One year later..................

"Thanks for helping Abhay. We really needed your help in the case" said Omkara gratefully.

"It is not at all a problem Om. You can call me whenever my help is needed" smiled Abhay looking at Omkara.

It was past dinner time and they were returning to Oberoi mansion after finishing an important detailing required in a case dealt by the crime branch.

"Gauri didn't call me since morning... How is that possible" Omkara thought out loud checking his mobile making Abhay smile.

"Roshni is at the mansion. What do you think they are doing" Abhay asked and Omkara laughed.

"If I am not wrong, the trio must be making new plans to irritate you" he said and Abhay agreed "Exactly, she never fails to do so"

True to their thoughts, as they entered the mansion they saw Gauri, Roshni and Rudra seriously discussing something.

Omkara took a step forward when Abhay held him back "Wait let me see what they planned this time" he said and both of them hid behind a pillar silently eves dropping on the round table conference.

"How do we know that Abhi loves Ishu?..... Rudy bhaiyya kuch bataiye naa...(tell us a way)" urged Gauri.

"How about we make him jealous?" said Rudy while the rest rolled their eyes and Roshni spoke out "Hum Abhay jiju ke baare me baat kar rahe hai Rudy bhaiyya Omkara jiju ke baare mein nahi (We are talking about Abhay not Omkara)"

Abhay chuckled hearing that and looked at Omkara beside him who avoided his gaze embarrassed.

"How about ask him directly" suggested Rudra and Gauri made faces.

She then mimicked her friend and said, "Gauri, you do you want to ask? I am marrying her right it should not matter anymore" This is what he said to me when I asked him directly.

They sighed while Omkara looked at Abhay with a sly grin "Do you really not love Ishaana? I don't think so"

"Of course I do Om but I am not letting your wife know about it. She will tease me for eternity. I can't let her win the challenge right" he answered smiling while Omkara laughed "Right...challenge."

"Oh my God those days were terrible Om" said Abhay sighing and Omkara guffawed. His wife truly irritated the poor guy with her match making skills.

Rudra thought in concentration before he said "Let us make Ishaana run away from the wedding" he said and everyone including Abhay and Omkara gasped.

"Rudy bhaiyya... aap ye..." started Gauri.

"Bhabhi... what I meant was we should make Abhay bhaiyya believe that Ishaana is ready to run away from their wedding. Then he will try to stop Ishaana and then he will confess his love to her. Right?" he said and the others pondered over the idea.

"Let us go before they finalize something and ruin your big day" said Omkara and dragged Abhay with him towards the rest.

"What is happening here?" he asked once he reached them.

His wife looked at him too innocently and said "Omkaraji what will we do we were just planning Abhi's wedding. What else?" she said and looked at her brother in law for support.

"Yeah O, we were planning the wedding theme and decorations. It is hardly two weeks away isn't it" said Rudra and Roshni, Gauri nodded their heads looking equally innocent.

"Don't give me that look. You people are anything but innocent" Omkara said looking at his wife.

"Gauri where is mom. Let us have dinner Abhay said he has work" he asked her and Gauri replied "Jhanvi maa went to finalize the catering order with baba. They will be here anytime. You two come to the dining they will join."

Omkara nodded and all of them proceeded to the dining hall.

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Location: Omkara's room, Oberoi mansion.

"Gauri stop pestering Abhay and interfering in his love life" said Omkara as he tried talking to his wife who was presently sitting on his lap, both of them on their bed after an intense make out.

"Why? If he makes mistakes, I should guide him right...He did not propose to Ishaana yet Omkara ji. This is not done" she said stubbornly.

"Abhay is not a very expressive guy Gauri. You know it . He likes to keep his private life away from people. You can't expect him to propose Ishaana in front of everyone. Let them go at their pace" he explained when Gauri pouted.

"But you do that right... You said I love you to me in front of everybody and I had to be subjected to endless teasing. Then why can't he. It is normal in love right Omkaraji?"

"That is because I like to express it openly that you are mine" said Omkara kissing her neck. "I love you and I don't mind saying it in front of anybody. If possible I won't even hesitate to kiss you before everybody" said Omkara nuzzling her neck and Gauri giggled feeling it ticklish

"People have different ways to express love Gauri. It doesn't need to be loud always. Just because he doesn't say it, it doesn't mean he doesn't feel it."

"But I like it when you say that to me. Ishaana must be wanting the same" said Gauri.

"Ishaana loves Abhay and she understands him Gauri. They will manage" he said before giving an open mouthed kiss on her bare shoulder.

"What about Shiv bhaiyya then? Will he not propose Anika too?" Gauri asked trying to concentrate as her husband tried to seduce her again.

Omkara moved his face away to look at his wife and sighed "You are wasting your time going to college and studying business management. I suggest you open a marriage bureau Gauri" he stated and Gauri frowned at him.

"Omkaraji I just want my brother and best friend to be happy. Is that a crime? You can think whatever you like. I am going to sleep" she said and tried to distance herself when Omkara pulled her closer.

"Okay baby sorry. Now don't get upset. I have planned many things for us tonight" he said and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"What!! a man has needs and I need you before you go away leaving me alone for two days" he said in a complaining tone.

"I will go after ten days Omkara ji. I need to take care of the wedding planning. Ishaana wanted me to come earlier but you wouldn't let me go. It is only for two days that I will go and citing that as the reason you haven't let me sleep since a week. Now you say you have plans for tonight as well?" asked Gauri.

Omkara smiled sheepishly "Umm... doesn't matter for how many days. I will still miss you and you need to compensate" he said before taking her mouth into a searing kiss effectively closing the conversation and her protests for the night as it is needless to say that his wife can never resist his charms.

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

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

"Om can I take your car tonight? I need to drop Anika to the airport" asked Shivaay.

"Of course Shivaay. You don't need to ask me. By the way how did the talk with Anika's parents go?"

"They were very friendly and open minded Om. I was worried that they might reject me because of my birth history" said Shivaay smiling at Omkara.

"I told you so. You were not ready to believe me. Anyways congratulations Shivaay. When are you planning your grand proposal then" he asked him as he chuckled.

"How did you know? Did Anika tell you already?" said Shivaay making Omkara raise his eyebrow.

"Anika wanted a grand proposal?" asked Omkara smiling.

"Yeah. She has been eating my head regarding her dream proposal and that I should fulfill it. Wait a minute if Anika did not tell you how did you know?" asked Shivaay and Omkara grinned "Guess who?"

Shivaay looked at him for a moment before rolling his eyes and said, "Of course why did I even ask. Both my sister and my girlfriend are mad. Why do we need to deal with such personalities. Behen kaafi nahi thi ki patni bhi vaisi hi mili" he said covering his face with his hands making Omkara laugh out loud.

"Hey...talk for yourself... I love my wife and I am ready to deal with her for eternity" said Omkara and Shivaay looked at him happy.

"You are so much in love Om. I still remember how you used to get irritated whenever I and Rudy took her name" said Shivaay laughing. "I never had the brother-in law talk with you right... may be that is because I trust you not to hurt her" said Shivaay and Omkara hugged him.

"Thank you Shivaay... thanks for being persistent and never losing your trust in me. I would have never been this happy with anyone other than Gauri. I love her so much man" he said still hugging Shivaay while the later smiled and patted his back smiling.

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

Location: Omkara's room, Oberoi mansion

Abhay and Shivaay came to the room looking for Omkara when they saw the door of the room slightly ajar. Shivaay was about to go in when they heard hushed voices.

"Gauri di open it fast before someone comes" they heard Roshni's excited voice.

"Aree ruk na Shona mujhe tension ho raha hai kahi koi dekh na le... Omkara ji to bilkul bhi nahi (Stop it Shona...I already am tensed thinking what if anybody sees this. Definitely not Omkaraji)" Gauri answered anxiously making Shivaay and Abhay look at one another.

Shivaay made an entrance making Gauri and Roshni jump in their places. Gauri hid something behind her making Abhay and Shivaay narrow their eyes at her.

"What is it that shouldn't be seen?" asked Shivaay and Gauri gulped.

"Ummm... Nothing Shivaay bhaiyya... Gauri di got the test results today in her college and she didn't do well. She was worried that you will scold her for not preparing well" said Roshni stuttering.

"Gauri di... no one will say anything. You always get good marks right what if you didn't score well in one. Come with me to the study. We will read together" she said dramatically while she took her Gauri di's hand and hurried towards the study.

Shivaay caught Gauri from the back and tried to take the paper which she managed to hide. Gauri gave the paper to Roshni and asked her to hurry out.

"Abhi catch her" shouted Shivaay and Abhay jumped into action catching hold of Roshni. He successfully snatched the paper from a struggling Roshni and tried reading it.

Reading halfway through it, Abhay looked at Gauri in shock "Ye kya badtameezi hai Gauri (what is this rubbish)?" he asked her and the girls groaned.

"What is it Abhay?" asked Shivaay.

Abhay answered him still glaring at Gauri "It is a bloody love letter Shivaay. It is from someone named Kunal from her college"

Shivaay left Gauri and turned her towards him "What is all this?" he asked her in a scolding tone.

"I promise I didn't take it from him bhaiyya. I just came from college today and was removing the contents of my bag when I saw the letter. You know I love reading those. So I thought I will live my childhood dream today. You people had to come at the right moment to spoil it again" said Gauri looking at her brother and Abhay accusingly.

"Are you mad Gauri? Tear the paper and throw it in the dustbin. If Om sees it then...." started Shivaay.

"What if I see?" asked Omkara walking into the room and Abhay at once hid the letter silently gesturing Roshni to help him hide it.

Roshni gave a jubilant smile to her jiju successfully hiding the piece of paper in her pocket. Not getting a response from anyone, Omkara raised his eyebrow at Shivaay.

"Uhhh... nothing Om. It was just the normal bickering between us" lied Shivaay.

"Yeah right. What should I not see then?" asked Omkara.

"Love letter" answered Roshni making Abhay, Gauri and Shivaay gasp.

"What love letter?" asked Omkara looking at the little munchkin.

"Umm.. Shivaay bhaiyya got a love letter and Gauri was trying to read it jiju. He is not allowing her to do so. He is afraid that if you get to know of it, you will tease him" said Roshni smiling brightly mentally patting her back for the cover up while the rest gaped at her. This girl lies like a pro.

"Shivaay seriously... love letter? Who the hell gives love letters these days... Who gave you that?" asked Omkara smiling at his friend buying Roshni's lie.

Shivaay thought for a moment before answering "Uhhh... Om... that new pathologist who joined the force." What was her name... he dugged his head for her name...

"Who Swetlana singh?" asked Omkara and Shivaay nodded his head vigorously.

"Who is Swetlana Shivaay?" asked Anika from the doorway of the room making everybody groan and Shivaay closed his eyes silently praying.

Anika walked in towards her boyfriend and stood before him with her hands on her hips "Who is that Swetlana? And why are you people looking like you just ate carrot halwa made in castor oil?"

"Uhh... nothing important Anika... She is a new recruitment in the team and Omkaraji was asking about her" Gauri tried explaining looking at her husband for support and Omkara nodded his head tightly smiling.

Anika still gave an I don't believe you look to Shivaay when he said "Anika we were about to discuss the details of the grand proposal right. Come with me I need to make arrangements for it" saying this Shivaay dragged Anika out while Abhay and Roshni followed suit taking away the matter of dispute along with them.

Gauri sighed heavily placing a hand on her chest thanking her Shankar ji "Omkara ji I will bring you your coffee" she said not looking at him and was about to leave the room silently when Omkara locked the door shut, making her jump in her place.

She looked at him while he carefully observed her nervously biting her lips and tapping her foot on the ground.

He grabbed her waist pulling her closer to him "Gauri your husband is an ACP. You know that right?" he asked and Gauri nodded her head fake smiling.

"I can tell when a person is nervous and lying" he stated and she gave him her best puppy dog eyes.

"Nope.. that won't work...spill" he ordered mercilessly and Gauri sulked before telling him the truth.

"What the hell?" he roared as expected and Gauri closed her ears.

"Who the hell gave you that letter? Doesn't he have common sense not to give a married women love letters. The nerve of the man" he growled before turning to the door after checking for the revolver in his pocket.

Gauri ran before him covering the door handle not letting him go out of their room.

"Omkara ji please. He is a decent guy and may be he doesn't know that I am married" she said making him narrow his eyes at her.

"In fact no one knows that I am married except for my friends. I cover my mangalsutra with my duppata and never wore sindhoor to college. I thought people will not be comfortable in talking to me and will cast me out. I already am from a village and I don't have any interest in wearing modern dresses Omkaraji. If everyone knew of the fact that I am married too...they might consider me a classic 'behenji' and will not let me mingle amongst them" she explained.

"You have friends now right? Why do you hide our marriage now then?" he asked.

"I never thought of it later Omkaraji. It became a routine may be. Sorry" she apologized.

When he remained silent she neared him, encircling her arms around his neck. She stood on her toes to kiss him on his cheeks with a sorry accompanying and hugged him tight mumbling a please.

Omkara sighed but gave in, hugging her tight and inhaling her scent in an attempt to cool himself down.

The next day Omkara dropped his wife adorned with sindhoor in her hair line and a very much visible mangalsutra on her neck to her college. For reassurance he gave a loud kiss on her cheek in front of her friends and classmates before he left for work.

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

Location: Tiwari house, Bareilly

"Baba what was the need to do all this? See now you injured yourself" Gauri scolded her father concernedly.

They were in the kitchen where Kaali was trying to cook for his daughter and cut his finger in the process of chopping the onions.

Kaali looked lovingly at his daughter hurriedly put his finger under the tap to wash the blood off and then securely tying a cloth around it to stop the bleeding.

He laughed and put his free hand on her head when Gauri looked up at him in question.

"If anyone told me that you will be worried over me having a small cut on my finger four months back, I would have laughed at them. I can't believe this" he said and Gauri looked down feeling guilty.

"I was a very bad daughter to you baba. Wasn't I?" she asked him.

Kaali simply hugged her "No Gauri you always made me proud. You were just angry and it was valid. You have to be stubborn because you took after me" he said laughing.

"Radha always used to let go of things while I was the stubborn one amongst us. You are my daughter after all. How will you forgive me so easily. If not for your husband, I wouldn't have got you back"

"Haa haa, praise him more... he has become your favorite nowadays" said Gauri accusing her father.

"Why wouldn't he... your husband is smart, caring, understanding and most importantly he knows how to handle you... What Shivaay couldn't do in all those years Omkara did it in eight months... making you forgive me... That is a huge accomplishment Gauri" her father said still hugging her.

Things between the father daughter duo continued to go downhill after his return a year back. Gauri never showed her love outwardly and kept away from Kaali making him lose his hope on talking to her day by day. Omkara tried to talk to his wife about her father's pain but she remained stoic. Though she never insulted her father like before she never accepted him either.

Tables turned when Omkara asked Kaali to announce it to everybody that he will resume to his previous job and never return since he is anyways not required there. Gauri began to miss her father's presence in the next days and started to feel guilty. Omkara then made her understand his perspective and asked her to give him a chance.

"Gauri... if I had a chance... I would do anything to get back my father" said Omkara longingly "You have your father with you and you fail to recognize his importance. I understand you went through a lot but now you have the chance to live with him and spend time with him. Please don't wait and grab him before it is too late" he said and Gauri obeyed.

"I am sorry baba" she apologized again mumbling into his chest.

Kaali kissed her hair "No do not apologize" he said.

"By the way why did you come two days before the wedding Om must be sulking" her father asked parting from her.

"He is sulking baba" she told him smiling.

"Poor guy. Why do you make him suffer beta... go now I will arrange for your tickets. Return with Omkara" he said.

"But baba what about the arrangements? What do I say to Ishaana?"

"We can manage without you Gauri and Ishaana will survive. I will make her understand and now come let us pack your essentials for the flight" he said taking her away.

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

Location: Pool side, Oberoi Mansion

"O, stop being cranky. Will you?" said Rudra exasperated.

"What do you mean Rudy. I am perfectly alright" said Omkara looking at his younger sibling.

"Yeah I can see that. You kept this sulking face since morning yelling at everybody. You didn't have your breakfast and ran to the office making excuses. Shivaay bhaiyya told me that you have been working like a maniac keeping people on their toes. You came home an hour back to have a late dinner and pointed out faults in every damn curry" Rudra enlisted the events of the day.

"So what? They didn't taste good. Did they?" asked Omkara defending himself.

"They were edible O.... I miss Bhabhi too" he said.

Omkara sighed "Why does she have to go two days early. We could have gone together. It is not like she doesn't have anybody to take care of the arrangements. She could have gone yesterday, met Abhay and Ishaana, see to it that the arrangements are in order and come back to me today. Even mom is not there today and I feel the house empty"

"Bhabhi is just concerned that nothing should go wrong in Abhay bhaiyya's wedding. It is the big day of her best friend after all"

"Nothing will go wrong Rudy. Jagdish uncle and Kaali uncle are there to look over along with mom. Shivaay will go tomorrow too. I just need to finish some case reports before I leave the day after" said Omkara and Rudra nodded.

"Let me see if I can coax her to return tomorrow so that we can leave together the day after. Bhabhi listens to me" said Rudra grinning and Omkara looked at him with hope "Really?" he asked.

"Yeah I will try. Now go to your room and shower... you stink" said Rudra making a face and Omkara quickly got up to go to his room.

After some time, Rudra began calling Gauri's number and to his surprise he heard the ringing of the mobile nearby. He turned around and saw that his Bhabhi has returned home.

He asked one of the staffs to take the bags from her and hugged her.

"I was about to call you to beg you to return Bhabhi... I missed you... O is difficult to handle without you" he complained and she laughed.

"Where is he bhaiyya?" Gauri asked and Rudra pointed to their room.

"Go Bhabhi. We will talk tomorrow" he said and Gauri walked towards their room.

Omkara was having a warm shower still thinking about his wife. He failed to notice the bathroom door open and his wife walk in fully dressed. When he felt two arms encircle his waist he jerked and turned around to see his wife smiling at him.

"You are back?" he asked not wasting time in pulling her into the water.

"Yes... I was kicked out of my own house by my own father" she complained and Omkara chuckled.

"Oh... I should thank my father in law for this then" he said and Gauri smiled.

She encircled her hands around his neck "he loves you more" she said accusingly.

"Of course who can resist me" said Omkara cockily

"Ahh how humble of you dear husband"

Omkara kissed her smiling and said "I missed you Gauri"

"I missed you too Omkara ji" she said..... "I love you"

"I love you too" replied Omkara before giving her a scorching kiss.

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

Location: ABC Wedding function hall, Bareilly

The day after, the couple along with Rudy and Bhavya attended Abhay and Ishaana's wedding.

"How cute they look together" said Jhanvi looking at the now married couple smiling to the guests.

"Yes maa ji ...Abhay is looking dashing and Ishu is looking so beautiful... aww... You have no idea...as to how happy I am" said Gauri smiling radiantly.

"How I wish I knew him before Bhabhi... Kitna handsome banda haath se nikal gaya" said Bhavya whining making Gauri and Jhanvi laugh.

"Yeah yeah... I hope both my sons do not get the wind of your thoughts" said Jhanvi "They might go berserk hearing to their wifes' praising another man for his good looks"

"We heard that" said Rudra coming to their side along with Omkara narrowing his eyes at Bhavya.

"Right on time" said Jhanvi grinning.

"What!! Abhay is handsome... no doubt about it... kyun Bhabhi" asked Bhavya looking at Gauri for support.

"Handsome to hai... Now we can't lie Rudy bhaiyya" said Gauri making Omkara narrow his eyes at her.

"He might be... but not better than us" said Rudra looking at his brother and Bhavya rolled her eyes "Yeah..yeah.. keep dreaming"

"Stop bickering you two" said Jhanvi. "Next is yours and Shivaay Anika's wedding. I don't know how we will handle both the weddings together" she sighed.

"Mom don't worry we will handle it" said Omkara reassuringly and Gauri smiled at her mother in law nodding.

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

After a while when Omkara found his wife alone, he went towards her.

Gauri looked ethereal in her peacock blue silk sari with a golden border which matched with his sherwani. She wore navy and silver toned stone studded necklace and earrings which he gifted her on last Diwali. Her hair was left open to his liking and she completed the look with matching bangles and her signature nose ring.

Omkara sneaked behind his wife who was busy in looking over the dinner preparations for the night giving a pinch to her creamy waist.

Gauri jumped and turned around to see her husband naughtily grinning at her.

"What was that.... You scared me Omkaraji" she accused.

Omkara pulled her behind one of the pillars "What were you saying a few moments ago to mom?" he asked her in a serious tone.

"Omkaraji... let me go... I have work to do... we can discuss this later" she said and he pulled her closer imprisoning her not allowing her to move.

"What did you say" he asked again.

Gauri looked at her husband trying to control her smile "I said Abhay looks dashing" she answered.

Omkara made a face and she couldn't hold her laughter any longer.

"I love it that you are jealous Omkara ji" she said kissing him.

"I am not" he denied and Gauri nodded "Of course...why should you be... because I cannot find anyone more handsome than you" she said.

Omkara grinned happily "Right... now you are speaking the truth" he said.

Gauri leaned closer to him "You look sexy my dear husband..." she whispered close to his ears and kissed his neck.

"Gauri don't play...I will not hesitate to scoop you in my arms now and take you to our room" he warned.

Gauri gasped getting away from him "Okay baba sorry... now leave me."

"You will be punished later... but for now I will let you be" he breathed into her ears making her shiver.

"I love you" he said kissing her cheek before leaving her and Gauri stopped him pulling him for a proper kiss "I love you more" she said making him smile triumphantly.

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

There you go..... the epilogue... uffffff... that seemed too saccharine even for me... I hope none of you got diabetes.

Most of you liked Abhay and I am glad that you do...

As many of you requested, I am planning a bonus chapter on Abhay and Ishaana's story from Abhay's rescue till their marriage.

You can give me prompts for it.

Thanks again for all the love...

Signing off............. Yours Soujanya.