FF: Dooriyan aur Nazdeekiyan part 31 pg 116 - Page 37

Thank you so very much for always tagging❤️

Lovely....enjoying every bit of ur story....thanks for tagging me..

Originally posted by: Bol_do

Lovely. Pls keep writing.

Hey dear! What can I call you?

Thank you so much! ❤️I believe you were also writing a story on MaAn. I had read the first part. Do update it and let me know when you do. Would love to read further!

Originally posted by: Iruuu

Uffff that eagerness to kisss like that lifelong💕🙈...damnnn how purely he remembered & organise her favourite flowers & food dishes😭😭...loved the bicchiyaan ring gifted by anuj🙈💕 Hey Nida! Thank you so much dear for commenting on every part without fail! Very sweet of you!

Pyaar se 'ashu' name dena that too with the thought of his personality ❤❤😭😭 (girl how do you find soo pure ideas😚...) Haha! I had also kept these fasts and remembered them while writing so that's how I got the idea.

Amazing to see them boating together as anuj wish fullfils 😍😍😍...loved the teasing way of anuj to cheer up anu's mood...

Mr Ashu jii is in noo mood to let goo his lady love ❤ ...

Loved totally this chapter ❤😍..eagerly waiting for next part ❤dearest 😊😊😊 Thank you so much dear! Next part will be up tonight.

Me in red

Originally posted by: Koms9

No words noorie. I feel like I'm living and experiencing this with them. Thank you for the tag. And keep writing.

Hey Komal! First of all I'm really sorry! I don't know how I missed tagging you for the 16th part. When I realized it and tried to edit the post I could not. Secondly, thank you so much dear! Glad you liked it!

Sirf ek sawaal?! Kese!! Main Anuj se bohot inspired hoon isiliye karmyogi hoon unki tarah! 😳

You have written an entire happy story, with no suspense and twist, aand yet every word is so engaging. There is so much substance in here! Thank you so much for your kind words dear! Man khush ho gaya mera! ❤️🤗

Uff! You still teasing us 😛 with real life scenarios here, ms. Anuj😂? Haha! Ab kya bolu main? Har part me kuch na kuch real life se inspired hai!

Ek toh ye Hindi Gujarati mix is just brilliant. Your anupama is more anupama than show ki anupamaa. That's because I am a Gujarati so it comes spontaneously to me. Whereas anupama writers me I'm not sure if any of them are.

Also, a big bow for these magnanimous updates, and maintaining the flow and essence throughout. Also, attending to even the tiniest of emotion and moment. I think itni thorough toh meri real life nhi hai, jitna anu Anuj ka amdavaad stay hai😆Thank you so much! Your comment has made my day, dear! ❤️

Lastly😜 pichle kuch updates se it's raining kisses

Aage ka program kyaa hai?😣 Ruko jara, sabar karo.😳

P.s- ab samajh aaya what that finito was for. Yuppp!

My comments in red

Originally posted by: isyhm

Aww..dorable update Hey Azra! Thank you dear! ❤️

Loved their bonding

Devika and bunty rock Yes. They're the much needed third and fourth wheel of MaAn ki prem ki gaadi! 😳

It's a complete package Thank you once again! Means a lot to me!

Me in red

Originally posted by: Raatri

Lovely....enjoying every bit of ur story....thanks for tagging me..

Hey dear! 🤗What do I call you?

Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you liked the story! ❤️

Originally posted by: tanu90

Hey Komal! First of all I'm really sorry! I don't know how I missed tagging you for the 16th part. When I realized it and tried to edit the post I could not. Secondly, thank you so much dear! Glad you liked it!

Part 17 B

When Anupama woke up the next morning, she realized that she had been dreaming about Anuj.

A/N: Please consider that "Chaha toh bohot" dream sequence.

She smiled airily, wanting to relish that dream forever.

"Subha ki suruaat itni achchi hui hai! Kanhaji baki ka din bhi itna hi achcha jaye! Dhyan rakhjo!"

She picked up the phone from the bedside table with the intention to check the time and was taken aback.

Not because she woke up at 6 o' clock, way later than the usual.

But because she saw a missed call from Anuj at 5.45 and an SMS prior to that, at 5.30.

Her heart thumped loudly at the possibility of receiving bad news.

"Phone silent pe tha isiliye pata hi nahi chala! Kanhaji kare woh theek ho aur kaka bhi!"

The message read "Good morning Anu! Thodi jaldi lene aa jaun? 7.30 baje ke aas pass? Tumhari packing toh kal raat ko ho hi gayi thi na?"

She heaved a massive sigh of relief.

Now her heart beat faster due to excitement.

Paagal chhokro! He wanted to make the most of the day and couldn't wait to meet her!

Though she was equally eager to meet him, she decided to tease him.

She replied while getting out of bed.

"Ek message me itne sare sawal?! Sabse pehle yeh bataiye ki aap Ravivar ki subha itni jaldi kaise uth gaye?"

Anupama was tieing her hair loosely in a bun when she recieved his reply

"Messenger app check karo."

"Karti hoon! Saas toh lene dijiye! Subha uthkar Bhagwan ka naam lena chahiye! Aap bhi lijiye aur mujhe bhi lene dijiye!"

He was quick to reply "Jai Shri Krishna!"

She proceeded to make the bed while chanting mantras under her breath, though her attention kept wavering.

Plugging the phone to its charger, she switched on the mobile data.

When she saw a notification with the image icon, she expected a photograph of him in his night suit with messy bed head and shadows under his eyes.

She imagined him perched on the chair with the laptop in front of him, finishing up pending work.

But was astounded to see him in a navy blue t shirt and grey sweat pants.

He was standing in front of a full length mirror in the hotel gym, flexing his muscles while clicking a selfie.

The only constant between her imagination and the reality were his dishevelled hair.

The phone slipped from her nerveless hand. She stared at it for a few, long moments before picking it off the floor.

"Subha subha mujhe ghaayal karne ka irada hai kya!?"

She used his line on him when she could not think of a suitable compliment!

She gazed at his photo while awaiting a reply.

So enamoured was she that the thought of warding off the evil eye completely escaped her mind.

"Ha! Bilkul!" came the cheeky reply accompanied by another image.

This time he was seated on what seemed like a kind of bench to her.

She didn't know what equipment it was and couldn't bother to know either!

His 1000 watt smile and those eyes that were alight with mischief further snatched her ability to form coherent thoughts.

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

Anuj eagerly waited for a reply while mechanically working with the cable pulley, pausing only to check if there were any network issues.

Though his earpods played a fast paced song the beats could do nothing to pep up his workout.

When there was no reply for close to 10 minutes, he sent a message.

"Kya hua? 7.30 tak ready nahi ho paogi toh koi baat nahi! Bata dena kitni der lagegi."

He was relieved when she replied within a minute.

"Main aa jaungi 7.30 baje."

He sat down and furiously tapped on his phone. Subconsciously he caught his lower lip between his teeth.

"Nah! Aaunga toh main hi! Main unki society ke bahar 7.30 baje pahuch jaunga. Intezaar karne me mujhe koi diqqat nahi hai. Agar kuch mil jata jise dekhkar time katna aasan ho jata toh.. Just saying!"

He dragged several sips of water from his gym bottle and flung it aside.

He was excited when he saw the image notification but the excitement fizzled out as soon as he downloaded the image.

It turned out to be a huge atta laddoo placed in a steel bowl!

"Dheeraj na phad meetha/sabar ka phal meetha hota hai!" read the message.

"Not fair at all! Kam se kam pink saree ki photo hi bhej deti.."

He ripped out the earpods and tapped his foot impatiently.

A guy in his twenties walked up to him "Sir, can I.. use the machine?"

"Of course!" He walked away awkwardly.

He had barely started using the kettle bell when his phone vibrated.

The image sent by Anupama took his breath away.

It was a group photograph of her, Devika, Jagruti and Toral in their kathak outfits, probably captured before the inter-college dance competition.

The message accompanying the image read "Ise dekhkar time katna aasan hoga na?!"

She had thrown his words right back at him alongwith the googly of an image.

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

He strode out of the gym while calling her, unmindful of leaving the bottle behind.

"Good morning! Jai Shri Krishna!" she greeted him.

Though she was speaking softly, as she normally did during their late night calls, he heard the playful tone in her voice, loud and clear.

"Good morning baby! Yeh photo kahan se mili?"

"Kal raat ko Jagruti se baat kar rahi thi. Usne bheji. Ek aur photo bhi bheji hai, aapke school ke dino ki.."

"Woh 12th wali class photograph?" he made a wild guess.

"Ha, woh hi! Usne bola ki isme dhoond kar dikha Anuj ko! Maine toh pehchan liya!"

"Really? 60 bachche the humari class me. Unme se mujhe kaise pehchana!?" He found it quite strange.

"Aapki hasi se! Ek toh aap sabse upar wali line me khade the toh jyada mehnat nahi karni padi! Aur phir aapki hasi toh.. aaj bhi waisi hi hai jaisi tab thi!"

He sighed ruefully while gazing at her photograph.

Though it bore signs of wear and tear, her smiling face stood out.

"Hello.. Ashu?"

"You're right! Smiles are timeless! Tumhari smile bhi waisi hi hai jaisi college me thi!"

"Thank you!"

"Waise 12th me aur first year B. Com me mujh me khas koi farq nahi tha! Height badh gayi thi utna hi.."

"Achcha.." she drawled, getting a hint of what was to follow.

"College me toh tum kabhi sar uthakar kisi ladke ko nahi dekhti thi! Kya lagta hai? Agar meri shaqal pe dhyan jata toh.. pyaar ho jata?"

"Jara bhi nahi!" she answered immediately.

"Subha, subha Bhagwan ka naam lene ke bad koi itna jhoot kaise bol sakta hai?"

"Mari vaat toh saambhdo! Pyaar nahi hota lekin aapko dekhkar aakarsit/attracted jarur ho jati! Ha, agar aapse kabhi baat ki hoti ya aapke swabhav ki ek jhalak bhi dekhi hoti ne, toh sau taka/100 percent pyaar ho jata!"

Her matter of fact reply was enough to stir his raw emotions.

"Kash! Kash aisa hi hua hota!"

There was a moment of suspended silence.

"Anuuujj.. Sori!"

"Don't be! Maine hi poochha tha.. (sighs)Khair tum batao, aur kya keh rahi thi Jagu?"

"Kal usne.. bohot kuch bataya mujhe jo.. mujhe nahi pata tha!"

"Phir toh usne yeh bhi bata diya hoga ki class photo me jo ladka red house ka scarf pehenkar front row me baitha hai.. woh Bunty hai?"

He spoke as though the photograph was right in front of him.

"Ha. Bunty aur woh achchhe dost hain. Aur Jagu aaj bhi unke sampark me hai."

"Main janta hoon. Main bhi Jagu ke touch me raha hoon. Woh mujhe Bunty ki khair, khabar deti rahi aur Devika tumhari.."

"Aap chinta mat kariye, Anuujj! Maine unka number nahi manga aur na hi main kosis karungi. Devika ki aaj kal me unse baat ho jayegi aur phir woh aapse baat karenge. Mujhe Kanhaji par bharosa hai!"

He let out a deep breath while trying to alienate himself from hope.

"Hmm.. (nods) Yeh baatein toh chalti rahengi. Tum ready ho jao, Annu. Main bhi ready hokar pahuchta hoon."

He pressed the button for the lift.

"Ashuu.."

"Hmm?"

"Aaj bhi kuch.. meri saree se milte julte rang ka.. pehenenge?"

Her attempt to uplift his mood brought a slow smile to his face.

"T shirt toh nahi hai par baby pink color ka jacket hai mere pass. Chalse?"

"Daudse! Main.. haph tie karke aaungi. Bye.."

"Bye! See you!" he said while entering the lift.

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

Anupama brushed her damp hair in a haste, with one eye on the wall clock.

"Jaldi kar Anupama! Pata chala woh pahuch bhi gaye aur tu taiyar bhi nahi hui.."

Pinakin's mother entered the guestroom when she was applying her bindi.

"Oh ho! Kapadia saheb?!"

Anupama pivoted swiftly, eyes widening in shock.

"Kapadia saheb.. aai gaya?!"

"Na, na havey! Aa juvo/yeh dekho.."

She removed the newspaper wrapped around the bangles that she had been holding.

"Aa rahya/yeh rahe Kapadia saheb!"

She heard herself gasping rather loudly.

"Kya baat hai bhabhi? Aap unka naam sunkar.. ghabra kyun gayi?"

"Nahi toh! Main toh.. kuch aur hi.. soch rahi thi. Utne me aap.. achanak se aa gaye ne toh.."

"Kal kuch.. hua kya?"

"Ha!? Kal.." she coughed, secretly hoping that Pinakin or his father had not spotted her with Anuj.

"Nahi, matlab.. aap jahan training me gaye the wahan sab.. theek raha ne?"

"Ha, ha! Sab theek tha!"

She turned back to the mirror and focused her attention on brushing her perfectly brushed hair again.

"Ek aur.. baat poochhu bhabhi? Bura mat manna.."

"Ha?" she said already dreading the impending doom.

"Woh.. Pinakin ke pappa bol rahe the ki.. Anupama bhabhi toh.. teri uxmar ki hai aur tere jaisi, baarmu(12th) pass hai! Unko bijness me.. kya hi samajh me aata hoga! Isiliye unko.. training ki jarurat padhti hai!"

"Na bhabhi. Woh training toh gareeb bachchon ke liye thi. Bujiness samajhne me bohot time aur mehnat lagti hai. Par seekhne ki koi umar nahi hoti!"

She turned towards her after fixing hair clips randomly at the back of her head.

"Ha, par woh thehre itne bade udyogpati! Pinakin ke pappa ne logon ko kehte suna tha ki.. duniya ke saamne wah, wahi batorne ke liye.. Kapadia saheb ne kam padhi-likhi, gay jaisi seedhi, Anupama bhabhi ko apna bujiness partner bana diya! Par woh sirf naam ki partner hongi! Koi mahatva nahi deta hoga unko! Kaam toh sab Kapadia saheb hi sambhalte honge!"

"Koi kya sochta hai, kya nahi sochta us se mujhe koi matlab nahi hai! Par aap meri saheli hain aur aapne poochha isiliye bata rahi hoon ki Kapadia saheb jara bhi aise nahi hain! Unko insaan ki bhi utni hi parakh hai jitni ki bujiness ki! Mujhe woh barabari ki partner samajhte hain aur waise hi adhikar diye hain!"

"Saras! Aapka naseeb bohot achcha hai ki aapko kisine poochha toh sahi! Varna hunar toh bohot logo ke pass hota hai, par avsar nahi milta! Main.. Kinjal vahu aur Nandini vahu ke liye choodiyan dene aayi thi aur dekho, kya baatein lekar baith gayi! Aapko bura laga ho toh.. sorry!"

She wrapped the newspaper around the bangles before giving it to her.

"Vando nahi! Choodiyan lane ke liye thank you! Kya.. Aap bhi kam karna chahti hain?"

"Na, na! Mujhe kya jarurat hai? Woh aur mera beta kama hi rahe hain. Aapka.. ek aur bag ho gaya hai aur Samar bhi nahi hai. Isiliye main aapke saath gate tak chalungi!"

"Rehva do bhabhi.."

"Main Pinakin ko bhej deti par aaj Ravivar hai ne, toh woh aur uske pappa 10 baje se pehle uthenge hi nahi!"

"Koi baat nahi! Yahan se bahar tak hi toh jana hai! Abhi main jara.."

"Ha, aaram thi taiyar thai jao! Main chai banati hoon."

Anupama grabbed her phone as soon as she left the room.

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

"Woh dekh. Gadi khadi hai.."

Anupama pointed towards the main road as she walked across the gate of the society.

Pinakin peered inside the grey Mercedes while the driver greeted Anupama.

"Good morning ma'am!"

"Kaki.. (yawns) Aap is car me Ahmedabad ja rahi hain!?"

Anupama nodded briefly before greeting the driver.

"Good morning! Aap saman rakh dijiye."

"Ha ma'am."

"Sir.. kahan hai?"

"Sir toh abhi taiyar nahi huye hain isiliye unhone kaha hai ki woh audi me aa jayenge. Main aapko is gadi me lekar nikal jaun."

"Bhaley! Chal beta, aav je! Thank you! Aap logone mera aur Samar ka bohot dhyan rakha! Jai Shri Krishna!"

"Ha, aav jo kaki! Tamara toh jalsa chhe/tumhare toh maze hain! Jai Shri Krishna!"

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

Anupama spoke to the driver once Pinakin turned around the corner.

"Woh.. Aap.. hotel ke driver hai utna hi pata tha mujhe. Aapka naam?"

"Maulik Abhani.."

"Thank you Maulik bhai! Ab hum nikal sakte hain.."

"It's OK madam! Maine toh woh hi bola jo sir ne bolne ke liye kaha tha."

"Aapke sir.. kahan hain?"

"Woh thodi aage wait kar rahe hain."

She saw Anuj waiting outside the gate of the missionary school.

He was wearing the same green hoodie jacket and glares that he had worn the previous day.

She wondered why he was still in incognito mode.

Anuj opened the door and held out his hand.

"Bahar aao.."

"Kyun?"

"Yahan pata nahi phir kab aana hoga! Ek selfie toh banti hai!"

She took his hand and waited while he closed the door behind her.

"Before I forget.. Yeh lo.."

"Oh, thank you! Kal raat neend achche se hui hai. Phir bhi chaliye, aap goggle lekar aaye hain toh pehen hi leti hoon!"

Placing an arm around her shoulder, he gestured her to look into the camera and smile.

But she could not tear her eyes away from him as memories of their first hug came back to her.

"Kya hua?"

"Kuch bhi toh nahi.."

She placed her arm around his waist.

Those who entered through the gate stared at them. Some even whispered under their breaths.

Anupama was about to withdraw her arm when she remembered Samar's words.

None of them knew her and she didn't know them either!

So she decided to focus on her happiness alongwith her partner's.

"Chalein?"

"Ha.."

He opened the door for her and she shot him a grateful smile while stepping inside the car.

He walked around to the other side and soon took his seat beside her.

"Kal toh Natal/Xmas tha isiliye bheed thi. Aaj yahan bheed kyun hai?"

"Sunday ko mass hota hai na. Andar church hoga."

"Ha. Barabar. Main.. aapse kuch kehna chahti hoon."

"Phir se kuch poochha kya unhone?"

"Nahi. Maine jab kaha ki bag bhari hai toh unhone Pinakin ko neend se uthakar daudaya!"

"Phir kya baat hai?"

She held his hand and interlaced her fingers with his.

"Woh.. kal jab hum ABC hall pahuche toh aapke saath mera bhi samman hua kyunki main aapki partner bankar wahan gayi thi. Jab humara restaurant khul jayega ne tab main itna achcha kam karungi ki mere kaam ki wajah se mera toh sammaan hoga hi, aapka bhi maan badhega!"

"Of course, sweetheart! I'm very confident! Aisa hi hoga!"

He clasped her hand tightly and tilted his head to rest it on her shoulder.

"Ab idhar udhar ki baaton par dhyan mat do. Let's enjoy ourselves. Abhi hum breakfast karne **** road chalte hain!"

"Gaadi me baithkar khayenge?"

"Ha! Pehle toh hum mast sev, usal pav khayenge! Phir jab aankhon se aur naak se pani nikalne lagega toh Rajkoti penda kha lenge! Varna aate ka laddoo bhi toh hai hi! Tumhe bapuji aur baki sab ke liye penda pack karana ho toh batana. Main bhi GK ke liye lekar jaunga."

"Baki sab sahi hai par.. main utni najuk nahi hoon ki sev usal khate hi aankhon se aur naak se pani nikalne lage!"

"Dekhte hain.."

"Dekh lena! Aur saath me chai bhi peeni hai mujhe. Par aapki gadi ko.. wahan bheed me lekar jana theek rahega kya?"

"Ha, kyun nahi? Bheed ko apna rasta banane do! Hum kaunsa roz, roz Rajkot aanewale hain!"

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

When they reached the suite, Anuj asked the question which had been on his mind ever since he had seen her in the morning.

"Pink saree kyun nahi pehni?"

"Woh.. bohot hi halka rang hai. Saphar me kharab ho jayegi isiliye.. Bad me kabhi pehen lungi. Aapne.. jacket kyun nahi pehena?"

"Usme hoodie nahi hai na. Ek tarah se achchha hua ki tumne yeh saree pehni! Jis raat hum toofaan me phas gaye the tab bhi toh yeh hi saree peheni thi tumne. Aur jis din tum Rajkot aayi thi us din bhi toh yeh hi pehni thi."

""Areh ha! Yeh toh mere dhyan me hi nahi aaya!"

"Us din maine tumhare liye ek shayari likhna shuru kiya tha, jise proposal ke bad pura kar diya."

"Toh arj kijiye!"

There was a swell in her heart when he sat down beside her and kissed her cheek.

"Chitranagari me aaya hai aaftaab,

Manga hai jisne humse gulaab.

Dekh kar use chadhaa aisaa shabaab

Maano pee li ho humne sharaab!"

Anupama nodded while drawing a breath.

"Rajkot ko Chitranagari/city of paintings kehte hain woh toh mujhe pata tha. Do sabd samajh me nahi aaye.."

"Aaftaab ka matlab hota hai suraj."

"Achcha! Peeli saree peheni thi isiliye suraj, ha?! Aur woh sabaab?"

He shook his head, refusing to reveal the meaning.

"Bataiye toh sahi!"

"Tumhare pass smartphone hai na. Khud pata kar lo!"

"Ha. Usme kya hai!"

The results of the search left her baffled.

"Isme toh sabaab ka matlab neki, punya bata raha hai!"

"Galat tareeqe se bologi toh yeh hi hoga na! Tumhe sawaab ka matlab bata raha hai. Sha se Ashu bol sakti ho toh shabaab kyun nahi?"

"Woh aadat nahi hai isiliye. Gujarati bolte hain tab sha ka sa ho hi jata hai! Rukiye.."

She searched again and got the right answer.

"Matlab hai tarunta, you.. van, jawa.. ani!" her voice trembled slightly as she reached the last word.

"Ha! Ab sahi hai!" The saucy smile was back on his face.

"Ab batao, kaisi lagi shayari?"

"Aapko.. Shabaab.. chadh gaya?"

"Hmm..." he sighed softly while playing with her hair.

"Utra kab tha jo chadhega!"

She left him gobsmacked with her reply.

He raised his eyebrows rather high.

"Thank you for the compliment! I love that!" he said before they devoured each others' mouths.

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

Anupama fixed her hair while Anuj spoke to the hotel manager.

"Anu.."

"Ha, baat ho gayi?"

"Ha. Ab batao. Kya keh rahi thi tum jab unka call aaya."

"Main keh rahi thi selphie dikhaiye toh. Tab dhoop me kuch pata nahi chala!"

"Main tumhe send kar deta hoon na.."

"Mat kariye! Kal wale photo bhi.. maine delete kar diye.."

He was flabbergasted with her reply.

"Kyun?! Delete kyun kar diye?"

"Aaj raat ko Sweetie mere saath rahegi.."

"Toh kya hua? Tumhare phone me lock toh hai."

"Pass code usko pata hai. Jab bhi ghar aati hai mera phone lekar baith jati hai!"

"Kyun? Uska phone kharab hai kya?"

"Hai nahi par use aisa lagta hai ki mera phone mehenga hai, jyada woh.. pheature hai isiliye uske samne apna phone bekar lagta hai!"

"Oh.. Waise toh deleted pictures bhi 30 dino tak phone me rehte hain. Recently deleted folder me dekhna."

"Ha, pata hai par maine wahan se bhi.. delete kar diye."

He was too puzzled to reply.

"Woh dekh leti toh paresani ho jati."

"aur tumhara photos dekhne ka man karega toh kya karogi?"

"Aapke phone me dekhungi!"

"Main.. email kar doon?"

"Nahi. Woh toh phone me khulta hai!"

"Toh pendrive me transfer kar deta hoon. Woh laptop toh nahi dekhegi!"

"Laptop pe toh phone se bhi jyada game khelti rehti hai! Kabhi poject karna hota hai toh kabhi kuch! Kya phone, kya laptop sab khangal deti hai!"

"Hmm.. Phir toh.."

"Rehne dijiye. Aapko interview ke liye nahi jana hai?"

"Ha, jana hai par abhi time hai. Tumhe bhi toh jana hai!"

"Mujhe kahan jana hai?" Her brows came together.

"Spa! Jab tak mera interview chalega tab tak tum hotel ke spa me relax karna. Yeh hi hai aaj ka pehla surprise!"

"Spa me toh aadha din nikal jata hai! Kinjal aur Tosu ki saadi se pehle woh mujhe ek din lekar gayi thi."

"Kitna time ho gaya us baat ko?"

"29 tareekh ko.. unki saadi ki pehli saalgirah hai."

"Phir toh tumhe spa definitely jana chahiye! Aur time toh services pe depend karta hai. Do ghante toh mujhe lag hi jayenge. Tab tak I guess tumhara massage aur facial toh ho jayega. I'll have a word with them. Dekhein aur kya, kya ho sakta hai.."

"Main yahan rehkar bhi aaram kar sakti hoon."

"Bore ho jaogi tum. Is se better hai spa jakar unwind kar lo. Jaise hi mera interview khatm hoga main tumhe call kar dunga."

Anupama didn't know how to respond.

"Hey Kanhaji! Maine socha tha ki jab tak Anuj ka interview chalega main tab tak gulabi saree pehenkar taiyar ho jaungi. Par yeh mujhe spa bhej denge toh main kaise.."

He snapped his fingers in front of her face.

"Kahan kho gayi?"

"Ha? Nahi.. woh aapne kaha ki pehla surprise toh.."

"Doosra surprise dopeher me milega! Spa jane se pehle apni jewellery mujhe de dena. Main safe me rakh dunga."

"Ha. Abhi deti hoon.."

He held her wrist after she removed the golden bangle.

"Tumhare haath kitne patle hain!"

"Ise patla keh rahe hain aap?" she laughed.

"Ha, toh! Meri muththi me tumhari kalhai kitni aasani se aa jati hai!"

He closed his fist around her wrist to prove his point.

"Apne dhai kilo ke haath ke saamne dekhenge toh mera ek kilo ka haath toh patla hi lagega! Waise aaj subha itni jaldi kasrat karne kaise chale gaye?"

"Main generally shaam ko workout karta hoon par aaj toh travel karna hai. Aur mujhe workout miss nahi karna tha h maine subha hi finish kar diya! Meri chhodo, tum batao.. Tum suraj ko jagaane ke liye use pehle kaise nahi uthi!? Aaj toh record break kar diya!"

"Koi toh aa gaya mere sapne me jiski wajah se uthne ka man hi nahi kiya!"

He quickly glanced at his smartwatch.

"Interview ka time ho raha hai. Neeche jate, jate bata dena kya dekha?"

"Jab sach ho jayega tab bata dungi! Uthiye.. Phataphat gehne rakh dijiye.. Jitni jaldi jayenge utni jaldi lautenge."

She pulled him to his feet and whisked him away.

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

Okay so this was a relatively small part. Kal meri birthday hai toh ittu sa hi likh diya.

Cheers,

Noorie

P. S. Shayari by yours truly.

Part 18 on pg 63