Marital Shenanigans( Anirudh and Anjali, a love story)

And finally, a new plan!💪🏽

Vasantha maami led Anjali to a room nearby to help her with the saree. "Vaadi ma, vaa. I'll help you" she smiled. "Aiyayo, yennama ithu? Vaazhavantha veetla kankazhangalamo? Vasantha maami solren keludi ma,"she continued, reassuring the tearing lass. "Lakshmi can be a litter harsh with words but she's a lovely woman, trust me. You need to give her some time to adapt to the ways of the younger generation. Also...."she continued in a hush. "She's a maamiyaar now! She loves the new power, no?"
Anjali understood the situation well. She remembered back during the first year of college, her friends Kavisha and Bavani worrying about the female lead character, Videgi, in their favourite TV serial Videgi Kathirunthal who was frequently abused by her mother in law. Back then, Anjali had laughed at how unrealistic and backdated those events were. "No one woman would hurt another these days. Everyone is a feminist, guys. Chill out and stop watching such misleading serials. Mind-u thaan valikkum, poi padinga di!"she'd told them, boldly. Now, looking down at Vasantha maami tuck the saree in her waist, she regretted not watching that serial too. "I would have at least known how Videgi handled her maamiyar"she thought, pushing back her hair from her eyes.
"Yen, maami neenga intha TV serial ellam paapela?" she asked, stiffling a laugh watching the busy Vasantha maami hustling with the pleats of the stubborn saree. "Mmmm, kandippa! Athula thaaney naamba santhoshamey!"she cried, suddenly brightened. "Appadiya? Tell me more about these serials, maami. I've never been a fan of them but ippo...paakura neram vanthurichu," Anjali said.
"Oh well, for beginners I would recommend Kalyanam Katcheri, England-u Maapillai, Mohan Mohini. Also, they're perfect for newlyweds! You should start today, Anjali ma! Mudinja, Ani kuda paaru. Apparom paaru, yellam nallathey nadakum,"assured Vasantha maami, patting Anjali's arm.
Anjali found herself amused by the idea of watching these TV shows that would most definitely portray cheesy romance and promote cheap language to be used vaguely. What more, watching it with her husband who would only take advantage of the romantic scenes. Nothing would change between her and her new relatives. What could she possibly do to better her current pitiful state? "Think, think, think!"she screamed to herself. "Seri maami, thank you so much for coming to my rescue! I'll never forget this. Aama ketka maranthuten, Ani-ku neenga yaaru maami?"she asked politely, curling a strand of hair that kept making its way to hinder her eyes before carefully tucking it behind her ear. "Oh, I'm Lakshmi's younger sister di ma, Anirudhoda chithi!"beamed the old woman, more than willing to share information with her new companion. After chatting for a couple of minutes about the TV serial and maamiyar-marumagal relationships, the two women walked out of the room with a happier face, feeling lighter at heart, loving each other's company more than they expected. "Now, listen di ma. If you want to win this game, play smart. Lakshmi nallava thaan, you'll both be best of friends before I visit you the next time, see if you don't!"said Vasantha maami with a wink.
                                             ***
Anirudh continued humming the tune that was stuck in his head, drumming his fingers on the sides of the piano keys. He needed to get this song ready for the director by the end of next week but his work was still no where near what he would call "ready to rock" and this bothered him quite a bit more than usual. "Why do they not understand that I'm in a good mood and can't work for this glum song right now?" he talked to himself, running his fingers through his hair. "I need a break" he sighed. No. He just needed Anjali, he figured. No. He just needed sex. Plain sex. Rushed and wild yet romantic like how it used to be with... oh no. No no no! This shouldn't be crossing his mind(not now when he already has Anjali). A flush of guilt filled Anirudh's face, as recollections of the past hit him with a pang. What has he done? Should he tell Anjali about what had happened? Should he have told her before their marriage? What would she do now? What would she think of him? Aiyoo Rama! Help me, please.
At that moment, he heard a knock on his door. "Come in!"he called. A wrinkled, pale face peeped in, full of life. "Vasantha chithi? What is it, chithi? Work room-ku vanthirukel, what a surprise," exclaimed Anirudh, walking towards his aunt, with welcoming arms hugging her tight. "How are you da,Ani? Nee happy thaaney?" Anirudh was confused by the question but smiled, replying "yes! Anjali is a lovely person". Vasantha chithi reciprocated the delight in his face, lengthening the smile on her lips. "Well if you think so, you might want to help her when she's in trouble, yes?" Anirudh nodded, unsure where this was heading. "Avaloda konjam pesu, da. Something happened just now..at the kitchen. Your mother...Valli and Chitra..aiyo aiyo,"she sighed, resting a heavy palm on Anirudh's shoulder before sharing the events of the morning with her shocked nephew. "Oh," was all Anirudh could say after hurting his ears with Vasantha chithi's story. "I'll.. I'll talk to her, i guess. Don't worry about it chithi,"he smiled dulled by the conversation. "Good. I knew you could handle it. My Ani is the best thing to happen to this world!"
Anirudh sunk deep in thoughts after his aunt left the room. "Oh well, at least I can work on the gloomy song now!" he said, kicking his roller chair that crashed on the wall at the other end of the quiet room. Moments later, he managed to find the right tune for his song. He saved the tune before turning back to the problem he was so casually dragged into. He pulled the door open, leaving the room to find Anjali. "Anjali! Anjali!"he boomed from upstairs, his voice coated with fury and agression. Anjali rushed from out of the kitchen to the stairs. "Yes?" "Get me a cup of coffee right now!"he barked at her. Anjali nodded, rushing back into the kitchen. Anirudh smiled to himself. He knew exactly what to do to solve the drama of the in-laws for Anjali. He was scrolling through his IPhone as Anjali raced up the steps with the cup of coffee to him. "Inthaango, coffee" she mused, holding up the China cup right before him. "Room-ku vanthu kudu di!" he yelled. "Yenna paatha yeppadi theriyuthu? Vanthu vetchitu podi!"he continued with the same harsh tone, looking down to see if anyone was watching them. Mrs Ravichander walked out of the kitchen with her squad of older women to see what the fuss was all about. The whole lot of them gathered below the staircase to watch what was happening. They stared at each other in disbelief as Anirudh continued to shout furiously at Anjali before dragging her into his room. "Aha, yenna di nadakkuthu? Hmm, Lakshmi's son sure knows how to keep his wife in place! Good job, Lakshmi. You've raised your son right!"called Valli Athe from behind Anirudh's mother. The other women nodded and continued talking in agreement to what she had said. "Of course. He's my son!"boasted Lakshmi Ravichander, cocking her head, leading the way back to the kitchen for them to continue their chores for the day.
Meanwhile, in the room Anjali turned to leave rolling her eyes. "I think I'll just leave it here? Is that okay?"she said, placing the cup on Anirudh's work table. Anirudh nodded with a smirk. As she turned to leave, he curved his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground. "We're going on a honeymoon!"he whispered into her ear, making her heart pound. She threw him a puzzled look. Then, she realized what was happening, she straightened her eyebrows, her lips breaking into a smile. "You did that on purpose,didn't you?"she asked,looking him straight in the eyes. "What? No,"he said but his smile said it all. "Vasantha chithi told you what happened?" Anirudh nodded. "We need some time together. Alone. Everything will be fine then. Oru  kolanthai porantha yellam seriya poyidum!"he said, imitating his mother's voice. Anjali clung on to him closer, hugging his neck. "I love you, wildcat!" she said, closing her eyes as Anirudh kissed the nape of her neck.
                                            ***
Wow! Anirudh definitely has a way to handle difficult situations but what is he hiding from Anjali? What does his past hold? Will he ever tell Anjali? Will update soon! Thank you for all the love and support!