Shakhi SS Marriage Of Convenience

Chapter Twenty Seven

"Noor?"

Astha looked up on hearing Shaan's voice. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she saw Shaan extending a cup of tea.

Shaan has been doing various things from the morning to cheer up Astha. She knows he's trying hard and felt good. She took a sip of her tea as Shaan settled on the chair next to her.

"Chai kaise bani hai?" Shaan asked wiping his hand in the small towel that rested on his shoulder.

Astha smiled on seeing the way Shaan is anticipating her reply.

"Kadak" Astha replied as she took another sip while Shaan raised his hands up in victory, making her smile.

"Tum smile karthey hue bahat acche lag rahi ho, Noor" Shaan said as he placed his hand on hers'.

Astha replied Shaan with a faint smile as she continued sipping her tea while Shaan didn't bother to remove his hand from Astha's. Anupama is having a nap so that leaves just Shaan and Astha.

"Noor vo-" Shaan started but Astha cut him in middle.

"Shaan mujhe patha hai ki tum mujhe cheer up karne ki khosish kar rahe ho" Astha said as she placed her tea cup down and looked up at Shaan. She took a deep breath before she said, "I really appreciate that but I need time on my own to overcome my grief. I have spent most of my life with them and now...now I have lost them both. It is tough but I'll be fine. Don't worry about me"

Astha placed her other hand on Shaan's hand as she stared back into his eyes, trying to assuring that she's fine. Shaan heaved a sigh as he placed his free hand on top of her hand.

"You are one of the strongest women I have known, Noor. I know you are strong enough to handle yourself but it's just, you know, I want you to relax a bit. I'm just worried about you, Noor" Shaan said as he squeezed her hand in comfort.

"I know you're worried about me, Shaan. I'm feeling better than before. The tea you prepared worked wonders. I'm fine, Shaan. Don't worry about me" Astha said giving an assuring smile.

Shaan and Astha just enjoyed the comforting silence around them. It has been years since they sat down together and basked on serene comfortableness while keeping their past at bay.

Astha's not sure if she can give into her feelings and allow Shaan in her life again but the moment spent with him felt right despite twenty-six years of separation and loneliness They continued on their lite hearted chatter as their hands were securely placed in each other's hold while their eyes had a tinge of contentment.

~ * ~

Anokhi heaved a sigh as she exited the department's staff room. She was called by Mrs. Malhotra to discuss about a new assignment. Although she enjoys her academic discussions with Mrs. Malhotra, she wasn't in a good mood that day.

Right after the whole fiasco with Sheetal, Anokhi walked towards the library but her friends met her on the way. Someone told them what happened and they rushed to see Anokhi, concerned about her.

Anokhi put on a brave face for her friends and pretended as if she wasn't affected by the whole fiasco. But to be honest, Anokhi was affected. No one likes it when people make a fun of their relationship. In her case, it was in front of a bunch of her college mates and she was accused of trapping her professor.

Anokhi has made peace with the fact that she would get bullied long ago even when her relationship with Shaurya wasn't certain i.e., their early marriage stage. Now that they both are in this relationship together, all these shouldn't matter. But she can't help but feel a little down.

Anokhi shook her head as she walked towards her classroom. She was deep in thoughts that she didn't realize when she bumped with someone. She looked up as she continuously apologized.

"Sorry, sir. Sorry, sorry, I didn't notice. I'm sorry" Anokhi said in a panic tone.

"Relax, it's okay. Relax mam" It was man in his late fifties with specs, his voice was warm and his English was fluent.

"Are you okay, sir? I was thinking something and I didn't notice you, I'm sorry" Anokhi said composing herself.

"It's alright mam, no issues" The man said in a gentle tone "I presume you are a student of SIAC, am I right?"

"Yes, sir. I'm Anokhi. I'm a final year student" Anokhi said with a smile.

"Oh, that's nice. You can help me then, mam?"

"Sure sir, what is it?"

"Well let me introduce myself first. I'm Vikram Chadda from ARC. I'm here to meet your college's director, Shaurya Sabharwal. Can you direct me to his cabin, mam?" Mr. Chadda asked in a polite tone.

Anokhi's smile falter as she heard Mr. Chadda's words. Shaurya texted her that he's going to meet Mr. Chadda that morning. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she tried to gather her thoughts together.

Now Anokhi can't just say to Mr. Chadda that Shaurya has gone to meet him. So, she thought of an excuse.

"Are you okay, mam?" Mr. Chadda asked concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay sir. I think I saw Shaurya sir leave college premises but (she stops the peon walking by the way) you can go with him, he'll take you to Shaurya sir's cabin"

Mr. Chadda thanked Anokhi and left with the peon while Anokhi was confused. She took her mobile out and checked Shaurya's text again. He did say he's going to meet Mr. Chadda. But Mr. Chadda's here, wanting to meet Shaurya.

Anokhi felt her head throbbing. Shaurya left in morning and now it's evening. She knows Shaurya won't lie to her or hide anything from her. But after hearing to Mr. Chadda's words she was worried for Shaurya. She tried calling Shaurya but his mobile was switched off.

'If Mr. Chadda is here then where's Shaurya?' Anokhi wondered to herself.

'Kahi unhe kuch hua toh nahi?' Anokhi thought worriedly.

Shaking those thoughts out of her head, Anokhi thought of checking with Malkan who has returned after dropping Sabharwal women back at the Sabharwal mansion. She called Malkan but his mobile was busy.

Anokhi took a deep breath and went to her classroom. She didn't want her friends to stress over anything. So, she quickly took her things, made an excuse and walked out of her classroom.

As Anokhi exited the campus corridor, she saw Malkan leaning against a car and busy with a call.

'Is Shaurya back?' Anokhi thought as she moved towards Malkan.

Malkan, on seeing Anokhi, quickly ended the call and greeted her. Before he could guide her to sit in, Anokhi stopped in.

"When did you two come back? Where's Shaurya? Why his mobile is switched off? Where's he? Did he go inside?" Anokhi blasted Malkan with questions.

"Bhabhi ji, relax. Calm down" Malkan said startled with Anokhi's questions.

Anokhi realized she has been blasting off questions at Malkan and calmed herself down. She took a sharp intake of breath as she massaged her temple with her fingers.

"Are you okay, Bhabhi ji? You look tensed" Malkan asked concerned.

"I'm fine. Where is Shaurya?" Anokhi asked composing herself.

"Shaurya sir left from SIAC at morning itself" Malkan said.

"Morning?" Anokhi mumbled.

Anokhi's eyes fell on the car number plate Malkan is leaning against. It wasn't Shaurya's car but Sabharwal mansion's car. She remembered that Malkan went to veneration with Sabharwal women.

Malkan would have reached college after Shaurya left. That's the reason why Shaurya isn't with Malkan right now. But that still doesn't answer the question of where Shaurya is now.

"You went to veneration na. So, he wouldn't have informed you. He-"

"Bhabhi ji, I met Shaurya sir before he left this morning. He informed me to drop you home at evening. That's why I'm here waiting for you. Is there any problem, Bhabhi ji?"

"Shaurya said he's going to meet an official from ARC and left after first hour. But I met that official before few minutes. He was looking for Shaurya. I tried contacting Shaurya but his mobile is switched off. I'm just worried for him. Didn't he tell you where he's going?" Anokhi asked in a panicked tone.

"I did ask Shaurya sir, Bhabhi ji. He said he has some important work. I asked if he wants me to come along. He said he'll drive on his own. He used to go alone during every week days. So, I didn't bother stressing on where he's going. He would switch off his mobile if he's in a meeting" Malkan answered and on seeing Anokhi's tensed face, he added "If you want, we can go look around for him"

Anokhi was lost in deep thoughts. She tried to process whatever Malkan said. Malkan did say that Shaurya does go off on week days like this. She wondered why she never knew about that until now. Malkan said Shaurya might be in a meeting. So, she decided to drop a text to Shaurya and wait for him to respond.

But the question remains still. Where did Shaurya go and why did he told her that he's off to meet Mr. Chadda? Anokhi was already down with the day's events. Top of that, now she's worried for Shaurya. Great!

"Bhabhi ji?"

"Huh?" Anokhi looked up at Malkan.

"You want to go look around for Shaurya sir?"

Anokhi thought for a moment before nodding her head in a no.

"Can you take me to home?" Anokhi asked in a tired tone.

Malkan nodded and opened the door for Anokhi to get in. Anokhi sat inside the car mumbling a thank you. Malkan then rushed to his seat and started the car. As the car left SIAC, Anokhi leaned herself against the window and closed her eyes.

'Where are you Shaurya?'

~ * ~

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~