"Amar! Why didn't you tell me? You got an award. Oh my God! Not just any award. Businessperson of the year." Vennela's joy knew no bounds.

"I was about to tell you" said Amar. "Now put that phone aside and have your lunch." Amar snatched her phone away.

"Give it back. You won such a prestigious award. I have to read what each and every news portal says about it." Vennela took her phone back.

"Two times in a row. Congrats bro." Anirudh exchanged fist bump with Amar.

"When is the presentation ceremony?" Vennela asked Amar.

"Tomorrow night." Amar didn't look interested. "I will ask Karthik to go on my behalf and collect the award."

"Why? Why aren't you going?" Vennela stopped reading the news and looked at him.

"It will take more than three hours. You will be tired." Amar didn't want to strain her.

"Then go alone. Please attend it." Vennela didn't want him to miss such a prestigious event.

"I can't. I don't want to go without you" said Amar.

"If that is that case, then I will come with you." Vennela announced.

"But you are not strong enough to attend a three-hour long event."

"You have no idea how strong I am. I will manage." Vennela assured him.

"Okay. But if you feel uncomfortable during the event do not hesitate to tell me." Amar agreed to go.

"Okay. Now go and prepare a nice speech while I prepare some sweets. No, don't stop me. I'm very happy today." Vennela entered the kitchen after many weeks. Anirudh immediately called his team to put the news on social media. He was busy telling anyone who would listen, that his Amar anna won the award second time in a row.

Amar sat alone for a long time. He remembered how happy he was the previous year when he got the award. But this time, he wasn't equally happy. He didn't understand why. He felt he didn't deserve the award.

The next morning when he woke up, he found Vennela reading an old magazine that featured him on the front page.

"I love this interview of yours. I remember how excited I was last year to know that the MD of my company has won the award. There will be more such interviews this year. Won't they?"

"Yes" Amar looked disinterested.

"Let's be there by 6.30 pm. That way you can answer all the media questions." Vennela was excited.

"I already told you. We won't be staying there for more than three hours. I'll ask the media to copy and paste the previous year's interviews" said Amar.

Vennela laughed. "Lazy boy." She knew something was bothering him. "You don't look happy." She remarked.

"Nothing like that Vennela." He said. "I repeat, even if you feel slightly uncomfortable, do tell me."

Vennela nodded.

She chose a simple dress for the event. "How do I look?" She asked Amar.

"Beautiful as always" Amar gave her a rose flower.

They reached the hotel. Vennela walked with the help of crutches. Amar walked beside her very slowly. He wanted to enter the hall along with his wife. The in-charge showed them the table reserved for them. Amar and Anirudh, who were used to such events, started talking to each other.

Vennela looked around. There were many famous business personalities whom she has only seen on TV and newspapers. She observed that all the women were wearing glittery and expensive clothes. She looked at herself. Her outfit looked plain compared to them. Had she been unmarried, she wouldn't have bothered. But, now that she is married to a famous man, she felt that she should have taken additional effort in getting ready. Two of her biggest principles were in conflict. One, to be herself and not to change for anyone. Two, protect Amar's reputation.

"You don't like the event?" Amar observed the slight frown on her face.

"Amar, do you think I should have worn something else?" Vennela asked him.

"No. This dress is perfect." Amar said honestly.

"None of the other women are dressed like me. They are wearing either a saree or western clothes" said Vennela looking at woman wearing a cherry red saree with a huge diamond necklace.

"Let them wear whatever they want. You are wearing something which is comfortable." Amar didn't understand why she was feeling uneasy.

"Why didn't you tell me what kind of dresses I should wear? You attend such events frequently." Vennela felt insecure.

Amar was worried because the last time she felt insecure, they ended up quarreling. "Look Vennela. If I could buy a new dress for you from a nearby shop to set things right, I would do it right away. But I know better. I know changing yourself is not a solution. It will only increase your insecurity. I like you the way you are. You don't have to wear shining clothes only to please the media. Don't change yourself. This is a sincere request from your biggest fan." Amar pointed at himself.

Vennela laughed. "Well said, Amar Pratap. Vennela Dhanunjaya is perfect the way she is."

"You are right, Your Highness." Amar bowed, making her chuckle. They had dinner.

The event started after the dinner. There were endless speeches. Amar tried to listen. Anirudh pretended to listen. Vennela paid attention to each and every word. She felt happy that the number of women who won awards that year was equal to the number of men.

Finally, it was time to present 'Businessperson of the Year' award. "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the most prestigious 'Businessperson of the year' award goes to Amar Pratap Devaraju, MD of KrisDev. As we all know, he has joined the company at a tender age of seventeen during his graduation. After returning to India, he has revolutionized the work strategies of his company which produced excellent results and increased their already high brand value to a great extent. He is also famous for his practice of charity. I now request Mr. Devaraju to collect the award and enlighten us with his speech."

Amar received thunderous applause as he stood up and walked forward. Vennela felt proud to be his wife. She clapped hard. Amar received the award.

"Good evening ladies and gentleman. Namaste." He joined his palms earning another round of applause. "Thank you so much for presenting me with this award. It is very heart warming to see the support and affection being showered on me. It motivates me to work harder. Thank you so much."

He paused and looked at his award. "This is my fourth working year in India. It's the second time I'm winning this award in a row. I should be happy. But today, when I stand here, I feel guilty. Because I don't deserve this award."

The guests started murmuring.

"What is he saying?" Anirudh didn't like the statement. "Has he gone mad?"

"What I mean to say is, this award is not the fruit of my hard work alone. There are two more persons who have an equal contribution in the success and achievements of our company this year. My brother, Anirudh." Amar pointed at Anirudh, who looked shocked. "Please come here brother." He invited Anirudh on stage. Anirudh walked amid applause.

"I was devastated after my wife met with an accident. I haven't concentrated on business during the past two months. I have handed over all my responsibilities to my brother. He is only 24. He is not used to this. But he never complained. I felt guilty for putting him through this. Today, I can proudly say that, my brother has done exceptionally well. Thank you." Amar patted Anirudh, who smiled and nodded. "I'm very lucky, you are with me."

Everyone in the hall was listening to Amar with rapt attention. They wanted to know who the second person was. "As you all know, a very beautiful thing happened to me this year. I got married to Vennela. She is not just my wife. She is my friend, guide, teacher, healer, motivator and most importantly, she is also my mother who took care of me selflessly. She worked harder for our company than I did. The new social welfare programmes of our company which gained so much fame are proposed by her. She is the one who introduced me to the joy of giving. Thank you Vennela."

Everyone looked at Vennela whose eyes were moist. They applauded. Vennela tried to stand up. The woman in red saree helped her.

"If you'll all excuse me, I need to present this award to my wife." Amar got down and walked towards Vennela. He made her hold the award. The photographers went mad and clicked about a fifty pictures each. After posing for group and solo pictures for about fifteen minutes, Vennela and family sat down.

This time Vennela was prepared to answer the questions from the reporters.

"Ma'am please tell us about the child welfare programme you are supervising. What is your inspiration for this?"

"My husband and I had a beautiful childhood because of which we have become what we are today. Every child deserves a happy and peaceful childhood. It's very unfortunate that most children are being denied this basic right. We are doing our best to make sure that we can help as many children as possible. I know this is just a drop in a ocean. But this is a sincere attempt. I'm glad my family supports this." Vennela answered.

"You have been maintaining low profile since your marriage. Why?" asked a reporter.

"There is no specific reason. I agree I'm married to a famous man. But my husband always encouraged me to be myself. According to him, I can enjoy my life to the fullest only if I don't change my lifestyle. He is right. I take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for me." She looked at Amar, who was already looking at her with eyes full of pride and adoration. They exchanged many feelings through their eyes without speaking a word.

After a few minutes, the media ended their question and answer session. "We hope you get well soon ma'am."

"Thank you so much for your wishes. I am sure that she will get well soon" said Amar.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking weren't you scared for her?" asked someone.

"Of course I was scared. I'm not as brave as I seem to be. I was shattered. Like I would never be cheerful again. Do you know what kept me going? Faith. Not in some God or Goddess. Unwavering faith in my wife. She is the bravest person I have ever known. Whenever I was scared for her, it was she who gave me the emotional support I needed." Amar concluded.

They left for home. Anirudh was walking a good ten meters behind them. He knew they need privacy to express their feelings after everything that happened.

"Amar. I don't know what to say. I never knew you put so much faith in me." Vennela stopped walking and looked into his eyes.

"All the beautiful words in the world fail to describe how good of a human being you are." Amar stopped walking too.

"Never really believed in the existence of God, until he made us meet." Vennela smiled.

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