Her Salvation

Chapter 9

Aditya's POV

I would have been in front of Uma now, but here I'm in my office dealing with the reports of smuggling of illegal arms, all thanks to my profession. I love my job though.

Ma called me to inform that Uma has agreed to meet, and that my parents were going to their house. I wanted to go as well but couldn't. My parents understand my job and hence didn't force me. Being in the police profession, we are expected to prioritize the public. Family comes next. That's why, we are 'public servants'. But will Uma be able to adjust with all these? I asked myself. 

It was 2pm, and I was preparing myself for press meet which was scheduled to start at 3pm. I was busy arranging files along with discussing with my colleagues regarding the press meet. Situated 30 kilometers away from the subdivision, is a village called Lalgola, which shares an international boundary with the neighbouring country Bangladesh. We had, very recently, been able to successfully seize drugs and weeds, worth in crores from the boundary areas. The press meet was meant for disclosing the identity of the people arrested and also inform people about the seizures. 

My mobile suddenly rang up. The caller id didn't fail to to bring a smile on my lips. I excused myself by signalling my colleagues to give me some privacy for a few minutes.

-"So, you finally decided to call me..?"

-"Yes..And you also could've called..", there goes my little sister Ena.

-"How are your tests going?"

-"Moderate. And plssss don't ask me why !", she overreacted.

I let out a chuckle.

-"Btw, dadabhai, do you like Uma di?"

-"wait, how do you know?", I asked her since I didn't expect her to know.

-"Obviously, I would. Ma Baba and specially Thamma won't do anything regarding your marriage without letting me know now, would they?? Don't behave like a dumbass bro!!", here comes her dramatic/self obsessed reply.

-"Wait... DID YOU JUST CURSE?" I half-yelled.

-"Uumm...Nn..nnoo."

-"I'm warning you and this one's the last Enakshi. You know Baba won't like it if he comes to know about it.", I scolded her.

-"Chillax dude. I won't." I hummed at her reply.

-"By the way, if you are so eager to tell Baba about my 'dumbass', then I won't hesitate before informing Baba and Ma, that you have already sent Uma di a 'friend request'. Before you shoot me questions.. YES! I DID HACK YOUR f*******: ACCOUNT.. Good luck big bro!"

And the line went off.

What the f**k! Arrrggghhh! She did it again, that too for the 5th time.

Perks of having a hacker at home, that too a younger sibling!

By the time I came back to my cabin, the media people were ready, and thus the conference began.

Few hours later●●●

It was dinner time and all of us were sitting in the dining table. I being so eager spoke out.

-"Everything went well?" I asked trying to sound serious, but inwardly I was nervous.

-"Yes.", My dad added curtly.

'What kind of a reply is this!? Here I'm dying to know what all happened and he gives me a reply with just a 'yes'. Are you for real Baba?' I thought to myself, as couldn't voice them out.

All of a sudden, my mother burst out laughing, while my father was smirking at me. What the hell is wrong with these people! 

-"You're whipped son." mumbled my Dad but I heard that.

Ma controlled her laughter and started,

-"Well, as your Baba said. Things went well. Uma has agreed to meet you tomorrow. I hope it won't be a problem on your part. We didn't disagree because it's Sunday. Uma is a very good girl, Adi. Uma has agreed just to MEET you. Since, she's too young we didn't pressurize her. Hope you understand beta."

I nodded at her smiling, to which she reciprocated nodding.

After completing with my dinner, as I was about to get up, Baba asked me to meet him in the study. After cleaning up, I went there to find him standing by the window.

-"Baba...", I called him. He turned back and asked me to sit through gestures.

-"I needed to tell you a few things, Aditya."

Okk now...'Aditya' meant seriousness.

-"Yes Baba."

-"Look, I know you in and out. I know how humble, generous you are. But still I want to say you all these."

-"Please don't hesitate so much Baba. I'm your son, for God's sake."

He chucked at my reply.

-"Uma had been, rather is being, through a lot, since maybe 10years or more. She is not what she shows to be. Her smiling face has something buried deep within. I don't know whether I'm correct or not. I do not know what will happen tomorrow, when you both will meet. I don't know whether she will accept our proposal, will accept you. But I just want you to assure me that, you will never hurt her."

This proves that I was right. Whatever I assumed on that day, at the café, wasn't wrong. She's really going through a lot. Before I could think any further, my Ma spoke out from the door,

-"You know what Adi, I strongly believe that neither can a daughter in law be your own daughter, nor mother in law can take your mother's place, because it is next to IMPOSSIBLE. But the thing is, when a girl leaves her entire childhood, her family, her lifestyle and comes to an entirely new place, it is our duty to help her adjust and make her happy, and not constantly taunt her on her incapabilities. If Uma agrees to our proposal of marrying you and comes here, we just want her to feel at home." 

By the time she finished, she was sitting beside me.

Did I say this before, I'm the luckiest son. I looked at my parents and saw tears in their eyes. I couldn't help but ask them,

-"How come you understand your may be daughter in law so well?"

-"May be because we too have a daughter.", said my mother.

-"May be." I said not knowing what else to say.

-"You too will Adi. Once God blesses you with a baby girl". Saying this they got up and left leaving me alone swimming in the pool of thoughts, trying to find a shore.

'May be ..one day'