Love after Marriage by Bhagya Chandra

communicate openly with each other.
    “I have something else to talk about, Deepak,” she said.
    Deepak raised his eyebrows and waited eagerly for Roshni to continue.
    “It is another request,” she said. “You are visiting India to spend some time with Sashank and Akash bhaiya, right?”
    “Yes!”
    “Then why don’t you spend quality time with them? I have not seen you with them during lunch or dinner or, for that matter, even any good conversations with your brothers.”
    Deepak was again dumbstruck at Roshni’s observations. “What do you mean?”
    Her first step was to bring the brothers together. “All I am asking is for you to spend more time with them: have meals together, involve them in lively conversations, maybe go out together. There are several ways you could spend time with them.”
    Deepak had no words for her; he listened and she talked.
    “It appears that Akash bhaiya is doing his own thing, Sashank bhaiya is busy with his activities, and you are here, but there is no interaction at all. Why?”
    “You think this is possible, I mean…all of us together at the dining table or in the living room discussing various topics as a family?” Deepak asked.
    “Certainly, have you tried?” Roshni replied very confidently.
    “No! That is how all this turned out, Roshni, all the past experiences have an impact, don’t they?”
    Roshni was not ready to give up. She insisted that Deepak take genuine interest in inviting them to the table, inviting them to participate in conversations, and cheering them up.
    Deepak was beginning to understand Roshni. She placed a lot of importance on family and the environment, and she had a point! He agreed to give his best in involving them while he was here and asked if she could help.
    “Yes, of course!” She emphasized, “Just remember, we are enacting a drama of being husband and wife. While in front of them, we are husband and wife, but while alone, we are separate.”
    “Why do you keep coming back to the same topic again and again? Both of us have goals, and let’s talk about them,” Deepak retaliated.
    They looked at each other, acknowledging the fact that both had their goals and needed to work towards them by helping each other.
    “Deepak, thank you for listening, and thank you for your cooperation,” Roshni said. “Conducting myself as your wife and a daughter-in-law while in reality I am not is certainly a challenge. I will try my best!”
    It was past midnight, and both of them retired for the night. Roshni felt relieved she’d communicated her feelings to Deepak and was thankful he listened to her patiently. She was thankful he was willing to cooperate, and this made her feel good about him. At least he appeared to be considerate and caring for others’ feelings!
    ~ ~ ~
    The next day was December 21 st . Their return flight was not until the 22 nd . They woke up late, being tired from the previous night.
    It was a beautiful day, the sun shining brightly through the curtains. Roshni pushed the curtains aside, allowing the bright rays to enter. She was at peace; in her mind she had clearly communicated her goals and decisions to Deepak. Deepak was satisfied that at least they had had some conversation and Roshni had talked to him. He had a long-term goal, and he was willing to take baby steps.
    Roshni and Deepak got ready and decided to take a walk outside since the weather was good. They had their breakfast at the restaurant, and they learned that a bus toured Jammu, so they decided to take the tour and do some sightseeing.
    After the tour, on the way back, Roshni expressed interest in looking around the shops. Deepak agreed to her request, and they strolled along the streets. The temperatures were low, and it was chilly. Men and women had shawls or sweaters on, people chatted happily, vendors hawked, women bargained in good-natured loud voices, streets were crowded with shops; the entire atmosphere was lively and jovial. The cafés were crowded;