Chapter 20: Ch.19/ Getting Close
Anupama's POV:-
"So you're saying that someone intentionally told the press about our marriage and also gave them a false report saying that I
have married you just because of your money." I wonder aloud after taking a sip from my evening tea. Everyone has gone after
lunch and Advira is playing with her Nonna (grandma) so I and Mr. Bianchi are sitting in the library attached to his office room for
some discussion he wants to do with me.
"Correct but that's not the main problem here. There is someone who is working with the press against me, that person is giving
information about my personal life to the press and they are using it by any means they want." Mr. Bianchi replies. I can't say that
I understand what he is feeling now because I have never faced something like this in my life before but I am sure he will solve
this problem soon.
"Then what should we do now? It can taint your reputation if people start to believe whatever the press is saying." I tell him with
concern because I have seen how these presses work and do anything to gain popularity. That's why Baba has always tried to
maintain his image in front of the paparazzi or media. Nowadays, they mostly write things which can provoke the public.
However, not everyone from the media or press are bad because they know what is right and wrong.
"Aren't you worried about yourself? They are saying improper things about you and you are concern about my reputation?" He
exclaims with a look of disbelief. I shrug my shoulders and put the empty cup down on the nearby table.
"I am nothing compare to you, Mr. Bianchi. I am a simple girl who is the daughter of a millionaire and now the wife of a multi-
billionaire. That's all I have as my identity. Also, it's not the first time someone has said anything bad about me so you can say
that I am used to hearing things like these." I reply without thinking how much my words can anger him because the next thing I
know he has flipped the table in front of us without breaking any sweat. I jump out of my seat in fear seeing the hard look on his
face.
"Sit down on your damn place Mrs. Anhuphama Bianchi." He orders me when he notices that I am backing away from him. I stop
in my place and gulp in fear because he is looking very scary. When he sees that I am still standing he takes a hold of my hand
and makes me seat down on the single couch before crouching in front of me.
"Why do you think so low of you? Why do you keep giving others importance and yourself so much negligence?" I am taken
aback by his questions because I have never thought that he will ask something like that. I want to answer him but something is
holding me back, maybe because of the look he is giving as if saying don't lie to him.
"I don't need to think anything when I know everything I have said is true." I reply with difficulties as I remember how Thakurmaa
and Pishimaa used to remind me everyday how unworthy I am.
"No, you don't know anything. Stop saying, hell even thinking so cruel about yourself. You are far important than me or your
father, because you are an amazing human being who is not only kind but also caring toward others. I don't know what kind of
shitty things your family has put in your head but what I know is that nothing they have said is the truth." Tears gather around my
eyes and a lump form in my throat hearing him say so nice things about me. I throw my arms around his neck and start crying
while he rubs my back before kissing the top of my head.
"I will not tell you to stop crying because I know how much hatred you have been keeping in your heart and mind for yourself so
cry as much as you want. You need to love yourself first that's when others will love you back." This made me cry harder
because whatever he is saying, is correct. I have always hated myself for being bad at everything, for not being able to get my
father's love, for causing so many problems for others but mostly for my mother's death.
After some time I pull my hands away from his neck and wipe my tears while he hands me a glass of water. I take a few sips of
water before looking at him to see that he is already watching me. I don't know why I reacted like that but his words induce some
unknown emotions in me. I feel as if I can share everything with him and he will hear me without any complaints.
"Uncle Gabriel has suggested that I should host a big event, like a reception party and make an announcement about our
marriage in there. Bianca and Marco also think that this is the best idea we have now but I want to know what do you want. I will
do whatever you want me to do. I have already married you without your will so I don't want to do anything that will upset you."
He informs me.
"I also think that this will be a great idea but I have a request." I hesitantly reply because after seeing his anger I don't want him
to get any more furious with me.
"Hmmm, tell me what request you have." He asks with a smile.
"Please don't get angry with me but I am thinking what if we invite my family from Kolkata? I am not saying you to do anything, I
am just suggesting." I expect him to throw another fit of anger but he completely surprises me when a grin makes its way to his
face.
"Now, I hope you understand why you are more important than me. Look at you, you want to invite those people who never stop
to hurt you, who always made sure that you feel unworthy. But I am not complaining though, I want them to see how a person
like you should be treated. So, I will personally invite them to our reception party." He answers back.
*********
Today is Kali Puja, which is Diwali in our Bengali culture. Some of the maids are helping me in preparing for the puja while the
others are busy in decorating the mansion with various types of lights. When I mentioned about this festival in front of Mama
Melody, she instantly told me that she wanted me to celebrate the festival. But I was a little worried about Mr. Bianchi's reaction,
however, he assured me that this is my house too so I can do anything in here as I please. The Kali Maa's statue is ready to be
worship and I have already put diya's all around the corners of the mansion.
After getting everything ready I go to my room to get ready for the puja. But when I open the door I get startled by seeing Mama
Melody sitting on my bed with a defeated look on her face. I compose myself and move near her. I notice that she has something
behind her but I really can't make what it is as the thing is completely wrapped like a ball. I give her a questioning look in which
she huffs before showing me the ball, I mean a piece of cloth.
"I want to wear a saree but don't know how to do it." I burst into laughter seeing the grown-up child in front of me.
"What have you done to this poor saree Mama Melody? You can't wear it anymore because it has so many wrinkles in it." I tell
her after taking a few breathes to control my laugh.
"Then what now? I really wanted to celebrate the festival wearing Indian attire." She answers me.
"I think I have a solution to your problem. Come with me." I led her to my closet and pull out a handloom taat saree from the
section of sarees. I get a red silk saree for me. Soon enough we are both ready for the puja. When we get downstairs all the
maids are gawking at Mama Melody who has a big smile on her face.
"Nonna pwetty." Advira says loudly from her Papa's arms who is shocked seeing Mama Melody in saree.
"Really darling? Is Nonna really looking pretty?" Mama Melody asks Advira who rapidly nods her head while giggling. I can feel
Mr. Bianchi's eyes on me that make me bite my lip in anticipation. After the way I have reacted in the library a few days ago, I
couldn't look directly into his eye without feeling shy. So I move to the living room where the puja will be held. Purohit Ji has
already arrived and started to perform the puja. I sit behind him and Mama Melody with Avira follows along. After a few hours,
the puja is finally over. I distribute the prasad to everyone but when I get near Mr. Bianchi he doesn't give me his palm to take the
prasad like everyone, instead he opens his mouth. My eyes widen seeing the boldness of his. All the maids around us start
giggling except Linda who is glaring at me.
"Are you going to feed me or not, Mrs. Bianchi?" This man has no shame. But when he doesn't back out, I shove a big laddu in
his mouth making him look at me with surprise. I fight back a smile before handling the plate of Prashad to one of the maids and
tell her to distribute them to the bodyguards. Then suddenly my phone starts ringing so I accept the call.
"How are you, Anu?" Jasmine Di asks over the phone. She is the one whom I have called first after getting my phone. Dadabhai,
Mamoni and Kakai have also talked to me various times but Baba never accepted my calls.
"I am good Di. How are you? Are you bursting firecrackers?" I ask her back excitedly.
"Of course I am bursting firecrackers but it's not fun anymore without you. Also, I am missing my Advira so much. I can't wait to
go there and meet you both." She replies sadly.
"I am also missing you all but don't worry, in only one week you guys will be here for the reception party. I am very eager to meet
you all." I tell her.
"Oh, silly me. I have called you to ask about the theme of the party. I mean do I need to worry about any dress code?" She asks
me so I look at Mr. Bianchi who is playing with Advira.
"Mr. Bianchi, Does there have any dress code at the party?" I ask him.
"No, anyone can wear whatever they prefer." He replies before going back to play with Advira who is blabbing non-stop.
"Is that Advira talking?" Jasmine di asks me.
"Hmm, that's her. She is playing with her father." I reply to her while sitting down on the stairs.
"Her father?" She asks mockingly.
"Hmm, She calls him Papa so he is her father." I answer back while I feel myself blushing badly.
"Okay, I will not say anything about Advira's father. But please tell me seriously Anu, are you really happy there? Does everyone
treat you and our Advira nicely?" She asks the same question she has asked me when I first called her.
"Yes Di. Everyone treats us both very nicely. From the moment I have come here, there is no dull moment for me. This place had
become more of a home to me than the Sengupta mansion." I reply with a smile although I know she can not see me.
"It's good to know Anu that you are happy with your new family. Your Dadabhai was so worried about you and Advira that he was
ready to board a plane and go there to see how you were doing. But I know why he was so anxious, he thought that Mr. Bianchi
would not take good care of you or neglect Advira. However, now he is in a better mood as he gets to talk to you whenever he
likes." She explains making me feel bad about my Dadabhai.
"I know Di because I also thought that I would never get to talk to anyone of you but then Mr. Bianchi surprised me with a new
phone and told me to contact anyone I want." Yes, that's true because I don't think I have the guts to ask for anything, let alone a
phone.
"Hmmm, that means your hubby dearest is taking extremely good care of you." She replies teasingly.
"Oh shut up Di. Stop teasing me." I don't even need to look at the mirror to know that my cheeks are dangerously red from all the
blushing. After some more talking with Jasmine Di, I cut the call and go outside to enjoy the festival of Diwali. The maids and
Mama Melody is bursting firecrackers. Mr. Bianchi has ordered a bunch of Eco-Friendly firecrackers for today but he is not
anywhere to be seen. Samuel is holding Advira in his arms and other bodyguards also laughing to themselves while eating
homemade pizza. Suddenly, I feel someone's gaze on me from behind so I turn around to look at the source. There stand Mr.
Bianchi who is looking at me with amazement.
I give him a small smile before turning around to look at the lights surrounding the mansion. Everything seems to be a dream to
me because I have never been this lucky to have so much happiness at once. The marriage I had thought that would bound me
with barriers but instead, it has given me the freedom I have never aspired. A simple girl like me is living the life of a Queen that
only exists in fairy tales but Mr. Bianchi has made it a reality for me. I don't know if I will be ever able to love him, but I know that I
trust him a lot, maybe more than anyone else and for me, it is the most important thing in any relationship.
"Mum-mum!" Advira yells out making grabby hands at me so I get there and take her from Samuel.
"Happy Diwali Mrs. Bianchi." Samuel wishes me.
"Happy Diwali to you too Samuel." I reply with a smile.
"Thank you." He says after a few minutes. But I look at him with confusion because I don't know why he is thanking me.
"For making boss happy. I have never seen him smile so much so it's good to see changes in his behavior. Also, he talks more
nowadays that is a completely new thing too." He explains making me blink at him.
"I haven't done anything." I reply still confused with the conversation.
"You maybe don't understand but you have done a lot in the short period of time. Especially, this little one who has become the
apple of Alessandro's eyes." He says referring to Advira who is looking at the firecrackers with sparkling eyes.
"That I have to agree. Sometimes I feel she loves her Papa more than me." I reply with a giggle making Samuel chuckle.
Suddenly, a hand wrap around my waist before pulling me in a hard chest. I look up to see that Mr. Bianchi is scowling at Samuel
who has a smirk on his face.
"I will talk to you later Mrs. Bianchi because someone seems a lot jealous right now." Saying this, Samuel runs away from there
making Mr. Bianchi curse.
"Don't say bad word in front of Advira or she will start to mimic you." I scold him but he only huffs in return.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Why was Samuel standing so close to you?" He asks back.
"We were just talking about something and for your kind information he was not standing close to me." I answer back. He doesn't
say anything else in reply but hold me close to him. I have gotten used to his random touches, but I don't feel uncomfortable
instead it feels safe to be in his arms. I think about what Samuel told me earlier, maybe he is correct that Mr. Bianchi smiles more
because when he first arrived in the Sengupta mansion for dinner he neither smiled nor talked much to anyone but now he is a
completely new person. I don't know his image in front of others but to me, he has been a caring husband and loving father who
will do anything in his power for the happiness of his family and friends.