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Vivek’s parcel was right in front of him together with the shawl and Kurta that he purchased in Jammu. He remembered the scene when Roshni reminded him and how considerate she was to think of others. He mentally thanked her, and the doorbell rang. It was 4 p.m., and Vivek and Vaishali had arrived at Deepak’s house.
Deepak prepared chai, and all three had chai and enjoyed snacks that Deepak brought from India.
Vivek initiated the conversation. “Deepak, is everything all right with your marriage?”
Deepak looked at both of them. “Not really,” he responded.
Vivek and Vaishali looked at each other and then towards Deepak; they waited for Deepak to share his concerns.
Deepak sighed and narrated the entire story: how he and Sashank bhaiya disagreed on the marriage philosophies, and how everything was already settled by the time he arrived in India.
Vivek and Vaishali listened to him very intently, throwing occasional glances at each other. So far so good.
Deepak narrated his conversation with Roshni on the wedding night. Vivek and Vaishali were stupefied. Deepak said such things to Roshni on the first night itself!
Vivek ran his fingers through his hair. He was dismayed and studied Vaishali’s reactions. “Deepak, did you really say all this to her?”
Deepak nodded. He continued, “I did not mean to, but…”
Vaishali exclaimed, “Oh my God, how did she respond?”
“She felt betrayed and offended.”
Vivek could not be quiet. “I am not surprised. Deepak, what…I mean, why did you have to talk about your views on marriage that night? I can’t believe you really said all this to her. What else did she say?”
“She asked if I was interested in somebody else.”
He admitted to Vivek that he’d talked about Karen Foster to Roshni. Vivek was aware that Deepak had showed some interest in Karen, but Deepak had never talked with Karen.
Vivek and Vaishali were very furious at Deepak for his immature behavior. They shook their heads; it was unwarranted for Deepak to reveal anything about Karen, especially when he was not sure himself. Vivek and Vaishali were speechless.
Vivek asked Deepak how Roshni had reacted to all this, and Deepak revealed every detail. He mentioned how she’d conveyed that she did not have faith in him anymore and that she had no respect for him.
Vivek and Vaishali stared at each other.
“Deepak, why did you do this?” Vaishali asked. “Bhai saab, what were you thinking?”
Vivek lectured Deepak regarding how stupid it was for him to discuss all this with Roshni, especially since that was their maiden night after marriage and Roshni had trusted him and his family and agreed to this wedding with responsibility and dedication. On the other hand, Deepak had behaved so immaturely.
Vivek and Vaishali were agitated, and they wanted to know what happened next. Deepak gave them the details regarding his trip to Vaishno Devi with Roshni, their conversation that night in Jammu, and how Roshni decided to separate and end their relationship.
Vivek stroked his chin in despair. He was not happy at all. Vaishali and Vivek looked at each other with expressions of disbelief.
Deepak continued to tell them how she had reques
ted time to fulfill her promise to her father and asked for one year’s time, after which she was out of his life and house. She suggested that they pretend to be husband and wife until this time. He also narrated the incident with the power of attorney papers: she wanted him to apply for divorce here because it was faster.
After all the conversation was over, there was absolute silence in the room.
Vaishali felt sorrowful. “I can’t believe all this happened. My thoughts are with Roshni.” She looked at Deepak. “Deepak bhai saab, can you even imagine her mental trauma when you mentioned being forced into this marriage – all her dreams shattered, a big blow to her morale and self-respect. I can’t even imagine the stress she went through and what she is going through now. If it was me, I would have been thinking of committing suicide.”
Deepak was worried. He wondered with fear if Roshni would really take that step; he could not forgive himself if any such thing happened.
“She appears to be very mature and…and I feel for her!” Vaishali added.
Vivek could not stop. “I agree with Vaishali, Deepak. Everything you said was absolutely not necessary. Any girl would feel anxious and degraded; I completely agree with Roshni if she does not credit you or revere you. You have really caused a lot of hardship to her. It is evident she does not want to continue this relationship with you.”
Vivek moved back on the sofa and nodded his head, wondering how and why Deepak behaved as such. This was not typical of Deepak, and he was very disappointed in him.
