Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience 

Chapter Four

Malkan woke up Anokhi by calling her name. She woke up, looked around and found Shaurya missing. Malkan conveyed what Shaurya told her. She thanked him and walked inside while rubbing her sleepy eyes. She was exhausted.

The whole Sabherwal house was decorated with fairy lights and flowers. She met with Gayatri and Kanchan. They congratulated her on winning. She took Gayatri's blessing and Kanchan gave her a hug. Gayatri gave a tray with dress and jewelry to Anokhi and asked her to get ready.

Anokhi was already tired but tried to hide it behind her smile. She went to her room and straightly crashed onto the bed. For a second she considered sleeping for a while but her eyes popped open when she realized she has completely forgot her plan.

Shaan and Astha have made up with themselves but as Shaurya has problems with his mother and Astha doesn't want to stay at Sabherwal mansion, Astha went back to Kapurthala. Shaan visits Astha now and then which irks Shaurya but he doesn't say anything.

Anokhi didn't try interfering in their issue but the longer she stayed at the Sabherwal mansion, the more she came to know about the past through Shaan, Gayatri and Kanchan. They all have kept silence because of Tej and Devi. They think that even if they'll reveal the truth to Shaurya, he would simply not believe them. Devi has manipulated Shaurya in that way since childhood. But when Anokhi visited Astha before a week, she found few things that might make Shaurya believe Anokhi so she decided to reveal the truth to Shaurya.

She has already written a letter to convey the truth to Shaurya. She took it out from her wardrobe along with a box she has placed hidden inside the wardrobe. She checked everything and kept it aside.

Anokhi cleared the wet towel which Shaurya has left on the sofa that morning, scolding him in her head and arranged the room. She then took her towel and had a soothing bath, making sure not to let any water drop enter her mouth. She was already exhausted. The warm bath made her drowsy. But she composed herself and got dressed.

She wore the red saree which Gayatri gave her along with the jewels. She then placed vermillion in her partition with a prayer for Shaurya's long life. She always prays for Shaurya in her mind whenever she places vermillion.

Anokhi looked at the paper and contemplated whether to go ahead with the plan or not. After lot of thought she made up her mind to go ahead with the plan and placed the letter and box on Shaurya's side of bed. She grabbed her mobile and walked out of the room to join the rest in puja's preparation.

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Shaurya's mind and heart were busy waging a war against one another regarding Anokhi that he lost track of time. His heart pulled him towards Anokhi but his mind reasoned him to stay away. Both heart and mind started listing the pros and cons. Between all this he has completely forgot that he needs to get home for Karvachaudh puja. He didn't remember until Devi called him to check about his whereabouts.

"Anokhi must be waiting for me" That was the first thought which came to his mind.

He remembered how tired she looked. She wouldn't have got a chance to sleep at home. He looked at the sky. The moon hasn't come up yet. He assured his Badi maa that he will be home soon and hanged up the call.

He came to college to take his mind off but he found it peaceful at college's playground so he settled himself there. Brushing the dust off his pants, he walked towards the parking area.

On his way home, he saw a flower shop. As it is Karvachaudh, husbands are supposed to gift their wives. He realized he hasn't got anything for Anokhi. He decided that he will get flowers for Anokhi now and then will gift her anything she asks for. He bought a red roses bouquet and went home with a smile.

~ * ~

When Shaurya entered the Sabherwal mansion, the whole family was at the terrace waiting for the moon to come out. Not wanting to make Anokhi wait any longer he quickly went to their home to change.

When he entered the room, he walked towards his wardrobe and took out his outfit. When he was about to place it on the bed, he noticed a letter and box placed on his side. The letter had his name written on the top so out of curiosity he took the letter and unfold it.

"Shaurya sir, I know it's crazy that I have wrote everything in letter than saying it to you in person. Believe me, I wanted to do it in person but I couldn't find strength in me to do so" Shaurya was puzzled by reading Anokhi's words so he continued by sitting on the bed.

"I see the pain which lingers behind your eyes every day. You try to conceal it but it doesn't miss my eyes. Why not end it for once and forever? I have been living in this house for the last six months. If not as your wife, as a member of this family, as a friend of yours, I wanted to reveal everything to you. I came to know about yours and Astha mam's relationship in detail through Shaan baba, Gayatri thaiji and Kanchan didi. Sir, I know that you don't like talking about that but you have to know what happened – the truth. Astha mam never left you, In-fact you were snatched away from her. Astha mam left Sabherwal house not for her career but for her old parents. Imagine, her brother died and there was no one to support her parents. When Tev sir and Devi thaiji forced her, she had to leave. She didn't want you to choose between your parents. She didn't want you to go through court trails and traumatized childhood. That is why she backed down. Gayatri thaiji said you were angry that she didn't come to meet you when you were hospitalized. Devi thaiji told you right but Astha mam came sir. She tried to meet you but Devi thaiji didn't let her meet you. She planted hatred for Astha mam in you because she wanted you for herself. This is the truth sir. She has caused you pain and acts as if she is the one who sooths you. This is the truth that everyone tried to tell you, sir. Your Badi maa and Bade papa is not who you think they are. I know you won't believe in my words. You always said right that one needs evidence to prove their side. I have evidence with me. Look into the box and decide for yourself"

Shaurya snarled in anger as he finished reading the letter. Why do people say the same nonsense to him again and again? He was glad that Anokhi didn't brought Astha's topic but she has made a blockbuster start to it.

Why do Anokhi of all people, out of all day have to start on a topic he doesn't want to take part in? He didn't like the fact that Anokhi is siding with his mother and trying to turn him against his Bade papa and Badi maa.

His mind was clouded with anger, reason slipping away. His eyes fell on the box placed on the bed. With anger he took the box and threw it on the ground, making the contents of the box to fall on the ground. He glanced around to look for things to throw and break when his eyes fell on the contents of the box.

Shaurya bent down to take a closer look at the contents of the box. There was a stack of letters with a stamp 'returned' It was addressed to Shaurya from Astha, dated long back from his childhood and a diary.

Shaurya's eyes widen as he took the old letters in his shaky hands. Is that what he thinks it is? There were more letters inside the box. For a moment Shaurya felt the world around him spinning as realization dawned him.

She wrote him letters!

Thousand questions born inside him while the letter he just read answered those in his mind. His mind knows the truth now but refused to accept it immediately. The realization that his whole life was a lie was too much for Shaurya to bear.

His mind went back to childhood of the days he longed for his mother, of the days his Badi maa comforted him, of the days he hated his mother, of the days people told him otherwise, of the days he scolded his mother to the present days.

With shaky hands, he opened one of the letters randomly.

"Shaurya beta, how are you? I know I'm such an idiot that I'm writing letters for you even after ten years knowing that it'll return to me without you reading it. But what shall I do? In the end, I am a mother too. I couldn't stop myself from writing you letters. Your father sends me your photos almost every day. My son is such a handsome boy. I heard you have topped your board exams and joined Economics in SIAC. I can't describe in words of how much proud I'm of you and how much I love you and miss you. I'm living with the knowledge that you are doing fine. I love you, beta"

A lone tear escaped Shaurya's eyes followed by many as he finished reading the letter. His eyes landed on the diary in front of him. With shaky hands, he picked the diary. When he opened it, the first page was marked as 'To my Shaurya'

The fireworks from above pulled him out of his shocked state. Shaurya looked around, his mind a mess. He quickly put all the letters and diary inside the box and walked out of his room with the box. Within seconds he was inside his car and he drove away, his mind completely off Anokhi who is on the terrace, waiting for him.

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Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed reading. Do let me know what you think of the story. Your response is what pushes me to write more. Thank you.

Nan ~