“Why don’t we all, as a family, be together and go out for dinner,” suggested Deepak, and everybody agreed.
~ ~ ~
December 11th
All the arrangements for the wedding were complete. Akash was nervous and excited. All the rituals were being performed before the wedding, and Roshni took an active part with Kusum. Everybody was getting ready to leave for Poona one day prior to the wedding when the postman arrived with a registered letter for Roshni.
Roshni acknowledged it and received the envelope…it was from Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), USA. Of course, Roshni did not understand what this meant. She handed the letter to Deepak, being a little nervous. Deepak noticed that the letter was from INS. He took Roshni with him to their room and opened the letter. His joy knew no limits…he instantly hugged her and lifted her in his arms and turned around with excitement. Roshni had no clue why he behaved so strangely.
“Deepak, please put me down. What’s the matter? What’s in that letter that made you so happy? Will you even tell me?”
Finally Deepak put her down. “Roshni, see…INS has approved your application. They have invited you for an interview on the 21st of December…what day is the 21st?” He looked for a calendar. Finding one, he said, “It’s Monday, next Monday.”
“Deepak, can you calm down, and will you please explain the details. I’m confused.”
“Roshni, I applied for your immigration a few months ago, and the INS department has approved your application. They want to interview you, and after that, they will issue permanent residency status…it means you can go with me to the US.”
“Permanent residency! What, I mean, when did you apply? Where did you find my passport? I-I thought I lost my passport. Deepak, will you tell me?”
Deepak took a deep breath and noticed that Roshni was happy but confused. He came to her and, holding her by the waist, took her to the sofa and made her sit. He sat next to her and then started his explanation. “Roshni, you remember I was here in June for a conference.”
Roshni nodded her head.
Deepak continued, “I had already decided by then that I would apply for your green card, meaning permanent residency.”
“At that time we were not even sure of this relationship,” she interrupted him.
“You were not, but I had made up my mind to bring you back in my life even before June, so I wanted to get your passport. But I realized that there was no way you would give me any information to proceed.”
“So…”
“So…I happened to look for something in the wardrobe and found your passport thrown away on the top shelf. You probably did not care for it and threw it away soon after our first conversation. Luckily, I found it and kept it with me. You remember we had the power of attorney done on our wedding day so I could apply for immigration.”
Roshni nodded but had a confused expression on her face. “But I gave you those papers to apply for–”
“How could I divorce you, Roshni?” He smiled at her confusion.
“Even though our relationship was uncertain?” she asked him.
“Yes, you probably were uncertain; I was not! I knew I would bring you back in my life. That is why I included your name on my insurance and all other paperwork immediately, and you were not even aware of it.”
Roshni had not expected this, with tears in her eyes, she hugged his arm. “Pardon me, Deepak. I-I was so…”
“Shhh.” Deepak stopped her by placing his hand over her mouth. “Don’t say anything, Roshni. I understand completely; actually…I owe you more! Thank you for bringing the family back. We were lost and scattered; your efforts are greatly appreciated. And now, we have Satish bhaiya…if not for you, I don’t think we would have made any efforts.” He paused and looked at her. “And what can I say about me…you taught me a whole new meaning of marriage! Thank you!”
They hugged each other, feeling certain and confident. Soon they heard Sashank call them. “Deepak and Roshni bete, where are you? It’s time for us to leave.”
Deepak freed Roshni. “Come, let’s go, Roshni. Let’s complete the promise you made to Babuji – Akash’s wedding – let’s complete this ritual as well.”
Roshni nodded, and they went downstairs.
“After the wedding, let’s get all the paperwork ready for your interview, all right?”
“Okay!”
Deepak informed Sashank bhaiya and Kusum bhabhi about Roshni’s immigration interview on the 21st. Everybody was relieved. Finally Roshni would accompany Deepak to the US. Very soon.
“Let’s celebrate your wedding anniversary and this together. I’m assuming you both will leave soon after to the US, so shall we invite Roshni’s friends on the 14th for dinner?” asked Kusum, looking at all of them.
Everybody agreed. It was very short notice, but Roshni decided to invite her friends from work, and Kusum agreed to make all the arrangements.
“Kusum bhabhi, Sheetal and I can help you too,” said Akash.
So it was decided to have a small celebration on the 14th to celebrate Deepak and Roshni’s wedding anniversary. It was time to leave for Poona for the wedding.
~ ~ ~
Akash’s and Sheetal’s wedding went on without any interruptions. All the rituals were complete, and Sheetal came back to Mumbai as Akash’s bride. The reception went well, and Sheetal was introduced to all their friends.
Nirmala alone attended the reception; she blessed the newlyweds and left soon after. She met all the family after several years and was overwhelmed. She could not stay any longer; her feelings of guilt were evident.
Akash and Sheetal were making plans to leave for Vaishno Devi’s darshan as was the family tradition when Roshni went to her room. Deepak noticed this, and he followed her very quietly.
Standing in front of her babuji’s picture, Roshni said, “Babuji, your wish and my promise are complete now! Both Sashank bhaiya and Akash bhaiya are married. Both of them are very happy with their wives. Thank you for all the support and guidance.”
She wiped her tears when Deepak approached her from behind. “Roshni, you must be proud of yourself for such an achievement! I am sure Babuji is also very happy to see his daughter succeed in keeping her promise.”
Roshni turned around and started to cry. Deepak held her, consoling her. She controlled herself in a few minutes. “Deepak, you know, after my mother passed away, he was a mother and father to me.” She looked back at his picture. “I miss him a lot, Deepak.”
And again she held him tightly and cried. Deepak let her cry. It was necessary for her to vent her emotions, and he provided the support she needed.
~ ~ ~
All arrangements were made for a small get-together on the 14th at a restaurant for dinner. Roshni invited her friends, and with all their family and friends, Roshni and Deepak cut a cake and celebrated their anniversary. This gave Roshni an opportunity to meet with her friends from work and share her news about her interview.
As they waited for the day of the interview, Deepak and Roshni got all the necessary paperwork ready. Deepak trained Roshni with a few questions she might be asked. Roshni was nervous, but Deepak gave her courage and support.
Finally the day arrived. Deepak and Roshni got ready and took the blessing of Babuji and all the elders at home. They stopped at a nearby temple for blessings and arrived at the American Consulate at the designated time. Roshni was called in, and with Deepak’s assurance, she went in for her interview.
During the interview, the Consul asked a few questions of Roshni, and she was issued the green card. Her passport was stamped, and the Consul explained to Roshni that she could expect the card in four weeks’ time. Very happily she came out of the interview room and shared the good news with Deepak.
Deepak called Vivek and Vaishali and informed them of Roshni receiving her green card. After all, they, too, played a role in bringing Deepak and Roshni together. Akash and Sheetal were back from Devi’s darshan, and Deepak thanked them
as well.
Roshni now understood why Deepak wanted her to resign her job!
Chapter 35
Deepak and Roshni leave for the US as a Married Couple
Roshni and Deepak were in their room, discussing a possible date to leave.
“Roshni, you have to tell your boss first thing tomorrow morning, and do you need to take care of any paperwork for your company here?” Deepak asked Roshni.
“I may have to go to the HR department and complete the formalities.”
“Okay, good! So, Roshni, did you decide what you want to do with Babuji’s house and car?”
“What do you think I should do?” she asked him for his opinion.
“Roshni, that is your property; do as you wish. I will support you.”
“We have only one car here, and Sashank bhaiya and Kusum didi use it. Akash bhaiya does not have one! I will leave the car here so he can use it. What do you think?” she asked him.
“As you wish, Roshni. As I said, I will support your decision.”
“With regards to the house, we have only two options: either I sell it or rent it. Maintaining a house is a lot of work, and I don’t think Sashank bhaiya or Akash bhaiya have time for this. The only option is to sell it, or if Akash and Sheetal want to move out of this house, they can live in that house.”
“I agree, maintenance is a lot of work, and with tenants…who knows? Regarding Akash and Sheetal moving out, I’m not sure if they would like to move out. Let’s discuss it with them. If they’re not interested, I think you should dispose of it and keep the money in your account here.”
“But do you have a tentative date in mind to leave? If we decide to sell, we may not have enough time to sell it?” she said.
“Why don’t you give the power of attorney to Sashank bhaiya, and he will dispose of it on your behalf. Do you have all the registration papers ready?”
Roshni nodded in agreement.
“So give them to bhaiya, and he will take care of it.”
Roshni agreed to discuss it with Akash and Sashank bhaiya.
“I have some cash here in the banks and some fixed deposits. I can leave them as-is and authorize Sashank bhaiya to take care of them. What do you say?” Roshni again asked Deepak for his opinion.
“Roshni, it’s okay for you to authorize Sashank bhaiya, but I think it all belongs to you, and you should monitor them yourself.”
“Then I need online access.”
“Let’s check into it tomorrow as well. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Roshni agreed, and they talked about a possible date.
“Your green card is supposed to arrive within four weeks, and it will arrive at this address. Let’s wait until we receive it.”
Deepak moved to a calendar. “January 24th! How about January 24th? We should receive your green card by then.”
Roshni agreed. Deepak noticed a festival on the calendar and realized that Sankranth was on January 14th and 15th.
“We will celebrate Sankranth festival and then leave. Are you okay with this date?”
Roshni again agreed to this plan.
~ ~ ~
During lunch, Roshni and Deepak initiated the conversation regarding the house.
“Roshni, have you made a decision regarding Prashant’s house?” Sashank asked.
“Bhaiya, Deepak and I talked about it. Renting is not a good option because it is a lot of work for you or Akash bhaiya.”
Sashank and Akash nodded in agreement.
Roshni continued, “Akash bhaiya and Sheetal, we could keep the house if you want to live there.”
This was a sensitive topic for Akash and Sashank. Akash had lived in this house all his life with Sashank bhaiya and to move out now…he was uncertain. He and Sheetal exchanged concerned looks. He did not want to traumatize Sashank.
“Roshni, thank you for offering your babuji’s house for us, but I think you should dispose of it. If Sashank bhaiya and bhabhi don’t mind, we would like to stay here with them.” He turned towards bhaiya and bhabhi and asked their permission.
This request of Akash was very touching. Sashank and Kusum looked at each other and with teary eyes, Sashank said, “How can I ask you to leave, Akash? This is your house as much as it is ours.” Sashank’s words made him feel secure.
“I agree; you don’t have to go anywhere. Sheetal, are you okay with this decision?” Kusum asked Sheetal, and she nodded.
A decision was made to sell Roshni’s babuji’s house. Car, house and finances…everything was taken care of by Roshni with Deepak’s support.
~ ~ ~
Finally the day of departure arrived. Roshni was nervous and frightened the previous night…the very thought that she would be leaving India and would be starting her new life with Deepak was alarming.
The next day, everybody was at the breakfast table. There was sadness around; nobody wanted Roshni to leave, but they understood she was going to start her life with Deepak.
Roshni looked at everybody. “Sashank bhaiya, Akash bhaiya, Kusum didi and Sheetal, I have one more request.”
Everybody looked at her curiously, and Deepak wondered what she was going to say now.
Roshni continued, “We are all so happy here…”
Everybody nodded.
“Sashank bhaiya and Akash bhaiya, can you please forgive Satish bhaiya and his wife, Nirmala bhabhi, too! Nobody is perfect, and all of us make mistakes. I’m sure Satish bhaiya and bhabhi are also regretful.”
“Roshni, what are you saying? Where does Satish bhaiya come into this picture, especially at this moment?” asked Sashank.
Everybody looked at Sashank bhaiya and then towards Roshni in utter surprise.
Roshni called Satish and Nirmala inside. Everybody was shocked to see them. Sashank was dumbfounded. Satish came forward and apologized to every one of them for their rude behavior in the past. Nirmala also apologized.
A few minutes later, Deepak came forward and touched Satish’s and Nirmala’s feet, and both brothers hugged each other, one apologizing and the other accepting the apology. Soon Akash and Sheetal followed. Sashank was not ready to forgive his brother and sister-in-law.
Roshni came closer to Sashank. “Bhaiya, you know, forgiving is a divine quality. It does not belittle you; it only shows your humongous heart. Please forgive him.”
At this moment, Satish came forward and joined his hands in Namaste posture to ask for forgiveness, and Nirmala followed. Immediately, Sashank, with tears in his eyes, held his brother’s hands, and both brothers hugged. They cried and consoled each other. Kusum and Nirmala hugged and greeted each other.
It was an emotional time; the whole family came together. Aunty was in a dilemma – her sister had recovered, and she’d stayed to help with Akash and Sheetal’s wedding preparations. So what now? Where would she go? Aunty was very close to Roshni and Sheetal. Both the ladies discussed this with Sashank bhaiya and Kusum bhabhi, and it was decided she could continue to live with them and her sister, Kaki. Aunty was very grateful.
“Roshni bete, if you had not influenced us and changed us, I would not be here today forgiving Satish,” Sashank said. He hugged and thanked her for everything.
Satish and Nirmala stayed all day to bid their farewell to Deepak and Roshni. Deepak and Roshni touched all the elders’ feet and took their blessings. Roshni came to Aunty and thanked her for all the help during her accident and after, and she thanked Sheetal and Akash for their support.
It was a very sad moment.
Deepak and Roshni bid good-bye to the entire family and boarded the plane to the US as a reunited couple, a married couple beginning their life together. A marriage that taught Deepak… As long as the partners trust each other and are loyal and they have a firm faith to work through it, marriages are successful. He’d learned the true meaning of ‘Love after Marriage’.
THE END
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Acknowledgements
My sincere gratitude:
To my family – my husband and children for supporting me through this endeavor and assisting me create a balance between a demanding job, family and writing this novel.
To my friends, Steve and Kosia Konkoly – for motivating and encouraging me in bringing this novel to completion; Kosia – for reading my manuscript and providing invaluable comments; and Steve –for guiding me through the publication process, and introducing me to the production crew. All the help and support Steve and Kosia provided is much appreciated.
To the production team—
My editor, Pauline Nolet, who has been a pleasure to work with, her expert guidance and professional and skilful editing has taken the book to a new level; Jun Ares for producing a magnificent cover and Stef Mcdaid for formatting; a brilliant job from each of them.
About the Author
Bhagya Chandra (alias Chandrashekar) was born and raised in India. She moved to the US in late 80’s to pursue graduate studies. She currently lives in Southern Maine with her husband and two children.
Writing from the heart, ‘Love after Marriage’ is her first novel—a courageous journey to describe a simple, cherished love story.
Bhagya would welcome any feedback or questions at:
[email protected]
Go back to Contents
Table of Contents
About Love after Marriage
Glossary
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Love after Marriage Page 42