CHOICE & CONSEQUENCE

CHAPTER 51

Om (tensed):- Shivaay? What have you decided?

Shivaay (taking a long breadth) holding Anika's hand under the table:- We are going to OM (Seeing Om looking delighted but Rudra still waiting for him to complete) but only for a few days. Untill everything is resolved we will stay there but after that we will return to our home, our Shivika Manison forever. Om delighted expression turned to shock while Rudra calmly nodded, seeing this Shivaay continues- "Now you guys also decide what do you want but I request you don't let my decision influence yours."

My reasons are my own & it has nothing to do with you guys. The gate of shivika mansion is always open to you so when you guys want you can come to visit us anyday and stay with us.

Anika a little guilty look towards Om sad face & Rudra calm one, she says- "sorry Om Ru. I know you must be feeling upset especially when you met Shivaay after so many years & still you guys have to stay apart. But (Sighing) I am not ready. I don't think I will be able to stay in Om for long. Even imagining about it, I feel claustrophobic. My memories just won't stop haunting me. Shivaay squeezes her hand trying to comfort her.

Rudra:- Bhabhi you don't have to apologize. Whatever you have gone through because of our elders, I don't think anyone in your position would even want to associate himself with any member of that family. But you still accepted us, loved us, cared for us, I am very greatful for that & I don't want you to pressurize yourself to accept anything beyond that or forgive them for our sake. It was you who got hurt, it's your pain so the cure will also be the one you need. If staying there gives you pain, you don't have to.

Anika hearing him felt a lot better & gave him a smile nodding. Rudra:-Bhaiya don't worry, whatever you have decided I am okay with it. My decision, I mean our decision (intertwining his hands with Saumya) we will tell once we go to OM.

Shivaay noded then look towards Om who is looking complicatedly towards others. Shivaay (questioning tone)- Om??

Om (nervous):- Shivaay I.. I need time. I will think & tell you guys later. Understanding that Om had a lot in mind, shivaay didn't probe further.

At Present,

Rudra:- Daadi, me and Saumya will move back to OM.

(thinking) For me OM has been a home. Even though Mom and dad always fought, never cared for us but still Shivaay bhaiya, Om & dadi, were there for me. My childhood may not be super awesome but it wasn't bad either. Most of my memories had been happy one. By staying here I can always recall those memories. Even if bhaiya won't be here but I can still recall our old days here.

Also dadi can't stay alone anymore, she has gotten very old. Always bhaiya had to care for everyone, handling business to fulfilling his promise to dadi but now I wish he live fo himself. Now his Rudy will handle his responsibilities after all this family is equally as mine as it is his.

Daadi then ask Om-> Om?

Om look towards everyone seeing everyone expectant eyes & tensed expressions he says :- Daadi me and Gauri need to go to Germany (seeing daadi heartbroken expression & everyone else shocked) he hurridely says "but only for 2 weeks after that we will also shift back to OM. We need to finish our work there. After handling everything, we will permanantly move back here."

Dadi stilled heart finally started pumping again & others expression also relaxed. Gauri smiling look toward Om who is also looking towards her, she gave him a thumbs up to which he smile got bigger.

Gauri (thinking):- I am feeling your changes Omkara Ji. I know it would take time but atleast you are making efforts & I am happy for that. It was my decision to move back here & you respected that, accepted it. I am greatful. I know you were hesitant, confused even, you wanted to stay in OM but with bade bhaiya & after knowing his decision not to stay back, you were conflicted. But at last you choose our decision.

Looking towards Anika who feeling her gaze gives her a side hug & says:- It's okay. I am happy for you.

Gauri was too small when her father passed away, when her older sister lost her memory, when she was sent to orphanage, when her maa brought her home to brailey. Her memories are limited to her happy days with her jiji, her papa, with other kids in orphanage. For her life had been difficult but still a happy one. She got a loving mother in her maa and till her adopted father was alive, he loved her too. Even though she couldn't study due to their financial condition but she still loved those days she spent helping her mother & playing with kids her age in her hometown Brailey.

She wasn't tormented like Anika by her past memories, neither she feels suffocated in OM. Here in OM she got a big family like the one she saw in movies, in television, her dream to live with a big family got fulfilled after her marriage with Om. So, she really do not feel like to run away from here. She wants to stay and she is thankful that her jiji supports her decision.

She sometimes feel bad thinking her jiji won't stay here with her but she also understand her jiji's pain is too much & forcing her for her selfish sake would be wrong & she can't wrong her jiji ever.

Shakti taking a deep breadth calls out:- Maa! Me and Pinky are also going with Shivaay. (seeing dadi teary eyes) maa, all my life I never stood for anyone not even for myself. Every decision was bauji, you or Tej bhaisab's but now I wish to take my own decision. I want to stay with my son, my DIL, my grandson. Me and Pinky we both wish to stay with our small family.

Looking towards Shivaay who is looking back at him stunned, he continues "my son grew up without my love & care. I was drowned in my own guilt all life, trying to find the solace in God's feet. Pooja, bhakti, prayers everything was for my selfish reasons & in all that I forgot my son. My son who was himself a child was burdened by responsibility of other 2 childrens. When he was supposed to enjoy the mud,the rain, he was busy taking care of his sick cousions. When he was supposed to enjoy late night parties, he was busy in office files & meetings. Maa, I dadn't realize when my 8 year old Shivaay grew up and became 'The Great wall of Shivaay Singh Oberoi'.

But I believe it isn't too late. I might have missed my son's growing in days but I will definitely going to accompany him, seeing Ansh growing up.

Maa forgive this selfish son of yours but I will always stand by my son's side. Now my son has decided to go back to Goa than me and Pinky will accompany him."