Chapter 17

TiaMaaaaa

@TianaWrites

~17~

She entered her room with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Her eyes met with the sight of Mukku lying on the bed, staring at nothing in particular.

"Mukku..."

She looked up at her voice and turned away from her.

"Go away... I don't want to talk to you..."

She sighed. The sibling duo really did have a stubborn streak. Going towards the bed, she silently placed the glass on the bedside table and turned to leave.

"You are on Anuj's side right?"

"I am not on anyone's side. I love you and I lo... I mean... I agree with your Bhai too... I really don't know what I should do right now... Your Bhai doesn't want to listen to me and neither do you..."

"Ok... tell me what you want to tell... but I am not going to change my decision..."

"I am not going to ask you that... I came here to tell you something that happened after I met your brother..."

She sat down by the bed and recollected the incidents surrounding her exit from the Shah house. Every taunt... every jibe... every insult was just as fresh in her memory as it had happened yesterday. She didn't mince words. She told her the entire event exactly as it had happened. Mukku's eyes widened in shock as she realized the pain Anu had gone through. She threw herself in her arms and hugged her tight.

"I am sorry... sorry... sorry... I didn't know..."

Anu stroked her cheeks.

"It's over now... I am here... but I hope you understand why your brother doesn't want you to go there... I hope you understand why he doesn't trust Vanraj..."

Mukku nodded still holding Anu tight.

"But... I never thought Vanraj would have ever stooped this low... even in his anger... I mean he is a perfect gentleman to me."

Anu gave a snort.

"He is a good actor... Mukku... I know you are an adult and you know the world better than me... after all you have been managing alone for 10 long years... but I want you to be careful with that man..."

"But he..."

"I am just asking you to be careful my Mukkudi... Treat him like a business partner... and nothing more..."

"Ok... let me call and let them know we are not coming..."

"No..."

Anuj entered the room.

"We will go to the party. I think it would be too silly to say no after you have agreed... And Anu would want to see her kids... But neither of you would be staying there... we will go together and come back together... Ok?"

"Bhai... are you..."

"Mukku... I don't trust that man or his wife... It's bearable in the office where you are working... but I am not that brave to let you alone in that house... I won't let you alone like 10 years ago... it won't happen again... I won't let you alone again... my bachi..."

Mukku said nothing but got up from the bed and walked towards her brother. She wrapped her arms around him and engulfed him in a hug.

"I have made peace with it, Anuj... it's high time you do too..."

She pulled away.

"Thank You... let's go together and come back together... I will get ready... And don't worry... I will be careful..."

As she left them, Anu looked up

"What made you change your mind?"

He said nothing but clenched his fists and jaws. The rigid tensed state of his body made her suddenly realize that he had overheard their conversation. She quickly walked towards him and placed her hand on his arms.

"Anuj... No... No.... please..."

He gently removed her hands from his arms.

"He has to pay for hurting my Anu..."

"He will... his deeds will bring him down..."

"I can't leave him like that."

"And I can't see my Anuj get hurt..."

She wrapped her hand around his arms and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I almost lost you once... I can't lose you again... never again... Anuj... I can't let him hurt you... what if he does something... no... Anuj... no... you people stay here... I will go to see the kids..."

"I am not letting you alone there ever again."

"I lived there for 26 years, I can manage..."

"You don't have to anymore."

"Anuj... whatever you are thinking... don't do it... please... I know him only too well... He would definitely hurt you if he even senses you are doing something against him... Anuj... no... no... please... don't..."

He gently ran his fingers through her trembling shoulder.

"I promise I will be careful..."

She looked up into his eyes.

"So, you won't listen to me..."

He simply nodded his head in negative.

"Sorry... I love you too much for that..."

***

Precap: "Vanraj... she said move away..."

A/N: What do you think would happen at the party? And what did happen 10 years ago? Any guesses.

A/N 2: Hope you liked this update. Let me know in the comments below.