Roopa returned to Preetam

Preetam PoV:

I left her at her place and came back to my home. I understood her feelings and couldn't force her to return to me. But, I wanted her to return to me. I should find out her reasons and secrets.

I forgot to know about that fellow, that so-called Nandu. Several questions popped up in my mind:
Who is Nandu? Why is Roopa staying with him pretending as his wife? What does Nandu do and why he has a pistol with him? By any chance is he threatening my Roopa to stay with him? Is it the reason behind her behaviour? Is Roopa sacred of Nandu to reveal the truth to me, suspecting Nandu may harm me?

I thought for a while. Everything was confusing, and every question gave a route to another question, but not to any possible solution. The only option left with me is to bring Roopa safely to my home. I determined to find out about Nandu only after confirming the safety of Roopa.

I called my lawyer and discussed our divorce case. The advocate told that I could file a case against Roopa to return to me. As we hardly stayed together just for two months, the court wouldn't sanction divorce to us. I gave all the details to the prosecutor to file the case and send a notice to my Roopa.

I tried to talk to Roopa every day, but she ignored me. I went to her apartment daily to convince her, but all my efforts went in vain. However, within 15 days, the case came to the hearing. The Judge ordered Roopa to stay with me for six months before sanctioning the divorce. Roopa returned to me unwillingly. Mom and dad came to Bangalore, to apologise to Roopa for their past hurtful behaviour.

"Roopa, I am sorry. I didn't understand you. I trusted the words of people and had hurt you. After knowing that, that note was kept by Vinaya and not you, we understood you are innocent. Though we didn't know why you left, Preetam trusts you, and we trust him. I wish you both will lead a happy married life," mom said and kept the hand on Roopa's head to bless her.

Roopa moved away and left the room without any response. Roopa was angry with my family and me. She got hurt by us. I knew this, but still, I couldn't digest her rude behaviour with my mom. As a daughter in law, Roopa should respect mom.

"Roopa, don't you know how to behave with in-laws?" I asked Roopa in our room.

"I don't know," Roopa answered without facing me and arranging her clothes in the wardrobe.

"Roopa!" I said, raising my voice and holding her hand to turn her towards me.

"What? Stop shouting, Preetam. I am not your servant. I don't want to stay here as your wife because of your this kind of disrespectful behaviour. Did you ever question yourself that whether you know how to treat your wife? Did you ask your parents anytime do they know how to treat their daughter in law?"

Roopa demanded me letting out her grief. I became quiet and listened to her to get her perspective.

"If a girl makes even a small mistake, everyone will start taunting her and her maternal family saying her parents didn't teach her anything. But, no one says that a boy also should learn a few things before the marriage.

He should learn how to behave with wife, how to understand her, her fears, doubts and dreams, how to show love on her etc. No one talks about that," Roopa said emphasising on every word.

I appreciated her thoughts. Of course, even a man should learn how to keep his wife happy by understanding and accepting her as she is.

"Even if a girl were raped or eve teased, society would be ready to question her morals, character, dressing, behaviour and even the timings saying that why is she out at that time. But no one questions about the morals or character of that guy. I don't understand why this society framed rules and restrictions only for women, but not for men" Roopa said.

Till now I saw the innocence in Roopa. But no, for the first time I saw a different version in her. Roopa and her way of thinking are sensible and valid. I didn't argue with her because I had no answers to her questions. Girls are often treated as someone who works according to the rules fixed for them in ancient times by those people who supported patriarchy. Though many things changed since then, still there is no change in the position of a woman. In anger, I too behaved as one among those hypothetical men and had broken Roopa's heart.

Everyday Roopa showed different tantrums to irritate me, without realising the fact that I had enjoyed her tactics.

"I want Biryani," Roopa ordered me.

"Tell to the maid," I said.

"No, I want you to prepare it for me," Roopa said mischievously.

"I don't know cooking," I said widening my eyes with her sudden statement.

I never cooked biryani till now. I know only three things to prepare - noodles, pasta/macaroni and dosa.

"Then what do you know? You didn't know anything," Roopa said teasing me.

"Do you want me to show what I know?" I asked and pulled Roopa into my lap to take her into my arms. I felt the bliss of heaven by hugging Roopa. I closed my eyes to enjoy the feel.

"Leave me!" Roopa said, moving her hands and hitting me.

"No baby, not so soon. Let me show you what I know," I said and kissed her back.

I realised the shivering in her as soon as my lips collided with her soft skin. I kissed her shoulder. I turned her towards me and kissed her neck, burying my face in her neck. Roopa tried hard to get out of my grip, but I gave her many light kisses and then left her not before savouring her jelly lips.

"Why did you touch me without my consent?" Roopa said, chiding me and making me laugh at her cuteness.

"I don't need your consent, baby. I took permission from your heart directly. Your heart accepted my love for you and even explained how much it loves me. It said there is some problem with your mouth and speaking against the wish of your heart. Your heart loves me, but your mouth speaks opposite to the wish of your heart. The only treatment to cure the disease of your mouth is kissing you from time to time," I said winking.

"Stupid!" Roopa rebuked me.

"All because of your influence," I said, keeping my hand on my stomach and bending a little bit.

Roopa didn't speak and slept silently. For a week, Roopa behaved rudely with me, mom and dad. We bore everything to bring back the old loving Roopa in her. Suddenly, mom fell down the stairs. We were in the hall, and Roopa ran to mom.

"Aunty, are you ok?" Roopa asked in a worried tone.

"Preetam, help me to take aunty to the room," Roopa hollered at me as I stood like a statue in shock.

I helped Roopa in taking mom to the room. Roopa called the doctor. The physician treated mom and prescribed medicines. I brought those medicines and pain relief oil. Roopa took the medication from my hands and applied the oil to mom's ankle and feet.

"Aunty, is it paining here? Or here?" Roopa asked, touching mom's ankle, feet and toe.

I appreciated myself for selecting Roopa who is perfect for my family. Roopa had no grudge for my parents or me though we afflicted her. I suspected something else behind her acts.

For one week, Roopa took care of mom. She stayed in mom's room as mom is unable to walk. Within one week, because of Roopa's care and food Roopa prepared for mom, mom recovered. Roopa moved to our room. Mom called me, and I went to talk to mom.

"Preetam, Roopa is as good as gold. We can't find even a small stain on her. I insulted her so much, but she forgot everything and took care of me. I valued money and status, neglecting her pure heart filled with love. Don't miss her, Preetam.

Roopa was hurt because of her parents, we and Vinaya. I think she lost confidence in relationships. Only your love can change her and make her accept us. At any cost, make her feel your love," mom said to me, patting on my hands and touching my cheek lovingly.

I nodded and came to our room. I found Roopa getting ready by standing near the dressing table. I admired her beauty. She wore a pink colour sari which perfectly suited to her pinkish skin tone. A necklace in her neck with pink and gold stones looked beautiful as if it was made especially for Roopa. Her deep eyes pinpointed nose, and rosy pink lips made me feel as if the creator craved her carefully for me.

"You are looking gorgeous," I complimented her.

"I didn't ask you. I don't want your compliments," Roopa said.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes!" Roopa said wearing bangles.

"Then why did you wear the necklace gifted by me?" I said with a grin.

"I.. I... Don't... See... I... Mean.. I didn't," Roopa tried to cover her act, but didn't work as she is an innocent girl who couldn't mask her intentions.

I smiled looking at her pout.

"Cute!" I said.

"I hate you," Roopa said pouting.

"I know how much you hate me. You hate me to the extent where you treat my parents as your parents. You hate me so much where you care for me every minute. Your hatred for me made you wear a necklace gifted by me for my happiness. That hate is making your lips shiver indicating me to kiss you and waiting for my touch, right?" I said, and she opened her mouth wide.

"No!" She shouted with nervousness.

"Really, then why did you wear a sari and got ready in the special attire, if it's not for me?" I said pulling her closer to me.

I thought to kiss her lips, but stopped hearing mom calling.

"Preetam, someone came for Roopa," mom said, and we went down.

"Happy Birthday, sweety," Nandu said with a bouquet.

"Thank you, Nandu!" Roopa said.

"Come on, let's go. Our gang is waiting for you. We planned many surprises for you. Sanjana sent this dress for you. She especially asked you to get ready in this dress," Nandu said, giving a packet to Roopa.

"Sure!" Roopa said and went to the room.

"Roopa!" I said, feeling bad for forgetting her birthday.

"Now did you understand why I got ready especially? It's not for you. It's for myself. Today I am going out as it's my birthday. So I got ready in this sari. However, now I am going to change the dress," Roopa said and went to the restroom and came out in a modern dress looking gorgeous.

"Roopa, when you will be back?" I asked.

"I don't know. Here, however, no one remembered my birthday. You people need me to serve you, but no one loves me. So I don't think anyone bothers whenever I return or wherever I go unless they have some work with me," Roopa said bitterly.

I clutched my fist. How could Roopa talk like that? Of course, I had agreed that it's my fault to forget her birthday, but it didn't mean that I don't love her or care for her.

"Come home by 6 pm, Roopa. We will go out on a date for your birthday," I said.

She chuckled.

"Don't worry Preetam. I am not expecting anything from you or your family. I have people who love me truly. Now I am going to them. I may not return today because at least on my birthday, I want to stay with those people who loves and understands me. Bye," Roopa said and left without giving a chance for me to talk.

Relationships are tough to build, but too tough to keep up forever. We always wish our companion to understand us, but we never try to understand the life partner from their perspective. We take them for granted until the moment who lose them forever. I realised that fact and determined to win the heart before I lose her forever.