OS: Ahem dikra aur meri Gopi vahu
Koki stared at her vahu in amazement. She melted inside but couldn't back down now. Her vahu is never going to believe anything bad about her sister but she needed her son to understand the importance of taking care of himself and his wife before helping others.
She admits she went too far when she scolded her son and punished him, but she couldn't back down now. She never thought her sensible son would be diverted in this manner and she would have understood if he had done this for his own relationship with his wife but to do it for Rashi sent Koki in an uncontrollable rage.
Koki knows her vahu was constantly manipulated by Rashi and this is why she had counted on her son to reason with his wife once Koki saw the increased closeness between the two but her son instead of reasoning with her joined his wife in her blind belief. Now it was up to Koki to set things right.
If this is how it has to be done then so be it. She will not let her kids ruin their future. "Gopi vahu I have made my decision regarding my son. You do what you have to do for your sister. I tried to show you the truth but for whatever reason you want to keep your blinders on and I am tired of banging my head against the wall." Koki looked away; she wouldn't be able to take the pain in Gopi's eyes that her harsh words would cause.
Koki looked straight ahead. "Gopi vahu I tried to make you see sense when your sister pretended to be a ghost to scare you but you believed she was trying to help you and I let it go. I thought hearing things with your own ears would help you understand but you continued to think that what your mami and Ben did is a big misunderstanding. You continued to support them after they accused our family of abusing Rashi; they even got my mother involved, even seeing all this with your own eyes you asked me to bring your sister back." Koki finally looked at her vahu. "I didn't trust Rashi but for you I was willing to give her a second chance but I never thought you would put your own relationship aside to help your sister showing me who and what is more important to you." Koki stood up and pulled her pallu over her shoulder. "Gopi vahu you do what you have to do, I know what I am going to do with my son. I have some work to do I am going to the kitchen." Koki gave her vahu one last look before leaving.
Gopi slowly turned towards the door to see her maji stroll out the door angrily. She put her hand on her mouth to stifle the sound that threatened to escape.
She walked towards her room but remembered Ahemji was still in the room so instead she went up on the terrace. It was her fault Ahemji was being punished so harshly by her maji. In order to fulfill her own obligation she neglected to see the consequences that would arise from involving Ahemji.
Her maji didn't approve or disapprove her oath to stay away from him; it is up to Gopi now to decide what she needed to do. Her Maji is right she needs to concentrate on her obligation as a wife and vahu and let Rashiben take care of own duty toward her husband.
Gopi wiped the tears from her face and decided to stay away from her Ahemji so he doesn't get diverted from his work. Her maji didn't ask or approve but if this is what is needed then this is what she will do.
Next morning Ahem paced the length of his room. He was going to go crazy doing nothing all day, and top of everything else he has yet to land his eyes on his wife since early yesterday. He had told her to forget about everything but he should have known that was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. She would have done opposite of what he said; he didn't know why he even said anything to her, knowing she would worry herself to death. He needed to speak to his mom and make her understand; better yet if his mom would just give him a chance, he would show her he can do his work without getting distracted by his wife.
Gopi had tried to tell him more than once to tell his mom the truth, but he told her it wasn't' necessary yet and now his mom is hurt and Gopi is probably feeling guilty for getting him involved in Jigar and Rashi's problems. In all honesty his involvement had nothing to do with getting Rashi and Jigar closer, he had his own motive for helping Gopi. Now he has managed to alienate the two most important people in his life because he can't confess his feelings.
Gopi watched her husband pace back and forth and bit her lip worriedly. She couldn't stand to see her Ahemji like this and prayed to Kanaji silently to please make maji understand and not punish her Ahemji anymore. She is willing to take all the pain in his place if only he can go back to doing what he loves doing the most. She knew for Ahemji not working was the biggest punishment maji could have given him.
From a little distance away from Gopi and Ahem's room Koki observed both her son and vahu. It hurt to see them both like this, but she hardened her heart and marched towards their room. She saw her vahu scramble away from the door when she spotted Koki walking towards their room. Koki entered the room and waited for her son to notice her.
Ahem saw his mom just inside the door as he turned to pace back. "Mom aap? Please come in." Ahem waited for his mom to tell him what kind of work she wanted him to do today. He is not going to let her see his worries over Gopi and take the punishment as his due for hurting his mom. His mom has done so much for him and made many sacrifices for him he couldn't do anything less for her.
Koki could see her son compose himself and hide his true feelings from her and waited to see what kind of punishment his mom would dish out for him today. She almost backed off seeing him like this but in the long run it's for his own good she is doing this, if she didn't do this then people like Rashi will always take advantage of her son and vahu. "Ahem I came to tell you to go to the office." Koki saw the surprise then relief flash in her son's eyes and knew she is doing the right thing.
Ahem was relieved but wanted to make sure this is what his mom wanted. "Mom, are you sure?" Koki felt the knot in her heart loosen at her son's sincere question and knew her son would always do the right thing, he may have made the wrong decision in helping Rashi and Jigar come close but his heart had been in the right place. He had wanted to help his wife and she was proud of him for this, but he also needs to learn that helping her is okay but for right things, not for someone who doesn't even feel sorry for doing what she did to the family.
Koki pulled her pallu over her shoulder and kept her expression stern. "Yes Ahem dikra I want you to go to office, but remember no more getting distracted by the things that don't concern you. Now get ready quickly and go." Ahem nodded yes and Koki left him to get dressed. Ahem took out his clothes and went into the bathroom to get ready. Fifteen minutes later he walked out of the door with his laptop bag.
Gopi saw him dressed and walking down the steps with his laptop bag and felt happy. She thanked Kanaji for granting her wish and waited for him to leave before going down stairs.
For next few days Ahem threw himself in his work but missed his wife. He only got a fleeting glimpse of her in the past few days. He knew she was avoiding him and couldn't understand why. She was never in the dining room at meal times and chose to stay in the kitchen while Rashi and Meethi served everyone. At night she came into the room after he was asleep and left before he woke up. He hadn't minded this in the past, in fact that is what he told her he wanted, but now he hated the fact that she avoided him. He missed her smile, her soft voice, the way she was always able to tell when something troubled him and listened to him patiently. He knew she was punishing herself because his mom had punished him and staying away so she wouldn't distract him from his work, but even without even trying she was distracting him.
He was finished with all his work but didn't want to go home early either, he couldn't let his mom see him worry over Gopi or let her see how much he missed his wife. He didn't want Gopi punished because of him. He looked up when his kaka and Jigar walked in the office. "Ahem if you are finished with work we can all leave. Jigar and I are also finished we might as well go home early for a change." Ahem stood up immediately, he didn't have to be asked twice. He was debating on going home early anyway; he had to see Gopi today. He followed his kaka and Jigar out the door.
As soon as Meethi opened the doors Ahem glanced around discreetly to see if he could see Gopi, but he didn't see her and felt dejected. His mom, kaki and Rashi came out of the kitchen but not Gopi, no doubt Meethi informed her they were all home and she chose to stay in the kitchen to make tea and snacks as usual. At least she was still making his tea and laying out his clothes every day. Everything is always as he likes it, except he never got to see her face.
Koki observed her son from the corner of her eyes and felt a twig of pain seeing his sadness and his restlessness. She knew he was missing Gopi just as she is missing him. She also knew neither one had tried to talk to each other on the phone either. Ahem may have called Gopi, but her vahu had been true to her word and did not distract him. Just a little longer and she herself will talk to them both together. She tuned into the conversation around her just in time to hear Chirag bhai discuss the trip that Jigar was supposed to take. "Motabhai I think Ahem should handle the meeting since Jigar is doing good job with Mr. Desai." She saw her son's stunned expression and Rashi's smirk and knew the reason for both.
Jigar saw the reluctance on his bhai's face and knew his bhai did not want to go out of town leaving his bhabhi. He has seen bhabhi avoid his bhai the last few days and wondered what had happened for bhabhi to hide herself like this. They have done so much for him now it was his turn. "But kakiji I was looking forward to this trip." His father interrupted him. "Jigar I think Kokila is right, let Ahem handle the out of town meeting. This deal with Mr. Desai is almost complete let's not change anything and put the deal in jeopardy." Neither Jigar nor Ahem could argue the point. They both gave into their parent's decision.
Next day Ahem left for the trip without seeing Gopi. When he went to his room after talking to kaka and Jigar in the study the night before, his bag had been packed and ready. Everything had been in perfect order, nothing missing. Ahem had waited for Gopi to come to the room but his mom came in and told him to go to sleep since he had an early morning flight and he couldn't argue with her. When he woke up in the morning Gopi was already gone. He hoped she looked at the note he left her to turn on the phone so he could talk to her on the phone.
For the next few days Ahem worked nonstop to close the deal so he could return home. He missed his wife so much and he had had enough now, he wanted to see her and talk to her and tell her how he felt. He wanted to touch her, see her smile again. He called her every night but spoke to her only once. She had sounded very tired on the phone and hadn't said much. There was so much he had wanted to say to her but didn't say anything because it was late and she needed her rest to be up and work all day.
Ahem knew his mom had been testing him with this trip, she had wanted to see if he could complete his work or get distracted by worrying about Gopi. He wouldn't be surprised if it was his mom's idea to keep Gopi away from him. He was determined to finalize the deal before he went home. He wanted the contract signed, sealed and delivered in his hands to show his mom he had no problem concentrating on his work even if he was frustrated to a point of exploding. He got back to working out the details of the project for the meeting later.
Exactly one week later Ahem came home with good news. The deal was signed and the project can start in next few months. He was also happy to hear Jigar also finalized the deal and the land was now theirs to start the project in Rajkot. His kaka informed him they will be having the puja next day. He relaxed to see his mom was no longer tense or angry at him. He looked for Gopi, but once again she evaded him. He decided one more day won't make a difference and went to his room to freshen up for dinner.
Later that night Ahem sat in front of his laptop browsing the internet to keep awake long enough to see Gopi, but he was tired and fell asleep. Gopi came in the room and was relieved to see Ahem asleep, she was tired and just wanted to lay on the bed to rest, but first she removed the laptop from his hands and covered him with a blanket before turning off the lights.
Ahem woke up in the middle of the night and saw that he was covered with a blanket. He looked over to the bed to see Gopi lying on her side fast asleep. He got up quietly to check on her. He took in the sight of her peaceful expression and smiled, he frowned when he saw the dark circles under her eyes. He couldn't resist lightly caressing her soft cheek with his finger tip and was surprised at the warmth of her skin. Gopi didn't stir at his touch so he touched her forehead with back of his hand, she was slightly feverish. He didn't want to wake her so he covered her with a blanket and went back to the sofa. He lay on his side and stared at her for a long time before giving in the need to close his eyes to sleep.
Next morning he woke up to find Gopi still in bed sleeping. He looked over at the wall clock to check time, it was six o'clock and Gopi did not get up to get milk was surprising. He hoped her fever did not rise during the night he got up to check. Just as he placed his hand on her forehead she opened her eyes. She sat up quickly and looked at him in surprise but looked away quickly, she pulled the pallu over her head and he frowned. "Gopi are you feeling okay?"
Gopi turned her face away so he wouldn't be able to see her turmoil and pain. "Ji Ahemji I am fine." She looked at the clock and got out of bed hurriedly. "It is late I better get ready and go down to help prepare for the puja." Ahem nodded absently. He knew Gopi was avoiding him purposely. "Gopi wait." She stopped but didn't turn to look at him. "We need to talk; not now I know, but soon." Ahem watched her rush to the bathroom as if she was running from him. He is going to talk to his mom first.
Ahem wasn't surprised to see Gopi missing at breakfast. His kaki looked around as if looking for her. "Meethi where is Gopi and Rashi?" Meethi placed the food plates on the table and looked at kaki. "Woh Motabhabhi, Gopi bhabhi is on the terrace hanging clothes and Rashibabhi left early with her mom to go the beauty parlor." There was a shocked silence at the table. He waited for his mom to explode but to his surprise she stayed silent. He looked at her to see her hand clench on her spoon, but still didn't say anything. He looked at Jigar who was also clenching his jaw and his kaki looked baffled.
"Hetal vahu, what is going on with Rashi vahu? All week she has been going with her mom or not feeling well while Gopi vahu has worked non-stop. At least today she should have stayed home to prepare for the puja that she and Jigar are going to sit for, what is the need to go to beauty parlor?" Baa turned to his mom. "And Kokila vahu even you haven't said anything to her."
Koki put her spoon down and relaxed her hands. "Baa I have decided to stay out of Rashi's business. What is the use of scolding her? It hasn't made any difference until now. I will abide by whatever Motabhabhi decides to do with her vahu. As for Gopi vahu she is doing her duty as the elder DIL of our family and also as a sister. I have no reason to scold either of them." She gave Ahem a side way look and continued eating.
Baa was not satisfied with this and neither was Ahem, he clenched his jaw to keep his cool. So Rashi had gone back to her lazy self leaving all work for Gopi knowing she won't refuse her. He wondered how Rashi manipulated Gopi this time. He was such an idiot for falling for Rashi's good act for sake of his wife and brother. No wonder his mom had been angry at him. That's it enough was enough he will keep quiet for now but once the puja was over he will talk to his mom and Gopi both.
At the land site Rashi arrived to find the Modi family gathered in front of the puja site. She arrived just in time to hear her mother in law say that Gopi and Ahemjiju would sit for the puja not her and Jigarji. "Nahi Motabhabhi it should be Jigar and Rashi, after all this was Jigar's hard work that has got us the land." Rashi heard Kagdi say and she stopped in her tracks in surprise. She edged towards the group to let her presence known. "Kakiji papa and I agree with mom, I finalized the deal but bhai did all the preliminary work. Beside bhai is the elder son and it is his and bhabhi's right to sit for the puja first." This time it was Jigarji who gave his approval. Rashi couldn't believe it. Once again she is taking a back sit to Gopi. She couldn't even argue once Baa and papaji also said it should be Gopi and Ahemjiju who should sit for the puja.
Ahem once again paced the length of his room, this time because he was worried about Gopi. He knew she was not feeling well yet she kept working. He hadn't had a moment alone to order her to go to their room to rest. If she didn't come up in next few minutes he was going to go down and drag her upstairs and he didn't care who saw him do this. Just then he heard his mom and Gopi come towards the room, he stopped pacing and waited for them. Jigar had pulled him to side earlier and told him the only reason he had given the kangan to Rashi was because of Gopi and he had tried so hard to bring them together and he didn't want their work to go to waste. Jigar also said he still didn't trust Rashi and he will wait and see about their relationship. In hindsight, Ahem should have talked to Jigar and found out what he thought before forcing him to do something he was unsure of. Ahem had apologized to Jigar but Jigar said he didn't have to apologize and was very pleased that Gopi and Ahem cared enough to do this for him. Jigar also requested Ahem to tell Gopi how he feels and convince her to let her and Rashi to work on their relationship on their own. Ahem had agreed.
Koki and Gopi walked in the room to see Ahem looking lost in space. "Ahem are you okay?" He looked up at Koki's question, glanced at Gopi and then back at his mom. "Yes mom I am fine, I was just coming to talk to you." Koki moved in front of him. "No need Ahem dikra I know what you are going to say and I also wanted to talk to you and Gopi vahu." Koki looked at her vahu. "Gopi vahu come here." Gopi moved next to Koki and stood with her head down. Koki couldn't control the tears that sprang in her eyes at her vahu's dejected pose.
Koki spoke softly so that Gopi understood she is not angry with her or Ahem. "Gopi vahu don't be scared I am not here to scold you but to clarify something with you both." She made Gopi stand next to Ahem, and they both looked at Koki in surprise. "This is what I want to see, my dikra and vahu together. I wanted you both to realize your own feelings first before helping others. I was angry at you Ahem for still keeping your distance from Gopi but didn't hesitate to help Jigar and Rashi. And I was angry at Gopi vahu because she dragged you into her blind belief and distracted you from your work. But this last two weeks have proven to me that even as you missed each other you both carried out your duties successfully and I am no longer worried that outsiders will take advantage of your good hearts. Ahem you are now aware of what is right and wrong and I expect you to show Gopi also so that she learns to protect herself when we are not present to protect her." Koki blessed them both by placing her hand on their heads lovingly.
Gopi couldn't help the tears and hugged Koki and apologized to her for hurting her and promised she would never keep anything from her now. Koki hugged her back and rubbed her back soothingly. "Gopi vahu it's okay, I just wanted to protect you and make you see that people don't always have good intentions." Koki pulled back to look down at her. "You are not feeling well and should rest." She looked at Ahem. "Ahem make sure she is not up early and you too rest. You both have had two long weeks. I have shown you the right path now it is up to you two to take your relationship forward." Koki started to leave but Gopi stopped her.
"Maji wait," Gopi went to her wardrobe and brought the kangan box to give to Ahem. He smiled down at her lovingly to thank her and turned to his mom. "Mom, Gopi and I bought these for you. We wanted to give them to you on the day of the party but they were not ready." Ahem handed the box to Koki who opened the box and cried at the site of the diamond bangles. She closed the box and looked at the two people she loved the most and thanked kanaji for giving her such a wonderful son and vahu. She wanted to save the kangan for a special occasion to give to her vahu. She smiled at them and left them alone to talk.
Ahem closed and locked the doors after his mom left and turned to his wife. She looked back and lowered her eyes when she saw him looking at her intently. Ahem walked towards her slowly. "Two weeks, that's how long you avoided me." He reached up and removed her pallu from her head. "I don't ever want to see that on your head because of me. Gopi don't ever avoid me like that again. Do you know how much I missed you, missed talking to you, missed seeing your lovely smile?" Gopi looked up at him in surprise. "Ahemji please forgive me, I didn't want you to be punished for something that was my fault and I didn't know any other way to make maji understand that I wouldn't come in the way of your work and goal."
Ahem took her hand and pulled her in his arms, gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and hugged her. "Mom is right we need to work on our own relationship first, and this is what we are going to do starting now." He pulled back and looked down at her. "I am so sorry Gopi for the way I treated you in the past and I have lot to make up for, I hope you give me a chance to show you how much I love you."
Gopi buried her face in his chest and cried her heart out. Tears were more from happiness and relief then sadness. Ahem held her gently until she stopped crying. "Gopi you need to rest for now. Tomorrow we start our new life together." He waited for her to change clothes and he also changed into nightclothes. He tucked her in bed, turned all the lights off and joined her on the bed. Ahem pulled her in his arms and closed his eyes to dream of their future together.
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