I always felt that Ahem is a nice and kind man. Only that he is not a kind of person who expresses his feeling to the world. Like everybody he has some problems with certain things..here illiteracy. So, when he was made to marry a girl who is an illiterate, he despised..not the girl but the fate. But, he would vent his anger on Gopi because she reminded him what he could have and what he has got.
I always felt that ahem wanted to work through his marriage. We observe this in few episodes after their marriage. I clearly remember, the night when gopi entered her room with all jewels along with koki. Koki scolded Gopi saying that she filled her son's ears. We can see how Ahem was disturbed by her tears. He clearly knows that there is no mistake of this girl. But he could not speak against his mom. He was affected by her tears for the first time. If not for the misunderstandings and the illiteracy, ahem would have easily fallen for this girl, a gem she is. AHem never had space to see her deeply and undertand her.
But, once he started to accept her in his life, more like a mere roommate, he understood her. Hence he could see the reality behind her tears everytime. he was back to Ahem during initial few days of their marriage. Now, he too started working on their relationship and finally came to know what he has got and how precious she is.
One wonderful thing I admire about Ahem's character is that he is so transparent. He does not shy away from what he thinks. He is not a hypocrite. Even now when he loves her wholeheartedly and physically more attracted towards her, he is taking it slowly. He shows in his small gestures that he loves her and he needs her. But, he does not want to force his opinion/need on her. In the process he indirectly punishing himself for what he has done to his wife. Soon he will feel more pain when he realizes how bad he has hurt her by forgetting Holi rendevous with her. But, with Gopi's love he will forget that soon.
PS: Sorry I know,my topic is not so relevant to the post. But I wanted to put forward my version of Ahem's character. I like his character more that Gopi :)