OS - Rejection (21/03/2012)

Gopi sat in front of her dressing table and in the reflection she saw the very same bed where she had spent her most memorable moments of her life. The place where she and her Ahemji had spent the best day of her life, the day she had felt most loved for the first time in her life. She smiled broadly and the happiness shone in her eyes, the smile never left her face. Today she felt she could please her husband who she loved a lot; she thought she could surprise him by dressing up; just for him and only for him.

She loving took out her best saree and tried to imagine Ahemji's reaction, she knew that he would love it. After getting changed into the beautiful saree she sat in front of her mirror and took out her matching jewellery, slipping the bangles on to her slender wrist Gopi blushed at the thought of the afternoon. Her happiness knew no bounds; she put every part of the jewellery carefully on her ears, forehead and neck. Gopi flipped open the tiny sindoor box and remembered her Nani's words. Have faith in this sindoor and you will find your love very soon. And that was what exactly she had done, and today she had got what she had always wanted, someone to love her in every beautiful way.

As Gopi finished getting ready for her Ahemji, she was blushing a deeper shade of crimson and hid her face shyly into her palms. Just then her Ahemji walked into the room, her heart working at the speed of lightening she stood up and as a reflex action she put up her pallu, and unable to face him she stood with her back towards him. She waited for him to say something to her. 'Gopi what have you made of the room' instead come the words from behind her, a little surprised Gopi turned around and lifted her eyes up to his face. 'Ji um.' Gopi stuttered she was feeling very shy. 'I do not understand one thing, how did I go to sleep in the holi clothes?' Ahem asked totally confused and frustrated because of his splitting headache. 'And on top of that you never woke me up as well' he said to Gopi who was now utterly upset that he had not glanced at what she had done for him. 'Look, I am feeling very frustrated, first of all change the bedding' he ordered her. Gopi still looked at him blankly thinking why he was not appreciating her. In the afternoon he loved her so much, what had happened now?

'And why did you not clean the room?' Ahem asked looking frustrated than ever. Gopi was trembling, unable to think properly at his reason for frustration. 'Oh god, this headache of mines. I don't know what has happened to me. This headache is killing me.' Now concern spread over Gopi beautiful face, she hoped he was alright. She did not know that she was going to face a big blow in her life at the moment. Then it came 'And on top of that I can't even remember what I have done all day.' Ahem was now irritated and annoyed at the fact that he could not remember anything.

Ahemji cannot do that to me! How could he forget the love he showered me with today? How could he? Gopi cried silently to herself but no tears appeared on her face. Gopi's heart wrenched and her heart broke into uncountable pieces, the happiness had not even lasted more than a few moments. Why? Why me? Why?

'Since I ate that Prasad laddo I can't remember anything, I came to the room and fell asleep.' Ahem continued venting his frustration. Just fell asleep? Just. Fell. Asleep. 'And what has happened to you, at this time of the day you are all dressed up?' Ahem inquired. For you! Gopi screamed mentally. She was totally shattered and even the littlest of happiness had been taken away from her. 'Quickly clean the bedding' Ahem orderd and like a puppet Gopi followed his instruction, she was not in her senses and could not digest the fact that Ahemji had forgotten. Slowly she made her way to her cupboard and took out the sheets.

What is this? Ahem asked her, Gopi turned around. It was a symbol that they had spent their afternoon together and this did not even trigger his memory a little. 'How did it get here?' he now asked more calmly. Emotionlessly Gopi replied 'It must have broken when I was removing them.'

'Okay, next time be more careful. Give me the pillow and the sheet.' And without another word Ahem went to sleep on the Diwan. Gopi flicked off the lights in her room and sat in front of her mirror. It all ended where it began.Silently she removed all that she had use to impress her Ahemji and tears rolled down her face.