Chapter 23

"I am only half Oberoi. Staring at his wife to see what sort of reaction she might have but all he could see was her yawning and stretching her arms and laying back down onto his chest. Lifting up her chin to meet her honey brown eyes "Did you hear what I just said? Gauri locks her arms around his neck and tilts her head "Yes. I heard.

Om: Aren't you going to ask me anything after hearing that?

Gauri: Hm..It doesn't matter to me.

Om: But it might matter to your father. If he knew that I am an illegitimate child he might not think I am worthy of his daughter. Your family's reputation might be at stake with me as your husband.

Gauri: What do you mean?

Om: You see..my father had a one night stand with a woman when he was overseas for business. And that woman was my mother who was servicing men for a living. Can you see now...why my family had hidden this from everyone?

Gauri: Where is your mother now?

Om: Not sure. I was told that when my father found out she had me and they did a DNA test proving I was his she demanded a large sum of money in exchange for me.

Gauri: Who told you all this?

Om: Let's just say my step mother didn't like the fact that she had to care for me like her own. When I was old enough to understand she would tell me the story of my origin over and over and over again. That is why she always tags along with him during his business trips and blaming me that she had to stay away from her own children to keep an eye on my father because my real mom had made her so insecure that she couldn't trust my father again.

Gauri: How did they explain to people here about you?

Om: With their Oberoi money they made sure that my step-mother happened to be pregnant all along and had me overseas during one of their business trips together hence that is why no one knew of me back here in Mumbai. They made sure there were hospital paperwork as well as prenatal checkup reports to prove I was truly her child.

Gauri: I see. Those aren't that hard to fabricate I guess.

Om raises an eyebrow: Oh really? And how do you know this Dear Wife?

Gauri: You wife has hidden talents too..not just you Dear Husband.

Om: Will you care to share?

Gauri playfully "Well since you gave me quite a show in revealing "O you should at least give me the same chance to show you my secret in a grandeur way.

Om: Well then..I can't wait.

Gauri: It is nothing compared to "O.

Om: So now that you know all about me do you think your father would approve of us? Do you have second thoughts after knowing that half of me is the blood of a loose woman?

While Om was trying to be serious his wife was laying there laughing softly "Why are you laughing? Gauri stands up and wrap a blanket around her body "Because Dear Husband if you were really worried about my reputation then why ask me to be your wife lastnight? Isn't this what you call purposely committing a wrong first and apologizing for it later? This seems like my clever Husband is just trying to cover his tracks just in case things are revealed in the future am I right? Om grabs the sheet and pulled his wife back into his arms "Why are you so smart? Do you find me selfish not caring if you mind that I was not fully an Oberoi? Gauri playfully replies "I think you think too highly of the Oberoi last name. I do not covet such a thing...and you knew that didn't you? Om nibbles on his wife's ear as he whispers "That is why I wasn't going to stop till you agreed to be mine. A woman like you can only be mine. But I am still worried what your father might think. "I don't think you have to worry about my father. My family is not like any other family. My father hates people who think too highly of their last name. Om was confused "Why is that? Gauri was hesitant to share her family's past with Om but seeing how he had opened up to her so much she felt that she also should show him that she trusted him "Because my father believes that because he was so caught up in trying to uphold the Sharma last name that he abandoned my bother which eventually caused her death. Ever since then he could not forgive himself and seeing other people care more about their reputation than what really mattered reminded him of how idiotic he was. And because of that mindset he lost the love of his life. Om laughed "No wonder he laughed so hard when I told him I didn't care if you were staying a Sharma or becoming an Oberoi.

Gauri laughs: Is that the reason he was laughing so hard? See...you don't have to worry about my father because if he didn't approve of you he would have used all possible means to separate me from you.

Om hugs her tighter: Then I would have had to fight harder. Are you free today?

Gauri: Why?

Om: Lets have dinner with my siblings.

Gauri: Dinner?

Om: Yes. I'll make arrangements at a nice restaurant. I just want them to meet you before the big surprise on my birthday.

Gauri: And if they don't like me?

Om chuckles: I just want you to meet them and whether they approve or not is not my concern. No one can take you from me. No one.

Gauri: Well I guess I have to be on my best behavior then.

Om pinches her cheeks "Wow...you would do that for me? "Let me rephrase...I will try to be on my best behavior.

Om: Let me give my brother a call.

Gauri gets up from the bed "Okay. I will head to the shower first then...don't take too long on the phone...I will get lonely in there by myself.

Om throws his phone to the side and ran to join his wife "I can wait and call later.

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~Oberoi Mansion~

Rudra sitting on his sofa as he whispers to Annika "Look at her. Her parent have already returned yet she comes here everyday. I though it was good riddance once and for all after the humiliation at the auction but this woman just doesn't know when to quit. With a quick nudge "Hey! Don't say too much. If Dadi hears you...you are dead meat. "You are so lucky. You're pregnant so no one dares to blame you for anything..why don't you just say that the sight of her makes you nauseous? Then we can be free of her Bhabi! Good plan right? Annika leaning against the soft cushion to rest her aching back "I wish. I'm afraid even your future nephew could not make Ishana disappear Ruddy. Just look how happy Dadi is when she is around.

Rudra: Man...I don't know what Om is going to do when he finds out what they have plan for his Birthday. I mean he knows they want to announce the engagement..but to rush the wedding also? It's like they are set to trap him. My poor brother.

Annika sighs: I know. I tried talking to Shivaay last night about it but he told me he didn't want me to stress over it since I am pregnant. During the auction I was hoping that your brother would end up with Ms. Sharma but who knows what will happen now since Dadi is aggressively pushing Ishana on him.

Seeing the two happily chatting on the sofa Ishana tries to join them "What are you guys talking about?

Rudra: Oh..Just wondering where Omkara was...He didn't return last night. Seems like he has been gone a lot lately ever since he met Ms. Sharma.

Ishana hated to hear anyone mention Gauri because it always brought back the night of the auction. The humiliation was still fresh in her mind. "Well he will return sooner or later. This is his home.

Annika: Is that why you are always visiting Ishana? Hoping to catch him?

Ishana sarcastically laughs: Oh Annika..I am here to keep Dadi company.

All of a sudden Annika's cellphone rings "Shivaay?

Shivaay: Omkara just called me saying he want to introduce us to someone.

Annika gasps excitedly "Someone!?

Ishana now curious as to why Annika was so excited so she tries to eavesdrop.

Shivaay: Yes. He wants to meet for dinner. After work I will pick you and Rudra up.

Annika: Okay. What type of restaurant did he book? I want to dress for the occasion.

Shivaay: Just a casual dinner Annika.

Annika pouts because ever since she's been pregnant she hasn't been able to dress up and go out so hearing that she was going to get to meet someone that Om wants to introduce made it more special "Just tell me which restaurant.

Shivaay: I will text it to you. I have to return to work now.

Annika: Okay.

When she hung up the phone she pulls Rudra to the side to tell him what was going on tonight. Hiding behind a pillar Ishana could hear and see how happy the two were. "Omkara wants to introduce someone?!! What is happening!!! I am so close to be Mrs. Omkara Singh Oberoi! I can't let anything get in my way! Tonight I will follow them to see who is this person Omkara wants them to meet.

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~Restaurant~

Shivaay, Annika, and Rudra had arrived earlier than the designated time so they went ahead and sat at the table that Om had reserved.

Annika: I can't wait to see who Omkara is bringing. You think it's a woman?

Shivaay furrows his eyebrows: I hope not.

Annika: Why? Are you afraid that Dadi would be sad?

Shivaay: Annika. You know Dadi's health and you know Omkara is getting engage to Ishana in two weeks.

Rudra: I hope he is bringing Ms. Sharma.

Annika smiles: Me too.

Shivaay: Anyone but Her. Dadi seem to really dislike her.

Annika: Shivaay! Ever since her displeasure with our marriage you have been trying to use Omkara's marriage to pacify her. That is not right.

Shivaay: There's more to that Annika.

Only Shivaay knew about Om's true background thinking if the Sharmas ever knew that Om's real mom was a woman who worked in the "red district they would never let the Oberois get away with it. At least with Ishana being married to him she would have to accept it if the truth were to ever leak because the Patel would not survive in Mumbai without the Oberoi's backing. He didn't want to force Om to marry someone he didn't love but at the same time he couldn't let Om choose such a strong family like the Sharmas. Hoping that tonight the person to walk along side his brother would be anyone BUT Gauri Kumar Sharma but his heart sank the moment he saw the two walked in with arms linked together. But he was not the only one who was unhappy to see them. Ishana has hidden herself and was sitting at the very next table. But due to the large plant her presence was hidden. "Ms. Sharma!!! He is actually with Ms. Sharma!!! Damn that woman! Out of all them men in Mumbai she just had to steal Omkara from her!

As the two walked in Gauri could tell right away that Shivaay Oberoi was not too happy to see her "It seems like your big brother is not too happy to see me. Om squeezes her hand "It's just dinner so try to behave. With a light chuckle and no response from his wife Om was a little weary.

Annika and Rudra saw that the woman with her arm linked onto Om's was Gauri couldn't help buy Hi-Five each other. "Bhabi!..Do you see? "Yes. I was hoping it would be her.

Reaching the table Om introduced everyone to Gauri and seeing how ecstatic his sister in law and little brother was made Om happy. As they sat down enjoying their dinner Annika and Rudra couldn't help but want to ask questions regarding the new couple.

Annika: So Ms. Sharma..

Gauri: Please call me Gauri Mrs. Oberoi.

Annika smiles: Okay. Then you call me Annika. How did you two end up together?

Om: I would have to thank Shivaay for that. It all started in Pune.

Rudra: Pune! I knew it!

If Shivaay could turn back time he would definitely never send Omkara to Pune. Now things are becoming complicated.

Annika: So Om..are you introducing her as your girlfriend tonight?

Om smirks: You could say that.

Shivaay: Om. You know that Dadi is going to announce your engagement to Ishana on your birthday. What are you doing?

Gauri looks over at Om and teasingly: Oh? This is the first I've heard of it. You're getting engaged?

Om grabs her chin: No. That is just something Dadi wants but it is not going to happen.

At the other table Ishana was so angry she could spit blood "How could he do this to me! My parents have already given their blessing! How could I face anyone if he doesn't marry me! I have already told all my friends and family about our engagement and marriage! HOW DARE HE DO THIS TO ME!

Gauri: Always knew you were a womanizer.

Annika starts to panic: Don't misunderstand Gauri. Om is speaking the truth. This is all Dadi's idea.

Gauri softly laughs: I know.

Rudra: And you don't care?

Gauri takes a sip of her wine "Om..Should I care?

Om: No.

Rudra: A "no from him is all it takes to not make you question him?

Annika was also having her doubts: Gauri..you don't have to answer me if you do not want to...but I really want to know what do you like about Omkara? I mean everyone here knows that you never find interest in anyone before.

Gauri puts down her wine: What I like about him? Hm...

Om smirks: Yes..I would also like to know.

Gauri: Honest and faithful.

Rudra almost spits out his drink "Faithful? that womanizer?!

Om: I am a man of my word. There is only Gauri.

Shivaay could clearly see that Om was serious this time and that there was probably nothing that he could do to convince him to marry Ishana instead. "Om are you sure it has to be Ms. Sharma? Even knowing what could happen down the line? Om knew that his big brother was concern about the dirty secret of his birth "I haven't been so sure of something in my entire life Shivaay.

Shivaay brings up his glass for a toast "Then if you say it has to be Gauri then I will support you. No matter what..just like how you supported me all these years.

Gauri smiled noticing that finally Shivaay was willing to call her "Gauri instead of Ms. Sharma.

As everyone at the table happily continued drinking their wine as well as share stories of Omkara Ishana was on the verge of going insane. "What is happening! Now even Shivaay is on board! How am I going marry Omkara now?! NO..NO..I can't let this happen. My backup plan. It will work! With an evil smile "Since you said you love his honesty and faithfulness..you give me no choice! It is all or nothing!

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