OS: Two to Tango

"Gopi, please don't cry. Please.." Ahem cupped her tear stained face and implored Gopi to stop crying. "Ahe..mji.. Raa..shi.. ben.." "Shh.. We will talk about this later. Rashi is alright. She is back home and sleeping. It is late already. Now go to sleep. Please Gopi. Come on. Thats my girl." Ahem firmly stopped any further discussions on Rashi and helped Gopi lie down.

He smoothed the stray hair away from her face and slowly ran his hand over her forehead until Gopi slept, hugging him for her dear life.

Ahem's eyes stared into the darkness, unseeing anything but what happened. What had started as an outing of two would-be fathers had come crashing down so badly. Jigar had bought a gift imagining his wife with their child and Ahem could remember the happiness that oozed from him as he made a rush to his room. His heart went out to his brother.

The thought of Jigar made Ahem start. He slowly removed Gopi's hands without disturbing her. Giving her a quick kiss on the forehead Ahem walked out of his room to the terrace.

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Jigar stood near the balcony railing looking up at the moon. His hands tightened on to the railings. He wanted to hit something badly.

"I would say, don't do it. You will only hurt yourself." Jigar stopped just before he could smash his knuckles into the wall. He turned around quickly to stare back at the moon but could not contain himself. "Not as much as I am hurting now Bhai, Not as much." he whispered and turned his face away as Ahem stood beside him.

"Jigar, I.." "Leave it Bhai. I know that you are all sorry. I am sorry too." He turned around to walk back in when he felt himself hugged by Ahem. "It will be alright Jigar. It will be. I promise" Ahem felt Jigar stiffen and then let himself go.. He felt his heart clench as the he felt the wetness of his brother's tears on his shoulders.

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"Mummyji, Thank you for taking me to the hospital. I wanted to just.." Hetal stopped and looked at Rashi right in her eyes. "You know Rashi? You gave me the happiest one hour and then cruelly snatched it from me, all for a flimsy reason. I did what I did for you because I cannot see anyone in pain. But now that you are alright, I do not want anything to do with you. I am not blaming you for not being pregnant. Get that straight. But I blame you for fooling my child an breaking his heart over and over again. I cannot forgive you and will not forgive you. You broke my heart too Rashi." Hetal's voice broke as she turned away and walked quickly into the kitchen.

"Mummyji.." Rashi's eyes pooled. This had been her last hope. She cursed herself for listening to her mother the day before. She had made mistakes. Mistakes that were now costing her all that was precious to her, things she never knew she considered precious.

Jigarji had not spoken a word to her, not even in the hospital and not after she returned back. It had not been just that. After her mum had made it worse by blurting out about how Rashi had been jealous and had lied about feeling sorry for not being pregnant, she had seen him look at her then with dislike and had recoiled. But he had left silently and she now wondered if he would ever come back to their room.

Rashi walked to the mandir, dejected. Her life was now a total mess.

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"I do not want to hear about it." Ahem snapped his bag shut and looked up at Gopi. Her pleading eyes made him melt a little but then Jigar's tear stained and hurt face of the night before came in front of his eyes and he hardened.

"But Ahemji, Rashi ben is.." "Gopi enough of siding your Rashi ben. Did you not hear her mother properly yesterday? They had lied about the pregnancy and more Gopi, she is jealous of you and for that silly reason she played with a all our emotions. Nothing changed even though we went through the operation drama again." Ahem threw the bag down and sat.

"I know Ahemji, but she did not know that.." "Don't defend her." Ahem stood up abruptly and saw Gopi step back a bit. He swore to himself.

"Gopi, I am sorry if I startled you. But can we please not talk of Rashi now? I cannot forgive her for hurting Jigar. I do not want to hear about her either. Now I have to leave. Take care and don't worry ok? Eat your food and medicines on time" He placed his hand on her cheek.

Gopi nodded and tried to smile a bit for his sake. Ahem just pulled her into a hug and then hurried out.

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"Baa, Can I come in?" Kokila entered Baa's room and sat in front of her. "What is it Kokila vahu? You are thoughful."

Kokila nodded and looked at Baa. "I do not know how to say this Baa but I cannot see Mota Bhabhi so sad. She is breaking inside and I am partly to blame for that."

Baa looked surprised at Kokila who looked distressed. Kokila continued. "You know Baa? When Rashi started blurting out the truth she said that she lied because of me. I did not accept that but what made her think that I am partial towards her? Where did I go wrong Baa? I consider Gopi vahu, Rashi and Kinjal all in the same scale. I punish them and scold them if they make mistakes and praise them if they do well. But now.. Because of all this, Mota Bhabhi suffers and in so many years she will not even share her distress with me. It is like she is punishing herself." Kokila's eyes pooled with tears and she looked away.

Baa looked at her kindly. She had been blessed with two DILs, both as different as chalk and cheese. But both of them had immense love for each other.

"It is not your fault alone vahu." Baa placed her hand on Kokila's shoulders and continued. "Sometimes, it is the way you look at things. Rashi bahu does not realize that you scold her for her own good.She has been brought up all pampered by her good for nothing mother. Hence even a small change from what she wants, Rashi vahu thinks that all are against her. The fault lies in all of us. I should have not dismissed Rashi vahu's behavior as childishness all the time, Hetal vahu should have been a little more strict and of course, I will say you should have been a little more less strict." Baa sighed and got up to walk towards the window.

"Our fault was that we believed Rashi and Gopi vahu to be the same. We should have handled Rashi differently when we brought her back home after Gopi vahu's accident or atleast we should have understood the signs of trouble when Gopi vahu became pregnant. We were all so worried about Gopi vahu, her pregnancy and the business that we missed Rashi vahu's insecurities. I am afraid that what Urmila ben revealed yesterday runs deeper. I am worried if we will ever be able to fix this."

Kokila stood up with determination. "We will Baa. We should. I know what I have to do now. This has been a wake up call for all of us. But I will fix this for Mota Bhabhi." Kokila left the room determined.

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"Gopi.. Ahhh.. Gopi.." Rashi shouted as her pain increased. Gopi rushed into Rashi's room with a glass of water and some tablets. "Rashi ben.. What is it? Is it paining a lot? Here eat this. The doctor said the stiches are going to hurt. Take this tablet. You may feel better in a bit."

"Gopi, it is paining a lot.Please do something." Gopi held on to Rashi. "Rashi ben, you have been operated twice. It is bound to be a bit painful. Please take the medicine. It will be alright."

Gopi consoled Rashi. She could ask no one else either. The family had been there for the operation. Jigar had performed all formalities. He had paid the bills and when the doctor came out saying that Rashi was ok, he had come back home. Hetal had joined him silently.

It had been Gopi along with Meethi and Ahem who brought Rashi back home. Ahem had forbidden Gopi to tire herself but Gopi could not see Rashi alone and in pain in her room.

"Rashi.." Gopi stood up as she heard her Maaji's voice. She saw Kokila walk up to the bed. To Gopi's surprise and happiness, Kokila sat down on the bed and firmly but gently removed Rashi's hands from clutching her stomach.

"Rashi, liten to me. You will make your pain worse. It is a couple of stitches. Drink this down and lie down now. Come on child." Kokila made Rashi take the tablets and made her lie down. "Try to sleep Rashi. It should be fine."

"Kakiji, I am so frightened." Rashi wailed and clutched at Kokila's saree in pain. Kokila ran her hand through Rashi's hair. "I know Rashi. Now just close your eyes and try to rest. Come on." "Please don't leave me alone Kakiji. I am so frightened" "I will stay here. Don't worry."

Gopi watched for a minute and then tiptoed out of the room, a smile on her face.

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"Jigar, lets go to lunch, come on.." Ahem walked into Jigar's cabin. "No Bhai. I am not hungry." "Don't give me that. You had no breakfast and now it is almost 3. I have been told that I do not care about my brother at all."

Ahem got no answer to that and he sighed. "Jigar, You cannot do this to yourself. Come on. You will accomplish nothing by staying hungry." "No Bhai, I am really not hungry. Please leave me to finish my work."

Jigar replied without taking his eyes off the laptop.

Ahem stood for a couple of minutes and then turned around. "Ok then. I will tell Gopi that you did not like the food she prepared. Take care then.." That brought Jigar's head up.

"Bhai, Please.." "Well, you do not want lunch." "I am not hungry." "Same difference."

Jigar sighed, got up and walked to the table. Ahem smiled and took out the lunch boxes from the bag.

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"Jigarji, Can you please give me some water? I cannot reach it." Jigar looked up and turned away. "Please Jigarji. If Meethi was here, I will not even ask you. I cannot get up. It hurts." Rashi looked about to cry when she got no response from Jigar.

"Jiga..."

"Rashi ben, here, have some water." Gopi walked in and handed the glass of water to Rashi. Rashi took the glass and gulped the water down hiding her tears from Gopi. "Th..anks.."

Gopi nodded, then turned to go out but stopped just before Jigar's desk. "Devarji.." Jigar immediately looked up. "One small thing. I know you are angry and hurt. But there is also something called humanity." "GOPI.." Rashi's shout went unheeded as Gopi walked out, her head held high.

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Hetal looked at the pictures of her son and the girl she had come to love like a daughter. Silent tears escaped her eyes as she looked at their marriage pictures.

"Mota Bhabhi.." Hetal wiped her tears discreetly and tried to be normal as Kokila walked in. "I came to talk to you Mota Bhabhi." Hetal looked up silently.

"Please Mota Bhabhi. Don't close yourself up." Kokila came right to the point. "I know you are hurt and you may think that your pain cannot be understood. But trust me, I understand. But it is not completely in our hands either Mota Bhabhi. Rashi will become a mother one day. Now was just not the right time maybe."

Hetal turned around as fresh tears escaped her eyes. "I am not sa..d for that Kokila." "Mota Bhabhi, you can ignore that but I know that the baby is playing in your mind."

Kokila went to sit near Hetal and continued gently. "Mota Bhabhi, you of all people will know how it hurts when you cannot become pregnant and want to. Rashi was wrong in lying but she is not bad. Mota Bhabhi, remember the last time we brought her home, you said that she has genuinely changed and I disagreed.. Today, I am asking you to trust me. I see that Rashi has genuinely changed in many ways."

Hetal nodded no only for Kokila to place a hand on her shoulder. "It takes a lot to trust. Maybe the fault was that I trusted too less and you trusted too much too quickly. But now, we will not make the same mistake. Take your time Mota Bhabhi. But give that child a chance. It is me, Kokila who is requesting you. I want my old Bhabhi back."

Hetal broke down as Kokila held her folded hands in front of her and hugged her. She was nodding yes.

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"Go..pi.. It looks like Ahem Jiju is call..ing you.. You shou..ld leave." Rashi insisted as Gopi handed her the juice. "I heard Rashi ben. I will attend to him in a second. Let me help you lie down first."

Gopi held on to Rashi when a hand stopped her. "Bhabhi, I am not that inhuman. You go ahead. I will help Rashi." Gopi smiled and left the room.

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"Thanks Jigarji.." Rashi sat down on the bed and held her hand over her stomach for a second.

"You do not have to thank me. I did what I would have done to any other person in pain." That stung and angry tears pooled in her eyes.

"I know that Jigarji. You do not have to make that known everytime. I know that you only cared for the baby and not for me. Mummy was right." Rashi threw the towel she had down on the bed and turned her face away.

"What did you say now?" Jigar for a minute forgot that Rashi was operated on and turned her by her shoulders towards him. "What did you say? That I do not love you for yourself but only for the child? Dammit Rashi.. That is just a low blow."

Rashi looked shocked forgetting her pain.

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"Where were you? How long do I need to call you?" Ahem was irritated. "Sorry Ahemji. I was helping Rashi ben. I came back as soon as I could." Ahem looked up sharply and said in a level tone, "Rashi again? I thought we had an agreement that you will rest and not worry about that."

Gopi handed the tea to him and placed the tray on the table. she silently went to the cupboard and as she arranged the clothes said in a small but firm voice, "We did not have an agreement Ahemji. You told me to take care of myself and I have."

Ahem walked purposefully towards Gopi and turned her around. "Gopi, I want hear nothing else. I want you to stop going to Rashi's help. She hurt my brother and hurt him badly. I forbid you to have anything to do with her."

"And I disagree to listen to you this time Ahemji." Gopi removed Ahem's hand from her shoulders.

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"Jiga.." Jigar continued without stopping even as Rashi chimed in. "You are the most hateful person on earth Rashi.. Even now you see that you are in pain but you do not see the pain you inflicted on others. How can you Rashi? What have I not done to make you happy?" Jigar shook her and then dropped his hands dejected.

"Who am I asking? Someone who has nothing but jealousy in her heart? Someone who loves none but herself?" That stung too and Rashi stood up inspite of the pain.

"Stop it Jigarji. You talk like it is all my fault. If you had not made such a big issue of me not being pregnant then this would not have happened." Rashi sulked.

"Rashi, none of us complained, did we?" "No you did not. But you, Mummyji, Baa.. All kept saying that you wished I was pregnant. So I wished it too and got carried away. Yes, I lied. But I did not want to. I never wanted to hurt you or Mummyji."

Rashi broke down to tears and Jigar watched his heart melting. "Then why did you lie Rashi?" Rashi did not realize that his tone had softened.

"Because, I was afraid. Because I wanted to be treated like Gopi. Gopi is pregnant and you all treat her like she is made of glass. I want that too. I want to enjoy what she is feeling. I just do not know how that feels.. I don't."

"So you lied? You know that was stupid." Rashi looked up in tears and said dejectedly. "Yeah.. Another reason to hate me. I am stupid. I am just tired Jigarji. I am tired. I do not want anything anymore. Just go and be somewhere you want to be. I can be alone"

Rashi sat down with a sigh. Jigar slowly went and sat near her on the bed. "You do not have to be alone Rashi. Why do you not understand that?" Rashi looked at Jigar's face uncomprehending.

"Rashi, you are such a child sometimes. But then you change suddenly. You are telling me that you want to feel what Gopi Bhabhi feels. But you do not understand that the happiness Gopi Bhabhi is feeling does not come from the pampering she is receiving." Rashi again looked confused.

"Rashi, listen to me. What Gopi Bhabhi feels now comes from within. She is going to be a mother and that child in her gives her the hapiness you see on her face. It is not the juice or the hand and foot waiting that makes her happy. If you ask me, she would be by now fed up with all this attention."

Rashi's face cleared a bit and she turned straight facing the wall. "So, you think that Gopi does not enjoy that I am being worked and she can sit and enjoy?" Jigar laughed out.

"Where do you get these ideas from Rashi?" He turned her face around to him and continued. "No, she does not. Can't you see Rashi? She likes to work. Think about it. She took to making pickles because of that."

Rashi nodded but said in a small voice, "But I do not like..." "What do you not like?" Jigar asked amused. "Work. I do not like to work all day long." Rashi pouted.

"Who asks you to?" "Well... Nobody I guess. But Kakiji will get angry if I do not work." "Really? And she gives you work all day long?" Jigar asked surprised.

"Noo..." Rashi stretched. "But she scolds me." "She wants you to work and finish the job correctly on time" "Yes." "Does she work or does she just sit around?" Work." "Maa and Baa work?" "Yess.." Rashi said slowly.

Jigar took Rashi's hands in his and continued. "Rashi, household chores have always been done by Maa and Kakiji over the years. So Kaki expects you and Bhabhi to do the same. If you feel you cannot do something, tell Kakiji and give her the proper reason. She will listen." Rashi's eyes popped out.

"No to Kakiji.. Jigarji, she will kill me." And then realizing what she said, Rashi closed her mouth with her hands. Jigar laughed.

"I accept she is a bit scary." Rashi nodded yes. "But seriously Rashi, Kakiji is the nicest person you can know. She is strict but she is kind. She will understand if you are tired. Do not lie to her for that though. She hates lies. I do too." The last sentence was said in a small voce. Jigar turned to face the wall and became silent.

Rashi nodded and then held Jigar's hand. "I am sorry Jigarji. I really am. I should not have lied." Jigar turned around and gave her a half smile. "It is ok now Rashi. I was hurt but I think I understand you better now. I am sorry too, if you felt I pressurized you to have kids when you are not ready." Rashi immediately nodded no.

"Please Jigarji. Don't say that. I want kids too. I really wanted to be pregnant" Tears threatened to fall again and Rashi hid her face in Jigar's shoulders.

"Shh..It will happen Rashi. Now don't cry. You should be resting."

Rashi gave Jigar a small smile as he helped her lie down on the bed.

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Hetal looked on with tears in her eyes and Kokila stood just behind her smiling, looking at Jigar pull the blanket to cover Rashi and kiss her forehead.

"I told you Mota Bhabhi. Jigar will be fine." Hetal turned around and held Kokila's hands in hers. "Thanks Kokila."

"Pretty soon, you will also become a Dadi, Mota Bhabhi. Now let us go and leave them both alone."

Hetal nodded and gave one last look at the smiling Jigar as he sat beside Rashi reading a book. She felt peaceful at last.

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"Don't you walk away from me like that." Ahem raised his voice and pulled Gopi's hand. Gopi turned around and looked at him calmly.

"Gopi, I want you NOT to side Rashi this time." "But Ahemji, Rashi ben is my sister." "And you are my wife." Ahem spat out.

"Gopi, my family should be your priority." "And it is." Gopi's eyes filled but she continued without faltering. "Rashi ben is also part of your family which is mine too. The only one I know of truly."

Ahem looked at her and then held her face in her hands as he continued. "Then why Gopi? Jigar is my brother and he is hurting because of Rashi and you continue to side her." "Ahemji, If Devarji is hurting, so is Rashi ben."

Ahem snorted. "Oh really? I do not care. Now listen to me Gopi. I don't want to see you helping Rashi." "Sorry Ahemji, I cannot promise that. I cannot let my sister suffer alone."

Gopi's calm reply made Ahem lose his cool. "Why do you care so much for Rashi Gopi? What is it to you? She has nothing but jealousy for you." Gopi looked back and answered just as tears spilled out of her big eyes. "I care because she is my sister and also because I know what it feels to be alone and disliked by the person you love. I know what it feels like to cry oneself to sleep wishing that someone would be there for you and listen to your side just once."

Ahem stepped back as if slapped. Gopi watched as hundreds of emotions passed his face. Anger, regret, sadness, guilt showed. And just as Ahem dropped his hands from her face she realized the implication of her words and her eyes widened in horror.

"Ahemji, I did not.." Her urgent explanation was cut short by Ahem as he raised his hands in front of him stopping her. "I don't need any more explanations" He choked and rushed out of the room leaving a stunned Gopi.

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Gopi waited, cleaning the dressing table for the 3rd time. It was very late and her Ahemji was still not back to their room. She sighed and got up.

Ahem walked into the room and heard his Gopi sigh. Her eyes were downcast and he could see that she had cried. He saw her eyes look up at him in relief and then those very eyes filled with sadness and tears.

"Ahemji, I.." Before she could say anymore, Ahem took long strides across the room to her and hugged her tightly to him. He sighed in relief as he felt her hug him back with equal fervor.

"I am so.." "Shh." Ahem placed his hands on Gopi's lips and nodded no. "Shh.. Don't Gopi. You did not make any mistake." He cupped her face in his hands and looked deeply into the eyes that held unlimited love for him.

"Gopi, I am sorry." He shushed her protest and continued. "No Gopi. Let me finish." Ahem sighed and then continued. "You were right. You do know what it feels to be alone. I am not the best of husbands and I have no right to comment on someone else." He again stopped Gopi from protesting and continued.

"Gopi, I.. I made mistakes. When I started seeing them for what they were, I.. I found it easier to change myself rather than talking about them. Forgiveness comes difficult to me. And I seldom ask for forgiveness. But I am asking now. I am sorry.. For everything."

Her eyes looked at him with so much love that Ahem hugged her and continued. "I want you to be safe and happy Gopi. If helping Rashi makes you happy, you can do it too. I will stand by you and help you in anyway I want." Gopi snuggled into Ahem.

"I want to help Rashi ben Ahemji but not just for her but for Devarji and Kakiji." Ahem nodded and looked down at her. "So should I consider that you accept my apology?" He asked smiling.

Gopi looked back shyly and nodded. But then she looked into his eyes with love and determination and continued, "I never thought that an apology was needed Ahemji. I always thought that you were right from your prespective." Ahem's eyes filled. "I was never alone even when you disliked my presense. You were always there for me when I needed you the most. Thank you Ahemji"

Gopi went back into Ahem's embrace and both cherished their closeness with contentment.

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"Bhabhi, I will help Rashi down to the hall. You go down carefully." Gopi looked surprised as Jigar jogged to Rashi and held her firmly by her shoulders. Gopi saw Rashi smile and blush at Jigar and to her happiness, Jigar smiled back. She left the two to go down together and watched them smiling.

"Do you need some help, Mrs. Modi?" She heard Ahem whisper in her ear and felt him hold her. It was her turn to blush and she nodded no. "That will not do. What will the world say if I do not help my pregnant wife to go down the stairs?" Ahem replied in mock horror to hear Gopi laugh.

"I love you Gopi."

He led her down following his brother and Rashi as the elders watched happily from the dining hall.