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He was very upset because she’d refused to come to Bangalore; he’d been restless to return to Mumbai to her. He had taken every opportunity to spend time with her. What has happened to me? Why this change in me? What has she done to me?
Even her arguments, her fighting to get away from his embrace; everything appeared so beautiful. Chills went down his spine when he hugged and kissed her. Deepak began to perceive that Roshni was very special to him. She’d changed him and his perceptions regarding marriage. All this was nothing but love for her. He had to admit he was in love with her; he could not imagine living without her. He was completely engrossed in these thoughts.
As he thought of her, her comments that she was getting ready to move out bothered him. There was no way he could let her go, but he knew that this would not be an easy job. He had to try hard and make her aware that he was a caring and affectionate person. He would be a good husband to her, and she had to experience this; however, him living in the US was not going to help him in this endeavor. He tried to think of ways he could win Roshni’s trust and confidence.
~ ~ ~
Sashank, Kusum and Roshni returned home after dropping Deepak at the airport. Roshni was quiet in the car, and Sashank and Kusum assumed she was sad because Deepak was gone.
Roshni went to her room, changed into her nightgown, and lay on the bed. She was restless too, recollecting the recent experiences. She could not believe how Deepak organized a surprise birthday party for her and how he tricked her into getting clothes and jewelry as gifts. She was upset by how he yelled at her for not going to Bangalore. She thought to herself, I am not his wife. What right does he have to yell at me? Then their trip to Lonawala, their conversations…everything; she smiled involuntarily on several occasions. She’d enjoyed being with him.
It was obvious to her that he wanted to spend time with her, he enjoyed her company, and he surprised her few times with his behavior, but several questions bothered her. Why is he doing all this? Why is he toying with my emotions? What has changed? Did anybody talk to him about our relationship? Is he really trying to apologize to me; is he really regretting what happened? Or is he trying to please his brother; is this again a new drama so he can enjoy his ‘sweetheart’ in the US?
At times she felt he was genuine, but she wasn’t ready to accept this. What if he was really acting? Then the conversation they had at the time of their Suhaag raat flashed in her mind. How could he torture me? How could he insult me?
After their conversation in Lonawala, she believed he was truly confused and uncertain about this relationship, that everything had happened so quickly he did not have time to digest it all.
During this trip, they’d never talked about divorce. However, his behavior raised a question in her mind. What if he has not applied for divorce?
She always had such a positive attitude; she could not believe she was thinking so negatively. She tried to keep the negative thoughts out of her mind, but this time, she could not resist. What if he wanted to have her here in India and a wife in the US too! Could he be this deceptive?
It was hard for her to believe this. He seemed to be so considerate, caring and helpful. Would he really do that? She could not comprehend him!
Of course, this trip helped her to observe him closely too. She admired him for his looks and his caring and helpful attitude. She remembered how he so emphatically told her not to move to Bangalore. She’d developed feelings for him too, but with various questions bombarding her mind, she was not ready to accept anything.
She was determined she was going to Bangalore, and this would be a great opportunity to leave Deepak’s house without causing agony to others.
~ ~ ~
Deepak, after going through immigration and customs formalities, was happy to see Vivek waiting for him. They hugged and inquired about each other.
Once in the car, Vivek asked, “So, Deepak, how was your trip? Probably very hectic, I would assume.”
“Yeah, a little hectic but good.”
Vivek later enquired about his trip to Bangalore and the training. Deepak gave him the details and also talked about him arriving in Mumbai one day earlier than expected due to changes in the agenda.
“So, how is Roshni? Did you get to spend time with her?”
The moment he heard Roshni’s name, a smile appeared on his face. It was self-evident he was pleased to hear her name and talk about her. Vivek picked up on this and smiled to himself.
“She is doing well. I was happy to spend a couple of days with her.”
“Did you talk about–”
He wanted to ask about their relationship, but Deepak interrupted him. “Vivek, as you and Vaishali mentioned, it is going to be a big challenge to win her back.”
Vivek looked at him with a questioning expression.
“Roshni has made up her mind to leave the house,” Deepak said.
Vivek very loudly exclaimed, “What? I mean, how could you let her do this?”
Deepak was not happy. “Vivek, it’s a long story. I’ll give you the details at home.”
In the last few minutes it was really very discernible to Vivek that Deepak loved Roshni and had struggled to talk her out of moving out.
Silence followed.
