Previously on Mumbai Blues...
Scene: A Chocolaty Saga - The New Player
Jhanak lowers her head over the desk to meet his eyes, while Anirudh keeps lowering his head into the file he’s pretending to read. Frustrated, Jhanak gives up, grabs the list, and exits in haste to go to the storage room. Anirudh peeks out of the file, watching her walk away.
"Ab to maine bhi than li hai! Kuch bhi ho jaye, wo chocolate main tumhe nahi khane dunga!!" Anirudh quickly grabs the chocolate he had and follows her closely behind to the storeroom.
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Storage Room
Jhanak is looking through the list, trying to locate the files on the rack with the half-opened, uneaten chocolate in her other hand. She feels extremely frustrated because Anirudh has been bugging her all day.
She spots the file she was looking for, but it's on the topmost shelf. She stretches on tiptoe, struggling to reach a file but falls short.
Suddenly, she feels a gentle push behind her, sending a jolt through her body. A hand deliberately brushes past hers, reaching for the file. She feels his warm breath on her shoulder, his body blanketing hers, it is a familiar feeling, a familiar touch. She panics, turning around quickly in the confined space, but the setting sun decides to blind her, making it impossible for her to see his face.
She squints and turns her head, eyes squeezed shut against the glare, exposing the graceful curve of her neck to the one standing so close. Her skin shimmers in the golden light, as she tries to get hold of her breath feeling the warmth of his breath along with the sun.
(Our fav BGM song for the scene ❤️ ...re re sa, re re sa, as re ga ma pa)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7xymI9KRn0
Anirudh stands there, captivated by the sight of her skin glowing like molted gold in the evening sun. His eyes trail from her eyes to her exposed neck, the delicate pulse at her throat, and the way her collarbone rises and falls with each breath. Her beauty is so radiant that he feels an overwhelming urge to touch her, to confirm if it's truly her or if he's looking at something divine.
He could shield her from the light with the file in his hand, but he hesitates, wanting to savor this moment a little longer, letting the sun cast a halo around her.
After what feels like an eternity, feeling a twinge of mercy, he lifts the file to block the sun, casting a gentle shadow over her face.
Jhanak opens her eyes slowly, adjusting to the sudden relief from the bright light. As her vision clears, she turns her face and her heart skips a bit to find herself confined between Anirudh's arms and the shelf, standing incredibly close to him.
Their eyes meet, and a profound silence envelops them. The sun seems to have conspired with him, to create this magical moment -- the dusting files, the music of fading sunlight, their breaths dancing on synchronized beat as they are lost in the ocean of each other's eyes.
His other hand finds a place on the shelf beside her, closing the distance even more. Jhanak already confined in the small space, attempts to maintain the distance between them backing away, only to find herself unable to move from the same spot as before.
She closes her eyes in nervousness, her hands firmly gripping the shelf as if her life depended on it. Anirudh is lost in the moment, his hand starts to lose the strength to hold on to the file any longer and starts to lower itself.
The sunlight floods back in, breaking the spell it once cast on them, snapping them out of the trance. Anirudh hastily lifts the file again, but the spell has already been broken.
Still trapped between his arms so close that she can feel his breath, Jhanak asks in a low voice, "Aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?"
"Wahi jo tum kar rahi ho... Kam?" Anirudh lies smoothly. There is an unexpected calmness in their conversation this time. Is it the magic of the closeness?
"Main ye file khud le leti... aap ki zaroorat nahi thi" Jhanak retorts, trying to grab the file but Anirudh moves away his hand. Jhanak looks at Anirudh with a confused face.
"Dhoop aa rahi hai, rehane do..." Anirudh gives an excuse, and moves his hand back to its position to block the sun, entrapping Jhanak back again where she was.
The chocolate in her hand starts to melt and drip onto the floor. Noticing this, Anirudh says, "Tumhari special chocolate, phighal rahi hai!"
Jhanak looks down at her hand and the mess it's creating, "Are ye to pighal rahi hai.."
Anirudh senses an opportunity, "Haan, ek kam karo ye tum muze.."
Jhanak, not paying full attention to him, mutters to herself, "Ek kam karati hoon, isse kha leti hoon, Isse pehale ki ye mere kapade kharab kare!"
Oh, the trick backfired. What is happening here? Anirudh feels nervous as he watches Jhanak inch closer to eat the chocolate. "Ab kya karu?" Anirudh is out of ideas. He looks back and forth between Jhanak and the chocolate, her face getting closer and closer to taking a bite.
In a last-ditch effort, Anirudh instinctively, without much thought, leaps in and takes a bite of the chocolate from Jhanak's hand. In the process, he drops the file from his other hand, needing to grab onto the shelf to steady himself. This movement causes him to unintentionally press his body against hers, entrapping her within his arms. Their faces now no longer apart, their cheeks grazing each other, sending electric shocks through both of them.
Startled by the proximity, Jhanak loses her grip on the chocolate and drops it on the ground. The warmth of their proximity creates an undeniable tension in the air. They are free to move, but it's as though an invisible force has bound them together, both hesitate to breathe, as they feel, their bodies now intimately close, chest to chest, hip to hip.
She can feel his heartbeat quickening against her own. Anirudh is stunned by his actions, wondering about his next move but he is lost in the feel of her skin against his. The way he jumped in to eat the chocolate like a hungry baby, he has tarnished his lips with melted chocolate.
Anirudh, caught up in the moment, forgets how close Jhanak's face is to his as he tries to turn his face. Inadvertently, he brushes his chocolate-streaked lips against her cheek, grazing her lips ever so slightly and leaving a taste of the chocolate for she was so eager to eat.
Their eyes widen in mutual surprise, and shock runs down their bodies, as they pull away abruptly. Anirudh now standing straight, released Jhanak from the long entrapment, cleaning his chocolate-covered mouth with his hand, avoiding eye contact with Jhanak scrambling to think of an excuse to give to her before she bombards him with questions.
Jhanak, still processing the intimate encounter, remains frozen in her place as if still entrapped by Anirudh, replaying what just occurred in her head in a loop, trying to make sense of it. She stares at Anirudh with eyes full of questions. Anirudh notices her angry and bewildered look, Anirudh clears his throat awkwardly and looks away, trying to compose himself.
Jhanak takes a step forward in anger and Anirudh instinctively backs up, "Ye abhi abhi aapane ... " She begins, touching the chocolate on her lips and face, attempts to clean it and again getting lost in her thoughts for a few moments, her cheeks helplessly blushing.
Anirudh glances at her lips sideways when she isn't looking, recalling the brief chocolate-filled smooch they shared, unable to control the rush of blood on his face. He quickly looks away as she turns to him to continue her interrogation.
Jhanak gathers herself and asks firmly, "Ye kya tha?" pointing to the melted chocolate on the ground.
Anirudh raises his hands in a calming gesture, trying to offer an excuse. "Dekho Jhanak, wo... wo... chocolate... pighal gai thi. Kaphi time se aise hi khuli thi na! To acchi taste nahi karati! Shayad kharab bhi ho gayi hoti... To main wo tumhe khane se bacha raha tha! Tumhe mera shukriyada karana chahiye, aur tum ho ki muz par gussa kar rahi ho?" Anirudh takes a step forward straightening his poster with confidence, thinking he managed to give a solid excuse for his actions.
Jhanak stares back at him, her confusion evident. "Kya?" His explanation makes no sense to her. "Pighali hui chocolate se main bimar pad jati? To aapne kyun khai? Wo chocolate meri thi!" She fires back, questioning his logic.
"Oh... to tumhe chocolate khani hai! Bus itani si problem?" Anirudh seizes the opportunity to shift the conversation, reaches into his coat pocket pulls out a fresh piece of chocolate, and offers it to Jhanak with a touch of bravado, "Ye lo, ye rahi chocolate, ye khalo!", he says, shamelessly presenting the replacement chocolate.
Jhanak's fury is evident from her body language. She is breathing heavily in anger and staring at Anirudh bewildered by his antics. She has a lot to say, she wants to give Anirudh piece of her mind, but her frustration is also exhausted today to shout at Anirudh anymore.
She decides to ignore him without saying a word back. She picks up the file from the floor, gives him a look, and turns to leave the room. Just as she moves, her eyes lock on a lizard crawling on the wall. She shouts in panic, dropping the file on the floor, and runs into Anirudh's arms. Anirudh drops the chocolate on the ground, feeling the sudden embrace losing his balance momentarily but gaining it back the next moment embracing her in return.
"Kya hua Jhanak?" Anirudh’s voice is filled with concern as he pulls her closer.
"Chipkali..." Jhanak replies, her voice trembling with fear.
"Kaha?" Anirudh asks, trying to locate the source of her panic.
Jhanak, too frightened to look, points shakily at the wall freeing her one hand, "Waha, us diwar par..." Jhanak is hiding her face in Anirudh's chest in fear.
"Ohh... " Anirudh suppresses a chuckle as he glances at the wall and sees the small lizard. Jhanak’s fear makes her seem almost like a scared child, and it’s both endearing and amusing.
"Dekha na aapane?" Jhanak’s voice is anxious, searching for reassurance.
"Haan, dekha Jhanak. Bohot badi hai!" Anirudh responds, reassuring Jhanak that her fear was completely justified, pressing his lips to suppress his laugh at her adorable fear.
"Hain na badi? Muze chipakali se darr lagata hai!" Jhanak’s voice quivers, her fear palpable.
"Jhanak... Tez baarish, andhera, injection, aur ab chipkali bhi?" Anirudh reflects softly, his hand gently caressing her head, his voice laced with nostalgia.
Jhanak stays silent for a moment, her mind wandering through those beautiful shared memories. After a pause, she asks softly, "Chali gayi kya?"
(Song for this beautiful yet "majboor" embrace... phir le aaya dil...
For Ani's POV in the voice of Arijit Singh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAsJ6dAF68
For Jhanak's POV in voice of Rekha Bhardwaj: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3upQJZUiok
I love Rekhaji's version more for this song ❤️ but listen to your fav version as you read further, trust me on this one 🤗... I will refer to lyrics ...)
Anirudh senses her attempt to pull away and tightens his embrace, unwilling to let go. Without looking at the wall he responds, "Nahi... abhi nahi!" To the readers, was this in response to Jhanak's question or something else?
(In Arijit's voice: Phir le aaya dil majboor kya keeje
Raas na aaya rehna door kya keeje
Dil keh raha use maqammal kar bhi aao
Wo jo adhoori si baat baaki hai
Wo jo adhoori si yaad baaki hai
Wo jo adhoori si yaad baaki hai )
Anirudh closes his eyes, and savors the embrace that means the world to him, he rests his head against hers, deepening the embrace, as if telling her please don't ever let go of me. Jhanak struggles against her feelings, but her heart is not listening to her as she is reminded of their beautiful moments together. In a final, desperate bid to maintain her composure before her heart asks her to let go as well, she asks, "Ab?"
Words are lost to Anirudh at this moment, he can only manage to say, "Mahmm..." to deny it.
Jhanak closes her eyes, convincing herself, she tried her best and she only holding on to him because of her fear of the lizard.
(In Rekhaji's voice: Kismat ko hai yeh manzoor kya keeje
Milte rahe hum badastoor kya keeje
Dil keh raha hai use musalsal kar bhi aao
Wo jo ruki si raah baaki hai
Wo jo ruki si chaah baaki hai )
Yet, a nagging question — is it truly the lizard, or have they both missed each other more than they care to admit? Neither of them dares to ask this question. They simply wish for this excuse to last a little longer, requesting every second to pass by without asking anything of them and letting the next one arrive.
Nature has always been their silent matchmaker, guiding them towards each other with an almost mystical touch. Today, once again, it draws them closer, urging them to let go of their burdens and surrender to its will.
While nature acts as their ally, the real world always as their adversary. The sounds of people leaving for the day jolt them from their dreams, forcing them to confront reality once more.
Jhanak slowly tries to lift her head from Anirudh's chest. Anirudh feeling the movement, loosens his hold but, a thought prevents him from letting Jhanak go completely.
"Jhanak....." He pauses for a moment, "I am sorry!" Anirudh mummers, his voice streaked with regret.
(In Arijit's voice: Karte hain hum aaj qubool kya keeje
Ho gayi thi jo humse bhool kya keeje
Dil keh raha use mayassar kar bhi aao
Wo jo dabi si aas baaki hai
Wo jo dabi si aanch baaki hai)
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Jhanak's face becomes pale at his sudden apology, reminding her of the incident that made her leave Kolkata overnight and come to Mumbai. The painful memories come rushing back to her, welling up her eyes with tears. She slowly straightens herself to look Anirudh in the eyes. Anirudh holds her by her shoulders, supporting her as she straightens herself, his gaze dropped in guilt for his mistake.
Jhanak removes his hands from her shoulders, forcing Anirudh to lift his head and meet her tear-filled eyes. There is a storm of questions and unspoken grievances in her eyes. His apology feels insufficient, failing to address the depth of her hurt.
Anirudh is looking at Jhanak with guilty eyes, feeling it hard to see her in the eyes often lowering his gaze. Anirudh struggles to maintain eye contact, his gaze shifting as he wrestles with his remorse. The room is silent, yet there is a lot of chaos in their minds as their eyes talking and arguing.
Anirudh summons the courage to speak again, "Jhanak, Main tumase ..."
But before he can say anything else, Jhanak turns around immediately and rushes out of the room, overwhelmed by her emotions.
Anirudh watches her leave, helpless to stop her. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as tears run down his cheeks. His inability to look her in the eye and offer a sincere apology that she deserves feels like a betrayal to himself. What a cowardly and shameless way to apologize, he is thinking to himself.
He looks at the two chocolates on the ground, the martyrs of his childish chocolate war, while he has been ignoring the war that mattered the most the whole time.
Should he feel triumphant seeing the half-eaten chocolate -- his trophy of a trivial chocolate war -- or should he mourn the uneaten chocolate -- his rejected apology?
It's a win that feels like a loss, isn’t it? -- A Hollow Victory.
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To be continued ...
This song suits the whole chapter, so reposting again at the end ... ❤️ as i love this song!
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