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Prashant became furious. “What? Understanding and patience! What was he thinking? Does he even have any common sense?”
Prashant was angry with Deepak. His daughter’s life was shattered. His convictions, his beliefs were torn to pieces.
“Babuji, I don’t know what he meant by asking for some time. However, I don’t want to continue to be married to him. He used me to please Sashank bhaiya, and this is disgraceful.”
She came closer to Prashant, looking at his sad face. “By God’s grace, you got me educated, and I have a good job. I can survive. I don’t need him.”
Prashant could not take this anymore. “Roshni, why are you saying this? Please, it pains me intensely to hear this. Shall I talk with Sashank?”
She instantly interrupted and shouted loudly, “No! Please don’t do this; it will cause more harm. It impacted you, and I cannot discuss this with anyone.” She continued after a pause, “And what is the use, Babuji? We will create more problems for Sashank and Akash bhaiya, especially now that they have become very friendly with me and have opened up. Did you notice? They seemed happier too.” Roshni smiled and waited for Prashant to acknowledge this.
Prashant shook his head and approved.
Roshni continued, “At least let me focus on these brothers at this time.”
Prashant wanted to know what was next for his daughter, and Roshni was careful; he’d had a heart attack earlier, and this conversation itself was a little too stressful for him. She tried to give as few details as possible. Finally, she took a deep breath. “Babuji, it is all over. Only time will tell. Let’s wait and see what is in store for me!”
Prashant admired the courage his daughter exhibited. He hugged her. “Roshni, I am so proud of you. You handled this so maturely, with so much confidence and courage. You can come and stay with me; don’t hesitate.”
Roshni mentioned to her babuji that she wanted to see more changes in Sashank and Akash, and if eventually they got married and settled, that was the biggest gift this marriage could give her.
Father and daughter hugged each other. Prashant assured her that he was always there for her. Roshni asked Babuji not to reveal this to anybody. That evening passed with Kusum visiting them. After dinner Prashant went to his room and started to pace – he was in a dilemma. How could he help Roshni? His only daughter, why did she have to go through this? He hoped for a good husband for her and wanted her to have a happy married life. Why did this have to happen to her? These questions disturbed him.
~ ~ ~
It was Sunday morning, and Babuji had not left his room yet. It was unusual for him to sleep this late. Roshni had chai and checked with Rahim chacha, and he responded that Babuji had not had chai yet. Worried, she went to his room and was stupefied to see the sight – Babuji sat in his chair with his head dropped to the side. Roshni, with her hands to her mouth in shock, ran closer to him and called him. He did not respond. She became nervous and asked Rahim chacha to call their neighbor Dr. Thomas, who arrived and examined Babuji. Later he pronounced him dead.
Roshni was rattled. She fell on Prashant’s lap and cried, “Babuji, Babuji!”
Dr. Thomas and Rahim chacha consoled her. Dr. Thomas asked Rahim chacha to inform everybody. Sashank and Kusum were informed of this sad news. Everybody in the neighborhood became aware of the news, and the public started to pour in to express their condolences.
Roshni believed that he could not take the shock of her marriage and passed away with a massive heart attack.
Sashank arrived with Akash and Kaki. He could not believe it! He’d lost a very good friend. Sashank hugged Roshni and consoled her. He had several questions of the hows and whys. Roshni wept; she did not give any details to Sashank.
Kusum arrived, and after greeting Roshni’s in-laws, she came to Roshni. Both of them hugged.
“Look, Kusum didi, he left me alone and went away…when Amma passed away, I was very young, but he became both mother and father to me, and now he left me alone.” She hugged Kusum and wept.
Kusum consoled Roshni and again the same questions…what had happened, especially since she was there the previous evening. Roshni had no answer except she believed that the conversation she had about her wedding had an impact and he passed away. Of course she could not discuss this with anybody. It was a struggle she endured alone…nobody to share her sorrow!
Sashank helped take care of the last rites for Prashant. Everything was over. Babuji was the one support Roshni had, and he was gone. She felt guilty for telling him the truth about her and Deepak. What if she had not told him the truth? He would have lived for a few more years. Why did he suspect that she was not happy? He was her babuji – he knew her so well, she didn’t have to tell him.
Then the thoughts continued…why was she being tested? What did she do that she had to face these troubles? She’d lost her mother when she was very young. Babuji got her married, hoping she would have a happy married life, but that turned out to be a failure, and now…Babuji himself had to go. Why? She wept as these thoughts occupied her mind. What should she do now? Where would she go for any help or support? Her only family now was Sashank bhaiya and Akash bhaiya. The future was uncertain! A feeling of insecurity gripped her.
Sasha
nk decided to stay with Roshni for a few days. He asked Akash to call Deepak and inform him of this news. Kusum decided to stay, and Sashank was grateful that Kusum was there for some moral support for Roshni. The house had a gloomy atmosphere. Sashank had seen Kusum and talked very briefly to her during Roshni’s wedding, but now he interacted with her more often. He thanked Kusum for her help.
Akash went home and called Deepak to inform him of Prashant’s death. Deepak was in disbelief. He asked Akash several questions, and he was worried for Roshni! He enquired about Roshni and hung up the phone, telling Akash that he would talk to Roshni.
Deepak called Roshni, and understandably, she was very depressed and heartbroken. She went through a mixed emotional response: sadness, guilt, anger and insecurity! She was unable to talk, and she asked Deepak to talk to her later.
Deepak talked to Kusum didi and thanked her; he talked to Sashank bhaiya and thanked him as well. They agreed to talk after a few days.
Sashank wanted Roshni to come home, but she refused to go until the 13th Day Ceremony was completed.
Sashank and Kusum remained with Roshni for a few days, and it was during this time that they interacted with each other. Kusum saw that Sashank was very caring of Roshni and was worried for her. Sashank was impressed at the efficiency with which Kusum consoled Roshni and assisted with all the ceremonies at home. Prashant had introduced her as his sister, and truly, she took charge and managed everything around the house.
