She entered Anuj's new office with hesitation, speculating on all the unfavorable scenarios. She bit her nail and murmured to herself: Aise dhuk dhuk kyun ho rahi hai. Anupama, mat soch kuch matt soch, ye aection tame hai, choti ke liye, humare liye. Kanha ji dhyan rakhjo.
She went to the receptionist's desk: Jai Shri Krishna Priya
Priya: Hello Mam.
Anupama: Wo An..Mr. Kapadia hai kya mujhe milna tha unse.
Priya: Aapke paas appointment hai.
Anupama: Nahi woh toh nahi hai per....
Priya interrupted: Mam appointment nahi hai toh, I would suggest aap kal appointment leke ayiega, aj waise hi Sir ka schedule bahut busy hai.
Anupama: Aap ek bar Mr. Kapadia ko inphorm kar dijiye plez.
Priya: Sure, mam, let me inform him, but I really doubt it; he is very busy with a US client today.
Anupama nodded and silently sat in the waiting lounge. As she was grasping in the new office interiors, she noticed a boy of 28–30 years chitchatting, majorly flirting with girls, asking them about their beauty secrets, praising one girl's eyes, the second girl's hair, the third girl's hands, and so on. The only thing that was common was laughter. Wherever he went, girls were giggling and laughing only. Anupama shook her head at him: Pagal chokra.
As Anupama was thinking over all the discussion and how to put it in front of Anuj, a voice broke her reverie: Oh my God, Bhagwan, baki ladkion pe itna zurm kaise kar sakta hai.
Anu looked at him all stunned: Ji k..k..kaisa Jurm.
Boy: Kisi ki aankhein sundar hoti hain, kisi ke baal kisi ki hasi, per aap toh kamaal ho bemisaal ho is sundarta ka kya raaz hai.
Anupama smirked, took a pause, and spoke mischievously: Mere teen bache...jo lagbagh tumhari umar ke hain.
Boy added charmingly: Sach mein!!! mujhe toh laga aap 17-18 saal ki hogi matlab aapki tawacha se aapki umar ka pata nahi chalta.. is it soundarya sabun Nirma..
Anupama giggled and then smirked: Aur phir bhi tum phlirt karne chale aaye 17–18 saal ki ladki ke saath, gair kanuni hai ye tumhe jail ho sakti hai.
Boy smirked: Ab kaid mein toh rehna hi hai aapki aankhon ki ho ya salakhon ki.
Anu giggled: Emmm. Toh Mr. kaidi tum kuch kaam bhi karte ho, ya tael sabun ki hi jankari ikathi karte ho.
Boy: Arrey right hand hun main Anuj sir ka. Wo toh meeting thodi lambi chal gayi, nahi toh bas main hi hun jiski wajah se ye office chal raha hai.
Before he continued further, Priya came toward them: Samarth, there are some additional changes that the US client has mentioned. Sir, ne kaha hai jaldi se changes adapt karke new project copy dene ko.
Samarth: Arrey yar ye US client ki dikkat kya hai subah se 5 baar change karwa chuki hai. Wo deal mein interested hai bhi ki nahi.
Priya: Really, I don't know what she wants. Definitely, she is wasting Anuj Sir's time.
Samarath, true to his nature, spoke unfiltered: Areey kuch nahi uski nazar Anuj sir pe hai, wo aur Sir US mein bhi ikathe kaam karte the. I think isliye wo
Priya tapped him and pointed toward Anupama: Kuch bhi bolte ho tum. Focus on your work.
Samarth coughed: Sorry, I will go.
Priya returned to her desk.
Anupama thought to herself. Anuj handle kar lenge pata nahi aise kitne log hi milte honge unhe roz. She stood up to left and went towards to inform Priya: Priya main, Mr. Kapadia se baat karlungi. Theek hai, abhi itne busy hain toh phir main nikalti hun.
Priya: Exactly, Mam.
Meanwhile, another colleague came out of the meeting room towards Priya: Arrey yar, she is nuts. I tried very hard to negotiate, but family emergencies na hoti na, I would have never left her alone with Anuj sir. He got startled seeing Anupama in front of her: Anupamaa Mam aap, I am sorry, maine dekha nahi aapko.
Anupamaa: Kaun hai ye US client Rohit.
Rohit: Mam, Shalika Hai is from Medizee Industries, an old client of ours. But she is wasting her time and energy to...
He hesitated. Anupama asked: To Kya Rohit
Rohit looked down: Mam to influence and impress Anuj sir. Mujhe kuch family emergency ki wajah se nikalana padega; otherwise, I would have stayed.
Anupama nodded. He left to leave, then he suddenly turned towards Anupama: Mam, we all miss you a lot back in the office. Agar aapko theek lage toh hum, kisi din aapke ghar ajaye milne.
Anupama nodded lovingly with tears in her eyes. Rohit left. As she turned toward Priya, she was already on her feet: Mam, I am sorry. Mujhe pata nahi tha aap Anupama Mam hai.
Anupama: Arrey kaise pata hota. Mann mein koi autometic x-ray masine thodi lagi hoti hai.
Anupama thought to herself: Kya karu Anujjjjjj. Agar aap mere jagah hote, she stopped and smiled, remembering how he wrapped an iron chain around his hand on bare mention of Mr. Shah, how he gritted and said choti behan jaisi ho tum uski for Dr. Advait. Dimpy incident. Designer incident... aur jo mujhe pata bhi nahi.. pata nahi kya... kya.
She murmured: Wo mujhe kabhi aise chodd ke nahi jaate. Lekin kahin Anuj ko ye na lage ki mujhe unpe vishvaas nahi hai. Kanha ji. Suddenly she remembers date night before marriage, where he himself has given her that hakk: Agar koi aapki paas aane ki kosis karege toh main apna hakk jataa dungi, and how he chuckled, Jataa dena hakk se apna hakk tumhe poora hakk hai.
She gave a side eye to the untouched rolls from breakfast: Bahutt ho gaya kabhi Maya kabhi wo mumbai wali ladki kabhi ye Salika bas bahut ho gaya ab..hakk batane ka aur jatane ka tame aa gaya hai..agar zyada aise chalta raha na toh main aapke mathe pe mera naam likhwa dungi - Anu ke Anuj..aayee hain badein.
She checked herself in the glass door and thought: Purani buziness partner ya phirr Mrs. Anupama Kapadia. She inhaled, and without looking at Priya, she asked: Kya tumhare paas Kajal aur comb hai. Priya nodded.
Anupamaa: Sir ke cabiin mein aaana ek bar aur Samarth ko bolo jo new updates hai wo hindi/gujrati wali projact phile mein bhi update karke leke aaye.
Once in Anuj's cabin, she unfolded her pallu, unbraided her hair, made a light puff, kept her tresses open, kohled her eyes, one shade darker on her lips, and yes, showed professionalism and confidence in her complete body language. She came out, and Samarth was already standing there. He looked at her with a mouth drop.
Priya's eyes twinkled: Mam.
Anupama: Priya wo updated project philes aa gayi kya.
Priya: Yes, mam.
Anupama: Dono ek ek file lelo. Priya tum do teen phile alag se rakhlo aise hi. Aur pen notepad le lena, pointers ke liye. Aur Samarth tum muh band karlo betaaa.
Samarth: Mam I understand, aapne sab socha hoga, but even then, I will suggest ki aap ander mat jaaye. Anuj sir, pehle hi bahut gusse mein hain, and secondly, aise crucial project details out of organization share karna is not ethical.
Anupama: Saras haan Saras, kaam bhi aata hai tumhe, and she murmured to herself, Let's rock, partner. Just before entering the meeting, she took two deep breaths.
As she entered the conference room, there was an oval-shaped center table. Anuj was sitting on the center chair at one end. Shalika was sitting next to it, but she has clearly moved her chair from its previous position towards Anuj. On the other side of Anuj was Shalika's team, emanating equal fierceness and boldness. They were in very close proximity to Anuj. Anuj was a bit irritated and disgusted, but he was trying to keep his calm, which he usually does when the project is too crucial to lose.
Anupama entered and wished: Jai Shri Krishna. She took the center chair on the other end of the table. Main thoda late ho gayi. Samarth and Priya followed her.
Anuj was not able to comprehend the situation and was in a shocked state. He looked at her, trying to read her eyes. But not even once did Anupama look directly at him.
Priya and Samarth both stood by her side. When Priya was very confident about Anupama's action, Samarth was pitying, as Anupama would be facing Anuj's wrath in the next few minutes.
Anupama has learned from the best, so she knows the tips and tricks of Anuj. Anuj usually divides the whole project file into six main points; all the remaining things and details can be filled in later on.
After going through the document for a few more minutes, she ordered in a stern voice: Samarth ye jo company valuation hai and profit loss sheet hai, usse tally karwao ek baar. She checked from the corner of her eye that Shalika was touching Anuj's elbow or shoulder on the pretext of asking something. This fueled her burning heart even more.
She, with a command in her voice, ordered while pointing at the adjacent seat without looking up: Mr. Kapadaia, aap, please yahan ayenge, aapse kuch conphirm karna hai.
Samarth's jaw dropped at her tone. Priya tilted slightly towards him and murmured in a hushed tone: Muh toh band karo, uncle.
Anuj corrected his spectacles and happily obliged, like a good boy. As Anuj took his seat, Anupama noticed Shalika also started to get up from her seat. So she quickly commanded Samarth: Samarth yahan batho tum Sir ke saath aur dekho aur samjho..
Samarth stuttered: Y..Yes Mam.
Anupama controlled her smile and looked toward Priya: Priya Samarth ke saath betho aur pointer note karo jo main batau ya Anuj Sir bataye.
Priyaa nodded with proud eyes: Yes, Mam.
They discussed for an hour the points that were feasible to discuss in front of the client; they had their code words to get to the common ground, and then Anupama came to the sixth point she knew Anuj always made: Impact on other projects
She checked the list, and she understood in an instant the reason behind Anuj's keenness for the project: the deal was beneficial all along, and an additional perk was that hospitals coming under the CSR are going to be highly impacted by this deal in the form of cost savings for equipment, which means more funds.
She looked at Anuj with admiration, and Anuj reciprocated it with even more admiration, if possible. After spending some more time, she scribbled a few more things and got approval from Anuj through his eyes, which were emanating love and pride.
They briefed Shalika and her team on the following points:
1. For the first three years of the project, we will bear the cost of the raw materials needed for packing.
2. The manpower needed for packing will be handled by Shalika's company. As they are US-based, if they want, AK Industries will handle it, and the costs incurred will be adjusted accordingly.
3. For those three years, Shalika's company has to grow trees equivalent to the consumption, which they can cover under their CSR activity, so they will save money and can pay back to society as well. All other things will be as they are.
The offer was too good to refuse. Shalika's team nodded instantly. Shalika looked at Anuj seductively and said, Anuj, let's finalize the deal like we used to. I miss those days so much.
Anuj, who was totally lost in documentation, looked up and then looked at Anu, corrected his spectacles, cleared his throat, and felt like he had lost all his quick, witty comebacks.
Anupama took the charge instantly and grudgingly added: Haan Priya, Mr. Kapadia, ko unka schedule check karke bata do taaki wo deal phinal karne ja sake pehle ki tarah...
Anuj gulped and dove deeper into the documentation if possible.
Priya reading between the lines used the most professional tone she has ever used: Sorry Sir, but your calendar is booked till Thursday next week (knowing well that Shalika is in India till Tuesday only). She added further: For today, sir, you have to leave for home early.
Shalika, not stepping back, added further: Come on, Anuj. Don't be a spoilsport. The wife can wait. For old-time sake... Don't tell me you are afraid of your wife.
Anuj stole a glance at Anupama; he was loving this new and refreshing side of Anupama. Her face was all red with jealousy; she was frowning, scrunching her nose, sitting straight, looking down, and portraying herself as deeply engaged in reading. He mumbled: Ufff! Mrs. Kapadia Hot.
Anuj dramatically added: Afraid Shalika I am terrified of my wife. Wo jitni dangerous hai usse zyada achi cook hai. Meri chatni, achar, papad, and thepla kuch bhi bana sakti hai. Aur uska jo belan hai wo toh udta bhi hai aur seedha nishane pe lagta hai. Ab is umar mein belan ke saath; I can't take any risks, you know.
Shalika chortled: Please tell me that you are kidding.
Anuj smiled: No, I am not. But let's plan something next time, as I have lots of things to do today.
Anupama smiled shyly and slyly at his dialogues and stood up to leave: Chaliye main chalti hun. Jai Shri Krishna.
Anuj, while completing the documentation, spoke: Annuu...pama, wait in my cabin. Main bas khatam karke aata hun. He looked up, corrected his spectacles, and very softly added: Please.
Priya and Samarth left with her. Samarth was very silent. Priya nudged him: kya huya, ye toh record time chup rahe ho tum.
Samarth: Kya sach mein sir, apni wife se itna darte hain.
Priya dramatically pointed her hands toward Anupama: Mr. Samarth, please meet Mrs. Anuj Kapadia. Ta...te...da
Samarth's eyes widened. He added: Iska matlab Rufat bi mera pehla pyar adhura reh jayega.
Priya shrieked: Oye, don't call me Rufat Bi.
Samarth: Okay, than Rufat di. Pyar toh ek hi se karna tha wo toh ab ho gaya toh bas phir ho gaya.
Anupamaa laughed and tapped his shoulder: Bas have haan Nautanki. She asked Priya to ask someone in cafeteria to heat up Anuj's lunch and went toward his cabin.
After some time Anuj quickly rushed into his office: Please, Kanha Ji chali na gayi ho, please waise toh maine priya se pucha hai... 3-4 baar per kahin..
As he opened the door, he saw her standing near the window, looking out, all lost. She was looking like a beautiful painting. Her long tresses were adding to the solitude. Anuj felt all the restlessness vanish in that very moment. He so wanted to be a part of this beautiful painting; he won't mind to be an additional decor, his only condition is to be in the closest proximity of his muse.
Not able to control his sinful desires, he covered the distance with long strides. He held her by the elbow and turned her to face him. He embraced her tightly while pinching hard at her waist. With this, she shrieked and pushed herself more into him. He grinned naughtily: Waise blouse ki fitting bilkul perfect hai. She frowned and then blushed and looked away. His second hand traveled slowly from her back to her long black tresses. He tousled with her hair and then pulled at them and bit hard on her neck. He slowly whispered in her ears: Yummm and hottttt...
Anupama turned and replied: Wo toh lagega hi subah se kuch khaaya jo nahi hai. With this, he came out of his reverie. He was standing at his cabin door only. He looked at her questionably. She pointed toward the food spread on the table and spoke: yummy aur hot, bhukh lagi hogi na. Ayiye.
He tapped himself, nodded smilingly, and went toward the sofa: Tum bhi ayo na, please.
He thought for a second, then picked up a file: Rehne do abhi bahut kaam hai main baad mein khaata hun. Tum shuru karo itne.
Anu: Itna kya kaam 5 minute lagenge.
Anuj: Nahi hai paanch minute bhi, agli meeting hai.
Anu smirked: Toh hot chocolate mangwa du.
Anuj: Yar bhukh toh bahut lag rahi hai aise karo Roll banao aur ek ek bite dete jao.
Anu: Areey nahi subah se bhukhe hain, main khila hi dete hun na rukein.
Anuj's eyes welled up at her devotion: Sorry, Anu main tumhare haath se khaane ke liye hi drama kar raha tha.
Anu smiled at his honesty, touched his cheek lovingly, and started preparing the plate for him: khabar che mane, priya batake gayi aapka schedule. She smiled and sat near him, made a morsel, and put it in his mouth.
He smiled profusely, kept one hand on her heart, looked up, thanked all eternity for this very moment, and took the morsel in.
Anu: Anuj aaj aise achanak aane ke liye sorry.
Anuj: Anu aaj aise achanak aane ke liye thanku.
Anu: Mujhe aise chalti huyi meeting mein nahi aana chahiye tha per wo sab bol rahe the ki wo US client aapko chodd hi nahi rahi toh toh.....
Anuj: Toh toh...
Anu: Toh mujhse sehan nahi huya.
Anuj: Kya sehan nahi huya jaan. Mujhe toh laga tha tum mujhe kahin uske saath na bhej do dinner ke liye ki jayiye Anuj jayiye deal ke liye zaruri hai.
Anu first furious than lowered her eyes with all the shyness and hid her face in between her hands: Aise kaise wo aise wo adaein dikha rahi thi apni aur main uske saath bhej dete aapko, aap mere hai to aapko adaien dikhane ka hakk sirf mera hai aur aapko bas mere adayein dekhna allowed hai.
Anuj blushed: uff, uff, uff! Mohtrama. Maar daalne ka iraada hai kya. Aisi baatein mat karo warna main bhul jaunga hum kahan hai.
Anu stole a glance at him with a side eye: Aur rahi baat deal ki, zaruri hai bahut zaruri hai per unke liye bhi toh zaruri hai, itni achi deal usko milti kya kahin se ... 3 saal ka packaging material kitne paise bachenge uske. Ladki kaisi bhi ho per buziness person toh achi hogi tabhi itni suksessful hai.
Anuj: Hmm, ye toh hai, per ye packaging material, wala gud idea, Gupta ji ki bhi help ho jayege aur idhar kharcha bhi bachega. Per Anu material toh apne paas 7 saal ka tha na toh why 3
Anu: Aap hi toh kehte stakes dheere dheere badhane chahiye. Nahi maanti toh dekhte.
Anuj feels prouder: So proud of you, my love... Tum bhi khao na saath saath... main khilau
Anu: Arrey nahi wo khake aayi main aj dr Advait se milne gayi thi na.
Anuj frowned and checked her from top to bottom: Aise milne gayi thi tum usse...Itna tayar hokar.. kyun
Anu smirked: Kyun nahi ja sakti tyaar hoke milne.
Anuj: Nahi nahi mera matlab tha mujhe bhi saath le jaati na. Hot matlab pyari lag rahi ho bahut isliye
Anu surpresses her smile: Aur aap cute jalkukde lag rahe hai bahut."
Anuj: Acha main... aur thodi daer pehle ander meeting mein wo jalkukdi kaun thi. He imitated her: Mr. Kapadia, aap yahan aayenge.
Anu: Woh woh woh... Anuj aisa nahi hai ki mujhe aap pe vishwas nahi hai per
Anuj interrupted: Per wer kuch nahi.. tumhe kuch bhi kehne ya batane ki zaroorat nahi hai tumhe haq hai aur sirf tumhe hi Haq hai. Mere to sidhe point bhi Priya ko samgh nahi aate aur tumhare wo ishare bhi samgh rahi thi. He imitated her: Priya, Mr. Kapadia ka schedule bata do. Mrs. Jalkukdi Kapadia.
He looked at her for some more time, took a deep breath, removed his spectacles, looked down, and, in a very serious tone, said: Anu main humesha kehta rehta hun ki tum mere ho, Anu mere hai, per mera dil na humesha se tumse sunna chahta tha ki tum bhi kabhi kaho ki main sirf tumhara hun. Anuj sirf tumhara hai sabke saamne. Poore hakk se. Bina kisi darr ke.
Anu looked up, closed the distance between them, held his hand, chinned him up, and looked into his eyes: Anuj, Aap Sirf mere hain Sirf mere aur main sirf aapki. Main dobara keh pau ya na per main nahi dekh sakti aapko kisi aur ke saath. Kisi bhi halaton mein nahi. Kabhi nahi. Aur Kapadia ji, Marr bhi gayi na toh ye tann jayega, mere aatma aapke paas hi bhatkati rahegi.
Anuj startled and then laughed: Tumhe lagta hai ki tumhe kuch ho jayega aur tumhara ye Anuj jinda reh jayega. Mere sanson ki mala ki dor tumhari saansein hai Anu. Tum ho toh main hun. Baat khatam.
Anu looked at Anuj with teary eyes: Humari Bebli Anuj.. mujhe uskei bahutt bahuttt bahutt yaad atti hai.
Tears started rolling down. Anuj held her hand and made her sit on his lap, engulfed in a side hug by putting one arm around her shoulder. She placed her head on his shoulder. He wiped her tears. She removed his spectacles and wiped his tears: Anu, please don't cry.
Anu: Aap bhi toh, don't cry, Kijiye.
Anuj hugged her tighter by covering her in his embrace with his other hand too: I too miss Choti, Anu.
Anu hugged her by passing both her arms below her shoulders. Maine aapko bhi bahut miss kiya, Anuj.
Anuj looked back by moving his head a little away: Acha choti ko bahutt bahutt bahutt aur mujhe sirf bahut.
Anu chortled while crying: I MaAn you both.
Anuj tightened the embrace: I MaAn you two too.
They stayed like that till their hearts content. After some time Anu spoke: Main chair pe jau, aap thakk jayenge.
Anuj: Nahi theek hai, Waise aaj tum office mein kaise, koi baat hai kya...
To be continued...