He was making every effort to stay cheerful, but I could see the cracks beneath his facade; he was broken inside. One day, he surprised me by getting me discharged from the hospital. The thought of surprises usually filled me with dread, but I decided to go along with it.
I slipped into a yellow saree that brightened my pale face, braided my hair, and added just a hint of makeup to enhance my features. As I stepped outside, there he was, standing beside his car with a single rose in his hand. A smile broke across my lips as I approached him and playfully asked, "Is this for me?"
He blushed, a warm color spreading across his cheeks as he nodded. "Can I put this in your hair? I think it would look lovely." His genuine smile made my heart flutter, and I replied, "Sure!" as he gently tucked the rose into my hair, making me feel just a hint more beautiful in that moment.
He opened the door for me, I sat in his car, and he drove me toward the city.