So I kinda missed the timing with this one, but decided to post it today anyway, in reminiscence of the old MaAn moments :). This is a two shot comprising my take of the Dandiya night event (more in line with the show).

"Navratri ends soon", Anuj sighed walking over to his wardrobe, as he opened it and took out a packet. Unzipping the packing, he proceeded to take out the beautiful blue and green lehenga, his eyes taking on an endearing hue.

Smiling, he then walked towards his bed and settled down, as his fingers caressed the royal blue material in his hands. This was the first ever thing he had bought with his own money. Anupama had gotten married by then and yet as he had passed by a boutique, seeing the attire on display he had known that it was meant for her only and no one else. He had bought it then, well aware that all it was going to give him was heartache. And 24 years down the line, he was once again reveling in the feeling this dress had evoked in him, as he had done forever. The only difference was of a possibility that he dared not entertain but hoped for nonetheless.

'If only I could see Anupama dressed in this!'

Devika had been standing at the door for quite some time now, already informed of Anuj's peculiar yearly ode. She shook her head as he looked at the attire with a glum expression. Anu and Anuj, both were equally hopeless.

Luckily,they had her!

She dashed towards Anuj and before he could realize, she had effectively snatched the attire away.

"Wow! What a nice dress!" Devika exclaimed as Anuj got up after her, baffled.

"Devika?What brings you here? Anyway, give me the dress", Anuj asked as he extended his hands to take it back but Devika stepped back quickly.

"Nuh uh! I like this dress! And tomorrow is dandiya night too. I shall wear this".

"Listen, if it's a dress you want let's go shopping this instant but you cannot have that one so please—

He tried once more and Devika pouted this time, enjoying Anuj's discomfort. "For the first time in our 26 years of friendship, I'm asking you for something and you are denying me. Not fair!"

Anuj scratched his head as he looked at Devika. He could see that cheshire grin of hers emerging from behind the pout.

"Fine! I brought this dress for Anu. Now please?" He clarified and this time Devika returned the dress to him, rolling her eyes at forlorn look painting his face as he admired the dress.

"Are you stupid? Or are you stupid? If you brought this for Anu, you should give it to her, because you can! I mean what's the point of passing the looks to this material, you have a way better 'living material' to stare at!" Devika air quoted the two words meaningfully, making Anuj chuckle.

"Thank you for the advice, my single friend. I can give the dress to her, but I will not.Even if Anu were to accept this gift, the drama that would follow would end up souring her mood. I'd rather not have that so...NO!"

Devika gave him a defeated expression at that. His words were the truth. She could already imagine the racket those three self-appointed sanskar-pratishtha gurus would create if Anu were to wear something given by Anuj.

She looked at Anuj thoughtfully as he carefully folded the dress and packed it. She wanted to help. Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Devika scrounged her brain for ideas and suddenly the bulb lit up.

She clicked her fingers in glee, as a devilish grin found her lips. Ab aayega mazaa!

"Anuj, let's go shopping now. As promised, you better buy me a nice one!" Devika shouted while Anuj was putting the dress in wardrobe.

"Geez, ok!No need to scare my eardrums!" He replied, and soon Devika dragged him away,but not before giving a meaningful glance in the wardrobe's direction.

Dandiya night

Anuj stepped out of his Audi, filled with worry. He looked around the street, where colorful tapestries were decorating the walls while lights of various shades were hanging over his head. Even the alley was decorated this beautifully, he was sure the dandiya venue would be even more jubilant.

GK was already rushing past him and towards the venue.

"Never the one to worry!" Anuj chuckled as he sneakily glanced to his right, where Shah house was standing locked.

'So Anupama is already at the event'.

Anuj adjusted his collar and then looked down at his outfit. God! Didn't Devika drag him away yesterday to buy herself a dress, then why was it that he had to try 10 different outfits before finalizing this one! This festival-oozing bright red overcoat!

"Beautiful no doubt but I'm sure red never becomes me! Agh, I hope Anupama doesn't laugh at me", Anuj murmured self-conscious and then paused.

"Wait, even if she does...I won't mind it", He smiled then as he straightened his shoulders determined.

But then his face deflated again. "I hope Mr. Shah won't create another ruckus. I mean, yes Anu did invite me (out of propriety) of course, and I was going to refuse for the sake of our mental peace, but Devika had to force me to come here. And she ditched me at the last moment!"

Anuj grumbled, cursing Devika.

"Oh, well!Let's face the music!" Anuj let out a deep breath as he walked down the road towards the direction from where beats of music were coming.

Stepping inside the area under the tent, Anuj looked for familiar faces. First he saw, his 'mummy' already conversing animatedly with the other two teenagers. Then a bit to the left, he spotted Kinjal, Samar and Nandini. He decided to join the trio and was moving forward when someone called out from behind.

"Anuj!"

Anuj stilled and his brows furrowed comically. Was that Devika? Had to be! How dare she ditch him and then show up!!

Anuj turned on his heels determined to give her a piece of mind.

"Devika tu na bahot hi badi wa—

And the string of curses at the tip of his tongue was laid to an early grave. Devika was ready for the verbal assault when Anuj turned around but as his words died midway, she looked at him confused only to find him staring open mouthed behind her.

'Oh!' Devika smiled knowingly as she traced Anuj's line of sight to find the subject of his devotion, in deep conversation with the neighborhood woman, who had participated in the cooking contest.

Devika then looked back at Anuj. Oh, his reactions were priceless. His mouth was slightly open in a mixture of shock and surprise while his eyes were stuck.

No, his eyes were tracing Anupama from top to bottom, as he took in her form dressed in the lehenga choli he had bought for her.

Wow! The combo of blue, green and orange really suits her. His imaginations truly never did justice to the real thing.He could hardly move but his heart was surely going places in his rib cage.

She was looking absolutely divine,ethereal, stunning, heavenly, angelic, beautiful, gorgeous, graceful and se—

'—sexy', His train of thoughts halted as suddenly Anupama glanced in his direction and their eyes met.

Anuj gasped, as seeing her head on robbed him of his senses. And that nose ring had his heart.

Anupama had been chatting with the ladies when one of them had informed her of Anuj 'sir' looking their way. And as she had turned to look for him, her eyes found him instantly, and effectively froze.