Dressed in a pale avocado green and golden colored designer pyjama kurta, Omkara sat in the bride's room. He was distracted since the morning. He glanced at Ruhaani who was arguing with Shivaay on something and Anika was taking her side. He was too lost in his mind palace to even pay attention.

"Om Bhaiya!" Ruhaani called.

"Huh?" He responded looking up at her.

"Can you please explain my perspective to Shivaay Bhaiya, I can't be better than this."

Omkara looked at them dazed. What was she taking about? Shivaay caught the look on his brother's face and knew he was lost in thoughts.

"Okay, fine. I will arrange for it but you're not drinking. I will talk to the staff, how many of your friends?"

"Nine!" Ruhaani answered with a bright smile.

Rudra's eyes lit up. "I can help, you know. Besides I can be around too, so that no one catches you girls."

Anika, Shivaay and Ruhaani stared at him with narrowed eyes.

"What!" He cribbed.

"It's a girls night, Ru. I don't want you anywhere around."

"Fine. Goodness isn't appreciated anymore. I am going to the groom's side. Because clearly no one needs my help here." Saying that he marched off.

Shivaay called him but he was gone. "Is it just me who feels he's going to end into trouble?" Shivaay muttered, warily.

"He'll be in for a surprise when he learns that my sweet fiancé Gaurav doesn't drink." Ruhaani smirked.

"Seriously?" Omkara and Shivaay asked in unison.

Anika rolled her eyes. "If we have decided can we go Ruhaani? Bua Ji asked me to get you. The mehendi should start in time. The Pandit Ji is very particular about that."

"Okay, let's go."

"It's a ladies only event!" Anika smiled, glancing at her husband.

"Which century does Bua ji live in?" Shivaay mocked.

"She wants everything to happen in the proper traditional way. Nothing wrong with that." Ruhaani defended grandmother.

"Fine." Shivaay muttered. "Go ahead. I am more than happy to stay in my room and eat some work done. Come on Om!"

"Hey, there's recreation arranged for men in the lawn. You guys can take all the business you want." Ruhaani suggested. "And please, talk to Gaurav as well. He's sort of reserved, so you'll have to initiate the conversation."

Shivaay nodded. "Om!" He called glancing at Omkara. "Come!"

"Yeah," Omkara mumbled, making his way towards Shivaay. "All the best Ruhaani!" He gave her a quick hug, before walking out of the room

"We need to talk!" Shivaay said as soon as they reached the elevators.

"About?" Omkara asked, glancing around.

"What's going on in your head? Your mind is clearly somewhere else. Is this about Gauri?"

Omkara closed his eyes. He knew Shivaay had sensed all the chaos in his mind. "Yeah."

"Elaborate!" Shivaay ordered entering the lift. He pressed the button and turned to Omkara.

"I don't know what you want to hear. I told you everything yesterday night."

Shivaay silently stared at him.

"I don't even know if I should be thinking so much on this. It's just that I think I feel guilty for making her feel that she was an easily disposable friend."

Shivaay absorbed his brother's words. "Well, if it's just that then I think you should apologize and move on." The elevator doors parted and he walked out.

"Yeah!" Omkara muttered walking behind him.

"Do you see that man there talking to Sujeet uncle?" Shivaay asked. Omkara followed his gaze. A man in his fifties was smiling and talking to Tarun's father, their uncle.

"Yeah," Omkara replied. His gaze looking at the man who was as tall as Shivaay and weirdly reminded him of the actor Anil Kapoor. Probably the jet black hair.

"He's RPV, as in Gauri's dad. Come on," Shivaay said, patting his chest, walking towards the two men. Omkara followed him, wordlessly. They greeted their uncle who introduced them to RPV.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi," He remarked with a smile, "There's lot I have heard about you."

Shivaay smiled. "Hope it's all good."

"The best!" The man chuckled. "Where's Tej? I haven't seen him around yet."

"He—" Before Shivaay could even speak out a reason a voice interrupted them.

"Well, just in time to meet my old friend!"

Omkara and Shivaay stood rooted with a grim expression on their face as Tej walked forward and hugged the man.

"What's he doing here?" Omkara whispered in Shivaay's ears. Shivaay turned to him with a puzzled expression. Ever since the demise of Kalyani Singh Oberoi, there was an intense tension building between her two sons. The reason why Tej and Shakti were advised by the legal team to not make social appearances which could impact the social image.

Shivaay had to reluctantly take the role of the leader in the family to keep his family from tearing apart, just like he had promised Daadi he would.

"So good to see you Tej." Rajeev Verma said patting his shoulder.

"You too. It's been like what, seven years?"

"The business award ceremony in Los Angeles. That's where we met last." Rajeev recollected.

"Seems like you still have the razor sharp memory. Age hasn't been rubbing on you yet."

"Talk for yourself Tej, I am still young!"

Tej chuckled glancing at Omkara. "Did you meet my son? Omkara Singh Oberoi." He said placing his palm on Omkara's back.

Omkara forced a smile, glaring at his father.

"Yeah, I was just introduced to these fine young men."

"He's an artist and when he's not doing art he takes interest in business with Shivaay." Tej spoke up proudly. Omkara clenched his jaw. Almost immediately he felt Shivaay's gentle pat on the back. He calmed himself down.

"Good to see you Tej!" Sujeet finally spoke up, getting a chance.

"Sujeet!" Tej hugged the man. Omkara and Shivaay exchanged a look. It was a known fact in the family that Tej Singh Oberoi didn't keep good relations with his brothers, cousins or own. However, on the social platform they appeared like the best of brothers.

"Dad!" Tarun said joint them.

"Right on time son. Rajeev uncle was asking for you some time back."

"Hey, uncle!" Tarun greeted touching Rajeev's feet.

"Tarun!" Tej greeted with a smile. Tarun quickly bent forward to touch his feet. The Oberois exchanged weird looks. Thankfully for them, RPV's phone rang.

"Oh, I need to take this one." He said before excusing himself away.

Tej and Sujeet glared at each other.

"Dad," Tarun spoke, "let me introduce you a few people around."

"A minute son." Sujeet spoke his eyes not leaving Tej. "Stay out of my way."

Tej smirked. "Come on, Sujeet. It's a family function. Ease up. Enjoy "

"Shivaay, Omkara, please warn this man to not meddle with my family affairs. RPV is going to be Tarun's father-in-law soon. Stay away from him."

"REALLY?" Tej spoke amused. "RPV never mentioned that to me. In fact, he especially invited me here. You see, a year back he had pitched the idea of making our friendship into a relation. He's interested in Omkara for his daughter."

All the men looked at Tej shocked.

"Are you sure he spoke about Tarun? Or was he talking to you with Omkara in mind?"

"Tej, what--" Sujeet was ready to snap when Tarun interrupted.

"Dad, relax. Come on!" He said dragging his father away.

Shivaay and Omkara turned to Tej.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Omkara uttered, his eyes glaring at his biological father.

"Oh, weren't you paying attention? RPV called me here. Shivaay, tell him who RPV is." Tej muttered annoyed.

"But Bade Papa, was it ..."

"I heard every word. And you're in delusion if you think I am a puppet in your hand."

"You are the owner of Oberoi industries that I raised with my hard work." Tej snapped.

Omkara cut him off before he could say anymore, "the same that would have zero value today if it wasn't for Shivaay and Chote Papa. Because you can't keep your.. "

"That's enough Om. Please say no more."

"Learn something from Shivaay. And Shivaay, please knock some sense into this man. Say yes to marrying RPV's daughter before Sujeet makes Tarun make an official proposal. Shivaay you know what that means for our family. Two brothers pursuing one woman doesn't look good."

Shivaay kept his silence. The situation was getting complicated by the minute. He held Omkara's arm.

"I am never going to marry any man's daughter that you ask me to. You don't get to make decisions for my life, Mr. Oberoi. And do yourself a favor, never introduce me to anybody as your son. You'll be sorry when you face the outcome of that. My father died the day he slept with another woman. The day he stopped treating my mother with the respect, love and loyalty she deserves. Shivaay," He turned to his brother with bloodshot eyes. "I mean it. Today, I kept quiet for you. Next time, every single person in the room will hear this man's truth rom my mouth." He exclaimed pointing his finger at Tej. "I am done here."

* * *

Omkara needed air. His biological father somehow managed to push him the deepest holes of darkness. He felt suffocated. He entered the lift, jabbing at the buttons. He undid the tip buttons of his kurta, taking in shaky breaths. His eyes glistened with tears. The lift kept going up until if opened at the roof.

He stepped out, walking aside. He heard giggles and chatter from the other side. He sat down on the floor. He was done with his parent's messed up marriage. He was done with his mother's self inflicted pain. He was done with his father's dominating shrewd selfish motives and actions.

Tears slipped down his face. This wasn't fair. No one deserved all of this. He sobbed his heart out. He was tired of being the strong headed man who didn't give a damn. He fucking cared about everything, he was way too sensitive than people saw. The world was blind. No one saw how small things could set his soul on fire and such the life out of him.

* * *

Gauri had no mood to be around her cousins who barley knew her. Thanks to her father, she barely knew anyone around. She had decided to head to the lawn instead. Truth was, she wanted to meet Omkara. The previous night's conversation had taken her on a guilt trip. She didn't even know how he was dealing with the demise of his grandma. She still vividly remembered how shaken he was when he had learned the news of his grandmother's sickness and schedule for surgery.

However, the prospect of running into her father or Tarun made her keep away from the lawn. She went around exploring the hotel, taking pictures. Her mother was a loyal from the Udaipur family. She only had a couple of pictures of her mother, most of them from her early life. Gauri took a selfie with a smile. She gazed at the picture, with a wishful smile. She longed to be like her mother — beautiful inside and out.

She had tried to look like her mother today. She wore the deep green lehenga that had zari work just like the one her mother read worn in one of the few pictures she had. She zoomed on her face when she noticed a familiar face. She turned around and looked up at the railing that ran around the terrace.

Omkara!

She gazed back at her phone. With a deep breath she made her way to the staircase. Fortunately they were in the west wing of the hotel, so the heat was bearable. She walked over to him.

"Hey!"

Omkara immediately turned to side to look at her. Gauri's smile wavered as she noticed his grim face.

"Omkara?" She said softly, as he looked to the other side.

"I would like to be alone." He murmured. A previous battle of his mind coming to his attention. 

Why did all have to be so complicated?

A storm in Omkara's mind! What do you think with the development in this chapter? Any guesses? 

I really hope you are enjoying the chapters. Please let me know if there's anything that doesn't sit well or if you have any other feedback.

-Anami!♡