Understanding the meaning of Love with MaAn

The Truth Will Out

The morning light spilled softly into the room, but peace was far away. Anuj stirred violently in his sleep, his grip around Anupamaa tightening as though clinging to her was his only lifeline. Suddenly, with a sharp gasp, he jolted awake.

"Anu!" he almost shouted, his voice strangled. His body was drenched in sweat, his face pale, lips trembling. He looked like a man dragged out of some dreadful abyss.

Anupamaa woke instantly, panic shooting through her. She cradled his face in her hands, her voice filled with worry.
"Anuj... kya hua? Pani pijiye, please..." She quickly reached for the glass and pressed it to his lips. "Sapna dekha kya? Bataiye na, kya hua?" Her tone softened, coaxing him like a mother calming her frightened child.

But Anuj seemed far away, almost at the edge of fainting. His breath was erratic, chest heaving. "ANUJ!" Anupamaa shook him gently, fear flashing in her eyes.

He blinked hard, slowly regaining focus, and then — without a word — he pulled her into a crushing embrace. His arms locked around her so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn't resist. She could feel his body shuddering.

"Anu... thank God... sapna tha. Sirf sapna tha... hayyyy," his voice broke as he buried his face in her shoulder.

Her hands stroked his back. "Kya dekha sapne mein, Anuj? Bura toh nahi tha?"

He hesitated, his eyes haunted. "Tumhe bura lagega..."

She shook her head firmly. "Kuch bhi ho, bataiye. Nahi lagega bura."

He exhaled sharply. "Vanraj..." The name itself came out like poison. "26 saal mein kabhi sapne mein nahi dekha uss aadmi ko. Sirf ek baar... tumhari shaadi ke waqt. Tab dekha tha ke main wahan pohonchkar tumhari shaadi rok raha hoon. Uske baad... kabhi nahi. Aur aaj raat—" his voice cracked, anger flaring in his eyes. "Aaj raat woh sapne mein tha. Ek business party thi... woh aaya tha, sirf mujhe jalane ke liye... tumhare paas aane ke liye. I hate him, Anu. I HATE HIM!"

Anupamaa stared at him in disbelief. "Sapne mein Mr. Shah? Yeh kahaan se aagaye?"

Anuj's hands raked through his hair. "Pata nahi! Kal ka sapna kitna alag tha... itna khoobsurat. Humari 26th wedding anniversary celebrate kar rahe the, main tumhe surprise de raha tha, second honeymoon plan kar rahe the... itna real lag raha tha. Aur aaj... ek bhayanak sapna, uske saath. Aur tumhare paas aane ki himmat—sirf mujhe jealous karne ke liye!"

Anupamaa huffed softly, trying to lighten the tension. "Sapne hi toh hain, Anuj. Dekhna hi tha toh achhe wale sapne dekhte... yeh kya jalne-jalane wale sapne."

"Arey Anu," he groaned, frustrated, "in sapno par mera control hota toh kya baat hoti. Lekin tumhe pata hai, mere sapne aksar... kisi na kisi real baat se jude hote hain. Jis din tumhari shaadi todne ke baad main US gaya tha MBA karne... aur wapas aaya tha... ussi din mujhe sapna aaya tha Vanraj ka. Aur kya hua tha? Real life mein Mukku bhaag gayi thi. Us din India aaya tha main... tumse milne. Aur tum... tum Vanraj ke saath thi. Tum pregnant thi Pakhi ke saath."

Anupamaa's eyes widened. "Kya??"

Anuj's gaze was grim, haunted. "Mark my words, Anu... aaj bhi kuch toh hone wala hai. Vanraj ke baare mein kuch na kuch samne aayega."

She shook her head, gently pressing her forehead to his. "Bas bas... kuch bhi. Sapne hamesha sach nahi hote, Anuj. Aap shant ho jaiye. Aur uth jaiye. Aaj aap wapas office ja rahe hain na... main bhi chalungi aapke saath."

His expression softened at her steady voice. "Theek hai... aur haan, Anurag pe nazar bhi rakhni hogi aaj."

Anupamaa smiled faintly. "Mujhe uspar pura bharosa hai. Woh kuch bhi galat nahi karega. Aur waise bhi, Anargya khud aaj uske mooh se sach nikalne wali hai. Uske saamne toh jhoot nahi chalega. Mujhe yakin hai... woh sab sach bata dega." She chuckled lightly, her eyes glistening. "Chahe woh kahe ya na kahe... pyaar toh karta hai Anargya se."