Page 41 of Love after Marriage

“Hello, Roshni, did you believe I would only talk to bhaiya and bhabhi!”

“Yes, we talked about this last week.”

“What will it take for me to demonstrate to you that I want to talk to you too?” Deepak asked very politely.

“Nothing, our conversations are very minimal always.”

This is going to change now, Roshni, my darling. Just wait and watch how I win you back! he thought to himself.

“So tell me, Roshni, how everything went?” Deepak asked her.

“Sashank bhaiya just gave you all the details; what more do you want to know?”

“I want to know from you. Come on, tell me. I am eagerly waiting to hear from you.”

Roshni gave him all the details of the wedding, the planned reception and their proposed trip to Vaishno Devi. Deepak enjoyed her conversation. He asked questions in between and waited for her response, and they had a good time talking to each other. It was noticeable Roshni also was very pleased that Sashank bhaiya was married.

Deepak and Roshni talked for over thirty minutes.

“I think I talked too long; shall I hang up now?”

“Why?” asked Deepak. He enjoyed talking to her.

“We talked for too long, and it is not a good idea. What if…” she paused, “your girlfriend observed this, she would not like it.”

Deepak just nodded his head. He knew there was no girlfriend, but he took this opportunity to clarify this with Roshni. “Roshni, there is no girlfriend here. I mean, I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“You said so last time.”

“No, you mistook me. If Sashank bhaiya had agreed and if I was not married to you, I would have pursued my relationship, but now, since our marriage…I…” He paused.

“It does not matter to me, Deepak. You are still free to choose whoever you want to live with. I mean…find a partner you like,” Roshni replied.

“Roshni, did you hear what I just said? I never had and never will have any other relationship,” he emphasized in a raised tone.

Roshni remained quiet.

“Roshni…I just want you to understand me, please. I feel like I’m repeating this to you over and over.”

Roshni choked. Deepak had touched her sensitive side, and he became quiet too. After a few moments, she said, “I am going to hang up, Deepak.”

“Roshni, please…” he requested.

Given the circumstances, it was better to let go! Deepak was being extremely cautious dealing with her. Both of them said ‘bye’ to each other and hung up.

Roshni took a deep breath and blew air out of her mouth, glad it was over. However, thoughts of her long talk with Deepak lingered.

Deepak felt relieved. Since his return to the US, this was the first time he’d talked to her for so long. He enjoyed the conversation, and he could not wait to talk to her again.

~ ~ ~

It was Sunday, and everyone was ready to leave for the reception, which was held in a hotel. Kusum wore a silk brocade sari, and Roshni wore a traditional lehenga choli with a dupatta. Akash and Sashank were dressed in kurta pyjamas with a scarf. Kaki was dressed in a silk sari. At the reception, Sashank introduced Kusum to his friends. It was a jubilant occasion. There was light music playing in the background, men and women were dressed colorfully, and kids were running around. The caterers did a wonderful job serving the guests. The steaming dishes spread enticing aromas. Laddus, burfis and gulab jamun – wow! Guests had a variety of choices for food, and it felt the occasion was not complete until chai was served.

The reception went well, and everybody returned home feeling satisfied. They were all seated in the family room discussing the events while Roshni went to her room to her babuji’s picture, and with teary eyes, she said, “Thank you, Babuji. Thank you for your support and guidance through this.” She wept for a few minutes. “I am working hard to keep my promise, Babuji. Sashank bhaiya is married, and now I will focus on Akash bhaiya.”

Back in their room, Sashank was talking to Kusum. “Kusum, please pay attention to Roshni. She is still shattered after her babuji’s death, and with Deepak in the US, she feels lonely. Akash, Kaki and Lakshmi and I have been trying our best to keep her engaged, but there are times she goes away to her room without informing anybody. There have been a few occasions I have seen her by her babuji’s picture and crying. This girl has had so much impact on us and our family; I do not know what I would do without her. She is my daughter, and I hope you will treat her the same.”

Kusum came to Sashank and held his hand. “Please don’t worry. I know her well, and I am also aware she is missing her babuji. Roshni was very close to him; they were more like friends to each other. I agree; she is our daughter, and I will take care of her,” she said.

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