Anu-Raj [Estd. 1993]

4 - Unhappily Ever After

Bhairav drew in a deep breath looking at the Factory's finances. He could see the sharp decline, yet again. Had it not been for his own infirmity he would have handled it all himself.

He sat in the seperate chamber, the chamber that had once belonged to solely him. It was now Hasmukh's. He sat back on the wooden chair.

It is time. This factory has to go down to someone else.
He thought. He stood up and strode out.
He noticed Hasmukh laughing over a joke with a worker.

He doesn't have any leadership skills. I know Vanraj will do it better.
He thought as he walked out of the factory. He looked up at the name.

Mai-Rav
Estd. 1956

Maithili and Bhairav had named it after themselves. He never felt the need for a revamp to the name.
Until now.
The declining finances showed, the factory needed a revamp.

Vanraj and who?
He thought as he drew in a deep breath.

•

Vanraj sat at the canteen munching on his home packed theplas hungrily.
Like always.

Ronnie sighed looking at him.

"You eat like a legit monster and still have this good physique.", He said half exasperated.
"It's the exercise.", He said mouth full of food.
Ronnie looked to the side to find Krittika walking down to them.

"Seems like your girl's here. Must go.", Saying so Ronnie got up and strode off.
Krittika took a seat opposite Vanraj. Vanraj reflexively pushed the tiffin towards her.

Krittika forced a smile.
"What? Take na.", Vanraj said after gulping down his thepla.
"No.. there's something I must tell you. Although I'm already late for it.. but.. I guess it's time.", She said softly, looking half apologetic.

Vanraj paused for moments with an awkward smile.
"What happened Krittika?", He asked softly.
"Umm..", She mumbled gulping nervously.

•

Anupamaa finally sat back in the library with Vanraj's paper and a English to Hindi translation book. Although she would have preferred Gujrati, Hindi would do just fine.

She took another notebook to note down the translations.

Devika sat beside her half amused. She noticed Ronnie striding into the library casually.

"Anu, you do translations, I'll go and spend some quality time.", She said getting up.
"Devika, love hurts.", Anu said busily looking at the book.
"Look at the lovestruck first year talk. Huh!"
"It's just that I love you, Devu.", Anu said casually.
"I love me too.. now bye.", Saying so Devika jogged up.

Anu smiled to herself as she translated the first line.

To, _________ -
I want to talk about her. She is everything that I would ever truly love. I saw her on her school excursion the first time.. and I've never seen anyone else that way again.

"I might not be the only one who is lovestruck, Devu.. Mister Shah is too.", She whispered to herself.

•