~31~
They settled down on the couch with steaming mugs of hot chocolate that Anuj had prepared while she had cleaned up the living room. As they relaxed themselves in each other's arms, chattering about nothing in particular, a loud knock was heard. Anuj looked at the clock. It showed 1.30 AM. He raised his eyebrow.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"At this hour? No..."
"Ok I will see."
He opened the door and in marched his baby sister. She walked straight to Anu. She stood up immediately and felt her head and cheeks.
"Mukku... what happened? Are you okay?"
"I am not okay... you... you promised you won't leave me alone ever.... then why did you leave?"
"Me?"
"Yes you.... why didn't you come home? Or to the party?"
"You said you didn't want to see me..."
"I said that in anger...you said I am your baby, you will leave your baby?"
She hit her head.
"I didn't leave you, my Mukkudi... I wanted to give you some space..."
"Space...? What space? I want no space... I want you..."
She launched herself into her arms.
"Sorry... sorry... sorry for hurting you..."
"Shhh... shhh... it's okay... promise me you won't do it again..."
She pulled back and pointed her pinky finger.
"Pinky promise.... and you won't leave me?"
"I won't... I never left you..."
She turned to her brother.
"And you..."
He nodded at her.
"You know how I hate it when you go behind my back. Why didn't you come to me before you started with your idiotic plan?"
"My plan wasn't idiotic and I wanted to talk to you after I had finalized everything. I don't know how it got to you... I do have a copy of the paper you tore at my desk. You can sign it tomorrow."
"I am not going to sign it. I won't be coming to the office tomorrow or anytime soon."
"What?"
"Will you both sit down? I came to talk to you..."
As the sat down, she started.
"Anuj, I know you don't trust Vanraj and I don't blame you. You want me to break partnership, I will do it... but not now... do you think the media would be quiet if I dissolve a partnership in less than a month? Personal things aside, he has done nothing professionally for me to take such a step. I am still new to this world and any negative publicity would tarnish my name."
"Mukku... I will take care of the media. Do you think I didn't think of all that before I drafted the papers?"
"Of course... you will... but that's what I don't want..."
"Mukku..."
"10 years... 10 years I worked hard to reach this position and I did it without being Anuj Kapadia's sister. I want to continue being like that..."
"But..."
"Anuj... I know you are capable and will definitely handle everything but I want to do it on my own. I want to make mistakes, I want to fall, I want to get up... I want to earn this, Bhai. Let me do it my way... just this once."
"What if he hurts you?"
"He can't... He knows he can't."
She reached out and took his hand in hers.
"Bhai... please. I promise you I will be careful but I can't sign those papers now."
He let out a defeated sigh and said.
"Only if GK works with you in your project..."
"Okay... I'll do that for you... but you have to promise you won't go behind my back again."
He nodded and Anu looked at her.
"You will be careful, won't you my Mukkudi?"
"I promised you that I won't treat him more than a business partner and I won't."
Anu nodded and Anuj looked at her. Through their eyes, they exchanged assuring glances when Mukku spoke up
"As I said I won't be coming to the office from tomorrow, I have rented a small building close by, we can meet for lunch..."
"But why, we have agreed to let you work with Vanraj... then why do you want to go away..."
"I am not going away, the office is two blocks away from yours..."
"But why do you..."
"How blind can you be, Bhai? I mean from the day we moved into your office, I noticed Bhabhi was uncomfortable around Vanraj... who wouldn't be when they have such a bitter history. Me being there would only increase their time together and I can't bear to see her unease. So we are moving out..."
Anupama looked at her, completely taken aback. After her divorce, her own Baa and Bapuji had asked her to stay back not bothering a bit about what she would feel or what she wanted and they claimed to be her parents... her own daughter had come to ask her back without thinking anything about her pain... but here was this girl to whom she was not yet related by law or blood.. she had seen her discomfort when she had been so carefully hiding it and had chosen the harder path for herself just so that she would feel comfortable. She got up, her eyes just as full as her heart, walked towards her and pulled her in a hug.
"My baby... my little baby girl... I love you..."
Anuj smiled understanding her emotions.
"All love for the baby and none for me..."
Mukku pouted and stuck out her tongue.
"Haaaaw... someone's feeling jealous.... Bhabhi loves me more than you... right Bhabhi?"
Anu smiled and tapped her head.
"Shut up..."
"Okay... enough of tears... mmmm what's this I see? Hot chocolate mugs..."
"They have become cold chocolate now because you interrupted..."
"No issues... I am willing to drink it cold... by the way did I interrupt something hot?"
Anu looked at Anuj and felt her cheeks color. Mukku noticed and giggled.
"Poor you... sorry... next time I won't interrupt... pakka..."
"Mukku... Shut up..."
"Okay..."
After a few minutes of silence, Mukku yawned.
"I am really sleepy... shall we go home or sleepover here tonight, Bhabhi?"
"Your wish, Mukkudi..."
"Uh oh... I need an answer... Anuj?"
"It's late... let's sleepover tonight and go home together tomorrow..."
He looked at Anu and she nodded with a smile.
"Alright then, I am going to your room... come after you have kissed Bhai goodnight..."
"Mukku!!!!"
She just waved and left.
"This girl..."
She turned to look at Anuj and the look in his eyes made her shut up. As he moved closer to her, she felt her lips tremble. His face inches away from her, he scrutinized her face. She felt her cheeks color in anticipation as he moved closer. Tilting his head, he brushed her cheek with his and then whispered
"Do you really love Mukku more than me?"
"Huh?"
Moving away, she pushed him back and mumbled.
"Trust him to spoil a moment... Bholuram..."
"I still don't have an answer, Mohatarma..."
She stood up to leave.
"Of course... baby comes first... go to sleep. Good night."
As she walked away, she felt a tug and turned around to see him holding her pallu. His head down, he spoke his voice almost a whisper
"I don't like letting go, Anu..."
She walked back to him and took his hand in hers.
"Sometimes you have to let go a little..."
"I let you go and the result was terrible... what if the same happens to Mukku..."
"I didn't know you loved me then... but she knows... Mukku knows we love her... and Kaka will be with her."
He took in a deep breath and looked into her eyes.
"It will be okay?"
"It will be okay..."
***
A/N: Let me know how it is. Thanks.