Hi guys.. Lots of changes in SNS.. Gopi is standing up to Rashi.. So here goes Chapter II..
"Rashi Bhabi, we made the purchase and specifically told you to make the payment. Kaki, I know I am younger to you and should not speak much. But this time I have to. I saw Gopi Bhabhi hand the money over to the vendor and Rashi Bhabhi said she needed to get something more and will make the total payment. If the payment is only half done, it is not Gopi Bhabhi's fault."
Hetal stood speechless at the outburst from Preethi who was trying her level best to keep her cool and was failing miserably. Her Gopi Bhabhi had just been accused of theft, almost.
They had gone shopping for groceries and Rashi had insisted that she needed a few items that she needed. When Gopi had offered to pay for the first bill, she had heard Rashi say that she would make the payment in total. Gopi had joined her in selecting a few earrings and they had made their way home when Rashi was done.
After 3 hours, they had the shopkeepers assistant at the door asking for the payment and unfortunately it had been Gopi and Hetal who opened the door. When Gopi told the man that the payment had been made, the matter had blown up leading to the scene above. Hetal wanted to know why Gopi did not pay the bill when Kokila had given her money. So Preethi had stepped in.
"Rashi, what is this?" Preethi heard Kaki say in a barely controlled voice. "Mummyji, I think I said, I will pay for mine only. But Gopi and Preethi ben misunderstood. Gopi, you know right?" "Rashi, Just pay the man at the door. All go do your work"
Preethi looked disbelieving as Hetal walked away. Was that it? Why wasn't anybody apologizing to the poor girl standing there who was accused and not given a chance to explain?.. Preethi was angry, madly so.
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"Bhabhi, Why did you not say anything?" "Preethi ben, I wanted to but Rashi ben was so angry and Kakiji.." "So you let them accuse you. Come on Bhabhi, you should have defended yourself better."
Preethi was frustrated and she paced her room as Gopi looked at her and then put her head down.
"Preethi, Gopi does not say anything because she does not want any altercation." Her Maasi walked in purposefully. "I know. I just heard from Meethi." She replied to Preethi's questioning glance.
"Gopi vahu, Preethi is right. It is time to defend yourself. See I was not there today and if Preethi was not there.." Kokila looked pained at her bahu.
"But Maaji.. I explained. Rashi ben and Kaki were too angry." Gopi said. She had felt sad that her sister and Kaki accused her all due to a misunderstanding.
"She is right." Preethi told Kokila. Once Gopi went out though she turned to Kokila and said in a determined voice.
"Maasi, Bhabhi did defend herself but I do not think it made any difference. What happened to Kaki? She was hell bent on being unreasonable and when the truth came out she just left without attempting to even set the wrong right. I cannot believe it.."
Preethi saw Kokila looked pained for a second and then said in a sad tone. "Time changes Preethi and with it some relations. I will talk with Mota Bhabhi. This time Rashi needs to apologize to Gopi." "No Maasi. .Leave it. I think I understand a little now. But I need to understand better. What exactly happened?"
Kokila explained what she knew while Preethi listened wide eyed at the various things happening in her Maasi's family.
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"No. That is not her favorite color. Aham, you do not even know your wife's favorites." Aham shot an angry look at Preethi while he gave the box to his wife.
"She is my wife. I know her better. You like the color, don't you Gopi?" Aham asked Gopi challenging Preethi to say anything. He had bought a sari. His friend, the son of a retail shop owner had called and it seemed the least he could do after such a lovely lunch. Lunch had been delicious and Gopi needed to be appreciated. Aham reasoned that he wanted to show Preethi how much he appreciated Gopi but a part of him knew that he wanted to make Gopi feel special by appreciating her work and care. He wanted to see her smile. He knew she deserved that and it was long due.
Gopi found herself in a fix again. Preethi and Ahamji were always at loggerheads especially when she was around. She never knew who to support. But then Aham was expecting an answer.
To her, anything that her Ahamji gave was beautiful. He had got her a green sari with a lot of sequin work on the border. She really liked it and it was green. His favorite and she was partial to it.
"Thank you Ahamji. It is really very beautiful." Aham gave a triumphant look at Preethi who just stared back.
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"Gopi, you really do like the sari, don't you? If not, you can change it tomorrow. I will call the shop." Gopi looked surprised but then nodded no vigourously.
"No Ahamji, I love the sari. It is very beautiful. I do not want anything else." Aham nodded satisfied. Gopi never lied to him.
Preethi's stare had made Aham uncomfortable. To him it looked like he was being mocked about not knowing Gopi's tastes. Well I got her a beautiful sari that would make her look heavenly. He tried to convince himself. But remembering that stare was again making him squirm.
Aham stared silently as Gopi worked her way clearing the dressing table and arranging things. "What is your favorite color?"
He had surprised her. She turned around and looked like he had asked her a complicated question. It irritated him to see that she never expected such questions from him.
"Why are you so surprised? What is your favorite color?" He asked again not giving up. "Ji, Red. I also like blue." Aham nodded and returned to his file. She shrugged after waiting for him to give more explanation, then continued to complete her work.
"Ahamji, I will get your green tea." He nodded as she made her way to the door. "Gopi." He saw her turn around. "We will get some more saris in red or blue one of these days. I will take you shopping. Shanta Bhai said he has got a new collection of saris. You usually make the best choices." Her face glowed at his statement and he felt glad. Red and Blue. He stored the information for later use.
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"So Maasi, now I think we need to talk to Gopi Bhabhi too." "But Preethi, Gopi is not like you. She believes in Rashi totally."
Preethi nodded no. "No Maasi. That is where you are mistaken. Gopi Bhabhi loves her cousin no doubt, but she loves truth and her relations more. If explained to her properly she will understand. Let me. She is just like chiku." Chiku was her little sister. She adored Chiku.
Kokila nodded no. "Ok..I have tried before. But you can give a try again."
Preethi smiled. If she knew her Maasi, she would have ordered Gopi Bhabhi to not to listen to Rashi Bhabhi's words. Well that would never work. Gopi Bhabhi was stronger than her Maasi realized and what more, Preethi had seen a subtle change already.
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"Would you like one more roti? You eat next to nothing." Aham chided softly and placed one more piece of roti on Gopi's plate. He moved the Rajma bowl and served her himself. He then looked up to see her smile softly and eat shyly.
They had come to a restaurant. It was to be an outing with Preethi and she had insisted that Gopi join. He had accepted only because of that. Anyway his mom had made it clear that she expected him to take Preethi to the restaurant that just opened.
Aham had no idea how Preethi managed to convince his mother to have food outside. Maybe something to do with her not having a chance to visit Indian restaraunts if she went back. So he had to agree. Preethi had wanted Gopi which made this outing seem brighter to Aham and at the last minute Preethi had bailed out. She had excused herself due to cramps but it had been too late. Gopi was dressed and the reservations were going waste. So he had come with Gopi. Not that he had anything to complaine. For once Preethi had done a good thing.
This is nice. Aham thought as he sat back and enjoyed seeing his wife eat. He never usually got a chance to see her like this. She looked cute. She ate sparsely and was now playing with the spoon.
"Are you done? Should we order dessert?" He asked her and she looked puzzled."Some sweet to end the dinner. We can order whatever you want. Or should I order Kulfi?" He was rewarded with a huge smile on her face and a look of adoration in her eyes. "Ji, you remembered." He linked her happiness to its reason now. She had not expected him to remember their V'Day outing. How could he not. She had been his valentine.
"Hmm. I did remember. One malai Kulfi please." He ordered to the passing waiter and then turned to her again. She looked concerned and puzzled.
"Ji, you do not want one?" "I will share from your plate. I do not want another one separately . Plus it tastes sweeter this way." Her eyes widened and she smiled. He smiled back. There were no words needed.
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"Rashi ben, I will not talk to you from now on" Preethi stood on the terrace above the mandir hearing Gopi talk to Rashi and then move away. She felt the strength in those words and saw Rashi turn around confused and worried at Gopi's withrawing figure. She did not have to do anything. Her Gopi Bhabhi had taken a stand.
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"Oh Oh Rashi.. Cannot you do something carefully. Come on remove your hands off your eyes. Let me see. We will have to wash it with water. It will keep burning otherwise. Come on Rashi.." "Kakiji, it burns.." Preethi walked into Modi Bhavan and found chaos everywhere. She had gone to visit Naani for a couple of days and was back only to find the women in the hall..
Rashi was in tears while her Maasi was gently guiding her with one hand towards the kitchen while trying ot pry Rashi's hands from her eyes with the other. She was asking Gopi to run get the first aid box with the eye drops in it and was asking Meethi to run the tap of cold water.
Preethi dropped her bag to run forward to help. Her Kakiji was following Rashi with a worried look on her face. "Should I call the doctor Maasi?" Preethi questioned as she held the door open for the three. "Yes Preethi beta. You better. As a precaution." Koki answered and took Rashi to the sink coaxing her strictly to open her eyes.
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"Phew.. That was scary." Preethi voiced softly as they left Rashi sleeping in her room. Her Maasi had gone down to see the doctor out. Gopi was in the kitchen cleaning the water spilt when they had helped Rashi. Preethi walked slowly towards the stairs. "Meethi, Loi Pini difford, I told you to get these medicines first before doing any other work. Now go." They could hear Kokila's voice and Preethi smiled and turned to see Hetal give a thoughtful look and then shake her head a little.
"Kaki, what exactly happened?" Preethi asked as she walked with Hetal down the stairs. Hetal looked confused and then talked as she walked down.
"I do not know exactly Preethi. One minute Rashi was taking care of the groceries that had been delivered. Kokila had asked her to check everything once before putting them in their right boxes. The next minute, we heard her scream. When I rushed in all I could see was the packet of chilli powder opened and Rashi was screaming with pain. I think she tried opening the bag without the scissors. How can she be so careless?" "It happens sometimes Kakiji." Preethi intoned as she walked down with Hetal.
"Unfortunate indeed. This is the second time in 2 days Rashi has made some silly mistake" Hetal shook her head as she walked towards the kitchen while Preethi stopped to talk to Kokila.
"She is alright now. The girl has no sense. Can you imagine tearing a chilli powder packet like that.." Kokila sounded angry and concerned as she walked towards the terrace. Unfortunate indeed.
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"Jigar, Don't forget to use the drops once more tonight. The doctor said Rashi should be ok by morning." Kokila instructed to Jigar who nodded concerned and ran upstairs after dinner. Rashi's dinner had been sent to her room with Meethi.
"Mota Bhabhi, I think Rashi should rest one more day. Gopi vahu, you take care of breakfast with Meethi tomorrow. Understood?" Gopi nodded while Preethi watched Hetal nod again. Kokila walked away.
"Aah.. Maasi is concerned, as usual. She never likes seeing people in misery, does she? I think she is more worried for Rashi than she is showing. Remember Kaki, when Jigar fell sick with fever when he was 18, Maasi turned the house into a hospital for three days. No sound, no running and no talking." Preethi added quietly and smiled at Hetal. Hetal turned to look at her, then gave a small half hearted smile and left thoughtfully.
Preethi smiled. Things were slowly looking up.
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"No. Gopi is coming with me in this car. You better come with Jigar. With Mom, dad and Baa, I think there is no place in my car."Aham informed and got into the drivers seat without waiting for a reply.
"Preethi ben, you can sit here. I will come in the other car." Preethi smiled as Gopi offered her seat to her. Preethi could see why Aham was frustrated. Her Bhabhi was making it very difficult for him.
The family was going on a picnic on her insistance and Preethi had seen Gopi work non stop getting things ready including packing things to eat.
She had also seen Aham work non stop to get Gopi's attention. Preethi decided she enjoyed Aham's frustration. She could see that her Gopi Bhabhi was not doing this wantedly. She was just being responsible but she could see the effects of her absence in Aham.
"GOPI.. Come sit" Gopi started at Aham's voice and gave a worried look at her. "You go right ahead Bhabhi. I will join in Jigar's car."
Preethi waved and moved on to the other car. She sat down with Hetal in the back. "Rashi, come on upfront. Let dad sit with mom." She heard Jigar say and also heard Rashi reply that it would be easier if Chirag sat in the front and the three ladies in the back.
Preethi nodded her head mentally. Rashi Bhabhi was also giving Jigar a hard time. Preethi had noticed twice already. Rashi Bhabhi had run away from Jigar. Once she had seen Jigar try to catch her hand and Rashi had run hearing her phone ring and yesterday she had seen her avoid his offer to drive her to the doctor's for another checkup.
It seemed the Modi brothers needed help.
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I had to change the story a bit to suit what is happening in SNS.. Hopefully it did not come out confusing.. 😛
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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