Anu watched her husband engaged in a playstation battle with Vanraj, Samar and Pakhi. Anu sat near Kavya and Kinjal, they were busy watching some romcom on the projector screen.
Anuj was stealing glances back at his tired wife, and playing with the grown up kids. Anu smiled at him.
She recollected the incidents of the day so far..
It had been such a happy day.. barring seeing Mr. Shah in her new life. No matter what she said about not being bothered. But seeing him eyeing her new haven, had made her uncomfortable. She sighed, no matter what, they would come face to face in future too.
Silently she prayed, "Kanhaji.. Mere Anuj ko aur hamari iss chhotisi, pyaari si duniya ko Mr. Shah ki nazar se bachaaye rakhna.. dhyaan rakhjo haa..!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A rather awkward lunch later, everyone settled in the living room. Bapuji gifted them silver coins and sweet boxes for their first festival.
"Zyada kuch nahi, yeh shagun ke sikke aur mithai. Hamesha khush rehna.. "
Anuj refuted, giving back the coins, "hume sirf aapka pyaar aur ashirwaad chahiye Bapuji.. yeh sab zaroori nahi hain.."
"Shaadi ke baad yeh pehle tyohar hain tumhara..Riwaz toh nibhane padte hain ne.." Baa chimmed in with saccharine sweetness.
"Iss baar rakh lo beta, agli baar kuch nahi dunga siwaay ashirwaad ke.." Anuj smiled a yes and accepted the shagun.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Anu and Anuj seated together, opposite Baa, Bapuji. Pakhi was filling them up about the oh so gorgeous interiors her mummy's home had. Clearly she was smitten by the wealth and grandness of Kapadia Sadan. Anuj took them trio, Baa, Bapuji and Vanraj for the house tour. Pakhi was about to go too, in the hopes to see their bedroom, but Kavya made her stay back.
Vanraj, awkwardly followed them, seeing the Kapadia grandeur.. while his good self appreciated the surroundings, his not so good self didn't like what he saw. Kapadia was just showing off his wealth, V felt.
Anuj was about to take them upstairs when Pakhi dragged Anu forcefully..
"Buddy.. mujhe na mummy ka make-up and wardrobe dekhna hain.. main bhi aau? Yeh mummy manaa kar rahi hain.." she pouted in the hopes of wrapping Anuj around her little finger. Pakhi thought she would ask Anuj so that Anu won't be able to say no to her husband just like before.
"Sweety, maine samjhaya tha na tujhe? Baat samajh ne.." Anu was irritated now.
(one oversmart, irritating girl this!)
Anuj looked at Anu, she nodded a slight no at him, gauzed the situation.
"Uhh, Pakhu.. don't get me wrong bachche, but if your mummy is not comfortable in showing you our room, then I think we must respect her opinion. Would you like it if anyone entered your room without your consent?"
Pakhi nodded a no.
"So there.. Wouldn't you agree that if your consent is needed then so your mom's consent should be adhered to as well?"
Pakhi remembered how she would shout at her mom for always barging in her room without asking.
She nodded a reluctant yes.
"I knew you are a sensible girl. So lets keep the room trip for some other time, hmm?" Anuj smiled. Anu glanced at her Anuuj gratefully.
Before anyone could say anything, Vanraj said it was late and that they should leave. Baa agreed. She was as it is irritated looking at Anupama's 'Mahal'.
Thus, Baa, Bapuji, Kavya and V decided to go back home while the kids would stay for dinner. Anuj insisted they all stay for dinner too.. Shahs were contemplating what to do when Anuj's mobile rang, he excused himself and went to attend the call.
Annu asked them to stay as well as because her husband wished, "unhe achha lagega", she smiled..they would have to cook at home after the travel, it would be tiring as Kavya was fasting too, for she would have to cook the food...
Meanwhile, Anuj came back ecstatic, calling out Anu..
"Biwi....
Annu.....
Annuuu...
Oh Mrs.Kapadia...."
"Itna kyu chilla rahe hain Kapadia ji.. yahi toh hu aapke saamne.." she smiled at his childlike happiness..
"I have a surprise for you Jaan.." she nudged him to keep his endearment private..
He realised his folly seeing Baa roll her eyes.. mouthed a sorry to Anu.. asked everyone to come outside with him. He blindfolded Anu's eyes with his hand and guided her out..
"Ta da.." he took off his hand..
A sleek, pristine white Mercedes stood ahead in the porche with a big gift bow attached on it.. The person who bought the car, handed the documents and keys to Anuj, congratulated them on the purchase and left. Anuj in turn gave to keys to Anu.
"Yeh..?" She enquired.
"Yeh hamare pehle tyohar ka pehla tohfa.. tumhare liye.. Actually hum dono ki hi car hain but now you won't have to wait for our car when I am out or take an autorickshaw for commuting anywhere."
Anu team members, Kavya included, squealed in hoots and shouts and clapped in happiness.. while Baa and V stood silent, wide eyed. Pakhi was confused to show her reaction.
"Congratulations nayi naveli dulhan!!" Kinjal shouted at the top of her voice.
Anu meekly smiled at Kinju, turned towards Anuj in anger.. "Aap pagal hain kya..? Kyu itna kharcha karte hain?"
Everyone went silent..
Baa was more surprised by Anu's anger. She never uttered a negative response at Shah house when married to Vanraj. And here she was shouting at her husband and the idiot husband, instead of showing her right place or at least scolding, was smiling at her.
"Maine aapko kabhi kaha ki mujhe takleef hai auto se jane mein? Bas phaltu ke kharche karwa lo.. " she continued.
Anuj was trying his hard to suppress his laughter but couldn't and burst out chortling..he knew he was going to get an earful from wifey..
"Dekhiye yeh hasna band kijiye aap..", but his laugh was too infectious to ignore, for she was smiling too..
"Dekha Bapuji.. aapki beti kaise daant lagaati hain apne Pati ko.." Bapuji and everyone, except B and V, laughed out loud.
"Mohtarma.. aap duniya ki pehli patni hongi jo aise gift milne par khush hone ki jagah ghussa karti hain.." she rolled her eyes in mock anger.
He placed the keys in her hands and pressed her palm in his. "Come on Annu, ab main meri biwi ko gift nahi dunga toh aur kise? and actually..yeh car na, maine shaadi se pehle hi book ki thi.. paperwork bhi ho gaya tha, bas aaj milegi yeh nahi jaanta tha.. so.. yeh apne aap pehle gift ho gaya.. please... please..please...aaj ke din ghussa matt karo biwi.."
Seeing his puppy face she finally smiled wide, "Thank you Pati ji.." He hugged her sideways on account of the company around. Anu had flashes of the time Vanraj had to pay for digital camera for her nephew because of her low bank balance. The drama that followed after. This guy had unknowingly healed that pain today..almost tearing up, she embraced Anuj sideways too.. Their eyes did the rest talking.
Samar screamed loudly.. "You guys!!!! STOP making me feel so horribly single!!
"Bhapp..."Anu laughed.. when she didn't break from the embrace, much to the chagrin of Baa, made a face, "Haa thik hain, tujhe nayi gaadi mili hain.. iska matlab yeh nahi ke saare sanskaar, sharam bhool jayegi.. Tere Bapuji bhi yahi hain aur tu... she trailed off.."
Bapuji gave an irritated look but stayed silent as always..
But Mrs. Anuj Kapadia retorted, "Baa.. apne Pati ke saath hi toh khadi hu.. toh besharmi kaise hui? Nayi nayi shaadi huyi hain, toh chalta hain ne? Chaliye ashirwaad dijiye pehle.." Anu smiled bright..
Anuj, wide eyed, almost fainted hearing her words.. while others had their mouths opened wide... Anupama back answering her beloved Baa!!
She took Anuj's hand and went to take Baa's blessings. The old lady didn't have a choice but to bless them if only half heartedly.
Kavya chimmed in to lighten up the tensed atmosphere. "Mera bhi ashirwaad ley lo.. i will bless you too. Aur Haa.. nayi car ki party chahiye.. okay?!!" Samar, Kinju joined her too.
"Yes yes, done!.. ice cream treat? Dinner ke baad.. but you all have to stay.. please Bapuji.. I insist.!" Bapuji gave in to Anuj's pleads, V and B didn't have a choice but comply. Everyone else cheered. Just then GK came along with Kamal. Carrying a puja thaali. Anuj and Anu performed the veneration of the car together.
Later, GK called out everyone to get some rest. Anuj held Anu's hand.. "Chaliye biwi ji.. aap bhi zaraa aram kar lijiye.. I need to make some calls.. so.."
Baa was short of fainting now.. "Anupama aaram karegi?"
"Haa Baa.. kyu? Agar baki sab rest karne jaa rahe hain toh Annu kyu nahi? Waise bhi koi kaam toh hain nahi" Anuj replied.
"Shaam ke khaane ki tayyari kaun karega.." her inner saas/mother-in-law surfaced.
"Annu sirf dekh rekh kar legi Baa.. Jab staff hain toh Annu kyu lagi rahe kitchen mein?" Anuj, counter questioned.
Both maa beta, irritated by the blatant PDA, wanted the day to end as soon as possible. Baa rolled her eyes and went inside. Every one followed.
Anu was about to go when Anuj pulled her back. Made her stand near the car, holding her by the shoulder, took their selfie together..
"Ek baat batao.."
She raised her eyebrow in a what? He lifted her chin to look in her eyes,
"Zara chimti kato toh..Yeh Annu kaun hain? Jo bina darey Baa ko reply dey rahi thi? So proud of you wifey. "
"Yeh purani Anupama nahi. Yeh Mrs Anuj Kapadia thi", she pinched his midriff and winked.
"Ouchh Annu..." he was liking this bold wifey of his.. He tugged her shoulder tight..
When he gestured to go in, Anu looked around. Making sure no one was in sight.. She tip-toed to reach his height, wrapped her arms around his neck..in response, his hands went around her waist to balance them and lifting her frame. Soaking in each other's warmth, they stayed there for a while.
Few moments past, he let her stand on ground, but not completely breaking the embrace, resting her face on his chest, Anu whispered, "Thank you Anuuj.. bina kahe..bina jaane, bina jataaye, aap meri zindagi ke har zakham par marham laga rahe hain..bahot.. bahot..bahot.. thank you.."
Overwhelmed, he held her tight wordlessly..
She looked up in his eyes and snuggled in him.. "Ek baat puchhu..?"
"Hmmm...?"
"Yeh raat kab hogi??"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Precap : Vanraj sees them hugging,
MaAn break their fast together with Shahs.. Shahs go back and it's finally night 🤗
~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanted to take it slow..if we can get Shah drama for weeks.. this is only them, Shahs being in a happy K Sadan. hope you don't mind.
Do let me know how this turned out.
Typos galti maaf karna please..
And press the voting star if you liked.
Pomise.. next update will be more spicy and soon.. cheers !!! 💕💕
Oh and Thank you for all the love you showered on this story. ❤️