Chapter 18
Warning: This chapter is purely experimental. You can skip it if you want but don't curse me at the end of it. I did not edit this as I did not feel like reading it again. will do it after reading your comments. It won't make a difference to the story even if you don't know what happens here.
It would be better if your age is 16+... the rest is your choice....
Word count-4k .
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"Gauri!" Omkara worriedly pulled off his seat belt and leaned to her, touching her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked her as he saw her sitting frozen in her seat and staring straight ahead at the deserted road. A buzzing light bulb of the only streetlight that illuminated the place went off and he felt her take a sharp intake of breath.
"Gauri!!" he screamed shaking her a bit and she looked at him, fear evident in her eyes.
"What happened? Why did you scream so loud?" he asked caressing her cheeks which turned cold.
"I.. I saw someone," she mumbled weakly.
"Where?"
She simply lifted her hand and pointed to the road which was now lighted by nothing but the beams coming from the car's headlights. The young moon hid behind the clouds and none of the stars showed up just yet.
Omkara's eyes followed the direction her finger pointed, but other than the bumpy road fenced with wild trees, he couldn't find that someone which seemed to frighten his love.
"You must have imagined it Gauri. We were discussing about ghosts few minutes ago. Just calm down."
She vigorously shook her head in a no.
"I promise I saw someone right there, just before that sound from the car Omkaraji. Please believe me," she said.
Omkara sighed not knowing how to talk her out of the fear. Though his common sense told him of obvious delusion, he didn't have the heart to deny her scared face.
She clearly did see something to appear that shaken.
"Okay, let me take a clear look then," he said and turned away from her to open the car door when she screamed his name again.
"Omkaraji, don't go out, please. I don't feel good about this," she asked, clutching onto his hand.
"I told you there is nothing like ghosts in today's world Gauri. Nothing will happen," he tried to coax her but she shook her head in a no tightening her grip and he sighed saying an okay.
"I will put on some bhajans? Shankarji will take care of us," she said.
At that point he didn't know if he had to be awed at her cuteness or groan at the aspect of having to listen to bhajans until she decided to stop them.
When she probed him again, he reluctantly nodded his head making her proceed to put on the stereo.
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For the next one hour, Omkara sat trying to appear as involved as her in the worship of her favorite deity.
His relationship with God turned sour from the day his family broke apart yielding to his father's infidelity. His faith withered the moment he realized that the supreme just stared at the chaos in front of him and did not do a thing to bring back peace.
He considered it a great improvement if he calmly listened to his praises and did not explode like before. Of course he did not take the credit for it because he knew it was only because of Gauri and no one else.
As the CD stopped, finishing the playlist he mentally celebrated the length of his patience but when he saw Gauri put it on repeat, he thought he shouldn't test himself more.
"Uhh.. Gauri...." he started in a low tone.
"Hmm?"
"May be we should give some break to God," he said making her raise an eyebrow.
"I mean with all the prayers I am sure he has descended from Kailash and is on his way to help us. It might take him some time to reach our car," he said and got a glare in return.
"Don't think I did not note the sarcasm in your statement."
"Good. You are intelligent then. Are you not hungry?"
"Don't you feel some weird sensation? As if someone is watching us?"
Omkara rolled his eyes and nodded a no as he asked again, "Don't you want to eat anything?"
She looked away shaking her head in a no.
"Gauri, you did not eat anything since evening. An empty stomach will not be favored by the ghost also," he tried to joke but she didn't find it funny.
"Where will we find food here?"
"Well, looking at you eat the whole dhaaba when you were not hungry, I ordered a few takeaways for safety. I put them in the dickey while you were savoring your ice cream drowned in your world," he smiled.
Despite her fear, the thought of food lifted up her mood and a small smile made way to her face.
"Oh, Thank God for that smile, just let me get it," he said and this time swiftly opened the car door but just like the last time, she held his hand again.
"I have to go and check what happened with the car as well Gauri. Don't worry, I will be right outside," he said, lifting his hand to move a hair strand behind her ear.
When she looked away from his love filled eyes, he gently removed his hand from her grip and got out of the vehicle.
A quick examination later, he concluded that not one but two of the front tyres were punctured and that they cannot travel further in the same vehicle unless he miraculously finds a mechanic amongst the woods. Walking a few paces behind, he looked for anything suspicious.
Though the night just started and he could make out things, it was still dark to investigate properly. He looked back at the car and saw Gauri anxiously looking through the mirror, waiting for him to return. Sighing, he decided to walk back when something stuck to his slipper.
Bending down, he gave a close look to the piece of metal and learned that it was a roofing screw. As his eyes roamed about the place, he noticed a few more, roughly scattered at various places. Cursing aloud, he took out his mobile and as expected there was no signal.
Well, at least there isn't something supernatural involved... a part of his brain showed him the positive side and he slowly walked to the car.
Sure, but we are trapped, alone and unequipped. How are we supposed to defend ourselves if there are a group of burglars involved?... another part argued.
"What happened?" Gauri asked as soon as he got inside.
"Your prediction came true, two of the tyres got punctured," he said with a smile and she frowned.
"You did not find anyone there?"
Omkara wanted to tell her that there was no ghost involved but if he told her that it was the work of some village robbers, he was sure she would assume her 'dabaang' avatar and jump right into trouble.
"No," he half answered and she sighed.
"But I feel that Omkara ji. I..."
"Shhh... calm down, we will think of something. Let us eat for now?" he asked veering of the topic and she nodded a yes.
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The food was not the one at fault, it was his anxiousness that made Omkara eat less. Through out his meal, his mind went in loops trying to form a plan as to get away from the place.
He couldn't fathom the reason why they were not attacked yet. Any delay further would be testing their luck. If he went by the news report they heard earlier, he was sure that whoever planned to rob them must be using some drug which made people unconscious that they did not remember their attackers or they used the charade of a ghost to terrorize them.
"Omkaraji," Gauri called him, louder the third time looking him lost.
"Huh?"
"What are you thinking? You are not eating at all."
"I am not hungry Gauri. Are you done with yours?" he asked and she nodded showing her empty cartons.
"Good," he said closing his box and she glared at him.
"Complete it."
"I don't feel like,"
"No Omkaraji, you are not supposed to waste food. Shankarji..."
"Okay stop there. I will eat but don't start with that," he said and gulped down the remaining food before he took both the boxes to discard them.
"Gauri, we cannot stay here, it is not safe in the middle of a nowhere," he started the conversation for which he has been mentally preparing himself.
She sharply turned to him widening her eyes and said, "You are not suggesting that we should go out of the car. Are you?"
"I am," he answered and she sucked in a breath.
"Omkara ji, please try to understand."
"No, we are stuck here Gauri. I will go, look if we can find help so that at least we can start tomorrow," he said though he knew he sounded stupid.
Gauri frowned at him in confusion as she said, "You are saying that you will leave me alone and go find help in the night? Seriously? We can do that after the sun rise. It is not safe to go out now."
Her husband sat silent not knowing ways to convince her when a thought struck her. One thing she was sure he was bad at is lying.
"You are hiding something from me," she said and he looked caught for a moment before he shook his head in a no.
"Nope, you can't lie so please don't try to do it Omkaraji. Tell me what it is," she asked looking straight at him and he gave up.
"I saw roofing screws scattered outside which punctured the car tyres. Someone must have put them purposefully. It might be one person or a group of robbers. We have been lucky till now but we should leave from this place as soon as possible," he explained in a breath.
"What? But I saw...."
"We have no time to discuss that Gauri."
"But I am not sure...."
He took her hand in his and looking into her eyes, pleaded one last time, "Just trust me. Nothing will go wrong."
She couldn't say a no to him.
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Not so long after the couple left, a group of motorbikes grunted their way towards the car. Getting down, four of the gang, looked into the vehicle and found it empty.
"I told you to hurry up, we have missed a lottery," one of them scolded.
"Isn't this the same car the pretty girl got into? Damn you man, I would have got her today," said another.
"Guys don't get greedy. I got the car's number enquired and it belongs to the Oberois, a powerful family in Mumbai. We have been able to fool the villagers with the ghost theory. If we dared to cross these high profile people, the police enquiry will turn serious and we might get caught. Just let them be," the leader explained.
"What? But..."
"He is right Guna. We should let this go," said his friend.
Reluctantly, they boarded the bikes and retreated from the place.
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Under the silvers of moonlight, Omkara and Gauri entered deeper into the woods, their hands clasped together. The distant howl of a dog rang through the air and Gauri moved closer to him as he embraced her protectively.
"I still don't think this is a good idea," Gauri muttered though she wasn't expecting an answer.
To decrease her fear, she has been ranting for the past sometime and he patiently listened to her, occasionally humming his response.
"I saw a movie where just like us, the hero and heroine walk into a forest at night. They will find an empty hut with a ghost inside waiting for them to come in," she said.
She has her head looking down, carefully watching their steps.
After all, it was not uncommon for an ugly hand to emerge out of the ground and catch her legs if she was not cautious.
Omkara stopped in his tracks making her look up at him. Seeing him staring ahead, she followed his gaze and gasped in shock.
At a distance, she could make out the silhouette of an old cottage. One look at him and she knew what he wanted to do next.
"We are not going there," she declared.
"Gauri, this is not any movie. You know I am tired."
"Why are you hell bent on getting us killed? There will be a ghost in there."
"We will look from the outside and on any sign of danger, we will run away," he said and dragged her forward.
Gauri gulped looking at the hut, which looked like it would crumble the moment they touched it.
Shankar ji, please get us out of this or at least make Omkara ji listen to me... she prayed while the latter knocked on the door.
They waited in silence for a few minutes when the door opened revealing an old woman roughly aged seventy, looking at them with a warm smile.
"Are you both lost?" she asked and they nodded.
"Ummm daadi ji.. our car broke down and we came seeking shelter," Omkara said while Gauri looked at the woman's legs to see if they are facing the wrong direction.
"Are you married?" the elder woman asked and he looked at Gauri whose focus was still on the latter's legs.
"Pulling her to him and putting a hand on her shoulder, he gave her a fake smile nodding a yes."
"Oh nice, my name is Lalitha. What is your name dearie?" she asked smiling at the girl.
"Her name is Gauri," Omkara answered for her and noticed a flicker of emotion on the oldie's face.
"And you are?" she asked.
"Omkara."
"You look adorable together. Please come inside," she welcomed and they smiled back.
In contrast to what it looked from the outside, the cottage appeared well maintained from the inside. Gauri looked around the place clutching on to her husband's side.
"I have a spare room on that side. You can use it," she said.
"Do you live alone daadi ji?" Gauri spoke for the first time.
The other woman smiled longingly. "I had a son and a daughter in law who used to take care of me. Lately, they shifted to another place."
"But isn't it dangerous for you to stay here, without protection?" Omkara asked.
The elderly, burst out laughing and the couple looked at each other in confusion.
"Who will harm me? It is late, go and rest," she dismissed them and they nodded walking into the bedroom.
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Looking at the bed, Omkara mentally groaned. It was bigger for one but smaller for two. After driving for so long, all he craved was a restful sleep on the soft cushion.
He let out a breath and turned to his side.
"You take the bed. I will sleep on the floor," he said and Gauri smiled at him.
"You take the bed Omkara ji. You are not used to sleeping on the floor," she said and without waiting for his response, walked into the small bathroom on the side.
By the time she got out washing her face, she saw him fast asleep. Smiling, she took one pillow and settled on the floor. Though the night progressed, sleep seemed to be far away.
Giving up trials, she got up and walked towards the window looking into the darkness. Cold air rustled the leaves and the sound was a gentle music to her ears. In the silence of the night, see thought of the last few days of her life.
She knew she forgave her husband for everything he did to her. Dandi was right. No matter what he did, she softened her heart for him so much that she looked past all of his setbacks.
Was she right in doing so?
Does it have to be right as long as she is happy?
He has been a loving and attentive husband in the recent days but what if he resumes his previous self?
The sound of soft footsteps broke her thoughts and she curiously looked into between the trees. A shadow appeared to walk towards the house in a torturously slow pace.
Her heart came to her throat and she stood stunned as the figure neared. She could make out the feminine structure and the long waist length hair which floated to the breeze.
She wanted to run, she wanted to scream but she stood there frozen. The next second, the female swiftly neared her and opened her eyes which to her utter horror were completely white.
Omkara woke up to Gauri's screams and rushed towards her.
"Gauri, look at me, what happened?" he asked as he saw her looking out, her face pale enough to worry him.
"She... I saw it Omkaraji, again," she cried "It was the same thing I saw at the road before... it.. I... got a closer look this time... I ... "
"Okay. Calm down. It is gone now," he said hugging her close and she did not object.
"We.. we should go from here" she mumbled into his chest.
"Where will we go? You yourself said that it is not safe in the night. Didn't you?"
"I.. am afraid. What if it harms?" she stammered.
"It won't," he said firmly, though he was unsure of his own words.
Time passed as her cries calmed to a few hiccups and he gently walked her to the bed making her lie down.
"We will go out at the first sign of light. Until then, try to rest. Just close your eyes," he soothed but she shook her head.
"I cannot, the moment I close my eyes, all I see is her eyes."
"Gauri," he said cupping her face and kissing her forehead.
"I am here with you. Nothing will come here," he said.
She knew it was wrong but she asked him what she needed at that time.
"C...Can you sleep here, with me?"
Looking at her scared face, he didn't take much time to nod a yes.
Getting on the bed, he lied on his side and she moved closer, hugging him tight. Omkara sucked in a shaky breath as he embraced her shivering body. He was sure he will have a hard time with sleep tonight.
Her soft parts pressed to him, her breath breezing over the first button of his shirt and the gentle caress of her hand on his back were a deadly turn on.
Can this night get over soon?
"I still can't forget the sight," she said parting from him after struggling to sleep.
Looking at her staring so innocently at his face, he couldn't help but lean close.
Gauri looked at him looking at her lips and the shiver of fear, turned to something more primate.
What the hell?
He gently stuck a hair strand behind her ears and kissed her nose. When she couldn't help but smile at the act, she felt his lips over her eyelids. No sooner, his lips left their trail on her cheeks and neared the corner of her lips.
Her heart paced out of control for the nth time that day but for a reason vastly different from the other times. She raised her hand to touch his arm and squeeze it in encouragement.
Happy at the signal, Omkara brushed his lips with hers, an act he had been dreaming about since many days.
Soft... his mind screamed at the contact.
Some more please,... his heart pleaded.
Giving in to his fantasy, he gently nibbled her lower lip, making her open her mouth and latch on to his upper one.
Is this really happening?...he couldn't help but wonder.
Nonetheless, he went with the flow. With time, his hands wandered and his mouth turned greedy. Darting his tongue over her lips, he asked for entrance which she provided.
With the explosion of her taste in his mouth, the last thread of control snapped and he turned them over, hovering above her.
That sudden move made her gasp and he muttered a sorry in response, though he continued his ministrations. It was so long that his body connected that intimately with someone and he knew not, how to curb down his desire.
"Omkara ji," she moaned in both fear and pleasure, feeling his hand snuck under her kameez, caressing her bare waist.
His daze broke and he retracted his wayward hands. As he parted from her, looking down at her flushed face and swollen lips, he saw her staring at him.
Great!! What will she think of you now.... You pervert,... his traitorous heart accused.
She waited in dread, looking for any signs of regret and breathed out in relief when he bent again and kissed her forehead.
Lying back on his side, he cocooned her.
"Sleep," he ordered, caressing her hair and this time, she did not protest.
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Gauri was the first to wake up as soon as the sun rays hit their bed through the open window. Lifting her face from her husband's chest, she looked at his handsome face.
As she admired him for a bit, she was rudely disturbed with an ear splitting scream. Frightened again, she got up from the bed, waking up Omkara along.
The couple stared in confusion as they saw a man and a woman looking at them from the entrance of the room.
Hadn't they looked it the previous night? they wondered.
"Who are you people and what are you doing here?" asked the man once he found his voice.
"We could ask the same," Omkara replied.
"This is my house," the man replied.
"Oh, you must be Lalitha daadi ji's son," Gauri said relieved and walked towards them.
"Our car broke down and we asked her to give us shelter. She was a sweet person to allow it," she explained and the confusion on their faces only grew.
"What are talking about?"
"Lalita ji, isn't she your mother?" Omkara asked.
"Yeah, but she died a year ago," the other man answered and they stood there stunned.
"What nonsense, are we even talking about the same woman?" Omkara asked and the man gestured them to follow him.
"This is her picture. Did you see her last night?" he said showing them a portrait in the hall which they missed to notice the previous night.
Gauri gasped and Omkara looked in shock recognizing the picture.
"Oh my God, is it true then, the rumors?" the woman asked in disbelief.
"Seems like it. Otherwise, how will they enter a locked cabin," the man answered his wife.
"What is your name?" the woman asked.
"Gauri!!" Omkara screamed as he saw her about to faint and the other man helped him. Taking her hand, he walked her to the small chair in the room.
"Explains why you are still alive," commented the woman.
Omkara looked at her in question when she answered, "Gauri is the name of my mother-in- law's dearest daughter."
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I seriously do not know what I wrote... please forgive me if I messed up your brains.
Was that horror-romance that Bollywood has been binging on? I don't know.
This is the starting of many illogicals which would follow, I warned you before.
Let me know your thoughts.
Please do not forget to vote and comment.
Until the next update.. signing off.. yours Soujanya.
Turning
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