Fear & Love

Thirty Six

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?