Not Our Time

Annika's birthday party was in full swing and seeing the smile on her sister's face made Gauri feel relieved. But Gauri couldn't help but feel a tinge of anger burning inside her heart as the very same man that caused her sister so much pain was the very reason for that bright smile today. Gauri could never imagine that matters of the heart could make one forgive just about anything but that doesn't mean she herself had to do the same. It was already awkward enough that his siblings were here to celebrate with them in their tiny home but to expect her to carry on this facade forever was something she was unable to do.

Glancing at the same man that she had bumped into that night in the bathroom happily smiling made Gauri chuckle in disbelief. "Do all rich people think this way?...let bygones be bygones?" But what else could she do when her sister was beaming with happiness. Jerking her head back to look out the window to tune out all the laughter that was inside Gauri started to think what tomorrow will bring for her sister. Turning her head back she decided to have a word with him.

Omkara was happily chatting with Priyanka when he felt her intense gaze on him as she slowly walked towards them.

Gauri: Omkara ji could I speak with you in private?

For some reason he felt very anxious "Speak to me?"

Gauri could tell that he felt odd that she was asking to speak with him and even his sister was giving off that sort of vibe.

"It's a personal matter. So if you don't mind meet me outside for a bit."

As he walked behind her he could tell that the smile she had shown to everyone inside was all an act and when she finally stopped under a tree he saw the anger in her eyes.

As the wind blew her hair swayed from side to side with her white kurta doing the same. Her eyes were bright and shiny under the moonlight but what got his attention was her voice.

"Why?"

"I don't understand? Why what?"

"Why couldn't you all just leave us alone? Everything has been cleared so why come to us still?"

Omkara did not really know what to say because how could he answer for someone else?

"My sister has already forgiven him tonight so I hope that you all will leave us alone."

"How can that be when they are married?"

He should have known better than to bring up bitter memories the moment her fists tightened.

"Divorce then! That was not a marriage!"

"How can you say that so easily? Did you not see how happy they are when they are together?"

Her sarcastic laughter made it hard for him to bear "Happy together? Have you seen how sad my Di was when he abandoned her?!...ridiculed her?!"

The tears that were slowly dripping down her cheeks made him feel so remorseful that he unintentionally tried to reach out to touch them. But the moment she saw his hand she took a step back "What are you doing?"

"Sorry...I just didn't want you to cry."

Wiping away her own tears "Nevermind that. But what I want to say is that after tonight I hope that you can talk to your brother about freeing my sister from this marriage."

"Why would I do that?"

Gauri was taken aback at the sudden rejection. "Are you saying you don't want to correct your brother's mistake?!"

His stance was clear and Gauri was angrier than ever.

"That is his mistake to correct alone."

Clenching her fists as she turned her back to him "Fine. I will do it alone."

"Gauri....."

"Just go back."

"Before I go back let me ask you one thing. If your sister loves my brother will you still want to separate them?"

Seeing her head slightly turn to reveal only half of her face "If she truly loves him then I will feel better when I leave."

He felt a sting in his heart "Leave?"

"I have answered your question already."

When she heard him step closer to her she instinctively turned around to face him once again "Did my answer not satisfy you?"

"Why would you leave?"

Her lips curved up and laughed "Why would I stay?"

"For your sister and your brother of course."

"You think my Di would not care for Sahil? And if she becomes Mrs. Oberoi she will have plenty of resources to ensure his well being."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Where would you go? Don't you have school still?"

Waiting for her to answer him Omkara didn't know why he was so worried but the only thing he got in return was her fake smile as she walked pass him to return to the party.

*******

As days went by he found himself keeping tabs on her...making sure she was still returning to the outhouse. Although he was happy that Shivaay was making progress in redeeming himself but Omkara couldn't help but feel something will slowly slip away from his grasp. From time to time he would purposely have Shivaay invite Annika and Gauri out for dinner just so he could see her again. But everytime it was the same fake smile that greeted him. And then that dreaded day finally came.....

Shivaay: Om! She finally agreed!

Seeing his brother jump up and down so happily Omkara couldn't help but ask "What?"

"She has agreed to move in to be Mrs. Oberoi Om!"

"I am so happy for you Shivaay."

"She finally forgave me!"

"Do you need me to help prepare anything Shivaay?"

"Can you prepare a room for her little brother? I will prepare the rest for my WIFE!"

Omkara wanted to laugh seeing how excited Shivaay was until he saw her face flash across his mind.

"Do you need me to have Priyanka prepare a room for Gauri?"

"Gauri? No need. She is leaving."

His heart stopped hearing those words. "Leaving?...."

"Yes...Annika said to have her agree to move in I would have to let Gauri leave...so I was more than happy to."

"Shivaay!"

He didn't know why Omkara was so angry "What?"

"You let her leave?! She has nothing!"

"Om...You know I wouldn't do that. What I meant was letting Gauri study abroad for 3 years."

As his heart tried to settle down "3 years?....alone? That is too dangerous."

"Om..she is smart and besides I'm sending her to one of the top colleges out there..she will be fine. What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing...nothing...When is she leaving?"

"Today."

"So soon?"

"If you want to say goodbye you better hurry. I think Khanna is about to drop her off at the airport."

Thankfully Omkara found Khanna just in time and persuaded him to let him drop her off instead. When Gauri saw him at her front door she was quite surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

"So you really decided to leave afterall."

Gauri: ......

"3 years?"

"Yes."

"Will you come back for holidays?"

"Maybe."

"Gauri....."

She didn't want to let anyone hold her back so she quickly dragged her suitcase to the trunk of his car only to have him grab her wrist. "Gauri...."

But as much as he wanted to stop her he couldn't find a good reason to give her. As he followered her into the airport about to board he saw her turn back to him.

"Omkara ji...what I've learned after all the things that had happened is that love is all about timing....we might have had our moment that night I mistakenly came into your room but maybe the timing was just not right...."

Omkara: Timing?

Finally he saw a smile that lifted up his spirits...a smile that was true...although behind it was a sense of sadness but it was better than the fake smile she had all those times.

Omkara: I will wait for you. 3 years.

"Love does not wait Omkara ji...if it exists then it will always remain there."

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

3 months had passed. The day she left him she took a piece of him with her. Seeing everyone in the house smiling and chatting Omkara knew he couldn't just sit and wait for love to comeback to him. And when he announced to his family he was going on a long trip they were more than happy to cheer him on.

"You go get her."

With his plane ticket in his hand "Gauri...this time I will not let you slip away...I will make the timing right for us."