I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly, and then all at once.

-The Fault In Our Stars 

Omkara walks into his room with a yawn. It was a tiring day. After all, taking care of a pregnant woman was not child's play.

He sighs at that thought. Gauri Sharma was everything he despised yet she was going to be the mother of his child.

It was the first news that reached him after he woke up from the three month long comatose. He shrugs his thoughts away and walks to the bed but stops as his eyes caught something.

Gauri resting on the green recliner with one hand wrapped around her belly. Involuntarily, a smile spread on his lips.

His staring session halted when she turned around. He stood there, switching his eyes between his bed and the recliner.

He couldn't sleep on the bed with her struggling on the recliner; he cared for his child. And if he lifted Gauri to the bed, then her sleep would be disturbed.

He heavily exhales and sits down on the floor, beside the recliner. He stares at her as her soft breaths rang in his ears. For a moment, all the hatred stepped aside and he was tempted to touch her, lay beside her, kiss her... He controls his thoughts from going further and closes his eyes mentally groaning about the sprained neck he was going to get tomorrow.

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

Omkara carefully opens the first aid kit trying not to wake up Gauri. He had lied the whole day about his neck pain and now he couldn't move his neck an inch.

He applies it and turns, resolving to sleep on the bed. But then, luck was not on his side. As soon as his eyes caught the sight of Gauri shivering, his mind had slowly given way to his heart.

He covers her with the blanket and was about to withdraw his hand when she held onto him. He momentarily freezes and stares at his hand clasped in hers.

Sighing, he sits beside her and slowly reclines backward. She turned lessening the distance between them. Her breathe fanned his hand with her lips slightly brushing against his knuckles.

His gaze prolongs on her face but his brows furrow when a strand of her hair fell on her face, blocking his view. He lightly blows and tries to move it away but stops when her face showed an expression of disturbance.

Gently, he raises his hand and moves the fringe away and smiles seeing her face. She looked so calm. And the fact that his baby was growing inside her made it even more beautiful.

But suddenly, everything comes back. Her going to marry Kali Thakur, betrayal by Chulbul; a gush of anger flickered in his eyes.

Still, from a corner of his heart, he could hear a faint whisper telling him that he was wrong. And once again, Omkara Singh Oberoi lost to his heart.

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

After taking the laundry downstairs, Omkara walks into the room stretching. Each day was tiring. He walks straight towards the recliner and an amused smile appears on his lips. 

Gauri and books weren't a thing. And here she was sleeping with a book in her hand. He shakes his head and slowly pulls out the book from her grip but it falls down.

He immediately picks it up and checks on Gauri and moves to keep the book on the table but stops as he sees something scribbled over the cover.

Gauri Kumari Sharma was written in black ink. He opens it and sees the first page dated. He sighs and keeps it down as he realizes that it was her personal diary. 

But then, curiosity was something he didn't have control on. He takes the diary and settles beside Gauri and starts reading the first entry.

23.02.2017 

Thursday   

Dear Diary,

This is my first time writing down what I feel. But then, when none listens to you, I guess this is the only way to vent out the feelings. 

I got married. Yes, and my husband doesn't believe in it. He left Barielly and went back to his hometown. I too, am going to leave this place.

Barielly is very close to my heart. But no matter how loving it is, it has danger lurking around. Hoping to catch the train around 11pm.

- Gauri

Omkara stops reading and wonders about the danger she had jotted down. She didn't have to worry. She knew how to make money in seconds.

He sighs and keeps the diary beneath his things and closes his eyes hoping to catch some sleep.

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

25.02.2017

Saturday

Dear Diary,

Never thought that I would continue writing to you. I reached Mumbai. Mumbai; the city of dreams. But it is not as beautiful as it seems to be. There are people who tries to loot irrespective of the place.

I met a very nice man here. He's like a brother to me. Dandi Bhaiyya. I'm currently staying at a place found by him. But I'll have to leave as soon as possible. It's not nice to trouble him like this.

It's hard to find a job here for a fifth pass for me. Every job has a qualification which is very high. I should probably look for some house to work as a servant. 

Sometimes I wish I could see him again. At least once, to treasure his image as a memory. He risked his life to save me. Wherever he is, I hope he is happy.

- Gauri

Omkara looks at the petite woman sleeping beside him with a serene face. Even after he left her on the path, alone, she prayed for his well being.

What was this woman made of! He closes the diary and shifts in his place but stops turning as he sees her frowning. Sighing, he lay still, staring at her till sleep took over him.

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

27.02.2017

Monday 

Dear Diary,

I don't know what to do. Today I had a circus experience. A woman, what was her name... Yeah! Svetlana. Ajeeb aurat hai! Whatever. She could've provided me with a job. But she needs a male servant.

I have to figure something out.

- Gauri

Hearing the door knob turning, Omkara quickly hides the diary and takes out his phone. He watches as Gauri walked towards the recliner in a very slow pace.

She sighs once she sits down. Omkara's eyes softens as he sees her taking deep breaths. She was tired. And here he was, sitting leisurely not even lending a helping hand.

"Sleep on the bed" he softly says and waits for her to respond. She looks surprised at him and begins to refuse but he interrupts before she could speak.

"I don't want my child to feel any discomfort. Sleep on the bed" he says a bit sternly and she silently walks to the bed and lays down. In seconds, she falls asleep and Omkara pulls the diary out.

28.02.2017

Tuesday

Dear Diary,

Today was extremely eventful. First of all, Dandi Bhaiyya asked me to dress up as a boy and apply for the job Ms.Svetlana referred to. And dressing up as a boy is difficult! Chulbul, my new identity.

Next one is a shocker. The house I'm gonna work in is none other than my husband's house! By god's grace, he hasn't recognized me.

All I need is a job for my mother's treatment. I got that. I need not interfere in his life.

- Gauri

He closes the diary as his mind drifts back to the fond memories. Chulbul was a great friend to him. He just couldn't believe that Gauri and Chulbul were the same person.

To him, Chulbul was someone with whom he could share his worries. When the very same Chulbul turned out to be Gauri, he was hurt. But from what he had observed, Gauri knew him more; inside out. She knew him, yet she lied.

With all the thoughts running in his head, he slowly fell asleep.

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

08.03.2017

Wednesday

Dear Diary,

Aaj to hamari jhooth pakdi jaati! Omkaraji's brother came to Chulbul's room and tadaa! Gauri was there. I was able to frame a lie. 

This family is so confusing. There are many problems going on. Omkaraji's father tried to kill Maaji. Why would someone do that? And this Svetlana is very mysterious. 

Ma ki bohot yaad aa rahi hai. If I was at home then she would have hugged me and washed away my worries.

Bye, hoping to write to you soon.

- Gauri

He looks at her as his heart went out for her. She was here, all alone. She needed someone with whom she can be free. And he was of no help. He slowly lays beside her and pulls her close.

Her skin was soft. Her feminine fragrance traveled to his lungs intoxicating him. A smile automatically forms on his lips as he watched her breathing. 

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

15.03.2017

Wednesday

Dear Diary, 

I love him. I don't know how or why, but I love him. 

Why? Why does he hate me so much? What have I done! 

But he can't be blamed. He haven't seen a successful relation till date. May be that's why he doesn't believe in marriages. 

- Gauri

She loved him, he knew that. He could hear her talks in those three months. And he did knew about this. At times his heart would question him about the same. When he knew everything, why was he acting oblivious. He heaves a sigh and keeps the diary back.

This was messing up his thoughts. He slowly wounds his hand around her belly. His eyes turn dewy at the thought of his child growing there. He still couldn't believe that he was going to be a father. 

He places a small kiss on her temple and closes his eyes. For the first time, he chose to live the moment. 

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

24.03.2017

Friday

Dear Diary,

I don't know what to do. Last night, he was under the influence of something. I couldn't stop him. Today, I woke up next to him, wrapped in nothing but the white sheets.

I feel awful. I wish I could talk to someone.

There's a limit to what one can write down.

- Gauri

Omkara could feel the helplessness in her voice. He could never forgive himself for that day. Though not in his senses he had done a cruel act. Everything happened against her consent. Yet, she never complained. 

He wraps his arms around her from behind as tears stung his eyes. "I'm sorry" he whispers and she sleepily hums. 

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

21.06.2017

Wednesday

Dear Diary,

It's been three months. Omkaraji is in coma. Doctors are saying that there's no hope left. The house has been silent. Anika bhojai left Bade Bhaiyya. 

Won't he wake up? 

Yesterday, I went to the doctor because of the dizzy feeling I'm getting. I'm three months pregnant. His baby is growing inside me. 

I've not informed anyone. I can't. If Bua Ma gets to know, then she'll do something. I wish I could tell someone about her true colours. 

In one sense, Omkaraji is safe this way. Bua Ma cannot harm him with one or the other person always around him. 

But her resolve is firm. She'll kill Omkaraji. She may harm the baby. I can't let that happen.

I won't let anyone harm my husband and my child.

- Gauri

Her longest entry ever. His hands trembled and he re-read it a few times more. Bua Ma; the lady whom he loved like a mother; wanted to kill him!

This time, Omkara believed Gauri. In a week, through the words of her diary, he had known her better. She was not a liar. Neither was she a gold digger. She was an innocent soul who was exploited by this cruel world, including him.

He flips the page to the next entry.

22.06.2017

Thursday

Dear Diary,

I cannot explain my happiness in words.

Omkaraji woke up. He's back to this world.

Danger lurks around. I have to tell him the truth.

But, will he believe me?

- Gauri

23.06.2017

Friday

Dear Diary,

As much as today feels promising, you don't know know what tomorrow holds for you.

Words of some great person which is true in my life.

They say pregnancy brings happiness to a couple's life. But when has life been normal with us? He clearly said that the baby would be under his custody and I'll be out once the child arrives.

Why? The baby isn't his alone. It's our baby. A part of him and a part of me. And the mother in me deserves to be with my child.

Why does he want to separate us?

- Gauri

Nothing was written after that. Omkara didn't have the answers for her questions. He hated her, why? He never believed her, why? He was going to separate a mother from her child, why? All of them would remain as unanswered questions.

But at the moment, all he felt was overwhelming happiness. He was in love. He was in love with his wife. He was in love with the mother of his child. He had always been. He, who described love as the most beautiful thing was experiencing its beauty for the first time.

And the reason was the woman beside him. That night, Omkara didn't sleep. He simply lied on the bed, staring at her, watching her inhaling and exhaling, as his heart thudded with anticipation for the next morning.

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

Omkara sat on the bed and took in a deep breathe. The day was strenuous. Bua Ma's true colours were exposed and she was shifted to an asylum. 

Gauri was surprised to see the change in him. He had asked whether she knew something about Bua Ma. And she had told him the entire thing. What shocked her was that he believed her without any arguments. 

His thoughts broke when Gauri  entered the room yawning. She walks towards the bed and lies down without glancing at him. He turn the lights off and lies beside her, contemplating on initiating a talk.

But then, words always muddled things for them. He slowly pulls her towards him and she turns. They stare into each other's eyes as a silent conversation takes place.

He softly kisses her forehead and a tear rolls down his cheeks. He had been ignoring happiness all the while. His lips lingers on her forehead as his hand rests on her belly.

He could feel life there. Their baby; a part of him and a part of her. The joy they made together. He looks down directly into her eyes with a small smile. She keeps her hand over his and snuggles to his chest.

They had a lot to talk and solve. But at present, all that mattered was, love.

This OS is the result of watching DBO and reading THE FAULT IN OUR STARS; especially that line at the beginning. When I was watching DBO, the recliner scene caught my attention and this idea popped in my mind. The dates are a bit messed up, sorry.

Hope you all liked it. Sorry for the typing errors. 

Do tell me your views. Criticisms are openly welcomed.

Thank you for reading💛.

Stay safe💛, corona is spreading like forest fire. Everyone, please stay inside your homes and maintain the covid protocols. 

Our doctors and medical staffs are risking their lives for us and we shouldn't let their efforts go in vain.

Be happy😊💛.