“Due to some technical reasons, flight 6E 615 will depart by 4.30 pm.” The announcement elicited agonizing responses from people waiting at the departure gate.

Anshul held his throbbing head between his palms. The meeting with the CEO of the Mumbai branch of the company he worked for in Delhi was a disaster. The meeting may have been prolonged, but Anshul put his foot down, knowing his behaviour was not graceful. He genuinely did not care. Anshul had to return to Delhi today. It was his first wedding anniversary. Shefali wanted to buy a diamond pendant neckpiece for the occasion. “That would be my wedding anniversary gift,” Anshul announced proudly, and now he was stranded at the Airport. It would be nearly eight when he would reach home.

Anshul could already picture his wife’s disappointment at the delay. He dialled Shefali’s number with a heavy heart to inform her.

“Oh, so you won’t be home until eight? It is ok.” She seemed to be bubbling with some excitement instead of getting disappointed at the delay.

“We can’t go to the Jewell...,” Shefali interrupted Anshul.

“We can see about the pendant later.” Anshul thought she had shrewdly camouflaged her disappointment.

“See you by eight,” Shefali said.

Confused by Shefali’s unusual response, Anshul hung up the call.

He learned that a few seats were available on an earlier flight.

Determined to turn the situation around, Anshul decided to give Shefali a pleasant surprise.

Having completed the formalities, he beamed as he boarded the flight.

As he reached home by seven, he was surprised to hear a male voice from inside.

“We could have met earlier.”

“Who guessed Anshul’s flight would be delayed? Come, he will be home by eight.” Shefali urged.

Anshul could hear somethings move, and then the male voice said.

“A hug is always the right size. Come, my dear; I can hardly wait to be absorbed in your arms.”

Then Shefali spoke. “Not here. Let's go to my bedroom. We have got this golden opportunity.”

‘Is this why she was excited about my delayed flight?’ Anshul thought, seething with anger. He banged on the door, but tried to maintain his composure. ‘Disgusting,’ he muttered.

Shefali opened the door. “Hey, you said you will arrive by only eight,” she exclaimed, biting her tongue. Anshul looked at the guy whose face had turned pale as if he had seen a ghost.

“Oops, Anshul. I wanted to surprise you by announcing that I have landed a role in a TV series. This is my co-star, Vinay.” Shefali introduced the man.

“We wanted to have the rehearsals this evening at the studio, but I had told him that you would arrive by five. When your flight got delayed, we planned for the rehearsals at home.”

Vinay tried to leave, but Anshul asked him to wait and join them for the anniversary dinner. Anshul was glad he hadn’t allowed his misinterpretation to spoil a lovely evening on his first wedding anniversary.