ShaKhi SS Marriage Of Convenience

Chapter One

The Sabherwals were having breakfast with women serving the men. Kitty and Bebo were nowhere in sight. As always Devi has found fault with the food Anokhi has cooked and was scolding her. Shaurya concentrated on his food while letting his Badi maa roast his wife. He knows there is no point in getting between. He looked at Anokhi who had her head down. He sighed.

"Badi ma, you asked us all to gather for breakfast, kya bath hai?" Shaurya asked trying to change the topic. (what's the matter?)

"I have completely forgot about this whole thing. Tomorrow is Karvachaudh. I want all men to be home tomorrow evening. Clear your schedule according to that" Devi announced "Me, Gayatri, Kanchan and Anokhi will keep fast. I have arranged for a small Karvachaudh function so no excuses"

Anokhi and Shaurya looked at each other at the mention of Anokhi fasting for Karvachaudh.

"Badi ma, what is the need for Anokhi to fast? She ha-"

"What do you mean by what is the need? She is your wife, Shaurya. Who will she fast for then?" His Badi papa replied.

"Haan, Shaurya beta. It is her duty as a wife"

Shaurya felt Anokhi won't be comfortable with keeping fast for him. That is why he said all those but when he looked at Anokhi, she had a different reaction.

"Yeh sir ko kya ho gaya? Why is he not letting me keep fast for Karvachaudh?" She wondered to herself. (What happened to sir?)

"No, what I meant to say was tha-"

"Sir, I'll keep fast for Karvachaudh" She said firmly.

"See, my bahu is ready to do this. Let her do this Shaurya" Shaan said his bit.

Shaurya agreed and concentrated on his food while Devi instructed the women what they needed to do. He was nearly done with breakfast. He is getting late and Anokhi hasn't even done her breakfast. They do leave in separate cars but they have an important lecture during the first hour and he doesn't want any of them to be late.

"Choti ma, where is Bebo and Kitty? I can't find them anywhere" Shaurya said looking around.

"Kyun? Kya hua Shaurya? They are sleeping" Gayatri replied. (Why? What happened, Shaurya?)

"It's just they have an important lecture today" Shaurya looked at his watch "Can you ask them to get to college soon?"

"Teek hai, beta. Kanchan and Anokhi, go and wake Bebo and Kitty" Gayatri told them and started discussing about the preparations with Devi.

Kanchan and Anokhi left to wake up the Sabherwals sisters while Shaurya stood up and followed Anokhi. When Kanchan was out of sight, he dragged Anokhi's hand from behind. Anokhi wasn't expecting any of this so she shrieked in fear. Shaurya quickly clasped her mouth with his palm and made her look at him. On seeing Shaurya, Anokhi relaxed so Shaurya released Anokhi.

"Sir, yeh aap kya kar rahe the?" Anokhi asked. (Sir, what were you doing?)

"Tum mere sath chalo" He dragged her to their room and locked the door. (You come with me)

"Sir, kya hua? Kya bath hai? I have to get ready for college" (Sir, what happened? What's the matter?)

"So, madam does remember about going to college" He said sarcastically, pointing at time "You know we have a special lecture at first class right"

By looking at Anokhi, he realized that she has completely forgot about that.

"Great. You had forgot about that" Shaurya said "Anyway what's the need to fast tomorrow, Anokhi?"

"Sir, what you mean by what's the need? Every married woman observes this fast. And it's not like I have to but I want to keep the fast" She said the last part in a soft tone.

Shaurya looked at Anokhi, surprised with her words. He was tongue tied now. All he could do is stare at her.

"Sir, why are you looking at me like that? You are not just my Guru; you are my husband too. I agree that I'm your student and you are my professor but that's at college. Here at home, I'm your wife and this Puja is for your long life so I want to do this"

Anokhi don't know what took over her but she blurted whatever came to her mind. It's been six months since their marriage. It would be untrue to say if she hasn't felt anything for him. She knows he feels something too. The least she could do is to observe fast for him. She didn't know what Shaurya's problem is. Why he couldn't let her fast peacefully. The elders were in good mood today. If not his Badi maa would have blamed it all on her for Shaurya's words.

"Voh sab toh teek hai. (That's fine) But ABC college is hosting their college cultural programs at our campus as their auditorium is being renovated. You have your debate competition and after that dance competition. How will you do all that if you were starving?" Shaurya thought for a while about Anokhi's words and then reminded Anokhi about her competitions.

"Sir, that's not starving, Its fasting. There is a huge difference between these two. Fasting is something I'm doing by my heart. Also, I'm used to it. When I came to Chandigarh, in the beginning I have managed myself with having food only once a day. So, it is fine. I can do it sir"

"Then I will also remind you that how you were about to faint on the stairs. If I haven't caught you then you would have fell down" He felt a strange pain when Anokhi mentioned her being without food.

"Anokhi, attending classes while fasting is fine to an extent but with debate and dance competition, it's not okay. Tum mere sath chalo. (You come with me) We'll inform Badi maa that you won't observe fast for me and then we are going to college"

Shaurya said in a firm tone while Anokhi looked annoyed. She closed her eyes and started to count to ten to calm herself. Shaurya was looking at her all along. He had to admit to himself, she with her eyes closed and counting to ten like a kid brought a smile on his face.

"Ten" She finished, opening her face with a smile. He hid his smile before she could notice.

"Yeh tum kya kar rahi thi?" (what are you doing?)

"Sir, my sister always says that whenever someone annoys me and drive me mad, I should just close my eyes and count to ten to calm myself down. Isliyeh kar rahi thi " Anokhi said with a smile. Shaurya first nodded without understanding her meaning but then realized she is talking about him. (that is why I was counting)

"What? When did I annoy you and drove you mad?" Shaurya asked, surprised.

"When? Abhi toh kiya tha aap ne" (You just did now)

"Abhi kab kiya? Kya kaha mein ne aesa?" Shaurya was genuinely confused. (Did now? What did I say?)

"Abhi toh kiya. (You just did) I'm going to observe fast for Karvachaudh sir. I'm not changing my decision. I can balance between family and college. I'm getting late. I have to reach college soon. Warna meri akdu professor mujhe andher nahi aane denge. (if not my akdu professor won't let me inside) He doesn't even let us take break..." She said whatever came to her mind but stopped when she realized her words. She bit her tongue and was about to leave but Shaurya held her hand.

"Ab mein akdu bhi ban gaya" Shaurya said in disbelief "Yeh tum-" (Now I have become an akdu too)

Anokhi got trapped by her own words. She looked at Shaurya and gave him a sheepish smile and tried to release her hand from his grip but Shaurya didn't let her. He tugged her a little closer. Suddenly Anokhi thought of an idea.

"Sir, badi ma" Anokhi said, looking at the door.

Shaurya left Anokhi's hand and turned to look at the door only to find it closed. He was the one who locked it! Anokhi has tricked him! He sees Anokhi laughing while grabbing her bag and running towards the door.

Before Anokhi could open the door, Shaurya locked her between him and the door by placing his hands on either side of the door. Anokhi was surprised and nervous by his sudden closeness. She turned around only to find him looking down at her.

"Sir yeh aap ky-" (Sir, what are yo-)

"Yeh mein kya Anokhi?" Shaurya asked, faking innocence. (Am I what, Anokhi?)

"Aap yeh kya kar rahe hain?" Anokhi was nervous with his close proximity. (what are you doing?)

"You call your professor Akdu and you think you can walk away without punishment?" His deep voice brought butterflies in her stomach. She looked down, feeling shy.

"Sir, I was just pulling your legs" She stammered and he found that cute.

"But I wasn't. Akdu bolne ke liye punish toh karna padega mujhe" (I have to punish to punish you for Akdu)

Anokhi was silent for a while and then a thought entered her mind.

"Sir, I didn't call you Akdu, meri professor ko hi bola na" (I called my professor as Akdu)

"Matlab" Shaurya was confused with her words. (What do you mean?)

"Sir, yeh humari room hai. Yeha aap meri pati hain, professor nahi. Toh aap mujhe punish kaise karenge" Anokhi said with a victorious smile "Is logic ke hisaab se aap mujhe ab punish nahi kar sakthey" (This is our room, sir. Here you are my husband, not my professor. How will you punish me then? By this logic you can't punish me)

Anokhi's words brought a smile on Shaurya's face. He thought of pulling her legs but she had a perfect reply to shut him down.

"Logic hai" He took his hands for a second but then placed it back. Anokhi looked at him, puzzled by his action.

"Ab kya?" (now what?)

"Ab kya matlab? Mein jo-" (what do you mean by now what? What I-)

"Shaurya" Devi knocked his door.

Anokhi, startled with the sudden knock, stumbled into Shaurya's embrace. Shaurya stumbled back due to the sudden impact but balanced them both at right time by holding her. She looked at him and he at her, their eyes meeting one another, locked in a trance.

"Shaurya?" Devi called again which brought them out of their embrace. They moved away from each other but Shaurya holds Anokhi's hand,

"We'll continue this conversation tonight" Shaurya said, leaving her hand.

Anokhi turned around with a smile, composed herself and then opened the door, let Devi walk inside and went out to have breakfast. She knows Devi likes to talk to Shaurya alone. She also needs to control her racing heartbeat. It's not like she's complaining. She liked this new feeling. She composed herself and went to have her breakfast.

"Badi maa, kya bath hai?" (Badi maa, what's the matter?)

"You said you have an important lecture but hasn't left yet. So, I came to check on you, Shaurya"

"Ji, Badi ma. I'm about to leave"

"Teek hai, dyaan se jao" (okay, be careful)

Shaurya thought about Anokhi and smiled to himself. He then realized he is late and get his things to go to college.

~ * ~

Hey guys, chapter one is up. I hope you enjoyed reading. Do let me know what you think of the story. I would try my best to put a smile on your face during these tough times. Stay home. Stay safe.

Thank you.

PS: Watch Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani at 7 pm on Star Plus. Its trp is falling. A show like that doesn't deserve low trp.

Nan ~