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Chapter III
"Jigar, rememeber Shalini?" Preethi asked and winked at the embarrassed Jigar. Rashi, Jigar and Preethi were walking towards a lake near the center of the picnic spot they had come to. It was a small natural lake but it had been made beautiful by a small bridges on the four sides leading to a small island in the center. The island was artificially erected with hanging vines and flower beds within a green house. It was Preethi's favorite spot.
"Come on Preethi di, that was just like that." Preethi laughed. "Not from where I stand..Rashi Bhabhi.. Did you know that Jigar had a big crush on our neighbours daughter Shalini?" "It was not a crush." Jigar replied in a small voice but his smile said it all.
Rashi looked up and Preethi decided to drive it in a bit more.. "When I used to come in for the holidays, Jigar would always be waiting for a chance to go with me to her house.. He loooved Shalu's Kadai Paneer." Preethi winked at Jigar as he playfully hit her. "Now let it go Di. But her Kadai Paneer was the best" Jigar laughed and made his way to the green house. Preethi saw Rashi following.. Rashi Bhabhi was frowning.
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Aham looked at Gopi with his heart in his mouth. Here she was sitting beside him cutting apples for all. He was pleased that she had declined Jigar's request to join them to visit the green house. Five was a crowd. But here he could be with Gopi with no interference. Not from her or from Jigar. Aham watched as Gopi daintily peeled off the apple skin and sliced them into pieces.
"Careful Gopi.." Aham caught her hand in his as he took out his kercheif to wipe the blood off her fingers. But the next minute he was jerked back forcefully to reality. He saw her look at him with a hint of fear and then saw her tugging her hand away from him. By the time he realized that it was pain that he saw in her eyes, all the others had surrounded Gopi and were taking care of her hand. He stood alone looking in. Like an outsider.
Preethi watched her Maasi chide Gopi for being careless and apply a cloth soaked in water around her fingers slowly. But as she watched, she saw Aham move away from the circle and the expression on his face made her heart clench. It was the same expression she had seen in his face when they were young, when they played and he declined because he was too shy. He always said he needed to study or work.
But today his face has the same expression. An expression of longing and need, followed by pain and regret. She wondered what caused it.
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"Did you know Bhabhi that Aham made me and Jithin come together?" Gopi looked surprised at Preethi's statement and nodded no. "Honest. He actually brought us together, his style. Jithin is Aham's friend and our families have always been friends. I never got along with these two." Preethi remembered and smiled " and Jithin was the worst. Aham ignored me but Jithin used to fight. Not that I was any less of a brat." Preethi continued as Gopi completely turned towards her interested.
"So one day I come back home from hostel for vacation and my mom and maasi tell me that they have fixed my rishta with Jithin. Everyone was happy and I was shocked. What shocked me further was that they did not even ask Jithin, only his family. I knew he hated me. So to avoid being rejected by him, I rejected him myself."
Preethi had a small smile as she talked. "But you know Bhabhi? I was wrong. Mom and Maasi tried to convince me in all ways. I said no and was ready to go back to the hostel to avoid them. Then suddenly Aham walks in and tells me that he will drop me back to the hostel. Do you know what he did?"
"He drove me to meet Jithin instead. I remember cursing him as I saw Jithin walk towards us. He was also surprised. Aham left us both and walked away." "Then what happened?" Preethi saw Gopi ask her eagerly.
"Then what? I first started accusing Jithin of trying to make a fool of me. I told him that I knew he hated me.. But Bhabhi, that small outburst changed my life. It seems Jithin had decided to say no because he thought I did not like him. Our argument changed to a discussion and we found how very similar we were.." Preethi's face had turned wistful. "So Bhabhi.. Here I am happily married for 5 years. All because of Aham. But don't tell him I ever said that." Gopi nodded like a small child who had been told a secret. There was a sparkle in her eyes.
"Bhabhi, I think you and Aham are very similar too. Silence is golden at times but it does not work in relationships." Preethi took Gopi's hand in hers and continued. "It is not easy to see past your fears and they cloud your decisons so much that you think you are doing right by remaining silent. But actually you are not." Preethi continued as she saw Gopi's eyes fill with tears. "Talk to Aham, Bhabhi.. Maybe it will not be as bad as you think it will be."
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"Kadaai Panner? Maa what is special today?" "Nothing. Rashi wanted to make some Panneer and we agreed." Hetal looked up and then smiled at Kokila. Her Maasi smiled back. Jigar looked surprised and tasted the dish. His eyebrows touched his hairline. "This is perfectly delicious.. Did Rashi make it?" Jigar saw Rashi nod and then look sideways at his Kaki before adding "and Kaki helped me with the recipe."
Preethi could see Jigar's happy smile as he dived into the dish. "Thanks Rashi. Thank you Kaki." Jigar winked at Rashi and his words brought a smile to her face. Preethi turned to see her Maasi nod at her Kaki.
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"Good night Bhabhi." Preethi left Gopi at the door of her room. She moved on to the guest room. She could see the light burning in her Bhabhi's room even at this late hour. She smiled thinking of the beauty of small gestures.
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"Thanks Rashi." Rashi looked up at Jigar. He had a happy smile on his face. "For what Jigarji?" Jigar moved beside Rashi and took her hands im his. "Thanks for making that Panneer dish for me." "Jigarji, it was nothing." Rashi blushed and smiled at his praise.
"It was good. Not as good as Shalini's but really good.." Rashi pulled her hands away in a huff and turned to go out of the room. "Hey, I am joking.See I am sorry." Rashi felt Jigar's hand on her shoulders and turned around pouting.
She had to smile seeing Jigar holding his ears and giving her a puppy faced look. "Did you like it really?" "Yes and it was as good as Shalini's." This time Rashi gave him a push and huffed off to the restroom as Jigar laughed enjoying her irritation..
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"Gopi.. Er.. How is your finger?" Aham looked uncomfortable questioning his wife about her cut. He felt awkwards with words and there was also an uncomfortable weight in his heart that would not let go.
"It is alright Ahamji. It was a small cut and you stemmed the blood flow quickly. It did not hurt much after that." That brought a small smile to his lips and to his heart. "It was nothing. You rest now."
Aham moved towards the sofa, his bed for some more time to come.
"Ahamji.." He turned to see Gopi fidgeting with her pallu. He looked at her waiting for her to articulate what was in her mind. "Thank you. For today. I.. I really " "It was nothing Gopi. Sleep now."
Aham saw Gopi give him a smile and then nod. She walked towards the bed and turned towards him. "Good night Ahamji. I really enjoyed spending the day with you. It was special" The light was switched off immediately.
Aham sat in the dark taking in the first words of his wife's appreciation at spending time with him... He was grinning he knew. But for the first time after taking her for the car ride he had sense of accomplishment. He finally could see a crack in the invisible wall he had wanted to break..
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"Morning Jog Jigar?" "Ji Di. And what are you doing? Up so early and about?" "Well Jigar, I thought I would help Gopi Bhabhi. She gets up early to get everyone's tea and breakfast ready on time. Two is always better than one don't you think? Plus there is always help needed in the kitchen."
Preethi smirked as she left the thoughtful Jigar back in the hall as she made her way to the kitchen.
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"I do not want to speak to you. I want to speak to my wife and you let her come with me right now." Aham fumed at Preethi who looked equally angry. Gopi stood crying watching them but stepped forward.
"Preethi ben, I will go. Please calm down. Maaji will hear." Both looked at her for one second, Preethi with eyes that felt Gopi's pain and Aham with anguish.
"Bhabhi.." "Gopi.." Both started at the same time and glared at each other again. Before Preethi could react, Aham bent forward tool Gopi's hand in his and pulled her with him.
"Aham stop." Preethi hissed but he was in no mood to listen. Preethi helplessly angry saw Aham pull Gopi in and close the door to their room angrily. She paced her room thinking of what happened.
to be continued...
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There.. Not a huge update.. But the next one will be longer.. Hopefully I can finish this before Anitha makes any inroads in SNS.. Would love to hear what you think.. Thank you all😃
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