Fear & Love

Nine

Two weeks later, Gita was amongst 'close assosciates' and close friends of hers and Anand's family. All congratulating them for their engagement. The engagement was at one of the buildings Anand's company owned. The topmost floors were for 'small' parties of rich people. Their engagement was at one such hall of the second last floor with an adjacent roof top, all decorated with beautiful lights. Once the lift opens at that floor, there were beautiful flowers at the side, the velvet carpet below and a board welcoming all the guests at 'Gitanjali and Anand's engagement' written in fancy. The roof top was for photo booth and the bar where most of the young people and business associates ended up.

It was a small ceremony. Well, small ceremony for someone who belonged to such a big family. The engagement party could have been on a much larger scale but it was the only thing Gita and Anand both agreed on - a  small and simple ceremony with close people. What Gita didn't know was that the close people on Anand's guest list were the VIP people with whom his company does business or aspire to have a partnership. A part of Gita began to think that everything he does has a reason behind it. And everything is a business deal for him. It was almost like he wanted to win and seal every deal.

The reason why Gita called the people she did and who Anand called in their guest list are totally different. Their reasons are north and south. Gita called her very close family and friends for them to be a part of her big day, a joyous celebration. But for him, he called them to grow contacts and socialise, all related to business. Was this engagement even important for him as it was to her, questioned Gita.

"Di, jiju, you both look amazing. I like the coordinated outfits." Said one of Gita's cousins. It was so odd to hear Anand being called jiju by her cousin. Eek. How is Anand feeling about it?

He looked as handsome as an heir of a mighty kingdom would look, may be even more than that. And their outfits were indeed co-ordinated, all thanks to the stylists hired by Anand and his secretaries.

"Thank you so much, Chaitra. You are looking lovely too. Did you try the gimbap? I think you would really like that?" asked Anand with a charming smile on his face.

"Oh yes! I did..." Gita just zoned out. Anand has not even said ten words to her since the function has started and here he is happy to chat with her cousin. Few minutes later, when Chaitra left, Gita leaned on Anand's side and asked her, "how did you know her interest in Korean culture?"

Anand smiled at her question and leaned towards her, very close to her and whispered, "jealous, fiance?"

Gita just glared at him with so much rage in her eyes, finding no humor in his teasing. Anand stopped smiling and said, "her hand. Look closely, her tattoo is in Korean. So, it was just a fluke that she might be interested in the culture."
Aah. Smart. But Gita was not jealous of him talking so sweetly with her cousin. She just wanted to know how he knows of her interest. But this idiot thought she is jealous.

Anand's aunt came in offering them some juice as they both were standing since an hour and half. It was a bit hilarious and adorable how she came in every fifteen minutes offering some food or drink so that these two don't drain out. On top of that, she thought Gita is too shy to eat or drink on the stage or she wouldn't ask by herself. Therefore, Anand's aunt took it on herself to come to them and ask if they require something. Even now, she was persistent that Gita drinks something. Anand was just standing there and listening to his aunty pestering and Gita refusing and when he had enough of it, he just said a stern no and thank you to his aunt, almost gesturing her to go from there. Gita thought it was rude of him but she didn't want to say something wrong and risk his wrath on this day.

"Aren't your cheeks hurting after smiling for so long?" Anand asked in his deep voice. He was so close, whispering into her ear. If people were to see this image, they would think it is a  romantic conversation between the new couple. But alas! Nothing like that.