Bound by Love
It was raining cats and dogs. People preferred to stay inside their homes rather than straying outside. Rains brought frequent power cuts. Modi mansion was not an exception. Kokila was frustrated and angry. Her Dikri's marriage was just few days away and the whole lots of work was pending. Above all these power cuts make her restless. She turned towards Gopi and yelled: Gopi vahu what are you doing? Don't stare at my face. Go and light the candles and diyas around the home. Being the ever dutiful daughter-in-law, gopi finished her work. It was only after dinner and cleaning she realized that she had forgotten to put a candle in Ahamji's room. She also remembered Koki telling that Aham will be late and not to put up dinner for him. She thought maybe she will have time before Aham comes so she goes to light the candles.
On reaching Aham's room, Gopi places a candle by the bedside. Still there was no brightness, so she lighted another one and another, she got carried away that she lighted around two dozen candles. When she lighted the last candle, Aham entered the room. At first he thought that his room was in fire. But his eyes fixed itself on the figure in the middle of the room. She looked like Sita during her agnivrevesh. He could not revert his eyes from her. Aham's heart was changing after the dandiya dance. After seeing that Gopi bearing insults for the sake of his family he began to respect her. It was true that he loved Anita, so he had thought. But the innocence of his illiterate wife was wielding itself into him. Now to see her like this mesmerized him. He moved towards her. Her terror strung him like a scorpion string. He lifted the pallu from her face and tried to memorize it. How foolish had he been to cry for something lost while his whole happiness was glaring before him. He had never known anyone so sweet, innocent and caring combined together.
Gopi thought she would leave before Aham reached his room. She was terrified to see him in the room. She hid herself in her pallu bracing for a yelling session, but it did not come. To her joy Aham came near her and removed her pallu. She was lost into his eyes. When he hugged her it was as if she was surrounded by radiance. Being so innocent and dutiful she accepted her husband's desire and wish. It was late in the night when Gopi woke up with Aham's arm around her. A radiant smile played on her lips when she thought what had happened. She sent a silent prayer to kanaji to making her life beautiful. She wanted nothing more than her Ahamji's love. Jut than Aham's phone started to ring. Being uneducated and not knowing who was calling, she picked his phone and attended the call. Before she could answer a female voice cried: I love you Aham, I love you. I don't care even if you are married to that stupid girl. Just divorce her and marry me. I m more suitable than her. Tears started to stream her eyes. What has happened? One minute before she was in heaven now she felt as if in hell. Just than her eyes fell on the diary of Aham. Without waking him, she went and picked it up and opened it. Instead of her marriage picture, she found Aham and another girl, probably Anita together. Gopi's world came shattering. Oh god what had she done. From her tender age all she had known was insults and sufferings. She had never considered it important. She knew who she was. But now, when she had surrendered to Aham and only to know that he loved someone else broke her heart. The thought that what he did might be a spur of the moment and to face his regret was unbearable. Till this time she had never thought of leaving the house but now it was time. She wanted to leave not only to save her integrity but also Aham of his regret. She cannot bear to see it in his eyes. Silently she opened the door and began to run. She did not know which way she was running and where when a car hit her. All she saw was a bright headlight before she fainted.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Mangal Lakshmi
