Love after Marriage (29 page)

While he talked, Vivek and Vaishali glanced at each other a few times, convincing each other that Deepak was really in love with Roshni. Deepak also talked about how he tried to be romantic with her and her response to his behavior. Everything was shared, and when he was finished, he turned very quiet and sighed deeply.

“Vivek and Vaishali, I really had a wonderful time with her, got to know her better, and I enjoyed every moment of this trip with her. I miss her and feel lonely now. I thought about all this on my way back, and one thing is clear to me now…I cannot live without her. I can’t let her go; she is too valuable.”

He sighed. “It bothered me when she mentioned that she wanted to move to Bangalore so she can be away from the family, the first step in separation.”

He talked about the argument they had the day he left, and he remembered the comment she’d made regarding playing with her emotions. He opened his mouth to look towards Vaishali, and their eyes met…this is what Vaishali had told him, and now it struck him like thunder!

Deepak looked at both of them. “Guys, I know this is not going to be easy. The other challenge is me being here; long distance does not help in these situations. And with the time difference, it’s hard to get her to talk on the phone.” Deepak ran his hand over his head. “I need your help. Vivek and Vaishali, I seriously think I should go back to India and spend some time with her. Maybe over time with my behavior she will believe that I am in love with her and there is no other woman in my life.”

“Deepak, this probably is your best option at this time if you love her and want her back in your life,” Vivek reiterated.

“Of course, what do you mean? Why do you think I am struggling so hard to keep this marriage going? I love her! I cannot imagine my life without her. This trip has really opened my eyes. I really love her!”

With a gloomy face he continued, “You know, I noticed something about her this time. She appears to be so happy around everyone, probably nobody paid any attention to her, but I noticed…she is very disheartened. There is some pain she has hidden within her.” He wiped away a tear. “She has a lot of pain and sorrow in her. It could be our marriage, her losing her babuji, who was very close to her, and…and you know what?”

Both Vivek and Vaishali were curious.

“She has never spoken about our wedding to anyone. At least here I discuss everything with you both, but…but she never said a word to anybody.”

Both Vivek and Vaishali stared at each other, and Vaishali had tears in her eyes now.

“Roshni was close to her babuji, and she made an attempt to tell him very briefly about our marriage, but he could not take the shock. She believes he died of this shock!”

Both Vivek and Vaishali were speechless; they were also concerned for Roshni.

“I asked her in Lonawala, and she opened up to me and wept like a small baby. I’m glad at least she discussed this with me, and later–”

“Later what?” interrupted Vivek.

“I opened up myself regarding my older bhabhi and the impact it had on all of us brothers. I also mentioned the way I reacted to her on the wedding night was because of these preconceived notions and apologized to her.”

Vivek and Vaishali were relieved to hear that he’d sincerely apologized to her.

Deepak continued, “I know she’s lonely and carrying a huge burden of sorrow. I wish I could help her. I really wish I was with her to share some of this pain, and… I can’t imagine how she endures being plagued with this sadness.”

He became silent and was lost in thought.

Vivek interrupted his silence. “Deepak, I think you should go to India. Now that she is ready to go to Bangalore for a project for a few months, you should take this opportunity. Let her go to Bangalore; you go and stay with her for a few months. This way there will be nobody to interfere. Spend time with each other, try to understand each other, be there for one another, and hopefully, she will start developing the same feelings you have for her.”

Vaishali wiped her tears and agreed. “When will you go? How long do you plan on staying there? What about your job here? There are a lot of things you need to think about before you decide on this.”

It was late, and Vaishali decided to warm up the food so they could continue to talk about it during dinner. Vivek and Deepak helped Vaishali get the table ready.

At the dining table, Deepak mentioned that Roshni was going to Bangalore in August. Vaishali was in the Human Resource department at the bank and said, “That might work in your favor, Deepak.”

Both Deepak and Vivek looked at her keenly.

“If you can plan everything here, you could leave in September or October for three or four months. This would give you enough time to talk to your boss and, if necessary, quit your current job. You can always come back in December or January and find a job for yourself. The only thing is to make sure you have enough financial security while in India,” she suggested.

Vivek added, “Because you have to pay for your condo, don’t forget!”

“Yeah, I know. I think I’m okay financially – paying for the house and me going to India – but I need to verify that,” Deepak said.

Deepak also told them that he had initiated paperwork for her immigration. Deepak thought for a few minutes. “Actually, that might work in my favor. I will apply for her immigration soon, so she could get her green card in November or December, and both of us could come back together.”

“Deepak, just keep in mind that it may take some time for you to find a job because of the economy here. Be prepared to have good financial security because Roshni will come back with you,” Vivek suggested.

“Yeah, I will look into it and plan. Vaishali, I like your idea of going in September or October. This will give me sufficient time to plan ahead. Thank you!”

Deepak certainly felt relieved after this conversation and was excited to go back and spend time with Roshni.

All of them agreed to keep this a secret and that he would arrive in India and surprise everybody.

They ate sweets from India, and then Deepak left for home. Deepak thanked Vivek and Vaishali for being there for him to listen and support him.

The evening had been productive, and he’d come up with a solution. Now his task was to apply for Roshni’s immigration as soon as possible and look into his savings so he could plan accordingly. He decided to call Roshni on Saturday morning US time. Being relieved of the stress and his decision made, he slept well that night.

~ ~ ~

Deepak woke up Saturday morning, and the first thing he decided was to call Roshni after his morning chores. He made chai and dialed India. Akash picked up the phone, and after a brief chat, Akash called Roshni.

Roshni enquired if he got some rest after the hectic trip to India. He wanted to carry on a casual conversation with her. He looked at the clock, and it was 8 p.m. in Mumbai.

“Did you have your dinner?”

“Not yet, we will soon. Sashank bhaiya and didi went out. We will have dinner together after they return.”

Deepak smiled. “Roshni, I was so happy to see that change in the house, the family having dinner together. Thank you so much for this.”

Roshni was quiet.

“Roshni, what happened? You are so quiet. Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, just thinking,” she replied.

“What are you thinking?”

“Those early days when you left for the US and Sashank bhaiya’s reactions–” Roshni stopped abruptly. She did not want to think of those days. Tears came to her eyes, and Deepak could only imagine his brothers may have caused much grief to her.

“Did they trouble you? You never mentioned anything to me, Roshni?”

Roshni nodded her head, thinking,
What could he do from the US even if I tell him? Secondly, why would I tell him when he is so unreliable?

Deepak realized she was on mute; he continued, “Roshni, what happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Roshni, please tell me. Did they hurt you?” he asked, being very concerned.

“What does it matter now? Both of them recognized their negativities and changed; that is what matters today, and–” She wanted to say something but held back.

Deepak sensed this. “Roshni, and what? You wanted to say something!”

Roshni choked and became speechless.

Deepak suspected that Roshni was crying. He was patient. “Roshni, please tell me what happened? Is everything all right?”

Roshni wiped her tears. “Yeah, everything is fine. It’s just the old memories came back, and…”

Deepak heard this and became quiet for a few seconds too. Both of them held the phone, but neither spoke. Only their hearts spoke. Deepak was able to hear the pain in her heart, and she guessed he was concerned for her.

Roshni heard Kusum didi call her for dinner. “Deepak, I think Bhaiya and didi are here. I have to go.”

“Okay, take care, Roshni. I will call you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!” she asked, puzzled.

“Yeah, why?”

“We just talked. Why do…I mean, there is nothing much to talk about,” she said.

Deepak thought,
Oh yes, Roshni, there is a lot to talk about,
but he did not want to say anything more at this time. He was worried this may lead to an argument, so abruptly they said good-bye and hung up.

~ ~ ~

The next day was Sunday morning in India and Saturday evening in the US. Roshni had been sad the previous evening when Deepak called; he wanted to check if she was all right. He dialed Roshni’s cell.

Roshni never expected a call that early. She was surprised but answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Hello, Roshni, it’s me, Deepak.”

Roshni certainly wondered why he called again. “Deepak, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. How are you? You sounded down and unhappy this morning.”

Both were concerned for each other, but Roshni did not want to talk to him any longer than necessary. Deepak continued his conversation with her.

“Roshni, did Sashank bhaiya call Satish bhaiya?”

“No, not yet.”

“Is he going to call or no?” Deepak asked.

“I don’t know. I would be sad if he didn’t call Satish bhaiya,” Roshni expressed.

“Yeah, but who is to convince Sashank bhaiya?” he said. Then within a few seconds, he suggested, “Roshni, you have done so much for everybody; why don’t you talk to him about this as well?”

She possessed the talent to put everybody at ease.

“I planned on talking to him in a couple of days if he did not talk to Satish bhaiya.”

“Good, I hope this gets resolved,” Deepak said.

Roshni nodded. She was confident she could rationalize with Sashank bhaiya but did not want to say anything to Deepak. Both of them hung up after a few minutes. Thinking about his recent trip, Deepak chuckled.

~ ~ ~

It had been over a week; Roshni called Nirmala and checked on Satish’s health. Satish was doing better, but during this conversation, Roshni realized that Satish was sad. He felt strongly about talking to Sashank. Nirmala had called last time with a hope that she could get Sashank to talk to Satish, but that didn’t happen.

During the conversation, Nirmala revealed that they’d had several arguments in the last few months. Satish thought about his brothers a lot and wanted to apologize for what he had done. She personally felt that this could have been one reason for his stroke and asked Roshni if she could help.

Roshni wanted to accomplish this task before she left for Bangalore.

Sunday after Deepak’s call, the entire family was in the family room, chatting happily over the day’s events. This had become their routine. Sashank enquired about the call, and Roshni took this opportunity to talk to him.

“Sashank bhaiya, I talked to Nirmala bhabhi,” Roshni said.

Sashank looked at her instantly with wide open eyes. “How is Satish doing?”

Roshni explained her conversation with Nirmala, and then she continued, “Bhaiya, can you please talk to him one time? He wants to talk to you. Maybe he wants to apologize to you for all that happened. Please talk to him.”

Sashank shook his head; he was not ready to talk to him. Kusum and Akash were helpless. Roshni came closer to him and knelt before him. She held his hand and very lovingly assured him, “Bhaiya, I know your feelings towards him and his family. You are angry with them, but this is not the time to express that anger.”

She glanced over all three sitting there and continued, “When Deepak and I went to see him last week, not much conversation occurred between the brothers. He hugged Deepak and cried. He apologized to Deepak for not being there for him as a fatherly figure when Deepak needed him the most. He also mentioned that he was so self-centered and focused on his life and his family, he never paid attention to his siblings, who were young and dependent upon him.”

Roshni gave Sashank all the details of the conversation Deepak and Satish had had. Sashank listened, and he became teary. The past came back to him: he and younger siblings suffering, they being thrown out, his father’s death…

He wiped his tears and looked at Roshni. “Roshni bete, do you know how much this man ill-treated us, he and his wife? Babuji was mentally tortured several times, but he did not say a word. I was a witness to all that. How can I forgive him who treated his own father so badly? Akash and…and Deepak were so young. They needed the security after our father’s death, and h-he never cared! How rock hearted could he be? And his wife…she was mean, too arrogant and lacked common courtesy, but him. What had happened to him?”

He had tears in his eyes. His face became red, and his nose was running. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes and blew his nose. Kusum, Akash and Roshni all had moist eyes. He opened up everything to them and wept. He vented out his feelings. “I cannot forgive him,” Sashank said.

Roshni gently rubbed his hand. “Bhaiya, if you cannot forgive him, then what is the difference between you and him?”

Sashank looked at her. He did not understand what Roshni meant.

“Bhaiya, yes, he and his wife behaved in the worst way with you all. They were rude, they kicked you all out, but that was the past. Today he is regretting it. His apology was sincere. I don’t think he wants anything more, bhaiya. He wants to apologize to you too; that is all!”