Long chapter ahead. Please VOTE

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Adorned in a saree designed by the country's top designer, Gita stepped out of the car with her parents and Isha to attend her award ceremony held at the Mayor's official villa. Among the infinite expensive options given by Isha, this  saree looked elegant and yet not something over the top. Gita pleaded both Anand and Isha to bring her  outfits under a particular budget but she didn't know that the sibling duo had never heard the word "budget" for outfits. They pick whatever they like without caring for the price tag.
This saree, although elegant, was still expensive than Gita's entire wardrobe barring her wedding outfits. She just hoped it wouldn't look out of place.

As they entered the hall where the ceremony was going to be held, her parents had a proud smile on their face.  Their only daughter was getting a recognition for her goodness. Gita's parents never denied her while she went to NGOs and organisations to teach the underprivileged children but Gita always had to hear from her mother on how she was wasting time teaching those students.

"Look at other people your age, Gita. They are giving interviews for big corporates while you waste your time behind kids teaching them ABCD."

"Maa, I am not teaching them ABCD. They have learnt beyond this. And I follow my heart and my heart likes doing this."

"Wake up, Gita! I thought you were doing this for one or two months. But this is too much! You have your own life to make. Stop going after kids whose future is practically useless."

"Maa!" Gita was angry at her mother. Nobody talks about her kids in this manner. Nobody! "Their future has hope. They are not useless. Their dreams have meaning and if God had willed for someone like me to give them wings, I will!" Saying that Gita went to her room.

"Go! Go to your room but remember your mother's words...noone is coming to give you medal and money for this, so better concentrate on your own life. Atleast then, you can fund them."

That was the last day her mother had tried putting some sense into her daughter's head. As a mother, she was happy her child thought for others and wanted to do something for the children but she had seen the world and knew that noone would ask her daughter if she had no money or good rank at an office. But Gita was beyond all this. She didn't understand her mother's concern. She believed money is not important and followed her heart, always. Today,  seeing her daughter getting awarded for the very thing she said nobody would recognise Gita for, didn't crush her ego. She was rather a proud parent. Gita proved her mother wrong but the irony was she didn't do this to prove anything to anyone. She just kept following her heart and teaching the children whole heartedly and after years, she was rewarded.

Her father who was always crushed between the mother and daughter was equally proud. He always had to find the balance between Gita who did what she liked and his wife who wanted only the best for Gita. Now, both their definitions were world apart. Gita was always to be a teacher and had an inclination towards writing both of which her mother found to be disapproving professions for her intelligent daughter who could earn much more if she goes after some other career options. But seeing the treatment he was getting because he was her father made his chest swell with pride. For the most part, Gita was always like him - quiet, compassionate, doesn't like to fight and understanding. But like her mother, even he feared she would never stand up for herself and get fooled by people. But today, she is getting an award for standing upto the children's rights.

The ceremony started with speeches of the Mayor and later, the guest of honour was introduced. Nandini Dixit appeared on stage in a silk saree. Her expression remained the same after a small smile. There was a strict aura around her. Gita's mind automatically started marking the similarities between Nandini and Anand's facial expression. Apart from their cheekbones, Anand took over his genes from Thackerays. Gita couldn't point but Isha had more of Nandini's looks. Busy in staring at their similarities, Ishq shook Gita's hand and asked her to go on stage. With one last squeeze of assurance from Isha, Gita got up and walked towards the stage where other honorary receipents were standing.

Amidst the claps, the royal carpet and the under the unique big chandelier, she felt like a celebrity seeing all the eyes on her. Nandini Dixit gave her the award and congratulated her with a formal smile which Guta returned. All the receipents stood for photos with their awards in hand for the press. As she mingled with other awardees and talked to them, Gita felt a pair of eyes on her. She knew who could it be watching her intently or rather observing her every action.

"Congratulations Mrs. Gitanjali." Gita turned back to see the person who was observing her since past few minutes, her mother-in- law. Gita was confused if she should acknowledge Nandini as her mother-in-law or keep it formal. She chose to keep it formal.

"Thank you Ma'am. It was an honor to receive this award from you and being in your presence." Gita said politely, as she would say it to any other guest of honour or member form the committee.

Nandini just smiled still analyzing her. Sure, this girl was beautiful, more like innocent looking. But looks can be deceiving especially if the people are from Thackeray family. Sham Thackeray definitely knows how to pick beautiful girls as his daughter in laws. But why would he pick her for his callous grandson when he could have easily picked a girl from their league. A daughter of a rich businessman or a cunning heiress.

"Thank you for flattering me with your words. I heard about you from the members of the committee here. They talked about your teaching style and simplicity. But clearly, you aren't that simple." Nandini glanced at her saree which she knew was sky high expensive.

Gita pressed her lips together. She knew it! Someone was definitely going to comment about her expensive clothing and say 'Oh! You should have given this money to the NGO and not on your clothes.' Yes, explain this to her husband who would say, "we can do both."
But what if this woman is thinking that she is spending her son's hard earned money on clothes and only with him for the lavish lifestyle. It was just few months to the marriage and she was already tired of these judgments. Will all her life she would fight these judgements just because she doesn't come from a rich business family?

"It's my day, isn't it? Little dazzle is always good!" Gitanjali hit back, feeling defensive of her choices. Even before the meeting, she was wary or rather made wary by Anand and Isha about meeting her. All these outfits were only brought to her for meeting this woman and yet she had something to say about it.

"Sure thing. Please wait for the dinner hosted by me for all the awardees." Saying that, Nandini excused herself.

Gita went to her parents and Isha who hugged her and congratulated her. She found it cute how her parents had clicked lots of blurry and some decent pictures of her receiving the award despite not being tech savvy at all. She told them how a private dinner is hosted by Nandini and she would have to wait. Isha, who was not affected by Nandini's presence at all, agreed to drop Gita's parents.

A restro just few minutes away was booked by Nandini for all the awardees and committee members where Nandini talked about how good it is to see the youth thinking for others and asked them each questions on their passion and future plans. Gita liked her inquisteness towards each one of them and Nandini seemed genuinely interested to know more. Nandini had her eyes on Gita the entire time. She observed how she doesn't speak unless spoken to. She concluded this girl was not a talker. She noticed the way Gita answered when she had asked about their future ventures. She talked with a gleam in her eyes and smile on her face. The girl is surely intelligent. She got to know from her assistant that she is much younger than Anand and even Isha. To be young and thinking about others is a quality not many have. From Nandini's years of experience especially staying around twisted people, she could see Gita was unlike them. She was indeed a simple young woman.

Nandini admitted that Sham Thackeray has indeed made a good choice for his grandson. Then again, the women he chose were never the problem. It was always the men. Luck had favoured Nandini when she was married to Sham Thackeray's son who was considerate of her. He was the only one who had valued people more than others in that house. In that marriage or business alliance set up by their parents, her husband had became her ally. There was no love but respect had sustained the marriage for long. He always made sure he talked to Nandini and didn't let her die in suffocation of the relationship. When she had married him, she thought she would be the most bitter to her husband but atlast his warm nature had made it impossible for her to be bitter. The only thing she disliked about him was he had more love for his father that he couldn't stand up for his own life. But she knew her son was not as soft as the man she calls her ex-husband. As far as she remembers her son, he had no qualities imbibed from his parents. He was a creature developed by his grandfather. The result was a selfish person who had relentless attitude to only win. Win money and win power.
Gitanjali was a good for Anand but was Anand good for her? She felt her heart soften a bit for her. Atleast, if she had come from a business family, she would be strong and knew how men like Anand functioned. Nandini had seen only Gita's parents and Isha at the function. Where was Anand?

The entire time Gita had Anand in her mind and his words to be perfect in etiquettes. She made sure the cutlery didn't make noise and nothing went wrong so as to her mother-in-law wouldn't complaint. She just wanted to leave from here and soon it was time. Nandini was bidding them adieu when she reached Gitanjali and asked her to stay back for some time. Dread settled in Gita's abdomen...what would she like to talk to me? If she had done something wrong, she will have to listen a lot from Anand. Gita crossed her fingers, wishing to leave from here soon.

Now, it was just Nandini and Gita there. Nandini took a box out, which resembled a jewellery box and offered it to Gita.

"For my daughter-in-law. I am seeing you for the first time, this is your gift." Nandini said with a firm tone.For the first time, she acknowledged the relation between them. She would be a perfect principal who doesn't give away much from her expression and tone. It was a tradition to gift the newly wedded bride and welcome her to the family. Gita knew how Anand reacted to gifts from his aunts. He despises gifts from his family members and never allows Gita to accept them. But she never detected hate towards his mother. There was just some distance between them. Gita remembered something and decided, irrespective of whether Anand approves or disapproves of the gift, Gita wouldn't accept anything from this woman.

"Thank you Ma'am. As a receipent of the award, you invited me for this dinner, I accepted it. But as your daughter-in-law, I can't accept it."

Nandini smiled wider this time. "Gitanajali," The way she caller her name reminded how Anand always calls her Gitanajali and never Gita. "Don't hesitate or feel shy. As my daughter-in-law, this is your right." The firmness in Nandini's voice would have forced Gita to accept it, if it was someone else.

"Ma'am, I apologise but I don't know you and I can't accept anything from a stranger." Gita said this as politely as she can. Her heart poked her for being rude to an elder but she didn't pay attention to it.

Nandini put her hand to her chin as if analyzing her. "Why? Your husband ordered you to not accept anything from me?" Nandini scoffed and muttered, "What else does he know except from keeping people under this thumb?"

Gita felt anger when she mentioned Anand and heard what she muttered. "My husband doesn't feel the need to mention you. And I have no problem listening to him if he had denied me taking anything from you but he has nothing to do with me not taking your gift." Gita lowered her eyes in guilt. This was not the way her mother had taught her to talk with elders and if her mother came to know Gita was talking like this to her mother-in-law, she would definitely smack her.

Nandini saw her lowered eyes and smirked at her words, "If your words of him not mentioning me were meant to hurt, then don't worry, it doesn't hurt me." She assured Gitanjali. "In life, There are some relations you want to cut off, but can't...he is one such relation for me." Nandini said honestly.
Gita winced at her words. How can a mother talk about her son like this?

"Ma'am, if you wish to cut off your relation with him, then there is no point of giving me this gift. I am related to you only by him." Gita reminded her.

Nandini chuckled, "Why do you state the obvious, my dear? I saw you today the entire evening and there is a good in you due to which I acknowledged this relationship. You are good, Gitanajali. And how much ever I want, I still can't deny that he is my son. That's why I offered you this."

Gita showed no intent of taking it, so Nandini took it back. "I know you are not what you are showing right now. Then, why this bitterness? This doesn't suit you." Nandini said honestly. Gitanjali's interaction with other awardees, the information from Nandini's assistant and the talk from the committee members about Gitanjali was enough for Nandini to know that Gitanjali was a sweet and kind person.

"Sorry Ma'am about my behavior but for a person of your stature who claims to have experience of knowing people, recognising them for who they are, you judge too fast and too hard. Now, you are saying I am good but earlier, it was not the case. You judged me for wearing an expensive saree."

"Gitanjali, I have no shame in apologizing for that. I had just heard about you but when you came, that image of simplicity didn't match to the amount you spent on your attire. I am...sorry." Nandini Dixit hardly apologized. The word "Sorry" definitely didn't come easily to her.

Gita was stunned to hear her apology. She had not expected her to say sorry. Gita nodded and said it was okay. After all, once people say sorry, it should be over and anyway, Gita was used to people judging her for Anand's money.

"It's okay. Honestly, I wouldn't have taken it to heart if you thought I was using your son's money. I could understand it as you being protective about your son. But, you don't seem to be fond of him so there was no reason for you to judge me. But it's okay now, you...you apologised." Gita felt heavy saying these words. She was much elder to her and an apology coming from her was too much.

Nandini laughed out loud. For the first time, Gita saw her breaking her tough and formal exterior. She didn't know what was so funny.

"Me? Being protective about his money?" Nandini laughed some more. "Gitanjali, he doesn't need anyone to be protective about him or his money." She became serious again, "Try taking some of it and see what he does to you. Actually, don't try it else he will tearyou apart."

Gita knew Anand was not like how this woman was saying. He himself gave her his card in the first few days of marriage. Ofcourse, it was not out of love but nevertheless, he gave it to her.

"Again Ma'am, you judge too fast." Gita emphasized it. She really hated how Nandini judged Anand and portrayed him like this. She felt bad for Anand to have this woman as his mother.

"And you trust too fast." Nandini stated facts. "Gitanajali, you may not have accepted my gift, but take this advice - don't trust anyone so quickly, especially people from that family."

"Okay Ma'am, but I would like to start from you." Gitanajali's words pierced Nandini, this time.

"Girl! I am telling you for your own good. I don't know what that boy has told you but stop with this bitterness and open your eyes. You think he is as simple as you are? Stop seeing the world with your rose tinted glasses." Nandini had enough of Gitanjali not trying to understand. She had to be firm and strict.

"He has not told me a single bad thing about you. Infact, he wanted you to approve me and get impressed with me. I have seen him tensed about it. This saree? There were outfits lined up because he thought his wife's natural state would not be approved by his mother. It wouldn't match upto your standards. I was so conscious while eating, walking and behaving just so that you couldn't find a fault in me. He feared his own mother's judgement and now I know why! I agree our marriage is not based on love. But he is a good person. I feel pity that you know so less of your son." Gita doesn't remember the last time she had such a debate. Gita just wanted to storm off from there and go and hug her Anand. But for the sake of respecting his mother, she is sitting here.

Nandini had a smirk on her face. "Really, darling?" Gita hated the word darling. "I know less of that person?" Nandini scratched her forehead as if to think, "Then why was he not present at the ceremony today? What is more important than his wife's award ceremony? Umm, let me think...a business deal! And I don't need to keep track of him to know that he didn't come here because of some business meeting. Though it's been years since I am in touch with him, people like him seldom change. I have seen the development of his arrogance and ruthless nature."

Gita's blood boiled at her words. She gulped her anger and stated, "Ma'am, I would like to take my leave. I can't sit with people who insult my husband." Gita took her bag and left while Nandini tried to stop her.

Once inside the car, Gita wanted to cry her heart out. This was the first time she had talked to a woman of her mother's age with so much disrespect. But the audacity to talk about Anand with so much hate and mockery made her heart crush for Anand. She won't let anyone talk to her Anand with so much hate. The next time if she talks about Anand like this, she will seriously say more things. Gita shook her head at that thought. She hoped she never crosses her path with woman again. A woman who has harboured so much hate for her own son is certainly not the right woman. People like Nandini only knows to spill venom.

My Anand...I am not going to let anyone spill poison against you."

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12/12/21

Long chapter!! Please VOTE and Comment. I updated before time :)

Target - 60 votes (I don't think it is a lot)

Take care guys!