DESTINED TOGETHER

14. || The Valentine's ||

Debu sank into the plush couch, closing his eyes after gently kissing and caressing Ananya's forehead. A single tear trickled from her closed eyes, her lips forming a delicate smile tinged with melancholy.

Ananya drifted into a peaceful slumber soon after. The next morning, she awoke to find a stunning bouquet of roses on her bedside table, accompanied by a tender good morning note.

As she looked up, about to call his name, a gasp caught in her throat as Debu appeared before her, holding a steaming cup of coffee.

His broad smile warmed the room as he greeted her with a heartfelt "Good morning," to which she responded with a subdued nod.

Handing her the coffee, he gently teased, "Paee sakte ho tumm yeh coffee is baar namak ki jagha cheeni..I mean cheeni ki jagha namak nahi dhala?"

He patiently awaited her response, but she remained silent. With a soft sigh, he placed the coffee beside the bouquet of roses and left to prepare breakfast for her.

Upon his return, he carried a tray laden with her favorite dishes. A fond smile crossed his lips as he noticed the empty coffee cup.

Taking a seat opposite her, he offered a spoonful of porridge, his demeanor gentle yet persistent. Despite her initial refusal, he continued to coax her, expressing concern for her well-being.

"You mis...mrs chaboo aiese toh sara din bakar bakar karti rhete ho,ab tum mujhe yun chup chap baithe aachi nahi lag rahe. Huh tum mujhe vaise bhi kuch kash aachi nahi lagte, but aiese chup baithi toh aur irritating lag rahe hoo," he playfully chided, earning a soft hum and averted gaze in response.

He sighed, attempting once more, "Ananya, I won't push you, but please try to eat something. You haven't had anything since last night, and not eating will only make things worse for you."

"I just don't feel like eating right now, Debu... Please don't force me." she murmured, her hand gently held by his.

Realizing her reluctance, he insisted gently yet firmly, "You're not listening, are you? Now it's my turn to take care of you. Remember how you fed me that day? Now it's payback time."

He proceeded to feed her, reminiscent of how she used to feed him during their less-than-romantic dinner dates. As he wiped a stray sauce from her lips, their quiet moment was interrupted by a sudden cough.

Turning, they found Megha, Payal, and Rhea standing there, observing them with varying degrees of amusement and concern.

"Well done, bhabhi! Now, at least Bhai knows how to make breakfast," Megha quipped, earning a playful glare from Payal before she was silenced by a pillow to the face.

"An... Annu, I'm heading to the office. Take care of yourself, and if you need anything, just call me. And you two, come with me," he instructed, leading Megha and Payal out by their hands.

Once they were alone again, Rhea embraced Ananya tightly, apologizing profusely for leaving her alone.

"I'm sorry, Annu. I didn't mean to leave you like that. Please forgive me," Rhea pleaded earnestly.

"It's okay, Rhea. It wasn't your fault. These things happen. We can't change the past now. I'm fine," Ananya reassured her, patting her back gently.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Rhea asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm getting there, thanks to Debu. Facing that trauma isn't easy, Rhea. It's not just about me; facing such trauma isn't easy for anyone, whether it's a girl or a boy. But Debu's support yesterday gave me strength. If every husband acted like him, no woman would ever feel weak, even without her own identity. In today's world, just a manipulated picture is enough to break a relationship," Ananya reflected, wiping away a tear.

"You're lucky, Ananya, to have such a loving and supportive husband. I'm not blaming you, but he truly loves you from the depths of his heart. Who else would endure so much after finding out that his wife loves someone else, especially on their wedding night? Even after everything, he's standing by her side, sacrificing his own happiness," Rhea emphasized.

"He's sacrificed everything for you, knowing he won't get anything in return. Just give it a few more days, Ananya. My investigation is almost complete; there's only one member left in their gang," Rhea revealed.

"Understand him. After my investigation is done, tell Debu everything. When it's over, you just have to confront Ray. It's your turn, Ananya, to give Debu the love he deserves," Rhea advised before leaving, imparting some final wisdom.

Rhea left for headquarters, leaving Ananya deep in thought. She reflected on Debu's care, concern, and selfless love for her. His respect for her decisions and even her quirks touched her deeply. Now, she was determined to reciprocate Debu's love, but first, she needed to heal herself.

Days passed peacefully, with Debu attending to every detail, not just for Ananya but for the entire family. With the support of her loved ones, Ananya began to heal from her trauma.

...

A few days later, during Valentine's week, Debu didn't expect anything special from Ananya. Nevertheless, he surprised her with a delicate rose in the morning, which she graciously accepted, asking him to tuck it into her hair.

In the evening, the house was quiet and empty. Megha and Payal were out enjoying a Valentine's party, their parents were on a romantic candlelit dinner, and Rhea was deeply engrossed in her case.

When Debu returned home later, Ananya was nowhere to be found in their room or anywhere else in the house. Shaking his head with a smile, he changed into fresh clothes and went to freshen up.

...

While fixing his hair in front of the bathroom mirror, Debu noticed a sticky note stuck to the mirror's surface.

Peeling it off, he read aloud, "jab chot lagi ho zor se toh dudh mein dhalo haldi..ab mat karo purani chot ko yaad aur backyard mein aajao jaldii."

Chuckling softly at her playful message, he hurried to the backyard, where he was greeted by a sight that took his breath away.

The entire backyard shimmered with twinkling fairy lights, casting a magical glow over the scene. Two chairs were arranged with a cozy couch between them, and in the garden, a small tent bed was adorned with softly glowing lanterns. Soft music filled the air, adding to the enchantment of the moment.

It was a perfect setting for a romantic evening.

A perfect date vibes.