MaAn in reversed roles

Anu's POV

The morning sun tiptoed through the curtains, kissing my face with a gentleness I hadn’t felt in days. For once, I didn’t wake up with a storm raging inside me—no tightness in the chest, no residue of fear or doubt. Just a strange sense of calm… and yes, those silly butterflies fluttering as if they’d finally found a reason to dance again.

I stretched, the soft cotton of my saree brushing my skin as I walked quietly down the corridor. My eyes wandered—like they had a mind of their own—and there he was.

Anuj.

Asleep on his side, his face softened by the golden light that poured in through the blinds. His lashes rested like whispers on his cheeks, and even in sleep, there was that signature tenderness on his face. That look of quiet devotion that always made my heart do that peculiar thing—ache and bloom at the same time.

How was it possible that this second chance at love… felt so much more delicate, more powerful than the first?

I could’ve stayed there all day, soaking in that sight like a forbidden luxury, but routine tugged at me. Kitchen. Tulsi water. Soaked almonds. Masala chai simmering on the stove.

It felt like home. Our home.

Just as the steam curled into the air, the doorbell rang—loud, enthusiastic, a bit too familiar.

I frowned. “Itni subah kaun ho sakta hai?”

I wiped my hands on the pallu and opened the door.

There she was—Devika, dressed like she was ready to conquer the world: joggers, a vibrant kurti, sunglasses like a crown atop her head, and a wild bouquet of fresh mogra and rose in one hand.

“Good morning, dulhaniyaa!” she beamed, barging in like a monsoon breeze.

I blinked, half amused, half exasperated. “Devika?! Subah-subah?”

She sauntered in like she paid the rent. “I warned you, na? Wedding prep is in my hands now. So come on—proposal, the confession, every filmy detail. Aur haan, aftermath miss mat karna okay? Main sab sunungi.”

I shook my head, laughing as I handed her a cup of chai. “Pehle chai toh pee le, dulha-dulhan ki kahani baad mein.”

She took the cup with a dramatic pout. “Bas ek shart hai—no vanishing to clean the whole house before spilling the beans, samjhi? Itna toh haq banta hai mera.”

We made our way to the backyard, where the sun warmed the marble bench and the bougainvillea swayed like they were eavesdropping. Devika sat cross-legged, sipping chai and eyeing me like a suspicious aunty.

I raised a brow. “Kya?”

She smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Badi glow ho rahi hai madam. Yeh sirf Anuj ke pyaar ka glow hai ya kal raat ko kuch extra special bhi ho gaya, hmmm?” She nudged my elbow.

I rolled my eyes, blushing despite myself. “Aisa kuch bhi nahi hua. Bas… kal ek baat hui.”

“Baat?” Her eyes lit up. “Aisi kya baat jo sunte hi Anuj Maharaj maan gaye?”

I smiled, warmth pooling in my chest. “Anuj ko simple shaadi karni thi, bas sign karke nipta lene wali. Par mujhe… mujhe unke liye proper dulhan banna hai. Ek baar—sirf ek baar—main unki dulhan ban ke unki aankhon mein woh pehli nazar waali chamak dekhna chahti hoon.”

Devika melted, visibly. “Awww Anu…”

“And you know what?” I added softly, “Main keh bhi nahi paayi thi poori baat, woh pehle hi maan gaye…”