"I trust you because I love you Gauri."

Her heart skipped a beat.

Did he just...?

Did she just hear him say...?

How long has she been craving for those words? Days...months... or has it been years?

"I believe in our love more than anything else," she heard him say.

His eyes held no doubt when he looked at her saying those words and the tears were a proof that he was as much in pain as her, for hurting her sometime back.

Gauri's hands held his face to bring it closer and the room fell away. Never did she feel that out of control in kissing him. She struggled to breath, bite and bathe in his essence all at the same time while her husband tried to mix their bodies into one.

Omkara tasted of love, trust and passion.

She wouldn't have asked for more. Nothing else mattered except for him. Never did it mater before either.

Happiness dripped out of her eyes and flowed down her cheeks making her husband pull out of their intimate moment.

"Stop crying," he said, soothingly kissing her cheeks.

"I am not able to stop them," she croaked with a small smile, wiping his tears.

"I am sorry for hurting you Gauri."

She shook her head in a no and chuckled.

"I am so happy right now that I can't seem to stop the happy tears," she said making him sigh.

"Can you tell me that again?" she asked and his lips curved into a smile.

"I love you Gauri. I don't think I had ever loved anyone as much as I love you."

She grinned, giving him a rewarding peck and then embraced him tight.

Gauri closed her eyes to hear the rhythmic beat of her husband's heart as he gently caressed her hair.

It took minutes before she broke the symphony of lub-dubs.

"Thank you Omkara ji," she mumbled into his chest and he kissed the top of her head.

"I cannot tell you how much this means to me," she said pressing her cheek to him.

Omkara closed his eyes and let his tears freely flow.

"I was blaming my Shankar ji for making you come into my life. For giving me so much pain, but I should have had more trust on him," he heard her say.

"I should have had more trust in you," she said.

Should he be angry with Gauri's Shankar ji for ruining everything that he planned for their moment or should he thank him for giving Gauri to him?

Should he curse his luck for never siding with him or should he thank it for letting him cross paths with the love of his life?

It was just hours ago that he hurt her so bad. He could sense the heartbreak through the pain her eyes. Yet, with one confession, she forgave him. She accepted without complaint and for that he could never be on par with her.

Never can he be as selfless as her and never had he loved as unconditionally as her.

Gauri felt her husband body shake with grief as he hugged her with utmost gentleness. His sobs weren't loud to echo in the silent room but they weren't low enough to not be heard.

"You asked me not to cry so that you could take over that task?" she asked.

"No," she heard him mumble.

"I am just happy. I am grateful to have you in my life."

Gauri parted from him and looked into his teary eyes.

"I just don't understand why you hide things from me when you trust me so much. Please tell me what happened Gauri. I want to know how you and Arjun ended up in that trap. How did ..."

"Omkaraji," she cut him off with a shake of her head.

"But Gauri..."

"Please, not for today. I am too exhausted to live through another trauma. I am so happy that you trusted me in spite of all the misleading circumstances. Can we not talk about anything other than us today? just for the night."

He wanted to say a no but her eyes implored him to nod his head in reluctance.

"Also, promise me that you will listen to what I say with patience and not overreact. I am afraid of your anger."

When she saw him nod yet again, she caressed his cheek with a smile.

"Now tell me why did you removed Arjun sir from his post. You surely must have a reason," she asked him.

Omkara narrated the sequence of events which compelled him to hurt her. He told her about the anonymous caller and his threat but he withheld the truth of her identity.

"So, we don't know the motive?" he heard her ask.

"We have a clue but we need a confirmation."

"You don't want to tell me?"

"I want to tell you when you have a clear mind. Didn't you just say that you don't want to talk about anything other than us?" he recited her words and she sighed in give up.

"Okay. We will talk the first thing tomorrow," she said holding his hands in a promise and he agreed, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

"Can you say that you love me again?"

Omkara smiled at her request. Taking a step away, he kneeled down in front of her, not leaving her hands.

Gauri's heart fluttered with joy as he gently kissed her fingers one by one. Looking up at her beautiful face, he recited the lines which he planned to say in a better set up.

How he wished that their life was easier.

Nevertheless, he wouldn't delay it any longer.

Teri aahat ke bina, ye dil dhadakta nahi... he started, lovingly gazing at her.

Tere bina ye saanson ka kaarwaan rukjayega

Mein khuda ke saamne bhi sar uthaye ghuumta hoon

Par tera naam poochaa to mera sar jhok jaayega.

She tried to smile as a tear slipped from her eyes. Her husband tugged at her hands and she moved nearer to cup his face.

"Mere liye ab ishq aur ibaadat mein koi farak nahi raha Gauri," he said, his voice clogged with emotion.

She wiped his eyes as he continued to say, "Mein tumse bahut pyar karta huun Gauri. I love you so much."

"I love you too," she happily said and dropping to her knees, hugged him close.

Omkara embraced her again and breathed into her ears.

"I know and I cannot say how thankful I am for that. I will make it up for you Gauri. I promise that I will make up for all my mistakes," he vowed and kissed her temple.

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

"It worked uncle; Ajay informed me that Gauri slapped Omkara. We have to act now before Omkara realizes the trap and goes back to his wife," Svetlana told Goenka on the phone.

"Thanks for that news sweety. You are right in saying that we must rush. We will arrange a meeting with the wronged wife tomorrow with the live witness in attendance," he assured.

"Are you sure you can do it alone? Don't you want me to be there?"

"She is not in great terms with you Svetlana. Gauri must believe me when I say that Oberois killed her father. If she sees you, she might not even listen to what I say."

Svetlana sighed but nodded her head in agreement. "You are right."

"I will take care sweety. Do not worry."

"I am sure you will uncle. Who else can I trust more if not you?"

"Good. You have done your part well. I will take it from here."

"Take care and call me if you need anything," she told him before ending the call.

Girish Goenka smirked at the phone and turned around to wink at the old man lying on the bed.

For his shady work, he chose a well-furnished two-bedroom flat in one of the most crowded places in Mumbai, making sure that they were in the vicinity of a hospital if at all Shukla needed medical help.

He was sure the police will be searching all the isolated places and so, he deftly avoided them.

The task of transporting a patient from Delhi to Mumbai had been Girish's greatest trouble so far but when he had the help of a fake daughter who looted and blackmailed wealthy businessmen, he needn't worry much.

"How are you doing Shukla," he smiled and sat beside him on the bed.

A glare was what he got as a reply.

"You need to talk you know. Your son might get into trouble if you don't do as I say."

"Shut the threat," Siddharth Shukla glowered.

"My son is an able police inspector and he knows how to take care of himself. Kill me if you want but I would never let you win another time."

"Tsk,tsk...what did you get the last time you decided to stick to justice? Your entire life you lived with the fear of being caught. You feared me."

"I ran because Harsh asked me to protect the evidence," Shukla said in anger.

"Come on now Shukla, you feared me. Just accept that you feared for your son's life. You were lucky to escape me and but those girls..." he wantedly left the sentence incomplete.

At the mention of his friend's daughters, Karan's father felt the old guilt claw at his conscience.

How can he ever forget the horrific incident. He failed his friend's trust in him. He couldn't protect Harsh's little girls.

"Awe, is that guilt I see on your face?" Girish coed.

"Well, let me tell you the good news first. One of Harshvardhan Trivedi's daughters is alive, healthy and is married to the Oberois."

Siddharth Shukla widened his eyes as he gaped at him in disbelief.

"Yup. I am talking about the younger one."

"Ch..Chutki?" Goenka heard the shocked mumble. "She is alive."

The statement sounded more like a question. Goenka knitted his eyebrows together.

"Um. I think her name is Gauri. She is Omkara Singh Oberoi's loving wife."

"Gauri.." Shukla slowly repeated the name.

"H...How did she escape? Where was she all this time? How is she? Can I see her once?"

"Too many questions at once," Girish shook his head.

"I knew you would ask to see her, my dear friend. I brought you here for that very purpose," Girish gave a lazy smile.

"What?"

"I want you to meet Gauri Oberoi and tell her that her husband's father killed her father. Tell her that she was orphaned because of the Oberoi family and make her my ally."

"Have you lost it Girish? What makes you think that I..."

"Because if you don't, I will kill her," the voice was so menacing that Shukla stopped his rant at once.

"You know I never give empty threats Shukla. Twenty years ago, you failed to protect the girls and now you have that chance again. Choose wisely. This time, I will make sure that she won't escape," Goenka warned.

A threatened silence followed and Shukla fought the urge to stab a dagger into the vile man's chest right then and there.

The man is a monster who has no right to live on the land. He will make sure that the demon will be sent to his rightful place...hell.

Until the right moment, he will have to play the game with caution.

"Don't hurt her," Karan's father calmy said, satisfying his opponent.

"I will do as you say."

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

"What did you just say?" Karan screamed into the phone.

"What is wrong with you guys? How many times do I have to repeat myself. Anika Bhabhi and Chulbul Bhabhi are sisters. They are Harshvardhan Trivedi's daughters," Rudra said again, holding onto patience.

"Did my brother faint?" he questioned and Karan looked at a shocked Shivaay who plonked on to the nearby chair.

"He is okay but I think we both will need some time to process this new piece of information," Karan replied.

"I understand. I took my time too. Just come back here soon. I feel something off. Ask bhaiyya to call me back. I need to go and be there with Anika Bhabhi."

"Is she okay?"

"She will be I guess. For now, she is a bit emotional," Rudra uncomfortably told him.

He is doubtful of trusting the friend who conned them without regret and is cautious of talking of his family with his foe.

"I understand. Take care Rudra, Shivaay will be there soon," Karan said before he ended the call.

Shivaay rubbed his face as Karan sat beside him.

"I should have known," he said.

"Anika and Gauri are sisters. Of course they are," Shivaay slapped his forehead.

Karan sighed and nodded his head.

"Can this get any more twisted? Did you tell Anika about Harshvardhan Trivedi's enmity with your family?"

"No, I was about to tell about Gauri's identity after I go home but..."

"Doesn't matter now. We need to go back to Mumbai Shivaay. The police have confirmed that Arjun's house was being watched. We know the motive and we also have a second daughter in hand. We just need to play the game well so that I get my father back, safe and sound."

Shivaay swiftly reached out for his phone and called his trusted man.

"Khanna how long will the chopper take to come?" his voice was firm and bossy.

"It is on the way sir," came the dutiful reply.

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