YOU ARE THE SUN IN MY DARK NIGHT

EXTRA CHAPTER

Pratyusha tried to convince her parents about her studies, but her mother said, "you have studied enough for a girl. What will you do with heigher studies? You are a girl, your good future will depend on your ability to please your husband and in laws. Kitchen will be your workplace and you will promoted to the position of a mother if you behave well. If you can give birth to a son, your husband will cherish you more. And in future you will get the responsibility of the whole house. I am not doing this only to please your grandmother but to secure your future."

Her father said, "the person I selected for you has enough money, you can live in luxury all of your life. Why should you go to work outside for money? He will keep you well and fulfill all your requirements. And he has a small family, so you don't need to worry."

Pratyusha felt helpless. She had no idea how could she convince her parents. She knew very well that if she could not do it her brother could never do it. But at least she should discuss it with her brother. She called her brother but he did not receive her call. She started crying and thought how meaningless her life was going to be. She thought that her brother had a person to love but perhaps she could never love her husband. Suddenly she got some idea and called Nabarun.

"Nabarunda, please help me."

"What happened Pratyusha?"

Pratyusha gave all the details of her problems. Nabarun asked minutely about everything. Then said, "how can I help you? What do you want me to do? Did you not asked your brother for help?"

"Dada can't do anything against my parents. But I called him just now, maybe he is working late."

"What do you want?"

"I want to study more. May be I can go to Kolkata to study further."

"Send me your marksheets."

"Okay." Pratyusha sent photographs of her marksheets to Nabarun.

"Oh my God, your marks are that good. I think you are more intelligent than your brother."

"Stop it Nabarunda. You should never say this in front of him. But I think I can get chance to do my masters in any reputed University."

"Yes, but how can I convince your parents? Why should they listen to me?"

"That is the problem. If you were my legal brother in law maybe then it would help."

"What are you saying Pratyusha?"

"Did I say anything wrong? Are you not a couple with my brother? Perhaps I misunderstood."

"He said this to you?"

"No, he did not. I am sorry Nabarunda, don't say anything to him."

"Do I look like a gay?"

"I am really sorry, I did not mean that. I thought you both like each other."

"Don't you have any objection if I am in a relationship with your brother?"

"Why should I object? You both look good together and he needs a headstrong person like you in his life. But if you are not interested in my brother then it is fine."

"Who said I am not interested? I am in love with him and I want to spend my whole life with him."

"Nabarunda, I am really anxious, don't feel offended by my words. I am going to cut the call, bye."

"Wait. Don't you need help from me?"

"I desperately need. Can you help me to study further."

"But I can't say to your parents that I am going to be their son-in-law at this moment. The situation is not right for it and Nishith is still not ready for it."

"So you are really his boyfriend?"

"Yes, you are right. But how can I help you?"

"Can you marry me?"

"Pratyusha! Have you gone crazy? How can I?"

"Please, please, please."

"Pratyusha, it is not possible."

"Just marry me to take me out from this house. Once I get admission and find some part time job, I promise to divorce you. You don't have to worry, I will ask dada for my expenses."

"Fake marriage?"

"That's what I am saying. Just a show for my family, with your lover's permission."

"Oh, I thought you really want to marry me."

Pratyusha giggled, "you are an elder brother to me and I want to remain your sister forever."

"Let me discuss it with Nabarupa and Nishith."

"Okay. Thank you."

Nabarun tried to call Nishith but could not reach him, but Nabarupa received the call. After some discussion Nabarupa and Nabarun agreed with Pratyusha. Faking a marriage was the only option to preserve the situation. Grandmother was ill, so she wanted to see marriage of her grandchild before her death. Mother was against the higher study of girls, in her opinion girls should marry young. Father wanted to fulfil the duty of a father by marrying Pratyusha. Nabarun wanted to go to Bangalore for PhD but his Professor expressed his wish to guide Nabarun to do his research. Nishith's job was new, he did not get transfer to Kolkata. So, Nabarun and Nishith had to live separately for some more time and Nishith was not ready to came out that time. They decided to call Nishith for further discussion. They called but could not connect to him. So they decided to call again later.

Nishith came out of the shower and heard the ring on his phone. It was Pratyusha, requesting for a video chat. He received the call.

"Dada, I have something important to discuss with you," she said.

"What happened? Are grandma and baba-maa okay?"

"Grandma is bedridden and the whole family want to arrange a marriage for me to fulfill her wish. And they want to do it as early as possible."

"They already decided the groom? Are you not happy? Don't you want to marry? Do you like someone?"

"Dada, you are asking so many question at a time. I am already stressed, I can't marry any random groom, so I want your help. Wait, I am calling Nabarunda and Nabarupadi to join the conference call."

Pratyusha sent request to them and they joined.

"Dada, I want to study and make my own carrier. I don't want to marry and bear children now. Baba finds a business man who only wants a house wife. I don't want that kind of life."

"Tell me what do you want."

"That's why I am asking for your help. I know, you and Nabarunda are in a relationship, you love each other. But you can't disclose that now. So, for the time being I can marry Nabarunda, if you agree with that."

Nabarun said, "Nishith, don't worry, this will be just a fake marriage. I will take good care of your sister and help her to study and fulfil her dreams. I know, you will understand this matter and have faith on me. Trust me, I will dedicatedly love you all my life. After she get a good job, we will get divorced. Then I will spend my life with you. Baby, are you listening?"

Nishith said, "yes, I am listening. I don't have any problem."

"And I have a good news. I talked to baba about my relation with you and convinced him about it. He has no problem about it."

"Wow, it's really a good news. I will talk to my parents about your marriage tonight. Don't worry, they will agree. And Nabarun, I have saved some money for ⸺ for Pratyusha's marriage. You can book a flat with that."

"That will be great, Baba will bear the expense of the marriage. So I don't want to take money for the flat from baba," Nabarun said.

Nabarupa said, "wow, I had no idea that there can be this kind of love and trust between lovers. Dada, you both are so in love, I envy you."

Nabarun said, "why do you envy me? Your life is easier than mine. Being gay is not easy. I am going to call my father and tell this. Nishith, I will call you after dinner and discuss this matter in detail. Bye."

Pratyusha said, "thank you dada, I love you. Thank you Nabarunda and Nabarupadi"