First of all I would like to thank all of you who read my story and made comment on it. I marked each and everyone's comment and tried to motivate me according to your point. I appreciate you all that u made comment thoroughly and open heartedly. But..may be I could not satisfy some readers. For those I can only promise that next time I would not disappoint them. In this story I always try to give my best..but as I am not a professional writer so may be some readers are not that much happy to read my story.

But my those friends who continuously read my every part of the story and encouraged me to write more I am really grateful to them. You know it's the your inspiration and encouragement that I possessed that much patience to write this story with 20 episodes.

Every writer should give some note when he or she completes a story or a novel. Its my personal opinion. I did not write any prologue to this story. So, after completing this story I want to say something about it.

This story is a story of relation and the sacrifice for it. U know friends.our life is full of twists. Nobody knows when it will take a turn or it will direct back to the beginning. Soumili did never think that which chapter she has left in her young age it will again appear in her future. But it happened. Our life is a great example of story or drama..it has characters,it has plot,situation,climax,twist and also comic elements. So,whatever element a writer needs to write his story he can easily pick it up from our daily common life.

Some of my friends asked me that why did not this story get a happy ending. I don't know.my mind settled like this when I thought of this story.. its not Trisha's decision..its my decision that Trisha will not marry Jeff. When I place myself in Trisha's position I could not make up my mind to marry Jeff. May be I am guilty here that Trisha & Jeff could not meet.

U know my friends..when a relation breaks, our heart breaks and both man and woman suffer lots because of this. But as we all know.in every case woman gives the ultimate penalty.whatever the case is. Don't misunderstand me my friends. I am not a feminist..I am not against any of men in the world. I know men also cry,they also feel bad,they also become sad and gloomy.but as I am a woman.so I can feel every woman's pain and its state of being better then a man's pain..and may be that's why I could sketch Soumili's pain better than Taukir.

Anyway..again I want to say thanks to all of my friends being side with me...though they are very far from me..but still I could feel that they are with me when after every of my post I found them in my comment page and sometimes in my guest book.

I wish you all the best and also wish everyone a very good luck. Keep smiling and always be cherry.

Florence

In the next morning Jeff and his friends returned to Jeff's apartment.Jeff wanted to meet Trisha but she was in no mood to talk to anybody.So,she did not meet him.The whole house remained as it was decorated in the last night.

Taukir did not come back with Jeff.He had to talk with Trisha.He passed the whole night sleeplessly sitting on a chair outside.Infact no one in that house slept in the last night.

Soumili was in her room terribly tired and exhausted and Trisha was also in her room thinking nothing but just measuring her whole life.Taukir knocked at her door.It was almost open but still he knocked,

'Trisha.' he called.

Trisha looked at the door calmly and said,

'come in.'

Taukir entered in her room.Trisha was still in her bridal dress but her face was faded and her hair was some mixed-up.She stood in front of Taukir and he was looking at her.This was his daughter whom he never gave anything.Yes,Soumili was right that there was no doubt in that,Trisha was his daughter.The same resemblance,the same nose,the same wide brown eyes and even the same smile Trisha got from her father.For sometime Taukir could not speak anything.Then he said,

'Trisha..I don't know which word would be the most suitable for here.But still I want to tell you something.'

'No need of that.I heard everything.'

For a moment Taukir became still.He was standing in front of his daughter and she also knew that this was her father for whom she lost the most valuable part of her life.Taukir could not assess how she would react.But she was quiet.Her voice was all ex-pressionless and deadpan.

'so..what did you think of Jeff? I just wan to tell you Trisha..don't punish him for me.I am guilty in every case and I am the accused one whom you can punish in each and every way but don't be so cruel for Jeff.After all he loves you a lot.'

Now Trisha felt some hot tears in her eyes.But she controlled it to roll down.

'Actually you know,mama suffered a lot in her whole life.I don't know how much you were wrong and how much mama was right on that time.I am blaming nobody.But still whatever happened mama was the most poor case.She suffered till the ultimate.She has suffered half for you and half for me.But she did never complain to anyone,not to you and not to me.Everytime she was alone and struggled for her life lonely and silently.Now in this stage,I can't leave her alone and go with you and your son.This time I got a chance to be with her and I don't want to loose it.'

Trisha turned back,hid her face from Taukir and uttered,

'I am not going to marry Jeff.'

Taukir was total silent when Trisha told all these things to him and now he could not find any logic to tell her and to convince her.

'Is this your final decision?'

'yes'

'But have you ever thought of Jeff?

'Please..don't tell me any emotional words.I have already decided my mind.' forcefully Trisha uttered this.

Taukir had nothing to say after this.He was about to leave this room saying,

'I have no right to force you.Take care.'

When Taukir just stepped outside of the door Trisha called him.

'Dad.'

Taukir got a shock and became a statue over there.This is the first time Trisha called him 'Dad'.After doing so much massacre Taukir did never expect that Trisha would call him Dad.He was so overwhelmed that he forgot how to react in this situation.He looked at the room and saw Trisha was also looking at him.She came close to him and touched his hand saying,

'Dad...don't mind.I love my mom a lot and tell Jeff that I love him like anything.I can never forget him.I don't know wheather in my life I would marry someone or not but I will love him till my last breath.Tell him that I don't want to meet him because if I meet him once I will be weak and may be I will change my decision which I don't want.Tell him that I am sorry.'

Tears began to flow from her eyes and now Taukir also could not control his emotion and his eyes became wet.He kept his hand over Trisha's head and said,

'God bless you.'

'Take care of your health...Dad.'

Taukir left the room and gradually he crossed the straight corridor,stepped down the stairs and got out of the house.He was walking through the garden passage towards the gate and he stopped suddenly.He looked back at the house.It was still decorated and designed with flowers.He looked up and saw Soumili still standing at the window-glass.Their eyes met for some seconds and Taukir searched for something in those eyes but there was nothing.She was just looking at him blankly.He opened the main gate and got out of the house for ever.

He was walking alone in the road,the road which leads him to his ultimate or to his maximum or pursues him to there where he was pre-destined,pre-ordained and pre-determined.

Some women knocked at Soumili's room,she opened the door and found Taukir or Albert Stevens (whatever the name readers like here) was standing in front of her.But Soumili did not pay any attention.She just looked at him once.

One of those women told Soumili, 'Panditji asked for you.What happened?'

'This marriage will not be happened.' Soumili strongly uttered this.

The women widened their eyes in shock but they did not dare to ask Soumili anything.Gradually the news spreaded over all the house.It also reached to Trisha and Jeff and they both forgot how to react in this.

Two hours passed like this.Panditji left and all the invitees left.The music had been stopped and the outside lighting was off.Only Jeff and his friends were sat in front of the stage.

Trisha,in her bridal dress,stoodat her balcony making her eyes closed and Soumili sat in her bed looking at the dark outside through the window.

Someone pushed her door.It was half-closed.

'Soumili.'Albert Stevens called.

Soumili closed her eyes,took a deep breath and turned to him.

'I don't know what to say.' Albert said in a low tone.

'I don't want to listen anything.' Soumili vented angrily.

'I didn't know that Trisha is your daughter.'

'Make it correct..Trisha is your daughter.' Soumili sounded strongly.

There was pause in the other side for sometime.

Then a shocking and the most surprising tone said,

'Is Trisha my daughter? Are you sure?'

Now Soumili could not resist herself.She shouted like anything.

'you are inquiring me about Trisha's birth?Now in this time you are asking me to show you any prove that Trisha is your daughter.You may not be sure that how much you damaged one's life but I am sure that Trisha is my daughter and I am ashamed of myself to say that she came to me by you,you are her father.' Soumili pented.

Albert Stevens now held the handle of the sofa in Soumili's room and sat over there.He did never know that Trisha is his daughter.

'you did not tell me anything?'

'Did you give me any chance to say you anything.You left that place.Infact you fled away and only for you I left my home,I left my parents.But what a duffer I was that I believed you.How could I know that everything was a game,just a trifling play.You met me only to have me,only to cheat me and only to make me pregnant and to make my life a hell.How could I know that you never loved me,just enjoyed me.'tears already started to roll from her eyes.

Now Taukir could not keep quiet.He was also shocked listening all these things that he forgot to say even a single word.He never knew that because of him Soumili gave such a penalty for her whole life.

'Don't say like this Soumili.I know I should not have uttered these words but I did not cheat you.I really loved you.'Taukir voiced it.

'Actually that time your father called me and he requested me to back his girl to him.He told me that only because of me you are going to oppose them and if we marry then your father would not be able to show his face in public.All his prestige and reputation would ruin and as I was Muslim,he would also detoriate from his family tradition and his family would rent every relation with him.He urged to me to return his daughter and begged his all social reputation and his whole-life-earned honoured image from me,and I decided to leave that place immediately.I did not tell you anything because your father made me promised that I would not tell you anything about this phone call.Infact I can't tell you all these things because I knew that if I tell you then you would not allow me to leave that place and I also knew that if I met you once then I could not go anywhere leaving you alone.' Albert narrated this and he began to cough.

'So,you honoured my father and left me alone.'

'I did not know that you were with my child.If I knew that I never would go.Why didn't you try to contact me?'

'Don't ask me anything Taukir,I don't want to recall all these days.I left no way to find you.I mailed you hundred times but there was no reply.I called your mobile but it was always unreachable.' Soumili moved and stood another corner of the room.She could not stand in one place.

Taukir sighed and uttered,

'yes,may be,I was wrong.May be,I did mistake on that time.'

'wrong?....you don't know Taukir how much you were wrong on that time.I needed you most on that time.You can never expect how much it was painful for me to struggle alone against everybody and against everything.'

'yes.I can understand,but on that time I was so terribly pissed off that I lost my power to think that what was right and what was wrong.I was so horribly trying to forget you that I lost all my sense.I gave pain to myself,I suffered myself,I fasted,I drank like anything,but still it was you who everytime came in front of me and my eyes.'

'why Taukir?why we both suffered a lot when we could get a better life.Because of you,you made everything hell.You listened to my father and punished me.You did never think of me,infact you did never think of us.You wanted to be great in front of my father but became looser in your whole life,and my parents..see.what they did to me!They left me alone when they heard that I was having your child.They suggested me to kill your child but I did not.My father got a severe stroke because of this and died within three days and my mother left me alone,cursing me that I made her widow.' Soumili stopped.

Taukir was silent.He could not measure that how much terrible it was for Soumili to tackle all these things alone.

Soumili again began to say,

'and.Jeff..he is your son?I think you changed your religion and so your name has been changed.That's why,not for a single time it came to my mind that Jeff has any relation with you.I talked with you over phone but your voice has been also changed,may be,because of your asthma problem.'

'yes..I also forgot your voice over phone and Jeff never told me your name.He also referred you as aunty and infact I too did not ask him much about you.That's why I did not realize that it was you.'

'not only voice Taukir,infact you forgot me completely.' Soumili hinted him.

'so.Jeff is your son?' Soumili again asked.

'No..Jeff is not my own son.' Taukir uttered.

'what?'

'yes..Jeff is not my son.We adopted him from a Christian missionary.' Taukir paused for sometime then he began,

'After leaving your place when I could nor forget you al all..I decided to leave the country.That time one of my friend had a good contact in UK and I shifted over there.I stayed in a village in UK and worked in a small school over there.In my near by building there was a poor man lived with his only daughter Catherine.Catherine was a nice girl but she could not walk.It was some paralysed case from her birth-time and she suffered from this in her whole life.

That man sometimes helped me a lot.I also found some relax when I talked with him and gradually we became friends.We were nicely tuned with each other.Oneday he invited me in his house and told me that his daughter's marriage had been fixed in the next month.He was very happy on that day but after one month on that particular weddind day the groom did not come and informed by someone that he was not going to marry Catherine.That man was at a loss and extremely upset and suddenly he requested me to marry his daughter.I became puzzled and could not decide anything what to do.

But after that I thought that I am a worthless person.I never helped anyone in my life,moreover l left my beloved in her most urgent time,if I could help that female,may be,God will forgive me a little.I decided to marry Catherine.In the next morning we got married and I got a new name Albert Stevens.

We adopted Jeff when he was only 3 months old.But Catherine did not last for long.When Jeff was only 2 years old Catherine died.I still stayed in that house and took care of Jeff.Catherine's father was also with us but one day he also passed away and we became quite alone.

From that time I lived on that house and now I run a school over there.But no where I cheated you Soumili.I was there,far from you,but still my mind always rushed to you.Sometimes I wished to contact you but as I thought in these days you would also forget me and may be would get married with someone else as your parents wanted.So..I controlled myself to call you and to make contact with you.' Taukir stopped.

After hearing all these things Soumili also became confused to tell him anything.

'Did Jeff knew this?' soumili asked.

'No..I did never tell him.By the way what's the difference.I never treated him like this.I love him more than my own son.' Taukir replied.

'still..he should know the truth.'Soumili regarded at Taukir.

Jeff stood outside of the door.He was serching for his father and when he came close to this room he heard that inside there was strong discussion going on and that time Soumili was shouting at Taukir.He stilled there and overheard everything.

Now he could not stand over there.He entered the room without any permission.

'I know this Dad..' Jeff stated.

Taukir and Soumili both got a shock for a moment.

'Who told you this?' Taukir asked him.

'When grandpa was in hospital and doctors said that there was no hope for him,he told me this.'

Taukir was quiet.Then again Jeff started to say,

'but Dad..i don't mind for that.I know that you and mom loved me and cared for me,infact you have done everything for my career,for my education and for my better life.My own parents left me soon after my birth.I don't know them.But I found you and mom to protect me.When grandpa told me that I am not your own son,I thought for once to ask you about my birth,but then I think,may be,you would be hurt if I ask you that question.You love me a lot Dad...I know.So,what's the difference if I am not your own son and you are not my real father.I love you so much Dad.'

Taukir eyes became wet but he managed himself.Soumili was quiet,listening to Jeff.For 3 to 4 minutes no one did tell anything.

Then Taukir asked,

'Soumili...whatever happened it happened in us and may be because of me everything went wrong and may be I am guilty enough to spoil our both's life but these children are innocent.I don't have courage to meet Trisha but please Soumili..you don't punish them for us.'

'I would not allow my daughter to marry your son.'

'Don't say like this Soumili.They are innocent.They have no fault.Our life has been spoilt...yes.I agree that I am guilty for that but we never want it happened in our children's lives.You just think of your daughter.She loves Jeff.How she would be able to marry someone else?How she would be able to live without Jeff? You can feel her pain.After all you are her mother.You know how much it was painful to forget your love. I know how much it ruined me to leave you..so how could we want our children to go through the same situation?'

Now Soumili got some consciousness.Till this time she was so overwhelmed by her own feelings that she completely forgot about Trisha.It's her wedding day and Soumili spoilt it.She was,may be,still in her wedding dress.Since these days she expected a lot particular in this day,she dreamt for this day but everything had been ruined.She moved and sat on a chair tiredly.She left a deep sigh and remained quiet.

'Soumili..please.don't be silent,say something.In this case I can't go further without your permission.' Taukir again urged to her.

'Ask Trisha..and also tell her about our relation.If she has not any problem then I have no opposition for this marriage.' Soumili sounded mildly.

Trisha was still standing in her balcony but she overheard each and every conversation between Taukir and Soumili through the side-window.She lost her power to think,she was just hearing and consuming.

Albert Stevens,Jeff's father and Jeff's friends booked their ticket on the wedding day morning.They directly would go to Jeff's apartment first and then in the evening they would come to Soumili's house.The marriage would be held between 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. as Panditji selected this auspicious time for marriage.Jeff also booked tickets for Trisha and him to London after oneday of their marriage because they would again marry in the Church in London and would organize for a party there.Jeff's father and friends togetherly already arranged for that.Jeff also told Soumili to go with them but Soumili did not agree with him.Because if she went with them then who would be here to take care the other things.Soumili could not manage all these things in just a single day.After all its Soumili's house.So,she needed to be there.Trisha also at first forced her to go with them but Soumili made her understand the point that it was the matter of only 15 days.Only 15 days Trisha would stay at UK,then she and Jeff both would come back and stay with her.So,what was the urgency to go there with them.Infact there would be so many works in this house after marriage.So,atlast Trisha agreed with her.

It was 17 th November morning,the most expected day for Trisha and Jeff.The day was bright and the sky was clean.From the very morning a classical instrumental started to play in their house.Trisha got up from bed at early in the morning.For the whole night she could not sleep well thinking of this beautiful day.The same condition was with jeff.He also did not sleep nicely at the last night.He called Trisha more than 9 times in that night,sometimes they chatted and sometimes they told that how much they love to each other and when they kept the phone down it was almost dawn.

After leaving the bed Trisha went to the bathroom,washed her face and took shower for half an hour.She took some light breakfast and phoned to jeff.He was also being ready to go to the Airport to receive his father and friends.He took his car and went for the Airport.Trisha was also supposed to go with Jeff but as it was her wedding day and some rituals were there,so she did not go with Jeff.

The flight arrived in the Delhi Airport at half-an-hour late from the time.Albert Stevens and Jeff's friends reached safely and the father hugged his son.Albert was a little bit weak,but his face was gloried with happiness.They came out of the Airport and got into Jeff's car and straight reached at Jeff's apartment.When they were taking their luggage up,Trisha called to Jeff's mobile.She talked with Albert,welcomed him by phone,asked for his health and told him to come early at her home in the evening.

The whole day went so busily for Soumili.It was the day for her.Everyone was asking her,discussing with her and taking allowance from her in each and every matter.Every contracted party reached in time on that particular day and they all performed their work very professionally and perfectly.

Afternoon at 5 o'clock Trisha's beautician lady came.Some of Trisha's close friends already reached to her house.November evenings are a little faster and shorter.So,at 5 o'clock it became twilight and the sky became orange.The light flushed on Soumili's house and it grabbed such terrific,strong and powerful dazzling light that the whole world seemed dark in front of that.

Music was playing mildly,everything was thoroughly set-up and were waiting for Jeff.Soumili made up the thali (flat basket containing various articles for a ceremony of welcome) to welcome her son-in-law ritually.She also became ready by wearing a beautiful grave off-white silk saree with matching blouse,made her hair nicely and put very light jewellery.

It was 7:30 in the evening.Trisha was mostly ready.She was looking like an angel,most delicate and unimaginably beautiful.She wore that maroon ghagra,put matching jewellery and her whole body seemed to be studed by stars.

She called Jeff and he told that they were in their way.

At sharp 8:00 Jeff reached at Trisha's house.He,wearing that fashionable wedding Sherwani got out from his flower-decorated car.He was looking like a hunk.Albert Stevens was also with him.He was in grey suit,nicely carried and Jeff's friends got out from another car.They were given the red carpet welcome from the gate to the main stage where their marriage would be occurred.

Now it was Soumili's turn that she would receive her son-in law.She was coming with that big thali,the camera and the flash light was on her because the whole wedding was video- taped.She came and stood in front of them.She smilingly looked at Jeff and then she looked at Albert Stevens.For a few seconds she became stand-still,the smile vanished from her face,her eyes became dark and once again the sky scratched over her head.

It was Taukir Ahmed standing in front of her.He was old,feeble and weak but still with his that bright eyes and with his that grave look he was standing in front of Soumili,in grey suit and as Jeff's father.Soumili shivered,shrinked and almost felt like fainted.The sacred thali fell from her hand.She rushed to her room and locked the door.

The whole thing happened so unexpectedly and so surprisingly that the audience became numb for sometime and they could not understand at all what was wrong.The whole house suddenly became a silent tomb.Only that wedding flute was playing and it made the silence more ambiguous and more obscure.

Jeff was still standing in front of the stage.All his friends were also standing with him.They were looking at each other vacantly,unable to realize anything and Albert Stevens just stepped back from his place,he opened his spec by his left hand and sat in a chair.

to be continued.....

It was November,late monsoon and the beginning of the winter.The nature was much quiet and calm at the advent of the winter.This year winter came a little fast.Everyday it was a misty morning and a very fine weather for the whole day.There were beautiful night-queen blossomed in Soumili's trees outside in the balcony and its fragrance was just awesome.

Today is Trisha's Mehndi ceremony.Soumili got up from bed at 5 o'clock in the morning.She invited some of her school collegues with their family,Trisha's friends' group and some of her neighbours.The ceremony would happen at 11 o'clock in the morning.At 7 o'clock panditji came for some rituals and to bless the girl.He completed his work at 9:30 in the morning.Trisha's friends already reached and they all were quite excited for Trisha's ceremony.

Generally in such case the shagun(the gift) came from groom's house but as our poor jeff did not know anything about this,so Soumili herself gave that gift to Trisha.her mehndi dress,a jewelery set,mehndi colour and other related things.At 11:30 Trisha began to decorate her full hands and legs by mehndi colour.She booked two expert ladies for her decoration and they made her within one hour.Trisha was now sitting like a statue keeping her both hands separate,all the invited people met with her,praised for her mehndi and they wished her a very good luck.She smiled to everyone shyly.Soumili also accompanied those invited people,talked with them and served them with some snacks and sweet she arranged for them.Some of Trisha's friends also helped her in her work.

Trisha's friends and some neighbouring women now started to sing and dance in front of Trisha.They enjoyed a lot on that occasion.Trisha's friends also put mehndi on their hands and they requested Soumili to draw something in her hands,but she did not put.

Such kind of days are the most dreamy and the most expecting days in every girl's life.But in Soumili's life there was nothing like this.Mehndi,Haldi,Marriage.these words were just like a mess,tumbled,cluttered and the most chaotic tease to her.Once she also dreamt for these occasion,she also thought of some designed mehndi by Taukir's name,she also wanted to be a beautiful bride of him,she also wanted to be happy with him but nothing happened.Not even a single dream had come true and from the whole side Soumili became alone.She did never put sindoor(vermilion that is sacred for married Hindu women) on her forhead in her whole life.So,that much love and care Taukir gave to her.

But now at this time in her life she had no sorrow.She did not have any complaint against God and against anybody.She was happy now because her daughter was happy.Her life was almost completed its span,so Soumili did not want anything for her now.Whatever she sought and wanted now,it was everything for Trisha and her happiness.What God as well as Fate did not give to her,those everything Trisha was going to get,Soumili wanted nothing more.Now when she got some free time she prayed to God to remain everything as it is and to keep Trisha's happiness growing.

The whole Mehndi party was finished at 1 p.m. and everybody went away by blessing Trisha again and again.Soumili rearranged the whole room,then lunched with Trisha and went to bed for some rest.

At 5 o'clock in the evening Jeff came to meet them.He was extremely wondered and charmed by Trisha's mehndi.He had never seen such kind of design put in hands in his whole life.At the evening she washed her hands and her mehndi coloured in deep dark marron.Soumili looked at Trisha's hand and gave her a meaningful smile and Trisha also bowed her eyes in some shyness.They dined together,Jeff returned to his flat at 9:30 p.m.and at 10:30 Soumili and Trisha both went to the bed.This whole day was heavy occupied and tremendously fussy for everybody.

to be continued......

This whole month Trisha was busy with Jeff.They shopped some more garment and ordered for their wedding dresses.This time Trisha would wear maroon ghagra and for Jeff she selected a beautiful and gorgeous Sherwani.As the marriage would happen by the Hindu-custom so they both decided to be traditional.Trisha also ordered for a bridal-gown she would wear when they would marry in the church in UK.There in the UK function Trisha liked to be dressed-up according to Jeff's custom.

At first when their marriage was fixed Panditji told once to change the religion of Jeff.Because according to Panditji,it was against the scripture that two people having different religion were going to marry by one religious way.But Soumili told that it was someone's personal choice.So,she would not force Jeff to change his religion.If he wished then he could change.But Trisha and Jeff both decided not to change their own religion.What would be the differenceif they did not change their religion?When they started to love each other,they did not do this by changing their religion.So,now what was the need of that?

Soumili did not comment anything on this.Because personally she did not like that one should change his religion and she also did not like Trisha to change her religion.So,what she did not want for her daughter,how could she want it from Jeff or tell him to change his religion.Infact Soumili had not that much problem with their religion and Albert Stevens also had no problem if Trisha and Jeff had different religious belief.

The October was a hectic month for everybody.Soumili was busy to arrange the full marriage occasion.She had so many things to manage.

Trisha was also engaged sometimes with Jeff,sometimes with herself,sometimes with her wedding plan,sometimes she helped her mother to arrange some thing and sometimes she was busy her admission form and some documents needed for her further study in the University.

Jeff was also over-crowded in his business.It was growing rapidly.He already got some wealthy contract and started the work.There were so many ins and outs he had to keep his eyes.Everyday he had to visit the sight place where his work was going.He opened a small office and also employed some people.In a word it was a heavy going and Jeff had to manage all of these before his wedding.Sometimes Trisha visited to Jeff's office and she helped him some of his paper work.They lunched together and went out for some walk or to pass sometime together.

Now-a-days Jeff often visited Soumili's house and maximum days he took dinner with Trisha and Soumili in their house,then sometimes gossiped with them and backed to home.

Now Jeff learned Trisha's language somewhat.It was so sweet when Jeff spoke in Hindi.Soumili and Trisha always laughed when Jeff tried to speak in Hindi and every sentence was a wrong sentence.Gradually Soumili also started to love Jeff.He was really a nice boy and pretty well mannered.

The furniture Soumili ordered for Trisha's room was delivered to Soumili's house in time.There were two separate wardrobe,one for Trisha and one for Jeff,one reading table,a big double bed,two small tool-recks at the two sides of the bed,one big oval-mirrored dressing table and two small single sofa with a small glass table.Normally Trisha's room was very big and now it looked perfectly a couple's room.Soumili added a big television and VCD player in that room,made fix one or two more light,bought some antique show pieces to decorate the room and made cover the floor by soft red carpet.

Even in the bathroom attached with Trisha's room Soumili made an extra reck door specially for Jeff to keep his own personal toiletries.Previously there was only one reck-door for Trisha.Soumili thought that till these days only two women were staying in this house and now a man was going to stay in that house.So,Soumili was very much concerned about Jeff that he should not have any single problem at staying in her house.

to be continued....

After a long time Soumili was that much happy in that day.Sometimes she also commenting on them and was laughing with them.

The morning passed like this.For the whole day Trisha was busy to arrange her whole-stuff and her friends accompanied her.Jeff already made calls for 12 times.He was also confused and a little bit nervous.His friends already reached India yesterday and they were staying with Jeff in his apartment.They were also enjoying India for the first time and eagerly were waiting for the evening.

At 5 o'clock Trisha's beautician lady came and Trisha started to be ready.She wore her favourite purple lehenga with matching choli specially ordered for this occasion,put light jewellery,bangles and other ornaments and kept her hair open.At 6 o'clock she completed her equipage.

Jeff and his party reached to Trisha's house at 6:30 in the evening.Everything was nicely arranged and the house looked like a heaven.The whole building was decorated by flowers and it implied a very festive and pure look of that ceremony.

Everything was Soumili's idea.She was so busy on that day that she could not even get the time to take breath.She wore a beautiful brown silk saree and instead of 45 years she was looking glamourous on that day.She welcomed Jeff and his friends.

His friends were all from London and they were the typical gora boys.It was the first time that they visited India and attended an engagement party in India.They just looked at everything and became charmed by everything.They could not imagine that an Indian engagement party could be so beautiful and so enchanting.They wondered if the engagement party was like that,then how could be the wedding party.

The invitees started to come and when the hall was filled with people Trisha was called.She appeared in the stage like an angel.She was normally very fair but the purple dress made her more fair.She was tall,slim and the aristocrat and that day she was looking the most beautiful and the most attractive lady people had ever seen.All the people in the hall looked at Trisha and they forgot to blink their eyes.Jeff became hypnotized and his friends forgot to speak.Soumili looked at Trisha from the corridor place and she felt pride in her mind to have such a nice and pretty girl.

Their engagement was announced and Trisha and Jeff stepped to the main stage.Jeff first put his ring to Trisha's finger and then Trisha did the same.The hall bursted into applause and good wishes.Jeff and Trisha became engaged for ever.Everybody praised for the couple and they wished them a lot.Jeff's friends were so happy to meet Trisha and her friends.They dined together and gossiped like anything.Trisha promised them to show some of the famous place in her town.

The other invitees also had their dinner and they left at 10 o'clock.At 10:30 Jeff's mobile rang and it was his father calling.He talked with Jeff and Trisha,wished them a very happy life and also talked with Soumili and thanked her.At 11 o'clock Jeff and his friends left for their home.Trisha's friends were already gone and the other contracted people were also taking permission from Soumili to leave.

At 12 o'clock the house became quiet.Trisha got fresh,removed her make-up,changed a night suit and was ready to sleep.It was really a hectic and the most wonderful day in her life.Soumili entered to Trisha's room

'Trish.'

'Yes mama...'

'you did not sleep till now?'

'yes,I am planning to.You also go to bed mama..you are looking so tired.'

'hmmm..today was a very busy day.Anyway.good night.'

'good night,mom'

Soumili was about to leave the room,Trisha called,

'mama'

'What?' Soumili turned.

Trisha came close to Soumili and she hugged her,

'I love you mom'

'I love you too.Are you happy?'

'yes mom..I am happy.'

'I am also happy..because you are happy.'

'I can't stay without you mama.' Trisha again embraced Soumili.

'Then who tells you to leave me.That's why I told Jeff to stay here.You need not go anywhere after your marriage.Your mother's home and your in-law's home both are here.Isn't it?'

They both laughed at the same time.

to be continued.....

It was finalized that their engagement would be occurred in the next month and after 3 months of their engagement the wedding would take place.The date of their engagement has been fixed on 11^th of August in the next month and their marriage day has been fixed on 17^th November.It was fixed that the engagement and the wedding both occasions would be held in Soumili's house.Jeff,his father and some of Jeff's friends and their wives would attend these occasions from boy's side.

It was only one month left for their engagement.Trisha was very busy in this time.For a whole week she and her best friend Arpita both went out in the morning and they returned home at the evening.For the whole week they did the entire shopping,ordered for some new dresses,took appointment to beautician and bought some fashionable jewellery.

Sometimes she went out with Jeff also.They both chose their garment for the engagement ceremony.It was decided that in the engagement party Trisha would wear lehenga choli and Jeff would wear his favourite black suit.Trisha ordered for a purple lehenga with matching choli because purple was her favourite colour.

It was decided that the engagement and the wedding both ceremony would be occurred through Indian custom and the Hindu rituals.After marriage the couple would go to UK for 15 days and there they would again marry in the church and would throw a party there.Then they would come back to India and Jeff would do his own business and Trisha would do her further study.

Trisha and Jeff first decided to take a flat after their marriage but Soumili told Jeff that if he had no problem then they could also stay with her.Because Soumili's house was a big house and all empty.There was also extra seperate room for them,infact they would not have any problem.Jeff agreed with this proposal and Trisha also felt good that after marriage she would not need to shift.

Everytime Soumili mailed to Jeff's father and informed him about every decision and arrangement regarding their marriage and everytime Albert Stevens replied her mail and appreciated whatever she did.

Soumili was very busy in these days.After all she is alone from her side.Some of her school collegues helped her a lot in that time.It was really a big responsibility for Soumili.

Trisha was her only daughter,so she did not want anything short or anything lack in this occasion.Trisha's marriage was the most fantastic and precious dream for her.Some of the people remarked about this relation because it was the marriage between a Hindu girl and a Christian boy.But Soumili did not pay any heed to them.At that stage she struggled with everybody for Trisha's birth and now in this stage for Trisha's happiness she would combat with anybody would come in her way.

The preparation was going like rocking.Soumili ordered for some new furnitures and she also instructed some people to colour her house newly.She ordered for flowers,contracted the band party,caterer group,decorator party,video-man,electrician people for lighting and also directed some jewellery for the engagement and others for the wedding.According to Trisha's choice she ordered a beautiful diamond ring for Jeff.Oneday Jeff also took Trisha to a diamond showroom and bought a pretty diamond ring for Trisha.They both were earnestly waiting for that time.

Before two weeks of the engagement,one fine morning Soumili and Trisha was checking the final invitee list, the phone rang.Soumili picked up the phone,

'Hello..'

'Hello...I am Albert Stevens speaking.'a very harsh sound says.

'Oh.Mr.Stevens!...how do you do?'

'Fine.Thank you.How is the preparation going?'

'Yeah.it's going in speed..Don't worry,everything is fine here.'

'Okay.actually I am sorry that I could not talk to you earlier.I was so sick that..' he could not complete the sentence,started to cough.

'No.it's ok.Jeff told me about this.How are you now?'

He took a breath to speak 'a little better.'

Soumili could hear the sound of his breathing.He was really sick and in quite bad condition,she thought.

'Okay..so.have you fixed your ticket to come here?'

'Actually I am sorry to say that,may be,I am not coming.'

'You are not coming?'Soumili's pitch had been increased.

'I know.I should be there for my son's engagement but Doctor told me not to travel such a long journey this time.It will be harmful for me.'

'No.no..if Doctor said like this then I will not force you.'

'Don't worry.I will definitely come on the wedding.I will never miss that.'

'That's fine,take care of your health.'

'Yes.I do.Some of Jeff's friends will attend the engagement,they told me.'

'That will be no problem Mr.Stevens.You just relax.Everything will be fine here.'Soumili promised.

'That I know.as you are there there would be no problem.'he again started to cough. 'Is Trisha there?I want to speak with her.'

'Yes,ofcourse.'

Soumili gave the phone to Trisha.

'Hello uncle.'

'Yes my child...I am extremely sorry.'he managed to say this after a great deal of toil.His breath-rate had been increased.

'No uncle.it's okay.I can understand.But we will miss you here.'

'Yes.I will also miss you all.But it's my ill-luck..'

'No uncle..don't say like this.You will definitely come on our wedding.'

'God bless you and may you be happy.'

'Take care of your health and I will send you our engagement pictures through mail.'

'Yeah.that will be nice.Take care'

'You too uncle.Bye.'

to be continued....

Oneday in the morning Trisha told Soumili,

'mama.Jeff's father has sent a mail to you.He has sent it through my mail id.In the morning when I checked my mails I got that.'

'a mail?' Soumili surprised.

'yes mom..come and read it.'

Trisha opened her mail box and clicked on that particular mail.It was written,

Hello Madam,Namaste

I am Albert Stevens,Jeff's father.I heard that Jeff visited to your house and discussed some matters.It is very kind of you that you agreed with their relation.When Jeff told me about Trisha,I was also afraid wheather you allow this relation or not,because I know Indian culture.But now I am so happy because my son is happy.There are very few people like you who gives importance to human relation more than one's religion or caste.I am really grateful to you.

My case is some different because I don't believe any particular religion.I like Trisha,I saw her photograph and I talked with her.I know Jeff will bw happy with her.That's all I want.

Jeff told me that you want to talk with me.I will definitely talk to you but as my asthma problem has been increased in these days,so I can't talk continuously even for a minute.Don't worry,still I will talk to you.

You can fix your daughter's marriage at any date suitable for you.You can arrange everything and take any decision as your wish.After all it's your daughter.There will never be any obligation from my side.You have accepted my son as your son-in-law,you gave your daughter to him,you gave him the entire happiness in life.I don't want anything more from you.

You know Jeff lost his mother at a very early age.I brought him up giving as much care and concern as I could give from my side.But you know..a mother's need never be fulfilled by anyone.That day you told him to call you 'aunty',he was so glad for that.He told me all these things by phone and I could sense the joy in his voice.I am really grateful to you.

You can also write to me if you need any other information or any help from my side.Don't worry about anything.Jeff is my son.Your daughter will be happy with him.

God bless them.

Albert Stevens

This is the most cosy and touchy mail Soumili ever read in her whole life.After a long time someone mailed to her,Soumili thought and became happy.Jeff's father seemed to be a real gentle man and a very simple man,Soumili again thought.How distinguishably and deliberately he wrote everything in his mail.He only wants his son's happiness and he gave liberty to Soumili to plan for anything what she wished.Soumili was also surprised that he offered her 'namaste',that means he knew some Indian word and he himself wrote that he knew the Indian culture.Now at this stage Soumili felt some relax thinking that Trisha was not wrong and she has started to plan for her marriage.

to be continued.....