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Roshni enquired if he got some rest after the hectic trip to India. He wanted to carry on a casual conversation with her. He looked at the clock, and it was 8 p.m. in Mumbai.
“Did you have your dinner?”
“Not yet, we will soon. Sashank bhaiya and didi went out. We will have dinner together after they return.”
Deepak smiled. “Roshni, I was so happy to see that change in the house, the family having dinner together. Thank you so much for this.”
Roshni was quiet.
“Roshni, what happened? You are so quiet. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, just thinking,” she replied.
“What are you thinking?”
“Those early days when you left for the US and Sashank bhaiya’s reactions–” Roshni stopped abruptly. She did not want to think of those days. Tears came to her eyes, and Deepak could only imagine his brothers may have caused much grief to her.
“Did they trouble you? You never mentioned anything to me, Roshni?”
Roshni nodded her head, thinking, What could he do from the US even if I tell him? Secondly, why would I tell him when he is so unreliable?
Deepak realized she was on mute; he continued, “Roshni, what happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Roshni, please tell me. Did they hurt you?” he asked, being very concerned.
“What does it matter now? Both of them recognized their negativities and changed; that is what matters today, and–” She wanted to say something but held back.
Deepak sensed this. “Roshni, and what? You wanted to say something!”
Roshni choked and became speechless.
Deepak suspected that Roshni was crying. He was patient. “Roshni, please tell me what happened? Is everything all right?”
Roshni wiped her tears. “Yeah, everything is fine. It’s just the old memories came back, and…”
Deepak heard this and became quiet for a few seconds too. Both of them held the phone, but neither spoke. Only their hearts spoke. Deepak was able to hear the pain in her heart, and she guessed he was concerned for her.
Roshni heard Kusum didi call her for dinner. “Deepak, I think Bhaiya and didi are here. I have to go.”
“Okay, take care, Roshni. I will call you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!” she asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, why?”
“We just talked. Why do…I mean, there is nothing much to talk about,” she said.
Deepak thought, Oh yes, Roshni, there is a lot to talk about, but he did not want to say anything more at this time. He was worried this may lead to an argument, so abruptly they said good-bye and hung up.
~ ~ ~
The next day was Sunday morning in India and Saturday evening in the US. Roshni had been sad the previous evening when Deepak called; he wanted to check if she was all right. He dialed Roshni’s cell.
Roshni never expected a call that early. She was surprised but answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Hello, Roshni, it’s me, Deepak.”
