Our World Our Way! - An AnuPre Tale

Part 3

"wow, khane ki bahut achi khushboo aa rahi h.. kya bana h dinner me?"

Six pair of eyes stared towards Anurag in awe. The first to revive from it was Veena who advanced towards him still unsure on how to face him. When Anurag touched her feet seeking her blessings and hugged her asking how she was doing, she couldn't contain herself and burst into tears. 

Anurag shared a very special bond with Veena from his childhood. He admired her principles and always tried to incorporate them in him. He loved her selfless affection and had always been lucky to get abundantly as Veena too was fond of him. When Anurag and Prerna had disclosed about them being together or rather she had caught them.. ahem.. red handed, after the initial hesitation due to Mohini, she was very sure that her daughter wouldn't have got a better match and she had accepted them wholeheartedly. 

Now, she didn't know how to face him or what to tell him. Could she console him for the pain he had to go through or should she express her guilt since it was her daughter who put him through it. Anurag read the dilemma in her eyes and cupped her face. "Shhhh Veena maa.. please don't cry". Hearing that he still called her "maa" that he had started calling since his engagement, fresh bout of tears made its way down her cheeks. "I am sorry beta.." was all she could manage with folded hands. 

He made her sit in the nearest sofa and kneeled in front of her holding both her hands. "Veena maa.. please aisa mat boliye. Jo bhi hua usme aap kisi ki koi galti nahi thi. Main aap sabko aaj bhi utna hi apna manta hun jitna pehle manta tha. Infact, I am sorry ki main itne dino tak aap sabse milne nahi aaya. Aapko sambhalne nahi aaya. Main aaj bhi aapka vahi Anurag hun". "Jeete raho beta", she caressed his face. 

He then met and greeted everyone - dadi, Mahesh, Shekhar and Suman while Veena and later others got busy setting up Anurag's dinner. 

Shivani was standing at a corner fighting back her tears. He went to her and pulled her in a side hug. "Kaisi ho Shivi?"

"Anurag.. ye sab.. kaise ho gaya.." she choked. 

"Shhhh.. koi baat nahi Shivi.. sab thik ho jayega" he consoled.

She looked at him surprised, did he mean he was still hopeful and they would get her sister back? He read her unasked question and only winked back in response. Shivani instantly felt better. Not everything was lost!

"Anurag, you know that you can always count on me isn't it?" 

"I know, kiddo! And trust me you will get more chances to play cupid for me and Prerna". She smiled fully this time. This guy went through so much and is still determined to get his love back. She prayed sincerely for their togetherness. 

Veena and dadi didn't let him leave till they had showered their love and fed him to his fullest. Promising to meet them soon he bid adieu. 

He felt lighter, Prerna's family was his family too. Meeting them today, as he would have done after his Marriage with Prerna, gave him a sense of peace. He felt connected to her, he felt the days with Prerna aren't far now. 

He parked his SUV in Basu Bari, handed over his laptop bag and coat to Debu da and was heading towards his room when Mohini noticed that he was back home. 

"Onu aa gaya" she announced to Nivi and Anupam who were seated at the dining table. "Mere bacche ko bhuk lagi hogi.. aao Onu main khana lagwati hun". She said patting his cheeks. Anurag's smile flattened imagining another round of dinner! However, he didn't utter a word about his visit to the Sharma's as he knew it wouldn't go down well with her. "Maa.." before he could think of an excuse to escape the dinner she had gone into the kitchen. 

"Come Onu sit with us" Nivi offered affectionately. 

"Di, I can't eat a bite more.. Veena maa ne bahut khila diya.. please mom se koi bahana bana do na. '' He pleaded. 

Nivi's expression stiffened, "how could you go to the Sharma's after what they did to you Onu?" She accused. 

"Please di, un logon ki koi galti nahi thi. If anything they are as much traumatized as we are. Don't start hating them for no mistake of their. Please di! Aap toh mujhe samjho. 

"Anu is right Nivi, let's not blame each other without knowing the whole truth. Anu ko humare support ki zarurat h criticism ki nahi."  Anupam spoke.

Anurag was sensing gaze on him. He turned to look around but didn't see anyone.

Nivi softened hearing both of them and now nodded understandingly. 

Anurag distractedly turned again but still didn't see anyone. He smiled to himself. Oh, Prerna! I don't need to see you to say you are around. 

"Anu.. Anu.. tu sun raha h?" Anupam probed. 

"Huh? Haan kya bol rahe the?"

"Maine pucha vahan ghar me sab kaise h? Aunty, Shivi?"

Anurag took this chance to update everything about Sharma's wellbeing as he knew Prerna would be missing her family and would be eager to know about them. The mild jingling of her anklet brought a wide smile on his face leaving Nivi and Anupam utterly confused. He hurried towards his room with the same goofy smile plastered on his face least his mom catches him for another round of dinner. 

"Tera bhai pagal ho gaya h!", teased Anupam and got a stern glare from Nivi. 

Prerna had stopped on track when she heard him say "Veena maa" and had hid behind the pillar to listen. She was surprised to know that Anurag went to her place despite what she did to him. If Prerna had thought that she can't fall for this guy more than she already had, she was clearly mistaken. No no no Prerna you can't fall for him more! His goodness always melted her insides. She leaned on the pillar and cried noiselessly.

------

Hello my lovely readers :) Thank you so much for all the comments and votes.. I feel loved and appreciated :)

I tired to bring out Anurag's bonding with the Sharma's which I felt was important but ignored in the show. Do let me know if you liked it. Stay tuned for the next update :)