Chapter 18
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Here is the next chapter....
Devi Sabharwal had always been someone who would think twice before taking a decision. She always made sure that there won't be any problem with her plans. But it looks like not this time. He chose Anokhi because of how different she was from Shaurya. She thought that Shaurya would never accept her as his wife. There was no chance for this.
Then how could this happen?
She had to make sure that things don't go out of hand.....
" Badi mami is very very clever, we have to do something very wisely. " Arjun said.
" I know Arjun. But that's what I am thinking. Hame Mr Sabharwal ko samjhana hoga ki wo Aastha aunty ko ek chance de explain karne ka. " Anokhi said. " Why don't we talk with Aastha aunty about this?"
"Ok we both will go to her house in evening. " Arjun sighed " Bhai should accept Aastha mam, why he is not listening?"
" Because he was the one who suffered in this mess. He is still suffering. The feeling of not being someone's priority is eating him from inside. I could see it. " Anokhi replied " no matter what his parents failed him. "
" Yeah, you are...." Arjun stopped mid sentence.
" What happened?" Anokhi asked and turned around.
" Kya hua? Why are both staring at me. I am not a time bomb. " Shaurya said.
" We..... bhai did you listen anything?"
" Why? Was it something very serious?" Shaurya asked.
" No" Anokhi and Arjun replied in unison.
" Why I am feeling something is fishy?"
" No.... nothing like that. We were.... just... joking...yeah." Arjun stammered.
" Yes.... nothing..... serious. " Anokhi replied.
" I think I should go now. Bye. " Arjun said and ran out of the room.
" What happened to him?" Shaurya asked.
" I don't know. He is a bit crazy. "
" And you like crazy people. " Shaurya chuckled.
" Well..... you are not crazy. " Anokhi commented.
" I am. It's just you don't know. "
" What is that....in your hand ?" Anokhi asked.
" It's... nothing. Just something important. " Shaurya said and hid it in his drawer. " Don't worry, it's not serious. I could have some secrets too. "
" Do you miss her? You mother?" She asked softly.
" Anokhi please I don't want to talk about her. " Shaurya snapped " that woman never cared about me. Do you know how much I cried for her? But she never came back. I don't want to do anything with her. Please don't. Agar tumhe jaana hai to jao. But don't talk about her. Ofcourse, you must be upset that you are stuck with me. I mean as we planned you would have been free of this burden by now. "
" Why are you saying this? Why would I leave you? I am here to stay , how would I prove myself? You are my husband, I do consider you my priority. I am here before I want to. I am not being great or something neither I want you to feel indebted.....I don't know....I am sorry I shouldn't have crossed my limits. "
Shaurya hugged her and kissed her forehead " you do have all rights on me. I am sorry if I hurt you, but don't talk about her..... there is no place for any stranger in my life. And ofcourse I don't want to fight with you regarding her. You have done a lot for me and being your better half I should do something too. "
" What?"
" Not now. We will continue this interrogation some other time. Now...."
He whispered and leaned down to kiss where she turned her face in other direction.
" Aap bolte ho ki pyaar karte ho. But har time gussa karte ho." Anokhi said.
" It's just.....I really don't want to do this. But I am afraid of losing you. " He said.
" You won't. I promise. " Anokhi vowed and leaned forward as their lips met in unison.
Aastha and Shaan stared at each other as they realised how much their decisions broke their son.
Shaan looked down in shame. Tears of embarrassment welled up. Shaurya always say that he couldn't comprehend who is the father in their relationship. Now he could understand why. He had been so blind in his sorrow that he neglected his son. He left her in midst of insecurity when he needed him the most. He should have been there for him. Neither he supported his wife nor he took care of his son.
" What are you two thinking?" We have to do something fast. " Arjun scoffed lightly.
" Ab aur nahi. Main unhe aise tadapte nahi dekh Sakti. " Anokhi said.
Shaan stood up and said " I know what I have to do. " He said and walked out of the room determined with new found strength.
Aastha also stood up " I have always followed the path of righteousness, but I failed my own son. I should go now and do what I should have done all those years ago. "
" But what are you planning to do and mama what you was he talking about?" Arjun asked.
" That much I don't know. I just know I will fight for my son now. "
Shaurya switched off the lights of his office and turned around to go when he was shocked seeing Aastha in front of him.
" You? Why are you here?" He asked rudely.
" I am here to talk with you. "
" I don't want to....".
" Just once. Atleast for Anokhi's sake please listen. "
" Don't bring my wife in this. You were the one who said that she will leave me. She said she won't. She promised me, she prioritised me over everything. "
" Really Shaurya? This is what you want? Shaurya I know I did wrong with you. I know I shouldn't have done that. But I had reasons, I had to leave to support my parents. I didn't had any other choice, I wanted to take you along with me but obviously I didn't had any power in front of Sabharwals. Ek maa khud mar sakti hai par apne bache ko tadapte nahi dekh Sakti. I thought you would be happy with your father and family ..... but I was wrong.... Shaurya I am not going to ask for your forgiveness..... that I don't deserve......I just want to..... request you to please let go of this bitterness...."
" Look, you don't matter....."
" Maybe I don't......then tell me why you have this bitterness, hatred and insecurities......let them go..... atleast for..... your Anokhi. She has dreams, aspirations. Help her, guide her. But, please don't suffocate yourself anymore....."
" Why would I believe you?" Shaurya asked.
" I know you won't believe her. But atleast believe this. " Shaan said entering the office followed by Devi, showing them his mobile phone.
" Shaan stop this drama. You are again siding with this woman. Shaurya don't listen to them.... these are...."
" But why are so worried badi mami?" Arjun asked taunting her entering with Anokhi.
"Mr Sabharwal atleast give your parents a chance to prove themselves. " Anokhi requested " you promised Arjun that you will believe us. Then please. "
Reluctantly Shaurya took the recording from Shaan and what he heard shocked him beyond description.
Shaan looked at Devi who was staring at Shaurya with fear and knew her game is over.
Flashback
Shaan entered the Sabharwal mansion in rage and went to Devi's bedroom.
" Why bhabhi? Why are you doing this? Ab kya zeher ghola aapne Shaurya ke mann mein ki woh Anokhi ko divorce dena chahta hai?" He asked.
" What are you saying Shaan I didn't...."
" Lie. You are lying bhabhi. I know you did something. Just like you separted me and Aastha, you are doing this with them. "
" It was your wife's choice..."
" But what compelled her?"
" She chose her parents over her family..."
" But weren't you the one who snatched Shaurya from her?"
" He is a Sabharwal and will be raised such. He is my son. I won him. " Devi argued furiously " I was the one who made sacrifices, a lot of time and patience it took for him to be mine. "
" Why you used to stop Aastha from meeting him?" He asked
" She was the one who chose to go. Kya farak padta tha uske aane se?"
" Then why are you separting Anokhi and Shaurya?"
" I am not.... maybe she wants to. Aur waise bhi, she was forced in this marriage by her father. " Devi growled " but what is the meaning of this conversation Shaan. "
" This means a lot. " Shaan replied heaving a sight of relief.
Flashback ends.
" Ab toh yakeen hua na Shaurya" Aastha asked as tears fell from her eyes. She was stupid to not fight for her son.
Shaurya stared at Shaurya stared at his badi ma and asked " why? Why? I....I believed you. You were my God, you were more important than the whole world to me...."
" Shaurya no... they are lying..."
" Shut up..... stop making a fool of me. I don't want to listen anything..... this tells enough. " He growled.
" Shaurya.... please I ..... don't know even if I deserve forgiveness.....I was coward..." Shaan said.
" Bhai, decision is yours.... take your time....no one will question you. It's your life. " Arjun comforted him.
" Yes. " Shaurya replied " still a need to be done. Twenty five years of pain cannot be erased in twenty five minutes. I ..... even don't... know whom to believe...."
" We will do our best. " Shaan promised.
" I will... try my best...." Aastha said caressing Shaurya's face lightly " I couldn't believe... my son is so much grown....I am sorry....I missed... everything..."
"
Shaurya nodded hesitantly and walked out of there. There was a inner battle within him. How would he fight it?
What would he do?
Anokhi stared at Shaurya's retreating form and she knew there was a storm brewing inside him. Ofcourse he won't show it. But she knew.
He needed her and she will be there for him.....
So this is for now.....
Hope you guys liked it.
Now only epilogue is left.
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