Estranged | ✓

L. do you still love me?

This is the last chapter of the main plot, there are a bunch of bonus chapters after this.
So stay tuned!

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anupamaa :

I finally opened the door to the shock of my life.

Mister Vanraj Shah, the one who couldn't sit for a moment and was dying to 'get to business' was sleeping.

I sighed.

What do I do of this man?

I finally climbed onto the bed.
I knew he was extremely tired. The huge work load, then all the preparations for the wedding, also making sure his Baa wasn't making an issue - that was probably the hardest of all jobs.

I softly carrased his hair back.
I turned the lights off and slowly lay back. Even I had a terrible back ache already. The jewellery was pretty heavy.

Only the yellow table lamp was lit.
"Anu..", he whispered, "You are here?"

"Hmm..", I replied.

He extended his left hand, trying to feel my presence, like had been his habit.
He placed his hand on mine.
He turned towards me.

"See.. you sent me and I fell asleep..", he said smiling to himself.
I turned towards him, placing my hand on his cheek.
"I knew you'd be tired. You need the sleep. We have to leave for California by the end of this week anyways.", I replied.

"You didn't change the jewellery?", He asked with a raised brow.
"Naah.. too tired.", I said, grinning guiltily.
"Wait, I'll help you..", he said as he sat up.

"Arrey but why—", I said sitting up.

"Mrs. Anupamaa Joshi Shah.", He said, with the most beautiful smile possible, as he edged closer, "Because I am your husband."

"Hmm.. so now you are trying to command me, ha?", I asked.
He just smiled as he opened my bangles.
"Vanraj ji..", I said, sighing.
I knew he had fallen asleep, he needed rest, but here he was.

He edged closer to open my heavy gold necklace.
"You need rest—"
"You won't be able to rest in these. Anupamaa stop being so stubborn okay?", He said.
He somehow couldn't remove the necklace, he leaned closer to my face.

I could feel his breath on my neck.
I slowly wrapped my arms around him, pulling him to myself.
"Mrs. Shah.. are you trying to take advantage of the situation?", He asked. I felt his free arm wrap around my waist.
"No.. I am holding what is rightfully mine.", I said, as he continued to fidget with my necklace.

I shut my eyes, resting my chin on his shoulder.
The comfort that his embrace gave me, nothing else could ever.
I drew in a deep breath, inhaling my favourite scent.
After struggling for some more time, I felt his other hand around my waist as well.

"This is home, isn't it?", He asked, resting his chin on my shoulder as well.
I just hugged him tighter.
Somehow these subtle hugs, the silence, our pacing hearts was a deeper comfort as the years passed by.

He slowly ran his finger through my hair.
"This is for real, isn't it?", I asked.
"Hmm..", he said softly.
I gradually released him of my embrace.
"You're looking so beautiful..", he whispered.
"The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.", I replied smiling, looking at him completely smitten.