Omkara sat quietly, accurately aware of his heart pounding inside his ribcage. It was the second week of the new year. The article he had come across a few days ago, about earth spinning fast, was seeming to be true, at least for him. He couldn't believe he was seated on the sofa in Mrs. Talwar's home with Pinky on one side and Anika on other. While Shivaay and Rudra stood behind the same sofa.

As much as he was ready for spending his entire life with Gauri, he wasn't ready for this. Omkara hated the spotlight he was in right now, while Pinky and Mrs. Talwar were having some conversation about the robbery that had happened down the street.

"Mom, can we focus on what we came here for?"  Shivaay interrupted the conversation between his mother and his mother-in-law.

"Of course!" Pinky muttered realized she had got carried away by her curiosity about the robbery.

"Where is Gauri?" Shivaay asked further looking at his mother-in-law.

"She's uh, in the kitchen." 

"I will get her!"Anika said making a beeline for the kitchen. Omkara glanced at Shivaay who put a hand over his shoulder reassuringly. 

Anika appeared back again with tray of cups followed by Gauri who held another tray filled with dry fruits and biscuits. Omkara could feel Gauri's gaze on him, but he didn't have the guts to look up and meet his eyes. He had noticed her tiny, soft hands place the tray. 

He felt Pinky's hand on his and let out the breath he had been holding, finally looking up. But looking everywhere except at Gauri. They had decided that they wanted to start a new chapter, together. To build a relationship from scratch. The way normal people do, no short cuts, full commitment. But it was easier to think about it. Right now, Omkara felt awkward and uncomfortable.

"So, Omkara?" Mrs. Talwar said adding to Omkara's discomfort. He looked up and this time directly at Gauri, his eyes pleading her to intervene.

"Well, we like Gauri!" Pinky started. "And so does Omkara."

Omkara wanted to thank Pinky for taking the lead but he also cringed internally at  the words. He had thought over and over if he should tell Pinky everything from the past. It was a difficult task and involved great risk. Omkara didn't want to lose Pinky's trust or change anything between them.

Mrs. Talwar smiled, "I am happy with whatever Gauri wants!" 

A silence fell as the others looked between Omkara and Gauri who were preoccupied looking at each other.

"Okay," Gauri said rubbing her hands together. "There's something I would like to say." 

All eyes were on Gauri. "I would like to stay here after marriage."

A deep silence fell in the room. Shock was evident on the faces of all the Oberois. 

Mrs. Talwar turned to Gauri with a hint of disapproval, but Gauri only held her hand. "I don't think I would like to leave Maasi."

Omkara sat silently. Gauri had already told him about this. And although a little reluctant about it, he had agreed to it. It seemed a very tiny request when she had first asked him. Saying yes was easy. But now in retrospect it seemed like a lot. However, Omkara was ready to move in after marriage, if Mrs. Talwar had no objection. 

"But Gauri beta, after marriage a wife and husband stay together.. ." Pinky said with hesitation.

"Choti Maa, I am ready to move in here if Aunty doesn't have any problem." Omkara finally spoke up glancing at Mrs. Talwar.

"Excuse me, I would like to talk to Gauri in private," Mrs. Talwar spoke up and held Gauri's hand leading her into the room.

Once the door shut, Pinky looked at Omkara. "What nonsense is this?"

"Mrs. Talwar means a lot to Gauri, she doesn't want to leave her." Omkara said.

Pinky stared at him. "And you want to leave all of us?" There was bitterness in Pinky's voice. Omkara could understand Pinky's predicament. He knew Pinky really loved him like her own son and he didn't expect Pinky to accept all of this easily.

"Mom's right Om, this is a big decision. I mean... your home.." Shivaay muttered. 

"I agree!" Rudra added quickly.

Omkara closed his eyes. They all loved him, and it was understandable if they didn't want him to live separately. He took a deep breath and looked at Pinky, "I want what Gauri wants!"

Pinky scoffed looking away. "You ought to have told us this before."

"Choti Maa, it's not a big deal. It's not like I am going away or something."

"But you won't be there for us all the time." Rudra said disheartened.

"Anika left her mom and came to live with us right? Her mom loves her. But she didn't stop Anika right? So what's the big deal if Gauri wants me to move in with her instead of the other way around ?"

Anika sat silently lost in her own thoughts. Gauri had the courage to ask Omkara what she never even thought of asking Shivaay. Anika loved Gauri. But for the first time she felt that maybe Gauri loved her mother more than she did. 

* * *

"Gauri, I thought we had talked about this " Mrs. Talwar spoke expressing her disappointment. "Gauri, after marriage a woman goes to her husband's place."

"I don't want to leave you. I had promised you that I am not leaving you once I am done with my masters and I am going to stick to that."

"Choti, don't be stubborn. Anika also kept saying the same thing but eventually she understood that some traditions are best of followed and not questioned. Look how happy she is. She has a family, that she never got the chance to have."

"You are my family," Gauri said undeterred.

"Gauri, trust me you and Omkara will be happy with the Oberois. Think about Omkara, do you think it's a good idea to separate him from his family?"

"I am not separating Omkara from his family, I am just... doing what my heart wants. It wants to be with you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You are the mother that I never had. And I am not letting you go." Gauri spoke with sheen in her eyes.

"Choti, I know you love me. But... this..."

"Do you have a problem if Omkara shifts in here?" Gauri asked cutting her argument short.

"No, no. I have no problem with Omkara. It's just that, you are complicating a lot of relationships for Omkara by doing this."

"Please trust me," Gauri said pleading and holding Mrs. Talwar's hand.

"Fine!" Mrs. Talwar sighed. "But if this stubbornness of yours gets in the way of the wedding, then I will be the first one to say that I don't want you or Omkara to stay with me."

"Fine " Gauri agreed to bargain.

* * *

"I am sorry," Mrs. Talwar said as they stepped out.

"Oh, you don't have to apologize," Pinky said with a small smile. "Kids nowadays take their decisions and I am okay with whatever Omkara and Gauri want, if that is what will make them happy." 

Omkara could sense the clear taunt directed his way. He was going to have a tough time with Pinky after this. He glanced at Gauri. She smiled a little.

It was then decided that a simple engagement ceremony, sagai,  would be conducted two days later at the Oberoi Mansion and on the same day they would decide the wedding date, and discuss the wedding.

* * *

"Choti Maa," Omkara called, following a storming Pinky to her room.

"Om, I don't want to talk about anything." She said sternly and left him.

Omkara walked back to the drawing room to talk to Shivaay. But seemingly he wasn't interested for a conversation either and excused himself to the room.

Omkara looked at Rudra, who wore a dejected face which was a striking opposite to the happy excited face he had since the morning. 

"Do you really have to move out? I mean, it will be so much fun if you and Gauri didi...stay here."

"Ru, Gauri wants to stay with her Maasi..." Omkara began.

"Since when did someone start meaning so much more to you than all of us?" Rudra asked feeling hurt.

Omkara sighed as without waiting he made his way to his room. Dejected, Omkara sat on the sofa. Anika who had been silently observing made her way to sit beside him.

"Does Gauri really mean so much to you?" She asked in a soft voice.

Omkara took a deep breath and a few seconds to compose himself before looking up. "I lost her once, I let her down, I ran away without listening to her, when she needed me, I don't want to do that again." 

Anika smiled sadly, "Don't you think it's going to cost you heavily?"

"I want to do it for her, besides, I think they will all get around." He got up with a sigh.

Anika held his hand, "Om,"

He looked at her with hesitation. 

"Don't break her heart ever again." 

Omkara had never seen Anika like that. She wasn't threatening him, she was begging him. He knew Anika never really liked him and they had their own reasons to not like each other, but he was glad that she was finally getting around to being more accepting. 

"I promise, I won't!" Omkara said, promising himself more than her.

Anika managed to smile a little. "I will try talking to Shivaay. I am sure, he'll understand eventually."

"I hope he does."

* * *

It was the day of the Sagaai.  The family had respected Omkara and Gauri's wish to keep the event with family only, however, the mansion had been decorated extravagantly. Omkara should have been happy, but he wasn't really. Tej and Jhanvi had arrived the previous day. Pinky still hadn't spoken to him. Shivaay and Rudra were also giving him a cold shoulder. It did hurt him.

Initially, Jaanvi was disappointed that Pinky had chosen the  ride for him. But then Omkara had corrected her assumption by telling her that he wanted to marry Gauri and that he had requested Pinky to initiate the talk for marriage.

The only people happy were Tej, Jaanvi and Anika. Although, he sensed the tension between Anika and Shivaay. He didn't have to think hard to guess what would have caused the upset between them. 

Omkara felt angry more than hurt. For the first time, he was asking for something. Could they not give that to him? Could they all not simply be happy for him? 

"Omkara," his father called and walked up to him. "Is everything okay?" 

Omkara sighed. His parents still didn't know about Gauri's condition for marriage. 

"I mean, no one's happy like they should be." Tej pointed out.

"Gauri, wants me to move out with her." Omkara said for the lack of better words at the moment.

"Oh, so you two want to move into an apartment or something like that?" Tej questioned.

"No. Gauri wants me to move in and live at Talwars'. "

"Oh, that's, odd. So I get why all of these people have a sour mood. Don't worry, they'll eventually understand!"

Omkara looked up at his father. "You don't have any objection?"

"Of course not, as long as you and Gauri are happy." Tej said leaving Omkara stunned.

"Anyways, I came to give you this." He said handing Omkara a small jewelry box. "Daadi had handed me this to give to you when you bring in your wife. Whenever you think it's apt, give it to her."

Omkara took the box in his hand, feeling he velvety texture of the box. "See you around!" Saying that his father walked away. Omkara opened the box to find a pair of golden bangles. A small smile crept up his face. He hoped they would fit Gauri.

* * *

"Hi,"

"Hey!" Omkara greeted Gauri as the two werr asked to sit beside each other while the others went on to arrange things.

"Jiju seems off," she said softly only for him to hear.

"He's the only one making it evident on the face. Rudra and Choti Maa are pissed too. They haven't spoken to me properly since two days."

"Ouch, now I understand why Pinky aunty's smiles barely there."

"It's okay, they will get around." He said with a smile turning slightly to look at her.

They were asked to hold hands and the Pandit performed some traditional practices before rings were exchanged as a token of commitment. 

Omkara's eyes didn't leave hers as he gently slipped the ring into her finger. Something he had always looked forward to. 

Gauri's lips didn't get tired of smiling. She loved how tenderly he held her palm before slipping in the ring. She held his hand and looked up at his eyes. Her hand momentarily froze when she guide the ring to his finger. She wanted this right? She took a deep breath and pushed the ring in looking up as everyone clapped. Her fingers didn't leave the ring or his hand. 

"Gauri," he said softly to get her attention. She smiled leaving his hand free.

The Pandit asked the groom's mother to hand over the shagun to the to be daughterinlaw.

Omkara saw Pinky walk away to get something. "I want Choti Maa to perform all the rituals for me." He had said before he had thought it over. 

Pinky stopped in tracks and turned to look at him. Jaanvi looked at him crestfallen. "But Omkara, the mother is supposed to..." Tej spoke up.

"Yes, I know. Choti Maa is also my mother right? I want her to perform all the rituals."

A silence fell as everyone looked between Omkara and Pinky. 

"Fine," Jaanvi said turning to Pinky. 

Pinky slowly walked towards them, handing over the empty plate she held to Anika. She met Omkara's gaze to find him pleading silently to accept his wish.

Pinky quietly took the hamper they had made for Gauri from Jaanvi. She stepped forward and did as the Pandit guided her. She kissed Gauri's forehead and then Omkara's.

She stepped back and stood beside Shivaay who smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. Gauri smiled and held Omkara's hand. Omkara blinked his tears away before looking up. The tension was stil in the air. Tej and Jaanvi were not clearly happy with Omkara's request. However, Omkara was more focused on the tears of happiness and love he saw in Pinky's eyes. She deserved to be the one to get a bigger share of his happiness just like she willingly took the bigger share of all his sorrows. 

I would really like to know your thoughts.

-Anami!♡