New FF: Escape Last Part Page 49 - Page 24

Chapter 18

The next morning was a busy one. Everyone was busy preparing for the guests that were going to start arriving at night. Ahem kept trying to corner Gopi into a private room so he could talk to her again, but he could never get a chance. She was always running around and it seemed as if she was trying to avoid him. He walked into the room Gopi was in and discovered that his mom and Hetal were also in there. He walked out with a rough sigh and walked towards his room. Sanjeev saw Ahem trying to get Gopi alone and he didn't like it for a second. He had to put a stop to it and so he followed Ahem into his room. He walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Mr. Ahem Modi, listen to me really carefully as I am only going to say this once. I told you to stay away from my daughter and I expect you to follow my orders. Don't make me do something that I am going to regret. My daughter has been hurt enough because of you and I will refuse to let it happen again." Sanjeev stared him down. Ahem knew that he had made a mistake.

"Listen Sir, you are Gopi's Kaka and she loves you a lot. I really respect you and your feelings for your daughter, but I also love you daughter. I know I made a mistake, a big mistake, but I want to fix it. I want to give your daughter all the happiness in the world. She deserves it. Please all I am asking for is a chance. A chance to show you and your daughter how much I care. Please if Gopi doesn't love me anymore and doesn't want anything to do with me, I'll walk away from her life forever. I only want her to be happy and if her happiness is still with me I want to know. I'm asking for one chance."

"You don't deserve any chances. You lost any chance the day you threw her out like yesterday's garbage. My daughter isn't a toy that you can play with when you want and throw out when you want. She has a heart, a big heart and you completely shattered it. You made a mistake that isn't forgivable. Stay away from my daughter. This is my last warning Ahem. STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" Ahem was determined. He knew that Sanjeev hated him and he was just being protective.

"I'm sorry sir. I love you daughter very much and I will get her back no matter what it takes. You can take anything away from me if you like. Nothing is more important to me than my wife, nothing not even Modi Industries." With that last word he walked out of the room into the commotion filled room. Sanjeev looked at Ahem's retreating figure. A part of him was proud that Ahem loved his daughter that much that he would risk everything for her. It was going to take a lot more than this for Ahem to win his trust back and he was prepared to fight back. Ahem looked around and noticed the girls in a group. He walked over to Jigar and together they also walked towards the girls.

"Kinjal do you know our Gopi here is going to sing and dance tonight?" Gopi looked over at Kamya with a mean look. She still couldn't believe Kamya was holding her to her promise. Kinjal looked over at Kamya in surprise. In fact everyone in the group looked surprised. Gopi was going to sing and dance in public. They still recalled how much of a push they had to give her to do garba that day.

"Gopi Bhabhi doesn't know how to dance." Kinjal looked over at Kamya. Kamya laughed out loud at that last statement.

"Are you kidding? Gopi is the best singer and dancer I have ever seen. Her voice is like an angel's and her dancing is so graceful." Everyone knew Gopi has a sweet voice. They had heard it every morning when she was doing the aarti, but a graceful dancer. Now they really had something to look forward too. The rest of the day was spent in preparations and pretty soon everyone was getting ready for the mendhi function. Gopi took extra care in getting ready that day. She finished the last of her curls in her hair and looked in the mirror. She looked absolutely stunning in blue. It was a deep ocean green with gold all over. She had on a matching necklace and big earrings to match. Her make-up was done lightly highlighting her big beautiful eyes. Her hair was curled and flowing around her face. No one would recognize this as the same Gopi. She looked beautiful, but her innocence was still radiating all around her, especially in her eyes. She walked into Kamya's room to take her downstairs.

"Kamya you look beautiful. Are you ready?" Kamya looked over at Gopi. She looked like an angel. She knew her Ahem bhai wouldn't be able to stop staring at her.

"Yeah I am Gopi. Thank you. I just need to find the jewelry for this dress." Gopi walked over to her and handed her the package.

"Kamya this is a little present from Baba and me. I was hoping you would wear this today." Kamya was so touched. She took the box from Gopi and opened it. Inside was the most beautiful diamond set she had ever seen.

"Gopi this is gorgeous. I would be honored to wear it. Thank you so much. I love it. Can you help me?" Gopi walked over and helped her put on the necklace.

"There. You look stunning. Let's go downstairs lucky lady." They walked downstairs hand in hand where they party was already started. Ahem noticed Gopi walking down the stairs and he was speechless. She looked beautiful. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Jigar looked over at Ahem staring and Gopi and nudged Kinjal. Kinjal laughed and together they went and elbowed Ahem. Jigar cleared his throat to get Ahem's attention. At realizing he had been caught staring Ahem turned pink. Jigar laughed.

"It's okay Ahem Bhai. She's your wife. We all understand. Bhabhi does really look beautiful doesn't she?" Kokila and Hetal looked at the interaction and smirked. It was nice seeing their children laughing and enjoying themselves again. Kamya sat down and they started the mehndi. Kamya looked over at Gopi knowing she was avoiding having to dance. Gopi sat down next to Kamya and she had the ladies put mehndi on her hands too. Kamya kneeled down and whispered something into the lady that was applying mehndi on Gopi's hand before Gopi could notice. Gopi looked around at all the guests while the lady finished up her hands. When she was finished she slowly looked down to see the beautiful design. In the middle of a hand she noticed a name. It read Ahem and she looked over at Kamya with tears in her eyes. No this can't be this can't be. She quickly got up and walked away. Kamya did not expect that reaction. She didn't want to hurt Gopi. She wanted to run after her, but she couldn't. Everyone was talking and having a good time when suddenly the lights dimmed down. Kamya looked around to see what was happening. She smiled. She loved Gopi like a sister and she knew that Gopi would do anything for her happiness. The spotlight was on Gopi. She looked beautiful and suddenly her melodious voice filled the air. The Modi family and everyone looked over at Gopi. Ahem couldn't stop staring.

Yeh Mehndi Ke boote inke rang anokhe,

Yeh Mehndi ke boote inke rang anokhe,

Ek baar yeh rang lag jaaye, saari umar na choote

Mehndi lagaoon kis naam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Mehandi lagaoon kis naam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Yeh mehndi ke boote inke rang anokhe.

Gopi moved so gracefully with the music. It was stunning. Ahem watched her every move. She danced perfectly. As Gopi was about to continue a male voice was heard. Gopi looked around to see where it was coming from. Suddenly Rahul walked slowly towards Gopi. Gopi smiled over at Rahul and together they swayed to the music in perfect sync. Ahem looked over at the pair and his blood began to boil.

Shaam ki bansi jab bhi baji hai, radha ke mann mein preet jagi hai

Shaam ki bansi jab bhi baji hai, radha ke mann mein preet jagi hai

Ho…ghoonghat mein radha sharmaye, dekho hoga Milan yeh aas lagi hai

Aati jaati har ek dhadkan tumse yahi kahegi

Khushiya hain saari tere naam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Mehndi lagaoon kis naam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Rahul looked over at Gopi and she looked sad. He noticed the way she kept looking over at Ahem and Ahem could not stop looking at her. Rahul knew he was getting death glares from Ahem. He continued singing sadly thinking and praying that this man wouldn't take his Gopi away from him. He had a feeling that he was the man Gopi loved with all her heart. He sang with a heavy heart at that thought.

Radha ke mann ki radha he jaane, shyaam na aaye bansi bajane

Radha ke mann ki radha he jaane, shyaam na aaye bansi bajane

Lafta hain ke vrindavan mein ab na raas rachegi

Ab yeh kahani kis kaam ki, radha to bain hain bas shyaam ki

Ab yeh kahani kis kaam ki, radha to bain hain bas shyaam ki

Gopi looked over at Ahem and looked down at her hand with his name on it. She swayed and circled around and continued to sing. She locked eyes with Ahem as she sang.

Ho…prem again kuch aisi lagi hai, sirf akeli radha jali hain

Prem agan kuch aisi lagi hai, sirf akeli radha jail hain

Lagta hai ke aaj bhi radha, shyaam se nahi milegi

Phir se judaai subah-o-shaam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Phir se judaai subah-o-shaam ki, radha to bani hai bas shyaam ki

Gopi looked away and walked towards the center and smiled at Kamya. Ahem quickly wiped away the tears before anyone could see. They were all looking at Gopi and her beautiful dance.

Yeh mehndi ke boote inke rang anokhe

Ek baar yeh rang lag jaaye, saari umar na choote.

Gopi finished the song and everyone clapped. Kokila, Kinjal, and Hetal came over and told her how beautifully she danced. Kamya smiled over at her and Gopi walked back towards her. Rahul came towards the two women and congratulated Kamya.

"So finally you're getting married huh Kamya. Who's the unlucky fool?" Rahul teased her and Kamya fumed. Gopi laughed and hit Rahul in the arm.

"Stop teasing her Rahul. It's her day. Let her enjoy it." Rahul obediently agreed and hugged Kamya.

"It's good that you came when you did Rahul otherwise I wouldn't have spared you if you had missed my wedding."

"How could I miss this? I had to meet that fool who agreed to marry you and ask him why?"

"Look Gopi see. I told you he wasn't going to stop. He's being so mean on my big day." Gopi came over and playfully slapped Rahul's arm.

"Didn't I warn you to stop teasing her Rahul?" Kamya stuck her tongue out Rahul. The three friends laughed. Ahem looked at the interaction and he felt jealous. Gopi never openly laughed or talked like that with him. He wanted Gopi to be comfortable enough to do that with him too. He didn't like the way Rahul looked at Gopi. He knew Rahul had feelings for Gopi from the way he was looking at her and he didn't like their interaction one bit. He wanted to go over there and grab Gopi and take her away, but he knew he couldn't. He watched as Rahul and Gopi danced and talked and laughed. Gopi was so open, so confident around Rahul. Her eyes sparkled as she talked to him. She seemed to enjoy his company a lot and he hated it. She was always so afraid of Ahem, but with Rahul she was a chatterbox. His eyes began to water. He couldn't take it anymore. He didn't notice Gopi walk away from Rahul and towards Sanjeev. He was already outside and into the garden by then. Sanjeeve knew Ahem was getting jealous and he was enjoying every second of watching Ahem squirm. 'Good my plan is working. This is perfect. I'm glad I called Rahul back for the wedding and just in time too.' Sanjeev was proud of himself and saw Gopi walk towards him. He saw Rahul walk out towards the garden out of the corner of his eyes.

"Gopi beta I think I have left my files outside by the garden earlier. They are very important and with so many people here I don't want them to get lost or thrown away. Can you please go and fetch them?" Sanjeev smirked. He knew Ahem would hate it. Gopi nodded and walked towards the garden. Sanjeev looked around for Ahem to make sure that he noticed, but didn't see him anywhere. He did see Rahul over by Kamya though and he frowned. He thought he had seen Rahul go towards the garden. Then he noticed his sherwani. It was the same color as Ahem's. Sanjeev had unknowingly sent Gopi to Ahem. He knew he couldn't follow Gopi and get her because then Gopi would know what he was up to. He scowled. Gopi walked towards the garden looking all around for the papers and didn't see them. She laughed at her Baba. He was always forgetting where he put things. She would bet anything that those papers were in Sanjeev's top drawer right now. She suddenly noticed a figure sitting on the bench in the middle of the garden. He seemed to be staring at the moon lost in thought. He looked really sad and distant. Upon closer inspection she noticed it was Ahem. She looked around to see if anyone else was there. He was alone. She slowly walked towards him and sat down. She looked up at the moon. Ahem felt her presence and watched from the corner of his eyes as she slowly made her way over and sat down. He didn't say anything for a while. He just wanted to enjoy his Gopi's company for a little while. He was afraid she might run away if he opened his mouth. Ahem couldn't stay quiet any longer. He wanted his Gopi to talk to him the way she was talking to Rahul.

"Do you love Rahul?" Ahem blurted it out before he could stop himself. He didn't know what had come over him. Gopi was startled by his question and she looked over at him. She didn't know what to say or how to respond so she just stared into his eyes. Ahem couldn't stand her silence. Her silence was confirming his deepest fear making his heart bleed. He looked away from Gopi's stare. His Gopi loved someone else. He got up completely shattered and slowly started to walk away.