Free Love after Marriage by Bhagya Chandra Page B

to focus. I gave myself December 14 th next year as my target date. If I am successful by this date, very well, but that would be my deadline to walk out of this house and your life completely.”
    Deepak was nervous, tense and worried. “Roshni, why are you making such decisions? I know our conversation on the wedding night was not pleasant. I know it pained you, and…I feel miserable for putting you through this. I had requested that you please give me some time to sort out all this mess that I created for you, but here you are making all kinds of decisions. What am I to say?” He pleaded with her, “Please don’t make such rash decisions, my sincere request.”
    “Deepak, I heard your views on marriage. I don’t want to force you into this relationship. Yes, I am traumatized. I feel disrespected, but I cannot sulk and get depressed. I have decided to move on with my life…for better or worse,” replied Roshni.
    She was heartbroken, but she decided to move on. She continued, “I would like to put in sincere efforts to fulfill Babuji’s promise, and that is why I have a plan.”
    Deepak asked, “What plan?”
    “Unfortunately, you and I will have to make a pretense of being husband and wife until next December.”
    “Pretense…what pretense?” Deepak had no clue what Roshni was talking about.
    Roshni looked at Deepak and explained, “Deepak, as I mentioned before, our relationship does not exist anymore. We are no longer husband and wife; however, we will act as if we were husband and wife until December 14 th . This will give me the right to stay in your house, move along as your wife and their daughter-in-law, and also work towards fulfilling my promise.”
    Deepak listened intently, and she was lost in thought. She came back to her senses. “You will be in the US, and yes, unfortunately we will have to act as husband and wife in front of people, this society.”
    “Looks like you gave this a lot of thought. You have everything planned out, but I still…” Deepak scrambled for the right words so as not to offend her again.
    Roshni pleaded with him, “Deepak, all this is just for one year. Please, will you cooperate with me?” She looked at him. “And this is all for your brothers and your family. I would really like to fulfill the promise I made to Babuji. This is the first time he has wanted something from me, and I want to keep him happy.” She wiped her tears.
    Deepak could not help but respect and admire Roshni for her courage and loyalty. He agreed instantly to cooperate with Roshni. He wanted to see some positivity in the family; he wanted his brothers to be happy. This had always bothered him, and now, there was some hope. However, the thought of her ending the relationship bothered him. At least this will give me some time to think about it , he thought.
    Roshni looked at him with gratitude. “Thank you! Just keep in mind not to visit India until December 14 th next year. By then I will have left this house, and I hope with all the changes, Sashank bhaiya will not have any problem welcoming your life partner into this family.”
    Deepak obviously had not given this serious thought – his relationship with her and their marriage. He believed in ‘core’ values, in that they went through the rituals and she was his wife, but he was not ready to accept the fact. He needed more time.
    “I hope you realize this is a great challenge. Sashank bhaiya is very stubborn,” Deepak said, looking at Roshni.
    “Yes, I saw that. The very fact you were not able to have him accept your preference in marriage is an example.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Regardless, I would like to try.”
    Deepak nodded his head in acceptance of her challenge.
    Roshni had observed enough around the house in the few days she was there after their marriage to see how the brothers behaved with each other and how disconnected they were. It was apparent to her they were sad, but it bothered her to see they would not