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A secretary carried the documents and the honorary receipents list among the other documents to Nandini Dixit's cabin. He rechecked the documents, making sure nothing is missed out. He didn't want to bear the brunt of the angry woman. He knocked on the door twice before he heard the order to come in. His boss was a very intelligent woman who didn't like to waste time and was extremely focused and hard working. She tolerated very less mistakes and always wore a stern mask.  Clad in grey silk saree, she looked no less than a royalty with her moti necklace. She signed him to keep the documents and leave. He sighed a relief once he was out.

Nandini was called by the Mayor's office to inform her about the recipients list and have a look at it once. She was a supporter of young people wanting to bring change in the society and instantly agreed to the proposal of being the cheif guest for the function honouring youths for their contribution to development and empowerment in various fields. While having a glance through the names and their fields, a certain name peaked more interest than the others.

Mrs. Gitanjali Anand Thackeray.

Her hands touched the name. Nandini had always kept away from press and unnecessary gossip. She consciously decided to not have a glance at any photographs from Anand's wedding. She was yet to see the girl who charmed her way in the Thackeray household.

Let's see if she is any good or just plain undeserving waste of space.
Nandini tsked at her thought and regretted instantly. She shouldn't think bad about the girl before meeting her. What happened to the Nandini who had no judging policy, especially towards women? Why this resentful thought came to her mind? She was embarrassed of her own self for a minute. There were many documents she had to glance through, she busied herself. If she has not thought about the Anand and his marriage for so long, she wouldn't let the girl bother her now.

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"Isha, say something." Gita told Isha everything on the call of what happened the previous night. 

"Listen Gita, you shouldn't have hide this from Bhai as well as me. If she was going to be the cheif guest, why did you hide it from us?" Isha said sounding upset.

"This is exactly why. I feared his reaction. And see, now even you are upset. I wanted to tell you all, just after some time." Gita clarified. Since last night, Anand was aloof from her. He was not angry but he had not liked the fact that Gita had hid this from him. He talked to her but only when she asked him question, he didn't initiate any conversation after dinner.

"Okay,okay, I am not upset. But I get why Bhai would be. He got to hear it from someone else! This time, I am with my Bhai. He is right."

"To be honest, you are always with your Bhai. He is always the right one and I should be the one understanding him." Guta argued like a kid for not taking her side.

"Oh please! I think I support you a lot. And don't mess with me, Gita otherwise I will behave like how those evil sister in- law behaves." With that, Isha laughed.

Anand as usual arrived late from the office but to his surprise, his wife was awake and reading on laptop when he discreetly open the door, to not disturb her if she was sleeping.

"Anand, I am sorry." Gita said as soon as he entered the room. It was almost like she was waiting for him to come so that she could utter those words. Anand dint react and removed his watch and coat. He went to washroom to freshen up.
Gita wanted to sort this out and tell him that she didn't mean to hide anything from him.

He emerged from the closet all ready for the night. He arranged this things well and was looking in the mirror when Gita hugged him from behind. He smelled of the expensive body wash due to the shower he took. The fragrance was comforting for Gita but anyone could tell that it was something exquisite and expensive.

Anand turned towards Gita and cupped her cheeks. He made her look at him and said, "Hey! I am not upset, okay?"

He didn't say a word more and asked Gita to sleep. A while later, when she saw Anand didn't sleep and just staring at the ceiling for long, she looked at him with her innocent eyes, Anand saw her awake and could read the question in her eyes.  Her creased forehead exhibited her concern for him and her eyes raised a question of why was he still awake?

She scooted closer to him with her head on his chest and his arm supporting her neck and pulling her closer. "You know, you can share with me, if anything bothers you. If it's work related and I wouldn't understand, you can still rant to me. I don't like seeing you sleepless. I am here for you." Gita said in a gullible manner, she blamed herself for keeping things away from him and upsetting him, even though it was not her intention. She wanted to take away all his worries.

Anand had a small smile on his face. He could kiss her right now for her sweetness and it still wouldn't be enough. He always had "yes-men" around and every expensive thing he ever wanted. But noone who was so admirable and pure, no malice and pretense behind their words. At times, he looks at Gita and wants to protect her from the entire world and even himself. But he knows, that is not his battle. She has to ace in the cunning world around.

He never thought he would have someone by his side, someone even he would come back home to. He had buried these useless romantic dreams long back. He always aimed to achieve wealth and delve into that. He kissed her forehead and told her not to worry and just go to sleep.

To Gita's surprise, the next morning Isha arrived early in the morning at their home.

"Wow! Sunday morning looks bright with your presence Isha. But to what do I owe this pleasure." Gita asked as she hugged Isha, welcoming her into the house.

"I don't know, Bhai messaged late at night to come here in the morning and here I am!" Isha threw her arms around to emphasize on her magical presence.

Anand was informed about Isha's arrival by the maids and came to the living room in his casual T shirt and joggers. He talked straight to the point of why was Isha here.

"I need you to help Gita dress up for her award ceremony." Anand said to Isha to which both Gita and Isha looked at him questioningly. 

Anand cleared his throat and explained, "She is going to meet her for the first time and you know how much dressing up matters. Isha, I want you to look into it personally. She should be groomed properly, from the tip of her hair to her toes. Everything must be proper." Anand said all this not looking at Gita. Isha sat there awkwardly not knowing how to react. Gita looked down, not wanting to meet both of their eyes. She knew she dressed up extremely simple and modest but that was how she liked it. There have always been comments on how she dressed up like a Plain Jane and old school but Gita tried not to take it to her heart. Even today, Gita tried to explain herself. Anand is a big man and the way she dresses up, noone can tell she is his wife. She dresses so casually and she knew there might come a day where she needed to change her dressing ways.

Apart from her average dressing style, she always tied her hair in a bun or a ponytail. She didn't braid it or kept untied. She remembered the day when they had gone to Balki's showroom for her wedding dress and even though he was extremely sweet to her, she knew how he judged her fashion. She also knows the way people see Anand and her together. Only when she starts having conversation with them, their judging gaze goes away. Is the feeling of him being out of her league never going to leave? Are the people around her always going to make her feel that with their judging gaze?

Today, even Anand said this. Atleast, he was the one who never felt this. She gulped these feelings and thought of accepting whatever they are going to tell her to wear. After all, it was only right to fit in.

Isha touched Gita's shoulder giving her support and telling her to relax. "Bhai, I understand what you are saying. But our Gita always looks adorable in everything she wears. Plus, I never thought you cared about how Gita comes across to others. It's refreshing to see The Great Anand being skeptical about Gita's impression to Nandini Dixit." Isha smiled teasing Anand. From the day their marriage talks began to this day of marriage, not once had she heard or seen Anand tensed about Gita comes across to people and cared about her dressing sense. But suddenly, today he wants her to look proper. Isha wanted to laugh out loud seeing Anand little nervous.

"Isha, don't joke around. Do your job well. Decide what she is supposed to wear, her nails, the hair, everything." Anand said in a no joke manner.

"Okay, chill Bhai. But please explain to Gita why are we doing this. Her face has lost its colour. The way you said it, you made it sound like there is something wrong with her style. Now, apologise and explain." Isha said bossily. She had seen how Gita's face fell when Anand instructed Isha to groom her.

Anand cleared his throat, "Gita, your mother in-law is not an easy person. Atleast, in the first glance, you need to dress exceptionally well."

Isha continued, "Don't get scared, Mom is a nice person. But just like Bhai, she is particular. Infact, our whole family judges anyone on the first impression. We both don't want her to point out any flaws. And how much ever we can deny, but you are the one chosen for her son. She is going to scrutinise you." Isha completed.

Nandini Dixit was a daughter of a well known businessman in the 80s. She belonged to a wealthy family and so her marriage was fixed to the son of another rich man in the city, who built an empire of their own. The marriage resulted in the heirs of the empire - Anand and Isha. Nandini now heads her own family business and funds certain NGOs.

Gita was visibly nervous listening about her mother-in-law. The world was not less to intimidate her and now to top it all, Anand's mother will judge her. She understands how mother's are protective and only wish the best for their kids. Even his mother would want the best match for her son. Gita was nervous as she would be the target now! She tried to cheer herself up thinking Isha is there to help her and nothing can go wrong.

Just all these thoughts made Gita gulp in nervousness and her throat dry. She took the glass on the table and just as she was pouring down water in the glass, the glass slipped from her hands and broke into pieces, spilling over the water. Both Gita and Isha knew what was coming. They closed their eyes seeing hundreds of pieces of glass and a very stern looking Anand. Both Isha and Gita knew what was coming their way. Anand eyes roared anger, his jaw ticked slightly and his face scrunched in irritation.

"How many times do I need to tell you to be careful, Gitanjali? Can't you do things without being clumsy?" Anand's voice carried clear irritation.

Anand has always been particular with regards to cleanliness and a lot of household things. He hated when anyone washing dishes would make loud noise of the utensils. He can never tolerate glass breaking or utensils falling. Gita knew about this habit of his since she was 15. The memory of him glaring at her the first time she broke a vase infront of him was still refreshed in her mind. The very few times that she had broken something and it was mostly infront of Anand. She believes she gets nervous and too conscious infront of him, while knowing very well that if she messed up, he is going to be upset. It was the same as getting conscious infront of a supervisor while writing your exams, especially if the supervisor teaches the same subject.
Gita kept quiet knowing how these things tick him off.

Anand rubbed his hand on his forehead and tried to calm down. He ordered Isha to finalise on Gita's attire and asked the househelp to clean the glass from the floor.
"Within 2 days, I want everything ready. If she asks you anyone question Gitanjali, I want you to be prepared for it. Isha, work on it." With that, he left.

Anand tried to hide the fact that he was nervous about Gitanajli meeting his mother. His mother had a tough exterior and was definitely not an easy person to impress. He wanted Gitanjali to be perfect infront of the world but importantly infront of her. The only consolation for Anand was that his mother had seen the world and has the skill of recognising good people. Gita would effortlessly be qualified as a good person. Unfortunately, the first impression will only be her mannerisms and dressing style.
He just hoped Isha finds everything well.

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10/11/2021

My eyes are soo sleepy...sorry for any mistakes.

Finally revealed who is Nandini Dixit!!

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I hope your Diwali was great❤