The Invincible Love

His Emotional Turmoil

Sorry for such a late update. I relocated back to Mumbai and that's why it took me this long to give an update. Go ahead and enjoy this chapter.

Happie Reading!!!

Anuj went on to continue cooking as Anupama stood instructing him. Anupama couldn't control her urge to go into the kitchen and takeover the cooking. Every time she stepped in to take out some ingredient or help him with the cooking, he would just block her way and send her back to the dining table. Occasionally she would instruct him to add some spices or do something. When he was done cooking, he brought the dishes to her and made her taste with his own hand. At first, she hesitated and then she accepted it. The dishes were made well. She then made a few last-minute changes to enhance the flavors and textures. Anuj also gave his inputs for the dishes. They then proceeded to have the same food for lunch.

"Aaj toh mazaa hi aagaya! Lunch ek dum badhiya tha." Anuj said.

"Haan ji. Apke vajeh se." Anupama said.

"Lekin idea toh tumhara tha na!" he added.

"Voh sab chhodiye. Aapne bataya nahi ke Malvika bhi aa rhi hai party mein?" Anupama's curiosity got the better of her.

"Haan...uska mail aya tha kuch din pehle. Vaise toh voh touch mein nahi rehti. Lekin kabhi kabhi uska mail ya message aajata hai. Usko pata chala ke mai apna base shift kar rha hu Ahmedabad. Toh maine usko invite kiya party mein and she obliged." he said.

"Aap toh apni behen se bhot saalon baad milne wale hai na? Aap khush kyun nahi lag rahe hai?"

"Frankly speaking I don't know how to react. Mukku ko dekhte hi mai emotionally itna vulnerable hojata hu. Ab itne saalon baad milne wale hai hum. Excitement bhi hai, nervousness bhi aur pata nahi kuch ajeeb sa lag rha hai. Usko tumhare baare mein bhi toh batana hai. Pata nahi kaise react karegi..." Anuj got all worked up with the thought of meeting his sister that Anupama had to calm him down with her words. She still couldn't fathom the reason behind their distance.

"Anuj...apki behen hai voh. Chahe kitne bhi din dur rahe aapse, voh feelings toh kabhi nahi badlenge na." she tried pacifying him.

"Lekin mai khud ko muaf nahi kar pata hu Anu! Mai kya karu?!" he said covering his face with his palm.

"Kya hua tha Anuj? Aap khudko dosh kyun de rahe ho?" Anupama asked wondering what would have happened. He was at the verge of breaking down. This was the first time she was seeing him vulnerable and weak. The one who always stood by her like a pillar was emotionally enfeebling in front of her.

Anuj realized what he was doing. He slowly pulled his hand away from his face and looked at his Anupama. His patriarchal side took over as he reflected that he had always been the strength to his Anupama. And so, he didn't want to reveal his weakness to her. He wanted to be her knight in shining armor forever. He cannot fall weak and depend on her for support, he thought.

He slowly rose to his feet saying, "Anu, chalo. Let's clean up and leave." He turned towards the kitchen and started to leave. She held his hand and stopped him.

"Aap kisse bhaag rahe ho? Mujhse ya khudse?" she asked looking into his eyes. He looked everywhere but her. He was aware that if he looked into her concerned eyes then his patriarchal shield would just shatter. She stood up and inched closer.

"Nahi Anupama. Mai aise kamzoor nahi pad sakta." he said in a small voice looking down.

She cupped his cheek with her right hand caressing it. "Aap apne Anupama ke saamne kamzor padne se dar rahe ho?"