Roopa’s Struggle

Preetam PoV:

Roopa plan to make mom happy by celebrating Mother's Day backfired. I couldn't say anything to mom to save Roopa from her wrath. Mom remembered Anirudh and Swecha. I went to mom to console her.

"Mom, I am sorry. Roopa didn't mean to hurt you. She loves you a lot. Roopa is treating you as her mom. She thought to surprise us as she doesn't know about our Anirudh or Swecha. Please, mom, don't be angry with Roopa. She is struggling a lot with her job and family. She is trying a lot to keep us happy," I said to mom.

"Kalyani, you know that Roopa is a good daughter in law. She loves us. Give her some time to adjust and know about us. Celebrating Mother's Day is not wrong. But, as she doesn't know our past, it became a mistake. In present days, we saw many daughters in law who try to separate a son from his parents. But, our Roopa is not that type of girl. Roopa loves us as her parents. Just give her some time," dad said, and mom nodded.

"Preetam, you go to your room. Roopa might be upset. I will take care of your mom. Roopa needs you now. She may feel lonely if you leave her like this. Go and talk to her," dad advised me.

I looked at mom.

"It's okay, Preetam. I will be fine soon. Your dad is right. Take care of Roopa. Go and talk to her. I too will talk to her when I am ok" mom said, and I went to Roopa.

Roopa sat on the bed thinking deeply. Her face is dull and wet. I understood that she cried a lot. I went to her and hugged her from the side.

"What's up in my Roopa's mind that made her look dull?" I said lovingly.

"Nothing!" Roopa replied and got out of my grip.

I turned Roopa towards me, and her face was stained with tears. I kissed on her forehead.

"Roopa, it's ok. Mom will understand you. She is just angry remembering the past. My brother Anirudh and Swecha expired on the Mother's Day," I said to Roopa.

"Who is Swecha?" Roopa asked me.

"Swecha was my paternal aunt's daughter. She lost her parents in an accident when she is just three years old. After that, she stayed with us. Anirudh is my younger brother. They expired on Mother's Day, so mom hates that day.

Swecha was so loving towards mom. Anirudh was a monkey in our family. We were happy and jovial before their death. After their death, mom and dad became serious. They forgot happiness.

Mom and dad thought of getting me married to Swecha. We were good friends."

Roopa looked at me as if she was hurt.

"Were you in love with Swecha?" Roopa asked me.

"I don't know, Roopa. I mean she was good and loving towards my family. As you know, I love mom and dad a lot. She used to treat Anirudh as her brother. When I was away from my family because of my career, Swecha managed everything well. It's not that I love her, but I accepted to marry her seeing her love towards my family," I said, and she nodded as if she is listening.

"Anirudh and Swecha had a better bonding with mom and dad than me. They used to celebrate their birthdays and Mother's Day very grandly. After their death, we didn't celebrate anything."

"Ok, I am sorry," Roopa said slowly.

"No! Roopa, it's not your mistake. I should have told you all this by now. As I didn't share it with you, you tried to celebrate Mother's Day," I said, and Roopa got up from the bed.

"I will get fresh up and will prepare dinner," Roopa said without extending the discussion.

"It's not necessary, Roopa. Our cook will take care of dinner. You come here," I said and tried to hold her hand to make her sit.

But Roopa moved away. She went to the restroom and came after washing her face. I tried to talk, but she didn't listen to my words.

Roopa PoV:

I went to the restroom and cried my heart out. Preetam thought to marry Swecha as she cared for and loved his family a lot. I love his family, but I thought he was upset with me as I didn't care for his family as Swecha. Aunt and uncle loved Swecha and Vinaya. They thought they were perfect for this family. I didn't reach their expectations.

Preetam noticed Swecha's care for his family. But he never felt me taking care of his family. Preetam was disappointed with me, but not showing it as he loves me. How could I prove that I love Preetam and his family more than myself? I agree that I didn't know to express love properly, but I care about them.

I washed my face and went to the room. I went to the kitchen and prepared dinner. I went to call aunty and uncle. But I stopped hearing their words.

"Kalyani, we can't compare Swecha or Vinaya with Roopa because they are our children and knew everything about us. But, Roopa came from a different family. She doesn't know anything."

"I remember Swecha a lot today. I miss Anirudh and Swecha," aunty said to uncle.

I knocked on the door and uncle smiled at me asking me to come inside.

"I am sorry, aunt and uncle. I didn't mean to hurt you," I said with tears.

"It's ok, Roopa. We understand you. Your aunt is little-upset remembering Anirudh and Swecha. Everything will be fine. Don't worry," the uncle said.

"It's ok, Roopa" aunt said.

"Dinner is ready. Shall I bring it here or set the dining table?" I asked.

"I already set everything," I looked at that side from where that voice came.

It was Vinaya. I didn't know Why and when did she come.

"Aunt and uncle, I am hungry. Mom and dad went out of the station. I felt bored. So, I came here," Vinaya said and dragged aunty and uncle forcefully holding their hand to the dining hall.

I called Preetam for dinner. I served dinner for all of them. Vinaya started talking to the uncle and aunty. She cracked jokes and made aunt and uncle laugh. She apologised to Preetam, and he too joined in their laughter session. I became an unwanted person among them. I hardly had little food and went to my room.

Preetam didn't return to the room for a long time, and I went downstairs to call him. But, his words had hurt me so deeply.

"Vinaya, thank you for coming here as soon as I called you. I know only you can make mom and dad smile," Preetam said.

"It's fine Preetam. I know Roopa can't handle this situation. She is an IPS Officer, and obviously, she will be busy with her duty."

"Yes, she is busy with her duty. She needs time to understand and mingle with mom and dad as you and Swecha did."

"Of course, she needs time. I understand. Ok, I will go to aunty and uncle. I will talk to them for some more time. You don't worry Preetam. I will take care of them. Until they become normal, I will stay here," Vinaya said.

"Thank you, Vinaya. I surely know you will make them normal. Take care of them," Preetam said, and I went to the room as I couldn't stay there anymore.

I felt terrible as Preetam didn't have confidence in me that I will take care of his parents or will lighten up their mood. I was hurt as no one trusts me in this family. I was scared of losing Preetam's love if I didn't change myself. I told myself to focus more on my family and make them happy. I decided to spend time with them and make them trust me.

But how could I do that when I would be too busy to do anything when I join in my duty from tomorrow? This question popped up in my mind making me take the worst decision in my life.