Serendipity

50

Anupama dared to look up and gazed at herself in the mirror. The person who stared back looked alien to her. She didn't know when she'd looked so beautiful. She'd never found herself pretty. In her opinion, she was average-looking; she had a rather straight jawline, no curves on her cheeks, pale skin that stretched under her eyes, straight flat eyebrows, and thin hair that seemed to stick to her scalp at all the odd spots.

As a result, over the years, she'd barely made an effort to take care of herself or dress up. And she'd ended up looking much older than her years.

That too had changed after she'd moved in with Anuj. Once GK had walked into her room while she was watering her Tulsi plant and had told her that human beings were just like plants. They too needed the right amount of water, sunshine, and love to grow and flourish.

"You take care of everything and everyone else but yourself, Anupama," he'd said. "But you forget that you can only give what you have. You can only make others happy if you're happy yourself."

While Anupama had paused to take that bit of wisdom in, GK had continued: "The only way you'll be able to spread joy and happiness in Anuj's life and take care of him is if you enjoy your life first. You are very important. And it's high time you start treating yourself like that."

Anupama had smiled and nodded, but it had been GK who'd asked Anuj's secretary to book a spa treatment for Anupama. He wanted her to feel pampered. He wanted her to realize how special she was.

When Anupama had walked out of the spa treatment, her skin was glowing. The treatment had been followed by a visit to the beauty parlor, a routine manicure, pedicure, and facial. A hairstylist had curled her tresses and styled them to accentuate her features. As she looked into the mirror after having spent nearly an entire day in self-care, the person who stared back didn't resemble the woman she knew. She looked different, she looked younger. She felt younger.

That day, another piece of her soul had fallen into place.

*****

Knowing Anuj's preference for not celebrating his birthday party, Anupama had decided to keep the celebrations intimate. She'd given the staff time off work and had requested that GK spend the weekend at one of his relative's places. GK was only too glad to oblige, taking Kinjal with him.

As GK made his way out, Anupama bowed to take his blessings. "May I come back to my family," he said. When she looked at him quizzically, GK smiled. "You, me, Anuj, we're all living under one roof, but we aren't a family yet."

Anupama considered then telling GK about the progress in Anuj and her relationship. But what could she say? Anuj hadn't proposed to her as yet, and Anupama, she was too scared to ask, afraid that asking for more would jinx and ruin this beautiful bond she shared with Anuj.

So she'd kept quiet, as GK and Kinjal made their way out.

*****

As soon as Anuj entered the house, he sensed the change in the atmosphere. He couldn't see the difference, but his sixth sense told him that nothing was the same.

"Mohan," he called. No response. "Madhav," he called. Still no response. Loosening his tie, he shrugged out of his blazer and called once more, "Mohan, can I get a glass of water?"

"The word I believe is please."

He turned to look at Anupama as she handed him his glass of water. The water didn't exchange hands for Anuj continued to look at her mesmerized.

Dressed in one of his mother's favorite saris - the bottle green and orange patola, pairing it with his mother's precious meenakari jewelry, Anupama looked like an angel descended from heaven. But that wasn't merely all.