Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience

Chapter Twenty Four

The next morning when Shaurya woke up, he noticed that Anokhi has already left the room. Shaurya yawned as he scratched his hair before jumping out of the bed. He couldn't see her room properly last night. So, his eyes roamed around the room as he walked towards the study table.

It was a neat room. Everything was arranged in its place. There's a study table by the window and a book shelf right next to it lined with various literature and economics book. There was also an award shelf next to it where they were lot of small trophies and shields which Anokhi got right from her school days.

There was admiration and pride in Shaurya's face while a constant smile played on his lips. His eyes fell on the newspaper cuttings pasted on the wall. There were pics from the time she topped her board exams.

Shaurya paused on a picture for a second as his eyes widen in surprise. In front of him was a picture of him, Anokhi and Astha from the day he handed the trophy to Astha at the debate competition on Anokhi's insistence.

Looking at that picture made Shaurya realize how rude he was to Astha that day and felt bad. Back then he was angry at the way Anokhi replied him back but now he chucked recalling their argument. He also realized that that's the day they met for the first time.

Shaurya's lips curved into a smile at the thought of their first meeting. He shook his head with a smile as his eyes lingered on her book shelf. When he was about to pick an economics book, his mobile rang.

Shaurya went and picked his mobile. It was Shaan. He answered the call and Shaan asked him and Anokhi to come soon for the preparation of Puja. Shaurya agreed and hanged up the call.

Shaurya took his outfit for the day and went to have a shower. He came out of the washroom wearing fresh clothes and decided to check up on Anokhi. When he came out of the room, he saw Ramesh at the living room reading newspaper while Rama just sat down to have her cup of tea.

"Good morning" Shaurya said with a smile.

"Hareey Damad ji, aayiyeh aayiyeh" Ramesh said folding his newspaper.

"Damad ji, aap beithiyeh, Mein aap ke liye chai leke aathi hoon" Rama said.

Rama was about to stood up by placing her cup down when Shaurya stopped her.

"Nahi, aap chai pijiyeh. Mein Anokhi se jaake le letha hoon"

"Hareey Damad ji, aese kaise chalega? Hum mardon kitchen mein kya karenge? Yeh leke aayegi" Ramesh said eyeing Rama to go.

"Nahi. Voh mujhe sirf Anokhi ke hath ke bane hui coffee pasand hai toh mein kudh jaake..." Shaurya said as he gave Ramesh a forced smile and turned to Rama "Kitchen?"

"Voh us taraf hai Damad ji" Rama pointed at the kitchen.

Shaurya thanked Rama and walked towards the kitchen while Ramesh gave a disapproving nod to Rama as she casted her eyes low and had her tea. Shaurya saw Anokhi was immersed in cooking. He stood on her left and patted on her right shoulder making her turn on her right while he placed a kiss on her left cheek.

"Good morning Anokhi" Shaurya said with a smile.

Anokhi was first startled to see someone patting on her shoulder but when she got kissed, she knew it was Shaurya right away. She relaxed right away and looked up at Shaurya with a smile.

"Good morning, Shaurya" Anokhi said turning her attention back to cooking "When did you wake up?"

"Bas kuch dher pehle" Shaurya said as he picked a boiling pan from the kitchen slab "Coffee powder kahan pe hai, Anokhi?"

"Agar aap ko coffee chahiyeh toh mein bana deti hoon na, Shaurya. Aap living room mein jaake wait kijiyeh" Anokhi said as she took out the coffee powder box from the cabinet.

Anokhi very well knows how the people in her house thinks and she doesn't want her father to blame her again or make any comment on their relationship.

"Hareey, I make coffee most of the mornings. Is mein kya hai? Dho, mein banalunga" Shaurya said as he took the coffee powder box from Anokhi.

Anokhi heaved a sigh. It's better to let Shaurya do whatever he wants to rather than explaining him. So, Anokhi shook her head in disbelief and turned to prepare breakfast.

Shaurya started making coffee and once done, he sat on the kitchen slab opposite to Anokhi as he had his coffee while she prepared breakfast. They both were conversing as he had his coffee.

"Anokhi, papa ne hum ko jaldi aane ke liyeh kaha voh puja ki tayari karne ke liye. We'll leave once we have breakfast, okay?" Shaurya said as he finished his coffee.

"Haan, we'll leave within an hour" Anokhi said as she turned off the stove and turned to Shaurya "I forgot to inform my academic advisor for leave, Shaurya. Attendance ka kuch hoga toh nahi na?"

"Relax Anokhi, mein toh pehle se hi Mrs. Malhotra ko inform karliya hai" Shaurya said as he washed the coffee mug while Anokhi smiled at him.

That is when Rama walked inside the kitchen. She went inside with a smile but panicked on seeing Shaurya doing the dishes.

"Damad ji yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?" Rama said as she walked in "Aap isse rakiyeh. Mein saaf karlungi. Aap ko yeh sab karne ke liye zarurat nahi hai"

Anokhi rolled her eyes in annoyance. She knew this is what would happen at her house. She loves her mother a lot but she's not ready to hear her mother lectures on how domestic works should be done only by women.

It's been a long time since Anokhi has heard her mother's lecture and she's not ready to hear one. Shaurya's the most supportive partner she can ask for and so, there was no need for the lecture.

"Voh Mummy ji..." Shaurya then hesitates for a moment before he asks "Mummy ji bula saktha hoon na?"

"Ji aap bula sakthey ho par aap isse pehle rakhiyeh" Rama said.

Rama was touched at the way Shaurya asked if he can call her Mummy ji. She panicked on seeing Shaurya doing dishes because the way she was raised, that men doesn't belong to kitchen and all domestic works should be done only by women and men are the breadwinner of the family.

"Mummy ji aap na thand paayiyeh" Shaurya said asking her to calm down.

"Par-"

"Par var kuch nahi. Voh mein jo mug mei mein ne coffee piya tha usse bas wash kiya tha. Is mein galath kya hai?" Shaurya said and added with a smile "waise bhi aap ki beti toh mujhe kar kisim ka kaam karwake hi chodthi hai toh mujhe aadath ho gaya hai" and turned towards Anokhi "Mein Malkan ko call karke aatha hoon. Excuse me"

Shaurya excused himself from the kitchen and went out. Anokhi turned to make some rotis when she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. Anokhi closed her eyes and composed herself before turning to her mother.

"Nikki, kya tha voh? Tum Damad ji ko barthan dhone kaise de sakthi hai?" Rama asked with wide eyes and tensed tone "Yeh sab mardon ka kaam nahi hai Nikki. Aur toh aur is ghar ke damad hai voh. Tum un se kyun karwayi?"

"Mummy ji, mein Shaurya se barthan dhone ke liye nahi kaha tha. Voh toh Shaurya hi aake coffee banaye the au-"

"Kya? Unhonhe coffee banayi?" Rama exclaimed "Yeh tu kya keh rahi hai Nikki. Yeh sab... kaisee... haye Matharani! Aur unhonhe kya kaha, tum unse har kisim ka kaam karwathi hai, Us ka kya matlab hai, Nikki?"

"Accha voh? Humhare ghar mein humne maid nahi raka toh ghar mein Shaurya aur mein saare kaam baat ke karthe hai. Wahi bolke ja rahe hein" Anokhi said as an unknown smile formed on her lips thinking about how considerate Shaurya is while Rama was dumbfounded.

"Yeh tum kya keh rahi ho, Nikki? Ek toh tum ne unhe kudh coffee banane diya, barthan dhone diya aur ab keh rahi hai ki tum unse ghar ka kaam bhi karwathi hai! Agar yeh tumhare parivaar walon ko patha chalgaya toh kya hoga, socha tumne? Aur yeh kya hai, baath baath pe Shaurya Shaurya keh rahi ho. Pati hai tumhare aur umar mein bhi badi hai. Shaurya ji ya phir sirf ji bulaya kar, Nikki. Yeh saare cheezon ko agar tumhare papa ji sunenge toh voh gussa kareng-"

"Mummy ji bas, ek minute saas toh lijiyeh pehle" Anokhi said as Rama blasted away and once her mother calmed down, she added "Shaurya ko coffee chahiyeh tha isliyeh unhonhe apne liye banaya. Is mein koyi bhi galat bath nahi hai. Yeh jo mardon kitchen mein kaam nahi kar sathey, voh saree cheez toh bahat purani hai. Duniya aese nahi chalthi hai ab, Mummy ji. Aur yeh barthon dhone ki aur ghar ke kaam mein madath karne ki baath, yeh toh Shaurya ne mujhe kaha ki hum karlenge. Jab unhe koyi dikkath nahi hai toh mein mana kaise karungi? In fact, yeh toh acchi baath hai. Mardh aur Aurat, bina farak ke apne kaam kudh karna seek lene chahiyeh. Hum ne humhare responsibilities share ki hai ek dusre se, sirf sath nibhaney ki vaadhey nahi"

"Par Nikki, log kya kahenge? Tumhare Sasuraal wale..."

"Log? Sasuraal wale? Yeh toh mere aur mere pati ke beech ke baath haina. Koyi kuch bhi kahe, humhe kya farak padega unki bathon se? Anokhi said as she holds her mother's shoulders in her hands "Mummy ji, Mujhe patha hai ki aap ko yeh saare cheez naya hai. Aap ko yeh sikhaye gaya hai ki ghar ka kaam aurat sambhalthi hai aur bahar ka kaam mardh. Par ab waqt badhal chuka hai. Mardh aur Aurat dhono apne responsibilities ko share kar sakthey hai. Yeh galat nahi hai"

Anokhi went on and explained a few more to her mother who nodded her head, trying to process everything. Rama has lived almost all her life in a patriarchal home and she was bent by this patriarchal system. It may be difficult for her to come out of this but she's happy that her daughter knows what's best for her and has a good life.

"Aur ek bath, mein Shaurya ko unke naam se bulathi hoon toh unke izzath kum nahi ho jathi. Bade hain mujse, mere pati hai par voh bhi insaan hi hai mere tarah. Waise bhi agar mein chahu toh bhi unhe Shaurya ji ya aur kuch nahi bula sakthi. Kyun ki unhonhe hi mujse Shaurya bula ne ko kaha hai Mummy ji" Anokhi said as she holds her mother's hands in hers "Aur yehi baath papa ji ke gusse ki, voh toh mein tab bhi nahi dar ri thi aur aaj bhi nahi darungi"

Anokhi gave an assuring pat on her mother's hand and left with a smile while Rama was deep in her thoughts. Soon Shaurya and Anokhi had their breakfast which thankfully went without any issues.

They both got ready, took blessings from Anokhi's parents and grandmother and left to Astha's place. Malkan was the one to drive so they both relaxed as they sat on the backseat.

Soon they reached Astha's place. Shaurya and Anokhi walked inside and found Shaan speaking with someone for the puja's arrangement. Shaan pointed them to go in and so, they walked in after giving him a nod.

Astha looked much better than yesterday. She looked calm and composed. Astha's aunt was by her side as they both were siting on the dining table and checking with the puja materials.

Shaurya and Anokhi walked in and they felt good on seeing Astha in a good state. They first went to living room where Ramnath and Nirmala's pictures were hanged and prayed before walking to Astha who stood up on seeing them.

"Shaurya..." Astha said with a slight smile yet her tone gave away how emotional she is to see Shaurya. She turned towards Anokhi and added "Anokhi, tum log kab aaye? Shaan ne kaha tha ki tum log nasthe ke liye aaoge. Chalo breakfast karthey hai?"

Astha was about to move towards kitchen when Shaurya stopped her.

"Nahi, voh hum Anokhi ki yehan nastha karliya hai" Shaurya said as he looked up at her.

"Accha" Astha said as she sat down, not knowing what to say next.

Astha was longing for this moment for years and ever since she came to know that Shaurya has come to know the truth, this was the moment she was waiting for. But fate has played its game and she lost her parents. Shaurya's in front of her now but is he here because he has forgiven her or taking pity on her for her situation?

Astha wasn't sure of the situation yet she couldn't help but feel glad to see her son in front of him. She's not in a mindset or position to express what she felt for her son as the sadness of her parents' death was clouding her senses but she can at least acknowledge his presence right?

"Aap ne breakfast karliya?" Anokhi asked in a concerned tone.

"Haan, Anokhi. Voh Shaan ke sath karli"

"Ab aap kaisi hai? Aap ki tabhiyak ab kaisi hai?" Shaurya asked as he fidgeted with his fingers which Anokhi noticed and held his hands while Astha looked up at Shaurya.

"Mein... mein teek hoon Shaurya" Astha said with a slight smile while he nodded at her.

"Astha maa, aap ne aapki medicines liye ki nahi?" Anokhi asked and by the look on Astha's face Anokhi knows she hasn't.

"Yeh Astha na, apna kayaal rakhthi hi nahi. Tab se keh rahi hoon ki dawai le lo. Yeh toh liya hi nahi" Astha's aunt, Anupama said as she looked at Astha disapprovingly.

"Nahi vo-"

"Agar aap apke medicines time pe nahi lenge toh aap ke tabhiyak teek kaise hoga?" Shaurya asked Astha as he fixed his eyes on her and before she could respond, he turned to Anokhi and said "Anokhi, tum jao. Jaake unke dawai leke aao"

"Shaurya, iski koyi zarurat nahi ha-" Astha started but Shaurya cut him in middle.

"Hareyy aese kaise zarurat nahi hai? Anokhi tum jao. Aur aap, ab beite rahiyeh" Shaurya said sternly and shifted his attention to Astha's aunt.

Shaurya stepped forward and bent down and touched Anupama's feet who was surprised and blessed her grandson. Anokhi was back by then and handed the medicine to Astha who gulped her medicines.

Shaurya excused from them after Astha had her medicines and joined Shaan in Puja preparations. Astha was surprised by Shaurya's gestures. When she saw Anokhi, she got an assuring smile in reply.

Within an hour, the preparations for Puja were over and relatives came for the Puja including Anokhi's parents and the elders of Sabharwal family. Astha was surprised by their arrival but welcomed them. Deep down, she felt glad that they stayed with her in this hard time.

As Shaurya was the one who did the final rites, he was asked to sit on the Puja along with Anokhi. It was emotional for Astha who was in tears. In no time the Puja got over and by evening everyone has left save for Shaan, Shaurya, Anokhi and Anupama.

Anupama decided to stay with Astha for few days. Shaan also decided to stay with Astha for the meantime despite her asking him to go back. Shaurya and Anokhi decided to leave to Chandigarh as they had college and planned to come for the thirteenth day puja.

Shaurya and Anokhi bid them bye and left to Anokhi's house. They picked their stuffs from there and left for Chandigarh. As Anokhi left Kapurthala, she was emotional. She moved closer to Shaurya and snuggled in his arms.

Shaurya sensed Anokhi's mood and instantly wrapped his arms around Anokhi as he caressed her hair softly and placed a reassuring kiss on her head. After few minutes, both fell asleep. After three and half hours, Malkan stopped the car in front of their apartment building and informed Shaurya who was awake by then.

Shaurya woke up Anokhi and they moved towards their apartment with their bags. After thanking Malkan, Shaurya closed the door behind him and sat down on the couch in the living room and stretched his legs while Anokhi went in to get changed.

Shaurya thought about the past few days of his life and heaved a frustrated sighed. When they left to Ludhiana, he thought he'll make it a memorable day for Anokhi and he succeeded in doing so until things went out of control with his grandparents' death.

Shaurya still couldn't accept that he didn't get to spend time with his grandparents in twenty-six years. He still remembers their smiling faces on the mobile screen on the day he told them that he would come to meet them.

Shaurya was even slightly envious of Anokhi that she has spent years with them. She could relate their losses with her memories with them but what about him? How can he recall them? Just the memories of few video calls?

Shaurya felt teers pooling his eyes but quickly wiped it away as he heard their room door opening. Anokhi stepped out of the room after a fresh bath and found Shaurya sitting on the couch.

"Jayiyeh jaake fresh ho jayiyeh. Dher ho rahi hai. Mein khaana garam karthi hoon" Anokhi said as she applied moisturizer on her arms.

Shaurya stood up with a nod and moved towards their room while Anokhi walked into the kitchen. Rama packed some foods for them. She washed her hands, took out the boxes, reheated the food and made fresh rotis.

When Shaurya came out, the dinner was laid out and Anokhi was filling water in the glasses. They both sat down and had their dinner while discussing about college. Once done,

It was already 11 by then and despite their sleep on the travel, they were beat and decided to hit the bed. Shaurya went to bed first. Anokhi checked her college schedule for the next day and then went to bed.

Anokhi climbed on her side of the bed, moved towards Shaurya and laid herself down beside him as she whispered good night against his ears to which he replied with a kiss, making her smile.

Shaurya turned on his space and engulfed Anokhi in his embrace as she placed her head comfortably against his chest and wounded her legs with his while he caressed her hair. Contented, they closed their eyes. Soon they fell into sleep out of tiredness.

~ * ~

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~