Part 7
Anupama woke up with a smile thinking about how quickly this one month has gone by, she was getting married to Anuj today in a lavish affair she and her mom had helped the Kapadia’s organise. She still remembers how her new family had told her mom that they would be organising everything for the wedding and would be taking care of all the expenses as well. Her papa and mummy absolutely refused to hear any of their protests and her mum had to finally accept when Anuj told her “agar aap sach mein mujhe apna beta maanti hain to aap mana nahi kareinge maa.”
Since then they were both moved into the Kapadia’s home to help with the wedding preparations. Anuj had also managed to convince Asha to live with them permanently after the wedding on his parents suggestion. Anu felt really blessed to be part of such an open minded family. ‘Aaj kal jahan log apne sage maa baap ko ghar se nikaal dete hain wahan Anuj apni saas ko maa mante hain and wants to live with her to take good care of her. Woh itne ache hain aur unki inhi baaton par to aur bhi pyaar ata hai.’ Anu thought fondly.
She had a completely different outlook of society and life in general now since she started living with the Kapadia’s. Anu didn’t feel restricted anymore like she used to be when she lived in the fear of what society might think. The Kapadia’s were very liberal in their views and were open minded. They were against the numerous restrictions their society put on girls and were quite vocal about them too. The men treated the women with utmost love, affection and respect, they treated them like queens. When they found out that Anu liked classical dance they encouraged her to participate in the inter college competition and Meera gifted her the customised ghunroos she had got made for herself to Anu as blessings. Anu felt like she was actually given wings to fly, the feeling of being accepted wholeheartedly just the way she was without any conditions gave her a huge confidence boost and made her feel secure in the knowledge that she could share everything with her family and that they would back her up no matter what. She wasn’t afraid of falling or failing since she knew that Anuj and their family were there to support her whenever she needed them, this made her completely fearless, she was a new Anupama, she was Anupama Anuj Kapadia.
While most girls didn’t feel they were part of their in laws' family even after all the wedding customs and rituals this wasn’t the case for Anu. She didn’t need any of this to feel part of her new family and she thought all the credit for that went to Anurag and Meera who were so open minded themselves and instilled such good values in their children. Anu felt really blessed to be able to call such lovely and down to earth people her family. Her life was restricted to the house chores, home and college before meeting her new family but the past month has opened her eyes to a completely new world which she never even dreamed of. The smile on her face brightened thinking about how she spent all her waking moments with Anuj. They were able to go to college together go out with their friends after college and enjoy life to the fullest, something she had never even dreamed of. Anuj was always taking her somewhere or the other, he took her shopping, to the bakery, the ice cream parlour, boating and hiking. Anu was also able to let go of her inhibitions and enjoy her engagement period with Anuj to the fullest knowing that her papa and mummy didn’t have any objections, in fact they were always giving Anuj ideas about where he could take Anu.
Anu opened her arms with a huge grin on her face to receive the overexcited bundle of joy as soon as her door burst open and Malvika squealed throwing herself at her. She tightened the hug and kissed Mukku on the head saying “Good morning bacha, did you sleep well?”, but before the little munchkin could respond Anuj also burst into the room and exclaimed “Mukku ki bachi! Give that back to me!” Mukku squealed even louder “bhabhi, dekho na! Bhai is being mean to me" she pouted cutely. Anu who was used to their cat and mouse game by now just smiled shaking her head asking “ab kis baat par lar rahe ho aap dono?” Anuj pouted and complained like a child “Jaan bolo na usse mujhe meri cheez wapas kare!” Hiding her smile behind a stern face Anu sighed “aap bhi ne Anuj, bilkul bache hain! Mukku bacha dikhao mujhe kya cheez..”. Before Anu could finish speaking Anuj started protesting “arey rehne do na Jaan tum dekh kar kya karogi.. bas ise bolo mujhe meri cheez lauta de..”
Seeing Anuj’s nervousness Anu hid her smile again and asked “aisa kya hai jo main nahi dekh sakti? Ab to mujhe bhi dekhna hai! Dikhao bacha kya hai tumhare paas?”
When Mukku showed Anu what was in her hand she sighed understanding why Anuj was adamant on getting it back. “Bacha tum yeh wala bhai ko dedo please.. I promise main tumhare liye dusra la doungi..” Mukku forwarded her finger and asked “pinky promise?”
Anu smiled affectionately and responded while linking her finger to Mukku’s “pinky promise mera bacha! Main ek pink wala la doungi tumhare liye..” Mukku gave Anu a bear hug and said “I love you bhabhi! Aap sabse achi ho!” she then threw the magnets she was holding to Anuj and ran out of the room.
Anuj who tried to leave as well stopped hearing Anu “stop right there Mr chumbak chor!” He turn around and sauntered towards her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Reaching the bed he sat down next to her and exclaimed “chumbak chor? Aur jo bohot keemti cheezein tumne churai hain unke kya?” Anu frowned confusingly and asked “maine aisa kya churaya hain?”
Anuj leaned closer to her until they could feel each other’s breaths and said huskily “mera dil, mera chain, meri neendein, mera qarar..”, he would have carried on and on if his Anu didn’t interrupt by blurting out “woh sab to aap ne bhi mujhse churaya hai ne?”. She immediately turned red when she realised what she said and his her face in Anuj’s chest holding the front of his tshirt in a tight grip. Trying to stop her from hyperventilating Anuj hugged her tight and said soothingly “it's okay jaan.. tum mujhse apne dil ki baat nahi karogi toh aur kisse karogi? Hum dono alag to nahi hai na? Main poora ka poora tumhara hi to houn to mujhse kaisi sharam? Hmm?” Anu who calmed down hearing him relaxed in his hold and wrapped her arms around him enjoying the peace and safety she self only in his arms. After sometime Anuj dropped a sweet kiss on her forehead and told her it was time to start getting ready for their wedding.
Here you go as promised guys and I'm sorry for any mistakes.
6