Rudrani:
We returned home from hospital. I felt to talk to Ashu about Sanjay but I hesitated to initiate a conversation.
"I love you," Ashu said making me smile.
"I love you too," I said sitting beside him on the couch with a cup of cappuccino.
"My love, how can you be so matured in thinking? At times, I feel you as a kid but in the very next moment, you astonishes me with your maturity and courage."
My cheeks turned red listening his praise. How can he praise so sweetly?
"Rudrani, the case of Sanjay is really a very sensitive one. Today for the first time after listening to Sanjay's agony, I understood the pain of a transgender. Of course, we never care for such people and pay attention to their rights and life. This world would become a better place to live if every individual are allowed to live life of their choice without discrimination.
People often raise the issues of religion, caste, gender and what not just to insult others. They will go to any extent to hurt a person. Why can't they treat a human as a human respecting them as per their nature, mentality and character? I hope this world realises this soon," Ashu said.
"Hope so Ashu. But is blaming society our only duty? Why can't we change our perception and make the change happen?"
Ashutosh:
"I didn't understand," I said.
"Ashu, why can't we help Sanjay to reach his goal? He told that he want to establish a company where transgenders can work and earn their livelihood with dignity. Ashu, we always find transgenders as beggars. But, I think it's because no one are ready to provide employment for them. Why can't we do atleast something for them? I know we may not change everyone's email perception and help every transgender but as it's said drop by drop makes an ocean, our first step may make at least few people think."
"Sweet heart, whatever it is, I am always with you. I am proud of you, Rudrani," I said placing a kiss on her forehead. She smiled placing her head on my chest as I hugged her from side.
I love Rudrani till now for being courageous and leading life by her own. But now, I admire her for her maturity and sensibility which enabled her to think about every individual. She often says she is lucky to have me as her husband but today I feel very lucky to share my life with her. She is more amazing and a rare personality.
We both discussed a plan to help Sanjay in executing his plan without his notice. We didn't want Sanjay to know that we are helping him. Helping a person anonymously is the best way to help. At night, we had dinner and dozed off.
"Ashu, wake up. Wake up, my dear husband," I heard the voice of my lovely wife.
"Let me sleep sweet heart," I said pulling her close to me.
"Ashu, wake up first, please please," My darling requested me.
I smiled and opened my eyes. I found my room decorated beautifully.
"Happy Birthday, Ashu," Rudrani said kissing my forehead as she fell on me when I pulled her towards me.
"Thank you," I said.
"Your eyes are so beautiful. I love you," I said holding her with one hand and touching her lips with my forefinger of another hand.
"Ashu, please leave me," Rudrani said with the most pleasant smile that makes me go mad.
"That's something I can't do," I said pulling her more close to savor my favourite strawberry sundae.
"Many more happy returns of the day Ashu," I heard my parents voice.
Rudrani got out of my hold and stood up. I too got up and thanked mom and dad for the wishes. I took their blessings.
Rudrani asked me to come into the hall. I came into the hall and I found my friends gang there. She decorated whole house and arranged cake for me. I cut the cake and stood in dilemma to whether give it to them who gave birth to me or to the one who is going to share rest of my life.
"Come on, Ashu. Feed it to the one who gave you birth, this happiness and everything without even asking," Rudrani said.
Her heart is so beautiful. I praised her inwardly and fed my parents first and then my love. After sometime, we came to our room showing guest room to my friends.
"Ashu, in life everyone should be only after parents because no one can ever replace them. I never wish to replace them in your life. I know as your wife, I have unique place in your life but not before your parents," Rudrani said.
I smiled as I don't understand what to answer.
"Ashu, look every son will face a dilemma after marriage. He will be struck between parents and wife. He love the both and don't understand how to balance it. Adding to this dilemma, wife thinks that her husband should prioritise her over everyone as they were newly wed and parents feel they may lose their importance in his life with the arrival of daugter in law. This insecurity creates conflict between inlaws and daughter in law.
But if every daughter in law thinks maturely and accepts the importance of inlaws in her husband's life and inlaws understands that daughter in law has her own place and importance in their son's life, every family will be a happy family.
Ashu, I am matured enough to understand this fact. So, never get confused between your parents and wife. Moreover, they are not my inlaws but my parents. I told this many times to you. As a daughter, I love you more if you prioritize them over me," Rudrani said.
Her thoughts are as pure as mother's love. No selfishness, no expectations, no conditions. Only love, understanding, sweetness and purity.
We were talking and Ahmed knocked the door of our room.
"Ahmed, what happened?" I asked seeing him in tension.
"Artika fell unconscious," Ahmed said and we both went to her room.
"What happened to her?" Rudrani asked Ahmed.
"I tested her. Artika got conceived," Tina said shocking everyone except me.
"But how? She is unmarried and not into any relationship too," Rudrani asked.
Artika opened her eyes.
"Artika, you got conceived. How is it possible? Who is responsible for this?" Ahmed asked her.
Artika looked at me and I nodded my head.
"Ashu," Artika said.
Rudrani looked at me.
"Yes," I replied.