Good olden days......................

Year 2013

Location: Police training Headquarters, Security Room, Hyderabad.

"How much more time will you take Abhi, anyone might come now. Do it soon.

"Shivaay give me some credit... hacking the headquarter security system is not a cakewalk. It has a five layered proxy firewall" informed Abhay

"What does that mean?"

Abhay sighed and answered patiently "It is one of the most secure firewalls Shivaay"

"Ohh... then is it impossible to break it? Are we wasting time?"

"Firewalls are sixty percent protective on an average but this particular one is more secure. However one has to use deep pocket inspection which thankfully is not done recently. I can break through it by spoofing but it will take a little more time."

Shivaay didn't understand one bit of the jargon except that he needed to do something now to delay the entry of the security officers for a bit longer if he needs to save his head.

"Okay... how much more time do you need?"

"I need atleast fifteen minutes more to break the wall and another ten minutes to copy the files you wanted Shivaay"

"Are you kidding me? That's almost half an hour... please hurry up Abhi" pleaded Shivaay. "I'm going out to distract them...you try to complete it as soon as possible" saying this he crawled out of the office.

Half an hour later, Abhay and Shivaay walked out of the police headquarters and hurried to Shivaay's room.

Shivaay felt his heart, beat too heard and too fast in his ribcage as he patiently waited for Abhay to open the case files related to Tej Singh Oberoi in his personal computer.

He was looking for the details of the case and list of officers working undercover during the final operation of Tej when he met his death.

While Shivaay was skimming through various case files, Abhay asked him the question which has been bugging him since the day Shivaay had called him two days prior. He had to fly to Hyderabad from Mumbai where he was completing his studies when Shivaay pleaded him for his help promising to explain everything once he gets his hands on Tej Oberoi's case files.

"Shivaay, the files are not running away anytime soon. I will help you short list those cases which are of your business if you give me the approximate time of operation. But before that please tell me what is that which you want... which was so important to you that you had me hack the encrypted files of Mumbai Police."

"You are too honest for it and wouldn't have asked my help until you are at your wit's end. What the hell is happening?"

"I cannot tell this to you now Abhay. The less you know, the less is the chance that they will get to you."

"They?? Who are they?"

"For now, just know that I'm looking for the details of Tej sir's last case. Help me shortlist these cases so that the work becomes easy."

When Abhay stared at Shivaay, he sighed saying "I know you are expecting more answers from me but it is for your safety Abhay. I can't forgive myself if you are harmed in anyway"

"Just know that there are a team of officers, who work as undercover agents whose personal details are hid from both the department and the colleagues lest the information is tampered with and their families get exposed which the criminals might take as hostage to threaten the department."

"Tej sir has been the officer in charge of the details. Though they are strictly confidential and I might even fail to find the details I need, I'm trying my luck here to check all the possible sources to look for what I want."

"Does this concern Radha maa or Gauri?" asked Abhay after a moment of silence and Shivaay nodded.

"You were close to Tej sir Shivaay, you could have asked him directly."

"I knew him for a year Abhi. Tej sir was a very honest officer. He would have never let out details of such high level secrecy. He found out what I was looking for within few months of my training and stopped me lest I do something that would compromise their plan which was extremely near to execution... It was only two years back that Radha maa confided in me about Gauri's father. She told me that Tej Oberoi was a dear friend to her husband. They were working together for a case which was to be solved by last year after which he would return to join his family he had been away from since fifteen years."

"What the hell? fifteen years?"

"Yes. Secret operations take time Abhi... they need to infiltrate in the opposite team to get their trust and report their activities to prevent mis happenings. Gauri's father was one of their best officers... He managed to acquire all the proofs against the organization and was about to return to his family after they were acquitted but something happened which led to the operation to be aborted. We need to know what exactly happened and somehow obtain Gauri's father's details."

"Radha maa was so happy when she got to know that her husband would return to them soon. Even though he was not present physically, he made sure that they were well provided for. He used to contact Radha maa once in a while when she would tell him all about Gauri. She even told me that Tej sir used to make sure that they were well protected at all times. What was supposed to be a happy family reunion was destroyed with Tej sir's demise, the mission getting aborted and Radha maa falling sick. Till her last breath she waited for her husband to return to her Abhi." Shivaay concluded tearfully.

Abhay was still trying to sink in the information when Shivaay dropped the bomb.

"It was Radha maa's husband and Tej sir's wish that Gauri marries Tej sir's son Omkara."

"WHAT!!" Screamed Abhay raising from his place.

Looking at the distraught face of his friend, Shivaay deciphered what was wrong. Still, he asked him the same praying his inference be wrong.

"Shivaay I..... I Love Gauri" Abhay spelled it out as a lump formed in his throat.

Shivaay cursed himself of not knowing it sooner. 'How did he not notice that his friend was falling for his sister. Why could he not tell him sooner that he would have been spared of a heartbreak'.

"Does Gauri know?" asked Shivaay and was relieved when Abhay nodded a 'NO'. He knew that Gauri would never agree for the marriage if she knew that Abhay had feelings for her. If given a choice between her friend who supported her, gave her a shoulder to cry every time she missed her mother and her father whom she believed was never there for her mother, she would choose Abhay.

"Abhi..... I don't know what to say... why couldn't you tell me this sooner?"

"I... I thought you knew Shivaay" he explained.

"Yes. I ought to have known before. I am sorry Abhi. It was Radha maa's last wish. Gauri's father was separated from his family for all these years. All he ever wished for was to see her happy with his friend's son. For whatever reason that might be, shouldn't we give him that happiness after years of service and exile?"

Abhay looked at Shivaay wordlessly. He knew his answer because he loved Radha maa too. May be Gauri was not in his destiny he tried to tell himself.

"Did you meet this guy? Omkara? Will he take care of her?" he asked.

Shivaay was proud of his friend. He felt bad that this had to happen to him. He hugged him while he replied "Yes, I met him. He is a good guy just needs to get his priorities right. He is a confused soul trying to look for love in commitment rather than looking for commitment after love. I will make sure he comes to the right path soon."

"What does that mean?" asked Abhay.

"He is in a live in relationship with a girl because she had given him 'his space' as he puts it and believes that he loves her. He doesn't want to hurt her by leaving her being the gentleman he is."

"Oh great!! He is in a live in relationship. Let him be on his own then. Why are you going to reform him now? Gauri can decide it for herself if she stays with me or him. She would be so happy that her betrothed has been in a live in relationship before marriage. Zindaa gaadh degi pata chali too.... (she would bury him alive) Tu usko jaanta hai naa....(you know her right)."

Shivaay gave a tired sigh and said "Please Abhi...Gauri ko nahi batana hai... she is not ready yet. She will understand later that Om is just confused. He is definitely not in love Abhi. He deserves more."

"Doesn't Gauri deserve more then?" said Abhay bitterly.

Then looking at Shivaay..."Whatever!!!" he sighed "Make sure he learns his lesson the hard way" he said.

Shivaay just chuckled at it as he thought 'Om.. a lot is on the line... get rid of that snake woman soon and prove your worth. You better be the one for her.'

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February 2017

Location: Terrace, Tiwari House, Bareilly.

Omkara was about to move forwards to confront his fiancé and her so called friend when he was stopped by his father in law.

Jagdish Tiwari reached the terrace looking for Gauri with an intention to talk to her regarding one of the marriage rituals when he saw her sobbing in the arms of Abhay and Omkara watching the scene.

He saw the play of anger, disappointment and hurt in the face of the later. When he saw Omkara move towards them with a look of determination, he decided to prevent the catastrophe.

"Omkara" he called out urgently.

Omkara stopped in his tracks and turned around.

"It's not what it looks like beta. Come with me" he pleaded.

Omkara though not happy at the interruption, decided to hear him out. Giving a final look towards the pair, he followed his father in law to his room.

"Omkara I know it looked wrong but believe me beta.... Abhay is Gauri's best friend and nothing else. He has known her since a very young age when she was in school. He is just offering comfort to her now."

"Uncle, is she not happy with this arrangement?"

"No Omkara, she is just missing Sh..." he stopped in time correcting himself... "her mother"

When Omkara looked confused, he explained.

"Gayathri is not Gauri's mother. It was all my fault" he said tearfully reminiscing his mistake three decades ago.

"My first marriage was against my mother's wish. She never accepted her as her daughter in law. She tried to create a rift between us. One day I came home to see my wife in the arms of another man. I choose to believe what my eyes showed instead of what my heart had been telling me. She was a woman of self-respect and when I didn't trust her, she left the house the next day." He uttered painfully.

"By the time I came to know that it was my mother who staged the entire thing, it was extremely late. I was married to Gayathri on my mother's insistence by then and moved out of Bareilly by then. She and my kid underwent so much slander because of me and I couldn't even ask for her forgiveness because I lost her then."

"That is the reason I stopped you lest you commit the same mistake as me. Relationships are like plants Omkara, they need to get watered daily, by love, care, communication and trust... when it is in the verge of extinction no-matter how much water of love and repentance you pour, the dead plant never blossoms." He advised.

Jagdish knew he was twisting facts... He was recalling his Geeta and Shivaay though he let Omkara think he was talking about Gauri. At the end all he wanted was to help Gauri who was so dear to his son, so that his son would finally forgive him.

Omkara looked at the man before him with pity. He was sad but thankful. Sad because he felt bad for Gauri that she had a painful childhood and thankful because he was saved from being embarrassed with guilt. He hardly knew her and had he confronted them earlier, it would have left a stain on their relationship even before it started. He made it a point to get to know her better.

"I'm sorry for you uncle. Thanks for stopping me. I will keep your advice in mind."

"If you don't want Gauri to spend time with Abhay, you can talk to Gauri about it. She is a mature girl and will understand your concerns. Or should I talk to Abhay?"

"No uncle, it is okay. I will talk to Gauri later. By the way I am required in Mumbai tomorrow and so I need to cut short my stay here. I was about to tell you in the morning but now that we talked I'm informing you now." Said Omkara to which Jagdish nodded.

"Good night Uncle, thank you once again. I will inform Gauri tomorrow" wished Omkara and returned to his room.

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Location: Department of Forensic sciences, CID, Mumbai.

Omkara informed his family that he needed to go the Mumbai for his case the very next morning. It was decided that he would return alone while the rest of the family completed the remaining talks regarding the marriage and will return a day later. As he was in a hurry, he just waved a formal by to Gauri informing her that he would call her later.

Now sitting in the department with Bhavya, he wished he could have talked to her properly face to face before he left than merely talking to her on phone.

"Bhavya, did you get any other detail in the autopsy report which can give any clue?" asked Omkara now going through the finger print analysis.

"No Bhaiyya. We would have got more information if we got the body directly but since it is after a month of decomposition, all the signs are just blurred and nothing of importance can be deduced from them."

Omkara nodded and turned to Dandi "Any info about the caller Id? You were to contact with the voice analysis experts right?"

"Yes sir, the call was short and ended abruptly but for whatever duration was the call made, experts opine that the voice was modified"

"Oh!! Great he knows that we would be checking the voice analysis then" said Omkara "Either the guy has studied too much information on us, or he has an ally in the department or he had worked in the department."

"The first option seems close to impossible sir. He can't be so accurate with the duration of the call and voice modification details by reading. The department does not let out such information on the net or in the books. I think it should be option two or three."

"Who received the call that day? Any unusual replacements?"

"No. Nothing unusual. The call was received by a constable, who forwarded the information to me."

"Hmmm"

"Did you verify the journey details of Vikram Bhardwaj?"

"Yes Sir" said Dandi. "All were genuine. He was reported to be at the conference on twenty fifth of January"

"What about on twenty fourth of January?"

"He boarded the flight at two in the afternoon on twenty fourth of January and reached the New York airport by eight the next morning. He reached the hotel by nine o clock and attended the conference by ten. The conference was for two days and he returned back on the twenty seventh of January and joined his office on the same day."

"That seemed to be a through report. Good Dandi"

Dandi grinned at Omkara saying a "Thank you sir"

"Where is Abhishek then?"

"He is on leave today sir, he has to attend his cousin's wedding"

"Okay... I'm leaving now, report anything of importance." he stood up from his place and started to pack his things on the table.

"Yes sir" said Dandi "Sir, I forgot to congratulate you.... Congratulations for your engagement. Bhavya madam showed me the pictures sir. Gauri madam looks so beautiful. Good that you left Sanjana, Khaira, Gopika, Sohini, Reshama..." he continued while Bhavya burst out laughing and Omkara looked livid.

"Dandi" he growled... are you going to chant their names like a mantra now? What is wrong with you?"

"No sir, believe me I am just being thankful that you left Sanjana, Khaira...."

"Dandi!!!... stop it now before I decide to kill you... Did you delete my mom's number in your phone as I asked you?"

"Yes sir, on the same day you told me"

"Good. You didn't talk to her after that day. Right?"

"No sir, I called her yesterday to congratulate her. How can I not? It would look bad on my part. I told her that you ordered me not to talk to her and hence I cannot take her calls but she can always call me"

Bhavya was trying her best not to laugh seeing expression on Omkara's face.

"Dandi" he spoke in a cold tone. "There is a reason I asked you to delete her number from your phone. And that is to cut your contact with her. It means 'You need to stop talking to her'.............." He growled out making Dandi jump in his place.

"Oh... sorry sir I didn't know it. I will at once call Janu maa now and inform the same"

Bhavya tried to save him by intervening "Dandi don't be silly. You deleted the number right. You can't call her."

"Ha, but I know her number by heart. You wait mam I will call her just now..."

"DANDI!!!" Shouted Omkara and walked towards him while Dandi scrambled out of his reach towards the door.

Bhavya laughingly asked "Kya bhaiyya aap bhi... what is his fault in this. Jhanvi maa had him in her grip ever since his first day of posting here. He likes her and is more loyal to her. Stop taking it seriously."

"I sometimes doubt how he acts so clueless at some things when he is so efficient in completing any task given to him. He seems to have fun irritating me" sighed Omkara.

"Vaise bhaiyaa... he is right you know... good that you left Sanjana,kaira..."

"Bhavya... not you too yaar" he uttered tiredly while Bhavya laughed at his expense.

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Hi... sorry for the delay.... I updated anyway.... Chapter 6.

I hope the flashback part cleared most of your doubts.......

Its better to deal with one end clear than having all the ends in mystery.

Let me know what you think...

i will be busy tomorrow and so, cannot give you an update. I will come up with an update on the day after.

Signing off till then............... Yours Soujanya.