~23~
She looked away as her eyes filled up with angry tears... why oh why did she drag him into everything. First it was him and Kaaka... now her little girl was also getting dragged into the murky swamp she called her life. Anuj placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Anu...? Did something happen?"
Her eyes fiery she turned to him.
"What is left to happen?"
"Stop talking in riddles... you are scaring me... did he talk to you..."
"Yes."
"What?"
She bent down.
"Leave it... you just be careful about Mukku... we need to protect her..."
"And you?"
"I can take care of myself. I will manage."
"Did I say you can't?"
"Anuj..."
"I know I wasn't a part of your life all these years but now I want to be... will you not give me the right to take care of you?"
"Anuj... I don't want to drag you into my troubles... my life is already complicated..."
"So? You want me to go away from your life? I thought I meant something to you... or is it that whatever happened earlier today doesn't mean anything?"
"What are you talking? You really think that the..."
"The kiss..."
"Yes... you really think it doesn't mean anything... Is that how you felt?"
He sighed, she was misunderstanding him. He took her hand in his.
"Anu... at that moment... I felt like the king of the world... for finally... finally... my Anu had come to me... I would give anything to relive that again... my heart still races at the mere memory... but..."
"But..?"
"But now I feel you didn't really come... it was all a dream... just like always... if it really was you under the mistletoe, I shouldn't be the one begging to be a part of your life... should I? Why, Anu... Why?"
"Because I am scared... scared that you and my baby will get hurt... I can't bear it.... I can't... I can't.. I can't..."
She bent down and hid her face in her palms and sobbed. He got up from the chair and sat beside her on the bed, quietly placing one hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. As her sobs slowed down, he spoke his voice tender yet firm.
"We cannot control everything in life, Anu. I don't know the future... but right now, I don't want anything else but you... I don't care about what will happen... I want to be by your side preventing bad things from happening, if I am not able to do that, I want to be by your side when bad things happen... about Mukku and Kaaka... with you by me, I don't have anything to worry... I know you would throw yourself into fire but won't let anything harm them... am I right?"
She nodded.
"Then...? Anu... I didn't wait 26 long years to be a spectator in your life... I want to be your partner, friend, protector, lover..."
"You are all that... Anuj... and more...."
"Then? Give me my right, Anu... I will gladly take it with all the joys and sorrows it brings with it... for all that matters to me is... you."
She wrapped her hands around his arms and rested her head on his strong shoulder. Slowly, she narrated to him the events of the evening. He felt rage fill him but he controlled himself for her. She needed him, he reminded himself.
"Anuj... I am scared... he really does know everything about me... what if everything becomes just like it was before?"
"It won't... because I am with you now.. He doesn't know me yet... and when he does... he would regret even knowing you..."
Anu looked up at him. Seeing his jaws and face clenched rigid, she sighed.
"Anuj... I can't stop you.. promise me that I will have you... always..."
He looked at her and nodded understanding her fears. She had seen the lowest extent to which the vile man could stoop.
"I promise... if you promise to always let me fight your battles with you..."
She nodded and placed a soft kiss on his arms and shut her eyes.
"Anu..."
"Mmmm?"
"You need to get some sleep..."
"Mmmm..."
"What?"
"Bholuram..."
"Huh?"
She nuzzled her nose in his arms and got up.
"Couldn't you have stayed silent for a few more minutes..."
Then she added to herself.
"I would have used the excuse to sleep in your arms... it was getting so comfortable..."
He grabbed her pallu and she looked back at him. His voice husky, he asked
"You won't regret?"
"Why would I?"
Positioning himself to lean against the headboard, he pulled her beside him. He took her hand and looped it in his arms. He then placed his hand on her cheek and tilted her head making her rest on his arm. She smiled, snuggling closer and stretched her legs making herself comfortable. Her eyes had already started to droop.
"Happy, Mohatarma...?"
"Mmm hmmm..."
He rested his head on top of hers and softly whispered,
"Anu..."
"Mmm?"
"You are beautiful..."
"Mmmm..."
"Beautiful woman of mine...."
"Mmm..."
"Mine...?"
"Mm.."
"Mine..."
"M.."
"I love you..."
"..."
Hearing no response, he looked to see her fast asleep in his arms.
***
Precap: Anuj meets Aarav.
A/N: What do you think will happen? Hope you liked this update.
A/N 2: The day has ended😆... Next chapter is a new day.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
