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Roshni nodded, and they had their dinner. After dinner Deepak helped Roshni clean up the dishes and the kitchen. Roshni smiled to herself and appreciated Deepak’s help, especially since she was so tired. Later, both went to their room.
Deepak locked the door while Roshni pulled a sheet, a bed cover, a mattress and a pillow from the closet. She asked Deepak to sleep on the bed while she slept on the floor. He hesitated, but she talked him into sleeping on the bed.
Deepak came to Roshni and held her hands again. “Roshni, it is so nice to see you. How are you?”
Roshni gently pulled herself away from him. “Deepak, I am tired. I would like to rest. Please, can we talk later?”
Deepak let her rest.
He noticed how she pulled herself away from him, and this bothered him. Here he was, trying to make up for all that had happened, but she seemed very disinterested. Of course, it had been only a few hours since he’d arrived, and he certainly was not going to give up.
Both went to bed. Roshni was tired and within a few minutes dozed off. Deepak was unable to sleep, primarily because of the time difference, but the old memories haunted him. The conversations he had with others regarding Roshni came back, and he was afraid… How soon could he accomplish this objective? Would Roshni respond? Would she forgive him? He was terrified!
~ ~ ~
It was Saturday morning. Roshni woke up early and felt relaxed after last night’s rest. Deepak was asleep, so without disturbing him, she pulled the curtains on the window to prevent the bright sunlight from shining into the room. She gently shut the windows so the loud divine music from downstairs and the temple did not bother him, and she got ready, then came to the table and looked at Babuji’s picture and had a mental talk with him.
Babuji, today is my birthday, and you are not here. Please bless me and give me the strength to accomplish my goal, my promise to you. I have a few more months left here, so please guide me.
Her eyes became moist as she looked at her babuji. Deepak woke up and watched her as he lay on the bed. He was moved when he saw her in front of her babuji’s picture. How he wished he could hug and console her.
She wore a beautiful hand-embroidered purple salwar kameez that her babuji had gifted her when she’d visited him a couple of months ago. This was the last gift she’d received from him, and it was very special to her. Roshni brushed her hair, and since it was wet, she kept it together with a hair clip. Deepak quietly watched her and was mesmerized by her beauty. She definitely had great taste in clothes, and especially with her hair loose, she looked like an angel to him.
Roshni lit the oil lamp and the sandalwood incense in the pooja room. The grey smoke swirled and spread the fragrance around. She offered her prayers and asked for blessings on this birthday.
Kaki had chai ready for her. The taste of ginger and aroma of cardamom tempted her. She informed Kaki and Kusum didi that she had to go to work for a few hours. Kusum asked if she wanted to have breakfast before she left, and she nodded. Kaki made hot aloo paratha for breakfast, accompanied by spiced yogurt. Roshni had a paratha and was ready to leave.
Deepak walked down to the table area. “Good morning, all.” He looked at Roshni. “Hi!”
Everybody greeted him.
Sashank suggested that Deepak could drop Roshni at work. Roshni was uncertain; she wanted to go to the temple first. She gave some excuses to avoid Deepak, and it was clear that she d
id not want him to go with her, but he was very determined as well. Roshni finally agreed, and they left.
Roshni navigated Deepak through the streets to the temple first, and after offering her prayers at the temple, they left for her work. It was important for her to visit the temple because of her birthday.
Deepak certainly had a hard time driving in India, but with Roshni directing him, he managed to reach her workplace. As she got out of the car, her small purse fell from her handbag without Roshni noticing.
She confirmed with Deepak that he was comfortable driving back alone, and she left. As Deepak made a U-turn, he noticed her purse on the floor. He parked the car and went to return it to her. The building was several floors high, but he managed to find Roshni’s office. As he waited at the door, Sanjay passed by and recognized Deepak; he remembered meeting Deepak in Jammu. Deepak recognized him too, and they greeted each other.
After a few minutes of pleasantries, Deepak asked if Sanjay could find Roshni for him. Instantly, Sanjay pulled him aside. “Did you know today is Roshni’s birthday?” he asked.
Deepak, of course, had no clue it was her birthday.
“Deepak, will you pick her up again?” Sanjay asked.
“We had not talked about it; she wanted to come home by herself.”
“Can you come back by 11:30 or noon? We have a cake, a surprise for her. Since you are here, it would be good to have you. My wife, Neelima, will be here too,” Sanjay asked Deepak.
Deepak accepted the invitation and agreed to come back. Sanjay called Roshni, and she had not expected to see Deepak.
“Deepak, did you have any problem with the directions?” she enquired.
“Oh no, Roshni, here is your purse. You dropped it in the car.”
He gave her the purse, and Roshni thanked him. Deepak left with a hint to Sanjay that he would be back.
