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Part 11
"When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and no one can ever tear them apart."
"Are you still thinking about Gopi and Ahembhai?" Ria asked her husband softly. They were almost ready to land at Newark airport and she has noticed that Amit has gotten more and more thoughtful as they neared home.
This week had been the most wonderful start of their life together. They had toured the Islands in Bahamas, did some swimming and sight seeing, but mostly they got to know each other all over again. They had made plans for the future and what they wanted to do about their living arrangements. Amit had wanted them to buy a place of their own right away, but Ria had vetoed the idea for now. She at least wanted to try to live with his family. He had argued that she may not be able to live with his mom and her ways, but Ria had asked him to give her chance to try to win his mom. She did not want people to say Amit left his family for his wife. It would only give people reason to gossip about their families. He had agreed reluctantly but also said that they would leave if his mother gave her hard time about anything.
In the course of their conversation about each other's family Amit had told Ria about what he had witnessed between Gopi and Ahem in his room before the reception. Ria had finally told him about what she knew of their relationship in the past. Amit hadn't been upset but very worried about Gopi and how Ahem would react when he finds out about her.
He has been thoughtful ever since she told him and nothing she said to him was erasing the worry lines from his face. "Yes Ria I am still thinking about Gopi and Ahem." Amit looked out at the lights below but his thoughts were far from the beauty of the sight. "When Gopi came back from that trip to Florida she looked very happy, I had never seen her that happy before but just didn't question it, and just relished the fact that finally the sadness from her eyes has disappeared." Amit looked down at Ria. "Then few months later it all came back. Again I never questioned it; I thought she was sad because Dadi had fallen ill and was in the hospital. But now I know it was more than that, and I never even questioned her." Amit felt as though he had let his sister down.
Ria squeezed his hand. "I don't think she would have told you even if you had asked her Amit. Gopi does not like to share her pain with anyone but she will share her happiness with the whole world, that's just the way she is made. I know Ahembhai really loves her, just give him a chance to prove it." Amit nodded his head and decided he will talk to Gopi the first chance he got.
Ahem pulled up in the driveway of his home and got out of the car slowly. On the way he had debated on telling the family about Gopi. At one point he had decided to just bring Gopi over the next day and just present her to them, but then decided to tell them first and let his family decide on how to approach her family.
Ahem wasn't surprised to see his family gathered in the living room including Kinjal and Raj, he raised his eyebrows at them when they looked at him anxiously. No one spoke for a few moments and the silence turned awkward. His Baa was first to speak.
"Ahem dikra have you decided what you want to do?" Ahem realized his mom and Kaki hadn't confided in rest of the family. He looked at them but neither spoke so Ahem decided he might as well lay it all in front of them. "Yes Baa I have decided to get married. I have also decided who I am going to marry and I just asked her, but she needs time to decide."
His dad, kaka and Baa all gave happy smiles but his mom and kaki just waited for him to continue. When he didn't speak immediately his kaki finally gave in and asked the next question. "Ahem who is the girl?"
Ahem smiled at them faintly. "You know who her already, it's Gopi." His mom and kaki both looked stunned. Kinjal laughed at their surprised expression. "Why are you surprised, just earlier you both were disappointed because you thought bhai had chosen someone else over Gopi. Is this not what you wanted mom?"
Koki and Hetal both smiled widely. "Yes this is what we wanted but this means it was Gopi you wanted to marry three years ago Ahem." Hetal said to Ahem.
Ahem was surprised also by the fact that the suggestion they wanted to make earlier was regarding Gopi. He didn't look at his family but gazed down at the carpet. "Yes Kakiji it was Gopi I wanted to marry. I am not sure if she will say yes now, but I have asked her, now if she decides to say yes then we can go ahead with the wedding plans. I just have few requests for you."
The whole family was stunned but happy with Ahem's choice. This time they wanted let him make his own decisions. They have learned that not all of their decision is good for him and it is best to let the kids have a freedom to choose their life partners. "Why would she not say yes Ahem?" It was his dad who asked the questions.
"Papa you have seen how her parents are with her, she has issues regarding her family. If she does say yes I would like to have a small wedding ceremony with just the family and few close friends." Ahem knew his family might not go for it, but he knew Gopi would not like a big wedding that would bring attention to her.
Koki had stayed quiet but her whole attention was on her son. She knew there was more but her son won't share that with them so she didn't push. She was relieved to hear that their choice was the same and was willing to do anything he requested to see her son back the way he was before the fiasco three years ago. "Okay Ahem as you wish. I would like to invite Amit and her aunt for dinner tomorrow and talk to them. I think you should bring Gopi also, we will do our best to convince her to say yes."
"That is a great idea Kokila." Baa said; she then turned to Ahem. "Ahem dikra we all like your choice. I think Gopi will be a great addition to our family. Ahem nodded at his baa then rest of his family. He didn't know how to show his gratitude for giving into his request. He stood up to leave the room. "I will go call her and let her know that you approve, and tell her about dinner plans for tomorrow." He left before they asked him anything else.
Next day Gopi pace the floor nervously as she waited for Ahem to come pick her up. He had called her last night to let her know that he told his family about them and that they wanted her presence at dinner tonight as well as that of her brother and aunt. He hadn't said anything else and neither had her brother or aunt when she called them and asked them earlier today.
Gopi had dressed in a maroon embroidered Kurti and green tights. She tied half of hair back and secured it with a clip. She didn't know what to wear for this occasion but hoped what she came up with, met everyone's approval. She wished Rashi had been there to help her but she also had to finish up work so she couldn't come home early and after work she was going to her parent's place to meet her mom and dad for dinner.
Gopi ran to the door as soon as she heard the doorbell ring. She flung open the door and was relieved to see Ahem on the other side. She sighed he looked so handsome in a gray trousers and the light blue shirt.
Ahem was just mesmerized by her in her maroon Kurti and green tights. He came towards her slowly and took her hand in his. "Ready?" He squeezed her hand gently to reassure her. She nodded her head yes. "Let me just get my scarf and purse." He followed her inside the house and closed the door. He wanted few moments alone with her before the family descended on her. He watched as she draped the scarf around her neck and checked her appearance in the hall mirror.
He could see the slight tremor in her hand and the fear in her eyes that she was trying to hide from him. He couldn't stand it anymore so he decided to do something about it. He placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her towards him. He raised her chin to make her look at him. "I know you are nervous but I am going to be right beside you, I won't let them force you into doing anything you don't want to do. I realize that I have left you with no choice but you don't have to say yes for me, you are free to say no if you really don't want to marry me."
Gopi looked deep into Ahem's eyes and read the truth of his words in them. He really did mean what he was saying and she can't be anything but be just as honest with him. She placed her hand on his cheek. "Ahem it is not that I don't want to be with you, I want more than anything to be with you but I don't want to complicate your life. I don't want my past to ruin you and your family's reputation. You don't even know everything."
He took her hand and kissed her palm. "I don't want to know about your past or your family. I love you just the way you are, nothing you will tell me will alter my feelings for you. Whatever has happened has shaped you into the person you are now, the person I fell in love with three and half years ago, the person I will always love no matter where I am at in life."
Gopi felt so lucky to be loved so much by someone like Ahem, if only she could get rid of her fears, she would tell him how much she loves him. When he pulled her in his arms she couldn't help but place her head on his chest. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heart in her ear and it soothed her nerves to some extent.
Ahem pulled back and ran his hand up and down her arms to sooth her while giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Everything will alright I promise. Now let's go talk to our families." He took her hand as they walked out the door.
Half hour later Ahem stopped the car in front of his driveway. They were last to arrive from looks of things; this was making Gopi fidget nervously. He placed his hand on hers. "Hey sweetheart don't be nervous, everyone inside that house is familiar to you. If it gets to be too much, just picture our time together in Orlando, most especially that last night." He grinned when she flushed at his reminder. He ran his finger over her pink cheek. "There that brought back some color on your face." He gave her hand one last reassuring squeeze before getting out of the car. He walked around to her side to open the door and offer her his hand. She smiled and placed her hand in his. He did not let go of her hand even as they walked into the house.
Gopi tightened her hand around Ahem's when everyone turned to greet them. She relaxed when she felt him run his thumb over her hand soothingly. Ria jumped up to break the sudden tension in the room and ran to Gopi and Ahem to hug them. "Finally you are here; I have been waiting for you two forever. Did you guys miss us?" The whole family laughed at Ria's excitement.
Gopi hugged her back with one arm because Ahem refuse to relinquish his hold on her hand. Everyone noticed this but no one dared to say anything. Gopi finally turned to him and mouthed him to let go, he frowned so she gestured towards the family and he finally loosened his hold on her. Gopi went to her brother and hugged him and then to her aunt, who pulled Gopi down to sit next to her.
Sheetal looked at her niece and sighed, she knew that Gopi has not yet accepted Ahem's proposal. She looked scared to death. "Why are you so nervous baby? Don't hesitate reach out and grab your happiness and forget everything else." The words were spoken softly so no one can hear what was being said. Gopi shook her head at her aunt.
On the other side of the room Koki and Hetal both noticed Gopi's fear but decided to serve dinner first. "Now that everyone is here lets have dinner first rest can be discussed later." Hetal announced.
Gopi felt awkward and didn't know what to do; should she offer to help? The choice was taken out of her hand when Ria and Kinjal pulled her to her feet and took her back to the kitchen with all the ladies. Gopi relaxed when no one questioned her and treated her same as they did in the past.
It was later when they were cleaning up when Koki and Hetal pulled Gopi to the side to speak to her. They sat her down between them at the kitchen table while Kinjal and Ria finished up with rest of the cleaning up. Ria's mom and Sheetal aunty had gone for a walk in the garden. Koki took Gopi's hands in hers and made her look at her. "Gopi dikra I can understand your apprehension at agreeing to this marriage after knowing we made Ahem give you up in the past. I wish I could go back and change things but I can't. I hope you can forgive us and accept Ahem's proposal of marriage."
Gopi stopped her from saying anything else. "Please don't say anything Koki aunty; I understand why you wanted Ahem to marry someone of your choice. You didn't know anything about the girl he chose for himself. At the time it was the best solution. I don't blame you or Ahem for what happened in the past; some things are just not meant to be."
"In any case we want you to know that we will be very happy if you became our daughter in law. You make Ahem happy and his happiness is important to all of us. You both have a second chance to be together and we don't want you to hold back on account of us." Hetal said soothingly.
Gopi felt relief and apprehension at the same time. She still couldn't bring herself to say yes. What will happen when they came to know the truth about her past? Will they approve of her? She didn't know what to say so she stayed quiet and just nodded her head in understanding. She needed to tell Ahem everything before she accepted his marriage proposal.
Ahem and Amit walked towards his study to talk in private at Amit's request. Ahem had expected this and was not surprised when Amit requested him to talk privately. He closed the door and took a seat at one of the sofa across from Amit. He didn't wait for Amit to speak. "I know you probably have a lot of questions about my past relationship with your sister Amit, but I want you to know that I want to marry your sister because I love her and no other reason. I will not force her to marry me, if she says no to my proposal I will understand."
Amit was not surprised by Ahem's words. He knew Ahem had deep feelings for his sister, but still it worried him because Ahem didn't know what happened to his sister after his grandmother died. It was not his place to say anything to Ahem but he still needed to let him know to be careful with Gopi's feelings. "I already know this Ahem, it is hard to miss the love in your eyes that you have for her, but Gopi has been through so much since you parted and I don't know how much she has shared with you but I just wanted to let you know to be careful with her."
Ahem wanted to confirm only one thing with Amit. "If you are talking about her accident then I know little bit about that. Just what I overheard when she was talking to Rashi when we were all at the beach. If there is more then I don't want to know now. I will wait until Gopi feels comfortable sharing it with me."
Amit leaned forward. "Are you sure about this Ahem? She has this unreasonable fear that makes her hold back from everyone. There are times when she will not willingly share anything with you. You will have to make her tell you and that can be very frustrating."
Amit was taken back when Ahem laughed. "I am sorry I am not laughing at what you said but the fact that I have already experienced this with her. Do you know what it took to get her to go out with me the first time? Don't worry I know how to get around her stubbornness."
Amit relaxed back into the sofa and shook his head. "You do know her well. She will keep you from getting bored that's for sure." Ahem just grinned at that. They both looked up when they heard the knock on the study door. Ahem stood up when he saw Gopi's aunt walk in the door followed by Gopi.
Ahem stood up as Sheetal aunty walked towards him. Gopi hesitated by the door as if she didn't want to be alone with her aunt and brother. Sheetal aunty smiled her approval at him and patted his shoulder. "Thank you Ahem dikra; I am so very happy and relieved today, my Gopi has found the person who knows her true worth and will always love her for it. She is very lucky to have you in her life." Sheetal aunty's voice broke on the last sentence.
Ahem took her hand in his. "I am the one who is lucky aunty, she is very special. Please just do me one favor?" Sheetal aunty looked at him questioningly, Ahem glanced over shoulder to the door where Gopi was standing, then back down at her. "Please go easy on her, don't push her to do anything she does not want to do." Sheetal aunty squeezed his hand. "Okay as you say, we won't push her, I just want to talk to her."
Ahem smiled and walked towards the door to give Gopi and her family privacy to talk. He stopped in front of her, gave her an encouraging smile and walked out the door. He had only taken few steps when he saw his cousin Ria rushing towards the study. He stopped her. "Hey whirlwind where do you think you are going?"
Ria stopped in front of him. "I should have been in there when my sweet hubby was giving you the third degree." Ahem raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Amit didn't give me third degree." Ria glared at him. "I know that is why I should have been there, but now I am not going to miss my chance to talk to my lovely sister in law." She said with a huge grin.
Ahem rolled his eyes. "Slow down will you. No need to give her hard time; let her decide on her own." Ria's shoulders slumped at that and she pouted. "No one lets me have any fun anymore." She said with such a sad face that it made Ahem laugh. She grinned at his reaction. "Ahembhai it is nice to see you laugh again. I hope you both get all the happiness in the world, you both deserve it after all the sacrifices you both have made." Ahem's smile slipped a little at his cousin's words. He pushed her towards the door. "Go inside and see if you can put in a good word for me." He walked away before she could reply.
Ria knocked on the door softly then walked in and closed the door behind her. She sat on the armrest of Amit's chair and waited for Sheetal aunty to continue what she was saying to Gopi.
Amit leaned forward. "Gopi we will support you in any decision you make but just think long and hard about what you want to do. You need to let go of your fears, it is obvious Ahem loves you very much and his family is very understanding. Forget what happened in the past and think about the future. You can not stay alone all your life."
Gopi twisted her hands in front of her. "I have to tell him everything first, only then I will be able to decide. I cannot deceive him and his family." Sheetal aunty ran her hand on her head soothingly. "If that is how you feel then go ahead, but I have a feeling it won't make any difference to him."
Gopi nodded then looked at her brother. "What about..?" She couldn't voice her real worries but her brother understood. He stood up and kneeled in front of her. "Forget them, they have never been there for you and they never will. You don't need them; you have Ria, Sheetal aunty and me. You have a very loving best friend, who is more like a sister, Rashi. You have a man who loves you very much, who has waited for you all this time. You are getting a wonderful mother like mother-in-law and Hetal Kaki who will also love you like a daughter. Let the rest of the things take care of itself and worry for yourself only." Gopi hugged her brother and let the tears flow freely.
"Thank you for always being there for me. I am very lucky to have a brother like you in my life." She said. Ria decided it was time to lighten the moment. "And now you also have a very loving bhabhi, don't forget." Gopi laughed and hugged Ria. "How can I forget you? You are the best thing that has ever happened to my bhai." Ria hugged her back. "And my Ahembhai will be the happiest man if you say yes to him." Gopi smiled at Ria. "I think he and I need to talk so I should go find him." She hugged her aunt and then walked out the door.
Gopi didn't have to go too far to find him. She found him in the rose garden where they had their first private talk. She stood back and watched him for few moments. He had his back to her and was just gazing at the flowers as if he was lost in its beauty. He must have sensed her because he turned towards her and smile bloomed on his face, at that moment she fell in love with him all over again. He had the most beautiful smile that reflected in his eyes showing his genuine happiness. He walked towards her. "Hey, all finished?"
Gopi tried to smile back but she knew she couldn't match his happiness and felt the pain when she saw his disappointment that he tried to hide from her. "Yes, I think we should talk."
He watched her few moments; he had been expecting this so had made arrangements ahead of time. Now that everyone has had his or her say he can take her away for a private talk. He took her hand and started walking back in the house. "Okay say your goodbyes to everyone. We are going for a drive to have our talk, where no one can disturb us."
Fifteen minutes later Ahem drove towards the look out point, his favorite spot, where he had taken Gopi before and made a deal to be friends with her. What better spot then that to make another promise to her and start their new beginning from the place that has always brought him solace in the time need.
Ahem parked the car in the same exact spot he had before. He had placed a single rose in her seat earlier so she wouldn't question the smell of roses in the car. He got out of the car and walked around to her side to help her out. He took her by the hand and walked to the railing to look down at the city. He decided to do what he needed to do and not wait for her to tell him no. "Stay here, I have to get something from the car."
Gopi frowned when he went to the back of the car. She wondered what he was up to. She had just gathered courage to tell him everything. She turned back to the sight below her while she waited for him to comeback. Gopi turned back when she heard him close the trunk of the car. She swallowed the lump in her throat when she saw him walk towards her with roses in his hands.
Ahem stopped in front of her and took her hand in his. Not caring about where he was or ruining his clothes he knelt on one knee and looked into her eyes. "Gopi will you do the honor of being my wife?" He asked with so much love that it brought tears to Gopi's eyes.
Gopi knelt in front of him and cupped his face. "Ahem if you still want to marry me after hearing what I have to say then I will be more than happy to be your wife." Ahem placed his hand on her mouth before she could say anything else. He shook his head. "No Gopi, I don't want to hear anything about your past or your family. I want you to just answer my question. I already told you none of that matters to me. I will not force you to give me more than you can until the time you think you can trust me. Right now I just want an answer to my question. My offer of being your friend after marriage still stands."
Gopi took his hand in hers and gave him a soft kiss in the palm of his hand. She let out a sob and threw herself in his arms and when she felt his arms go around her to hold her to him she felt as though she had finally found a place to belong to. "God help us both Ahem because I no longer can deny you anything." She said with broken voice.
Ahem blinked back tears and ran his hand up and down her back soothingly. "You won't regret it baby, I promise you. I will always love you no matter what happens in the future." Ahem moved her back and made her look at him. He wiped the tears from her face. "Do you believe me?" He pulled her back in his arms when she nodded her head slowly. "We will take it one day at a time, I just want you with me, I don't think I can go on without you anymore."
Gopi pulled back and looked at him and said a silent prayer to Kanaji to give her strength to make Ahem happy and be the kind of life partner he needs. She didn't have the strength to deny him anything and hoped that she overcomes her fears to give herself to him completely someday. They both stood up, he put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. He walked her to the passenger side of the car and helped her sit inside. He placed the roses in her lap and looked up at her.
Ahem reached up and touched his lips to her gently, lingering for a moment, just as he was pulling back Gopi responded to his kiss. She pressed her quivering lips to his, moving them back and forth. Ahem deepened the kiss putting all his want in the kiss, and she responded kindly. Ahem gentled the kiss before pulling back. Gopi relaxed into her seat and Ahem closed the door gently.
Gopi looked down at the roses in her lap and smiled. She brought them to her face and inhaled their sweet fragrance. They were deep red, each one a perfect bud. She counted the roses; there were eleven roses in all, which made her smile. She thought back to the book he had presented to her in Florida. Eleven red roses means: You are my treasured one; the one I love the most.
*~+~*
Thanks everyone.😊
Edited by sbp1971 - 13 years ago
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