Epilogue

Roopa PoV:

Preetam took a flat in Punjab as I shouldn't travel after undergoing such a major surgery. After discharge, he took me to the flat. My room was beautifully decorated with our pictures and baby pictures. Preetam treated me as if I was a baby. He took good care of me by feeding me, cleaning me and giving medicines to me. Taking care of me, baby and his business through online amazed me.

His love and care brought tears to my eyes many times. But, the thing which hurt me was Preetam avoiding his parents. I felt bad as I am the reason behind that. I understood their anger at me. Seeing son in a critical situation made them lose their patience. I thought Preetam should talk to them than avoiding them. Nandu told me that his parents and my parents came to the hospital to see me, but Preetam ignored them and didn't allow them to see me.

Within three months, I recovered from the injuries. Preetam took me for a check-up, and the doctor told that I was fine. I decided to go back to our home. I spoke to Preetam regarding it.

"Preetam, we should go back to our home," I said.

"Sure, I told Nandu and Mitra to search a house for us near to their place. As soon as they find a house, we will leave," Preetam said though he understood my intention.

"Why should we search for a house when we already have a sweet home? Even baby wants to see her grandparents," I said, taking the baby into my lap and playing with her.

I expected that Preetam would shout at me.

"Maybe you have a home there, but my baby and I don't have any house. So, we are in search of a house. I don't think my baby will be ready to see her grandparents who insulted her mother," Preetam said taking the baby from my lap.

"Preetam, please we shall go to our mom and dad."

"I said No. Now keep quiet and have the food" Preetam warned me.

I pouted for his shouting and Preetam smiled at me. He sat beside me.

"Sweetheart, you are unwell. Now you need peace and happiness to recover fast. Not tensions or troublesome relationships. Please understand me," Preetam said softly.

"Preetam, why are you not trying to understand mom and dad? It's not their anger at me, but their love for you that made them hurt me. Preetam, you imagine how a mom can tolerate seeing her son in blood flow and a very critical stage. Mom was in shock, and her love towards you turned into anger at me. Mom was not intended to hurt me, but her emotions forced her to do so. Do you know one thing Preetam? If the same thing happened to mom or dad because of me, you would have reacted in the same way towards me. Mom and dad accepted my profession and encouraged me. Please Preetam, don't be angry with them. Please, let's go back to them," I said, holding Preetam's hand.

"I love you, Roopa. Everyone in our family had hurt you at some time, but you always understood everyone. You are matured, and you know how to deal with every relationship," Preetam said and kissed my forehead.

"We will go to our home," Preetam agreed finally.

We went to our home, and mom and dad were so happy to see us back, especially their granddaughter. Mom gave aarti to me welcoming us. We went inside happily and shocked seeing my family there.

"Why did they come here?" Preetam asked mom and dad.

"They came here to see their daughter and granddaughter," mom said.

"Daughter and granddaughter? When did they remember that they have a daughter? Anyways, ask them to leave mom, Roopa needs rest," Preetam said.

"Roopa, go to our room with the baby. I will come soon," Preetam said.

I nodded and went to my room. I sensed Preetam's anger, and I was sure if I say anything Preetam would scold me. But the happiest thing was my husband fought with my parents for me.

How lucky am I? My heart said.

Preetam PoV:

I agreed to go to our home as Roopa wanted to visit them. But seeing her parents there, I lost my patience. I asked Roopa to go to her room. She went to our room with baby silently.

I looked at her parents.

"Preetam, please don't create an issue. Let them see their daughter and granddaughter," mom said.

"Mom, she is not their daughter, but my wife. Baby is our baby. I don't want them to see my daughter. For them, daughter is a burden, but for me, my daughter is a blessing. They already killed Roopa many times with their words. For them Roopa is nothing but a trouble creator," I said.

"Preetam, we are not angry with her. We love our daughter, but her choice of career created tension for us. We didn't hate her, but we were worried about her," Roopa's dad said.

"Stop it, uncle! Don't talk about anything. You never supported Roopa or her dreams. You almost killed her and her self-respect. You even trusted the fake note which said that Roopa eloped. You didn't trust your daughter. Now I am not ready to allow anyone to break her heart one more time. Leave now," I said.

"Preetam, we misbehaved towards her, but it doesn't mean we hate her,"the uncle said.

"Tell me one thing, uncle. What's her mistake to deserve such kind of behaviour from us? Roopa just chose to save our nation by becoming IPS. If there were no such people in India, we would never be this free and secured here. They are protecting us by sacrificing their life. Why should a girl always choose to be a homemaker and not any high profile job? Why is she pointed out and troubled all the time if she accepts a risky career? In the name of safety and love, we are curbing her freedom showing our unwanted authority towards her.

Now I want to say only one thing. We will stay here only if you accept Roopa as she is along with her profession or I will leave with my wife and child. One more thing, I have a daughter, and I will raise her as an inspiration to the world. I didn't want any more children as she will be our princess forever. I will provide everything required for my child and will help her achieve whatever she desires," I said and went to our room.

I saw Roopa in tears there. I understood that she heard everything. I gave a side hug to her. Then our families came to our room. Roopa cried and then slowly initiated a kiss. She locked my lips with her lips, pouring out all the love for me in her heart. Every time I kissed Roopa, I felt it as the first time. After ten minutes, we broke the kiss. Roopa slept on my lap happily. After some time, our parents came to our room. Roopa got up from my lap and composed herself.

"Roopa, we are sorry. We will never hurt you anytime whatever happens from now," they said.

Roopa smiled, and I hope they would never hurt her ever.

Everything was perfect, and after a few months, Roopa joined in her duty.

"Roopa, why did you fake your resignation?" I asked her

"Preetam, my identity was revealed due to mall incident and in Mitra's case. So I acted as if I resigned to start my new mission," Roopa replied.

"Preetam, why didn't you ask about the baby when you met me that day?"

"Roopa, I understood that you were on a mission. When you asked me to leave immediately, I got that it's an emergency. So, I left without creating a mess and throwing you into a problem. Being an ex-army man, I can control my emotions," I said.

Roopa PoV:

After a few months, I got a letter to my office stating that I was selected for the Bharath Ratna award for being successful in all the missions assigned to me from the day I joined Intelligence Bureau. I attended the ceremony with my family.

The host invited me on to the stage. I went with a proud smile on my face.

The honourable Prime Minister of India awarded me the Bharath Ratna. The host asked me to speak.

"Hello everyone,

This is not my achievement. This is the accomplishment of every girl who decided never to give up, aspired to reach greater heights in the career, never compromises and honest to the end.

Girls are not naive. If they were given a chance, they could do anything. If every parent understands the dreams of their daughter, every daughter becomes an inspiration. If every husband is like Preetam, every wife would be as brave as me to fight with terrorists or with anyone else.

I dedicate this award to every girl who dreams big. Jai Hind!" I said.

In the evening, Preetam threw a party for my achievement. The special day ended especially with the applause of my parents and in-laws. I thanked my husband who understood and supported me in my every step.

Preetam PoV:

Leap of 20 years:

"Dad, mom, I want to say one important thing to you both," Prema said after completing her Masters.

We sat on a sofa to listen to her.

"I decided to go into the Indian Army mom and dad. I love it. Saving our people, killing the traitors and one day finally giving up my life for my nation saluting to our tricolour flag, wah that's the life mom," Prema said happily.

Though her last words made us tremble a bit, we decided to let her follow her dreams.

"All the best, Prema. My daughter will be an inspiration to the next generations like her mom. But, be careful and never trust anyone," I said to my daughter.

"All the best Prema! God bless you," Roopa said.

"Thank you so much, dad and mom. You are the world's best parents. You taught me our values, patriotism and morals from my childhood. You trained me in a weaponless fight and gave the best education to me. You never taught me to be a coward, but taught me how to face this society and to be strong. I love you both," Prema said, kissing her mom and me.

After two months, she left us to join the Army. We were proud to have such a daughter. However, we never treated her choice of career as "HER MISTAKE". It was "HER RIGHT" to choose her dream career. I prayed the God to bless my daughter and keep her safe.

We went back home, giving send off to Prema. Roopa brought coffee to me.

"I love you, Roopa. You are the best at everything. If it were not you, I would have never been this happy. I love you so much," I said, kissing her forehead.

"I love you too, Preetam. Because of your support, my life became this happier," Roopa said, kissing me on my cheek.