Chapter 32

MUKTA

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I kept looking at him as he kept talking to the lawyer. The lawyer was confused as he saw the Mehndi in my hands and then looked at me. My eyes were filling up with fresh ounces of tears that I was trying to hide badly in my big eyes.

Omkar didn't spare me a look and kept talking on his phone to his mother saying...

'We will be home soon!!!'.

I kept looking elsewhere as my chest felt constricted. I wanted to vomit. It was painful. But he stood there browsing through his phone like this was the most casual thing to do. He didn't care???

We were called to the room. The judge was sitting infront of us who looked into our file and asked us both to take a seat infront of her.

'Advocate Aniket...can I have today's newspaper please...' she said and kept our file and newspaper infront of us and looked at us...

'So...you both want a divorce???' she asked and I didn't have an answer. Nothing left my mouth but then I heard his voice.

'Yes Mam...ours was a unexpected forced wedding. So we want to seperate from. each other and free each other from this unwanted relationship'.

Omkar said it. He wanted the divorce!!!

My throat felt tied up. My eyes were again getting moist.

Don't cry Mukku...You are stronger than this!!! You are stronger than this!!!

I consoled my soul. The judge asked me the question too and my voice would definitely crack so I simply nodded.

To which the judge huffed and threw the newspaper infront of us and said...

'Read the headlines please!!!' and we were confused.

'Hmmm you don't want to??? Let me do the honours...

Business Tycoon Omkar Nayak to get hitched to long time girlfriend Mukta!!! Engagement tonight!!!

✨

The Nayak's Heir finds love in a village girl!!✨

The Demon has found his 'secret' fiance!!!✨

Business Magnet getting engaged tonight!!! Who's the lucky girl?✨

Know more about Future Mrs Omkar Nayak!!! Who is Mukta Joshi!!!✨

The judge kept reading various headlines from today's local newspapers and leaving myself and Omkar stumped.

'Is this courtroom, divorce, marriage some joke to you Mr and Mrs Nayak??? You get married, then divorced, then engaged??? What is this some marriage bureau that I run??? Is your lawyer some priest and what am I your wedding planner??? Is this some joke Mr Nayak?...Mrs Nayak??? Answer me?' judge said and Omkar spoke up...

'Mam it's actually our family... they they don't know about the divorce' to which the judge leaned backwards on her chair asking...

'Ohhhh so when are you planning to tell them? After getting remarried, having some grandchildren is it?' she asked and Omkar tried to speak up but the judge was clear with her verdict.

'Advocate Aniket...these kind of cases waste your and mine time too but even then looks like some silly ego issue is brewing up between them. Otherwise the couple who kept visiting the court hand in hand is not seeing each other's face today. I used to wonder what a couple this is who would first come to court, do all court proceedings hand in hand, share water from the bottle, feed each other pani puri at the Hampankatta circle, then go to nearby ideals ice cream corner share a tira misu and parafit and go home...I used to think these would initially realise their emotions for each other but no ego is a big lion. Enough to eat you raw!!!

Well I'm sorry to say I can't grant this couple a divorce. Because I see what they can't or maybe are ignoring. I see a bond..I see emotions...I see love in their eyes' the judge said while a drop of tear fell from my eyes and our eyes met. Omkar was still looking at me with a blank expression.

'I can't grant you a divorce. But yes...I would want this couple to work on their marriage for 3 more months and come back...even then if things don't work out...I would relook into this case ..but for now the case is adjourned.' she said and we were left shocked.

The drive back home was silent. Just then I asked Omkar to stop the car. I went to the nearby jewellery shop and purchased a small ring for myself infront of Nayak's. I didn't want Omkar to buy it anymore for me. He wanted this divorce which clearly means he doesn't want this marriage and I don't want him to spend on my engagement ring. I purchased a small ring with a small single diamond.

I knew it was nothing when compared to Nayak's standard of living and social status but this was as per my standard of living. My budget.

Omkar didn't ask me once where had I gone when I came back from the jeweler. He looked disturbed, annoyed and angry. He was yelling at some of his employee. Dropping me home he went back to office inspite of his mom's objections.

His behaviour was scaring me. I was with Pattu and Omkar's cousin's the entire afternoon. They were teasing me all the time but my thoughts went back to Omkar.

Clock ticked 6 pm and guests started pouring for the engagement ceremony. I dressed up in a pink and golden saree with the jewellery Gauri Aai had gifted me..

Everyone kept warding off evil eye whenever they saw me. I was made to go downstairs where the stage for engagement was been decorated however everyone in the family looked worried. Although they tried to hide the reason for it I heard in a hush hush tone that Omkar hadn't reached yet.

Sameer and Karthik hugged and congratulated me for the engagement however even when clock ticked 8pm and Omkar didn't arrive everyone began gossiping.

Just then we saw Omkar's SUV enter the gate. Rudra went to him to enquire while his driver helped him get out of the car. Omkar was unable to stand. He looked drunk. He being the beast he is, was too huge for the driver to handle. Rudra helped him and slowly they took him upstairs. There began a lot of gossip. Omkar's parents and grandmother looked worried. Soon Rudra came back from upstairs and whispered something in Pattu's ears and she looked shocked.

She argued something with Rudra, pushed him away and walked upstairs. In the mean time Rudra managed the crowd. I couldn't stand anymore. I wanted to talk to him. I didn't care if he was drunk.

So I went upstairs only to hear him argue with Pattu who was trying to make him drink water probably trying to sober him.

I was getting pissed off now. He was pushing Pattu. She was so tiny.

'Prarthana... please boil some hot water with crushed ginger, squeeze a lemon, 3-4 spoons of honey and bring it soon...' I asked Pattu to make a quick drink for hangover cure. At times my Baba's medicinal knowledge really helped.

Pattu looked at me saying 'But Shizuka Vanni'

'Ill manage Pattu ..go...get what I said...I need to talk to your Omkar Anna' I said firmly and she nodded and left.

I looked at Omkar who sat on the bed holding his head. He was drunk as fuck.

I couldn't see him like that.

'You don't want to get engaged is it Omkar? Tell me... please don't hesitate...trust me...there is no force...I will walk out right away...but please don't do this...I can't see you like this!!!' I said firmly as I tried to hide my tears.

To which he began laughing and said...

'Reallyyy?? You will leave me that easily??? Interesting... without any profit??? Ohhh ohhh ohhhhhhh wait there...we are still not divorced...so now this engagement doesn't really matter...You still are Mrs Nayak...by the way... what a chameleon you are my dearest wifey!!! Till yesterday you were not even ready to look at me... when some random chick accused me of raping her and then when you get to know my brother has proofs you try to prove yourself to be the perfect wife!!!

But that doesn't change the fact that you did not trust me yesterday.. right Mukta??? But hell yeah who cares...I'm sure you are happy now...we didn't get divorced...you are very happy right??? But why ..hmmmm let me think...ouuuuu yesssss!!! Because Mukta mam probably now knows how powerful I am...how influential...what is it now Mukta??? Your like this comfortable life is it?' he kept talking non stop like a maniac and I was shocked.

Tears kept rolling down my cheeks...

'You think I'm with you because of your power or your position???' I asked while he walked closer to me and looked at me...then touched my neck...then roamed his hands on my waist...while I was shocked and I pushed him away...

'How much worth is this diamond jewellery set huhhh... atleast 50-60 lakhs na...you must have not even dreamt of wearing something like this...and now see you have it all...' he said laughing while my eyes widened and fresh tears fell on my cheeks...

'What do you mean Omkar???' I asked to clarify his thoughts while he giggled and said ..

'Women come to me either for utilising my position or power like Panchami did, for sexual desires like Manisha did... why are you here for??? Lemme see...hmmmmmmmm...you want to buy that house of your father's...hmmm sooo alimony is it???' he said and something broke badly inside me.

'Om.... Omkar...wwwhat do you mean?'

I asked in a shaky voice.

To which he giggled more and said...

'Womannnnn...how tough is it for you...tell me naaaa why are you with me??? Money??? How much do you want??? Bark ..just tell your price and leave...make sure you quote those kisses and last night's hu' and before he could continue I walked towards his bed where he was sitting and blabbering all this and gave him one tight slap.

He was shocked.

'I swear Omkar...if this is what you think of me...don't worry..I will talk to advocate Aniket and make sure to sign all the divorce papers without any intervention. I swear if this is what you want...you will get it...but from today onwards...I don't want to see your face...not now...not ever!!!' saying I began walking out towards the closet to pick my clothes when I heard a thud sound.

I turned around and saw glass from Pattu's hand had fallen down. Her eyes were filled with tears and next minute she fell flat on the ground.

Pattu had fainted.

Omkar ran and held her in his arms...I ran to her and was about to touch her while Omkar said...

'Stay away from my family...you said you will leave na...go...go...leave now...I don't need women in my life..

O.K was ...is... will remain happy without you folks!!!

Stay away from me...I don't need you!!!' he shouted while he carried Pattu in his arms.

I went downstairs and informed Rudra Dada. Entire family gathered to look at Pattu. She was carried to her room. Doctor was been called to check upon. Their family was together. They were a family.

I.... wasn't!!!

Omkar's words rang in my ears...

I wasn't required here!!!

I was a no one!!!

I must LEAVE!!!