Author's note
Sab ke mood off dekh ke all I could do was write for all. Sorry if it turns out another put off 😆
Tum log padhte ho isliye likh rahi hu...so jhelo 😆...Just something randomly. Too random actually 🤣
OS — Tu mera Hero
After having settled current disputes and resolving pending family matters on hand Anu returned home. Her home where she hoped to have some peace after a long hiatus. Why was she involved in all the drama in Shah house despite having broken all ties with all except her children and father was a buzzing question in her mind. She dragged her feet through the open door and plonked heavily on the empty sofa. She raised her feet and rested them on the coffee table that centred the room unbothered about dropping the newspaper off it. The prevailing silence was finally soothing. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes and massaged her throbbing forehead gently with her fingers. In peace she realised her head ache was so strong she thought it would explode.
And just then his sweet voice filled her ears. `Chaii,' she heard him announce merrily.
She looked up at Anuj beaming at her. He had held two steaming mugs of tea and approached her.
His signature smile, his soft voice and his much-needed pleasant presence lifted her grim mood up instantly and brought her cheer. She had totally forgotten she'd requested him to look after bapuji in her absence. And he'd done that. Intact waited till she was back after ending all the drama.
`Arre rehne do, thak gay' hogi', he stopped her from taking her feet away from the table. He passed on her cup and took a seat next to her. Not too far yet at an arm 's distance.
The aroma of ginger from her steaming cup instantly relieved her of all the lurking tiredness. She kept adoring him and let him settle. And unknowingly like a moth attracts to the flame, she slowly raised her hand to reach his face not blinking even once.
Anuj's brows creased in confusion as her soft fingers touched his cheek and suddenly, he shrieked, 'Ouch!'
Anu had pinched his cheek impulsively and bit her tongue in remorse at his reaction.
'Arre...', he looked at her as he rubbed his stubbled cheek.
`sorry...sorry...wo'
'I thought you must be tired and maybe having a headache to chai le aya our tum thank you bolne ki jaga chimti kaat rahi ho. Ye kya beat hui? he sulked.
She knew he was over reacting, seeking her attention and so she just decided to indulge.
'Sorryyy...l was just checking if this is a dream. How can you always be there for me without me telling I need you?', she defended with such sincerity.
If the pinching was not enough, her pouting and saying all this so innocently was making it harder for him to stay away from her. How can someone not love this woman?
He cleared his throat and resumed being offended and said 'Haan to...pinch yourself to check if YOU are dreaming. Mujhe kyu? Ruko ab mein karta hu...', he half rose to reach her cheek.
'Nahii...sorry...sorry...sorry...' she begged as she turned away assuming he would actually do It.
Anu looked back again and saw Anuj laughing and doubling with laughter looking at her annoyed expressions.
She looked miffed for a few seconds and then broke into peals of laughter joining along. Their laughter subsided only a minute later both looking at each other in admiration and gratitude respectively.
'Thank you mat bolna Anu', he said as if reading her mind. His fingers circling the rim of his cup to keep him distracted.
But she surprised him by shaking her head side to side and said, 'No I won't. I think I am getting used to having you around.'
His eyes flew in her direction to see if she was joking but she seemed nothing but serious about it.
'And no, I am not complaining. lnfact I like it. I feel a lot more confident knowing you got my back'.
'Always', he smiled raising his mug to her.
To break the silence that followed, Anuj took a sip of some tea and said, `Waise your life is no less than a daily soap. High voltage saas bahu drama, Ex-husband ke saath action and dancing...Matlab koi bhi function occasion ho...bina nach gana celebrate nahi hota kyun? I am telling you sab hai...sab....
Anu rolled her eyes as he went on narrating about it. She opened her mouth to say something but her cut her. `yaa...In fact they should start a soap opera named — 'Anupamaa', Anuj teased. (🤣)
Anu burst out laughing spilling some tea from the mug on her saree. She wiped it with her spare hand and spanked his arm for teasing her with the same.
`Aree...true story isn't it.', he chuckled defending himself.
'26 years I was living a bored life in US and since I have reconnected with you, its rocking. So much entertainment kya batau?', he said sarcastically.
Anu didn't know how to respond to this. She knew he was kidding, pulling her leg but he was absolutely right. His life was simpler till he met her. No such drama to bog him down emotionally. But he refused to give up on her. How unconditional was his love? Am I really worthy of all this love? I love him as a friend or maybe more, don't I?
His presence in her life was so balmy. He was like an answer to all her prayers. Then why did she fear taking the leap and clutch his outstretched hand. There was a ditch in between and a baggage lugged yes, but she had to try. She wanted to try. To hold on to his hand and move ahead. Love betrayed her once because Vanraj was wrong not love itself. Anuj IS waiting and she wanted to join him now, in this journey called life.
'And you know who is the hero of this story?', she inquired.
Anuj didn't answer. The conversation had taken a serious turn and he wanted to hear it from her.
'Who not just entered this story but also stayed to pull me out of all the troubles every time. Who is giving m e wings to realise my dreams to truth. Who isfighting the world FOR me WITH me. Who thinks I am worth all of it...', she paused.
He looked away sheepishly as she kept smiling and looking at him. He had never seen her so forthcoming. Anu surprised him time and again and this was turning out to be the finest one of all.
'Mr. Anuj Kapadia, she called out his name loudly and got his complete attention. 'Look at me when I say this', she drew a sharp breath, She had to say it or she never would. Straight forward.
'YOU are that hero'
Anuj's breath was lodged in his chest. He'd never expected his amusing story to sweep him off the floor like this.
`I want to give this hero a chance to complete his love story but on one condition', she declared seriously.
'What?', Anuj blurted out. All of this was too much for him to get his head around.
`Dancing at every function and occasion is a must. No compromises on that. To bolo chalega?, she asked and slowly burst out laughing at his stupefied expressions.
Anuj was left speechless He was still processing the entire conversation.
'Did you just...?', he mumbled.
Anu waited but no more words spilled out of him.
'Heroine ne propose kiya our hero ke pass jawab nahi hai...bolo', she rolled her eyes.
Anuj smelled his tea to confirm he'd actually not mixed anything in the tea, did he? But looking at her crimson cheeks and bright eyes he needed no more confirmations.
He held her elbow and roughly pulled her into a bone crushing hug and shouted ecstatically, 'chalegaa nahi daudegaaaa...arre Anuu daudega nahi udegaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa'.
End
PS: You are grinning again. Bolo. 😆
Tagging jinke uname yaad hai...baki sab bhi aajao yaar. 🤗
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
