Love after Marriage Read Online Free Page B

added Akash.
    “That is not the point, Akash bhaiya. I cannot imagine pledging my entire life to a stranger, in this case, Roshni. Why don’t you both understand me?” He was frustrated and blurted out, “What if I like somebody else in the US?”
    There was complete silence. Everybody’s eyes were on Deepak, and Deepak recognized he’d said something very abruptly.
    He corrected himself, “I mean…what if I want to find a life partner? I would know her better – her background and her devotion and responsibility to marriage. At least she would not be a complete stranger to me.”
    “Deepak, why do you think arranged marriages are a failure?” asked Sashank, trying to better understand him.
    “I am not saying arranged marriages are a failure.” He sighed. “What I am saying is it is difficult to compromise if that person is a complete stranger. I do not know her likes or dislikes, and then where do we start?”
    “Deepak, I am amazed at your concerns. Have you imagined the stress a girl goes through? She surrenders to you and your family with complete faith. How worried should she be?” Sashank faced Deepak. “The girl comes into your family; she has to adjust not only to you but to your entire family. Can you imagine her struggle? And…and you believe you will know all this if you went with a love marriage?”
    Sashank nodded his head and continued as Akash and Deepak listened to him. “I agree…initially there are ups and downs between husband and wife, but over time, with all the understanding, compromise, sharing and loving, there is a stronger bond.”
    Deepak was not sure yet. He started rolling his eyes upward, unable to sell his rationale to Sashank bhaiya.
    Sashank noticed this, and he was frustrated trying to rationalize with Deepak. “In a love marriage, partners will either make it or break it; it does not matter which country.”
    Deepak and Akash noticed Sashank was troubled, and Deepak was not happy about it. Past experiences flashed in front of him: all the sacrifices Sashank had gone through, a brother who doted on him and loved him, whose eyes lit up when he saw him. How could he disappoint his brother!
    Silence prevailed.
    “Deepak, I have given my consent to Prashant, but it is not necessary you should marry Roshni. I can only say that Roshni is a very nice girl, and she will be a good companion for you.” Sashank came closer to Deepak. “Your concern regarding compatibility is understandable, but these issues will occur in love marriages too.”
    It was obvious Sashank was disappointed.
    “All I can do is to find a good girl with a good family background for you. If you choose not to marry Roshni, that is fine. I will call Prashant and let him know.” He looked at Deepak with a disappointed face. “But…but…if you believe so strongly in love marriage, then don’t bother asking me for my approval…and by the way, it does not matter to me who you marry.” Sashank walked away.
    Deepak had offended his brother, and he was disturbed. Akash was unhappy because Sashank bhaiya was sad, and he walked away in silence.
    Oh no! Deepak had hurt both his brothers’ feelings. What should he do?
    Deepak frantically paced in his room, talking to himself. “What have I done? Why did I have to say what I said? What should I do now?” He clenched his fists. He was angry at himself and continued to walk back and forth, rubbing his forehead and occasionally stopping to run his fingers through his hair.
    Karen and he had not talked; he was unsure of a relationship with her – then why did he make such statements. This was completely immature on his part, and in the bargain, he’d caused suffering to both his brothers. It was futile to argue about this, and he went to Sashank’s room and knocked at the door.
    “Deepak, come in.”
    Deepak hugged Sashank. “Pardon me, bhaiya. I had no intention to ruffle you.”
    Sashank returned his embrace. “Both of us spoke what was right for us. I