Our World Our Way! - An AnuPre Tale

Part 4

Rising of the sun marked the start of another day and Basu Bari buzzed with activities. The two families staying under the roof didn't really fancy each other's company and tried to stay away as much as possible. However, not crossing each other's way wasn't a luxury they always got. Today was one such not-so-pleasant morning. Tanvi and Sharda joined at the breakfast table where Mohini, Nivi and Anupam were already seated. Prerna was trying to feed a naughty Kuki who wouldn't stay at one place. 

Anurag was ready for office and was talking over the phone with his manager. He saw his dad and Tapur in the living area and went to them. He was so glad his dad was around, with the fatal accident they had almost lost him. Even a couple of minutes with him and jaan could brighten his morning. He went towards the dining table to wish the rest of his family. All this while he was aware of Prerna's presence but wasn't enjoying the sight of her taking care of Bajaj's daughter. 

As he was wishing them morning his manager called again. Anurag politely refused breakfast as he was running late. But Mohini Basu wasn't used to hearing 'no' specially from his dear son. Anurag was thinking of escaping like last night without telling her when he heard a sudden commotion. Bajaj was in the dining area and his masi was insisting him on having breakfast. Anurag just rolled his eyes and was about to leave when he heard Prerna speak. 

"Breakfast ready h, aap kha lijiye.. main laga deti hun".

Anurag closed his eyes and licked his lips in desperation. It angered him to see her behave like a wife to someone else. He pulled a chair with a screech and sat opposite Bajaj. Mohini served Anurag breakfast as Prerna served Bajaj. 

"Aap bhi baithiye khane, I can serve myself" spoke Bajaj.

"Nahi.. it's ok.. main.." Prerna began which was cut by Sharda. 

"Haan haan Prerna baitho na, Pati patni ko ek saath baithke khana chahiye.. pyaar badhta h". 

Anurag's blood boiled hearing this and worsened when Prerna took a seat next to Bajaj. She was aware of Anurag's constant angry glare on her and was swallowing down her food to get out of this tense situation. Mohini, Tanvi and Sharda left the table as they had finished eating. 

Prerna suddenly choked on her food and coughed rapidly. Anurag's eyes softened. Bajaj hurried to fill water from the jug into a glass to offer. Meanwhile Anurag passed on the glass he was drinking to Prerna. Her mind was screaming not to accept Anurag's glass but her hand seemed to have a mind of its own; giving in she drank from his glass. Bajaj with the jug in one hand and a glass in another was feeling stupid but kept silent as he couldn't say anything to Prerna in this situation. As soon as she felt better Bajaj stood up in the pretext of leaving to office. She followed him. 

Anurag was the last one to leave the table. Though he wasn't liking her sending Bajaj off like a typical wife, he wasn't as much irked as he was a few minutes ago. He stood up lost in himself and finished the water which she had left in 'their glass'. A memory, unknown to him, brought a smile on his face. 

"Caught you!" beamed Anupam. 

"Umm.. vo.. bas aa hi raha tha main.." Anurag tried to cover up.

"Tum dono ka romance kahin bhi shuru ho jata h na!" He teased an already embarrassed Anurag. 

"Aisa.. kuch.. nahi h.." he tried in vain, looking anywhere but at Anupam. 

"Yeah right!" He playfully hit him and left.

"Gosh" Anurag sighed in relief but smiled fully taking in the feeling of love. 

Anurag reminded himself that he was getting very late and hurried towards the parking lot. He slowed down when he heard a familiar voice. He wasn't able to remember whom it belonged to. 

"Tumne shaadi kar li.. vo bhi Bajaj se and tum Anurag ke ghar pe ho.. mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Kuch bologi please.

"Vikrant, in sab ke liye abhi time nahi h.. kabhi fursat me bataungi.. pehle bolo humare magazine ka next special edition launch kab h? I want it to be the best."

"Jis position me tum abhi ho usme tumhe kaam karne ki koi zarurat nahi h you know that right?" Vikrant said watching her keenly trying to understand her expression. 

"Har insaan ki khud ki ek pehchan honi chahiye... jise usne apne balbute pe hasil kiya ho" Prerna looked determined. 

Anurag would have listened to their conversation more had his manager not called him again. 

"Permission mill gaya sir.. aap vahan ja sakte h abhi" informed Mr. Das.

"Great! Thank you" with that Anurag zoomed off in his car.

Exactly after 30 mins, Anurag was walking through narrow and dimly lit pathways led by a constable who finally stopped at the entrance of a secure hallway which had no other opening than the huge door. Anurag stepped in while the constable stood outside guarding. He could see a handful of jail cells in front of him which he was told were meant to keep the highly dangerous criminals. He went near the cell number which he was told.

A guy stood with his back to him. He wasn't sure he got the correct cell.

"Ronit" he called out.

Ronit turned around and was shocked to see Anurag. 

"Tum yahan kyun aye ho? Mujhe is halat me dekhne aye ho?" He fumed.

"Bada maza aa raha hoga na! Ye mat sochna ki tumne Ronit Chaubey ko hara diya! Actually.. tum kya mujhe haraoge" his frustrated rant was suddenly replaced by a smirk. 

"Tum toh khud haare hue insaan ho!" He laughed devilishly. 

"Bajaj ke haathon haare hue insaan!" 

Anurag's temper was rising but he was controlling himself.

"Us din tum mujhe Bajaj ki factory me kyun leke gaye the.. tum dono ki sazish thi na! Bajaj ne bola tha na aisa karne ko?" 

"Bajaj.. ha! Puri planning kar li thi tumko puri tarah barbad karne ka. Agar us Prerna ne ghuske pura khel na bigada hota aur Bajaj ko apni side na liya hota! Usne teri rihai ke badle apna sauda na kiya hota toh tum aaj zinda bhi nahi hote. Par main us Bajaj ko nahi chodunga.. usne Ronit Chaubey se panga liya h.. usko dikh dunga ki main kon hun.." 

Ronit kept ranting but Anurag seemed to hear nothing. His worst fear had come true. "Usne teri rihai ke badle apna sauda na kiya hota toh..." Kept ringing in his ears. 

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Hello my dear readers.. thank you so much for all the love <3 <3 <3

Do let me know how you liked this part. With Anurag getting less and less scene time in the show I felt you guys would have missed him too like I did so I updated this part super quick. Keep voting and commenting :)