Location: Oberoi mansion, Mumbai

Gauri has been kneading the dough since the past one hour lost in her thoughts.

It has been three days since she talked to her husband. Everyday he would wake up earlier than her and return late at night. On the first two days she did not make any attempt to call him thinking he was busy at work but yesterday she did call him yet Dandi attended it saying he was busy.

What is so important that he couldn't even answer his phone? She wouldn't have taken much of his time. She waited for him till late night only to realize that he would not return for the day. She was missing him and she felt a sense of premonition that something would terribly wrong.

Should she go to his office to confront him? No... it would be a bit overdo... He is an ACP after all. He is bound to be busy.

On second thoughts what if he was angry at her for some reason and avoiding talking to her? If she met him at least she would be assured if he was busy or angry.

"Bhabhi!!" called Rudra a bit louder to gain her attention. She has been a bit disturbed since yesterday. He also noted that his brother is rarely seen at home these days. He chose to stay away lest he would be intruding into his brother's personal life. But seeing his ever cheerful Bhabhi faking smiles and looking lost is something he did not like a bit.

His brother is prone to mis understandings/mishaps both in professional and personal life. Hence, he decided to finally talk to one of them so that he could assure himself that things were fine.

"Yes Rudy bhaiyya" asked Gauri putting on one of her fake smiles.

"You are kneading that thing since long. I think it is done" he said looking at the poor dough.

Gauri looked downwards and nodded. Keeping the bowl aside, she turned around to wash her hands.

Rudy ordered one of the staffs to take over and pulled Gauri away into his room. Then making her sit on the bed, he sat before her cross legged.

"What is the matter?" he asked without beating around the bush.

In response she nodded her head in a no and looked at her hands in her lap though her eyes teared up.

Rudy lifted her chin upwards and a wayward tear escaped her eye.

"Then you are crying without a reason?"

She again nodded a no and remained silent.

Rudy sighed "Aap to Sherni hai(You are a tigress)... how can you cry Bhabhi" he said looking at her.

Gauri jerked her head up at her brother in law in shock who was looking at her point black.

"I may not be a detective but I can realize the similarities Bhabhi. May be because I think with my heart more than brain" he smiled at her.

"I was in doubt since the day I first saw you. Shivaay bhaiyya never got tired talking about you. I always listened to him learning of your likes, dislikes thinking that one day I would get you as my Bhabhi but after Ridhima's incident when Om broke down completely and it was more due to Shivaay bhaiyya rather than that woman's betrayal, I never brought up your name. Guess we are bound to become Bhabhi-dewar that after everything I got you as my brother's wife" he explained.

"I promised Shivaay Bhaiyya that I would take good care of you and when it comes to promises, Rudy never takes a step back" he said winking at her which brought a smile on her face...a real one.

"Now, tell me what did my brother do this time."

"He didn't do anything bhaiyya. May be I am being a bit paranoid" she said laughing. "It has been three days since I got a glimpse of him" she explained.

"Welcome to the workaholic side of OSO" said Rudra laughing. "You could have called him Bhabhi"

"I did but he didn't answer. Dandi bhaiyya answered it and said that Omkaraji was busy at work"

Now, that was a sign of danger thought Rudra. His brother would jump hills to answer the call of his Bhabhi. What made Dandi do the job for him?

However he did not raise the doubt in front of her. Instead he said smiling.

"Take lunch for him today. I will inform him the same. Talk to him Bhabhi you will feel good. You are just missing your husband" he teased and she blushed.

Rudy rose from his place and said "I don't know why you hid the fact that you are Shivaay bhaiyya's sister but my brother is a truth freak and turns a bull if someone lies to him. You better reveal it to him earliest Bhabhi."

Gauri nodded a yes "I will talk with him today. Thank you Rudy bhaiyya" she smiled.

Rudy smiled and kissed her cheek. "I missed that smile Bhabhi. I'm sure O missed it too. Impress him with your cooking skills today. You know he likes chicken right?" he asked and Gauri nodded a yes.

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Location: CB-CID, Mumbai.

Dandi and Abhishek were staring at the door before them which lead to a lion's den.... A rather angry lion at that.

They were contemplating if it was necessary to risk their lives for their job. The last three days, they felt as if they were walking on eggshells, one wrong move and he would unleash his inner demon. They prayed that some miracle happens and he turns into that smiling senior he had been before.

"Abhi you go first I will go later" said Dandi nudging Abhishek.

"Why? You go first and if he is in a good mood after your report then I will go" said Abhishek which made Dandi make a crying face.

"Mere wife ke mood swings se bhi zyaada nakhre hai inke (His mood swings are worse than what my wife has)... why is God being too cruel to us" he wailed dramatically.

"What is happening here" said a voice and they jumped and turned around to see their boss's brother before them.

They heaved a sigh of relief.

"Rudra sir please save us from him. He had been a demon drinking our blood since the last three days" said Dandi making Rudra chuckle.

"Okay Dandi let me see if I can help" said Rudra before entering his brother's cabin.

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In Omkara's Cabin,

"Rudra don't you understand that she lied to me. Even then you choose to support her."

"O people lie for different reasons. Some lies may destroy people and some lies are told to prevent it. Life is not always black and white. When will you understand. If you are angry and you feel that she is hiding something then you should ask her straight. Avoiding talking to her will not make things any better."

"You should be feeling ecstatic that finally you people have managed to make me marry her right? You have succeeded in your plan. Congratulations for that."

"Excuse me? What plan and when? Did Bhabhi tie your hands and ask you to marry her by putting a gun to your head? If you remember well, it was you who wanted the marriage early. It was you who was love struck seeing her."

That made Omkara shut up but he continued to sulk.

"O after these many years something good has happened to you. Ab bhagwan ke liye use khona mat. (for godsake please don't lose her)" sighed Rudy and Omkara sat quiet staring at the paper weight with interest.

"I asked her to come for lunch. Talk it out and dare you turn a devil. Shivaay bhaiyya nahi hai to kya hua. I am still on her side (What if Shivaay is not there I'm still on her side)"

"Of course you support everybody except me" said Omkara making a face and Rudy laughed.

"Your team mates will run away resigning their jobs if you don't turn back to human O. Thoda reham karo(please show some mercy)"

Omkara couldn't help but smile at that. Poor guys... may be he should apologize this time he thought.

"I know you would prefer Bhabhi but I can give you a hug when you need one" said Rudra and Omkara got up to give a hug to his brother.

May be they could talk this out. Irrespective of whether she lied to him or not he knew she loves him and he could live with that for now. It has been three days since he kissed her and he was missing his wife.

Rudra patted his brother's back and said "You suck at relationships O, you should learn something from your sibling"

"Okay guru ji now get lost before I throw you out"

"Of course.... These are not days for humanity... I cancelled an important meeting just to talk to you and you treat me like this" he exclaimed dramatically and Omkara rolled his eyes.

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In Omkara's room, Oberoi Mansion

Gauri was getting ready to impress her husband, when Jhanvi entered her room.

She wore a bright red colored sari with golden border and a matching blouse with a sweetheart back. She paired it with silver jhumkas and matching bangles. Her neck was bare except for her mangalsutra and her nose was adorned by her studded nose ring which she knew was his favorite. She left her hair open making the overall the look classy.

"Hailaa.... My son will not know what hit him. You are dressed to kill dearie. Nazar na lag jayee tumhe" exclaimed Jhanvi while doing a hand movement to ward off any evil eye and Gauri smiled at her.

"Come on I will come with you. I don't trust my Son when he is angry. Let me check the premises before you go to war" said Jhanvi and Gauri giggled.

One hour later when they reached the department, people turned their heads in their direction. Some of them who knew Jhanvi stopped by to talk and everyone asked about the beauty she brought with her.

"Maa ji, I feel like I am overdressed. Why are people staring" she asked uncomfortable.

Jhanvi laughed "You look gorgeous and hence people are just jealous of my son Gauri. You are dressed perfect. Don't bother" she assured her as they neared the cabin.

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

Dandi and Abhishek stared at Gauri while she smiled at them.

Jhanvi smacked Dandi "Stop staring both of you. Where is her husband? Is he in the cabin?" she asked which brought them to the reality and they looked visibly uncomfortable.

Dandi gulped before saying "Sir is a bit pre-occupied mam" when Jhanvi narrowed her eyes at them.

"Is he there in the cabin or not?" she asked again and they nodded.

Jhanvi entered the cabin without bothering to knock and Gauri followed her.

Gauri walked into her husband's cabin behind her mother in law and stopped in her tracks. She looked at the scene before her and felt someone stab her heart with a dagger and sadistically screw it to push it deeper with an intention to inflict more pain. She saw a woman kiss her husband as if there is no tomorrow when her husband turned to their side and pushed her away.

Jhanvi was the one to recover fast. She walked forward and slapped her son and the sound resonated in the chamber.

"Mom..." he started

"How dare you Omkara.... How dare you let this woman even enter your chamber... forget kissing her in front of your wife" roared Jhanvi.

Ridhima smirked at Gauri "Oh is she your wife Om? She looks pretty. Gauri right?" she asked and moved forward to hug when Jhanvi pushed her away.

"Don't even think of it Ridhima. Get out of here before I tear you to pieces" growled Jhanvi.

Ridhima smiled at Jhanvi and said, "Old flames never die Jhanvi aunty". She then turned to Omkara "I will meet you later Om" she said before leaving the room.

Once she left Jhanvi looked at her son who stood speechless his head hung low.

"Finish your work and come home we need to talk" she said and dragged a crying Gauri with her out of the cabin.

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Location: Oberoi Mansion, Mumbai.

Jhanvi sat in her room, her head held in her hand thinking of the recent events. She was disappointed in her son. Gauri didn't speak a word since she got out of the cabin. She feared that their relation is too fragile to withstand such a blow. Hope Gauri is mature enough to understand her son.

"Maa ji" called Gauri from the entrance of her room and Jhanvi looked up at her.

"Come Gauri sit here" she said patting the bed next to her.

Once Gauri settled Jhanvi held her hands and apologized "Sorry you had to see that Gauri. I don't know what has gotten into him. We will talk it out" she said and Gauri nodded her head in a no.

"No Maa ji" said Gauri and Jhanvi feared her next words.

"Gauri let Omkara come" started Jhanvi and was cut off by Gauri.

"It is not his fault Maa ji. He would never do that to me" Jhanvi released a breath of relief at that.

"I agree we had an arranged marriage and I know we never confessed our love to each other. But I know he respects me. He would never do that to me Maa ji"

Jhanvi felt proud of her daughter in law and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you Gauri. My son is indeed lucky to have you" she smiled at her and Gauri returned it.

"Mom" said Omkara entering through the door and both of them looked at him.

Omkara looked at his wife who refused to look into his eyes. He turned to his mother and said "You mis understood me mom. I never kissed her. She caught me by surprise"

Jhanvi nodded her head "I am sorry Om" she said caressing his cheek and he kissed his mother's hand. "Take her to your room and talk things out" she advised and Omkara nodded his head.

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In their bedroom, Omkara and Gauri stood still facing each other. Both of them waited for the other to speak. Finally having enough, Omkara decided to break the silence.

"Gauri" he started "You believe me. Don't you" he asked and Gauri nodded.

He took her hands in his and kissed them "Sorry you had to see that Gauri" he apologized and the dam broke.

Gauri hugged him and cried out loud. "Why were you avoiding me? It has been three days since we talked and the first thing I see after that is a woman kissing my husband"

Omkara hugged her and kissed her temple repeatedly muttering a sorry.

"What do you mean by 'caught me by surprise'.." she said pushing him away "Shouldn't you be alert when such people are around you?" kaise ACP hai aap?" she asked him and he smiled at her.

"I was a bit disturbed Gauri. I was caught off guard. I am sorry" he explained.

"I hate it when somebody else touch you and you let her kiss you" she said angrily.

Omkara cupped his wife's face and kissed her apologizing in between while Gauri kissed him back with equal passion.

When they parted, Omkara touched his forehead with hers and looked at her with love. It was then that he noticed what she was wearing.

"Someone seems to have dressed up to impress" he said teasing her, kissing her cheek.

Gauri looked at him angrily "Yeah I intended to surprise you and you ended up giving me a shock"

"Gauri I said sorry. What more should I do?"

Gauri wound her arms around her husband's neck and looked into his eyes "Make me feel that I am the only one and no one else matters to you" she said and Omkara proceeded to show her the same.
**************Warning: mature content ahead**********************

His lips pressed against hers with passion, love and affection as his warm hands roamed over her body. He kissed her neck giving more attention to the sweet spot on her collar bone. She moaned his name undoing him, their breaths becoming rough and hard.

Picking her up in his arms he moved to their bed and lowered her onto it. He looked at her clad in the bright red sari opening her arms to him asking him to join her.

How did he even think that she would cheat him. One touch and she melts, it was always that way with her. One look into her hazel eyes made him realize the depth of love she had for him. What difference does it make as to whose choice she was. He has her now and he intends to keep her to himself and cherish her till eternity. He joined her on bed putting his weight on his elbows on either side of her.

She touched his face and traced it lower over his neck and chest as if memorizing every detail. She pulled him to her and captured his lips in a searing kiss. She missed this for so long, craved his human flesh, his tongue tasting her breath. She left his mouth and traced a path of kisses on his neck and chest and he groaned, collapsing on to her crushing her with his weight. His fingers gained momentum, undoing her sari in urgency and reached for the hook of her blouse at her back. She helped him undress her as he helped her do the same.

As their naked bodies came into contact with the other they felt complete. His warm hands ran down her body and she shivered. Wherever his fingers touched her skin tingled in a frenzy of static. Wasn't it only days before they made love? Why does it feel so different this time? Why does he feel so complete this time?

Both of them moved in perfect sync in the dance of limbs not making the exact same moves twice. He made love to her till she screamed out his name again and again.
***********mature content ends********

Falling in love is the easy part he mused but admitting it to himself was tougher. Omkara fell in love with his wife long back but it is now looking at her cocooned in their duvet, snuggling closer to him smiling at him her eyes full of love, her face glowing in the aftermath that he admitted to himself that he is in love with his wife, his Gauri.

When they stabilized from their soul soothing love making, Omkara asked his wife the question that was nagging his mind since the time he heard her support him in his mother's room.

"Gauri, how did you know that she was the one at fault and I wasn't kissing?"

She blushed but said it anyway "I know how you kiss Omkaraji and you weren't kissing then" which made him chuckle.

"Thanks for trusting me Gauri. It means everything to me. You love me. Don't you?" he asked and she nodded raising to kiss him squarely.

"Yes Omkaraji. I love you" she said and he smiled at her leaning towards her.

"I love you too Gauri" he said before rolling them over and kissing her again.

There is something beautiful about scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, done with.

Eventually you come to understand that love heals everything. The journey may take many lifetimes, but you will complete it. It is not the question of how but when. Every situation you create serves this purpose. Every experience you encounter serves this purpose.

                                 ---- Gary Zukav.

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That marks the end of Chapter 20.

So they confessed. Yaaay... I hope you could tell the difference in the intimacy. The equation changed isn't it................. from lust to love.

Give me your thoughts and I will give you your update sooner.

Till then................. signing off..... yours Soujanya.