PART - 1
It was a busy Monday morning in London Underground and Shaurya was doubtful if he would be able to catch the train to Cambridge on time. It was a very important seminar and he could not be late at any chance. He cursed the jet lag that made him oversleep! Somehow he was able to reach on just 5mins before the departure.
“Thank god I booked the tickets online yesterday night”. He quickly checked his ticket number in the mobile app and rushed towards the coach. The train was almost completely seated when he entered and ready for flag off. He looked for his seat and sat on his seat. It was a window seat and Shaurya always preferred it while travelling in Uk trains. He loved the scenic beauty outside and green patches always took him back to those sweet memories which he kept hidden inside him, but here away from all he could relive as he always used to.
“Excuse me” Shaurya’s chain of thoughts were broken by a sweet voice. He turned around to see a little girl standing there smiling at him. “Excuse me Uncle, would you mind exchanging this window seat with mine?”. She asked in a cute way. Shaurya looked at her and there the stubborn Shaurya Sabherwal was nodding a yes to the little one. He did not know what was that made him agree even without a thought. “Thank You soo much” she gave him a bigger smile and squeezed through to before waiting for Shaurya. “You are welcome” Shourya mumbled as he settled into the aisle seat.
As the train started moving Shaurya opened his laptop and began going through the mails. He quickly started closing some of his pending work and there again “Uncle.. are you upset with me?” the little girl asked in her cute voice. Shaurya took a look at the girl in white frock who just made him change his favourite seat. She was an Indian as he could see and a very cute one like her voice. Her sparkling eyes were having a “don’t say yes” look.
“No.. why?” Shaurya asked in the most soft manner he could. “You didn’t even bothered to talk to me.. How is it possible?” Shaurya didnt know what to answer. He wasnt used to small kids around. The only kid he had mingled in past was Kanchans mischievous little boy and that too only for a little while she visited him in US. Otherwise the serious Shaurya Sabherwal never talked in soft ways. And he hardly knew what to casually ask people, leave kids aside. He tried to bring a smile on his face and looked at the small one. She had a very familiar face, her eyes reminded him of someone. “Okay, if you dont wanna ask let me - what is your name”. When she didnt get an answer she peeped into the screen opened in front and read “S-A-B-E-R-W-A-L.. How do you read it?”
“Saberwal..” Shaurya answered to his own shock. Had it been some other kid he would have blasted her for trying to see his laptop. But somehow he found it cute. “Are you travelling to Cambridge?” She asked again. “Yes..’ He answered. “Are you going for first time?” He nodded a No. “You don’t speak in sentences? Only one word answers?” She again questioned him. “Hahah..” Her questions just made Shourya laugh loudly. “You are gonna be a police officer when you grow up” Shaurya told the little one. “So many questions you have”. She made an angry face at Shaurya. “Okay okay.. i was joking.. sorry baby..” Shaurya held his ears and apologised to her and then extended his hands “Friends???” .. She looked at him and said “hmmm.. let me think about it”.. That took him to a memory years back.. “Friends?” Shourya extended his hands towards her.. “I need to think about it Mr. Sabherwal” She refused with a naughty smile.
“Uncle..!” She jerked him. “Ok Little one.. where are you going?”. She looked at him and said “Cambridge”. “Oh now someone is answering me in one word!” Shaurya made a funny face. Now it was her turn to laugh. “Ok sweetheart.. who is travelling with you?” He asked as he didnt see anyone with her. “There.. my nani” she pointed towards an older lady. Shaurya noticed the lady looking at them and when she saw Shaurya looking at her direction she smiled and mouthed a “sorry”. Shaurya smiled back and said an “its okay” with his eyes.
“So sweetheart.. what are you gonna do in Cambridge?”.. She looked at him and said “I am not your sweetheart yet.. My popsie has asked me to first tell him when someone call me sweetheart.. He will then arrest him..” she was telling him animatedly making funny faces. “Hmmm.. I dont wanna go to jail.. can you tell me your name then? i will call you that and no more sweetheart” he said making a cross in air. He was beginning to enjoy this journey. “My name is... Anya”..
“Shaurya.. if we have a boy we will name him ‘Ryaan’” She told holding his hands.. “But I want a girl child .. just like you..” He kissed her hands.. “And I will name her Anya - Anokhi & Shaurya ..”
Train stopped with a jerk and Shaurya was brought back to present. He looked at this small girl in front of him.. She was a replica of his Anokhi.. And he understood that was why he was enjoying her company. And ‘Anya’ - what a coincidence.. He looked at Anya.. “could she be?..” he was doubtful.. “No ways Shaurya.. How can she be.. After all that happened between them she will never keep her baby’s name anything that would remind her of him.. and this little girl.. She called that lady Nani.. But Anokhi was an Orphan”
“Its just a coincidence..” Shaurya reassured himself. They had reached their destination now. Shaurya said bye to Anya and moved towards exit. He saw Anya also going towards her Nani and both of them exiting from the other door. He waved a bye to them again and then hurried towards the exit gate. Otherside Anya looked at Nani “Nani.. where is popsie..?” .. “I think Mamma is coming today to pick us. Popsie is not well..” Anya was sad her popsie was not coming to meet her. She hasnt even spoke to him for two days. “Its ok betu.. You can meet popsie as soon as we are home” And as she completed she saw Anya’s face lighting up looking at someone in the crowd..
“Mamma..” Anya ran to hug her mom and was about to slip.. “Anya.. be careful..” mom said while holding her “how many times have I told you not to run this way in public”.. “I am sorry mamma..” Anya made a puppy face and it did the magic as always. Her mothers anger or sadness always vanished with her cute antics. Nani joined them and the three of them were moving towards the exit when someone jumped in front of them. “Popsie” Anya screamed in joy and hugged him tight. She was super excited to meet her popsie after a week time. “Aahir..!! I told you not to come when you were sick.. we were anyways coming to you only” Anya heard her mom getting angry. “Sorry!” Aahir made similar puppy face like Anya and continued “Had I not come how would I see this excitement Anokhi!!”
PS - In this story I have some character backgrounds that I will tell as and when we ho forward.
As of now - We dont have Devi or Tej or Alok in picture. The Nani in train - I imagined her as Gayatri. And Kanchan is Shaurya’s sister in this story
Please do let me know how you felt this first part and if I should continue!
Part 2 - Page 3
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