Shruti And Anuj

1 - Soup

Anuj paced around in his bedroom, frustrated. This time Anupama had refused Yashdeep Dillon's proposal but he had seen through that man. The look in his eyes was somewhat reminiscent to the one in his, a long time ago. The difference was that Anuj knew, he somehow knew that Yashdeep would keep pursuing Anupama. He would not take her no as a final no. And now the **** partnership. Anuj slammed his hand against the table and his bedroom door slammed open as well.

'Aadhya?'.
'What happened, Pops? Why is Shru upset?'.
'What did she say to you?'.
'Nothing, that's what! I went to tell her about my art project idea and she looked so dull and said she wanted to sleep'.
'So maybe she is tired. Let her rest'.
'You don't understand, Pops! Something has definitely happened at the reopening of Spice and Chutney. I had warned you and Shru. Miss Anupama Joshi..'
'Aadhya', called out Anuj, warningly.
Aadhya controlled her anger.
'Pops, all I am saying is that Shru is upset. And I want to know why'.
'I don't know. Everything was good there except for.. nothing. Anu was so happy and..', Anuj stopped, not wanting to acknowledge the effect Anupama still had on him.
The same. After all these years, she had the same grace, dignity and quiet beauty.

Aadhya became unhappy at the look on Anuj's face.
'Shruti is your fiancee, Pops', she said softly, uncomfortable to be having this discussion with her dad.
'I know', said Anuj, defensively.
'What did Shru do there? Did she like the atmosphere? Was she comfortable being there? Did she eat properly? What did she have? She took her medicines on time, right?'.
Anuj averted his gaze. He realised that none of these things had crossed his mind. Infact, he only remembered being irritated by her constant demand of leaving.
'She..Shruti.. was.. comfortable and.. the nurse, Anna, looked after her well'.
'You are her fiance, Pops, not Anna! Shru has done a lot for you and me. A lot more than that Anupama Joshi..'
'Aadhya, go to your room right now! I won't hear another word from you'.
Aadhya left, slamming the door shut behind her in anger.

Anuj rubbed his face, feeling guilty. Shruti was his first friend in the US and now his.. Anuj sighed. At least as a friend, she had deserved better. He should have realised that he was the only one she knew there, there in his ex-wife's celebration party. She wasn't well and that too in the process of saving Aadhya.

Truth be told, Anuj felt a certain dislike for her actions. Asking Anu to work for their engagement or insisting on going to the reopening event - there was something negative in the way Shruti was behaving towards Anu. There was a time when Shruti enjoyed Anu's company so much, she would talk to him about her for days and now she nearly made a face everytime Anupama was mentioned. Anuj had hoped that being around Shruti would lessen Aadhya's anger but here Shruti had become upset too.

Anuj shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
Whatever said and done, he was Shruti's friend and his behaviour today was not good. He would make it up to her.

Anuj went to the kitchen, put on his chef's hat and started bustling. He made tomato soup and placed it neatly next to a sandwich full of fresh veggies with a smile on top made with sauce and a bar of chocolate. He carried it to Shruti's room where Aadhya was seated already. Shruti seemed lost and Aadhya worried. Anna was sitting in the corner, busy playing a game on her mobile. The room gave a sad vibe.
Well, not under his watch.

'Look at the signature dish I have created for you, Shruti!'.
Shruti came back to reality, Aadhya smiled and Anna came to check the dish.
'Chocolate, Mr. Kapadia! No! Not good for Ms. Shruti!'.
'Just a little, tiny bar, Anna, once!.. Aadhya, don't you want to say something?'.
'Yes', said Aadhya, catching on,' please Anna! Pretty please! Just this once! Pleaaaaasssseeee..'
'Okay! Okay!'
'Thank you, Anna', Anuj gestured towards Aadhya as well, 'There's soup for both of you in the kitchen'.
'I am too young to die', said Aadhya, naughtiness dripping from her voice as she ran away, giving space to Shruti and Anuj. Anna left for the kitchen too.

'What was the need, AK? Anna is here to take care of me'.
Shruti looked a little wary, though she chuckled seeing the sauce smile on the sandwich.
'I wanted to, Shruti. And also.. I wanted to apologise for my inconsiderate behaviour today'.
Shruti waved it away but there was a seriousness in her eyes. Hurt and.. defeat?

Anuj distracted himself and Shruti, by asking,
'Is the soup as bad as Aadhya made it out to be?'.
'You didn't taste the soup before giving it to me?'.
'Shruti, tum bhi kamaal ho yaar!'.
Shruti smiled as she took the first sip. Anuj continued.
'Didn't you hear what Aadhya said? I don't want to die so young too'.
Shruti spluttered and smacked Anuj's arm.
'AK!'.
Anuj laughed so infectiously that Shruti had to join in and the sound of their laughter spread throughout the home.