“Yes, these are very nice. I’m sure your wife will like them.”
Deepak shook his head with a smirk on his face. His wife was Roshni and nobody else. How he wished Roshni understood this. Deepak was very satisfied and happy that he was able to get something for Roshni of her liking.
~ ~ ~
It was past 6:30 p.m., and they had to rush home. Everybody at home was ready for Roshni and Deepak. All the guests had arrived, and they introduced themselves to all the family members. Kusum and Sashank were very happy to see such a wonderful group of people.
Roshni and Deepak arrived at the door, and Roshni rang the bell. Sashank opened the door for them, Deepak and Kusum bhabhi talked with their eyes, and in a few moments, the entire crowd came forward and yelled, “Surprise.”
Roshni was astonished to see her colleagues.
All of them shouted again, “Surprise, Roshni. Happy birthday!”
Neelima brought the cake to the dining table. Roshni gazed at Deepak and wondered if he had told everybody. They exchanged looks, and Roshni was not pleased. She did not want anybody at home to know of her birthday, and Deepak had messed up everything for her.
Kusum wished Roshni a happy birthday and took her to the table for cutting the cake. Deepak took the bags to his room to make sure the gifts were properly wrapped. Being satisfied that all was packed well, he brought back all the gifts and gave one bag to Kusum bhabhi and kept the other two with him.
Roshni cut the cake, and everybody wished her happy birthday again. Sashank and Kusum fed her the cake, and the love and affection she missed from Babuji came to her with Sashank and Kusum, and her eyes became glassy. She was grateful for having this family. She touched their feet and took their blessings
“Roshni bete, always be happy. Just as your name, spread all the wonderful brilliance and bright light everywhere and lighten up everybody’s lives as you did with us. Thank you so much, bete,” Sashank wished her.
Kusum handed over the gift, and Roshni glanced towards Deepak to see if he knew of this. He just smiled.
Then she hugged Akash bhaiya, and kissing her forehead, he said, “Roshni, thank you for everything. We are so happy you are a part of this family.”
The gratitude from Sashank and Akash was evident. A feeling of satisfaction came to Roshni and mentally she bowed to her babuji for being there to support her, and wiping her tears, she took blessings from Kaki. All her friends came forward and fed her the cake.
Deepak watched all this. He was so delighted for Roshni. He agreed with Akash. He was glad she was his wife and a part of this family.
Then it was his turn. He came forward, took a piece of cake, and fed Roshni. She appeared to be a little hesitant at first, but with everybody watching them, she ate the cake he fed her. Before she realized what he was about to do, he took her in his arms and hugged her. She felt his breath n
ear her ear. He very lovingly looked at her and kissed her cheek.
Roshni was all red and blushing, being embarrassed; she burrowed her face in his chest, trying to hide her feelings. She never expected this from Deepak in public, and her immediate reaction was to hide her emotions.
She wanted to pull herself away, but he wouldn’t let her go. He hugged her and snuggled into her hair. “Happy birthday, Roshni!”
He wanted to hold her forever!
It was a beautiful moment, and Sanjay, taking pictures, certainly did not ignore the romantic moments between Roshni and Deepak. She freed herself from him, after which he gave her the gifts he bought for her. Roshni was completely confused. Was he doing this as part of their acting?
Deepak later reminded Sanjay to send these pictures to him.
While dinner was being served, Roshni’s friends insisted Roshni open the gifts she received from her family and her very romantic and loving husband. Roshni unwrapped the first gift she received from Sashank bhaiya and didi. She was dumbfounded to see the same gold and pearl necklace she had selected with the matching bangles.
She stared at Deepak, and both of them communicated with expressions. “Oh, this was for…” said Roshni.
“You. Kusum bhabhi and Sashank bhaiya wanted me to get this for you. Akash bhaiya contributed for the bangles,” Deepak said.
Roshni thanked Sashank bhaiya, Kusum didi and Akash bhaiya.
As the guests mingled, Sashank asked Roshni to wear the jewelry set they’d given her. As Roshni finished putting it on, he remarked, “Roshni, it looks so good on you, very nice!”
“I agree.” Kusum didi came forward to feel the necklace. “Roshni, so beautiful…”
Deepak continued to stare at her. She was so beautiful. Roshni introduced Deepak to her colleagues and their spouses. Roshni did not care to open the gifts she received from Deepak, much to Deepak’s disappointment. Kusum asked her to open those gifts as well. They wanted to see what her dear husband gave her. Roshni was not used to this ‘pampering husband’.
She believed firmly that Deepak was only pretending so nobody suspected them; she was not aware that this was not acting, he meant it for real!