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“Good, so we will have Roshni work on this task, and Nikhil, you can continue to work on your task. Very good, team, do we have any other issues or questions?” checked Bhaskar.
“Roshni and Deepak, we would love to meet you both. Do you plan on coming over?” asked one of the team members.
“Sure, Roshni still has pain in her foot. As soon as she feels a little better, we will come,” answered Deepak.
“Good, would love to see you both. Roshni, you take care, okay,” one other team member said.
“Yes, thank you all. Nikhil, thanks for taking over my part,” Roshni said.
“Sure, no problem, Roshni. You’re so organized finding information was not a problem at all,” replied Nikhil.
Deepak glanced at her and admired this quality and this praise of her.
“Okay, team, we will convene in a couple of weeks. Roshni, please let me know if you have questions. Of course, with Deepak around, I think you’ll be fine.”
“Happy Dashera to you all!” Bhaskar adjourned the meeting.
Deepak disconnected the phone. Roshni slowly got up and tried to walk without the support of the crutches. She was able to take a few steps but felt tired. Deepak instantly moved to her and helped her. She felt thankful. Their gazes met.
Finally Roshni broke her trance and said, “Thank you, Deepak.”
“My pleasure, Roshni, are you okay?” Deepak enquired.
Roshni nodded, and they sat back down at the table.
“Roshni, if you’re not too tired, shall we sit and review your project?” asked Deepak.
“Yes, but can you give me a few minutes, please?” she requested.
“Yes, is everything all right?”
“Yes, I just need to call the watchman.”
Deepak had no clue why Roshni wanted to talk to the watchman, but again, respecting her privacy, never questioned her.
Roshni was at the dining table, and Deepak sat close to her and read the notes he had taken during the meeting. He turned on the laptop while Roshni called the watchman, asking for his wife, Lakshmi. Roshni enquired if Lakshmi was available to clean the house in preparation for Dashera. Lakshmi agreed, and it was decided that since Dashera was next Tuesday, and Durga pooja fell on Sunday, Lakshmi would come over on Saturday to clean the house. Since Sheetal was leaving for Poona that day, they decided to have Lakshmi over at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.
Deepak overheard this conversation and smiled. “Hmm, getting the house ready for festivals!” He was excited. He knew Dashera and Diwali were two major festivals, but it had been so long. He could never come back to India during this time to celebrate these festivals. He’d almost forgotten what all happened during this time. He was curious to see how his wife, Roshni, celebrated so they could continue this tradition in the future.
Deepak asked, “What’s the matter, Roshni? Why all of a sudden this thorough cleaning of the house?”
“Sunday is Durga pooja, and Dashera is next Tuesday. It is good to get the house cleaned once,” Roshni replied.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Roshni looked at him. “Yes, one thing you can do.”
Deepak waited for her to explain further.
“Deepak, why don’t you go to Mumbai to celebrate Dashera with your family?”
“Excuse me!”
“Yeah, it’s probably been several years since you spent Dashera and Diwali with your family. You are here in India this time; take this opportunity to celebrate with them,” she explained.
“You expect me to leave you here and go to Mumbai to celebrate the festivals?”
“Yes, I will be fine. This is a festive time to spend with family, so please go.”
