Preetam’s Reaction

Roopa PoV:

I thought to reveal the truth about my identity to Preetam, but Preetam was busy with his company works. I wished to tell him that I am an Intelligence Bureau Officer. I didn't want Preetam to feel that I betrayed him by hiding my profession. However, fate had planned differently for me. Preetam saw me in the Police uniform while I was on an operation to save the public from the terrorists in a shopping mall.

His expressions showed his hatred for me as I had hidden about me from him. I was unable to speak anything as I needed to focus on the mission firstly. I couldn't keep the lives of the people at stake for my issues. Nanda Kishore asked Preetam to leave the premises of the shopping mall as per my orders.

I threw off all the thoughts about my personal life and focused on the duty. Prakash handed over a rope to me to climb the building and reach the third floor to save the children first. I tied the rope around my waist and held the string. I climbed the building and entered the third floor. I called NandaKishore.

"Hold a net on the ground. I will throw the children one by one. Be careful while holding the net. Take the help of the common people and our police force. Nothing should happen to any child. Over!" I said and signalled children and their parents not to make any sound.

Slowly, I asked children to hold the rope and get down. In the midway, they found the net and Prakash and Nandu saved the children. I signalled Nandu and Sanjana to enter the third floor through the rope. We three went near to the escalator and found terrorists, standing there with guns.

We three signalled to each other. We attacked those two terrorists from the back. We closed their mouths with our hand and shot them down, placing silencer to the pistol. We tiptoed and reached the second floor. There were three terrorists there, and people stood there in fear. Sanjana hid her pistol and pretended as if she fainted. Thinking her as one among those captivated people, terrorists came to see her. Nandu and I took the chance and attacked two terrorists. We shot them down. In the meanwhile, Sanjana kicked another terrorist hard in his abdomen and got up from the floor.

Terrorist fell on the floor with her kick, and Nandu killed him. Finally, we reached the first floor. Two terrorists were there. It was crowdy, and we took the time to plan the attack. I strictly ordered Nandu and Sanjana that no ordinary man should get affected with this attack. I signalled Nandu to go to the second floor and make some noise after sending the public to the third floor.

After thirty minutes, a sound was heard from the second floor. One of the two went to the second floor. Sanjana and I attacked this terrorist. I shot him to death. We reached the second floor and found Nandu killing the other terrorist. We unlocked the doors and sent the people out of the mall carefully.

I handed over the dead bodies to the forensic doctor for the postmortem. We collected the stuff from their dead bodies, and I asked Nandu to check them carefully. People appreciated us for our courage and sincerity. I got relaxed as nothing had happened to any individual. I reached the home. I couldn't predict Preetam's reaction. I sighed at this unexpected situation which has the power to separate Preetam and me.


Preetam PoV:

I remembered Roopa in a police uniform. Assistant Director of Intelligence? It means her cadre is equal to the Superintendent of Police. I wondered knowing that she is an IPS officer. I didn't understand how and when Roopa had wrote civil services. Roopa was already promoted to SP level. That made it clear to me that she was IPS before our marriage. I felt betrayed as she didn't say this to me. My heart was unable to take that easily. The questions which occupied my mind were: How could she cheat me when I was so faithful to her? Why did she hide everything about her from me?

Mom and dad watched her efforts to save the people on the TV. They were happy to know that their daughter in law is an IPS officer. Flash news appeared on the TV.

"Because of the courage of Roopa IPS, public were saved. Hats off to IPS Roopa!"

Everyone from the PM to an ordinary person appreciated her guts. It was given in the news that the terrorists were shot down by Roopa, Nanda Kishore and Sanjana. I went to my room. In the evening, Roopa reached the home. She celebrated her success with her in-laws, then came to me.

"Preetam!" Roopa said, and I looked at her.

"I thought to say this to you yesterday but....." Roopa tried to explain to me.

"Shut up!" I hollered out at Roopa.

"Preetam, please let me speak," Roopa tried to take her stand.

"How could you cheat me Roopa? Why did you do this to me?" I asked her.

Roopa closed her eyes, which showed that she was hurt by my accusation.

"Preetam, I didn't mean to cheat you," Roopa said, keeping her hand on my shoulder.

"Enough of your drama! Stop it, Roopa! You already lost the right to speak. Shut up!" I bellowed.

"Preetam, I can understand your anger, but please listen to my version," Roopa said in a soothing tone without losing her cool.

"What's there to listen anymore? You had hidden everything from me. Your profession was a drama. Going for MBA to the US was fake. You played with my feelings as you wanted. You assumed me as a puppet to play.

Just tell me one thing Roopa, are you faithful to me in anything?" I asked bursting out for her betrayal.

"My love for you is true, Preetam," Roopa said

"Love? Do you at least know the meaning of that word love?" I asked.

"Preetam before our marriage, I tried hard to convince my parents to become IPS. It was my dream. My parents didn't agree with it. So I wrote exams with my friends' help. When I got selected, I went for training saying that I want to do diploma in Human Relations. I completed my training and opted for the Intelligence Bureau. As it's confidential, I didn't say this to you.

I didn't do MBA. I went to Delhi for a secret mission. After our marriage, I got a call asking me to report immediately in the office as I need to head the team of an important task. So I left without telling you. After my return, I wondered, seeing your trust and love for me.

I returned knowing you and my parents are in danger because of those terrorists. Someone from the department informed about my family to them, and they targeted you. We arrested them with a plan. Then I left you. I never forget you or your love. I didn't return to you because I felt that my love for you may harm you. However, you brought me back into your life. I tried hard to make you hate me. You bore everything patiently. I couldn't resist your love and apologised you giving up my thought of leaving you. Please, Preetam, understand me," Roopa said.

"I married you as I thought you were Roopa, not IPS Roopa. I can't accept you and can never forgive you in my life," I said firmly.

I was about to leave, but Roopa held my hand.

"Please tell me what should I do to make you forgive me?" Roopa asked.

"Will you do anything for me?"

"Sure!" Roopa said confidently.

"Give me my Roopa back who is only my wife, but not IPS," I said

"How is it possible?"

"Leave your job. Resign to your job," I almost ordered Roopa.

"I can't leave my job," Roopa said sternly.

"Then leave me. Choose between me and your job. If you want your job, leave me. If you love me, leave your job. Decide yourself, Roopa."

I said to Roopa and left the house. I went to my office as I didn't want to stay at home. I was so disturbed as Roopa played with me and my feelings. I didn't know the reason, but for the first time, I didn't feel sorry for being the reason behind her tears.

I wanted a wife who loves me and cares for my family along with developing in her career. But, the job Roopa chose would never allow her to take care of my family. I understood that Roopa would be in danger every second and of course, as I married her my family too becomes an easy target for her enemies.

I never needed a patriot as my wife. I desired to marry a girl who gives love and keeps inlaws and husband happy rather than betraying and creating difficulties in their life. I might seem selfish to everyone. But, the fact is every person will be selfish towards his/her family. I was ready to sacrifice my life for my wife and nation, but I couldn't sacrifice my parents for anything.

What if someone attacks on my family to take revenge against Roopa? What if something happens to my parents because of her?

I determined not to accept Roopa unless she resigns to her job. I loved her, but not more than the life of my parents. I even made up my mind to leave my Roopa for the safety of my parents. As I gave her a choice to choose between me and her job, I wished to see how much she loves me. Her career was the reason for every misunderstanding that occurred between us. I felt that to accept her as IPS is nothing but inviting life risk and danger into my family.

I went home drunk. Roopa opened the door of my room and tried helping me to get onto the bed. I jerked off her hand and lay in the bed.

"Preetam, why did you drink?" Roopa asked with a frown.

"Should I take your permission before drinking? Did you do anything with my permission?" I said, and she threw her looks away.

Roopa tried to leave the room. I pulled her harshly to the bed and stared at her, keeping my face close to her. Roopa turned her face away and closed her nose with the palm.

"Preetam, leave my hand. I am allergic to alcohol smell. I will sleep in another room for today," Roopa said.

I sneered and kissed her lips gripping both her hands. I left her and Roopa was out of, and her eyes became red with exhaustion. Roopa rushed into the washroom and came out after five minutes.

"Why were you behaving insanely? Why did you kiss me when you were drunk? I vomited because of that disgusting smell," Roopa shouted and was about to leave the room again. I held her hand tightly.

"Shut up! If you speak one more word, you will face the worst which you never imagine. Now your problem is this alcoholic smell, right? This entire room is filled with its smell. Do one thing. Sleep on the balcony where you can breathe some fresh and cool air," I said and pushed her on the floor in the balcony. I locked the door. Roopa thumped on the door requesting me to open the door.

Ignoring her pleas, I dozed off due to that alcoholic effect falling on the bed.