Part 1 - Mukku Drops a Bomb!
“Anupamaa?”
Mukku’s searching question broke the calm quite. The three of them sat around the living room, with their heads in their laptop. A space they had been sharing since Mukku had returned to her brother’s life, where this scene had become a regular routine in the evenings. Each of them would do their work, while enjoying each other’s company. This had been ongoing while the office for Vanika TeamWorks was finalised within the AK Industries compound. Till then, it had become a simple routine that had slowly bonded the trio. Every so often, one or the other getting up to bring snacks, or a hot drink, which they (mostly Mukku) devoured over time. Speaking to one another sporadically, Anu and Anuj conferring on some work decision or Mukku sharing and bouncing off some ideas with her brother. Once Vanraj had even joined them, an unplanned occurrence which had been as weird as expected - And had not been repeated. Vanraj was now focused on finalising the office and recruitment outside of key meetings, while Malvika managed the ongoing details. This focus meant that this phase of their project was due to finish in about a week, after which a regular office routine would be established. This had found the trio making the most of the quiet camaraderie they had found.
Not that it had been simple. Mukku was still Mukku. She still managed to create plenty of chaos. Irregular moods, outbursts and moments of sensitivity also accompanied her bright attitude, comedic interjections and refreshingly direct comments on various situations. This had lead to some challenging moments, as well as some hilarious commentary on the various characters that existed in their lives (particularly the Shah Parade!). Slowly, Anuj and Mukku had built inroads in their relationships, while Anupama’s calm-as-the-sea attitude had soothed the rough edges created by the pain of the past. All in all an interesting time.
“Anupamaa?” Mukku’s second question pulled Anu out of her focused attention in her computer screen. “Hah?”
“Tum Apne Ghar Kab Shift Karo Gi?”
Anu’s eyes widened with shock as she absorbed the bomb that Mukku had just thrown into the space. “Huh?!”
Anuj looked up from his work so quickly he nearly fell out of his seat, “Kya?!…. I mean, Baccha, what are you saying… I mean, aise kaise kisise baaath…. I mean… I thought tum ye arrangement enjoy karrahi ho! I mean…. Anu yaha hai to kitna aacha lagta hai… I mean, because I was injured… I mean, woh toh hamara itne pyaarse dyaan rakhri hai!” He continued to babble until he realised he was being a bit too enthusiastic, decided to contain his verbal outburst while darting his eyes at Anu. Who looked as confused as he sounded. Taking a calming breath, not that it did much to quieten his suddenly panicking heart, he said, voice only slightly quivering “Mukku… yeh kaisa joke hai Baccha”. Trying to inject both humour and strictness in his voice, hoping to reassure Anu, while urging his sister to close the Pandora’s box she had opened.
Grabbing an apple from the coffee table and taking a big bite, Malvika took her time to respond. Chewing as long as she could. Scanning her big eyes across the two dummies sitting opposite her. If they could look past their own panic, and secretive glances at each other as they tried to decipher the situation that was unfolding, they would have seen the amusement that sparkled in her eyes.
Still chewing, she said with a piercing frankness that she hoped would cut through the clouds that obscured both of their visions of each other. “I know Bhai relax! I know Anupama had come here to look after you. You needed a friend after the accident and she has been there for you. As a friend should be! But, she’s been looking after you for a while now. And you have recovered. Plus I am also here now. So that’s a lot for anyone to do. So now we should also expect her to look after herself. After all we shouldn’t take advantage of our friends. Right bhai?” She had really come to enjoy weaponising the word “friend” when talking to the two of them these days. And it worked so well! Hilarious!
Anupama, who’s endless mix of emotions had been dangerously simmering within her since her realisation of her feelings for Anuj, felt one line bubble over in this choatic moment. She blurted out “I don’t mind…!” Shifting her eyes back to Anuj, she stopped herself as soon as she started, scared that she’d spill the whole truth if she spoke another word.
Smirking, Mukku’s searching eyes focused in on Anupamaa, still evidently dancing with mischief (not that anyone it is room was appreciating her grand planning!). Crunching her apple, she serenely continued, “Haan Anupamaa. I know you don’t mind! Tum isiliye toh itni acchi dost ho!” Seriously, she chose violence every day. So smart Mukku! You genius! “But I also don’t want you to become sick of us! You have done so much for me and Bhai. That’s why I know you must have so many other people in your life waiting for your attention. So many other friends like this big dummy” Glancing over at her brother, she saw the effects of her plan on his contorting face as he tried to wrestle with himself to remain calm.
She continued “The thing is… Raj and I need to go for a few sight visits, and I want to plan them accordingly. I will try and avoid going just after your leave. Otherwise you know Bhai, he will get soooo bored and start spouting some terrible shayari. Uff mai aur meri tanhai! Uff!”.She acted over dramatically before eye rolling at Anuj. Their slowly mending relationship had lead to only more shenanigans on her part. She took a moment to relished in the chaos she was creating. And with that, she picked up her beeping phone, and gathered her stuff ready to go. “Ok listen, I have to go for an investor meeting, why don’t you two decide between yourselves and let me know by tonight so I can plan with Raj? Ok, then Bye!”. With that, she walked out the door.
“Hopefully that will push them both to open up! Kuch to bolo, kuch toh karo!” With a light smack on her head, laughing at the predicament she had put her two adorable dummies into, and praying to Krishna that they will take some steps towards each other she skipped to her meeting.
***
Ok, so Mukku’s ongoing and seemingly upcoming trolling inspired this. Hope you enjoyed part one! More to come! Let’s see what this chaos brings. (Spoiler alert: MaAn cuteness!)
Ishaani
Cricket
