Chapter 18

Out of the shower and feeling fresh, Gauri stands in front of Om's closet wrapped in a towel "hm....what to wear." But when she saw Om leaning against the doorway she gave him a gratifying smile. "Why is my wife suddenly so happy?" Gauri turns back towards the closet "Can't your wife feel happy that there isn't any women's clothing in her husband's closet?" Om comes up from behind and wraps his arms around his cheeky wife "what kind of man do you think your husband is?" Gauri softly nudges him off of her "well lets just say if I did see women's clothing I wouldn't be so surprise." Om stubbornly hugs his wife from behind again "That man no longer exist. I've been happily tamed." Gauri couldn't help but chuckle while she grabs a sky blue button shirt long enough to reach her knees. Seeing that his wife has finally made a choice Om gently tugs on the towel until it fell "let me help you." Gauri turns around to face him as he inserts the sleeves through her arms. But when it came to buttoning her shirt his fingers would take the opportunity to brush against her skin. He would softly grope her breast as he worked on the buttons causing Gauri to moan softly. "Are you sure you are helping me?" Ignoring her question Om continued to work his way down. When he got to the waist area he purposely let his fingers roam to all of his wife's pleasurable spots, forcing Gauri to grab onto his shoulder. As he was near the end of the shirt he gently caresses her inner thighs as he worked on the very last button. With his wife's flushed face he couldn't help but to taste her lips "Aren't you going to thank me?" Gauri playfully nips his lower lip "Thank you." Gently brushing some loose strands behind his wife's ear "so what would you like for breakfast?" "Black coffee is all I need." As the two made their way downstairs towards the kitchen Gauri couldn't help but feel that this place was very relaxing. The condo was by the seaside and the morning breeze was very refreshing as it bursts through the open windows. But what was so nice was the smell of fresh coffee. Gauri turns towards Om "You knew?" Om's lips curved up "Well the last time I saw you in the morning you were happily sipping on some coffee while I was getting tricked by Ms. Khurana." Pouring herself a big cup and taking a sip "Ahhh...you shouldn't keep wallowing about the past dear husband. It's best to learn from it." "The only thing I've learned that day was that I was lucky enough to escaped from a woman's trap just to enter into a bigger one." Enjoying the aroma as she lifts the cup up to take another sip "I know you are not suggesting I trapped you. Do not forget that you willingly signed on the dotted line. I don't remember forcing you." Om walks over and grabs her cup and setting it down on the counter. He then leaned in close trapping Gauri "I never said I was regretful." Gauri's heart began to race as she looked into her husband's eyes that was yearning for her to accept his love but before Gauri could awkwardly shy away her phone was giving off some sort of alarm. Seeing her brows furrow "What is it?" Gauri walks over to her clutch and takes out her phone "Hmm...What do they think they are doing?" Looking at her phone and seeing Dandi and Ranveer busy moving her stuff out of her house made Gauri a bit irritated. Back when Gauri had set up her surveillance system she also made sure to link it to her phone so that if ever anyone trip the system it would alert her phone immediately.

Gauri texting Dandi

Gauri: Dandi what are you doing in my house. Its very impolite.

Dandi hears a ping from his phone and when he read the message he looked directly at one of the cameras and put his hands together gesturing he was sorry.

Dandi: Sorry Miss. This is Sir's order. He said to move all of your things back into the Sharma Mansion.

Gauri squinted her eyes as she read the message.

Gauri: Be sure to be extra careful with my favorite white leather sofa.

Dandi: We will be extra careful Miss.

Gauri looks at Om "Seems like we have to cut our free day short."

Om: Would you mind telling me the reason?

Gauri walks up and kisses his cheek "just family matters that need to be tended to."

Om: Well then. Let me drop you off.

Gauri laughs are her obliging husband: It's not that urgent that I have to leave right this instant.

Purposely looking at her shirt "I don't think it's a good idea to greet my father while wearing your shirt. Do you?"

Om playfully: Why not? It looks good on you. But since I should really try to get on father in law's good side I will call for some clothes.

Gauri: Thank you.

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Sharma Mansion

Tej sitting at the dining table enjoying his breakfast while watching his men move his daughter's belongings back to where they rightfully belonged couldn't help but feel excited. "Soon I will no longer have to eat alone." Tej knew that his daughter was different. Ever since Jhanvi passed away his little girl grew up fast. She didn't not act like a spoiled princess nor did she ever abused her power. Tej main concern was Gauri's reaction when he tells her everything. Too much time has been wasted for him to keep hiding things and he can only pray that his little girl will forgive him. As Tej sits to organize his thoughts the moment he thought of Svetlana his anger started to grow. Dandi had informed him of the role Svetlana had the night of the auction and that she has been missing since. To think that he had such an evil snake once living in this house made him feel disgusted. He always knew Svetlana's greed but what he hadn't expected was how far she was willing to go to get her hands on his money. When Dandi asked if he should find her whereabouts Tej affirmatively said "Not necessary. If she is still alive she best to never return. But if she had fallen then that is the price you pay for endangering my little girl." Hearing those words Dandi was use to such things. His boss was never a good man. The only time that Dandi had ever witness Tej's soft side was when he was once living happily with Jhanvi and Gauri..but those days were long gone. The man before him was the original cold and ruthless Tej Sharma.

Dandi approaching the dinning table: Sir. We have moved all of Miss's belongings back.

Tej: Good. Has she contacted you?

Dandi: Yes. The moment we step foot in the house she had texted me.

Dandi could see the proudness in Tej's eyes.

Tej laughing: Well that was to be expected. Did you ever find out where she went last night?

Dandi nervously: I dare not to follow the Miss. She was with Mr. Oberoi and it seems like their relationship is very close. I was afraid if I over step that the Miss would show her unhappiness.

Tej sitting silently and thinking "Omkara. Do I need to be concern with him? No. I need to built up my relationship with Gauri. I should not barge into her personal life. She is smart enough to know who can be trusted and who isn't. But really....an Oberoi? Humph! They are lucky my little girl has her sights on their grandson."

Tej: Go ask the kitchen to brew up a fresh pot of coffee for the Miss. She should be her shortly.

Dandi confusingly asks "Sir. Miss did not say anything about coming home today."

Tej's lips curved up "Trust me. She will be here shortly."

Dandi: Yes Sir. I will inform the kitchen.

Om drove up to the Sharma resident as his wife rolled down the window to enjoy the breeze. "It is such a shame. I much prefer the breeze at the condo." "Are you not afraid to be seen with me" Gauri turns around "Afraid? Why should I be? You don't think that my father believes that I am some innocent little girl do you?" Gauri then laughs. "True you are my first dear husband but my father is not clueless. I am sure he knew that I was with you. I would be insulting him if I tried to hide it." Om couldn't help but feel that Gauri's relationship with her father was quite odd but he didn't want to pry so he brushed off the topic. "When can I see you again?" A sharp pain ran through Gauri's chest "Om. What we have is precious to me but don't forget that in the end what we have is just a Marriage Contract. You should not invest too much in me. When our time is over and I no longer have to worry about arrange marriages our relationship will end." Om pinches Gauri's chin forcing her to look into his angry eyes "I don't care that you are telling me lies right now but do know that you belong to me. No matter what we have is a Marriage Contract you will not be able to leave me. Gauri. You can push me away all you want but I will always be pushing back." Om then kissed his wife "So stop wasting your time denying your feelings and come to me quick." Gauri let out a long sigh "Why are you so stubborn?" Om smiles "Because my wife makes it so hard to love her." Gauri took in his scent before leaving "Goodbye." "See you later. Dear Wife."

Standing there as she watch him drive away Gauri pondered if she should give herself a chance to love someone. Her heart wants her to take a risk but her mind kept showing her flashbacks of her mother, Nandi and Aastha. "Should I be greedy and let him love me?" No longer wanting to think about her own feelings Gauri walked inside the one place she once called home.

Its been so long since she stepped foot in this house. The place that held so many happy memories as well as sad ones. It seems that her father had been expecting her since there was an extra place setting with a fresh cup of black coffee set right across from his. Seeing his daughter had finally arrived Tej signaled everyone to leave so that he could be alone with his daughter. Gauri slowly walks up "Father."

Tej still sitting while his daughter is standing frozen in place: Don't you want to ask me anything?

Gauri: Would you answer me if I did?

Tej: Yes.

Gauri has never seen her father like this: Is something wrong? Why are you not like yourself.

Tej laughs: No dear. I am showing you my true face instead of the mask I've been hiding behind.

Gauri was speechless.

Tej: I moved your belongings back because I no longer need to hide things from you. Today I will tell you everything. But first.....

Tej stands up and walks over to his precious daughter and grabs both her hands. "SMACK! SMACK!" Gauri frantically "What are you doing!! STOP" upon seeing her father use her hands to slap his own face. "No." "SMACK! SMACK!" Gauri trying hard to wiggle her hands out of her father's grasp as tears rolled down her cheeks "Please." Seeing his daughter crying silently Tej stopped "I am so sorry Gauri. Daddy was wrong. I was so stupid to think that pushing you away would be protecting you. But all along I had been tricked in doing so." Her hands still shaking from the forced slaps that the sting was burning. Her father's cheeks bright red with her handprints tore her from the inside out. A man so strong, a man so ruthless and yet here he stands saying "sorry" to her.

Tej: Today I will tell you everything even my one sin that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I can only hope that once you hear my story that you would give us a chance...no give ME a chance to be the kind of father that I have always dreamed of being.

Tej gesturing his daughter to sit down and take a sip of coffee before he began.

"By now you have heard of the name Kali Thakur and he is the very reason that I have tried to make you hate me after your mom passed away. Back then your grandfather had sent me to all sorts of places to scout out land that had potential for oil mining. I was responsible in obtaining ownership of these land regardless of who it belonged to. Kali Thakur owned one of the land that your grandfather wanted. When he sent me I was young and hot headed and when I saw how he treated your mom I had despise such a man."

Looking at his daughter's confused look "Yes. Your mother belonged to Kali Thakur before we got together. The night I first saw your mother was at Kali Thakur's house. I had an appointment with him to discuss his terms when I saw your mom. She was serving us food as we discussed the land but I couldn't help but see the scars on your mom's wrist as well as the bruises on her face; though she tried hard to cover it with makeup. Back then I had done my background on Kali Thakur and knew he was involved in a lot of illegal things and one of them were enslaving women from small villages. Just know that in the end I fell in love with your mother and took her with me when I succeeded in the business deal. But once Kali realized that I had taken the one woman he loved the most out of his collection he was furious but one of the perks of being a Sharma was that I was practically untouchable. Because of my young age and my arrogance I didn't care what Kali Thakur would do. The first few years with your mom was the happiest days of my life but the one thing that your mom wanted I couldn't give her.

Gauri: What was that?

Tej: In order to let your mom be by my side I had promised your grandfather that I would not marry her. You see dear your mom was forced to marry Kali even though it was not legal but your grandfather still saw it as so. Your grandfather did not make it easy for your mother to be with me but I tried my best to make up for it by being my her side whenever I was free. Everything was fine until the day your grandfather told me that he wanted me to marry one of his business partner's daughter. By then you were 5 and your mother no longer wanted to hide our relationship from the outside world. In the heat of the moment I yelled at your mom for not understanding that this marriage would be a loveless one and that I would only love her. But your mom was fighting for you dear. She was afraid that once I married that I would not even give you the right as my daughter.

Tej grabs his daughter's hand and gripped it tight. "I love you! more than the world itself! But understand I was still young and stubborn. Because of that I drove your mom away leaving room for Kali to abduct both of you. You might not remember that day much but you were both taken by Kali but your mom was just as smart as you. She found a way to get in contact with Dandi and instructed him where you were going to be. But by the time we got to you dear your mom.....

As Tej continued with how Jhanvi was stabbed by Kali but not before setting him on fire and the promise she forced him to make. Trying to stand up Gauri's legs could not hold due to the sudden shock. Dropping down to the floor remembering how her father was crying as her mom died in his arms was all rushing back. The pain that crushed her small heart came back to remind her that her mother died protecting her. Her mom was always thinking about her welfare and in the end she still had to use her last breath to do so. Her body now shaking involuntarily and tears refusing to stop Gauri sees her father sit down looking at her "It was my fault that your mom was made vulnerable. If I had just been strong enough to stand up to my own father and not be afraid of the stigma of falling in love with a village girl then you would still have your mother. I was a coward, I was afraid that your mom would be the reason why people would look down on me that I tried to convince her to let me marry someone else. This is my sin. And because of that I promised your mom that I would keep my promise as well as do whatever it took to keep you safe. But never again will I ever be afraid of following my heart. I will not concede to what society expects of me. You are my daughter. I was wrong to be ashamed of your mother but I will not make that mistake again. Whatever you mom wanted for you I will make sure you get. Gauri slowly mumbles "Is that why you got a vasectomy?" Tej couldn't help but laugh "You know about that? Yes. You are all I needed. A daughter so smart what more does a father like me need. All I ask is I hope you still WANT a father like me." Gauri stared at her father for the longest time. She had so much resentment towards her father but with just one sentence it seem to melt away. Gauri hurriedly hugged her father "Daddy...." Tej's heart burst with so much happiness as his daughter tightly hugged him like a little girl. "Gauri. I promise from this day forward we will start over." Gauri nods her head up and down like a little 5 year old as her father laughs at his cute little girl. "Come let us eat breakfast." Tej helps his daughter up from the floor and the two of them happily try to make small talk. Gauri had noticed a manilla folder by her father "Dad, is that for me?" Tej pushes the file towards his daughter "so smart. I told you I will not hide anything from you. This contain everything about Kali Thakur. After last night I am sure he will make his move sooner or later. I rather you know your enemy than to be caught by surprise." Gauri grabs the folder and set it aside "I will look at it later tonight but for right now I rather spend some time having breakfast with my dad." As the two tried to catch up Omkara was hesitant to return to Oberoi Mansion.

Walking into his own home he was also greeted by a huge breakfast spread that everyone was trying to enjoy. But one look at Ishana Omkara wanted to just walk straight upstairs to his private quarters.

Dadi: Where are you going Omkara. Come sit and have breakfast.

Om obliged and sat across from Shivaay.

Dadi: So would you like to tell us where you were last night?

Om smiles as he munched on some pita bread: With someone special.

"Clank!" Ishana dropped her fork onto her plate forcing everyone to look her way. Dadi was furious to see how insensitive Omkara was towards Ishana "You!"

Om: You should be happy for me Dadi. I found a very very special woman.

Dadi scowlfully asks: Is it that Sharma?!

Om refuses to admit and continued eating his breakfast which irritated Dadi and Ishana even more.

Dadi: Well I don't care who you are with. But today I want to inform you that I am throwing you a birthday party which is in two weeks, and during that party I will announce your engagement with Ishana.

Everyone at the table was shocked except Om. "If you don't want me to embarrass her than you should think again Dadi." No longer wanting to see Ishana's face Om stands up and walks to his room. "Omkara! I am not done talking to you." Om stops and turns towards his Dadi "If you are still wanting to talk about Ishana and I then we are done. There is no room for her in my life. If you keep pushing me I will soon lose my patience." Ishana gripping her fists tight under the table was filled with so much anger and embarrassment as she could only see Om walk away.

Ishana crying softly : I told you Dadi...He has been mesmerized by Ms. Sharma. He doesn't want me anymore.

Dadi tries to console her: Don't worry dear. We will go ahead with the plan. Omkara will not do anything to disgrace this family.

Shivaay: I would not be so sure Dadi. Maybe you should leave him be. This is the first time I've seen Om like this. I don't think you should force him.

Dadi shoos Shivaay's concern: It's for his own good.

When Om returned to his room he took out his phone to call Bhavya.

Om: Bhavya.

Bhavya: Yes boss.

Om: I need all the information on a Kali Thakur by tomorrow.

Bhavya: Tomorrow?

Om: Yes. Use all of your connections. I want to know everything.

Bhavya: Okay. I will start right away.

As night fell Gauri was lying on her bed. Her dad sure did make sure that she received the best. Feeling the silk sheets against her skin felt amazing. As she was about to fall asleep her phone Pinged "Hey Gauri..I need your help. My boss wants me to gather intel on a Kali Thakur. You free tomorrow to meet up?"

Gauri smiles as she sees Bhavya's text message "Didn't I tell him to let me deal with my own problems." Gauri looked over at the file he father had given her. "I know you want to help me but I just can't risk it."

Texting Bhavya "I will meet you at the same coffee shop at 9AM."

Bhavya: Ok you're a life saver. My boss is crazy! He wants everything by tomorrow. So make sure you bring the intel with you.

Gauri laid back down on her soft pillow with a playful smile "What should I do? He is making me into such a bad wife by forcing me to lie." Gauri decided that she should read the file that her father had given her and make only make necessary changes to give to Bhavya. "I refuse to risk it."

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