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Sorry to keep you waiting for this chapter but here is a long one to make up for the delay !!

Hope you like it 😊

Anupama....tum fir office kabse join karogi ?

Anuj asked as they stepped out of the office building.

Anu:- Umm....iss Monday se join karu to chalega?

She replied and Anuj smiled at her habit of answering a question with a question.

Anuj:- Yeah ofcourse.

He acknowledged as they stopped at the entrance.

Anu:- Tab tak mujhe wakt bhi mil jaayega yeh file study karne ka...

She said pointing towards the file while Anuj just hummed in response counting the days to Monday in his mind.

Anu:- Anuj....ek aur baat karni thi aapse....

She added hesitantly making Anuj turn towards her.

Anuj:- Go ahead...

He gestured.

Anu:- Wo mera college hota hai 10 baje se 2 baje tak......to mai uske baad hi office aa paungi.....Bunty ne mujhe bola tha ki koi problem nhi hogi....but mai fir bhi aapse puchana chahti thi ek baar.....

She tried to confirm about their working situation discussed with Vikram which put Anuj in a little bit of a dilemma.

Anuj:- Haan usne mujhe inform kar diya tha lekin.....

He stated recalling the conversation he had with Vikram regarding Anupama's job.

Anu:- Lekin?

She asked wondering if there was a problem.

Anuj:-I will try to include a meeting with you in the schedule after 2 only but kabhi kabhi ho sakta hai ki meri koi aur meeting bhi ho us time pe.....in that case....can we adjust?.... matalab hum shaam ko ya subah tumahre college se pehle kaam kar sakte hai?.....only if you are comfortable?

He expressed his concern leaving the choice to her.

Anu:- Kar to sakte hai lekin Anuj aap bhul rhe ki aapke Kaka ne aapko abhi daant lagayi hai subah ghar pe na dikhne ke liye......are you sure aapko aur daant khani hai unki?

She asked thinking about the troubles he might have to go through to work with her in the morning.

Iske liye daant to kya....mai GK se maar bhi kha sakta hoo....

He thought to himself as he smiled inside.

Anuj:- Don't worry....GK aise hi kuch bhi bolte hai.....he doesn't mean that.

He relieved her of the worry as he continued....

Anuj:- Aur waise bhi unhe mere subah office jaldi aane se koi problem nhi hai.....wo to bas isiliye gussa the kyuki mai raat ko ghar nhi gaya....

He explained clearing her doubts.

Anu:- Hona bhi chahiye.....agar mere bacche kaam pe se laut kar nhi aaye raat ko to mai bhi yhi karti....

She declared in a stern tone stating that GK was right in his place.

Anuj:- Tum saari maayein na bilkul ek jaisi hoti ho.....I m telling you GK aur tumahri na bahut jamegi....

He joked and Anupama chuckled at it.

Anu:- Accha Anuj aab mai chalti hoo....mujhe college ke liye late ho rha hai....

She said looking at the time in her watch.

Anuj:- Sure....mai tumahre liye auto bulwa deta hoo....

He offered looking for the watchman to ask him to call an auto.

Anu:- Nhi nhi uski zarurat nhi hai....

She tried to refuse but Anuj interrupted.

Anuj:- Are mai koi help nhi kar rha....na hi drop karne jaa rha hoo.....kamsekam auto to bulwa sakta hoo....

He insisted citing that it's not a big deal but Anupama was adamant for a different reason.

Anu:- Mai car lekar aayi hoo....

She stated pointing towards her car parked in the parking lot and Anuj finally realised what she is trying to say.

Anuj:- Oh.....how can I forget !!.....I hope that it didn't cost you much.

He said looking at the damages in her car all repaired while Anupama just nodded in a no.

Anuj:- Once again....I am really really sorry.

He apologized recalling the incident.

Anu:- Koi baat nhi.....bas aage se sambhal ke chalaiyega.....wo to meri car thi isliye aap bach gaye......kisi aur ki hoti to Kaka ke pass complaint chali jaati.

She said with a mischievous smile on her face and Anuj smirked seeing her try to pull his leg.

Anuj:- Tum mera mazak uda rhi ho !!

He remarked adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Anu:- Bilkul bhi nhi....zara sa bhi nhi !!

She replied with the same smile still playing on her face making Anuj let out a chuckle.

Anuj:- But I must tell you Anupama.....I am really very proud of you.....college....driving....dance academy and aab yeh job.....you are acing in everything.

He praised her and Anupama realised that it was the second time in a few days that he has expressed how proud he is of her.

Anu:- Thank you !!

She said feeling overwhelmed by emotions.

Anu:- Lekin in sab ka credit mujhe nhi.......Devika aur meri hone wali bahu Kinjal aur Nandani ko jaata hai.....wo teeno nhi hote to mai pata nhi itna sab kar paati bhi ya nhi.

She added giving the credit of her progress to those who have helped her.

Anuj:- Zaroor karti....

He stressed and Anupama just smiled in response.

Anuj:- Accha Anupama....mai soch rha tha ki wo mera number....I mean tumahra number mere paas nhi hai....so.... wo number agar mil jaata to hum meetings ka schedule discuss kar sakte the....

He asked her number nervously fearing that she might deny him.

However, she agreed much to his relief.

Anu:- Le lijeye....

She said asking him to take a note.

Anuj:- Great....to kya hai tumahra number?

He asked as he took out the phone from his pocket.

Anu:-956......

She answered giving him the number and he mouthed a small thank you to her.

Anu:- Accha aab mai chalti hoo....bye.

She said waving him bye as she walked towards her car and he waved back trying to hide his inner happiness on getting her number after twenty seven years.

As soon as she sat in her car and left, Anuj jumped in excitement shouting......

YESS YESS YESS !!!

Until he fell out of his bed with a thud !!

Anuj:- Shit !!

Anuj screamed from the impact of the fall.

Anuj.....beta kya hua?

GK asked as he came running to Anuj's aid after hearing the scream.

Anuj:- Kuch nhi GK.....bas pata nhi kaise bed se gir gaya....

He answered standing up from the ground.

GK:- Tu baccha hai kya Maan jo bed se gir gaya !!

He sneered checking Anuj for any injury.

Anuj:- GK mai theek hoo relax....aur aapke liye to mai baccha hi hoo na.

He said pulling GK'S cheeks assuring him that he is fine.

GK:- Accha theek hai theek hai....aab buttering karna band kar.....aur jaldi se fresh hoke bahar aa jaa....Devika aur Bunty aaye hai.

He ordered getting Anuj's hands of his cheeks.

Anuj:- Aap chalo mai aata hoo....

He asked GK to go ahead and as he did, Anuj sat down on the bed and immediately picked up his phone from the side table fearing that dream wasn't a part of reality but to his relief.....it was.

As he scrolled through the contact list, he found the one name that his eyes were craving to see and they did.

Anuj :-Finally.....satayis saal baad tujhme number maangne ki himmat to aayi Anuj....Yess Yess Yess !!!

He gushed in excitement punching the air as he realised that his dream wasn't a dream but reality that took place a day ago.

Anuj:- Thank you thank you so much kanhaji mere sapne ko hakikat me tabdil karne ke liye....

He expressed his gratitude to his kanhaji with joined hands and made his way to the washroom to fresh and up.

Back in the hall, Devika, Vikram and GK were discussing on how to persuade Anuj to initiate friendship with Anupama.

Devika:- GK....yeh Anuj ka baccha kha reh gaya?

She asked with her eyes fixated on his room.

GK:- Pata nhi.....bol to rha tha ki fresh hoke aata hoo....ek ghante ho gaye.....pata nhi kya kar rha hai....

He replied looking at the clock.

Vikram:- Yrr tu kyu pareshan hai.....usko jab aana ho jaayega.....yeh le tabtak GK ka banaya hua poha kha....

He stated feeding Devika a spoonful of poha.

Anuj:- Haan haan.....tum dono to aate hi yha ho mere hisse ka nashtaa aur pampering lene....

He commented as he walked into the hall.

Vikram:- Hum kare bhi to kya kare.....GK ki khaane ki khusboo hume yha tak kheech laati hai....

He replied turning towards Anuj.

Devika:- Sach me Yrr.....GK makes the best poha in the world.

She added finishing the last bit of poha left on her plate.

GK:- Haan tabhi to tum dono itna kam kam kha rhe ho.....

He said refilling their plates with a smile.

Vikram:- GK humne do plate khatam kar diye hai.....aab kitna khaye.....aap apne is laadle bete ko khilao....

He stated pointing towards Anuj sitting beside GK.

GK:- Are ise khilane ka kya fayda....yeh to tareef bhi nhi karta....

He snorted at Anuj for not admiring his food.

Anuj:- Aap khilaoge tab to karunga na.....aap to tabse in dono ko khilaye jaa rhe ho....

He complained and the others chuckled at his jealousy.

GK:- Yeh le muh khol....

He said bringing the spoonful of poha to his mouth and fed it to him.

Devika:- GK aapko nhi lagta aap isko itna pamper karke bigaad rhe ho......

She remarked seeing Anuj get so pampered by GK.

GK:- Yeh already itna bigada hua hai.....aur kya bigadega !!

He sneered at Anuj making Devika and Vikram laugh.

Anuj:-Aapko mai bigada hua lagta hoo?

He protested making a pout.

GK:- Aur nhi to kya......Tujhse acche to yeh dono hai.....kamsekam life enjoy to karte hai Maan.....tu bas kaam kaam kaam....jab dekho kaam....

He chuckled commenting on Anuj's workaholic nature.

Anuj:- Jo log kaam karte hai na unhe log sabaashi dete hai aur aap ho ki mujhe daant laga rhe ho......mujhe lagta hai Aapko mujhe chod ke sab acche lagte hai....

He retorted defending his workaholic attitude.

Vikram:- Lagenge hi.....kyuki hum acche hai....

He added with a smirk and Anuj rolled his eyes at the statement.

Anuj:- Waise tum dono subah subah sirf yha meri burai karne aaye ho ya fir koi aur bhi kaam hai?

He asked changing the topic to something else.

Devika:- Kyu?......Hum sirf kaam se aa sakta hai kya?

She raised her eyebrow in question.

Anuj:- Haan aur nhi to kya......no kaam no entry.

He stated playfully teasing Devika and she glared at him in annoyance.

GK:- Anuj.

He chided Anuj and Anuj stopped with his teasing while Devika pursed her lips to hide the grin on her face.

Anuj:- Accha waise seriously.....tum dono subah subah.....sab theek hai?

He inquired looking at Devika and Vikram.

Vikram:- Haan haan sab theek hai.....hum to bas tujhe lene aaye hai...

He answered with a smile.

Anuj:- Lene aaye ho?

He asked perplexed.

Devika:- Haan.....aaj maine aur Bunty ne mere ghar pe movie night plan ki hai.....to pehle hum yha se khi bahar chill karne jaayenge aur fir mere ghar....so you are coming with us.

She answered telling him their plan for the day but Anuj was in no mood to go outside.

Anuj:- No ways..... mujhe kaam hai.

He turned down the invite citing some work in the office.

However, Vikram wasn't ready to let him go so easily.

Vikram:- Aaj office ki chutti hai Anuj....

He said reminding him that the office was closed today but Anuj was adamant.

Anuj:- Tere office ki chutti hogi....mere bahut saare offices khule hai.....mai khi nhi jaa rha...

He refused again and this was when Devika decided to step in.

Devika:- GK dekho na....

She whined turning towards GK knowing well that he is the only person who can convince Anuj.

GK:- Anuj......zidd kyu kar rha hai....chala jaa na Maan.....waise bhi kal bhi chutti hi hai....kal kaam kar lena.....

He tried to persuade Anuj to take a break but as usual Anuj didn't want to.

Anuj:- GK mai khi nhi jaa rha....aap kuch bhi kar lo...

He said not giving into GK's persuasion.

Anuj have had this habit of even working on holidays in US because he had no one to spend it with except GK but since he was in India surrounded by his most precious people, GK didn't want him to be alone and miss out on his life.

GK:- Theek hai mat jaa.....fir kal se tera office jaana bhi band....

He declared in a stern voice but Anuj found it to be a joke.

Anuj:- Very funny GK.....but this isn't going to work.

He said thinking that GK has announced this in over excitement as he did a day before.

GK:- I am serious Maan.....yeh tere kaam kaam kaam se mai pareshan ho gaya hoo.....aab jab tak tu apna workload kam nhi karega mai tujhse baat nhi karne wala.

He announced in a serious tone shocking all three of them.

Anuj:- GK....relax.....I will go.....Promise.

He said trying to calm him down.

GK:- Good.

He smiled thinking that his tactics worked but Anuj knew that he was just playing with him.

Anuj:- But.....this isn't fair hn......Jabse Anu ne aapko support kiya hai....aapki dhamkiya kuch zada hi badh gayi hai.

He commented playfully recalling his blackmail in the office while Devika and Vikram looked at each other wondering when did GK meet Anupama.

GK:- Everything is fair in love and war Maan.

He retorted with a wink that confirmed Anuj's doubt that he was okay and was blackmailing him into taking a break. However, Anuj decided to keep his promise anyways.

Vikram:- Ek minute....ek minute....ek minute.....Anu ne support kiya matalab?.....GK Aap Anu se kab mile?

He asked curious to know about GK's meeting with Anupama.

GK:- Are mai to us din hi mila tha jis din wo job accept karne office aayi thi.....

He answered telling them all about it.

Devika:- Waah GK.....aap apni hone wali bahu se mil kar aaye aur hume bataya bhi nhi?

She said teasing Anuj but Anuj didn't seemed to be pleased by it.

Anuj:- Devu....

He gave Devika a stern look asking her to stop and she pretended to zip up her mouth.

Vikram:- Waise GK......kaisii lagi aapko humari Anu?

He inquired giving GK the opportunity to pull Anuj's leg.

GK:- Sushil sanskari sundarrr.....mera bas chale to mai abhi in dono ki shaadi kara du Maan.

He replied expressing his wish in form of a joke.

Anuj:- GK kya bol rhe ho aap....

He complained feeling annoyed by all the jokes.

Anuj:- Anu ko leke koi mazak nhi.....please.

Devika:- Accha sorry baba....nhi karenge.....

She apologized and gestured everyone to stop as she saw Anuj's smile slowly turn into a frown.

However, GK decided to use this opportunity to bring up Anuj's relationship with Anupama and gestured both Devika and Vikram to back him up.

GK:- Hum to mazak karna band kar denge Anuj.....lekin tu usse dur bhaagna kab band karega?

He said calling out Anuj's habit of maintaining distance from Anupama and both Vikram and Devika joined in to support him.

Vikram:- Haan bhai kab karega?

He added stressing on GK's question while Devika came up with her own.

Devika:- Tujhe nhi lagta.....you should change your professional relationship into a personal one?

She suggested casually being careful not to annoy Anuj but Anuj was in no mood to have the conversation again.

Anuj:- Agar aap logo ko yhi discuss karna hai to mai yha se jaa rha hoo....

He stated getting up from the couch and walking towards his room in irritation.

Devika:- Anuj....Anuj.....Anuj...

She called out as she ran to block his way.

Anuj:- What?

He snapped at her not wanting to talk about the topic anymore.

Devika:- Ek baar shaant hoke meri baat sun le.....please.

She requested him politely and Anuj sighed thinking that she won't back off until he listens to her.

Anuj:- Okay.....bol?

He said gesturing her to go ahead.

Devika:- Dekh hum tujhe kisi cheez ke liye pressurise nhi kar rhe.....but Anuj....tu aur Anu aab saath me kaam kar rhe ho.....humare dost ho.....isiliye na chahte hue bhi tum dono ek dusre se takraoge hi....to better hoga jab tum takrao to dost ki tarah takrao.

She advised Anuj trying to get him to think about his relationship with Anupama.

GK:- Devika bilkul theek keh rhi hai Anuj......tum dono kitna bhi chahoge.....tumahra rishta formal ya professional nhi reh sakta.....kyuki Anupama tere liye sirf ek employee nhi hai.....usse kahi zada hai.

He added.

Anuj:- GK yeh baat aap teeno ko pata hai.....Anu ko nhi.....aur na mai use kabhi pata lagne dunga.....usne mujhse kha hai ki humara rishta sirf ek boss aur employee ka hoga.....aur mai uske kahe ka maan rakhunga.....chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye.

He replied saying that he would honour Anupama's wish no matter what and Vikram sighed listening to him.

Vikram:- Anuj....Anu office ki baat kar rhi thi....office ke bahar ki nhi....because she doesn't want the people in the office to think that she got the job because of some kind of personal relationship....usne mujhse bhi yeh baat kahi thi jab usne pehli baar internship join ki thi.....but hum dono aab dost hai na....to tum dono kyu nhi ho sakte?.....aur waise bhi......Tu kab tak usse yeh baat chupa lega ki tu usse pyaar karta hai?

He explained Anuj asking for how long he can hide his feelings from Anupama.

Anuj:- Marte dam tak.....Aabtak chupaya hi hai na......aage bhi chupa lunga....

He answered in a determined tone still not budging from his decision.

Devika:- Aabtak ki baat alag thi Anuj.....tu usse roz milta nhi tha....but aab milega....aur jab milega to zaahir si baat hai ki na chahte hue bhi teri feelings kisi na kisi form me bahar aayengi chahe wo Anu ke liye teri care ho ya fir uske liye tera concern.....aur Anu itni bewkoof nhi hai ki unhe samajh nhi paayegi.

She said trying to put Vikram's point in a way that Anuj would understand.

Vikram:- Exactly Anuj.....isiliye khud ko aur Anu ko confuse karke apne existing relationship me awkwardness create karne se better hoga uski taraf dosti ka haath badhana.....atleast this way......you can give your feelings a name without freaking her out.

He added making Anuj see the situation from a different angle and he did.

Anuj didn't want to go against Anupama's wish but also at the same time he didn't want his feelings to come out in a way that would make her uncomfortable in her work space.

He can't let his feelings come in the way of her career and maybe the best way to do that is to take Vikram's advice.

He thought to himself.

But what if he asks and she says no making the situation between them much more uncomfortable?

He wondered.

Anuj:- Aur agar usne mana kar diya to?

He said expressing his doubt.

Devika:- Kar diya to kar diya..... Tune hi to mujhse ek baar kha tha ki "Naa use chubhati hai jise haan ki umeed ho"......aur tu hi to kehta hai ki tujhe Anupama se koi umeed nhi hai.....

She quoted Anuj's lines from before trying to solve his dilemma.