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Monks' Dilemma
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reply to the E-mail of Ajeet. I shall like to attend his marriage and meet such a fine gentleman."
Deepti, "So let me send the E-mail that we three shall be attending the marriage."
Deepak, "It will give me an opportunity to meet my parents within such a short time. I am booking three tickets to and fro by the earliest available flight."
Shree was very delighted and endorsed all that Deepti said.
Deepak diverted the topic and said, "Let me finish my work else you will blame me for getting late for lunch.
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Monks 'Dilemma before 12.30. By that time I shall be able to finish my pending work."
Deepti, "You must be ready in time. I shall check E-mails in the meantime."
There was an E-mail which surprised Deepti and she could not resist shouting loud and call Deepak to see it. Deepak came running to see what was so unusual that made her cry.
Deepti pointed to the message, said, "It is from Ajeet with whom I was being forced to marry which I tactfully I averted."
Ajeet wrote, "I am sorry that I could not keep my promise to wait for your nod for a year. My parents were impatient and wanted me to get married before my leave expired. They had apprehensions that I might otherwise go astray and marry some girl in the U.S. The girl is from Jaipur. Her name is Abha. Marriage is fixed on coming Sunday i.e. only three days from now. Everything was decided in such a hurry that I could not inform you earlier. I am attaching the invitation card and request you to attend my marriage positively with all your friends. Please confirm your programme by return E-mail. I hope you will oblige me as I deserve at least this much of your consideration.
Deepti, "I am now free from my commitment, pretended though it was. We shall decide finally and expedite our engagement. I am writing to my father. I shall convince him there should not be any hitch about caste also because we know that your forefathers were Rajput and it was only after conversion to Jainism that the new caste Oswal was adopted."
Deepak, "You are ignoring the main issue. You should first
They reached Jaipur Sunday morning and straightway went to the hotel where the bridegroom and the party were staying. It was breakfast time and they could meet Ajeet, his parents and relatives. Deepti introduced Deepak and Shree to Ajeet. To their surprise Vijay, his wife Vibha and brother-inlaw Vibhu were also there. Ajeet came forward to introduce them. Deepak interrupted and said, "We know each other. Vijay is my close friend since childhood. I and Deepti attended his marriage and have known Vibha and Vibhu since then."
Ajeet, "My to-be-bride Abha and Vibha are close friends."
Deepti and Ajeet kept staring at each other sometimes straight and sometimes askance, just wished but did not speak. Both were feeling guilty in their own ways.
Deepak and Deepti were surprised to notice Shree and Vibhu in the same plight. To add to their suspense and breaking the stalemate Shree rushed towards Vibhu, touched
