeks "May you have all that you wished for" she prayed aloud and he rubbed his neck shyly.

"You go inside... I think Rudra lost his way... I will go and bring him" she said and he obeyed with a nod of his head.

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As Svetlana walked back towards her cabin, she saw Rudra and Gauri coming in the opposite direction giggling to something Rudra commented. Her attention went to their hands clasped in each other's. When Gauri noticed Svetlana at a distance, she gently slid her hand off Rudra's.

On nearing her she smiled and said, "Di... we were just about to come"

"Then what took you so long Gauri?" asked Svetlana with an edge to her tone making Gauri look at her in question.

"Di? What happened... are you alright?"

"Nothing... it is already late.... Let us go..." she said and ignoring Rudra, grabbed Gauri's hand with force. Turning around, she walked to the supposed place of planning with Gauri following her wordlessly. Rudra though taken aback by the behavior, shook his head with a smile and went after them.

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Location: Outside Thakur Haveli, Bareilly.

Omkara waited anxiously in the bushes near to the Thakur haveli waiting for Gauri. It was decided that they will come prepared in their own ways and meet at this place from where they will together enter the lion's den and get the meat.

As he checked the time in his watch which showed eleven, he heard the sound of soft heels approach him. He looked to his left and saw Gauri hurrying towards him with a box in hand. She smiled at him as she neared and his heart soared at the mere gesture. His lips curved up automatically giving her his best smile to impress.

"H...Hi... Gauri... tu...sab thik hai?" he said and closed his eyes as she looked at him in confusion.

Kya hai... Omkara... you met her two hours back... what will change in this time?? his brain chided.

"I mean... you will be alright obviously.. we just met some time back... we will be alright now too..." he blabbered.

"I am okay Omkaraji... are you?" she asked him.

Great... now she thinks you lost your mind... his mind rebuked... Nevertheless, he nodded a yes smiling happily that she at least knew his name... never did he love his name so much... it sounded so good coming out of her mouth he thought dreamily.

Everything related to her seemed beautiful to him... irrespective of the fact that she was dressed in her old baggy pants, a shirt too big for her petite figure and an overcoat not at all in sync with her outfit with her hair made up in a bun... looking bed ragged and untidy, she still was the most enthralling thing he had ever laid his eyes on.

"Aap... why are you staring?" she asked again. He came out of his chain of thoughts shaking his head.

"Am I looking funny? Vo kya hai na... I didn't want them to recognize me... I tried getting a wig to dress up as a boy but that Dandi was out of town... his make up shop was closed.... Now I have to make do with whatever I have with me right... so..." she explained shrugging her shoulders.

"Now with this turban, I will look like a man" she said grinned at her intelligence placing the hat on her head.

Omkara smiled at her and nodded. When he looked at the box curiously she opened it and showed him the contents. One look into it and he almost shouted when she worriedly closed his mouth expecting his reaction.

When he recovered, he held her hand away from his mouth.

"You brought shiny with you... why?" he asked looking at the small doggy who glared at him.

Gauri smiled at his fear stricken face "Shiny hates you doesn't it.... Sahil ka pyara doggy hai (it is Sahil's dog)...it is obvious" she said and he looked at her surprised that she knew.

"Why this?"

"Time is less and we need it to distract Monty... Thakur's security dog" she said and he still looked worriedly at the dog which looked ready to pounce on him any moment.

"Don't worry... you go and work with the power fuse... once the lights are off, the security will go to check the problem leaving only Monty to guard the door... I will distract it and enter... once inside I will open the back door for you which will be unguarded at this time... The guard Ramlaal will go for food this time. The walls of the haveli are too high for me to climb... this is a better way" she said and he nodded getting to work.

In few minutes, the place was engulfed in darkness with the light of the moon as the only guide for Gauri to make way towards the entrance. As expected Monty was alone guarding the door and she stealthily neared him. Seeing here the large dog began barking in anger making Gauri jump in fear.

"Monty beta... shhh.... See... what I have brought for you" she whispered lovingly and took out shiny... who went to him wiggling her bushy tail. In no time Monty fell in love with the cute dog and ran behind it while Gauri clapped her hands in victory. Opening the gate, she hurried towards the backdoor.

Walking through the corridors and rooms of the haveli, she casually strolled past approximately ten guards who thankfully failed to recognize that she was not one of them thanks to the darkness and her choice of clothes. Her bun was efficiently covered in a turban tied around her head.

As she was unlocking the escape hatch slowly and noiselessly to lead Omkara inside, she saw Ramlaal the guard walking towards her.

"Hey Shankarji... why is he early... ab kya kare...(now what to do)"

She looked around her and saw a pile of tiles placed beside the door in the narrow corridor. She went, picked one and threw it at one of the rooms on the ground floor as a distraction. When Ramlaal hurried in the direction of the sound.. she went back to the backdoor and opened it.

"Gauri... what was that sound" asked Omkara in a whisper as he entered inside.

"Come fast... we have to hurry up... Ramlaal came earlier than expected... I had to distract him" she explained and he nodded his head.

They slowly walked the passages and exited a side door entering a corridor which would lead them upstairs. As they turned the corridor to walk the stairs on the floor, they froze in their steps to see Ramlaal glaring down at them. When the guard saw the tile on the floor of the room and walked back, he found the back door opened. He guessed the situation and promptly returned to catch the duo at the most likely path he knew they would take to break through the house.

As he opened his mouth to alert his fellow mates. Gauri whisper yelled "Ramlaal chacha... please don't tell anyone... we came here for the school documents... that school in which your kid Shyamala is studying"

Ramlaal looked at her uncertainly and Gauri took her chance "Not only you... but half of the men working here have their children studying in the school chachaa... If the Thakur gets to know we will be tortured to death... that is okay...we came prepared for everything... but the school will be vacated and your children will be snatched their chance to study... it is the only school providing education till tenth standard in the nearby four villages bhaiyya... if not for us.. think about them" she urged folding her hands before him.

All this while, Omkara looked at his love adoringly falling for her for the nth time... when he saw her fold her hands, he too turned towards the elderly man and pleaded mercy.

"Yehhh... chirota kaun hai Gauri(who is this man Gauri?)"

"Yehh...Omkaraji hai... he gives..." she started

"Yeah... my wife told me.. he gives us books at low rates..." he said smiling at him "Aree... aap ...don't fold your hands before me beta ji... aap bahut ache log hai (you are good people)... I will help you... our children shouldn't have the same future as us... come with me" he said leading way and they sighed in relief following him.

"Omkara beta you first need to change your dress... otherwise you will give away your identity... not everyone is forgiving here... I will call my friends here and they will help you..." he explained and lead them towards his room in the servant quarters.

As they entered the room, he gave him a set of clothes and asked him to change while he went out to talk to his friends and explain the situation.

As they were left alone in the room, Omkara looked at the clothes and at Gauri alternately... Shankarji...How will he change before her?

"What are you waiting for Omkaraji.. hurry up" she urged him and he squirmed uncomfortably.

"C... Can you turn away?" he asked in a low voice but she heard him.

"Ohh.." she exclaimed hitting her forehead "Sorry... sorry" she said closing her eyes with her hands and turned around.

Omkara sighed in relief and removed his pants and wore the dhotis. He then removed the t shirt and was about to wear the shirt Ramlaal gave him when Gauri shrieked and turned around hugging him making him gasp out loud the shirt falling off his hand.

She tightened the hug mumbling something into his chest... something his ears weren't alert enough to grasp...and his mind failed to interpret. He held his breath not daring to touch her lest this was a dream and if he did touch her or took a deep breath the image would wither off.

His heart thudded violently against his ribcage and he feared it would stop of exhaustion... no... He wanted to live...at least till tomorrow to propose her and may be expect an 'I love you too' in return.

After a few anxious moments, when he plucked up courage to bring his hands around her and felt her soft body against his, he released his breath... this isn't a dream ..he deduced and smiled happily. He pulled her close rubbing her back trying to ease whatever fear she had that made her hug him... though he wished all the while that she wouldn't realize their situation soon or time stopped at that moment with her in his arms.

Once he relaxed into the hug and his mind cleared of thoughts of uncertainty, he heard her mumble "Chuha(mouse)".

"Waah... Shankar ji... aapke bete ke vahan ne mera kitna ehsaan kiya...Thank you" (Shankar ji ... your son's vehicle had done me a huge favor today... thank you)

A soft knock on the door made him leave her reluctantly. "Gauri beta... you both can come out now" said Ramlaal and Gauri whispered to Omkara avoiding his eyes "Sorry.. wo... I am afraid of mouse... vo..."

"It is okay Gauri... you go.. I will come out in a second" he said and she nodded walking out of the room while he wore his shirt and sauntered out.

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They were now in Vijay Thakur's study searching for the papers while one of Ramlaal's friends, Dileep kept watch outside the door.

"Where do we find them.... It is a difficult task going through every folder Omkaraji... it will take forever" she said and he agreed.

"Yes... the documents are important... I don't think he will keep it in the study... we have to check in his bedroom too"

"But how... without alerting him... can we manage it?"

"Let us see... they aren't many options left anyways... let us ask Ramlaal chacha"

After enquiry, they came to know that their master is in the guest room entertaining someone named Menaka.

"Menaka?... I don't know anyone named Menaka in our village" said Gauri looking at Dileep and he looked at Gauri in discomfort... then turning to Omkara "She is from the city... came for umm... his personal...uhh... recreational activity" he informed him. Omkara got the hint and nodded his head uncomfortably though Gauri still had a look of confusion.

"Recreational activity kya hota hai bhaiyya?" she asked and Omkara cut her enquiry "Can you show us the bedroom... we have to check the bedside locker... I think we will find the documents there" he asked instead and Dileep nodded his head.

Entering the master bedroom, they rummaged through the cupboard taking care to place everything back to normal with precision.

"Such a big wardrobe... I can sleep in this...that kamina Thakur is really rich" said Gauri and Omkara smiled shaking his head. "He will become richer if he builds that theater Gauri"

"He can do a million other things to earn it... why does he want to rob those children of their only source of education... behuda insaan"

They found a bunch of keys in the wardrobe cupboard and moved to the bedside cabinet to try their luck. When the first two keys failed, they prayed for the last one to work and thankfully it did. Going through the cabinet in minutes, they got hold of the documents.

Gauri almost screamed in victory when Omkara shushed her down taking the papers from her hand and checking them himself. They set everything to the earlier positions and were about to leave the room when they heard footsteps approach...

"Saab... you are back early" asked Dileep in a loud voice alerting them and they looked around to find a place to hide.

"Yeah... wanted something" Vijay Thakur replied offhandedly and opened the door the next minute making him panic. He followed his master inside as if to help him while he scanned the room to find the two.

Owing to the short span of time given to them by Vijay and also their minds not working at that moment to come up with better ideas, they decided to hide in the wardrobe. Though it was large enough for one person to fit in, them being two, had to adjust for the lack of space.

Omkara felt he was the luckiest man alive for the second time that day. He wasted the first few moments of their hug they had some time back and this time he didn't squander and promptly pulled her to him giving lack of standing space as excuse. Currently, she stood on his feet, pressed to him from chest to toes, her hands around his neck while he wound his hands around her waist holding her firmly.

He inhaled a long breath and sighed in contentment... she smelt alluring... of lavender and lilac. The gentleman in him chided him for taking advantage of the situation but his heart refused to pay heed to the lecture, cheekily grinning at the aspect of being close to her in any way possible which thankfully she didn't seem to mind either.

It was like the most natural thing to happen... she fitting to him like a missing piece of puzzle.

Vijay went to the bed and lifted off the pillow to search for an essential commodity but didn't find it there. He next went to search for it in the drawers of the bathroom.

Through the slit in the wardrobe, Gauri watched Vijay walk away from the bed.

"What is he searching for... isn't he supposed to entertain Menaka?" said Gauri in a whisper against Omkara's chest.

That statement made Omkara's mind get out of its momentary lack of decorum slash principles and started to function normally. His eyes widened getting an idea of what Vijay could be searching. He looked beside him and rummaged through the clothes trying to find it.

"What are you searching for now Omkaraji?"

He however didn't answer her question and instead continued his search... as he put his hand below the inner wear section, he found the packet and sighed in relief.

Taking it, he slightly opened the door to assess the situation. When he saw Dileep a few feet away, he gestured for him to come to them.

Dileep who already predicted the duo must be in the only place which could hide both of them efficiently, got alerted when the door of cupboard opened with a slight creak. He stealthily walked to it his eyes on the bathroom door where Vijay still looked for whatever he came for. When Omkara handed him the packet, he looked at him understandingly and nodded his head closing the door.

"Saab... found it" Dileep called his master holding up the packet. Vijay came out and looked at him with a smile "Good Dileep... smart ho gaya hai tu... you knew what I wanted even before I asked" he said and taking it from him walked out of the room to his destination.

Gauri narrowed her eyes at Omkara who looked everywhere but at her face and asked, "How did you know what he wanted and what did you give him?"

His cheeks developed a pinkish hue but he cleared his throat and said, "It is nothing important... let us get out of here now". Holding her hand tightly in his he pulled her out and she followed him though she muttered behind his back "I'm not leaving the matter here... Omkaraji"

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So.... I decided to be a good girl for you.... I know... I know I am sweet😇😇😇

I can't believe I changed the entire thing... double work... pheww😓😓

I wrote some truly...deeply felt paragraphs for Omkara and while I read the thing... I felt bad for him... I decided to leave him alone... if you are still interested I will post the part as an alternate ending... let me know...

As for now... Omkara will not be harmed... rest assured... just a few sad paragraphs in the next part which will be the last shot....

Till then... signing off... yours Soujanya.