Understanding the meaning of Love with MaAn

The Savior's Birthday

The car rolled to a stop in front of the Shah house. Samar quickly stepped out, his heart beating wildly as he saw Anupamaa standing near the entrance, panicked and desperate, her eyes scanning the street, searching for her son. The moment her eyes locked on Samar, her world paused, and she ran toward him.

Anupamaa (with teary eyes):
"Samar... tu thik hai? Kahan chala gaya tha tu? Meri jaan nikal gayi thi!"

Without waiting for his reply, she pulled him into a tight hug, her hands caressing his face, her relief pouring out in the form of tears. Samar held her close, feeling the weight of her love, her fear of losing him again.

Samar (softly):
"Maa, main theek hoon. Par agar Anuj sir nahi hote, toh... shayad main wapas nahi aata."

At that moment, Anupamaa's heart skipped a beat. She pulled away slightly, her brows furrowing.

Anupamaa:
"Anuj? Kaun Anuj?"

Samar turned toward the car and called out.

Samar:
"Anuj sir, please aaiye."

Anuj stepped out of the car, a tall, calm figure dressed in elegance. As he walked toward them, Samar began explaining.

Samar:
"Yeh hain Anuj, jo agar waqt par nahi aate, toh meri zindagi... khatam ho jaati. Inhone mujhe ek truck se bacha liya, Maa. Aaj meri jaan inki wajah se bachi hai."

Anupamaa, still reeling from the shock, turned toward Anuj. Her hands instinctively folded in gratitude, and her head bowed in respect.

Anupamaa (emotionally):
"Tank you tank you tank you..., aapne mere bakuda ki jaan bacha li. Mere paas shabd nahi hain... bas yeh haath jud rahe hain."

Anuj, however, was too stunned to speak. As soon as Anupamaa lifted her head to see the man who had saved her son, her heart stopped. It was him. It was Anuj Kapadia, her old college classmate—the man who had disappeared from her life decades ago.

Anuj, recovering from his surprise, gently smiled, though his eyes sparkled with the same affection he had always carried for her. In that moment, he couldn't help but recite a line of shayari—a piece of his heart that had held onto their fated reunion.

Anuj (softly, with a smile):
"Humse miliye yun ke qismat ka khila hona,
Waqt ka rukh badalna aur humse wafa hona."

Anupamaa blinked, not understanding the shayari, but the emotion in his voice was unmistakable. She shook it off, still overwhelmed with gratitude.

Anupamaa:
"tank you... phir se. Yeh Anuj Kapadia hai, humare college ke dost. Kal reunion party mein bhi mile the."

The entire Shah family gathered around them, their expressions a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. Even Vanraj, though hesitant, stepped forward and thanked Anuj.

Vanraj (gruffly):
"Thank you, aapne Samar ki madad ki. Aapko andar aana chahiye. Krishna Janmashtami ka program chal raha hai, aap hamara mehmaan ban ke rahiye."

Anuj nodded politely, though the tension between him and Vanraj was palpable. The conversation shifted as the family began discussing Anuj's success.

Kavya (eagerly):
"Anuj Kapadia? Oh my God, I've heard so much about you. You're such a big name in the business world! Your investments are just brilliant."

Kavya's admiration was thinly veiled, and Anuj shifted uncomfortably under the attention. Sensing his discomfort, GK kaka, who had been quietly observing, took the opportunity to praise Anuj further.

GK kaka (with a proud grin):
"Arre, yeh toh bas shuruaat hai. Anuj jo haath lagata hai, sona ban jaata hai. Har jagah inka naam hai."

Anuj quickly glanced at GK kaka, giving him a look that said "Stop it!" But GK kaka only winked, fully aware of Anuj's feelings for Anupamaa and enjoying every moment of his awkwardness.

Before the tension could rise further, a voice broke through the air.

Devika (shouting as she entered):
"ANUUUUU! Tujhe yahan kaise chhod diya maine?"

Devika burst into the scene with her usual dramatic flair, her eyes lighting up as she saw Anuj standing among the family. The moment she saw him, she rushed toward him with an infectious energy. Anuj, smiling widely, greeted her with their special hand gesture and then a hug.

Anuj (laughing):
"Tum toh wapas mil gayi, madam Devu ji! Waise Anupamaa, yeh Devika bohot bhav khati hai, haan?"

Devika laughed heartily as she turned to Anupamaa.

Devika (teasing):
"Haan, haan, Devuji toh humesha se bhav khati thi! Haina rukk mei bhatati hu"

Anupamaa, chuckled along with them.

Anupamaa (curiously):
"College mein tum dono itne close the?"

Devika (grinning):
"Haan, humara ek gang tha—Anuj, main, aur Bunty! Anuj aur main toh inse zyada close the, aur humne bohot time ek saath guzara. Lekin woh Bunty ka bhi hamesha ek alag hi swag tha!"

The three of them laughed together, reminiscing about old times. The rest of the family watched in amusement, some surprised by how close Anupamaa and Anuj seemed.

As the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations continued, the entire family came together. Samar, dressed as Kanhaji, brought smiles to everyone's faces as he teased Pakhi and gave playful orders to Toshu. The mood was light and joyful as Anupamaa led the family in the evening aarti, singing with devotion.

Anupamaa (singing):
"Aarti Kunj Bihari ki, Shree Giridhar Krishn Murari ki..."

But amidst the celebrations, GK kaka quietly stepped forward and, in his usual gentle way, announced something that sent a ripple through the family.

GK kaka (smiling):
"Waise, aaj ek aur khas din hai. Aaj Anuj ka birthday hai—lunar calendar ke hisaab se."

The room fell silent for a moment, and then everyone turned toward Anuj, surprise and excitement lighting up their faces. Pakhi immediately jumped up.

Pakhi (enthusiastically):
"Oh my God! Happy Birthday, Anuj uncle! Hum cake kaatenge! Cake hona chahiye!"

Anuj, feeling slightly awkward, tried to refuse.

Anuj (politely):
"Arre, yeh zaroori nahi hai. Main party ke liye yahan nahi aaya hoon. Chhodiye."

But before he could say anything else, Anupamaa spoke up, her eyes twinkling with a gentle determination.

Anupamaa:
"Party kaun mana raha hai, Anuj? Main toh cake bana rahi hoon. Aur aapko mana karne ka haq nahi hai! Sirf 20 minute lagenge."

Anuj couldn't help but smile at her insistence. Within moments, Anupamaa was in the kitchen, whipping up a delicious halwa cake in no time.

When the cake was ready, the family gathered around to celebrate Anuj's birthday. As they sang and laughed, Anuj looked around at the warm faces, his heart swelling with an emotion he hadn't felt in years—complete contentment.

As he looked at Anupamaa, busy serving everyone, he couldn't help but think that fate had finally brought him back to where he belonged. For the first time in years, Anuj Kapadia felt like his world was complete.

4o