As they prepared breakfast, Omkara couldn’t shake the lingering desire for more than just these shared moments with Gauri. He watched her move around the kitchen, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulder as she focused on cutting the vegetables. He wanted to say something, anything, to bridge the gap he felt between them, but the words stuck in his throat.

“Gauri,” he finally said, his voice tentative.

She looked up, surprised by the softness in his tone. “Yes?”

“Thank you... for everything,” he said, the words not quite what he wanted to say but all he could manage. “I know it hasn’t been easy...”

Gauri paused, her knife hovering above the cutting board. She studied his face, trying to decipher the emotions behind his words. “You don’t have to thank me, Omkara. We’re in this together, right?”

“Right,” he agreed, but his eyes held something deeper, something unspoken.

She gave him a small, reassuring smile, choosing to focus on the positive. “I’m happy we’re here, together, just like this.”

He nodded, but a part of him wanted to pull her closer, to tell her that what he felt was more than gratitude. He wanted to let her know how much he needed her, not just in the practical sense, but in ways that scared him to admit. Instead, he simply reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her skin.

Gauri’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected touch. She searched his eyes, seeing the warmth there, but also a confusion that mirrored her own. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but the vulnerability in his gaze held her back. Instead, she leaned into the moment, savoring the connection, even if it was wordless.

“I... I think the eggs are burning,” she said suddenly, snapping out of the moment.

Omkara blinked, looking down at the pan. “Ah, right.” He quickly turned off the stove, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “Guess I got distracted.”

“Me too,” Gauri admitted, their eyes meeting again, both of them sharing a quiet laugh.

Later that day, the three of them decided to visit the local marketplace. The place was alive with activity, and Anaya couldn’t contain her excitement. She darted from stall to stall, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Mama! Papa! Look at these!” Anaya called, holding up a bunch of brightly colored flowers.

“They’re beautiful, Anaya,” Gauri said, smiling down at her daughter.

Omkara watched them with a soft expression, feeling an odd mix of emotions. He reached out, taking Gauri’s hand in his, needing the contact. “You’ve done a great job with her, Gauri,” he said quietly, his thumb gently rubbing over her knuckles.

“We both have,” she corrected, squeezing his hand in return.

Anaya ran up to them, her hands full of flowers. “Papa, can we get these for the house? Please?”

“Of course,” Omkara said, his gaze still on Gauri. “Anything for my two favorite girls.”

Gauri blushed slightly at his words, but her heart warmed at the sincerity in his tone. “You’re spoiling us,” she teased, though she didn’t mind the attention.

“Maybe,” Omkara replied with a playful smirk. “But you both deserve it.”

As they continued through the market, Omkara and Gauri walked hand in hand, an unspoken bond growing stronger between them. Anaya’s chatter filled the air as she pointed out everything that caught her eye, and Omkara and Gauri found themselves exchanging amused glances, laughing together at their daughter’s antics.

At one point, they came across a stall selling handmade trinkets. Anaya picked up a small wooden carving of a bird, her eyes wide with fascination. “Look, Mama! It’s so pretty!”

“It is,” Gauri agreed, admiring the craftsmanship. “Do you want to get it?”

Anaya nodded eagerly. “Yes! Can we, Papa?”

Omkara chuckled, reaching for his wallet. “You’re going to clean me out, Anaya.”

“But it’s for our home,” Anaya insisted, her tone so earnest that both Omkara and Gauri couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alright, alright,” Omkara said, handing over the money to the vendor. “Anything for our little decorator.”

As they walked away from the stall, Omkara pulled Gauri closer, their shoulders brushing as they walked. “This... this feels nice,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with a softness that made Gauri’s heart flutter.

“It does,” she agreed, leaning slightly into him. “It feels... right.”

Omkara glanced down at her, wanting to say more, to tell her how much he needed her, but the words failed him once again. Instead, he squeezed her hand a little tighter, hoping she could feel what he couldn’t say.

Gauri smiled up at him, her confusion about his feelings still there, but for now, she chose to embrace the moment, cherishing the closeness they shared. Whatever it was between them, it was enough for now.

As they continued their walk through the marketplace, the hustle and bustle of the afternoon settling in, Gauri suddenly stopped in her tracks. She had spotted something that made her heart skip a beat—a small but beautifully adorned Shiva temple nestled between the shops.

“Anaya, look!” Gauri said, pointing towards the temple. “Let’s go offer our prayers.”

Anaya’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Mama! Let’s go!”

Gauri turned to Omkara, expecting him to follow, but he remained still, his expression unreadable. He had never been one to join her in temple visits. Gauri gave him a small smile before taking Anaya’s hand and leading her towards the temple.

As they entered, the soft sounds of temple bells and the soothing scent of incense filled the air. The dimly lit space, with its flickering oil lamps, felt sacred and serene. Gauri knelt before the idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, her heart filled with reverence. Anaya mimicked her mother, closing her eyes tightly as she joined her hands in prayer.

After a few moments, Gauri stood up and picked Anaya up in her arms, lifting her so that the Panditji could put a teeka on both their foreheads. Anaya giggled softly as the red mark was placed on her forehead, her innocent smile warming Gauri’s heart.

The Panditji, noticing Gauri’s devotion, smiled kindly. “There’s a grand pooja this evening, beti,” he said. “It’s a special ritual where all the local couples gather to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, seeking blessings to strengthen their bond. You should join with your husband. It’s a sacred and beautiful ceremony.”

Gauri’s heart skipped a beat. A pooja for couples? She hadn’t expected this. Still, she found herself nodding, feeling an unexplainable pull towards the idea. “I will come, Panditji,” she replied softly.

With that, she exited the temple, holding Anaya close. As they approached Omkara, Anaya was quick to share the news.

“Papa! The Panditji told us about a special pooja tonight!” she exclaimed excitedly. “He said you and Mama should come and pray together!”

Omkara’s eyes met Gauri’s, and for a moment, something passed between them—something unspoken, yet profound. He had always distanced himself from such rituals, but tonight, seeing the hopeful look in Gauri’s eyes and the enthusiasm of his daughter, he found himself wanting to change.

“Okay,” Omkara said, much to Gauri’s surprise. “We’ll go.”

Gauri stared at him, shocked by his agreement. “Really?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Omkara nodded, his expression softening. “Yes. I want to do this. For you…for us.”

In the evening, Gauri, dressed in a simple yet elegant saree, looked radiant. Anaya, dressed in a tiny version of her mother’s outfit, twirled around the room with excitement.

“Papa, do I look like Mama?” Anaya asked, her eyes shining.

Omkara knelt beside her, smoothing a strand of her hair. “You’re a perfect little version of Mama,” he said with a warm smile, glancing at Gauri, who was adjusting her saree in front of the mirror.

"Let's go!" Anaya cheered, running ahead of them.

“Careful, Anaya!” Gauri called after her, her voice tinged with amusement.

“She’s just like you,” Omkara remarked, his tone teasing.

“Oh? And what does that mean?” Gauri raised an eyebrow.

Omkara chuckled softly, shaking his head. “It means she’s got your energy. I can hardly keep up with either of you.”

As they approached the temple, the evening sky painted in hues of orange and pink, Gauri couldn’t help but feel a flutter of emotions. This was the first time Omkara had agreed to join her in something so spiritual, so intimate.

As they reached the temple’s threshold, Omkara hesitated, his gaze fixed on the grand archway. Sensing his unease, Gauri gently reached for his hand, her touch both reassuring and grounding. Omkara looked down at her hand in his, then at her face, and found comfort in the warmth of her eyes.

They entered the temple together, hand in hand, and made their way to the sanctum sanctorum. The ritual began with them offering flowers and water to the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As they did, Gauri bowed her head in deep prayer, her thoughts filled with hope for their future.

Omkara, however, didn’t immediately close his eyes. Instead, he found himself watching Gauri, captivated by the sincerity in her prayer, the way she seemed to radiate peace and grace. A small smile tugged at his lips as he realized just how much he admired her, how much he wanted to protect this bond they shared—even if he didn’t fully understand his own feelings yet.

Finally, Omkara folded his hands in a pranaam, closing his eyes. In the quiet of his mind, he made a vow. “I won’t ask for anything for myself,” he silently prayed. “Just keep Gauri happy. Let her always be as she is, full of light. Let her life be filled with all the joy she deserves.”

After the pooja ended, they began to leave the sanctum. As they walked, Gauri couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. She turned to Omkara, her eyes searching his face for answers. “Why did you agree to come tonight?” she asked, her voice soft but insistent. “You never join me in prayers, even when I ask you to.”

Omkara paused, considering her question. He knew he could brush it off, give her a vague answer, but something inside him urged him to be honest. “I wanted to do something to make our bond stronger,” he finally said, his voice low but firm. “I know I’ve been distant, Gauri, but…I want to change that. I want to be better. For you, for Anaya, for us.”

Gauri’s eyes widened slightly, her heart swelling with emotion. She had always prayed for this moment, but hearing Omkara say it out loud made it feel real, tangible. She smiled, a soft, grateful smile that spoke volumes.

“Thank you, Omkara,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

As they made their way out of the temple, hand in hand, Gauri felt a warmth spread through her chest. This was a step forward, a small yet significant step towards something she had longed for.

It meant so much to her, she was grateful to her Shankerji.

But just as they reached the temple’s entrance, Omkara’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen, and his expression darkened.

“I need to take this,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.

Gauri nodded, watching as he stepped aside to answer the call. She saw his face harden as he listened, and a knot of worry began to form in her stomach. When he returned, his expression was grim.

“What happened?” she asked, already dreading the answer.

“Mishra,” Omkara said, his voice laced with anger. “Khanna has an intel that he is going to do something to damage the company’s reputation. We need to go back home immediately.”

Gauri felt a chill run down her spine. Whatever Mishra had done, it was bad—she could tell just by the look on Omkara’s face. And as they hurried back to their car, the peacefulness of the evening was shattered, replaced by a looming sense of dread.

[ Please vote and comment, they are of great help]