SHAKHI OS - THROUGH THE NIGHT
NOTE- THE IDEA OF THIS ONE SHOT CAME TO ME AFTER SHAURYA'S PICTURE LOCKEDUP IN JAIL SURFACED ON THE NET.I COULDN'T POST IT EARLIER DUE TO MY SCHEDULE BUT HERE IT IS.HOPE YOU ENJOY READING THIS ONE.
ALSO WISHING EVERYONE HAPPY NAVRATRAS AND RAMZAN MUBARAK.WHAT A FINE COINCIDENCE THIS IS.
Disappointment rushed through Anokhi as she saw Tej and Alok Sabherwal leaving without PS.When his phone had continued to be unreachable,she has rushed here wanting to see for herself all was okay.
Clearly it wasn't as she marched inside the police station and stopped straight at ACP Ahir' desk questioning him
"You said you were taking Shaurya sir only for interrogation and formalities ACP Ahir then why didn't I see him leaving with his family?."
"Anokhiji Vineet has pressed counter charges against Shaurya Sabherwal and he had to stay here inthe lockup for atleast this night.".
"On what grounds have you arrested him?.Can i know?."
"Its protocol Anokhiji that has to be adhered to Mr Shaurya did hit a civilian in open premises."
"He didn't hit any civilian.He hit someone who was manhandling his wife and was about to abuse he rphysically.Shaurya Sabherwal did what any decent man would have done".Anokhi retorted.
"I know Anokhiji but rules are rules and nothing can be done now.Whatever is the procedure will only happen in the morning."
"Why do i think you are using the situation to take out your personal grudges ?"
"What?.Why would you even think so?."
"Because it was the guards who called up the police and my sister who you saw for yourself was visibly shaken up still answered all your questions and yet you have arrested Shaurya Sir.You can follow your protocol but i am not leaving without meeting him.Anyways as I can see the station is mostly deserted due to Holi.So will you tell me where is he?".
Anokhi finished as she stood tall anger at the unfortunate sitiuation and the fact PS had to spend the night in the lockup.
Her steps were ironically measured though Anokhi wanted to make a sprint to see him.Today had been an memorable day for her.Her feelings,the nervousness and yet the excitement and eagerness to be close to him have all been her friendly companions ever since realisations had hit her.When she had been willing to go and yet had been unable to gather courage to face him,the fear of unknown and the what ifs.
PS had indeed turned up and refused to take no for an answer.He had not minced his words but straightaway told her the function for him held no importance without her.Not only he had chosen her outfit and then waited for her as she had gotten ready,they had entered the venue together.
Babli di had arrived later happy and excited to attend the festival since her inlaws had gone to relatives and her sorry excuse of a husband Vineet was busy cannaloding with his friends as always.It had been so much fun with the games being played,the pooja and inspite of being amidst the crowd whenever her eyes would search for PS she would find him staring at her.
He had been so attentive the whole evening and Anokhi had realised that she was the one mindful of presence of everyone around them while PS didnt seem least bit bothered by it.Through his gestures throughout the evening he had made sure she knew she was special.
After the dinner Shaurya Sir had stayed back making sure each student had means to reach their home safe and then he had offered that they both drop her sister home first after which he will dropher at her hostel.
Babli di had politely declined not wanting to trouble him but it had been her who had insisted that they go with him.The difference this time frame had made in their life.She wanted to spend some quality time with him and Anokhi knew he wanted the same.
PS had gone to get his car as she and Babli di had been waiting but Vineet had appeared.The man had discreetly installed a location tracking app in Babli's phone and ended up at SIAC.Drunk and brash he had started misbehaving and abusing Babli di accusing her of vile things and when he had tried to hit Babli di she had pushed her behind trying her best to fend him off.
He had raised her hand to slap her when PS had appeared and the rage she had seen in PS eyes was c
"Himmat kaisi hui tumhari haan?.Aainda Anokhi ke aas paas bhi dikhe naa toh this day would look like a day in kindergarten. "
PS had thrown punches after the other.He had held Vineet by his collar and warned :
"You think hitting your wife makes you a man,that she is your slave who will do your bidding and have totake your permission to even breathe.It doesn't make you a man it makes you the biggest scum on the face of this earth."
The guards having seen the commotion have called the police and as for their luck it had been ACP Ahir who had arrived .Anokhi had been consoling Babli di as she cried bitterly.
Anokhi knew she can never forget how gently and softly PS had talked to Babli di explained to her sensitivity of the sitiuation and told her what to tell the police so it doesn't land her introuble.Then he had called up his driver and asked him to drop them home.
As Babli di gave her statement and Vineet was taken away by the cops,he had just held her hand and told her he will call her.
That brought her here.PS was locked up in the farthest cell round the corner,he was sitting there looking restless and sightedly she could make worry lines on his forehead.
He stood up seeing her approach and started immediately.
"Tum yahan kar kya rahi hoAnokhi?.Kaisi ho tum aur Babli?.Tumhe abhi uske saath hona chahiye."
"Aapko bhi is waqt apne gharmain main hona chahiye.
Kya zaroorat thi aapko yeh karneki?.What if he has hurt you more severly?.What would have i answered your family?What would have you answered if everyone had gotten to know about it?Does your family know?". Anokhi had countered questioned him."
"Toh kya karta?.You wanted me to stand there quietly as that Vineet misbehaved with you and your sister.I would never let this happen with any girl.He could have hurt you dammit,I cant even think what would have happened if i was a second late,if only i could get hands on him again,he would think twice before hitting a woman again." Shaurya spoke agitated,his grip tightening on the bars.
"You roughed him up enough."Anokhi replied as she covered his hands with her own.
"I am sorry PS because of my personal problem you are locked up here.i waited for your call and then i came here .I waited till Tej and Alok Sir left.They must have been so angry that SIAC'S reputation is at risk because of me and my sister.i am--".
Shaurya cut her in between as he told her brisquely.
"Enough stop Anokhi.Its not just your problem.Noone knows what happened.I explained to the guards what to say if someone questions and as far as my family is concerned all they know I roughed up some guy for misbehaving with my student.Its just a night Anokhi,they will have to release me in morning,my lawyer will be here and he knows how to handle the likes of Vineet."
Shaurya saw Anokhi visibly posture relax at that as he asked
"How is your sister?."Where is she?."
"I left her at her friend's place before coming here.She needed to rest."
"You would have to talk to your sister Anokhi.This is the second time i saw him manhandling her this badly.and this was outside,I shudder to think what he might do to her or does to her repeatedly when noone is there to stop him".
His words and the flashbacks of all the incidents when she had seen Babli di hiding her wounds or trying to coverup with excuses.When she had stopped him from hitting her in Kapurthala and the numerous incidents she witnessed Vineet's brash behaviour with her.
"Anokhi kya baat hai?."
Anokhi realised tears had slipped from her eyes as she felt his fingers wiping them way as his concerned and worried eyes urged her to share what had gotten her so disturbed.And Anokhi found herself sharing it all with the man who had become the person she canshare everything with.
"This is it Anokhi.Babli can't live with this man.She should file for divorce and press charges of domestic violence against him." Shaurya's face was a mixture of horror and anger as he heard Anokhi recount the torture her sister had been facing at the hands of that vulture.
"I have tried earlier PS.Di feels she is a burden,she cant go back to Kapurthala.She cant stay with me.Papaji will never let her get separated.the last time he blamed her for thewhole sitiuation."
"Anokhi" Shaurya tried to say but he realised Anokhi had gone into a zone like he did when his mother was mentioned.
"When you being a stranger to her can understand the injustice,why couldn't he?.He basically told his daughter to continue living in that hell.How can a father do this to his own child?".
Anokhi asked him the vulnerability stark evident in her eyes and Sharuya wish he had an answer to that.Why some parents did such things he didn't know.How could he answer her when his own parents neglected and abandoned him.What he could do was make sure that Anokhi knew she wasn't alone anymore.
He held her face in his hands and said
"Let me get out of here in the morning.We will talk to your sister together,arrange a job for her so she can support herself,she has a solid case of domestic violence and I know lawyers who fight such cases without fees as part of their Social Responsibility.
And before you say this isn't a favour.I have seen how talented your sister is today.She was the one who helped you in the decorations of the festival today right and she is helping out in fest too.She shouldn't be wasting her life with that scum.Once she gets on her feet,she can continue her education also if she wishes to."
Anokhi nodded as Shaurya wiped the remaining traces of her tears with the pad of his thumb,his fingers carressing her face gently.
"Though there is a silver lining.I am glad that noone was around when this happened.god knows what all theories would have been construed."
Her remark had Shaurya moving back as he paced to and fro and then coming closer again asking her
"Koi hota toh bhi kya ho jaata Anokhi?.Maybe if someone was there they would have restricted Vineet before he even had a chance to get violent.Us raat bhi bola tha,Kuch Toh Bharosa Karo Mujhpe."
"Sirf Aap Par Hi Toh Bharosa hai PS".Anokhi replied back as she held his hand over the bars again before he could move back.
They stood there staring into each other eyes,honest and open giving and taking in the depth of the said words basking in the moment of togetherness they have found amidst the chaos all around.
After which they bickered to and fro worried for each other.
"
Anokhi you need rest."
"Wasn't me burning in fever just a night before."
" I fell asleep it was you who stayed awake taking care of me."
"I wish you didn't have to leave."
" I wish i could have stayed too."
'I am not leaving PS."Anokhi declared and Shaurya knew he couldn't fight her on this nor he wanted to.It was gratifying to see someone fiercely guarding him this way.
"Okay you will leave as soon as its morning and go to hostel to rest before going to for the Holi celebrations."
Anokhi sat on the floor and Shaurya followed suit as they both sat side by side with the bars between them.
After moments of companionable silence,Anokhi opened the knot of her dupatta she had tied the ointment in and then holding his one hand in hers,she began to apply it on the spilt knuckles where blood had dried off.
"Anokhi kuch nahi hua hai,kya kar rahi ho?." Shaurya said as he tried to fend off her hold.
"Aap chup rahiye".Anokhi looked him squared in the eye challenging him to oppose her.
"Aadat bigaad rahi ho meri tum".Shaurya spoke his words a mere mumble.
"Kaunsi Aadat?".Anokhi asked him as she took his other hand but all she got in reply was his silence but this time Anokhi didn't falter.he had told her that it wasn't mandatory he could give words to his emotions.
Sometimes people need to understand and Anokhi wanted to be the one person,the only person she can admit to herself now who wanted to understand all his silences.
"Aapko Holi Pasand Hai?."Anokhi asked conversationally wanting to steer away his and her thoughts from the chaos around.
"Not as such.I did use to go as my responsibility demands and with the whole family there but it hasn't been special ever since she left."
Anokhi didn't have to guess who she in the equation was but neither this was the place nor the time to ask him about it.It was their first Holi together and Anokhi didn't want to spoil it.
"But you will come tomorrow right?".
"For the first time in twenty five years,I am looking forward to celebrate it". Shaurya replied,his heart in his eyes.
"You know PS today I realised one more thing.when Papaji forced di to get married she didn't just gave up her passion of dance and studies.she gave up her love too."
"What?".
"Remember DJ Vicky on that Valentine's party who was also there at your birthday.Di loved him maybe she still does.I couldn't sense it earlier but today i saw,the heartbreak.I wish I could have done something for her."
Anokhi bared her feelings out to him knowing he was her safe place where she could tell him anything and he would not only listen but understand also.
"Not everyone is brave enough to fight alone Anokhi and you fight not only yours but others battles too.You didnt care for anything but protecting your sister.You had the courage to fight all odds and you realised your dream when you got admission in SIAC.
Don't berate yourself for something that wasn't in your hands Anokhi.you cant take decision for others,all you can do is support them.Babli is blessed to have a sister like you.stay the same Anokhi always." Shaurya told her,sincerity dripping from his everyword,his gaze imploring.
"I will never give up on either PS.Neither My dreams Nor My Love.Ill Always Fight For Them."
Anokhi promised with conviction.She didn't know why but Anokhi found herself wanting him to believe it.she can go to any lengths for her loved ones and he,HE WAS HER OWN,HER PERSON.
Shaurya watched as her eyes grew drowsy,the day's events finally catching up to her as she fell asleep.he slowly extracted his one hand from her grasp and settled it in a way he can support her face.
They have been having the whole conversation with their hands entwined and it all felt so natural. He pulled her dupatta to cover her up as far as his arm went from between the bars.
And then resuming his hold,he watched over his girl.With her sitting in the police station on the floor didn't seem uncomfortable.She truly was a wonder in herself,unique like her name.She had chosen to stay the night in the police station not wanting to leave him alone.
Every single time she fought with him for his wellbeing,he found it surreal.He understood her fears but Shaurya knew that they both could overcome any hurdle together.He had meant when he told her,he won't let her change her decision.
The sun rays peeping through the small window alerted Shaurya and he woke her up softly "Anokhi it's morning."
Shaurya couldn't take his eyes off her as she woke up passing a smile to him until realisation dawned and she stood up straight.
Anokhi knew she had to leave but she stood still taking her fill before asking him "You will be there right?".
Shaurya nodded smiling but as she turned to leave he remembered something and called out "RUKO"
Gesturing her to come closer still,he.bent so his forehead touched hers,she was taken aback for a moment till she realised what he did as he whispered "HAPPY HOLI" causing her to blush.
Shaurya looked upon satisfied as he saw the albeit faint mark on her forehead,the remmnant of tilak that was put on for puja yesterday coming useful.He had colored his girl in his way,the moment,the day turning special as they both embark on
Their New Beginning!!
THIS HOLI HAD SURELY GOT COLORS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS IN THEIR LIFE.
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