After the call, Gita threw her phone on the bed and lied down. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally.

She wanted to tell someone all this. But who?

Ami was dealing with her own stress of job. Certainly, Gita can't tell this to her mom with whom she shares almost everything. Shaina? No, since she was Rohan's ex.

Anand was definitely the last person she wants to share this with.

But, she was sure she can't see Isha like this.

Either there has got to be some miscommunication between Isha and Rohan or Rohan just lost his head.

She remembers him with Shaina. They were just another teen couple in college. But definitely a lot of time had passed and Rohan was a changed person.

In college, from whatever Gita had seen, he used to be always chill with his long locks, doing Masti with his group, not serious about studies but heart only in fests.

Now, when she had met him with Isha, he was calmer, his long hair were shortened. He was also mature and soft spoken. The only quality he had was his chill vibe and the joking mannerisms.

Isha had denied her to talk to Rohan.

Who should she talk to?

She thought who was her good friend who she can share this with. She pouted thinking how less people she has in her close circle.

*

She was asleep when Anand entered their room at midnight. He shook his head seeing her sprawled on the bed and occupying the entire bed.

He freshened up and went close to where she slept. He wanted to push her to her side of the bed but he just kept watching her.

Their was a drool at the side of her lips and Anand wiped it off with his handkerchief. He chuckled realising what he did. He swore if it was someone else, he would have found the drool disgusting and would have never wiped it off. But this feeling is so stupid.  It makes you do stupid stuff which one would never do otherwise.

With the way she was sleeping on the bed, there was no way he could sleep. There was only space for him to sit.

He sat on the bed and gently took her head on his lap, just like she wanted.
He was doing what she wanted, just that she was asleep today.

He placed his forehead on hers and stayed like that for some time. Her eyes opened feeling breath on her face and found him close to her. She noticed she has her head on his lap and smiled.

"Sorry, I took the whole bed for myself. You could have woken me up. How long were you sitting?" Gita asked all at once.

"It's fine. Anyway, I cannot sleep. I will be back." He kissed her goodnight and went to watch match in the other room.

While he was engrossed in the match and chilling with a glass of rum, he noticed the sound of footsteps coming closer.

Gita sat down and laid her head in his lap. "I missed your presence." Even though she can't tell him the truth, she wanted him to be around to give her the sense that everything will be fine.

He kept his one hand on her forehead while he sipped on his drink held in his other hand.

He always wondered what was special about Gitanjali? How can he like her presence so much and craved for her in her absence? He had never had this attachment to his friends or any person  in the past. He loved his solitude. So, then why he never gets enough of her? Why is he not irritated with her presence like he is with other person?
May be because silence with her is also peaceful. He looked at her and found her already asleep.

*

She opened her eyes and found herself still on her lap. He was on his phone reading something when he looked at her and then back to the screen. The brightness in the room was enough to tell her it was morning. She got up with a jerk.

"Don't tell me, we were here all night." Gita said in disbelief.

"What do you think?" He asked her mockingly for her stupid statement. Ofcourse, they were here all night.

Gita kept her hand on her head and sighed. "Oh god! You could have woken me up. You didn't sleep all night!" She looked guilty.

"Yesterday you wanted me to be romantic and not complain about your head on my lap. Today, you wanted me to wake you up when your head was on my lap. What do you even want? Decide one thing, woman." Anand said.

"I didn't want you to not sleep at all." She said as she got up and folded the blanket.

Anand looked at her for a moment, as if something going on in his head. "Okay, you can pay me back by attending a dinner....business dinner with me." He smirked at his clever idea. Gita shook her head, how can he always think of deals!

"This may be a joke to you but I really feel guilty for not letting you sleep. You also sat in the same position for almost 6 hours. If you want me to attend the dinner as a payback, I will do it."

*

Gita was ready in a gorgeous green organza floral saree. Her hair tied in a bun and two diamond bangles on each of her hand.

Gita loved getting ready occasionally. Moreover, she loved to wear sarees of different work and styles. But parties are exhausting for Gita, especially when it is of Anand's associates. Her style of dressing was simple and not trending. A dinner is fine as it has very less people than a party and she feels less judged.

Just when she was deciding on her necklace, Anand stood behind her and a diamond necklace with emerald stone was placed on her neck. It looked exquisite.

She turned to face Anand but her words stopped. He looked handsome, more than ever. His trimmed hair made all the difference, his beard was groomed and he smelled amazing as well.

"Are you just going to stare or say something?" Anand snapped her out of her thoughts. Gita cleared her throat and said, "This necklace." She touched it. "This is so beautiful."

"I know! And it is all yours. I made it especially for you." Anand said, proud that he finally surprised his wife with a gift.

"Thank you! But if it gets stolen, I am not responsible." Gita loved elegant jewellery but didn't feel responsible enough to not misplace it and so, she always avoided it except for her marriage ring and mangalsutra.

"Learn to be." Was Anand's reply for it. He didn't understand her fear of misplacing the jewellery. To him, it was simple that you should always keep an eye on your things and be responsible for it.

As they sat in car, Gita noticed something which was rare - Anand's excitement. It was the same when he showed her the new car, his baby Lamborghini.

"Aren't you too happy and excited since yesterday?" Gita asked. Also, he was not on his phone in the car. He was just sitting and probably waiting for the destination.

"Yes!" He flashed a wide smile. "Actually, the Khanna's are here. We are going for a dinner with them." He told her, happiness evident in his voice.

Gita's eyes wide open at his revelation. Her heart started beating faster. She faked a small smile and tried to calm herself down. Whenever this Khanna name had come up, nothing good happened.

"The deal is already finalised. They are going to sign it in this week! This dinner is just a thank you gesture from us to them. But, we will announce it formally in a grand way." Anand explained and Gita nodded not wanting to engage more in the conversation.

Gita was smart enough to know that there will be Isha's talk at the dinner or atleast someone would probe on the marriage thing. She cursed Isha again for going on dinner with Vivek. That girl had taken everything lightly.

Gita sat at the expensive restaurant booth reserved especially for them. Anand had made sure that they reach early than the give time to ensure everything was on track.

At sharp 8 PM, a couple in their late 50s or early 60s entered. The lady was dressed in a white and golden salwar suit, short in height and on the healthy side while the man was dressed formally in a suit and lean in physique. Anand exchanged pleasantries with them and introduced Gita to Mr. And Mrs. Khanna.

"Your wife is beautiful, I must say." Mrs. Khanna told Anand as they took their seat. Anand thanked her while Gita politely smiled.

Half and hour later, Gita had finished her appetizer and was busy counting the number of small chandeliers in the room. Luckily, she was sitting in a corner that allowed her to have the entire view of the room. With occasional nods and her mind completely away from their business talks, she knew it was time to count something else in the room. But then, their food came and she thought she can decide what to count later.

"Your wife doesn't talk much?" Mrs. Khanna asked. She looked at Gita through her frameless glasses, her skin shining and a pink shade of lipstick applied on her lips.

Gita didn't feel the need to respond since it was directed towards Anand and not her.

Anand chuckled, "Yes, she is a little shy around new people." She was not shy around new people! Anand knew she hated business parties and dinners and so, she avoids talking.

Anand elbowed Gita and looked at her asking her to be more involved in the conversation.

"Vivek is coming to the city in 2-3 days. He says he would like to meet Isha. What do you think?" Mr. Khanna asked.

"Oh yes! I am sure even Isha is eager to meet him." Gita's neck turned towards Anand at his lie. Why are these siblings giving false hope to the family?

"I met Isha twice and she was so lovely. We would really like if things moved forward with Vivek and Isha." Mrs. Khanna praised Isha.

"Yes, now that we are going to be business partners, I would be happy if we extend it to family as well. Won't it be good that The Thackerays and The Khannas are together? It sounds fantastic!" This time, it was Mr. Khanna and Gita wanted to tell the old man to chill.

Anand smiled formally and said, "Please tell us when Vivek arrives. I will ask Isha to free her schedule."

"Ya and we can ask Isha if she wants this or not. After all, it should be her decision if she wants...." As Gita spoke,  Anand's hand clutched hers tightly under the table. She felt he would stop the blood flow with his tight hold.

"Ofcourse, darling. I am pretty sure Isha would love this idea after all, Vivek is a great guy." Anand didn't let her speak and completed her words.
He diverted the topic smoothly and only left her hand sometime later.

At the end of the dinner, Anand and Mr. Khanna shook their hands while Gita smiled at Mrs. Khanna and did Namaste with a folded hands. Mrs. Khanna smiled at her gesture and tapped Gita's cheeks to show her love.

"It was lovely meeting you, Gita. I hope you don't mind me calling you that." Mrs. Khanna said.

"You can call me Gita. Please visit our home someday." Gita said so as to not upset Anand with her less involvement.

As they left, Anand didn't waste much time and marched to the car, followed by Gita trying to catch his steps. He angrily opened his door and they both got in.

"Why the hell would you say that?" He looked at her glaring daggers. Even though, his voice was low, the driver could easily hear them and Gita felt embarassing.

"Firstly, I don't know where your mind is at such dinners and parties. You are always in your own world. And when you open your mouth, you blurt things that shouldn't be said." Anand had removed his coat and was folding his sleeves.

"I didn't say anything wrong." Gita didn't want to escalate the situation and have a fight infront of their driver. She knew that their help are professionals and they would mind their own business. But Gita still didn't want them to give anything to gossip. Be it help, relative or a stranger, Gita doesn't want to have fight infront of a third person. She wants to keep it between her and her husband.
"Please, can we go home and discuss?" Gita pleaded and hoped Anand calms down till they reach home. She knew there was going to be zero discussion and only argument but atleast it should be in their room.

*

Gita placed her purse on the bed and turned to Anand who closed the door of their bedroom.

"Ab ghussa karo, jitna karna hai. I am listening." She sat down on the bed.
(Say what you want)

Anand threw his coat on the bed. "Don't try to act oversmart with me." He warned her. "You think I was not noticing how absent you were the entire time? If once in a while, I take you to these dinners, can't you behave? I am sure even those two noticed your disinterest. Then, you go on and talk about 'oh! May be Isha is not interested' Did anyone ask? Did. I. Ask?" Anand removed his shirt buttons and Gita could feel the anger oozing out of his body.

"I didn't say this. I just felt we should know if she wants to marry or not." Gita explained herself, fearing his anger.

"I will call Isha tomorrow or day after and sort this out. And yes, stay out of this." Anand said and walked to his closet to change.

Gita didn't like his words not did she understand. She followed him.
"Why? Why should I stay out of this? If she is your sister, she is something to me as well." Gita argued, her voice raised a bit as she had a valid point.

"Shh. Lower your voice when you talk to me, Gitanjali." His voice was low with a warning to it.

"Also, I don't understand your problem. I said I will talk to her tomorrow regarding this. Issue solved." He said and walked out of his closet.

"No, after that you said stay out...." Gita cut short her words when he turned around, "Gitanjali, stop this stupid argument right away." He said in a no nonsense tone, leaving no space for argument and walked out of the closet to the bedroom.

"Why? Why?" Her eyes watered. "It is always like this. Till the time, I am how everyone wants me to behave, I am sweet. The moment, I question, you all speak so rudely to me." She muttered to herself as she changed into pyjamas and T shirt.

This was not just the case with Anand but many around her, including her parents. The moment she questions or doesn't agree to what they do or say, they use hurtful words. She is always nice to them doesn't mean she will always agree to what they say and nod her head.

She didn't feel sleepy nor she wanted to sleep beside him. So, she sat on the chair in their room and surfed on her phone.

Anand opened his eyes noticing her absence on the bed and spotted her on the chair. He shook his head at her childish nature. The lights of the room were dim and she was surfing on her phone, it's not good for the eyes!

"Gitanjali, come to bed and sleep." He ordered. It irked him when Gita didn't respond and ignored him.

"I will throw your phone away, Gitanjali." He threatened her with her precious phone. Gita shook her head, her mother used to threaten her the same way before marriage.

She kept her phone and slept on the edge of the bed on her side. He pulled her closer to him and she resisted.

"What's your problem, huh?" He said against her skin, his face nuzzled in her neck.

"I said," He turned Gita on her back and got on top of her, "We will talk to Isha tomorrow. What more do you want?" He put his weight on top of her and looked into her eyes.

"You are heavy! Get off me." Gita was hardly able to breathe under his crushing weight. Anand got off her in an instant.

"The way you talk is my problem, your majesty!" Gita huffed. Anand always talked like he owned the world and others are just slaves around him.

"Okay, I am sorry. Please change your sour mood. You know how important today was for me and how happy I was. I don't want you to feel sad and fall asleep." Anand took her in his arms. "Please smile."

She didn't smile but she didn't resist his hold either.

"I just want Isha to accept this proposal soon. I hope she says yes." Anand talked more to himself, excited about the prospect of Isha's marriage to Khanna.
"I mean, I know she will say yes. Right?" Gita didn't respond to Anand's question and wanted to tell him to calm down.

He was going to be in for a big surprise when Isha declines this marriage and Gita didn't want to see Anand's disappointed face.

___

Credit - doraemontheraccoon

Thank you so much for this lovely aesthetic❤️❤️😍

Enjoyed the chapter??
Vote kijiye!!
Please Vote and Comment :)

Target - 135 votes!

Bye :))