Kitni Mohabbat Hai!

Chapter 2: after first

Anirudh is set to leave but he turns back to ask Vasudha:

Anirudh:" Vasudha aapka favourite colour kaunsa hai?"

Vasudha blushes a little and answers softly: "Pink" 

The colour of both Anirudh's shirt and his cheeks today.

Unable to say anything, Anirudh leaves with a smile plastered on his face. As he drove back home, the memories of his lunch date with Vasudha lingered in his mind, painting a canvas of emotions. The setting sun cast a warm glow on the horizon, and the quiet hum of the car became a backdrop for his contemplation.

Anirudh's thoughts meandered through the laughter they shared, the genuine conversations, and the subtle connection that seemed to have woven its way into their interactions. He found himself smiling at the memory of Vasudha's laughter, the sincerity in her eyes, and the promises they had exchanged.

Anirudh: (thinking) "What a day! It started with nerves and uncertainty, and now I find myself thinking about her. Vasudha is different, and in a good way. There's a simplicity about her that's refreshing. I like that."

He couldn't help but replay their conversations in his mind, dissecting every word, every smile, and every shared moment. The realization that he was genuinely interested in Vasudha both surprised and delighted him.

Anirudh: (smiling to himself) "Maybe Dadi was onto something. This might be more than just an arranged meeting."

His musings were interrupted by the familiar sight of his family home, bathed in the warm glow of evening lights. As he stepped in, the house seemed to come alive with anticipation and excitement.

Anirudh was greeted by a barrage of teasing from his younger brothers, cousins, Papa, bade Chachu, chhote Chachu, badi Chachi, and chhoti Chachi. Laughter filled the air as they bombarded him with questions about the date, leaving Anirudh blushing and trying to evade the relentless teasing.

Nairit: (grinning) "So, Bhaiya, how was the date? Did you take her flowers?"

Reyansh: (playfully) "Did you hold the door open for her, Bhaiya? Chivalry, you know?"

Naksh: (teasing) "Bhabhi must be so impressed with your culinary skills, considering you brought her lunch. What did you cook, Bhaiya?"

The teasing continued, each family member adding their own spin to the interrogation. Anirudh took it all in stride, laughing along with them.

Anirudh: (playfully) "Alright, alright, settle down, everyone. It was just lunch."

Nandini: "Sab kuch side me! Yeh bata shaadi Karega na?"

Anirudh: "Ofcourse!"

Neev: "dekho dekho, Bhabhi ke pyaar me paagal bhaiya!"

Amrita:" Toh baat Aage Karein? Mahurat nikalvaaye?"

Anirudh:" Haan maa! Aap sab Vasudha se baat kar lijiye. Vasudha ko jaise bhi theek lage."

Pallavi:" Oye hoye! Romeo! Vasudha ko jaise theek lage!"

Nandini: " Theek hai bache. Tum dono ne baat kari ki kab karna chahte ho shaadi aur kaise?"

Anirudh: " Nahi dadi par mai vasudha ko jald se jald ghar laana charta hu. woh.."

This makes his brothers cut the conversation and the Vaanar Sean starts hooting and dancing saying:

 "Bhaiya ko Bhabhi se pyaar ho gaya!"

"Chhote Chhoti bhaiyon ke bade bhaiyaa ab banenge saiyaan!"

"Bhaiya ko bhabhi se, Bhabhi ko bhaiya se pyaar hai... pyaar hai!"

Anirudh:" Aise cartoons se vasudha koi pyaar nahi karne wali! Shut up all of you. Lemme complete. Dadi Vasudha akeli rehti hai. I know woh 2 years se akeli reh rahi hai par ab woh hamari family hai. Isliye mai nahi chahta woh akeli rahe."

Yashvardhan: "This is what we expected from you beta! Shaabash! Mai bahut khush hu ki tu apni family ko sabse upar rakhta hai! Haan ab Vasudha hamare ghar ka, parivaar ka aur sabse importantly Teri life ka hissa hai. Nandini aap kal hi vasudha ke ghar jaayein aur dekhein ki ham kya kar sakte hai. Aur Pandit Ji se Mahurat bhi nikalwayein. Ab jald hi hum Vasudha ko, hamare ghar ki Lakshmi ko ghar lekar aayene!"

Nandini: " Ji, kal hi mai, Amrita, Ragini aur Pallavi Vasudha ke ghar jaayenge."

Pallavi: " Papa, mere paas ek suggestion hai kyu na shaadi tak mai aur Nakul Vasudha ke paas uske ghar me rahein? Infact kal mai aur nakul baat kar rahe the ki agar Vasudha ko theek lagega toh Vasudha ka kanya-daan mai aur Nakul karenge"

Nandini: "Pallavi, bahut acha socha hai bache. Kal jaa kar Vasudha se baat karte hai. Amrita Purohit ji ko phone kar ke, mahurat ki baat kar lo ek baar."

Amrita: "Ji maa"

The brothers head to the Gaming room to spend time together and work on their new mission for lifetime: ' Teasing their Ani Bhaiya'

Later, as the evening settled, Anirudh found a quiet moment to talk to his Maa. They went to the terrace with a cup of coffee each, where the cool breeze played with the strands of her hair, and the sky was adorned with a tapestry of stars.

Amrita: (smiling) "Hmm bataiye Anirudh ji, kya kya hua, kya baatein karin tum dono ne? Tu khush hai na? Tujhe Vasudha pasand toh hai?"

Anirudh: (blushing) "Mom, it was... it was good. Vasudha is nice, and we had a great conversation."

Amrita: (curious) "And?"

Anirudh: "And, well, Dadi might be onto something. I can see why she thought we should meet."

Amrita's eyes held a knowing twinkle as she listened to Anirudh's recount of the day. They talked for a long time, Anirudh sharing the details of his conversation with Vasudha, his observations, and the genuine connection he felt.

Amrita: (smiling) "Anirudh, love and relationships are not always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it's about finding someone with whom you can share a simple lunch and have meaningful conversations. I'm glad you had a good day."

Their conversation continued, weaving through the intricacies of relationships, the significance of understanding and respect, and the beauty of shared values. It was a moment of connection and understanding between a mother and her son, a moment that held the promise of many more conversations to come. 

Anirudh: "Maa, can I ask you something."

Amrita: "Bol, Ani. Kya baat hai?"

Anirudh: " I was wondering, what do you think she'll be expecting from me? How can I make her happy?"

Amrita: "Beta, har ladki alag hoti hai, par sabse important cheez hai ek duster ko samjhna aur respect karna. Understand her feelings, respect her opinions, her space and her gestures."

Anirudh: "Haan, Maa aap sahi ket rahi hai. Par kuch specific baatein bataiye na, how do I make her feel special?"

Amrita: "Vasudha ko samjho, uske sapnon ko suno. Choti choti baaton mein bhi khushi dhundo. Aur sabse zaroori, apne rishte mein vishwaas banaye rakhna."

Anirudh: "Got it, Maa. Thank you. I just want to make sure I do everything right."

Amrita: "Anirudh, pyaar mein koi bhi kadam chhota nahi hota. Bas dil se karo, baaki sab apne aap aayega."

Anirudh: "Thanks, Maa. I love you the most! You know I really missed our coffee dates in London"

Amrita: "Beta, Shaadi ke baad dekhti hu, Kitna I love you bolega mujhe!"

Anirudh: " Maa!! Roz bolunga, I Love you!"

Amrita:" Vasudha ko?"

Anirudh: " Maaa, aapko!"

Their conversation continued as mother and son discussed the intricacies of relationships and the art of making someone happy. Anirudh also decides to take his Papa's opinion on how to become a family man, how to make his wife feel special, feel loved. Wait loved? Already?