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Mithila came out her room and looked the couple happily hugging each other, lost in their own world. Truth to be told, she never found them to be the ideal couple unlike what everyone else thought.

With the heap of insecurities and piles of secrets they kept from each other, they could have withered away if not for the sacred bond which tied them together.

At times like these, she believed in destiny. There must be a Supreme entity which time and again gave them problems which they fought together and strengthened their ship.

It was evident they loved each other and she only wished that love is sufficient to overcome the new obstacle which came their way.

She cleared her throat loudly and chuckled when she got the desired effect.

"Hi," Omkara greeted her with a friendly smile and she wished him back ignoring the blushing friend.

"I will take her home," she heard him say.

"Of course, she is all yours," said Mithila in a teasing tone and Omkara fueled her.

"Yup, all mine," he said pecking his wife's cheek making her glare at him for teaming up with her friend and adding to the embarrassment.

"I will get the children," said Mithila and the couple agreed to say a bye to the two before they went home.

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"Sir I swear I was right here in front of the door. I don't understand how they took him away," the constable shivered with fear.

Karan wanted to kill somebody right at that moment but he could only manage to growl.

"You had to protect one patient and you couldn't do that. Just resign and do some other job which requires less vigilance and gives you more sleeping hours," he hollered.

"Karan, they were quick. It is not his fault," Sandeep, his colleague tried to calm him down.

"That does not justify the fact that my father was abducted under his watch," he screamed in anger.

"What is happening? Sandeep," they heard the commissioner's call.

They turned around and promptly saluted while the senior nodded, asking them to stand at ease.

"Sir, Karan's father is missing," Sandeep tried to explain when Karan cut him off.

"He is kidnapped Sir, the very thing I feared would happen if I am not there by his side."

"Who was the officer in charge," asked the commissioner and the constable burst into tears.

"Sandeep, take him away," the order came swiftly.

"Sir, if I may ask. Is this the kind of security you offer me?" Karan said unable to reign his temper.

"I understand your concern Karan but..."

"No sir, you don't understand. I pleaded you let me stay for two days and then go to Delhi since there was no emergency there. You assured me saying that you will appoint trustworthy people to guard my father. Looking at that guy weeping, I seriously doubt your judgement."

The commissioner glared at the insult.

"Check your tongue young man. You don't talk to your senior this way."

"I trusted you sir. I do not know in what state my father is right now. Do you have an answer to that?"

The head of department was about to open his mouth when a voice stopped him.

"We will have the answer, if you calm down and co-operate Karan," Shivaay said walking into the hospital room in his usual style.

"Calm down," he repeated and Karan's anger hiked one notch up.

"Why is he here?"

"Mr. Oberoi offered to help," came the answer.

"Oh the great Shivaay sigh Oberoi offered help. Thanks, but no thanks," he grimaced looking at his once friend.

He then turned to his senior and outrightly denied the request.

"You are being unreasonable now. Mr. Oberoi might provide us sources..."

"Or he might be behind the kidnap himself. He believes in revenge doesn't he?"

"KARAN, you are crossing the decency line," the commissioner rebuked.

"It is okay sir, I understand his doubts," said Shivaay and looked at the angry man.

"I just need a few minutes. Believe me you will thank me for this."

Karan Shukla stared at the Oberoi heir for a long contemplating minute. Then nodding at his senior, he walked away from the place gesturing Shivaay to follow him.

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"OMKARAJI," Gauri scolded opening the gift which she thought he brought for her.

"You brought me wine, like seriously?"

Omkara, who just got out of the bathroom freshly showered, laughed at his angry chirayya.

"What will I do with this?" she said and put the bottle on the table.

Back to her work, she curiously rummaged through the contents of her husband's suitcase.

"It is obvious Gauri. You should drink it," he said and got a deathly glare.

He kept the towel on the hanger and walked towards her with a smile.

"It is one of the best wines," he explained hugging her from the back and placed a sweet kiss to her cheek.

Gauri pressed his hands which embraced her waist and turned her face to the side to look at him.

"You know I don't drink Omkara ji. Stop joking," she tried to maintain an even tone though she felt his lips dangerously close to hers.

"Well, you can start now," he huskily whispered.

She turned her head away with a blush and pretended to stay unaffected by his charm.

"No, I don't want to," she replied and felt her husband's lips trace the side of her face.

Omkara pressed his lips close to her ears and her body shivered with anticipation. Tightening his hug, he started to pepper kisses starting from her bare shoulder.

"That is not for you," he told her in between. She leaned against him in complete surrender and he gladly bore her weight.

"Rudy asked me to bring him one," he explained but she wasn't listening anymore.

His open mouthed kisses set off a chain reaction in her body which evoke every cell in her body and respond to the minimum of his touch.

Omkara spoke no more as he continued to seduce her, coaxing her to turn around pull him in for a proper kiss. He eagerly deepened the kiss, having missed her taste in the past few days. Heat emitted from his body in waves, making her warm all over and she parted her lips from his for a second or two to look at him. The raw need shining in his eyes made her breathless.

With an impatient groan he pulled her body to him and roughly snatched her dupatta exposing her neck and upper chest for him to devour.

Gauri stiffened in her place but Omkara was too pre-occupied to note her hesitation. As if awoken with a bucket of cold water, the sensual haze broke and it was replaced with the feeling of dread.

Ugly images of the recent mishap flashed in her mind one after another and her eyes filled with tears. She tried to tell herself that she was with her husband but her mind refused to push those images to the back.

She gasped when her back hit the mattress and her arms were firmly gripped above her head. Her husband dipped his head to nip the skin of her neck and instead of a moan of pleasure, she cried out his name in pain.

Omkara stopped at once and looked at her face with worry.

"Gauri," he called her in concern, loosening his grip and getting off her body.

She hurriedly sat up in her place and leaned against the headboard, her breaths coming quick as her heart threatened to burst with anxiety.

"What is it? Did I hurt you?" he asked touching the reddish area on her neck.

Gauri turned towards him, the meaning of her actions sinking in. Seeing the guilt in his eyes, she mentally cursed herself for being the reason.

"I am sorry, did I..."

She shook her head in a no and hugged him tight to hide her tears from his observant eyes.

Omkara caressed her hair as he asked her again.

"What happened Gauri?"

She bit back a sob and took time to answer his question; lest he sensed the shiver in her voice.

"I... I am sorry," she said and he frowned.

"For what?"

"I ... I am on my period," she mumbled into his chest.

He pulled away to take a look at her now blank face.

"What?" he asked her and she started to apologize again.

"Why are you saying a sorry. It is okay," he assured her and kissed her forehead.

"No, you were in the mood and I just..."

"Gauri, are you sure that this is the issue? Is there something wrong?" he asked and she lied again.

"I am upset that we couldn't continue. I kind of forgot about it and suddenly it struck."

He stared at her for a long minute but didn't question her again. Nodding his head, he moved away and out of the bed.

Gauri leapt and held his wrist in worry.

"Are you upset with me Omkaraji?"

"Why will I be Gauri? If not now, we can make love in a few days. You scared me with your reaction," he said and she sighed, sitting back on the bed.

"Give me a few minutes."

She nodded her head and watched him walk into the washroom. Once the door shut close, she palmed her face and allowed a few tears to escape her eyes.

Am I doing the right thing?.. she asked her Shankar ji, trying to control her sobs.

Can she ever recover from the incident? ...she questioned and then reprimanded herself for sounding so weak.

She is guilty that she had to lie to him but she promised that she would tell him everything once she finds the courage. Determined to let things go smooth for the moment, she lay down on the mattress and covered herself with the quilt.

Closing her eyes, she gently massaged her forehead to numb the ache. In some time, she felt the mattress dip. Gauri moved close to her husband who embraced her at once.

"Are you okay? Can I do something for your back pain?" he asked again caressing her back and she shook her head, snuggling close to him.

"I just need a warm hug," she said and he tightened the hug, pressing her soft body to him.

"Enough?" he asked, kissing her head and she hummed in response.

It took some time but she managed to slip into a slumber, leaving her husband awake to dwell on the real reason behind her abrupt reaction.

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"So, you didn't call Mr. Fernandes because you didn't think of him?" Himani asked Sonia who nodded her head in a yes.

"Why didn't you call me then?"

"You wouldn't be of much help Himani. Neither you mor me can fight a set of gangsters."

"I see you got yourself an expensive ring. Didn't see it before," Himani asked he next question.

"My boyfriend is rich."

"What is his name may I ask?"

"We aren't that close. You will know when I'd give you a wedding card."

"Oh, so much secrecy. Don't you think this looks suspicious?"

"Suspicious of what?" Sonia dropped her calm at the statement.

"I don't know, you tell me."

"Enough of this questionnaire Himani," she passed a glare.

"I do not understand the intention behind all this. You can doubt all you want but I only wanted to help Gauri. Instead of thanking me, you playing detective just because you think I have some ulterior motive is hurtful."

"Drop the act, will you? I know a snake when I see one."

"What the hell is your problem with me? I am telling you that I only wanted to help."

Himani got up from her place, irritation clear in her stance.

"You might have staged this with perfection but remember that truth will come out no matter how much you try to bury it. Enjoy yourself until then because once I find any evidence against you, I am going to skin you alive," she warned, banging her fist on the table.

Sonia jumped in her place before she watched the woman walk away taking long strides.

She knew that the threat wasn't an empty one considering the former's history but what else could she do except pray to God that she should get out of the mess unscathed.

One thing she was sure of was that she cannot talk to Ajay as and when she pleased. She needed to be alert if she didn't want things to go more wrong.

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Good night...❤

Until later🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️