Omkara's hormones were raging and he was not at all comfortable. Being close to her like this, and not being able to do anything about it seemed like a Herculean task for him to handle.

He knew that he was attracted to Gauri, but he was afraid of hurting her feelings. He still remembred her outburst when he had kissed her on the cheek.

Omkara opened his eyes and whispered.

Om: Gauri..

Gauri was startled hearing his voice, and she opened her eyes too.

Ga: (low voice) Yes..?

Om: (concerned voice)You didn't sleep..?

Ga: (gently)No..

Om: If you are not comfortable, I will go from here..Ayaan and Navya are sleeping now..

Even though Gauri was feeling hard to bear the sexual tension between them, she felt a little sad, hearing his offer.

Saying so, he shifted a little and then tried to remove Navya's hand and leg from around their bodies. Gauri followed his actions, by slowly removing Ayaan's hand and leg from their bodies too.

The kids moaned a little in their sleep, but still they didn't wake up.

Omkara was finally able to get up from the bed. In the faint moonlight coming through the windows, he could see Gauri, who was sitting in between the sleeping kids. She was watching him intently. He smiled at her, and said in a low voice.

Om: Goodnight, Gaurii..

Ga: Goodnight, Omkara..

Omkara left from the room and he decided to go back to his villa. Gauri was feeling a strange sense of loss and she lay down back into the bed with tears in her eyes. Gauri felt angry at herself and him for no reason.

She thought, "Its good that this drama will come to an end within some days..After that there won't be any problem..I must maintain my distance from Omkara..I can't let myself get hurt in all this..I agreed to this 'deal' only for the kids..And I will surely try to find about their mother..If I remain friendly with him, it will be difficult for me to part from him..I know that I have no place in his life, so from now on, I am going to keep distance from you, Mr.Omkara Singh Oberoi.."

Tears sprang up in her eyes and she wept silently.

As he was getting into his car, Omkara was also feeling regret and resentment.

It was as if something dear was torn away from his body and soul.

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

Next day morning, Gauri woke up early and went down into the kitchen and made breakfast for her and the kids..After some time Ayaan came downstairs and hugged around her legs.

Ga:Goodmorning Ayaan beta..

Ay: Good morning Mumma(smiling)

Ga: Where is Navya..?

Ay: She is still sleeping..

Ga: Why..you didn't wake her up?

Ay: I tried.. But she cried and slept again..

Ga:She might be tired after yesterday's outing.. Do you want to have breakfast now, Ayaan..?Or do you want to wait for your sister..?

Ay: I am hungry Mumma..Please give me something to eat..

Ga: Ok baba..Did you brush your teeth..?

Ay: Yes Mumma..

Gauri served his breakfast for him and went on with her usual chores. It was 11 am and still Navya didn't get up.

Gauri also didn't have her breakfast as she had thought that she will have it with Navya.Gauri went up the staircase and she reached inside the bedroom.

Navya was still asleep.Gauri sat beside her and took her tiny hand in her hand.It was really hot.Gauri was alarmed and she felt her forehead.It was also really hot and Gauri was sure that she was having a high fever.

She immediately dialled the hospital number and made an appointment with the Child specialist doctor. Then she carried her downstairs and took Ayaan also with her to the hospital..

The doctor did the check up and he told that the kid was to be admitted in the hospital.

Navya was moved into a child specialist ward and was lying on a bed.

Omkara rushed into the hospital as soon as he got the information. He reached into the Kids' ward and his eyes filled with tears as he saw Navya's condition.Gauri was sitting beside her.She didn't smile at him.

Om: What happened..?

Ga:(seriously) She is having a fever because yesterday she played in the water for a long time..

Om: I will go and talk with the doctor..

Ga: (impatiently)It's o.k. Omkara..I have talked with him..There is nothing to worry..Once the fever subsides we can take her home..You can go to your office if you want..I will take care of her..

Om: No yaar Gauri..I want to stay here..

He looked at her helplessly. Omkara didn't understand why Gauri was being cold to him.

Ga: (seriously)Ok then do one thing..Take care of Ayaan..It is not safe for him to sit in this ward..What if he also gets affected by some contagious disease..There are lots of patients in here..Please take him out..

Om: O.k..Come on Ayaan..

Omkara took him outside. Gauri was in no mood to talk to Omkara..

She thought,"When will he understand this simple fact that the kids need their mother ..? He just cannot look after them by himself, all his life.."

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

In the afternoon he brought in some food for her.But she refused.

Ga: I don't want Omkara..I am not in a mood to have something..

Omkara shrugged and walked out with the food parcel, holding Ayaan's hand..

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

It was night time and still Gauri didn't have any food.Even Omkara didn't have anything after he had come to the hospital.He was also worried for Navya.

The doctor came inside and did some check up again.Omkara and Ayaan walked inside to hear what the doctor would say..

Doc: The patient is recovering..You may take her home..Her fever has not subsided completely...So I will prescribe some medicines and you must give them to her on time..She needs complete rest for two days...Please take care of that too..

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

On their way back in the car, Omkara and Ayaan were sitting in the front seat. Gauri was sitting at the back with Navya lying in her lap. She was still in an angry and sad mood. Angry with herself and Omkara and sad because of Navya's fever.

Omkara was also feeling really bad because Gauri wasn't talking to him properly and he was anxious about Navya's condition. They reached home and Gauri carried Navya upstairs and laid her on the bed.

Ayaan followed her and he too jumped on to the bed.

Omkara also went upstairs, following them. As he was passing the room, he heard Gauri's voice and stopped at the kids' bedroom door.

Ga:(kindly) Ayaan..You can't sleep here..She needs rest..

Ay:(not budging) I want to sleep here with her..I always sleep beside her...

Ga: (angry voice ) Ayaan..I told you ..you can't..Come on..get up..

Ay:(raises his voice too)No Mumma...I won't go..(deliberately lays close to Navya)

Gauri lost her control and she pulled him out of the bed and began to beat him up angrily using her hands. She hit on his arms and his thighs and scolded him severely as Ayaan was being really stubborn.

Ga:(furiously) Can't you just listen to me...(beating)..I told you that you can't sleep with her..( still beating) Don't you know how to obey..

Omkara watched the scene unbelievably. Ayaan was crying loudly. Omkara went and took him in his arms and carried him to the guest bedroom.

He laid the crying kid on the bed and tucked the blanket upon him. Omkara caressed Ayaan's cheek and kissed his forehead.

Om: Navya is not well beta..You can't sleep with her..

Ay:(relaxed a bit) Ok Papa..I will sleep here..goodnight..(tears in his eyes)

Om:Good night beta..

Omkara walked out of the room and closed the door. Gauri was coming out of Navya's room just then. Tears were streaming down her eyes.

She avoided Omkara and turned to walk away from him. Omkara caught hold of her hand and she stopped.

Om: Today I saw their mother..

Ga:(turns towards him surprised) What..??!!

Om: (tries to smile)..I saw their mother in You, Gauri..When you were scolding and beating Ayaan, like a real mother would chasten her kid...When you were taking care of Navya, like a real mother would take care of her sick child..

Gauri was dumbstruck.

Omkara took hold of her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. She surveyed his eyes and saw tears forming in them.

Om: Please Gauri..Can't we turn this drama into a reality..?? We want you in our lives..!!

Gauri was relieved from her shock and reality hit her. Fury bubbled inside her and she pushed his hands away from her body. She shrieked at him.

Ga: HOW DARE YOU, OMKARAA..?!! (sobs madly) I don't understand this..!!Why can't you just bring back their mother, instead of inviting me into your life..? You know what Omkara, you are disgusting..!! (wipes her tears away fuming with anger)

Om:(sighs helplessly) I can't Gauri..I can't..(holds his forehead nervously)

Ga:(shouts ) BUT WHY..??

Om:(gently) She is not alive..She is no more..

Ga: What..?!!

Hit with utter shock, she stared at him incredulously and she couldn't believe her ears. Moving towards him, she clutched his arms with both hands and shook his body.

Ga: (cries out)What are you saying, Omkara..?!!

Omkara's eyes were brimming with tears.

Om: The truth..Yes their mother is not alive..Annika is not alive..(his voice shakes)

Gauri's hands left his arms in shock and she moved backwards, gaping at him. Then she clasped her mouth with her hand.

Ga: (shocked)Oh God..!!! So your wife is no more..! That is why..

Gauri couldn't complete her words and she stared at him, with her painful eyes. Omkara didn't bother to wipe his tears. They streamed down his calm face and he was looking at the floor. Finally, he looked up into Gauri's eyes.

Om: (slowly)Annika was not my wife, Gauri..She was my only sister...Ayaan and Navya are Annika's children..

Gauri couldn't believe her ears..It seemed as if her head was spinning by the sudden revelation..

Ga: Omkara..?!!

He took out his wallet and pulled the picture from inside. It was the same picture, that Gauri had seen the other day. The photo in which Omkara had his arm around a woman's shoulder and both were smiling happily.

He gave the picture to Gauri and she gazed at Annika's beautiful face.

Ga: She was so beautiful..!

Om:  (smiles painfully) Yes..She was..!

Gauri's fingers felt numb as she held the picture. She gazed at Omkara.

Ga: But what happened to her, Omkara..?

Om: She was my twin sister..We both were really close. She fell in love with her classmate, Shivaay. But my Papa was against it because he didn't approve of Love Marriages.

#######FLASHBACK#######

Seven Years Ago....

Tej Singh Oberoi was enraged when his daughter revealed to him that she loved someone..

Te:(furiously) Annika..I can't allow you to marry him..

An: But why Papa..?I love him..And he loves me..(tears in her eyes)

Te:(shouts) I don't want to know anything, Annika..We have fulfilled your every wish..But this wish..? Never, Annika..

An: (pleaded) Papa..Please..Is it because he is from a middle class family..?

Te: I said, I don't want to talk about this..!!!

Omkara and Jhanvi just stood there watching the scene. None of them had the guts to talk on behalf of Annika..

Omkara loved his Papa very much and didn't want to cause him any pain..Jhanvi was too afraid of him to speak..

But both of them wanted Annika to be happy in her life..

Tej turned away from his daughter who was crying now.

Annika looked at her brother and mother who were standing like two mute pillars.She realized that no one was going to support her.

She let out a deep sigh as if she decided something.Wiping her tears away she asked her Papa, who now stood with his back facing her.

An:(determinedly) Is this your final decision, Papa..?

Te: (fiercely) Yes Beta..

An:(equally fierce) Fine then..!!

On that day Annika left the house and went off to live with Shivaay. Tej Singh Oberoi was really shattered by the incident and he broke down completely.

He loved his daughter so much..Since that day, he didn't come out of his room..He went into a state of depression and refused to talk with anyone in the house..Sometimes he will have food, sometimes he won't..

As days passed, Omkara took charge of the family business. ..Omkara missed his sister badly..But he never tried to search for Annika..He could never forgive her for what she had done to his Papa..

Every day he would go to his father's room and talk about the days' activities even though he knew that he wouldn't get any response. Still Omkara loved to spend time with his beloved father.

Two years passed like that..

But one day,  Tej expressed his wish to Omkara..

Te:(gently) I want to see my Annika..I want to see her, Omkara..Would you take me to her..?

Omkara was truly surprised by his words..He felt ashamed that he had never tried to find out anything about Annika after she had left..

Om:(kindly) Papa..But I don't know where she is..

Te:(weak tone) I had thought that she would come back to us one day..But I am tired of waiting now..Please Beta...Please try to find her ..

Omkara tried her mobile number then itself..But it was switched off..He thought that she might have changed it..He went to meet her old friends and finally got her number..He called up in that number..

An: Hello..

Om:(excitedly) Annika..

An:(voice struck in her throat) Omm..

Om: How are you..? (tears flow down his eyes)Where are you now..?How is Shivaay..?

An :(emotionally) We are fine, Om..How are you..Maa, Papa..?

Om:(wiping his tears and sniffing) Papa wants to see you..Can you come here.. ?

An:(happily) Of course, Ommm..You don't know, how much I missed you all ..

Om: (smiles through his tears)Hmm..We missed you too..Papa missed you the most..

An: (sobbing) I know..I am so sorry, Om...

Om: (smiling)It's ok now..Don't cry..(laughs gently) Do you have any kids..?

An: (excitedly)Yes..Twins..One boy and one girl, both one year olds.. just like us..

Om: (chuckles happily) Come soon..we are waiting for you..

An: Ok..

But destiny had planned something else for them. Annika and Shivaay were badly injured in a car accident..

They had gone out for doing some shopping, leaving their kids with the neighbours..

They were ushered to a hospital and someone informed Omkara about the news..

He rushed to the hospital and was shocked to learn that Shivaay had died on the spot and Annika's condition was critical...

He went to see her and she smiled happily through her pain when she saw her brother walk in..

An: Om..

Om: Annikaa..

An:(weakly) Please promise me one thing..

Om: What is it..?

An: I know that I am going to die..Please take care of my kids, Om..They have no one else in this world..

Om:(shocked) You are not going to die, Annika..Don't say that..!!

An:(smiling miserably) Please.. promise me..

Omkara held her hand tightly and tears streamed down his eyes.

Om: (shuts his eyes tightly and sobs) I Promise..

#####END OF FLASHBACK#####

When Omkara finished telling her the story, his face was all stained with tears..Even after these years, he was never able to forgive himself for what had happened to his sister..

Tears were streaming down Gauri's eyes too..She stood there mutely, staring at Omkara..He turned towards her..

Om:I took the kids with me to our home.. Papa couldn't tolerate the news that his daughter was no more..He got ill and died after a few days..It was like a double tragedy for us..!!

Omkara wiped his tears and continued with great pain and difficulty..

Om: I wanted to keep my promise to Annika..I wanted to fulfil her final wish..I made Ayaan and Navya call me Papa..I wanted to be the best Papa in the world..When Ayaan and Navya started asking me about their Mother, I cooked up a story that she fought with me and didn't wanted to be with us anymore.. And when they asked about how she looked I just..I just described some random features and..Surprisingly they all just fitted your appearance..Gauri.. I didn't have the courage to tell them that she is not alive..(his voice shakes and looks away)

Gauri couldn't handle his pain anymore. She went close to him and hugged him tightly.

Ga: (sighs) Omkara..I am so sorry..If only I knew all this, I would never have hurt you..!!

******End of Part 6******

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Love,
Naina