𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: अनुरागी

❀. 3

Ajay and Shobha’s love had been growing day by day. Their bond was strong, and their connection deepened as they shared their lives together. Ajay’s business was also booming—he had taken on many new projects, and his hard work was paying off.

But as his business expanded, so did the demands on his time. He was constantly at the office, handling meetings, clients, and deadlines. The long hours kept him away from home, and slowly, things began to change.

Shobha would wait for him every night, sitting in their living room, hoping to share a few moments together. But by the time Ajay came home, he was exhausted. He would barely speak to her, giving her a tired smile before heading straight to bed. They hadn’t had a proper conversation in days, and Shobha was starting to feel the weight of his absence.

One evening, Ajay made a rushed decision at work, trying to push a project forward without thinking it through. It turned out to be a disaster. The company lost a lot of money, and Ajay was devastated. When he came home that night, the stress of the loss hung over him like a dark cloud. Shobha, sensing something was wrong, tried to comfort him.

“Ajay, mujhe pata chala... aaj office mein kuch theek nahi hua,” she said softly, sitting beside him. 

(Ajay, I heard… something didn’t go well at the office today.)

But instead of finding solace in her words, Ajay’s frustration boiled over. He misunderstood her concern.

“Kya tum yeh kehna chahti ho ki mujhe business karna nahi aata?!” he yelled, his voice sharp and angry. 

(Are you trying to say that I don’t know how to run a business?!)

Shobha was taken aback. She hadn’t meant that at all. “Maine aisa kab kaha, Ajay?” she replied, hurt filling her voice.

 (When did I ever say that, Ajay?)

But Ajay wasn’t listening. His mind was clouded by anger and frustration, and instead of talking things out, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Shobha sat there, stunned, tears welling up in her eyes. She had only wanted to help, but somehow it had all gone wrong.

The next morning, they didn’t speak. Ajay didn’t come home the entire day, and Shobha felt more alone than ever. Later that afternoon, Shobha’s father arrived to take her home. Her mother had fallen ill, and Shobha needed to go help her. She wanted to meet Ajay before leaving, but he wasn’t answering her calls. 

Her father waited for him, but Ajay never came home. Reluctantly, Shobha left with her father, her heart heavy with disappointment.

When Ajay finally returned that night, his mother was furious. “Tumhe samajh bhi hai tumne kya kiya hai?” she scolded.

(Do you even understand what you’ve done?)

“Shobha tumhara intezaar karti rahi, aur tumne usse ek baar bhi baat nahi ki.” 

(Shobha kept waiting for you, and you didn’t even speak to her once.)

Ajay felt a pang of guilt hit him. He had missed her so much, but his anger had blinded him. A week passed, and the distance between them only grew. He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to go get her back.

Ajay made his way to her parents' home, but when he arrived, Shobha wasn’t there. Her father was alone in the kitchen, struggling to prepare dinner. Ajay was confused. “Shobha kahan hai?” 

(Where’s Shobha?)

“Woh apni mausi ke ghar gayi hai,” Shobha’s father explained. 

(She went to your aunt’s house.) 

“Mausi ki beti ke liye kuch log aane wale hain, aur Shobha unke liye wahan gayi hai.”

(Some people are coming to see her aunt's daughter, and Shobha went to help on behalf of her mother.)

Ajay nodded, understanding the situation. He noticed that her father was having trouble cooking. Without thinking twice, Ajay rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the kitchen. “Main madad karta hoon, Papa,” he said, smiling. 

(I’ll help, Papa.)

Her father gave him a surprised look. “Tumhe khana banana aata hai?”

 (Do you know how to cook?)

Ajay grinned sheepishly. “Nahi, lekin koshish kar sakta hoon.” 

(No, but I can try.)

The two of them started cooking together, fumbling around in the kitchen. It wasn’t long before they started bickering over how to make the food.

“Yeh sabzi tumne zyada spicy kar di!” Ajay’s father-in-law scolded. 

(You’ve made this vegetable too spicy!)

Ajay laughed. “Arre, thoda teekha toh hona chahiye!” 

(Hey, it should be a little spicy!)

Despite their best efforts, the food turned out terrible. When Shobha’s mother tasted it, she smiled politely, but it was clear the food was a disaster. When Ajay and his father-in-law tried it, they both winced at how bad it was. They shared a laugh, realizing just how bad their cooking really was.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Shobha walked in with her cousin brother, Mohit. They had brought food from her aunt’s house, and Ajay’s heart skipped a beat when he saw her. She was ignoring him, busy talking to her cousin, but Ajay couldn’t take his eyes off her. She noticed how he cared so much for her family, and it made her love him even more.

Later that night, after everyone had eaten and gone to bed, Ajay found himself lying next to Shobha. She was still upset, and he could feel the distance between them. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest. He couldn’t take it anymore.

“Shobha,” he whispered, turning to her, his voice breaking. “I’m sorry.”

She didn’t respond at first, but then she turned to face him. Tears were in her eyes.

“Main bhi sorry hoon, Ajay,” she whispered back. 

(I’m sorry too, Ajay.)

Ajay pulled her into a hug, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face. “Maine tumhe galat samjha,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

 (I misunderstood you.) 

“Mujhe laga tum mere khilaaf ho, lekin tum toh sirf meri madad karna chahti thi.” 

(I thought you were against me, but you just wanted to help me.)

Shobha hugged him tighter. “Main hamesha tumhare saath hoon, Ajay,” she said softly. 

(I’m always with you, Ajay.)

“Hum dono galat the, lekin ab hum sath mein isse theek kar sakte hain.” 

(We were both wrong, but now we can fix this together.)

Their first fight had taught them something important—how to grow with each other. That night, as they held each other close, they knew that no matter what came their way, they would always find their way back to each other. Their love, though tested, was stronger now than ever.

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