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Shot 3: She Changed Me

She walked out, seeing him touch his finger while complaining and moaning.

"What happened?" She asked, walking towards him. "Are they here? Did they find us?" She glanced side to side and he sighed.

"Nothing!" He angrily exclaimed and she looked at him.

"Your finger. . ." She trailed off as she noticed. "For this small thing you created a chaos?" She continued and he gave her a look.

"Small? You find this small? I've got a splinter in my finger and now I will get an infection!"

"You're behaving like this is the first time you've hurt your finger. Don't tell me this is your first splinter. . ."

He glanced away and she narrowed her eyes in disbelief.

"You've seriously never had a splinter before?"

He ignored her and she scoffed. "You behave like a prince, that has been treasured in royalties. How will you survive in this jungle?"

"That's none of your concern okay, so only care about yourself." He rudely uttered and she made a face, turning around and heading back inside the hut.

He headed inside after a minute and glanced at her sitting in his place.

"What are you doing here?"

She released a small sigh and cocked her head to see him. "I'm dancing, why? Would you like to join?" A sarcastic response slipped out of her mouth and he grit his teeth in annoyance.

"I would've but if it's with you then I'm better off sitting!" He responds and takes a seat on a stool opposite her.

He caresses his finger and she glanced at it, rolling her eyes. "If you don't take the splinter out then you will be in pain and might actually get an infection."

He continued looking at his finger, ignoring her and she made a face, glancing away from his face. Being tired and sleepy, he leaned against the hay and rested his body, staring at the fire.

He had never been in such situation in his life and he regrets every single moment he spent in this jungle, all he wanted was to get out from here safe and sound and return to his family. 

*
<<<<Her>>>>

Oh gosh! Over a splinter, he created a fuss and he's not even listening to my advice. If he wants to get better then he has to take that splinter out but no, that Akdu billa being arrogant decides not to listen!

It was very quiet right now, which urged me to glance at him and I did, finding him sleeping. What is wrong with this guy, how can he sleep knowing he could get infected if he doesn't take that splinter out, especially when this place is unhygienic. He also needs to change his dressing, he's so careless!

A sigh left my mouth as I thought about the peacefulness that was spreading after he fell asleep, it felt great. However my mind wasn't allowing me to take my eyes away from his finger, I can't seem to let that splinter in his finger, I'm not receiving a positive feeling about this.

I stood up and slowly walked forward, making sure I am quiet enough so that he can't hear me. If he hears me then he will create 10 scenes just to prove one point, that too against me, just to make himself right and put me in wrong.

As I reached him, I bent down and waved my hands, making sure he's fast asleep, I held his index finger while looking at him, seeing if he would react and slowly brought it near me, thank god he's sleeping.
I could do the work peacefully.

I then brought my lips forward and trapped the splinter in between my teeth and pulled it out, he still didn't react, phewww!

I then stood up and went out with a cloth, being able to get water on it as the water was drenching down the roof and then walked back inside and near him, I bent down, wiped his finger and then tied it with the cloth.

Now finally I could sleep too, I went back in my place and watched him sleep, it's so weird, now that I think about it, I don't even know his name and I'm sure he doesn't know mine, two strangers met each other, is it fate or coincidence?

**<>**

The dark clouds moved away, allowing the sun to shine bright and the birds tweeted across the sky.

Omkara opened his eyes, stretching his back and blinked at an unpleasant view of Gauri.

The rays of the sun fell onto her face and he continued flapping his eyes. "Is it me, or is she shining?" He whispered to himself,

"She isn't as bad as I thought she was." He mumbled and yawned as the flashback of last night occupied his mind.

He was awake as soon as Gauri held his finger, and moved it towards her lips. He was about to react but stops upon realising Gauri was merely taking the splinter out and before she could look up at him, he closed his eyes again to pretend as if he was asleep.

He glanced down at his finger and pulled the cloth off, curling an unknown faint smile over his lips.

*

After a while, Gauri opened her eyes slowly and steadily, yawning and glanced around, unable to find Omkara.

She confusingly flapped her eyelashes and sat up, looking around the hut, finding it empty. "Did he leave?"

The hut door opened and she instantly blinked at it, sighing a relief after seeing Omkara walk inside with a apples in his hands.

'He must've brought it for himself, trying to show off in front of me.' She uttered in her mind and rolled her eyes.

"Here, have one." He offered and she surprisingly stared at him.

"Why? Have you mixed poison in them?"

He scoffed "poison and insect blood." A sarcastic response left his mouth and he thre an apple on his lap.

She held it in her hand and looked at him. "If you had mixed something in this then you wouldn't be eating it." She cleared her doubts after seeing him take a bite from the apple.

*

After eating, the two were full despite munching on a single apple.

"Thank you." Gauri uttered and Omkara nodded at her, standing up afterwards.

Gauri stood up too and walked forward, slipping on a piece of wood. Falling forward and hitting her head onto Omkara's chest.

'Uff! Now he's going to create a scene.' Gauri's mind made a prediction and she lifted her head, a sigh left his mouth and he merely blinked at her face.

"Look where you're going!" He rudely remarked and she moved away from his chest, passing him an irritated expression.

He headed towards the door and she followed him, ready to walk another distance just in the hope of finding a way out.

*

"Left!"

"Right!"

"Fine! But I hope nothing bad happens." She gave in to the decision he made, of heading in the left direction after few minutes of arguing.

The two walked forward in the left direction and Gauri's foot slid on the rock, making her tilt to the side.

"Ahhh." Hearing her shriek, Omkara cocked his head to the side and instantly held onto her wrist, pulling her forward before she could fall into the mud.

Her terrified eyes locked with his eyes and the two felt a chill in their spine.

*
<<<< Him >>>>

While looking into her eyes, I saw a spark, which is absurd. How can a human eye sparkle, maybe the lack of sleep and uncomfortable environment affected my vision. I hope I don't start to hallucinate things. Second later, my heart began to pass out a strange vibe, which made me feel agitated.

What is happening to me? Why am I starting to see things and feel weird? Could it possibly be the side affect of staying hungry and tired for days. It happens, finding discomfort in an unusual and unhygienic environment can affect the health. I need to see a Doctor.

"Thank you." Her soft voice uttered and I let go of her hand, she lowered her gazes and I sighed.

*
<<<< Her >>>>

This is unusual and really weird. Why was I looking into his eyes continuously. How could my heart palpate when he held my hand and save me from falling. Why were his eyes showing softness rather than his roughness.
It was so embarrassing, I wasn't even sure how to break the eye-lock and now it's awkward as we walk.

It will be absolutely absurd if I, like him. I can't, it's simply impossible! I. . . I should just stop watching too many serial and movies. Maybe I'm just tired and a little hungry, or I was nervous. Right, I was nervous about falling and this is why my heart palpating. Who wouldn't be scared of falling?

While walking through the jungle, unusual sounds were spreading around the quiet area and I glanced around, finding it suspicious.

"Can you stop making the sounds." He requested, a little calmer than last time and I cocked my head to the side, blinking at him. "What sounds?"

"The woot hoot boot." He imitated the sounds and shake my head at him confusingly "That isn't me."

He didn't seem to believe me until those sounds were heard again and my lips were sealed. His expressions changed as he creased his jet black eyebrows.

"If it's not you then. . ." He stopped talking and fell forward, instantly falling unconscious.

I gasped in shock as my eyes fell on a small arrow pierced into his skin on his neck. It seems familiar, the type of arrows used by tribal people that are filled with poison.

Did he die?

*

"Who are you?" Gauri was frightened as a stern voice grabbed her attention.

She swallowed her spit as she turned her head to the side, seeing bunch of tribe men standing with bow and arrows.

"I. . . I'm. . ."

"What are you doing here?" Another man fiercely questioned and she timidly blinked at them.

"We got lost in this jungle. We were finding our way out and. . ." She stopped feeling their intense glare on her and swallowed.

"Are you married?" She instantly nods her head positively to the question, showing her Mangalsutra to them.

"He. . ."

"My husband." She interrupted, answering the men. "We. . . We had an accident and got lost in this jungle. We can't find our way out." She added and held onto Omkara's hand.

"Hmm."

"Let's take them with us." Gauri's face fell and the men moved forward, holding onto both of them.

"But. . ."

"Shhh."

**

"No Inspector! Get your research team and search for her again!"

"I'm sorry Mrs Sharma, our research team tried, it's been four days and they still haven't been found." The inspector utters and Mrs Sharma shakes her head.

"I don't want to hear this inspector, I want my. . . Gauri in front of me."

"Please inspector, they might be somewhere there." Naira says and the inspector sighed.

"We've looked everywhere."

"We think the animals ate the two bodies, that's why we haven't got a clue." The sub-inspector uttered and Mrs Sharma stared at him.

"If the animals ate Gauri then where's the remaining flesh? Skeletons and bones? Like you say inspector, we can't believe it unless we see the body." Mrs Sharma answered back, firmly believing Gauri is still alive.

"It's the last search, after this we need to give up." The inspector says and leaves with his team.

Naira walked towards Mrs Sharma. "Don't worry Aunty, your daughter Gauri would be back."

Mrs Sharma nods at her, "Gauri will be back. She's brave, tough and strong. She will fight and come back for us."

**
Few hours later:

Omkara opened his eyes and instantly sat up with a jerk, glancing around.

"Was all of that a dream?" He mumbled to himself and swallowed. "Am I in the same place again?"

He looked down at his body, seeing his shirt on and stood up, heading towards the door. Flashes of the fight, wedding, walking out of the village, mud scene and hut scene project in his mind. He felt as if it was a mere dream and none of that happened. He opened the door, somewhat hoping for it to be a dream yet praying it was not.

He scanned his eyes around the place, startled to see the tribal people, wearing brown clothes. His eyes fall on Gauri, the only person with the colour red among the woman, sipping from a clay glass.

"How are you feeling now?" Omkara turned his head to the side, seeing a man standing in front of him.

"Sarpanch ji." The man talking to Omkara looked down at a small boy, who called out for him. "Can I go to the water place?"

The leader of the tribe, called Sarpanch nods at the small boy who smiled, heading towards his friends.

"Where am I?"

"You're in my place. . ." He replied to Omkara, signalling him to walk forward. "You had accidentally entered my area due to which all of this happened, but I'm glad to see you okay, your wife was worried for you, go talk to her and hopefully, tomorrow my men will show you the way out from here." He continued and walked away.

"My wife?" He was confused and then realised he was talking about Gauri. "Worried for me?"

Gauri was talking to the ladies and he stood behind her, awkwardly blinking at them.

"When did you get married?" Gauri nervously chuckled, thinking of a date to say.

"One month ago." Omkara spoke and Gauri turned around and a sigh of relief left her mouth seeing him alright.

"What is your name?"

"Omkara." He casually replied and Gauri looked on.

'His name is Omkara? He has such a beautiful name but he's so arrogant.'

"Gauri and Omkara. Perfect Jodi and perfect names." One of the woman spoke with a bright smile across her face.

The two look at each other, knowing each other's names now.

"Amma!" The two uncomfortably look away as a boy broke their eye-lock, standing in front of his mother.

"What?"

"Can I go to see the water place with Anna?"

"Okay fine, go."
He happily hugged his mother and pecked her cheek, staring to walk away.

"What is the water place?" Gauri asked and Omkara gave her a look.

"It's a place with water." He responded and she gave him a glare.

"He's right, it's a place with water. Do you want to see it?"

She nodded with a small smile over her lips and the lady called out for a boy.

He walked towards them, "Take this girl to the water place as well."

He looked at Gauri and then nodded, signalling her to come and she stood up with a small smile.

"Do you wish to go?" Omkara shook his head negatively, responding to the lady.

*
<<<< Him >>>>

"Was it a love marriage or arrange?" I glanced at the lady and curled a fake smile over my lips. "Arranged. We don't love each other." I truthfully uttered and they gave me a look.

Honestly, these women are always so nosey, why do they like knowing other people's business.

"You may not admit it but we see it."

"See what?" I asked, unaware about what she meant and they glanced at her, Gauri.

"You two may not like each other but the time will come where you'll simply be in love."

That makes no sense, why would I even fall for a girl like her. I looked to the side, watching her talk to the children. She's mannerless, disrespectful and a trouble maker. Staying with her would make everyone's life harder, she is nothing but an unlucky figure that invites trouble to her.

"No, it's true, no one would fall for that Pagal Ladki." I uttered and then realised I blurted it out loud.

"It takes time, don't worry, 1 month was less, I'm sure in the next few weeks she would be your life instead of Pagal Ladki."

I rolled my eyes with her baseless and never coming true words, there is no way that Gauri would become my life, she couldn't even make it in my friendship list so how will she enter my heart.

"Why don't you go to the water place, it's a very soothing place, you will feel relaxed once you're in the water."

"No thanks." I sighed and I blinked at Gauri, teaching the kids how to do a high-five. Her long light black hair was flying in front of her face and she entangled small strands in her finger while pushing then behind her ears. She bent and a m boy pecked her cheek, her smile radiated all across her face and she returned him a peck. My lips curled as all the children started pecking her.

"Hmmm, don't look at her like that, you'll fall in love." The woman's voice interrupted my thoughts and I glanced at her, realising I was smiling.

All of them passed me a teasing smile and I shook my head, standing up to walk away from them.

"Dada, can you please come to the water place with me." Before I could utter anything, the boy grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.

"Leave me." I uttered but he payed no heed, why are they so mannerless. No wonder Gauri likes them, cause they're just like her!

I jerked my hand away and he stopped, facing me. "I don't want to come!"

He squinted his eyes to read my lips but remained confused. "Hmmm?" Can he not hear?

"I'm sorry Dada, I couldn't see your mouth move so I assumed its was a yes but seeing you like this made me realise I was wrong, I can't hear, I'm deaf."

Upon hearing that, I don't know why my anger vanished, he's deaf and can't hear, it wasn't his fault he dragged me here, I changed my expressions and nodded at him, assuring him it's okay.

"Munnu!" Called out another boy but the boy was only looking at me, his arm was pulled and he turned.

"Come. Let's go." The boy gestured to Munnu as he spoke and Munnu nodded.

He really is deaf, it must be hard for him to cooperate especially when this is a jungle tribe area. How could he cope with deafness here and how do they take care of him. Are they superstitious or more accepting.

*

Everyone rushed as they followed a guy. Gauri followed the kids and Omkara, being near them decided to walk with them to see the water place.

The man pushed the branches out of the way and stood there, allowing people to go in. Gauri entered with few kids and after few seconds, Omkara entered, glancing around with widened eyes.

He was astonished to see how beautiful this place is, Gauri on the other hand, was mesmerised with every single bit, including the clear crystal blue water.

"Wow." The response that left Omkara's mouth after he examined the place. "I could make millions with this place." He mumbled and then felt a grip on his hand.

"Come, see this." One of the boy excitedly uttered and dragged him towards a place.

Gauri walked around, so pleased to have come across this place. It was soothing for her to witness the water and the waterfall.

"It's beautiful. Isn't it?" She chirped as she stood next to Omkara, who nodded with a small smile. "It's absolutely amazing."

She walked forward, bending down to touch the water while he watched at the kids dancing in the water.

"I so wish I could move and settle here, this view definitely out does the view of Switzerland and Paris!"

"Not really." Omkara retorted, moving closer to her. "But this is definitely the most beautiful place I have ever seen."

She threw the water in the air playfully, which hit onto his face. Omkara moves turns to the side, slipping on the slippery rock.

Gauri looked up and before she could move out of the way or help him, he fell inside the water, pushing Gauri inside too.

The two exhaled as soon as they stood up while being inside the water and glanced at each other.

"What was that?" She questioned and he irritatedly sighed as the cold water touched his body. "It was an accident!"

She frowned while looking down at her wet saree, while trying to walk out, her door slips on the rock inside and she falls to the side, his natural reflexes forced his arms to stretch out in order to catch her and save her from falling.

Her back hits onto his arm while his other hand held her waist, the two glance at each other. He helped her stand straight, with his hand on her waist and she inhaled as her heart battered against his chest.

*
<<<< Her >>>>

Why is my heart beating fast?
Why am I starting to feel more comfortable with him, this isn't how it's supposed to be. I cannot draw an affection towards him, it's absolutely ridiculous.

I am unable to move away from him, it's as if he had captivated me in his eyes. The urge to walk away yet stay was conflicting, I wasn't sure what to do. I cannot start liking him, this will get really embarrassing. Why can. I. Not. Think. Properly.

He pulled me closer, firmly grabbing onto my waist and goosebumps shivered across my whole body. His warm breath nuzzled on my nose. He raised his hand, moving my hair strands away with his finger and I closed my eyes.

*

"Didi." The two parted as soon as the little girl interrupted them and Gauri glanced at her.

The girl ran away straight after and Gauri looked on, embarrassed she might tell someone. Gauri rushed out of the water and walked in a hurry, hoping to catch the small girl before she could tell anyone what she saw.

*
<<<< Him >>>>

What, just, happened! There is now ways I could grow an affection towards that girl.
This is impossible, what was I thinking!
How did I loose control over my action and thinking, I. . .

A sigh left my mouth as I touched my forehead.  This is getting annoying, I'm starting to behave different. It cannot be love or any other feelings, it must be cause I'm tired and hungry.

I stepped out of the water and glanced around to find that small girl and Gauri.

"Time is up! Come out now!" The children got out of the water after the guy that brought us here shouted.

I headed towards him, wanting to get changed before I fall ill.

_________

Shot 3 Ends right here.

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