Chapter 2
Gopi looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.
Despite the heavy golden jewellery, the dazzling saree and the newly applied makeup, she failed to look like a typical trophy wife. If anything, she looked more responsible than she already was. She didn't have the guts to ask her mother-in-law for anything such as a new sari or a diamond necklace or anything of that sort.
These are things your husband is supposed to give you, the voice in her head taunted.
She stood up and decided that this was it. She couldn't put on more of a show. She wore all this because it was the custom of the Modi household, not for the outside world to know how privileged she was.
It would have looked good on Anita. Maybe even better.
She knew that Aham loved someone else. It was kind of obvious when your husband treated all women around you fairly enough but when it came to you, there seemed to be only hailstorms spouting from his mouth.
It's all your fault.
Aham impatiently honked his car downstairs. Before he could shout at her again, she rushed downstairs. Aham critically surveyed her. Nothing a typical business wife should have-a designer purse, some sophisticated accessories...I bet if you asked her what D&G or Mango is she would be more dumb than she already is.
She's looking pretty, another hopeful voice said but it meekly retreated as a flash of anger crept into his eyes.
Mistaking it to be for her she covered her face with her pallu. He sighed. Why did she have to be like this? Umang would make sure he became the laughing stock of society circles.
But you hate all those parties and fakeness anyway...when you were going out with Anita you were always asking her was it necessary to...
Chup, he told the meek voice. It was bad enough having a Gopi in front of him, he did not want a Gopi in his head.
"Chale?" he asked. She nodded her head. He rolled his eyes. It wouldn't hurt her to speak.
Well at the rate you're going..it will.
Aham had already gone off to some faraway land where contracts ruled and had no time for a guilty complex. Let her enjoy it.
Gopi stared outside in wonderment. She had never stepped out of her house before. To see the greenery, the kids playing happily, the tall buildings rising into the sky as the city appeared in front of them-it awed her. Aham was momentarily distracted by the dreamy look in her eyes-then it was back to whether to sign today or tomorrow.
She was also scared, but she had full trust in Aham. He may not love her, but he wasn't an evil man at heart. He had to protect her someday or the other.
Aham's Blackberry beeped. He was too busy focusing on the road ahead to notice. Her hands shaking, she picked it up and squinted.
Before she could even guess, he snatched it away from her. "Don't try to be what you aren't." he said in an aggressive tone. She nodded her head.
He checked the message. Anita again.
I've made Umang promise me not to humiliate you or rather that dumb wife of yours. I'm going to America, to focus on my studies. Unlike some people, I know how to read, and I plan to do so for the rest of my life, considering you now belong to someone else.
Damn, he thought, she'll never let me rest in peace.
He looked at Gopi angrily. She had happily pressed her face to the window.
It's all her fault.
Edited by IndigoBlues - 14 years ago