Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience 

Chapter Ten

The next morning

Anokhi stirred in her sleep. When she tried to turn, she found something restraining her from moving. She groaned in annoyance as she opened her sleepy orbs. When she looked down to see what's holding her, she saw Shaurya's arm on her stomach, holding her down.

All trace of annoyance left Anokhi's face. Her eyes widen as she looked at Shaurya who is lying by her side on his front with his face towards her. Her breath quickens as she looked at him closer. He was sleeping peacefully yet his proximity affected her. His arm on her stomach not at all helping her racing heart.

Anokhi calmed her thumping heart and tried to lift his arm on her but Shaurya's grip around her was strong. Accepting her defeat, she looked at the sleeping face of Shaurya and can't help but think of how cute he is looking right now. In Sabherwal mansion, they do sleep in same bed but the bed there was spacious compared to the one in the apartment. So, this is the first time she felt they are sleeping next to each other.

Unaware to her, her hand made its way to Shaurya. She ruffled his hair lovingly and traced her fingers along his face features, a smile constantly adorning her face. She wouldn't have dared to do any of this if he was awake.

"When you are awake, you always make a Khadoos face par ab dekho" She adored him "Aap kitne cute lag rahe ho" (When you are awake, you always make Khadoos face but see, how cute you are looking)

She stared at his face for few seconds before an idea popped in her mind. She turned her head towards the side table by the bed. She reached out for her mobile.

"Hum dhono ne kabhi selfie hi nahi kichi" She talked to his sleeping form "Chalo koyi nahi, ab kich lethe hain" (We haven't took any selfie. No problem, let's take now)

She excitedly opened the camera and shifted herself comfortably in the bed with his arm still holding her in place. Anokhi was so focused in getting their faces in the frame that she has failed to notice that Shaurya has woke up and pretending to sleep. He woke up when Anokhi pulled his arm but he wanted to know what she would do. So, he pretended to sleep.

He wasn't expecting Anokhi to caress his face but when she did, he had to control his racing heart. When he heard her complimenting him, he wanted to open his eyes right away and tease her, which has become a recent hobby for him. But he wanted to know more so he kept pretending. When she said, she wanted to take selfie, he thought he'll let himself know.

"Kya kar rahe ho Anokhi?" (What are you doing, Anokhi?)

Shaurya's deep sleep voice startled Anokhi which resulted in her mobile falling flat on her face. Anokhi looked at Shaurya startled while he sat up and looked at her amused.

"Sir!" Anokhi looked at him with wide eyes as if she got caught while stealing.

"Kya kar rahi thi tum?" He asked with an eyebrow raised, biting back his smile. (What were you doing?)

"Sir, mein ... mein toh bas..." Anokhi was stammering. (Sir, I... I was just ...)

Shaurya couldn't control his laughter any longer. Her face expression kept changing. When he saw her giving a look like a little kid who got caught red handed for stealing a cookie, he laughed while Anokhi looked at him with a sheepish smile, not knowing what to do.

"Selfie lena hai?" He asked finally, controlling his smile while she looked at him alarmed. (You wanna take selfie?)

'Inhe kaise patha chal gaya' Anokhi thought 'What if he was awake the whole time? Omg! So embarrassing' (How did he got to know?)

"Seflie?" She tried to laugh it off nervously "Kya selfie, sir? Chaliye... we are getting late for college" (Selfie? What selfie? Come... We are getting late for college)

Anokhi changed the topic and was about to get off the bed when Shaurya pulled her towards him. She landed near him, her head against his chest. Surprised by the sudden move, Anokhi turned her head up and looked at Shaurya, who's looking down at her, with a playful smile playing on his lips.

Shaurya slid his hand against Anokhi's hand while they two stared into each other's eyes. He took Anokhi's mobile from her hand and opened the camera, breaking their eye lock. He wrapped his one arm around Anokhi, holding her against him while his other hand held her mobile, Anokhi's heart fluttered with Shaurya's actions, their proximity driving her heart crazy.

"Sir?" Anokhi's tone was soft as she looked at him.

"Hmmm" He said, adjusting the selfie angle "You can stare at me later, Anokhi. Ab yehan dekh" (Now look here)

Anokhi's cheek flushed as she looked forward. Shaurya noticed the effect he had on Anokhi, a smirk playing on his lips. The way she looks at him, the way she flushes at his proximity, the way she fits perfectly in his arms, everything feels right to Shaurya. He just enjoys teasing her.

"Smile" He said while looking at Anokhi and turned to face the camera. A shy smile blossomed on Anokhi's lips. She looked at Shaurya, who smiled wholeheartedly. She eased up and they took few more selfies.

"Achha bas bas" (Okay, enough) Anokhi finally found her voice "We are getting late, sir"

"Yeah. You take shower first" Shaurya looked at the wall clock and released his hold around Anokhi "Be quick, Anokhi"

Shaurya got down from the bed and walked out of the room with a smile on his lips while Anokhi sat in the bed, still thinking about the last few minutes, a smile constantly plastered on her lips. She then looked at the time and hurried out of the bed, getting ready for the day.

~ * ~

Anokhi and Shaurya were having their breakfast when the door bell rang. Wondering who it might be, Anokhi stood up, washed her hands and opened the door. She was taken aback to find Devi Sabherwal standing in all her glory.

"Koun hai Anokhi?" Shaurya called out from inside. (Who is that, Anokhi?)

Devi's face broke into a smile on hearing Shaurya's voice.

"Andhar nahi bulayegi mujhe?" Devi's gentle tone surprised Anokhi. Devi has never spoke to Anokhi with that tone. (You won't invite me inside?)

"Please andhar aayiyeh" (Please come in)

Anokhi moved aside to let Devi in. Shaurya, who was washing his hand in kitchen, came out and was shocked to see Devi standing in the living room. His eyes shifted from Devi to Anokhi and back at Devi.

"Shaurya beta" Devi walked to Shaurya's side with a warm smile "Kaise ho beta?" (How are you son?)

"Badi maa, aap?" Shaurya was rooted on his spot. He had no idea how to react. (Badi maa, you?)

"Tum ne toh move out kar diya hai Shaurya par how can I stay away from you?" She took Shaurya's hand in hers "I was restless ever since you left. Mann hi nahi laga kuch karne ka. Isliyeh socha ki tumhe dekhne aaon" (You have moved out, Shaurya but how can I stay away from you? I was restless ever since you left. I didn't had heart to do anything. That's why I thought of meeting you)

"Betiyeh na" Shaurya withdrew his hand from Devi's hold "Breakfast kijiyeh, badi ma" (Sit. Have breakfast, Badi maa)

Shaurya couldn't look at Devi's eyes. At one side he came to know about her bad deeds while in other side she is the one who dedicated 25 years of her life just to raise him. He should be hating her for what she did but he couldn't bring himself to hate her.

"Nahi beta, I already had my breakfast. Bas tum he dekhney hi aayi thi. Ab mein chalthi hoon Shaurya. You must be getting late" Devi said and turned towards Anokhi "Shaurya ka acche se kayaal rakhna, Anokhi" (No, I already had my breakfast. I just came to see you. Now I'll leave Shaurya. You must be getting late. Take care of Shaurya, Anokhi)

Anokhi was surprised to hear Devi speaking with her in a gentle tone. For the first time Anokhi saw the conflict Devi's going through. That restlessness which Devi tried to mask was obvious to Anokhi. Devi must be really missing Shaurya. If she can't take care of Shaurya, she believed Anokhi would. Anokhi now understood Devi's gentle behavior with her.

"Ji thaiji" Anokhi said. (Okay, Aunty)

Devi caressed Shaurya's hair lovingly, smiled at Anokhi and walked out of the apartment followed by Anokhi while Shaurya was rooted on his spot.

"Agar kuch cheez ki zaroorat ho toh batha dena. Shaurya ka acche se kayaal rakna, Anokhi. Make sure he has food on time and ask him to be home before 9. ..." (If you need anything, let me know. Take care of Shaurya, Anokhi....)

After a two-minute lecture on how to take care of Shaurya, Devi left from the apartment. Anokhi was dumbfounded by Devi's words. How can someone love a person so much yet destroy them?

Anokhi walked back into the apartment and saw Shaurya siting on the couch in the living room, his face buried in his palms. Anokhi heaved a sigh and walked towards him.

"Sir?" She called out, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Huh" Shaurya glanced up at a concerned Anokhi. He immediately masked up his feelings "We're getting late Anokhi. Let's leave"

Shaurya walked out before Anokhi could say anything. Anokhi followed him out of the apartment, lost in Devi's words.

~ * ~

Anokhi was on the way to her next class with Reema and Neha when the peon stopped her on the way. He informed her that someone's there to meet her and asked her to meet that person in the college lobby.

Anokhi thanked the peon, excused herself from her friends and went towards the lobby. She was pleasantly surprised by what she saw - ACP Ahir and Shaurya stood side by side, talking with each other.

"ACP Ahir" She rushed towards the duo.

"Hello Anokhi ji" Ahir greeted her with a side hug.

The notion between Ahir and Shaurya has changed over time. Now they are good friends although their Professor saab and Officer wala nhok jhok goes on. Shaurya smiled at Anokhi who smiled back at him.

"Mujhe chod ke aap dhono kya bath kar rahe the?" Anokhi asked with an eye brow raised. (What were you two talking without me?)

"Hum toh bas aese hi bath kar rahe the" Shaurya said. (We were just talking)

"Aur aap ka intezaar bhi kar rahe the, Anokhi ji" Ahir said with a smile "Now that you two are here, I would like to invite you two to my engagement function on Saturday" (And waiting for you Anokhi ji...)

"Engagement? Congrats Ahir" Shaurya congratulated Ahir.

"OMG! You and Nisha ji are getting engaged!" Anokhi was excited "Aakir unhone shadhi ke liye maan hi gayi" (Finally she has agreed)

Nisha is Ahir's girlfriend of three years. She works for an NGO. As a part of its project, Nisha had to work in Kapurthala. That is why Ahir accompanied Anokhi and Astha when Anokhi was adamant to quit SIAC and go back to Kapurthala. Ahir introduced Nisha to Anokhi on her fourth semester and they became good friends.

"Thankfully she did. Wedding date is not decided as of now but you two should come to engagement. Nisha wanted to come to invite you but she's winding up her work in Patiala"

"Is mein kya hai. Hum dhono zaroor ayenge. Hai na Shaurya sir?" Anokhi looked at Shaurya with excitement. (No big deal. We would come for sure. Is that right Shaurya sir?)

"Of course, aayenge" Shaurya assured Ahir.

The trio settled on the stone bench by the garden area and conversed. After a hearty conversation Ahir left while Shaurya and Anokhi sat on the stone bench talking about Ahir and Nisha.

"Accha sir, mujhe aap se ek bath puchni thi" (Sir I wanted to ask you something)

"Pucho" Shaurya sat facing Anokhi. (Ask)

"Actually, meri favorite hero ki film release hui hai" Anokhi started. (Actually, my favorite hero's film has released)

"And?" Shaurya closely read Anokhi's reaction. He can figure out that she's hesitating.

"And I really want to go"

"If you want to, then go. Mujhe permission lene ki zaroorath nahi hai Anokhi. Not just movies, kahi pe bhi agar jana hai toh ja sakthi ho. But before leaving just inform me" (If you want to go, then go. You don't need to get permission from me Anokhi. Not just movies, wherever you want to go, you can. But before leaving, just inform me)

"Harey I'm not asking you for permission to go to movie sir" Anokhi corrected him quickly "Mujhe bas yeh puchna hai ki ..." (I just wanted to ask that..)

"puchna hai ki?" Shaurya eyed at Anokhi. (Wanted to ask that?)

"Ki aap bhi mere sath movie dekhne chalenge?" Anokhi hesitated while asking. (Will you come with me to watch movie?)

Shaurya's straight face eased into a smile on hearing Anokhi's words.

"Bas ithni si bath puchne ke liye hesitate ho rahi thi?" Shaurya laughed while Anokhi relaxed. (You were hesitating for this little thing?)

"Iska matlab aap mere sath chalenge?" Anokhi asked excitedly. (Does it means you'll come along?)

Shaurya pretended to think.

"Harey bathayiyeh na Shaurya sir" Anokhi said, shaking Shaurya's arm making him smile. (Tell me Shaurya sir)

"You want me to come along?"

"Haan"

"Pakka?" Shaurya asked with a raised eye brow. (Are you sure?)

"Haan pakka" She played along.

"Toh meri ek condition hai. Chalega?" (Then I have a condition. Is that okay?)

Anokhi looked at Shaurya, puzzled by his words.

"Condition? Kaisa condition?" (what kind of condition?)

"If I tell you what's the condition is then you would have to accept it. Isliyeh soch lena haan bolne se pehle" Shaurya warned her. (So think before you speak)

Anokhi eyed at Shaurya suspiciously. She thought for a second and agreed.

"Accha teek hai. I'll accept. Ab bathayiyeh" (Okay, fine. I'll accept. Now say)

"Mera condition yahi hai ki tum na" He said leaning closer to Anokhi's ear "Mujhe sir math bulaya karo" (My condition is that you shouldn't call me sir)

Anokhi's heart quicken with Shaurya's proximity. She looked at him backing away from her and siting straight, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

"Agar sir nahi bulao toh kya bulao, sir?" Anokhi's tone indicated how much she was infected by Shaurya's closeness which brought a grin on Shaurya's face. (If not sir then what should I call you, sir?)

"That's up to you, Anokhi. But when I come home tonight, I expect an answer" Shaurya said standing up "You go to your class now. I have a meeting to attend"

Waving her a bye, Shaurya walked towards his office biting back the smile that threatened to dance on his lips while Anokhi sat on the stone bench, lost in Shaurya's words.

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Do let me know what you think of the chapter and the story. These are difficult times. Stay home, stay safe.

KV has tested positive. May he recovers soon. In the mean time, let's continue watching SAAKK on TV at 7pm and support our SAAKK team who are working hard for us.

Thank you.

Nan ~