#MaAn: A flight of fate

||19|| A Romantic Getaway [Pt. 1]

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity. Between taking care of the kids, managing household chores, and ensuring everything ran smoothly, Anupama found herself looking forward to the weekend more and more. Anuj's idea of a getaway had been the spark she didn't know she needed. They hadn't yet decided where they would go or how they would manage all the logistics, but the promise of uninterrupted time together was enough to keep her smiling throughout the week.

One evening, as the kids were getting ready for bed, Anuj found Anupama in the kitchen, stirring a pot of dal. He slipped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her into a warm embrace.

"Guess what?" he whispered into her ear.

She turned her head slightly, smiling at his playful tone. "What?"

"I spoke to Ma and Pa," he said, sounding pleased with himself. "They're more than happy to look after the kids for the weekend. They said we deserve some time away."

Anupama's heart lifted at the thought. "Really? Oh, that's such a relief. I was worried it might be too much for them."

Anuj laughed softly. "Please, they'll spoil Aarav and Anu rotten while we're gone. You know how it is. And don't worry, they'll have your parents with them too. They'll manage just fine."

Anupama felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. "I don't know what we'd do without them," she said, leaning back into Anuj's chest.

He kissed the top of her head. "They're amazing. And now, we get to focus on us for a couple of days."

She turned around in his arms, her eyes bright with anticipation. "So, where are we going? Have you decided?"

Anuj grinned. "I've been doing some research," he said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "There's this beautiful resort about two hours from here, tucked away in the hills. It's quiet, peaceful, and has the most stunning views. I thought it might be the perfect place for us to unwind."

Anupama's eyes lit up as she looked at the pictures on his phone. The resort was surrounded by lush greenery, with cozy cottages scattered across the hillside. A large pool shimmered in the sunlight, and the dining area overlooked the valley below.

"It looks perfect," she said softly. "Exactly what we need."

"I thought so too," Anuj replied, his voice warm. "I've already made the booking. We leave Friday afternoon."

Her smile widened. "You've been busy, haven't you?"

"I wanted to surprise you," he said, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes. "You deserve it, Anu. You do so much for everyone else. It's time for us to just focus on each other for a little while."

Touched by his thoughtfulness, Anupama felt her heart swell with love. She leaned up and kissed him gently, her lips brushing against his with tenderness. "Thank you," she whispered. "For thinking of me. For thinking of us."

Anuj's arms tightened around her, his lips curving into a smile against hers. "Always."

Friday afternoon came sooner than expected. After ensuring that everything was ready for the kids and the grandparents, Anupama and Anuj packed their bags and got ready to leave. Aarav and Anu were more than excited about the idea of spending the weekend with their grandparents and had barely noticed their parents' departure amid all the excitement of the games and stories they had planned.

"Be good for Dada and Dadi," Anupama reminded them as she hugged them goodbye. "And listen to Nana and Nani too."

"We will, Mommy!" Anu promised, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Aarav waved them off casually, already distracted by a new board game Rajesh was explaining to him.