Location: Oberoi Mansion, Mumbai.

"Gauri I have apologized a hundred times since the last two days. You are acting pricey now. Nakhre band karo aur maaf kar do" said Abhay.

Jhanvi laughed at that and said "Abhi I don't think even Om can do that. You deserve a special price."

She looked at her daughter in law "Gauri bechara kitna sorry bolega . I know you want to forgive him. So do it... believe me you will feel good after forgiving someone"

"Maa ji I'm not the one acting pricey here. He is not agreeing to marry Ishaana" complained Gauri.

"Gauri please. We talked about this. Didn't we. Give me some time. I talked to Jagdish mamu. They won't be forcing a marriage on Ishaana. Come on now we fought enough over this."

Gauri heaved a sigh and finally said okay making Abhay and Jhanvi grin.

In Omkara's study, Oberoi Mansion

"Gauri are you sure about the password? Omkara's system can note the wrong password entered as a notification when he opens it next time. We better be careful if you don't want to get caught" said Abhay.

"No Abhay. He gave it himself when I asked for the computer to complete my admission work" explained Gauri.

"Okay. Let us start" he said entering the password.

After a moment when they were logged in, Abhay tried Shakti's password to see if it still is the current one or had he changed it.

To their dismay, the password has been changed. Abhay closed his eyes in irritation. "Now you need to do the work yourself Gauri. Please be careful tomorrow" he said and explained her the procedure to retrieve the password from Shakti's computer.

Gauri carefully noted everything and prayed to her Shankar ji that their plan be successful and they get to those files sooner.

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Location: Omkara's cabin, CB-CID, Mumbai.

In the last two days, they identified the second dead body to be a woman named Mahira who was from Jharkand. According to her mother, she and a few other young women who freshly passed out of graduation were offered jobs abroad six months back. Mahira got through the tests and started for her job which was promised to be in New York. She was never heard off since then nor were the others.

Her parents filled a missing complaint but the case was still under investigation as no clues were found as to where were the girls transported to. The job brokers who offered the job went missing a few days after the girls left their place; their office had been shut down and their computers cleared of data completely.

The parents of the missing girls had been worried ever since and finally when the news broke out about the unclaimed dead body, they came one by one with their heart in their mouth to identify if the body was their daughter. Mahira's mother had cried her heart out seeing the state of her daughter's body imagining the torture she must have gone through to finally reach death. Omkara and his team tried to assure the remaining parents to try and get to those girls as early as possible.

"It is a clear scam sir. The company needed volunteers for drug trails. They must have contacted illegal traffickers and imported women and children. It is only by chance that Mahira was one among them and she had been used to test the drug. Either the company has a contact with the traffickers or the Bharadwaj family are involved in trafficking" said Abhishek while Omkara nodded his head in a yes.

"Were there any cases on the family regarding trafficking or illegal businesses?" asked Omkara.

"No sir no official complaint has been registered. But as Dandi said, there were many rumors about the same. The family is rumored to have an underground business which was established almost forty years back. It is surprising that not once was a scandal or report which involved their names came to light" said Abhishek.

"This is going deeper and deeper as we dig Abhishek. It seems like we are going in circles. There should be a link somewhere. How are they able to connect to underground and maintain such an empire running at the same time. I feel there is someone out there who is managing their illegal tasks for them while they rule the business above ground" said Omkara thoughtfully and Dandi along with Abhishek nodded.

"The lorry driver who was paid to get rid of me, were you able to track him Dandi?" asked Omkara.

"Yes sir. I got him. Apparently he is a petty burglar who does small thefts to take care of his family. He is paid off well by someone recently which accounts for the house he resides in now. Till a month back he used to live in a clumsy chawl. Apparently he is still after you sir, he was found near our office multiple times and even seen following you to your house" said Dandi "I informed Jhanu maa to be careful of the same"

Omkara nodded in agreement. It was not uncommon for his mother to handle such issues. His father trained her well enough to look out for danger. They cannot be around her 24*7 to protect. He was now worried about Gauri. She is new to this chaos and he hoped she doesn't get pulled into the center.

He ordered them to increase the security around the mansion and Dandi promised to get the job done.

"What about the forensic picture? Did you get a match?" Omkara asked again and was disappointed when he got a negative response.

Omkara's phone choose to ring at the same moment and he lifted it still looking at the case folder in his hands.

"Hello Om" said the voice on the other end and the folder almost dropped from his hands. He was shocked to hear the voice which he thought he would never hear in this lifetime......Ridhima.

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Location: Oberoi Mansion, Mumbai.

Gauri cursed her luck when her family decided to visit them the next day. She was preparing herself to go to Shakti Khurana's house to put their plan into action that day when she got a call from Jagdish informing her and Jhanvi about their visit. Her visit to Shakti Khurana's house has to be delayed till a later date.

It was late evening by the time Jagdish along with Roshni reached the Mansion.

"Jadgish ji I liked Abhay so much. He is an apt choice for Ishaana. You should give him sometime as the poor boy asks."

"Yes Jhanvi ji I agree. Abhay is like a son to me and I trust him. I only ask for an engagement so that Gayathri will not pester him for an early marriage. You know the village women. Once a woman reaches her age, the more time she stays at home, the more rumors spread about her marriable qualities. Gayathri is just worried for her daughter" he said.

Jhanvi nodded her head in understanding "Anyways good that you came to our house. Gauri must have been missing you though she doesn't say anything" she said looking at Gauri who smiled in return.

Jagdish laughed "I don't know about Gauri but Roshni has been eating my head to take her along with me to meet her. Hence I had to come now"

Jhanvi looked at Roshni fondly who clung to Gauri the moment she made her entry and then turning to Jagdish she asked, "When are you going to talk to Abhay?"

"Tomorrow is a good day Jhanvi ji. We will talk tomorrow and return by evening" answered Jagdish.

"Jhanvi aunty" called Roshni "Omkara jiju and Rudy bhaiyya kaha hai? (Where is Omkara jiju and Rudy bhaiyya)" she asked looking around.

"They went to work Roshni they will be returning anytime now" answered Jhanvi smiling at the cute girl.

"Your house is very big aunty. It is so beautiful" said Roshni in wonder making Gauri and Jhanvi chuckle. "May I go around and take a tour?" she asked.

"Of course I will send someone along with you go and see around. Till then we will look over the dinner arrangements" said Jhanvi and called a staff to go with Roshni.

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In Omkara's bedroom

"What? Why?" whined Omkara hugging Gauri.

"Omkaraji Roshni is new here how can she sleep alone. I will sleep with her for the night."

"What about me? I can't sleep alone too"

Gauri giggled at that and said "You can sleep with Rudy bhaiyya then" to which he made a face.

"Please? Just for tonight" she said and Omkara sighed. How can he say no to that face.

"Where is she by the way? I didn't see here after I came home. I only met your father" asked Omkara.

"She went to see around the house. I will call her for dinner. You freshen up and come down" she said kissing his cheek and he nodded a yes.

He was guilty that he had to hide the fact that he talked to Ridhima today after two years. He did not want to upset her. The woman wants to reconcile and he refused her outrightly. Why to burden her with that piece of information when he has no intention to talk to that woman again.

Dinner was served some time later and the family had a small chat over the table. Roshni talked to them of her friends in orphanage, how she and the rest missed Gauri, how Ishaana came there occasionally to talk to them and her experience of her first flight journey.

"Omkara jiju there is an art room in your house. What is that for? Do you paint?"

Omkara smiled and nodded a yes "I used to Roshni."

"Will you show me the pictures you drew?" she asked.

"Okay"

"After dinner?"

"Shoni your jiju must be tired let him rest today. He can show you tomorrow" said Gauri which made the girl pout sadly.

"That's okay Gauri. It has been a while since I looked at those pictures myself. It is a relaxing pastime" said Omkara and Roshni smiled again thanking him.

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In Omkara's art room

"Jiju... when did you learn to draw?" asked Roshni staring at a watercolor painting in wonder.

"When I was ten I guess" he answered her "Why did you ask?"

"Can I learn painting now? Is there any age limit to start it?"

"No Roshni...art is just a form of expression. You can start it anytime in your life. It relaxes your brain when you put your thoughts onto a canvas" he said reliving those moments in his young age where all he knew was to paint. How he missed those days. Perhaps after the case he can take out a day or two of his life and relax with a canvas and colors.

"Jiju what is this?" asked Roshni taking out a long book from under one of the shelves.

"That is a sketchbook. I have memories of my college and training days drawn as portraits there. Go on take a look" he smiled at her.

Roshni enthusiastically opened the book and skimmed through the pages with interest and Omkara explained each of the event with a fond smile.

She stopped at one particular page and looked on with interest. She could recognize Omkara and Rudy in it along with a third person who looked handsome according to her. The three seemed to be having a fun time laughing together. The sketch seemed so realistic that Roshni was in awe with her jiju's talent.

"Who is this jiju?" she asked curiously.

Omkara took a moment before answering her question "That is Shivaay. He was my best friend"

"Was? You are not in contact with him now?" she asked without lifting her head and Omkara merely nodded a no not able to form words.

Roshni's interest however seemed to be caught by something else other the man's good looking features. She squinted her eyes looking closer at the portrait with interest.

"What are you looking at so keenly Roshni?"

Roshni pointed at the locket that the man in the picture wore. "Gauri di has a similar one" she said.

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Location: ABC Hospital, London.

"Mr. Trivedi you are perfectly normal. Thanks to Priyanka here who has taken good care of you. How good are you able to lift your limbs. Do you still feel the difficulty in lifting them?"

"I feel better than the day before doctor. Thank you so much"

"Let us continue the physiotherapy sessions for a few more days. I heard you are eager to return to India"

"Yes doctor I have some unfinished business there. When can we leave?"

"You are good to go home by the end of the week. Continue to exercise regularly to return to your pre accident form. Take the medications and vitamin supplements daily" advised the doctor and Shivaay nodded.

Once the doctor left, Priyanka sat by his side "Are you alright bhaiyya? Do you need anything?"

He woke up a day prior and the first thing he asked about was Gauri. Only after reassuring that she is safe and married to Omkara that he calmed down a bit. Still he is eager to return to look for himself that she is okay.

"Nothing Prinku, I am okay. Thanks for taking care of me" he said gratefully.

"Please don't say that bhaiyya. If not for me you wouldn't have ended up here."

"No Prinku stop blaming yourself and talk to your parents. If I were a bit more careful, they wouldn't have got to you in the first place."

"Dad was very happy since he got the news that you are awake" she smiled at him.

"Do you have their pictures? Gauri's wedding ones?" he asked hopefully.

Priyanka nodded eagerly and gave him her phone. Shivaay silently went through the pictures with a hint of tears in his eyes.

Priyanka held his hand to comfort him and he mumbled weakly "I always wanted to see her dressed as a bride. I knew she would look like a princess" he said tears streaming down his face. "I missed it. Didn't I"

Priyanka felt bad for him. He never used to get tired talking about his sister and now looking at him sadly going through the pictures of her marriage of which he dreamed about added to her guilt. If given a chance she would ask God to undo the past two years of their life. But life doesn't work that way. One has to go through problems to emerge stronger and more determined to face the next one.

"You will meet her in less than a week bhaiyya. Don't be sad. She would be the happiest to see you again after what she went through" she said trying to console him when he merely nodded with a smile.

Her phone rang with an unknown number as the caller id and she answered it doubtfully. No one other than her parents would call her. Who must be calling her?

"Hello?" she heard the voice on the other end and froze.

Two years and she could still recognize that voice which passed chills down her spine. That voice which still gave her nightmares.

"Hello Priyanka" the voice called again not getting a response.

"Eyy chirayya... I know you can hear me... Come out of the shock and give the phone to Shivaay" he ordered and Priyanka handed over the phone to Shivaay wordlessly.

Shivaay took the phone from her hands and looked at Prinku who was still shaking in fear and gave her a reassuring nod.

He quietly listened to the caller on the other end and felt his anger rise.

"How dare they?" he roared making Priyanka jump in her place.

Hanging the call ten minutes later he turned to Priyanka still angry "Call Shakti sir and make arrangements for my travel to India as soon as possible Prinku. I need to meet someone."

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'This heart in the locket is incomplete without it's counterpart that my sister has'

Omkara could hear Shivaay's voice in his head.

"Jiju are you okay?" asked Roshni worriedly looking at her Jiju who looked frozen.

"Are.... are you sure you saw exactly that locket with Gauri?"

"Yes jiju... she used to wear it always until your marriage. I am sure it must be with her now" she confirmed.

"Okay. Roshni its late already let us rest for the day. Shall we? We can continue tomorrow" he asked her and she nodded.

Once he dropped her to the guest room, Omkara ran to their room praying his wife was elsewhere. He needs to check it himself.

Entering his room he locked the door and hurriedly went through his wife's cupboard. To his disappointment, after half an hour of search, he found the said locket in a small jewelry box safely hidden away in between her clothes. He looked at the metal locket with a half heart and small 'S' engraved on it and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Why Gauri? why did you hide it.

He recalled all the incidents from their first meet. How she understood him even though he never voiced his opinions. How he always felt as if she was hiding something. It all fitted like a pieces of puzzle now.

He remembered everything that Shivaay talked about his sister and it matched Gauri. She did mumble bhaiyya that night when they slept talking in his room before their marriage.

"Sharma"....... He heard his dad mention it to Shivaay. He said something about marriage too... didn't he?

Great!!! both the brother and sister were successful in coning him into this marriage and he like an idiot fell right into the trap.

Wait... If his father was talking about his marriage with a Sharma with Shivaay how can he want him to marry his sister? This locket explains that Gauri is indeed Shivaay's sister then how is she a Sharma? If she was a Sharma did his father want him to marry her too? He was sure Shivaay respected his father enough to not disobey him. What has been going on in his life without his knowledge?

Millions of questions ran through his head at a time for which he had no answers yet. He felt his head throb indicating the start of a headache.

He called Bhavya at once and asked her to investigate his wife. If she really was Shivaay's sister or not. If so why did she hide it from him.

Did she marry him for revenge? If so, she is successful already in breaking his heart. He cannot not tolerate lies and she knew it. Yet she choose to lie to him. He fisted his hands to control his anger. He needs to know what her motive is. Until then he would keep quite.

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Is that a cliffhanger? I am still doubtful. Anyways that marks the end of chapter 19.

Omkara knows the truth and Shivaay is good to return.

Let me know your thoughts.

Till the next update... signing off...yours Soujanya.