SS : Another chance at life (ch 10 updated) - Page 12

There is a softness in their equation, a sense of mutual respect that is so nicely written.

Hey! Thanks for tagging! Read the first part and loved it! I'm excited to read further. Will surely drop you a comment as I read further.

Cheers,

Noorie

Your FF is my comfort place

I keep saving the updates to read on dull and boring days and end up having a huge smile on my face

Your maan are a perfect example of how a couple should be...the understanding that they share has my heart ❤️

Loved Anuj ka dream🤣

Chalo yaha to hai atleast bande k andar hormones😆

Anuj ka bold dream...ooh maa😋

Bunty ne hi dala tha na vo dupatta🤣har ek dost kameena hota hai

That opening line, that conveyed they have been courting for two years felt so beautiful. Nothing is more beautiful than your college/school time relationship working out into forever.

Loved it.

Beautiful update 😍 You write so well 😊

Can’t wait for the next part 😊

Please update soon and thank you for the tag 😊

They are so cute....

Masoomse pyarese....

Kahi in k pyar ko kisika Nazar na Lage yaar☯️

Kaise jaise story is going forward ek unchahasa dar lag raha he.....

Kuchgalat to nhi hoga na....

Plz sad ending Mt krna.....

This is sooo beautiful 🥰❤️.. please update soon ☺️

I honestly think this is the most soothing MAAN OS. Absolutely love it! Looking forward to the next part! 💕

Chapter 10 Epilogue

The engagement had been short and sweet. There were not many extended family members from either family - both of Anuj's parents were single children, while Anu's only uncle had unfortunately passed away a few years back. They had completed 6 years of a blissful togetherness. The date of their engagement had been decided to be kept the same, as on which Anu had proposed to him. Their happiness was almost tangible. Glowing, basking in each other's sheer joy, they were a sight to behold. This was a huge milestone in the long and beautiful path of their companionship.

Exactly one year later, on the same date, they got married to each other. It had become their thing. It took place in a temple in the presence of their family members and a few close friends. Bedecked in a red lehenga, when she emerged in front of him as his bride, he was absolutely mesmerised. They kept stealing shy glances at each other for the entire time. Exchanging garlands, Saat Phere, Sindoor and Mangalsutra ceremony took place, after which was the Vidaai and the Grihapravesh. Anu was warmly welcomed by her in-laws in the family. She became not a daughter-in-law, but a daughter of the family. Anu and Anuj commenced their happy married life. It was very blissful.

All was going on well, when tragedy struck. It was the New year's eve. Anuj's parents had been attending a get-together function with their friends, while kakaji had gone to Dwarka. While returning home, a tempo crashed his parents' car, leading to their devastating deaths. Anuj had been totally inconsolable. His breakdown was such, remembering it still made Anu feel as though her heart was being sliced mercilessly. They had always treated her as though their own daughter. Their demise caused her immense grief, but as it was said, sometimes, being strong was the only option available. She had stood strong, been a pillar for both, Anuj as well as Kakaji.

Slowly but surely, things started improving. After all, it didn't do well to keep dwelling on past grief, one had to get past it. Anu's dance tuitions were going really well. She taught the Kathak in three batches daily, for all age groups. She had, moreover, been learning two more dance forms that had immensely interested her - the Bihu, a form of Indian origin, in which she had shown rapid progress; and the Hip Hop which was a strong contrast to what she had done until then, mostly out of her own curiousity. Even Anuj had expanded the business to a considerable extent. An efficient portfolio, planning perfect execution while taking small steps one after another, he was on his way to increase it much further. He had created enough base to be able to raise credit, to draw in investors. He had enough plans and ideas to earn more than sufficient returns on investment. Two years post their marriage, he got an opportunity in the form of the backing from a large investor, for a huge venture in the US.

"Anu, agar yeh work kar gaya, toh shayad kayi saal wahi par rehna hoga, if we do this. Pehle toh mujhe akele hi jaana hoga, main maanta hoon, par jald se jald phir tumhe bhi aana hoga."

"Kakaji maan jayenge na?"

"Haan, bilkul, hum baat karte hain na unse... Lekin kya tum iss sab mein khush ho, I mean tumhare classes aur woh sab..."

"Aap ko theek lag raha hai na, toh aap yeh kijiye. Main yeh manage kar loongi."

"Manage...?? Anu, please, tumhe wahan aana padega, main jee nahi sakta tumhare bina,"

"Main aapke saath hoon," she interrupted taking his hand in her own, "Aur hamesha rahungi. Kahi bhi nahi jaaongi chodkar, pareshan mat hoiye."

They had settled well in the US. It had been three years since going there. It had taken Anu a while to set up and resume her dance classes there, but it was worth the efforts. She could still vividly remember the loneliness she had heard in her husband's voice, earlier when he was alone here, among foreign people, on foreign land, so away from his near and dear ones. All in all, they were a very happy family.

"Anu, main ghar aa gaya...."

He freshened up and took a bath. Taking the cup of tea that Anu offered him, he pulled her in his embrace with the other hand, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Knee-length black shorts paired with a lemon yellow top, she looked exquisite as always.

"Kuch kehna chahti ho?"

"Haan wohh... kuch kehna tha aapse..."

"Bolo na"

"Woohhh... actually... main keh rahi thi.."

"Kaho,"

"Aappitabananewalehain!!"

"Umm.. kya??! Jara slowly please.."

"Aap pita banane wale hain...."

"...."

"Anuj!!?"

"Anuuu!!! Main baap.... aur... aur tum maa banogi!!! Tum hamare bacche ki maa banane wali ho!!! Ohh God, Ohh my God!! I am so happy!!!"

That one sentence brought out a plethora of emotions in him - elation, excitement, pure bliss, nervousness, doubt. But he was absolutely overjoyed. He had always taken care of his beloved wife in every possible way, but the next entire year, his protectiveness, care, passion, love were on a different level altogether.

They became parents to a baby boy Vyom, and two more years later, to a baby girl Avani. Vyom didn't have an interest in business. He wanted to become a doctor and went on to set up his own practice after becoming a successful doctor. Avani, on the other hand, applied herself in carrying on the business, integrating her mother's acadamy into it and handling the empire. Both of them were very down to earth, just like their parents, to whom they were very attached.

Looking back on all these years, on the brink of entering their seventies, it had been a very blissful companionship. They had travelled along their own way of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, but they were happy. Their life had been a beautiful journey, creating wonderful memories. And it would continue to be so, for the years left.

The end.