Roopa’s Regret

Roopa PoV:

After nine months of my marriage with Preetam, I thought to give myself to Preetam. Preetam neither forced me, nor misbehaved with me anytime. Preetam is a pure gentleman who knew how to value wife and her feelings. But, I had disappointed him today because of that call.

I felt bad for leaving him like that. It's me who planned everything and asked him to come early to home. But, being his wife, I didn't fulfill his wish. Tears rolled down to my cheeks for hurting him again. I had hurt him again. I wiped my tears immediately remembering my duty.

I went to the spot with my team and checked the places thoroughly. We didn't find anything. We understood that it was a fake call. We went back to the office.

"What is this? What do people think about us? Even at midnight, we hurried, leaving our family thinking it's an emergency. But for those people, it's fun," Sanjana said seriously.

"Nowadays, it became fun for the public to play such pranks with us," Nandu said drinking water to relax from the tension caused by this prank call. He poured water on his head to cool himself from the stress.

"Cool down guys. It's our duty to save the people. Sometimes it may happen like this. But, the public is not bad. However, there are both bad and good people living in this society. Leave your anger, but inquiry full details about that call. I want him to be presented before me within 48 hours at any cost," I ordered them.

"Sure, madam!" Prakash said.

I returned to the home at around 1 am. I had rung the bell, but it didn't ring. I remembered him switching off the doorbell as he didn't want anyone to disturb us on the first night. I thought Preetam might be sleeping or angry with me. I took the mobile from my pocket and dialed his mobile number. His mobile was switched off. I knocked on the door, but I knew well that this sound couldn't reach to the room as our room is on the second floor far away.

I sat on the stairs of our terrace and slept hugging my knees. Mosquitoes irritated me with their awful music and biting me many times. The unknown insects fell on me as the street light is nearer to the staircase and our house had short walls which were equal to the gate in height. I had fought a mini battle with those mosquitoes and insects, which disturbed my late night sleep. I didn't know when sleep embraced me into its arms.

In the morning, I felt someone waking me up. I opened my eyes and looked at the person. It's our maid.

"Madam, why did you sleep here?" the maid asked me.

"Nothing! I had just enjoyed the fresh air and the night sky," I said cracking the worst joke ever.

The maid gave a weird look to me.

"Is the door opened?" I asked her.

The maid nodded, and I went to my room. I found Preetam having coffee and reading a novel. Just then I remembered that that's Sunday and he wouldn't go to the office. I decided to clear the issue immediately.

"Good Morning!" I greeted to know his mood and estimate his reactions.

He glared at me. He was angry again with me. I shook my head and bent my head to avoid his glares.

"Does it take all night for you to check bus stand and railway station?" Preetam questioned me.

"No, actually... " I tried to say, but he interrupted me.

"If you had done that great job of disabling the bombs, why was the news not covered by the media?"

"Preetam, it's a fake call," I said slowly.

"What?" Preetam almost shouted at me.

I didn't understand how am I responsible if the call is fake. However, I didn't ask that question to Preetam as it may provoke him more.

"Yeah! Someone played a prank on the department."

"Where were you all night when it's a fake call? Why didn't you return home as soon as you knew it's a fake call?" Preetam asked in a dangerous tone that scared me to hell.

I closed my eyes with fear.

"I asked you something, Roopa. Answer me without complicating the issue," Preetam warned me.

I didn't know that I was crying, but his words already brought the water into my eyes.

"I returned home by 1 am. I tried to ring the doorbell and called you. But, both were switched off. I knocked on the door, but I think you didn't hear me. I sat on our stairs for the whole night. I didn't go anywhere," I said.

"Switched off? Shut! I didn't remember switching off the doorbell. I am sorry, Roopa," Preetam said in a soft tone.

I thanked God for lessening his rage and stopping the unnecessary conflict between Preetam and me.

"No, no, it's ok, no problem," I said.

"You stayed outside the whole night because of me," Preetam said keeping his face dull.

"It's ok, Preetam. The weather is pleasant, and I had a good sleep on the stairs enjoying the cool air and viewing the black sky with shiny stars," I lied as I didn't want him to feel bad.

"Really? Ok, then from today sleep on the stairs every night as you felt it more comfortable than our room," Preetam said.

I remembered the mosquitoes and other insects which bit me torturing the whole night. Preetam laughed seeing my expressions. I understood that he was not serious and playing with me. I pouted. However, I was happy watching his laughter which I didn't see for many days. I love to catch a glimpse of Preetam's happiness all the time. Sometimes, I felt that because of me, he lost his jovialness.

"I can understand how comfortable it is to sleep on the stairs the whole night. Take a hot shower and then take a rest. Because, I am not going to allow you to sleep tonight," Preetam said and I looked at him confusedly.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because let's continue our session from where we stopped yesterday," Preetam winked, making me open my mouth wide.

He smiled seeing me in shock.

"Aren't you angry with me for upsetting you yesterday?" I asked sadly.

"Your husband is not a fool to be angry at you without understanding the purpose behind you upsetting me."

"But it's a fake call," I said, twitching my lips.

"Of course, but you didn't know that. So, I couldn't treat that as your mistake. You left me yesterday to save the lives of many people. I don't think my desires are more important than the lives of many people. I can understand you," Preetam said making me burst with happy tears.

I hugged him shedding happy tears. He wiped my tears and kissed my forehead lightly.

"Thank you so much for understanding, Preetam. I thought you would be angry with me for leaving you on our first night," I said.

"I am not angry with you. You look cute when you smile. Don't cry now. I will show my anger at you for leaving me incorrect time and also for making me wait for all these days tonight. Get ready, baby," Preetam said, smiling, making me blush.

"I am all your's to show your love or anger," I said kissing him on the cheek.

"Do you want me to continue our left session right now? You can't bear as you are already tired and irritated because of that fake call. Now get fresh up, and I will bring breakfast for you to our room. Have it and then take a rest."

"Breakfast? I will prepare after a shower."

"I too can prepare it, baby," Preetam said, kissing me on the cheeks again.

"See, I am unable to control if I stay here for some more time. I am going to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for us. You take a shower till then," Preetam said, handing over the towel and clothes to me.

Preetam left to the kitchen. I felt happy as he understood me than being angry with me. I felt blessed to have such a sweet husband. I shouldn't miss him or his love at any cost. I decided to take leave for a week and spend with him and family for the whole week.

I took my mobile and sent mail to my head officer intimating that I need sick leave for a week. He sanctioned immediately by replying to my letter as I never took leave anytime. I informed my team not to contact me unless if it's an emergency which couldn't be handled without me and about my vacation. I was happy to spend with my husband without any disturbance for a week.