AnuPre FF. Memories That Burn - Page 10

Originally posted by: Aurtika

Thanks. It's my pleasure reading your FF.😊

I also love to hate Mohini. That's why It's feels really great to see her tasting her own medicine.. 😁

Now that they are including another third wheel instead of Bajaj, Do you still think he is needed to trigger Anurag's memory?

At this moment in time i don't think the creatives have any intention of his memory returning any time soon.

So he will not properly bond with his child, and it can be used as an excuse for him to act neglectful towards the child in future. (point of redemption on this track is lost now) Marrying off your responsibilities while everyone is lying to him -No. before anyone agrees they should inform him, OR at least Prerna should tell him and allow him to decide what part he wants in the child's life if not Prerna's.

But then the creative seem to ask themselves: what would a normal person do? And then go and do the exact opposite. Hence illogical storylines and actions.

Thank you again for taking the time to read.

A few days later Prerna was walking through the apartment. It was quiet and felt unbearably empty, a sensation that only served to enforce itself whenever Sneha was sleeping. They were confined there,partially due to culture, partially due to the uncertainty of their situation.Be it for whatever reason she hated it. She missed her home, her family… and Anurag. No, correction, at that moment she hated him. These were not the arrangements she had expected when he had asked her to leave with him. He had provided them with everything he thought they would need, but forgot to ask what they really needed.

“Madam?” Preeto’s voice invaded her thoughts. The servant Dabu had arranged to assist her was not only considerate and efficient,she was also trained in childcare. The woman managed almost everything, from the household chores and shopping to the sometimes rowdy or nosy neighbours. The apartment block was filled mostly with younger, upcoming, professionals. There were a few with children, whom she did not really associate with: the disapproving glances from the women were enough to put anyone off.

“Yes, Preeto,” Prerna replied, before turning to look at the woman who was holding a parcel.

“This arrived earlier for you, ” Preeto said extending the parcel towards her.

Prerna looked at it and frowned. She knew that no one knew her location, Anurag had been insistent on that, so who would send her something? Her mind settled on the most obvious, and for a moment she felt hesitant to take it.

When Prerna’s uncertainty stretched for too long, Preeto said, “It is for the baby.”

Prerna too the proffered gift and said, “Thank you.”

With a heavy sensation settling over her, Prerna moved to sit on the sofa. She had promised herself that she would not interfere in the relationship between Anurag and Sneha, but she was uncertain whether she could handle a purely materialistic relationship.

Prerna opened the box and for a moment stared ad the note that lay on top of the tissue paper that wrapped the contents. Her heart sped as she reached for it, then slowed when the frowned at the unfamiliar handwriting. Her mind was immediately eased on recognizing the name singed at the bottom. It was a short note which read,

‘Prerna di,
I am sending you Sneha’s outfit for the naming ceremony we are arranging at your mother’s house. I could not personally deliver it, as Anurag is adamant that no one should visit you and accidentally give out your location.
He is irritable, just in case you wondered. He and mother glare at each other but say nothing. I think she wants an apology from him for the other morning,but I do not think he will give her one. She is still angry with all of us, but don’t you worry about it.
Anurag said he will collect you and Sneha for the ceremony, so do not concern yourself with travelling arrangements. I cannot wait to officially meet my niece.

Nivedita di’

Prerna placed the letter to the side and then opened the tissue paper, smiling as she took in the small outfit. Knowing Nividita, it would not have been the only one that was purchased, but rather one everyone had finally agreed on. She lifted the white and yellow outfit with its intricate hand embroidery and smelt it, instantly recognising the scent of freshly laundered clothes.

At Basu Baari, Anurag stood on his balcony, gazing in the approximate direction of her, no their, location. At that moment, he hated traditions. While not actually the traditions themselves, but the separation they imposed. He wanted to see them, so badly, but the separation before the naming ceremony had to be observed. As it stood, they had already broken with tradition after Sneha’s birth, and he did not want any further complications. Preeto reported back to them daily, and he was aware of the talk and curiosity in the building, but it would only be for a short while still.

“There you are,” Moloy’s voice reached him.

Anurag turned to look at his father, who in turn tilted his head before stepping forward to gaze in the same direction Anurag had. Moloy then said, “I remember just after Nivi was born, I also thought I would loose my mind. The separation imposed was intolerable. She was so small and innocent then, and just look at her now.” Anurag looked at Moloy, who was smiling impishly. In a manner he was grateful for his father’s attempt to lift his spirits, but things between he and Prerna were considerably more complex than just separation imposed by tradition. “It is only for a few more days,then things will get better.” Moloy enthused. “Which reminds me. Nivi was looking for you, something about the arrangements with Prerna.” and with that his father left.

Prerna collected up Sneha’s bag checked to ensure she had everything and turned to Preeto. Just then the intercom buzzed. Preeto handed Prerna the carrier with Sneha in it and then moved to answer the call.

“If it’s Anurag, tell him I will be down in a moment,” Prerna said as she placed the carrier on the table and the quickly checked Sneha, to ensure she was safely strapped in before again lowering the receiver back into place.

She sensed rather than heard him. Her heart raced and her spirits lifted, she however fought her initial desire to spin around to greet him.

“Just a minute,” Anurag said, reaching for her hand that still held the end of the receiver. “I haven’t seen her in days.” He then gently pulled her hand aside to allow him to see Sneha. “There is my princess.”

The contact immediately sent heat coursing along Prerna arm, again reaffirming her inescapable reaction to his proximity. ‘Things would just be so much easier if it were not for that,’ she thought.

“Are you ready, ‘Anurag asked, moments before again lowering the receiver in place. “Because if I look at her for much longer we will be late, and then sister Nividita will have my ears for it.”

Prerna made to lift the carrier but Anurag prevented her and said, “I’ll take her.”

“Then we can go.” Prerna replied.

An awkward silence hung between them, with Prerna frowning when they pulled up outside Sharma Niwas.

“Why are we here.”

“I thought it would only be fitting that she had her ceremony here.” Anurag said then made to get out of the vehicle, adding, “Come everyone is waiting.”

“But we no longer own this, mom said.” Prerna said rushing to get out.

“It will always be your home,” Anurag flatly stated,“It is possibly the most important building in all of the world.”

“Now I know you have gone mad.”

“How so?” He challenged, and then opened the door to extract Sneha.

“There are other far more important buildings.”Prerna reasoned.

“That may be your opinion, but this one is the one you were born in. Here we played together as children. And here, in a house filled with love, we will welcome our child into the world and society.” Anurag said closing the car door. The certainty and sincerity behind his words stunned her, causing her to hesitate for a moment. “Come now, I promised to have you here on time, because everyone knows you’re always late.”

On entry everyone swamped them, while Shivani rushed to collect the veneration platter. They were welcomed and Prerna hardly had time to take in the decorations before being escorted to the prepared area.There she was introduced to the priest who explained all the procedures to her and then invited everyone to gather around and sit. Anurag settled on the priest’s right side, while Veena and Moloy took their position as the grandparents. With Anupam and Nividita seated opposite the priest.

Prerna removed Sneha from the carrier and carefully handed her to Anurag. Who with just as much care took her and then held her closely.

Prerna took the proffered water from the priest and using her fingers wet Sneha’s brow. She then handed the water back to the priest before taking her place next to Anurag. The priest continued with the chants and prayers where after Nivedita rose from her place and came over to Anurag. Carefully she lowered herself and whispered the chosen Hindi meaning of Sneha’s name into her ear. After announcing it to everyone, the priest then continued with the chants and prayers. On completion, Anurag and Prerna rose and slowly made their way over to the cradle, where Anurag gently lowered Sneha into it.

Anurag then wrapped his one arm around Prerna and pulled her closer…

“I should have known!” Mohini’s condescending tone filled the room.

Instantly, everyone turned their attention in its direction of origin while both Anurag and Prerna swung around and also looked towards the door. Instinctively, Anurag moved forward a step, encouraging Prerna to move slightly behind him. Whispering, “Try to keep Sneha calm.” He felt her hand on his arm for a moment, pressing against it to indicate that she had heard.

Mohini looked the room over and scoffed. “Such middleclass arrangements, but then what could one expect.”

Nividita made to say something, but was not given the opportunity, since Mohini’s gaze had already fixed itself on her initial target,Veena. She appeared ready to fire off another insult, only to visibly do a double take and then storm into the room. Without warning she grabbed Veena, jerked her aside and demanded, “How dare you! How dare you take my place next to my husband! But then that is to be expected, you are just as shameless as your daughters. Or is it the other way around.”

“Mohini!” Moloy shouted in warning. ”

“You just be quiet!” Mohini instructed Moloy, nastily stating, “She is as characterless as her daughters.”

Veena twisted her arm free form Mohini’s grasp and demanded in return, “How dare you shout at me in my own home? And that while there’s a veneration ongoing? Have you no respect?”

“What do you and your daughters know of respect?”Mohini demanded in return. “Your eldest daughter is trying to pass off her illegitimate child as my son’s when I know well enough that it cannot be his. And then your younger daughter, well I think the fact that you cannot even manage to get her married off speaks for itself.”

“Mohini!” Moloy again shouted.

“I’m only stating a fact” Mohini threw back, “No one wants a daughter from such a lowly middle class family.”

Moloy stepped forward and took Mohini by the arm guiding her back to the door, “I have known for many years that you have a problem with those not befitting your class, but your class has certainly not given you any manners, so I suggest you leave.” Moloy came to a stop by the door. And let her go. “Today is a happy and important day for your son, and not once have you thought of that or their happiness.”

“An important day for my son, I don’t think so. Ifit was such an important day I at least would have been invited.”

“Why mom?” Nivideta was the one to speak up, “Why must you always have to make some drama whenever we arrange something for Anuand Prerna. Why?”

“Because unlike you, and everyone here, I can see right through that girl. I can see what she is doing to my son and my family.”

“Perhaps, mom, You should stop judging her according to your standards and start to get to really know her. Prerna loves Anurag.”

“Oh don’t start with that,” Mohini countered angrily, “Not when you are standing in a house your brother has not only paid for but also recently had renovated.” Mohini looked towards Anurag and challenged him, “Is that not so Anu?”

Anurag looked at his mother but said nothing,

“You won’t even answer me and that is enough to prove that I am right. These people will only use you for your money.”

“That is enough Mohini,” Moloy said, “I think everyone has shown enough restraint in the face of your accusations.”

“They are the truth.” Mohini insisted, she made to say more but was silenced when Anurag calmly said, “Mom” Everyone turned to look at him as he continued, “You were not invited, because we did not want a scene. I thought it best that if you cannot be happy for us and Sneha there would be no purpose in inviting you.”

“How can you say that Anu, Your happiness is of utmost importance to me.”

“And if that was so,” Anurag calmly challenged in return, “You would have accepted Prerna and our daughter. But you continue to judge Prerna by your beliefs when we all know they are not true.”

Monini looked at him utterly stunned.

“I think it is best if you leave from here.”

I love your story it’s really good thanks for the wonderful update

Mohini is grating on my nerves now. It's time she gets an restraining order from Sharmas' and if possible from Anu.

I am a bit confused about Anurag's current living arrangement. Didn’t he leave Basu Bari with an intention to live separately with Prerna earlier? Then why is he still at Basu Bari and Prerna is living separately with Sneha?

Originally posted by: sahra1977

I love your story it’s really good thanks for the wonderful update

You are most welcome.

Originally posted by: Aurtika

Mohini is grating on my nerves now. It's time she gets an restraining order from Sharmas' and if possible from Anu.

I am a bit confused about Anurag's current living arrangement. Didn’t he leave Basu Bari with an intention to live separately with Prerna earlier? Then why is he still at Basu Bari and Prerna is living separately with Sneha?

The short answer to your question would be wait for the next update – which is sadly far from ready. So I’ll go with the longer answer.

Mohini… I have a love-hate relationship with her. But what is important for the reader to remember is that Prena did not witness the first argument Mohini and Anurag had – so she does not yet know that there is a rift between them. This time she witnessed it – or at least him being less influenced by his mother’s opinions and actions. This goes a long way towards re-establishing Prerna’s trust in him. Because if there is one thing Mohini has always done well, it is to manipulate Anurag in front of Prerna by putting him in a difficult situation/position.

There are three reasons why Anurag has not moved out of Basu Bari yet, and two have already been revealed.

1st: Customs dictate that between the birth and the naming ceremony the mother and baby be kept separate for the first 10/11 days, with only the mother and maternal grandmother (or caretaker) tending to the baby – yes I know it is not really practical but this is KZK and it works for the storyline (read: my muse). Hence Prerna went home and if Mohini wanted to she could use it as an excuse to justify her actions to Anurag (not likely –but it was an angle at some stage).

2nd: I gave Ms. Komolika some brains in this. The easiest and quickest way for her to find Prerna and Sneha, once she’d established that Prerna and the baby were not with Veena, would be to follow Anurag (or have him followed). Anurag knows that, which is why the precautions have been taken and no one other than Preeto had access to Prerna and Sneha.

The 3rd comes up next and has various angles and repercussions. Prerna and Anurag are not married before society with the blessings of the elders – Anurag knows that this causes Prerna inner conflict. She may love him and their marriage may be registered, but they are still poles apart emotionally.

With my muse; the devil is in the details and she never takes the easy way out or cheats a reader. She has in a believable manner removed most of the obstacles created in the original story: up to the point where this deviated.

Originally posted by: K-Shandra

The short answer to your question would be wait for the next update – which is sadly far from ready. So I’ll go with the longer answer.

Mohini… I have a love-hate relationship with her. But what is important for the reader to remember is that Prena did not witness the first argument Mohini and Anurag had – so she does not yet know that there is a rift between them. This time she witnessed it – or at least him being less influenced by his mother’s opinions and actions. This goes a long way towards re-establishing Prerna’s trust in him. Because if there is one thing Mohini has always done well, it is to manipulate Anurag in front of Prerna by putting him in a difficult situation/position.

There are three reasons why Anurag has not moved out of Basu Bari yet, and two have already been revealed.

1st: Customs dictate that between the birth and the naming ceremony the mother and baby be kept separate for the first 10/11 days, with only the mother and maternal grandmother (or caretaker) tending to the baby – yes I know it is not really practical but this is KZK and it works for the storyline (read: my muse). Hence Prerna went home and if Mohini wanted to she could use it as an excuse to justify her actions to Anurag (not likely –but it was an angle at some stage).

2nd: I gave Ms. Komolika some brains in this. The easiest and quickest way for her to find Prerna and Sneha, once she’d established that Prerna and the baby were not with Veena, would be to follow Anurag (or have him followed). Anurag knows that, which is why the precautions have been taken and no one other than Preeto had access to Prerna and Sneha.

The 3rd comes up next and has various angles and repercussions. Prerna and Anurag are not married before society with the blessings of the elders – Anurag knows that this causes Prerna inner conflict. She may love him and their marriage may be registered, but they are still poles apart emotionally.

With my muse; the devil is in the details and she never takes the easy way out or cheats a reader. She has in a believable manner removed most of the obstacles created in the original story: up to the point where this deviated.

I am liking your muse. 😉

Please update soon thanks

Anurag returned to the apartment with an irritable Sneha and exhausted Prerna. Had he not stepped in he was certain that everyone would have continued to demand attention from both mother and daughter. And with Prena’s sometimes too acquiescent nature with both their families, he knew she would suffer in silence rather than object. While she had not objected his insistence that they take rest and therefore call it a day, she had been quiet on the drive over. He knew her well enough to know that it did not bode well,especially since they still had a lot to discuss and resolve. One thing he was however grateful for was the fact that the ceremony was over, and he could at least see them again. That knowledge rendered tolerable everything he’d had to endure.

Preeto opened the door and took she carrier with Sneha from Prerna. She startled on seeing Anurag with them and seemed hesitant for a moment.

“Give her to me,” Anurag said gesturing to the carrier, ‘…and get Prerna some tea.”

Preeto complacently handed him the carrier and said,“Yes, Sir,”

Prena turned to look at him and stated outright,“You didn’t need to come up, We’ll manage.”

“I’m certain you will,” Anurag replied as he stepped past her with Sneha. He placed the carrier on the table and looked at his daughter for a moment before turning his attention back to Prerna, “We have alot to discuss and since you refused to speak even a word on the trip home, I figured we will talk here.”

“Prena came towards him, however calmly replied, “We have nothing to discuss.” She took Sneha from him and was about to leave for her room when he stopped her.

“Prerna, you can’t avoid this forever.”

“I’m not avoiding anything, I need to see to my daughter. She is hungry and her body is sore from all the handling today. We can talk once her needs have been seen to.”

It was no less than what he expected from Prerna,but he also knew that she was also stalling. It was a habit they had developed,whenever things seemed too difficult or painful to discuss. It was also th every reason why they found themselves at that same point time and time again.

He watched as Preeto took tea for Prerna and then waited for some time. When it seemed like she was unlikely to come out, he went in search of her. She was laying down Sneha as he entered the room. She gestured for him to be quiet and said, “She’s tender after the days handling and wouldn’t settle.”

He watched their interaction with pride warming him.They were his and he would do anything to keep them safe and happy.

Prerna turned on the baby monitor and placed it in the cot before turning to him and flatly stated, “Not here.”

Understanding and respecting her stance he stepped back and returned to the lounge. She appeared not long thereafter, visibly tired. In a way he felt bad for insisting, but he knew the discussion was needed.

“Preeto!” Prena called, and then turned to the servant as she entered the room, “You can go now, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Anurag knew Prerna was unlikely to arguing in the presence of servants, it was something the servants had Basu Bari had most often commented on, and it gave him some indication of her mood. She then turned towards him and asked, “Would you like something.”

“You mean other than some of your time?” he quickly fired back and instantly regretted it, for he’d seen her flinch and knew her guard would be up once again. It was a reaction he was somehow familiar with,but at the same time could not place exactly when it started. Just as he could not exactly point when specifically they had started withholding things from each other.

In her usual distant manner, Prerna asked, “What is there to say that is so important?”

Instantly frustrated at her attitude, Anurag pinched his lips and clenched his hands. He knew that losing his temper at that moment would only farther distance her from him. Something he intended to avoid at all costs. But even knowing this he could not decide on any specific manner or sentence to start the conversation. It was something he knew he often suffered when in her presence. He so often wanted to say so much to her, but never knew how to start or express what he felt. He finally settled on the obvious and said, “You know, I just don’t get you. I’ve done everything I needed to do,followed every ritual to the word, kept away from you and Sneha and still you wonder why I’m here tonight.”

“How Am I supposed to know what you want to say tome?” Prena demanded.

“You always used to understand me, we could communicate without even talking--” But was cut short by Prerna.

“That was before things became as complicated.”

“That is exactly what I mean. Things have become so complicated that we cannot even talk anymore, and we need to.”

“Okay, so I will talk.” Prerna firmly said, “As soon as I’m allowed to I will find myself a job and I will pay for this place and Preeto.”

Confused and shaken Anurag demanded, “What? Who said anything about that?”

“I did, just now.” Prerna reaffirmed.

Confused he shook his head in confusion and said, “That is not what I wanted to talk about.”

“Oh god you’re being stubborn again.” Anurag mumbled more to himself, adding, “I don’t want you to do any such thing. It’s my duty to provide for your needs.”

“I will not be a kept woman!” Prena firmly decreed.

“What do you mean by that?” Anurag angrily countered, “You are my wife, it is my duty to provide for you.”

“No, no, no, Anurag, don’t even start that. I’m not falling for your sweet talks and promises again. They have brought me and my family nothing but pain. So please spare us that.”

“What do you mean?” Anurag quickly demanded, “I have done everything a husband should, but still you don’t appreciate it.”

“What have you done? What? Tell me! Prerna angrily demanded, but did not give him the opportunity to reply as she continued, “Not once during any of this have you stooped to consider, never mind ask me what I wanted in this.”

“That is because I thought we both wanted the same thing.”

“I didn’t ask for this, I didn’t think you would separate me from my family in this manner, because if I had known I would never have agreed. “

Anurag looked around the apartment, and asked “Is the place not to your liking, I’ll get another place, just tell me.”

Frustrated, Pressed the fingers from her one hand to her forehead and took a deep breath then replied, “There’s nothing wrong with the apartment. It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“Then what is it? Tell me!” he demanded, almost panicked at the though that she might want to leave him.

Prerna released a heavy sigh and said, “It’s everything.”

Anurag felt his blood chill, then it seemed as if it was too thick to move through his veins. His entire body grew heavy as his mind tried to process exactly what everything implied, and how he could even start to fix everything. He settled on the most obvious, “What is everything?”Figuring it would give him some idea as to where he could start.

“This, us, our families, Sneha, just everything.Nothing ever goes the way it should. Sometimes I just wish I could just leave everyone and everything behind me and --”

Instantly he rushed over to her. He grabbed by her shoulders and demanded, “Don’t say that, don’t ever say that! You promised me that you would never leave me, and I’ll hold you to that promise until one of us die.”

“Then perhaps one of us should.”

Instantly he clapped his hand over her mouth and said, “Don’t say that! Don’t even dare. Because I will die if you do.”

Prerna took hold of the wrist attached to the hand he held in front of her mouth and pulled it away, at the same time using her other arm to push his other hand from her shoulder. Seriously she said, “So instead we slowly die everyday.”

“Prerna,” he replied, shocked, adding “What do you mean by that.”

“Everyday, Anurag, it feels as if my soul is being tortured and I’m slowly dying. I’m trapped here. I have no actual contact with my family, who remained unwavering in their support up until you asked me to leave. I grew up in a house full of people. I’m used to having my family around me. Here I’m alone. I want to climb the walls because I have no idea for how long it will be and I don’t like that.”

“What are you actually saying?” Anurag demanded.

Dejected she answered, “I’m tired of all this, Anurag. I’ve come to accept that there never could be an us. We have tried, but everything always turns against us.”

“But we’re here now.” Anurag challenged.

“This is me and Sneha, you and Sneha, not me, you and Sneha. This is not what I thought we would be, not the us I had envisioned.” Prerna replied stepping away from him and placing some distance between them.

Angrily he demanded, “And who gave you the right to make that decision for us?”

“It’s the most sane thing to do, given the circumstances.”

Confused, he demanded, “Circumstances?” his frustration adding, “Could you speak sense? How did we even get here? I’m still working on arranging things for us and you’ve given up.”

Dispassionately she replied, “What else will you have me do? I can’t simply subject Sneha to the drama we had today whenever there’s a family gathering or ceremony.” Prerna’s tone took on a pleading quality as she continued, “Anurag, we both know your mother won’t change, she has done everything she could to separate us. Perhaps it is best if we simply accept that.”

Anurag firmly declared in reply, “But I’m not willing to. I won’t accept this.”

His words caused the colour to drain from Prerna’s face.

Anurag’s entire stance softened, a pleading tone tainted his words, “Don’t do this.Please don’t put distance between us again.”

He saw her stiffen, watched as her entire body flinched as if she’d been struck. She then looked at him in disbelief.

Her obvious discomfort had him demand, ““What happened?”

Uncertainly she asked, “What did you mean by that?Don’t put distance between us again.”

“Bajaj.”

Visibly shocked by his reply, Prerna looked at him as she asked, “You remember?”

“Not everything.” He stated outright, adding “There are some gaps, and I don’t know how it is that we ended up married after that.But I’m certain my memories will return given time.”

Prerna flatly stated in reply, “And once you do, you will also understand why your mother hates me.”

“Don’t say that!” Anurag said, stepping closer again.

“It’s the truth,” Prerna countered.

“If that were so, then sister Nivedita would not have done everything today with so much love, she would hate you as much.”

Prerna flatly stated in reply, “She has Anupam.”

“What does that mean?”

“Anupam soothes over your sister’s mood. He is the only one who can make her see sense when she gets angry, even when it is at him. Has supported you as best he could during difficult times, and has fulfilled his duties as a brother in law.”

Anurag was confused for a moment, before realizing that she had shifted off the initial topic entirely and in rely demanded, “And what about our family? You and Sneha mean the world to me. How could you ask me to give that up?”

“I’m not asking you, I’m telling you that it is the best interests of everyone if we just accept that this won’t work. I will never keep you from Sneha but I cannot do this again. I simply can’t. Your mother made it obvious, not just today but in the past as well, that she simply will not accept Sneha. I want Sneha to know that she is loved and accepted by all those around her. How can I simply overlook what happened again today? There will be many more ceremonies in Sneha’s life. And I can’t… No. I won’t ask you or your family to support me at the cost of shattering it. My daughter means the world to me, which is why I have made the decision that was needed.”

Anurag looked at her in disbelief, even after everything that was said, her stubborn stance on the matter had not shifted. He remained silent for several long moments in an attempt to master both his anger and frustration. Finally he appealed, “Prerna, please.” He took hold of her hand and pulled her to look at him, imploring, “Look at me.”

Prerna shifted her gaze to his. And in response he lifted her hand to his chest and held it in place.

Anurag remained silent however Prerna could see he was uncomfortable.

"I know there are a lot of things I don’t remember,and I don’t know if I ever will remember them but I understand what I feel. And that this, this feeling, this, this is us. I don’t ever want to loose it."

He saw her stance once again soften.

Anurag for a moment closed his eyes and begged the goddess for strength, before placing his hands on her upper arms for a moment thankful the she did not resist him. He pulled her closer and automatically wrapped her in an embrace. He was intimately familiar with the frustration she felt at their situation. He took a moment to draw in the familiarity of their proximity. His soul basked in the warmth and sense of purpose it provided him.He felt her soften against him her hands eventually moving to return the embrace. His entire being softened and relaxed into the embrace. Her closeness,like that, was all he craved. It was like a drug he never could get enough of,a craving that never dissipated.

Eventually he pulled back from the embrace and took hold of her hands bringing them to rest against his chest and he huskily said, “Promise me you will not give up on us, because I won’t.”

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Apologies this section did not paste in the update

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She looked at him and swallowed against the lump in her throat and the tears that threatened, “What else am I to do, nothing ever turns in our favour.”

“Our hearts and souls are connected are will be forever. You’re as much a part of me as I am part of you. When you’re away from me I feel as if a part of me is missing. So I beg of you not put distance between us. I can handle anything but that. Being parted from you is worse than any imaginable torture. And it is not a question of I cannot continue without you, because I know I can. I simply don’t want to, because without you there’s no real joy in my life. I don’t care how much we argue, when you’re here with me there’s… I don’t even know how to explain it. When we’re close like this I feel calm. I feel as if I have a purpose and I’m not simply floating around aimlessly.”

“I thought you had meant that we would be together this time, but instead I got this.”

“I needed to keep you safe, I still do.” Anurag pulled her into an embrace

“You don’t understand. While we may feel so other don’t see it that way. They don’t accept us. And I’m tired of fighting for something I have come to realize there’s no hope for anymore.”

Anurag placed his hand over her mouth as he urgently said, Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that. In my heart you are my wife, you have always been my wife, you are the mother of my child and the only one to hold all rights over me, no one, not even my mother has all the rights over me.This was not what either of us wanted or imagined. We can only do the best with the situation, and I need you to trust me to make things right, but one thing I can assure you it is that we will be together soon. I just need you to trust me on this and that whatever I’m doing is for your safety. So will you just give me a little more time to arrange everything properly. I did not initially have enough time since your safety was my main priority.”

Prena remained silent for some time before nodding.