Page 119 of Love after Marriage

Deepak bent towards her. “I’m looking forward to that day when you will work in the US, Roshni.”

She pulled herself away and walked into the kitchen.

Deepak came back to the table to help Sheetal, and Sheetal gave a thumbs-up to Deepak, encouraging him. She moved closer to Deepak. “Deepak, this is the reason I’m going away to Poona, so you can be together by yourselves. Hopefully all this will turn out in your favor,” she whispered.

“Thanks, Sheetal, I greatly appreciate all your help and support.” Then he looked towards Roshni very lovingly. “Yes, she will turn around. I have confidence,” he whispered in response to her.

Sheetal smiled at this statement in support.

~ ~ ~

It was Saturday morning, and Sheetal was ready to leave. Deepak would be taking Sheetal to the airport. He wanted Roshni to join them, but she refused; she hesitated to say anything more.

Both Deepak and Sheetal sensed Roshni did not want to talk, and they quietly left the house.

On the way Sheetal said, “Deepak, please take care of her. She is so lonely and this accident has had a major impact on her. I really hope she recovers quickly.”

Deepak looked at her and nodded.

“I could have postponed this trip to Poona, but I decided to go now for a reason – for both of you to be together without anybody around. I hope you will have time to bond together in these few weeks.”

Deepak again nodded. “Thanks, Sheetal, I will certainly try to make the best of this time.” He continued with a depressed face. “I wish she would tell me what’s bothering her. She puts up a smile for everybody, but I can see through it. There is so much pain she is hiding from everybody. I would like her to open up, but she’s still not comfortable with me. I guess I need to be patient.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Deepak dropped Sheetal at the airport and, after all the formalities, bid her farewell and left. On his way back he thought about Roshni and made a determination to have an open conversation with her.

By the time he returned, Lakshmi was already at the house, and Deepak had to wait to talk to her. After a few hours of dusting, mopping and cleaning, Lakshmi left. Roshni took a deep breath and looked around. Everything was in its place. She was satisfied and then rested on the sofa in the family room.

Deepak brought chai for her. “So tomorrow is Ashtami, right? What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“Well, Ashtami is the day for Durga pooja. It is the eighth day of the lunar calendar and eighth day of Dashera festival. I will wake up early and do the cooking.” Then she paused, looking at Deepak. “Can you do the pooja? We do not have a big altar, but we can do a little offering to Devi.”

“Roshni, I’m okay with you doing the cooking, but please no elaborate cooking and no straining. You overworked yourself with Lakshmi today. You don’t want to repeat this tomorrow.”

Roshni listened to him, and after a few minutes she asked, “Did you receive the copy of the software or license…the same new software you were to show me?”

Deepak took a few minutes and scanned his e-mails. “Not yet, I may receive the mail on Monday, but Roshni, I have it on my computer. I can start to show you some basic things. Shall we do it now?”

She nodded, and Deepak indicated to her to move to the dining table, and he joined her, sitting next to her.

He began his tutorial and walked her through the basics in the software while Roshni attentively listened to him. She asked a lot of questions and took notes. Both were so engrossed in teaching and listening, they did not pay attention to the time. It was already 8 p.m. Roshni turned towards the window, and it was dark outside. The sky was clear with twinkling stars, and a cool breeze through the window made her shiver. She asked Deepak to stop while she limped her way to the windows and enjoyed the twinkling stars and moonlight. She was very peaceful. After a few minutes, she closed the window and walked back to the family room and rested on the sofa.

Deepak was very impressed at Roshni’s knowledge, her capability to learn, and her organizational skills. Roshni on the other hand was impressed with Deepak’s talent, his knowledge of the software, his teaching skills, and his patience to answer her questions. It was apparent both had a great time together, teaching and learning.

Roshni got up to walk to the kitchen when Deepak asked her to relax. He went into the kitchen and fixed dinner for both of them. Roshni was very appreciative of Deepak being so caring of her and all the support he provided.

They had their dinner and cleaned the kitchen and dishes together – great teamwork visible between them!

Roshni practiced walking with little or no support with crutches and managed a few steps without pain and discomfort.

Deepak helped her get ready for bed and went to change into his pyjamas.

One question that bothered him was why Roshni had behaved so differently that morning when asked to go to the airport. But what could be bothering her? Why was she so upset and quiet?

He joined

her on the bed. “Roshni, can I ask you a question?”

Roshni looked towards him and nodded.

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