Shruti And Anuj

7 - Truth

Anna pushed the breakfast tray into Shruti's room and was surprised to see Anuj sleeping there. She wanted to back off from the bedroom, it wasn't like her to spy on a couple's private moments, but she had already entered and following the routine was essential for Shruti's health. Anna cleared her throat loudly, hoping one of them would get up. When no one did, she banged the plates around on the tray and Anuj stirred and woke up. He was shocked to find himself in Shruti's room. He gently moved Shruti away from him but the movement woke her up.
'Anuj! What's the matter? Is Aadhya okay?'
Anuj, who had been busy removing his shoes and tux jacket, looked alarmed. 'I better go check..'.

Aadhya appeared in the room, 'Shru, I was thinking.. Pops! What are you doing here? Why are you in dressy clothes till now?'.
'He slept here', said Anna, happy to see the family together again.
Shruti was fully awake finally and Aadhya said with fake innocence,'Was it too cold in your room, Pops? Shru's room is very relaxing and cozy, isn't it? What would it be like to sleep here always!'.
Anuj wasn't fooled. 'Aadhya, go and freshen up'.
'In which room, Pops?'.
Anuj raised an eyebrow.
He noticed the redness in Aadhya's eyes from yesterday's crying and her pale face.
'Haha! Very funny! Now, listen. Don't go to school today. Go for your art class.. Kiddo, if you frown this much, you will get wrinkles much before you reach my age. I will send a message in the necessary SM groups and not a word will be said to you. Take it easy, man!', said Anuj, like GK Kaka would.
'Thanks, Pops and.. sorry for yesterday. Truly sorry. I.. I will apologise to.. Joshi ji also whenever you say..'.
'Forget about yesterday for now. We will talk later calmly and maturely, okay?'.
Anuj knew it would be a short talk. There was no doubt from the way Aadhya was speaking that Shruti had already explained things to her and Aadhya had understood.
'Yes. Bye, Pops. Bye, Shru. Please take care of your health'.
'You too, Aadhya. Have fun!'.
Aadhya left.

'Anna, leave the food here. I will see to the breakfast and medicines'.
'Yes, Mr. Anuj'.
Anna placed the correct dosage of medicines in a box next to the breakfast tray and took their leave.

Shruti started eating the fruits first.
'Still ignoring me? Must say that it isn't an easy feat to ignore such a handsome man.. in a tuxedo, no less'.
Shruti finished her fruits and began drinking the full glass of milk. She appeared not to have heard anything.
'I am sorry, Shruti. You were right. I should have informed you about the birthday cake. And decorations. Do you know that Anu has been celebrating Choti's birthday for the past 5 years? Doesn't she..'
'Aadhya'.
'What?'.
'Aadhya, not Choti'.
'Shruti, why are you doing this? Aadhya doesn't understand. Will you not understand too? Anu has done a lot for her but the only thing she remembers is that car accident..'.

Shruti finished her breakfast, had her medicines and looked coldly at Anuj.
'Why should I understand anything about Anupama ji? Who is she to me except for your ex-wife? Yes, we did have a friendly relation first but it broke up fairly quickly. What I really want to understand is why my fiancee still calls Anupama ji as Anu or 'Meri' Anu?'.
Anuj averted his gaze.
'Just..just a force of habit. After all these years..'
'How many years was it again? You and Anupama ji together?'.
'3 years of marriage'.
'26 long years of one sided love and the relatively 3 short years of marriage. I want to understand the reason for the continuing fondness for Anupama ji by my husband-to-be'.

'Shruti, you know the reason for our marriage. Aadhya. We aren't in love with each other'.
That stung. Shruti had to admit that what Anuj said had been like a punch straight to her heart.
'You mean, you aren't in love with me. I have already told you that.. I love you, AK. The marriage is happening for Aadhya's sake. Yes, I do know that. But I also thought that there is potential in our relation for it to grow into more than friendship one day. Are you saying that you will never move on from Anupama ji?'.
Anuj looked hard into Shruti's eyes.
'You didn't really mean the 'I love you' as a 'I will die without you' kind of 'I love you'. You know it and I know it as well. It was just a casual, modern, western thing! 'I love you for the coffee', 'I love you for your smile', the kind of 'I love you' that is said to nearly everyone, right? Of course, our relation can grow into more than friends.. it already has.. you are family now. Aadhya loves you like a mother and you know that Aadhya's family is my family'.