"Arey yaar!" Gauri muttered disappointed as the episode of her favorite serial ended with a cliffhanger. Harsh chuckled seeing his daughter frowning. "They always do this! Stupid serial" she said and changed the channel while Harsh laughed loudly.

"You were watching the stupid serial few minutes back" he said and Gauri narrowed her eyes. "I may call it stupid. That doesn't mean everyone labels it stupid" Gauri said and Harsh nodded with a small chuckle.

Suddenly her phone rang and she lowered the volume to take the call. As she was speaking, she could hear a commotion going on in the neighbouring house. She frowned as she cut the call and walked inside.

"I can't believe it's happening again" Gauri said with a sigh as she sat. "It happens everyday" Harsh said in a sad tone and Gauri's frown deepens. "Even after the warning I gave him last time?" she asked and he shook his head. "He was good for a few days after you left but then he returned to his old ways" he said to which Gauri clicks her tongue.

"I just don't understand why Jhanvi aunty is bearing it! Why can't she just file a complaint!?" she said exasperatedly. "She's scared Gauri. Let's hope she does it someday" Harsh said and Gauri nodded. "Why is Om staying silent to all of this?" she asked in amusement. 

"He tries his best to stop him. And that results in physical attacks. Last time Omkara had a stitch on his forehead" before Gauri could react to that, they heard sounds of vessels falling down and bottles crashing.  "This is going out of hands. Papa, don't stop me. I'm going there" Gauri immediately got up and walked out falling deaf to Harsh's calls. 

Standing in front of the house she looked at the porch and saw Omkara's bike parked there. She took a deep breathe and banged on the front door. "Jhanvi Aunty, it's me Gauri. Open the door" she heard muffled shouts as she waited for the door to be opened.

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Omkara was expecting the crashed glass bottle to tear his skin when there was a bang on the door. He heard Gauri calling for his mother and sighed in relief when his father moved back. Jhanvi immediately got up and wiped her tears and was about to walk to the door when Kali stopped her.

"If you take one more step, then the consequences will be really bad" he said in a slurry tone  and Jhanvi gulped. "Jhanvi Aunty!" they heard Gauri shouting and Kali looked at Omkara. "Open the door and send her back" he said as he stumbled. Omkara nodded and wiped his face and walks to the door.

He loudly exhaled and opened the door but before he could speak, he was pushed aside by Gauri. "Gauri wait!" he said but she walked inside. "What are you doing here?" Kali asked but Gauri ignored him. She had no time for that drunkard!

She looked around and saw Jhanvi standing behind a wall. Her gaze softened as she looked at the elderly lady. "Jhanvi Aunty" she softly called as she walked towards her. Her eyes widen in shock as she saw Jhanvi's forehead bleeding. She quickly took the end of her kurti and wiped the blood away from reaching her eyes.

Then, giving a sharp glare to Kali she held Jhanvi and started walking outside. "Where do you think you're taking my wife!" Kali said and took a step forward to push Gauri. "If you dare to lay a finger on me or anyone here, then I'll make sure you rot in jail" she said and Kali stepped back and stumbled on his steps and falls on the couch.

"Om" she called and Omkara looked at her. He had scratches on his hands and his dress was wrinkled. "Did he hurt you?" she asked and he shakes his head. "I was trying to keep him away from Ma" he said as he wiped the sweat off his face. "Come" she said and he followed wordlessly.

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"There are many scratches. You should take a bath Om" Harsh said as he wiped dirt off from his scratches. Seeing him lost, Harsh gently shook him which startled him. "Uh, Yeah? You were saying something?" he asked and Harsh nodded. "I was saying that you should take a bath. Don't worry, your mother will be fine" he said with a small smile.

Both of them looked at the door as they heard a rickshaw's sound. Omkara hurried outside and seeing Gauri holding his mother, rushed towards them and helped in taking her inside. "What did the doctor say?" he asked worried as he made Jhanvi sit.

"The wound on the forehead is not that serious but she had glass piece in her foot. That one may take a few weeks to heal" she said as she closed the door. Omkara's eyes turned dewy as he tried hard not to cry.

"Om" he smiled as he heard his mother calling him. "I'm fine" she said with a weak smile and Omkara hugged her. Gauri felt tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she smiled. "We're going from that hell" he said and Jhanvi nodded, teary eyed. 

"You don't have to be worried Aunty. We're with you" Gauri said as she sat beside them. "You should file a complaint" Harsh said and Omkara nodded. "He always harmed us whenever we tried to speak. I remained silent thinking that he would change. I was wrong! He can never change" Jhanvi said as tears fell from her eyes.

Gauri hugged her as she rubbed her back. "Don't waste your tears for him Aunty" she said and pulled away. She wiped Jhanvi's tears and looked at her father. "Papa, you and Omkara sleep upstairs. Aunty cannot climb the stairs" Harsh nodded but Omkara lightly frowned. 

"But-" he was interrupted before he could speak. "Where will you go at this hour Om?" Omkara sighed at her question. "The neighbors will start making stories Gauri" he said and Gauri scoffed. "I don't care! They'll always have something to say. Jhanvi Aunty needs my help" she said and Omkara gave in.

"Goodnight" she said smiling as she took Jhanvi to the room. Omkara stood there relieved as a sigh escaped his lips. "Come" he heard Harsh and followed him.

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Gauri walked out of the room holding the empty jug. As she walked towards the kitchen, she saw someone sitting in the hall. She went to the hall and switched the light on and was surprised to see Omkara.

Omkara turned and smiled at her. "I was not sleepy" he said and she nodded. She sighed as he looked away silently. She sat beside him and held his hand. "Everything will be fine" she said and a sad smile appeared on his face. 

"Did he really not love us? Not even a bit?" he asked as his eyes watered. Gauri looked at him not knowing what to say. "I don't remember him treating Ma nicely. He made my childhood hell" Omkara said closing his eyes. Gauri gently caressed his hand in an attempt to console him.

"He often brought his friends over. And in front of them, he would-" Omkara stopped as emotions choked him. Gauri squeezed his hand as she watched him cry. "He would beat Ma in front of them. And while she cried, he and his friends would laugh on her face!" he said in disgust.

Gauri gritted her teeth as she heard that. The nerve of that man! She at times wondered how someone could be so cruel. She had grown up seeing Omkara's miserable life. "Thank you Gauri" she heard him say. "I'm forever indebted to you" she shook her head at that.

"What are you saying Om? You are family" she said with a smile which Omkara returns. 

Gauri got up and walked to the kitchen to refill the jug while Omkara sat there watching her. "Good night Om" she said and walked away. Omkara stood there watching her retreating figure as he sighed and switched the lights off.

------------------

"Is it hurting?" Omkara asked Jhanvi who was seated at the table. She smiled and shook her head as she carefully kept her leg on the side.

"Come Om" Omkara got up as Harsh called him. He hesitated but sat when Harsh pressed his shoulder.

"Anyone who doesn't like Poha?" All of them turn as they heard Gauri. She smiled as she placed the bowl on the table. "How are you feeling Jhanvi Aunty?" She asked and Jhanvi smiled.

"I'm fine Gauri" Gauri was about serve when they heard a bang on the door. Jhanvi glanced worried at the door as the bangs grew louder.

Gauri rolled up her sleeves and walked to the door with a frown etched on her face. If it was that drunkard, then she was going to teach him a lesson.

"How dare you-" Gauri stopped midway as she saw the person standing outside.

"Gadhe!" She exclaimed as she hugged her brother who frowned at her. "Kaise ho?" she asked and he whacked her forehead. "I'm standing right in front of you. And don't call me that" he said and walked inside but stopped when he felt Gauri pulling his hair.

"How dare you beat me?" she said as she pulled him on the floor while he tried hard to get out of her grip. Omkara and Jhanvi sat there with open mouths as they watched the war.

"Gauri!" Harsh sternly called and Gauri let off his hair. "Papa! We have to search for an asylum-" Gauri cut his sentence in between. "Kyun Rudy? You're going to shift permanently?" she said and before he could give her a whack she ran away.

"How are you?" Harsh asked as he ruffled Rudra's hair. "I'm fine Papa" he replied and walked inside but stopped in his tracks as he saw Jhanvi and Omkara.

"Jhanvi aunty!" he happily exclaimed and Jhanvi smiled. Rudra's smile was soon replaced by a frown as he saw the bandage on her forehead. "Did he harm you again?" he worriedly asked and Jhanvi sighed while Harsh explained the whole fiasco.

"Don't worry Aunty! Once the complaint is filed I'll take care of the legal procedures. And we can look for a new house" Rudra said and Jhanvi smiled. "You want breakfast?" Gauri asked and Rudra nodded and all of them sat around the table.

"Well, as a brother, I'm happy that you're gonna look for a new house. I wouldn't want my sister to be married at a house with a person like him" Rudra said to which Jhanvi nodded. "I would've done this sooner or later. His torture was getting unbearable. And I can't see Gauri too suffering" she said and patted Gauri's head.

Omkara silently ate as he listened to the conversation with a sigh.

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"The first house has less rent but the basic facilities need repair. The second and third seems fine. We can decide one after discussing" Gauri told Omkara as they walked back after a tiring day of searching for houses.

Kali Thakur was warned by the police in a pretty great way that he never dared to come back to Jhanvi. Initially he used to come at nights and throw stones but a nice warning from Gauri ended that too.

"Om!" Gauri called breaking Omkara's reverie. "What are you thinking?" she asked and he sighed. "Gauri, I- I was thinking about our marriage" he said and she smiled in confusion. "What's there to think? We decided that we'll first settle down and then marry" she said and shrugged.

"I can't marry you Gauri" Gauri stopped walking as she heard that. She turned to look at him and saw him already looking at her. 

"What?"

"I can't marry you"

"I can't Gauri, I just can't"

"But-"

Before she could say something, he walked away leaving her confused. What happened to him all of a sudden? 

------------------

Omkara's marriage with Gauri was decided when both of them were really young. No one, including them didn't have problem for that. To hear that Omkara suddenly said no to it, was indeed astonishing.

Harsh stared at Gauri's room which was closed since evening. Omkara and Jhanvi had moved to their new house yesterday and Gauri had shut herself after informing him that Omkara isn't interested in the marriage.

He knew Omkara pretty well. He wasn't a boy who stepped down from promises. What happened to him all of a sudden?

------------------

Rudra walked back to his room defeated at bringing Gauri out. He was confused, why did Omkara refuse to marry his sister out of blue? He knew his sister was not someone who considered marriage to be the utmost priority in life.

What hurt her was not his 'no'. She was hurt because he was giving up on her without specifying a reason. Rudra was the first and only  person to know about Omkara's love confession to Gauri. To know that he refused to marry his sister was confusing.

Rudra had seen Omkara treasuring the people he loved. What happened to him all of a sudden?

------------------

Omkara stared at the ceiling counting number of rotations the fan took. He had an expressionless face though he was thinking quite a lot of things.

He loved Gauri. He had accepted her as his life partner. He knew she felt the same. But, with the turns his life was taking, he was scared. What if they end up scattered?

A failed marriage was the last thing he wanted; to think of a failed marriage with Gauri was worse. He just couldn't get the thought out of his mind.

His mother, from what he has seen, never had a good relation with his father. He didn't want Gauri to end up like that or him to be like his mother. He turned to look outside the window as he heavily sighed.

What would she be doing?

------------------

Why did he say like that?

That was the only question running through her mind. If he had specified a reason, may be the pain would've been less.

They always knew they would end up married with each other. They had fallen in love long back. Gauri felt like strangling Omkara to death for leaving her at a question mark.

------------------

"Gauri!" Harsh was surprised to see her in the living room. After all the sulking, this was the last thing he expected would happen. "Good morning Papa" she wished him to which he smiles.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine Papa."

Her smile confused Harsh a lot. She was not even ready to come out of the room and now she was smiling. He poured her a cup of coffee and sat down, while watching her joyously pick up the drink.

"You look happy." His statement made her raise her brow. "You don't want that?" Harsh frowned at that and then sighed. "Did you talk with Om?" He asked and she shook her head.

"He left on his own. I didn't even get a chance to ask him something. Let him come to me. I won't call him."

One look at her and Harsh knew that it was not a strong resolve. She would eventually melt and go to Omkara, pester him to spill the truth and walk back home with a genuine smile.

"We'll see." Harsh said and walked out leaving behind Gauri with her own thoughts.

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"Om!"

Jhanvi banged on his door for the nth time that day. What was he doing? Out of blue, he informed everyone that he couldn't marry Gauri and now he was sacrificing food and sleep.

"Omkara!"

This time, he opened the door and looked at her with a tired expression. She frowned and pulled him outside to the living room.

"What's your problem?" She asked and he looked away without replying. He hissed when he felt her pinch his ear. "Ma!" She let go of his ear and madd him look at her. "Tell me the truth Om." Omkara knew that was a final warning.

"You're stepping down from this marriage because you fear that you both will end up like me and your father?"

Jhanvi asked once he finished explaining his plight. He nodded and kept his head on her lap as his eyes glistened with tears.

"Om" She softly called to which he hummed. "You know that Gauri loves you, right?" He nodded. "And you too love her."

"Even you both loved each other!"

Jhanvi sighed and looked at him. "No Om. May be, I loved him. But he never did. He only loved my money. When you were born, I quit my job and since that day, I've never seen him look at me with a soft expression. You are not like him. Gauri too, isn't like that. You know her."

Omkara nodded as more tears made their way down his cheeks. "I hurt her. Didn't I?" Jhanvi nodded as she caressed his head. "Don't worry. She'll understand." She said and Omkara got up.

"I'm going to meet her."

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Gauri was having a strong urge to call Omkara and ask him what the matter was. But everytime she thought of him walking away, just like that, her mind riled up in anger.

And that was the exact reason why she was punching her pillow. She was frustrated.

Suddenly her phone rang, breaking her chain of thoughts. Sighing, she got up and looked at the caller id. Seeing that it was Omkara, she picked the call without a second thought.

"Gauri?"

She hummed and looked down as the tears she had been holding back threatened to spill. She heard a sigh from the other side as she waited for him to speak.

"I'm sorry."

She bit her lower lip and blinked away her tears. "I shouldn't have walked away like that." She hummed again as words refused to come out of her mouth.

"Come to the balcony Gauri."

Sniffing, she got up and wiped her face and walked to the balcony. In front of her house, stood Omkara, looking in her direction.

"Sorry."

He repeated and she let the tears fall.

"Why did you say like that Om?"

She finally spoke in a hoarse whisper and yet another sigh escaped his lips. "I was scared Gauri. The past kept haunting me. But now that I've analysed things better, my fear was pointless."

"What if, some other time, you feel that the fear was real?"

"My fear would never be real. I know that now."

"How're you so confident?"

"Because I'm like my mother, and you're not like my father. You respect me and my little world like I respect yours. We care for each other without invading the other's space. And on top of everything, we love each other. All this assures me; my fears are simple delusions."

A small smile spread on her lips and she nodded at him. They stare at each other as with each passing second, their glances turned more admiring.

"I love you Om." She said.

"I love you too." He said back.

He blew her a flying kiss before walking back, and she stood there, this time with a heartwarming smile.

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Flowers landed on Gauri and Omkara as the priest declared them as husband and wife. After one more year, when things settled down, they'd decided to get married. An intimate wedding with just family and a few neighbours.

Jhanvi was finally free from the abusive marriage. Soon after the divorce, she had started a small business as a home Baker. She now owned a small shop and received small scale orders from people.

That's how she met Shivaay, a doctor in their locality and his father Tej. A small family of a father and son. What impressed Jhanvi was Shivaay's behaviour and had complimented Tej for his upbringing.

From small talks to evening walks, Jhanvi and Tej now shared something they couldn't let go off. Whatever it was, they still had time to figure out their feelings.

Gauri smiled at Omkara and he hugged her sideways. He lightly patted her head to get rid of the flowers which made her chuckle. She slightly nudged him and looked at the direction of her line of sight.

There stood Tej, smiling with all his heart while looking at Jhanvi. Omkara sighed and looked back at Gauri who grinned at him.

"She deserves to be happy. If this is where her happiness is, let her be." She said and Omkara shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever their decision is, Shivaay and I will support them." She smiled and pulled his cheek as she heard that.

"But for now, my dear bride, think of us. We're finally married."

She kept her hands on his chest and stared directly into his eyes. "Can you believe it?" His excited whisper made her smile wider. In the last one year, he had proven it to her that he would never let her down. And she trusted him with that.

"All I know is, I'm thankful for this little world." She whispered and he smiled with a nod.

"I love you Om."

"I love you too."

The smile on their faces said everything. They were happy. They believed in each other. They loved their little world.

Hey all! Hope y'all liked the story. Do tell me your views. Criticisms are openly welcomed.

Thank you for reading.

Stay safe. Be happy ✨.