Gowrigaatha - A love story [Completed](The story of Gowri)

13. Without sorrow

The small house of Vasudev and Gowri was in a chaos. All the aunts and uncles of Gowri and Vasudev's parents and his sister had congregated there and were happy for the young couple. Gowri's parents had come and they had brought a lot of sweets and snacks for her. But the rest of Vasudev's family had refused to come. While Gowri got to sit down and talk to all, Vasudev and Sarasamma were on their toes the whole day getting food and drinks for everyone. Gowri was bombarded with gifts and advice and so many pickles that she thought she won't have to buy it for the next five years.

By evening they were leaving for their homes and Padma waited until everyone were out of their earshot and she spoke to Gowri, "Are you alright, dear?"

"I am fine, Amma", she replied.

"I am surprised that he got you pregnant so soon", she said with sadness. "At least you should get to know each other better".

"Amma...." said Gowri.

"As long as your are happy, dear", she kissed Gowri on her cheek and got up to leave.

Vasudev who accidentally heard it wanted to make the situation better for Padma. So when they left, he stood next to Gowri with his arm around his shoulder and seeing that Padma smiled for the first time and said to her husband, "At least he seems to like her".

It was in the late evening after everyone left that Pranav, Malathi and Tushar came to meet them. Pranav did not want Gowri's special moment to be ruined by his presence. But she cried seeing him and hugged him asking why he did not come in the morning.

"Its her hormones, she will be emotional" said Malathi with a smile while cradling Tushar.

Pranav hugged her, "I am so happy for you".

Seeing Pranav angered Vasudev who left to his study. Malathi went to speak to him and thanked him.

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The next two months passed uneventfully. Vasudev and Gowri had formed a new routine. He was careful to make sure that she got enough exercise and good food. They went on evening walks and he would bring her small gifts to cheer her up when she felt down because of the morning sickness or hormones. They had developed a friendship that had removed the awkwardness between them. For Vasudev, she was his friend whose smiles lighted up his day and whose sadness made him miserable.

One day while cleaning one of the cupboards Gowri got hold of Vasudev's pistol and she examined it with interest.

"Hey careful, its loaded", said Vasudev who immediately took it from her.

"Teach me how to shoot", she said to him.

"Gowri, this is a dangerous weapon. When you fire it, it produces a loud noise and recoil which might shock or surprise you. It won't be good for the baby", he said as he removed the bullets.

"I promise I won't be shocked", she pleaded to him.

"Alright, I have some rubber bullets you could practice with", he offered.

He brought her and the gun to the open space behind his home and set up a plastic bottle on a wall. He then taught her how to load it and remove the safety. As he wrapped himself around her to show how to hold the gun and aim, his heart was beating like train pistons. The smell of her shampoo and the rose perfume made him restless and with great effort he controlled himself to teach her how to aim.

"Hold with both hands, aim, press the trigger and anticipate the recoil" he said and then let go of her. At the fourth shot, she sent the bottle flying in the air and laughed with joy, making Vasudev's heart skip a beat.