You are a Diamond

Roopa PoV:

Preetam left to the office without having his breakfast. He had sent Vinaya from our home. I misunderstood him. I talked so rudely to him. I felt guilty for talking so with him. I called Preetam expecting him to ignore my call due to anger. However, he received the call just for two rings.

"Tell me, sweetheart!" Preetam said softly.

"I.. I.. Am.. Sorry!" I said between my sobs.

"For what, sweety?" Preetam asked as if nothing happened between us.

"For talking rudely to you. I didn't mean it. But...." I tried to explain to him

"We will talk about it later in our home. Don't worry. I am not angry with you," Preetam said.

"When will you return home today?" I asked.

"Do you want me to come now itself?" Preetam asked.

I wondered his words.

"What!" I exclaimed.

"Close your eyes for two minutes, and I will be there in front of you right now," Preetam said, and I closed my eyes to see his magic.

I heard someone snapping fingers in front of me, and I opened my eyes only to find Preetam in front of me.

"How did you come so fast?" I asked, widening my eyes and raising my eyebrows.

"How can I focus on work when my wife is dull and sad at home? So, I didn't go to the office and returned in the midway," Preetam said making me smile.

"Preetam, I am sorry... " Preetam calmed me by keeping his finger on my lips.

"I am sorry for calling Vinaya to our home. I didn't expect that it will hurt you this much," Preetam said, and I hugged him.

He broke the hug and wiped my tears.

"Roopa, I trust you and your love towards our family. We will work together to make mom understand you and you to understand mom. Please don't take the stress. I am sorry, dear!" Preetam said, holding his ears.

I removed his hands on the ears.

"It's okay!" I said with a smile.

"Roopa, if I hurt you by any means unknowingly, please let me know that," Preetam said.

"I thought you would become angry if I say that you had hurt me," I expressed my fear.

"No never, I would never be angry with you. Please Roopa, tell me what's bothering you and why are you becoming dull?" Preetam asked softly, but I didn't say anything.

"Ok, we are going out. Get ready, Roopa!"

"I am not in a mood to go out now," I said as I am so tired mentally.

"No, now we are going out. That's it. I will be waiting for you in the car. You should come within fifteen minutes," Preetam said seriously and left the room.

I got ready and went to the car. I sat in the car, and he started it. He didn't speak anything to me.

"Where are we going now?" I asked, but he didn't reply.

I stayed silent. Preetam stopped the car and asked me to get down. I got down and realised that it was the Intelligence Bureau Office.

Why did he bring me here?

I looked at Preetam to know why did he bring me there.

"Roopa, Nandu called me when I left for the office. He said that you ignored their calls. You didn't even submit joining report after completing your leave period. As something was very urgent, he called us on that day when we were in the hotel. You didn't respond because of me. Nandu told that you must report today to your higher officer or they would issue a memo and take action against you. Please go and meet your officer," Preetam said.

I didn't understand what to say to my officer. I was sure that he would give a new mission to me. I was not in a position to handle a new task in that stress.

"Roopa, we will talk about everything after you return. I am with you. Don't worry and leave all your worries aside. Just go and accept your new mission. I promise I am with you whatever happens. I love you!"

I leaned on his shoulder, crying. I didn't know the reason, but I felt Preetam understood my emotional stress. He wiped my tears away and asked me to go to my office.

I went and joined in the duty. As I expected, a new and risky mission was waiting for me. I accepted the task as I know Preetam would support me. I went out to go home, but found Preetam still waiting for me. I sat in the car and Preetam took me to a beach.

The cool breeze made me feel relaxed. The splashing sound of the waves of the ocean created a peaceful atmosphere around me which made me forget my stress. We sat on the sand. I held his arm and leaned on his shoulder just enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. Preetam smiled, but didn't talk for some time, allowing me to feel the pleasantness.

I wrote "Roopa loves Preetam" on the sand with my finger becoming a kid for some time. The waves touched our feet, making me smile. Preetam intertwined his fingers with mine. Preetam sprinkled a few drops of water at me with his other hand. I kept my left hand on my face to escape from the water drops.

"Roopa!" Preetam called me in a nectar filled voice.

I didn't know why, but I felt his voice so soft and loving. I remembered my dad who used to pamper me when I am dull and upset with myself. Dad used to encourage me a lot. Though relatives suggested dad to get me married off soon, dad refused to do so until I completed my studies. Dad didn't want me to become an IPS as he was scared of the risks involved in the duty. So, I lied to him and went for training instead of pursuing MBA in the US. Dad never objected to my studies or doing the job, but he didn't like the profession which I loved.

Preetam resembles dad in several aspects as they love me, cares for me, pampers me, gives everything I ask. But they hate my profession that too, because they were worried about me. I looked at Preetam and placed a light kiss on his cheek. Preetam smiled, but didn't react. I understood he was hurt because of my words.

"Roopa, I know you were upset as I called Vinaya. You might have thought that I am not trusting you. It's not true Roopa. I slipped my tongue in anger, saying you are not a good wife. Mom too expressed her outrage in a wrong way. Those words were spoken in anger. We didn't mean it.

I never loved Swecha or Vinaya. I agreed to marry Swecha because I didn't see you at that time. Before meeting you, I never knew how my wife should be. After seeing you, I decided firmly that my wife must be like you. You are sweet, loving and caring not only for our family, but also to the people around you.

First time I saw you as a volunteer for an organisation which motivates Cancer, HIV and leprosy patients."

I shocked at his words as I didn't know that he saw me there. Dad and my brother hated me serving such patients and brought me forcibly home and thought to get me married.

"The way you talked to them inspired them, and I started admiring you. I observed you visiting that home twice a week. You used to listen to their every word without getting irritated. You gave medicines and food to them with love. I saw the pure heart and unconditional love in you. I used to follow you every day to your hostel. Suddenly one day you disappeared. I enquired about you as my friend is the founder of that home.

Then, I came to your village. You misunderstood me as your bridegroom. I was shocked to know that your parents saw matches to you. So, I helped you to send that bridegroom away."

"Do you mean you are in love with me before that incident?" I asked.

Preetam gave many shocks to me in a day. He amazed me by saying that he came to my village as he loved me.

"Yes!" Preetam replied.

"On that day, when you said to that bridegroom marrying a girl without her consent is wrong, and he must value girl's opinion first, I too fell for you. But you went off in the car without giving a chance to speak.

I wondered when you came with your parents saying that you wanted to marry me. I felt happy as I loved your mentality. That feeling further increased when you called me to ask my opinion. Everything changed when I was selected for the Intelligence Bureau. For training, I needed to go, and I lied to you saying I got a seat for an MBA in the US," I revealed the secret to Preetam.

"It's okay! I guessed it already when I came to know you are an IB Officer," Preetam said holding my hand.

"Roopa, frankly, you are a diamond which is very rare and precious. You love our family and everyone around you. You are special to me, and no one can replace you in my life forever. Even if Swecha is alive, I would have married only you if I see you."

Preetam's words brought happy tears to me. I thought he regrets marrying me. But no, I am very special for him than Swecha and Vinaya. He trusted me and my love towards our family.

"Roopa, don't cry. I love you so much. I will help you to mingle with mom and dad. You no need to do anything. If you are as you are, obviously everyone loves you. That's the magic you have in you which you never knew. You are the best, Roopa. You are the best in everything; best daughter, best wife, best daughter in law and would be the best mother too very soon," Preetam said, and I blushed.

I observed Preetam coming near to my temple to kiss, but stopped and went away. I understood why he quit.

"I am sorry, Preetam! Please don't be away from me. Your love and naughtiness always make me smile and happy. Please forget my words. I never talk like that again," I said, and Preetam smiled.

Preetam gave a side hug to me and a light kiss on my temple. I felt pleased as Preetam said he would be with me forever, whatever comes up in life. My anger and grief went away at once with his words and understanding. I loved my Preetam a lot from that day.