"So, you have moved on I see" Ajay drawled lazily, standing behind Gauri, making her jump in her place scared.

After the drama on stage, Gauri excused herself to the washroom where she freshened up a bit and gave a touch up to her tear-stricken face. After ten minutes when the traces of tears and smudged kajal were replaced with a fresh layer of foundation, concealer and golden glitter eye makeup, she looked as fresh as when she arrived at the venue ages ago.

Coming out of the washroom, she decided to stroll in the backyard of the function hall for a bit and touch up her emotions too before she faced Omkara and his dad. She was enjoying the cold breeze which swayed the leaves of the Ashoka and gulmohar trees lining the backyard of the convention hall when she was rudely interrupted by the person most unexpected.

Gauri turned around swiftly to note her ex giving her a dirty smirk.

"Ajay...shouldn't you be with your wife showing your teeth to the camera?" she couldn't help but retort.

"You look gorgeous today Gauri" said Ajay ignoring her comment taking a step towards her while she reflexly moved backwards.

This night doesn't seem to end... what more was in store for her... she hoped to return to her home in one piece and she desperately prayed for the same to her Shankarji.

"Is he any good?" he asked and she looked at him confused, her mind not getting the insult as it was too preoccupied with thoughts of getting out of there.

"Omkara" he answered for her... "Is he any good?" he asked again.

"What ever happened to 'Ajay...please don't do this to me' ...You moved on fast" he mocked her.

Cold rage burnt within her and she growled out "Why? What if he is? It is none of your business... so, get out of my way... now."

She walked past him when he caught hold of her wrist turning her to him again.

"Your future father in law seems to be quite taken by you already... are your services offered to him as well?" he asked and was answered with a hard slap which will surely leave a print.

Ajay recovered from the slap and looked at her ragingly "How dare you Gauri" he said raising his hand when it was stopped mid-air.

"Haven't you learnt... it is bad manners to raise your hand on a woman to slap her? especially when you very much deserved the one she gave you just now?" asked Omkara taking his hand down and pushing Ajay away as he came to stand in front of Gauri.

"This is between me and her... now get lost from here" roared Ajay and Omkara merely smiled.

"That I cannot do...sorry" he said calmly "There is nothing left between you and her Ajay. If you still haven't got the nick of it, let me advice you. Stop crying over spilt milk and get back to the stage...this is your wedding reception; you are expected to greet your guests and not ambush them"

"You don't tell me what I have to do" Ajay said like a petulant child.

"I can... leave from here if you don't want me creating a scene. Though I would be pleased to have a look at Tanisha's expressions once she knows of your shenanigans, I don't want Gauri to be dragged into this. Don't take my words lightly... You don't know me yet" he threatened as calmly as ever.

"I will see you later" said Ajay and left the place cursing and only then Omkara turned to Gauri who still looked scared.

"Are you okay?" he asked her worriedly.

Gauri desperately needed to vent out her grief, frustration and disgust. When she saw Omkara looking at her in concern, she selfishly seeked refuge in him not caring of the consequences, or repercussions of hugging a man she knew nothing of except his name. Without a word she hugged him tight making him stumble.

Omkara returned the hug trying to comfort the shivering woman in his arms. He didn't know how to console her, given the nasty situation and simply kept quiet. They spent the next few minutes continuing to hug each other, one offering amenity and the other relishing the luxury.

"How did I ever love him...I don't understand" she mumbled to his chest after a while and Omkara couldn't help but reply.

He gently stroked her back "You don't love him now Gauri... that is what that matters... self-criticism is not healthy" he whispered into her ears.

Despite the circumstances, Gauri felt a jolt of current pass through her at his voice and she hurriedly left him creating distance.

"I...I am sorry... I" she stuttered when he cut her off.

"It is all right Gauri... I understand...you.." he was about to continue when he was distracted with his father's phone call.

"Hello dad... yes... everything is fine... you go home with Rajiv I will drop Gauri home" he said looking at her.

"No... nothing is wrong... I just wanted to talk to her for some time... that is it... I will come home and explain" he said and after few minutes hung up the phone mumbling a good night to his father.

"Do you want to freshen up? I will wait here" he said and Gauri nodded before she made way to the bathroom for the second time that evening.

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

"Kaali uncle would be worried... you should have told him what happened" she said.

They were in Omkara's car on their way to the marine drive. Once she freshened up, Omkara asked Gauri if she wanted to go home right away and she nodded a no. She wanted some air and space before she returned to the solitude of her bedroom. Omkara dutifully called her maamu and lied that their car had a break down and they would return home late. He next called his dad informing him of the change of plans refusing to answer the later's questions with a simple 'I will tell you later'.

"My dad is not as forgiving as me Gauri. If he knew about Ajay, he would have bashed him on the stage though he would regret it later... not for punching him but for dragging you into the mud" explained Omkara and Gauri nodded.

As they sat beside each other on the promenade, facing the vast sea with the smell of salt in the air and sound of waves softly touching the rocks beneath them, Gauri looked amazed at the scenery. It was almost midnight, yet people roamed about as if it were late evening. It is true when they say Mumbai never sleeps.

It was not the first time she came here but today it felt different, she felt relieved. It was a first to her to come here with a guy she barely knew that too when the clock is ready to strike twelve. She looked at a couple cuddling and feeding ice cream to one another with longing. She turned to the man sitting beside her, his face looking serene as the breeze blew his hair backwards while he stared ahead.

He didn't speak a word since the time they sat there. He understood she needed space and he respected that. Omkara just sat by her side letting her know he was there for her if she needed him. Handsomeness kept aside, Gauri knew he was a good man and she felt her heart getting tugged at the way he handled things...at the way he understood her condition... at the way he showed his concern.

Omkara felt her gaze on him and turned to her "You okay now?" he asked and she returned a grateful smile.

"So...why were you on a super woman mode today?" he asked returning her smile and she looked confused.

"What made you attend your ex's wedding alone Gauri... you should have at least brought someone with you" he explained and she sighed.

"I didn't know it was his wedding Omkara... my daadi forced me saying it was our business friend's daughter's reception and I failed to check the invitation card...I only knew once I reached the venue"

"Yet you decided to go inside... that is still brave" he said smiling and she chuckled.

"If I read this in a novel, I would have bashed the heroine left right and center for trying something like that.... but when I faced the situation myself, I felt I needed to prove to myself that I am over him. I was anyways going to leave after dinner but..."

"But my dad made it difficult for you... I am sorry for that" completed Omkara and Gauri worriedly shook her head in a no.

"No Omkara... your father's support for me there... is... I....i can't find the right words but just know that I am grateful to him"

"He likes you Gauri... Is it true that you work with NGO s?"

"Yeah... I do what I can... I might not have enough capital now but my family helps me and supports me to do it... I wish that one day I will be able to help them not with my family's money but my own... after I publish my first book" she told him her deepest desire.

"You will" he said looking straight into her eyes without second thoughts and that was the moment Gauri knew she lost her heart to this handsome man before her.

"Thank you Omkara" she tried hard to keep her voice normal and he shook his head ignoring her gratitude.

"For what...Gauri? I merely stated the fact... you are a woman of ambition, zeal and courage... you will reach your goal irrespective of what barriers you need to cross... I can very much see the end point" he explained and she smiled.

Who said a woman wants candlelight dinners, expensive hotel suites decorated with flowers and scented candles with men ready with an expensive solitaire in their pockets bending before them on one knee to profess their love in deep poems.... A word or two to comfort, a kiss on the forehead along with warm hug to say he believed in her, a shoulder to cry on and saying a simple 'I love you' meaning every letter would also suffice.

For Gauri it was all she needed. Her life partner to believe in her, to just be there for her when she needed him. She never wanted him to fight her battles or display his machismo and Omkara did just that winning her heart then and there.

"Please don't let Rudy know of this" Gauri asked him after a span of blissful silence and he nodded understandingly.

"Shall we start home?" he asked her and she nodded a yes.

"What is your favorite genre to write?" he asked as he drove her home.

"I am a rom-com person Omkara...but I like to read thrillers too"

"Okay... I am more of a science fiction person but if you give me the first copy of your published book with your autograph on the first page...I might consider reading a rom-com too" he said grinning and Gauri laughed happily.

That night she didn't feel lonely unlike the nights before...she felt contented... she felt hope... hope for a better future... hope for a love filled life.

A small part of her mind still had a doubt that she was talking decisions in a vulnerable state but she shushed it down assuring it that she would give it time, try and know him more... his view of life, his dreams in life and what he wanted in a life partner... before coming to a resolve. That day, when she will be sure, she will confess her love to him.

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

Omkara walked into his bedroom tiredly but the moment he switched on the light he took a step back startled. His father was sitting on his bed, waiting for him.

"Offo... dad... why didn't you sleep till now" he asked the obvious.

"If we are done with the pleasantries, I would like you to 'spill' Omkara" he said in a non-negotiating tone and Omkara sighed and sat down beside him before reciting the events of the evening after Gauri left to freshen up.

"That bastard...how dare he" said Kaali seething "And you tell me you didn't even land a punch on his face"

"Dad... Gauri was literally shaking... what do you think was more important at that time... punching Ajay and adding ghee to the fire or taking her out of that place without creating a scene?"

"How can you think calmly even in such a situation Om..." Kaali sighed. "Don't take this into your head if I say I am always proud of you" he said placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Oh my God... I fear a tsunami would hit the coast today..." he said smirking at his father who royally ignored his jibe.

"I have been trained to think clearly in emergencies dad... How do you think I handle my cases at the hospital... Nothing comes out of anxiety and anger... they merely cloud the mind, forcing us to take a wrong decision only to regret it later...and you know I hate to error" said Omkara while Kaali hummed in response.

"You like her don't you" asked Kaali after a period of silence.

Omkara looked at his father contemplating for a second "I haven't met anyone like her dad... I saw people who are ambitious and I also saw people who are serving. Gauri is a mix of both. She aspires to be something in life without loosing herself in the process...she wants to help but on her terms, with her hard earned status"

"That is not the answer to my question Om"

Omkara rubbed his eyebrow before he said "Yes dad...I like her" and turned to see his father's face glee.

"Promise me you will not interfere dad... we still need to know each other... She has to like me too"

"Ahh!! That is not an issue... who will not love my son" said Kaali dismissively making Omkara shake his head smiling.

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

The next morning..............

Rudra was revising early in the morning when he looked at the time and cursed. He at once took his phone and dialed Omkara's number and waited anxiously for him to pick up.

"O.." he cried into the phone once it was answered.

"What is it Rudra" drawled Omkara groggily.

"O... can you please pick me up today... I still need to revise and I can't do that if I drive for half an hour to the hospital...Please... today is the last exam"

Rudra was still thinking of ideas to bribe his friend to make him agree when he was shocked to hear an okay from his side.

He frowned... how did the pricey Omkara Chowdary agree so easily? He didn't even start to beg... however, he pushed the matter to the back of his head thanking him and rushing to the bathroom to get ready.

Gauri was still in bed when Jhanvi entered the room to wake her up.

"Gauri get up... don't you have class today?" asked Jhanvi shaking her niece.

"Get up darling...it is already eight. Rudra is pulling the roof down with his tantrums before his last exam... I don't understand why he panics on the name of exam. I am glad Omkara is on his way to pick him up otherwise I have to worry if he drives in that state. Get up now and help him calm down" she asked shaking her again and Gauri got up in a jiffy.

"Omkara? He is coming now?" she asked smiling unconsciously making Jhanvi raise her eyebrow at her.

"Yeah... why?"

"Ummm... nothing maami... I will go get ready... You stay with Rudy till then" she said before jumping off the bed.

Why is she acting weird? What is so happy to feel about Omkara coming to pick up Rudra?... wait...wait.... Omkara's name made Gauri happy? Jhanvi gasped placing a hand on her lips... Tej did inform her that Omkara met Gauri in the function yesterday and dropped her late at night as their car broke down... aisa kya hogaya ek raat mein? (what must have happened last night?) ... Hmm... let me check...she thought determinedly as she silently walked to her son's room.

Gauri dressed up for a class in a lavender colored chudidar with her hair neatly plaited to one side. She wore a golden necklace with a love pendant, simple gold ear hangings, her lips in a light pink gloss and eyes adorned with kajal. She felt the need to look beautiful after a year. Putting her gold plated wristwatch on, she walked to her cousin's room smiling brightly with a spring in her step.

Jhanvi took a look at her niece and envisaged a theory. She is dressed to impress...no doubt about it. What left for her to check is if this has something to do with Omkara.

"Hi Rudy... all set?" Gauri cheerfully asked her cousin who had a book in one hand while he gulped breakfast with the other.

She took the book away from him making him groan in irritation.

"Gauri... give it...." he started and stopped midway looking at her.

She is dressed up. What is the occasion? He looked doubtfully at his mother who was looking down at him with a twinkle in her eyes... Okay.... Something is definitely cooking.

"Give it back Gauri" he completed his sentence and she nodded a no.

"First have your breakfast in peace you can read it later... stop wasting time... come on Rudy hurry up" she said and Rudra decided not to argue and obeyed her. She is not going to listen anyway.

"Come Omkara... Rudy is done with his breakfast in just a minute. Did you have yours?" asked Jhanvi greeting Omkara who entered the house.

"Yes aunty... I had mine just a moment back...I will have water if you don't mind" he said and Jhanvi nodded before she left to get a glass from the kitchen.

Omkara looked at Gauri who stood beside Rudra's chair. Is she alright? he wanted to check on her... making him agree to Rudra's request without argument.

He tried to grab her attention but she choose to look at the book in her hand which he was sure she wouldn't understand a word of.

"Rudra..." He called out loudly making both Gauri and Rudra turn to him.

"Is everything alright?" he asked him, though he looked at Gauri.

Gauri understood the question and nodded her head gently with a smile letting him know that she was fine.

She looked beautiful today... he thought... when did she not? ... his mind asked him in sarcasm.... Where is she going dressed like that? To her classes?

Rudra silently watched the exchange in doubt... "No O... kuch to gadbad hai (something is amiss)" he said making his friend now look at him.

"I will be back on track by evening I guess... It is my last exam right?" he said smiling when his mother returned.

"Omkara... water" said Jhanvi giving him the glass and he took it wordlessly.

"Rudra... are you done? Let us leave" he said after he drank water and Rudra nodded getting up.

"Bye aunty" Omkara greeted Jhanvi and before he walked out, he silently looked at Gauri who smiled at him.

"Bye Omkara... all the best my Rudy boy" said Jhanvi smiling at them before they left.

Seeing her niece still looking at the door Jhanvi said, "Gauri come sit and have breakfast".

Gauri obeyed her, quietly settling into a chair, her back facing the door and turned the plate up for a serving.

"Yes Omkara did you forget something" asked Jhanvi looking at the doorway and Gauri eagerly turned back in her seat smiling. Her smile dimmed when she didn't see the person of interest.

It took a second for her to realize that she has been played. Cursing herself for lack of caution, she turned back to look at her maami who was watching her with narrowed eyes, hands folded on her chest.

"Maami..." she started smiling unsurely making Jhanvi laugh "So...Omkara it is" she confirmed and Gauri groaned closing her eyes.

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There you go...end of chapter 4...

What do you think about the developments? Let me know.

I will update the next chapter in two days...

Signing off until then... Yours Soujanya....