KaYa FF--Love will Find its Way-- Last Part 27/02 Pg 65 - Page 19

The night air was cool and refreshing... garden was very well kept, with the prize roses clearly on display. Finding a bench in the midst of the fragrant flowers, Ananya took a moment to get off of her feet...settling herself, she wondered what hurted her more, that chit of a woman accusing her...or she saying hurtful & harsh words to Kabir ... For once she just wanted to shout back at that women...but that wud mean giving her the importance, giving her the satisfaction that what she says matters to her...which Ananya felt ...that is only what Neha wanted...she wants to prove that her existence effects ...& Ananya wants to prove her wrong... Its important for Neha to realise that she doesn't exist neither for her nor Kabir...

More than Neha accussing her, Ananya was surprised at hard words that woman was using for Kabir... & what on earth did she meant by "Bet"...the vision of Kabir so upset wouldn't stray from her mind... she cud easily make out from his expressions...how difficult it had been for him ...& to add on, all these days she had seen him working hard, how much he desired for this contract...& now, since the moment the contract winner was announced, she had wanted to be beside Kabir, but making way through the crowd made it seem like a difficult task...& reaching him she found once again Neha accusing him ...the look on his face was like he wanted to run from there...& she wudn't blamed him if he just rushed out from there... even she herself could feel Neha's burning gaze on her & despite her trying to keep cool, she felt the heat...her accusations hurted her...

The thought of seeing Kabir upset now years later bothered her... its just now he as started smiling, & getting normal...She rememembers, how initially it took months for her to make Kabir break the walls around him...it took all efforts from her to open him up...to make him start enjoying things...making him see things beyond just work & Aryan...which had been his routine...if he wasn't busy with Aryan he was an workaholic...

She couldn't imagine how he was during the divorce...She knew he despised Neha as everytime she is around, she could only see the coldness in his eyes, much unlike the kindness that he had for her ...She always knew, Kabir had issues with trusting people & now the very thought of Kabir mistrusting her coz of Neha's accusations... made her eyes well up with tears...it scared her, what if Kabir takes Neha's accusations seriously & entertains a thought that its because of her, he lost the contract...

Ananya rubbed her arms as she shuddered a bit feeling the chill in the air...the breeze was getting cooler...She hugged herself, running her hands up and down her arms, trying to warm herself up a little...

Kabir saw her shiver a little and snapped out of his daze...only he knows how worried he was when he didn't found her near the elevators nor in the foyer...he sighed in relief when the receptionist informed that they had seen an Indian lady venturing into backside garden restaurant...He wordlessly removed his own jacket and placed it around her shoulders...snapping out Ananya from her thoughts...

Kabir (smiled)--Mind if I sit?

Ananya moved a little making space for him to sit, as he stood there with his hands stuffed in his pockets...His hair was a mess, obvious that he had run his hands through it several times...He sat down, without saying a word, he cud make out the glistening tears, enough to know that she had been crying...he pondered over what to say...He doesn't need to guess that she had heard every bit of whatever Neha said...& for sure Ananya is hurt & upset about it...taking a deep breath, he decided to lighten the moment...

Kabir (casually)"log theek kehte hai, shaadi ke baad ladkiyan badal jati hai...& you proved it right...Not that I am complaining, (Ananya gave him a confused look) nahi toh, jis Ananya Kashyap ko main janta hoon by now, wud have given back to Neha...ek do baatein toh zarur sunakar aati...(teased) usse ulajhna tumhe acha jo lagta hai 😆...but I am happy that you gave her such a royal ignore!!! (teased) socha tha, tumse seekhna padega...how to ignore people...but yaha you are crying...what happened to all your lectures to me... "neha kya kehti hai, kya karti hai we shud not bother"... (wiping her tears) on second thoughts, koi aur dekhega, toh sochega, shadi ko ek hafta bhi nahi hua, aur Pati ne rulana shuru kar diya...

Ananya gave a little smile...knowing he is trying to make her feel better...

Kabir(sighed)"Dats Neha for you, auro ko galat sabit karne ke liye, use kisi wajah ya kisi proof ki zarut nahi hai...for her, she herself is right, baki sab galat hai...

Ananya (after a moment)"I am sorry (after a pause) for the contract...you had wanted it, worked hard for it...&...

Kabir (interrupted)"Its OK, afterall it was just a contract...you winsome ...loose some...(Ananya stared back at him, she was surprised seeing him so calm) what?? Tumhi ne toh kaha tha, I shud learn to ignore her...Nahi...(wiping her tears which had started flowing again) & please ek contract ki wajah se, itne mote-mote aansu bahane ki zarut nahi hai...(teased) tumhari make up ki saari mehnat bekar ho jaegi...(Ananya tried to smile)...Don't tell me you are crying, coz you miss your wedding gift

Ananya (smiled sadly)" miss kahan kiya, now I can enjoy second wedding gift...(Kabir rolled his eyes smiling) though, if you don't feel like, we can just go back...can understand,cant expect you to enjoy after loosing a contract, you wanted it...worked hard for it aur...

Kabir (interrupted)" Ananya, all these years have learnt one thing, life is never predicatble...hum humesha jo sochte hai, jo chahte hai...woh zaruri nahi mil jaye...ya sab kuch waisa hi ho, jaisa hum chahte hai...No-one ever gets what they desire...(smiled) par kabhi kabhi, you get something more than you desire...(smiled) good things happen without even asking for, (holding her hands)like you happened...I wont lie, that for some strange reason, unconsciously Neha's words do effect me...(sighed) very frankly, I don't even know why I let her get to me...I have no explanation for it...(smiled) & Now don't need to shoot draggers to me, saying I am comparing...but genuinely, I want to confess, if she makes me feel like I cant do anything...& I couldn't even defend myself against her...she makes me feel like I'm some sort of failure (paused) but you, (smiled) You, make me feel on top of the world... in given situation, you cud have easily blamed me for loosing contract, not fulfilling you demand of wedding gift, you could have easily accused me of not being a good husband...or even a businessman for that matter...but instead, you felt equal loss, equal pain...you felt equally bad on loosing as much as I did...I saw how her comments about me, affected you too... and that negated anything destructive she could say...or she did ...to see my loss affected you as much as me...& it showed that you see me as a part of you...isse zyaada mujhe aur kya chaahiye...? & most important thing, ever since you came into my life, I learned how to smile again...You make me feel proud to be myself....(smiled) that's main reason why inspite of Neha's accusations I don't need to doubt (teased) "my staff"... though letting her effect me, I do feel bad about it...

Ananya just stared back at Kabir lovingly...& his honest confession just overwhelmed her...she knows how difficul it wud be for him to just open up...

Ananya"you have nothing to feel bad about...(added after a pause) People from our past can make those old wounds feel fresh, especially if you loved them at some point...

Kabir (interrupted)"I doubt if ever loved her...may be was too confused to realize what Love was... or like Di pointed out, may be it was just a passing phase...(smiled) You know, after Neha, I didn't ever want to get married...I despised the thought...something somewhere stopped me...But now, when I introduce you as my wife, it just seems...(paused) it seems so right... I'm proud to have you as my wife...Aryan & You made my life worth living again...I cannot change my past , a past that I want to forget.. But you...(paused, wondering if he should continue) You are my present and my future... I- I want you to be there with me...

Ananya (reached for his hand and held it between hers)"uske liye, you will have to promise me something (Kabir gave a confused look) Now on, You will not let her get to you like that... You went through so much when you separated from her... how can you let a few words affect you like tha...You're much stronger than that- I know because have seen how you have been there for Aryan... you single handedly raised him...so, you promise Mr. Sharma, that you wont let Neha's words effect you & I promise, I will be there for you...(realising something) .My God, its my fav song...(Kabir just smiled & shook his head...trust her to find humor in such situations) hasna band kijiye & come on Promise...

He nodded slightly and gave her a small smile...He pressed a soft kiss on her hand making her blush...he was amused, seeing her blush first time...& realizing its getting late, he motioned that they shud head back in... He tood up still holding her hand, and extending his other one to help her up slipping her other hand in his...he helped her up and turned to walk towards the door, but Ananya didn't move. She stopped him from walking and he turned around, looking at her curiously...

Kabir (curious)"what??

Without a single word, very slightly brought her hands to his cheeks and tiptoed...pressing a light lingering kiss on his forehead, taking him by total surprise...Then slipping her arms around him, she hugged him, resting her head on his chest. ...Kabir was totally caught off guard...she had never done that before...Although he liked the timid the fumbling bumping Ananya but seeing him perfectly fitting in his arms he definitely had no complaints so he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, not wanting to let her go from his arms... burying his face in her neck, whispering softly. "I don't know what I did to deserve you...."... closing his eyes and enjoyed their moment together...

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Ananya had been too excited for their just one day trip around the b'ful city...& also realizing the fact, that it wud be a nice distraction for Kabir too, from just sitting here in room & pondering over the loss... Kabir just shook his head at her child like excitement...who wud believe, this girl is a married woman, he had organised a car for them to go sightseeing for the day & giving in her simple wish of exploring the city ...is least he cud do, which is nothing in comparison to what Ananya constantly does by just being there beside him...whenever he needs...

While they had their breakfast, Ananya reading through the guidebooks she picked up at the airport, excitedly pointing at all the pictures to Kabir, & then turning to the next one without giving him a chance to comment!!

Ananya--Ok, first we have to go to Piazza Navona...they have lovely paintings there,... pata hai, the artists there only have one piece of whatever you buy from them... each work is different from the other so you always have something unique!! (turning the page) then we can go to the Colosseum... uske baad Roman Forum & Trevi Fountain... & of course Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel-

Kabir (interrupted) -wahan tum nahi ja paogi...(digging in his breakfast)

Ananya (surprised)"hawww kyun?? Par aapne kaha tha, humare paas aaj poora free day hai, return flight kal early morning ki hai...& you even agreed hum sab jagah jaenge...(disappointed) toh hum kyun nahi ja sakte...

Kabir (tongue in cheek) -kyunki, waha par tumhe apna muh bandh rakhna padega na... might be too difficult for you!!!

Ananya (gaped at him)"dats so mean Mr. Sharma...aap mera mazaak uda rahe hai...(sulked) aapse baat hi nahi karni mujhe...

Kabir (finishing up breakfast)"baat nahi karni, Good...matlab mooh band rakhogi, toh tum chal sakti ho... (making her stand up too) come on, was just kidding...now stop sulking, I know how excited you are for your day out...chalo!!! (seeing her still sulking walking) baat nahi kar rahi, par atleast you show me what else you want to see (taking her guidebook)

Ananya snatches the book back excitedly and goes back to the beginning, walking ahead to the foyer where...their car was waiting ...rambling about everywhere she wants to go... Bocca della Verita, the Mouth of Truth, Spanish Steps and Via dei Condotti...

She went on rambling with her list not even realising Kabir isn't beside her...she realised only when she was about to sit in the car she turned around surprised not to find Kabir around... waiting for few minutes...she was about to go back in again, wondering where he went...when she found coming out ...on asking where he was...he teased her showing "earplugs" 😆😆

Ananya just huffed ...here he goes again teasing about her chattering...

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Kabir more interested in staring at Ananya, watching her expression change from awe, to delight, to amazement, to pure joy...the museums, the paintings, was all fascinating, he had seen them earlier...but seeing it through her eyes made it all that much more beautiful... he appeared to be less interested in the sightseeing than in his animated wife...walking through the side streets...he was both happy & content seeing Ananya all cheery & happy ...

Strolling through the bustling market places and busy side streets they pass numerous little shops and stalls... one in particular causing Ananya to stop and clap her hands in delight... in the window was "Winnie the Pooh", her favourite Disney character, dressed in Roman army uniform it was perfect, and in his hands was a cloth sword too! ...

Kabir almost had a hard time controlling his laughter, while he paid for Aryan's gift he had purchased... when Ananya told about "Winnie the Pooh"...initially he thought she wanted to buy for Aryan...but when she specifically mentioned its for her herself...Kabir wanted to just roll on floor laughing...🤣 though he did bought for her, but not before teasing her

Ananya"ha ha ha very funny...duniya ki kaunsi rule book mein likha hai, after specific age you cant like a cartoon character (dragging him to Via dei Condotti, to look something for herself & even for Madhu Di)

Kabir sighed in relief "finally" as Ananya moved towards the cash counter ..its been almost 3 hours, & her shopping is not coming to an end...he wondered if she was planning to buy whole shop...even commented to her...as he handed over his card to the cashier...

Kabir (teased)"just 5 dresses, itne mein 3ghante lagaye... Mujhe toh laga tha, you wud be taking whole showroom back India...(Ananya smacked his arm)

As they moved out of the shop...Kabir kept pulling her leg, for spending so much time...even before Ananya cud reply to his teasing...they heard someone interrupting their non stop chatter...who just entered the shop...

Neha"My, My...shopping spree, I thought celebrations jeetne ke baad hoti hai...haarne ke baad nahi...(looked around) & what a surprise, Ananya Kashyap at Via dei Condotti...isn't it too pricey ...(smirked) quite a high maintenance staff Kabir...

Ananya (gave a exaggerated smile)"ahh!! might be speaking from your personal experience!!! afterall, kisi zamaane mein aapke liye it was too pricey..., its pricey, jinhone yeh sab life mein kabhi dekha nahi... but not for me, who has shopped on streets of London & Paris all over the years...this is nothing....(she made a move to leave)...& by the way, you got the name wrong, its Mrs. Ananya Kabir Sharma...

Neha gaped open mouthed at Ananya, & glanced at Kabir, who wanted to crack up laughing seeing Neha's expression...

Kabir (controlled himself from laughing)"guess, newspapers padhne ki adat nahi huyi tumhe ab tak...else you wudn't have such expressions...& wudn't have commented about me sharing room with my staff...

Neha (shocked)--you two married?? Tum dono...(to Kabir) dats not possible...tum

Kabir (interrupted) -why...I think after divorce, a person is legally free to get married again (smirked) who wud know better than you...(Holding Ananya's hand made a move to leave the place...only to be turned back) considering you know so much about celebrating & not celebrating after winning & loosing...hope you didn't started celebrating the contract win...

Neha (confused)"excuse me??

Without bothering to explain Kabir just smiled & left a confused Neha behind...