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

Omkara is on the verge of break down. It has been sixteen hours since his wife went missing and he could do nothing about it. All the training and his experience went down the drain and his calm had left him when his wife is supposedly in danger.

Yesterday when he saw Abhay's picture on the screen he felt his world crashing down. His mother had sent his wife with that guy just minutes before he knew of his identity. He cursed himself repeatedly thinking Why did he not go with them?, Why did he decide to trust that Abhay. Just let me get my hands on that Abhay..... he raged.

He at once called his mother to stop them if by luck they didn't leave the place. But luck was not in his favor. He called Gauri's number and later Abhay's number to note that both the numbers were switched off. Dandi and Abhishek tried tracing the numbers but to no avail. It was as if they vanished into thin air.

He reached the venue and looked around to find one of the officers he sent for his mother's protection, who was supposed to accompany Gauri and Abhay was badly injured. The officer was found in the parking lot unconscious and was immediately taken to the hospital. The doctors informed that he had a severe brain injury and it is unlikely that he can talk without getting operated.

Omkara continued to work on the Bharadwaj pharmaceuticals file trying to find a link between Abhay and Nisha. Are they related? Is Abhay connected in any way to the drug company. If so why would he help him? Did he wait till he knew the information on Gauri's father to plan his attack? Is he trying to take some weird revenge against his father in law? If so, is he related to the illegal organization as well?

As a last attempt he called Shakti to inform him of the occurrences and Shakti assured him not to worry. He asked him to wait for an hour more till he comes with help.

Omkara sighed tiredly. He didn't rest for a minute since the occurrence and his brain started to shut down crying for rest. He sat in his chair with his head held between his hands when Bhavya walked up to him.

"Bhaiyya please eat something. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday. We cannot go on like this. You need to be strong now more than ever. Bhabhi will not be harmed please eat" she tried for the nth time placing a plate of food before him.

"I don't know what to do Bhavya. I just don't understand why he took her now. She has been with him since years. Even before I was in the picture. Why now?" he asked tiredly.

"I know I couldn't believe my eyes too when I saw his picture yesterday. I can't believe Abhay can do that" said Bhavya and Omkara remembered his wife's words.

After Shiv bhaiyya if I trust anybody with my eyes closed it would be Abhay Gauri said to him.

"She trusted him so much Bhavya. I hope she hangs on till I get to her" he said his voice cracking at the end and Bhavya hugged him.

"I always admired your calmness Om bhaiyya. You cannot lose your cool now. Wait till Shakti sir comes. We will solve this at any cost. Now come on eat something. Unless you eat Jhanvi maa and Rudra will not touch food" she pleaded and finally Omkara gave in and pushed the food down his throat.

Bhavya smiled at him and at once called Rudra informing him that his brother was okay and warned him to eat and take care of their mother.

She was still talking on the phone when they heard a voice from the doorway of the cabin filled with anguish and concern.

"Om!!" called the voice and Omkara froze.

It has been two long years that he heard the voice but he could recognize it anytime. He turned around and stood up in shock looking at the person before him. Is he hallucinating? Is it because of lack of sleep and food that his mind was playing games? No it can't be... he looked real. He looked weak but real...Shivaay looked real...

"Shivaay" he gasped still unsure and Bhavya merely whispered his name. Though it was a mere whisper, Rudy seemed to have heard it. She could hear her fiancé shouting at her in the phone asking her what happened. Bhavya assured to call Rudy back after some time while Omkara took tentative steps towards the figure.

"Shivaay is it really you...I can't believe this" uttered Omkara and hugged his best friend tight making sure if he was really there in flesh and blood. He was still stunned at the unexpected return.

Shivaay reciprocated the hug with a smile and said "Yes Om. I can't leave you that easily. Can I?" he joked in between the tears while Bhavya and Shakti looked at the pair happy at their union.

Abhishek and Dandi who entered the cabin were shocked out of their wits and Dandi screamed at the top of his voice "GHOST".

That brought out a laugh from the others and Dandi soon realized that his Shivaay sir was indeed alive.

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"What rubbish!! You are saying that Abhay has something to do with Nisha Jotwani's death and he kidnapped Gauri?" asked Shivaay glaring at Abhishek and Dandi who had briefed him about the case and the events before Gauri's disappearance.

"Sir the evidence says so. We have an eye-witness to prove it" said Dandi.

"Call the eye-witness here before me. I will question him myself" said Shivaay and turned to Omkara who was silent during the entire conversation.

"Om don't believe this crap. Abhay is not the killer and he did not kidnap Gauri. It must be the Bharadwaj group. Kaali uncle left the group two days back and they somehow must have got the information about Gauri. They cannot let go of Kaali uncle because if he became a witness in court, the entire group would crumble down. They can't let that happen now can they?" he said.

Omkara looked at Shivaay and asked "Why?"

What is with their immense trust in that guy? He wondered. He had an awfully bad feeling about it.

Shivaay looked at him confused and Omkara elaborated "Why can't Abhay kill Nisha? Why can't he kidnap Gauri?"

"Om you don't know Abhi. He will never harm anybody and especially not Gauri" said Shivaay with such conviction that Omkara felt his anger raising.

"That guy is missing with my wife since sixteen hours Shivaay" he roared. "The officer I sent for Gauri's protection was gravely injured and lying on the hospital bed. We got a ninety five percent forensic art match here. You know that a face match cannot be that perfect. He definitely is the guy described by the witness and you say that he got nothing to do with any of this?" he asked him in disbelief.

"Om calm down Gauri is well equipped to protect herself when need arises. I did not leave her defenseless. She can alone fight with three men double her size and Abhay is there with her..." Shivaay tried to explain.

"Again Abhay" roared Omkara "She is with him and that is the very reason I am scared"

"Om!!" shouted Shivaay now equally angry "You are prejudiced. It is not the way we work"

"What are you doing then? You are prejudiced too Shivaay and that is the reason you are not seeing what the evidence is showing us"

"Your evidence can go to hell Om, Abhay will never let anything happen to my sister" yelled Shivaay.

"WHY??"

"Because he loves her" roared Shivaay "He will die before she is harmed."

That earned a gasp from Bhavya who covered her mouth in shock along with a look of shock and disbelief from the rest.

Omkara was seething "Is that supposed to comfort me?" he asked coldly.

Shivaay sighed rubbing his face with his palms "Om listen to me. Evidence is circumstantial. It does not prove anything. Even if the tea shop seller did see Abhay with Nisha that does not prove that Abhay killed her. Does it?"

Omkara still stared at him and Shivaay continued "Gauri was with him for two years Om. If he wants her, he could have done it anytime. Why will he ask her to marry you and then kidnap her? Think Om."

Omkara closed his eyes sighing trying to calm down his temper. He did think about it. About the 'why now' part. But there wasn't an answer to the why.

He nodded his head getting the point "So what do you say? That Abhay and Gauri were kidnapped by a third party?" he asked calmly.

"Yes that is what I think. You mentioned that Jhanvi maa told you that Gauri felt dizzy when Abhay took her home right? Let's go to the Mansion and question Jhanvi maa. We will surely find something" said Shivaay and Omkara nodded still in doubt.

Shivaay turned to Abhishek "You got the information about Kaali uncle right? How did you find it?"

"Sir, from the records section" answered Abhishek.

"Did you leave the room anytime in between the search?"

Abhishek thought for a second before he answered "I got a call from the forgery division regarding a case sir. The signal was not available in the section so I went out for merely two or three minutes before I came back."

"Who was the in charge of the case they called you for and why was it so important that it couldn't be answered later?" asked Shakti and Abhishek replied "Sir they said it was urgent. I do not know the exact reason though. I think the in charge was officer Mukesh sir"

Shakti and Shivaay exchanged a look before they looked at Omkara who stared at them his eyes filled with many questions.

"I guess you have a lots to tell us Shivaay. Let us start it now. Shall we?" asked Omkara and Shivaay nodded before starting.

"Om two years back when I was helping Gauri's father, I saved the evidence against Bharadwaj group in Priyanka's bracelet as nobody would suspect the files to be there. I made the mistake of copying those files in my room and I did not notice that Mukesh saw it that day" he said still cursing himself for the lack of caution.

"That was the reason she was kidnapped and Shakti sir was blackmailed to hand me over to them. In order to save Priyanka I told Shakti sir to give my name and I reached the place with enough police force informing the department about the same but my message was intercepted by Mukesh himself who withheld it. I trusted the wrong guy Om. I called you that day but you were not in a state to lift your phone I guess" he said looking at Omkara while he gasped.

"I am so sorry Shivaay" he groaned. 

"I know it was not your fault Om. I was too harsh on you" said Shivaay but it did nothing to lessen Omkara's guilt. If he wasn't so angry at him that day may be he could have saved his friend. He ran his hand through his hair angrily.

Shivaay put a comforting hand on Omkara's shoulder and squeezed it gently before he continued. "I was tortured to give the information about my informer which I refused to let out. Kaali uncle saved me then. He asked me to tell the name of one of the gang members as my informer. I did so, after which he acted to kill me and declared me dead. He helped me out of the place to get admitted in a hospital and later he along with Shakti sir helped me to get out of India where I was in a vegetative state for two years" said Shivaay.

Shakti took over after that "I saw to it that Priyanka and Pinky stayed in London to take care of Shivaay while I managed the situation here. Gauri's father had a second copy of evidence with him but we could not submit it as the group kept me under constant surveillance while they increased the secrecy within the organization."

"One mistake on our part and they could harm anyone of you. We were worried that they could reach Shivaay in London and I couldn't let that happen for the second time. We kept silent waiting for Shivaay to wakes up or till the right time comes when Kaali can come out of the group without causing any doubt."

"Once they got the informant's name, the Bharadwaj group killed him and thought that they eliminated their mole. I made sure Gauri's details were not exposed and they do not get to her as Vikram was still in search of her and Abhay who were close to Shivaay. He feared that they might still have the evidence against them. I had Tarun there who worked as my informant looking out for trouble."

"All the confidential files were again encrypted and I ensured strict confidentiality. That was the reason Bhavya failed in her search regarding Gauri. I knew you were searching for her but I choose to keep her away until she recovers from the news" said Shakti.

"But Jagdish told me that Gauri wants to marry you two years after Shivaay was sent to London. I thought that it is for the best because she would be with you and I could watch out for trouble"

"What I didn't anticipate was that Bharadwaj industries was involved in Nisha's case otherwise I would have kept you away from it" said Shakti looking at Omkara.

"Is that why you warned me about them" asked Omkara and Shakti nodded a yes.

"Great!! I went to him last week to bait him that Daksh's death was not an accident and we have evidence against him" explained Omkara and Shakti along with Shivaay glared at him.

"What! I want my case solved and you gave me an ultimatum. He took the bait and planned an attack on me. That way we got the evidence against him trying to kill me" Omkara mumbled.

"Omkara!! Why was I not informed about this" shouted Shakti and Omkara looked down avoiding his eyes.

"So that was the reason they were so determined to have you killed" said Shivaay "While I was in London, Kaali uncle got to know of their plan and informed me. It was he who saved you one night back when they planned to tranquilize you outside Abhay's house."

Omkara gaped at them "Are there any more secrets pending or is that it" he asked.

Shivaay nodded and said, "With Shakti sir's help I submitted that evidence yesterday in the judiciary and filed the complaint. Vikram and his father will be arrested before evening today. If this kidnap is planned by them, we will get them talking" he explained.

"Now get up we need to go" ordered Shakti and Omkara nodded getting up.

Before leaving Omkara turned to Abhishek and Dandi. "Continue to search for Abhay and keep making a ruckus in the department in case that Mukesh is still keeping a watch on us. Clearly the gang wanted to deviate us from the main case hence the wrong evidence. He should still believe that we suspect Abhay and no one else" he ordered and they nodded.

"Also keep the fact that Shivaay returned to yourselves in case the bastard doesn't know already" he said and left while Bhavya followed Omkara out.

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Location: Oberoi Mansion, Mumbai

Jhanvi and Rudra clung to Shivaay since the time he stepped into the mansion. After recovering from their initial shock the intensity of which was dampened as Bhavya already informed them of Shivaay's come back, both of them hugged him wondering if they should celebrate his return or feel sad for Gauri's absence.

After they calmed down relatively, Shivaay sat Jhanvi down on the couch of their living room. He sat opposite her and asked "Jhanvi maa we depend on you now. Please tell us what exactly happened at the engagement yesterday. Did everything go normally or was there anything that you found odd? Anything out of ordinary?"

Rudra and Bhavya watched expectantly while Jhanvi thought for a moment before she nodded her head in a no.

Omkara asked the next question "Mom think again was Gauri with you all the time or did you leave her with Abhay alone anytime?"

Shivaay gave a look to him but did not say a word returning his gaze to Jhanvi.

"Uhh... yes Om I guess I left her for a few minutes to meet my friend" she said and Omkara again asked "Where were they at that time? Near the drinks?"

Jhanvi nodded a yes and Shivaay Omkara looked at one another.

"Om I don't know if this is important but I think I saw Arjun at the venue yesterday. I wasn't sure if it was him. I moved to see if it was really him but I lost him in the guests" she said.

Omkara was confused "Arjun?"

"Arjun Shastri?" asked Shakti and Jhanvi nodded.

"What is he doing in Mumbai? Wasn't he supposed to be in Bareilly?" Omkara asked Shakti and Jhanvi answered "He said he got a promotion here."

"How do you know that mom? Did he tell you yesterday?" asked Rudra.

"No Om not yesterday. I met him at the ABC mall when we were shopping for your wedding" she said. 

A moment later she gasped suddenly "Oh my God Om...he was looking at you with a weird expression that day and when I went near him he looked taken aback to see me. Did he have a hand in Gauri's disappearance?" she asked worriedly.

Omkara and Shivaay looked at Shakti who immediately took his phone to call someone.

"Tarun it's me" he informed the person on the line "What do you know about Arjun Shastry?" he asked.

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End of confusion I guess and end of chapter 23.

Flashback part of the story has been revealed. Let us see the present in the coming chapters.

One or two chapters to go before the epilogue...

Keep voting and commenting. It gives me the inspiration to write.

Till the next Update... Signing off.... Yours Soujanya.