After Tejas left, they all went up to their rooms to admire their outfits. Ahem just threw his box aside.
He close the door, turned around and faced Gopi. Gopi asked him to open his box. Ahem's kurta was in a two tone green blue combination. He was angry. He asked her why she had designed his in those colours. She simply said they looked good on him and they were his favourite colours.
Again not satisfied with her answer, he asked why his outfit did not match the outfit Gopi is going to wear to the function. He asked Gopi, you are going to wear what Tejas gifted you aren't you?
Gopi asked him, Why do you care if our outfit match or not?
With that question Ahem snapped. He asked Gopi if there was something on between Tejas and her. Gopi looked at him hurt. Why should there be, she asked. I noticed you were getting particularly close, Ahem replied. He always seem to be in the need to present you with a gift. Gopi just replied, that Tejas makes her feel comfortable like Jigar. He is simple nice, friendly and easy to talk too.
Gopi asked Ahem why does it bother him so much that she is friendly with Tejas. Something also snapped in her. She has always loved Ahem so much and never once thought of the way he had treated her in the past. Today however, she felt different, she felt she deserve to be treated better and Ahem needs to be clear as to where she stood with him.
Gopi could not stop herself, once again she said why it bothers you that our outfit does not match. As far as we are concern we are not a couple. Our marriage is in name only. Have you forgotten that I had taken back our marriage vows to keep you happy.
Only recently, you told your Mum that what you feel for me is only friendship. So I do not understand why you are upset over Tejas and the fact that he gave me another gift.
With that Gopi left the room to cool off. Ahem was amazed, he has never seen Gopi angry before. He has always seen the kind, giving, loving and selfless Gopi. He felt ashamed of himself. He realised that Gopi has always done everything according to his wishes. She made every effort to put his needs before her own. She never complained. She was right unless he made things right between them, he really had no rights over her. He could not go on treating her like this. He has to make a decision as to what would be best for them.
Part 6
After what happened the night before, Gopi was in no mood to go to the function. First time she has really felt hurt by Ahem. How dare he think so lowly of her, questioning her about Tejas. Doesn't he know just how much she loves him.
Gopi told Kokila that she does not feel well and does not want to go to the function. Gopi had not realised that Rashi had spied on Gohem and told Kokila exactly what took place in Gohem's room.
Kokila thought hard and came up with a plan. She told Rashi to persuade Gopi to go. So both Jigar and Rashi went on with this task. Finally Gopi agreed. Rashi also told Gopi that she will help her dress for the function.
Under Kokila's instruction, Parag and Chirag made some excuse about a community meeting , left early. They told their wives that they will see them at the function. Kokila asked Ahem to drive Hetal and her to the venue early. Gopi could come later with Jigar and Rashi.
Ahem realised that since the night before Gopi has been avoiding him. He did not blame her for her reaction. In order to appease her, he wore the kurta she designed for him. He looked really good in it. Gopi was quietly admiring him from the corner of her eyes. He told Gopi he will see her later at the function and left.
As soon as Ahem left, Rashi got on to work. She got set on the task of doing Gopi's hair. She side parted her hair. She took a pair of hot rods and made some light curls on Gopi long straight strands, pinned her hair up on one side. She applied some light make up on Gopi. Instead of the lipstick Gopi usually used, she applied some simmering gloss on her lips. She looked so sweet and kissable. Wait...she is not finished yet.
She took out the outfit Gopi was going to wear, helped Gopi put it on. She refused to put the pallu on despite Gopi's insistence.
Both Jigar and Rashi admired Gopi. Jigar told Gopi, Ahem will not be able to resist her. Gopi however looked doubtful.
Once everyone was ready, they set off for the function. At the entrance of the function hall there was a flower stand, it was cute to see Parag and Chirag buying a rose for their wives. Jigar rewarded Rashi with one too.
Ahem has been patiently waiting for Gopi to arrive. He kept looking at the entrance. Kokila noticed this and kept distracting him with questions about his work. Finally, he saw Jigar and Rashi walking in together but he could not see Gopi. He got up and walked up to them. He asked Jigar,"where is Gopi?" Both Jigar and Rashi parted, Gopi was right behind them. Ahem never looked so surprised before. Gopi looked stunning.
Gopi lowered her eyes feeling shy. Like a reflex action, she quickly picked up her pallu to cover her head but Ahem stopped her. Then he noticed something else, she was wearing a ghagra and not the saree that Tejas gave her. Her gargra was in the combination of the colour of the sea and similar to his kurta. At that moment, he felt like a total idiot for the way he had behaved towards Gopi.
He took her hands and headed for the gardens outside the function hall. He looked nervous and hesitant, he finally told Gopi that she looked stunning. He held a rose up to Gopi and asked her if she will be his Valentine's.
Gopi did not respond immediately, just looked at him puzzled. Ahemji, do you know what you are asking of me? He said yes, I love you very much Gopiji and I want you to be my Valentine. Gopi's eyes started brimming with tears. Ahem asked her not to cry, she looked too beautiful it will ruin her face. He asked her to give him another chance, he wants to spend the rest of his life making up for all the mean things he has said and done to her. He told Gopi that he realised that life wouldn't be the same without her. He has never loved anyone the way he loves her. He was once foolish enough to think that he loved no one other than Anita. Today, it is Gopi that held the key to his heart and only she had the power to crush it.
Gopi could not help herself, she threw herself onto him and said "I love you very much Ahemji."
Both were oblivious to the fact that the rest of the family was watching on with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. They all went back into the function hall, giving Gohem some privacy.
Ahem held Gopi's face in his hand and brought her lips to his. Gopi felt shy at first and tried to pull away. But Ahem anticipating this held her tightly; he continued kissing her gently and only increased the pressure when he felt her responding to his kiss. He thought of the night ahead and how much fun he was going to have with his shy and innocent wife in the privacy of their bedroom.
No one deserved to be loved more than Gopi did and finally Kanahji has rewarded her for all her selflessness.
The end.