Page 43 of Love after Marriage

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While Roshni was occupied with thoughts of moving, Deepak was thinking of options to win Roshni back. The project implementation was due on the 6th of June, which was a Friday.

Deepak’s boss called him into his office and updated him regarding a possible trip to Bangalore, India, in mid-June to attend a conference as a speaker for their technology and software. Since Deepak was busy, they agreed to discuss the details after the project implementation, lest this distract Deepak.

Deepak’s joy knew no bounds; he was very delighted. He instantly wanted to call Roshni and inform her but decided to wait until he had more details. He became busy with the implementation plans…testing and verification.

Deepak’s project was implemented on the 6th of June. The implementation went very smoothly with no major hiccups, and his team and colleagues were very pleased with the outcome. He was a very efficient team leader. Soon after this implementation, Deepak’s boss gave him all the details regarding the upcoming trip to India. A company in Bangalore had sponsored this event to update Indian IT companies regarding new technologies and software. Deepak’s company chose Deepak to speak and train the IT professionals at this conference.

Deepak asked his boss for a couple of extra days to spend time with his wife and family, and his boss agreed. This was a great opportunity for Deepak to combine business and personal time together, especially since he was looking for opportunities to visit India sooner than December 14th, to spend time with Roshni.

He discussed this with Vivek and Vaishali, and agreed to keep this a secret to surprise Roshni and his family. Deepak was euphoric as he made all the arrangements for the trip. He had to be in Bangalore from the 16th through the 19th of June, which was a Thursday. He planned to spend a couple of days before and after with Roshni and his family.

Meanwhile, Gupta ji, Roshni’s boss and director, wanted her to attend a conference in Bangalore for a week in mid-June. She was informed that a couple of speakers were coming from the US to train them on the new software. She agreed; this would give her a chance to explore opportunities in Bangalore for IT professionals. Gupta ji also mentioned to Roshni that she may have to transfer to Bangalore for a few months because their company was collaborating with a firm in Bangalore on a project. This was certainly a great opportunity for her to move out of Mumbai, and she was relieved.

Roshni talked about the conference to Sashank, Kusum and Akash at the dining table. Sashank was initially concerned and unsure if Roshni should travel alone, but Roshni talked him into agreeing. The conference was from June 16th through the 19th; she decided to fly there one day prior and return on the last day of the conference.

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Deepak arrived in Mumbai in the late afternoon on the 13th, to everyone’s surprise. He touched Sashank bhaiya’s and Kusum bhabhi’s feet. Deepak was happy to meet his bhabhi for the first time, and Kaki and Lakshmi were happy to see him. He hoped to see Roshni, but she was nowhere to be seen. Kusum bhabhi suspected his curiosity and informed him that Roshni’s entire team was busy with the design of the prototype and that she would be home late, and Deepak was disappointed.

Kusum and Sashank wanted to inform Roshni of Deepak’s arrival, but Deepak asked them not to; he wanted to surprise her. Deepak had already noticed remarkable changes in Sashank bhaiya and everybody around. The house was bubbling with positive energy!

Deepak took his luggage to his room, which was now occupied by Roshni. He was pleasantly surprised at how well she had decorated the room; he felt her presence everywhere. A scented lamp emitted a wonderful aroma that spread in the room. The delicately designed bedspread, matching pillows, linen table covers, sheer curtains, and the walls hung with beautiful paintings – everything in that room spoke volumes of her taste and personality. He spotted Roshni’s babuji’s picture on the table and went closer and paid his respects to him.

Deepak had a wash, but couldn’t find a towel. He opened the closet to look for one. He found Roshni’s clothes in perfect order, well folded and well sorted out. He could not stop smiling to himself and admired her perfection everywhere.

Deepak had brought gifts for everybody, so he decided to unpack the suitcase and distribute them. Of course, the first people to receive theirs were Kusum bhabhi and Sashank bhaiya, followed by Kaki and Lakshmi and then Akash.

The entire family was together; they talked, laughed and had a good time. Deepak constantly looked towards the door, expecting Roshni. It was 8 p.m., and she was not home. Everybody else but Deepak had dinner; he wanted to wait for Roshni. It was 8:30 p.m., and he became anxious for Roshni to arrive.

He questioned Sashank bhaiya and Kusum bhabhi about her safety: Did she come home alone, or did somebody drop her at the house? Should

somebody go to fetch her?

Sashank bhaiya retired to his room, and a few minutes later, Kusum bhabhi and Akash bhaiya went to their rooms. Deepak also went upstairs to his room and became impatient. He was very worried about Roshni when finally he heard the sound of a rickshaw in front of the house. It was 8:45 p.m., and he peeped through the window. Roshni was home.

Roshni was very tired. She’d had a long day at work, and she rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.

Kusum yelled from her room, “Deepak, I think it is Roshni. Do you want to open the door?”

“Yes, bhabhi.”

He rushed to the door. Meanwhile, Roshni had already rung the bell a couple of times and wondered why nobody was opening the door. She massaged her neck and turned towards the street when she heard the door open. She turned around; Deepak was in front of her, smiling at her. She was startled. She stood there looking at him in disbelief!

“Hi!”

“Hi!” She stared at him in utter dismay. She turned around to make sure she was at the right house.

Deepak smiled at her and moved forward. He held her hand and brought her in.

She was still in a state of shock. Is this Deepak? What is he doing here? When did he come? How come nobody told me? Several questions rushed through her mind.

Kusum and Sashank came out of their room and saw the expressions on both Deepak’s and Roshni’s faces and could not stop smiling. Roshni walked in. She could not believe it was Deepak in front of her. Similarly, Deepak was so overwhelmed with emotions after seeing Roshni; both of them stood without any movement, staring at each other.

“Look at them, staring at each other as strangers. Deepak, go give her a hug,” Kusum broke the silence.

Deepak looked around at his bhabhi and towards Roshni. He smiled and hugged her, hugged her tight with both arms around her, and whispered into her ear, “Roshni, how are you? Gosh, it is so good to see you.” He was happy to see her, and he meant it by his action.

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