Love after Marriage (34 page)

While Deepak was in his room, Sashank, Kusum and Akash understood that Deepak had no clue of what had happened to Roshni. They agreed to tell him during dinner.

Kusum warmed up the dal, curry and chapathis and served him. While Deepak ate, Sashank and Akash joined him at the table. Deepak was so elated to see this change around the house; all thanks to Roshni, he thought. He enjoyed the meal and chatted very casually with Kusum bhabhi about Roshni, her stay in Bangalore, her roommate, etc. Sashank waited until Deepak had finished most of his dinner before he talked about Roshni.

“Deepak, have you talked to Roshni recently?” asked Sashank.

“I talked to her last weekend. You remember, I called you as well because she was very troubled. I haven’t talked to her since then. I wanted to surprise her too!”

“Oh!”
Deepak, you have a bigger surprise, my brother!
thought Sashank and Akash as they glanced at each other.

Everybody was quiet for a few minutes.

Deepak noticed this silence and was worried, and he looked at Sashank. “What happened, Sashank bhaiya? You’re all so quiet. Is everything all right?”

Sashank looked very seriously at Deepak. “I’m not sure how to tell you this, Deepak. We’ve been trying to contact you for the last couple of days–”

Deepak interrupted. “What happened?”

Akash and Kusum waited for Sashank to break the news to Deepak.

Sashank continued, “Deepak, Akash just returned from Bangalore–”

Deepak stood up instantly and interrupted Sashank, “Bhaiya, what happened to Roshni?”

“Roshni beti met with an accident on Sunday evening!”

Deepak just froze. He stood staring at Sashank bhaiya, unable to believe what he’d just heard. After a few minutes, Sashank held Deepak’s hand and shook him, and Akash went over to Deepak and made him sit on the chair and gave him some water to drink.

“Deepak, she’s in the hospital. It was a major accident,” Sashank continued.

Deepak was in complete shock. “B-b-but…but when did this happen? And…and…wh-who was with her at the time? Is…is she…I mean, is she conscious? Can somebody give me more details?”

Sashank placed his hand on Deepak’s shoulder. “Deepak, go and wash your hands; then we’ll talk. Akash just got back from seeing her, and he can add more details.”

Deepak rushed to the sink to clean his hands and in no time came back to join the family. Kusum cleaned the dining table while Sashank and Akash moved to the family room. Deepak joined them. He was restless and worried for Roshni. He looked at Sashank and Akash. “Can you please give me the details? I’m really worried.”

Since he was the one who had visited Roshni, Akash began, “I came back yesterday, Deepak. It was indeed a serious accident. Fortunately, her roommate, Sheetal ji, was with her, so she was taken to the hospital immediately.”

Deepak was impatient and wanted to know everything right now. He interrupted Akash, “But how did this happen? Why didn’t anyone tell me immediately?”

“Deepak, calm down. See, this is the reason we didn’t inform you right away! Also, we had very few details until Akash went there and saw for himself the magnitude of the accident. And with you being alone in the US – anyway, that is the reason we delayed, and then we tried to reach you, but didn’t get any response. We were going to contact Vivek tomorrow so he could help us locate you,” Sashank added.

Kusum joined them. She sat next to Deepak on the sofa and held his hand. “Deepak, please calm down. I know this was a major accident, and unfortunately, she is away from all of us, but let’s be thankful Sheetal was with her and took her to the hospital immediately. Based on what I understand from Akash, things are under control now. She is in good hands – a good hospital and good doctor,” Kusum assured him.

“I can’t believe this. Nobody even cared to tell me! After all, I am her husband! Anyway, Akash bhaiya, please give me the details: where was she, how did this happen, is she conscious?” He went on and on with questions for Akash.

Akash sighed and narrated all the details to Deepak: how she met with the accident, the impact, her bleeding, fractures, injuries – everything. Deepak listened and just could not believe it; he was dumbfounded!

“How did she tolerate all this? And…and she was all by herself! Unbelievable!” Deepak responded and leaned back on the sofa.

Wah, Roshni…did you separate me so much from you that you did not care to tell me anything!
he thought. “So what do the doctors say? Who is taking care of her?” Deepak asked.

“The doctor has put casts on her fractures, the two major injuries required stitches, and the rest of her arms and legs are all bruised. She has bandages all over and is unable to move on her own. Aunty ji is taking care of her.”

“Who is this Aunty ji?” enquired Deepak.

Akash explained very briefly the story behind how Roshni was instrumental in saving this woman’s life and bringing her to their house. Deepak shook his head.
Always caring for people but not paying attention to herself! Oh my God, Roshni…how can you be so selfless?

“So what happens now?” asked Deepak.

“Deepak, I asked Akash to check if we could bring her here, but her condition is not good. It is not wise for us to move her. I think we need to let her stay there at least until her bandages come off before we bring her back here,” answered Sashank.

“Deepak, the fractures will take longer to heal, but once her bruises and injuries heal enough to remove her bandages, she will have better mobility. Once she is mobile, we can plan on bringing her here. For now, it is best for her to stay there. Aunty ji and Sheetal ji are taking good care of her,” Akash added.

“I can’t believe it; such a serious accident and I am not aware of it until I came here!” Deepak continued, “I am her husband. Don’t you think I should have been informed?”

Deepak was furious at Roshni but worry about her suffering took over; he could not imagine Roshni going through this pain with no family member by her side! “Do we know when the first flight to Bangalore is? I will leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Sashank knew Deepak was troubled on hearing this news, and trying to calm him down was of no use. He had already made up his mind to go, and he should go.

“Deepak, you can leave tomorrow, and Akash will accompany you. I’m not sending you all by yourself,” Sashank said.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re very stressed, and you don’t handle stress very well. I don’t want you to yell at her once you arrive in Bangalore. She is suffering, both mentally and physically, and needs some rest. The last thing she needs is for you to shout at her,” replied Sashank.

Deepak listened carefully. He knew his weakness; he was one of those people who cannot control their emotions very well, and Sashank was worried. Deepak agreed with Sashank without any argument.

Both Deepak and Akash agreed to leave the next day – the same flight that Akash had taken. Sashank asked Deepak to get some rest since he’d already had a long journey.

Deepak went to his room very dejected. He had come to India very excited, and looked forward to spending quality time with Roshni, but…but this accident! He had no words to express his feelings. He remained very quiet and sat on the sofa. He ran his fingers through his hair as he thought over the conversation of a few minutes ago.

Meanwhile, Sashank followed Akash to Akash’s room. “Akash, Deepak is very upset. I hope you did not mind me suggesting that you go with him. I’m worried that he may start yelling at Roshni for not informing him. She is not in a mental state to take this from Deepak. Please go and keep him calm and be with Roshni. She needs support at this time.”

“Yes, bhaiya, I understand. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the situation,” Akash assured him.

Sashank thanked him and went to his room. A few minutes later, Akash went to Deepak’s room and noticed Deepak on the sofa with his hands over his mouth and in deep thought.

Akash sat beside Deepak. “Deepak, are you okay? I can understand your reaction to this whole incident, but believe me, she is in good hands.”

“Not that, bhaiya, I can’t believe that no one informed me, and…and it looks like Roshni did meet with a very bad accident.”

“Yes, it was a bad accident. We were hoping to bring her here, but her condition does not warrant the move. I met the doctor treating her, and he is a well-known doctor, I understand.”

“When is the flight tomorrow morning?” asked Deepak.

Akash gave him the details of the flight and suggested Deepak rest after his long journey from the US. Deepak nodded, and Akash left.

~ ~ ~

The next day was Saturday, and Akash and Deepak were ready to leave for the airport in the morning. Deepak noticed that Roshni’s babuji’s car was missing, and Akash mentioned that he’d shipped the car to Roshni in Bangalore so she could use it. Deepak nodded, thinking that at least there was a vehicle to use if necessary. Sashank dropped both younger brothers at the airport.

While waiting to board the plane, Akash called Sheetal. After asking about Roshni, he informed her that Deepak had arrived and was in terrible shock. He asked Sheetal not to mention this to Roshni, and they hung up after a few minutes.

Sheetal was very happy Deepak had come. Roshni needed some moral support, and with Deepak here, she would be happy. Of course, Sheetal had no clue regarding the type of relationship Roshni and Deepak really had.

Akash talked to Deepak and tried to convince him to be calm when he saw Roshni at the hospital. Deepak nodded his head and agreed. He knew Akash and Sashank were concerned about his behavior, and he could only assure them he would try.

~ ~ ~

Arriving in Bangalore, Akash introduced Deepak to Sheetal.

“Thank you, Sheetal ji, for taking care of Roshni. Thank you so much,” Deepak said.

“It’s my pleasure. Please don’t mention it.”

“So how is she doing?”

“I’m sure Akash ji told you everything. It was a major accident and will certainly take a long time before she recovers completely,” Sheetal responded.

They took a taxi to the girls’ apartment, and Sheetal introduced Deepak to Aunty.

“Namaste, Aunty,” Deepak said.

“Namaste, beta, I am so happy to see you here.”

“Thank you, Aunty, you and Sheetal really took good care of Roshni. Thank you.”

“Who would not want to help Roshni beti; she is such a loving person. She is like my daughter.”

Aunty helped Deepak take his luggage to Roshni’s room, and no sooner had Deepak entered her room than he felt her presence. She had decorated it just like she had done in Mumbai; everything in the room spoke of her. He felt peace within; it appeared he’d reached his destination. He spotted her babuji’s picture on the wall and went closer and bowed his head in respect.

He came out of the room. “I want to go to the hospital as soon as possible, please?”

“Deepak, freshen up a little. Aunty has prepared lunch. Please eat, and then we will leave,” Sheetal said.

Aunty had made a usual Indian meal: chapthis, bhaji, dal and rice with yogurt. There was no doubt Deepak was restless to visit Roshni; however, his stomach was growling, and he could not resist the steaming dishes that invited him to the table. After eating, they left for the hospital.

On the way, Deepak asked about the doctor and the hospital facilities, and Sheetal satisfied his curiosity. He was eager to meet Roshni. He was angry with her for not informing him, but his love and affection for her overtook everything.

At the hospital, Akash asked Sheetal to go in first, and then he would follow. He asked Deepak to wait to see her reaction.

Roshni was relaxing when Sheetal entered her room. Roshni asked Sheetal about work, and she glanced sideways. “Akash bhaiya!” she said with a wide-open mouth, her voice still low and tired.

“Roshni,” Akash said and came forward to greet her.

“Akash bhaiya, you again, when did you come?”

Akash came closer to her, and they hugged each other very affectionately. Deepak saw this through the window and smiled to himself, happy to see this relationship between Akash and Roshni. Soon she spotted Deepak at the entrance, and her jaw dropped.

Deepak came to Roshni, but she was in such a state of shock she showed no inclination to hug him or welcome him. She just stared at him. Finally, she regained her composure. “Deepak, when did you get here? I mean, from the US?”

“Day before yesterday.”

It pained him to see Roshni in this situation. He glanced over the bandages on her head and her hand wrapped in a cast, and with a sheet covering up to her waist, he could only speculate on the injuries to her legs. He was very disturbed at this sight!

Akash and Sheetal noticed that Roshni and Deepak acted like strangers.

Silence prevailed for a few minutes.

“Deepak, go closer to her,” prompted Akash.

Deepak hugged Roshni gently. The satisfaction, the peace to have her in his arms was inexpressible. All the bandages restricted her movement, but she didn’t resist his hug. After a few minutes, Deepak let her free, and soon his eyes became moist. He turned his head away so no one would see his tears.

“So why are you here in India?” Roshni asked him.

Deepak gathered some strength to talk to her. “What do you think, Roshni?”

Roshni looked over at Akash and then at Sheetal. She wondered if Akash and Sashank bhaiya had told him of the accident and if she was the reason he came. She remained quiet.

“So, Roshni, you did not think it necessary to inform me?” he asked.

Roshni raised her head to look at him. “Deepak–”

He interrupted her. “Why did you not inform me about this?”

“You are at a dist–”

Deepak did not let her continue and started in a louder tone, “Why didn’t you tell me, Roshni? I tried to discourage you from coming here, but you were adamant. I understand Sashank bhaiya and Akash bhaiya also discouraged you, and you did not listen to them either. And…and now this. What have you done to yourself? Thankfully, Sheetal ji was with you to bring you to this hospital. If not…if not – Roshni…what if…? I was so worried when I heard this! And…”