Akash sighed and narrated all the details to Deepak: how she met with the accident, the impact, her bleeding, fractures, injuries – everything. Deepak listened and just could not believe it; he was dumbfounded!
“How did she tolerate all this? And…and she was all by herself! Unbelievable!” Deepak responded and leaned back on the sofa.
Wah, Roshni…did you separate me so much from you that you did not care to tell me anything! he thought. “So what do the doctors say? Who is taking care of her?” Deepak asked.
“The doctor has put casts on her fractures, the two major injuries required stitches, and the rest of her arms and legs are all bruised. She has bandages all over and is unable to move on her own. Aunty ji is taking care of her.”
“Who is this Aunty ji?” enquired Deepak.
Akash explained very briefly the story behind how Roshni was instrumental in saving this woman’s life and bringing her to their house. Deepak shook his head. Always caring for people but not paying attention to herself! Oh my God, Roshni…how can you be so selfless?
“So what happens now?” asked Deepak.
“Deepak, I asked Akash to check if we could bring her here, but her condition is not good. It is not wise for us to move her. I think we need to let her stay there at least until her bandages come off before we bring her back here,” answered Sashank.
“Deepak, the fractures will take longer to heal, but once her bruises and injuries heal enough to remove her bandages, she will have better mobility. Once she is mobile, we can plan on bringing her here. For now, it is best for her to stay there. Aunty ji and Sheetal ji are taking good care of her,” Akash added.
“I can’t believe it; such a serious accident and I am not aware of it until I came here!” Deepak continued, “I am her husband. Don’t you think I should have been informed?”
Deepak was furious at Roshni but worry about her suffering took over; he could not imagine Roshni going through this pain with no family member by her side! “Do we know when the first flight to Bangalore is? I will leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
Sashank knew Deepak was troubled on hearing this news, and trying to calm him down was of no use. He had already made up his mind to go, and he should go.
“Deepak, you can leave tomorrow, and Akash will accompany you. I’m not sending you all by yourself,” Sashank said.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re very stressed, and you don’t handle stress very well. I don’t want you to yell at her once you arrive in Bangalore. She is suffering, both mentally and physically, and needs some rest. The last thing she needs is for you to shout at her,” replied Sashank.
Deepak listened carefully. He knew his weakness; he was one of those people who cannot control their emotions very well, and Sashank was worried. Deepak agreed with Sashank without any argument.
Both Deepak and Akash agreed to leave the next day – the same flight that Akash had taken. Sashank asked Deepak to get some rest since he’d already had a long journey.
Deepak went to his room very dejected. He had come to India very excited, and looked forward to spending quality time with Roshni, but…but this accident! He had no words to express his feelings. He remained very quiet and sat on the sofa. He ran his fingers through his hair as he thought over the conversation of a few minutes ago.
Meanwhile, Sashank followed Akash to Akash’s room. “Akash, Deepak is very upset. I hope you did not mind me suggesting that you go with him. I’m worried that he may start yelling at Roshni for not informing him. She is not in a mental state to take this from Deepak. Please go and keep him calm and be with Roshni. She needs support at this time.”
“Yes, bhaiya, I understand. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the situation,” Akash assured him.
Sashank thanked him and went to his room. A few minutes later, Akash went to Deepak’s room and noticed Deepak on the sofa with his hands over his mouth and in deep thought.
Akash sat beside Deepak. “Deepak, are you okay? I can understand your reaction to this whole incident, but believe me, she is in good hands.”
“Not that, bhaiya, I can’t believe that no one informed me, and…and it looks like Roshni did meet with a very bad accident.”
“Yes, it was a bad accident. We were hoping to bring her here, but her condition does not warrant the move. I met the doctor treating her, and he is a well-known doctor, I understand.”
“When is the flight tomorrow morning?” asked Deepak.
Akash gave him the details of the flight and suggested Deepak rest after his long journey from the US. Deepak nodded, and Akash left.
~ ~ ~
The next day was Saturday, and Akash and Deepak were ready to leave for the airport in the morning. Deepak noticed that Roshni’s babuji’s car was missing, and Akash mentioned that he’d shipped the car to Roshni in Bangalore so she could use it. Deepak nodded, thinking that at least there was a vehicle to use if necessary. Sashank dropped both younger brothers at the airport.
While waiting to board the plane, Akash called Sheetal. After asking about Roshni, he informed her that Deepak had arrived and was in terrible shock. He asked Sheetal not to mention this to Roshni, and they hung up after a few minutes.
Sheetal was very happy Deepak had come. Roshni needed some moral support, and with Deepak here, she would be happy. Of course, Sheetal had no clue regarding the type of relationship Roshni and Deepak really had.
Akash talked to Deepak and tried to convince him to be calm when he saw Roshni at the hospital. Deepak nodded his head and agreed. He knew Akash and Sashank were concerned about his behavior, and he could only assure them he would try.
~ ~ ~
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.
Deepak gathered some strength to talk to her. “What do you think, Roshni?”
Roshni looked over at Akash and then at Sheetal. She wondered if Akash and Sashank bhaiya had told him of the accident and if she was the reason he came. She remained quiet.
“So, Roshni, you did not think it necessary to inform me?” he asked.
Roshni raised her head to look at him. “Deepak–”
He interrupted her. “Why did you not inform me about this?”
“You are at a dist–”
Deepak did not let her continue and started in a louder tone, “Why didn’t you tell me, Roshni? I tried to discourage you from coming here, but you were adamant. I understand Sashank bhaiya and Akash bhaiya also discouraged you, and you did not listen to them either. And…and now this. What have you done to yourself? Thankfully, Sheetal ji was with you to bring you to this hospital. If not…if not – Roshni…what if…? I was so worried when I heard this! And…”
He had a major download of his anxiety for her. He was perturbed, and the distress was visible in his tone and expressions. Sheetal and Akash were astounded. They watched Roshni’s reactions. She was quiet, letting Deepak vent his emotions. She had seen this behavior before.
After his download, Deepak became quiet and stood there, staring at Roshni and her injuries with wet eyes.
Akash stood in disbelief. How could Deepak behave so insanely? He shook his head; this behavior definitely was not appreciated by Roshni!
“Are you done?” Roshni asked Deepak very calmly.
Deepak remained silent and felt embarrassed. He did exactly what everybody in Mumbai had been worried about. Roshni did not say a word after nor showed any interest in talking to him. She had no energy to talk much anyways.
“Deepak, please…leave her alone for a while. Let’s go out in the corridor; I would like to talk to you,” Akash said and took Deepak out of the room. He looked at Sheetal and nodded his head. Sheetal joined them.
“Deepak, why did you have to react like that to Roshni? Don’t you know her condition?” Akash paused and shook his head. “Why did you behave as such?”
Deepak had no answer. He just stared at Akash and Sheetal.
“You should go and apologize to her. What you did is definitely not acceptable. How could you…I mean…look at her condition; how could you say anything to her? You are very heartbroken to see her in this state, but that does not mean you express your anger at this time.”
Sheetal secretly admired Akash for admonishing Deepak for his behavior. Akash again asked Deepak to go in the room while he and Sheetal waited outside. It was important for him to talk to Roshni and show some concern and love, which he had tons of, and he had to express it to her.
Roshni’s thoughts whirled. What have I done to this man? What enmity does he have with me? Every time he sees me, he is upset and angry? And today…even in this condition, he has no mercy. What an individual! He was unhappy for not being informed, but…is this the way he expresses his emotions, hurting people? Does he even realize the impact this has on people? She had tears in her eyes; she was so weak, she did not have strength to cry. She put her right arm across her face to hide her eyes, but tears slowly trickled down her cheeks.
Sheetal and Akash asked Deepak to talk to Roshni and console her, and to apologize to her for his behavior. Deepak came closer to her and sat on the chair next to her bed. Roshni had her left arm resting across her belly and hid her face with her right arm. Deepak held her left hand and gently squeezed it with his head down. Roshni removed her hand from her face, and he noticed her tears. She wiped the tears that would not stop trickling down her cheeks.
“My sincere apologies, Roshni. I should not have yelled at you.” So saying, he squeezed her hand and looked at her.
Roshni tried to pull her hand away from him but was unable to. Deepak’s grip was firm, and her weakness did not help her. She stared at him with teary eyes. “Why do you do this to me always? What have I done to you? This move to Bangalore was intended for me to stay away from you and your family, and yet…you don’t seem to hesitate to yell and bring tears to me, why? Why, Deepak? As far as I know, I have not done anything to bring trouble to you in this life, so…why? Is this all my last birth karma…to get married to you and…and…is that why you torture me again and again? How long am I to suffer like this? Why don’t you leave me alone!” she said with tears continuing to trickle down.
Deepak leaned forward and wiped her tears. “Roshni…Roshni, please stop. I didn’t mean to. I…I was so worried for you, and then…and…you not telling me made me very angry, so…I could not control myself. Please forgive me! Please stop crying. You are too weak already, please…”
He pleaded with her not to cry, but Roshni could not control herself, and tears continued to flow down her cheeks. Deepak stayed, holding her hand, and his eyes were moist too. He bent down and gently placed a kiss on her hand. “Do you know how difficult it is for me to watch you like this,” he said after a brief pause. “Here I came to India to spend some quality time with you, and…and I find out you’ve been in an accident. Do you know what I went through and am going through? Can you even comprehend? I just wanted to fly like a bird and be at your side. I was terrified. I do not know how to react to all this. I guess I cannot handle such situations well; this is my weakness. Please… Roshni. What have you done to yourself?
“What if Sheetal and Aunty were not here? Did you imagine your condition with nobody around to take care of you!” he added.
Deepak wiped his tears and waited for her to respond, but Roshni quietly listened to him and wondered why he had such feelings for her. They stared into each other’s eyes – the heartache evident in both of them.
Sheetal and Akash entered the room, and Sheetal interrupted the silence. “The doctor is on his rounds. He should be here soon, and Aunty will be here as well with food.”
The doctor came in on his regular visit. He saw some visitors in the room, and he recognized Akash. “Ah, you are back already?” he asked.
“Yes, doctor, this is Deepak, my brother and Roshni’s husband.” Akash introduced Deepak.
“Oh yes, I am glad you could come, Mr. Verma. I had mentioned it to Roshni, but she said you are a busy man, so she did not want to disturb you.”
“Yes, Doctor, I can be busy, but this is more important than anything else.” He glanced at Roshni. Being anxious, Deepak asked the doctor a whole bunch of questions regarding Roshni’s condition and her recovery, and the doctor very patiently explained everything.
The doctor examined Roshni. “Roshni, looks like your wounds are healing. We may be able to take off your bandages next week, but the cast on the left ar
m and right foot will remain for a few more weeks. The bone does not heal that quickly, you see…it takes at least six weeks.”
Roshni was pleased to hear this and smiled.
“It is so good to see that smile on your face, Roshni. Once these bandages are off, you may be able to walk with a crutch.” He assured Roshni that she would be able to get on her feet very soon. To Deepak, he said, “Her complete recovery will take a few more weeks. How long is your stay here?”
“Why, doctor? Is everything all right with her?” Deepak asked.
“Yes, yes, nothing to worry about. Roshni is fragile at this time – both physically and mentally. She needs a great deal of support, and I’m glad you’re here.”
Deepak nodded and assured the doctor that he would do his best. “Doctor, I’m here on an extended stay, for at least three months,” Deepak said and looked at Roshni
Roshni had her eyes open wide. Three months? I wonder why.
Everybody was happy to hear him say three months but were puzzled.
“I wanted to spend time with Roshni, and my boss asked if I could work remotely. We are collaborating with a firm here in Bangalore, so he wondered if I could help him while I was here, and I agreed on one condition.”
Everybody waited for him – what was this condition?
“As long as the work does not get in the way of spending time with Roshni, I would be all right with this offer,” explained Deepak.
Roshni listened with awe. Why is Deepak doing all this? Isn’t this relationship over?
Her past thought came back to her: for her to understand him better or confide in him, it was necessary for her to live an extended time with him. She never thought this was feasible, but now Deepak had made it feasible; he’d made himself available to her.
The doctor talked to Deepak about Roshni’s progress and the next steps in her treatment. He left, informing Roshni that he would be back on Monday.
“Roshni, is it all right if I leave?” asked Sheetal.
Love after Marriage Page 27