Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience

Chapter Thirty One

Anokhi woke up with a groan. This is the first day of her periods and the pain kick started right after she woke up. Her eyes went to the empty spot beside her. Anokhi heaved a tired sigh as she pulled herself up and walked inside the washroom.

It has been two days since their argument. Shaurya and Anokhi haven't spoken a word to each other yet. Anokhi was scared that she'll hurt Shaurya more whereas Shaurya was making his mind to have a talk with her and waiting for the right time and right words.

Anokhi felt bad on seeing Shaurya's empty bed the morning after the argument. She only got to know about Shaurya's Patiala meeting when his class was cancelled and her classmates filled her in.

As Anokhi walked out of the washroom after a warm bath, she quickly checked her schedule and cleared the books on her study table before slipping two books in her bag. She winced once as she felt a kick in her lower abdomen and her legs were paining.

Anokhi sat on the bed and massaged her leg as she closed her eyes. Sighing to herself, she stretched her legs before getting up from the bed. With her bag and mobile in hand, Anokhi walked out of their room.

Placing her bag on the couch, Anokhi walked into the kitchen to prepare a kadha to help ease her pain. That kadha does wonders as it keeps her pain free for at least two hours. Her cramps were getting more intense by the passing second and she needs her kadha now. She almost wanted to take a day off but couldn't as she has an important lecture after lunch.

As Anokhi walked inside the kitchen, her eyes fell on the hot water pack on the kitchen island along with a glass of kadha which she was about to prepare, a hotbox, a bowl, a glass of water and chocolates, all lined up.

Shaurya has managed to prepare everything like he always does. A smile lifted at the corner of Anokhi's lips as she saw her husband's efforts to help ease her pain. Of course, he remembers. Anokhi also noticed that Shaurya has re-stashed the chocolates and ice cream the very day right before they argued and felt bad. A part of her felt bad for jumping on him with her arguments.

The issue was to be addressed but with a rational mind. Anokhi was overwhelmed with her emotions that day and it is the same today. She just wants to talk with Shaurya and resolve this soon. Not only she hates it when they fight but she also misses cuddling with him during these days that help a lot with easing her pain. If that's selfish then yes, she is selfish.

Anokhi heaved a tired sigh before grabbing the kadha and gulped it down. Making a face and grabbing the hot pack, she walked up to the couch and dumped herself on the couch. Placing the hot pack on her abdomen, she groaned and closed her eyes.

As her legs were paining, Anokhi twisted and turned her feet trying to ease her pain as she groaned. Few minutes later, she left a warm hand on her foot making her startled as she opened her eyes.

Shaurya looked up at his startled wife before tightening his grip on her foot making Anokhi gasp. The duo eyed at each other before Anokhi looked away as she cleared her throat while Shaurya sat on the coffee table still holding onto her foot.

"Bahat dardh ho rahi hai kya?" Shaurya asked in a soft tone as he stared at his wife who stared back at him.

Anokhi was dumbfounded on seeing Shaurya as she wasn't expecting him. So, she nodded her head weakly, twisting her foot which is in his grip. Shaurya let go of Anokhi's foot and walked inside the kitchen making Anokhi arch her neck to get a view of Shaurya.

Shaurya came back from kitchen with a bowl. Anokhi sat up and lean against the couch hand rest eyeing Shaurya while he placed the bowel on the coffee table, picked Anokhi's leg, sat down on the couch and placed her leg on his lap.

Anokhi wasn't shocked by Shaurya's gestures as she was very much used to these. She was surprised that he did all these despite they not being on talking terms. She swallowed and adjusted the hot water pack on her abdomen as she stared at him taking the bowl in his hand.

"Aap rehne dij-" Anokhi said, about to lean forward but Shaurya cut in.

"Ssh, let me do this while you lean back and relax, Anokhi" Shaurya said pouring oil in the middle of his palm, rubbing it between his palms before applying it on Anokhi's foot making her groan in painful pleasure.

Anokhi watched as Shaurya massaged her feet with full concentration. Time to time he stole few glances at his wife before continuing massage again. Anokhi bit her lips as she saw her husband massaging her feet, a smile on his lips whenever she groans in pleasure and his face devoid of any forms of ego.

Sighing to herself, Anokhi made up her mind to talk and set things right between them. The realization that she has missed her husband way too much made her feel restless. She wanted nothing but to sort their differences and jump into Shaurya's embrace.

On the other hand, Shaurya himself was contemplating how to start the conversation and apologize to his wife. He applied pressure on certain part of Anokhi's foot getting a groan in reply.

"Ab dardh kaisa hai?" Shaurya asked clearing his throat gaining Anokhi's attention.

"Better" Anokhi said trying to pull back her feet but Shaurya held it back and continued massaging it as he saw her wince in between.

Few minutes of silence dominated the room before Shaurya and Anokhi made up their mind to sort out their differences.

"I'm sorry"

Shaurya and Anokhi stared at each other as they apologized at the same time. Anokhi watched as Shaurya sighed and held onto her feet on his lap as he leaned back on the couch. A moment of silence passed before Shaurya sat up and looked at Anokhi.

"We need to talk, Anokhi" Shaurya said as he tightened his grip around Anokhi's feet.

"We do" Anokhi replied as she pulled back her legs from Shaurya's hold and placed the hot water pack on the table.

Shaurya stood up and walked into the kitchen with the oil bowl. He returned after few minutes with a kitchen towel on his right shoulder while a plate of food in his right hand while a glass of water on his other hand.

Shaurya placed the food plate, glass and kitchen towel in front of Anokhi on the coffee table before taking his seat next to her. Anokhi raised her eyebrows questioningly on seeing single plate.

"I already had my breakfast, Anokhi" Shaurya said making himself comfortable "Let's talk once you are done with breakfast. It's 9:40 already"

"What?! We were supposed to be at college by 8:55!" Anokhi exclaimed as she tried to get up but Shaurya placed his hand on her shoulder and kept her seated on the couch.

"We are still in the middle of conversation, Anokhi" Shaurya reminded Anokhi making her lean back on the couch.

"Yeah, right. Sorry. I have an important lecture this afternoon. Can we..." Anokhi trailed.

"We'll go to college by lunch break" Shaurya assured while Anokhi nodded.

"Now eat" Shaurya said eyeing at the plate making Anokhi sigh before she grabbed the plate and started having breakfast while he fished out his mobile from his coat and was scrolling his Instagram aimlessly.

"I hate it, you know" Anokhi said after a moment of silence making Shaurya look up at her.

"You hate Aloo paratha?" Shaurya asked with a hint of disbelief making Anokhi shake her head in a no "Then?"

"I hate that we are not talking to each other for two days! I hate that I couldn't wake up next to you and ruffle your hair or kiss your forehead first thing in the morning! I hate that I couldn't get you run around the house doing my turns of cleaning work! I hate that I couldn't get to make you feed me this breakfast now * sighs * I hate that couldn't hug you, kiss you or cuddle with you, especially when the pain gets worse! I hate that we are not being Shaurya and Anokhi!"

Anokhi heaved a frustrated sigh while Shaurya pinched the bridge of his nose before running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"We'll talk once you are done with the breakfast, Anokhi" Shaurya said clicking his tongue.

"I don't want to eat, Shaurya!" Anokhi said as she placed the plate on the table "I want us to talk. I want us to sort our differences and go back to being us!"

"Anokh-"

"Please?" Anokhi said as she picked the kitchen towel on the coffee table and wiped her hands.

Shaurya took a deep breath before he nodded and sat facing Anokhi who turned on her seat to sit facing him. A moment of silence passed before Anokhi took a deep breath and said,

"Let me go first. I'm sorry that I over-reacted that day, Shaurya. I wanted to ask you what happened because I was worried for you. I didn't mean to make you feel cornered into saying something you doesn't want to share. So many things happened that day at college. I was going through PMS which is not an excuse for my behaviour but to be honest at that time all I could think about is you have lied to me. I couldn't think anything beyond that. It's like after five plus hours of worry and frustration thinking where you were, if you were okay, when you said you were off to meet Mr. Chadda, I lost it. I know we discussed that we wouldn't keep anything away from each other but when it comes to individual space, relationship or not, something stays with us. I realized that some boundaries are necessary in relationships and I shouldn't have pushed you too far. I was way too overwhelmed that day and I couldn't think rationally and accused you of-"

"Anokhi, please..." Shaurya trailed as he held Anokhi's hand in his making her stop.

"Shau-"

"No, please listen to me" Shaurya said as he tightened his grip on Anokhi's hand "Anokhi, I should be the one apologizing to you, not the way around (notices her opening her mouth and places his finger on her lips) No, let me say my part, okay?"

Shaurya watched as Anokhi heaved a sigh before nodding at him weakly. He cleared his throat before continuing,

"Anokhi, I never thought that I was lying to you. To be honest, until two days back I thought I was just making up excuses to you, not lying. These two days I had time to reflect on my actions and yes, I was lying to you which I'm not proud of * sighs * You're the most important person in my life, Anokhi. I wouldn't do that to you, to our relationship. I...I didn't go to meet Mr. Chadda that day. I mean I was supposed to meet him but I had another important commitment which I just remembered in the morning and had to go"

Shaurya tightened his grip on Anokhi's hand and pulled it closer to him as he looked into her eyes.

"I agree we agreed to keep nothing away from each other but there are certain things which I have to face as an individual, Anokhi. We, Shaurya and Anokhi are people who believe in our individualism and giving space to each other, right. There are certain invisible boundaries people need to set for ourself, be it any relationship. You shouldn't feel obliged to let me confront your demons. That's not transparency in the relationship. Only if you wished to allow me to access your demons, I should be allowed to. This is how it should be, right. I am sorry that I'm keeping few things to myself, Anokhi...There are things still holding me back from moving on in life and I'm working on those, Anokhi"

Shaurya paused to see if he has hurt Anokhi with his words at any point and continued when she eyed him to go on.

"I know you support me in everything I do, Anokhi. I'm grateful to have you in my life who stands by me, understands me and supports me. But there are certain things that have to be done by me. I'm not okay with talking about where I went and what I did yet, Anokhi. I'm not involved in any bad stuffs, that is for sure. I just needed time to open up about this and I still do. I agree that it is my mistake that I haven't talked about this with you. I should have known that you would have understood me if I said I'm not okay sharing few things. That doesn't justify my actions though, Anokhi. I should have said anything which isn't a lie or excuse * sighs * I never meant to lie, Anokhi. I didn't know when I started making excuse and then the pattern followed"

Shaurya bit his lips as he releases Anokhi's hand from his grip and entwines their fingers together.

"I have told you before and I'm telling you now. You are someone who doesn't back off from showing where I'm wrong without holding back. You are someone who makes me a better person, Anokhi. It was hurtful when you said you couldn't stop thinking what else I lied about...I know I was the one at fault here but... Yes, I lied about that thing...but there wasn't... I...I just... I'm really sorry for making you worried that day. I'm sorry that I wasn't there when Sheetal and other students bullied you"

Seeing Anokhi gasp, Shaurya patted her hand and continued,

"Yes, I know what happened the other day at college and I will make sure nothing like this comes up again. I'm sorry that my actions messed things between us, Anokhi. I'm sorry that I let you go to bed with tears these two days. I'm sorry that I made you cry over things I should have handled you better. I know you were hurt and I am sorry"

Shaurya raised Anokhi's hand to his lips before placing a kiss on the back of her palm as he studied her reaction, hoping she would forgive him. Anokhi stared at her husband as she bit the insides of her cheek and pulled her hand out of Shaurya's grip making him frown.

"You were hurt too" Anokhi said as she heaved a sigh and added, "And I am sorry"

After a brief silence as they stared at each other,

"You don't have to tell me where you went, what you were doing and what it was about, Shaurya. I mean not until you are ready. I'm glad we spoke about this" Anokhi said with a smile and added, "If you ever need me, you'll always find me by your side, Shaurya"

Anokhi leaned towards Shaurya and wrapped her arms around him, placing her head against his chest as she closed her eyes and felt him. Shaurya wrapped his arms around Anokhi and crushed her to him as he placed his head on the crook of her neck as he inhaled her scent, assuring himself that she is indeed in his arms.

"I know you'll always be there for me" Shaurya mumbled as he caressed Anokhi's hair making her relax under his touch.

Shaurya tried to pull back from the hug but Anokhi refused to let go off Shaurya making him chuckle as he wrapped his arms around his wife again and placed a kiss on the top of her head before placing his head on top of hers.

"I missed you" Anokhi mumbled against his chest as she pressed her lips against his shirt right on the top of his chest.

"I missed you too" Shaurya said as he caressed Anokhi's hair lovingly.

As they broke their hug, Shaurya noticed that Anokhi's eyes were misty. He nudged her shoulder with his before wrapping his arm around Anokhi's shoulder as he pulled her closer and leaned closer to her ear.

"So, Mrs. Sabharwal, are we okay?" Shaurya asked, his lips grazing Anokhi's ear shell making her smile.

Anokhi moved away, turned to Shaurya and pursed her lips together as she made a gesture of thinking before nodding no to Shaurya making him frown.

"But why?" Shaurya asked frowning.

"Ithni asaani se kaise chalega?" Anokhi said with a ghost smile before putting on a poker face as she raised her eyebrow.

Shaurya saw through Anokhi's act and relaxed while biting back his smile. If his wifey wants to play then why should he hold back?

"Kya karun phir?" Shaurya asked innocently trying to supress his grin as he played along.

Anokhi again made a thinking gesture before clearing her throat and said,

"First kiss me and then, we'll see"

A wide grin appeared on Shaurya's face while Anokhi herself couldn't bit back her smile for long as the duo grinned at each other before Shaurya winked at Anokhi and cupped her face between his palms.

"As you wish, mam" Shaurya said as he caressed Anokhi's cheeks with his thumbs.

Shaurya leaned in and clashed their foreheads against each other before rubbing his nose against Anokhi's sensually. Their heartbeat quickens while their breath became uneven as they breathed against each other. He caressed her lips with his thumb making her part her lips in anticipation.

Nuzzling his nose along Anokhi's cheek, Shaurya trailed his nose up to her forehead where he placed a kiss before trailing his lips along her eyes and kissed both her orbs making Anokhi smile. He kissed her both cheeks and kissed the corner of her lips making her gasp in anticipation as she closed her eyes.

Shaurya grinned to himself as he left Anokhi's lips untouched and trailed his lips down her neck making Anokhi moan and arch her neck back to give him larger access. He planted little kisses along her collarbone as his teeth grazed her skin seductively while his hands roamed on her body and Anokhi's hands were buried in his locks pulling him closer.

Trailing his lips back to her face, Shaurya smiled against Anokhi's lips making her frustrated. Grinning, he tried his luck as he placed a kiss on the corner of her lips making her groan in frustration before she crashed her lips on his making Shaurya grin.

Shaurya cupped Anokhi's face bringing her closer as their lips moulded against each other. It wasn't a slow kiss. Rather it was fierce and passionate. They poured in their feelings as they kissed each other in equal fervour making up for the last two days.

As they pulled back from the kiss, both were panting; their face flushed. Shaurya placed a small kiss on Anokhi's lips before pulling back from her. Anokhi hugged Shaurya as she buried her face in his chest while Shaurya wrap his arms around Anokhi holding her protectively in his arms.

"So, are we good now?" Shaurya asked as he tightened his grip on Anokhi.

"We are" Anokhi mumbled against Shaurya's chest making him smile.

"So, this is what kiss and make up is?" Shaurya asked in a teasing tone making Anokhi pinch his waist making Shaurya chuckle before they both laughed in each other's embrace.

"You know I'm going to follow Prof. Veerjot's footsteps" Shaurya said as he caressed his wife's hair.

"Matlab?" Anokhi asked pulling her face from Shaurya's chest and looked at him while still being in his embrace.

"Arguments, fights are part of relationships, Anokhi. I can't promise that we won't fight ever but what I can promise is that we would sort out our day's issue before going to bed and then start the next day on a fresh note. No going to bed with tears, no not talking to each other for days until we sort things and a strict no to not being Shaurya and Anokhi"

Anokhi stared at Shaurya with a loving smile before she leaned in and pressed her lips against Shaurya's surprising him. She pulled back and caressed his face with her fingers before saying,

"I'm game" Anokhi said pinching Shaurya's cheek lovingly before pulling back her fingers.

"Uuffffff"

Anokhi giggled as she watched Shaurya making a noise showing how he's got bowled by her advances. She hugged him again, rested her head above his chest and closed her eyes listening to his heartbeat while Shaurya toyed with her locks as he rested his head on top of hers. The couple remained in each other's embrace trying to fill the void they felt in the last couple of days completely forgetting the world and its worries.

~ * ~

On the thirteenth day puja, Shaurya and Anokhi reached Kapurthala in the early morning. They helped with the puja preparations. Astha was in a much better state than before. Shaurya just greeted Astha, smiled at her and get back to his work with Shaan.

Astha didn't have much of expectation at that point with Shaurya as she's in a rational state of mind. She was happy that he acknowledged her presence with his greeting and smile. She's sure these baby steps would bring her and her son closer in the coming days. Anokhi was by Astha's side helping with the Puja preparations.

Anokhi's parents came to the puja as well. The Sabharwals reached an hour prior to puja. Shaurya was out to buy few things and so, he wasn't there when the Sabharwals arrived.

The first thing Shaurya saw when he came back was Astha and Devi side by side, hand in hand talking something to each other. He felt a sting inside him before he brushed it away and went in. He took blessings from the elder Sabharwals and continued with his work after greeting his other family members.

The Puja went on without any drama. Anokhi noticed Shaurya being silent throughout the puja. She placed her hand above his and eyed at him asking if he's okay. He just smiled at her assuring that he's fine but within few minutes his face fell into silence. Somehow, he couldn't get the sight of Devi and Astha side by side out of his mind.

Once the puja is done, Shaurya eyed Astha handing a glass of juice to Devi as the women exchanged smiles. He had no clue why his mother and Badi Maa is interacting with each other as if everything is fine. Well, is everything's fine?

After lunch, Shaurya was at one corner of the backside of the house, conversing with few kids from the neighborhood, listening to the kids talking about Anokhi's mischief and pranks when he noticed Astha and Devi at a corner talking to each other at the backyard entrance.

Shaurya scrunched his eyebrows in confusion as the two ladies conversed. Restlessness was evident in Devi's face while Astha had a faint smile on her lips as she tapped Devi's hand which is in her hand. It looked as if Astha is consoling or assuring Devi.

Shaurya bid bye to the kids and moved behind a wall which is little away from where Astha and Devi are. He doesn't like eavesdropping but seeing they two being close provoked him unknowingly. He felt his heart quicken while his hands started to turn cold.

"Sab teek hoga ab se, Bhabhi. Aap chintha math kijiyeh" Astha assured Devi who nodded at her with a weak smile before the women walked inside the house.

Shaurya frowned when he heard his both mothers speaking. Should he be happy that Astha and Devi seems like they are on good terms? Wait, are they on good terms? So, they are like on a team now while his head is messed up after what they did to him from childhood? One gave him up when he was four while the other raised him in web of lies.

Shaurya shook his head trying to brush those thoughts away but couldn't. He fished out his mobile from his pocket in hurry. He looked tensed as he quickly scrolled for a number before making a call. As he waited impatiently for the call to connect, he felt a hand on his shoulder making him shudder and cut the call before turning around.

Anokhi frowned on seeing Shaurya's startled face. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she eyed her husband's tensed face. Shaurya was startled by the intervention but on seeing Anokhi, he relaxed a bit and hugged her.

"Hareey, kya hua aap ko Shaurya?" Anokhi said as she wrapped her arms around Shaurya confused by his behaviour and worried seeing his tensed face.

"Hmmm" Shaurya hummed as he tightened his grip on Anokhi, feeling his frantic heartbeat getting steady and murmured against Anokhi's ear "My safe place"

They stayed locked in each other's embrace. Anokhi was puzzled by Shaurya who didn't let her go when she tried to broke the hug while Shaurya was just trying to compose himself. As they finally broke the hug, before Anokhi could ask something to Shaurya, he jumped in quickly and asked her to show around Kapurthala, especially the haunted house the kids told him about.

Anokhi knew that Shaurya isn't okay but she didn't want to press on the matter. The guy lost his grandparents and he is facing both his mothers' whom he hasn't forgave yet. So, Anokhi smiled at Shaurya and said that she'll take him there after sending off the guests, making Shaurya smile at his wife before the duo walked inside the house.

~ * ~

It was two weeks after the thirteenth day puja that Shaurya and Anokhi had to rush back to Kapurthala. Anokhi was preparing for her exam when she received her mother's call. She picked the call with a smile which only faded when she heard her mother's cry saying police have arrested her father.

Raja who was working at Delhi now, has messed up big time in a forgery case. Worst case scenario, he used his father Ramesh Bhalla's name to do the deed. Once Raja knows he messed up, he flew away and went into hiding making everything fall on Ramesh's head.

Ramesh Bhalla was on his house for a quick lunch when the police arrested him. When the police told him the reason for his arrest, Ramesh was shocked that his son, the one he considered as his heir and the one who would make him proud is the reason, he is getting arrested on a forgery case now.

A crying Rama made a call to Raja whose mobile was switched off. She then made a call to Babli whose number was out of network making her cry more. And then she called her youngest daughter Anokhi who thankfully picked Rama's call and assured her that she and Shaurya would reach Kapurthala soon.

When Shaurya and Anokhi arrived at Kapurthala, it was already evening owing to the distance between Chandigarh and Kapurthala but Shaurya's lawyer has already started working on the case and was preparing bail formalities for Ramesh Bhalla.

Anokhi took her wailing mother in her arms trying to comfort her while Shaurya spoke with the police who said he can't do anything unless Raja turns up or proof that Ramesh Bhalla wasn't involved turns up.

When Shaurya filled in to Anokhi of what the inspector told him, Rama started crying more while Anokhi flared up in anger. She muttered few cuss words under her breath as she thought of her brother who is away somewhere safe from the mess he has created. As Shaurya walked away with the lawyer, Anokhi made Rama sit on a bench and walked inside the station.

True, Anokhi is super mad at her father. It is also true that he was hard on her from childhood and taunted her by flaunting Raja as his heir. He has always looked down at her achievements. But that doesn't mean she doesn't love her father.

Anokhi also remembers the times Ramesh was made to stand next to Anokhi for a picture when she topped in her tenth and twelfth board exams as people came home to interview her and even though he didn't voice it, she saw a glint of satisfaction in his eyes which made her work hard.

Anokhi also remembers the days he would bring Rasgulla while he buys halwa for the rest as she doesn't like halwa; prawn for her when rest would eat fish. Of course, that's all because she throws tantrums but then he did buy those for her.

Ramesh Bhalla wasn't a great father to his daughters. He was bad but not the worst (save for almost getting her married to Monty for which she hasn't forgave him yet) and she won't mind being a good daughter to a bad father. Also, she can't see her mother in tears and she doesn't like the way the constable spoke with her father like he's a criminal when she walked inside the station.

The Anokhi bomb exploded at the inspector as she threw questions after questions to him pushing him to the state of loss of words. It was only when the inspector convinced her that he'll bring the case files to her and show the fax of said forgery documents that she closed her mouth.

Ramesh Bhalla was astonished to see the daughter he always locks heads with, the one whom he thinks has humiliated him fighting for him with the inspector while the son he was proud of has fled away dragging him into the mess which landed him in jail.

Ramesh and Anokhi were always at loggerheads with each other. If she says it is an apple, he would make sure to say it is an orange even if it is an apple and she would do the same. That's their equation. They have never been a team. Guess everything has a start then.

Ramesh swallowed the lump on his throat as he saw Anokhi giving another lecture to the inspector pointing something on the forgery document. She said something which made the inspector to call a constable, hand over a piece of paper and pen to him and send him to Ramesh's direction.

"Yehan pe sign kijiyeh" The Constable said as he gave the pen and paper to Ramesh.

With unsure look and hesitation, Ramesh signed on the blank paper and gave it back to the constable who took it to Anokhi who didn't bother to turn around and look at her father. It may seem rude but she couldn't bear to watch her father sitting on a police station bench with other possible criminals.

When the signed paper reached the inspector table, the inspector on duty, Chiragdeep inspected the signature on the forged documents and then on the paper. Chiragdeep heaved a frustrated sigh before looking up at Anokhi and nodded making her heave a relaxed sigh.

Right when Shaurya walked inside with his lawyer, Chiragdeep has asked the constable to get Mr. Ramesh Bhalla saying he's free to go. Shaurya was surprised with Chiragdeep's words as he and his lawyer walked up to Chiragdeep's table.

Ramesh was clueless of the turn of events when the constable came to him and informed that he is free to go. As he followed the constable to the inspector's table, Chiragdeep apologized to Ramesh for the inconvenience. Anokhi eyed at the constable near the bench to Chiragdeep who sighed and nodded before calling the said constable and asked him to apologize to Ramesh for his behaviour.

Ramesh knew it was Anokhi's doing. He felt a lump on his throat as he signed few papers as a part of formality while he was still clueless of what made the police leave him. He looked at Anokhi who was by Shaurya's side conversing with him.

Chiragdeep thanked Anokhi for giving a closure to the case. When Ramesh looked puzzled, Chiragdeep told Ramesh how his daughter has managed to find the loophole in the document. It was something to do with Ramesh's signature and Anokhi rightly pointed it out.

Chiragdeep praised Ramesh to have such a bold and well-educated daughter to which Shaurya cut in and said as a husband, he is also proud having such a bold and fierce wife making the inspector, constable and lawyer snicker while Anokhi smacked Shaurya's arm making him chuckle.

Ramesh was by now feeling guilty of the way he behaved with Anokhi all these years while he celebrated Raja. Something shifted inside him as he hung his head in shame as he walked out of the police station followed by Anokhi, Shaurya and his lawyer.

Rama took hold of Ramesh's hand as soon as she saw him, crying slightly as she checked if he's okay. Ramesh mumbled a small 'mein teek hoon' in a heavy voice as he looked at his wife's hand on his arm before looking up at her crying face.

"Accha hua Papa ji ne apne signature mein Hindi aur English mix karkey sign karthey hain. Agar Raja bhaiya ne hindi symbol ko mess up nahi kiya toh Papa ji ko jail mein rehna padtha!" Anokhi was explaining to Rama which reached Ramesh's ears.

"Ghar chale?" Ramesh asked in a heavy voice before heaving a frustrated sigh.

By then Shaurya was back with the car after bidding bye to his lawyer. Anokhi opened the door for Ramesh who looked as if he's hesitating to get in. He lifted his eyes to look at his daughter who looked back at him making him look away and get inside the car followed by his mother.

Anokhi closed the door, opened the front door and slipped on the passenger seat. Shaurya started to drive the car to Bhalla house. It was a silent ride with Rama leaning against her husband's shoulder while too many things were going on in Ramesh's head.

As Shaurya parked in front of the Bhalla house, Anokhi was quick to get down. She went around and opened the door for her mother and took her inside the house leaving behind the men. Ramesh heaved a frustrated sigh as he stepped out of the car and Shaurya locked the car as he smiled at Ramesh.

The two men were about to walk inside the house when Shaurya stopped Ramesh.

"Papa ji, mein aap se umer mein chota hoon toh I don't know ki mein aap ko salah deh saktha hoon ya nahi. Mujhe patha hai aap ke aur Anokhi ki equation kya hai aur yeh ghar mein kya kya hua hai. Mein bas aap se ithna kahunga ki hypothetically even if you have ten or hundred sons, even then voh log aap ke beti ki barabari nahi kar sakthey. Chahe voh Anokhi ho ya Babli" Shaurya said and shrugged as he eyed behind him.

Ramesh who was already on a guilt trip arched his head to see a panicked Babli getting down from the car followed by Vicky whom Ramesh earlier didn't approve when they were in love but had to accept as he was in pressure to get Babli remarried after her divorce with Vineet to shut the society's mouth.

Vicky was willing to marry Babli as he still loved her and so, Ramesh got Vicky and Babli married in register office with just family. Babli and Vicky has settled in Bangalore after marriage. Right after Babli heard about what happened to her father, she panicked and asked Vicky to book the first flight and reached Kapurthala the earliest they could.

Babli was in front of her father and kept shooting various questions which didn't seem to enter inside his head. He heaved a sigh, muttered a "Mein teek hoon" in a heavy voice and asked them to go inside the house.

Ramesh sat on a chair in the front veranda of the house deep in thoughts. The day's events took the best of him as he started to recall what happened in the day from him getting arrested to Anokhi's arrival at the station to their arrival back home.

There has been lot of instances his daughter Anokhi has made him feel proud. Of course, his ego wouldn't let him to accept that or appreciate her. He was born and brought up in a patriarchal household. The society was way too patriarchal when he grew up.

Ramesh still remember the day Babli was born. He was actually happy at the news of his daughter's birth until his father and mother gave disappointed looks as they listed out the responsibilities of a girl and how girls should be treated.

Ramesh wasn't happy about his parents' words but his relatives and friends said the same. His already patriarchal brought up played its part and he ended up distancing himself from his first born.

When Raja was born, everyone around were happy and congratulated Ramesh as if he has won an Olympic medal making him take pride in fathering a son. By the time Anokhi was born, patriarchal thoughts took over him and he ended up as a typical Indian patriarchal man and a bad father to his girls.

Right from his kids' childhood, Ramesh has favoured his son. For him his daughters were mere responsibilities which he would wash off once he gets them married and his son would be his heir, someone who would take care of him and his wife until their last breath.

Ramesh let out a sarcastic chuckle while tears brimmed his eyes. The one who should be taking care of Ramesh has landed him in jail while those who were supposed to be responsibilities ended up taking him out of the mess and there to support him.

The evening was long for Ramesh as he reflected on his life and life decisions. It was only after Vicky came to take Ramesh inside for dinner that Ramesh broke out of his thoughts and joined the rest for dinner.

That night, after dinner, Ramesh gathered everyone in the living room and asked for his daughter's forgiveness. He confessed where he went wrong, where he made mistakes in taking decisions in Babli and Anokhi's life and ended up crying for his daughters' forgiveness.

Babli was the first one to forgave her father. It took Ramesh some time to convince Anokhi but he has managed to make Anokhi forgave him. Well, she did say it will take time for her to take part in normal father-daughter bond but Ramesh was happy that she will try to forgive him.

For the first time in years, the Bhallas had dinner together that didn't result in any argument or taunts. Ramesh served his daughters himself before serving everyone. There was fun, laughter, banter and loads of Rama's homemade Ladoo most of which Shaurya ate making Anokhi scold him while the rest laughed at his expense. The night slipped with laughter and happiness making the Bhalla house filled with laughter.

~ * ~

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~