The way I used to live

Daksha's POV:

The next day, I woke up and did my routine. After that, I went downstairs, taking my phone along with me. As I was not going to the hospital today, I woke up a little later than usual. So when I went downstairs, nobody was there at the dining table except for my Mom.

Dad was completely busy supervising the wedding arrangements. Yuktha and Rishu already went to their respective workplaces.

As for Aarna, much to my relief, she was pretty busy with her exams. Though, her exams were going to end today. I took my seat at the dining table and Mom served me breakfast. While I was in the middle of having it, suddenly my mobile pinged, indicating that I received a message.

I thought of opening it by using my other free hand and unlocked my phone. But before I could see the message, my Mom snatched the mobile from me.

"Young lady, did you forget that using the mobile is prohibited while eating?" she asked and gave a glance at the mobile.

The home screen of the mobile was still lit up as I just unlocked it. I couldn't get a clear view of the message since the mobile was in her hand.

My mom read the message and looked at me while raising her eyebrows in a questioning manner.

"Who is this MJ?" she asked me and once I heard that name, I immediately stood from the chair and approached her, to snatch the phone from her.

But she held up that phone at a height with her hand, making it impossible for me to get hold of it.

Did I ever mention that my mom has a pretty good height? She is 5 feet 9 inches and whereas I am just 5 feet 4 inches.

She again probed me to tell her about that person. So, I gave in and disclosed that person.

"It is Arjun," I told her and went to my chair. I sat on it and started eating with a sullen face.

"Really? Then why did you name him MJ? Wait...Hahaha... I understand. It is a lover's thing, right? Then don't bother about explaining it," she told me while passing teasing smiles my way.

She again read the message and shook her head as if she was completely disappointed by it.

"God, he is so unromantic. Who sends such a message to his soon-to-be wife? He has to update his skills," she sighed and settled herself on another chair beside me. She typed something on the phone and sent it to him.

Seeing her do this, I immediately snatched the phone from her and thought to delete it for both parties as the text was sent through WhatsApp.

But it was too late because he already saw it. Looked like he was waiting for my text.

I read the text that she had sent to him and glared at her. Even though I agreed with that unromantic part, how could she just say it to him directly?

Oh, God! He would think that message was sent by me as he didn't know the fact that it was my Mom who had sent that message.

"Don't glare at me like that. He has to learn these things otherwise your married life will be pretty boring. You guys don't even know a thing about being romantic," she shook her head. She placed a hand on my shoulder and continued

"These days, you youngsters only consider candlelight dinners, surprising the spouse with holiday trips, going on dates, etc., as the only romantic things. There is more to those things. You know, sometimes the smallest things give the biggest happiness," she said with a smile on her face as if she was reminiscing some beautiful memories.

"Back then, when we were young, your father and I used to sneak out to watch movies. He used to give me flowers at our every meet. We used to enjoy ourselves a lot at the fairs and exhibitions. There was not a thing which we didn't do to enjoy the time that we got to spend with each other. Those days were the golden days." After saying this, she sighed and turned to see me.

"So my point is, you have to be a little demanding. Ask him to buy things even if you are capable of buying them on your own. Doing this will give him satisfaction. He will feel content in his heart." She patted my cheek and left for the kitchen.

I smiled hearing her say those things. Earlier, I thought of sending a message to clarify the misconception. Now after hearing her, I dropped the idea of doing it.

I stared at my phone waiting for his response to that message. When I didn't receive the reply even after a while of waiting, I stood up and went to the living room.

I took the magazine and started skimming the pages. An hour or so passed. Suddenly, I heard the ringing of the doorbell. I placed the magazine aside and went to open the door.

After opening the door, I saw that there was a delivery boy, holding separate bunches of red roses in his hands. I looked at him questioningly.

"Are you Ms.Daksha?" He asked me with a friendly smile. I returned it after nodding at him.

"Okay. Ma'am, we received an order from a customer to deliver these flowers to you. Here they are. Have a nice day." I signed the delivery and he handed me the flowers. After he left, I closed the door and went to the living room.

Hearing the commotion, my Mom also came to the living room. Seeing the flowers in my hand, she gestured to me to see the name of the sender.

There was a note along with the flowers. I took the note and read the content.

Hope you will know that I too have a romantic side ;)

-From Arjun After reading it, I bit my lips to control the smile that was threatening to form on my face.

I handed the note to my mom. She also started smiling gleefully after reading the note.

The thing I didn't understand was, why didn't he send the flowers in one complete bouquet. Instead, he sent me five separate bunches of red roses.

I asked my Mom the same but even she shared the same opinion as me. I thought to message him and ask the reason but dropped that idea after thinking for a while.

I placed them on the teapoy and started looking at them in a scrutinizing manner to understand the meaning behind his gesture.

It was almost afternoon. Aarna just returned after giving her an exam and plopped on the couch after throwing her books aside.

Mom gave her water. She gulped them in one go. After that, she sat on the couch on her knees and explained to us dramatically about how hot it was outside and grumbled about how she had given her exams despite the heat

After that, she looked at the flowers and gave me a look while raising her eyebrows in a questioning manner.

Mom told her that the flowers were from Arjun. After hearing it, she started grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Oh, Akka. Looks like someone got something special from someone so special," she said and I resisted the urge to slap my forehead.

"I also wished to get a husband like that Airport guy. By the way, why did he send them separately like that?" After her initial teasing, she expressed the same doubt.

"Wish I could know the answer," I sighed.

"Really? Wait let me see them." She took the flowers and started counting the number of flowers in each bunch.

After counting them, she had an expression of victory like she had solved one of the most typical riddles.

"Hurray. I got it, Akka. That's why I told you to concentrate on other things also apart from studying and working. You always scold me to not watch and read those dramas and romantic novels. See, now how they came in handy," she said while pointing a finger at me accusingly.

"You are really lucky to get him. Actually, there are hidden meanings behind the number of flowers. It indicates indirect promises from him. See, even though he sent the flowers in separate bunches, there is a change in the count of flowers. Let me explain it clearly," She said and handed me a set of flowers to count them. It contained 9 red roses and I told her the same.

"Okay. It has nine flowers, right? It is known as the special nine. Actually, this gesture has a very deep meaning and it is not a gift but a promise. It means 'together as long as we both shall live.' How beautiful!" "Next one has 10 flowers. It is known as pretty 10. It is an indirect way of saying that you are pretty. He sent you this bunch to compliment you."

"It has twenty flowers. It is known as a sincere 20. He is indirectly assuring you that he feels responsible for you. Also, he is sincere as far as your relationship with him is considered."

"It has 24 roses and it is known as always 24. Here 24 roses indicate the 24 hours of the day. It is a beautiful way of telling you that you are on his mind every time and he always thinks about you," She shouted in glee.

"Last one. It has 50 roses and is called the sanctuary 50. He is telling you indirectly that he loved the warmth of this relationship. He is confessing that he never regretted or won't regret any moment that he is going to spend with you," she said and a dreamy sigh escaped her mouth.

"Woah! He is so sincere. I am sure, you won't regret this relationship too. These flowers clearly show that he respects you and cares for you a lot. What does anyone need other than these things in a relationship? I am so happy for you, Akka." After saying this, she came towards me and hugged me.

Even my Mom had an awestruck expression and a strange satisfaction on her face.

I was still astonished after hearing the deep, hidden meaning behind the simple gesture.

I really didn't know how to respond. I left her and went to my room along with those flowers. After reaching the room, I closed it. Settling on my bed, I hugged the flowers to my heart.

I was so impressed. Impressed to the extent that I felt happy tears gliding down my face.

How heart-touching gesture it was. It completely warmed my heart. How wrong it was of me to think that he was not romantic. I suddenly remembered his previous words.

"I don't know sweet-talking. I don't know how to express my feelings through words. So, I will portray them through my actions."

True to his words, he easily expressed everything through his actions. At that moment, I felt so lucky to get him. I was proud that he belonged to me, only to me.

I also wanted to return his gesture. So, I made a call to Sarada Aunty to know some things. She attended my call and answered every question of mine with the utmost patience.

I ended the call with a smile and looked at the flowers. It increased my smile even more.

"How can I resist my urge to fall for him when he is so sweet and caring?" I thought in my mind and laid on my bed thinking about my upcoming plan.0000