Rudrani:
"Reason is very simple. I can't allow my wife to go and stay in the house of others saying she prioritizes the life of a person over her married life saying she is a doctor. So I want you to stay at home rather than becoming a doctor. Less freedom gives you more chances to think about you, your husband and family," Ashu said.
"This is unfair Ashu," I said.
"Unfair? I think I already gave you a demo of being unfair. Do you want the demo again?" Ashu asked making me gulp, angry, blush and worry.
"No!" I almost shouted and his friends looked at me giving me a look as if I was mad.
"Ashu, you didn't tell this condition before our marriage. How can you ask me all of a sudden to give up on my dreams?" I asked.
"Nothing is wrong in that, Rudrani. I too dreamt to have a happy and lovely married life before marrying you. But, you made me to give up on my dream to have a happy married life because of your stupidity. Anyways leave it.
I am not going to sanction advance salary to you and I will make sure that you won't get any help from mom or dad this time. If you argue further, I may remove you from the job too. I don't have any mercy or love," Ashu said and I left the room.
I went to my cabin.
What should I do now? How can I pay my fees. I have gold jewellery but are gifted by Ashu and his parents. How can I use them to pay the fees when Ashu refused to help me? If I sell them, definitely he will become mad at me. I can't ask Sanjay. Dad can't arrange this amount and moreover he is angry with me for staying in Sanjay's home. What should I do now? Should I discontinue my studies and give up due to inability of paying the fees? I heard someone knocking the door. I went to open the door and I found a letter and an envelop cover with cash. I read the letter.
"Dear friend,
If you are going to stand up strong for your friend, why can't you do it for yourself? You have every right to ask your husband to pay your fees as he promised you that your education is his responsibility before marriage.
Never give up on your dreams. Your goals and ambitions prove what you are. Work smart to make your dream come true but never sacrifice your goals for anyone. I appreciate you for being a good friend and I hope everyone will be as sincere as you are in your friendship. Your love and care towards your friend is amazing. When you are right, definitely one day everyone will understand you. At least I hope YOUR ASHU will understand you."
I smiled and blushed reading the words YOUR ASHU. Yes, he is my Ashu. I continued reading the letter.
"Friend, I hope you will soon prove you are a good wife too. All the best to convince your love and make him your Ashu forever.
I kept the required twenty five thousand to pay your fees. Take it and clear the fees. You can repay me as installments from your salary. All the best.
Your
Unknown Friend."
I took the money from the envelop. I smiled for a moment and took pen from my handbag.
"Dear Unknown Friend,
Thank you so much for being with me when whole world especially my world (i.e. my Ashu) stood against me. You always inspires me when I feel I lost everything. I am grateful to you ever but sorry I can't accept this money.
I don't believe that relationships are based on money and I can't make our friendship a business by accepting this money. Usually I don't borrow money from my friends as I believe money has the power to destroy that friendship.
One more thing is when my Ashu refused to help me, I can't take help from others because Ashu may feel that I did so just to prove that he have no importance in my life. I trust my husband. He may be angry but he won't make my dream away from me. If he decides so, I will give the exams next year after convincing him. I already told him that if I need to choose between me and him, I always choose my Ashu and his happiness.
You advised me not to give up on my dreams. Yes, I won't give up on my dreams or my relationship with Ashu. Till now Ashu did everything to keep me happy. When I return to him, I will do anything to keep him happy. He was hurt and I am sure he won't forgive me easily for lying to him and hurting him again. But, I am ready to face anything to make Ashu my Ashu forever.
Rudrani."
I kept the letter in the same envelop and kept it to the handle of the door and left from there. The psychiatrist came to check Sanjay by the time I reached Sanjay's home.
"Rudrani, you have done a great job. Sanjay recovered very soon. You gave him a new hope and made him normal. Your care and support helped him to become normal soon."
"Thank you, doctor," I said and after prescribing the medicines, the doctor left.
"Thank you, Rudrani," Sanjay said.
"Come on, Sanjay. We are friends. Thanks is not necessary between us."
"Who will sacrifice their life for a friend, Rudrani? I am blessed to have a friend like you. Now please go back to Ashu. He loves you a lot. I will talk to Ashu once about my problem. I am sure he will understand you," Sanjay said.
"No Sanjay, I will handle this issue. I don't like anyone to interfere between me and Ashu. I will convince Ashu by myself."
"What happened to your advance salary application?"
"Ashu denied it."
"Ashu did as I expected. That's why I gave you money but you refused to accept. At least, take the amount now."
"No, Sanjay. As you are fine, shall I leave to my home?"
"Sure and I am sorry for complicating the things between you and Ashu."
"Promise me that you won't try to kill yourself anytime in life," I demanded.
"I promise, Rudrani. I won't attempt suicude in my life. I will be strong and this strength, inspiration was given to me by you. You are a true friend," Sanjay said.
I smiled and went to my home from there. Mom and dad felt happy seeing me. I didn't find Ashu in the living room. I was about to step in but Ashu stopped me.
"Wait," Ashu said coming from the upstairs. I stopped and stood there without going inside.
"Rudrani, if you step in once, you are going to follow whatever I say and next time I won't allow you to repeat this," Ashu said.
"Okay," I answered and went inside.
"You will be staying in the guest room till I accept you as my wife and you will be treated as a paying guest till then though you no need to pay anything. So don't do any work in the home. No need to inform any of us wherever you go. We are not concerned about you and you no need to worry about us," Ashu said talking oppositely to the rules which I expected.
I thought he will give lot of work to do and will restrict me. But what is this? How can I stay idle without working and helping mom? I can't be without worrying about my husband.