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

"Will anyone tell me what is wrong here?" asked Shivaay looking at Omkara and Rudy who were glaring at each other.

The three of them were to go for a movie and agreed that Shivaay would come to the Oberoi mansion from where they will go together. They just received the news of Omkara's promotion as assistant commissioner of Police and the trio decided to celebrate. Shivaay had just entered the mansion when he saw that Om-Rudy were having a difference of opinion and were glaring at each other.

"Wow!!" exclaimed Omkara sarcastically looking at Shivaay and then turning to Rudra "there you go... you have your partner to support you now"

"Om, what happened? Why are you so irritated?"

"What other reason can you expect bhaiyya" said Rudra looking at Shivaay.

Shivaay sighed "Ridhima? Is it about her again? What is it today"

"She knows that O will go with us, still she asked him to join her for shopping today. This guy here is ready to go with her" said Rudra in disappointment.

"Rudy, I told you she forgot that I was to come with you. She even asked me to go with you guys but she is alone there and it will be night by the time she finishes her shopping. I offered to go with her because I am just worried about her safety. Don't make a big issue out of it" explained Omkara.

Shivaay was still silent looking at Om, anger building up inside him. It has been a month since he broke his best friend's heart by revealing Gauri's betrothment to Omkara. Abhay was a mess since then putting up a brave front only for him. Here, he has to hear Omkara defend that woman in front of him. How dare he? Is this all even worth it? He thought for a second before he thought of his Radha maa and tried to calm himself down.

Ridhima was a manipulator and an opportunist. He gathered that in a week of meeting her. How naïve can one be? Om is a smart officer in the department. Who would have thought he would be stuck with her, not realizing that she was making a fool out of him. It has always been a problem with Om that he doesn't trust anyone so easily but once someone manages to gain it; he would just blindly trust them. It is time for a reality check Om he thought silently. He noted that he needs to do a thorough background search on Ridhima. He was sure he could find something that would slap Omkara back to reality.

For now, keeping his anger in check, he tried to control the situation "Rudy let him go, we can hang out together later. Let us go for the movie now" which surprised the brothers.

"Bhaiyaa...aap"

"Rudy, Omkara is right every small issue need not be turned into an argument. Let's go" he said and turned around to leave the house, lest he slaps Om right then.

Rudra just followed him outside. By the time they reached the theater, Shivaay cooled down considerably. He looked at Rudy still angry and pouting. He chuckled silently. He was always reminded of Gauri whenever he saw Rudra. Both of them stubborn and childish yet when it comes to love, they have tons of it for people who are dear to them. If someone dares to hurt their loved ones, they wont step back till they make sure that their enemy falls to the ground in such a way that he wouldn't raise again to hurt them.

"Rudy, forget it. Enjoy the movie for now. Omkara will come around soon"

"I don't like that woman bhaiyya, I will never talk to O if he brings her home as my Bhabhi" he said with a determined look. "How much ever I try to look at her in a positive light, I always get this instinct that something is definitely wrong. Why doesn't O understand"

"I will set things right Rudy, trust me. I will find something on her soon. Omkara is just blind at the moment, he will see things in the right light with a good push" he said and Rudy nodded absentmindedly.

"You don't believe me? Rudy... let me reveal to you that I found the perfect bride for our Om" said Shivaay and Rudra looked at him curiously.

"My sister" Shivaay said winking and Rudra grinned saying "Oh Ms. Sherni"

Shivaay laughed and nodded a yes. "Let us start the mission 'irritate Omkara with Ms. Sherni' from tomorrow"

"Sure Bhaiyya I am on it.... Will she be in my team?" he asked for confirmation though he trusts Shivaay enough to know that he would suggest the best for his brother. He knew that his bhaiyya loved his sister dearly and he deciding to give her to his brother meant something big in itself.

"Of course Rudy, you and she will be inseparable. Make sure you take good care of her" he said and Rudra dramatically sighed saying "kya bhaiyaa, ye bhi koi batane vali baat hai..." (do you even have to tell me)

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

March 2017

Location: Omkara's cabin, CB-CID

A week after the dead body was found.

Omkara, Bhavya, Abhishek and Dandi were discussing the case developments.

Abhishek was briefing Omkara about the project details of Nisha.

"According to our investigation, Nisha was working on the drug formulation of rememizolam sir. She was almost successful in the initial drug tests after which the drug needed to be tested in clinical trials. Her untimely death lead to stoppage of the project."

But sir, these were according to the official reports in the company. I seeked unofficial enquiry from reliable sources who reported that two years back, the same project was handled by a senior scientist named Daksh Agarwal who suddenly resigned the company stating personal reasons. We couldn't trace his details. I'm still on his trial."

Omkara nodded and turned to Dandi who had a not so happy expression "The caller id still not traceable sir. This time the call was shorter than the last time, where he just gave Nisha's name, a date and longitude, latitude of a location and finished the call."

"It won't be necessary" stated Omkara. "I guess he was already caught and I don't expect him to call again but be on alert always."

"Bhavya tell me the autopsy details" he asked

"The dead body seems to be a female approximately in her early twenties, there were signs of abuse and torture on external examination, rest are normal, chemical analysis showed the presence of a different combination of chemicals than the usual toxins. We asked for comparing Nisha's drug formulation with this chemical. The reports will take a week bhaiyya." Explained Bhavya.

"Great!! Good work guys. We are going in the right direction. We will get our guy soon" Omkara said with a happy smile. "Let us keep going" he said and they nodded.

A week later Omkara walked into the Oberoi mansion exhausted with the day's work. He was passing by his mother's room when he heard his mother, Rudra and Bhavya animatedly talking to someone on the laptop. Apparently they were having a video chat with the other person. He smiled and was about to move away when he heard Rudra's dramatic dialogue "I miss you bhabhi, come home soon" and he made his way into his mom's room.

"Achaaa... see who has blessed us with their presence" said Rudra all the more dramatically.

Omkara asked the obvious question "Who are you people talking to?"

"Ohh... you didn't know bhaiyya? I thought you came here for Gauri Bhabhi" winked Bhavya.

"Acha Om, come and talk with her that you are here" said Jhanvi trying to rescue her son lest he scurried away.

Omkara eagerly walked to them and looked at the screen to see Roshni and Gauri smiling at him.

"Hi" he said returning the smile and she replied the same.

"Jiju when are you coming here?" asked Roshni and he merely smiled saying "soon"

That was followed by Roshni narrating all the events at their village since he left and how excited she was for the marriage.

Omkara barely registered anything she said busy looking at the woman sitting beside the girl, looking at her with a smile. One point however caught his attention.

"Oh, Abhay is shifting to Mumbai too?" asked Jhanvi.

"Yes Jhanvi aunty, how can Abhay jiju leave Gauri di, they are best friends naa... Gauri di can get bored in Mumbai alone." Explained Roshni.

Gauri just looked at him gauging his reaction and Omkara was careful in not giving out any expression though he wasn't happy with the piece of information. He excused himself saying he would call her later and went ahead to his room, his mood already turning sour.

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

Location: Tiwari House, Bareilly

"What are you thinking so deeply?" asked Abhay to Gauri who was staring at the broachers of colleges given by Omkara.

She was disturbed that Omkara was not happy with her friendship with Abhay. Did he not trust her? If a girl gets married she has to leave her parents her siblings and hometown to live with her husband. Does she have to even leave her friendship for him? After her Shiv bhaiyya, Abhay was more important to her than anybody. Agreed that he might not like her playing with Abhi but this time he was just shifting to Mumbai with her. She would obviously stay with her husband right? What was his problem now then?

"Nothing Abhi" she said and Abhay just nodded.

"You believed it?" asked Gauri surprised that he did not coax her.

"I didn't Gauri but if you choose to not tell it then I respect your privacy" he said.

Gauri sighed "Why are you this good Abhi? Why didn't you love anyone?"

She felt him stiffen but recover soon "How does every conversation with you end up in you talking about my love life Gauri?" he laughed.

"You know why" she stated looking at him and he sighed.

"Gauri, I will think about Ishaana okay, stop bringing up the same topic again and again"

"What are thinking about so much Abhi, she loves you ever since she saw you first"

"That is exactly my problem, she was what... barely fifteen when she saw me and she knows nothing about me. How can you possibly love someone without knowing them. It must be her infatuation. I'm sure she will get over it" he said

"Men are dogs they say but I disagree Abhi, men are donkeys. For a computer genius I think you should act smarter" said Gauri exasperated.

"She loves you Abhi, get that into your head right now. I talked to her more than once about this and every time she seems to be more determined than before to make you love her back. You are in for much needed drama." She said laughing at him.

Abhay was about to retort when they were interrupted with their subject of discussion.

"Di, maa is calling you both for dinner" said Ishaana and shyly looked at Abhay who was looking at the tiles with great interest.

Gauri gently nudged him and he lifted his head towards her. "Ok Ishu, I will come" said Gauri.

Ishaana hesitated for a minute before saying "Aapko bhi..." looking at Abhay and he merely nodded.

Once Ishaana was out of the room, Gauri looked at Abhay with a huge teasing grin on her face wiggling her eyebrows at him.

Abhay rolled his eyes at her and said, "What now?"

"Aankhon se ishhare kar rahi hai... (gesturing with eyes) ... Did you see that?"

"Haaa to? Then what?"

"You just wait and watch Abhi... I swear you are going to fall for her... I can see that happening" she said with dreamy eyes.

"I will not" he replied.

"You will"

"I will not Gauri"

"aree yaar why?"

Because she is not you he thought but smiled and said "Because I know me better" to which Gauri frowned. "Is that a challenge?" she said and he looked at her horrified "Naah baba naah... sorry, let us go for dinner" he said hurrying downstairs.

Gauri looked at him narrowing her eyes "Challenge accepted" she thought and grinned outwardly.

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

Location: CB-CID, MUMBAI.

Omkara was unusually irritable the next day at office, barking orders at people and scolding them for being lazy. By noon, everyone of the team members have been scolded and no one dared to enter his cabin.

Finally after a lot of thought Bhavya, Dandi and Abhishek entered his cabin. Abhishek was to go for an important function at home and he needs to inform Omkara the same. Bhavya and Dandi accompanied him for moral support.

"Sir" Abhishek weekly whispered. When Omkara didn't respond, Bhavya nudged him and he spoke a bit louder "Omkara sir".

Omkara merely responded a "Hmm" to which he said "Sir, I need leave for four days to attend a family function."

Omkara lifted his head from the file and looked at them "Four days?"

"Exactly sir... that was my response too... What is the need for four days leave but he said that he had to take a flight to return to Mumbai and the flight costs were lesser on those days.... His exact words were 'Do I have a charter flight to come immediately? I need to take a flight to come back early and the costs were less on those days'..." said Dandi imitating Abhishek and the later closed his eyes ready for a scolding.

I have gone mad asking Dandi to come with me for mental support. Ab to ho chuka kalyaan mera, he tought.

Omkara suddenly got up from his seat towards them and Bhavya decided to save her colleagues.

"Bhaiyya... it is not what you interpreted... Dandi was saying..." she tried when she was interrupted.

"Didn't Vikram Bharadwaj have a charter flight?" asked Omkara looking at Dandi.

"He has it sir. Why did you ask?"

"Which flight did he take for the conference that he attended in January"

"Normal airlines sir. He said his flight had a problem at that time" said Dandi.

"Enquire in secret what was the problem and whether the flight took of that day any time. Also correctly check the airport and hotel CCTV footages if his face was clearly visible during his travel and stay" he ordered and Dandi ran out to get on with the task immediately.

Omkara turned to Abhishek and said "Come back as soon you can. Let us wind this up fast" to which the later nodded and left.

"Bhaiyya are you okay?" asked Bhavya once alone with him.

"Yeah Bhavya, why do you ask?"

"You have been cranky since morning" she stated.

"Concentrate on the case Bhavya... what happened to the drug analysis report" he said diverting the topic.

"Just a day or two Bhaiyya, we will get the report. There was a delay because our men took time in getting the exact formulation of the drug from Bharadwaj pharmaceuticals... If we need a proper evidence, there shouldn't be any loopholes that the company can escape from" she explained and he nodded.

"Bhaiyya, we need to go to the wedding shopping today. Rudy asked me to remind you" she informed and he merely nodded again.

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

Location: ABC Mall, Mumbai

"Om!! look at this color, it will suit you" Jhanvi said looking at her son who appeared to zone out every now and then.

"Yeah maa, it looks good"

"Try it on then" she asked and he obliged.

"What happened to him?" asked Rudy looking at Bhavya.

"Don't know Rudy, he appeared to be disturbed since morning barking at everybody today"

Rudy looked at his mother and exclaimed "Your lovely son has turned into a possessive person now. I'm sure this has something to do with that Abhay shifting to Mumbai."

Jhanvi sighed Oberoi men and their possessiveness. Tej was not any less. Never thought Om would behave such way. He was the smartest among her sons. Looks like Rudy was better than him in matters related to heart, she thought.

"Rudra, call Gauri" she ordered and Rudy followed it.

"Gauri Hi, Omkara was asking for your opinion in selecting his sherwani. Help him please, will you?" asked Jhanvi once she saw her on her phone screen.

Gauri smiled shyly and nodded.

After a few seconds Omkara appeared on her phone screen and Gauri looked at him dazed. Her fiancé looked lethal in that royal blue sherwani with silver prints on it. Oh man....... Kitna sona lag raha hai...

"Om look Gauri has called to talk to you" said Jhanvi to her son and he nodded at the screen saying a Hi.

Jhanvi handed over the phone to him and took Rudy and Bhavya to the other end to see if anything else looks better on him.

After a few minutes of silence, Gauri started "You look handsome in this sherwani Omkaraji. Blue suits you" she said smiling at him which brought an involuntary smile on his face.

"Thank you... so you like blue?"

"No" she replied and then after a moment added "I like you in blue"

And finally, Omkara genuinely smiled for the day "Kya baat hai... someone is in a flirty mood today?"

"I'm stating the truth here Omkaraji, what is the need to flirt with you now? I already know you like me" she said with a mischievous smile and Omkara laughed and nodded a yes.

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

Jhanvi along with Rudy and Bhavya were casually looking at the designs in the bride groom section when Jhanvi excused herself as she got a call.

As she was talking to the other person on the line, she saw a familiar figure looking at something behind her with curiosity. She turned her head in that direction, to see that the person was looking at Omkara who in turn was laughing at something Gauri must have said on phone. Deciding to look further, she slightly moved forward when the figure took a look at her and froze. He seemed to recover quickly and ask "Hi Jhanvi aunty how are you"

"Hi... Arjun Shastri right? I saw you in Bareilly, what is that you were looking at?"

"Ummm... nothing aunty... I was just passing by when I saw Omkaraji. I was contemplating whether or not to meet him when I saw you" he said with a smile.

"Ohh... he is a bit busy on the phone. How are you in Mumbai?"

"I am a chemistry professor aunty. I am looking for a place to stay here. I recently got promoted here"

"Ohh congratulations then. Do visit our house if you find time. We are here for wedding shopping"

"Yeah aunty sure, thank you. I have to leave now. Bye" he said and Jhanvi nodded with a smile.

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

There it is chapter 9.

With this chapter, I lay all my threads of the story before you.

No new characters will be added from here on. Its time for you to start solving the case with the clues given.

The previous chapter should have cleared the mis-assumption that everyone made. If no I will clear it out "Gauri was not the one kidnapped in the beginning of this story"

Let me know your theories... but limit the questions about what will come next lest you miss on the suspense part.

Next episodes will have Rikara. I am jumping directly to the marriage. Let us just assume that they had a lovely courtship.

Signing off............yours Soujanya.