Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience

Chapter Fifteen

Tej Sabherwal was reading a file when Alok walked inside his study room.

"Bhaisaab Patiala mein jo problem tha, voh teek hua kya?" Alok enquired. (Brother, is the problem at Patiala got sorted or not?)

"Haan hogaya. Shaurya waha tha, us ne sambhal liya situation ko" Tej said, looking up at Alok. (Yeah. Shaurya was there and he has managed the situation)

On hearing Shaurya's name, Alok's face fell. Tej noticed that.

"Accha. Waha toh Shaurya ne sambhal diya par ghar mein koun sambhalega Bhaisaab?" Alok spoke his heart. (Oh. Shaurya has managed the situation there but who will manage things at home?)

"Kya kehna chathe ho, Alok?" Tej asked putting down the file to focus on his younger brother. (What do you want to say, Alok?)

"Shaan bhaisaab aaj kal yehan thodi rehthey. Kuch bahana dhoondhke Kapurthala ja rahe hain. Shaurya ne toh ghar chod ke chala gaya" Alok said, sitting in the chair "Is bath pe ghar mein koyi bhi khush nahi hai. Aap ko patha hai na ki Bhabhi ji ki halaath kaise hai, ghar mein sab ki halaat kaisa hai. Sab Shaurya ko miss kar rahe hain. Shaurya humhare parivaar ke voh hissa hai jo hum sab ko judhe raka tha... Yehan tak k-" Alok spoke everything at once. (Shaan brother doesn't stay here these days. He finds reason to go to Kapurthala. Shaurya has left our house. No one's happy with it. You know about Bhabhi and everyone else's condition right. Everyone misses Shaurya. He's that part of this house that keeps all together... To that ex-)

"Alok, bas. Shanth ho jao pehle" Tej cut Alok in middle "Mujhe patha hai ghar mein kya chal raha hai aur Devi ki halaath bhi kya hai. Par is bath pe mein kya kar saktha hoon, bolo? Shaurya ne apna decision le liya aur humhe yeh tak patha nahi ki kyun ghar chod ke gaya hai usne" (Alok, stop. Calm down first. I know what's going on in this house and what's Devi's condition. But what can I do? Shaurya has decided and we don't even know why he left in the first place)

"Jo bhi waja ho Bhaisaab, voh humhare ghar ka beta hai, humhare! Mujhe bardaash nahi hotha ki voh humse dhur hai" (Whatever the reason might me, brother. He is our son, our. I can't stand that he is away from us)

Alok was disappointed with Shaurya's absence. He has his complaints with Shaurya but in the end, he was also the one who raised Shaurya as his own from childhood. When his Shaan Bhaisaab would be drunk all the time, he was the one who taught Shaurya how to play soccer and cricket. Not just him, everyone's attached with Shaurya and his absence is affecting each and every Sabherwal.

"Tujhe kya lagtha hai ki mujhe dhuk nahi hai us ke jaane mein? Dhuk toh mujhe bhi hai, Alok" Tej said in a deep tone "Likin usse zabardasthi thodi kar sakthe hum. Humhara hi beta hai, Alok. Humhare paas jaldi aayega" (What do you think? That I'm not hurt. I'm hurt too, Alok. But we can't force him. He's our son, Alok. He'll come back to us soon)

Tej spent few more minutes comforting Alok and Alok left the cabin with heavy heart. Though Tej has comforted Alok, he was disturbed. He saw Shaurya like his own son. On that day he has asked Shaurya to leave because he didn't want Shaurya to go against his own family and didn't want his authority questioned.

But today he's contemplating if he made a right decision or not. Devi has locked herself up in her room. She has grown silent now. She would ask about Shaurya to him and Alok. Other than that, she wouldn't speak much. She's suffering and Tej knows that but he felt helpless that he couldn't do anything about that. He just witnessed a disappointed Alok. Tej heaved a sigh in frustration.

'Rab jaldh se sab teek ho' He thought as he stood up and walked out of his cabin, leaving his work unfinished. (God, make everything good soon)

~ * ~

Shaurya's eyes were fixed at Anokhi who was standing on the stage along with Nisha and her friends, laughing her heart out. He couldn't take his eyes off her. The saree, mangalsutra, sindoor and her braided hair has given Anokhi a mature outlook, a beauty which Shaurya's eyes couldn't get enough. His eyes held admiration for her as well as his lips.

Shaurya still couldn't believe that Anokhi is in his life, by his side, supporting him in whatever he does. After the whole drama and past baggage that he carries around, he thought she would back off from him. But he was so wrong. Rather she stood by him, comforted him, supported him and cared him.

Anokhi may be young in age but she showed a great degree of maturity in their relationship. Be it in Sabherwal mansion or college or in handling him, she dealt things in a way no girl in her age would do. Shaurya was amazed at Anokhi's fighting spirit from day one. He grew to admire her spirit more as each day passed. She's beautiful inside out and he must admit it to himself that he's lucky to have her in his life.

A little girl came in front of Shaurya with a rose in her hand and tugged his pant. Shaurya's trance broke and he looked down at the little girl who's smiling at him.

"Hello there" Shaurya said with a smile.

"Hello" The little girl replied with a big smile.

"Aap ka naam kya hai?" (What's your name?)

"Dolly" The little girl replied in a cute tone "Aap ka naam kya hai?" (What's your name?)

"Shaurya" Shaurya pulled her cheeks lovingly. He fished out a chocolate from his pocket and extended it to Dolly "Yeh lo, tumhare liye" (Here, for you)

Shaurya loves kids, be it a boy or girl, doesn't matter. But he's not that great in handling kids though. The little girl in front of him kept looking at him with different emotions. She smiles at one moment, goes silent the next and giggle the next moment.

Shaurya's mind goes back to Anokhi and her changing reactions, a smile tugged his heart at that thought. Shaurya realized one thing. The innocence he saw in Dolly's smile is what he's seeing every day in Anokhi's and that thought warmed his heart. Shaking out of his thoughts, he focused on Dolly who's contemplating whether to take chocolate from Shaurya or not.

"Thank you, Shaurya bhaiya" Dolly thought for a second before taking the chocolate from Shaurya "Aap acche ho. I like you. Friends?" (you're nice)

Shaurya looked at the little girl's extended hand. He pretended to think as if he's considering her proposal while Dolly looked at him with curious eyes. Shaurya's face broke into a smile as he joined hands with Dolly.

"Friends" Shaurya spoke in the same tone as Dolly which earned him a giggle from her "Ab bolo, kya chahiyeh aap ko Dolly?" (Now say, what do you want Dolly?)

Dolly gestured Shaurya to come closer and extended the red rose she brought along with her to him.

"Yeh aap ke liye Shaurya bhaiya" Dolly extended the rose towards Shaurya who smiled at the gesture of the little girl. (This is for you, Shaurya bhaiya)

"Mere liye?" (For me?)

"Haan, for you" Dolly gave him a giggling smile.

"Thank you" Shaurya accepted the rose happily. He ruffled the little girl's hair lovingly, earning another giggle from her.

"Come here. I have something for you too" Shaurya leaned in and was about to kiss Dolly's cheek to express his thank you when Dolly stopped him.

"No, no, no. Not on this side" Dolly said, hiding her right cheek with her hand and turned her left cheek towards Shaurya "Yehan pe" (Here)

Shaurya looked at Dolly, confused by her actions.

"But why not on that side?"

"Because that didi kissed me on the right before asking me to give you the rose"

Dolly blurted out. When she realized what she said, she covered her mouth with her little hands and looked at Shaurya with wide eyes as if she got caught while stealing cookies.

"Which didi asked you to give you rose to me?" Shaurya raised his eye brow at Dolly.

"I can't tell you that" Dolly shook her head.

"Dolly, you said we are friends na and friends don't hide things from each other"

"But-"

"You can't break friendships' rule. If you do then we can't be friends anymore"

Shaurya faked a sad look. He studied Dolly's expression. She looked conflicted, too confused, contemplating whether to tell who it was or not. Shaurya had to keep his laughter in check seeing the little one's expressions.

"Accha, I'll tell you" Dolly finally said. She gestured Shaurya to come closer and whispered to him "But don't tell anyone that I told you"

"I swear I won't" Shaurya whispered back.

"Look at that Didi on the stage in Saree. She asked me to give you this rose"

Shaurya looked at the direction where Dolly pointed and instantly a smile blossomed on his face. In the group of girls dressed in heavy lehenga, Shaurya's eyes rested on Anokhi who stood out from the rest, the saree complimenting her well.

"Are you sure she's the one?" Shaurya asked again. Dolly looked back at Anokhi and faced Shaurya.

"Yes" Dolly nodded with enthusiasm.

Shaurya's face broke out into a full smile. He didn't know why but this gesture of Anokhi gave him strange sensations, strange but good. She sent a little girl to give him flower? His gaze shifted to Anokhi before looked down at Dolly.

Shaurya's mind has plotted his next move. If Anokhi has took an effort to give him something, how can Shaurya resist himself from returning the favour? He was thrilled by the very thought of what he wanted to give Anokhi but he hesitated to give it on his own. So, he decided to take Dolly's help.

"Dolly, can you help me this time?" Shaurya asked Dolly with a grin.

~ * ~

Anokhi was teasing Nisha along with Nisha's friends who were friendly towards Anokhi. So, she perfectly fitted in. Anokhi felt as if someone's watching her for a long time. She looked around from the corner of her eyes and her suspicion proved right when she noticed Shaurya staring at her.

Anokhi felt a giddy sensation as she could notice the way he was staring at her, a smile on his lips and admiration in his eyes. A blush crept on her cheeks, the very knowledge of Shaurya staring at her made her feel elated.

Anokhi's eyes fell on a small group of children playing by the stage side. Just then Nisha's mother gave red roses to everyone in the girl gang. Anokhi received one too. She shifted her attention back to Shaurya who was busy with a call.

Anokhi's gaze fell on the kids again, admiring the way they played around without a care. Suddenly an idea crept in her mind. She called a little girl aside named Dolly and made friends with her.

Anokhi then gave Dolly her rose and asked her to give it to Shaurya by pointing at him. When Dolly replied in such a cute way that she'll deliver Anokhi's rose to Shaurya, Anokhi couldn't resist placing a kiss at the little one's cheek. She wished Dolly luck and sent her off.

Anokhi then got busy with helping Nisha doing a ritual with Ahir's mother. When she was done, she and Nisha's friend resumed to tease Nisha. Anokhi felt a tug and looked down.

"Dolly" Anokhi said bending down up to Dolly's level "Aap ne meri kaam kardiya?" (Dolly, did you do my work?)

Dolly nodded enthusiastically.

"Waah meri jaan. Thank you" Anokhi ruffled Dolly's hair and asked her in curiosity "Kya kaha unhonhe aap ko?" (Wow, my dear. Thank you. What did he say?)

"Unhonhe" Dolly said gesturing Anokhi to come closer "Aap ko yeh dhene ke liye kaha" (He asked me to give you this)

With that Dolly pulled Anokhi closer and planted a kiss against Anokhi's cheek and ran away from there, giggling to herself. Anokhi was surprised by Dolly's actions, instinctively her gaze shifted towards Shaurya who stared at her with a grin. Anokhi's eyes widen as she met with Shaurya's brown orbs. She averted her gaze instantly, a blush crept on her cheeks.

'Unhonhe mujhe dene ke liye kaha?' The very thought excited Anokhi, her whole body tingled with excitement 'Does that mean he wants to kiss... me?' (He asked to give me this?)

Anokhi blushed crimson with the thought, her mind filling with the images of her steamy dream. She shook her head in disbelief.

'Nikki! Aaj kal tu aur teri kayaal tharki bante kyun ja rahe hain' Anokhi chided herself in mind but can't fight the shy smile that crept on her lips. (Nikki these days you and your thoughts are becoming more and more thark)

Anokhi dared to look up and found Shaurya smirking at her. She tried to hold his gaze but gasped when Shaurya winked at her. A shy smiling bloomed on her face as she averted her gaze; her heartbeat quickens. Did Shaurya just do that? She felt as if she's dreaming.

Anokhi stood up immediately and turned around, trying to control the burst of emotions within her. She can't believe that she got caught red handed by Shaurya. Surprisingly she didn't panic. Rather she felt a giddy feeling at the pit of her stomach, an excitement that Shaurya has acknowledged her gesture and the way he's reacting to her.

'Yeh kya ho raha hai mere sath?' Anokhi thought to herself as she placed her hand on her heart, trying to calm herself. (What's happening with me?)

Shaurya, who was on a full mood to tease Anokhi, arched his neck to get a better view of Anokhi who has turned her back towards him.

"Kisse dekh rahe ho, professor saab?" Ahir's voice caught Shaurya's attention. (Who are you looking at, Professor?)

"Ahir" Shaurya stood up on seeing Ahir "Kya bath hai? ACP toh aaj zyadha hi handsome lag rahe ho" (What's the matter? ACP is looking handsome today)

"Voh toh lagna hi tha Nisha ke liye. Uski choice ke hisaab se thayar hua hoon" Ahir said with a smile and continued "Waise professor saab, ab bhi takkar ke handsome lag rahe ho. Kya bath hai, aap ke boring suits ko leave de chuke ho kya?" (That's for Nisha. I have got ready according to her taste. You're looking equally handsome. What's the matter? You have given a day off for your boring suits?)

"My suits are not boring" Shaurya got defense while Ahir smiled at his reaction "Waise Anokhi ne choose kiya tha is dress ko" (Anokhi chose this dress)

Ahir started teasing Shaurya when It was Shaurya who should be teasing Ahir. Shaurya shook his head. He behaved unaffected by Ahir's teasing when in real he was feeling exactly opposite altogether inside, fighting back his smile.

"Kuch bhi bolthe rehthe ho. Yehan mujhe pareeshan karke reh jayega ya jaake sagaai bhi karega. Ja na yaar" Shaurya said trying to send Ahir to the stage. (Whatever. Will you stay here and trouble me or get engaged? Go)

"Mein toh jaa hi raha hoon. Aap bhi mere sath chaliyeh" Ahir asked Shaurya to accompany him. (I'm going. You come with me too)

"Mein wahan kya karungi? Tum jao" (what'll I do there? You go)

"Dekho, mera uthna friend nahi hai nor do I have any siblings. Waha Nisha ki side to dekh, kitney log hai. Anokhi bhi wahan hai. Mere sath aa jao aap" (See, I don't have much of friends or any siblings. See Nisha's side, there are lot of people at her side. Anokhi's also there. You come with me)

Ahir has managed to convince Shaurya and took him on the stage with him. He introduced Shaurya to his small group of friends. Butty was also there so Shaurya didn't feel left out.

With no time the engagement function started. Shaurya noticed Anokhi walking up the stage with a tray filled with petals. She gave it to Ahir's mother and stood by Butty, her eyes fixed on the ring exchanging ceremony. She had no idea that Shaurya's near her.

Shaurya tapped Butty's shoulder who looked at Shaurya. He eyed at Anokhi and gestured Butty to move aside. Butty got the hint and moved aside while Shaurya now stood by Anokhi's side.

Shaurya slowly leaned in towards Anokhi and whispered near her ear in a deep voice,

"Anokhi"

Startled, Anokhi looked up to find Shaurya staring down at her, a smile dancing on his lips.

"Aap?" Anokhi said, trying to fight the smile that's threatening to escape her lips but failed "Aap yehan kab aaye?" (You? When did you come?)

"Mein toh kabse yehan hoon. Tum toh nazar hi nahi aayi" Shaurya said while in real all he did during his time here was staring at her. (I was there all this time. I didn't see you)

"Haan voh mein Maa ki madath kar rahi thi to-" (Yeah, I was just helping Maa-)

"Aur mujhe akele bitakey chali gayi thi?" Shaurya cut her in middle. (And you made me sit alone and left?)

Anokhi's face fell instantly. She felt bad when Shaurya said that. They are in their friends' function, not a family function where they would be filled with familiar faces. Shaurya must have felt left out.

"Nahi" She looked up at Shaurya "Sorry, voh... I didn't mea-" (No. Sorry, I mean-)

"Relax! Mazak kar raha tha, Anokhi" Shaurya said noticing the way Anokhi reacted. (Relax. I was just kidding, Anokhi)

"Aap ko bhura laga?" Anokhi asked in a low tone. (You felt bad?)

"Nahii" Shaurya stressed the word holding her gaze in his "I was comfortable. Waise mujhe toh entertainment ki kami kaha thi?" (No. I was comfortable. I had no shortage for entertainment)

"Matlab?" Anokhi looked at him puzzled. (what do you mean?)

"Matlab ki I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I had a stunning view and kuch log mujhe flower bhi beje the" Shaurya said in a teasing tone and showed the rose to Anokhi who looked at the rose with a shy smile. (I mean that I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I had a stunning view and someone even sent me flower)

"Accha?" Anokhi tucked her strands behind her ear, trying to keep her nervousness in check. (Oh really?)

"Beautiful, na? I even returned that person with a thank you gift" Shaurya added, studying Anokhi's face which changed its hue listening to Shaurya's words. He loved the effect he has on Anokhi.

'God! She's beautiful' Shaurya thought to himself.

"Accha?" Anokhi managed to say. (Oh?)

Both knew who gave what and to whom but talked as if they are talking about someone else. Shaurya was not in the mood to back off. He loved the way his words affecting Anokhi. He was thrilled himself, exploring the new found feelings.

"Haan. Mein kudh aake de detha par..." Shaurya left the sentence in hanging while Anokhi's heartbeat quickens. (Yeah. I would have gave the person on my own but..)

"Par?" Anokhi asked with bathed breath, her mind started filling with various images of 'what if' (But?)

"Khud ko sambhal kaha patha hoon aaj kal" Shaurya leaned in, placed the rose in Anokhi's braided hair and moved back while Anokhi's breath hitched with Shaurya's words, her hand shot to her hair. (I doubt if I even have control over my actions these days)

"Yeh phool..." Anokhi trailed off, trying to fight off the blush on her face but failed terribly. (This flower...)

"Apni sahi jage pe hai" Shaurya concluded as he looked ahead with a content smile while Anokhi touched the flower and looked down with a shy smile. (Is at its right place)

~ * ~

After dinner, Butty took Shaurya with him to help Ahir's father while Anokhi just finished helping Ahir's mother. She stood at the corner of the party hall, her eyes searching for Shaurya. A group of girls stood by her side facing the opposite direction and talked among themselves loudly.

"Did you just see him? He's totally hot!"

"Haan yaar, kitna handsome lag raha hai voh" (Yeah, he's looking so handsome)

"He's looking smoking hot in Indian wear. Socho black suit pe kaisa hoga" (think how he would look in black suit)

"Look, his first two buttons of Kurta are open"

"The way he's holding his mobile, the way he's moving, OMG!"

Those girls are openly ogling at a guy. Anokhi shook her head in disbelief. She didn't mean to eavesdrop into their conversation but the girls were loud that she can't help but listen to their conversation, silently judging them.

'Dekho kaise bath kar rahe hain yeh log, Nikki. Thank god, Shaurya is not here' Anokhi thought as her eyes roamed around the party hall. (See how they are talking, Nikki. Thank god Shaurya is not here)

"Mein ne suna tha ki yeh professor hain" (I heard that he's a professor)

Anokhi's eyes widen when she heard a girl say the word 'Professor'. Her mind quickly connected the dots as she turned around. She saw the group of girls giggling among themselves. Her gaze followed theirs and landed on Shaurya who's busy with a phone call completely unaware of the attention he's getting from the girls.

Anokhi's mouth formed a perfect O as she stared at the girls openly ogling at her husband. She scoffed at the girls as a sense of irritation and anger filled her.

"Kuch dher mein dance shuru ho jayega. I'll ask him to dance with me for sure" (Dance will start shortly)

"Get in line, Dimpy. Mein pehle dance karungi us ke sath" (I'll dance with him first)

Anokhi gasped as she heard what the girls said. How can they ogle at her husband like this? Top of that, they are planning to dance with him? The girls' each and every sentence sparked anger and possessiveness inside her. Anokhi clenched her fist and stomped her feet in annoyance.

'You wish!' Anokhi thought as she stormed past the girl gang and rushed towards Shaurya.

Shaurya didn't notice Anokhi until she was in front of him, her face twisted in anger. Before he could make out what she's up to, Anokhi grabbed his arm and turned him to the other direction. Now Anokhi's facing the girl's side while Shaurya's back is towards them.

"Anokhi, kya hua?" Shaurya asked puzzled by Anokhi's behavior. (Anokhi, what happened?)

Anokhi didn't say anything and glared at the girls' gang for some good ten seconds, throwing daggers at them through her glare. Confused Shaurya's gaze followed Anokhi's and he realized that he's glaring at those girls. He turned back with a knowing smirk.

'Lagtha hai sherni possessive mode pe hai' He thought to himself. (Lioness is in possessive mode it seems)

"Kya kar rahe ho, Anokhi?" Shaurya asked again, disturbing Anokhi who was murdering the girls in her mind. (What are you doing, Anokhi?)

"Aap na chup hi khade rahiyeh" Anokhi chided Shaurya as her fingers found his kurta's button "Yeh kya hai? Ithna tak nahi patha ki button ko khule nahi chod the? Kya patha kiski nazar lag jaye" (You keep quiet and stand straight. What's this? You don't know that you shouldn't leave your buttons open? Who knows who might be looking at you)

Anokhi mumbled the last part to herself but Shaurya heard what she said.

"Kya kaha tum ne?" Shaurya asked with a small smile. (What did you say?)

"Mein ne kya kaha?" Anokhi looked up, playing with Shaurya's kurta's button "Ek toh mein aap ko dhoond rahi thi. Dekha toh voh log... kher chod diye" (what did I say? I was searching for you. When I found you, they were... leave it)

"Accha? Waise mujhe tum se kuch logon se milwana tha" Shaurya said biting back his smile. (Oh really? By the way I want to introduce you to those people)

"Kisse?" Anokhi looked up after buttoning up his kurta. (Who?)

"Un logon se" (They)

Shaurya moved to Anokhi's side and eyed at the girls' gang through his eyes. Anokhi followed Shaurya's gaze and found him pointing at the girls. She scoffed as she looked at the girls' gang and back at Shaurya.

"Yeh log?" Anokhi rolled her eyes at Shaurya in annoyance. (They?)

"Haan" Shaurya bit back his smile and started to move forward "Aao na, jaake milke aathey hain" (Yeah. Come, let's meet them)

"Par kyun?" Anokhi panicked as she holds Shaurya's arm stopping him from moving further "Mera matlab, un logon se kya bath karna" (But why? I mean, what will we talk with them?)

Anokhi remembered how they were ogling at Shaurya and making statements at Shaurya. No way in hell she would allow those girls near Shaurya. Never!

"Hareey, kab se mujhe bula rahe the un sab ne. Aao na, ek Hello hi to bolna hai" Shaurya tried to move again but Anokhi stopped him again. (They were calling me for a long time. Come na, let's say a hi)

'Nikki, kuch bhi ho jaye. Un he un ladkiyon ke paas jaane math dena' Anokhi told herself. (Nikki, whatever happens, don't let him near those girls)

"Aap meri bath suno-"Before she could say anything, an announcement to dance came "Suna, dance shuru hone wala hai. Mere sath chaliyeh" (You listen to me .. See dance is about to start too. You come with me)

Shaurya mentally laughed at the way Anokhi's reacting, her hand holding him possessively. To see her all riled up and her possessive avatar, all Shaurya wanted to do was to hug Anokhi. She looked so cute to him at that moment.

Shaurya let Anokhi drag him. How would he not when she was possessively pulling him towards her side? His eyes didn't miss the way Anokhi glared at those girls while walking past them. It's as if she's marking him as hers in front of the other girls. The very thought thrilled Shaurya.

Shaurya chuckled at Anokhi who was busy glaring at those girls and snaked his arm around her, earning a slight gasp from Anokhi. She looked at Shaurya, all trace of annoyance and anger left her face as she focused on Shaurya.

"You don't have to murder them with your eyes, Anokhi" Shaurya said in a deep voice bringing butterflies in Anokhi's stomach. He pulled her closer by her waist as they walked and added "Because my attention belongs only to my wife - you"

Anokhi couldn't fight of the small smile that crept on her face as she heard what Shaurya said, her heart raced with the excitement of her new found feelings. His one statement and close proximity has put her on high spirits.

Anokhi completely forget about the girls and their words. She tried to control her racing heart but that proved to be tough as his hand was on her waist, keeping her in place. Anokhi opened her mouth and then closed, no words came out of her mouth.

"Aese koyi bath nahi thi. I was just irritated as they were loud" She finally said, trying to calm herself. (Nothing like that)

"Whatever you say, mam" Shaurya replied with a smile while Anokhi mentally face-palmed herself.

As Shaurya and Anokhi reached the dance area, Ahir and Nisha were already dancing among few others. They joined the dance floor and danced to a peppy Punjabi song, enjoying themselves without a care in the world.

The hesitation, any form of holding back vanished as Shaurya and Anokhi danced, smile on their lips and happy glint in their eyes. The entire dance floor rocked with Punjabi dance. They had a great time.

Suddenly a slow song started to play and the dance floor filled with couples dancing to the slow number. Shaurya looked at Anokhi once and pulled her in a hug, taking her by surprise.

Shaurya trailed his hands down Anokhi's arms before taking her one hand in his while wrapping his other arm around her and placed his head comfortably on Anokhi's shoulder.

Anokhi stiffened before relaxing in Shaurya's embrace and mirrored his actions by wrapping her arms around Shaurya and placed her head against him as they both swayed to the soft music.

Their body was pressed against each other. Both were aware of their close proximity, their senses clouded with each other's presence and scent. Shaurya could feel Anokhi's nervousness through her body language while Anokhi could hear Shaurya's racing heartbeat.

Shaurya was experiencing too many emotions at once. More than desire, he felt loved in Anokhi's embrace, a warm feeling of home his heart longed for. His mind contemplated whether to let himself go in the moment and confess to her that he likes her or just enjoy the moment as it is.

Anokhi, on the other hand, tried to process all the alien emotions that burst within her. She felt helpless as she couldn't name what she felt at that moment, her throat running dry. Anokhi's mind went back to the time they got married. She sure felt a spark at that time but now her whole body's tingling with whatever she feels for Shaurya.

The instances where Shaurya tagged Anokhi as his wife, their endless banter in the couch at apartment, the way he stood up for her, pushing her to do better every time, his care when she chocked on Pani puri, the way he winked at her today, the way he looked at her while helping with the saree pleats, his 'my attention is only on my wife' and the way his touch made her feel every single time; all these images started playing in front of her eyes.

Why would she feel a sense of anger and possessiveness on seeing other girls ogling at Shaurya? Her steamy dream about them, the way she enjoys the attention Shaurya gives her, behaving like a husband and wife and roaming around, she questioned herself of how and why did she enjoyed all these?

Anokhi closed her eyes, overwhelmed with what she felt for Shaurya at that moment. It was too much for her. All she could think, feel and imagine was Shaurya. Her mind played the same question she asked herself yesterday. Is such a love equation possible between them?

A lone tear slipped out of Anokhi's eye as she surrendered herself to her heart, letting all her doubts and walls down. She felt as if she was possessed by an overpowering feeling – a feeling for which she's searching a name to put under.

In the darkness of her closed eyes, Anokhi could feel Shaurya, his racing heartbeat against her. As she focused on his heartbeat, her mind played back to her dream to the part where Shaurya utters the three magical words to Anokhi.

Anokhi gasps as she opened her eyes, realization and acceptance overpowering her whole senses. At that moment, she admitted to herself of what she used to speculate, something she didn't even dare to dream of.

Anokhi loves Shaurya.

'I love Shaurya' She admitted to herself for the first time, accepting it 'I love him'

Anokhi was dumbfounded with what she discovered about her feelings for Shaurya. He, on the other hand, was fighting within himself.

"Anokhi, ek bath bolu?" Shaurya finally broke the silence after a long pause. (Anokhi, shall I tell you something?)

"Hmmm?" Anokhi said absentmindedly, her mind's still trying to process her overwhelming emotions.

'Live in present, Shaurya' He told himself as he closed his eyes.

"Voh when I saw you today... I wa... I mean" Shaurya stammered as he tried to speak his heart.

Anokhi, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention to any of Shaurya's words. Rather she's lost in her own, trying to understand the depth of her word, to be precise, her thought.

"What I meant to say is that" Shaurya composed himself as he opened his eyes "You look beautiful today, Anokhi"

Normally Shaurya wouldn't get nervous to compliment Anokhi. That's something he could do naturally. But this time he was attempting to talk his heart but couldn't. So, even how she would respond to his compliment made him wait with bathed breath. But Shaurya was met with her silence. He grew anxious.

"Anokhi, tum ne kuch nahi kaha?" Shaurya asked, whispering in Anokhi's ear. (Anokhi, you didn't say anything?)

Anokhi finally got hold of the overwhelming feeling that drowned her. Her eyes moisten while her lips quivered as she tried to talk but nothing came out of her mouth. She closed her eyes and fought the lump that formed in her throat. Composing herself, she opened her eyes with racing heart.

"Shaurya" Anokhi said finally breaking her silence.

"Haan Anokhi. Tu-" (Yeah, Anokhi. You-)

Shaurya's words remained incomplete as Anokhi blurted out,

"I love you"

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. It was a Shakhilicious dayyy! I hope you all are watching the episode on TV right now. Please continue watching SAAKK on TV. Do let me know what you think of the story. 

Thank You.

Nan ~