My dear Ahamaholics, Friends and others!
I am terribly sorry for the long intervals between updates. My new research project is getting very interesting and I see some very exciting results. (Shelly! something on the lines of the image you sent me!). I find it difficult to concentrate on anything else. I have just two more parts to and hopefully finish before next Monday.
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Love involves a peculiar unfathomable combination of understanding and misunderstanding. -Diane Arbus
Part 18
When Aham woke up next morning, the first thing he felt or rather not feel was his arm. He lazily looked down and saw that Gopi was asleep on his shoulder. He smiled and tightened his hold on her and closed his eyes. And then the realisation set in and his eyes flew open. He was, at first, confused by a different view of his room. Then, he was fully awake and saw that they both had slept on the diwan.
Ouch! I never even knew I had these muscles in my back until now. And my arm! Those pins and needles! But I would choose holding my soft, warm Gopi any day over pain-free back.Gopi moved in her sleep and made a throaty "mmm..." and snuggled closer to Aham.
Oh no! Gopi! Dont do this! I better get up before I embarrass us both! He slowly released his hand and got up. Gopi also woke up and looked around her in confusion. When she caught his eyes, she blushed and stuttered, "Ji! Woh! I ... you ..." and saw his eyes, blushed again and looked down. Aham was very busy watching the changing expressions in her face and did not say anything.
"I am sorry! I will not repeat this again."
What? What mistake she is talking about? Why is she now looking sad? I thought she was happy when she woke up? She does not want to sleep with me in same bed? Oh God! Bad start indeed!He lifted her face by her chin and said, "Gopi! Why are you sorry? I am the one who slept on your bed. I should ask sorry but I find that I cannot bring myself to regret this ." Aham grinned and continued, "So I am not going to ask sorry. But, as you said, I do not want to repeat this, if I can only just hold you. You are a big test for my control and I cant promise you that I will not take this further the next time."
Gopi looked both curious and shy and said, "Ji! It is time for me to start my work" and got up to get ready. When she was finished, Aham said, "Gopi! I have to go to Mumbai tomorrow and will be there for 3 or 4 days. Can you help me pack?"
Her face fell and she gave a slow nod. Aham felt a little happy to look at her forlorn face and said, "Dont worry! I will try to finish as quickly as possible and try to come back early. I too dont want to stay away from you, that too when things are getting interesting with us. This was planned some time back and I have to go. But, we can go out today after lunch? What do you say?"
Gopi's face brightened and she said, "Ji! Where do you want to go?"
"That is a suspense. You will know when you get there."
Gopi pouted and looked at him with big eyes, but did not say anything.
And she pouts! Ha! "Nice try, Gopi! I am not telling you. What is the fun if I tell you so soon? But I would suggest you keep trying" and winked at her.
Gopi gave him a wounded look and left the room.
Aham was hopeless throughout the entire puja and breakfast as he could think of nothing other than Gopi and how she felt in his arms in the morning. Jigar was teasing him mercilessly and Aham could not even glare at him. Even Nani commented that she was seeing him smile after ages. He sat with Kaka to finalise their presentation and game plan for the Mumbai trip. A few times, Gopi looked like she wanted to approach him but was distracted by something or other. Aham was mildly disappointed that Gopi did not persist in her efforts but was happy to see that she was looking quite excited about the outing.
When they got in the car, Aham said with a sad face, "Gopi! I am quite upset with you that you learnt how to lock the seat belt."
Gopi giggled and Aham said, "Dont giggle! Mom and Nani are looking at us and I dont want to give Nani a heart attack" and started the car.
Gopi asked him, "Could you tell me atleast now where we are going?"
"Why? We will be there in some 30 min or so. Why cant you wait? I am told that you are a very patient girl!"
Gopi looked like she wanted to pout but also worried about his reaction. Aham stopped the car, made her lips pout with his one hand and smacked a kiss. Gopi cried an "Ahamji" and Aham looked up and waved at his Nani and started the car again. He drove the car to the orphanage and asked Gopi to wait in the car.
"You wait here. I have to meet somebody and will be back in few min."
He went in and signed up for Panna and brought her out. She asked him, "I am so happy to see you here. Can you meet my friends? They all want to see you and did not believe me when I got the ice cream. Are we going for ice cream again? How is Gopi Didi?"
Aham smiled and said, "I have surprise for you waiting outside."
It started a rain of chattering from her
. Goodness! This girl goes non-stop. Could we enter her in Guinness record or something? Did Gopi also talk like this when she was young? Will she start talking more now that things are getting better?They came to the car and he opened the door for Gopi. Gopi had already seen them coming out and was over-excited to see Pannah. She broke into a huge smile and hugged the girl. They stood outside the car and Pannah was chattering away and Gopi was laughing at what she said and talking back equally. Aham tried to follow the stream of words coming out of Pannah's mouth but it was too much for him and gave up.
Wow! Gopi can talk so much. Man! That husky voice she gets when she is dishing out advice. I wish we were alone and somewhere inside.When he saw that they had no idea of moving from that place, he called her. Gopi did not hear him and so he touched her shoulder and said, "Gopi! Do you want to spend the entire evening here or do you want to go somewhere too?"
She turned and with a brilliant smile, she said, "Oh! Sorry ji! We can go. Thank you very much for bringing me here. I did not know Panna's hostel and after she visited us at our home, I was really worried about her. I wanted to ask Maaji, if I can visit her sometime. But I am so happy that you brought me here. How did you know about this place? Did you ask Mama? Oh! I remember you asking her when she came. It is very nice of you to remember. Thank you Ahamji!"
"Gopi! Wow! Take a breath and relax. I really should have brought our video camera. Nobody at home will believe me if I say that you can talk so much. To answer you, I have already visited her once and took Pannaji for ice cream." Pannah giggled at this and said, "Yes Didi! Jiju even bought ice cream for you. Did you like it?"
Gopi looked at him and the gratitude in her eyes shook his composure. He cleared his throat and asked them to get in. He took them to the ice cream shop again. They ordered their ice creams after much discussion and consultation with Aham. When they were at the table, Gopi spilled some ice cream on the floor and she bent down and started cleaning it.
What is she doing now? Does she think this is our home? Gopi! Gopi!
He said through his teeth, "Gopi what are you doing? This is not our home. Leave it and I will ask somebody to do it" and went to inform at the counter. When he came back, Gopi was calmer but he did not find anything too very different. He got a call and moved away to take it. After they finished ice cream, they dropped Pannah at her hostel and went to the temple. When they were entering the temple, Aham's saw his friend and called him, "Hey Ajit! Long time! no see! when did you come back?" His friend came and shook hands and said, "Aham! What a pleasant surprise? I came back on Friday. Heard that you are married! Where is Anita? You didnt bring her? And how come you are in the temple? Anita started going to temples? Wow! Looks like marriage has changed you both or should I say one year of marriage with Anita has driven you to temples..."
Stop it man! He and his verbal diarrhea! Can you not see my signals? Why did I even stop him? He is just nonstop nonsense! Oh no! Now Gopi looks forlorn! Thanks Ajit!"Ajit! Meet my wife Gopi Modi! Gopi! this is Ajit, my classmate in college. He was out of India for the last one year and so did not come for our wedding. Ajit ..."
Gopi stopped him. "You continue with your friend. I will finish my worship and come back." She left after wishing Ajit.
Why is she leaving me with him now? Is she upset? But she knows about Anita! Why is she upset now? What is going on in her brain? God! I wish I knew what she thinks.Aham looked at her retreated form and sighed. Ajit said, " I am sorry Aham! I did not know that your did not marry Anita. Does Bhabi know about Anita? When my mother said that about your wedding last year, I thought it was with Anita. What happened?"
Ask me now, after you have done the damage. With friends like you I dont need enemies.Aham glared at him and said, "Its okay Ajit. How was your trip? When are you starting your work here?"
Ajit said, "I am starting tomorrow. I have some ideas and I want to discuss with you." And went on to describe the project.
When did Ajit turn out this boring? What kind of business training he got? He is not even noting that I am tuning him out. How did I never notice that he is missing his frontal lobe? Or did he recently get a lobotomy? That must be it! Aham just listened the last part.
"Shall we meet for lunch this week? We can catch up and also discuss regarding our project."
Our project! yeah right! in your dreams. "No Ajit! I have to leave for Mumbai tomorrow. I will contact you once I come back. Gopi must be coming soon and I have to pack for my trip."
Do me a favour and leave before she comes.
"Ok! have a good trip. Tell me something. We all thought that you liked Anita because she was quite modern and outgoing. Bhabi seems to be very traditional and homely. How did you marry her? For your Mom's sake?"
Homely! You call my wife homely! This is it. It is a war now and I will retaliate. I should check the next contracts he is trying to get. "Ajit! ..."
Exactly at that moment, he heard Gopi calling him. "Ahamji! Can we leave? I am done with my pooja! Jai Shri Krishna, Ajit Bhai."
Aham glared again at Ajit, who had the decency to look contrite. He was relieved to see Gopi looking quite calm and composed and relieved to get away from Ajit. As they got in the car, he received a call from Jigar. Jigar said, "Bhai! Where are you? Can you come back soon? We got a fax from Mr. Sharma and we have to make some big changes to our presentation. I have got our team ready at the office and Papa and I are on our way." Aham replied, "Yes Jigar! I will leave Gopi at home and come to office in another half an hour." He told Gopi, "I have to go to office. I dont know when I can return tonight. I have to start at 6 tomorrow. Can you pack my bag? Dont forget to check with Mom for what to pack."
Gopi nodded and hesitated.
"What Gopi? You have something to say?", Aham asked brusquely as his mind was full of the presentation.
"Ji! Shall I send dinner for you all to office? If you dont mind letting me know how many will be there, I can send something for everybody. If you will be busy, could you ask Devarji to let me know?"
Aham looked at her absently and said, "Okay! Check with Jigar after we go home. He will tell you the details."
They went home and Aham left immediately for office. They had lots of work to do and many changes to be made. He saw Jigar getting a phone call a little while after he reached office and heard Jigar say "Ji Bhabi!.." before walking out. He then remembered that Gopi asked him something about dinner.
Why is she calling him and not me? Anyway, Jigar will take care and sort it.They had dinner and everyone appreciated Gopi's gesture and dinner. They all claimed him lucky and even started teasing him after they saw the proud look he sported around. When he scowled at their jokes and asked them to get back to work, they stopped and the mood in the office was back to its usual solemness and seriousness.
Thats much better! I thought for a while that I lost my touch! Kaka had returned around 8 pm and Aham and Jigar went home at 1 am. They were not surprised to see Gopi opening the door and asked them if they wanted something to eat. Jigar, as usual waited at the kitchen to get some milk and Aham went up to him. He saw his luggage was ready but not closed. When Gopi came in, he asked her sternly why she had not closed it. Gopi looked a bit taken aback and said, "I thought you would like to check."
Aham said, "Gopi! I dont have time for this and I am very tired. Can you not decide on your own? Anyway, did you show it to Mom? Then it will be alright."
"But Ahamji ...!"
"Gopi! I am really very tired. I have to anyway get up in 4 hours and I have a very important meeting tomorrow."
Aham crashed in his bed and went to sleep immediately. When he got up, Gopi had already left the room and she had tea and some toast ready for him. She also had packed some breakfast for him and Jigar.
Aham looked at the food container and said, "Gopi! Where will I keep this? I am only going to Mumbai and not some desert. By the way, I am not going by train and they give food in the plane. Come Jigar! lets go! Do you have the backup files? Did you take your charger? I hope that the fax yesterday means good news. Bye Gopi!"
Aham left with Jigar for the airport.
They directly went to the board room to present their work and Aham felt relieved only after he could see the smiles of appreciation around the table. Though it did not mean that everything was settled, he could see that they had made a good impression. They had more negotiations in the following days during the short break after the presentation Aham and Jigar decided that should wait for a day or two more and sign the contract before leaving Mumbai.
Aham could not help thinking about the food Gopi had packed for him during lunch. He had not eaten much in the flight other than some juice and was running on the adrenaline rush, the entire morning. His anxiety in the monring was now replaced with hunger and was eagerly looking forward to lunch. It was quite some time since he had food outside and inspite of the big restaurant they went to, he found that he missed Gopi's food.
I am really domesticated if I miss Gopi's food in one of the best restaurants in Mumbai. I should not give a hint to Jigar, else there will no end for his teasing. They had a short break after lunch and he called Kaka first and reported on the day's happenings. He then called home and Mom picked up. After he talked to her, he asked for Gopi. His Mom asked him to talk to Kaki until she called Gopi. He talked to her and Jigar wanted to talk and before he could realise, Jigar was talking with Rashi and disconnected the call before he could talk to Gopi. He was annoyed and said, "Jigar! I wanted to talk to Gopi. Why did you disconnect?"
"No Bhai! Rashi said that Bhabi is giving lunch to Nani and Baa and could not come."
What? She is too busy to talk to me? What happened to the cordless? Why cant she take it in Baa's room? Does she not want to talk to me? Is she upset? Maybe Rashi is trying some tricks. Let me talk to try again tonight.
They started their negotiations and were quite happy at the end of the day. They had got the contract pending they work out the details of the contract. The Mumbai people took them out for a dinner and when they returned to the hotel, it was close to 11. Aham called home and nobody picked up.
I should buy Gopi a cell phone. Infact, I should look for one while I am here. Something easier to use. I know that she doesnt sleep for another half an hour. Is she too tired? Is she sick? If so, why didnt Mom inform him? Should I ask to Jigar to check? No! No! it is not right. She must be tired after getting so early today morning. She must be okay tomorrow. I am so happy about this and I wanted to tell her about this. Gopi! Why didnt you talk to me? This really calls for compensation. Mmm! I should use this time to think of interesting compensations. With this pleasant thought, he went to sleep to wake up to another great day.
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R&R as usual please! Havent edited much! so pardon the mistakes/errors.
&&Just realised that some of the formatting got lost while posting. I am still struggling to learn MSoffice.
Edited by br2499 - 14 years ago
Hui Ghum Yaadein
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
