This is the third part and I am stopping the update for today. Thanks again for the comments.
To say the least, this chapter is just to introduce where the characters especially Aham stand. I tried explaining Aham's PoV this time.
In the next couple of updates will try to explain what Gopi and Koki feel. In my opinion, Aham just does not want to come out of his comfort zone however, unlike the need for a big push, I think all Aham needs is time. Hence I apologize if the story does not move forward very soon. I will try to maintain a decent pace.
Please keep reading and giving me your feedback!!!
Chapter 3
Gopi started towards her room. She needed to change her Sari. Kakiji had come when she was cleaning and had laughed at her. It was really nice to see Kakiji laugh after a long time.. After that day... "Bhabhi.. What happened to you?" Jigar came running towards Gopi. Gopi smiled at him and narrated the events. Jigar laughed at her. "Bhabhi you do look like you have come down from the clouds.. You know.." Gopi smiled. "Bhabhi Bhai called." "Yes devarji. I know. Maaji just talked to him." "Oh. But he called me too. Just 2 minutes ago. Told me to give you the phone. He said he needed some information and it sounded really urgent." Jigar handed the phone over to Gopi and turned back. "Bhabhi I will get the phone when I come back to change for office. ok." With that he raced downstairs.
Gopi was puzzled.She kept looking at the phone and went inside her room. She had talked to Aham just a couple of days back. It was a routine now. Aham called to talk to her once a week. Only Jigar knew of the arrangement. She had pleaded with Jigar when he had refused to help Aham out in the beginning. And he had relented. He was like that. Why cannot Rashi ben understand that? She thought looking at Jigar go.
She walked into her room starring at the phone. "Now why did Ahamji want to talk to me so soon?" Suddenly the phone came to life. "Hello. Jigar. Did you manage.." Before Aham could continue he heard Gopi say "Ji. Its me Gopi. Jigarji gave me phone. You wanted something?"
Aham was stumped for a minute. He then smiled. "Nothing urgent Gopi. Just thought I would talk to you. You did not talk to me today when I called." He ended accusingly. "But Ji. You told me that it is better if we do not talk to each other around everyone right? It will raise their hopes and..." "Ok Ok.. I know.. You dont have to remind me... "Aham was irritated. "Doesn't she want to talk to me? She gives me some excuse or other. Huh.." But immediately remembered the reason for his call. "Gopi, I called to ask you.." "Ji" "Are you hurt? Did something fall on you. Why can't you be careful? Are you in pain?" Gopi could not get a word in.. She gave a smile. Like mom like son. "No Ahamji. I am alright. It was just the flour tin..."
When Aham completed his call he was smiling. "She would have looked too cute for words." he thought. He looked at the photo on his desk and smiled. It was the one with him and Gopi when they were teasing Jigar. His Papa had snapped the shot. It looked perfect. Three people who relatives but looked more like friends. Great Friends..Aham sighed.
Why do people have to make it complicated. He did not see any reason. Here he was talking to his best friend in secret even though she was his wife.. All because he did not want to disappoint his mom again. She had been disappointed enough. But what could he do if his mom had jumped the gun when he had taken care of Gopi after her operation? She thought he had fallen in love. Just because he had taken care of her and got her some stuff to help her? It was ridiculous.
Then his mom had dropped the bomb during the pooja at home. She had asked him to accept his love in front of all. He had refused. He did not want to lie.
That day he had tried explaining to his mom that he had taken care of Gopi out of humanity. She had grown to become a friend a good friend.. Nothing more or less..
He had looked around to see disappointment in all faces. But what puzzled him was the look on Gopi's face. It had become undecipherable. Like there was nothing left for her to feel.
He felt his heart tug him somewhere when he remembered her that day. He sighed deeply.
His mom had been mad. When he had come back to his room, Gopi had walked in silently and had started her routine before sleeping. He had asked her if she was ok and had told her what he felt. Somewhere he had felt a need to make her understand. He had explained how he never looked at Gopi in any other way other than as a friend. He had been tired of all the emotional drama and had wanted some solace. She had remained quiet all through. When he had finished, she had placed her hand on his and had assured him that she would always support him... as a friend. She had smiled after that and Aham had known immediately. There could be no one else like her.
She had also somehow managed to assure his mom. He still did not know what had happened and how Gopi had managed it.
But when he had come down the next day, everyone was back to normal. However he had still felt a strain. It had looked like all were upset. Even Gopi had not talked to him properly but when he asked she had smiled and said it was nothing. She had told him something about being tired after the pooja. He had wanted to pursue it further but something had stopped him. He had not wanted to know. Then two days later came the proposal. It required either him or Kaka to travel to NY. His Kaka had suggested he go. He was surprised and happy. When he went back home, his mom had just looked at him for a couple of minutes. Then she had smiled and told him she was happy. She had even helped him pack.
That night he had told Gopi about the trip and also that he would be away for 3 months. He had thought she had sighed as though a big weight had been lifted off her. Then she had proceeded to say that she was happy for him and he would win the project. His heart had swelled with pride. She had made sure he had everything packed on time. His first 2 weeks in NY had been made easier by her efficiency.
The only thing that irked him when he had come here was that he could not talk to Gopi. Nobody let him. On the 6th day he had called home again. "Hello Aham beta, How are you?" His Kaki had asked. Before he could answer his mom had come and had asked him why he had called so soon again. He asked his mom about Gopi and that was when she had started teasing him about missing his wife . Something about not being able to be away from his love. He had finally snapped. "I DO NOT LOVE HER. PLEASE MOM. I CANNOT AND NEVER WILL." He had shouted and it was then he had realized that his mom had put him on speaker. Because he heard a collective gasp. And his mom saying "Gopi Vahu... Stop..."
Aham closed his eyes. He knew he had made a big mistake that day. He had humiliated her again.. unintentionally but still. Nobody at home had talked to him properly after that.. He had called home multiple times only to hear the curt voice of his mother tell him she was ok and that he worry only about his work. He had asked her to let him talk to Gopi. But his mother would hear none of it. Then one day when discussing some project detail with Jigar, he had heard Gopi in the background. He had asked Jigar to give her the phone. Jigar had flat out refused. "Why? do you want to hurt her again Bhai?" He had asked and it stung. But he had then heard her talking to Jigar and asking him for the phone.
When Gopi had finally come on line he had started to apologize. "It is alright Ahamji. You did not say anything wrong. You just told what you felt. Don't worry. But please do not ask Maaji about me again" Aham had felt relief at her reassurance. At least Gopi understood him. But somehow he had been loath to end that call. Hence he had proposed to call me every week on Jigar's cell. He had wanted to make sure that she still considered him her friend. And thus started the secret calls to Gopi.
Aham stared at the laptop screen and came out of his thoughts. Slowly things had come back to normal. His mom was talking to him like before. He snapped out of his thoughts. He still had work to do. "In all this I forgot to tell Gopi about the dinner party with Anitha yesterday." He thought. But decided to let Gopi know during the next call.. He smiled again and looked at his phone He really missed talking to Gopi..
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There!! How do you like it? Comments and feedback please...
Next update - Gopi's PoV and what happened to JIgar and Rashi?
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