Location: Omkara's room, Oberoi Mansion

Omkara reached his room late that night to see his wife sleeping peacefully. His heart felt heavy with the recent revelations regarding his father. He wanted to talk to her and let it all out but he didn't want to disturb her sleep as well.  Standing at the foot of their bed he stared at her beautiful face for a minute before he turned around and walked into the bathroom.

Freshly showered and changed into his cotton pants, he got into the bed shirtless and gently pulled his wife towards himself careful not to wake her up. Sleep was far away and he decided to pass the time looking at Gauri and master her features. May be some day he could put his vision onto a canvas. She is definitely a picture worth sketching. He reminisced how she blushed in the evening when his mother teased them about taking more than necessary time locating the bathroom at Shakti sir's place.

That brought out a chuckle and he leaned to kiss her on her nose ring. Gauri frowned in her sleep before slightly opening her eyes to see her husband looking at her with his heart in his eyes.

"Sorry Gauri... sleep" said Omkara and caressed her hair hoping she would go back to slumber.

"Omkara ji when did you come. I thought of waiting for you but I dozed off. Did you come from Abhi's place?" she asked and noted the disturbed look on her husband's face as he nodded his head and avoided her eyes.

Sleep flew out of the window and she got straight to the point "What happened?"

Omkara was about to laugh it off when she frowned at him. "I know there is something wrong so spill it" she deadpanned.

When he remained silent she gently caressed his cheek and he closed his eyes leaning into her palm. When he opened them they were glistening with tears and she worriedly asked "Omkaraji you are scaring me now. What is the matter?"

Omkara simply hugged her tight his face buried in her chest and arms around her waist. Gauri wrapped her arms around him and gently rubbed his bare back, kissing his hair occasionally.

He spoke to her after a long period of silence. He told her what he learnt at Abhay's place and how he missed his father. Gauri patiently listened to him putting in a word or two trying to console.

"Your brother held so much from me Gauri. He should have told me"

"He has this nature of protecting his loved ones from pain Omkaraji. He always kept things from me too. I guess he couldn't help it. We have to accept him the way he is" she said and Omkara nodded.

"I don't know what would have happened to me after my mother's death if not for him and Abhi. I was an orphan literally" she explained and Omkara tightened his hug if possible.

"Your father was a great man Omkaraji. I would have liked to meet him and thanked him for giving you to me. Only a loving father can know what his child needs without him asking for it" she said and Omkara noted the longing in her voice.

"Gauri your father was a good man too. I am sure you miss him.." he started and she cut him off "Miss him? when was he with me to miss him Omkaraji"

"I never saw him and never heard his voice. I don't even know his name. What does a daughter expect from a father? That he would raise her with love, support her, listen to her and keep her away from bad eyes. Isn't it? If that is so, then I had my Shiv bhaiyya with me doing everything a father and brother had to do. I didn't need a father then nor do I need him now" she said and Omkara decided not to talk on it and upset her further.

He decided to change the topic and said "Shivaay could be a pain when he takes up a responsibility seriously. Dad used to send him with me and Rudy whenever we asked his permission to go for a party. True to his word he never allowed us to drink more than two drinks while we sulked looking at our friends having fun getting wasted. Rudy literally used to beg him to let go but he would put his foot down and eventually Rudy would shut up exhausted" he laughed reminiscing the good old days.

"Tell me about it Omkaraji" said Gauri sighing "My brother can be really strict at times. Going out with friends was a ban for me. I used to have a small crush on my classmate and one day he invited me for a party. I begged Shivaay bhaiyya to let me go just once but his answer was a no. Every time anybody came to me with remote interest of dating me he and Abhi would scare them off. I didn't even get to read my own love letters Omkaraji" she complained and Omkara frowned at her.

"What!!" exclaimed Gauri. "Shouldn't I even like someone other than you Omkaraji" she smiled looking at his frown and he replied a no with a shake of his head, his frown still intact.

"Oh great!! You can have a string of girlfriends and one night stands and I can't even like anybody" she stated and Omkara felt the discussion going into dangerous waters. He silently reverted to his previous position and very subtly blew air over the exposed part of her chest making her gasp.

Giving sweet kisses over her bosom he reached her neck and nibbled at one of her sweet spots. When she hissed in pain, he sucked on the area to sooth the pain and she moaned. He raised to cover her mouth with his, thoroughly kissing her and Gauri essentially forgot the topic of discussion till the next morning.

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Location: CEO Cabin, Bharadwaj pharmaceuticals.

Vikram had been roaring into his phone since morning "What do you mean he is not traceable. He was to kill Omkara last night and report to me. Where the hell is he?"

"Sir I tried every possible means to trace him since yesterday. He had been reporting to me till late evening and said he was waiting to tranquilize him outside Abhay's house to take him away and later kill him. But after his last call his cell phone has been switched off and getting no word from him, I have been on his trail the entire night"

Vikram was still in thoughts when he heard his man on the phone again "One more thing sir, as you asked the plan is kept confidential and very few numbers knew of it. Kaali is one among them and he too is missing since yesterday evening. I have been doubting him since the start but Nikhil sir was always in his favor. I guess he has something to do with this."

"What are you waiting for then. Trace Kaali and get back to me. You can also take Mukesh's help if necessary" ordered Vikram before he hung up.

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Location: Abhay's flat, Mumbai.

Abhay has been working on the files since the night before. He didn't expect it to take so long. Apparently he was wrong because except for a few cases, the rest of the files were encrypted preventing them from opening. Shakti sir might have done this he thought since Shivaay never mentioned something like this the last time.

He tried decrypting the files but to no success. He prayed to all gods before trying the last possible method and started the program. The computer screen showed the action in progress, the hourglass rotating before him. It took ten minutes before the hourglass stopped and Abhay jumped out of his seat yelling a 'yes!'.

Going through the contents of the folder, he saw that there were hundreds of undercover cops posted in various states under various false names. He entered the details of the case that Tej handled in the search column and waited for the result to pop up. One look at the screen and he dialed Omkara's number.

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

"Mom please understand I cannot attend any function today. I have a time limit in solving a case and I am on the verge of bursting out" explained Omkara as calmly as possible to his mother.

"Om.... Rudra said he has a meeting in the evening I cannot ask him to come too. I and Gauri have to attend the function beta it is one of our close business associates' daughter's engagement. Dandi warned me to take protection always when I go out. You send one of your friends at least" asked Jhanvi.

"Okay mom I will see to it that someone accompanies you" he spoke when he heard his mobile ringing, flashing Abhay's ID. "Mom do one thing you be ready in the evening, I will call you later to inform you about the person I will send. Abhay is calling me now I have to take it." he said and hung up.

"Yes Abhay did you get anything" Omkara asked him.

"Yes. The name is Kaali Sharma he is still working in the organization. He has a false name of Kaali Thakur. He is Gauri's father" he informed and Omkara noted the name.

"What about the organization involved? Any details on it?"

"No Omkara. It has the details of activities of the organization not the name. According to the reports, the organization is involved in extortion, drug dealings and human trafficking. It has a history of more than thirty years" said Abhay.

"Okay I will get the other details. You continue the search. Thanks for the help" said Omkara and Abhay replied an okay.

Omkara turned to his teammate "Abhishek get me all information about officer Kaali Sharma who worked in our department and also the cases which he worked with my dad. I want it as soon as possible" he ordered and Abhishek immediately got to work.

"Remember, no one else should know about this" cautioned Omkara before Abhishek left the cabin and he nodded in reply.

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That evening,

"Gauri are you ready" asked Jhanvi entering her son's room.

"Yes maa ji I just need to apply sindoor and wear my mangalsutra, then I will be ready to go" replied Gauri smiling at her mother in law.

Jhanvi looked at Gauri dressed in a gorgeous lace embroidered floral saree in soft tulle fabric of baby pink with a matching boat necked blouse embroidered with red and green flowers. Her hair was neatly plaited to the side and she looked like a pink fairy.

Jhanvi smiled at her and helped her getting ready. She made her wear her pink and red jumkas while her hands already had her chura from her marriage.

After ten minutes both of them got into the car and started for the engagement venue.

"I had asked Abhay to come directly to the venue Gauri. I will inform Om once we get there" said Jhanvi and Gauri nodded with a smile.

On reaching the place, they walked into the place when Jhanvi and Gauri were greeted by the hosts and were seated in the front row of the guests. As Jhanvi introduced her daughter in law to the other guests, they greeted Gauri with smiles. Some of them congratulated her on her recent marriage and complimented her good looks.

An hour later Abhay joined them and Jhanvi informed Omkara about the same when he muttered an okay unhappily. He however promised to send help soon and asked them to be careful till then.

"So, when is the date of the engagement Abhay" asked Jhanvi and Gauri grinned at Abhay who faked a smile.

"It is two weeks later aunty... at Bareilly" he answered.

"Good that you said a yes Abhay. You and Ishaana look cute together and she appears to be quite in love with you" said Jhanvi and Abhay returned a faint smile clearly uncomfortable.

"Ishaana is so happy maa ji" added Gauri still grinning "I will help her in shopping. May I go a week early?" she asked and Jhanvi nodded her head in a yes though she knew her son wouldn't be happy at the news.

"Jhanvi ji please have the refreshments the dinner will be served in fifteen minutes" said the host looking at the trio and they nodded politely.

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They were at the refreshments table, Gauri and Abhay were bickering over something while Jhanvi spoke to one of the guests who asked her to accompany her and meet one of their friends.

"Gauri I will come in just a few minutes. You stay with Abhay" informed Jhanvi and followed her friend.

After Jhanvi left, Abhay turned to Gauri and glared at her "Stop grinning for a while Gauri. It is getting irritating now" he said.

"Why should I stop? I am happy for my friend and sister. Stop sulking Abhi. You know Ishaana loves you" she replied

"By the way what were you talking with her at evenings? Roshni told me the other day that you talked for more than an hour" she asked wiggling her eyebrows.

"That girl makes a mountain out of a mole hill. You know her Gauri. I didn't talk for more than an hour. I just talked to let her know if she was okay with the arrangement" he said.

"Why will she not be okay?"

Abhay nodded his head at her and sighed "Leave about me. What about you. You didn't alert Shakti sir yesterday right? Everything went fine I hope" he asked and Gauri smiled with a nod.

"Gauri..." started Abhay hesitantly making her look at him in question.

"I went through the files today" he said and Gauri knew what was going to come.

"I don't need to know Abhi" she said avoiding his gaze.

"Don't lie Gauri. I know you want to know his name"

Gauri remained silent and he revealed. "Your father's name is Kaali Sharma" he said and Gauri stiffened.

For years, she hoped her father would come to live with her and her mother and they would be a happy family. However, it never happened and after seeing her mother craving for her husband Gauri started to hate him. She still respects him for what he is but one should not expect more than that from a girl who lived like an orphan after her mother's death even though her father was alive. Now hearing Abhay say his name, she didn't know how to react. Kaali Sharma she uttered in her mind as if memorizing it.

How she wished she knew his name before when she wanted it... when her classmates asked her father's name. How she wished she knew his name while filling her college admission forms. He had been a puzzle she never wished to solve.

"Gauri are you okay?" asked Abhay gently holding her shoulder and she nodded a yes.

"Here take this juice" he offered and she drank it in one go.

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

"Sir, Kaali Sharma ex assistant commissioner of police worked in our department till the year 1988 after which he was transferred to the covert operation team. Tej sir and he along with Shakti sir dealt with fifteen cases together. He has a wife named Radha Sharma and a daughter named Gauri Sharma. They worked together last in drug trafficking case which had Nikhil Bharadwaj as the accused and the case was closed later with him being acquitted. It was rumored that the witness in the case changed the statement in favor of Mr. Nikhil in the last moment" informed Abhishek to Omkara.

"Nikhil Bharadwaj" said Omkara still in thoughts. Was his father working on the organization lead by them? Were they involved in illegal marketing?

"Where is Dandi?" asked Omkara and Abhishek explained that he was in the forensics division still looking for the face match.

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Dandi looked at the computer screen bored. The forensic picture match has been going on for eternity and he expected positive results today taking that the databases of all states except two have been checked.

Bhavya walked towards him and asked, "What are you at since morning Dandi?"

"Bhavya mam" he whined. "This is the most boring work I did since many months. This forensic picture has to match with a face today. I am fed up" he said and Bhavya laughed.

"That's okay Dandi it will match don't worry. How many days left for the time limit?"

"One week" he answered. Just then a notification appeared on the screen and Dandi turned excited. The picture finally showed a match. He turned towards Bhavya with the same excitement but was taken aback when she ran out of the cabin screaming Omkara's name.

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"Om the officers you sent came just now. I am sending one of them with Abhay and Gauri. Gauri is feeling a bit dizzy and Abhay offered to take her home. I will stay for some time before going home" she said.

"Okay mom ask her to call me once she reaches home" said Omkara and Jhanvi said yes.

He just hung up the phone when he and Abhishek heard Bhavya screaming his name. They both looked at each other and Omkara walked out of his room in the direction of her screams while Abhishek followed suit. They saw her running towards him.

"What happened Bhavya?" asked Omkara and Bhavya just held his hand dragged him in the direction she came.

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They reached the forensic department where Dandi was waiting for them.

"Sir we finally found a match" informed Dandi and Omkara nodded at him.

He turned to Bhavya and asked again "What happened Bhavya why are you looking anxious?"

Bhavya merely pointed at the computer screen. One look at the picture and Omkara's heart dropped to his stomach. He ran out picking up his phone barking orders for Dandi and Abhishek to follow him.

Bhavya still stared at the computer screen which showed the picture of Abhay Agnihotri smiling at her.

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End of Chapter 22.

Patience is a virtue.... Wait for the next update.

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