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What if Toshu is right?....what if Anuj still has feelings for her?

The thought continued to cross her mind while she walked back home after finishing the day's work at the dance academy.

It had been quite a stressful day for Anupama. First an argument with Toshu and then a heated discussion with one of the dance trainers on harshly treating a child has left her tired to a point that she didn't want to indulge in a conversation with anyone not even herself for the day.

However, the thought that Toshu had induced kept playing in her mind striking a constant internal dialogue that didn't seem to go away.

What if Anuj still has feelings for her?

She thought to herself as she walked along the pavement of road leading to her apartment.

But Why would he?.....She is not exactly his type.

Her brain contradicted.

Anuj was a billionaire....a business tycoon...and according to some articles....one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. He was handsome, charming, powerful yet generous and kind....he was a man of dreams for all the single ladies out there......who were more beautiful and smarter than her.

Then why would he have feelings for an average middle aged divorcee women like her?

She questioned as she looked at her reflection in the mirror kept on the sidewalk.

Gazing at her form, she realised that a woman wrapped in a simple suti saree like her is no match for a suave businessman like Anuj Kapadia and he wouldn't even think of falling in love with her.

Her brain which was constantly worried finally relaxed a bit at the thought but her heart panged for some unknown reasons.

Brushing that feeling aside, she turned away from the mirror and started walking towards her destination when her phone pinged.

It was a text from Devika that read.....

Kinjal ne mujhe sab bata diya hai dance academy me kya hua..... waiting for you at home....Jaldi aa.

As soon as she looked at the text, she sighed thinking that Devika is at home waiting to have a conversation she isn't ready for.

The realisation that Anuj isn't in love with her might have eased her mind a bit but still she had a lot to figure out.

The thought that Toshu reacted a certain way was still bugging her because he seemed to be okay the night Devika told him about Anuj along with Samar and Pakhi at the Shah House. Infact, he joined Devika and the other two in teasing her.

Then what happened to him all of a sudden?....Why did he lash out on her?

She wondered.

Was it Vanraj who has poisoned his mind against her?..... afterall it was his favourite thing to do.....plus it was no one but him who had first accused her of being involved with Anuj at the reunion party....It seemed plausible that it could be him behind all this.

She suspected as she fiddled with her pallu feeling anxious that Vanraj might be planning to make her life miserable again.

Anupama had already witnessed the level to which he can stoop to get off the hook in Pakhi's custody trial.

What if he does the same again? Manipulate her family members into believing that she is involved with Anuj.....or worse.....what if he tells the media about this?

She trembled with fear as soon as the thought and the rumbling sound of thunder struck her mind.

She looked up at the dark clouds that had begun to gather in the sky. Upto now, the sky has been jumping shades from grey to dark but now it was changing.

She can't let this happen for sure because if it does.....it would not only tarnish hers but Anuj's reputation as well. The man has been nothing but supportive towards her and she can't let him get caught in the middle of a crossfire between her and Vanraj. That wouldn't be fair....It's better that she stays away from him.

She concluded determined to say no to the job offer.

A few minutes later, while she was still on her way back, a car stopped in front of her.

It looked familiar....too familiar.

She thought as the image registered in her mind and she realised it was no one's but his....of the man she has just decided to stay away from.

Her train of thoughts broke by the opening of the door of the car and someone stepping out of it.

For a moment, she thought she was imagining things because the fact that he appears out of nowhere everytime she thinks of him or is in trouble...is just insane.

However, he walked upto her and spoke something making her realise that it wasn't her overactive imagination. He was really there.

Anuj:- Anupama...are you listening to me?

He asked for the third time bringing Anupama back to the present.

Anu:- Huh?

She asked quickly wiping away the thoughts that flooded her mind.

Anuj:- Are mai puch rha hoo....tum yha kya kar rhi ho?

He inquired seeing her walk in such a bad weather while Anupama wondered about him being near her house.

Anu:- Aap yha kya kar rhe hai?

She questioned.

Anuj:- Yrr tum mere har sawal ka jawab sawal se kyu deti ho?

He complained.

Anu:- Aap itne sawaal kyu karte hai?

She replied back with a question again while Anuj sighed thinking that he won't be getting an answer today.

This was when a huffing wind rose up stirring the branches of the trees and Anuj realised this was not the time for small talk.

Anuj:- Anyways....mai bas yeh bol rha tha ki bahut tez toofaan aa rha hai....tum jha bhi jaa rhi ho....mai tumhe drop kar deta hoo...

He offered getting straight to the point making her look up at the tar black clouds approaching the area.

It seemed logical to get home as soon as possible in the unpredictable weather but taking a car ride with Anuj was a deal breaker.

She didn't want him to be in trouble especially because of her and her ex-husband. Just a few moments ago, she had promised herself to stay away from him for his own good and now when the time has come, she intends to keep that promise.

Anu:- Nhi uski koi zarurat nhi hai....mai khud chali jaungi...

She replied rejecting the offer.

Anuj:- Anupama....mai tumahari baat maan leta lekin dekho yha kabhi bhi baarish ho sakti hai aur aas pass koi auto bhi nhi hai....

He insisted feeling concerned about her walking home on foot.

However,Anupama was adamant.

Anu:- Koi baat nhi....mai paidal chali jaungi....ghar pass me hi hai...

She refused saying that her apartment is not far from there but Anuj wasn't convinced.

Anuj:- Are par....

He tried again not wanting to leave her alone but Anupama interrupted.

Anu:- Maine kha na Mr. Kapadia....mujhe kisike saath ki zarurat nhi hai....mai akele jaa sakti hoo...

She stated in a rather cold tone that left Anuj too stunned to speak.

Mr. Kapadia?....when did he go from Anuj to become Mr. Kapadia for her?

He thought to himself as her words registered in his mind and he felt a sudden prick in his heart.

The shock and hurt was quite evident on his face making Anupama wonder if she has went overboard with her rudeness.

Both stood there gazing at each other trying to contemplate what the other was thinking.

Did I just cross some kind of line?

He wondered.

That's what you wanted....didn't you?.....for him to stay away.....guess what?....now he will.

Her heart chided.

It's probably for the best.

Her brain reminded and she took a deep breath before deciding to walk away.

Anu:- Bye

She whispered and he just nodded in acknowledgement as he got out of her way.

As she walked out of his sight, he drew in a sharp breath thinking that he just crossed some kind of line he shouldn't have.

What just happened?

He thought to himself as he took out the phone from his pocket to make a call.

An exhausted Samar dragged himself up the stairs on the way to his apartment....a small studio apartment located in a building in an average locality of Mumbai.

It's been a year since he shifted there from Ahmedabad and has never returned since. With the help of his friends in Mumbai, he got a job as a dance trainer in one of the most prominent dance studios which went by the name Nritya Shakti Studios and has been working day and night waiting for an opportunity to work with some choreographers in the film industry.

In an year, he had overworked himself beyond his capacity. At nights, he used to lie awake in bed debating his decision of leaving his family alone and shifting to Mumbai, and in the mornings he would go through his routine like a machine. It was only in the afternoons, when he was tutoring his students one on one, that he felt like his old self.

Today was no different. As usual, Samar was returning back home from the dance academy with a mild body ache that came hand in hand with his exhausting schedule.

Dragging himself to his apartment, he took out the key and opened the door. As he entered the apartment, he felt a dreadful emptiness engulf him. Not being able to tolerate it, he immediately switched on the TV and was about to enter the bathroom to take a shower when he heard something familiar.

It was coming from the TV. A news regarding Vanraj's court case was being covered by a news channel reporting that the hearing of the case would be held the following day.

Samar felt his heart sink on hearing the news. For someone on the outside, it would look like Samar was worried about his father going to jail but in reality, it wasn't his concern for his father but the fear for his family. He might not have properly talked to them in a year but he knew that he loved them with all his heart.

As he heard the news, he didn't even think for a second and immediately made a call to Toshu, who after five rings, finally picked up.

Toshu:- Kya hai?....kyun phone kiya hai tune?

He scoffed picking up the call.

Samar:- Bhai aap aise kyu bol rhe ho....mai aapko phone nhi kar sakta kya?

He replied hearing Toshu annoyed.

Toshu:- Kar sakta hai....lekin mummy ke kehne pe nahi....

He stated thinking that Anupama has asked Samar to call him.

Samar:- Mummy ke kehne pe?....Bhai kuch hua hai kya?...Is everything alright?

He asked feeling concerned.

Toshu:- Tujhe kya fark padta hai Samar kuch hua ho ya nhi......tu to hume chod ke chala gaya na bilkul mummy ki tarah....to aab tujhe kya matalab hai ki humari life me kya chal rha hai....tu jaa apni life enjoy kar...

He taunted making Samar feel guilty for being away all this time.

Samar:- Bhai mujhe pata hai mai zada touch me nhi rehta....lekin iska matalab yeh nhi hai ki mai aap logo se pyaar nhi karta.....I know aap Mr. Shah ki wajah se abhi bahut pareshaan ho lekin bhai...

He tried to explain but Toshu cut him off.

Toshu:- Chup kar....bilkul chup....papa ki wajah se kuch nhi hua hai....sari galti teri mummy ki hai...

He chided Samar for bringing Vanraj into the conversation.

Samar:- Bhai wo aapki bhi mummy hai....

He retorted correcting him.

Toshu:- Agar wo meri mummy hoti to khud se pehle mere baare me sochti....lekin nhi....unko to khud se hi fursat nhi hai....

He complained.

Samar:- Itne saal unhone aapke baare me hi socha hai bhai....agar aab wo apne bare me soch bhi rhi hai to isme itni kya badi baat ho gayi....

He argued hearing Toshu's selfish remark.

Toshu:- Badi baat hai Samar....agar mummy chahti to humari saari problems khatam kar sakti thi case wapas leke.....lekin unhone aisa karne se mana kar diya...

He said fuming in anger.

Samar:- To kya kare wo....Mr. Shah ne unke saath jo bhi kiya hai....uske baad aap unse expect kar rhe ho ki wo unki help kare...

He sneered at Toshu for behaving so illogically.

Toshu:- SAMAR

He barked and Samar took a step back hearing his tone.

Samar:- Bhai aap kab samjhoge ki Mr. Shah galat hai...

He tried to reason calmly but Toshu was already irritated from the incident in the dance academy to listen to any kind of reason.

Toshu:- Tune mujhe sahi galat ka lecture dene ke liye phone kiya hai?

He bawled out at Samar and Samar have had enough.

Samar:- Phone to maine aapse baat karne ke liye kiya tha....lekin as usual aapse baat kha hoti hai...hoti hai to bas argument...

He retorted in the same tone.

Toshu:- To kisne kha hai karne ko....mat kiya kar....waise bhi hum tere liye mare nhi jaa rhe...

He said berating Samar.

Samar:- Fine....as you wish.

Saying this, he cut the call and threw the phone on his bed.

Call to maine aapko yeh batane ke liye kiya tha bhai ki mai Ahmedabad aane wala hoo but jab aap logo ko meri zarurat hi nhi hai to aane ka kya fayda.....

He thought rubbing off the tears that had pooled in his eyes.

Devika sat in her balcony looking at the light drizzle getting intense with time as she waited for her friend to reach home safely.

She took a half day from the office as soon as she got Kinjal's text that Toshu has asked Anupama to take the court case back making Devika rush back home to talk to her.

However, Anupama hasn't come back yet and the strong winds and the rain was making Devika anxious about her safety.

She was about to call her but before she could....the doorbell rang. She immediately went upto the door and opened it only to find Anupama drenched in rain.

Devika:- Anu....tu baarish me bheegte hue kyu aa rhi hai?

She complained pulling her inside the apartment.

Anu:- Haan wo koi auto nhi mili na aur raaste me baarish bhi ho gayi....

She answered leaving out the fact that Anuj offered her a lift.

Devika:- Ohh really?

She exclaimed knowing too well that it wasn't the case.

However, seeing Anupama completely soaked....she decided to discuss the matter later.

Devika:- Pehle jaa change karke aa....fir tujhse baat karti hoo...

She asked Anupama to go and change before she catches a cold and Anupama complied.

Anu:- Hmm...Mai aati hoo

She said and went into her room to dry herself while Devika went into the kitchen to make some tea for her.

After a while, both Anupama and Devika sat in the balcony silently sipping on to their ginger tea.

Devika had earlier texted Anupama that she wants to talk but had barely spoken a word since she has returned making her feel anxious.

Devika has never been silent for this long especially when she knows something as significant as the incident that happened in the dance academy today.

Her silence on the topic should have been a cause of relief for Anupama but instead it was freaking her out.

Not being able to tolerate the silence anymore, Anupama spoke....

Anu:- Devika tu kuch bol kyu nhi rhi hai?

She asked surprised by her silence.

Devika:- Kis bare me?

She answered pretending to not understand her question.

Anu:- Tujhe acchi tarah se pata hai mai kis baare me baat kar rhi hoo.....waise to humesha mere ghar me pair rakhne ke pehle hi shuru ho jaati hai....aaj kya ho gaya hai tujhe?

She stated astonished at the fact that Devika is not snapping at her as she always does when it comes to the Shahs.

Devika:- Kuch nhi...

She replied meekly.

Anu:- To kuch bol kyu nhi rhi hai?

She asked wanting her to break the silence.

Devika:- Tu chahti hai mai bolu?

She questioned leaving Anupama confused.

Anu:- Huh?

She asked baffled.

Devika:- Tu sach me baat karna chahti hai us baare me?....ya sirf mere taane miss kar rhi hai?

She said in a bit sarcastic tone making Anupama feel that she is upset with her.

Anu:- Tu mujhse naaraz hai kya?

She asked in a low voice.

Devika:- Dekh Anu....mujhe baat karni hai tujhse....lekin tabhi jab tu karna chahe....agar mai baat shuru karu....aur tu gussa hoke apne room me chale jaaye to uska koi fayda nhi hai na....

She explained.

Anu:- Tu kaisi baatein kar rhi hai Devu....

She said worried that her behaviour might have led Devika to this point of not wanting to discuss things with her.

Devika:- Sach bol rhi hoo yrr....jab bhi hum Shahs se related koi baat karte hai...to yhi hota hai....mai tujhe samjhane ki kosis karti hoo....tu samajhti nhi hai....fir humara jhagda ho jata hai aur tu bina kuch bole room me chali jaati hai...

She reasoned pointing out the pattern they go through everytime they talk about the Shahs.

Devika:- Isiliye is baar I don't wanna force you....if you wanna share....I am here for you....if you don't want to....tab bhi....it's alright....no pressure.

She added.

Devika:- Kya hua tha wha?

She asked leaving the choice of answering to Anupama.

Initially, Anupama was a bit hesitant about whether she should talk to Devika about this or not knowing that she will definitely try to change her mind about the job. However, for the last few week things have been piling up for her one after another and if she doesn't find a way to let those things out in an healthy manner, they would burst out and hurt the people around her just like it hurt Anuj today.

So recollecting the events that happened today at the dance academy, she spoke....

Anu:- Toshu aaya tha....

Devika:- Aaya tha ya bheja gaya tha?

She asked rephrasing her sentence.

Anu:- What difference does it make?

She exclaimed pointing out the information is of no consequence.

Devika:- Yeah right ! Aaya ho ya kisi ne bheja ho....tamasha karke hi gaya hoga....

She stated realising that it doesn't really matter while Anupama just hummed in response.