Happily sitting at the dining table enjoying the endless breakfast spread... life couldn't be any better Shivaay thought..until he glanced over at the two empty chairs.

Shivaay: Where is Om?

Anika solemnly looks at her husband: You forgot again. Today is February 23rd Shivaay.

Guilt and pain could be seen across everyone's face. His forgetfulness only further proves Gauri's words were true that day. "I am only a woman of convenience for all of you..be it a sister, a daughter in law, a wife...my role here is only notable if convenient...for you. The only time you realize my importance is when you see how my presence or lack there of affects Omkaraji. Only then will you see me. Her words were the bitter truth that very day... and ever since then their chant "all for one and one for all would never leave their lips ever again. Even Daadi could no longer praise either of her bhahus without feeling a sense of remorse. The day that everyone's selfishness came to light.

Flashback (February 23rd of last year)

Rudra and Bhavya's wedding was grand and beautiful. Everyone was happy and celebrating...even Gauri. With Veer now exposed and the Oberoi's financial state restored what more could everyone ask for. Days gone by and everything seemed fine until February 23rd came around..the day that made everyone realize that not everyone was happy. Sitting around the poolside and chatting with everyone was something that everyone cherished...especially during the night where all the elders were asleep. That night everyone was laughing at how they tricked Veer and reminiscing who played what part resulting in his demise. But standing across from them was Gauri, silently watching them laugh...even Bhavya was seen sitting there enjoying the stories..but Gauri could not help but feel this prickling pain in her chest. The louder they laughed the more it hurt. The entire day not one of them noticed her absence, not even her Omkaraji. Even though she has been feeling as if she didn't belong but today she had high hopes. Thinking that at least today her Omkaraji's thoughts would be full of her..but that was just her being wishful. He had forgotten what today was. Twenty minutes had passed till finally Bhavya looked up "Gauri! What are you doing just standing there. Come join us. Finally did everyone stopped to look at the petite woman.

Om with a wide smile while nudging Rudra to make room for Gauri: Gauri. Come sit here.

Gauri finally laughed. A laugh that was full of pain and longing. The pain that the one she loved had no clue of how she was feeling and the longing to belong had finally ended the moment night fell. Now that she was in the spot light she could no longer hide it, everyone could feel something was wrong...especially Om. He slowly stood up to wave his wife over "Gauri..what is wrong..come.

Gauri: No..Omkaraji. This is where I have always been. Me here and you there.

There was a sense of panic amongst everyone.

Anika: What is wrong Gauri?

Shivaay: Yes. Come tell us.

Rudra: Bhabi?

Gauri looks at the people in front of her. There was no denying that she loved everyone of them. But she couldn't deny the truth either. She finally walks over to her husband. With one hand she softly strokes the side of his face "I love you Omkaraji. I really do. But I have come to the realization that my love for you is not enough.

Om grabs Gauri's hand "What is wrong? Gauri hugs her Omkaraji tight..but yet it gave Om a feeling that there was a great distance between them. "We do not belong together Omkaraji. I can no longer lie to myself. Everyone sees Om grabbing both her arms and pleading for her to tell him the reason for her words tonight.

Shivaay seeing his brother's worry hurriedly tries to remedy the situation "Gauri..tell us. We can fix whatever that is wrong. Gauri turns to look at her brother in law "Not this time. She then turns back to the man she deeply loves "why didn't you tell me your plans regarding Veer? With that one question Om knew his mistake. He couldn't think of a reason why he didn't tell his wife. She then turned to the rest of her family "why didn't any of you include me in your plans? Five minutes passed as she patiently waited for an answer but the only thing she heard was the painful silence that passed through all of them. "Let me answer it for you. Because I am not family. I am only a woman of convenience for all of you..be it a sister, a daughter in law, a wife...my role here is that what you want it to be for the sake of your family. Om grabs Gauri's arm tighter "You are family! You are Mrs. Omkara Singh Oberoi. Gauri smiles at her husband while she backs away from his grip "I longed for that title Omkaraji. I thought with that I would be part of your loving family. But I was wrong. How can I hope for such a thing when my husband does not share anything with me? That position you gave me turned out to be nothing more than an empty title. Omkara shakes his head "You are wrong. I didn't tell you because...because...because. Gauri sadly looks at him "because it wasn't necessary." Om's eyes widen as those words rolled out from her mouth..the words that he couldn't deny. He didn't tell her because he didn't feel that he needed to because...he didn't need her. A sharp pain struck him like lightning.

Gauri seeing that he had finally realized the truth:... and because you felt you didn't need me. Omkaraji I have always wanted to be the person to be by your side to share your pain as well as your joys in life. But that is just not possible for us and tonight has made it clear to me where I stand.

Om tries hard to to persuade his simple wife "I'm Sorry Gauri! I didn't mean to...Please...

Tears slowly flows down her cheeks "You always are Omkaraji. But I am tired of you realizing the problem after the fact. Some things just can't change and we have to just come to terms with it. I don't want to be an outsider looking in anymore. I want to be free.

Hearing those words everyone ran up to Gauri and trying to reassure her that whatever she was feeling was wrong and that she was family. "If I was family then how come none of you didn't realize my absence this entire day? For the entire day I stood on the sidelines while each of you happily carried on. Seeing you all sitting here laughing was enough for me to realize that my presence was not needed. Only when I stand in front of you that you all see me. Even then your worries were only there when you saw Omkaraji's pain. I now realize your affection for me was directly linked to his happiness. I wanted to be part of this family...I really did. I wanted to fight along side with all of you but you all made your circle impenetrable. But most of all I wanted to be your wife..in the true sense...Omkaraji.

As Gauri turns to leave, Om grabs here "I promise I will change. I will tell you everything from now on. Please Gauri..our family has just passed such a big storm.

Gauri: Omkaraji storms will always come and go but you will never let me help you shield your family from it.

Seeing as to how Om was still not letting her go "Omkaraji...if you could tell me what today is then I will stay." Gauri could see the pain in her husband's eyes as he tries hard to remember. Gauri reached out to caress his face one more time "I know you don't remember Omkaraji. I do not want to resent you later in life. It is best if I leave now..before it becomes too hard for the both of us." Still not wanting to let his wife go "Gauri..what is today?" When she thought the pain she was feeling couldn't get any worse his words pierced through her "Our Anniversary Omkaraji." Om slowly loosens his grip as he stood frozen watching his wife walk away. That night no one stopped her from leaving because not one of them were able to answer any of her questions. Questions so simple that it hurt to realize that not a single person could answer.

And as the year went by the only time anyone would think of Gauri is today. The day that Omkara secretly goes to watch her. Ever since she left none of them could truly be happy because deep down each of them blamed themselves. The selfishness they all had for only each other was paid dearly by Omkara. That day marked not only is marriage to her but also the day she ended everything. The day that was suppose to be the happiest day of their lives had turn to the day he let it slip through his fingers. Now he could only secretly watch her laugh and smile as she surrounds herself with children who needed her. The joy in her voice lessened his pain but the greed in his heart desired another chance. "I can only pray that it is not too late. Sankaji please help me."

This was an OS requested by one of my readers on IF. I hope that you will also enjoy it.