Serendipity

51

The next morning, when GK and Kinjal stepped into the house, it felt different.

"Mohan, water," GK called, as Kinjal skipped to the room she was sharing with Sheela.

"Kaka, they're not back as yet."

Anupama held a glass of water out for him. She looked different. She looked happy. Her eyes were smiling.

He smiled too, sensing her happiness, and placed his hands on her head.

"May all your dreams come true," he blessed her. And she bent down to touch his feet.

Just then Anuj walked out of his room, stretching his arms, looking happier. His eyes too were smiling.

"Good morning GK," he crooned, giving the old man a hug. GK didn't last remember when Anuj had hugged him out of happiness, perhaps when he was a boy. He looked at Anupama and she coyly lowered her eyes.

Breaking out of his embrace, GK asked Anuj: "Is there something I should know?"

While Anuj nodded, Anupama shook her head. Then taking a cue from each other, Anuj shook his head while Anupama nodded.

Picking up his glass of water from the coffee table, GK sat down on the sofa. Patiently sipping on his water, he told the two to make up their mind as to whether they'd like to share the news with him or not.

Anuj cleared his throat and GK suppressed a smile. It was cute to see Anuj so uncomfortable. The last time Anuj was like this, his retail business had been taken over by a global conglomerate. He knew good news was in the offing.

"GK, Anu and I...I and Anu..."

"Yes, you and Anu..."

"I proposed last night and she said yes."

"Congratulations!" GK had hoped for this, had prayed for this. Now that it was happening he couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy. His boy had finally found true love.

"Thank you, GK." Anuj hugged GK once again and was about to make his way back to his room when Anupama tugged on his hand.

"What?" he asked.

She gestured with her head. Not understanding what she was trying to say, he asked again: "What?"

She pointed her head towards GK.

"You want me to hit GK with my head?" Anuj sounded perplexed while Anupama facepalmed, annoyed with his lack of finesse.

GK laughed at that.

"My to-be daughter-in-law is asking you to come and seek my blessings with her."

Anuj smiled at that, clearly embarrassed at his interpretation. The two of them bent down together to touch GK's blessings and he placed his hands on their head and blessed them with a happily ever after. Both had been through a lot. Both deserved it.

As the two made their way to their respective zones, to get on with their morning, GK looked at Kanhaji and prayed for their understanding and companionship.

"Dhyaan raakh jo, Kanhaji."

*****

Leela Shah was in a fix. Since the day Vanraj was born, she had never denied her son anything. She still remembered the first time he'd asked her for a fancy pencil case. She'd stolen money from her husband's wallet to buy it for Vanraj. When he'd lost that pencil case within a week, she'd consoled him that he was worth much more.

It had always been like that as far as Leela was concerned. Her son was never left wanting anything. She had pandered to his every whim and fancy, be it big or small.

But for the first time, she was unsure. Vanraj had asked for Anupama. And Leela didn't know how to get Anupama for him. From what she'd heard from Samar, Anupama was apparently affianced to some millionaire businessman and was happy with him. They were soon to get engaged, some Bollywood nonsense about getting engaged on the same day as the boy's parents' anniversary.

But they weren't engaged yet.

She still couldn't fathom what either of these boys - that rich businessman Anuj Kapadia or her son Vanraj saw in that good for nothing Anupama. But Vanraj had asked for her. Only her. And as always, Leela would make sure her son got what he wanted.

She sighed and opened her phone diary. She'd asked Dolly to write Anupama's phone number in it the last time she'd visited. She picked up the landline and dialed the number. The phone kept ringing. She disconnected and tried once again. It went unanswered again. Calling her names for not answering the phone, Leela replaced the receiver on the instrument.

She would have to think of another way of reaching out to Anupama. She had to bring her back home, for her son's sake.

*****

Anupama wished she'd taken the day off school. She clearly couldn't stop smiling and everyone who met her asked her what was special. She didn't have an answer. As far as the world was concerned, she'd become Anuj Kapadia's fiancé three months ago.

She couldn't tell them about last night's confession and engagement. She didn't want to tell them about last night's confession and engagement. That moment was hers and hers alone, in a box full of special moments. After staying empty for 26 years of her life, suddenly it seemed as if the box was filling up extremely fast. All because of Anuj Kapadia. She smiled some more at that thought and blushed.

Who would've thought Anuj Kapadia could be so romantic? She slashed the thought as soon as it came to her. Who could have thought that Anupama would get to experience such romantic moments in her life? That too with her college crush Anuj Kapadia.

She, who'd thirsted for love from the moment she'd understood the true meaning of the word. Samar had given her love. Anuj had given her love. GK Kaka had given her love. She was blessed. She felt blessed. And she wanted to pass the blessing on.

Kinjal...

Anuj had asked for some time. It had been over a week. While Kinjal living with them had given Anupama some assurance, the issue still wasn't resolved. Kinjal had started smiling a little more, but she was still hesitant. The other day, she awkwardly walked up to Anupama to ask for an extra set of clothes because hers were wet. Anupama's heart went out to the girl.

But she'd also come to accept Anuj's point of view. She knew nothing about his world. And unless she did, she had no right to fault him for anything.

She made a mental note to ask him about his progress on it when she got back home. That thought brought her back to Anuj, that rekindled memories from last night's engagement. And Anupama blushed again.

She should stop thinking about him, but she couldn't. She gently tapped her feet against the floor. The tinkling of her anklets reminded her that she wasn't dreaming. She was truly engaged to Anuj Kapadia. She was madly in love with Anuj Kapadia. And she blushed again, a bit harder.