"Did you go through them?" Omkara asked Shivaay as they sat in the room discussing the legalities over coffee. 

"Yeah, they all seem okay."

Omkara looked at Shivaay, analytically. "There's something off. What are you thinking?"

"A lot."

"Words." Omkara muttered, placing his cup down. 

"Do you realize that we're in no man's land right now. I mean, I understand Gauri is your friend. And I would do the same. But, all these legalities. And honestly, I am worried for Gauri too. How is she going to manage all this? She looked so nervous before Mr. Wilson today morning. The world out there is filled with big wolves and with the kind of assets Mr. Verma has left behind with Gauri, she's a vulnerable target. We can help her now but what about later?"

Omkara sighed. "I don't know. She's still processing the fact that her father is gone."

"I understand. Also, Bade Papa thinks that you are marrying Gauri. That's the reason he's keeping out of this. But he still thinks that I am going to trick you and am looking for a personal benefit here."

"How I wish Daadi would've cut him off our family!" Omkara muttered under his breath angrily. 

"Apart from that, Om, how long are we going to be here?"

"I don't know Shivaay. But I've promised her I won't leave her... at least not until she's strong enough to face it all alone." Omkara blinked uncomfortably. "I will probably go talk to her. She seemed a bit off during lunch."

"Here, you can give this to her, it's fine she can sign it. It's mere tax documents and these are inheritance papers. There are a couple of houses that are now hers." Shivaay handed him a bunch of files.

Omkara nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Since when did you have to ask?" Shivaay raised his gaze to meet Omkara's.

"Do you not like her or something? I mean... you come off as nonchalant, you know like... you don't really care."

"Oh," Shivaay muttered, not expecting that. "I just ... she's your friend Omkara and she's in a tight spot. I am just giving her, her space and trying not to make her feel threatened with my involvement."

Omkara nodded, understanding, "maybe you can talk to her as a friend. You know... or like a big brother. I think she'll appreciate that. I don't want her to assume that you feel the same way as Choti Maa does —that you're unnecessarily being dragged into all of this."

Shivaay nodded and Omkara walked away. Shivaay stared at the door thoughtfully. Omkara's request perplexed him. He wasn't sure of what Omkara thought about Gauri... whether he was willing to step over the line of friendship. But he knew Omkara cared for Gauri, deeply. 

* * *

Gauri's hand trembled as she opened the letter that she had found in the envelope along with the photo albums. Her eyes immediately recognized the date she read on the top. It was dated two days after she had runaway from home.

Dear Gauri,

If you are reading this, it's probably because I can never see you again. I have been a horrible father. But I tried to provide you with the best of the best. I know I couldn't fill the hollow your mother left behind. Today, as I sit alone within these four walls, I realize that I have so horribly deepened that void. I really wish Gauri I had been a better father. But you'll probably never understand how empty I have been after your mother left us.

I have been looking for you restlessly since the past forty eight hours. Haven't slept a wink. You have always reminded me of her, Gauri. The same eyes, the same smile. Today you left me just like she did. 

Gauri, I am sorry, I couldn't be a good father. I was broken Gauri. I kept myself together for you. I have tried to give you the best, bring you up like a princess, just like your mother and I planned to...

Excuse my handwriting. It's probably the lack of sleep and whiskey showing up. I have never said it Gauri, but I really love you. 

I still remember the first time I carried you in my arms. It was like holding a piece of divinity. I have locked up memories of those few years... when we lived in a small house but were a happy little family, those few years with your mother. I am leaving them with you. Your mother always said that I would make a wonderful father, she was so wrong. 

I hope you can forgive me when you find this.

Your failed father,

R. P. V.

Gauri cried hugging the letter, if only she could rewind time. Last night while she was talking to aunty Shah she had told him about her conversations with her father. Mrs. Shah was like a sister figure to her father. She had told her about how he struggled to be a ricjer man and better father. 

She wanted to go back in time and tell him that she loved him, that she didn't think he had failed in anyway. She wanted go back, be a little stubborn and force out his father's loving side. If only he had told her those words instead of writing them.

The door pushed open and Omkara walked in. Gauri quickly wiped her tears looking away, hiding the letter on her side.

Omkara was going to knock but when he heard her cries he just walked in. His heart broke to see her so sad.

"Gauri," He said softly sitting on the bed beside her. His gaze moved around on the bed that had photo albums open and scattered.

She sniffed. 

"Is that you?" He asked looking at a picture of a baby in her father's arm.

"No, that's you!" Gauri muttered, wiping the remains of her tears.

Omkara smiled and made himself comfortable on the bed beside her. "Can I see too?"

Gauri turned to him with a smile and nodded. She began picking up photos and showing it to him sharing her thoughts. She ended up narrating to him how she had never seen the pictures before and found in the box that Mr. Wilson had left. From that to the letter, she ended up telling everything.

Omkara curved his arm around her. She accepted the side hug, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I have been so selfish Omkara. He always made my every little wish come true. He was strict but he always cared. There were time when he was stubborn but he still loved me. There is so much that I regret."

Omkara wiped her tears. "He's with your mother now, in a better place. I don't think he'll be happy or they'll happy to see you crying. It's time to let him go and live with the best memories. I know it's going to take time, but you have to move towards that, Gauri. Life goes on."

"I know," Gauri mumbled, pulling herself back, wiping her tears using the back of her palms. "Thank you, Omkara, for being here with me."

Omkara gazed at her. Their eyes meeting magnetically. Omkara was surprised when she moved her face closer to his. Her hands folded a way to rest on his arms. Omkara's heart skipped a beat. He really wanted to kiss her, at the same time he wondered if it would be taking advantage of her vulnerable self. What if she regretted it?

Ditch the thoughts, he wanted and she wanted it too. Period.

He cupped her face taking her lips between his. It was nothing short of a magical moment. Her soft lips moved against his, her hands cradling his face. He leaned closer, opening his mouth for a fuller kiss. The feeling had him feel like he was floating. 

Their lips broke the contact, their gazes met. Electric sparks surged between them. Omkara leaned closer, once again, seizing her mouth, this time for a proper long kiss. She responded softly, her hands caressing his cheeks, her lips sucking his.

Omkara's thumb stroked her cheekbone lazily as he slowly pulled away to let her catch her breath. Her cheeks were hot and flushed. Her eyelashes began fluttering. Slowly her eyes widened. Omkara observed the range of emotions cross her face. She pulled her hands away looking at him nervously, almost as if with fear. Omkara slowly withdrew his hand from her face. 

"Sorry," she mumbled, looking embarrassed to the root. Turning away from him.

"Are you really?" He asked softly, not moving away. She glanced back at him. Her lips parted, in shock. 

Omkara's lips slowly formed a smile. "I am not." He said, looking into her eyes. He knew there was a chance he would mess up everything by going into it without much thought, but if he lied now he'd surely regret later.

Gauri swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She didn't know what got into her, but she didn't regret it a bit. But it was Omkara. She didn't really know what to expect. He confused her. She absolutely loved the kiss, it made her feel as though she was living a dream. But what she loved more was the tenderness with which he kissed her. It was like a kiss full of love. She knew that was her brain going too far. But that's how he made her feel.

"Hey, you don't have to overthink it." He said, his hand delicately pressing against her knee.

Her doe shaped eyes timidly looked up at him. "You confuse me." She told him honestly.

Omkara smiled, "not surprising, I am into that confusion all the time."

"Omkara, I really want to know what you wanted to tell me that day when... we were interrupted."

Omkara glanced at her, "are you sure, you have too much on your plate already."

Gauri nodded in affirmation, her eyes not looking away from his deep brown ones.

"I came to tell you that... I was sorry for lying to you. I like you Gauri. And, that day I came to tell you that I... I was... willing to... you know... give a chance to a relationship."

"Oh," Gauri mumbled. It was weird really. The situation had changed. She no longer had to marry. But she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel her heart flutter when he said that.

"But now, you don't have to marry or do anything that you don't want to."

Gauri nodded, forcing a smile. He was right, she didn't have to marry, there was no one forcing her to. Somehow that bothered her. She wanted Omkara to be a part of her life. She had started liking him so much more despite all his shortcomings. She enjoyed his company, he made her feel alive.

Would love to know what you think after this chapter.

I am not sure what the readers expectations are for this one, so let me know what are your expectations, if any. Are you enjoying this? Or would you rather have me work on some other story?

-Anami!♡