Alisha Chopra - When Aamir Met Anushka

A love story that was NOT

When Aamir Met Anushka

Copyright 2017 Paradise Publication

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of publisher.

First Edition: December 2017

A love story that was NOT

ALISHA CHOPRA

I dedicate this book to Agniveer, its president Dr Vashi Sharma, and founder Sanjeev Newar whose writings opened my eyes to the sinister conspiracy of Love Jihad .

- Alisha Chopra

As I freeze the final draft of the book, I can see breaking news flashing on TV. Suhaib Ilyasi, celebrated anchor and son of Jameel Ilyasi - head of All India Imams Organization, convicted for murdering wife Anju.

This is a work of fiction. Love Jihad is real though. The names, characters, business, events, and incidents are derived from authors imagination by rearranging news reports in public domain and authors life experiences creatively. Any resemblance with actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is a case of someone thinking too much in wrong direction. But no one can deny that every non-fantasy fiction is based on inputs author receives in real life - either directly or through different sources of information.

Since there is mention of some religious terms and people, I want to make clear that these are to be interpreted only within context of the fictitious characters and events. Any attempt to interpret them as general views of author in real life is again an exaggeration. Author has deep respect for all faiths that value mutual acceptance - where the Paradise has someone reciting Hanuman Chalisa next to someone offering Namaz besides someone singing Jingle Bells.

Let me repeat. Love Jihad is real.

Anushka : College girl, beautiful, 18

Aamir : Anushkas boyfriend, 22

Deepika : Anushkas sister, 16

Mr Gupta : Anushkas father, 45

Mrs Gupta : Anushkas mother, 41

Dadi Maa : Anushkas grandmother

Chachi : Anushkas aunt, widow of Mr Guptas younger brother who died in an accident, 37, lives with Guptas, later became Sabina

Sushant : Only boy in Chachis life, her son, 10

Fakir : Ajmer Shrines famous miraculous fakir

Saif : Aamirs cousin, Deepikas lover

Man / Caller : Unknown person bothering Anushka on phone

Anushka had vomited twice in last ten minutes. She was cooking Chicken-Biryani for the first time. Will he like it? Are salt and pepper ok? Oh, God! She rushed to the washroom to vomit for the third time. It was not easy for someone who had never touched a chicken.

Aamir was coming over dinner. Mrs and Mr Gupta had left for Amritsar this morning for nieces marriage. Anushka and Deepika got delayed by a day due to latters college. They would be leaving by the train next morning. Chachi would have to skip the marriage because of Sushants exam.

Anushka was admiring herself in the mirror. I am sexy. Let me adjust the top a bit. The size is made just for me. Completely decent family dress and a slight tilt ahead to attract my love. I could have attracted anybody. But Aamir is different. He is naughty but decent. He loves me, not my body. He deserves to look inside. He is mine.

The phone rang. Oh, God! Think of my love, and here he calls! Naught boy always comes to know when I am thinking dirty.

She accepted the call immediately. Her right hand was still adjusting the top. She realized a split-second later that it was an unknown number.

A heavy baritone voice.

Caller : Your life is in danger.

Anushka : Who is this?

She switched the phone to another hand.

Caller : That is not important. You are trapped.

Anushka : How?

Caller : You are in love with a wrong man.

Anushka : What do you mean?

Caller : He will convert you. And then probably sell you.

Anushka : Oh shut up, you rascal. I will call the police. Dont call me again. Who told you I am going to convert? And where will anyone sell me? Online? Are you mad?

Caller : You love Aamir. Dont you? You will marry him. Wont you? What will happen then? Will Aamir accept you as you are today?

Anushka : None of your business. I am going to the police. You are harassing me. You, fanatic religious bigots, bring religion in everything. Love is above religions, moron. Never call me again.

Caller : If love is above religion, why is love above your religion but not his? Why are you changing your religion and he is not changing his?

Anushka : Get lost. Stop stalking me.

She disconnected the call. The call made her uncomfortable.

But this had happened earlier as well. She knew people are jealous. She is hot and a Hindu. Aamir is handsome and a Muslim. There are many reasons for people to be heart-broken.

Forget it. How about putting those ear-rings for the evening! Let me see if Aamir notices them. She started admiring herself in the mirror again.

It's already 8. Let me hurry up.

Aamir burped after having best chicken-biryani of his life. He went to the kitchen to thank his love. He hugged Anushka from behind who was cleaning the slab. He started kissing her. His hands were all over her. Oh no not now, She said while pushing him reluctantly. Deepika is home, Chachi and Sushant are upstairs too.

Oh come on! Saali aadhi gharvaali hoti hai (sister-in-law is half wife), whispered Aamir in her ears!

Both laughed.

Deepika, called Anushka.

Yes, Didi, she replied.

Go get some ration for the kitchen. Flour, sugar, salt, Jeera and juice are finished. What will we have for lunch when we come back from marriage next week?

Ok, Didi, Deepika said.

Deepika left for the supermarket. The lovers smiled looking at the container of flour. It was full.

Aamir : The earrings are awesome.

Anushka : Glad that you noticed. I thought you noticed only Biryani. You were talking only about Biryanis.

Aamir : Darling, people were around. I noticed not just the ear-rings but also your dress.

Anushka : I am looking good, na.

Aamir : You are gorgeous. And when you bent twice to serve Biryani, I saw something more.

Anushka : What?

Aamir : Let me see again.

Aamir laughed.

Anushka : Dirty boy. Dont you feel ashamed?

Aamir : Dont pretend now. OK? You wore that top for me. I know you. In fact, I ate so much only to get more servings from you.

Anushka : Shameless. Was biryani not tasty?

Aamir : Of course, it was the best biryani of my life. But my chick is even better. Can I see a bit more?

Aamir turned her to face her back and brought his hands towards her neck.

Anushka (pushing him with her elbow, and laughing): You are becoming a bad boy.

Aamir : Ouch. It hurts. I just wanted to give you a gift. Look baby, see what I have for you!

Anushka : Sorry, What is it?

Aamir : Close your eyes first!

Anushka : Nothing naughty? Promise?

Aamir : Promise.

Anushka : (closed her eyes)

Aamir : (took out the diamond pendant, put it around her neck gently) Now open your eyes.

Anushka : (Seeing herself in the mirror, Aamir had hugged her from behind) Oh baby, this is so beautiful! You are the best lover. Umm (kissed him on cheeks).