From Heartbreaks to Happiness

The more Gita thought about Anita’s request to marry Robert the more enthusiastic she became and was anxious to see a union with this man arranged. Robert had been most hospitable to her parents which they appreciated though to them he was still the foreigner who’d stolen their daughter and she’d died as a result. When Robert said nothing further about Anita’s wish, she became despondent as it was approaching the time for them to leave after arranging all the procedures to have ashes taken on their returning plane. She phoned Robert and said she wanted to talk with him privately and he agreed to meet her at their hotel. They sat in the restaurant and Gita got straight to the point in her desperation. She asked if Anita had said anything to him about them getting together as a married couple and he confirmed that. Then she said she wanted to honour her sister’s wishes but wanted it for herself too as she knew she could make him happy and love him unreservedly even though he did not love her. Robert said he was struggling as he felt he was dishonouring Anita to even be talking about it so soon after Anita’s death. Gita asked him to give her a chance to honour her sister’s wishes, and she’d make sure he never regretted it. He confessed he really liked her and to give him a chance to grieve for a while before he made that commitment. She was disappointed but had a ray of hope because he’d not refused. She asked if she could write to him regularly and he said he’d like that very much as she did remind him of Anita and it would be encouraging to see her face on video calls.

He saw the Gupta’s off at the airport and wished them well as they entered for immigration check in. Then he phoned William and asked if he could get a job with Deloitte as he needed to be immersed in work to take his mind away from his grief and William said he’d be more than welcome back, and they needed someone urgently now that Anita was no longer able to fulfil her obligations. So, he took the jobs assigned to him and relished appointments overseas as when home it reminded him of his cherished wife Anita. The house was on the market now and Robert stored excess furniture and moved into a small rental again. Through that grieving period and work until he was exhausted, he valued the frequent video calls with Gita and resolved to investigate with immigration what possibility was there for him to have Gita with him. He was still paying off bills associated with Anita’s high level care treatments and it had put a serious dent in the finances he and Anita had put aside for a future business together.

Robert threw all his energies into his work. He was now back working for Deloitte on salary rather than contract and was presently working on a project in Malaysia with some of the Singapore office team. He worked until he was at the point of exhaustion so he could get some sleep at night rather than thinking about the loss of his wife under such horrendous circumstances. He had constant horror visions of her lying in the garden in a pool of blood unless he was at the point of exhaustion. The video calls with Gita were the one bright point in his day as he saw in her face the face of Anita. But over time he began seeing her as a person in her own right rather than an image of his departed love and began to appreciate her quiet support. Anita’s dying request was constantly on his mind, and he began to adjust to the idea and imagine what life with Gita would be like.  It was almost a year after Anita’s death he decided he’d honour her request, but it was what he wanted to do now. So, when they connected through the internet at the usual time before he went to his rest for the day, he blurted it out.

“Gita, you indicated before leaving Australia, you’d be willing to honour the request of your sister and marry me. Do you feel that way still as I want to honour her request not only because she requested but because I’m sure we’d be happy together and I’d do all in my power to make you happy.”

Gita cried but quickly recovered.

“Robert, I remember you showing concern and empathy when I told you my story of rejection by my husband Ramesh and from that moment wished for a man like you who’d care about me and for me. I was shocked when Anita made that request of us both on her death bed but hoped you’d honour her by fulfilling her wish. I want a life with you with every fibre of my being and would love you with the same intensity my sister did. Thank you for rescuing me from my unhappy life. I’ll spend every minute of our life together making you happy.”

“Gita, I have no idea of the protocol in making this happen. What do I have to do to get your family on side? Do I have to follow any customary procedure in asking them to accept me as your marriage partner. I know the Gupta family goes back to antiquity and are from the Kshatriya caste the ancient warriors and rulers of India and Anita lost caste due to marrying a foreigner still viewed by upper class Indians as of lesser caste. Of course, we don’t view ourselves that way but do know that in the western world there is an unofficial social order too. So, what do I have to do to get our marriage underway as I’m anxious to have you with me in Australia.”

“I can hardly wait to migrate Robert. Even though Ramesh’s family has made peace with my father and returned the dowry I’m still considered tainted goods though the marriage was never consummated no one would believe that here. I have no place here now and no future, so you are rescuing me and I thank you and Anita for that. I know it will not be easy for me to enter Australia and there will probably be some time before I have permission to enter permanently to be with you. Could you come to Delhi, and we could go to the Australian High Commission to see how this can be sorted out together and I’ll ask my mother to inquire from father how he wants you to make your approach for us being together in marriage. Mother tells me father and my brothers are clear on the marriage if you make the approach.”

Robert was delighted and on his return to Melbourne consulted William now his close friend and advisor rather than just mentor seeking his advice. He made preliminary inquiries with immigration about a marriage with Gita and received advice as to what needed to be done. Firstly, he’d need a certificate of no impediment to marriage for the overseas wedding if it were to be registered appropriately. There would be an application for The Australian Spouse Visa (Partner Visa). It would be a two-stage process starting with temporary visa and after two years residency progressing to a permanent visa. It would be a lengthy process involving proof of genuine relationship, health assessments and support obligations from the Australian citizen. He resolved to confirm all this from the Delhi side on his arrival there.

It was agreed he take a week to get his marriage plans sorted in India and a visitor’s visa was arranged and plans communicated to Gita who informed her family Robert was coming. They prepared to meet him contacting those who owed them favours to see he was ushered through immigration and customs without any problems. Police who’d been contacted to facilitate investigations looking for potential relative connections in the death of Anita Gupta learned through their immigration contacts of the arrival of Anita Gupta’s husband so always curious arranged to keep an eye on Robert while he was in India.

Ram Gupta along with the arranged contacts at the airport met Robert much to his surprise and hastened him through immigration and customs quickly to see him settled at his pre-booked Metropolitan Hotel. Ram with his eldest son then took him on a tour of their close by industrial assets and offered to host him at their Mussoorie holiday home where there’d be a spectacular view of the Himalayas if the clouds lifted from those heights during their visit. Robert thanked Ram profusely but stated his time was very limited, and he was anxious to make an appointment with the Australian High Commission to get some information from them. Nothing was mentioned about marriage and Robert wondered what the procedure for was broaching that subject. Ram left to continue his business for the day leaving Robert under care of his eldest son who drove him to the Australian High Commission where he’d inquire if it were possible for them to conduct and record a marriage between he and Gita and what they’d require if that were possible. Gita had told him on one of the video calls the family was clear on marriage if there was an appropriate approach so as soon as Ram’s son Arjun had dropped him at the High Commission indicating he’d wait he immediately contacted Gita from the inside of the building asking what was going on and how he should approach and more important when would he be able to take her to the embassy as he had to make that appointment. She got back to him immediately saying the family were waving the usual protocols, and all Robert had to do was ask Ram directly and everything would fall into place.

The interview at the High Commission with forms he’d bought with him was useful and an appointment made for the next day to fill forms together and begin the process requiring Gita fulfil her part of the obligations before she could enter. He’d had some exposure to government requirements when he married Anita who was in Australia with an Indian passport but permission to reside.

Arjun was waiting when he exited and Robert asked him to take him first to his hotel before he took him to their palatial residence in one of the upmarket parts of New Delhi where he was welcomed and Robert asked if he could have a private talk with Ram. Gita had warned him it was customary to exchange gifts at the time of engagement so he researched that in advance and was prepared though nonplussed his parents could not be there as customary but he had a letter to Ram from his father Derek Hill sending his apologies for not being permitted to attend but sending fraternal greetings to Ram and pledging his support of the marriage and acceptance of Gita into the family. Robert produced a beautiful Chinese silk sari he’d purchased in Malaysia at an Indian upmarket sari store and costly jewellery presented on behalf of his parents to Gita by way of acceptance. Shakuntala immediately examined the sari and gasped at its quality. Gita smiled demurely proud her future husband had studied at least some of the traditions of her country, but she was surprised when he presented an Apple laptop to her father and Rolex watches to her brothers and a beautiful sari to Shakuntala. Not really part of the usual exchange of gifts and the ceremony that went with an engagement, but Ram and his brothers were clearly impressed with their gifts and glad they’d spirited Robert through customs with no inspection. Perhaps they could live with this marriage after all. From the Gupta side sweetmeats were produced and Ram indicated the dowry would be finding its way into Robert’s bank account. Gita noticed Robert was about to say that would not be necessary, but he glanced at Gita first and her eyes told him he should not comment as this could be taken the wrong way if he refused. The couple were then permitted to spend time together and parents indicated they wished to discuss the wedding after the couple had had time together.

Robert knew that the usual expressions of love would not be appropriate here and knew their every move as they spent time together sitting afterward would be secretly watched by family and servants who’d be gossiping in the hallways now at the unusual conduct of this engagement.

After deciding for Arjun to take them both to the High Commission to meet for their appointment next day the question of the wedding needed to be addressed. Gita knowing her situation as a rejected former bride would be better kept low profile and her imminent loss of caste by marrying a foreigner would make things embarrassing for the family asked if a private wedding ceremony could be arranged without the weeklong normal wedding with all the clan and notables around Delhi in attendance and Bollywood artists hired to entertain. So, without the usual visit to a priest to seek an auspicious date for the wedding a relieved Ram arranged for a celebrant to conduct the wedding according to government requirements and this to be registered with the government and the Australian High Commission. A private family celebration was arranged after the formalities of marriage registration had been notified to all interested government authorities and preparations made for all the preliminary work to be done by Gita and submitted to the High Commission in fulfilment of their regulations.

Gita’s first night as Gita Hill was not a disappointment as it had been when she was married to Ramesh. This time the marriage was consummated, and she proudly showed Robert the evidence the next morning. He’d been everything she’d every wished for in a partner for life and had constantly whispered his love and promise he’d be faithful to her through that first night. There’d been no mention of Anita as they gave themselves to each other that night and Gita was happy Robert had not spoiled that bliss by mentioning her name. She knew though that Anita would always be in memory for each of them.

Robert returned to Melbourne at the end of the two weeks after a hasty trip to the Gupta bungalow in Mussoorie and Gita wept as she saw him disappear into the immigration processing area. He texted her after completing exit formalities waiting for the boarding announcement. He was returning to Melbourne and scheduled for a trip to the US soon after his arrival.

It was a year before all formalities had been completed so they could be reunited in Australia and Gita indicated she’d received clearance from the High Commission to get her visa to enter Australia. During the long absence they’d been in touch every day anxious to finally be together. Robert had been shocked when notified by his bank that the equivalent of USD 250,000 had been deposited to his account and he immediately placed it on a term deposit in the name of Robert and Gita Hill.

He made sure he was back in Australia to receive Gita soon to arrive in Melbourne. The Hill family made a trip to Melbourne to greet their new daughter in law they’d not met yet. They’d been traumatised by the death of Anita and glad Robert would have someone as his life partner after he’d endured such grief on the death of Anita. They were there at the airport in force as a family when she exited immigration and customs checks and she was overwhelmed as Derek and Agnes Hill rushed forward to hug their new daughter in law. Robert then claimed his bride, and they stood holding each other for a long time as Gita wept on his shoulder in gratitude. Eventually realizing the rest of the family were waiting patiently to greet her Gita moved toward the rest of the family and hugged them in turn as they introduced themselves. They were delighted at the reaction to their visit and decided Robert had made another excellent choice.

Robert realized Gita would have to reorient to Australia after a long absence since her student days so took time off so they could search for a home to serve their needs in the event they could be blessed with children. Gita had held a driver’s licence when a student in Melbourne long ago but that had lapsed and she used the copy of that old licence on her cell phone photo plus her international licence to start the process of getting a state driver’s licence again. The authorities insisted on a refresher test but that was all sorted out quickly. Then Robert took her house searching as they were really cramped in the little apartment Robert lived in. Once again one of the Deloitte staff who transferred internationally permanently provided a solution and Gita liked the location and closeness to many services in the suburbs. And for the first time Robert decided perhaps a car would be useful as he wanted to discuss with William a return to private consultancy so he could be choosy about what projects he took on now as he wanted to spend quality time with his wife Gita and reduce overseas travel to a minimum. William told him he’d have to commit to one more year as Deloitte had supported he and Anita through the time of her hospitalization and agreed to reemploy Robert after her death. It would take time to find a replacement with Robert’s experience.

Robert was concerned about Gita’s loss of support group in India if he was going to continue his travels for another year. She’d have to go through culture shock returning to Australia after a long absence and had no friends as a support group here. She asked if Robert was happy for her to go back to school and continue her education to keep herself occupied and he thought that was an excellent idea, so they studied the course offerings at her old alma Mata Melbourne University and Gita settled on Business Analytics. She’d graduated with a master’s in arts and wondered if any of it would count toward this chosen field of studies but concluded she’d have to complete the whole course but looked forward to that as it could be helpful to her husband in his work. Robert was thrilled at her decision.

So, after settling into their new home Robert returned to the realities of travel with Deloitte anticipating they’d find a replacement for him over that year and missing Gita terribly when he was overseas. On one occasion he returned home to find she found a wedding photo of Anita and Robert packed away in boxes still to be unpacked and a place found for them. She placed that is a new frame like the one of her own marriage0 to Robert and kept them side by side in their bedroom. The dowry money had been used to provide the initial deposit required by the bank before loan granted the Hills on their new home, but a substantial sum remained for when Robert would eventually be free to set up business.

Gita immersed herself in studies and excelled at making many friends among her fellow students, so she mingled with them after hours and was not lonely anymore when Robert was away. Whereas she’d been withdrawn and despondent in Delhi after returning to India abandoned by her former husband Ramesh, she was now outgoing and vibrant meeting people. Robert was amazed at the transformation and blessed Anita for urging him to marry her sister after she was gone. The cost of her education taxed Robert’s finances as a single earner now but he knew that at the end of her studies she’d want to work while they did not have children

So, with the year promised to Deloitte finished William agreed to release him with the promise he’d refer small consultancy needs Robert’s way if possible and requested Robert help them out if they had special needs that required a temporary time overseas occasionally which Robert agreed to. Gita still had a year to complete her studies, so Robert wondered how they’d be able to manage financially as he did not want to touch their remaining term deposit balance of the dowry money or his own personal deposits.

So, it was now as the commencement of this story reported Robert was waiting to talk with the acting president of Carmichael Health. This man had been pestering him to consider taking on the presidency of the system as it was remembered how Robert had guided from unprofitability to profitability. The current acting president was anxious to go into retirement and had only agreed to guiding the health system through the transitional period while they searched for a new president. The board had requested him to sound out Robert, and he’d been phoning almost daily to try and interest Robert in the job as he was anxious to retire. It was not how Robert wanted to pursue his working life as he enjoyed the variety of projects, he was familiar with while working with Deloitte but there was the question of money. Perhaps he needed to have a stable income while he thought through how to establish himself as now there were no projects on the horizon referred by Deloitte as promised. He sighed as he saw the acting president enter the reception area flanked by the VP Operations and VP Finances. They really wanted to put pressure on him at this arranged dinner meeting judging by the delegation he hadn’t expected.

At the dinner prearranged by Carmichael at the hotel pleasantries were exchanged and they discussed the success of the reengineering program headed by Robert a few years previously and how all hospitals were now functioning profitably and had recently been accredited for five years by the government department charged with regular evaluations of hospitals. But the private hospitals industry was being buffeted again by government policies, and it needed strong leadership to guide them through at the system presidential level. They needed the expertise of Robert to guide them through this period of turmoil. The VP Finances outlined a salary package equal to what Robert would have earned at Deloitte with the note this was negotiable with their board. They’d done their homework on his current earnings somehow. Robert sat in thought. He preferred consultancy but now this was the only offer available to ensure they could survive on a single salary. Logic told him to accept it as he’d be in Melbourne and have more time to spend with Gita. He could argue for more money, but the offer was generous and equal to what he was used to earning.

“I’d like to come and check out all your statements and statistics before making my decision. Would it be convenient for me to come to your office tomorrow and review these and get some information from you as to why you feel the current healthcare environment is threatening again.”

The president nodded enthusiastically. Robert had not said no. So, they departed after the dinner meeting with an appointment to meet at their office at 9am next day and at 11am he was to meet with a specially summonsed meeting of the Carmichael board.

That evening Robert reported to Gita on the dinner meeting with Carmichael and she responded that whatever he decided to do she’d always support. He decided to inform Carmichael up front if he took the job, it would only be for a couple of years as he wanted to spend his life in consultancy in the long term and include his wife Gita as she was engaged in studies making a family business possible now. She’d not have the experience of Anita to fall back on, but Gita was intelligent and willing. She’d indicated after finishing her university studies, she’d do the CPA professional year which would lead to her membership in that primary accounting body.

Next day Robert reviewed the financials and statistics of each hospital in the Carmichael system and been briefed on current challenges facing private hospitals. Overseas interests were buying up competing private hospitals at a rapid rate, and they had an enormous financial backing that gave them advantages in collective bargaining with health funds, hospital suppliers and equipment suppliers. Carmichael had to either expand their own system to give them equal bargaining power or sell out before they came under financial stress as patients gravitated to those well-funded systems with cheaper delivery of their services. Now this was the kind of challenge Robert delighted in, so he hastily said yes and waited outside the boardroom as the board discussed the replacement of the acting president. Within twenty minutes the board members emerged to shake his hand and assure Robert of their confidence. It had only taken five minutes to agree to his name as the new president but there’d been other urgent matters to consider. They’d agreed to a term of two years at Robert’s request but left the option for him to continue should he decide to continue. Robert was already toying with some ideas to meet the competition and excited with the challenge.

At the completion of her studies Gita turned her attention to fulfilling the professional year required by CPA and completed their requirements while employed by one of the local CPA firms in Melbourne where she was under a one-year contract while they judged her potential value as a permanent employee or in time a partner bought in to the practice. She exceeded the partners expectations and was offered a permanent position with enhanced salary. The clients liked her from the start and were intrigued with her accent, so the partners pleased with their acquisition resolved to watch her progress for a while before being allowed to buy into the practice if she wished. It was a medium level practice but had a lucrative business with constant pressure to increase staff and space to keep up with the demand. Gita loved the environment and shared her experiences each day enthusiastically with her husband. There was only one shadow to be faced in their happy marriage and that was try as they might Gita was unable to conceive a child she desperately wanted. It was a shame for an Indian wife to not produce heirs for her husband and for a time she went into depression over that. But she was somewhat comforted when Robert told her perhaps higher powers had determined they should not have children because of the professions they were engaged in. That would not be a problem in India because children produced would become the possession of the broad family and have constant support, but this was Australia and the Hill family did not live in an extended family situation for that to happen and too far away to be available to help out, with grandchildren.

At the end of his two years with Carmichael Robert paused to consider how to plan for his future. He’d had moderate success in expanding Carmichael imprint around the major centres of Victoria by buying out private hospitals operating there before the well cashed foreigners were able to get their hands on them. For others unwilling to sell he offered to have them affiliate while remaining separate to the extent Carmichael would represent them in the regular contracting arrangements with health funds, purchase supplies on their behalf at favourable rates comparable with those paid by the foreign hospital interests and negotiate with equipment suppliers on their behalf as high end equipment worth millions was needed for which they’d pay a monthly fee to Carmichael for services rendered. Carmichael would also provide them with consultancy services for a fee where they became aware their affiliate hospitals were under financial pressure and didn’t have the expertise to solve those problems. This had required Carmichael raise substantial capital through share issues, and they were now considered a secure place to invest in by investment firms. The board was delighted and urging him to continue to run the Carmichael hospital system, but Robert was feeling restless and while it was true he didn’t have to travel overseas now the intense efforts he put out each day encroached on quality time with his wife Gita. He now considered her more important than all the fame from exercising his substantial talents and he longed to spend more time with her.

He talked with Gita and she swelled with satisfaction to know her man valued her so much that he’d give up a job with all the success he was having. There was not much coming from
Deloitte and he being regularly in touch with William learned that his former mentor was also seeking a quieter lifestyle. William was a bachelor and had poured his life into the consultancy firm but was now feeling the effects of that stress on his health. Gita mentioned that two of the partners in the CPA firm she worked for were retiring and seeking expressions of interest in buying them out. Perhaps William would find that less stressful than his current job and Robert gave that some thought. Robert was much younger but perhaps he too could look at that possibility. He phoned William and asked if they could eat somewhere together as they regularly did and William accepted. When the possibility was put to William at the lunch he sat in thought for a while picking at his food. He’d miss the excitement of his job but perhaps it was time to give his mind and body the rest they were screaming for. He was a respected Fellow of CPA Australia and had a string of other letters after his name that he laughingly referred to as alphabet soup. He said he’d certainly investigate that. Now it was Robert’s turn to reflect, and he indicated maybe he’d be interested and William brightened at the thought of them working together again.

So, the next day they made an appointment with the partners of the CPA firm as existing partners would have to agree to accept anyone who bought into their partner’s share. They were delighted to learn these two well-known experts were interested in joining them and felt a little humble to have partners with all their international experience. They quickly encouraged that and then it was time to discuss the issue of the buy in price which William and Robert examined together in minute detail looking at the profitability of the practice and prospects of expansion. Finally, after arguing back and forth a figure was agreed to and both William and Robert paid the required sum to those two partners retiring. Robert asked if he could buy into the partnership for his wife too, but they refused saying it was too early for her to be considered. But the real reason was they believed that would give the Hills too much weight in any decisions made between them. Once word got out in the business community that William and Robert had turned to public accounting as their profession now clients flocked in and the need for expansion grew soon overpowering the client base of the remaining partners. This caused jealousy and one by one the original partners indicated they were leaving the partnership to form a one-man practice and took their clients with them as they went. Robert finally bought a partnership for Gita and the remaining partners offered to sell their share of the partnership to William or Robert. They bought them out and the old partners moved on to individual practice taking whatever client base willing to follow but most remained with the remaining three William, Robert and Gita.

Gita was overjoyed to be working with her husband but still sad she’d not been able to produce an heir for Robert who she dearly loved. In her secret devotions each day she gave thanks to her sister for making this cherished gift to her.

Arjun Gupta phoned one evening to say his father Ram had experienced a heart attack and was not expected to live. He was presently on life support. Could Gita as one of the family be there to be part of the family present should their father not survive his time in ICU. Robert told her to immediately make plans to visit Delhi to be with the family at this critical time and agreed to care for any of her client needs. She’d told him the family respects could take a long time, and it was important she be there as the only daughter now to support her mother during her time of grief. They had enough qualified accountants employed to cover for Gita, so Robert told her to stay as long as necessary. Two days later she departed and reported on arrival that her father was still on life support but not expected to live much longer. Arjun had taken over the Gupta business interests and was expertly bringing the extended family into order should there be attempts to take over by some of the cousins. He quickly established supremacy even though there were cousins much older to him and Gita watched her eldest brother in action with great pride. Ram didn’t survive for longer than a week after Gita’s arrival and Shakuntala was inconsolable and under the watch care of Gita constantly. As Shakuntala watched her husband slowly consumed on the funeral pyre by the Ganges Shakuntala screamed and collapsed. She was pronounced dead by a doctor called to the scene and once again the family began to plan for another funeral and the beginning of a new era for Gupta enterprises under the direction of Arjun.

The death of her parents severed her last ties to India and soon after that she gained her Australian citizenship. From now on this would be her country.

Robert was surprised to find that a career in public accountancy fitted his needs very well and he enjoyed working alongside his mentor from Deloitte William very much. William was like a father figure to him, and he owed William a lot for his guidance when young in his first job. He loved Gita and understood she felt very badly about not producing him an heir, but he assured her she was more to him than ten sons. She cried with joy at hearing this and realized she’d reached the age when it was riskier for her to have children anyway so determined to pour her energies into her career beside her husband.

But one morning as they prepared to go to the office, she suddenly felt very ill and headed rapidly for the bathroom. Robert told her to stay home as it was probably a stomach flu but deep inside Gita felt this was something she’d desperately wanted to happen for a long time. She kept it secret for the present in case her hopes were unfounded but within a matter of weeks she knew and a feeling of happiness enveloped her. She made a trip to the doctor and to her joy found she was pregnant at last. She increased in size and Robert every evening talked to their child which they eventually learned was to be a son. Gita suggested Robert may wish to call the son Derek William and Robert loved the idea.

When the son was born the whole Hill family were there for the delivery and congratulated Gita and Robert. Derek was overjoyed they’d thought of naming their son after him and returned home to tell everyone in their retirement village the good news. Arjun and his brothers sent their greetings looking forward to a visitation of mother and child in future. Gita mourned for her mother at this time because it was customary for an Indian woman to have her mother with her at this time and Agnes tried to fill that role, but it was not the same. Gita took a leave of absence and William and Robert hired someone to take up some of the workload left behind by Gita. She poured her heart and soul into this child and decided if Robert permitted, she’d like to be a stay-at-home mother to raise her child. A year later there was another bout of morning sickness and Gita knew this time without doubt she was pregnant again. Weeks later they knew this was a girl and this time Gita suggested the girl be named Anita Agnes on birth. Robert was delighted with that choice.

One evening as they lay in bed with Derek sleeping in a cot beside Gita, they reflected on their happiness at having children at last and the events that had bought them together. Robert leaned over and placed his ear on Gita’s stomach listening and then spoke to his daughter Anita resting inside. He told her how happy they were to have her and how much they looked forward to seeing her when she decided to inspect this world.

His dreams had been shattered at the loss of his first wife Anita, but new life had returned through his wife Gita and his son and daughter.

Conclusion.

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