Page 138 of Love after Marriage

“So, what about Sashank bhaiya?”

Deepak and Akash were confused and looked at Roshni.

“What about Sasha

nk bhaiya?” asked Akash.

“Don’t you want his approval too?” Roshni asked.

Akash was shy. “Of course, I don’t think Sashank bhaiya will have any objection,” he said very confidently, and Deepak agreed.

Roshni and Deepak both hugged Akash for giving such good news. Then Deepak hugged Roshni. “Very nice, mission accomplished, Roshni.”

All of them returned to the dining area.

“It is a wonderful time to celebrate. Akash and Sheetal want to marry each other – such a wonderful piece of news,” Roshni said.

Sheetal interrupted her instantly and said, “More important news of the day…” She glanced towards Deepak to seek his permission, and he agreed. Sheetal continued, “What more could we want when Roshni has forgiven Deepak, and both of them will start their life together. Let’s celebrate this first!”

Roshni could not believe what she’d just heard! Who told Sheetal? Deepak saw the expression on Roshni’s face and whispered in her ear, “They know all of it, Roshni.”

Roshni looked at him, and he nodded, indicating that he’d informed them. Meanwhile Sheetal moved forward and gave the knife to Deepak to cut the cake.

Deepak pulled Roshni to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I am so happy today,” he expressed. He looked towards Roshni. “Thank you, Roshni, for such a wonderful birthday gift!”

The tears of joy in both their eyes blurred their vision, and Roshni knew what Deepak was referring to as ‘the birthday gift’.

He held her hand, and they cut the cake together. As Sheetal and Akash watched this new growth in their relationship, Deepak fed a piece of cake to Roshni, and Roshni did the same, and they were lost in their gaze only to be disturbed by Sheetal and Akash.

Roshni turned towards Akash and Sheetal and asked them to feed a piece of cake to each other as well, and they did. All four were in a very joyful mood.

Silence followed.

Deepak interrupted the silence. “Such a great day to celebrate. Why don’t all of us go out to dinner to celebrate this!” he suggested.

He looked at Roshni so lovingly and asked for her acceptance, and she agreed. Sheetal and Akash also agreed to this idea, and it was already 6 p.m.

“I’m starving. I did not eat much all day; shall we go out now?” said Akash.

“We can’t go now,” was Roshni’s response.

All were stunned to hear this.

“Why not?” Deepak questioned her instantly.

“Please give me a few minutes to get ready at least.”

All laughed at her request.

“Certainly, let’s take a few minutes to freshen up before we leave,” Deepak responded.

Deepak followed Roshni to their room. Roshni was at the closet, flipping through her salwar kameezes, when she felt the warmth of hands around her belly. Deepak was behind her with his arms around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder. “Shall I help you pick a dress?”

Even before she replied, he went through all her dresses and picked a dress, a navy blue dress with heavy mirrorwork and embroidery, showing it to her. “Roshni, I think you should wear this.”

The dress he picked was too fancy for dinner. She held the dress and turned around to face Deepak. “Deepak, don’t you think this is too jazzy for this occasion?”

Deepak now wrapped his arms around her tighter. “This is not ‘just dinner’, Roshni. We are celebrating for two reasons!”

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