Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience 

Chapter Eighteen

It has been a month and half since Shaurya and Anokhi returned from Patiala. During this time a lot has changed between them. They have come closer than before and started enjoying their life with each other.

This one and half month actually felt like their newly wed phrase. Literally their day starts and ends with each other. On weekdays, they would be busy with their career commitments but on weekends they make sure to spend time each other and go out to dinner and movies.

Although they are physically intimate, they have decided to stick their intimacy to a certain limit. Anokhi is still studying and Shaurya hasn't confessed his feeling yet. So, they don't want to rush and enjoying the new found feelings they are experiencing.

But they have become intimate in emotional level. In these days, Shaurya has learnt a lot about Anokhi and her relationship with her family and also about how his mother supported Anokhi. He could understand the situations in which Anokhi grew up. He also regretted the way he treated Anokhi unfairly when she came to SIAC for admission.

Anokhi has learnt a lot about Shaurya too. Even though they have stayed married for six months, in this one month they learnt a lot about each other's like, dislikes, dream, passion, wishes, etc. than before.

But it doesn't mean Shaurya and Anokhi are abnormal couple who doesn't fight. They do fight now and then but made sure to patch up in time. Shaurya's personality didn't completely change although he has changed himself a lot over the time. He didn't change himself on Anokhi's words but he himself wanted to be better for her.

Shaurya still had his anger issues which pisses off Anokhi at times but what surprised Shaurya was Anokhi's angry side when they get into any argument. The girl doesn't stop once she's on and to be honest, he was impressed by the fire dancing in her eyes. They both agreed to work on their anger issues and heal with time.

Now-a-days when Anokhi hear people passing comments on her and Shaurya's relationship at college, it didn't affect her like it did before. Rather she brushes it off with an indifferent smile. Even Bebo and Kitty stopped annoying her. Anokhi was surprised but thankful at the same time.

Anokhi was busy with the prelims and consecutive tests while Shaurya had to manage his first- and second-year classes and also handle his director duties. They were busy but made sure to spend at least half an hour a day together, putting their stress at the back of their mind and enjoying each other's presence.

Devi visited them twice a week. Anokhi could see a change in Devi. Her tone was gentle and her words less assertive towards Anokhi. Devi would wait for Shaurya if he comes home late and only go after having a few words with him and even tried to build conversation with Anokhi in the mid time, surprising her.

At first Anokhi was hesitant but Devi spoke about Shaurya in such a tender way that Anokhi ends up listening to Devi. If Anokhi's not wrong then she even noticed that Devi has become quite weak physically. Staying away from Shaurya has had its effect on her.

Other than Devi, Shaan, Gayatri and Kanchan comes to visit Shaurya and Anokhi at the apartment. Shaan joins them for Dinner at least once a week. His and Shaurya's relationship is better than before. The rest would meet Shaurya at the college. Thankfully none of them asked the reason for him moving out of Sabherwal mansion.

Shaurya, as much as he wanted to hate his Badi maa, couldn't. He did speak with her whenever she visited him but kept his emotional distance. At the same time, he started to accept the truth slowly. On some sleepless nights, he would read the letters his mother sent him and cry to himself, thinking about the lost time.

On some nights, he would wish how things were different and on others, he couldn't think beyond the stage of how he lived without his parents. Deep down Shaurya wanted to confront both his Badi maa and mother. He wanted to scream at them, question them, accuse them, even broke down in front of them to let whatever that's in his mind. But he couldn't find it in him yet but he's closer.

Although Shaurya doesn't voice out, Anokhi could understand that Shaurya's missing both his Badi maa and mother. After every Devi's visit Shaurya would go to balcony and spend some time alone in silence. On some mornings, Anokhi would find Shaurya sleeping on the couch with the letter box by his side. She could figure out that he has started reading the letters and she was glad that he's slowly accepting the truth.

It was one Thursday evening when a tired Shaurya walked inside the apartment. He came back straight from SIAC, Patiala. For the past one week he had to travel back and forth to Patiala campus as he had to handle an issue there. Shaurya found Anokhi sitting on the couch in the living room, immersed in her mobile.

"Good evening" Shaurya said announcing his presence as he stood behind Anokhi.

"Aap aa gaye" Anokhi looked up on hearing Shaurya's voice with a smile. Shaurya leaned in and placed a kiss on Anokhi's temple and settled on the couch next to Anokhi. (You came)

"Haan" Shaurya said putting his car keys and wallet on the coffee table.

"What took you so long? You said you'll be here by 8:30. It's nearly 10 now" Anokhi asked keeping her mobile down.

"It took time for the meeting to end, Anokhi aur" Shaurya said as he laid down on the couch, placed his head comfortably on Anokhi's lap and looked up at her "raaste mein traffic bhi tha" (And there was traffic on the way home)

"Accha. Dinner serve karu?" Anokhi asked as she caressed Shaurya's hair and smiled seeing him relax under her touch. (Oh. Shall I serve you dinner?)

"Dinner karke aaya hoon. You had your dinner?" Shaurya asked pulling Anokhi's cheek lovingly. (I already had dinner)

"Yeah, I had. I miss having dinner with you though. You have been so busy this week that we couldn't spend much time with each other" Anokhi pouted as she grabbed Shaurya's hand on her cheek and placed a kiss on his hand "I miss you, Shaurya"

"I miss you too, Anokhi. I know we are not spending much of time together but I'll make it up to you this Sunday"

"Really?" Anokhi asked excited and then her face fell the next moment "Aur kitne din Patiala mein kaam hai? You were running between Chandigarh and Patiala throughout the week that you look so tired. I don't want you to stress y-" (How many more days you have work at Patiala?)

Anokhi has noticed how tired Shaurya is these days and she didn't want to tire him out more.

"I'll wind up my work in Patiala tomorrow, Anokhi. After that I'm free. I'll take rest on Saturday and we'll go out on Sunday, teek hai?" Shaurya said as he caressed Anokhi's cheek with his thumb with a smile. (Is that okay?)

"Teek hai" Anokhi nodded with a smile and added in an excited tone "Phir toh hum Ludhiana chalenge" (Okay. We'll go to Ludhiana then)

"Ludhiana?" Shaurya asked "Why Ludhiana all a sudden? Kuch kaam hai kya?" (You have any work at Ludhiana?)

"Kyun? Bina kaam ke hum Ludhiana nahi ja sakthey kya?" Anokhi pursed her lips together, faking anger. (Why? Can't we go to Ludhiana without any work?)

"Hareey, aese nahi Anokhi. Dho gante lagenge toh-" (Nothing like that. Its two hours aw-)

"Shaurya pleasseeee" Anokhi didn't stop until Shaurya agreed.

"Accha, accha hum Ludhiana chalenge. Ab bas bhi karo, Anokhi" Shaurya said rolling his eyes at her antics before breaking into a smile. (Okay, okay, we'll go to Ludhiana. Now stop, Anokhi)

"Sacchi?" Anokhi asked excitedly. (Really?)

"Stamp paper pe likh ke dhoon?" Shaurya said with an eyebrow raised while a big smile broke out in Anokhi's face. (Do I have to write it on stamp paper?)

"Thankk you" Anokhi said bending down and placing a kiss on Shaurya's cheek.

"Sirf ek cheek pe?" Shaurya asked putting on an innocent look. (Only on cheeks?)

Anokhi laughed at his antics, bent down and placed a wet kiss on his other cheek.

"Ab khush?" Anokhi asked pinching Shaurya's nose as she laughed. (Happy now?)

"Sirf cheeks pe kaise chalega, Anokhi?" Shaurya said, blinking his eyes innocently while biting back his smile. (How come I get kiss only on cheeks, Anokhi?)

"Haww aur kya chahiyeh professor saab ko?" Anokhi asked teasingly as she traced her index finger from Shaurya's temple to his nose before pulling her finger back. (Haww what else Mr. Professor need?)

"Nasdeek aayiyeh Madam Sahiba. Bathatha hoon" Shaurya said grabbing Anokhi's neck and made her lean down towards his face. (Come closer, Madam Sahiba. Will say)

Anokhi gripped Shaurya's hand as she leaned in and delicately brushed her nose against Shaurya's before placing her lips on his hungry ones. Her lips moulded against his as they kissed each other in equal fervor, pouring their feelings into the kiss. Their lips broke apart when they were out of air. Anokhi pecked Shaurya's lips one last time before sitting straight.

"Ab khush?" Anokhi asked a little out of breath with a smile. (Happy now?)

Shaurya nodded with a wide grin. Anokhi stared down at him and smiled at his antics, her eyes fixed on his lips before moving up to meet his eyes. Shaurya noticed her gaze and rubbed his lips with his thumb as he winked at Anokhi, making her blush for getting caught.

Anokhi averted her gaze with a smile and looked at the wall clock. It was around 10:30. She have to get everything ready for the next day before going to bed. So, she decided to get on with her work.

"Accha ab utiyeh na" Anokhi said tracing her fingers along Shaurya's face as Shaurya played with her hair "Jaldi kaam karke mujhe sona bhi hai" (Okay, now get up. I have to sleep after finishing all works)

"Thodi dher sone dhey, Anokhi" On hearing her words, Shaurya said closing his eyes while a small smile played in his lips. He has no intention of getting up from her lap. (Let me sleep for a while, Anokhi)

"Hareey utiyeh toh sahi. Mereko kaam hai" Anokhi said trying to wake up Shaurya but Shaurya surprised her by shifting on his space and wrapped his arms around Anokhi and buried his face into her stomach. (Get up. I have work)

"Shaurya!" Anokhi exclaimed, taken aback by his sudden action. His hot breath near her tummy gave her a ticklish sensation "Aap kya kar rahe hain? Chodiyeh na" (What are you doing? Leave me)

"Mein ne kaha na, thodi dher sone dhey" Shaurya leaned his head back a little and replied Anokhi before going back to the same position "Its warm and comfortable. Mujhe nahi utna" (I said na, let me sleep for a whille... I don't want to get up)

"Par mujhe gudgudee ho ri hai, Shaurya" Anokhi complained as she patted on Shaurya's back "Chodiyeh na". (But I'm feeling ticklish. Leave me)

"Gudgudee ho ri hai kya tumhe?" Shaurya leaned his head back again and looked at Anokhi, this time with a naughty smile. (Are you feeling ticklish?)

"Shaurya! Aap soch na bhi math!" Anokhi warned Shaurya on looking at his smile. She knows that smile. Now he won't leave her for sure. She mentally face-palmed herself for giving him the idea now. (Don't even tthink!)

Shaurya was neither in the mood to listen nor in the mood to release Anokhi. His eyes twinkled in mischief, devoid of all tiredness as he lifted Anokhi's t-shirt without any warning and started blowing his hot breath on her stomach before giving her continuous wet kisses all over her stomach, making Anokhi gasp and laugh out while her body tingle in excitement and eyes close in the momentary pleasure.

Shaurya smiled against her stomach as he heard her gasp. He gave her a one final kiss before starting to tickle Anokhi's sides making her giggle. She couldn't jump out from her seat as Shaurya had his head on her lap, holding her in her place as he continued tickling her.

"Shaurya, stop!" Anokhi laughed out as Shaurya continued to tickle her.

"Gudgudee ho ri hai kya" Shaurya said laughing at Anokhi's state. (I'm feeling ticklish)

Shaurya sat up, without breaking his arms contact from her sides, tickling her. Anokhi, taking this as a chance tried to run away but Shaurya pulled her back, tickling her waist.

"Shau... hahaha... cho...chodiyeh" (leave me)

Anokhi has somehow managed to get free from Shaurya and ran to the other side of living room, a big smile dancing on her lips as she breathed hard from laughing hard. She thought she was safe but Shaurya chased her behind, making her shriek in laughter and run towards their room. Shaurya chased behind Anokhi into their room and closed the door behind him as their room filled with laughter.

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Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoy reading the chapter. Do let me know what you think of the story. Do vote and comment. Your response is what pushes me to write more. Do watch SAAKK on TV. Stay home, Stay safe.

Thank you.

Nan ~