CHAPTER 45
OBEROI MANSION
Omkara’s Room
Omkara was feeling hard to sketch in his room as the place is not really comfortable for his work. However, he has to do it here as he didn’t want Ishana to be alone in this room. He would not mind if RuMyaPriVeer were here but four of them left this morning and till now they are not back. Annika also was not here. He can’t leave Ishana and go as he knew about his family. They won’t leave a chance to badmouth her. Enough of what she has faced because of him. He won’t allow that to happen to her again. Ishana was looking at his sketch.
Ishu: Sir, your hand is having magic.
Om: Magic??
Ishu: Yes, sir. This sketch is awesome. I have seen some of your paintings which you kept in the art room. They are so beautiful.
Om: (smiled) Thank you.
Ishu: Sir, can I ask you something??
Om: Do you need any permission for that?? Just ask me, Ishana.
Ishu: Why did you choose to become an artist and didn’t become a businessman like your brother?? I mean Oberois Empire??
Om: Because I have no interest in business and my passion is arts.
Ishu: You are not like what I thought. You are different.
Om: (confused) Different??
Ishu: Mostly rich people won’t prefer arts. They felt business can get them more recognition. But you are not like them. Not everyone is blessed with artistic talent. I’m glad that you have chosen your passion instead of your family business.
Om: Actually, my papa was against me when I told him that I don’t want to follow the family business. He didn’t like me to become an artist. Luckily, Shivaay was on my side. He is the one who convinced my papa. Right now Shivaay is the one handling Oberois Empire with papa and choti papa. (He remembered something and looked at the time.) It’s already late. Have you taken your lunch??
Ishu: Not yet. Usually, I will eat with RuMya and PriVeer. But they went out today and still not back yet.
Om: Ok. Come with me.
Ishu: (confused) Where?? (Omkara took her hand and they left the room.)
At the Kitchen
Ishu: Why did you bring me here??
Om: For painting. (Ishana looked at him in surprise. Omkara chuckled seeing her reaction.) You are so cute!! (He said pinching her nose.) Are you not hungry?? (Ishana shook her head.) I know you won’t accept even if you feel hungry. (Ishana just smiled.) Tell me what do you want to have??
Ishu: Anything edible.
Om: How about pasta??
Ishu: No problem.
Om: Just wait for few minutes. I will make carbonara pasta.
Ishu: You can cook??
Om: Obviously. All the men here know to cook. You know something?? Women are not allowed to cook here.
Ishu: (surprised) Oh!! (She recalled Rudra making breakfast for her and SouPri.)
Om: Shivaay loves cooking very much. He is the one who taught me and Rudra. We used to have Obro moments in this kitchen last time. (He said while preparing the pasta.) It’s been a while we didn’t have those moments. (He smiled sadly recalling those moments. He missed those moments badly.)
Ishu: Because of me. (Omkara turned towards her and saw her eyes are brimmed with tears. He realised what he said and mentally slapped himself. He pulled her towards himself and wiped the tears before they could fall from her eyes.) If I didn’t do the accident, three of you must have those moments, right?? I have separated Rudra and Priyanka from you.
Om: No, Ishana. You are not the reason. I am the reason. Whatever happened because of me. My behaviour towards you was the reason for RuPri staying away from me. (Ishana just kept quiet. Omkara lifted her and made her sit on the counter.) I was very proud of RuMyaPri. They are younger than me but they are very much sensible. Sometimes I felt ashamed that I couldn’t think like them. You said that my hand is having magic, right?? Actually, the real magic is you. You are a complete enchantment, Ishana especially for the selfless heart you are having. No one can be like you. (He kissed her forehead and hugged her. He continued making the pasta while Ishana just sat watching him.) Ishana, please pass me the salt. (Ishana took a bottle and gave him. Omkara was about to put the salt but he stopped remembering something. He looked inside the bottle and chuckled looking at Ishana.)
Ishu: What happened??
Om: I know that you don’t know cooking but you couldn’t differentiate between salt and sugar also?? This is sugar. (He took another bottle.) This is salt.
Ishu: Both are in white. How to identify which one is salt and which one is sugar?? (She asked innocently.)
Om: Haww!! You are so naive!!
Ishu: Luckily, you didn’t add the sugar. If not the pasta….. (She made a face. Omkara recalled the day he drank the salted milk tea and smiled to himself.) Why are you smiling again??
Om: Nothing. I was thinking about what would have happened if I have added sugar?? It must have become sweet pasta, a different dish. We missed it.
Ishu: Sweet pasta?? Is that existing??
Om: I don’t know. I was just pulling your legs. Ok. The pasta is ready. (He took a plate and put some pasta on it. He took a spoon of pasta and blows it. He fed Ishana the pasta and looked at her reaction.) How is it??
Ishu: Hmmmm. It’s delicious!! (She clapped her hands feeling proud of him.) Good job, Mr Omkara.
Om: Thank you for your appreciation, Mrs Omkara. (Ishana smiled at him. He was about to feed her again but she took the spoon from him and wanted to take another spoon.) What happened??
Ishu: You too haven’t eaten your lunch.
Om: So??
Ishu: I have used this spoon. That’s why….
Om: This is enough. (Omkara held her hand and brought the spoon which she is holding towards his mouth and stuffed it inside his mouth.) It’s nice. (He said in a husky voice. Ishana felt something hearing this. They continued feeding each other. ShivIka who just came there were surprised to view the scene in front of them. They looked at each other and decided not to disturb IshKara until they finished their food. Shivaay’s mobile rang. Ishana startled seeing ShivIka and jumped from the counter. Omkara held her immediately.)
Annika: Careful, Ishana!! Are you ok??
Ishu: Yes, Annika di. (Shivaay answered the call and ended it after a while.)
Shivaay: Om, I need to talk to you. Come to the study room once you are done with your food. (Omkara nodded and about to feed Ishana again but she stopped him.)
Ishu: Sir, it’s enough for me. Your brother wanted to talk about something important I think. You go with him.
Om: Are you sure?? But I don’t want you to be alone.
Annika: I will be with her, Om. Don’t worry. You go with Shivaay. (Omkara nodded and he left from there with ShivOm.)
Ranveer stopped his car at Mahi’s house. Mahi got down from Ranveer’s car and bid bye to Ranveer when her mobile rang. She excused herself and answered the call.
Mahi: Hello, sir!! Now!!?? Ok, sir. I will do as you said. (She ended the call and looked at Ranveer.)
Ranveer: What happened, Mahi??
Mahi: Sir, I need to go to Oberoi Mansion.
Ranveer: Why??
Mahi: There will be a party this weekend at Oberoi Mansion, right?? Omkara Singh Oberoi wanted to book food catering from our hotel. My manager asked me to go to Oberoi Mansion and meet Mr Omkara to ask about the menu he wants to order for the party.
Ranveer: (smiled) Get inside the car. (Mahi got inside the car and Ranveer drove leaving her house.)
OBEROI MANSION
Study Room
Omkara entered the room with Shivaay and he saw RuMyaPri there. Their face was looking drained making him confused.
Om: Shivaay, we can talk in my room if you want. I think they are using this study. (Rudra stormed towards him and hugged him tightly making him puzzled.) What happened?? (He looked at Shivaay who is controlling his tears.) What happened, Shivaay?? (He saw Priyanka coming towards him.) Prink… Priyan….
Prinku: Prinku, bhaiya. Your Prinku. (She too hugged him tightly.) Sorry, bhaiya.
Om: Sorry?? For what??
Soumya: We know the truth, bhaiya. We know the truth.
Om: (confused) What truth??
Shivaay: The truth which you were hiding from everyone. The truth which you don’t want anyone to know. The truth which you are carrying in your heart as a burden. Why, Om?? At least you could have told me?? (Omkara pulled himself from RuPri’s hug.)
Om: I don’t understand what you are saying. I didn’t hide any truth.
Rudra: Why are you lying again and again?? Ranveer, Neil bhaiya and Avni di told us everything. (Omkara was pissed off when he learnt that Ranveer told them everything.)
Om: Ranveer!! That’s why I didn’t tell anyone about that. Ranveer has brilliantly tricked me to spill the truth. (He sighed in anger.)
Prinku: Ranveer did the correct thing. He didn’t want you to take the blame for the mistake you didn’t do. He was not wrong.
Om: I don’t mind taking the blame. Ishana’s dignity is important for me. I have ruined it one time by not disclosing her as my wife. I am not going to do the same again. I am ready to lose my pride to protect her’s. (He turned to go.)
Rudra: Your pride is important for us, O. (Omkara stopped on his track and looked at Rudra who is looking at him in tears.)
Om: How much I missed hearing this from you, Rudra?? (He cupped Rudra’s face and hugged him.)
Rudra: I’m sorry, O. I should have trust that my O won’t stoop that low. But I didn’t.
Om: Shhh!!! You were not wrong. It was our situation. (He broke the hug.) Listen. Let the truth stay with us. I don’t want anyone else to know about this especially Ishana. Please. I am begging you. (He left the study room.)
RanAshMa entered Oberoi Mansion. Pinky walked towards them and stared at Ranveer.
Pinky: Already you are stayings here as a guest. And you are bringing extras guests. Don’t you find any other places for your guests?? This is Oberoi Mansion, not your guest house. (AshMa are stunned listening to her and looked at Ranveer. He just gestured them to be relaxed. Omkara who was on the way to his room heard Pinky’s voice. He walked towards her and saw Ranveer with another two persons who are looking puzzled.)
Om: What happened??
Pinky: You too sees, Omkara. We don’t even likes this guy staying here. Now he brought another two persons to our mansion. What he thinks of this mansion?? This is our house, not his.
Om: Choti ma, it’s not good to talk like this to them. Ranveer is our RuPri’s friend. We have to respect him and his friends.
Pinky: Don’t be too kinds, Omkara. People will take advantage of you.
Om: Choti ma, your statement is right but you are saying to the wrong person. (Pinky looked at him feeling confused.) You will understand at the right time. Now, you go. I will talk to them. (Pinky sighed and left from there.) Sorry for whatever choti maa spoke. Ranveer, I want to talk to you.
Ranveer: Even I also want to talk to you. But before that, this is Mahi. She is coming from Hotel Blue Diamond.
Om: Regarding the buffet order??
Mahi: Yes.
Om: Ok. Come with me. Just a minute, Ranveer. I will take her to Ishana.
Ranveer: One sec, Om. This is Ashwin, my friend as well as Ishana’s. (Ashwin smiled at him and OmAsh had a handshake.)
Om: Nice meeting you, Ashwin.
Ashwin: Same here, Mr Oberoi.
Om: Omkara or Om.
Ranveer: Ashwin, Mahi, both of you follow him. I will go and meet Shivaay.
Om: He is in the study room with RuMyaPri. (Ranveer nodded and walked from there while AshMa followed Omkara to his room.)
Omkara’s Room
IshAni are standing at the balcony watching the scenery. Annika recalled whatever happened today. She still couldn’t come out from the shock. She has badly misunderstood Omkara. She didn’t think that Omkara was hiding this big truth within himself. She felt bad for both IshKara. Ishana saw her in deep thought. She snapped her finger on Annika’s face. Annika broke her thoughts and looked at her.
Ishu: What are you thinking, Annika di??
Annika: Nothing. I was thinking about the pasta you had just now. How was it??
Ishu: Nice, di. It was so yummy.
Annika: I know. Omkara is a great cook.
Ishu: I heard your husband also is a great cook and he is the one who taught his brothers to cook. (Annika blushed slightly.)
Annika: Yes. Shivaay loves cooking. Whenever he feels elated about something, he will express it through cooking only.
Ishu: So he proposed you through his cooking??
Annika: (shocked) What??
Ishu: Di, you only said that he expressed his happiness through his cooking. That’s why I thought he proposed to you by making your favourite food or something. (Annika laughed as she didn’t expect Ishana had this type of thought.)
Annika: I never thought like you but now I think that he should have proposed to me like that.
Ishu: How did he propose to you??
Annika: Propose?? That too kanji aankhon waala thadibaaz bhagad billa?? (Ishana looks at her weirdly.)
Ishu: Your husband’s name is Shivaay Singh Oberoi right?? Why are you mentioning some other name?? (Omkara who just came heard their conversation.)
Om: Those are the pet names that Annika bhabhi kept for Shivaay. And those names are only available in Annika bhabhi’s dictionary.
Ishu: Pet names?? (Annika nodded shyly. Ishana caressed her cheek.) You are blushing!!
Om: Ishana, someone is here to meet you.
Ishu: (confused) To meet me?? Who?? (Ashwin entered waving his hand at Ishana who became excited seeing him.) Ashwin!!?? (Ashwin hugged her gently.) How are you, man??
Ashwin: Good. How are you??
Ishu: I’m good too. (Mahi just entered after answering a call. Omkara is about to say something.) Hey, Ashwin you didn’t tell me that you have brought your girl with you?? (AniOm were confused while Ashwin was dumbstruck listening to Ishana.)
Mahi: (shocked) What?? Sorry, mam. You have misunderstood. I am not his girl. He is having a better taste.
Ishu: What?? (She looked at Ashwin who shrugged his shoulders.)
Om: Ishana, this weekend we are having a party here. I am the one arranging it and I want the food to be your choice. This is Mahi and she has brought the menu card for you to select.
Ishu: Sir, I don’t know how to select the food. Just now I told you that I don’t have any favourites. I will eat anything edible.
Mahi: Don’t worry, mam. I will show you the menu first.
Ashwin: Om, don’t worry. I know what type of food is her choice. You go and meet Ranveer first. (Omkara nodded.)
Annika: You guys carry on. I will go with Om. (AniOm left from there. IshMa took their seat on the couch inside the room while Ashwin sat on a chair opposite them. Mahi was explaining to Ishana about the menu items. Ishana was confused to choose the dishes. Ashwin realised this and helped Ishana to select the menu.)
Mahi: I will inform Mr Omkara before finalizing it. Thank you, mam.
Ishu: Just call me Ishana.
Mahi: I will try. Thank you. See you.
Ashwin: Ranveer will drop you at your house. You can wait in the living room. (Mahi nodded and left the room. Ishana locked the door and looked at Ashwin.)
Ishu: Thank you for coming, Ashwin.
Ashwin: Thanks to you for informing me about the happening.
Ishu: Ashwin, I felt like someone is targeting five of us. NeilJa’s accident and someone locked me up in the mortuary, the gunshot, I don’t think it’s a coincidence. And the gunshot…..
Ashwin: Aimed at you. Omkara came in between. (Ishana nodded.) Don’t worry, Ishana. I’m here now. Ranveer also is here. We will take care of everything. And one more thing, others are thinking that I came because Ranveer informed me. They didn’t know that you are the first one to inform me about whatever happened.
Ishu: NeilGau didn’t know about the gunshot and also that someone locked me in the mortuary. They will be worried.
Ashwin: I won’t tell them. Don’t worry.
Ishu: NeilGau didn’t know about it but Avni knows. I accidentally spilt about the incidents towards her this morning.
Ashwin: Never mind. (He thought for a while.) Ishana, you used to help NeilGau in their cases, right??
Ishu: Not all, only a few cases. Why are you asking this??
Ashwin: Is there any case where three of you were directly involved??
Ishu: Ashwin, your question is like as I went and caught the criminals by myself. NeilGau will tell me about the case which they were investigating, I will share my thoughts with them. That was how I helped them. Do you think they will allow me to involve directly??
Ashwin: Of course they won’t but the person’s enmity is with three of you. The accident, you being locked up in the mortuary, there is some connectivity. That’s why I am asking is there any case in which three of you were directly involved?? (Ishana tried to recall.) Try to think, Ishana. You are having a good memory.
Ishu: Good memory?? Me?? How do you know that?? (Ashwin smirked.)
Study Room
Om: My answer is NO!! NO!! NO!! Why don’t you all understand??
Ranveer: You are the one who doesn’t want to understand!! Ishana needs to know the truth!!
Annika: Ranveer, just a minute. (She calmed herself and held Omkara’s shoulders.) Ok. Fine, Omkara. She doesn’t need to know the truth. But don’t you want to know who did like that to her?? You love her, right?? Someone did a cheap thing towards your love, Om. Don’t you want to find out who is that cheapde?? How dare was he to do like that to her??
Om: I want to know, bhabhi. But I am scared that Ishana might learn about this. I don’t want that to happen. If she knows the truth, she won’t be able to take it and she might kill herself.
Rudra: Then, you protect her, O!! (Omkara looked at him in surprise.) Show your love towards her, O. Prove her that you can’t live without her. Then, Ishana bhabhi won’t be able to harm herself even if she wanted to.
Prinku: Rudra bhaiya is right. You said that you want to do farewell for Ishana bhabhi, right?? There are five more days for the weekend. Use these five days to shower your love towards her and make the farewell party to announce your wedding day with Ishana bhabhi.
Soumya: Bhaiya, you and Ishana di have suffered a lot. We want to see both of you live happily. (Shivaay was astonished listening to RuMyaPri.)
Shivaay: Hey, Om!! See who are advising you. RuMyaPri who were against uniting you with Ishana, now they want to unite you with your Ishana. Our brother and sisters have become matured. (Omkara hugged three of them.)
Om: But Shivaay, how to find out who did like that to her??
Ranveer: We are investigating about it, Om. We will find the person before the party. But we don’t want Ishana to doubt us.
Om: Don’t worry about that. I will keep Ishana with me. (Someone knocked on the door.)
Ranveer: It should be Ashwin. (Ranveer opened the door and became surprised.) Ishana??
Ishu: Ranveer?? You are here!!?? Where have you been?? I didn’t see you since morning. (She peeped inside and saw ShivIka, RuMyaPri and Omkara also there.) All of you are here as well??
Soumya: Di, we were discussing about the party. Bade baalwale bhaiya asked for our help to decorate the mansion.
Ishu: (confused) Bade….. what?? (Soumya bit her tongue realising what she said.)
Prinku: Soumya always calls Om bhaiya like that. Because of his long hair. (Ishana chuckled looking at Omkara.)
Ishu: Bade baalwale bhaiya, bhagad billa, any name for Rudra?? (Shivaay glared at Annika.)
Soumya: Crybaby, duffer, dumbbell. (Rudra glared at her.)
Ishu: My Rudra is not a crybaby or duffer. (She hugged Rudra’s arm.) He is my superhero. (Rudra hugged her and wanted to cry but he controlled himself.)
Rudra: Thanks, bhabhi. (He broke the hug.) And you are my superwoman.
Ranveer: Ishana, where are Ashwin and Mahi??
Ishu: They must be in the living room. (All of them went to the living room and they saw Ashwin alone there.)
Ranveer: Where is Mahi??
Ashwin: She is outside on call with someone. (Mahi entered after a while.)
Ranveer: Mahi, come I will drop you back.
Ashwin: Ranveer, I will go with her. I’m having some works.
Mahi: Thank you, Mr Ashwin. But I can go on my own. I will go by uber.
Ashwin: Ms Mahi, I said that I will go with you. I didn’t say that I will drop you. We will go by uber only.
Mahi: I need to go to the hotel to meet my manager.
Ashwin: I also want to go to your hotel as I am going to stay there.
Shivaay: Ashwin, you don’t have to stay at the hotel. You can stay here.
Ashwin: I am having some work there. That’s why.
Ranveer: Fine. I will drop both of you there. Come.
Ashwin: No need, yaar. You are looking exhausted. You better go and take rest. I will go with her.
Shivaay: Ashwin, you can take my car and go. No need to book uber.
Ashwin: It’s ok, Shivaay. I can manage.
Shivaay: You said that you are having works. It will be hard for you to go by uber always. Just use my car. (Ashwin agreed and took the key from Shivaay.)
Ashwin: Thank you. (He looked at Mahi.) Let’s go. (Mahi looked at Ranveer helplessly.)
Ranveer: Ashwin, she will come with you. But don’t you dare to tease her or bully her.
Ashwin: I am having better work than that, Ranveer. (He got into the driver seat. Ranveer was pissed off with Ashwin’s behaviour and worried for Mahi.)
Ranveer: Mahi, if he says anything to hurt you, just inform me. I will punch his mouth. (Mahi agreed and about to enter the backseat.)
Ashwin: I’m not your driver. (Mahi opened the front door and sat at the passenger seat. Ashwin smirked and drove off from there.)
Rudra: Why Ashwin was behaving like that with Mahi??
Ranveer: Because he doesn’t like her.
Ishu: Who told you like that??
Ranveer: Mahi told me.
Ishu: How does she know?? Did Ashwin tell her?? (Ranveer kept quiet.) Don’t conclude just by listening to one side of the story. A coin is having two sides. (Saying it she went inside leaving everyone stunned with her words.)
Ranveer: Me?? Listening to one side of the story?? Like seriously??
Rudra: Chill, Ranveer. Even we are surprised by bhabhi’s words. But she didn’t know the truth right?? Let’s go inside. It’s getting late. (They were entering the house when Ranveer’s mobile rang.)
Ranveer: Mahi!! This Ashwin must have said something to her. (Omkara smiled shaking his head and walked towards his room.) Yes, Mahi. Did he….. Ashwin?? What?? (He walked out followed by ShivIka and RuMyaPri who were confused seeing his reaction.) Share the location. I will come now. (He ended the call and looked at them. They could feel that something was not right seeing his expression.) AshMa had an accident!!?? (All of them became shocked.)
To be continued……