Our World Our Way! - An AnuPre Tale

Part 8

A week had passed and Prerna had gone through a myriad of emotions. From missing Anurag to missing him all the more. She had hardly got a glimpse of him at home since Anurag seemed very busy these days. If she had missed him so much in Basu Bari itself where every corner held his memories she was scared to imagine the fate of her life without him.

These emotions only fuelled her hatred for Mr. Bajaj. Though she had started liking Kuki and being around her, she could never get used to being around Bajaj. Her irritation got evident the other day when he asked her (read ordered her) to join him for one of the social parties which he was throwing for his clients. Going with him to Kuki's school on parent's day was not the same as joining him for parties. She made it very clear to him. By the look of his face it was evident that her denial hadn't gone well with him. But Prerna didn't care anymore. He had already got his way with her, there is nothing more that she wanted to do against her will for him. 

Prerna was lost in these thoughts sitting on the terrace facing her companion, moon. Her eyes had always been full of dreams, she believed in the beauty of life. But now she didn't have a dream to look forward! Her eyes felt empty. 

She unlocked her mobile screen with the pattern of 'A', dismissing few notifications she opened her gallery to reveal a whole folder with their photos. She opened a photo which was clicked in their college. Jyoti, her friend who had a huge crush on Anurag, had insisted on getting a pic with Anurag. He had talked Prerna into this pic.

He had held the selfie camera with Prerna standing next to him followed by Jyoti who was struggling to get into the frame, all thanks to the angle in which he was holding the phone. This was technically their first selfie if Jyoti's irritated quarter-face-into-the-frame could be ignored. Anurag had managed a smile in this pic. Actually a triumphant smile on having cropped Jyoti without refusing her a selfie. This picture hit her with nostalgia remembering how innocent and carefree her days with Anurag were.

She swiped to another picture which was clicked by Anupam on their engagement day. Anurag was getting very restless as he hadn't got a chance to even hold her hand with guests constantly asking for their attention. He dragged her to the beautifully lit lawn on the pretext of having her meet someone. She had instantly caught his lie nevertheless followed him as she was herself craving some alone time with him. They bickered their way to the lawn which turned to sweet nothings without them realizing. 

She hadn't seen him happier than that day. He couldn't stop smiling. His eyes sparkled with happiness and immense love for her. They both were lost reading the happy dreams in each other's eyes. That was the exact moment when Anupam clicked this beautiful picture.

As much as he adored the couple he didn't leave a chance to tease them either. With Shivani joining in, the love birds only got teased more. Anurag replied back shamelessly for a few teases. For others, he just stood blushing and tongue tied. Prerna had turned the darkest possible shade of crimson. At this moment when their eyes met and Anurag winked, feeling it invoked still sent butterflies in her stomach. 

She touched his smiling face on the screen and unknown to her a tear rolled down her cheeks.

"Mere Anu ki hasi ko kisi ki nazar lag gayi aur main kuch nahi kar payi." She sobbed bitterly closing her eyes. 

A few feet behind her, a pair of eyes turned moist too. Anurag was leaning on the wall watching the emotions play on her face. He gulped the lump that formed in his throat and walked towards her.

She suddenly sensed his presence and was about to get up as she was not in the state to mask her emotions or pretend anything in front of him.

"Just sit, it's okay" Anurag gestured her to sit.

Sensing his calm tenor she sat back. He sat next to her, although at the extreme corner of the three seater swing. 

The distance tugged her heart. He would have usually sat close to her and she would have leaned on his shoulder cuddling. She was so habituated to being close to him that it took her effort to maintain the distance. He was fighting a similar urge seeing her hand placed so close but unable to hold.

They both sat in silence watching the moon and dwelling on their own thoughts of each other. Anurag averted his gaze towards her slightly to watch serenity on her face. With no makeup or heavy saree, in her light pink cotton night kurti the moon light seemed to radiate her face even more. Every time he saw her beautiful face, he couldn't help being awed. She was truly beautiful, both inside out. His girl! 

They both didn't say a word to each other. They just sat there feeling the presence of each other which gave them peace and strength. Words seemed redundant when the hearts could speak.

They both could have sat the whole night basking in each other's presence had Anurag's phone not rung. He answered the phone and disturbingly for her, he walked a few steps away from where they were sitting. This was not his usual behaviour with her but then a lot of things have changed. She looked at the shadow of him falling on the swing's cushion due to the lantern placed where he was talking over the phone. She caressed it finally feeling at ease. When the shadow grew bigger she realised that he was approaching her and immediately took her hands off but not before Anurag had noticed it and smiled to himself. 

"Prerna please andar jao, mujhe is call ke baad laptop pe thoda kaam h. Don't stay here alone it's late.. and cold" His voice held concern. 

Though Prerna was curious to know who was on the call and what was more important than the moment they were sharing but she didn't ask anything. Her curiosity was veiled by his concern of not leaving her alone at this time of night when he couldn't be around. How could someone's smallest actions speak so much?

He saw her walk out of the terrace and returned to his call. 

"Ji doctor aap bol rahe the ki.." 

"Yeah Anurag, I was able to get some information about Kuki through an intern who joined Kuki's doctor on my insistence. Kuki's case is kept very confidential and absolutely no one has access to it, that's why I had to get help from a medical student, Aashi, who was interested to intern with Dr. Madhurima Goel and help us." 

"That's great news doctor. But are we absolutely sure this Aashi girl can be trusted?"

"Don't worry about it Anurag. I have known her and her family for a long time."

"Thank you so much doctor. What was she able to gather?"

"It's a bit shocking. Kuki had been brought to Dr. Goel at the age of 3 when she got continuous panic attacks. Considering her age these serious attacks are rare. Par isse bhi serious baat ye hai ki she had been drugged."

"What!!" 

"Haan Anurag even I was shocked to learn."

"Who had drugged her?"

"Her mother. Mr. Bajaj's ex-wife. They got separated and Bajaj got Kuki's custody."

"How can a mother drug her own kid!"

"Frankly I don't know anything more yet Anurag. But I will let you know if I get to know something." 

"Sure.. thanks a lot doctor. This help means the world to me." 

With this, Anurag hung the call but his mind kept replaying the information which the doctor gave. He kept wondering about the mysterious woman in Bajaj's life. 

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Hello my dear readers. I am sorry about the delay in posting this one but I do hope you guys liked it :) 

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