Page 10 of Love after Marriage

Roshni offered chai and snacks to the guests, and as they relished the hot pakodas, Roshni and Deepak talked about their work and their jobs.

“Deepak bete, would you like to talk to Roshni in private?” asked Prashant.

“No, Uncle, this is fine. Sashank bhaiya gave me all the details.”

Roshni, on the other hand, wanted to meet him in private. She wanted to know his expectations, his interests; being educated and civilized, she certainly did not want any incompatibility either.

Sashank looked at Roshni. “Roshni bete, do you want to talk to Deepak?”

Deepak watched in disbelief; he had not expected this from his brother, but waited for her response.

“If Deepak does not mind.”

Deepak had heard she spoke her mind, and now he experienced it. He was a little apprehensive. “Sure! How about tomorrow? Are you free?”

Roshni nodded. They decided to go out to dinner, and Deepak agreed to pick her up after work.

Roshni turned to her father. “Babuji, is it all right if I went out with him for dinner?”

Deepak appreciated this gesture of hers, being respectful of her father.

Prashant nodded. He took this opportunity to invite Sashank and Akash for dinner at his place while Deepak and Roshni went out.

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December 2nd

It was 6 p.m. Akash, Sashank and Deepak came over to Prashant’s house. Roshni arrived a few minutes early from work and quickly freshened up. She was dressed in a turquoise and pink salwar kameez with light embroidery (coincidentally this happened to be Deepak’s favorite color). She looked gorgeous!

Deepak admired Roshni, for that color looked good on her. Roshni engaged Sashank and Akash in conversation, and Deepak was amazed – she was so comfortable with his brothers.

While Sashank and Akash remained at Prashant’s house, Deepak and Roshni left.

Deepak led Roshni to the car and opened the door for her. She was impressed at his gentlemanly behavior and a little nervous, for she had never had any male be so close to her. He took the driver’s seat, and after some discussion, they decided on an Indo-Chinese restaurant.

With Roshni giving directions, they arrived at the restaurant. Roshni noticed Deepak had a hard time driving on Mumbai roads – too many vehicles and too much honking! After parking, Deepak sighed. “Thank you for navigating. I am so not used to driving here.”

Roshni smiled and acknowledged his comment.

They walked inside the restaurant, and after a few minutes, the waitress escorted them to a table in a corner. Deepak had never tasted Indo-Chinese food, so he relied on Roshni to help him with the menu as they ordered.

While they waited for the food, Deepak looked at Roshni and said, “So, what do you think?”

Roshni had a questioning expression on her face. What was Deepak trying to ask?

Deepak shrugged his shoulders and looked at her. “What do you think of all this? Sashank bhaiya and your father, I mean Uncle, have already talked about this alliance. They, or at least Sashank bhaiya, feels that we will make a good couple. What does your father, I mean Uncle, think?”

“I think he agrees.”

After a few minutes of casual conversation, Roshni felt comfortable enough to ask Deepak about his job, his company and a few other things. Deepak gave her all the details – the school he graduated from, his degree, job – and Roshni listened without interrupting.

After he was done, Roshni asked, “Would you mind if I asked you one more question?”

Deepak nodded.

“What are your expectations of your wife?”

Deepak was caught off guard. He never expected this question from her. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Roshni with an expression as to why she asked this question.

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