A worried-sick Omkara parked his bike in the parking area of the mansion and ran two steps at a time. It was barely morning, and he had received a call a few minutes earlier from Shivaay to come to the Oberoi Mansion ‘as soon as possible’. Omkara found a restless Shivaay pacing the hall the moment he entered the living room. To find Shivaay, who usually never dressed in anything other than his impeccable three-piece suit outside his bedroom, but was presently pacing the hall in his night suit was a worrying sight in itself; the man looked like he had aged overnight.

“O!” Rudra announced as Omkara walked in, making Shivaay look up at him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, and Shivaay heaved a sigh. “Daadi has been complaining of mild chest pains and is stubborn she doesn’t want to go to the hospital. We’ve called the doctor home; everyone else is with outside her room.” Saying this, he walked to be with the rest of them, while Omkara and Rudra, after exchanging glances and a nod, followed him.

“Mom,” Omkara said as soon as he saw his mother, who opened her arms wide to hug him. Touching Pinky’s feet, who blessed him while worry was still evident on her face for the older woman’s health, Omkara hugged his Chote Papa too. “What did the doctor say?” Omkara asked softly, to which Shakthi shook his head saying, “She hasn’t informed us yet.” Just then the doctor walked out of the room, with a nurse behind her, saying in a sombre tone, “I think it’s better to shift her to the hospital. It seems like a heart attack,” The entire family collectively gasped. “We will be required to keep her under observation. I suggest we move her immediately. I’ve already called for the ambulance and it is on the way.”

Shivaay, Omkara, and Rudra walked inside the room to see their grandmother sleeping on the bed. Trying not to wake her up, they gently carried her outside her room to take her to the ambulance that was waiting outside. As they rested her on the bed, Kalyani opened her eyes; she looked frailer than she’d ever been. “Om, tu aa gaya!” she exclaimed in a whisper that he wouldn’t have heard if he wasn’t next to her head. “Main yahin hoon, Daadi. Don’t worry, you’re going to be fine,” Omkara said with worry evident in his voice, as he softly brushed her hair with his fingers.

“One member needs to come in the ambulance with the patient,” the ambulance driver informed them. Turning to his brothers, Omkara said, “You two bring the family in the car. I’ll go with her in the ambulance.” Shivaay and Rudra looked at him, and then glancing at each other, they nodded, not wanting to waste time in arguing. The driver of the ambulance closed the door and sat in his seat to start the vehicle.

“Pata nahi ke main wapis ghar lautungi ya nahi,” Kalyani spoke with a heavy voice. Omkara chided her, “Daadi, aise kaise nahi lautengi aap. I told you, right? You’re going to be perfectly fine and are going to come back hale and hearty.” She managed to give him a weak smile at that and held her hand out to reach for his. Omkara immediately obliged and held her tiny, frail hand in his, and kissed the back of her hand. “Kitne adhure armaan the mere,” Kalyani spoke, looking at the ceiling of the van. Omkara shook his head, “Daadi, please don’t strain yourself. You’re exerting too much pressure when you talk- ”

“Chup kar, khotheya,” she frowned, speaking in an exhausted breathless tone, “ab marrtha hua insaan apne akhri shabh bhi na bole?” Omkara clicked his tongue and frowned back at her, “Aap aisi baatein karengi toh aapko tokunga hi na? Speak something positive, that you’re going to get better; or say some prayers in your mind, at least. Aap baar baar marrne ki hi baat kyun kar rahi hain?”

“Umar ho gayi na, Om. Abhi toh sirf marrne ki baatein hi dimaag mein aati hain.” He shook his head, asking her to stop talking, and rubbed her fingers gently, warming them up a bit. She smiled at him, and his heart bled to see the iron lady of his family in such a vulnerable state. She spoke, “Kitne armaan the mere… Main Shivaay aur Annika ke bachche ko godh mein leke uske saath kheloon, tujhe shaadi karthe dekhoon, Rudra ko zimmedaar banke office jaate dekhoon… sab kuch adhure hi rehne waale hain…” Omkara just let the woman speak as she said, “Oopar jaake main tumhare Daadaji se kya kahungi?”

Pausing for a while to take a slow breath, she looked at him, tugging his hand slightly, saying, “Maine Jahnvi ke saath bahut galat kiya. Mujhe bahut pehle hi unn dono ke talaaq ke liye haan kar dena chahiye tha. Aise mein, tub hi ghar chodke nahi jaata.” Omkara nodded wordlessly. No doubt he was feeling sorry for his grandmother in this condition, but the harsh reminder of his mother’s life being wasted for so many years made him feel a little bitter as well. He knew better though, to stay silent and not hurt her with anything he spoke when she was literally on her deathbed.

The words he’d uttered two days earlier came to his mind. ‘She is almost nearing her grave, but still wants to rule everyone’s lives with her so-called rules! Is she going to carry the Oberoi rules to her deathbed and her grave too?’, he had questioned Shivaay. Now, looking at her, literally on the deathbed, he silently pleaded for forgiveness from her for saying such words. All he wanted was for his mother to stay happy, but certainly not at the cost of his grandmother’s health.

“Tere baap ko mat batana ke main hospital mein hoon. Main nahi chahti ke woh wahan bhi aa jaye aur mujhe chain se jaane bhi na de,” she said in an angry tone, and Omkara had to gently pat her arm to avoid any pain aggravating to a point of worry. He simply nodded, now understanding that it was not just the woman’s ego that was wounded; it was a mother’s heart that had been broken beyond repair. He understood, looking into his grandmother’s eyes, that perhaps she hoped all her life that Tej Singh Oberoi would mend his ways. Perhaps, a mother waited for her son to come back to his family, to his wife, to his children, to realize their value. The poor old woman was deluded enough to believe that if she demanded that the marriage would stay, and no divorce would take place, then Tej Singh Oberoi’s and Janhvi Oberoi’s lives will eventually become normal once Tej would understand his mistakes and seek pardon for them. It was his last deceitful move that had broken Kalyani’s heart and spirits, making her realize that her son was a venomous serpent who didn’t even think twice before trying to fool his own mother for the greed of money and power. With each passing second, Omkara grew angrier and disgusted with the man who was unfortunately his father.

“Mujhse naraaz hona jaayaz hai, lekin apni Daadi ko maaf kar paoge na?” she asked, looking at him with pleading eyes. Omkara shook his head with a smile, tears now welling up his eyes, as he bent his head to kiss her forehead, saying, “Main aapse naraaz hoon hi nahi, toh maafi kis baat ki?” She held his hand tight, as if not wanting to let go, saying, “Toh phir tu ghar wapis aaja. Agar tu chahtha hai ke main hospital se theek hoke wapis aa jaaun, toh tu bhi ghar wapis aaja. Muhje mere teenon pothe ek saath ek hi chatth ke neeche chahiye…” Omkara nodded, not wanting to argue with her. It was a different story that he had a different opinion, but now wasn’t the time to voice it out.

“Sunn,” she said once again a while later, weakly tugging on his hand. “Ji Daadi,” he said politely, now giving up on telling the older woman to stop talking and exerting herself because she was certainly not going to listen to him. Kalyani smiled, running her hand over his head, “Woh jo kudi tu ghar leke aaya tha uss din… Gauri…” Omkara looked at her with narrowed eyes while a small smile came upon his lips, as she continued, “Woh mujhe badi pasand aayi. tere liye… Woh kya kehte ho tum log aaj kal – Perfect hai tere liye.”

Omkara said nothing but hummed, but the ghost of a smile stayed put on his lips, as his Daadi said with a tired smile, “Zindagi ke safar mein tera humsafar, tera saath dene wali aa gayi hai. Kaash main tum dono ki shaadi hote dekh paaun. Lekin agar aisa na bhi hua, toh koi gham nahi. Main chain se apni aankhein bandh kar sakti hoon yeh jaan kar ke mere Om ki zindagi mein uski saathiya uske saath hamesha rahegi.” Omkara shook his head, not wanting to dwell on the subject, asking her to rest. If it were any other time, he would have asked her how she was so sure they would get married. Agreed that, right now, there was no other person on earth who understood him the way Gauri did. And it went the other way round too. Perhaps, he thought, Daadi read too much into the whole situation. Or, maybe, just maybe, she saw things that he was too stubborn to see.

The vehicle turned around the corner and entered the gates of the hospital. The doors of the ambulance were opened and Omkara got out after his grandmother was shifted onto the stretcher and taken into the ER. One of the nurses came out in a minute and handed him a couple of forms to complete the necessary formalities. A while later, Rudra and Shivaay walked in. “We asked the rest of the family to stay at home, and told them we’ll inform them if they’re needed here.” Shivaay said, to which Omkara nodded, looking at the door of the ER, “They’ve just taken her in and asked me to complete the formalities.” Rudra looked at the papers in Omkara’s hands, and taking them from him, he offered to complete them. Shivaay handed him his credit card before he walked to the counter.

“She’s going to be fine, right?” Omkara asked, taking a seat next to Shivaay, who nodded, before asking, “How was she throughout the drive?” Omkara smiled as he recalled the conversation, and shrugging his shoulders, he said, “The usual. She thinks she’s going to die and regrets not seeing her great-grandchild’s face, my wedding, and Rudy going to the office!”

When Shivaay said nothing, he looked at him, and placing his hand on his shoulder, he said in a soft voice, “Don’t worry. She’s going to come back fine. She has a lot of time, so she is going to fulfill all her wishes” Shivaay smiled softly, saying, “She is certainly going to get one of her wishes fulfilled soon!” Omkara smiled as realization dawned on him, and turning to his brother, he exclaimed, “And you decide to give me this good news in the hospital? Oh, my goodness, congratulations! I can’t believe you’re going to be a Dad! When did you come to know?”

Shivaay’s smile dropped as he said, “No, Om! I was talking about your wedding! Not about…” Omkara frowned, shaking his head, “What rubbish! Sharma and I have just started dating, and here you -” “Well, I’m relieved, to say the least, that it is Gauri whom you’re thinking about when you think about marriage. That’s good news enough!” Turning a bit serious, he said, “As for Daadi’s great-grandchild, I don’t think that is going to happen…”

Omkara frowned, “Happen anytime soon, you mean, right?” Shivaay shook his head, saying, “Happen at all, is what I mean, Om. Annika and I have been trying for a baby, but it was only recently that we found out she’s suffering from endometriosis.” Saying this, Shivaay abruptly stopped and looked at Om, as he said with a tinge of fear in his voice, “We haven’t told this to anyone, except you…” Omkara nodded, hugging his brother sideways, “You can trust me. This conversation stays between us.”

Shivaay closed his eyes, and suffocated from keeping it all within himself, he finally spoke. “Doctors have diagnosed it as stage 3 endometriosis. We’ve tried all sorts of medication, but Annika goes through hell with their side effects. Our doctor has suggested hysterectomy, fearing the risk of developing cancer.” Omkara felt his heart sink as he looked at the distraught look on his brother’s face. Hysterectomy meant Annika could never get pregnant! Shivaay continued with a shaky voice, “I’d rather have no children, than risking Annika’s life. I’d choose Annika over anything and everything. I cannot imagine my existence without her, Om. Sometimes, I get so scared thinking how will I live if something happens to her.”

Omkara hugged his brother, shocked at how he never let his troubles show, and tightened the hug when Shivaay almost sank in his arms for support. “Why didn’t you say anything, Shivaay?” Omkara asked with an incredulous expression, “Why didn’t you or Bhabhi at least speak up! At least the whole family would stop with the unnecessary pressure on you two to have babies! How must Bhabhi feel, each time someone points out about babies?”

Shivaay heaved a sigh, looking at his brother. “You think my heart doesn’t ache? I’ve been wanting to tell everyone the truth, and that we have decided to eventually adopt a baby. But Annika thinks that the family will be hurt when they come to know about it. She has asked me to swear on her life that I wouldn’t let any of our elders know about it. I’ve seen how she puts up a brave face and pretends to shy away when anyone talks about babies. However, I’ve also seen her crying herself to sleep at night. Daadi keeps reminding her every other day about wanting to see her great-grandchild. So many times, I’ve pleaded with Annika to allow me to tell Daadi the truth. Her argument is that Daadi will have a heartbreak if she learns the truth, that she will never be able to see any great-grandchildren from Annika and me.”

Omkara sat still, unable to digest what he’d just heard. And then, after a brief silence, he said, “If hysterectomy is the safest option, then why wait? It’s like waiting for something worse to happen!” Shivaay exhaled a long breath, shrugging his shoulders and frowning, “Who’s to tell Annika? She is hoping that there would be some miracle, and she can conceive.” Throwing his hands over his face, he continued with exhaustion showing on his face, “Annika loves children. She always wanted a baby girl. And now, this!”

“Well, surrogacy is an option!” Omkara said, to which he replied, “Yes, but for that, I need to tell our family, which Annika has strictly forbidden me to do. She is also worried about what our elders would say. The ‘log kya kahenge’ is also eating her up from within. I really don’t know how else to convince her! Having a baby is truly a blessing, I agree. But if a couple is unable to conceive, it is not the end of the world. But Annika ko kaun samjhaye?”

Omkara shook his head, thinking about all the times he’d met Annika. Not once did her face show the troubles she was going through. He recalled all those moments she spoke to him with a smile – the same smile that covered up all of her problems. Omkara didn’t know what to reply or how to respond to Shivaay. Instead, he simply held his hand, patting him, letting him know silently that everything would be alright, while silently hoping it did.

Rudra came back after completing the required paperwork only to witness his two brothers seated in sorrow. He too had been upset to see his Daadi so weak and fragile but to see his brothers seated in so much of distress almost broke him. Putting up a smile on his face, he walked up to them and occupied the vacant seat between them. “Daadi will be fine, don’t worry!” he said, holding their hands, and the two of them smiled half-heartedly.

“She absolutely will,” Shivaay said, pulling Rudra’s head against his chest, making Omkara look at the two of them. While Rudra hugged him back, Shivaay looked at Om over Rudra’s head and silently pleaded with him not to say a word to anyone for the time being. Omkara knew Shivaay was already upset and didn’t want to worsen matters. He nodded, looking away, not sure if it was a good idea to keep this hidden from the family. But knowing exactly how their family would deal with it, it seemed like the wisest option.

The nurse came out after a while and looked at the three men seated outside the ER. All three were on their feet almost immediately. “She’s doing better. We’re keeping her under observation, and need to shift her to the room. The ward person will lead you to the room and hand over the keys to you at the nurse station of the same floor.” The three of them nodded, and soon, Kalyani Oberoi was wheeled out on a stretcher to be taken to the room.

***

Settling her on the bed, Omkara patted Shivaay asking him to go home. “You get some rest, Shivaay. I’ll be here.” Shivaay looked at him in question, saying, “But you have to go to work, right?”

At that very instant, Gauri walked in with a backpack. “Hey, I brought your laptop, for you to connect to work.” She said in a soft voice as she walked into the room. Then with a worried expression, she looked at the three of them, and then asked Omkara in a softer tone when she saw the older woman sleeping on the bed, “How is she?” Omkara took the backpack from Gauri and nodded, saying, “She’s better. They’re just keeping her here under observation for a day.” Gauri nodded before she looked at Shivaay and Rudra. “I brought some breakfast for the three of you.” Saying this, she pulled out three tiffin boxes from the same bag, before she handed over the laptop to Omkara. “Thank you,” Omkara said gratefully as he touched her cheek softly.

Gauri set the breakfast on the table, which the four of them shared and ate. Shivaay stood up and excused himself when he received a call from Annika and walked a little away so he could inform her about Daadi as well as talk to her. “Om said he’ll stay here; he said he’ll work from the hospital” Shivaay informed her, not revealing that he’d told him about her condition. He’d discuss that later with her, in private, and in person. Rudra too stood up, saying that he needed to attend college because he was already running short of attendance.

Gauri said to him, “I’ll be here, Bade Bhaiyya. I’ve also got permission from my Team Lead to work remotely. And should we need anything, we’ll inform you” Omkara nodded in agreement, as he looked at Shivaay, who replied nodding, “I believe Mom and Badi Maa will also visit in a while.” Looking at Omkara, he said, “Don’t hesitate to call me for anything.” Shivaay walked to where Daadi was fast asleep under the effect of the medicines, and placing a kiss on her forehead, he whispered a prayer for her to get well soon. In another five minutes, both Shivaay and Rudra left.

“I’ll get some coffee for us?” Gauri asked as Omkara settled on the visitor’s bed, placing the laptop on the teapoy. He nodded, but before she left, he said, “I’ll come with you too.” She stopped, looking at him, saying, “Somebody needs to be here with Daadi, just in case the nurses want us to fetch something from the pharmacy or any tests are to be done. You stay, I don’t mind going alone.” Omkara agreed that what she said made sense. He stayed back, not before handing over his wallet to her. She rolled her eyes and waved her purse in front of him, “Paise hain mere paas!” He smiled with a grateful nod as she walked out.

***

An hour later, Gauri and Omkara had connected to work remotely. The nurse had come to check on Daadi’s vitals, and just about a couple of minutes ago, a duty doctor had done a check-up during his rounds. Since there was no much work at the office, except for the usual routines, Omkara and Gauri were both relatively free.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Gauri said to Omkara when she found him preoccupied with thoughts. He looked at her, wondering if he should share his thoughts with her. Whatever Shivaay had confided in him was plaguing his mind. But he also remembered Shivaay’s request of not revealing it to anyone, and was the least he could do to honour his wish. And so, he shook his head, “Nothing much. Just thinking about everything that has happened in my family.” In a way, he didn’t lie to her in response to her question. Gauri nodded in understanding, “I agree. It has been a lot, isn’t it?” “It has,” Omkara said, once again losing himself in his thoughts.

“Puttar” Gauri sat up straight when she heard Kalyani mumble softly, while looking in her direction. “Daadi? Kuch chahiye? Doctor ya nurse ko bulaaun?” Omkara said with a hint of panic, worried that his Daadi was feeling unwell. Kalyani, with a slight frown, shook her head as she murmured, “Doctor ko kyun bulayega tu? Mujhe hua kya hai?” Omkara stared at her for a second too long, wondering if this was the same woman who was sure she was going to die in the ambulance. In addition, Gauri too slapped his arm with a frown for unnecessarily panicking. “Ek aur lappad laga le meri taraf se,” Kalyani said with a smile, and then coughed a little.

“Daadi, aaraam se!” Gauri said, rushing next to her, and carefully holding her hand. “Mera Om akela na pad jaaye idhar, isiliye aa gayi na tu?” she asked with a smile, and Gauri glanced at him for a moment before she looked at Daadi. The older woman looked so frail, delicate, and pale compared to when she met her for the first time merely three days back. Omkara was right when he had texted her that she didn’t look too well; the underlying meaning that she could be counting her final breaths soon. Gauri didn’t have the heart to say anything that could hurt the woman, and so she nodded, “Ji Daadi.” Omkara smiled sadly looking at his grandmother, perfectly understanding why Gauri didn’t say otherwise.

Kalyani looked at Omkara and called him closer to the bed. “Maine kya kaha tha? Yeh tere liye perfect hai.” Omkara’s and Gauri’s gaze met for about two seconds before they looked at Kalyani Oberoi. Looking at Gauri, Kalyani started, “Puttar, mera Om jo hai na, bada sher bane ghoomtha phirtha hai,” Omkara frowned at how his Daadi was talking about him right in front of him, while Gauri genuinely grinned at that. “Arrey?” he exclaimed, making the older woman grumble, “Chup kar khotheya!” Omkara made a grumpy face when Gauri gave him a teasing grin.

Kalyani continued, “Lekin puttar, mera Om hai bahut pyaara, ek dum naram dil ka, jo apne parivar ke liye aur apnon ke chechre pe muskurahat laane ke liye kuch bhi kar sakta hai.” Raising her hand to lovingly touch her grandson’s face, she said, “Ziddi hai, badmaash hai, kabhi kabhi bahut tang bhi karta hai ke, lekin pyaar bhi bade shiddhat se karta hai.”

Gauri smiled, knowing that every word his grandmother said was true. She smiled as Omkara placed a soft kiss in the middle of the older woman’s hand as he held it in his hands. Looking at Gauri, Kalyani held her hand and placed it in Omkara’s hands. Then, looking at the two of them, she encased their enjoined hands with her own feeble hands.

“Pata nahi ke main tum dono ki shaadi dekh paaungi bhi ya nahi, magar jab main chali jaaungi na, iss dil ko sukoon rahega ke mere Om ke liye uski perfect saathiya mil gayi. Bhagwan ne chaha, toh jab main oopar chali jaaun, toh tumhaare Dadaji se nazrein toh mila ke keh sakoon ke unke parivaar par maine kabhi aanch nahi aane diya. Aur mere baad, meri do bahuein iss parivaar ko jode rakhengi.”

Gauri had no reply; Daadi spoke as if the two were already betrothed. Omkara’s gaze met hers and he looked at her as if not to take his Daadi’s words too personally. She smiled, shaking her head in a no. “Gauri puttar, muhjse ek vaada karegi?” Gauri nodded in a yes. Then Kalyani repeated the question to her grandson, who also nodded a yes. “Agar main theek ho jaaun, aur mujhe hospital se discharge kiya jaata hai ghar jaane ke liye, toh tum dono ek dusre se shaadi karoge, agle hafte?” Kalyani was taken aback when Omkara slowly pulled his hand away from her hold. With a frown on his face, he began “Daadi, aap -”

“…Daadi,” Gauri interrupted him with a smile, saying, “Pehle aap theek toh ho jaaye na? Uske liye aapko araam karna padega. Chaliye, abhi so jaayiye. Aankhein band karke rest kijiye…” Omkara watched Gauri cajole the older woman to get some sleep. As Kalyani dozed off slightly, Omkara stood up and signaled Gauri to come away from the bed.

“Why did you stop me?” he asked, saying with an irritated scowl on his forehead, “I understand she is ill. But that doesn’t mean she keeps emotionally manipulating everyone around her!” Gauri held his hand in an attempt to calm him down as she said, “Oberoi, she’s not just ill. She has these unfulfilled wishes and regrets in her mind right now. I remember when my Naani was nearing death – she too kept demanding that certain things be done. Here, Daadi is not being stubborn or emotionally manipulating anyone. She’s just stating her heart’s desires that she wishes to fulfill.”

“I understand, but how is it reasonable to agree with whatever she demands? What are you saying, Sharma? That when she gets discharged and comes home, we promise her we’re getting married the following week? Or do we lie to her on her deathbed – that we say yes to her right now and give her false hopes, and when she comes home, we tell her that we were just being nice to her because we thought she was not going to make it?”

Gauri shook her head, “That is not what I am saying, Oberoi! Stop twisting each and every word! I’m just saying that, right now, it would be rude to just tell her anything to her face. I agree that what she asked of us is equivalent to manipulating us. But do you expect me to simply tell Daadi that we’re never going to fulfill her wishes, and snatch that tiny ray of hope as well from her? Do you think it would be possible to tell her directly that just because we’ve started dating each other, we cannot give her the guarantee that we will get married because we’re still finding out if we’re compatible with each other or not? You know her better, Oberoi. How do you think she’s going to react if we tell her that she cannot guilt us into getting married to each other, leave alone the fact that she wants it to happen within a week?”

Omkara was about to reply when they both froze at the shocked whisper at the door, “Oh my maata!” Both Gauri and Omkara turned to see Janhvi and Pinky standing by the door, behind whom Rudra stood with a frown and shaking his head. Apparently, Rudra and Shivaay had met the two of them at the reception downstairs, and while Shivaay was on an important call, Rudra had guided his mother and aunt to the hospital room where Daadi was staying in.

Janhvi asked Rudra to leave, telling him that Shivaay would be waiting downstairs. Rudra, after a long stare at Omkara, nodded as he left. Both, Janhvi and Pinky walked into the room, while Omkara and Gauri looked at the floor, not meeting their gaze; they weren’t really sure how much of it they had overheard.

“Gauri, Om, what’s happening?” Janhvi asked with a confused frown. “Mom,” Omkara began to justify, “Daadi says that when she gets discharged from the hospital and comes home, she wishes to see Sharma and me getting married, just because she wants to see me settled. Now you tell me, is there any sense to this?” Pinky said to him, “Oh my maata, Omkara! Mummyji ne tum dono se aisa bhi kya maang liya ke isme senses ya nonsenses ki baat beech mein aa gayi? Unhone sirf tum dono ko shaadi karne ke liye hi toh requests kiya, aur tum dono hai ki-”

“Pinky, one moment, please,” Janhvi said with a small frown, still trying to wrap her head around her mother-in-law’s strange request, while Pinky twisted her lips saying, “Haan haan, ab main kuch bolungi toh sabko bura hi lagega. Chalo, main kuch nahi bolti!” Saying this, she walked to sit by the bed, watching Kalyani Singh Oberoi resting.

Janhvi looked at the two of them and said in a stern tone, “This is not the place or time to discuss it.” Looking at Gauri, she said in a soft, gentler tone, “Thank you for coming so early to the hospital, beta. But now that we’re here, you should go home and rest for a while. Also, please thank your Mom as well for sending breakfast for the three boys.” Gauri nodded and packing her bag with her laptop, she nodded at Omkara as if saying bye to him. He nodded at her, and told his Mom, “I’ll walk her till outside.” Janhvi smiled at him, not before hugging Gauri.

As the two walked out, Janhvi looked at them with a thought in her mind. Then, she looked at a sleeping Kalyani Oberoi. Sitting on the visitor’s bed, Jahnvi thought to herself how Kalyani had manipulated her until yesterday into complying with all her wishes. For years and years, Janhvi had pleaded with her to file for a divorce, and finally, she had yielded yesterday.

Janhvi leaned against the wall as she thought if it was right to force Gauri and Omkara into getting married when they felt they weren’t ready yet. No doubt, the whole family wanted them to get married. No doubt, they were perfect for each other. No doubt, they themselves were willing to give each other a chance by finally agreeing to date each other. But Omkara did have a point: was it right to force them into getting married already? Even if they would eventually agree to settle down with each other, was it fair to them to rush things between them? Was it really fair to put so much pressure on them by an ailing old woman while they were still figuring things out? Janhvi had made the same mistake of rushing things and marrying Tej. And to think that she and Tej were in love with each other! In the case of Omkara and Gauri, the two were still trying to find out what they want from life and from each other. What if, heaven forbid, things took an ugly turn and they ended up like her and Tej?

Janhvi tried to shake the pessimistic thought from her mind. It was tempting to convince the two of them to give in to his Daadi’s wishes. After all, didn’t the whole family already love Gauri and see her as Omkara’s partner already? But Janhvi also knew it was better to let the two of them decide. From whatever she’d overheard, she knew that, while Omkara was vehemently against being coerced into obliging to Daadi’s wishes, Gauri’s mind was in two different boats where, although she agreed with him, she also felt obligated to not be as blunt as he was.

While Omkara was first thinking for him and Gauri, there was Gauri who was putting Daadi’s wishes as important as their own, Janhvi realized. However, in both cases, Gauri and Omkara were thinking about each other as ‘one’, and not as two different individuals. But, was this a reason good enough to give in to his Daadi’s wish.

Janhvi knew she had to first talk to Omkara to get a clearer picture of his thoughts. And only if Omkara could be convinced, then she would talk to Gauri and her parents.