ShaKhi TS Mareez-e-Ishq

Part I

It has been two days since the Holi party. Anokhi was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling blankly. Her mind kept thinking about what happened two days back no matter how hard she tried not to think.

Holi – that's the day the equation between her and her PS supposed to change. She was in love and she thought he loved her too. She wanted the Holi to be special for her and her PS.

After giving an earful to Ahir and bringing back Shaurya from the station, Anokhi thought she'll get to know about Shaurya's feelings for her and she'll convey hers but little did she knew she would encounter her PS pouring his heart out to someone else.

It would be an understatement to say that Anokhi was heartbroken. Her PS was proposing his love to someone else when she was going crazy for him in love? Wait, her PS? Can she even tag him as hers now? All these thoughts clouded her mind.

Anokhi felt suffocated when she saw Shaurya with some other girl, tears pooled her eyes. So, she did the only thing she thought of. She rushed back to her hostel room, trying to hold her tears in cheek. Few traitors slipped out of her eyes on the way but she managed to reach her room and locked the door.

As seconds passed, her room filled with her cry. Was it disappointment or hurt or betrayal, she had no clue. Anokhi knew in her heart that Shaurya likes her too but why did he do that? Why did he propose to someone else? Why did he break her heart like this?

Agreed Shaurya didn't propose her but he did say that some unspoken things have to be understood and Anokhi understood the love he had for her through his actions. But then why would he do this to her?

Anokhi didn't step out of her room that day. Neither she picked her friends call nor Shaurya's. The hurt was too much for her to process. This isn't how she pictured how her day would be.

She didn't open when Shaurya knocked her room door, not even when he threatened that he would break the door. She just laid in her bed, muffling her cries with her pillow. She didn't answer when her friends knocked. She wanted to be alone, to let her tears out before she could process everything.

Anokhi's mind kept playing all those moments she had spent with Shaurya, her heart aching with each passing second. For most of the day she cried over what she saw but before midnight she opened Shaurya's texts with heavy heart.

Kahan ho tum?

I couldn't find you anywhere, Anokhi. Tujse ek zaroori bath karni hai.

Are you okay? Why are you not replying my calls?

Why can't I find you anywhere?

Pick my call, Anokhi! I'm getting worried.

I'm standing in front of your hostel room. Open the door now!

My patience is growing thin, Anokhi. Open the damn door! Mujhe tum se kuch bath karni hai!

I swear I would break this door now. OPEN!

There were countless more messages of checking up on her, asking her to open the door, informing her that he has to go but he'll come for her again, asking if she's ok or if she had her food. The last message was couple of minutes ago asking why is she avoiding him. Anokhi heaved a tired sigh, her eyes tearing up.

"Matharani, yeh kya ho rahi hai mere sath?" Dejected, Anokhi buried her face into her palms. She looked up after a long pause "Mein kuch samji nahi. Mein ne dekha tha PS ko ek ladki ko propose karthey hue. But what about the love I saw in his eyes for me? Aur PS ke yeh saare harkath dekhe... matlab hostel tak aa gaye the, ithni saare calls aur messages. I don't know what I should make out of this"

Now that Anokhi's mind started thinking straight, she thought of various possibilities of the situation when she received a text from Reema. She realized that Reema has left countless messages for her too. Anokhi scanned through the text. Amidst the 'where are you?' texts, her eyes landed on one particular text that caught her attention.

OMG! Anokhi, Shagun mam has come back!

FYI, Shagun mam was Shaurya sir's ex-fiancé! They got separated as she wanted to pursue higher education in Cambridge.

Tears pricked Anokhi's eyes. She was his fiancé. What if she has come back for Shaurya and he readily proposed her? Shuddering out of such thoughts she started reading the texts again.

Since you are not here and I hope you're with Babli di, being a good friend that I'm, I'll look out if she tries something fishy with Shaurya sir. Don't worry.

Shaurya sir is looking for you everywhere, Anokhi. This Shagun mam is following Shaurya sir. Don't know what's her problem!

My god! Shaurya sir is restlessly looking for you. It's visible on his face. Such a treat to watch! Btw, are you okay? I can't find you anywhere.

Anokhi, Shaurya sir asked everyone if they have seen you. Kahan ho yaar? Jaldi aana.

After few messages,

Anokhi! Shagun mam was trying to apply color on Shaurya sir. Guess what he did?

Anokhi was disappointed when Reema didn't texted what happened next but left messages asking her where she is and if she's okay. She groaned in annoyance and put her mobile aside.

"Ab kya karun mein? Kya hua hoga aaj? What should I make out of what happened today? Should I just jump into conclusion or listen to his side?"

Anokhi was so lost in her thoughts that she fell asleep due to the day's exhaustion. When she woke up the next morning, she decided that she would have a word with Shaurya before jumping into any conclusion. Deep down, she still felt that Shaurya loves her and this might be just a big misunderstanding.

Anokhi got ready and met her friends. She got an earful from Reema for not responding yesterday. Anokhi covered it saying that she was sick and she slept all day. After making sure that Reema's ok with her, Anokhi's eyes searched for Shaurya. She couldn't focus in her work with her mind heavy with these thoughts.

Anokhi was told that Shaurya has left for SIAC, Patiala campus for an important work and won't be joining in Fest preparations for the time being. She tried to call him but his number was switched off. Anokhi grew more restless.

Through out the day she couldn't focus on any work, her mind thinking about Shaurya. She needed to confront him to end this for once and all. Either it's a misunderstanding from her side that Shaurya loves her or Shaurya does love her and there's a logical explanation behind why he was proposing Shagun.

Anokhi doesn't want to roam around with these thoughts in her mind. If she gets the clarity she needs, she would react that way. If Shaurya's answer breaks her heart, she would take it with dignity and burry her feelings. But if this was a misunderstanding then she would be thankful to herself that she fought with herself for her love. Two days passed like this.

Anokhi shifted her gaze from the ceiling and took her mobile in her hand. She didn't dare text him after ignoring all his but she did call him and the answer was the same – switched off.

Anokhi dumped her mobile back on the side table and buried her face into the pillow, groaning in annoyance. Her mobile rang all a sudden and she reached for her mobile, thinking it of Shaurya's call with an anticipating smile but her happiness was short lived as Ahir's name flashed on the screen.

Anokhi put the call on mute, her face twisted in annoyance. It was 11:30 in the night for god's sake! Who does he think of himself as? Calling her at late hours! Anokhi has always thought Ahir as her friend but he messed up everything today!

That evening as Anokhi was walking from her college to hostel, Ahir came in middle to meet her. He apologized to Anokhi for what he did with Shaurya. Anokhi curtly told him that it wasn't her he should be apologizing to.

Ahir agreed and out of blue, he confessed that he likes her. Anokhi was taken aback. She has always saw Ahir as a good friend, a well-wisher. But when he confessed his feelings, anger sparked within her.

Was Anokhi so oblivious that she failed to see that Ahir swirled around her with this intention? She didn't mind Shaurya's words as she thought Ahir as a friend and she thought he sees her as the same. But his confession made her angry.

Anokhi blasted at him saying she didn't expect this from him and she just saw him as a good friend, nothing more. Ahir tried saying his part but Anokhi didn't even let him speak.

"Jo Kehna tha, aap keh chuke ho. Ab aap mujse dhur rahi yeh, ACP sir" Anokhi said and started to walk away from there.

"Aaj toh Professor saab bahat kush honge. Un ke rasthey se pattar toh hat gaya" Ahir spoke out of hurt in the heat of the moment.

Anokhi halted as she heard what Ahir was saying to himself. She turned around and looked at Ahir who was walking away. What does he mean by that?

Anokhi rolled her eyes as her mobile started ringing again. She put her mobile on silent and tried to sleep. But sleep was far away. She twisted and tossed around her bed and slept around midnight.

Kanchan was the one in charge for the Fest. So, she came to SIAC for the past two days and Anokhi's restless behavior didn't slip from her eyes. In the short time she spent with Anokhi, she has come to form a good bond with Anokhi. After two days of noticing Anokhi's behavior, she finally decided to talk to Anokhi about it.

Kanchan took Anokhi with her to the stone bench by the garden. They two settled down.

"Kya bath karni thi mam aap ko? Agar Fest ki bare mein hai toh half list of works ar-"

"Usse chod do. Pehle yeh kaho ki tujhe kya hua hai Anokhi? You seem very distracted and restless. Are you okay?"

"It's nothing like that mam" Anokhi tried to sound confident.

After few minutes of conversation, finally Kanchan asked.

"Is there any problem between you and Shaurya bhaiya?"

Anokhi looked at Kanchan, surprised.

"Na... nahi mam. Aap aesa kyun puch rahe ho?" Anokhi averted her gaze "Hum dhono ki beech mein kya problem ho sakthi hai?"

"Accha? Voh Shaurya bhaiya bhi aese hi restless nazar aaye the mereko in these two days"

"Shaurya sir?" Anokhi looked up at Kanchan on the mention of Shaurya's name "Voh toh Patiala gaye hain na"

"Well, kisi se math bathana par Shaurya bhaiya Patiala nahi gaye" Kanchan said leaning closer to Anokhi.

"Kya?" Anokhi shifted, facing towards Kanchan "Kya keh rahe ho aap? Kahan hai voh?"

"Haan Patiala nahi gaye hain but let's drop this subject. How is the dan-" Before Kanchan could finish, Anokhi cut her in middle.

"Aese kaise, Mam. Sab keh rahe the ki voh Patiala gaye hain. Apne keh rahe ho ki Shaurya sir Patiala nahi gaye. Toh kahan hai voh? Unka phone bhi nahi lagra. Switched off aa raha hai. College bhi nahi aaye. Kahi unhe kuch hua toh nahi? Bathayiyeh na mam, kahan hai voh? Voh teek hai na?"

"Hareey, bas Anokhi. Take a deep breath. Tum ne toh kaha ki everything's fine between Shaurya and you. But here you are blasting me away with questions. Ithni bechain, ithni restless, ab bhi tum keh rahi ho ki tum dhono ki beech mein problem nahi hain?" Kanchan asked with a knowing smile.

Anokhi lowered her head. She was mum for few seconds before a lone tear slipped out of her eye, followed by more. Kanchan lifted Anokhi's chin and made her look eye to eye.

"Shaurya bhaiya se pyaar karthe ho?" Kanchan asked in a soft tone.

After a small silence, Anokhi nodded weakly as Kanchan hugged her.

"But he doesn't, at least I think so" Anokhi said between her tears.

"Why do you say that?" Kanchan broke the hug and looked at Anokhi "Aese tumhe kyun lagtha hai ki he doesn't love you?"

"Mam, mujhe Shaurya sir ko milna hai. Please bathayiyeh ki voh kaha hai" Anokhi ignored Kanchan's question. Clearing her tears, she said "Mein jake dekhlungi unhe"

"Anokhi, ghar mein bahat kuch hua hai in these two days. He has lot going on in his head. I don't thi-"

"Mam, mujhe un se bath karna bahat zaroori hai. Please"

Kanchan was reluctant to say about Shaurya's whereabouts. She remembers Gayatri's words but she decided to speak to Anokhi because Anokhi looked very disturbed with puffy eyes and dull face. Now that Anokhi has confessed in front of her, she decided to take the risk.

"Whenever he's disturbed beyond words, he doesn't come home and stays at our guest house. Dho din se wahi hain. Apne aap ko waha bandh karke beite hain. Mein ne bath karne ki khosis ki hai lekin unhonhe kuch nahi kaha"

"Aesa kya hua hai, Mam?" Anokhi grew anxious.

'Is he okay?' Is what she could think of.

"Voh mein nahi batha sakthi but I can ask Makkan to drop you at the guest house" Kanchan offered.

Anokhi thanked Kanchan, texted Reema that she's going out for a work and immediately left to the parking area where Makkan was waiting for her. She got in the car after thanking Makkan.

On her way to the guest house, Anokhi had mixed thoughts. She wanted to know what happened on Holi day. She wants to get it out of her system. But on the other side, she was worried for Shaurya. With what Kanchan had said, she could realize that something big has happened with Shaurya. So, she's in dilemma of what to do.

As she reaches the guest house, the guards let her in as Kanchan had informed them prior her arrival. One of the guards lead her inside. Anokhi grew anxious as she took each step.

The guard stopped in front of a room and knocked.

"Shaurya sir?"

There wasn't any response for a few seconds. So, the guard knocked few more times.

"Go away! I don't want to be disturbed!" Shaurya yelled from the other side.

"Mam, its better if you leave" The guard said to Anokhi.

"No, I won't go until I meet him. Aap jayiyeh. Mein dekhlungi"

The guard left leaving her in front of Shaurya's room. Anokhi raised her hand and softly knocked on the door. When she didn't get any response, she started knocking louder.

"I said, GO AWAY!" Shaurya yelled from inside although he sounded weak.

Anokhi continued knocking, ignoring his words.

"Stop knocking! I swear if I co-"

"PS" She finally called him out while he all a sudden grew silent in the other end.

"Open the door, PS" This time she called him louder.

Anokhi heard a ruffling sound. It was as if Shaurya needed a confirmation that she was really here. Within seconds the door opened to reveal a disoriented Shaurya staring at her with his puffy eyes. His hair was ruffled, giving him a rugged look, the first few buttons of his shirt open. Shaurya Sabherwal looked weak.

~ * ~

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoy reading this new work of mine. Do let me know what you think about the story. Do watch SAAKK on Tv. Stay home, stay safe.

Thank you.

Nan ~