~11~
The party was finally over. All the important guests and clients were gone. It was only the Shah family, Anu and the Kapadias in the hall. Anu looked at him trying to catch his eyes maybe for the 128th time ever since he had entered. Once again, she saw him avoid her gaze and turn and talk to GK. She knew that her Bholuram was feeling guilty and hence was avoiding her. If only he could look at her once, he would know she wasn't angry.
"Finally... everything is done... we will meet tomorrow morning, Raj... Bye bye..."
"Bye, Malvika..."
The entire Shah family started walking out. Mukku went with them to see them off. Anupama fiddled with her fingers nervously unable to decide whether she should ask Samar to leave her at the flat or go with the Kapadias. She tried to catch his gaze once again and when he didn't respond, she decided what she had to do. Samar was by the door, just about to leave when she called out.
"Samar..."
He stopped and turned around.
"Haan, Mummy..."
"Drop me in the apartment, beta..."
His head snapped up and he looked at her. He knew she had been trying to get his attention the entire time but had been avoiding her studiously. Now as he tried to catch her gaze, she refused to look at him.
"But, Mummy..."
"Anu... come with us..."
She looked up at him and gave him a glare. The audacity of the man to interfere when he had avoided her all evening.
"No, Samar will drop me home..."
"Anu... please come home... I am sorry..."
His voice was barely audible. Her breath hitched at the brokenness in his voice. Slowly, she shook her head.
"What's going on?"
At the sound of Mukku, they turned around and looked at her. Gk pitched in
"Anu has been staying with us for sometime now.... Anuj was a little unwell... and she had shifted to take care of him... so we were discussing...uh...sleeping arrangements since you are here now..."
"I am staying at the hotel tonight..."
"No..."
Mukku smiled a little as the two most important people in her life spoke together.
"You knew already that I won't come to the house."
She looked directly at Anuj and he lowered his head. If only, he could make the clock reverse.
"I had hoped that you would come..."
Anu looked as Anuj silently accepted whatever his sister said. His face held pain as she had never seen before. She couldn't bear it and so turned to Mukku.
"Mukku... I have met you after so long... will you come home for me... I want to get to know you..."
"No... I can't... Too many painful memories that I want to forget..."
"Let's do that by creating better ones... Come home, Mukku. Kaaka... Mukku and I will sleep in my room..."
"But..."
She reached out and held her hands in hers.
"Mukku... you said you loved me... but I never really got the chance to love you till today because I never knew you... I really want to know all about you... please, Mukku... for me?"
Mukku swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat and nodded.
"Ok... just for you... but I can't say how long I would stay..."
"Thank You..."
She turned to Anuj.
"Let's go home."
He nodded.
***
As soon as the door opened everyone except Mukku entered in. She stood at the entrance fiddling with her fingers unable to enter in as painful memories flashed in front of her eyes. Anu walked towards her, took her hand in hers and led her inside. A wave of nausea hit her as her brain registered the familiar surroundings.
"No.... no no no..."
Anu was startled as she heard her sudden scream. She wrapped her hand around her and Anuj rushed to their side while Kaaka looked on his face filled with horror.
"Mukku... look here... Mukku... it's over... we are here... look at me..."
Through her tears, she looked up at her. She reached up and touched her.
"You are really here... you are really here..."
"I am really here..."
She clung to her.
"Don't leave me..."
"I won't... I promise..."
Anuj stood in the living room watching the two women he loved the most walked inside the room. He sat down on the couch and sunk his head in his palms. He felt an arm on his shoulder. He looked up.
"Anuj, not your fault, son..."
"Had I not been late..."
"I was already here..."
Anuj immediately shook his head.
"Mummy... no don't blame yourself..."
He sighed.
"Anuj... she is back home, thanks to Anu... let's look forward. We need to move on for her sake."
As the muffled sounds of a lullaby filled the air, he took in a deep breath.
"For her sake... and for Anu's"
"Yes... for both of them..."
***
Precap: MaAn talk.
A/N: Hope you like it🤗