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compassionate, but this was suppressed. She was relieved these qualities sprouted again in these two brothers. How she wished Deepak was there to watch these changes!
~ ~ ~
Babuji seriously suspected that Roshni was not happy. It was Friday, and Roshni came home very tired. Babuji invited her for chai with him. She joined him but was very quiet. Prashant took this opportunity to probe into her marital life and her relationship with Deepak. He started asking a few questions. She answered a few but tried to avoid some; this gave Prashant more hints. She was so tired and agitated, and Babuji asked her more questions about Deepak, and this did not go well. At one point she yelled at her babuji, “Babuji, what are you trying to ask? I am so tired; can you please leave me alone,” and she walked away.
Prashant was stunned. This probably was the first time she had done this to him, and his suspicion became stronger. He let her go and decided that he would engage in this conversation when she was calmer.
~ ~ ~
The next day was Saturday, and Roshni was in a better mood. She joined Babuji for breakfast, and they talked casually.
“Roshni, today is Saturday. Will Deepak call you?” Prashant asked.
Roshni looked at him. “I don’t think he will call here, Babuji. You heard Sashank bhaiya mention that he was busy with his new project.”
“So what? You are his wife. He should still find time to call you, don’t you think so?” replied Prashant.
Roshni blurted out, “Not necessary, why should he call me?”
“Roshni bete, what is the matter? Is everything all right? Are you happy?” Prashant tried to calm her.
Roshni tried to move away from her father. “Yes, Babuji, everything is all right. I am happy. Why do you ask this question so many times?”
“Roshni, look at me,” said Prashant.
Roshni refused to look at his face.
Prashant insisted, “Roshni, please look at me. Look into my eyes and tell me the truth. Is everything all right?”
Roshni had tears in her eyes. She tried to hide them, but Babuji noticed she was crying. He came to her, hugged her, and slowly took her to the family room so they could talk.
“Beti, what is the matter? You can tell me. It was my responsibility to get you married to Deepak, but something tells me you are not happy.”
Roshni fell on Babuji’s chest and started crying like a little child. Prashant tried to console her, and after a few minutes, she controlled herself. “Everything is not all right, Babuji.”
Prashant’s heart sank. He dreaded this. He wanted to know more and pounded several questions at her.
“Babuji, Deepak was not ready for this marriage. He felt he was forced into it,” responded Roshni.
“What! But why? I talked to Sashank, and this alliance was initiated only after Deepak’s approval.”
“Deepak does not believe in arranged marriages. He wanted to find his own girl! He was not ready to get into wedlock with a stranger.”
Prashant’s heart was racing; he trembled. A million questions, a great turbulence in his mind, he simply hugged his daughter. “I am saddened, bete. I absolutely had no clue. Does Sashank know of all this?”
“No, based on what Deepak told me, Sashank bhaiya does not believe in love marriages. Both brothers had some disagreements, and finally Deepak agreed to this because he did not want to disappoint Sashank bhaiya.”
Prashant sighed. “He could not disappoint Sashank, but he could upset you and ruin your life? Is this all right with him? Oh, Deepak – we could have avoided this marriage,” he said.
Roshni watched her father shatter completely. He took the blame for not probing into this, and she was torn to see her father suffer. She came to him. “Babuji, I had a long conversation with Deepak. I also discussed the promise I made to you about his brothers.”
Prashant looked at her with wide open eyes. “What did he say? How did he react? So what’s next for you both? Oh, Roshni, so many questions, I am very agitated. I am responsible for ruining your life, my dear. I wish I had some clue of this.” Prashant hugged her and cried.
“Babuji, you did what you thought was right. You found a good boy and got me married. It was not your fault, neither was it Sashank bhaiya’s.” She wiped her tears. “Probably it was all my fate that I had to go through this. There’s nothing you can do!”
“So what have you both decided? Did you talk about it?”
“Yes, I talked about it. Deepak wanted some time and requested some understanding and patience.”
