Can't Help Falling in Love

Chapter - 20

Naina is shouting at Raj, oblivious to the fact that their daughter has heard them. Anamika has never seen her mother in so much anger. Yeah, she’s a little strict but she’s never been so angry with her dad or herself. But, today, she’s taking her friend’s name and Anamika understands that something grave has happened in the past.

“Raj, tumne jo kiya hai na uske liye main tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karungi. Tumne mujhe meri best friend se door kiya. Tumhari wajah se ab main bhi uske liye gunehgaar ban gayi hoon.” Naina says it firmly.

“Lekin aisa kuch main tumhe apni beti ke sath nahi karne dungi. Vo khud apne liye faisle le sakti hai aur agar vo approval chahegi toh wo main dungi, tum nahi.” Naina says and Rajveer is at a loss for words.

Naina lies on her side of the bed and tries to sleep while Rajveer is unable to sleep. He knows his wife is mad at him and it’s right on her part. His doings are more grave than they appear. He sighs deeply, thinking of rectifying his mistakes.

*****
Anamika returns to her room and is in a complete daze with the new revelations that she has learned. She’s shocked to know that her dad could do something wrong with any lady. For her, he’s a perfect man, and he can’t hurt anyone, so it’s hard for Anamika to believe. But she knows, her mum never lies about anything, so there’s more to the story. And she wants to discover it. She can’t let her love die just because of some bitter past. She sends a message to Vineet and plans to meet the other day. She knows she won’t be able to uncover the truth without his help.

*****
Vineet is in his room, reading a book. His mother is fast asleep in her room but he’s unable to sleep. He wants to know the secrets his mother is hiding. But the lady doesn’t want to open up. She’s fearful of losing him and it is evident, for she has brought him up all alone and had no help from the ones whom she considered her family.

Vineet is lost in thoughts when the beep of his phone brings him out of his trance. He reads the message and turns ecstatic. He makes a call to Anamika and she picks up the phone in one ring.

“Ana, ye sab kya hai? Tum kehna kya chahti ho?” He asks.

“Vinu! Bas ek baar meri Mumma aur tumhari Maa mil lenge toh hume bahut saare jawab mil jayenge, trust me. Chalo naa, let’s meet tomorrow.” Anamika says from the other side.

“Maa nahi maanengi, Ana! Vo toh yahan aana bhi nahi chahti thi. Maine kuch aur kaha toh vo bahut gussa hongi.” Vineet says and he’s worried about Devika.

“Vineet, please! Abhi hamari moms hi hume sach bata sakti hain. Aur uske liye un dono ko milaana hoga. Tumhe Maa ko yahan laana hi hoga.” Anamika says it softly.

“Acha thik hai, Main maa se kal baat karunga. Tum batao, kahan milna hai?”Vineet asks his lady love.

“Orbit Mall! Shaam ko 5 baje. I will wait for you, Vinu.” Anamika says that and disconnects the call.

Vineet sighs deeply and he knows he needs to convince Devika to go to the mall. Contemplating his thoughts, Vineet falls asleep in no time.

*****
The next morning is a quiet one at Singhania Mansion. Anamika wakes up all by herself and after freshening up, she walks out of her room. She finds Naina setting the breakfast table, and she hugs her, greeting her for the day.

“Good morning, Mumma!” She says it joyfully.

“Good morning, mera bacha! Chal ab nashta kar.” Naina says it lovingly.

“Where’s Dadda?” Anamika says, sipping her coffee.

“Vo office chale gaye, unki koi meeting thi.” Naina replies and Anamika can make out that her mother is disinterested in talking about her father.

“He’s bad! Mujhe bye bole bina hi chale gaye, he will face my wrath in the evening, dekhna aap!” Anamika says cheekily, causing her mum to smile.

“He will, surely!” Naina smiles but her daughter gets it that there’s some deep meaning behind her words.

“Mumma! There’s a new movie out, dekhne chalein?” Anamika asks.

“Tu apni friends ke sath chali jaa!” Naina says softly.

“Nahi naa! Mujhe aapke saath jaana hai, Orbit Mall mein jaayenge. Please! Please!” Anamika requests.

“Ana, mujhe kaam hai abhi, baad mein jayenge.” Naina tries to avoid her daughter.

“Mumma! Kya baat hai? Bolo na! Kyun avoid kar rahi ho? Chalo na hum dono movie jate hain. Aap kuch nahi batati ho mujhe, please bolo na! Aapki Ana ab badi ho gayi hai.” the girl says.

Naina looks at her daughter and she makes a sad face, trying to convince her mother. While Naina is still unsure, Anamika says something that leaves her mother touched.

To Be Continued.

What did Anamika say?

Stay tuned.