Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

XIII. questions and warnings

note : as an author it is my moral duty to clear this out. this book, despite being based on the show's current storyline is not a MaAn fic, nor does it intent to be that even remotely. since I had a comment with ambiguity regarding that, I must clear it out.
I respect the ship and the character attached to it, but I had put up an announcement stating I'm done with it. so if anyone is under that misunderstanding, you have my apologises, but this book is not that. you are free to leave it.

••••

vanraj :

And night drew in over New York City, yet again.
I dragged myself out of the restaurant finally. The divorce papers had been sent back to India for permanent submission in the court.
It was over, finally.

I walked down to the park.
I had a talk with Kinjal.
She mentioned Anupamaa's latest breakdown post "closure".
And then I had extracted a brief account of what had ensued in the Kapadia Mansion from Adhik.
I was still trying to make amends with him so that he doesn't drag my daughter to the court.
Of many things the first thing that crossed my mind was - why?

So here, I was, seeking answers to questions that I knew I didn't need to know.

I found Anupamaa sitting at a seat, looking up at the starry night sky.

There was a strange connection between us, and the nights in New York.
I slowly walked down and her and sat beside her.

"Kinjal ne kuch bataya?", She asked without even looking at me.
"Sirf ek sawaal hai..", I said simply.
"Kya?"
"Maine tumhe Shah House se durr kar dia.. agar Anuj ko mujhse aur mere parivaar se hi problem thi.. toh woh problem toh khatam ho gayi. Jahan tak Choti Anu.. ya Aadhya, jo bhi uska naam hai, uski baat hai. Bacchi hai woh. Tab toh choti bhi thi. Samjha dete toh samajh bhi jaati. Iss baat par divorce lena thoda zyada nehi ho gaya?", I asked simply.

She heaved a sigh and looked at me.

"Mujhe laga woh dono mere bina zyada khush rahenge.", She said, sounding hollow.

I looked at her thoughtfully.

"Bas?", I asked, "Bas isiliye tumne ghar chod diya? Mujhe jitna Adhik se pata chala tha.. tumne ghar tab choda jab Anuj ne kahan ki tumhe aaj bhi apne ex ki zyada parvah hai. Usne tumhari loyalty mein sawaal uthaya tha Anupamaa."

She drew in a sharp breath.

"Woh bhi ek wajah thi.", She said.
"Ya phir wahi wajah thi lekin tum Anuj ko yeh nehi batana chahti.", I said.
There was silence.

I noticed a tear roll down her eyes.

"Anuj bohot aache hai. Unhone mujhse.. teen bacchon ki maa—"

"Toh?", I asked immediately, "Woh toh Kavya ne bhi teen bacchon ke baap se pyaar kiya tha. Toh kya ukhad liya? Baat toh tab hoti agar uske liye tumhare teen bacche apne hote. Papa buddy bulate the na usko? Mujhe yaad hai.. bohot jalan hoti thi mujhe. Lekin usne tumhare teen bacchon ko baggage declare kar dia. Jis Samar ne uske liye jaan di.. woh bhi baggage hi tha?", I said.

The last line was out of bitterness.
She looked at me sharply.

"Aise mat dekho Anupamaa. Mai bas sach keh raha hu. Mujhe usse koi problem nehi hai. Mera kya jaata hai? Tum usse milan karo, phirse shaadi karo.. honeymoon pe jao. Lekin yeh mat kehna ki usne tumse pyaar karke ehsaan kiya hai. Itna toh ek rah chalta insaan bhi tumse kahega.", I added simply.