Amor Fati - Our Love, Our Fates [COMPLETE]

Part 46 - Joy

Flashback

Bengaluru, Few Months Back

"So are you saying what I think you are saying?" Madhukar Nayak's voice was sharp and steellike, his eyes fixed on Nikhil's face like a hawk.

Nikhil grimaced inwardly, hoping that Madhukar Nayak wouldn't notice. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Deepti smirking beside Rohini. Both were seated on a sofa far away from where Nikhil was being interrogated by an anxious Father. Ritwik lolled in between his Mother and Aunt, pulling tufts of their open hair whenever he spotted a chance.

Rohini felt bad for Nikhil; she knew her Father was putting him through the third degree though Madhukar Nayak indeed liked Nikhil as a person.

She yelped when Deepti pinched her on her waist and then whispered

"I see a love bite ..."

"What?" a startled Rohini now turned towards her as Deepti pointed towards a purplish, reddish patch on the small of her back. Typically, it wouldn't have shown, but Rohini had chosen that day to wear a chiffon saree.

Rohini mentally groaned

"That's an insect bite, Dips. You should know better ..."

Deepti turned her friend's face towards herself - "Why are you blushing then? You mad girl! Have you forgotten that I am a married woman with an active sex life?"

Rohini squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears

"I don't wanna listen to your sex life ..."

Deepti pulled at her right hand as she whispered

"But I want to ..."

"Shhh" Madhukar Nayak's voice boomed across the room. "We are trying to have a conversation here"

The girls giggled.

"Rohini, come here. Deepti, you are disturbing us" Madhukar Nayak chided.

Rohini got up and went to where Nikhil and her Father were seated. She settled down beside Nikhil and smiled encouragingly.

"Nikhil here says that you guys want to get married ..." Madhukar Nayak started without any preamble. "I want to know from you as well Rohini ... I want both of you to be sure about everything before you take the plunge ..."

Rohini nodded in affirmation as she reached for Nikhil's hand.

"We are sure Dad. We have talked about this already. Thought it through. We have known each other for nearly two years now and we know that this is what is destined to be ..."

Nikhil looked down at their conjoined hands and gently pressed her fingers. She smiled in return.

Madhukar Nayak looked at them from the top of his moon glasses, and then at their conjoined fingers. He could see the cluster solitaire sparkling on her finger. Happiness bubbled inside him as he finally allowed himself to smile.

"That settles it then. Nikhil my boy, I would like to meet your Grandfather soon. Finally happiness arrives ..."

He got up from his seat and walked towards the door, almost sprinting, pulling Deepti into his arms. Ritwik was already asleep on the sofa.

Rohini and Nikhil looked at each other, their eyes shining with excitement and amazement. They were about to hug each other when Madhukar Nayak turned around, clearing his throat

"I want to apologise too ... somehow, I have always thought of you as the Bungalow Guy ... my bad obviously!"

His eyes twinkled as he left a bewildered Nikhil behind. Rohini burst out laughing once Deepti and Madhukar Nayak had left.