The good thing about people like Gitanajali is they forget and forgive very soon. Anand didn't know which of the either did she do, but the next few days, she was not really upset with him. She did speak less to him but she was no more upset or angry as she was on that day. He saw how she really cared for his family. Every day after work, she would visit the hospital despite Anand telling her not to worry. The best doctors and staff were looking after the old man and there was no need for her to visit him to the hospital everyday after work.

He could see her intriguing gaze at him. She had lots of questions for him and regarding the day and everytime she wanted to ask, she would just swallow the question, look at him for sometime and distract herself. Ahh! How much he liked people who mind their own business. Her fear and hesitation would never let her question him more. It was better to keep to herself than getting hurt by his venomous words.

It's been a month to that and everything was back to normal. Today was one of the rare moments where she called him in the afternoon and asked if he could come home early. Anand tsked while telling her about multiple meetings and projects lined up and couldn't come home early. Gita hummed and later told him she is going out with Ami and Isha. Since then, this was going on in the back of his mind. There must be something special that she had asked him to come early or now she is going to meet Isha and Ami. As much as he hid it, it was eating him that it was going to Isha and Ami who would get to hear what Gita had to say.

By the time he reached home, she was already asleep. Anand thought if he should wake her up or no. He wanted to know what she had to say and he woke her up. Gita tossed on the other side, not liking getting disturbed while sleeping but Anand shook her again. Gita woke up and saw it was 2 AM that he returned. A beautiful bouquet of orchids with him. Did he already get the news? But how?

"You bought a bouquet? You got the news?" She asked confused and disappointed because she wanted to tell him first. He sat beside her, presenting her the bouquet.

"No, dear wifey. But I think it is something special, isn't it? That's why I got this for you." Gita smiled and thanked him. "Now, tell me what is it?"

The entire day, Gita wanted to tell it to Anand. But now that he is infront of her, she thought how foolish it was to call and tell him to come early for his. It wasn't a huge deal, anyway.

"Umm, nothing. I am getting a certification from the Mayor, appreciating for working towards educating the kids who don't get a chance at normal childhood. Me and the teachers at our organization."
Gita said and looked away. She realised how silly she was being the whole day, going about telling this to everyone. Anand here, must have always received prestigious awards and not just from the City Mayor but on national level and internationally was recognized.

"Gitanajali, that's so great! Congratulations!" Anand smiled genuinely and hugged her tight. He knew she was going to receive an award as his PI had told him before their marriage. Anand didn't understand why was she downplaying it. Till afternoon, she seemed over the moon to tell him...then what happened to her?  Without overthinking, he asked her in his straight forward manner to tell him why she didn't seem happy anymore.

"I just think, it is so silly to call you over and ask you to come early for this. I mean, this must be so common for you..." Gita trailed off. His presence had an intimidating aura. Anyone could tell just by looking at him that he was no average man, he was someone who held power. Now, that he was infront of her, she understood that she was truly calling him for something so small.

"I have only one wife, who is receiving a huge honor from the Mayor for the first time. So, it's not common for me." Anand told her.

Was it worth it to be of so much significance that your own wife felt so small infront of you?

"Listen here, all your achievements, big or small, are always going to be very much important to me. I am always going to be proud of how much love you have for everyone around and the kindness you pour in everything that you do for others. You know, I am incapable of it. So, I will forever be in awe of the heart you possess and I am honoured to call you mine." Anand said it sincerely.

This was one of the nicest things Anand had ever said to anyone. Over the months of staying with her, her kindness grew onto him. He had always admired her but never thought of having someone to love. Anand was always on fence about the topic called 'love'. He wanted to keep his distance from the word and until Gita came, he had always been successful. These past months she had sowed a seed of softness in his cold heart.

Gita hugged him tightly, truly touched by his words. She didn't like it when he was rude with the world but the heart sees through the person it crushes on. She was able to see his humane side. The side which was somewhere exclusive for her. She wished he could show it more to the world. But sometimes, she knew she has to maintain boundaries and not push it. Gita was never someone assertive and infront of a person like him, she really can't force him to do things instantly. She knew that he needs time to come around and be nice to the people outside but one day, he will surely grow to see the love around and be nice.

"You know what, to celebrate this, we are going on a dinner tomorrow. It's a date!" Anand declared to which Gita chuckled.

"No, Anand. We don't need to.." Anand stopped Gita right there and asked her, "would you love it or no?" To which she nodded and said yes. "Then, it is the only thing that matters. If you are liking the idea, we are going. And I don't want to listen it one more time that - Anand, it's not a big deal." Anand mimicked Gita to which he earned a small fist to his chest.

Anand could see her getting drowsy and despite wanting to say so much, he just put the quilt over her and kissed her forehead.

The next evening at the restaurant, they had a great time chatting about sports, food and each other's unpopular opinions. Anand always thought she would be a good partner because she was a good person, but with her chatter, she was growing to be his best friend. Their unpopular opinions were funny and food opinions offended each other, so much so that Gita said she can disown him. A whole fit of laughter later, Anand decided to address the night he was rude to her.

"Gitanajali, even yesterday I told you how I admire the way you care for others. That night, it came out really wrong. What I meant was you need to stand for yourself, be firm with your choices than just being okay with what others want you to go with." Anand said as calmly as possible, trying not to ruin anything.

"I understand, Anand. But those are really small things, I really don't mind adjusting to others. It's not something big and the day I do, I think I would say it." Gita said casually.

Anand sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose."Okay Gitanajali, it seems that you don't want to understand. Let's leave this topic here." And Gita nodded.
"Just never downplay your achievements, especially when you want to tell me something." Anand told her.

Just then, a young girl of 8-10 years came running towards their table and said hi to Gita and was excited to see her here. Gita smiled and looked at Anand to tell him to chill. For her sake, he had agreed to not take a private chamber but she knew he didn't appreciate people hovering over much, even children. She relaxed when she saw Anand was not irritated at the child. This was one of Gita's students from the school. Soon, her parents came and apologized to Gita for interfering in her family time.

"We told Yukta so many times to not come here to you but she insisted she wanted to say hi to her favourite teacher. We are sorry to disturb you." The mother said.

"Oh no! I like meeting my students. There is no need for you to stop her and please don’t say sorry, Mrs. Malhotra." Gita said.

"Yukta also came telling us about some award you are going to receive. I got so confused about what she was trying to tell that I asked Mrs. Basu. Really, we are glad to have teachers like you for our children.It's great to receive an award from City Mayor and also Nandini Dixit." Yukta's mom blurted out what Gita has been trying to hide. She coughed at the name - Nandini Dixit. Gita said a small thank you as the mother daughter left.

She guiltily looked at Anand whose eyebrows were creased, still not sure of the name the lady blurted out.

"Anand, I was -" Gita started.

"So, you knew...and still chose to hide it from me?" Anand asked.

_______^^^_________

1/11/2021

Please VOTE and Comment.

Sorry guys, i really get time only on weekends. But i will try to update more.