Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience 

Chapter Nineteen

Astha was lost in her thoughts as she stared out of the bus window, her mind constantly going back to the conversation she had with Devi Sabharwal two days back. She tries to keep it from her thoughts but it manages to creep back inside her thoughts.

Astha was walking on her way home from the bus stop when she noticed a new car standing on the driveway in front of her house building. She was puzzled for a moment before she realized that the car is from Chandigarh by looking at the number plate. She wondered who that might me.

Astha's father and mother went to Ludhiana to pray and serve at Gurudhwara Nanaksar Jagroan. So, no one would be visiting them. It wasn't Shaan's car either. He just visited her yesterday. So, she was curious.

'What if its Shaurya's?' A thought entered Astha's mind and her heart quicken as she rushed inside the building.

Astha was shocked to see Devi Sabherwal standing in front of her house. She thought Shaurya has come to meet her but luck wasn't in her favour. Devi's the last person she thought she would see at her doorstep but she was curious by Devi's arrival.

"Aap yehan kya kar rahi hai, Devi Bhabhi?" Astha asked approaching Devi. (What are you doing here, Devi bhabhi?)

"Astha" Devi said in a soft tone surprising Astha "Mujhe tumse kuch bath karni thi. Socha tumse aake bath karlu. Kya hum bath kar sakthe hain?" (I want to talk to you. I thought I'll come to talk. Can we talk?)

Astha looked at the woman in front of her. The proud and assertive Devi Sabherwal who always had fire in her eyes and bitterness in her tone towards Astha was standing in front of her with moisten eyes and trembling tone. She noticed that Devi looked physically weak too.

"Andher aayiyeh Devi Bhabhi" Astha said inviting Devi inside. (Come in)

"Aap kya lenge? Chai ya coffee?" Astha asked as soon as Devi settled on the couch. (What will you have? Tea or coffee?)

"Kuch nahi chahiyeh, Astha. Bas tumse bath karni thi" Devi said in a shaky tone. (I don't want anything, Astha. I just want to talk)

"Rukiyeh. Mein aap ke liye paani leke aathi hoon" Astha was about to leave but stopped seeing Devi's face. (Wait. I'll get water for you)

"Nahi... tum beith... bat.. bath kar n-" Devi stammered as she chocked on her tears, her lips quivering. (No... you sit... spea.. spe-)

Astha was shocked to see Devi's state. She rushed into the kitchen and brought a glass of water for Devi to drink. She settled herself beside Devi and made her drink the water.

"Aap pehle paani pijiyeh, Bhabhi" Astha said as she helped Devi drink water while rubbing her back. (You drink water first)

"Astha.. me.. mein jo.. vo-" Devi tried to talk but Astha cut her in middle. (Astha... I... I wa..th-)

"Aap pehle santh ho jaayeyeh. Phir hum bath karenge" Astha tried to calm down Devi and sat by her until she calmed down. (You calm down first. We'll talk then)

"Ab bathayiyeh kya bath karni thi Bhabhi?" Astha asked once Devi has calmed down. (Now tell me Bhabhi, what is it you want to talk about?)

"Mein ne ithne saal Shaurya ko tumse dhur rakha. Phir bhi tum mujhse ithne acche kyun pesh aa rahi ho, Astha" Devi said with her eyes brimming in tears. (I kept Shaurya away from you all these years. Yet you are behaving well with me, Astha)

"Mein pehle se aese hi thi Bhabhi. Kher yeh sab chod diye. Yeh bathayiyeh ki aap ko mujhse kya bath karni thi" (I was like this from the start Bhabhi. Leave this. Tell me what do you want to speak about)

"Voh Shaurya ne Sabharwal mansion se move out kardiya bina kuch bathayeh ki kyun ja raha hai..." Devi said in a pained tone. (You know Shaurya moved out of Sabharwal mansion without giving any reason...)

"Jaanthi hoon, Bhabhi. Shaan aur Anokhi ne bathaya mujhe" Astha said without disclosing why Shaurya left from Sabherwal mansion. (I know, Bhabhi. Shaan and Anokhi told me)

Does Devi already know the reason and here to manipulate her or is Devi really clueless? Astha had no clue but no one should disclose it to Devi other than Shaurya. So, Astha didn't bother disclosing the reason to Devi.

"Astha" Devi heaved a sigh, clearing her tears before continuing "Mein yehan tumse kuch maang ne aayi hoon" (Astha, I'm here to ask something from you)

"Maang ne? Mujhse maang ne aur bacha hi kya hai, Bhabhi? Mere pati, mere bete aur mere ghar, yeh toh aap mujhse pehle hi le chuke ho. Aur kya maang na bakhi reh gaya ab?" Astha said in a distasteful manner while Devi's head hung low as she heard Astha's words. (Ask? What's there left for you to ask me Bhabhi? My husband, my son, my house, you already got it from me earlier. What's left to ask?)

"Astha, tum ... tum aese kyun bol rahi ho?" (Astha... you... why are you speaking like this?)

"Aur kaisa bolun Bhabhi?" Astha snapped before coming herself "Kher aap in sab cheezon ko chodiyeh. Yeh bhathayiyeh aap kis kaam se aaye ho" Astha said, trying to control herself from pouring her bitter feelings out. (How shall I speak then? Let that be. Tell me why are you here)

"Mein tumse... maafi maang ne aayi hoon" Devi said, gulping her tears as she held Astha's hands in hers. (I.. I came to apologize to you)

"Maafi?" Astha looked at Devi with bitter look while her eyes held a bit of curiosity. She knows Devi has to apologize to her for lot of things but Astha is curious of what Devi's sorry for "Maafi kis baath ki?" (Apologize? Apologize for what?)

"Haan... Jab se Shaurya ne Sabharwal mansion chod ke chala gaya tha, tab se aaj tak meri dil Shaurya mere paas na hone ke liye tadap ri hai, ankhe taras ri hai us he dekhne ka, Khayaal mein sirf voh hi hai, din ya raat. Yeh thadap... yeh bechein... mein dekhthi hoon usse hafthe mein ek ya dho baar phir bhi yeh dardh, yeh becheini se aaram nahi mila ....in gareeb 2 mainhe jo mujhe bardaash nahi ho raha, is ke sath tumne 26 saal gusri hai, Astha...voh bhi apne bete ke ek bhi jalak ke bin" (Yes... when Shaurya left Sabharwal mansion, from that time to now, my heart's restless without his presence, my eyes longs to see him, my mind is filled with his thoughts, day and night. This restlessness... I do see him twice a week but didn't felt peace from this pain and restlessness... in these nearly 2 months, I couldn't stand it but you're going through this for 26 years, Astha... and that too without a glance at your son)

Devi went on to talk about how she's finding it difficult to bear a portion of what Astha's going through and said that she wants to ask for Astha's forgiveness for what she did.

"Mujhe patha hai ki jo mein ne tumhare sath kiya... tumhare bete ko tum se dhur karke... usse tujse bina milwaake... mein ne bahat galat kiya hai tere sath, Astha. Agar mere kudh ke bacche ho toh bhi mein unse uthna pyaar nahi kar pathi jitna mein Shaurya ko pyaar karthi hoon... iss pyaar ne mujhe andhe bana diya ki mein tumhare dardh dekha hi nahi... Yeh dukh ...yeh kaalipan sa ehsaas... yeh mitega bhi ya nahi, mujhe nahi patha. Shaurya mere paas wapas aayega ya nahi ... mujhe nahi patha. Par mein tumse apni galthi ka maafi maang rahi hoon, Astha. Mein ne tumhare saath bahat galat kiya. Ho sake toh mujhe maaf karna" Devi said with tears streaming down from her eyes. (I know that I have wronged you... by separating your son from you... by not letting you two meet... I have did a huge mistake, Astha. If I even had a child of my own, I couldn't have loved them like I love Shaurya... this love has turned me blind that I haven't seen your pain... this sadness.. this empty feeling... will it fade or not, I don't know. Will Shaurya come back to me or not... I don't know. But I'm asking you forgiveness for my mistake, Astha. I have wronged you. If you can, forgive me)

Astha who was listening to Devi the whole time withdrew her hand from Devi's hold. Whatever Devi said made Astha go stiffen. She still hasn't forgot all those nights she spent alone thinking and crying about her husband and son. She still hasn't forgot all those times she spent outside Sabharwal mansion, trying to get a glance of Shaurya. She still hasn't forgot all those time Devi Sabharwal stood like a wall in between her and her son.

"Bhabhi, mein acchi hoon par ithni acchi nahi" Astha said staring at Devi with glassy eyes, making sure to keep her tone stern yet respectful "Mere dil bada hai par ithna bada nahi hai ki jo kuch bhi yeh 26 years hua, usse chutki mein bhool kar aap ko maaf karun" (Bhabhi, I'm good but not this good. I have a big heart but not that big that I could forgive you for whatever you did with me for the past 26 years in a moment)

Astha stood up from the couch, keeping her words short and firm. She turned the other side and added,

"So please, aap mujhe yeh umeedh math rakhiyeh ki mein aap ko ek dum se maaf karun" (So, please don't hope that I would forgive you right away)

Astha paused before turning towards Devi and added with folded hands,

"Aap ki thabiyak teek nahi lag ri hai. Agar aap chaho toh yehan pe rest kar sakthey ho. Is ke aage aap mujhe umeedh math rakiyeh" (Your health doesn't look good. If you want, you can rest here. Don't expect any other hope from me)

Devi looked at Astha with a defeated look before standing up from the couch. She cleared her tears and slowly walked out of Astha's house before stopping by the door.

"Aaj tum mujhe maaf karo, yeh umeedh toh mujhe bhi nahi tha, Astha. Par ek din tum mujhe zaroor maaf karegi, is umeedh se yehan se ja rahi hoon. Apna kayaal rakhna, Astha. Chalthi hoon" (I know you won't forgive me today, I didn't hope for that. But I hope that you'll forgive me one day and with that, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself, Astha. I'm leaving)

And with that Devi Sabharwal left, leaving Astha in deep thoughts.

Astha snapped out of her thoughts as she reached her bus stop. She got down the bus and walked towards her home, trying to keep a clear mind. She saw Shaan's car parked in the driveway and instantly a smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she walked inside the building.

~ * ~

That evening, Anokhi was bored while sitting on the couch. She's done with her assignment and there wasn't much to study. There's still time for Shaurya to come from Patiala and she wasn't in the mood to cook anything. She heaved a bored sigh as she scrolled through her mobile and chatting with her friends' side by side.

Anokhi was just chatting with Reema and Neha in their WhatApp group when the topic of Fifty Shades of Grey entered into the conversation. Reema and Neha went on to drool over Christian Grey while Anokhi who haven't watched the film before was clueless.

Reema and Neha started teasing Anokhi and suggested her to watch the trilogy. Anokhi maintained that she wouldn't when in fact she was curious to watch the trilogy to know what the hype is all about.

Anokhi made a call to Shaurya and asked him when he would come home. When he said he would be late, she heaved a sigh and moved to their room, curiosity filled her mind. There was an android tv in their room.

Anokhi took a deep breath and started to search for Fifty Shades and started watching it once she's comfortable on the bed. The beginning was like any another rom-com so she relaxed before getting immersed in the movie.

Shaurya, who was done with his Patiala work decided to surprise his loving wife. He told Anokhi he would be late but he was already done with his work by then and has started for Chandigarh. So, he entered inside the apartment silently to surprise his wife.

When Shaurya didn't find Anokhi in the kitchen and living room, he decided that she's at their room. Since the kitchen was empty, he was glad that she didn't cook as he had bought dinner and dessert on his way. He quickly loaded the Ice cream tub in the freezer and placed their dinner on the dining table before moving towards their room.

Shaurya was taken aback for a second when he heard moaning sounds from their room. It sounded like voices from TV. Is Anokhi watching *orn? was the first thought that entered his mind. He was both surprised and amused by the very thought. But he pushed those thoughts out of his mind as he stepped forward.

The door was slightly open and a surprised Shaurya peeped through the small gap and found Fifty Shades playing on the TV. He opened the door careful not to make a noise and peeped in to see Anokhi sitting on the bed with pillow in her hand.

Anokhi was watching a private scene between Christian and Ana, her hand holding the pillow on her lap while her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. Sure, she has read some rated stories and even heard her friends discussing about stuffs like that both in Kapurthala and SIAC but she has never watched anything like this.

Agreed, she's intimate with Shaurya but their intimacy never goes beyond hugs, kiss and touch like they have decided. She knows what actually happens in intimacy but it feels different to actually watch it.

The thought that one day she and Shaurya would be this intimate made Anokhi blush. She raised her remote to switch it off but stopped at the last moment before continue watching it. Shaurya fought back his smile as he looked at Anokhi's antics, amusement dancing in his eyes.

'So, Madam Sahiba was watching Fifty Shades' Shaurya thought as an amused smile danced on his lips.

Shaurya watched Anokhi's reaction and can understand that Anokhi's new to this and he shouldn't make her feel embarrassed. So, he stepped back as he closed the door leaving a little gap as before.

"Anokhi" Shaurya announced his presence in a loud tone and entered inside the room after few seconds.

Anokhi, on hearing Shaurya's voice, got startled and fumbled with the Tv remote before switching off the Tv as Shaurya walked in. She turned around and found Shaurya by the door, hoping that Shaurya hasn't witnessed her watching Fifty Shades.

"'Shaurya! Aap!" Anokhi exclaimed.

"Haan, mein. Why are you looking at me as if you have got caught red handed for something?" (Yeah, me)

Shaurya asked as he stepped inside the room, trying not to let his smile slip out. Anokhi was looking super cute to him with wide eyes, flushed cheeks, heaving breath and a look as if she got caught. Strike cute, she looked tempting.

"Haan, voh mein bas aese hi" Anokhi stammered as she looked here and there, trying to come up with a reason. (Haan. I, that, I was just)

"Accha? What were you doing here all these time Anokhi? Your books are on the table" Shaurya asked as he took out his casuals to change.

'Kahi unhe patha toh nahi chalgaya ki mein kya dekh rahi thi?' Anokhi thought to herself 'Tu bhi na Nikki. Yeh tu kya soch ri hai. He wouldn't have noticed. If he had then he would have teased you right away. So embarrassing! Baath gumaley, Nikki' (What if he got to know what I was watching? What are you thinking, Nikki?.... change words, Nikki)

"Voh... voh toh mein...mein toh bas pray... haan pray kar rahi thi" Anokhi stammered as she uttered a cover up and joined her hands in prayer and looked up as if she's praying to make it look convincing "Praying" (That...That.. I was just pray.. haan I was just praying. Praying)

"Accha?" Shaurya laughed in his mind as he tried to keep his laughter in check and asked with an amused smile "Pray kar rahi thi, Anokhi? Kis bath ki?" (Oh really? Were you praying, Anokhi? For what?)

"Haan, voh aage exams aa rahe hein na. Bas isliyeh" Anokhi said, hoping Shaurya wouldn't stress further. (Yeah, I have exams in coming weeks. So I was praying)

Shaurya nodded Anokhi with a smile and asked how her day was. She replied as he removed his blazer and looked at her.

"Aap ne kaha tha ki aap ko aane mein dher hogi. Ithne jaldi kaise aa gaye aap?" Anokhi asked as she sat straight. (You said you'll be late but you have come this early?)

"Kaam jaldhi katham ho gayi the aur mein ne socha ki tumhe surprise dhe doon" Shaurya said as he removed his watch and looked at Anokhi with a teasing smile "Have I managed to surprise you, Anokhi?" (Work's done soon and I thought I'll surprise you)

"You have no clue how surprised I'm, Shaurya" Anokhi replied with a sheepish smile.

'Tum kitne surprised thi, yeh toh mein bahat acchi tarah se jaantha hoon, Anokhi' Shaurya thought as he studied Anokhi's reaction. (I know very well how surprised you were, Anokhi)

"Great. It has been days since we sat down together for dinner. I have brought dinner and dessert on my way. Let me get fresh and then we can have dinner" Shaurya said picking his towel, trying to hide his smile.

"Okiee" Anokhi said excitedly as she sat on the edge of the bed, her awkwardness long forgotten. She asked curiously "What's for dessert?"

"It's your favorite Belgium chocolate sundae" Shaurya said walking towards the washroom.

"Wow! You know how to impress me every single time, Mr. Sabharwal" Anokhi said with a wide smile.

"Well, you see" Shaurya said turning back to look at Anokhi "we aim to please, Mrs. Sabharwal"

With that Shaurya winked at Anokhi while a mischievous grin played on his lips before he walked into the washroom leaving behind a shocked and flushed Anokhi. She gasped as her mouth formed a perfect O as she heard Shaurya's laughter from inside before she took a nearby pillow and whined as she buried her face in the pillow while thinking,

'He knew! He knew all along! Shaurya ne sab sun liya aur dekhliya bhi! What were you telling him, Nikkhi! Praying? Hayee matharani! How embarrassing!!' (Shaurya has listened and watched everything!)

~ * ~

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~