A Family We Could Have

Anurag Tells Prerna About Prem

When Anurag reached Basu house it was 10.00 pm. He found Prerna waiting for him on dining table.

''Agaa tum? Etna late!''

''Traffic bohot tha.. ghar walo ne khana kha liya?''

''Haan.. tum jaldi se fresh hokar ao.. main khana garam kar deti hu..''

''It's okay Prerna.. Main thanda hi kha lunga. Tum etna taqlif maat karo.''

''Par main nahi kha sakti thanda khana,'' Prerna argued in demanding tone but changed her tone seeing Anurag's impressive face. ''Acha baba, main Hori daa ko bolkar garam karwa leti hu.. tab toh koi problem nahi hain na tumhe?''

Anurag nodded, smiling. It's never been easy to win an argument with Prerna. Anurag felt a triumph satisfaction when Prerna talked to him like that, argued with him, pranked him and also pretended to be angry on him. Things, she did only with him. After her separation from Anurag Prerna had hardly behaved like this, behaved like her usual self. The babbly and cheerful Prerna, Anurag had once fallen for only belonged to him. It's what he felt like. The woman had the ability to make him smile when he didn't even want to. It was hard, stopping his heart not to fall for her. That first love vive, that emotions, those laughter all were irresistible. But the harder part was, forgetting her. Or trying to forget her.

''Anurag, kaha kho gain?''

''Haan// Nahi, main fresh hokar ata hu..''

''Jaldi ana..''

Anurag left for his room. He joined Prerna on dining table after 15 minutes.

''Sab tumhare pasand ka khana hain,'' said Prerna, serving him. ''Maine nahi, maa ne banaya hain. So, save your breath Mr Basu. Main bas hospital se akar room mei beithi hi thi. Aagar mujh pe believe nahi hain Maa se puch lo.. ya phir Kasak se puch lo.. wo bhi wahi beithi thi.. mere pehre pe. Maa ne beitha ke rakha tha usey.''

''Hmm..'' Anurag started eating.

''Naraz ho mujhse?'' Prerna whispered.

''Tumhe kya lagta hain?''

''Anurag, naraz mujhe tumse hona chahiye..''

''Ächa?"

''God Anurag,'' Prerna rolled her eyes, ''tum khana khao.''

Anurag ate.

''Tum ku nahi kha rahi?''

''Tum khilao na. Apne hato se?'' Prerna said, sweetly.

Anurag kept his plate away and looked at her.

''Bat kya hain Prerna? I know ki tum yesab mujhe acha feel karwane ke liye kar rahi ho.. taki mujhe aisa lage ki you are normal. Par, kisse jhut bol rahi ho? Mujhse? I can read your eyes Prerna.''

''I can read your eyes too Anurag,'' Prerna said, with a cracking voice. ''Tumhe bhi aisa pretend karne ki koi jarurat nahi ki sab thik hain.. jabki main janti hu ki kuch thik nahi hain. Nahi hamare zindagi mein, nahi iss ghar mein, nahi hamare rishtey mein.''

''Sabkuch thik hain Prerna,'' Anurag emphasized his words.

Prerna looked away.

Anurag sighed. He filled his spoon with rice and vegetable and forwarded to feed her.

''Lo, khao..''

Prerna wiped away her tears. No, she couldn't argue with Anurag right now. She needed to talk to him. She needed to know the answers of her questions. And for that she needed to keep his mood good.