Here After!

50. Embracing the New Normal

Mornings had taken on a different rhythm in their home. Gone were the hurried cups of tea and rushed breakfasts; now, each day revolved around careful routines, small gestures of care, and the unspoken promise that Giri had made to himself—to make things easier for Anu in every way possible.

As the first rays of sunlight crept into their room, Giri would wake up before Anu, slipping out of bed without disturbing her. His first task was soaking almonds in warm water, a habit he had never thought much about before but now did religiously because the doctor had advised it. Then came her medicines—he arranged them neatly on the dining table along with a glass of water, making sure she wouldn't forget.

By the time he returned to the room, she would already be stirring, stretching lazily, her hand instinctively moving to her belly.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he would say, sitting beside her. "Time to wake up."

Some mornings, she would groan and bury her face in the pillow. "Five more minutes..."
Other days, she would simply smile sleepily and sit up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning."

He would hand her the almonds first, waiting until she ate them before placing her tea in her hands. "No skipping breakfast today," he would warn, watching her closely.

"Do I ever?" she would ask innocently, knowing very well that she often tried to get away with just a cup of tea.

Breakfast had changed too—lighter, healthier meals filled with fruits, nuts, and things she wouldn't have voluntarily chosen before. Some days, she made a face at the food in front of her, but Giri never gave her an option.

"Eat, Anu. If not for yourself, do it for our ponnan (dear one)."

By the time they left for work, he would make sure she had everything she needed—her lunch, snacks, and even an extra scarf in case she felt cold.

**********

Their drive to the office had become their time to talk about random things, but lately, it was mostly Anu complaining about her work.

"Giri, I swear, my office people have lost it. Ever since I took a couple of sick leaves, they've been treating me like some fragile doll."

"Isn't that a good thing?" he teased. "Finally, someone's taking care of you apart from me."

She shot him a glare. "No, it's not. I just bent down to pick up a file, and three people rushed to stop me like I was about to lift a truck."

He chuckled. "They're just being considerate."

"It's annoying! I asked for coffee, and instead of bringing it, my teammate lectured me on caffeine intake. When I told them I could have one cup a day, they started a full-fledged debate about whether tea is better than coffee for health. By the end of it, I didn't even get my coffee!"

Giri tried to stifle a laugh. "So the problem is not the debate—it's that you didn't get your coffee."

Anu huffed. "That's not the point. Even my manager keeps checking on me randomly. He came to my desk three times today and asked, 'Are you feeling okay?' What does he expect me to say? No, sir, I am on the verge of collapsing. please call an ambulance?"

Giri laughed openly now. "I would pay to see that conversation."

"It's not funny, Giri. At this rate, they'll wrap me in bubble wrap and make me sit at my desk all day."