"What? Are you kidding me Om?" he heard Shivaay's voice through his mobile.

"I wish I was kidding. I still can't believe this Shivaay. Like my life has any less problems, supernatural entities decide to have a picnic in it?"

"How is Gauri?"

"Still in shock."

"God! Do you want to come back? I will send the chopper."

"I asked her the same and she declined it. We are only a few hours away from our village. We will start once the car is repaired. I got a mechanic to work on it," he answered, and his brother sighed.

"Are you sure?"

"Hundred percent. You know that she is stubborn. Once assigned a work, she won't leave it halfway."

"Someone seems to be knowing a lot of things lately, Huh."

"Shut up," he replied though he couldn't help the blush.

Thank heavens, his other brother didn't watch him going red. God! That kiss was...

"Fine, message me once you reach the mansion," Shivaay said and Omkara agreed.

"Was that Bade Bhaiya?" Gauri asked walking into the small room.

"Yes. Are you feeling better now?" he asked smiling at her and she smiled back with a nod.

She sensed he wanted to talk but decided not to.

"What is it Omkara ji?"

"Tum thik ho na Gauri? You won't get upset if I talked about uhh..."

"About Lalita daadi ji? I am only feeling bad for the poor thing. It shouldn't have happened with her Omkara ji."

"I have filed a complaint against the burglars. It must be them who killed her. That is the reason I called Shivaay, he has more contacts."

"Good thing, I hope she will find peace then."

"If they did wrong, I would see to it that they will be punished," he said in a determined tone.

She looked at him and smiled proudly as she said, "I know you would."

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

Gauri looked at the mansion before her in awe. It wasn't as big as the one back in Mumbai, but it had a more royal feel to it, just like the palaces in the stories her father used to tell her.

With a huge arch leading to a pathway fenced by trees, the building stood at the far end looking big and grand. The walls and the roofs were filled with original artwork and wood paneling, creating an aura of old-world charm. Even the steps which led to the entrance were customized with stone statues of majestic looking lions, one on each side of the doorway.

The home garden has a charm of its own, growing flowers of rose hibiscus and chrysanthemum. The scent of the air was a sweet hybrid of the flowers it harbored.

At the far corner, away from the prying eyes of any village folk, an old pool whose size is smaller than its twin in Mumbai, was built into the ground, made of concrete and natural stone. The couple could see only a part of it, as they got down from the car.

Men and women were scattered around the place busy in carrying out their work though some of them curiously looked at the pair, wondering what the purpose of their visit was.

"This is beautiful. Even my town didn't have such a big bungalow," Gauri whispered, and her husband smiled.

"Why are you whispering?"

"I don't know, I just feel like one should be silent when they see such artistic places but you know my mouth just doesn't stop talking," she replied and he laughed, squeezing her hand which he held in his.

Wasn't he laughing a lot lately? Glad that he did not forget how to.

A few heads turned in their direction. One of them who appeared to be the gardener approached them with a smile.

"Uhh Namastey kaka ji.. I am Omkara," he introduced himself.

"Of course sir, my name is Raman and I am the servants' head here. Madam ji has informed us that you will be coming but we expected it to be yesterday."

"Yeah, we got delayed unexpectedly."

"No problem, come inside please. Taadaka madam must be waiting for you," he said with a small smile directed at the couple. He then signaled a teenage boy who ran inside the house, probably to inform about their arrival.

"We have our things in the car."

"I will find someone to take them inside your room sir," said Raman taking the keys from him.

As the two slowly ascended the stairs, Gauri again asked him, "How long has it been since your last visit here?"

"I don't remember. May be in my teenage."

"Oh! You do remember her face, right?" she asked in doubt and he knitted his eyebrows.

"I mean there can be more than one old ghost in the village. You know."

Omkara bit back a smile before he said, "From what I remember Gauri, Taadaka daadi and her friend league is not as sweet as Lalitha ji. Ghost or not, we are in for a tough time."

No sooner than she raised her eyebrows in surprise, a loud voice stopped them at the entrance. They looked up to see a group of women ready to welcome them. Ordering them was a lady of their grandmother's age dressed in an elegant saree giving them a formal smile.

"Do the aarti properly Sujatha, saari buri nazar utaar deni hai bacho pe se," she said and a woman came forward to do as asked.

Omkara and Gauri entered the house and took the blessings of the elder one who hugged them one after the other.

"Kitna bada ho gaya hai tu Omie," she said.

Omkara made a face at the nickname and Gauri raised an eyebrow.

"Bahu to bahut sundar laye ho," she said turning to the daughter in law of the house and pulled her cheek.

Gauri smiled at her, all the time wondering why her husband did not find the woman sweet. 

If anyone asked her, she appeared sweeter than Lalitha ji.

"Come inside both of you, the last time you were here was for a karwachaut festival for your parents, isn't it? How is Jhanvi doing?"

"Mom is doing fine daadi," he answered with a smile though his wife could see the sadness behind it.

As they walked in, Gauri ogled at the hand painted walls, large Venetian chandeliers, classy wooden furniture and grand marble staircases.

The group of women they saw earlier followed them talking in murmurs. She looked at them and gave them a gentle smile. Though she received formal smiles in return, she noticed a look of disapproval from a few. Insecurities spiked up and her mood began to dull.

"Gauri," called Omkara, noticing her sudden discomfort.

"What happened?" he asked and she shook her head in a no.

Taadaka who was watching the girl, gently smiled at her, "Don't mind their looks dearie. In our village, married woman without sindhoor and mangalsutra are not appreciated. Did you forget to wear them today?"

Great! Not once did she think of that.

The couple exchanged looks but none spoke a word.

"How can she forget that Taadaka ji?" a woman asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, for a married woman, it is just like breathing air. One doesn't forget to breathe, do they?" another taunted.

Omkara was about to open his mouth when daadi bet him to it.

"Omie, Shivaay called me earlier and told me about the happenings last night. Subhadra, didn't I tell you about it? The girl is still shaken from it. Let her recover before imposing all the rules," the elder one scolded, making them shut up.

"Go and freshen up. Come down once you are done. Your bags must be there in your old room Omie."

Wait! She said room and not rooms... great Gauri, didn't think of this issue as well... her brain mocked.

"Daadi ji vo... there are many rooms here. W..Why don't we take separate rooms? It gives more space right?" she asked and the ladies gave her a full blown glare.

"Is there a problem bahu? Did you two fight on your way?"

"Nothing like that Daadi ji. I was..."

"Good then. Go and freshen up," came the order.

Gauri looked at Omkara to see if he would come for her rescue but when he turned around and walked up the staircase, she silently followed him.

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

Confirmed... You can be certified as a pervert.... his mind scolded him

Why else will you be happy that you can share a room with her and sad that there is a couch in your room?... it asked again.

Omkara stood under the shower, his heart happy and not caring to answer the obvious questions put by his conscience. Sure, that they did not talk about it but all he had been thinking about since the previous night was their kiss, until of course the revelation of the ghost story.

'Go with the flow' was the motto and he is willing to let the gentle man in him to a deep slumber for the time being. Who knows if it were the last time, they came that close?

She won't like it..... his inner voice repeated but he shut it down once again. If she kissed him back, he was sure she wouldn't mind staying in the same room as him.

Nothing more is going to happen anyways... he self assured.

I doubt that... came the retort.

Fully dressed, he walked back into the room, to see her arranging her essentials in the cupboards.

Hearing him come out, she turned to him and asked, "Should I unpack your suitcase?"

"No, let it be. I will do it after lunch," he said and she nodded.

"Uhh... I am sorry that we must use one room," though he didn't feel sorry at all.

Gauri who was rummaging through her bag to pick something to wear, said; "I couldn't say a no because they are already angry at me. If you have a problem with this arrangement then..."

"NO!" he said and it came out louder than intended.

She looked up at him confused.

"I...I mean if you don't have a problem then I obviously won't have it," he said.

She stared at him for a long minute making him look away and walk to the mirror.

"Okay, I will go freshen up then," she said and he nodded before she walked to the washroom.

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

"Omie!" Taadka called him with extra love and he couldn't help the low groan that escaped his lips. Since Gauri was walking close, she was the only one to hear it. She bit her lower lip to hold back a giggle.

"Come sit, I have made all your favorite dishes," she grinned at him.

"Uhh Daadi? Can you not call me with that name?"

"Why?" Taadaka asked, her voice suddenly filled with melancholy and Gauri felt bad.

"Uhh...." Omkara started but she stopped him.

"Nothing daadi ji, he is just worried that I would make fun of him. You can call him whatever you want," she said and the smile returned on the elderly's face.

"As if she would need your permission," Subhadra scoffed and Omkara glared at her.

"I didn't mean it like that aunty ji," Gauri tried to make her understand.

"Good that you have the sense to put sindhoor now. I still don't see your mangalsutra dearie," the woman still clung on to her argument.

"I...uhh... must have lost it, I couldn't find it in my bag," she lied and earned collective gasps while Omkara rolled his eyes at the never-ending dramaticism.

"Veeru!" Taadaka yelled and the teenage boy they saw in the morning came running inside.

"Ji madam ji?"

"Go to the goldsmith now and get a new mangalsutra. I want it to be done as soon as possible," she ordered.

"It won't be needed daadi ji, after we go home I..."

"No Gauri, it is a bad omen and it is not good for Omkara," Taadaka said leaving no room for argument.

Veeru hurried out of the house to do his assigned work.

"Can we eat now?" Omkara asked tiredly.

"Of course, come," their host smiled showing him the chair.

Gauri calmly took another chair and sat down when the murmurs started again.

"Hey bhagwan, you will eat before your husband?" it was Sarita who asked her this time, making her hurriedly get up from the chair.

Omkara held her wrist and turned to Taadaka.

"Daadi, I don't want people to scrutinize and test our every step. Can we get some peace here?" he asked glaring at the women gang.

Taadaka looked troubled when Gauri tried to reason with her husband, "Omkaraji, it is okay I will eat later."

"You won't. You are going to eat now, along with me. If anybody has a problem here, I will feed you with my own hands," he said, the last part in a threat.

"Hai rabba, Subhadra aren't you reminded of Pritviraaj bhaisaab?" Taadaka spoke and the women nodded their heads in surprise.

"Oh, you angry young man, do not get offended," Sarita spoke with a smile. "We are just making sure that your wife learns the right customs. We see that you have been lenient with her."

Seeing the anger clear on his face, Taadaka laughed loudly diverting their attention.

"He is so like his grandfather. Let the children have food while Raman will show you the antique sculpture, we are to auction next week. Come with me," she said and the ladies followed her out, leaving the couple alone with a house help.

"Omkaraji, there was no need to..."

"Gauri, I know them better. The more you listen, the more they would impose. You haven't eaten anything since morning saying you are not hungry. At least have your lunch on time," he said pulling at her hand, making her sit in the chair beside him.

She stared at her plate in silence as he served her food.

Was he the same man who insulted and threw her out of his room?

What was she doing here again? Does he even need her anymore? He seems to be back to his old self already.

How is she supposed to leave him when he is being this nice, especially after their moment last night?

It shouldn't have happened, but she could not hold back her heart which had always yearned for his love.

"Do you want more?"

"Huh?"

"You have been staring at your plate. Do you want more food?"

"No, this is enough."

"Then eat."

"Let daadi ji..."

"Eat Gauri," he scolded gesturing towards the plate and she sighed putting a piece of roti in her mouth.

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

So, she had seen the worst of him, now the idea is to make her see what Omkara actually is.... Of course, until he decides to mess up again.

Let me know your thoughts.

Vote and comment

Until later, signing off...your Soujanya.