FF: Dil Kyun Yeh Mera Part 5 pg 9 - Page 5

Part 4

Ahem stood on a busy dusty street, perplexed on what he was about to do next. He could not imagine what overtook him when he instructed Vijay, his driver, to get the car ready. But now in his senses, he realised he only had two options: either he followed with his original plan or he retreated to his car. He took few steps back and felt a slight churning in his stomach. Regret?! He wasn't sure. He breathed deeply, removed his sunglasses and walked into the moderate sized opening.

"Ahemji?" a not so modest looking man in his late 40s greeted him, surprised. "You shouldn't have trouble yourself in coming here. If you needed anything at all, you should have just called."

Ahem managed a smile as he scanned the numerous gold chains around his neck and the rings bestowed on each finger.

"Are you looking for something for your wife? I hope she liked the necklace that she bought. I'm sure you will agree with me, it was exquisitely designed."

Ahem continued to play with his sunglasses before he placed it in his jacket. He was getting annoyed on the mere mention of the necklace. Why was he here anyway?

He had previously called the jewellers and clarified the order and was shocked and annoyed that Gopi had the audacity to buy a necklace, that too 5 lakh. And then to return home and see her deck with them like a christmas tree. What did that mean? Was she a gold digger as he feared most women would be with him.

Coming here was truly a wrong idea. But he couldn't just walk in after making an entrance and just walk back out. Everyone knew he was a man of few words but this would be almost ridiculous. He had to say something? But what?

Do i have to tell you everything? Just ask about the necklace!

The necklace, yes but how? I can't really let him know that I disapproved of it. He will thing I'm a controlling husband.

And he would be wrong?!

Ahem cleared his throat. "Mr Kundandass, do you remember the necklace my wife ordered?

"Is something wrong with it?" a worried look engulfed his face. "I'll repair it immediately, free of charge. You, I mean, the Modi family are one of my best customers. So I don't like it if you are disappointed."

"No, there is nothing wrong with it." Ahem replied, puzzled how to proceed next. He couldn't outrightly say that he was just enquiring if Gopi ordered it or not.

What would he then think? They don't talk.

Well, you don't

Or worse, Ahem Modi didn't trust his wife.

Was I sleeping when that changed?

Stop. Either be useful and help me or shut up. This is probably your idea anyway.

Ahem could not believe that he was now conversing with that voice.

Touchy. Did you truly go to Cambridge or did mum bribe someone for your degree. Make something up. Lie!

"Does she not like it?" Kundan dass spoke interupting him. He had a worried look to him. "I can replace it, if she'd like."

He had to think for a moment. He truly did not know if she liked it or not. He was too angry that night to care how Gopi felt about it.

She definitely liked it but you ruined it by opening your mouth.

Not helping. Be quiet, as I need to think.

Ahem felt a tinge of guilt. If his memory was right, she did have a glow to her that evening and she looked good in her bright red sari.

So you did notice?

He looked down at the semi bald man in front of him.

"Kundan dass, I was thinking of getting something for my wife. I was wondering when she came here last, besides the necklace that she chose, was there anything else that she liked?"

He scanned Kundan, hoping that he would catch the bait. He watched as Kundan scratched his head trying to make sense of his request. Briskly he moved back to behind the counter and bend out of sight. Ahem heard ruffles of paper before Kundan emerged with a worn out book that had aged from multiple use. He opened the book and flipped through the pages, occasionally mildly salivating on his index finger before the paper flipping action resumed. Ahem tugged his shirt up as he discretely glanced at his watch. He wondered how long he would have to wait or whether he would need to try a different strategy.

"Ahemji?"

Finally. "Yes?"

Kundan scratched his head. "I don't know how to say this but your wife did not come to the shop."

"She didn't?! How did she place the order then?" Ahem tried to act shock, however realised that maybe it was too much. The man was trembling, and Ahem thought possibly this was due to him thinking that he had just disclose something that he shouldn't have.

"Maybe she did tell me but I was too busy with work to listen. You know how men are with work." Ahem smiled hoping it did not sound too false.

"Yes, Ahemji. My wife says I don't listen as well." his shoulders relaxed slightly.

He studied a particular page and then looked up slightly relax. "Your wife called to place the order. I now remember, I had made a note after the call. She had introduced herself as Gopi Modi and stated that she was your wife. She said she would like to order the design necklace that was on the previous day's newspaper ad that we had done. She asked how much it was. 5 lakh I replied. She then confirmed the order, stating that she needed it ASAP".

Ahem felt part of him rejoiced. Gopi definitely did not place the order. First, she would never introduce herself as Gopi Modi. 2nd and most importantly, she could not read! He couldn't believe that he would be proud of her illiteracy. She never read the newspaper and he knew tha Mani normally took the paper and gave it to his mum every morning. So there was no chance of Gopi ever flipping through the paper. Even if for argument sake, she did, how would she know that the jeweller was the one mum used and they had an account with him? It was definitely impossible for her to place the order. He breathed a sigh of relief though it was cut short.

But that would mean that someone else had pretended to be Gopi and placed the order? But whom? and why?

He didn't take too much time to figure out the motive. Greed was definitely not the reason since Gopi did have the necklace on when he returned from work. Whoever did it wanted to cause friction between him and Gopi. He tried not to think of his actions on that night but immediately closed his eyes shut as images of him shouting at her, telling her that he loved Anita and only married her for his mother, and then the realisation that she could not read and finally the slap. He squeezed his right hand hoping that the pain would help lessen the guilt. But he knew that was just temporary.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. One minute". Ahem took his phone out and pretended to check his messages. His mind was racing as it evaluated each member. The voice on the phone was female; it had to be since Kundan thought it was Gopi. So all the men were excluded. Since it sounded like a young voice, he cancelled Baa, his mum and Hetal Kaki. That left three people: Mani, Rashi and Kinjal. Mani, even though his mother often called her duffur, was simple at heart and mannerism. She had been working for them for ages and even though he had hardly spoken to her, he knew there wasn't an evil bone in her. Besides he had seen her interaction with Gopi and knew they both liked each other and felt mutually comfortable. With regards to Rashi, there was just something he could not put his fingers to. Whenever he was around and when she was unaware that she was being watched, she always looked angrily at Gopi. And Gopi was always scared at her. She had the same kind of look as when he got angry with her, which made his heart sink.

Why does Rashi hate Gopi so much?

He had no answer. They were siblings, or rather cousins but still. He found this hard to believe as he loved Jigar very much and only wanted the best for him; and yet he couldn't say for certain if Rashi felt the same way for Gopi. He had seen Gopi put Rashi's needs first but not the other way round. Rashi was a possibility though she wouldn't have known about the jewellers. Maybe Hetal Kaki would have told her, though it seemed unlikely.

That just left his sister. He found it hard to believe that she would sabotage his marriage.

What marriage? She wanted you to leave the mandap during your wedding, remember?

According to his recollection for THAT day, he was getting ready when Kinjal came in and spoke rudely to Gopi in front of him. He was amazed that Gopi just stood there in silence and despite wanting not to get involved, he had to step in.

Could it be the reason for Kinjal being that way? He shook his head. There would have to be another reason, or someone else.

Are you serious?

"Do you know what time the call was made?" Ahem asked as he visioned himself with a nice hat, a long jacket and a pipe in his hands. Part of him was enjoying this. The mystery of Gopi Modi's necklace. He couldn't help but smile. He always enjoyed a good mystery and now he was actually on the field solving it.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble Sherlock Holmes but we still haven't solved the case.

But we are close, i can feel it.

"Mid morning and then the necklace was delivered by early evening. I even got a new system where I got it signed when it was accepted, what do the call it, recorded delivery." Kundan stated proudly.

Now Ahem was stuck. Should he ask to see the card openly? That would definitely raise suspicion. No, he had to think of another way.

"I'm impressed you've got the system in place. I guess it ensures that the right client gets the order. When did you put it in place?

"A few months ago. I even thought of the wording myself. Would you like to see an example."

"Definitely." Please kanaji, let him show me gopi's card. I'm doing my very best with her. I know I screwed up and I'm sorry but if you just help, I promise I won't make the same mistake again.

"Here's one. In fact it's the one your wife signed."

Thank you God. I shall never ever doubt you again.

"Really? Can I have a look." Ahem studied the signature card card closely. Granted there was a scribbled of Gopi Modi on it but what shocked him was the characteristic of the signature. He had seen the pattern so many times and knew instantly who had signed and now made sense who had placed the order. He did not need anymore information. His investigation was complete and the case was solved. Now all he needed was to confront the perpetrator.

"Thank you kundan dass. It's impressive." Ahem took his sunglasses out and made his way to the door.

"Ahemji, are you not getting anything for your wife?"

He turned and faced the jeweller. Should he get something? Why?

Maybe because you were wrong? Sorry present?

But he didn't know what she liked? An image from his morning flashed before him. Bangles.

"Have you got any nice sets of bangles?"

A smile lit Kundan dass's face. "I have several. What would you prefer? Plain gold or with diamonds and precious stones?"

"Have you got anything with emeralds?"

He liked green, especially on Gopi and it would suit her expanding green collection of outfits. Also he felt that maybe the gift could have something that he liked as a token.

Kundan dass smiled widen. "I have just the bangles you are looking for."

Ten minutes later, after much haggling, Ahem walked out with a box of expensive and beautiful bangles. He was amazed that he actually enjoyed his first jewellery shopping. As he walked to the car, he felt lighter and there might have been a slight lift to his steps. He knew his next decision would be difficult. Should he call Kinjal or pay an unexpected visit? Or maybe he could explore it with her on another day. The chances of that happening were slim. She hardly came home and when she did, she had Urmila tagging along.

For a brief second he did not care, he was just glad that his wife was innocent.

Your wife?

Yes. My wife.

He knew that she had taken her marital vows back but legally, there were still married and that would be his saving grace. He wasn't sure how he truly felt about her. That was still a mystery even for him. But he now knew that he did not hate her and actually did not dislike her either. So there was a change and he felt that being civil would be a good start.

Vijay opened the door as Ahem approached the car.

"Back to the office sir?" he started the engine as he looked at Ahem though the rear view mirror.

Ahem placed the bangles on the passenger seat next to him and thought for a moment. Would it be right for him to give the bangles to Gopi when he actually did not know why Kinjal treated her that way? What good would that do? It would be like putting a plaster on a wound without actually exploring the cause. If he was going to start on a new foot with his relationship with Gopi, he wanted to do what was right.

"Vijay, let's pay Kinjal a visit"