"Why?! Why?!"

"To think I was going to give up everything! My family...my inheritance! You said we would be together forever!"

"I'm sorry."

"Damnit Gauri! How could you?! Do you even love me?!"

Trying hard to stop her tears from flowing Gauri dug her nails into the palms of her hands to remind her this was for the best.

"I'm sorry."

He was tired of hearing her say "I'm Sorry."

Grabbing her arms to force her to look into his angry eyes Omkara was certain she was hiding something. His voice broke into pieces as he rest his forehead against hers.

"Please just tell me. Why are you leaving me? What have I done?"

The pain in her heart was making it hard for her to breathe but if she didn't go through with it then she would just end up ruining his life.

Gently pushing his arms away Gauri took a deep breath to start her charade.

"What good are you if you are no longer an Oberoi?"

His eyes shook at her words.

"What?"

"Come on Om. An artist? Seriously? That's not the kind of life I want."

The look of confusion was all over his face.

"But you were the one who told me to follow my dreams. Why are you..."

Sarcastically laughing through her pain "Please...those were just words of seduction. You rich boys are so predictable. A little encouragement here and there and you fall in love. It was just my mistake that you would actually let your family disown you to run away with me."

Refusing to believe her lies Omkara grabbed her arm "No! You love me! I know it! All the times we spent together..."

She felt his lips vigorously trying to devour whats left of her reserve "The kisses...the nights we gave ourselves to one another...are you saying it was nothing Gauri?"

As his kisses trailed down to her neck Gauri's eyes were beginning to water as she saw glimpses of their moments together. His kisses were becoming more passionate as he started to unbutton her blouse. Taking in his scent one last time Gauri bit down onto her lower lip to give her more strength.

Thinking that she was softening due to his touch Omkara's heart bled when she started laughing.

"hahahaha...those hot nights were suppose to make me Mrs. Omkara Singh Oberoi not a wife of a poor artist."

Her smirk as she looked him straight in the eyes nearly knocked the life out of him.

"Is that why you decided to marry that damn doctor?!"

Pushing him away once again as she re-buttons her blouse "Arjun is a top surgeon. Why would I not accept his proposal?"

Seeing her grab her purse about to leave Omkara ran as fast as he could to stop the woman he loved from disappearing.

As his arms wrapped around her from behind she could hear the anguish in his voice that was tearing her apart.

"Wait Gauri. Don't go. I..I...I will not leave. I will not pursue my dreams as long as you stay with me. I...I..will work for my father and take over the Oberois family business. That will make you happy right?"

Prying his fingers apart was worse than dying.

"Your father has said I would never become your wife. At most I would only be a mistress. How could you promise me the Oberoi last name when you couldn't even get their blessings before? It's over Om. They have arranged you with Riddhima and I now have Arjun. It's over."

That was the last time Omkara ever saw of Gauri. He even tried to track down his friend Arjun but they seem to had fled to the States.

*********************************

2 years

Wrapping her arms around Omkara's neck Riddhima was so excited.

"Om! I am so nervous! Just a few more days!"

Om who was busy looking through a contract deal that he is suppose to finalize before the wedding had been hard at work for the past 2 years.

"I see."

Swinging her body into his lap while pouting her lips "Come on Om. Be a bit more excited! My friends all RSVP'ed! It's going to be such a grand wedding!"

Omkara flinched a bit when she reminded him of people responding to their wedding invitations that was sent out a few months ago.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh..nothing. Why don't you go touch base with my mother to see if there are other arrangements that needs to be done."

As he saw her happily skip out of his home office Omkara took off his specs to massage the bridge of his nose to try and alleviate the minor headache that was coming on.

"He RSVP'ed finally. Will she also come?"

Omkara hated himself for still thinking of her but when he finally got in touch with Arjun again through email he couldn't help but want to see her again. He tried to bring up Gauri in his conversations with Arjun but he seem to always answer vaguely. It was always "She's happy. She's doing good." Even when he assured him that he has moved on Arjun would always become distant the moment he mentioned Gauri's name. But now that his wedding was in 3 days Omkara will finally be able to see her one last time to make sure she is happy so that in the end maybe he could finally be happy himself.

*************************

The wedding was grand and up to Oberois standards. Everyone who was anyone was there to witness his union with Riddhima who turned out to be a very nice young lady. He was lucky that the woman he was marrying today was cheerful and not to mention his family adored her. When the ceremony was over Omkara was ready for the party. All his friends had come and gave their congrats but the one person he wanted to see was no where in sight. Trying to make his rounds around the large venue Omkara's heart stopped when he saw Arjun. The very man that took the love of his life away. He could see him talking to a woman but he face was blocked by Arjun's broad shoulders. Swallowing down his pride to built up more courage Omkara started to walk their way.

"Arjun! You made it!"

Waiting for his friend to turn around so that he could see her again Omkara felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach. But the closer he got the more he was sure that this woman was not Gauri. Arjun could see the many questions in Omkara's eyes as he approached him.

"Congratulations Omkara."

Shaking his friend's hand as he kept staring at this unknown woman "Thanks. And this is?"

Seeing Arjun grab the woman by her shoulders as he introduced her Omkara didn't know what to think.

"This is my wife. Ishana."

"Wife?"

Taking an envelope from his jacket Arjun could hardly look Omkara in the eyes as he handed it him.

"I'm sorry."

Those words again. His hand shook as he saw his name on the envelope. It was no doubt Gauri's handwriting.

"What is this?"

"Her wish for you."

If he could he would rip the envelope open right then and there to read what was inside but he knew it was impossible. He was the groom today and his bride was obviously looking for him so all he could do was say his thanks to Arjun and tuck the letter into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Finally when the night was over and everyone left Omkara tried to forget that the letter even existed. As he laid there looking at his wife his heart was still yearning to read that damn letter. When he was sure Riddhima was sound asleep Omkara stood up to walk out towards the mini bar where he poured himself a drink and lit up a cigarette. Sucking in that sweet nicotine and chugging down the shot of bourbon Omkara tore opened the letter.

Dear Omkara

I assume that you are married now if you are reading my letter. It's funny that I wrote this the day I left you too. I didn't want to Om. I really didn't but you know me. I always knew how much you loved me...you were always so good at loving me. You are probably angry at me right now too. Probably wondering why I am not Arjun's wife. Life is cruel Om. But I wasn't going to let it be cruel to the both of us. Doesn't this letter make you think that I am no longer alive? LOL. but don't worry I am very much alive and most likely doing well. Just know that I had my reasons for giving up and that I am okay now. I wish you the best Omkara...always the best. If one day we meet again I hope you would say hello to me and not ignore me. I would hope you would still see me as a friend. Please let the questions in your heart go...what we had was magical but was not meant to be forever. Love yourself and your bride Om because as long as you are happy I know that I will be also.

Love Gauri.

He didn't know how many times he read the letter that night. He even tried to call Arjun the following day to ask what was going on but it was no use. But at least he had assured him that Gauri was very much alive and that when the time was meant to be Om would know everything.

*****************

5 years passed.

"Damn. Babyshower? That Arjun finally is becoming a dad."

As he walked through the door he saw many of his old friends again.

"Hey Omkara! So glad you could make it."

Patting Arjun's back Omkara could tell his friend was very happy today.

"Congrats buddy."

"Hey look happier than that Om."

"Well divorce does that to a person."

And then he heard her voice. Over by the kitchen standing there with a drink in her hand.

"Gauri..."

But when he was about to go to her Arjun grabbed his arm.

"Wait Om. I have to tell you something..."

Not wanting to miss this chance Omkara ignored Arjun's plea and brushed his hand away as he quickly ran up to Gauri who was wearing a yellow sun dress.

"Gauri."

Her eyes kept staring at him as if he was a stranger.

"Yes? and you are?"

"What? It's me.."

As he was about to grab her arm to ask her why she was doing this to him Arjun once again grabbed his arm and shuffled him outside.

"Arjun let me go! I want to know why till this day she is still doing this to me!"

"Om! Stop!"

"Damnit Arjun! She acts like she doesn't know me!"

"That's because she doesn't."

"What?!"

"A year after your marriage Gauri had surgery to take out a tumor in her brain."

"What?"

"The success rate was very low Om but she made it."

"Why?? Why didn't you tell me! You are suppose to be my friend!"

"But she is my patient Om. I couldn't. She made me promise."

Looking at the woman who was curiously looking at him through the glass window made Om want to just run in there and make her tell him everything.

"Om. The chances of her living through the surgery was only 10 percent. And even if she did she would not remember anything. She didn't want to risk you seeing her die or wait for her to recover. She didn't want you to miss out on life because of her."

"But look at her! She looks fine now! Why didn't you tell me then?!"

"Because she said that by then you would have been happily married and maybe even have children. She didn't want to ruin that for you."

Om was so confused and hurt that he was trying hard to process what was happening.

"Then she doesn't remember me?"

"When she woke she didn't remember anyone. It's only this pass year that she finally felt better and the rehabilitation as been good."

Seeing his friend break in front of him Arjun could only shake his head.

"Remember what I said to you Om..I said if the time was right you would see her again. This was her idea."

"What?"

"You remember that letter Om?"

"The letter?"

"Remember her last words Om."

Om tried to recall the letter from that night.

"If one day we meet again I hope you would say hello to me and not ignore me."

Arjun: She is waiting to fall in love with you again.

Gauri could not stop wondering why she kept looking at that man who was talking to Arjun.

"Why does he look so sad?"

Gauri knew that her memories were gone after waking up in the hospital room.

"Is he from my past?"

Feeling guilty Gauri opened the back door to see Om staring back at her.

"Um Arjun?"

As her doctor walked pass her Gauri was beginning to feel a bit scared.

"Don't worry Gauri. Talk to him."

"Wait Arjun..don't go..I.."

As she looked back at the man she was left alone with Gauri didn't know what to say.

"Um..I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings in there. My memories are a bit...no there."

Seeing her stutter and constantly looking anywhere but his face Omkara took small steps towards her. But every time he took a step forwards she would take a step back.

"Freeze."

Thinking that her heart was about to jump out of her chest Gauri didn't know why here body immediately obeyed his command.

And as he came closer she could smell a familiar scent.

"Hi. I am Omkara."

"Om..kara."