Part-12
Days passed and Ahem continued to create nuisance, this irritated Anand. He would have filed a complaint bu now hadn't it been for Gopi, who didn't want any legal hassles.
The honeymoon period was now over, romance was gradually being replaced by responsibilities. Both of them were working hard to improve their standard of living... both worked really hard and Anand was also studying for departmental exams.
One day...
A local political leader was assassinated following which his supporters indulged in arson. Prabal was sick. He complained of stomach ache. Gopi rushed to Anand and asked him to take him to the hospital. Anand said that going out in the atmosphere of violence is dangerous, they might come under attack. He suggested Gopi to give him home remedies and wait for some more time till the violence abates, such problems are common in childhood and as long as he doesn't vomit it is fine.
The ailment was a small one, it needn't have caused the alarm it did, but Gopi was always afraid of losing her precious child. She was a bit like Koki when it came to children. Anand switched on the TV to make Gopi understand the situation outside but the burning tyres and lathi-charge didn't change her mind. She got angry with Anand and stormed into her room...and called someone...
Anand was shocked when that someone came to their house..it was Ahem Modi. He ignored Anand's presence and rushed Prabal and Gopi into the car...no one offered any explanation. While Ahem's words never affected Anand, this display of parental affection shook him.
He saw them rush into the car- Father, mother and child. He felt unsure of himself, they looked like a family whereas he was an outsider. He had refused to go out only because the illness was a minor one and it was dangerous to venture out...he wasn't worried about his life alone, he was worried about Gopi and Prabal too.
He stood firm because Gopi's mind was immune to any reasoning at that stage. The fact that she turned to Ahem shocked him. Was Ahem still a part of her life? Are they close? Ahem showed his care for her by rushing as soon as he got her call...does she think the same?
"Behind closed doors they had what were legendary battles I hear but when the doors opened there was absolute unity. Not a crack could be found. No separation whatsoever. They were locked together for the good of the community.
Maynard Jackson"
Edited by feviewer - 13 years ago
