In the beginning, Anupamaa reflects on the past. Anupamaa professes his feelings for her. He has been in love with her for 26 years, she claims. Samar inquires whether he is concerned that Bapuji will bless mummy and Anuj, as he is Mr Shah’s typical mean son. Anuj pulls over to the side of the road when he notices Anupamaa strolling down the street. He gets out of the car cautiously, assuming she’s discovered his confession by now. Anuj apologises to Anupamaa once more, saying that not informing her 26 years ago was his error, and not informing her family now is his worst fault, but loving her is not; she wonders why he is lowering his eyes if love is not bad. He stares her in the eyes and adds, “Anuj has loved Anupamaa for 26 years and will continue to do so as long as he lives.” Thank you for loving her so much, Anupamaa says. She wonders how someone can love someone for 26 years without ever seeing or meeting them; even though her love was one-sided, she received relationships and affection in return. His love is divine, just as Meera ji’s love for Kanhaji was divine; she knows she doesn’t deserve it, and it takes greatness for him to continue to love her for 26 years; his love is like a prayer, but she can’t love him back and can only give him friendship; he should not expect anything from her.
He claims that when he saw her as Vanraj’s wife, he lost hope and that his relationship with hope has since broken down; he claims that it used to hurt with each breath hiding her love in his heart for 26 years, but that he is breathing freely today after 26 years; she claims that the world will not understand his love, but her Kanhaji and she do. Their bond, he claims, is more than friendship but not love.