FF: Dooriyan aur Nazdeekiyan part 31 pg 116 - Page 28

Awesome update thanks for tagging

Originally posted by: tanu90

"Sab meri galti hai! Tumhare saath.. 25 saalon tak jo.. bhi bura hua.. sab meri wajah se! (yells) It's all.. my fault!"

........................

Aapke parivar ko hum nahi jante the na aapka sanyukt parivar tha. Toh.. agar aapki ma rista lati tab bhi.. meri ma rista apnati hi nahi!"

........................

"Sori Anuuujj! Main aapse maaphi mangti hoon ki main tab aapko, aapke pyaar ko.. samajh nahi payi! Main aapko.. pehchan nahi payi! Par sach yeh hi hai ki agar.. pehchan leti tab bhi.. apni ma ke samne bolne ki himmat nahi karti! Prem vivah karna.. tab bohot galat lagta tha! Main kabhi nahi kar pati.. bhagkar bhi nahi!"

........................

"Main shab rakh lunga,

Tum din rakh lena.

Shaam toh aadhi aadhi baant lenge!

Aise hi, haste khelte, hum zindagi kaat lenge!"

.........................

Hey Noorie,

Sorry, in between wasn't keeping well and. Somehow missed this update.. so glad I found it today.

Wow, such a lovely update. Loved the college kisse of angry young Anuj.

And best of all addressing this point..I could never understand even in serial also how can Anuj even think that way. I mean the 44 year smart, intelligent Anuj should know now that even if he had proposed then, Anu would have still married Vanraj. Hope they show in serial too. Waise Umeed to nahi hai, waha to use guilt se marna hai aur bewakoof hi banna hai aajkal..kya kare..

I will stick to such beautiful FF only, these are pure unadulterated love ❤️❤️❤️

Originally posted by: nish_vir

It's raining diabetes here😆

Exams sar par hai toh i am very occupied islie comment nhi kar pa rahi😵 Hey Nish! I can understand. Exams pehle baki sab baad me. All the best dear! 👍🏼May you come out with flying colors! 🤗

But loved this update too. Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! ❤️

Anuj toh puragunda tha!😆 iski harkte dekhkar hi anu bhaag jati college time main. Haha! Sahi hai! 😆

You were not a college gangsta 😂, right? No! No! 🤣Thankfully this part isn't inspired from real life! The only thing that was inspired was that pichchle janam wali do lines.

Kyuki detailing tagdi hai! Thank you! It's very sweet of you to comment despite being busy with exams! Love you sweetheart!❤️(Now tell me you didn't imagine it in Anuj's voice!😳)

My replies in red

Originally posted by: name2saakshi

Aaj ka episode dekh kar jitna gussa aaya aap update read kar itna hi enjoy kiya buhat accha tha

Hey Sakshi! 🤗I can understand dear. Aaj kal toh episode dekhkar frustrated ho jana jaise roz ki baat ho gayi hai. I'm glad my story could make you smile!❤️Thanks for sharing your feedback after every update! ❤️

Originally posted by: Iruuu

Noorie Noorie dear 😭😭

Thank you so so very much for writing (shadi wala sequence) 🥺🥺🥺...My pleasure dear!🤗

That damnnn guilt of that fight anuj is carrying for 26years perches 😭💔... Truely 😒

Really glad that Anu gives him Peace of mind regarding that 😍😍...Him proposing her with the same rose he kept in his diary& Anu whole heartedly accepting it has my heart 🥺❤️🥺❤️...

Really thank you for writing on this way😳...Maan ki iccha pura honeka sukoon now I'm feeling 🙈I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback in detail! Means a lot! ❤️

😻..Eagarly waiting for nxt part 🤗Next update tonight

My replies in red

Originally posted by: Sanara555

Noorieee! This was just lovely! Hey! Thank you so much! 🤗What shall I call you dear?

I really like how you handled Anuj's guilt - how Anupamaa responded. It's so true to the characters. Thanks for saying that! Means a lot! ❤️

I'm glad Anu cleared up the fact that it's not like it was just that one thing, that one choice that made everything Anuj's fault.

Looking forward to more adorable romanceeee! Yes, more romance in the forthcoming updates!

My replies in red

Originally posted by: grace2021

She indeed is the luckiest women 💕 💓 💗 .Yes luckiest woman indeed!

Thanks for the tag Noorie. It's my pleasure Pooja! 🤗

Beautiful part again..All these little details makes your OS unique. Thanks for the tag.🥰😍🤩💟💞💓💗💖💖Thank you so much for all the love! Means a lot to me! ❤️❤️❤️

My replies in red

Originally posted by: Km181

Hey Noorie, Hey Komal! 🤗

Sorry, in between wasn't keeping well and. Somehow missed this update.. so glad I found it today. Please don't say sorry my dear. Health comes first. Hope you're feeling better now. Wishing you good health and happiness. 🤗

Wow, such a lovely update. Loved the college kisse of angry young Anuj. Thank you so much dear! ❤️Glad you liked the Angry young man boy avatar of Anuj!

And best of all addressing this point..I could never understand even in serial also how can Anuj even think that way. Some thoughts cast such deep impressions on the mind at a young age that even after growing older the person cannot break away from those thoughts and beliefs. Have seen it in real life.

I mean the 44 year smart, intelligent Anuj should know now that even if he had proposed then, Anu would have still married Vanraj.

Hope they show in serial too. Waise Umeed to nahi hai, waha to use guilt se marna hai aur bewakoof hi banna hai aajkal..kya kare.. Fingers crossed! Ummeed mat chhodo!

I will stick to such beautiful FF only, these are pure unadulterated love ❤️❤️❤️Thank you so much dear!❤️ I'm so glad that my story gives you the solace that you need when the episodes are frustrating! Fortunately for us our forum is full of talented fan fiction writers who quench out thirst for MaAn content! Why don't you continue your story on Vanika teamwork? Would love to read it!

My replies in red

Part 13

Anuj returned shortly with three gift bags.

He passed the first bag to Anupama and urged her to open it.

"Mere liye gipht lane ke liye thank you!" she smiled.

"Come on! It's my pleasure!"

Anupama's eyes lit up when she removed the first gift.

It was a light green and coral pink bandhani silk saree.

"I'm so happy ki tumhe pasand aayi!" Anuj smiled upon seeing her reaction.

"Yeh toh bohot hi sundar saree hai!"

"Hmmm.. Rajkot aayi ho toh bandhani saree toh leni chahiye na! Tumne nahi li toh maine le li! Waise, yeh maine yahan aane ke 4 din bad hi tumhare liye khareed li thi!"

"Samar bhi kal mere liye bandhani saree lekar aaya, uski sagai ke liye. Par woh rani aur haldi rang ki hai. Mujhe woh saree pasand aayi par.. yeh wali jyada pasand aayi! Isme.."

She realised something and stopped midway.

"Kya hua Anu?"

"Aap aisa mat samjhna ki.. main aapko khus karne ke liye ya.. jhooti taariph karne ke liye aisa keh rahi hoon! Rani, haldi woh rang toh bohot pehne hain maine, aaj bhi pehenti hoon!"

She ran a hand through the saree, relishing the soft feel of the silk.

"Par yeh rang pehle pehenti thi main.. Mujhe pasand bhi bohot the! Inse mere bachpan ka judaav hai isiliye yeh wali saree jyada pasand aayi!"

"Main samajhta hoon, Anu! Hum kain bar nirjeev cheezon se bhi logon ko, lamhon ko relate karte hain! Main khud bhi waise hi karta hoon!"

"Dussere pe Devika ne mujhe jo lehenga choli gipht di thi usme bhi yeh rang the!"

"Annu woh.. lehenga choli bhi.. maine hi di thi!"

She was unable to believe him.

"Nahi, woh toh Devika layi thi! Aap.. kaise? Devika ne.. toh kaha tha ki.."

She recalled her conversation with Devika.

-------------------

"Tohfa, tohfa, tohfa! Lehenga, lehenga, lehenga!" Devika exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeh toh sare mere manpasand rang hai, jo maine itne salon se pehne nahi!" Anupama was overjoyed with the gift.

"Jo sachche dil se pyaar karte hain na unhe pasand, napasand achchhe se pata hoti hai!"

"Thank you! Yeh ghagra choli toh itni achchi hai ne ki man karta hai abhi ke abhi pehen loon!"

-------------------

"Tab hi woh keh rahi thi ki pasand, na pasand.. Par aapko.. kaise pata chala, Anuj, ki mujhe yeh rang pasand hain?"

"College me tumhare pass ek patiala salwar aur dupatta set tha, light green colour ka!"

"Ha! Woh us se do saal pehle ki Diwali par banvaya tha. Ma mujhe patiala salwar jyada silvane nahi deti thi, kyunki uski gher jyada hoti hai aur silai me kapda jyada lagta hai!"

"Woh salwar tum har do hafton me ek bar zaroor pehenti thi. Kabhi dark blue kurti ke saath toh kabhi coral kurti ke saath!"

"Aapko itna sab kuch kaise yaad hai!?"

His power of observation and photographic memory left her astonished every time.

"Mujhe sab yaad hai! Toh jab woh lehenga choli dekhi toh.. tumhara hi khayaal aaya! Main toh tumhe dene ki soch bhi nahi raha tha! Par Devika ne kaha ki woh bina bataye tumhe de degi!"

He cupped her face and tenderly kissed her forehead.

"Us din tum itni sundar lag rahi thi ki.. tumse meri nazar hi nahi hat rahi thi!"

His face was so close that she could feel his breath on her face.

Just like the long forgotten colours of the lehenga choli, his proximity evoked long forgotten sensations in her body.

The saree slipped from her hands and met the ground, thereby breaking the reverie.

"Sori! Woh.. main.. mera dhyan.. nahi raha!"

Anuj cleared his throat and shifted nervously.

"Its okay. Woh.. Samar aane wala hai na toh.. Us se pehle baki ke gifts bhi.. dekh lo."

She opened the second bag. Out came a bright, multicoloured patola saree.

"Patan patola!? Yeh toh ba pehenti hain!"

"Ha, toh!? Kisne kaha ki sirf ba hi Patan patola pehen sakti hain!"

"Nahi woh.. Unhone Samar ki sagai ke liye mangvai thi ne. Kal hi Samar lekar aaya, pure 15 hajaar ki hai, bolo! Yeh toh.. us se bhi jyada mehengi lag rahi hai mujhe!"

"Anu.. Gift, gift hota hai! Usme mehenga, sasta yeh sab nahi dekha jata! Aaj jo gulab tumhe diya woh tab 10 rupaye me khareeda tha maine. Par woh humare liye anmol hai na?"

"Ha.. aap sahi keh rahe hain. Sori!"

"Saree pasand aayi ya nahi?"

"Ha, bohot achchi hai! Iske rang bhi kitne khile khile hain!"

"Mere papa kehte the ki patola hi ek aisi saree hai jo chahe kitni purani ho jaye, phat jaye tab bhi uske rang pheekey nahi padhte hain!"

"Ha, ba ke pass hai aisi kuch sareeyan jo woh saalon saal pehenti hain par woh hamesa pehle jaisi hi lagti hain!"

"Tumne kabhi.. patola nahi pehena? Pasand nahi hai kya?"

"Aisi baat nai hai. Woh.. ghar ke kaam ke saath saath patola ko sambhalna musqil ho jata hai ne.. Ba ki umar ho gayi hai aur unke ghutnon me dard rehta hai toh utna kaam unse hota nahi hai. Isiliye patola toh woh hi pehenti hain."

"Hmm. Aur jab kamane wale Mr Shah ho toh woh apni ba ke liye mehengi saariyan late honge aur tumhare liye suti ki sari!"

"Chhodiye ne unki baat ko! Mujhe yeh saree bohot pasand aayi! Koi prasang hoga tab main jaroor pehenungi. Main.. teesra gipht dekh loon?"

"Tumhara hi hai! Dekh lo.."

.........................

Anupama was shocked to find another woven saree in the last bag.

"Phir se patola!?"

"Yeh Rajkoti patola hai Anu, Patan patola se bilkul alag hota hai! Ha, design ki baariki aur colours ke aadhar par Patan patola isse behtar lagta hai. Isme ek ikat hota hai jab ki Patan wale me do hote hain, isiliye woh saree mehengi hoti hai. Rajkoti patola se meri yaadein judi huyi hain!"

She noticed a forlorn look on his face as he caressed the saree.

"AK ventures ka pehla karobar AK textiles se shuru hua tha. Hum Kapadia hain isiliye kapdon ka ya textile ka humari khandani karobar hai, jo mere dadaji ne Ahmedabad me shuru kiya tha. Mere papa ne use Rajkot aur Surat tak failaya. Woh aksar Rajkot aaya karte the. Ma ke birthday par unhe Rajkoti patola ya bandhani hi dete the! Ma un sareeyon ko bohot sehej kar rakhti thi!"

When he held her gaze his eyes were full of love.

"Jab mujhe tumse pyaar hua tab maine bhi socha tha ki main tumhare birthday par tumhe Rajkoti patola gift karunga! Woh mauka kabhi mujhe mila hi nahi! Itne saalon bad jab Rajkot aaya aur ise dekha toh mujhse raha nahi gaya!"

"Main aapko jyada intejaar nahi karvaungi. Amdavad jakar isme fall lagva lungi aur ise naye saal ki party me pehenungi!"

His smile was as grateful as hers had been when she had accepted his gifts.

"Yeh jo bandhani saree hai woh showroom se khareedi thi isiliye usme fall lagva diya hai aur blouse piece bhi katva diya hai."

"Bhaley. Main ise bhi silva dungi!"

"Kal.. pehenogi.. yeh saree?", he asked hesitantly.

"Huh? Par.. aise rang ka blouje toh mere pass ghar pe rakha hai. Yahan nahi hai."

"Oh.. Ha, of course!"

He couldn't hide his disappointment.

"Pinakin ki mummy ke.. pass hoga sayad. Hua toh pehen lungi! Unki Punjabi dress toh mujhe barabar phit aa gayi. Blouje bhi.. aa jayega toh.. pehen lungi!"

"That would be amazing!"

He was pleased when she hugged him.

"Thank you Anuj! Sare gipht mujhe bohot pasand aaye!"

"Pleasure is entirely mine! Annu.."

"Hmm?"

He ran his fingers through her hair.

"Kal bhi.. half tie kar ke aaogi?"

"Aaj toh.. baal dhoye the isiliye khule chhodey the. Kal.. wahan se amboda/jooda banakar aaungi aur.. yahan aakar.. baal khol dungi!"

......................

Samar was pleasantly surprised when Anupama told him about her decision to stay back in Rajkot.

"Yeh khayal toh mere dimag me kal raat ko hi aa gaya tha! Par aapne car me mujhe daanta phir meri bolne ki himmat nahi hui!"

He hugged her while blinking back tears.

"I'm so happy mummy! Finally aapne apne bare me socha, apni feelings ko importance di! Aap gharwalo ki tension bilkul mat lena. Main unko sambhal lunga! Aap Anuj ke saath apna weekend enjoy kariye!"

"Chup kar! Tu dance academy ke event par dhyan de. Nandu ka aur apna dhyan rakhna ha beta. Ghar walon ko jo bhi kehna hoga woh mujhse kahenge!"

"Ha mummy. Aap bhi apna dhyan rakhna. Main raat ko 2.30 baje pahuchne wala hoon yeh sochkar mere liye jagna mat! Aaram karna aur sone se pehle balm zaroor laga lena."

Anuj had been a silent spectator to mother and son's conversation till then.

He couldn't help but intervene after hearing the word balm.

"Balm kyun? Kya hua hai?"

"Mummy ke ghutnon me kitne dino se dard hai. Kal unko bus me chadhne, utarne me bhi taqleef ho rahi thi."

"Samar! Ab toh pehle se theek hai. Woh toh kal do do bar bus me gaye ne isiliye dard utha tha."

"Nahi! Kal aapka dard badh gaya tha par aapke ghutnon me dard toh pichchle hafte se hi tha."

"Anu, tumne mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya?"

He recalled resting his head on her lap earlier that afternoon.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai! Abhi utna dard nahi hai."

She tried to brush off their concern.

"Ha, dard toh aapko sote waqt hota hai na kyunki din me toh aapke pass dard ke bare me sochne ka time nahi hota hai!"

"Tumne mujhe bataya hota toh main lunch ke bad painkiller de deta.."

"Painkiller, bandage, spray sab kuch diya tha bhabhs ne par yeh lagaye tab na! Humari baat toh mummy maanti nahi hain, Anuj! Aap hi samjhaiye!"

"Tu samajh ne beta! Main apna dhyan rakhungi. Chal, tu phataphat chai khatm kar le aur bapuji ko video call laga."

"Mujhe aaplogo se ek baat kehni thi."

.....................

MaAn looked at each other and then at Samar.

"Tune phir se kuch kiya hai?" asked a skeptical Anupama.

"Nahi kiya toh nahi hai. Main samajhta hoon ki aaplog abhi kisiko apne.. bare me batana nahi chahte hain. Par.. jab Rohan wala incident hua tha tab maine aur Nandu ne promise kiya tha ki.. hum ek doosre se kuch nahi chhupayenge! Bhabs ko na sahi, aapke bare me at least Nandu ko bata doon?"

MaAn turned to look at each other.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai Anu?"

"Mujhe toh iski baat theek lag rahi hai."

"Fair enough. Use bata de Samar par I hope.. woh Mrs Shah ko nahi batayegi?"

"Nahi bolegi. Don't worry!"

"Alright. Tumlog ghar pe baat kar lo. Main living room me wait karta hoon."

"Nahi, aap yaheen rukiye. Hum bahar jakar baat karte hain."

......................

Anuj got up from the bed when Anupama entered the bedroom.

"Sab theek hai?"

"Ha. Bapuji aapse baat karna chahte hain?"

"Mujhse.. kyun?"

"Woh keh rahe the ki jabse aap Rajkot aaye hain aapse baat nahi hui.."

"Okay. Call chal raha hai?"

"Ha, Samar Sweetie se baat kar raha hai. Chaliye.."

While Anuj spoke to Bapuji and Pakhi, Samar pulled Anu aside.

"Su chhe bakuda?"

"Mummy Sweetie ne Anuj ko big friend kaha.."

"Ha, toh?! Woh toh unko waise hi bulati hai!"

"Ha. Par jab Anuj ne sweetie ko sweetheart kaha tab aap kyun sharma rahi thi!?"

"Jara a saram nathi aavti! Ma se aisi baat karta hai?"

"Ma hi itna sharma rahi hai, mujhe sharmane ki zaroorat hi nahi hai! Aww mummy! Aap blush karte huye kitne cute lagte ho!"

He pulled her cheeks.

"Meri sagai ki playlist me "sweetheart" wala gana add kar dunga! Just imagine, uspe Anuj aapke liye dance karenge toh kitna maza aayega!"

"Chup kar! Aisa kuch nahi hoga!"

"Ha, tab tak aapka chori chupke wala phase chal raha hoga toh nahi hoga!"

"Tu bahar chal. Thodi der me nikalna padega varna teri bus miss ho jayegi. Ghar jakar bag me se mere kapde bhi toh nikalne hai ne.. "

She successfully diverted him from the topic.

.......................

"Le kiddo, tera phone.. Anu, bapuji general baatein kar rahe the. GK akele hain isiliye unko thodi tension ho rahi thi. Baki waisi koi baat nahi hui!"

"Ha, woh toh bohot khus the ki hum aapse milne aaye! Samar se bhi yeh hi keh rahe the."

"Ha. Main cab book kar deta hoon."

"Rehne de. Main drop kar deta hoon."

"Thank you Anuj!"

"Thank you buddy! Tune yeh trip plan nahi ki hoti toh hum dono Monday tak nahi mil pate aur weekend bhi saath me spend nahi kar pate!"

"Aapke jitna hi khush main bhi hoon! Ab toh aap.. miserable feel nahi kar rahe hain na?"

"Not at all! I'm feeling much better!"

He looked at Anupama and locked his gaze with her.

"Ek bohot bada bojh tha mere kandhon par jo utar gaya!"

She returned his smile.

"I'm so glad! Main.. neeche chalta hoon. Aaplog aaiye.."

"Na. Hum tere saath hi aa rahe hain. Bus miss thai jase."

She turned to Anuj who gave an understanding nod.

"Ha. Waise bhi hum toh kal milne hi wale hain. Chalo.."

...................

Later that night, Anuj went through his red diary which was now bereft of the rose.

"Aaj toh gulab ki kismat bhi khul gayi aur meri bhi!"

He smiled while thinking about Anupama.

"Aap mere bare me soch rahe hain?"

She appeared in front of him, dressed in the baby pink anarkali that she had worn on the stormy night.

"Ha. Aur kiske bare me sochunga!?"

He took her hand and sat her down on the bed.

She eyed the red diary that lay flat on the couch, face down.

"Roz is kitaab me kuch na kuch likhte rehte hain! Kabhi koi sayari mujhe bhi suna dijiye!"

"Kyun nahi meri jaan?"

He skimmed through his diary and paused at one of the pages.

"Toofan ke bad wale din jab hum Ahmedabad wapis aa rahe the tab maine yeh likha tha..

Do Baatein Unse Ki To Dil Ka Dard Kho Gaya, Logon Ne Humse Poochha Ki Tumhe Kya Ho Gaya?

Bechain Aankhon Se Sirf Has Ke Hum Reh Gaye,

Ye Bhi Na Keh Sake Ki Humein Ishq Ho Gaya!"

Her forehead creased in a delicate frown.

"Tab maine kaise nahi dekha aapko yeh likhte huye?"

"Kyunki tab tum so rahi thi!"

"Oh ho!" She placed her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his forearm.

He ran a hand through her lustrous hair.

"Puri raat tumne meri dekh-bhaal ki. Tum theek se so bhi nahi payi isiliye cab me baithte hi tumhari aankh lag gayi!"

He kissed the top of her head.

"Toophan us raat nahi aaya tha, baad wale din aaya! Sochti hoon ki mausam bigad gaya aur hum wahan phas gaye woh achchha hi hua! Kanhaji ne do ghadi sukh, chain aur raahat bhari saas lene ka mauka diya!"

"Mauka toh yahan bhi diya hai na?"

She sighed as she lifted her head off his shoulder.

"Diya toh hai par.. dar lagta hai! Us din site par ur mandir gaye the tab bhi main bohot khus thi aur hum Mumbai gaye the tab bhi! Dono bar aisa socha ki.. Jindagi se apne liye kuch pal churaye hain! Aur.. dono bar kuch aisa hua ki.. woh pal bojh jaise lagne lage! Kahin is bar.."

He placed his index finger on her mouth.

"Is bar aisa nahi hoga! Tum dekhna.. Kal aur parso aaj se bhi zyada yaadgaar honge!"

"Aapke moonh me ghee sakkar!"

He held his breath when her lips moved against his finger as she spoke.

His wayward finger itched to trace the shape of her lips but he folded it and withdrew his hand.

She lowered her gaze, her face flushed.

He noticed the lipstick marks on the side of his finger and smiled.

.........................

Anuj was jolted out of his dream when the red diary slipped from his hand and fell on the bed.

He hit the back of his head.

"Focus Anuj, focus!"

He picked up the diary and placed it on the coffee table.

"Rahul ka email bhi nahi dekha ab tak.."

He was half way through the document sent by Rahul when Anupama called him.

"Hello.." he answered while shutting down the laptop.

"Oh ho ho! Itne dheeme swar me hello? Kapadia saheb risaai gaya ke su/Kapadia sahab naraz ho gaye kya?!"

"Ab Kapadia saheb kehkar buzurgon jaisa treatment toh mat do, Annu! Aap kehti ho yeh kam hai kya!"

"Achcha, saheb nahi kahungi! Sori!"

"I'm also sorry for snapping at you! Main kuch kaam kar raha tha us hi ka stress tha."

"Mujhe laga ki.. aapko bura laga. Main aaj saam ko alag se aapse milkar nahi aayi."

"Bilkul nahi! Main woh baat kab ka bhool gaya hoon! Tum bhi bhool jao! Us waqt Samar ka time pe pahuchna zuroori tha."

"Woh time par pahuch gaya. Bus me chadhkar phone kiya tha usne."

"Mujhe bhi kiya tha. Maine use kaha tha ki pahuchkar message kar dena."

"Ha. Meri Tosu se bhi baat ho gayi hai. Woh use lene chala jayega."

"Jab tak woh nahi pahuchega tab tak tum jagkar intezar karogi kya?"

"Na, na.. Main toh so jaungi. Maine bhi usko message karne ke liye hi kaha hai."

"Ha, please so jana. Woh 3 baje se pehle nahi pahuchega aur tum toh 4.30 baje uth jati ho. Uthkar uska message dekh lena."

"Ha, waisa hi karungi."

"Tumhare ghutnon ka dard kaisa hai?"

"Jaisa tha waisa hi hai!"

"Aur lo tum extra classes! Aur karo apneaap ko overexert! Yeh toh achchha hua Chotila nahi gayi varna Samar ko hi uthakar lana padhta!"

"Annuuuujj.. "

"Ha, Anuj ko toh batana mana hai ki ghutnon me dard hai ya baithne me taqleef ho rahi hai! Do dino se tumhari godh me sar rakh raha hoon par tumne kuch nahi kaha! Dard toh hua hi hoga.."

"Jara bhi nahi hua! Khusi huyi! Saanti mili, aapko bhi aur mujhe bhi! Isiliye nahi bataya."

"Kal se jab shanti chahiye hogi na toh tum meri godh me sar rakh lena!"

There was no reply from her end.

"Annu?"

"Ha, sun rahi hoon. Boliye.."

"Tumne balm lagaya?"

"Nahi. Patta bandha hai."

"Woh toh tum sone se pehle utar dogi na? Tab balm laga lena."

"Pakka! Ab kuch aur baat kare?"

"Jaise ki?"

"Jaise ki aaj ka din bohot achchha raha! Jab subha yahan se nikli thi tab achchha nahi lag raha tha!"

"Kyun?"

"Mataji ke naam pe jhoot bolkar ja rahi thi ne! Par wahan jakar.. aap se milkar achchha laga! Aur dopeher ke bad toh bohot jyada achchha laga! Mataji ke mandir nahi gayi main phir bhi unhone mere jariye aapki saalon purani gairsamjhan/ galatfehmi door karva di!"

"Main bata nahi sakta hoon ki main kitna halka mehsoos kar raha hoon! Bura toh mujhe bhi lag raha tha.."

"Aapko kyun?"

"Jabse humlog Ahmedabad wapis aaye hain na tabse GK mujhse keh rahe the ki mujhe tumhe woh gulab de dena chahiye. Aaj woh tumhe de toh diya par unhe.. nahi bataya. Isiliye bura lag raha tha."

"Kaka ko bata dijiye ne Anuj. College me jab aapne yeh baat maa, pappaji aur kaka se nahi chhupayi toh ab kyun?"

"Ek minute! Kya kaha?"

He was unsure if he heard correctly.

"Mere ba aur bapuji aapke ba, bapuji hain. Waise hi, aapke maa aur pappa mere maa aur pappaji hain! Do dino se aapse unki batein sun rahi hoon toh aisa lag raha hai ki unko na jaante huye bhi unko jaanne lagi hoon. Unhone mujhe bina kisi riste ke apna liya, waise maine bhi unko apna bana liya!"

He gratefully looked heavenward for a moment.

"Wohlog bhi aaj bohot khush honge! Aur tum GK ki tension mat lo. Main thode time k bad unhe bata dunga. College me bhi thode time tak toh secret rakha tha phir.."

"Phir kya?"

"Phir mere chehre se, bartaav se, harkaton se zaahir hone laga! Papa ne pehle chori pakad li. Unhone mujhe shayari likhte huye dekh liya toh maine keh diya ki main kisi competition me participate kar raha hoon!"

"Woh maan gaye?"

"Ha, us din toh maan gaye. Phir ek din unhone meri copy uthayi, jis ka last page "Anu" se bhara hua tha! Unhe toh maine kaise bhi bahane banakar taal diya! Par jab maa ne poochha toh main jhoot nahi bol paya!"

"Achchha, matlab padhai ki copy me bhi aap mera hi naam likhte rehte the!"

"Notes bhi banata tha par.. tumhara naam likhne me zyada maza aata tha!"

He loved the sound of her laughter.

"Yeh kaam main ab bhi kar leta hoon, jab bore ho raha hota hoon ya.. tumhare liye wait kar raha hota hoon! Ek bar toh Rahul ne dekh liya tha!"

"Su bolo chho!?"

"Ha, par maine turant U ke aage J add kar diya!"

"Pata nahi kya soch rahe honge woh!"

"Annuu please..! Phir se tum yeh kya soch raha hai, woh kya soch raha hai karne lagi!? Tum kya soch rahi thi woh batao!"

"Ha! Main yeh soch rahi thi ki baaton baaton me najar utarna bhool gayi, bolo!"

"Areh, main bhi bhool gaya!" He hit his forehead.

"Phir maine humari Dussere wali selphie ki najar utari!"

"Kal hum phir se selfie kheechenge. In fact, multiple selfies kheechenge lekin romantic wali!"

"Hmm.. Woh.. Bhabhi ke pass matching blouje mil gaya toh kal bandhani saree pehenkar aa rahi hoon main!"

"I can't wait to see you!"

"Same.. here! Maine theek kaha?"

"Ha, bilkul! Chalo, ab main kaam khatm kar leta hoon aur tum so jao."

"Ha, par aap jyada der tak mat jagna. Main subha 9 baje aa jaungi."

"You're most welcome, sweetheart! Main tumhe ready milunga!"

"Aap.. a.. "

"Ha, bolo? Sankoj mat karo!"

"Aap.. kal kya.. pehenne wale hain?"

"Maine kuch socha nahi hai. Tum kuch suggest kar do!"

"Woh.. meri saree ke rang se milta julte rang ke kapde.. pehenenge?"

"Why not?! Itni si baat thi ya.. aur bhi kuch hai?"

"Nahi, bas! Goodnight!"

"Okay. Goodnight. I love you!"

"I love you too! Chaalo, muku chhu/rakhti hoon."

"Hmm. Bye."

Anuj set four alarms instead of the usual three before going back to work.

.....................

Please ignore mistakes. Hope you like this part.

Part 14 on pg 45

Tagging some more