3. The Vulnerable Aham Modi
So here our hottie is in the hospital...
As Aham laid there brooding, the doctor arrived and told him the news that he would get discharged today itself later in the evening. Due to his paining jaw, Aham could not even smile fully to show how happy he was.
In the Modi house, it was already 4 in the afternoon. Jigar, Kokila and Gopi were leaving for the hospital. Chirag has gone straight from to the office to brief the staff on what to do and inform them of Aham's accident, leaving only Parag.
Parag sat down beside his injured son. He was feeling awkward and did not know what to do or say. It has been a long time since he and Aham have been alone like this. Parag loved his son, but not his habits. He was like a robot, he hardly laughed. Parag then saw that his son was looking at him, increasing the level of awkwardness.
To ease the situation, Parag asked the obvious,"How are you Dikra?"
Aham was grateful for the fact that his father started the conversation because he did not know what to say. He just nodded and gave his father a reassuring half-smile. Parag just sighed and thought that this was the best time to advise his son regarding his marriage, since his son had nothing to do and could not even shut him up. He was going to take advantage of this situation for he did not know when his son would talk to him again.
He then started,"Dikra, you are a very capable man when it comes to business and getting things done. You do not need anyone for that. I have full faith that even if Chirag is not there, you can handle everything by yourself. But in life, you cannot, because if you try to handle everything you encounter in your life yourself, your life will become unstable and you need support. That is why we have family, for support. From young till this very moment your support has been your Mom. But Dikra, there is someone else in your life now whom you have been trying to ignore but are unable to. And you know something? She too has been supporting you in her quiet ways and once she is gone, your life will not be as satisfying as complete as it should be. Sure you can go find another girl, sure you can go for Anita, but think Dikra, will she love you like Gopi does? Will she cater to every single need of yours just so that you stay comfortable? Will she embrace you in the state you were in last night? Let me tell you with confidence, she wouldn't because she is not Gopi. There is a reason why Gopi is made and the reason is you, Gopi is made for you. Dikra, i am talking about Gopi being the right one for you and this has nothing to do with the family. Give it a thought."
All the while Parag spoke, he did not look at his son. As for Aham, this was the first time in a few years his father was advising him. Whatever his father said was affecting him. Gopi was the right one for him? Really? Let's see, what kind of girl he wanted, humble? Checked. Caring? Checked. Soft-spoken? Checked. Someone he could be proud of in front of people? Checked. Intelligent? Yup she is just illiterate but she is intelligent, coming up with solutions for the most unsolve-able problems. Maybe a little silly, but that's cute so its okay. What else did he want in his woman? He himself was confused.
Just then his Mom entered...alone. Aham literally felt his heart sink. Damn it! Where the hell was she?! Must be in the kitchen at Modi Mansion busy in housework. She did not even care that her husband was in the hospital and was getting discharged. She could have at least came. Nope she wasn't the right one for him. Never!
Kokila walked up to her son's bed and saw that he was not happy about something. She carressed his hair and knew her son did not like all this, having nothing to do and being helpless. Her eyes then registered the things in the room which needed to get packed since Aham was getting discharged. Immediately she called for her Gopi Vahu.
Aham's sunken face then lit up. After muttering something about having to give every instruction to Gopi, Kokila then briskly walked out of the room and brought his wife, his girl, into the room by the hand. Gopi had her infamous worried expression on her face. Aham then decided that this trademark expression of his wife was the cutest expression. He liked it. But what he did not like was the fact that that she only glanced up at him for less than a second. He could have put a bet on his life that she did not look at his face properly. She was going to pay for this, heavily.
As her Maaji held her hand firmly and literally dragged her into the room, Gopi prayed and prayed and if that was not enough, she prayed some more. How she yearned to see her husband, her Ahamji. But she did not want to anger him so she kept her gaze fixed on the floor. But still she glanced up very briefly to get a glimpse. Big mistake. He was looking at her. Now he was going to be irritated with her again. How she wished she did not give in to her desires, neither would her Ahamji catch her looking at him, nor would he get irritated.
"Gopi Vahu, pack the things kept on the bedside and take out The clothes we brought from home for Aham to wear, I will ask the nurse for the medicine," having said that, Kokila left the room, leaving Gopi and Aham together with an irritating bubble of awkwardness between them. With shaky steps, Gopi walked towards the bedside holding a bag in her hand. She then slowly kept whatever was there on the table into the bag without looking at Aham who had already looked away not being able to bear the fact that Gopi did want to see him.
After a while much to both Gopi and Aham's relief, Kokila entered the ward with a nurse in tow. She told Gopi in front of Aham to look carefully at how the nurse did the dressing for she would have to do it after this. Hearing that, Aham's heart leapt with joy while Gopi's eyes widened in shock.
"Maaji main?!" asked a shocked Gopi.
"Haan tum. Koi masla? (Yes you. Any problem?)" asked Kokila strictly, daring Gopi to protest.
Gopi just looked down and then at the nurse as she dressed Aham's wounds. Aham just loved his Mom for that. That meant that after this, Gopi would have to attend to him. Just to see Gopi's reaction, Aham hissed in pain and Aham received just the reaction he wanted- Gopi closed her eyes, unable to see her Ahamji in pain.
Finally the dressing was done and the nurse explained to Gopi everything that had to be done and answered all of Gopi's questions. Aham noticed that Gopi was quite confident speaking to the nurse unlike when she spoke to him. He felt a stab of jealousy and sulked. Kokila helped Aham with his shirt while Gopi got everything packed and ready. A few minutes later, Jigar arrived to fetch them home. Aham was brought to the car in a wheelchair and that totally spoiled his mood for he was never so dependant in his life. He even needed help sitting in the car. Jigar drove with Kokila beside him and in the backseat sat an injured Aham and a worried(as usual) Gopi.
When the car started, Aham started having flashbacks of the accident. He was becoming scared. He shut his eyes and grabbed Gopi's hand tightly. His breathing became fast and Gopi got worried. She immediately sat closer to Aham. Kokila turned to find her Dikra's eyes shut and he looked scared. Kokila asked Jigar to stop the car but Aham refused and instead told him to quickly reach home. He could not bear sitting in the car. A worried Kokila then told Gopi to take care of Aham. Gopi put her free hand around Aham while Aham hid his face in her neck trying to forget the surroundings. Aham then left Gopi's hand and put his arms around her hugging her. Gopi was stunned and did not know how to react but she knew that her Ahamji was not in his right state of mind and she started rubbing his chest over his heart in an attempt to calm his pounding heartbeats. Aham was breathing into Gopi's neck and sucking air through his teeth. He just needed to get out of the car.
Soon the car came to a halt and Kokila rushed out to her son who was still clinging onto Gopi. After a while Kokila and Gopi managed to calm Aham down and wheeled him into the house where everyone else was anticipating their arrival. A room on the ground floor was ready for Gopi and Aham to shift into till Aham's condition improved enough for him to climb the stairs. Aham was elated to see his family members again. After escaping death, he felt closer to his family and wanted to spend some time with them. Aham was wheeled into the hall. He sighed frustrated, when Gopi dissapeared into the kitchen almost immediately. But soon the frustration evaporated when she emerged with a glass of limbu pani for him. He really needed that. Aham again felt miserable when his mother had to help him hold the glass as he was in such a bad condition. Aham listened attentively as his Kaka sternly forbade him to worry about the office work till he himself ave him work to do. Aham had no choice but to listen. After chatting with the family for a while Aham was wheeled into his room and helped onto the bed by Jigar. Kokila brought Gopi aside and in a motherly manner explained to Gopi to take care of Aham and not be affected by his mood swings. She gave Gopi Aham's full responsibility and encouraged her. After giving her Vahu a hug she sent her to her room to attend to Aham.
See how vulnerable Aham had become! Hope you guys liked it and do leave comments!
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