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Everything was settled, and the couple agreed to occupy Deepak’s condo until his return. They agreed to pay the rent, which was the same as the mortgage payment for Deepak. Both parties agreed to certain terms regarding the use of Deepak’s furniture, beds, etc. Deepak was satisfied – some extra savings in his pocket.
Deepak approached his boss and discussed the situation about him going to India for three or four months. Again, surprising to him, his boss was very cooperative and asked Deepak if he was willing to work remotely with the collaborating firm in Bangalore while this Indian couple worked here. Deepak thought this over. He wanted to spend some quality time with Roshni and did not want to promise anything that interfered in this task.
Deepak very clearly communicated to his boss that if the work was overwhelming or too demanding and took his time away from his family, he would not hesitate to quit. Deepak was very intelligent and too valuable to the company to lose. His boss was flexible and worked around Deepak’s schedule, and it worked out best for Deepak and the company.
Everything fell in place for Deepak – a reassurance that if the intentions are good, the Universe will respond.
His house was rented out temporarily, and he could work remotely from India and get paid. Deepak was beaming with happiness and made arrangements to leave. Vivek assured him that he and Vaishali would watch the house while he was away. The immigration papers were filed, and now it was a waiting period. Deepak contacted his lawyer and informed him of these developments and gave his contact details in India.
~ ~ ~
In the meantime, things started to take shape for Roshni as well. Sashank, Kusum and Akash reluctantly agreed for Roshni to move to Bangalore for her project work.
Roshni contacted the office in Bangalore and found out that one of her potential colleagues, Sheetal Pansre, originally from Poona, rented an apartment and was looking for a roommate. This worked out well for Roshni. She contacted Sheetal, and both the ladies agreed for Roshni to share the apartment until she returned to Mumbai. All arrangements were made for Roshni to leave for Bangalore at the end of August.
At this time, Rahim chacha also felt that he should leave Roshni’s in-law’s house. He’d been thinking of returning to his village, and this probably was a good time. He expressed his desire to Roshni and Sashank. Of course, since Roshni herself was leaving, she remained quiet. Sashank and Kusum wanted Rahim chacha to stay, but he was determined to leave. Rahim chacha left before Roshni’s departure to Bangalore. Roshni asked him to stay in touch, and Rahim chacha promised her that he would keep her updated.
The day for Roshni to leave had arrived. This was a very heartbreaking moment at home. Sashank, Kusum, Akash and Kaki gave a teary farewell to Roshni. Roshni herself became very sad, for she was leaving a family whom she would probably never meet again.
Sashank, Akash and Kusum went to the airport. At the airport Roshni touched Sashank’s and Kusum’s feet, at which time, Sashank hugged Roshni and kissed her on the forehead. “Roshni, we all will miss you, bete. It will be hard for us to get used to you not being here. Please take care of your health and…” He had tears in his eyes.
Kusum didi hugged Roshni. “Roshni, take care. We are always here for you,” she assured Roshni. She also had teary eyes.
“Roshni, I will come visit you often. I don’t care if you’re sharing your apartment with somebody; I have to see my little sister, and I will be there. I will miss you, Roshni. Who will come with me to Ravi Shankar’s workshops now?” said Akash.
Roshni wiped her tears and smiled. “Akash bhaiya, now I really need to find you a wife who can go with you.”
Akash smiled and patted Roshni’s arm. “Roshni, you never get tired of teasing me, do you? You know what? I will come to Bangalore for his workshops.”
Everybody laughed at this.
Later, she asked Sashank to visit Satish with Kusum, but Sashank made no promises to her. He shook his head, and Roshni did not force the matter.
Roshni walked through security, wiping her tears. While Roshni waited at the airport, several thoughts crossed her mind. Sashank and Akash were very mean to her in the beginning, and she spent several days weeping in her room, not knowing how to handle these two brothers. Her marriage was a failure she could not discuss with Deepak or Babuji. She had struggled within her, and now, the same two brothers could not live without her. What a remarkable change in their personalities. She herself became so attached to this family…how could she live without them?
I guess everything happened for the better, she consoled herself. Even if her marriage was a failure, she’d brought joy to two people. What more did she want?
Soon she heard an announcement for passengers to board the Bangalore flight.
~ ~ ~
Sheetal met Roshni at the airport. They hugged each other and welcomed each other’s friendship into their lives. Sheetal had lived in Bangalore for a few years and was very familiar with the city. Sheetal was a very simple girl, and Roshni at once felt very comfortable with her. They hired a taxi and arrived at the apartment. This was a three-bedroom apartment, very spacious and comfortable, and was located in a decent neighborhood.
Sheetal felt very comfortable with Roshni as well. Both Sheetal and Roshni had similar personalities, and it did not take too long for them to become good friends, although Sheetal was a few years older than Roshni. Sheetal saw the mangalsutra on Roshni’s neck and figured she was married. Roshni made no attempt to talk about her husband, and Sheetal did not feel the urge to ask Roshni. They respected each other’s privacy.
Roshni called home to inform Sashank and didi that she’d arrived safely and told them everything about Sheetal. Everybody in Mumbai was relieved that Roshni had some company in Bangalore.
Chapter 22
Roshni meets with an Accident
Days passed, and Roshni began to like Bangalore. Of course, Sheetal made Roshni very comfortable. Over time, Roshni found out that Sheetal was also very spiritual and attended Ravi Shankar’s meetings in Bangalore, and she thought of Akash at this time.
Sheetal Pansre was born and raised in Poona. She was the only daughter to her parents, and both her parents worked for the government. Her father retired a couple of years ago, and her mother retired six months ago. Both parents were worried about Sheetal…she was already thirty-one and not married yet.
Sheetal herself had a Master’s Degree in Engineering and was financially well settled. She was in no rush to get married. She believed very firmly in destiny and that she would meet the right guy when it was time. She was a very simple girl, raised with good values, and was very mature. After knowing these details about Sheetal and her family, Roshni felt the urge to introduce her to Akash, but she had to be very careful; she did not want to ruin her friendship with Sheetal.
A seed for a future relationship was sowed in her head.
