Ishqbaaz – Rikara Trust 30

A few weeks have passed and Gauri is going to a hospital. She enters a room and sees her mother. She is alive but unconscious.

Gauri tears up and thinks about her mom’s accident, entering the Oberoi Mansion as Chulbul for money and finally agreeing to act as his wife to pay for his mother’s hospital fees.

G: I am not sure if you can hear me. But, I did all this for you. You found me and suffered a lot to raise me. I can never repay the favour. It is my birthday today and even though you cannot physically bless me, I hope you can bless me mentally. A lot has changed in one year.

G (Thinking): I got married to Omkaraji twice. I am going to leave him in a few months. I am getting education and will be getting a degree soon. I do not know if it was good year or not but from now on, I will shape my future.

Gauri returns home and as she enters the house, all the lights were dimmed.

G: Why are not the lights turned? Dadi? Om? Is anyone home? (Someone comes up behind her and taps her)

Gauri screams and turns around but there is no one there. She goes to the kitchen to find a candle but then another person taps from behind.

Gauri gets scared and picks up the knife.

G: Do not come close to me. I will not let you touch me. I will not stab you but stab myself. Then the police will come and I will make sure you go to jail. I will never let anyone touch me.

O: No, Gauri!!

G: Omkaraji, where are you? There is someone inside this house.

Om turns on the lights and Gauri runs to him and hugs him hard. Om steps back because of the force of the hug.

O: Do not worry. Nothing will happen to you. I am sorry. We did not expect you to react this way. Come with me.
With his arms still around Gauri, he takes her to the living room.

G (Thinking): Sorry, Did not expect this? What does he mean?

All the lights in the living room turn on and “SURPRISE. Happy Birthday, Gauri!” She looks around and the entire house is decorated with balloons, and streamers.

O: We were planning to celebrate your birthday but then Rudra wanted to play a prank on you. We never knew you will jump to stabbing yourself.

G: Do not worry, Om. Stabbing myself was the last resort. No man can touch me without my permission.

Om was surprised by innocence and purity. How can a girl like this be the girl I met in Bareilly?

G: So, Rudra, you scared me right?

Gauri chases Rudra and Om gets caught in between their chase. They use him as an obstacle and then Rudra pushes Gauri toward Om. Gauri steps aside and chases Rudra. Once both of them settled down, Gauri sees Om on the floor.

G: Are you praying? Why are you on the floor?

A: You guys pushed him and he fell on the floor. Gauri, you actually stepped on him.

Gauri’s eyes widen.

R: I did not step on him! Man, I messed a good chance.

Everyone except Gauri: SHUT UP, RUDRA!

Gauri goes up to Om and gives him a hand.

G: So, how did you know it was my birthday?

D: Om prepared all the paperwork for your education and found your birthday. He registered it on his phone so we do not forget it.

Gauri looks at him.

G(Thinking): So, he has been helping me out all this time, not Shivaye.

S: Can we get started now? Annika, did you buy Gauri’s dress?

A: I asked Bhavya to buy it.

B: Oh, I told Priyanka to buy it.

P: I did not buy it. I thought Annika bought it.

S: Stop it! We get the point. No one bought Gauri the dress.

G: Do not worry, bade Bhaiyya. I know the perfect dress for this occasion.

(Gauri runs upstairs and gets ready. The lights are dimmed and the spotlight is on the staircase. Gauri walks into the spotlight. Everyone is mesmerized especially Om.

O (Thinking): This is the saree I bought her. And she is also wearing the diamond necklace as well. Her smoky eyes and contouring, just perfect. I told her it suits her really well. She looks like an innocent goddess. (Then, he thinks about the time he romanced with Gauri when he drank the spiked drink. ) Oh, god. Why am I thinking about this now? Om, stay focused.

A: You look so beautiful Where did you get this gift from?

G (Looking at Om): I got it as a gift.

A: Ohh (Smiling, everyone knew who gifted her the saree)

B: So does that person have long hair?

G: (Still looking at Om) Yh he does.

R: Just like Om.

G: Yes, Omkaraji. (She realizes what she said and snaps out) I mean I purchased it when Om accompanied me.

A (Whispering to Shivaye): Even though these two are fighting, they sure act like a married gift. Shivaye, you have never gifted me. I always ask for something and then you give it to me.

S(Whisper): I gave you Ansh. Did you ask for that? I can give you another one tonight if you want to.

Annika starts blushing and moves away from Shivaye.

D: Let’s cut the cake now. (Gauri stands in the middle and everyone around the table. Gauri starts crying)

G: I never had such a big birthday celebration with family. I usually celebrate with just my mother.

J: We are your family. Do not forget that.

G (Thinking): This family will only be there for a few months. (She wipes her tears.

She cuts the cake and first feeds it to Dadi and everyone else. She sees Om but she is not sure whether Om will want it.

O: It is only a small piece ( And he opens his mouth.)

G (Gauri feeds him): Here’s a piece without any icing so that it is not too sweet.

Dadi (To Jhanvi): That is what you call love. Om eating cake because it is Gauri’s birthday and Gauri taking all the icing off just so Om can eat it. They have just started making small sacrifices for each other. It will not be long before they understand one another and decide to live together.