Oberoi Mansion

Pinky Oberoi blankly stared at the three brothers laughing, hugging each other with love. Even if it's a mere photo, the love between them was too evident to miss the eye.
It was Shivaay's engagement album she was shuffling through. The wedding she wished to happen.

Their family was so happy and unlike the usual, she was a part of their happiness. Her son was marrying a girl she choose for him.

It was before the catastrophe that her present daughter in law brought upon them or so she thought.

It seemed like ages ago when her son respected her and played to her whims.

She turned a page and there she saw the three brothers hugging her. She had lovingly held her nephews's hand.

A sudden rush of emotions made her tear.

Omkara had always been kind to her. Why she saw him as her son's competitor was a mystery even to her.

Maybe because Shivaay was her blood and she thought that since the family always treated her differently, he would be at a disadvantage if she didn't protect him. It might also be due to the fact that Omkara was the son of her brother in law who taunted her village background mercilessly.

"You are not class," he'd say.

Why couldn't she see that Om was never his father's son.

Had she been more observant than revengeful, she would have known that Omkara would happily give away his inheritance for Shivaay.

Her nephew's angry face flashed before her eyes.

She remembered how he refused to forgive her evil deeds and ordered her to talk to Svetlana.

She was happy to help provided Shivaay didn't know about it.

"What made you call me Pinky. Now is not the right time for whatever it is that you want."

" I know Svetlana but I called not for me but for your benefit."

" Really? Go on then. Tell me," sarcasm laced the tone.

"Omkara reached home and Gauri isn't willing to talk to him. He is a step away from barging through the doors and confronting his wife."

" That's expected. Isnt it?"

" So, should you not do something about it? After all Gauri might say something which might melt him. He might ask forgiveness and they might get back together."

"That cannot happen this time. If I know Gauri well, she will not allow Omkara to slander her character again."

"We do not know. She loves him."

"But...."

" I suggest that you talk to him."

"What? Me?" Svetlana said doubtfully.

"I will tell him that you have more information about Gauri and Arjun's relationship. I will ask him to meet you."

"And he will believe me? Seriously Pinky, I..."

"Given the circumstances, he will want anything and everything related to Arjun. The more he misunderstands, the better the chances that Gauri will hate him. He has an enmity with him and you just need to air it more."

" Okay, but why are you helping me.I doubt..."

" Gauri needs to be shown her place. Also, I do not want Shivaay to know that I helped you. Gauri knows it and she might take advantage like you did."

"Oh, eliminating enemies are we?"

"You can say that. Now tell me if you want to meet Omkara or not."

There was a pause on the line before she heard the response.

"Okay. Call me if he agrees to see me."

Pinky breathed out in relief and informed Omkara that their plan worked. Without another word, Omkara left her alone.

She had to agree that helping her family gave her more happiness than hating them for her shortcomings.

Maybe, she shouldn't have resented her husband for being the docile brother who has no say in matters of family or business.

She should have let her son decide his future and not try to meddle with his life decisions.

She should have loved Omkara and Rudra who loved her son.

Looking back, her life was filled with regrets.

Will Omkara tell his brother about his mother's tactics?

Will her son get to know more about her evil side? Will he ever forgive her and call her mom?

He is all that she ever had. Shivaay, her pride.

She wiped the tears running down her face and closed the album, angrily stashing it away in her cupboard.

Helplessness is not something she relished.

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Gauri snuggled as her husband embraced her. It is time for Omkara to go and she wanted to try and delay it to her best.

"Gauri," Omkara said softly. "Shivaay will knock on the door anytime now."

"Do you really need to go?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

Omkara sighed and tightened the hug. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back, not saying a word.

Still in the embrace, she looked up and he looked down at her. They shared a silent conversation. Each one trying to tone down the other's anxiousness, stemming out of different reasons. A moment of tender love, an unspoken promise and a chaste kiss were all that took Gauri to release her hold on him.

"Come back soon," she said.

"I promise my love," said Omkara. Without wasting another minute, he turned on his heels and left the room not taking a second look at her face, afraid that he might stay back for her.

Gauri watched him leave as tears blurred her vision.

Why was she feeling uneasy in spite of the million reassurances her family gave her?

She knew that her Bade bhaiyya and Karan will take care of her husband.

She also can vouch that no matter what, Omkara will never allow Svetlana to take advantage.

But why does she feel that something wrong would befall them?

Closing her eyes, prayed to her Shankarji that no wrong should befall her husband.

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"Are you sure that you did not slip our names?" Himani pressed a tensed Sonali.

Ignoring Gauri's warning, the friends' duo decided to blackmail their prey for a second time.

"Of...of course Himani," Sonali stuttered.

Mithila and Himani stared at her in silence.

"I ..I promise. He said he is just a henchman for Girish. Nothing more. I was very careful in asking him. He did not suspect a thing."

"Did he tell you anything about their plan? When will Girish take a next step?"

"It seemed too dangerous to ask. I'd rather not meddle more. You know he can harm me if anything wrong happens."

Himani gave a smirk.

"You are in danger either way my dear."

At that warning, Sonali let go of the last ounce of bravery and started to sob.

"Please... don't."

Himani and Mithila exchanged irritated looks.

"I ... cannot... he will kill.," the cries continued.

"Just leave and grow a spine."

With that said, the friends walked away from there, leaving the sobbing woman in peace.

Only after they were a yard away from Sonali, Mithila raised her doubts.

"Why do I feel that something is not right?"

"Exactly. Why is she crying so much? Did she rattle us out? Did he threaten her?"

"I don't know. Or were we that scary?"

Himani rolled her eyes.

"Really now?Should we inform Gauri or...."

Mithila nodded and took out her phone.

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"What?" Svetlana screamed into the phone.

"Are you sure Ajay?"

"I am not sure if Gauri knows but I understood that her friends are trailing me. That Sonali chick is such a weakling. I must have eliminated her after she helped us. They wouldn't have got on to me in the first place."

"I told you to find someone better for the job Ajay. You dare muddle the entire plan with your good for nothing brain."

"I am sorry. I did not expect this to happen."

"You know your repentance is not going to change things." Svetlana reproached.

Getting up from her sofa, she stomped about in the hotel room, holding her throbbing head.

"Now we have no idea how much Gauri knows. We do not know if Omkara is angry with her or is this all a drama. You are such a..."

"I am sure you can now corner him and hand him over to Girish sir. Things might still work out in our favour. Blackmail is another way of getting Gauri on our side."

"Shut up. You do not know that village belle and you do not decide things here. The idea was her to help us willingly. Only then will the Oberois be cornered. If she is blackmailed, she might act a hero and try to save her husband. In her doing so, our plan might get trampled over."

"But...."

"Do not offer any more advice Ajay. My head is about to burst, thinking of everything that could go wrong."

"In that case, maybe you should not meet Omkara."

"And tell him what? Why would I not want to meet him when he said he wants me?"

"Then entertain him for some time. Also from his behaviour, you might know if he is just bluffing."

Svetlana began to think about the pros and cons.

"Will you be telling this to Girish sir?" Ajay's words interrupted her thoughts.

"Please don't. He will kill me for sure."

"I will decide that later. For now, let me deal with the Philanthropist Oberoi," she said and ended the call.

Svetlana strolled for some more time.

Should she inform her uncle?

She was sure that she is going to get an earful.

Is all their planning heading for a disaster? Afterall, Oberois have escaped them many times before.

Why does getting justice take such a long time.

Oberois are murders. They need to be punished. Why is God on their side?

If Omkara knows that Gauri is innocent, why does he want to meet her?

When her ally, Pinky Oberoi told that Omkara was livid with Gauri, she was not surprised.

It was what she expected out of a son who is a victim of his father's infidelity.

She thought that he would never trust any woman. Gauri's slap was a vouch for that.
But now, she doesn't know what he is up to.

On the other hand, Gauri did not meet her friends the past days and there was no proof of communication as well. The same friends did not contact Omkara as well.

What if they were yet to reach out to Omkara or Gauri and tell them what happened.
In that case, everything might not go to dust just yet.

She looked at the clock and sighed. It is no use digging her mind more. Ajay was right. She must meet Omkara to get answers. Only then can she face her uncle.

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"You remember what to do right?" Shivaay asked her brother again.

"Shivaay, we have gone over this a million times. Just give me some space. I need to look alright for this. We do not know how Svetlana will receive me."

"Yeah," the former mumbled into the microphone. "Sorry, I was just..."

"I know Shivaay," Omkara answered his brother.

He looked into the rare view mirror of his car, adjusted his earpiece for one last time before alighting the vehicle in front of the hotel building.

"Karan is still talking to his subordinate. They got some important intel," said Shivaay.

"Okay. I am on my way to her room. Please do not talk until necessary. Let's hope that all goes well."

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