"Bhabhi, are you alright?" Bhavya rushed to Gauri who was sitting leisurely on the table and finishing her drink.

"I am more than okay Bhavya, don't worry," she assured as the former looked at her in worry.

"Where is that bast***? Let me get my hands on him," the angry question came next.

Gauri chuckled as she remembered Karan parting words.

"He went away, didn't he? Smart ass," Bhavya scoffed and Gauri smiled big.

"I knew this wasn't a good idea. I got a heart attack when he took you like that."

"At least we know why he did it," Gauri said.

"Did he tell you?" Bhavya asked when Gauri's phone rang.

"Hello, Omkara ji, I..."

"Where are you Gauri? It is close to three hours that you left home. I got a call from the driver. Maa ji will be reaching soon."

"Sorry, I will come home and explain. Karan ji had to leave for some work, Bhavya came to pick me up."

"Can't he do one thing correctly? He told me he didn't get the reservation of the place you asked for and had to book another. Now he doesn't have the curtesy to drop you home."

"He told you that?"

"Hmmm, he pinged me saying the area has network issues and so you couldn't call me back."

"I am on my way home Omkaraji," she told him and he ended the call with an okay.

Gauri looked at Bhavya and asked, "When did he do all this? He informed Omkaraji that he took me to a different place,"

"No wonder why the commissioner doesn't want to order an enquiry on him until he got proof against him," said Bhavya in irritation.

"You informed the commissioner?"

"And made a fool of myself. He asked me what is so wrong if Karan took you out for lunch. That deuce planned all this well ahead," she said referring to Karan.

"We should talk to him Bhavya, we cannot have him work against us," said Gauri.

"You expect me to trust him after what he did? I cannot work with someone by constantly doubting him Bhabhi. If I give him some work I should be assured that the work will be done and he will not make things worse."

"But,..."

"Let us keep this discussion for another day, for now I will drop you to the mansion and on the way, you tell me what story he cooked up to gain your trust again," said Bhavya and Gauri sighed.

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

Sharada Sharma was overwhelmed with the welcome she received in her daughter's home. She couldn't help but thank Shankar ji for protecting her daughter, giving her the love and respect, she deserved.

She knew Gauri never left any stone unturned to make sure that her mother was taken care of. Though she never spoke aloud, she always felt that she was her daughter's weakness who constantly burdened her, curbing her chance at a peaceful life and she cursed herself for the same.

Unlucky she was to not have given birth to her girl, who only knew to spread love not caring for her own comfort. It was time that she had her own share of happiness.

As she sat in the living room with her daughter's in-laws and husband, all she prayed from her Shankar ji was that no matter what, Gauri should be a part of the loving family and stay happy all her life.

Jhanvi and Anika sat with Sharada on the couch while Pinky sat in the lone char beside them. Omkara who came back after answering a phone call, smiled at his mother-in-law.

"Bhavya is driving Gauri here maa ji, they are almost here. You can freshen up by that time," he spoke.

"You don't worry about me Damaad ji. Jhanvi ji was saying you came back leaving some important work. Please do continue it," Sharada replied.

"Yeah Om, you were in the middle of finishing that portrait. Go and get done with it. Then you can spend some time with both Gauri and Sharada ji as well," Jhanvi said and her son nodded before walking to his home studio.

"How is your health maa ji, Gauri was worried about you," Anika asked.

"I am alright Anika beta. Your sister-in-law worries for no reason. By the way where did she go?"

"Oh, you didn't know. She went on a lunch date with her guy friend," it was Pinky who answered her.

"Pinky? Can you please..."

"Lunch date?" Sharada asked in confusion.

"Aapki beti kisi aur aadmi ke saath lunch date pe gayi hai aur humara Omkara apni sasuma ke liye sab kaam chodke aaya hai. Aap se hi sikhi hogi naa, itna jaadu kaisa karna hai."

"Funny, right? Your daughter went to have fun with some guy and our Omkara left all his work to welcome you. Surely you must have taught Gauri how to do that magic on our boy," Pinky taunted with her devilish smile.

It felt like a slap to her face but Sharada decided to keep quiet. A small argument in anger might only worsen things for her daughter.

"Pinky, please don't make me insult you in front of guests," Jhanvi warned and the former scoffed.

"Don't mind her words Sharada ji. Gauri went with Karan and he is a close friend to Omkara as well, no big issue. Come, I will show you the guest room," she said and showed her the way.

"Jhanvi ji, you surely do not mind Gauri's..."

"No Sharada ji. Please don't say it and do not keep that even in your thoughts. Pinky doesn't know how to talk."

"But..."

"We all love Gauri and know what she is. You freshen up and come, I will go and bring you something," Jhanvi said with a smile.

"What is it?"

"You will know, Anika will keep you company till then," she smiled.

Anika nodded in agreement and turned to Gauri's mother, starting her chit chat.

Sharada tried to stay positive and ignore Pinky's words but the seed of fear was already sown.

What if her damaad ji also thought the same way?

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

"Maa," Gauri called her mother as she walked into the guest room.

Sharada smiled at her daughter and opened her arms calling her for a hug.

Anika watched with a longing smile as the mother daughter duo affectionately hugged each other.

"How are you mera bacha."

"I am happy maa. I am incredibly happy to see you," Gauri answered kissing her mother's cheek.

As they parted, Sharada noted her daughter's appearance. She must have just reached the mansion and directly came to see her.

"Damaad ji is taking good care of you," Sharada said looking at her daughter who appeared more of an Oberoi bahu and less of a humble village girl she was once.

Gauri smiled in return and Anika decided not to lose an opportunity to tease her sister-in-law.

"Oh, you don't know maa ji. Omkara is a gone case these days. Will you believe me if I told you that my brother-in-law who was a very private person wouldn't let go of Gauri for mere hours?"

Sharada laughed as she saw her daughter blush to red and scold Anika.

"You won't leave a chance. Do you Bhaujai?"

Anika smiled and shook her head in a no.

"Sharada maa if you don't believe me I can prove it to you. Just stay here for another hour and your daughter's husband will come rushing to take her away citing some or the other reason."

No longer did she complete her sentence, they heard Omkara's call for his wife.

"Correction maa ji. He wouldn't wait for an hour. That is too long, Hain na Gauri?" she whispered, wiggling her eyebrows as her brother-in-law walked in.

Gauri passed a playful glare at Anika before she got up and walked to her husband.

"Sorry I got late," she said taking his hand and he smiled back squeezing it.

"Won't you come to the room and change?" he asked and Anika giggled.

Omkara curiously looked at the other two ladies who were sitting on the bed and smiling at each other as if sharing a little secret. He then shifted his gaze to his wife and noted the blush.

"Are they teasing you?" he whispered and she nodded her head making him smile.

"She will be okay Om. Come in and take a seat," said Anika, pointing at the couch in the room.

Omkara walked in taking Gauri's hand and made her sit beside him.

"I am back," Jhanvi announced from the doorway and they smiled at her.

"Bring them in," she asked the staff who were holding the presents she ordered for Gauri's mother.

"Jhanvi ji, what are all these?"

"Presents for you Sharada ji."

"What is the need Jhanvi ji. I cannot take them," the guest hesitated.

"Nothing doing. It is my mother in law's order and I am just following it. She has gone out with Shivaay for some work. You can ask her once she meets you in the evening," Jhanvi said as she settled herself beside her.

"Now this, is what I brought for you," she said giving her a packet.

Sharada looked at the cover and curiously opened it as she noted Jhanvi's eagerness to see her reaction.

On look inside and her eyes widened in surprise. A second later, she smiled with much happiness and pulled out the pictures.

"Liked them?" Jhanvi asked with a smile and the other one nodded with a small tear sliding down her cheek.

Anika who was nearer, got to look at the pictures first and exclaimed, "Oh my God, badi maa ji, you didn't show them to us."

"What are they Bhabhi?" Omkara asked and Gauri looked on curiously.

"Your wedding pictures," Anika said and the couple widened their eyes exchanging looks.

"They look adorable together," Sharada murmured caressing her daughter's face through the pic and Jhanvi smiled squeezing her shoulder.

"Thank you so much for these," she said before Anika took them from her hands to see them herself.

"Wow Gauri, you look beautiful. I told you the lehenga would suit you," Anika said and the couple stood up to walk towards her.

"Om, you look dashing huh."

"When did you get the photos mom?" Omkara asked as he took one and smiled at it.

He was looking like a grumpy bear while his wife's smile was screaming fake. He rolled his eyes at his family who failed to note their expressions.

"Just this morning," Jhanvi answered his question and passed him her favourite picture.

Omkara looked at it and was surprised to see a candid picture of him and Gauri. It must have been one of the moments when he asked her if she was fine and she assured him with a small smile but in the picture it looked like they were lovingly gazing at each other.

He looked at Gauri and saw her already staring at him with a smile.

Anika nudged Sharda and asked her to see the couple looking lost in each other.

"So, what I was saying is that Gauri should stay with her mother in this room until she is here," she said and Omkara looked at her.

"What do you say Om?"

He knew she was expecting a reaction out of him to tease his wife.

"Of course, Bhabhi if maa ji wants it then why will I have a problem," he said.

"No beta, what is the need. I am not a kid. Aisi kya zaroorat hai ki miya biwi ko alag rehna pade," she said and he smiled.

"Distance increases love Sharada maa," Anika coaxed.

"Koi zaroorat nahi hai," Jhanvi cut her off making her pout.

Omkara chuckled and Gauri joined her husband.

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

The laughter in the house continued until the next day when the first sign of a storm knocked on the doors of the mansion.

"Bhaujai, maa ji was saying she gave you the wedding menu? Did you,..." Gauri stopped short noting the worried look on her sister-in-law.

"What happened?" she asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Sahil," Anika said in worry.

"I haven't talked to him since yesterday Gauri. I have been trying since last night but he did not answer my call."

"He must be at school Bhaujai, should have been in some work where he couldn't answer," Gauri tried to reason.

"No Gauri, he never fails to answer my calls. Even if he were busy, he would have called back in an hour or two. It has been more than sixteen hours now."

"Did you tell Shivaay bhaiyya? He was to go to him today."

"Yeah, I thought I will know it from him. So, I did not tell him my fear."

"Right, just see. He will come back, bringing Sahil with him. Stop worrying unnecessarily. Come, give me the menu that maa ji gave you," Gauri said and the latter nodded getting up to bring the brochure.

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

"Bade bhaiyya, did you reach Sahil's hostel?" Gauri asked on the phone.

"No Gauri, I talked with the principal and he said that Sahil will be allowed to come only the day after tomorrow. So, I thought I will go then," Shivaay said as he turned the pages of a file.

"Oh, Anika Bhaujai thought you will go today."

"Yeah, that slipped my mind. Could you please inform her, I will be come home late today? I have to wind up some work here before I take a few days off," he informed.

"Okay Bhaiyya," Gauri agreed and ended the call.

It must be nothing but her sister-in-law's needless worry for her brother, but Gauri couldn't keep quiet knowing the things which were happening behind their backs, of which no one is aware off.

With her heart in turmoil, she called Bhavya.

"Yes Bhabhi?"

"Bhavya, could you track Sahil's number?"

"What happened Bhabhi? You seem worried."

Gauri filled her on the details and the latter assured that she will get the required information.

Should she tell everything to her husband? But what if he acted on impulse rather than on caution?

She decided to wait for Bhavya's call, all the time praying that nothing wrong should ensue though her gut told otherwise.

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

There you go...the double update.

I don't remember Gauri's mother's name in the serial, I thought I heard it as Sharada.🤔

I hope you enjoyed the read.❤

Vote and comment without fail.

Love you all.🤗

Signing off, yours Soujanya.