Chapter 15

“Budhape mein yehi dekhna reh gya tha. Kam se kam darwaza toh laga lete,” his father muttered. His parents walked over to the bed and sat down.

Arjun stood awkwardly in front of his parents, his cheeks burning with embarrassment as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. Behind him, Banishree tried to hide her face, feeling utterly embarrassed.

“Uhh…we were waiting for your arrival, that's why I left it open,” He said, his ears turning pink.

Radhika, Arjun's mother, sat across from him, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "Did you get this girl pregnant?" she blurted out, her words hanging heavily in the air.

Arjun's father, still recovering from taking a sip of water, coughed and spluttered, water spraying out in all directions. Arjun, looked at his parents-in-law wide-eyed, his own shock mirroring theirs. "What! No!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and horror. "I swear I am as virgin as one could get," he added hastily, hoping to dispel any doubts.

Yashraj, Arjun's father, narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he addressed his son. "So, how did you end up getting married without even informing us?" he asked, his tone tinged with a mixture of surprise and disapproval.

Arjun fidgeted nervously under his father's gaze, acutely aware of how the situation must appear to his parents. "Papa, I went to that medical camp about a month ago," he began, attempting to explain. "I did mention it to both of you, right?" He glanced at his parents, seeking confirmation, and received a nod in response.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Well, during the camp, while I was checking up on Banishree, her family started accusing her of things she never did. They were even planning to marry her off to a man much older than her." Arjun's voice tightened with emotion as he recounted the events. "That's when I couldn't just stand by and watch. I had to step in to save her."

Arjun's words hung in the air, his parents digesting the unexpected turn of events. Yashraj's expression softened slightly as he processed his son's explanation, realising the gravity of the situation Arjun had found himself in.

Radhika( Arjun's mother), who had been carefully observing and listening to the conversation, spoke up gently, "Banishree, beta, give us some space. We would like to talk to Arjun."

(Banishree, dear, give us some space. We want to talk to Arjun.)

Banishree looked at her in-laws, then at Arjun, assuming they were about to scold him. Overwhelmed with emotion, she burst into tears. "Aap log humare doctor babu ko matt dantiye. Woh kuch nahi kiye hai," she cried out. "Ooh toh humra bas madad kar rahe the. Doctor babu nirdosh hai. Humra viswash kijiye. Aap log humka dantiye."

(Please don't scold my Doctor Babu. He didn't do anything wrong. He was just helping me. Doctor Babu is innocent. Trust me. Scold me instead.)

His parents exchanged a knowing glance and smiled. Arjun, still looking at Banishree, reassured her, "Shree, tum bahar jao. Hum theek hai. Koi nahi daantega mujhe." (Shree, you go outside. I'm fine. No one will scold me.)

Arjun was both touched and amused by his wife's concern. He was touched. How could one be so innocent and selfless in today's cruel world.

Banishree hesitated for a moment before nodding and leaving the room.

As his parents nodded in understanding, Arjun opened up further about Banishree. "Beta, marriage is an eternal commitment. It's far more than just a passing attraction," his mother imparted sagely. "It's about standing by each other through thick and thin. It's about finding solace in each other's arms after disagreements. It's all about loyalty, putting in effort, and respecting each other."

Arjun nodded in agreement, absorbing his mother's words. "She's very young and an orphan," his mother continued, her tone softening with concern. "She'll need you by her side at all times. You have to be her pillar of strength. She's your responsibility now. You need to step up and be more responsible, be the support system she requires.”

His father interjected, "Then we will take her with us today. Living in a single room accomodation in the boys' hostel must be very uncomfortable for the girl."

"No, papa. She's not well. She has a tumour in the pituitary and some other medical conditions. It's better she stays with me for now," Arjun explained earnestly. His parents nodded in understanding.

"Go call her inside," his mother instructed. Arjun obeyed and went inside to find Banishree sitting outside Chola's room on a plastic chair. "Shree, chalo. Maa, papa bula rahe hai," he said. (Shree, let's go. Mom and dad are calling you.)

"Doctor babu, aap theek hai?" she asked concernedly. (Doctor babu, are you okay?)

Arjun chuckled softly. "Hmm. Bilkul theek hu," he reassured her. (Hmm. I'm perfectly fine.)

Banishree went forward and touched Yashraj's and Radhika's feet respectfully. Radhika, in response, embraced her tightly. "Bahut sundar ho tum, Banishree," she complimented warmly. (You are very beautiful, Banishree.)

Banishree smiled coyly in return. "Mera beta tumko pasand hai, Banishree?" Radhika asked gently, her eyes filled with affection. (Do you like my son, Banishree?)

Feeling her face grow warm, Banishree nodded shyly, her heart filled with a mixture of emotions.

"Come on now, let's cut the cake," her father exclaimed cheerfully. Arjun stepped forward, cutting the cake and feeding a piece to his parents and then to his wife. Both sets of parents hugged and kissed Arjun affectionately.

"Here, your birthday gift," his parents said, handing him a key. "Your ride is in the parking lot!" his father announced with a grin.

The family continued chatting for a while longer before Arjun's father declared, "Alright, it's time we leave. Arjun, come home with Shree this weekend."

As they walked, Banishree and Arjun's mother led the way while Arjun and his father followed behind. Suddenly, his father's tone turned serious. "What about Alia, Arjun?" he asked.

Arjun's expression softened as he replied, "She's no longer a part of my life, Papa. Her parents found a guy for her, and she likes him. Besides, after I married Banishree, I knew my relationship with Alia was over. I would have told her about the marriage and parted ways regardless. But we did part on good terms. We're friends now," Arjun explained.

His father nodded understandingly, “Good.”

"BMW M2! Are you serious, Papa?" Arjun exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. His parents grinned proudly, watching his reaction. "Do you like your present?" they asked eagerly.

"I love it!" Arjun exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

Banishree observed Arjun, noting his childlike grin fondly. She couldn't help but feel happy seeing him so thrilled with the gift from his parents. Soon, after bidding their parents farewell, Banishree and Arjun were left alone, the excitement , nervousness and anticipation an
of the day still lingering in the air.

Arjun and Banishree walked hand in hand back to their room as the clock struck four in the afternoon. After bolting the door, Arjun suddenly lifted Banishree, twirling her around. She gasped, "Shreeeeeee... you bring so much joy into my life. I swear on Mahadev, this was the best birthday of my life," he exclaimed with a wide grin.

"Par hum toh aapke liye kuch nahi kiye," she said, pouting. (But I didn't do anything special for you)”

"Hmm... how about you give me a kiss?" he smirked.

Banishree blushed the deepest shade of red but then pouted again. "Hum aur nahi karenge aap ko kiss wiss," she said. (I won't kiss you anymore.)

"Kyun nahi(Why not?)" he asked, knowing she was embarrassed about the morning incident when his parents walked in on them kissing. "Amma aur babuji ka soche honge ki hum kitne besharam hai," she said, pouting. (Mom and Dad must think we're so shameless.)

He laughed heartily. "Arey, Mai pati hu tumhara. Kuch galat thode hi kar rahe the. Aur waise bhi, mummy papa bhi bahut kiye hai ye ‘kiss wiss’, tabhi toh hum paida hue," he said, winking and smirking.

(Well, I'm your husband. We weren't doing anything wrong. And besides, Mom and Dad also did all this, that's why we are born.)

"Eesh aap kitne besharam hai," she said, pushing him away, smiling coyly. (You're so shameless.)

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The parents know, finally! Phewww!

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