The Unseen Dancer: Anupamaa's Story

A Friend's Shoulder

After a long day of meetings and rehearsals, Anupamaa finally stepped into her small but peaceful apartment. She set her bag down, stretched her arms, and took a deep breath.

For the first time in a long while, she felt... content. Not just because of her success, but because she had earned every bit of it on her own terms.

Just as she was about to make some tea, the doorbell rang.

When she opened it, a familiar face greeted her with a wide grin.

"Surpriseeee!"

"Devika!" Anupamaa's face lit up as she pulled her best friend into a tight hug.

Devika stepped inside, dramatically looking around. "Arre wah, madam! Pehle Vanraj Shah ke ghar ki bahu thi, ab apni independent Anupamaa ji ban gayi!"

Anupamaa laughed. "Tu bhi na, bilkul nahi badli."

Devika plopped down on the sofa, kicking off her sandals. "Aur tu bilkul badal gayi hai! Maine TV pe dekha tujhe. Ahmedabad Women's Council? Kya baat hai!"

Anupamaa shook her head modestly. "Bas, koshish kar rahi hoon."

Devika raised an eyebrow. "Bas koshish? Babe, tu toh jeet rahi hai! Look at you! Pehle tujhe sirf kitchen aur Shah parivaar ki tension thi. Ab tere paas apni pehchaan hai, apni duniya hai."

Anupamaa smiled, but there was a hint of something in her eyes—something Devika didn't miss.

She leaned in. "Par sach bata... tujhe kabhi akela mehsoos nahi hota?"

Anupamaa exhaled, looking away for a moment. "Hota hai, Devika."

She ran her fingers over the edge of her saree. "Par jo akelapan pehle tha na... woh aur dukh deta tha. Kyunki tab mujhe lagta tha ki main logon ke beech hokar bhi akeli hoon. Ab jo akelapan hai... woh sirf mere saath hone ka ehsaas hai."

Devika nodded. "Mujhe pata tha tu aise hi sochegi." She grabbed Anupamaa's hands. "Tu toh ek fighter hai! Par kabhi kabhi na, fighters ko bhi rest lena chahiye."

Anupamaa smiled. "Isliye toh tu aayi hai na?"

Devika winked. "Exactly! Aaj dinner meri taraf se. Chal, chal, jaldi ready ho."

Anupamaa and Devika went to a small but cozy café nearby. Over steaming cups of chai and plates of pakoras, they laughed, shared stories, and for a while, Anupamaa forgot all about responsibilities, struggles, and Shah house politics.

As they walked back home under the city lights, Devika linked her arm with Anupamaa's. "Yeh jo naya safar tune shuru kiya hai na... I'm so damn proud of you."

Anupamaa looked at her, warmth filling her heart. "Aur jab bhi thak jaungi, mujhe pata hai ki tu hamesha saath rahegi."

Devika grinned. "Always."

And for the first time in a long while, Anupamaa realized—yes, she was alone in her journey.

But she wasn't lonely.

As Anupamaa and Devika walked back home under the city lights, the air was filled with laughter, memories, and an unspoken comfort that only true friendship brings.

Reaching Anupamaa's apartment, Devika flopped onto the couch. "I swear, Anu, har baar tujhe milne aati hoon, toh lagta hai ki ek naya chapter likhta dekh rahi hoon teri zindagi ka."

Anupamaa chuckled as she took off her sandals. "Zindagi toh waise bhi ek kitaab ki tarah hi hoti hai, Devika. Par pehle koi aur likh raha tha... ab main likh rahi hoon."

Devika smiled proudly. "Bas ek cheez missing hai."

Anupamaa raised an eyebrow. "Kya?"

Devika leaned forward dramatically. "Thoda aur khul ke jeena!"