Page 139 of Love after Marriage

Roshni saw the happiness and excitement on his face, and she quietly smiled. Deepak noticed this and continued, “This is not a simple celebration you know.”

“I know.”

“So, I think you should wear this dress. This color looks good on you, Roshni.”

“Can I wear something a little simpler, please?” Now she started to plead with him.

Deepak looked at her pleading face. “Okay, but can I look with you?”

Roshni turned to face her closet and dresses and, after she went through a few, picked a dress that was simple and appropriate for the occasion. She turned around to show Deepak.

“How about this dress? It is simple and good for this occasion, and…and it is the same color you picked. Are you happy?”

Deepak nodded. “Yes, nice suit.”

He continued to hold her, so she requested, “Deepak, I can change only if you let me go, please?”

Deepak nodded and let her go to change while he himself had a wash and changed. He came out to check if Sheetal and Akash were ready, and both of them were ready and waiting in the family room.

Deepak excused himself and came back to ask if Roshni needed any help and was dazzled. Roshni had changed and looked extremely beautiful. He also noticed that Roshni was struggling with the zipper at the back. She needed some help, and Deepak went behind her and snuggled into her hair.

“Can I help you?” he asked again, and she nodded.

Deepak helped her with the zipper, and she moved along to brush her hair. Deepak followed her; unable to resist, he pulled her by the waist. “Roshni, you look so beautiful in this dress, but I have a request.”

“What is it?” she asked and looked at him through the mirror.

“Can you leave your hair loose, please?” he said and snuggled into her hair again.

Roshni agreed, and Deepak tried to romance her.

“Deepak, they’re waiting for us outside, shall we go?” she interrupted him.

Deepak and Roshni joined Sheetal and Akash, and they left for dinner to one of the better restaurants in Bangalore. Deepak and Roshni were seated together, and Sheetal sat with Akash. All of them were very pleased with the developments that day. The dinner was served, and all of them enjoyed the food.

Roshni initiated the conversation during dinner. “Sheetal, when will you talk to aai and baba about this?”

“Don’t know,” Sheetal shrugged.

“Akash, will you inform Sashank bhaiya and bhabhi, or do you want us to inform him?” she asked.

Akash was relieved that Roshni had taken over the responsibility of informing Sashank bhaiya.

“Sheetal, Deepak and I will talk to Sashank bhaiya tomorrow. Do you want to inform baba?”

“Yes, I can…b-but how do I approach this topic with him?”

Deepak interrupted, “You should talk to your mother first. What do you say, Roshni?” He looked for Roshni’s approval.

Roshni agreed and urged Sheetal to talk to her parents first before Sashank bhaiya approached them. After more casual conversation and dinner, they left.

~ ~ ~

After returning home, everybody changed into nightclothes. Akash and Sheetal decided to hang out with each other in the living room while Roshni was exhausted after the day’s events. She felt lighter too after opening up to Deepak. She decided to rest in the room, and Deepak followed her. He felt relieved; the stress of these many days was off his shoulders. Roshni had finally forgiven him and accepted his love for her and confessed her love for him. It was an emotionally traumatic day for both, and they were tired.

Roshni was ready to go to bed when Deepak held her hand gently and pulled her closer to him.

He continued to hold her hand in his, looking very passionately into her eyes. “Thank you for the wonderful birthday gift, Roshni.”

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