"I promise to love you till my last breathe Ishaana. You are the first and last love of my life." Omkara said looking at Ishaana sitting on the bed with a shy smile, in her bridal attire.

The night was special for them. A night for their union. A night of hope and love. A night which put forward a new beginning to their dreams of a happily ever after!

***

"How could you do this Gauri?" Bhavya asked shocked. "She lied to bhai! You were also the one who saved me and admitted me in the hospital. You didn't tell that to Bhai? If you had told this to me earlier, I would have informed bhai?"

"What is the use of telling all these now Bhavya? You must be tired due to all these wedding preparations. You must sleep." Gauri said clearly avoiding the topic.

"No! I won't. I know this is not the Gauri I became friends with. If you were my old Gauri, you wouldn't have allowed Ishaana to simply lie about she being the girl who talked to bhai and made him fall in love with. Tell me what happened." Bhavya asked.

Gauri was exhausted. She was fed up of putting this mask of pretending nothing has happened. Soon she hugged Bhavya and started to cry.

"What was I supposed to do Bhavya? We talked to each other, wrote letters to each other, understood each other! I wanted him to identify me the moment he saw me. But.... that day, when he came, I saw him looking for me. I saw him coming towards me and Ishu. You know, I was so happy! I thought he recognised me. But what I saw next broke my heart. He was completely into Ishu! He couldn't take his eyes off her." Gauri said and cried more. "But still I expected to him to at least look at me but no!"

"Don't tell me you then suggested Ishaana to act as the girl who talked to him all these days seeing him liking her." Bhavya said.

"No! I never did that. When he asked her are you Ms Ajnabi, she just said yes. I was stunned! I couldn't understand what was happening around me. And the very next moment I saw him hugging her as if his life depended on her." Gauri said.

"And you did nothing to stop it!? Oh god Gauri! Ishaana lied and entered Bhais life. I won't leave her!" Bhavya said angrily.

"No Bhavya! Don't do any stupidity. He married her. What happened has happened. We can't do anything about it. We should think about his future. Don't tell him anything and don't show any kind of hatred towards Ishu! I can't bear it when somebody's life is spoiled because of me." Gauri said wiping her tears.

"Par-" Bhavya tried to protest.

"Think practically Bhavya, he is married to her and it's too late now. He loves her. We don't even have any proof. I can sacrifice this for Ishu. You should think about Omkara too." Gauri said trying to fake a smile.

Bhavya was still not convinced but she knew that if she reveals this to Om, his married life will be spoiled. She agreed to what Gauri said.

***

Om was sitting with a pregnant Ishaana massaging her feet.

"Is it paining now?" Om asked.

She nodded no with a soft smile. Bhavya went to them with a bowl of fruits.

"Have this." She said to Ishaana with a smile.

Ishaana took it from Bhavya.

"Gauri called me today." Bhavya said.

"She called you? Didn't she ask about me? Why didn't she call me? It's been a long time." Ishaana whined.

"Who is Gauri?" Om asked confused.

"You don't know Gauri?" Ishaana shouted dramatically.

Oh god! Now who is this Gauri? I am so dead. Om thought.

"Bhai, Gauri was our friend." Bhavya said.

"Was our friend? She is our friend na?" Ishaana asked.

"Ya... th...thats what I meant!" Bhavya stammered.

"You know what Omkara, you have met her. She was the one who was with me when you came to meet me for the first time. She was there when Bhavya was admitted in the hospital." Ishaana said.

Bhavya fisted her hand to control her anger.

"What did she say?" Ishaana asked.

"Nothing much. She just said she completed her course. She is moving to US." Bhavya said.

"US!? And she didn't tell me?" Ishaana asked.

"Ishu! Don't be upset! It will affect our baby. Just have the fruits." Om said.

Ishaana nodded but she was feeling sad and hurt. Wasn't she also Gauris best friend like Bhavya? What she did wasn't such a big mistake. These were the thoughts roaming in her head.

***
Ishaana went to Bhavyas room. She knocked the door and went in.

"Ishaana! You here?" Bhavya asked surprised.

"Did you forget that you used to call me Ishu?" Ishaana asked.

"I never forget anything." Bhavya said with a stern face.

Ishaana found it weird but she didn't think more about it.

"Do you have Gauris number?" Ishaana asked.

"Haa." Bhavya said.

"Can I talk to her?" Ishaana asked.

"No! Please let her live peacefully." Bhavya said composing herself.

"What do you mean by that?" Ishaana asked.

Bhavya took a deep breath and went towards the door and locked it.

"Don't you have any shame Ishaana? You still think Gauri will talk to you forgetting everything you did to her? Do you even realise your mistake?" Bhavya yelled.

"Bhavya what are-"

"Oh please! Don't do this drama infront of me. I know everything Ishaana! Every damn thing you did. You just snatched her love from her and now you behave like nothing happened. You have not just cheated her, but bhai also. If he ever comes to know about your deeds, I don't even know what will happen. Do you know what Gauri said when I was about to tell bhai about your deeds? She said she doesn't want anybody's life to be spoiled because of her. Here you have spoiled everything and there she was trying to protect your married life. Now you are shamelessly complaining about her not calling you and talking to you. Have some Shame Ishaana!" Bhavya vent out her complete frustration.

Ishaana looked shocked at her.

"Bhavya I-"

Bhavya showed her palm indicating her not to speak anymore.

"I've had enough. And I guess now you got the reason of me not calling you Ishu anymore. You are not my friend Ishu. You are that bitch who snatched away my Gauris happiness." Bhavya said with hatred visible in her eyes. "Please leave, I want to be alone."

Bhavya went and opened the door and actioned her to go out. Ishaana went out wiping her tears. Bhavya stood there looking at her retreating figure.

***

Omkara was sitting near the labour room, tension visible on his face. Bhavya was constantly trying to calm him down. She knew her bhai needed her the most now. He was breaking slowly.

Omkaras POV

Few minutes ago the doctor came and asked me something shocking.

"I know it will be hard for you but her condition is worsening and you will have to choose between the mother and child." The doctor asked.

I was shocked.

"E...everything was normal doctor. What happened all of a sudden?" I heard Bhavya asking.

"No! During the last two months I had informed Ishaana about the complications. I suggested her about operating the baby out. But the babys life would have been in risk if we had done the operation." The doctor said.

That was when I remembered what Ishu asked me a few days ago.

~~~

"Omkara, what will you do if you will have to choose between me and our baby?" Ishaana asked.

"I will choose me!" Om said chuckling.

"I am serious Om! I really wanna know. Who will you choose?" Ishaana asked.

Seeing her serious face he understood it was not the time to joke.

"Offcourse you Ishu! Why do you doubt about it?" Om asked.

"You shouldn't Omkara! You should choose our baby!" She said shocking Om.

"What happened to you Ishu?" Om asked concerned.

"I need you to promise me that if such a situation arises, you should choose our baby. Promise me Omkara." Ishaana asked forwarding her.

Om thought it as her pregnancy mood swings.

"Fine! If such a situation arises I will only choose the baby! Happy!?" He asked making faces.

~~~

"Please save both of them." He said

"We will try our maximum Mr Oberoi. But we need you to consent for one of them." The doctor saidnl.

"Save the baby!" Om said with a heavy heart.

"Bhai aap ye-"

Om looked at Bhavya with a blank face.

........

The nurse came out with a cute, little angel wrapped in a white sheet. She was sleeping with an adorable pout. Omkara stood up and went to the nurse. She took the baby in his shivering arms. Seeing her for the first time he felt something that he had never felt in his entire life. The feeling of being a father consumed him completely. He couldn't express his emotions. He didn't knew if he should cry or dance in happiness. It was blessed moment for him.

"Ishaana?" Bhavya asked.

Hearing Ishaanas name his trance was broken.

"The mother... she is no more" The nurse said.

***

"What the hell!" Om yelled seeing the important document drenched in water.

"Whath the hill!" His three year old daughter said mimicking her father.

"Riya! What did you do?" Om asked narrowing his eyes.

"Riya! Whath dhidh you dhoo?" She imitated. "Uffo dada! Can'th you shee? I poured wather on your papersh!" Riya said with a naughty smile.

"You little devil! Why did you do this?" Om asked.

"Uffo Dada! You know Riya achi bachi hai untill you shtop giving your attention to her. Sho shtop giving attention tho thish gandu computer uncle!" Riya complained.

If he was the old Om he would have lashed out at anybody who caused a minute disturbance in his job but Riya changed everything. He was only living for his daughter, the symbol of their love! He scooped her in his arms and started tickling her.

His daughters smile and laughter gave him peace. He was living a mechanical life when Ishaana died. For two months he didn't even talk to anyone. At night he went to Bhavyas room where little Riya was sleeping peacefully with an adorable pout just like her mother.

It was during Riyas naamkaran, om spoke after so many months. Afterwards Riya was his everything. His life depended on her. Only her!

***

"Gauri! Is that you!?" Bhavya called her happily.

She turned hearing her best friends voice after five long years.

"Bhavya!!!" Gauri squealed cheerfully.

"Oh my god is this really you? Wearing a saree and all!?" Bhavya asked looking at her attire.

"OOTD!" Gauri said smiling proudly.

"Dude! I missed you a lot. A lot means a lot! More than you can imagine. I missed gossiping with you. You went to America and forgot me? You should have informed me after changing your number." Bhavya said.

"Sorry yaar! You knew how much stupid I was when I shifted to US. I just wanted to forget everything. I didn't want any memories with me there." Gauri said smiling sadly.

"You still love him. Don't you?" Bhavya asked.

Gauri smiled sadly.

"There is no use of discussing about it now. I came to know about Ishaana after reaching here. I felt so sad. I mean.... I thought I was angry at her for all those deeds. But after knowing about it... I... I couldn't hold back. I miss her terribly." Gauri said holding back the tears.

"Even I miss her and to be honest she loved Bhai sincerely. At the beginning it was a just a fun game for her. But then.... I know how much she loved him." Bhavya said.

Gauri noticed her eyes tearing up.

"Leave all that and tell about yourself." Gauri asked diverting the topic.

"Something interesting is happening." Bhavya slightly blushed.

"OMG! You are blushing! Tell me idiot. What happened?" Gauri asked.

"Wo-" Suddenly she remembered the time. "Oh god it's 9:45. Bhai is busy today I have to pick Riya. Day after tomorrow is my birthday. I hope you remember. Come to my home. If you don't I will kill you." Bhavya said before running out of the mall.

"Riya? Ishaana named her child Riya?" Gauri thought with shock visible on her face.

***

Riya was sitting on the bed with a guilty face.

"Riya, have food. Come on." Om said.

Seeing her not showing any tantrums, om looked at her face.

"Kya hua bacha?" Om asked.

"Dada, I am bad na?" Riya asked.

On listening to this Om understood something has happened.

"Kisne kaha? My Riya is the best." He said.

"Kisine nahi. I know I am bad. Because of me Bhavya auntys friend got sick." Riya said.

"Bhavya auntys friend?" Om asked.

"She was nice to me. But Bhavya aunty was busy talking to her and I didn't like it and she unknowingly drank my juice. I got angry and threw cold water on her. I was just doing masthi. But she got sick. She was shivering after that." Riya said.

"Did she scold you?" Om asked.

"No! Bhavya aunty was scolding me but she stopped her and asked not to scold me. I am a bad girl na Dada?" Riya asked.

"Did you tell sorry to her?" Om asked.

Riya nodded no.

"Ask Bhavya aunty to take you to her and ask for apology. Ok?" Om said.

Riya nodded.

***

"Who is she talking to Bhavya? It's been 2 hours." Om asked seeing Riya talking happily to someone on phone.

"My friend!" Bhavya said smiling.

"Oh that paani waali?" Om asked.

Bhavya nodded.

"What did she do? Riya usually doesn't mingle with anyone so easily na?" Om asked.

"That's Gauris magic. She too good with children." Bhavya said.

"Gauri? You mean Ishus friend Gauri?" Om asked surprised.

Bhavya nodded.

"I haven't got a chance to meet her. Ishu used to talk non stop about her during the last few months of her pregnancy. She even used to say that Gauri can become the perfect wife for me than her." Om said while chuckling.

"She was right bhai!" Bhavya whispered.

"Did you say something?" Om asked.

Bhavya nodded no.

"Dada! I want something!" Riya shouted happily.

"Call over?" Bhavya asked.

"Uffo Bhavya aunty! That is not the topic here. I want something!" Riya said.

"Ok what does my princess want?" Bhavya asked.

"But I want dada to promise that he will get it to me." Riya said looking at Om.

"Has Dada ever rejected any of your wish? No na? Tell me. What do you want?" Om asked.

"I want Bhavya auntys friend as my MUMMA!"

Tada!!!

The edited version is here.
I am republishing it after editing.

#Okthanksbye