Hi Friends! Hope everyone is well.
I was supposed to post the update earlier today, but I was at work and we had snow, ice, rain and sleet today, so did not get a chance to sneak off and finish the update. Then when I came home my computer was being used so had to wait a little longer.
I had planned the update to take us into the Ghod Bharai scene, but something else came up, so next one will definitely be about the Ghod Bharai.
Here it is, hope you enjoy it. Sorry it took so long.
Part 11
Two days before the Ghod Bharai Ahem approached his mom. He had heard his mom and Kaki talk about the puja he and Gopi had to sit for before rest of the ceremony is performed and he thought Gopi might feel better if they performed another ceremony before the Ghod Bharai.
"Mom," Koki looked up from the list in her hand at her son's voice. "May I talk to you about something?" Koki looked at her son's somber face and thought it must be something serious. "Ahem dikra come in, what's on your mind?"
Ahem sat beside his mom on the bed. "What are you doing?" he said pointing to the list. "This is the list of things I need to get for Gopi vahu for the Ghod Bharai." Ahem glanced at the list then his mom. "Mom can we have another ceremony before the Ghod Bharai?" Koki frowned at her son. "What kind of ceremony?" Ahem met his mom's eyes. "Wedding ceremony, mom I have been thinking about this for a while now. The first time I married Gopi I was doing it for you. My heart was not in it. I only went thru the motion of getting married without understanding or acknowledging the rituals. When Gopi took her vows back she meant it. I may not have gone thru the rituals with heart but she did. I think it might bother her to go thru all this because she doesn't feel she has the right anymore."
Koki thought about what her son said and realized he may be right. Even in the past, after she took her vows back, Gopi was always hesitant when she was asked to do something with Ahem. Gopi followed her instructions but inside she probably felt guilty for doing those things knowing she had willingly broken all the promises. What a dilemma it must have been for her vahu to do all the wifely duties knowing she promised not to do those things for her husband.
"Mom?" Koki was still lost in her thoughts and answered absently, "hmm.." Ahem spoke louder. "Mom, are you okay?" Koki looked up at her son. "Yes Ahem I am fine. You are right we should do something to rectify my mistake. I will talk to Motabhabhi and call the panditji for an auspicious time to have the wedding ceremony." Ahem was relieved to hear his mom agree with him.
How was he going to present this to Gopi? His mom must have read his mind. "Do you want to talk to Gopi vahu or do you want Motabhabhi and me to take the proposal to her?" Koki teased her son. She knew what his answer would be, but still waited for him to tell her.
Ahem stood up. "Mom I have to go shopping." Koki grinned at him. "Shopping for what?" Ahem knew he was about to shock his mom. "A ring, mangalsutra and clothes." Koki was delighted not shocked. "Ahem have you ever shopped for a woman before?"
Ahem had anticipated this question and grinned at his mom. "No I haven't but I know the perfect person to help me." He waved to his mom and went out to look for Jigar.
Jigar's new PA, Divya, would be perfect in helping him select things for Gopi. Plus he gets to drag Jigar with him so they can meet outside of the office.
He had seen the shy looks Divya had been giving Jigar lately and Jigar too seem to like her but not showing it. Jigar only watched Divya when he thought no one was looking but Ahem had been observing them for a while now. His brother needs to get out and have fun, move forward with his life. Divya is perfect for Jigar and also for the family. It's time the family is also introduced to Divya and this is a perfect opportunity.
Ahem rubbed his hands in anticipation, he gets a chance to make Gopi happy and also his family.
Ahem ignored his brother's grumbling about getting Divya involved in the shopping trip. "Bhai seriously why do we need some girl to help us to buy gifts for Bhabhi? We can do with a sales girl at the store." Jigar tightened his hands on the staring wheel; he didn't know why his brother was so keen on including this girl. She made him feel things he didn't want to feel.
Ahem looked up from his phone. "Jigar I am not taking any chances on making Gopi upset." Jigar gave Ahem a skeptical look. "Bhai you know Bhabhi is not going to get upset if you choose the wrong thing." Ahem scoffed at Jigar. "You don't know anything about pregnant women and their crazy hormones. I've been reading up on it, any little thing can make them upset."
Jigar shrugged his shoulders and gave up. "Fine lets just hurry up and get the shopping done." he resigned himself to a torturous afternoon.
Four hours later Ahem, Jigar and Divya arrived at Modi Bhavan, tired from all the shopping they did. Jigar and Divya had been uncomfortable at first but by the end of the shopping trip they were talking like old friends. Ahem grinned at the success of his plan. Now they can get to know each other and see where it takes them.
Baa, Hetal and Koki joined them in the hall. "Ahem did you buy out all the stores?" Baa teased him. Ahem grinned at them and introduced Divya to his family. Jigar had gone quiet again and sat observing his mom's reaction to Divya. Hetal and Koki glanced at each other than turned to Divya to ask how she liked working at Modi industries. They both listened as Divya told them about her job and then she told them about her family.
Ahem interrupted their conversation. "Mom you will get to ask Divya more questions later, I want to introduce her to Gopi. There is something else I need Divya to help me with." Koki smiled and told him to take Divya up while she gets the tea ready.
Jigar followed Divya and Ahem to see Gopi. His brother was up to something and he wanted to know what it was.
Gopi looked up from her knitting. "Bhabhi are you still working on that sweater?" She smiled at Jigar then looked at Ahem before replying. "Ji Devarji, I had to untangle some knots first, but I think I will be finished with it soon." Ahem raised an eyebrow and hid a smile.
He went over to the bed and sat next to Gopi. "Well put that away for now, you have company." Gopi turned to Divya. "You must be Divya, I've heard so much about you." Gopi looked at Jigar who flushed and refused to turn his head to look at Divya.
It was Divya's turn to raise an eyebrow. "I hope it was all good. Who's been talking about me?" Gopi grinned when Jigar moved restlessly. "Ahemji of course." Jigar was relieved and thanked his Bhabhi silently. Ahem chocked on a laugh seeing Jigar uncomfortable.
Jigar decided to leave before his Bhai and Bhabhi made a fool out of him. "I am leaving, I have some work to finish up." Ahem stopped him. "Not so fast Jigar, you have to help me bring rest of the packages from the car." He got up and followed Jigar out the door.
Divya turned to Gopi. "Wow Ahem sir is really different when he is away from the office. He sure doesn't look like a stern boss now, most especially when he is with you."
Gopi made room for Divya on the bed and signaled her to sit on the bed. "You should have seen him a year ago. He was angry all the time. He is better now because he is going to be a father soon." Divya tilted her head to the side and looked at Gopi as if to say she disagreed. "I think it's more than just becoming a father. I think it's you who brings out the change."
Gopi was surprised, "me?" she shook her head in denial. "Yes you mam, I think you are good for him." Gopi laughed at Divya. "First of all call me Gopi and you are wrong about me changing Ahemji to this extent."
"Jigar I told you the girl is very smart when I hired her, didn't I?" Jigar rolled his eyes at his brother's back that made Gopi laugh. "Divya I should give you a raise for taking my side and reduce Jigar's salary for always being on his bhabhi's side."
Ahem put the bags down and once again sat on the bed beside Gopi. Jigar also placed everything down and started to walk out the room, but Ahem stopped him. "Jigar don't forget we are going out again after lunch." Jigar waved his hand to let Ahem know he heard and walked out. Gopi and Ahem exchanged smiles at Jigar's hasty retreat while Divya looked at them in confusion.
Divya stood up. "I should be leaving also sir." Ahem came around the bed to help Gopi stand. "Wait Divya, you are going to have lunch with us and then you are coming with us. Gopi wants to go to the beauty parlor and I want you to keep her company while Jigar and I finish some pending work."
They went down to join the family for lunch and tell them about their afternoon plans. Hetal and Koki invited Divya to the Ghod Bharai.
Later that evening Ahem walked in the room to see Gopi trying to examine her toenails. She was frowning because she couldn't view them fully. The idea of sending her to beauty parlor had come to him the day before when he heard her mumble about being unable to see her feet. She also said she was feeling swollen and big.
He walked behind her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "They look beautiful, trust me." Gopi looked at him over her shoulder. "I still can't see my feet." She put her hand on her back to rub her aching back.
Gopi felt miserable, the spa had helped but now her back was aching. Her hands and feet are swollen, and she is always tired.
Ahem took her hand and walked her to the bed. He put a pillow behind her back and made her recline back. He then sat at her feet to lift them and put them on his lap. He smiled when he saw the bright red color of her nail polish. "Now you can admire them all you want." She looked at her toes and smiled. "Perfect, they do look nice." She looked at him. "Thanks for asking Divya to go with me."
Ahem gave her smile and rubbed her feet gently. "It was my pleasure. Gopi if I ask you for something will you give it to me?" Gopi looked at him in surprise. She debated on how to answer him. What could he possibly want from her? She thought for a moment and sighed. She realized she can't stay like this forever, he is extending his hand, she needed to take a step forward and see where it takes her. She looked up to see him watching her closely. She nodded her head slowly, and it seems to her that he looked relieved at her answer.
Ahem stood up and went to the wardrobe to get something, then moved back to the bed. He didn't sit on the bed, but instead kneeled down beside the bed facing her. He showed her a ring box and held it open in the palm of his hand. "Mrs. Gopi Ahem Modi, would you do the honor of marrying me again and giving me a chance to renew all the promises that you were made to break because of me? Will you please give me a chance to start our life fresh?"
Gopi gasped at the gesture, tears started falling down her cheeks at the sweetness of his words and seeing the ring in the box. The ring was beautiful. More than the ring or the words, just the thought that he wanted to give something back that was taken away from her was the best gift he could have given her. This made her love him even more and finally she let go her doubt and believed that this time he won't go back on his promise.
Gopi sat up and swung her legs off the bed so she could face him fully. "Yes, I will marry you because today you gave me something I have been wishing for, for a long time, the right to be called your wife." She held out her right hand. "Will you put the ring on me please?" Ahem couldn't hide his joy when she asked to put the ring on her finger. He removed the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. She smiled when he kissed her finger. "Thank you Gopi, I promise this time I won't let you down." Ahem grinned and placed his hand on her stomach. "Did you hear that angel? Mommy said yes, she is finally making an honest man out of me. I was scared for a moment that she would wait for you to arrive before she would forgive me for my stupidity."
Ahem felt the wetness on his hand and looked up to see Gopi crying. He reached up and wiped her tears, and hugged her around the waist. "I am so sorry Gopi for always making you cry and for not granting you your wish sooner." Gopi cupped his face with both hands and made him look up at her. She was surprised to see his eyes shinning with unshed tears. "I am not crying because I am unhappy. I am just very happy that you are doing this for me. Besides I cry at everything lately." They both laughed at this.
Next morning when Ahem walked to the table for breakfast with Gopi, his mom gave him an inquiring look and grinned when he smiled in reply.
Koki put down the bowl she was holding in her hand went to Gopi. "Gopi vahu is there something you want to tell me." She attempted to sound stern but couldn't quiet pull it off. Rest of the family also waited for Gopi's answer.
Gopi glanced around at her family and realized everyone knew Ahem had been planning this; she turned to see him grinning at her. Gopi didn't say anything just held out her hand to show them the ring.
Jigar shouted out in happiness and ran around the table to hug Ahem. "I told you she would say yes. I don't know why you were worried." He teased Ahem and grinned when Ahem gave him a threatening look.
Koki and Hetal hugged Gopi, Baa called Gopi and Ahem over to bless them. Chirag and Parag teased their mother for crying while blessing Gopi and Ahem.
Once everyone settled to eat breakfast the conversation turned to plans for next day. The wedding would take place on the morning with just the family's presence and Ghod Bharai would take place in the afternoon.
Jigar looked at Ahem. "Bhai we need to leave for office if we are going to come home early." Ahem raised an eyebrow. "Wow Jigar you are always in a hurry to get to the office lately. What is the reason for this change?" Jigar flushed at his Bhai's teasing. "Bhai," he said in warning, "I am not in a hurry, take your time, but remember the later we get to the office the later we come back in the evening."
Chirag interrupted them before Jigar and Ahem could continued their bantering. "Alright you two don't waste more time, I also want to come home early today."
It was another fifteen minutes before the men left for office because Hetal and Koki kept giving them last minute instructions and Ahem refused to leave until Gopi finished her breakfast.
The day moved into an evening quickly as everyone got busy with preparations for the next day. Koki and Hetal surprised Gopi with brining someone to do Mehdi on her hands and feet. Gopi protested because she couldn't still for long period of time, but they assured her that she could take breaks anytime. Seeing their excitement Gopi gave in to their request.
Gopi was ordered to stay in her room by Baa and asked Koki to send Gopi's dinner to her room. Ahem was quick to volunteer to take the dinner up to her. When Gopi saw Ahem come in the room with dinner, she asked him to help her up so she could wash off the mend, but he refused. She was not happy but he teased her out of her bad mood by talking to the baby while feeding her.
He finally gave in and let her wash her hands when she had to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Gopi thanked him and immediately fell asleep.
Next morning Gopi and Ahem woke up at the same time, smiled at one another and wished good morning to each other. Ahem got up and helped Gopi to get out of bed and sent her to the bathroom. While she was freshening up Ahem brought out her other gifts from the wardrobe. Gopi came out fifteen minutes later to see Ahem sitting on the bed waiting for her. He stood in front of her. "Don't go anywhere I will be right back." He went in the bathroom to freshen up before she could answer him.
Gopi opened her wardrobe to see what she would wear for the day. Koki had informed them that the wedding would take place in the morning so they needed to have everything ready before going down for breakfast. She was about to pull out her wedding dress when she felt Ahem behind her. "Gopi you won't need that, I have something for you." She turned to look at him in surprise.
Ahem smiled at her surprise and took her to the bed to make her sit. He then went to his wardrobe and pulled out the boxes. He went to her and placed the big box on her lap first. "Open this first." Gopi took off the wrapping paper and opened the box and gasped when she saw the sari in the box. She looked up at him, he smiled at her and said, "I wanted a real nice wedding dress but Divya thought Sari would be better for both wedding and Ghod Bhari. Do you like it?"
Gopi took out the sari and held it in her hands. It was crepe silk, deep red in color with stones, resham, sequins and beads work all over. Gopi realized he had taken the fact that she wouldn't be able to wear a heavy outfit all day, so he picked the lightweight material for her comfort. "I love it, thank you." He placed the other box in her lap and waited for her to open it. She took out the matching necklace set and bangles to go with the sari, and at the bottom were two gold anklets with red stones. Everything matched the sari perfectly.
"This is so beautiful, I have no words to express my gratitude." Ahem placed everything on the bed and helped her stand. "You don't have to thank me, I want to share all those special moments we missed out on the first time." He pulled her in his arms to hug her and closed his eyes in relief when he felt her arms go around him to return the hug.
*~+~*
I am off to bed, have to be at work early. Will wait for your comments and feedback.😊
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