After the meeting wrapped up, Anupamaa and Anuj found themselves with the rest of the afternoon wide open. Since it was still just midday, they decided to head back to their hotel for a leisurely lunch. The hotel restaurant was known for its inviting and cozy atmosphere, the kind that made you want to sit for hours and just soak in the relaxed vibes.
As they walked in, the warm ambiance was complemented by the soft hum of conversations and the clinking of cutlery. They couldn't help but click a few pictures of each other, capturing the candid moments, and even took some fun selfies together. Anupamaa laughed as they reviewed the photos, their smiles radiating pure happiness.
They found a nice spot on the first floor of the restaurant, where the sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a golden glow over everything. After they settled into their seats, a waiter approached and handed them the menus. Anupamaa glanced at the options, her eyes widening at the unfamiliar dishes. She knew she wanted to try something new but felt a little out of her depth.
"Anuj," she said hesitantly, peering over the top of her menu, "aap order kar dijiye na mere liye. Mujhe toh yeh sab samajh hi nahi aa raha."
Anuj chuckled, leaning in a bit closer. "Acha, Anupamaa," he said with a teasing grin. "Kuch bhi order kar lo, jo pasand aaye, price mat dekho."
Anupamaa blushed, feeling both excited and nervous. "Mujhe... mujhe yeh try karna hai," she pointed at the mixed sauce pasta on the menu. "Par pata nahi, kaisa lagega."
"Arre, don't worry. Tumhe pasand aayega," Anuj reassured her, his eyes twinkling. Then he looked at the menu and confidently ordered, "One mixed sauce pasta for her and potato gnocchi for me, please."
Anupamaa raised an eyebrow. "Potato... kya?" she asked, genuinely confused and slightly embarrassed.
Anuj stifled a laugh, enjoying her adorably puzzled expression. "Potato Gnocchi," he pronounced carefully, exaggerating the Italian accent.
Anupamaa tried to repeat it, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Potato... G-no-ki?"
Anuj couldn't help but laugh, his laughter warm and affectionate. "Close enough! It's actually pronounced 'nyo-kee.'"
Anupamaa's eyes went wide. "Yeh kya hota hai? Aur yeh naam kyu itna katin hai?" she asked, laughing at herself.
Anuj grinned. "It's a type of Italian dumpling, thoda soft hota hai, made with potatoes. Tum taste karke dekhna, you might like it."
She giggled, finding his explanation charming. "Mujhe na, thoda dar lagta hai aise ajeeb naam wale dishes se," she confessed. "Par ab aapke saath hoon, toh chalega."
"Wahi toh, darne ki koi baat nahi," Anuj said, his voice warm and reassuring. "Adventure toh karna hi padega. And who knows, you might end up loving it."
Anupamaa smiled, her heart feeling light and happy. The fact that she could try something completely new and still feel comfortable spoke volumes about how safe she felt in his presence. They shared an easy conversation, laughing and enjoying each other's company while waiting for their food. The bond between them was growing stronger with every small experience, every shared laugh, and every little adventure.
When the food finally arrived, Anupamaa eagerly tried her mixed sauce pasta. The flavors surprised her in the best way—it was creamy, tangy, and comforting. She couldn't hide her pleased smile as she took a few more bites. Yet, curiosity got the best of her as she glanced at Anuj's plate. The Potato Gnocchi looked intriguing, and Anuj, ever attentive, caught the curious sparkle in her eyes.
"Tumhare chehre par sab kuch likha hota hai, you know?" Anuj said with a grin, sliding his dish toward her. "Chalo, try this too. I know you want to."
Anupamaa's heart warmed at how well he understood her without her even saying a word. But just as she reached for a forkful of the Gnocchi, Anuj held up a hand to stop her, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
YOU ARE READING
Understanding the meaning of Love with MaAn
RomanceThis is a fanfiction story of an iconic couple, #MaAn, with a better storyline and new characters.