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Arriving in Bangalore, Akash introduced Deepak to Sheetal.
“Thank you, Sheetal ji, for taking care of Roshni. Thank you so much,” Deepak said.
“It’s my pleasure. Please don’t mention it.”
“So how is she doing?”
“I’m sure Akash ji told you everything. It was a major accident and will certainly take a long time before she recovers completely,” Sheetal responded.
They took a taxi to the girls’ apartment, and Sheetal introduced Deepak to Aunty.
“Namaste, Aunty,” Deepak said.
“Namaste, beta, I am so happy to see you here.”
“Thank you, Aunty, you and Sheetal really took good care of Roshni. Thank you.”
“Who would not want to help Roshni beti; she is such a loving person. She is like my daughter.”
Aunty helped Deepak take his luggage to Roshni’s room, and no sooner had Deepak entered her room than he felt her presence. She had decorated it just like she had done in Mumbai; everything in the room spoke of her. He felt peace within; it appeared he’d reached his destination. He spotted her babuji’s picture on the wall and went closer and bowed his head in respect.
He came out of the room. “I want to go to the hospital as soon as possible, please?”
“Deepak, freshen up a little. Aunty has prepared lunch. Please eat, and then we will leave,” Sheetal said.
Aunty had made a usual Indian meal: chapthis, bhaji, dal and rice with yogurt. There was no doubt Deepak was restless to visit Roshni; however, his stomach was growling, and he could not resist the steaming dishes that invited him to the table. After eating, they left for the hospital.
On the way, Deepak asked about the doctor and the hospital facilities, and Sheetal satisfied his curiosity. He was eager to meet Roshni. He was angry with her for not informing him, but his love and affection for her overtook everything.
At the hospital, Akash asked Sheetal to go in first, and then he would follow. He asked Deepak to wait to see her reaction.
Roshni was relaxing when Sheetal entered her room. Roshni asked Sheetal about work, and she glanced sideways. “Akash bhaiya!” she said with a wide-open mouth, her voice still low and tired.
“Roshni,” Akash said and came forward to greet her.
“Akash bhaiya, you again, when did y
ou come?”
Akash came closer to her, and they hugged each other very affectionately. Deepak saw this through the window and smiled to himself, happy to see this relationship between Akash and Roshni. Soon she spotted Deepak at the entrance, and her jaw dropped.
Deepak came to Roshni, but she was in such a state of shock she showed no inclination to hug him or welcome him. She just stared at him. Finally, she regained her composure. “Deepak, when did you get here? I mean, from the US?”
“Day before yesterday.”
It pained him to see Roshni in this situation. He glanced over the bandages on her head and her hand wrapped in a cast, and with a sheet covering up to her waist, he could only speculate on the injuries to her legs. He was very disturbed at this sight!
Akash and Sheetal noticed that Roshni and Deepak acted like strangers.
Silence prevailed for a few minutes.
“Deepak, go closer to her,” prompted Akash.
Deepak hugged Roshni gently. The satisfaction, the peace to have her in his arms was inexpressible. All the bandages restricted her movement, but she didn’t resist his hug. After a few minutes, Deepak let her free, and soon his eyes became moist. He turned his head away so no one would see his tears.
“So why are you here in India?” Roshni asked him.
