FF: Dooriyan aur Nazdeekiyan part 31 pg 116 - Page 49

Discovered this quite late but wow. If binge reading is a thing, then that happened. Couldn’t sleep without completing. Extremely well written and omg the shayaris 💛

Waiting for the next part 🧡

A/N: Long part to make up for the absence of MaAn in the previous part. Flashback in blue font.

Part 21

The next morning Anuj turned up sharp at 7 to pick up Anupama.

He had spoken to her at 1.30 am after reaching home.

"Der se soyi thi. Subha 6 baje usne message toh kiya tha. Pata nahi ab tak taiyar bhi hui hogi ya nahi?"

He was about to call her when she walked out of the parking area below her building, looking resplendent in a mint green chikankari salwar suit.

The glow on her face made it hard to believe that she was 44 years old!

The floral motifs on her outfit, in shades of yellow and pink, as well as the georgette fabric, which highlighted her curves, further enhanced her youthful appearance.

Her lips were adorned with matte pink lipstick which perfectly matched the pink dupatta that she had pinned to her shoulders.

Her hair was meticulously tied up in a chignon.

"Good morning!" she smiled airily when he walked up to her.

"Very good morning!" he replied in a daze. "If you don't mind.. drive tum karogi?"

"Jaroor!" She replied while holding the door open for him. She waited till he took the passenger seat before closing the door.

"You look stunning, Anu! Meri toh nazar hi nahi hat rahi hai!"

He complemented her generously as they left the apartment complex.

"Thenk you! Aur.. aap bhi!"

"Main?" he asked doubtfully, while pointing to his crisp white shirt and pastel green suit.

"Ha! Hamesa ki tarah!" she affirmed with an appreciative once over.

"Thank you! Aaj kis khushi me qeher dha rahi hain, mohotarma?!"

"Aaj ka din hi khusi ka hai, hujoor! Aaj hum mandir jayenge, phir aapk dost se milenge aur sabse jaruri baat.. Aaj main apne boyphriend k saath date pe janewali hoon!"

"Achchha, tab hi subha, subha itna taiyar hokar aayi hain aap!"

"Has toh! Aapki kya taiyari hai? Maine suna hai ki aap bhi apni.. masooq se milne wale hain!"

"Ji, sahi suna hai aapne! Maine subha hi unse poochha tha ki woh kis rang k kapde pehenne wali hain. Aur dekhiye, main milte, julte rang ke kapdon me haazir hoon!"

"Bohot badhiya!" She smiled gratefully.

"Aapne aaj saree chhodkar salwar kameez kaise pehen liya?"

"Woh mujhe apne beete huye kal se milvane ja rahe hain toh mujhe laga ki main, beete huye kal ki Anupama jaise, salwar kameej me jaun! Aur phir.. Samar keh raha tha ki bike par college jana hai toh saree kyun pehenogi? Saree me toh dono pair ek baju/side kar k baithna padega. Usme woh.. pheel nahi aayegi!"

"Oh.. Feeel!" he drawled, thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

"Ha. Woh pheel jo.. dono baju pair dalkar.. boyphriend k kandhon par dono haath rakhkar baithne se aati hain ne? woh wali.. pheel! Toh bas isiliye maine salwar kameej pehen liya!"

"Roop parivartan ka raaz toh khul gaya! Yeh chignon ka kya chakkar hai? Mujhe laga tha ki kal raat ko champi karne ke bad subha baal dhoye honge. Toh aap.. khule huye.. geele baalon me.. darshan dengi!"

"Oh, aem?! Aap chahte hain ki main khule huye, geele baalon k saath mandir jaun taki logon ko lage ki mujhme Mata aayi hai! Kai pan bolo chho/kuch bhi bolte ho!"

He laughed "Sorry! Woh matlab nahi tha."

"Chignon ki aadat dal lijiye. Ab se rojana dekhne ko milega! Kal raat main kal aur parso k sare photo dekh rahi thi toh laga ki mujh par choti se amboda/bun jyada achcha lagta hai! Aur chignon bhi!"

"I agree. Par yeh comfortable toh hai na?"

"Ha, ekdum! Baal upar bandhe huye rehte hain toh kam me nadte/obstruction nahi hai."

"Jahan beete dino ki baat chali hai wahan main kuch laya hoon jo tumhare pass bhi raha hoga."

"Autograph book!? Maine bhi barmu(12th) k bad saheliyon se bharvaya tha."

"Maine US jane se pehle bharvaya tha. Isme last page khali hai. Us pe tum apna autograph de dena. Aur koi message likhna chaho toh woh bhi likh dena!"

"Kyun nahi?"

She stopped the car as the signal turned red.

"Abhi likh deti hoon.."

She noticed a wierd thing as she opened the book.

"Bunty ki sahi/sign toh dikhi. Par likha kya hai samajh me nahi aa raha hai?"

"Yeh humari secret code language thi!"

"Oh ho! Saras!"

On the penultimate page she found a poem.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

She doesn't love you

But I still do!

"Yeh kisi Hetvi ne likha hai. 1 toh Mujhe humari aadhi class ke log yaad nahi hai!"

She tried to recall if she could remember the girl's face while taking the pen from him.

"Yeh humari class ki nahi thi, senior thi!"

"Senior ko bhi pata tha.. aapke aur mere bare me?"

"Jab maine US jane ka decision liya toh khabar aag ki tarah phail gayi thi! Waise is Hetvi ne mujhe Navratri me propose kiya tha."

"Aur aapne mana kar diya hoga?"

"Obviously! Tum jo likhne wali thi likho na, signal green ho jayega."

She wrote a few lines in Gujarati before signing the bottom of the page.

"Kevi sundar chhe prem ni bhasha/How beautiful is the language of love!

Hoon shabd chhu ne tame arth/I am the word while you are its meaning

Tamara vagar hoon vyarth/I am meaningless without you!"

"Thank you so much Anu! It's very nice!"

"you're welcome! Aapko subha, subha itna khus dekhkar bohot achcha lag raha hai! Kal raat phone par aapki jaisi aawaaj suni thi aur aaj jo sun rahi hoon usme kitna antar hai! Kanhaji kare aap dono ki dosti bani rahe aur aap hamesa aise hi chehekte rahe! Thu.."

"Don't! Thu Thu Thu mat karna!" He wagged his index finger.

"Kyun?" The pink bindi danced on her forehead when she frowned, distracting him momentarily.

"Kal raat tumne mujhse kaha tha na ki.."

.......

"Maine tay kiya hai ki abse main aapki najar nahi utarungi!"

"Ab se nazar nahi utarungi matlab? Kyun?"

"Jiske haath aur pair me kala dhaga ho aur.."

"Ek minute, ek minute! Pair ka kala dhaga tumne kab dekha?"

"Maine kal dekha jab ABC hall jane se pehle aap joote, moje pehen rahe the."

"Achcha ji!"

"Ha ji! Aur us se bhi badi baat, jise Kanhaji ne janam se najar ka teeka lagakar bheja ho uski najar utarne ki kya jarurat hai?!"

Bending over, she kissed the mole near his lip.

"Maine galat kaha kya?"

He pouted while shooting her a scathing look.

"Aaj se pehle Thu Thu Thu karte waqt kabi aapko yeh nek khayal kyun nahi aaya?"

"Jaise aap sayari me jawab dete hai ne main aapko kahawat me jawab deti hoon- Jaagya tya thi savaar/Jab jago tabhi savera!"

.........

"Savaar padi nahi k tamara vichar badlaayi gaya! Bolo!"

"Aap bataiye ne.. Kya aapko sach me laga ki 3,3 chhaapon/newspapers me aapki tasveerein dekhkar bhi main aapki najar nahi utarungi!?"

"Toh nazar utari kyun nahi?"

"Kal Ravivar tha ne.."

"Uska is baat se kya taalluq hai?"

"Kal jab aapne gym wali selphie bheji tab main.. dekhti hi reh gayi. Najar utarna bhool hi gayi!"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, I see!"

She continued. "Jab Gujarati chhaape me tasveer dekhi toh dhyan aaya. Bhabhi jab Pinakin ko jagane gayi tab rasode se namak liya aur aapki tasveer ki najar utar li! Ma se suna tha ki Ravivar ko namak se najar utarna bohot hi kaargar/ effective hota hai. Haphte tak najar utarne ki jarurat nahi padhti hai!"

"Toh raat ko woh baat kyun kahi thi?"

"Woh majaak tha!"

"Anu.. yaar aisa mazaak dobara mat karna mere saath!"

"Nahi karungi. Pakka! Hmm? Sori!"

She held her earlobe with utmost sincerity.

"Yeh chhoti, chhoti cheezein hongi par mere liye important hain. Kal raat mujhe ma ki yaad aa gayi! Ma kabhi duaayein dekar toh kabhi taareef karte huye meri nazar utara karti thi. Unk jane k bad.. kajal ka teeka lagakar kisine meri nazar nahi utari!"

He sighed wistfully as he thought of his mother.

"Janmashtami par aur kal bhi jab tumhe Samar ki nazar utarte huye dekha toh.. main jazbaati ho gaya!"

Anupama felt guilty for hurting his sentiments.

"Bohot, bohot sori Anuj!" She gently squeezed his hand.

"It's okay. Tum yeh baat nahi janti thi.."

"Par ab jaan gayi hoon toh barabar dhyan rakhungi."

"Aapne mujhe kal kyun nahi bataya?"

"Tumne nazar utarne se mana kar diya, woh bhi itne valid reasons dekar! Phir main kya kehta!"

"Ab se keh dena, khas kar jab ma ya pappa se judi koi baat ho!"

"Bilkul! Filhaal tum driving pe concentrate karo.."

"Hmm. Aap theek hai ne?"

"Ha, theek hoon. Aage se right lo. Short cut hai. 10 minute me mandir pahuch jayenge."

"Theek chhe."

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

After paying obeisense to the deity, MaAn decided to sit outside the temple for a while.

Anuj chose the bench at the farthest corner.

"Maine masala doodh banaya tha. Ise peekar vrat khol lijiye.." Anupama offered while holding the bottle for him.

"Kya baat hai! It's delicious!"

Since his throat was parched, he started gulping down the milk.

"Thoda sa mere liye bachana! Mujhe bhi pyaas lagi hai!"

He stared at her in confusion. "Kya tumne bhi nirjal vrat rakha hai?"

"Ha! Saam ke bad se pani nahi piya."

"Areh, toh bataya kyun nahi?"

He waited till she finished the remaining milk.

Then he removed the kerchief from his pocket and wiped her mouth.

"Aise hi! Aap itne saalon tak bina bataye, bina jataye yeh vrat rakhte aaye hain toh mujhe laga is Somvar se main bhi aapke saath rakhun."

"Nahi rakhogi toh bhi mujhe koi diqqat nahi hogi, Anu. Main toh ma k saath yeh vrat rakhta tha isiliye mujhe aadat hai."

"Aapki dekha dekhi me nahi rakha. Sankar Bhagwan ko thenk you kehna tha ne isiliye rakha! Maine achchha jeevan saathi pane ke liye aaj tak jitne bhi vrat rakhe the woh sab saphal ho gaye!"

When she looked at him her gaze was full of admiration.

"Meri ichchha aur apeksa se lakh guna achchhe, sarvagun sampann jeevan saathi mile hain! Thenk you toh kehna chahiye ne?"

"Abhi, abhi maine doodh piya hai, Anu. Us par tum itna makhkhan lagaogi toh hazam nahi kar paunga!"

"Saachu kahu chhu!"

"Rehva do! Main koi showroom me sajaya hua, flawless mannequin nahi hoon! Sugun aur avgun dono mujh me hain. Nazariye ka farq hota hai!"

"Woh hi baat mujh pe bhi laagu hoti hai!"

"Exactly! Ma bhi yeh hi kaha karti thi. Ek doosre ko unki achchai, buraai ke saath sweekar karna mayine rakhta hai!"

"Yahan aakar aapko unki bohot yaad aa rahi hogi ne?"

He nodded. "Main unka ladla tha! Eklauti santaan hone ki wajah se raja beta wala treatment milta tha mujhe unse! Woh meri har baat maanti thi! Par unhe maine taken for granted liya. Jab tak yeh baat samajh me aayi tab tak.. woh ja chuki thi."

Anupama comforted him when he became emotional.

"Maine Mahadev se yeh bhi manga ki agle janam me mujhe ma aur papa hi parents ke roop me mile aur unki bohot lambi umar ho! Taki main unse pyaar kar sakun aur unki seva kar sakun!"

"Aisa hi hoga! Meri bhi ma, pappa k liye yeh hi ichcha hai! Agle janam me mere pappa ke saath mujhe jyada samay mile. Unko meri uplabdhiyan/achievements dekhne ka, apne nati-poto ke saath khelne ka sukh mile! Is janam me woh bohot jaldi humein chhodkar chale gaye."

...........

"Tum theek ho?" Anuj asked as he wiped Anupama's tears.

She nodded.

"Agle Monday hum aunty ko apne saath lekar aayenge. Yahan aakar tumne bhi unko yaad kiya hoga."

"Ha yaad toh kiya. Jald hi use milkar, prasaad dekar aaungi. Agle Somvar ko jab woh yahan aayegi tab aap use aunty nahi, ma bulayenge!"

"Manzoor hai!" he gestured 👍🏼.

"Jahan maon ki baat ho wahan aapki mummy ki baat kaise na ho?! Aapne kitne jatan kiye, shayari wali kitaab mujhe de di phir bhi unhone aapka jhoot pakad li ne!? Mujhe pata tha ki woh aapka chehra dekhte hi samajh jayenge!"

"Ha, unhone jhoot toh pakad liya lekin chehra dekhne se pehle hi! According to GK, unko jab maine bataya ki tum Rajkot me ruk rahi ho woh tab hi samajh gaye the ki izhar-a- mohabbat ho gaya hai! Aur bank bandh hone se pehle woh tumhare liye kuch lekar bhi aaye hain!"

"Woh.. (gulps) dadi ka naulakha haar?"

"Nahi. Kuch aur! Abhi hum unko pick karne chalenge tab dekh lena."

"Bhaley! Kaka gussa the?"

"Nahi. Woh toh hyperexcited hain!"

He told her about his happy dance on hearing about Anupama's proposal.

"Unse maine kaha ki hum abhi apni life ke kuch precious moments relive karnewale hain jinpe sirf MaAn ka haq hai! Usme.. kisika interference nahi chahiye isiliye kuch dino tak apne BFF ko na bataye."

"Kya woh raji ho gaye?"

"Ha, bilkul!"

"Sambhdo ne, main apne pappa ke alava ma aur pappaji ke naam se mandir me seedha/kind dena chahti thi. Par mujhe.. unke naam nahi pata."

He melted at her honest yet awkward confession.

"Pritha aur Anil Kapadia.."

"Aur mere pappa ka naam tha.."

"Kintesh Joshi." he completed for her.

She was not surprised.

"Aapko Devika ne bataya hoga.."

"Bunty ne bataya tha."

Here she became curious.

"Unko kaise pata? Jagruti ko bhi yeh pata nahi hoga kyunki woh 93 se mujhe janti hai. Aur pappa toh uske bohot pehle hi.. chal base."

"Tum pujariji ko seedha dekar aao. Main ghar jate waqt tumhe batata hoon."

"Saru. Aap jara Samar ko bata denge ki hum kaka ko lene ja rahe hain? Woh idada gas pe chadha dega. Phir main ghar jakar phataphat vaghaar/ tempering dungi."

"Sure! Nashte ki tension mat lena. Main tumhari help kar dunga."

"Nahi jarur. Sab taiyar hai."

"Aaj kitne baje uthi thi?"

"5 baje. Samar bhi tabhi uth gaya. Usne haath bataya isiliye sara kaam ho gaya. Chalo, aau chhu.."

"Ha. Hun gadi reverse karu chhu.."

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

"Der kahan laga di Annu?"asked Anuj as they left the temple premises 15 minutes later.

"Ba ka phone aaya tha. Keh rahi thi ki opphice jane se pehle milkar jana. Maine kaha ki main aaj nahi aa paungi."

"Unhone tumhe 2 din extra rukne ke liye guilty feel karvane ki koshish ki?"

"Jane dijiye ne. Mujhe dos dena toh.. unki aadat hai."

"Unko yeh baat pasand nahi aai ki tum, unki marzi k mutabiq, moti baa k saath Jamnagar me nahi ruki par Rajkot me ruk gayi!"

She did not reply.

"Maine kuch galat kaha toh batao!"

"Sahi kaha aapne." she admitted. "Woh bhool jati hain ki na toh main bachchi hoon aur na woh meri saas! Jab maine yaad karvaya toh.. kehne lagi ki ab main toh dadi ki haisiyat se bol rahi hoon! Pakhi tujhe dekhkar bigad jayegi."

"Woh unk beta, vahu ko dekhkar nahi bigdegi par tumhe dekhkar bigad jayegi?!"

He shook his head in disgust.

"Ba ki wajah se apna mood kharab mat karo."

"Ab se nahi karungi! Aaj beti k naam pe mujhe rok rahi hain. Kal ko bahuon ki duhaai dengi!"

"Woh hi toh! Apne dimag me imaginary filter lagao aur unki kadvi baaton ko bahar phenko!"

"Agli bar unka phone aayega tab agar main bhool gayi toh aap yaad karvana, yeh philter wali baat!"

"Permanently laga lo! Bohot kaam aayega! In fact, multiple filters laga lo kyunki Vanraj ke liye 1 filter kam padega!"

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

"Aap kya batane wale the.. pappa ke naam ko lekar?"

"Jab hum college me the tab kisi ladke ko kisi ladki ka number aur address janna ho aur use ladki ya usk doston se poochhne ki himmat na ho.. toh sabse pehle uske papa ka naam pata karvata tha!"

"Kyun?" she wondered aloud.

"Suno toh! Phir moti si telephone directory lekar baithna padhta tha! Usme saikdon naam chhatkar, ghanton tak try karte rehne ke bad kahin jakar sahi number aur thikana milta tha!"

She listened with rapt attention.

"Jo stalkers the woh number janne k bad blank calls dena shuru kar dete the! Aur jo mere jaise, shareef aashiq the, woh address pakar ek jhalak pane ke irade se gali ke chakkar katne lagte the!"

"Aasiq Kapadia!" She folded her hands and bowed her head in mock reverence.

"Aashiqui karna koi aasaan kaam nahi tha meri jaan, phir bhi humne dil-o-jaan se aashiqui ki! Waise, mere case me cheezein dusron se thodi aasan thi. Class representative mera dost tha isiliye dhundhne ki mehnat karni hi nahi padi! Usne class record me dekhkar tumhare parents ke naam bata diye aur pata toh usne pehle hi bataya tha!"

"Par unk naam jaankar kya karna tha aapko?"

"Jisse aap pyaar karte hain uske bare me basic cheezein toh pata honi chahiye na? Baki sab Devika se dosti huyi phir dheere, dheere pata chala."

"Mujhe toh yeh.. basic bhi nahi pata tha. Devika jab bhi baat suru karti main taal deti. Ab thoda, bohot aapse aur us se pata chala hai, baki aaj Bunty se dosti ho jayegi phir mujhe pata chalega! Aapne 95 ki Anupama k bare me Devika se jana tha aur main 95 k Anuj k bare me unse janungi!"

"I'm so excited, Anu! Aaj main tumhara aur Bunty ka official introduction karvaunga!"

"Main bhi bohot utsuk hoon unse milne ke liye! Aapne unko bataya ki hum nikal gaye?"

"Nahi. Main ghar pahuchkar bata dunga."

"Theek chhe. Aaj ka aapka sidool kya hai?"

"Subha Mumbai team ke saath jo video conference thi woh reschedule kar di aur review meeting cancel kar di. Baki ka schedule as it is hai. Main sham ko Bunty ko airport drop karne jaunga. Usk bad kahin midpoint pe milunga tum logo ko."

"Ha. Phir college ke liye wahin se nikal jayenge."

"Ha! Anu.."

"Hmm?"

"Aaj raat tum.."

He was interrupted by her loud ringtone.

"Jai Sri Krishna mamaji! Moti ba baat karna chahti hain? Aapo.."

"Not again!" Anuj thought to himself.

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

"Anuj, kya hua beta?"

GK grew anxious when he saw Anuj standing alone outside the door with a crestfallen face.

"Pehle andar aa jaun?"

"Ha. Anu kahan hai? Usse jhagda hua kya?"

"Na kaka. Hu ahiyaaj chhu!" Anu exclaimed joyously. "Jai Sri Krishna!"

"Aao beta. Jai Shri Krishna!"

"Mujhe laga ki date pe jane ke bajaay yeh tumhe mandir lekar gaya isiliye tum naraaz ho gayi!"

"Aur mujhe laga ki aap humse naraaj honge!"

"Nahi beta. Bilkul nahi! Tumhari life hai toh faisla bhi tumhara hi hona chahiye!"

He placed his hand on Anupama's head.

"Mubarak ho! Welcome to the Kapadia Karodia family! Tumhara rishta chahe jis muqam par ho, chahe iska jo bhi naam ho, main tum dono k saath kal bhi tha aur aaj bhi hoon!"

Anupama felt at ease when GK lovingly patted her cheek.

"Sadav sukhi thao, beta! Kanhaji tum dono ka prem aise hi banaye rakhe!"

He blessed MaAn abundantly when they touched his feet.

"Aapki baatein sunkar mujhe kitni khusi hui main kya bataun,kaka! Main toh dar rahi thi ki.. humne yeh baat chhupayi isiliye aap dukhi honge."

"Nahi beta. Yeh toh is ki purani aadat hai! Ise lagta hai ki yeh sirf shayar nahi, actor bhi hai! Par hai toh yeh romantic gadha!"

"Kal raat se ab tak 50 bar mujhe romantic gadha bula chuke hain aur na jane kitni bar "chhupana bhi nahi aata" suna chuke hain. Control yourself, GK!"

But GK paid no heed to his words.

"College me bhi isne kuch time tak ghar pe nahi bataya tha. 1 din iske pappa ne isko shayari likhte huye pakad liya!"

"Ha, woh vakyaa inhone bataya tha mujhe."

GK nudged Anuj while grinning from ear to ear when Anu referred to him as "inhone".

Anuj silently urged him to keep his excitement in check.

"1 baat aisi hai jo usne nahi batayi hogi kyunki usko bhi nahi pata."

"Aisi kya baat hai, GK?"

MaAn were equally inquisitive to know more.

"Iske pappa ne mujhse chhaan-been karne ko kaha. Jise Anuj prem karta hai woh ladki kaun hai, kahan se hai, uska ghar, parivar kaisa hai?"

Anuj was shell shocked. "Yeh kab hua?"

"Tujhe kya lagta hai, sirf tu hi actor hai!? Jis din tune bataya yeh us hi din hua tha! Agle din jab tu Bunty k saath music class jane k liye nikla tab maine chhupke tumhara peechha kiya!"

"Achcha, matlab aapki stalking ki aadat 26 saal purani hai!"

"Stalking nahi, ise bade-boodhon ka farz kehte hain!"

GK turned to Anupama, who was watching their exchange with an amused expression.

"Main tumhare mohalle tak gaya. Us din pehli bar maine tumhe dekha aur dekhte hi pasand aa gayi!"

"Par kaka.. aapne kaise pehchana ki main kaun hoon? Main toh hamesa.. saheliyon ke saath class k liye nikalti thi."

"Devika aur Jagruti toh humare ghar aa chuki thi, beta. Aur phir, jis tarah Anuj tumhe dekhkar seedha baith gaya us se kisiko bhi pata chal jata! Tumhare aane se pehle yeh scooter pe aise pada tha jaise scooter nahi, yeh bejaan ho!"

An embarrassed Anuj placed an arm around GK.

"Bas mummy! Please.. Ab meri aur taareef mat kariye!"

He was relieved when GK acquiesced.

"Maine tumhare mohalle walo se tumhare parivar ke bare me pata kiya."

"Seriously!? Kahin aap.. sasuma k darwaze tak toh.. nahi pahuch gaye?"

GK sighed abjectly as he felt pangs of regret.

"Kaash pahuch gaya hota! Tune apni mummy ko rishta lekar jane se rok diya toh unhone mujhe aur tere pappa ko rok diya. Baat aage nahi badh payi."

Anupama felt a tug of pain as the colour drained from Anuj's face.

"Isme Anuj ka koi dos nahi hai! Aisa karne ke peechhe inki soch bilkul sahi thi!"

"Main janta hoon Anupama."

"Woh toh bas.. meri kismat kharab thi!"

"Kanhaji ke aashirwad se tum dono ki kismat palat gayi hai! Thank you beta! In budhdhi aankhon ko ummeed dene ke liye, mere bete se pyaar karne ke liye thank you so much!"

"Yeh toh mera saubhagya hai!"

"Ab main chain se mar sakta hoon kyunki mujhe pata hai ki mere peechhe Anuj akela nahi hoga!"

"Kevi vaaton karo chho, kaka? Hum dono ko aapka haath humare sar pe chahiye!"

"Woh toh rahega hi. Ab toh mera sabse bada dar tune door kar diya toh meri umar aur lambi ho jayegi!"

"Ha. Sawal aj nathi! Kanhaji aapko shataayu/100 years denge!"

"You'll rock when you hit a century, man!"

"Of course man!"

He cupped Anuj's face and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Usk bad jab bulava aayega tab.. upar jakar tere pappa, mummy ko garv se kahunga- Maine woh.. sab hi zimmedariyan puri kar di jo woh aap dekar gaye the!"

Anuj pulled him closer and wrapped his arms securely around him.

"Mr Gopichand Karodia, aapko main kahin nahi jane dunga! Samjhe aap?"

When they broke apart he pulled Anu into the hug as well.

"Aur Anu toh aur bhi nahi jane degi kyunki aisa 2-in-1 saas-sasur ka combination use kahan milega? Hai na Anu?"

"Ha, aej ne! Aisa combinasan toh puri duniya me nahi hoga! Aapko yahin rehna hoga, humare pass!"

GK smiled at last as he wrapped his arms around them.

"Tum dono youngsters ne mujhe itna senti kar diya ki main jo dena chahta tha woh hi dena bhool gaya!"

"Suna Annu? Hum dono ne inko senti kar diya?!"

Anupama laughed as she wiped Anuj's eyes.

Anuj left the room to answer a call.

"Beta tu khush hai na Anuj ke saath?"

"Ha kaka! Bohot khus hoon!"

"Agar tu kisi bhi baat se nakhush ho toh batana. Uski koi complain ho toh bejhijak mujhse kar sakti hai! Main uski khabar lunga!"

"Hoon yaad rakhis!" she smiled.

Anuj returned to the living room a minute later.

"Bunty ko lene jana hai kya Anuj?"

"Nahi GK. Woh thodi der me cab se niklega hotel se."

"Theek hai. Baitho beta. Main tumhara gift lekar aata hoon."

.........

GK had barely stepped out of the living room when Anuj kissed Anupama's cheek.

Anupama was mortified.

"Su karo chho?" She muttered under her breath.

"Mere ghar me meri life partner ka swagat hai!" Anuj spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Woh din aur the jab tumhe door se dekhkar pani pee leta aur pyaas bujh jati. Magar aaj meri pyaas nahi bujhi! Ab tumhara Shayar Kapadia.. laalchi ho gaya hai!"

Anupama coloured as she recalled their conversation in Rajkot.

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

"Tumhara Shayar Kapadia bohot laalchi ho gaya hai!"

"Kya?!"

"Hmm.. Office me 8 ghante tum mere saamne baithi rehti ho. Par jab tum academy jane ke liye nikalti ho toh, jee karta hai ki tumhe kisi bahane se rok loon! Aur aaj.. tumhe kiss karne ke bad dil kar raha hai ki jab tak zinda hoon tab tak har roz tumhe aise hi kiss karoon!"

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

She made the mistake of looking at him only to find him placing two fingers suggestively on his lips.

"Annuujj! Kaisi baatein kar rahe hain!", she chided softly.

"Kyun, maine aisa kya kaha?"

Thankfully GK stepped out of his bedroom before he could tease her any further.

"Yeh lo, beta. Anuj ki ma ne tumhare liye yeh set banvaya tha."

Anupama opened the antique jewellery box to find a delicate gold jewellery set.

The pendant and hook earrings were shaped like a single peacock feather facing downwards.

The box also housed a matching drawstring bracelet and an adjustable armlet featuring two peacock feathers.

Anupama stared at the set in awe.

"Ma ne.. banvaya tha.. mere liye?"

"Ha beta. Pasand aaya?"

"Bohot jyada! Morpeechh ni design bahu sundar chhe!"

She touched his feet again.

"Main ise bohot sambhal kar rakhungi. Amulya hai mere liye!"

"Anuj, yeh raha tera gift. Yeh itne salon tak locker pada raha par tu ne kabhi nahi pehna kyunki yeh Anu ke set se milta hai."

He revealed the gold brooch having the same peacock feather design.

"Ab tu ise pehenna. Ma bohot khush hongi!"

"Bilkul! Thank you so much mummy!"

"Areh, mummy ka gift toh abhi baki hai!"

GK opened a velvet pouch and pulled out two gold coins from it.

"Yeh lo. Tumhari nayi shuruaat k liye best of luck!"

"Kya baat hai, aaj toh promotion hua hai! Pata hai Anu? Is se pehle kaka ne mere har tithi wale janmdin par mujhe chandi ke sikke diye. Aaj pehli bar sone ka diya hai!"

Anupama smiled as he ran his thumb over the coin.

"Chandi ka sikka agle saal bhi milega. Sirf tujhe nahi, Anu ko bhi uske janamdin par milega! Yeh toh tumhare jeevan ka naya padaav shubh ho, sunehra ho isiliye sone ka sikka de raha hoon!"

Anupama closed her eyes and touched both the gifts to her forehead.

"Pehenkar dikhao na Anu.." Anuj requested.

When she wore the earrings it brought tears to her eyes.

Her tears seemed to reflect in Anuj's eyes as well.

"Bohot jach raha hai beta! 1 wada karegi?"

"Boliye ne kaka?"

GK extracted a promise from her that she would never leave Anuj. She gladly promised while staring deep into Anuj's glistening eyes.

GK's happiness knew no bounds.

"Aaj toh jalsa karenge! Jab Anuj yahan nahi tha tab tune mera bohot khayal rakha. Jab tu yahan nahi thi tab bhi bachchon k haathon khana bhijvaya. Aaj main tere liye khana banaunga! Tu dinner humare saath karna."

"Tame sha mate taqleeph leso?"

"Mane jara a taqleef nathi, beta."

"Hum saath me rasoi banayenge ha kaka?"

"Bilkul nahi! Main tum dono ke liye khana banaunga!"

Anu relented against his fervent persuasion.

"Tumne meri itni seva ki hai. Thodi seva karne ka mauka mujhe bhi toh do!"

"Ha, dinner ke bad yahin pe overnight stay karo!" Anuj slyly added.

"Ha beta! Aye! Kya kaha tune?" GK's sharp ears caught him.

Anuj bit his tongue as a sheepish grin appeared on his lips.

"I mean.. Main thoda sa laalchi ho gaya hoon GK!"

Anupama lowered her gaze as she felt a rush of heat.

"Jab aap uski seva kar rahe hain toh Annu ki thodi seva karne ka mauka mujhe bhi milna chahiye na?!"

"Achchha beta!?"

"Of course! Jab main beemar tha toh Anu ne meri kitni seva ki thi. Mujhe at least breakfast banakar khilane ka mauka toh milna hi chahiye! Kya kehte hain aap?"

"Ha, yeh bhi sahi hai!"

"Na, na. Raat ko.. main kaise..?"

"Jaise pehle ruki thi waise. Is bar Toshu ki jagah Samar ko saath le aana."

"Ha, not a bad idea at all!"

"Agar tujhe abhi bhi theek nahi lag raha hai toh koi baat nahi! Tu sirf khane pe aa jana."

When Anupama turned towards Anuj she found a pleading look in his eyes.

"Kaka.. Main ruk jaungi par sirph aaj k liye. Kal subha main aur Samar chale jayenge."

"Yes boss!"

"Theek hai beta. Anuj, main gadi me intezaar kar raha hoon. Time ka dhyan rakhna! Aisa na ho ki Bunty humse pehle pahuch jaye!"

"Ji mummy! Main bilkul dhyan rakhunga!"

Anuj closed and bolted the door once GK left.

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

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" He fistpumped the air in excitement.

To his horror Anupama walked towards the kitchen.

"Annu.. Tum kahan chali?"

"Chai banane chali!" She answered casually.

"Wapis aate waqt tapri pe chai pilayi toh sahi!"

When he followed her he noticed a slow cheeky smile forming on her lips.

"Utne se gilas se kya hota hai? Main toh mug bharke chai peeti hoon!"

"Mug bharke kyun, thermos bhar ke pee lena lekin us ghar jakar! Abhi yahan aao.."

He took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

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

"Annuuujj!"

"Anuuu!" He mimicked her tone.

"Kya keh rahe the aap.. kaka ke saamne? Laalchi, laalchi!?"

"Sahi toh kaha! Mujhe genuinely tumse kuch zuroori baatein karni hain. Aur tumhare saath thoda aur time spend karne ke liye main laalchi hoon toh hoon. Tum nahi chahti toh mana kar do!"

"Bohot bholey mat baniye!"

She smudged her kohl lined eye and placed a dot behind his left ear.

"Yeh.. kyun?"

"Aapki khusi k liye!"

"Mujhe bhi nikalkar do.."

"Nikalkar do matlab?! Aap apni kanni ungli se thoda sa kajal le lijiye."

"Maine.. aaj tak kabhi aise.. kaajal nahi liya hai. Kahin mera nakhun tumhari aankh me chubh gaya toh?"

"Kyun chubhega? Aankh ke andar se nahi kinare se kajal lena hai, woh bhi jara sa!"

She took his little finger to her eye and gently smudged her kohl.

Instead of placing a dot behind her ear, Anuj placed it below her lip.

Anupama was pleasantly surprised.

"Kahin tumhe meri hi nazar na lag jaye!"

He tipped her chin with his index finger and sucked her lower lip.

She pulled him closer by his collar giving him better access to her mouth.

"Annuuuu.." he moaned between kisses.

"Hmm?" she replied in a haze.

"Kiss me.. with your tongue!"

She obliged instantly. They lost track of everything else but themselves.

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

"27 din bad.." Anuj began slowly, savouring her flustered reaction.

Anupama broke the eye lock as she could not bear his heated gaze.

Her lips parted just enough to reveal a hint of her front teeth.

Anuj smooched her as he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

He didn't notice that her hair pin was jutting out. Thus it pricked his fingertip.

He gasped, thereby breaking the kiss.

"Kya ho gaya?"

"Kuch bhi toh nahi! Relax!"

She sucked the small drop of blood which appeared on his fingertip.

Anuj tore his gaze away from the tempting sight.

"Tetanus ki rasi lagvani padegi kya? Pin toh purani hai.."

"Maine 2 saal pehle hi tetanus ka shot liya tha. So don't worry!"

"Phir theek hai!" she smiled at last.

"Tum is pin se careful rehna. Chubh na jaye."

"Main ise nikal hi deti hoon."

She threw the pin in the dustbin.

"Main kya keh raha tha.. Hum 27 din bad.."

She pushed him away when he leaned closer.

"Hum yeh baatein bad me karenge! Kaka intejar kar rahe hain. Bunty aa rahe hain.."

She said more to remind herself than him.

When she turned to go, he caught hold of her shoulders.

"Kya hua?"

"Apni amaanat toh lekar jao!"

He moved away to bring her the Venetian crystal perfume bottle which belonged to his mother.

"Thenk you!" she accepted it with a smile. "Main dagine/jewellery samet leti hoon. Aap joote pehen lijiye."

When she turned to leave, he caught the scalloped edge of her dupatta.

"Havey su thayu?"

"Maru return gift kya chhe?"

"Pachchi aapis/bad me dungi.." She freed her dupatta.

This time, however, he stopped her with his words.

"Sharma gaye, lajaa gaye, daaman chhuda gaye,

Ay ishq, marhabaa, woh yahan tak to aa gaye!"

She blushed a beautiful shade of pink.

"Dil par hazaar tarah ke auhaam chha gaye,

Ye tum ne kya kiya, meri duniya may aa gaye!"

Anupama closed her eyes when he tenderly kissed the side of her neck.

"Sehn-e-chaman ko apni bahaaron pe naaz tha,

Woh aa gaye to sari bahaaron pe chha gaye!"

She turned around to meet his gaze.

He shrugged nonchalantly as he recited the last verse.

"Ab kya karun main fitrat-e-naakaam-e-ishq ka?

Jitne the haadsaat mujhe raas aa gaye!"

He explained the shayari to her in brief. They exchanged knowing smiles.

*Glossary- marhabaa: welcome, auhaam: illusions, Sehn-e-chaman: garden, bahaaron: spring, fitrat-e-naakaam-e-ishq: nature of unrequited love, haadsaat: accidents, raas: like

A/N: These beautiful lines are part of a ghazal penned by Jigar Moradabadi sahab. I chose them for Anuj's shayari because they suited the situation perfectly.

..........

Anuj's phone buzzed bringing them back to the present.

"Ha Bunty, bol.. Tu itni jaldi pahuch gaya?! Ghar pe tala laga hai?"

Anupama was dismayed. "Samar bina bataye kahin jayega nahi. Unse poochhiye sahi phloor pe aaye hai ne? Baju me Ankit Yadav ka nameplate hai?"

"Ha, sun bagal wale ghar me Ankit Yadav ka nameplate hai kya?.. Hai!? Phir toh tu sahi ghar me aaya hai!"

"Main Samar ko phone karti hoon."

"Hum abhi nikal rahe hain.. Matlab pahuch rahe hain. Tu wahin ruk.. Bye."

"Chaliye jaldi. Main raste me Samar ko phone lagati hoon."

They left the house in a mad rush.

.........

Hope you liked this MaAnlicious part. Please ignore mistakes.

Cheers,

Noorie

Part 22 on pg 80

Originally posted by: ektag06

Discovered this quite late but wow. If binge reading is a thing, then that happened. Couldn’t sleep without completing. Extremely well written and omg the shayaris 💛

Waiting for the next part 🧡

Hey ekta! Thank you so much dear for your kind words!🤗 Means a lot! ❤️❤️❤️Shayari has a piece of my heart so whenever someone praises my shayaris it makes me super happy! Thanks once again! Shall tag you from now onwards whenever I update this one.

Love,

Noorie

Beautiful beautiful beauuuuutiful! I was craving to read maanilicious story. Thank you for sharing and tagging me Noorie..🤗💜💖❤

You have a good grip on gujrati language.. loved it.. and the shayari too.. like anu.. even i cannot understand much,but aapne explanation bahot achha diya hain.. its awesome.

Can't wait for next part dearie.

Originally posted by: rupsii

Beautiful beautiful beauuuuutiful! Hey Rupsi! Thank you so much dear! 🤗

I was craving to read maanilicious story. Thank you for sharing and tagging me Noorie..🤗💜💖❤ Pleasure is all mine! Glad you liked it! ❤️❤️❤️

You have a good grip on gujrati language.. loved it.. Thank you! I'm a Gujarati that's why.

and the shayari too.. like anu.. even i cannot understand much,but aapne explanation bahot achha diya hain.. its awesome. Thank you! 😳

Can't wait for next part dearie.

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback! Means a lot! 🤗🤗

Nyccc Part dear Tanu welldone Mind-blowing plz continue soon......thanks for tagging me dear

Thank you so much for tagging me!!!✨✨✨✨

Hey noorie,hope you are all well🤗🤗...Woahhh finally MaAnlicious chapter🤧❤️... loved ANU ANUJ'S combination of clothes 🤩...wow Anupama's pheeling wali pheel was unexpected 😳🥺.. Anu's quote was awesome 🥰... The way Anu being emotional of unintentionally hurting anuj by nazar things 🥺🥺...MaAn & GK kaka's scene was Emotional 😭😭.. missed this moment in show ...loved GK's gifts for MaAn's 🌝💖...Ufffff Anuj ki shayari 🥺❤️❤️

Goshhhhhhh after ages MaAn Romancing 🙈🙈🙈❤️❤️...

Waiting for next update soon ☺️☺️