Ishqbaaz – Rikara Trust 41

Om runs to the car and see his car lights blinking with all the doors open. He checks inside and Gauri was not there.

O(panicking) Gauri! Where are you! (Thinking) Why did I tell her to stay in the car? A drunk person usually does the opposite just to show their rebellion. And with Gauri, who is known for her rebellious behaviour, she will not listen to me. Om sees a man by the stall and he said that she went this way (pointing right)

Om walks for a kilometre and still cannot find her. In frustration and worry, Om tears up and cry

O: Gauri!! Gauri!! Why is it that every single time she gets in trouble because of me? All the problems she had faced especially with Bua Ma and Svetlana, she has to go to through hardship.

Om takes his phone out and decides to call the police as that was his last resort.

“Ayy, Chirotttta!!”

Om turns around and see Gauri on the other side arguing with the ice cream in her hand. He crosses the road to other side.

G: You are not letting me go because I did not pay you for ice cream. Omkaraji is going to be really mad at me for not waiting in the car. He is going to kill you and me. Wait, he will come here for me.

O: Gauri…

Gauri turns around.

G: There is my knight in shining armour.

She had ice cream all over her mouth and a _____ ice cream cone. She runs to him and hugs him really hard. Even he could feel the cold ice cream seeping through his shift as Gauri wiped her face onto it, he was glad that he found her.

O: Why did you go so far away? I am so sorry. I took so long in the washroom. I was scared that something might have happened to you.

G(With a smile): If something did happen, you will come at the right time and PROTECT me.

Om was just startled. I push her into a problem but she takes in a positive light. Just like how she dragged him out of all the darkness that surrounded him.

G: He is being so mean to me. Can you give me some money so I can pay him back. I only need 200 rupees.

Om did not have exact change so he gives her a 500 rupee bill and walks with her. Gauri gives the bill to the vendor.

G: Keep the change as my tip.

She holds Om by his arm and walks towards the car. Om was just flabbergasted.

O(Thinking): A girl who bargains for a rupee now had given a 300 rupee tip. What can alcohol do to a person?

G: Om, why do you like surprised? I am not part of the Oberoi family. Pinky aunty always tells me that the Oberoi always have to maintain their reputation and tip accordingly.

O(thinking): She has accepted that she is part of the Oberoi family which means she has accepted me mas her husband But how do I ask her directly.

They were both walking quietly and Gauri keeps on looking at Om. When Om looks back at her, she looks straight ahead. Om can sense that something is wrong.

O: Is something wrong?

G: No… Actually yes.

O: Did someone hurt you? Does your leg hurt? Let me lift you.

G: No.. Nothing happened. I was just curious.

O: Curious about what?

G: Why did you not get ice cream? It is your favourite flavour.

O: I did not feel like it. It is so cold outside and you are going to get a cold outside.

As they are walking, Om starts to crave for ice cream but he did not want it om a cone. He wanted the ice cream that was all over her lips. He just wanted to lick it off and passionately kiss her. But he knew that it wad wrong.

It got to a point where Om could not fight the urge. He pulled her towards him and she twirled around and landed on her chest. Gauri just looked at him and Om slowly licked off the ice cream on her lips. And then her cheeks. There was a lone drop of melted ice cream rolling down her neck. Om licked her neck and he could see that Gauri was enjoying it.

Once he was done, Gauri was also turned on.

G: Now you want ice cream? Fine then… (With a mischievous smile, she smears the ice cream all over her face.)

Om was about to start again.

O(Thinking): She is under the influence and I cannot take advantage of her. If I continued, what would the difference between those men and me?

He takes the napkin that she was holding in her hand and cleans her face.

G(Thinking): I was enjoying that. Why did he stop?

They get into the car and head home. As they reach home, Gauri opens up her handbag and takes something out.

G: I need to show you something. It is my biggest secret. Not even you know about it.

O: What is it, Gauri?

G: You promise you will not tell anyone. I mean, I should not tell you but it is okay. I trust you.

Gauri opens a box and it was a thin silver necklace. She takes it out of the box and there was a pendant on it. But, the pendant was facing Gauri so he could not see what it was.

G: I am going to show you now.

O: Gauri, you have already shown me the secret. You are such a crazy woman.

Gauri turns the pendant around and on the pendant, it said Om.

G: I am planning to wear this on my graduation. Everyone else will think, I am wearing it because I am religious. But, only you, Omkaraji will know the real reason.

Om could not believe what she was saying. Was this a love proposal? Whatever it was, he needs to ask her later, when she gets up tomorrow. They get out of the car but Gauri was in no state to go quietly into her room. He escorts her and tucks her in.

O: Good night Gauri. I just hope tomorrow you remember all this so you can understand my feelings for you.

As he heads to his room, Rudra sees him.

R: What the hell happened you? You are covered in stains and smell like pukr. Did you uncover as a beggar for your art project?

Om just smiles at him and walks towards his room.

R: He did not tell me to shut up. Something is different about him.