Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience 

Chapter Eleven

Shaurya got home early from college. He has wind up his work for the day. He knew he had placed a condition in front of Anokhi but that was just to tease her. He had already made up his mind to take her to movie and booked tickets too. Anokhi rarely asks him for something. How could he deny her wish? He had no idea why but he felt excited to take her out.

College ended by mid-afternoon for Anokhi. So, she left home with Malkan. She wanted to get groceries so she texted Shaurya and left to the super market. Shaurya walked inside the apartment while removing his coat. He had a glass of water and went inside their bedroom to fresh up. When Shaurya went to the wardrobe to take out his casual wear, his eyes fell on the crushed papers on the ground.

Out of curiosity, he bent down and picked the crushed paper in his hand. He opened the crushed paper and instantly a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

̶K̶a̶d̶o̶o̶s̶

̶A̶k̶d̶o̶o̶

̶̶M̶r̶.̶ ̶S̶a̶b̶h̶e̶r̶w̶a̶l̶

̶̶K̶a̶r̶e̶l̶a̶ ̶S̶a̶b̶h̶e̶r̶w̶a̶l̶ ̶ 🤪

̶B̶a̶b̶y̶ (This word was crossed multiple times but Shaurya managed to read, amusement dancing in his eyes)

There were a few more and Shaurya can't help but laugh out. Anokhi had a great brain storming session it seems. He flattened the crushed paper and placed it inside the wardrobe. After taking his clothes out, he had a shower and settled on the couch in the living room.

Shaurya was going through one of the students' assignment when Anokhi walked in with grocery bags. Few seconds latter Malkan came in with remaining bags. Anokhi thanked Malkan who greeted them both and left. She went inside the kitchen and placed the bags.

"Aap kab aaye?" Anokhi asked, emerging out from the kitchen. (When did you come?)

"Half an hour ago" Shaurya said while shifting his attention back to the assignment.

"Ithni jaldi?" (This early?)

"Haan, woh meetings sab jaldi katham ho gaye the" (Yeah, meeting got over soon)

Shaurya looked at Anokhi and back at the assignment. He knew she want to talk about going to movie and decided to enjoy how she'll open the topic. Anokhi looked at the time. It was nearly 6. She has to react fast.

Anokhi decided to get ready for the movie first and then talk to Shaurya. She let Shaurya to deal with his work and walked inside the bedroom. Shaurya looked up at her disappearing figure, shaking his head in disbelief.

'Mere sath ithni hesitate kyun hothi hai? Kab tak aese hi rahegi. Mujhe puch ne mein kya problem hai! She'll have to stop being hesitant with me. 7:15 ka showtime hai. Dekhtha hoon ki kya karthi hai' Shaurya thought to himself and shifted his focus back to the assignment. (Why's she being this hesitant with me? How long will she be like this? What's her problem in asking me? She'll have to stop being hesitant with me. Showtime is 7:15. Let's see what she does)

After getting ready, Anokhi came out. She saw Shaurya in the same position. She decided to talk to him.

"Assignment correct kar rahe hain?" She initiated the conversation. (Are you correcting assignments?)

"Haan, second year ki assignment" Shaurya said, still immersed in his work. (Yeah, second years)

Anokhi played with her dupatta while looking at Shaurya. It's been months since she went to movies. In Sabherwal mansion, Sabherwal bahu's are not allowed to go to movies on their own. Back then she really wanted to go like she often did in Kapurthala but couldn't. So, she's excited to go after a long time. She has even decided what to call him like he asked but how will she open the topic when he is so immersed in work?

Anokhi looked at Shaurya and cleared her voice. She pouted when he didn't look at her. She cleared her voice again. This time Shaurya reacted.

"Have some water na, Anokhi" Shaurya said without looking at Anokhi.

Anokhi heaved a tired sigh.

"Sir?"

"Bolo" Shaurya said, still not looking at Anokhi. (Say)

"Aap se hi bath kar rahi hoon, sir" She called out again. (I'm talking to you, sir)

"Haan toh bolo na yaar" Shaurya still didn't look at Anokhi. (Yeah, I'm listening)

"Dekhiyeh toh sahi" Anokhi said, placing her hands on her hips, restlessness evident in her tone. (Look at me)

"Sun toh raha hoon na" Shaurya said, flipping the next page of the assignment. (I'm listening)

"Hareey" Anokhi glared at Shaurya.

Shaurya was enjoying the whole situation. He bit back his laughter and focused on the paper before him. Anokhi stomped her feet in the ground, annoyed. Her patience grew thin. She moved towards Shaurya and took the assignment out of his hand.

"Yehan dekhiyeh, Shaurya" Anokhi said towering over Shaurya who was surprised by Anokhi's actions "Kab se bula rahi hoon. Aap ne mujhe dekha tak nahi. Aap mujhe gussa math dilayiyeh." (Look here, Shaurya. I'm calling you for so long you didn't even saw me. Don't get me riled up)

Anokhi was annoyed while a smile broke out on Shaurya's lips. Did she just call him Shaurya? He felt good hearing her calling him Shaurya. Lot of people have called him Shaurya but Anokhi calling him by his name strangely warmed his heart.

"Finally, tum ne decide kar hi liya" Shaurya said while Anokhi looked at him puzzled. (Finally, you have decided)

"Kya decide kar liya mein ne?" Anokhi said still towering over Shaurya, oblivious to what she said. (What did I decide?)

Shaurya pulled Anokhi by her hand and made her sit on the coffee table in front of him. Anokhi was surprised by Shaurya's sudden move. Before she could realize he sat straight and looked at her with a smirk.

"Shaurya" He said with a smile that reached his eyes.

"Huh?" Anokhi looked at him confused.

"Tum ne mujhe Shaurya bulaya" Shaurya said, a smile dancing on his lips. (You called me Shaurya)

Anokhi scrunched her eyebrows for a second before she realized what she said. She looked at Shaurya with wide eyes.

"Mein ne toh ba..." She fumbled with her words and got mum all a sudden. (I just-)

"Tum kya?" Shaurya looked at her with questioning eyes and then realized "You didn't decide on Shaurya" (you what?)

Anokhi gave him a sheepish smile.

"We can discuss about it later. Ab aap mujhe movie dekhne le chaliyeh na" Anokhi said, trying to stand up but Shaurya made her sit down by holding her shoulders. (You take me to watch movie)

"What have you decided to call me? Pehle yeh toh batao" Shaurya eyed at her curiously. (Say that first)

"Soch toh raki thi par aap ko pasand nahi aaya toh?" (I did decided on one but what if you don't like it?)

"I'll be the judge of it Anokhi. Jaldi bolo warna mein nahi aaonga movie dekhney" Shaurya warned her. (Say fast. If not I won't come to movie)

Anokhi heaved a sigh and looked down.

"PS" She said in a low voice.

"Come again" Shaurya said lifting her chin as he couldn't hear Anokhi's voice.

"PS" She said nervously while Shaurya made a face.

"PS? Yeh kaise naam hai? Sounds like play station" (what kind of name it is?)

"Hareey! PS matlab Professor Shaurya. Accha hi toh hai" (PS means Professor Shaurya. It's good na)

Shaurya made face at Anokhi who realized that he didn't like the name.

"Aap ko pasandh nahi aaya?" She asked with a pout. (You didn't like it?)

Anokhi got her answers when he remained tight lipped. Shaurya stayed mum for a couple of seconds, studying Anokhi's reaction. He then took Anokhi's hand in his.

"Mera ek bath manogi?" (Will you accept my word?)

Anokhi looked at their joined hands.

"Kya?" She asked in a soft tone. (What?)

"Tum na mujhe Shaurya bulaya karo" Shaurya said in a gentle tone and before she could say anything, he added "I felt home when you called me by my name, Anokhi" (You call me as Shaurya)

Shaurya said honestly while Anokhi, who was about to refuse got tongue-tied by Shaurya's words. When he said he felt home, Anokhi melted by his tone. A strange feeling washed over her as she looked at Shaurya who's looking at her with twinkle in his eye, something which she hasn't seen for last few days.

"Bulao gi na?" Shaurya said with a cute pleading expression that Anokhi smiled at his cuteness. (You'll call me right?)

Anokhi nodded at Shaurya with a big smile, tightening her grip on his hand.

"Hareyy. Bulao toh sahi" (Call me)

Anokhi looked at Shaurya, studying his face. He looked excited, his eyes sparkling with an emotion she can't name.

"Shaurya" Anokhi said with a shy smile while Shaurya smiled out of pure happiness. Strangely, his heart felt at peace.

Shaurya took his mobile, opened his e-mail and showed the screen to Anokhi, who was surprised to see two tickets already booked for her favorite hero's film. She beamed at Shaurya, standing up in excitement.

"Hum movie ja rahe hein" She cried out in excitement. We are going to movie)

Shaurya laughed looking at Anokhi. She pulled him on his feet, surprising Shaurya and slightly pushed him towards their room.

"Jaldhi thayar ho ke aayiyeh. We're getting late for the movie" (Get ready soon)

Shaurya looked at Anokhi with amusement in his eyes.

"Dekh kya rahe hain" She looked at him with a shy smile and added "Jayiyeh na Shaurya" (What are you starting at? Go Shaurya)

Shaurya can't control the smile that escaped his lips. He nodded at her and walked inside their room while Anokhi sat on the couch, smiling to herself thinking about their last encounter.

~ * ~

At cinema hall

Shaurya and Anokhi walked inside the cinema hall and sat down on their respective seats. Anokhi was on cloud nine. She wanted to go to watch a movie for a long time and coming with Shaurya made her forget all her worries.

Shaurya, on the other hand, was elated to come with Anokhi. The way she called him by his name made him happy. He didn't have his parents by his side from childhood. Despite that he shares a close bond with other family members. In last few days, he has missed the feeling of home. When Anokhi called him by his name, it felt as if he got the missing piece of the puzzle.

Shaurya excused himself to get popcorn for them. Anokhi was texting her friends when Shaurya came back. Soon the movie started. Anokhi was immersed in the movie while Shaurya stole few glances of Anokhi now and then.

Movie wasn't Shaurya's favorite genre. He read the movie review before booking tickets but for Anokhi, he decided to watch the movie. The way their shoulders brush against each other gave tingling sensation to Shaurya that he looked at Anokhi now and then to see if she's feeling the same but Anokhi was too immersed in the movie to notice anything. Shaurya heaved a sigh and tried to focus on the screen.

Thankfully intermission came within an hour. Shaurya excused himself and went out to make a call to his PA. Anokhi, who was bored of sitting all alone, came out. Shaurya ended his call and turned around. He found Anokhi standing few feet away from him, taking selfie.

Shaurya walked towards her and stood next to her. Anokhi, who saw Shaurya on her screen, turned around to look at him, surprised. He eyed at her to carry on by blinking his eyes. She smiled at him and they took few selfies.

"Undher chale?" Shaurya said. (Let's go inside?)

Anokhi nodded and they both walked inside.

"How's the movie so far?" Anokhi asked as they sat down on their seats.

"Very good" Shaurya lied not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"Haina, that scene where..." Anokhi went on to talk about her favorite scenes so far while Shaurya pretended to listen to her when in real he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Accha vo-"

Anokhi was about to say something more but before she could, movie started. Taking this as a chance, Shaurya hurried.

"Movie has started"

Shaurya took a sigh of relief when Anokhi turned her attention back to the movie.

'Thank god, movie has started. Bach gaya isse' Shaurya thought getting comfortable on his seat 'Kithni bolthi hai! If I ask her something important, tab mu nahi kolthi. Ab dekho, chup hi nahi ho rahi thi' (Thank god, movie started. I'm saved from her. How much she talks! If I ask her something important, she doesn't say anything. Now she doesn't stop talking at all)

And so, Shaurya and Anokhi resumed watching the movie. Anokhi squealed when her favorite actor danced for a song. In her excitement she placed her hand on Shaurya's hand thinking it to be armrest. Shaurya looked at Anokhi who was watching the movie, a big smile plastered on her face.

Shaurya looked at her hand for a second, his mind filling with various ideas. With a naughty smile, he looked at Anokhi once and then intertwined his fingers with hers, holding her hand firmly.

Anokhi looked down at their joined hands and then at Shaurya, who was looking at the screen casually. Anokhi smiled looking at their joined hands and turned forward to watch the movie; this time fully aware of Shaurya's actions. Shaurya smiled to himself and watched the film, her hand securely in his.

~ * ~

Shaurya and Anokhi was walking out of the dimly lighted cinema hall when Anokhi's eyes fell on the group waking out from screen 2. She stopped on her tracks, holding Shaurya's arm as she saw them standing by the food court and taking selfies. Shaurya looked at her confused.

"Anokhi k-" Shaurya couldn't finish his sentence as he was dragged by Anokhi to the corner that is by the small cut-out flex posters of the movie.

"Kya kar rahi ho, Anokhi?" Shaurya asked while Anokhi pushed him against the wall, her eyes looking at the opposite direction. (What are you doing Anokhi?)

Shaurya followed Anokhi's eyes and saw Bebo, Kitty and a gang of ten more of his students standing by the food court. He looked at Anokhi who's still looking at the gang. Shaurya mentally face-palmed himself as he looked at Anokhi. Why did she have to hide from them?

Shaurya looked at Anokhi and the way she was pushing him against the wall. He knew the perfect way to get her attention. Shaurya wrapped his arms around Anokhi and pulled her closer. Anokhi was shocked by Shaurya's actions. She looked at him with wide eyes, her heart racing with unknown excitement.

"Sir" She blurted out and then changed "Shaurya, aap kya kar rahe hain?" (What are you doing?)

"Pehle yeh batao ki tum kya kar rahi ho" Shaurya said in a deep tone, making Anokhi feel butterflies in her stomach. (First you tell me what you were doing)

"Voh" Anokhi lost her voice as she stared into his brown orbs. (That)

"Vok kya?" Shaurya teased Anokhi by tightening his hold around her. Anokhi's breath quicken. (What that?)

"Waha... kitty... be- bebo" She started stammering as a result of their close proximity. (There... Kitty.. Bebo)

"Haan toh?" He asked, enjoying the way she's reacting to his closeness. (So what?)

"Haan toh matlab? Aap ke ithni saare students hai. Agar hum dhono ko sath mein dekh liya toh?" Anokhi knew how much gossips get circulated about them and didn't want them to give a chance to gossip more. (So what? There's lot of your students. What if they saw us together?)

"Dekh liya toh kya? This is not college where you are my student, Anokhi. Biwi ho meri, sath mein movie dekh ne aaye toh kya galat hai is mein?" Shaurya looked at Anokhi with such an affirming gaze that Anokhi was tongue-tied again. (What if they saw? This is not college where you are my student, Anokhi. You are my wife and I'm here to watch movie with my wife. What's wrong in it?)

What Anokhi noticed in the last few days is how much their relationship has progressed. Before he wouldn't address their relationship but now, he tagged her as his wife and he was vocal about it without a doubt. The weird feeling that ate Anokhi started to fade. She just stared back at Shaurya, lost in his chocolate orbs.

"As much as I would like to stay in this position, I'm hungry Anokhi" Shaurya said breaking their trance while Anokhi flushed, looking down with a shy smile "Chale?" (Let's go?)

Anokhi nodded. Shaurya released his hold around Anokhi and she stepped away, creating some distance between the two while tucking her hair behind her ear nervously.

"Come" Shaurya said, taking Anokhi's hand in his and intertwined their fingers. Anokhi couldn't control the smile that escaped her lips at his gesture and walked along with Shaurya.

Kitty was the first one among the gang to notice Shaurya and Anokhi coming from the opposite directions, walking by holding hands.

"Bebo" Kitty poked Bebo's arms. Irritated, Bebo looked at Kitty.

"Kya hua, Kitty?" (What happened, Kitty?)

"Waha dekh na" (Look there)

"Kya dek-" (what to se-)

Bebo fall short of words as she saw the scene in front of her. She was shocked to see Shaurya and Anokhi but what shocked her more was their joined hands.

"Shaurya bhaiya?" Bebo said aloud which caught Shaurya's attention and so did the gang's attention.

Everyone saw their favorite professor and fellow classmate walking together holding hands. They all had their own gossips to add on. Shaurya noticed the gang and stopped in front of Kitty and Bebo while still holding Anokhi's hand.

"Kitty, Bebo" Shaurya acknowledged them.

"Good evening, sir" The other students greeted him. He nodded at them. They all moved ahead, leaving the Sabherwals to talk. One among the gang waved at Anokhi who waved back at her.

"Shaurya bhaiya, aap dhono yehan?" Kitty asked. (Shaurya Bhaiya, you two here?)

"Haan voh mein aur Anokhi movie dekhne aayethe" Shaurya said "Its nearly 9:30. Tum dhono ithne late yehan kya kar rahe ho?" (Anokhi and I came to watch movie. It's nearly 9:30. What are you two doing this late here?)

"We were watching a movie at screen 2 bhaiya. We were just leaving to home" Bebo said.

Shaurya nodded at Bebo.

"Bhaiya aap ne ghar chod ke kyun gaye the? Aap ke bina ghar adhura adhura sa hai" Kitty said, making a sad face. (Brother, why did you left from SM? Without you our house is incomplete)

"Haan bhaiya" Bebo glared at Anokhi and then looked at Shaurya "Aap ko hum sab bahat miss kar rahe hain" (Yeah, brother. We all miss you so much)

"Hum dhono se aap toh mile tak nahi" Kitty said "When we woke up, Mumma said you both left" (You didn't even met us before leaving)

Anokhi rolled her eyes at the Sabherwal sisters while Shaurya heaved a sigh. Kitty and Bebo went on for a while. Anokhi nudged Shaurya and eyed him to do something. He blinked at her and then turned to his sisters.

"Stop. I have just moved out from Sabherwal mansion, haven't left my family. So, you two relax and go home. It's getting late. We'll talk at college tomorrow"

"Okay bhaiya. Good night" They both said and went out to join their gang.

"Dekha, kuch nahi hua. Itni si bath pe you were stressing" Shaurya said walking forward while holding Anokhi's hands. (See, nothing happened. You were stressing over a little thing)

"Ithni si bath? Did you saw the way they all were looking at us?" (small thing?)

"Toh? Dekhne do. Are you embarrassed to be seen with me, Anokhi?" Shaurya stopped on his track and looked at Anokhi. (So what? Let them see)

"No!" She replied instantly.

"Good" He said resumed walking "Tab toh koi problem nahi hai. Ab chalo, I'm hungry. Dinner karke ghar jathe hain" (Then no problem. Now come, I'm hungry. Let's have dinner and then go home)

Anokhi nodded as they both walked out of the cinema hall, holding hands. Anokhi was all smiles looking at Shaurya's gestures. It was impossible for her not to smile. Shaurya left Anokhi's hand only after they reached their car. With a giddy feeling, Anokhi sat staring out of the window as Shaurya started the car.

That night as Shaurya and Anokhi laid next to each other, both can't help but sleep with each other's thoughts. The ray of normalcy in their life has brought them closer. The professor-student equation slowly faded away as a new love equation blossomed among them.

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hop you enjoyed reading the chapter. Do let me know what you think of the story so far. Thank you for reading. Please do watch SAAKK on Star Plus at 7 pm. Let's do our bit to save the show. Stay home, stay safe.

Thank you.

Nan ~