Part 8
Finally, the much-awaited weekend arrived for Anuj. He decided to go to the old age home early. As Anuj waited at the old age home, his eyes wandered to the entrance door. He was anxiously waiting for Maaya to arrive. As he sat there lost in thought, an old lady came to him and started talking. Their conversation was interrupted by the facilitator of the old age home. Anuj's heart skipped a beat as he turned to see Maaya standing with the facilitator. Maaya was surprised to see him there.
Facilitator: Maaya, this is Anuj, the man I was talking about. He has been volunteering for almost a week now.
Anuj: I know her, we are friends.
Facilitator: That's great. I will leave you guys to catch up then.
Old lady: Maaya, why didn't you come the last Sunday?
Maaya: I was not well, so couldn't come.
Anuj: Are you okay now?
Maaya: Yeah, I am fine.
Old lady: Anuj, you were saying that you like someone?
Anuj: There's this one woman, but she says that she doesn't remember me at all (looked at Maaya)
Old lady: Ehh!! Who would say that? It's impossible for anyone to forget a good-looking man like you. What do you say, Maaya?
Anuj: Exactly!! But it's not too bad, though. This way we can't really break up either.
Maaya was getting overwhelmed with emotions.
Maaya: I will leave you both to talk.
Maaya looked at Anuj from distance, noticing the way he interacted with everyone, his playful and carefree nature. She remembered the times they had spent together, the long conversations they had shared, and the way he had always made her feel alive. She wiped away her tears, not wanting anyone to see her vulnerability.
As the sun began to set, it was time to say goodbye. Maaya was waiting at the bus station, feeling a bit lost. Just then, Anuj arrived with his car and offered to give her a ride.
Anuj: Get in, I will drop you off.
Maaya: It's okay, I will take a bus.
Anuj: Do you detest me that much?
"It's because I love you to death", thought Maaya.
As Maaya got into the car, Anuj took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He could feel his heart racing, and he was acutely aware of Maaya's presence beside him. He started the car and pulled out of the bus station parking lot, heading towards their destination.
For a while, neither of them spoke, and the silence in the car was palpable. Anuj kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, while Maaya fidgeted with the strap of her bag. Finally, she cleared her throat and spoke up.
Maaya: Anuj, I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. It's not that I dislike you. It's just that...
Anuj: I understand.
He didn't want to push her or make her feel uncomfortable, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Anuj: As an apology, will you let me meet Choti?
Maaya nodded.
When they reached their destination, Anuj took out a bag of toys and they both climbed the stairs to Maaya's flat. Choti's face lit up when she saw Anuj standing at her doorstep. "Papa" she exclaimed with a smile. "What a surprise! Come in, come in." Anuj and Maaya followed Choti inside.
Choti: Papa, how are you? I missed you so much.
Anuj: I am good, my princess. I missed you too. But you never called your papa, even once.
Choti looked at Maaya, wondering what to say.
Anuj: I know, your mom didn't let you. It's okay.
Choti: Papa, you will have dinner with us, right?
Anuj was about to nod but Maaya interrupted, "Choti, your papa has some work. He will leave soon"
Choti: Papa, please. You can finish your work later also, right?
Anuj: Choti, you do your homework daily right? (Choti nodded) Similarly, I also have to do my daily homework. Here, these are for you (handed the bag of toys to Choti). But these aren't free. I am giving these to you so you will listen to your mom and always be on her side. Your mom has been through a lot. So you should show her your support and take her side always, okay?
Choti: (nodding her head) I will always be on Mom's side.
Anuj: That's like my good girl. And, here is my number. Whenever you miss me give me a call, and I will come running to you.
Choti: Papa, every Sunday I and Maa visit an old age home. Will you come with us?
Anuj: No beta, tomorrow I have some errands to run.
Maaya: Choti, your papa is getting late and you also have your science project to finish off. Anuj, the weather here is erratic, you should leave before it gets worse.
Anuj hugged Choti and she went inside the room.
Anuj: I won't go to the old age tomorrow, so you should go. The people there adore you.
Maaya: Drive safely, Anuj. Roads get slippery at night.
Anuj nodded and said goodbye. Maaya stood at the window, watching Anuj's car disappear down the street. She felt a pang of guilt and thought if she was too rude to him.
Anuj returned to his hotel room to find Sohit having his dinner.
Sohit: Sorry, I was too hungry. Anyways, you might have had dinner with Maaya. You should thank me that I decided to stay in the hotel and didn't become a third wheel between you two.
Anuj: Shut up. I don't wanna listen to your nonsense now.
Sohit: Yeah, now whatever I say, you will brush it off as nonsense.
Anuj: (in a sad voice) I wish whatever you said would come true.
Sohit: What happened?
Anuj: I don't know if I am doing the right thing.
Sohit: What do you mean?
Anuj: Maaya doesn't even want to talk to me. I don't even know if she sees me as a friend anymore.
Sohit: Anuj, she has been through a lot. She left Delhi so that no harm comes to you. Give her some time to come to terms with her emotions.
Anuj: Are you taking classes? You can't speak that well without being coached. When did you become so sensible?
Sohit: You are hurting my feelings now.
Anuj: Thanks, for being there for me.
Sohit: That's why you should treat me nicely, you dumbhead. Also, I wanna meet Maaya, so introduce me tomorrow.
Anuj: She doesn't wanna meet me only, why would she meet you?
Sohit: Because I am not a dumbhead like you.
And their banters went on.
The next day, Anuj and Sohit were waiting outside the shop in Anuj's car. The scorching sun was beating down on Anuj's car as he sat there impatiently, waiting for Maaya to show up. He didn't really want to come, but his friend Sohit dragged him out of the house, insisting that they had to meet Maaya. They were waiting since 2 pm. As the hours ticked by, Anuj grew increasingly restless. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and checked his phone repeatedly. As he sat there lost in thought, Sohit suddenly spoke up. "I'm going to buy a water bottle, do you want anything?" Anuj shook his head, too lost in his own thoughts to even consider thirst. Sohit hopped out of the car to buy a bottle of water. Anuj watched as he disappeared inside, and then turned his attention back to the street.
Suddenly, he saw Maaya and Choti walking into the shop. As Maaya and Choti came out of the store, the bag they were carrying suddenly tore apart, and things started falling out. Without thinking twice, Anuj got out of the car to help her. But he didn't want Maaya to see him, so he bent down behind the car door and called out to Sohit to help her.
Anuj: Hey, where are you? You went to buy water and fell into it? Why aren't you coming? What's taking you so long? Will you hurry, please?
Sohit rushed over and together, they picked up the items that had fallen out of the bag.
Maaya: Thank you.
Sohit: I'll carry this for you.
Maaya: No, it's okay. I can carry..
Sohit: This is heavy. I will carry it.
Maaya: I have to go nearby only, you don't have to..
Sohit: I will carry it there.
After reaching the old age home, Sohit handed the bag to Maaya.
Maaya: Thank you.
Sohit: My pleasure.
Maaya: Do I know you from somewhere?
Sohit: I get that a lot since I have very simple facial features.
Maaya: I certainly don't think so.
Sohit: Well...I see. Then why do people keep saying that? Strange, right? All right, then, Bye.
Sohit ran away and got inside the car. They drove away immediately. Maaya couldn't help but wonder what was that.
As Maaya entered the old age home, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Anuj wasn't there. She knew she shouldn't have expected that as she was the one who pushed him away but she couldn't help but feel a little letdown. Nevertheless, she put on a smile and went to visit the seniors.
Maaya sat next to the old lady in the common room of the old age home, listening to her talk about her past experiences. As the conversation progressed, the old lady suddenly turned towards Maaya and asked her a question. "Dear, do you like Anuj?" Maaya was taken aback by the sudden question "No, it's nothing like that," she stammered, not wanting to admit her true feelings. But the old lady could see right through her. "Don't be silly, dear. I saw the way you looked at him when he came yesterday. When you get to my age, you realize that life is too short to not follow your heart, Go for it!" she said, patting Maaya's hand gently.
As she reached home, she couldn't help but wonder if she should take the old lady's advice and confess her feelings to Anuj. She replayed their interactions in her head innumerable times. But suddenly she got reminded of Samar's words. As Maaya sat lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang, startling her. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Sushma.
Maaya: You always know when I need you.
Sushma: It's about Anuj, right?
Maaya: He didn't come today. I know..
Sushma: What do you want him to do? If he comes, you drive him away. If he doesn't, you expect to see him. I didn't tell you ever, but Anuj asked me about you multiple times. Maaya, don't push him away so far that he is not able to return.
Maaya: I know, but..
Sushma: Stop all your ifs and buts. You need to choose what you want to do the most or avoid what you're most afraid of.
Maaya: Back then, and even now, what I fear the most is him getting ruined because of me.
Sushma: Who are you to assume that? Why are you deciding for him? Let him decide for himself. Maaya, give yourself a chance. It's not like it'll be too late to cast everything away after that.
Maaya disconnected the call and decided to take a leap of faith. She texted Anuj, "Hi, this is Maaya. Can we meet tomorrow?" "Where", came the reply immediately. They decided to meet in a park nearby Maaya's home.
Anuj was reading a book when Maaya's text came and Sohit went out to bring food. When he returned he found Anuj smiling and looking at his phone.
Sohit: Looks like someone's love letter came.
Anuj: I am meeting her tomorrow evening.
Sohit: That's great. (He paused for a moment) Wait a moment, that means you are not coming to drop me off?
Anuj: Bro... I am..
Sohit: I drove your car till here. I dragged and took you. Now, you are throwing me under the bus.
Anuj: Bro, I am sorry but you are the sensible one, right? Please, please.
Sohit: You owe me one. I am happy for you, man.
The next day as Anuj waited for Maaya, his heartbeat quickened with each passing minute. He had arrived at the park early, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she arrived. As he sat at the bench, nervously tapping his fingers on the surface, he couldn't help but wonder what Maaya was thinking. Does she feel the same way he does? Or does she doesn't want him in her life? These questions swirled in his mind, making his anxiety grow with each passing second.
Finally, he saw her approaching the park. Anuj's heart raced as he took in her appearance. She looked beautiful as always, with her hair tied up in a loose bun and wearing a simple blue dress. Maaya's eyes met his, and Anuj felt a jolt of electricity run through him. Anuj stood up as she walked towards him.
Anuj: Hi...
Maaya: Hello, Anuj.
Anuj: Sit, please.
They both sat down on the bench. They both remained silent for a while, not knowing what to say. Both of their minds were racing with thoughts about how to start a conversation. They both spoke at the same moment. Anuj chuckled softly, "Ladies first."
Maaya nodded and took a deep breath.
Maaya: Anuj, I... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. It's not fair to you. I'm really sorry.
Anuj: You have said something similar before as well. Don't worry, I won't ask you what's the reason for that. But can we remain friends? I won't ask for anything more, I promise. The moment I become trouble for you, just let me know and I will vanish from your life as if I was never there. Just don't disappear as you did one and a half years ago. Whatever happened was because of me and Anupama. You don't have anything to do with that.
Maaya: Weren't you sad?
Anuj: I was, but I knew I would find you.
Maaya: About the divorce.
Anuj: Would you believe me if I say no?
Maaya: I don't know what to say here.
Anuj: I won't say I felt sad. Cold, maybe? Someone who was my wife became someone else in one moment. "What is this?" I thought. (he paused for a moment) But this also occurred to me. In my life, there was someone named Anupama. She is not my wife, nor a stranger. Just Anupama. She probably won't be a friend. She's someone I once loved and whom I lived with. And though we parted after going through hardship, we may be able to smile and be comfortable one day in the future. Relationships start for different reasons and they end in various ways too. When I thought like that, I felt more at ease.
Maaya: Was it tough?
Anuj: It wasn't easy. I had to deny a part of my life. How can it be easy?
Maaya: Seeing and parting... It happens every day. Seeing, living, and parting... When there's "living" involved, it gets harder.
Anuj: The truth is unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward. That's why I decided to let go of the old me who was desperately holding on to a thread that was long broken.
Just then, it started raining. They took shelter under a nearby roof.
Anuj: Wait a sec, I will bring my car.
Maaya: It's fine, Anuj. My home is nearby, it will take me just 5 minutes.
Anuj: I know you're fine, so I'll just lend you my umbrella.
Maaya: I am really fine. I can..
Anuj: You can probably run, but it's a cold day. If you fall sick, who'll take care of choti? Just wait a moment.
Anuj brought his car and gave her the umbrella.
Maaya: Drive safely and text me once you reach home.
Anuj: I will. Bye.
As Anuj watched Maaya walk away, he felt a mix of emotions - disappointment that they couldn't have a longer conversation, but also a sense of relief that Maaya didn't turn him away. Once he reached his hotel room, he texted Maaya.
Anuj: I have reached.
Maaya: Great, dry yourself quickly if you have got drenched in rain.
Anuj: What made you meet me? Till yesterday, you didn't even want to see me.
Maaya: I blame the rain this time.
Anuj: What?
Maaya: Nothing.
Anuj: Just promise me that you won't vanish again.
As Anuj was waiting for a reply, his phone rang. It was Sohit on the other end.
Sohit: I landed just now, Bro.
Anuj: Where?
Sohit: You idiot. Do you even remember someone called Sohit?
Anuj: I am sorry, I was thinking of something else. How was the flight?
Sohit: Not something but someone. I will board a taxi now, bye.
Anuj: Anyway, Sohit..When do you think it will rain again?
Sohit: What kind of crap is this? Go ask the meteorological department, you dumbhead.
Sohit disconnected the call and Anuj could not stop smiling after reading the text that read, "I won't run away anymore".
Health and Fitness
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
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