‘Miss Bhalla, next time I ask a question to the class, you please wait until I ask you to answer, understood me well?’ snapped Shagun at Anokhi who was stunned by such contempt in her voice. It cut through the air.
Anokhi breathed in deeply to stop herself from retorting back. She could already hear the giggles coming from Bebo and Kitty. Reema nudged her in her mid riff and whispered ‘Keep cool Anokhi, she is being nasty to you because of Shaurya sir.’She patted her right hand and squeezed it in support to her.
-What a humiliation! thought Anokhi. The wholeclass had got another point to tease and bully me this semester again. Great! And what did I do wrong? Shagun ma’am has been in lectures since the past week and she is harbouring an unfounded hostility towards me particularly. Each time she questions the class, I lift my hand to reply while nobody is willing to even pay attention to her lectures. But she royally ignores my eager participation every time.
‘ Reema, I so wish Shaurya Sir was still teaching us Economics.’ sighed Anokhi while leaning a bit towards Reema.
The two girls smiled at each other with sadness in their eyes.
‘Well, seems like my class is becoming a platform for baseless discussions, isn’t it? Hmmm,Miss Bhalla?’ is this what you aim for, coming from Kapurthala, gossiping in class and being impertinent? Sure, you’ll reach new heights like this. But where?’ commented Shagun in a voice so filled with malice.
‘ Ma’am, I wasn’t –’ Anokhi started to reply in her defense when suddenly Shagun started up the few stairs leading to where Anokhi was seated with Reema. She grabbed Anokhi by her arm in tight grip and started pulling her off her seat.
Shagun dragged Anokhi to the door and shouted: ‘Get out!’ she shoved Anokhi with such force that the girl had to close her eyes which was already stinging with unshed tears because she knew she has lost her balance when she felt her left ankle twist and a sharp burning pain shot up her leg. She was about to plunge down to the floor in mortification.
When she was expecting pain to come from landing on the floor, Anokhi felt as if she crashed into a brick wall. Her breath left her lungs in a swish. She felt strong arms steadying her at her waist. And she could hear a vigorous heart beating furiously against her cheek. Surely, walls didn’t have arms nor heart that could pump blood so energetically. She glanced up and had to inhale sharply.
What a sight to behold! Shaurya Sir was looking at down at her and his eyes were unfathomable. Its that vein that was ticking in his jaw that made Anokhi aware of how livid he was. He helped Anokhi to a standing stance and with utmost care, tucked a strand of hair that was stuck to her wet cheek. He wiped her cheek with his thumb as a fat tear rolled down again.
-Wonderful! thought Anokhi. Now of all people, HE had to witness this. Get ready Nikki, for the downpour of scoldings.
Shagun was still there, watching them and fuming. She neared Shaurya and purred ‘ Darling,this girl has been troubling me since so...’ Shagun stopped short when she saw Shaurya’s eyes. She gulped and backed off.
Shaurya’s hands didn’t leave Anokhi’s waist. She rested against him, her face buried in his soft white shirt. She was focussing on his heartbeat.
‘ Miss Bhalla, you are okay?’ asked a concerned Shaurya.
Anokhi nodded faintly and he sensed it. How vulnerable she looked in his embrace.Shaurya drew her closer to him and started rubbing her back. The movement didn’t go unnoticed by Shagun.
‘ Shaurya, you don’t understand the situation well...’ Shagun started as a flare of jealousy spread up inside her. She has never seen this side of Shaurya. But she was again cut short when Shaurya hissed to her:
‘In my office in half an hour, and you better prepare for a plausible explanation Ms Kapur.’
He lowered his head to Anokhi and asked her softly :
‘ Where is it paining, Anokhi?’
Anokhi was about to reply in my heart, knowing she was your fiancée, in my soul for loving you so much and in my mind, for bearing that insult, for nothing.
‘My ankle, I think its hurt’ she whispered instead.
‘ You think you can walk?’ he asked with so much concern. Anokhi nodded once again and unwillingly, she stepped back from Shaurya’s warmth. The moment she stepped back, she felt an unbearable pain shot through her frame from her bruised ankle. She stumbled back onto Shaurya’s chest. There was no need to fear of falling since he never let go of her.
Without warning, Shaurya lifted Anokhi in his arms with utmost care and started walking as if he is strolling in a garden, instead of an institution full of students gaping at them.
‘ Get me down! What are you doing sir? Everyone’s watching us. Please!’ pleaded Anokhi,mortified and turning red.
She didn’t know what to do. She tried to wriggle off his arms, but it was too precarious.Shaurya was a tall man and she might fall down and get even more bruised than before. Besides, the moment she wriggled, he had tightened his hold. She was imprisoned in his hold. Infuriating man! He owned this institution, but tomorrow it would be her who will have to face the snide remarks and criticism.
‘ Anokhi,stop writhing like this. Its futile’ suggested Shaurya.
She had to hid her face in his neck. Good, this way, most of the onlookers might think she has fainted and he was carrying her back to her hostel room. Brilliant strategy! Act as the fainted girl. Anokhi squeezed shut her eyes and tried to relax.
She counted his steps but was distracted by his scent. Heavens, he smelled so good. Fresh citrus and another scent, so potent and manly coming from him. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Little did she know what havoc she was creating on the man carrying her.
She finally opened her eyes when she felt herself being lowered from his arms. To her astonishment, she was in Shaurya’s office, not her hostel room. She was sitting on one of the chairs in front of his desk. He came swiftly down on his haunches and lifted her left foot onto his leg. Before Anokhi could stop him, he was examining her ankle closely. His feathery touch was a torture on her senses.
‘ Doesn’t seem much harm has been caused. A sprain maybe. How do you feel?’ he asked and lifted his eyes to stare at her.
Anokhi had to break the eyelock and look away. Tears were again welling up in her eyes.
‘I’m alright sir. No need to worry for me.’ choked Anokhi.
Shaurya sat on the opposite chair and drew it closer to her.
‘Shhh,Anokhi, I know what transpired in Shagun’s class. I witnessed everything. She shouldn’t have behaved such with you, I’ll deal with it.’
Anokhi whirled back to look at him. Deal with it?
‘You will deal with it? Your ex fiancée is on a spree to assassinate my future here, she is hell bent to humiliate me at every corner, your two cousins have got a favourite past time to look for new ideas to bully me and you... you....’ Anokhi couldn’t continue. She recalled how Shagun called him darling and he said nothing.
‘Anokhi, how many times do I need to remind you, Shagun is my past. She is just a professor here. I can assure you of that. And her behaviour towards you is unethical. But I mean it; I’ll deal with the situation. I’ll make everything clear. Its time that some people and you to know that you are special to me. You should realise what you mean to me. I can’t see you in pain. I need you close to me, I can’t bear it’ said Shaurya huskily.
His hands went to hold Anokhi’s face so that she doesn’t turn away from him and he was just inches close to her. Anokhi could see deep in his eyes. His dark eyes were smouldering and she could feel his hot breath mingling with hers.
‘Why?’ she murmured while still looking in his eyes.
‘ Because I love you Miss Bhalla. And don’t you deny that you don’t feel the same too.’Shaurya proclaimed that she felt the words vibrate and hum in her system.
He lowered his forehead to hers and their noses were touching too as they breathe together in chaotic rhythm.
‘ Say it’ he urged her by pressing a kiss on her forehead.
Anokhi was blushing hard as her realised his proximity, his hands on either sides of her face. He resumed his position as he lowered his forehead once again to hers.
‘I...’
‘Shaurya,oh...’ came Shagun’s voice. ‘ I thought...what’s going on?’ she asked, bewildered.
Shaurya took his time to lift his forehead from Anokhi’s. He could feel the tension building inside Anokhi. He gently tucked her hair and tenderly settled her back in the chair and said in a low voice: ‘relax, I’ll handle her.’
He rose and turned around to pin Shagun with a glare that spoke volumes.
‘ First of all, before you start with anything, I’d like to remind you that I witnessed what happened in class. And miss Shagun, if I’m not wrong, its considered as good manners to knock before entering my office, right?’ said Shaurya with asmirk.
‘Sweethe....’Shagun was prevented to say more when Shaurya roared:
‘ it is Mr Sabharwal! Miss Shagun, you call me Mr Sabharwal or Shaurya Sir. Nothing more.You got it? Should I remind you of your contract’s terms and conditions? You are appointed as an Economic professor. You and me, we are colleagues. Beyond that there’s nothing.’
‘Really Shaurya? This is all that’s left between us? What about love?’ cried Shagun. She was about to hold Shaurya when he backed off and went to stand next to Anokhi’s chair.
‘ Shagun,its over between us since so long. I have feelings for someone else. I love someone else. Its beyond me. Its not within my control. I need her like a plant needs the sun. She brings light to my world. She is the one who makes my lifeworth living. I breathe for her. She is the one who owns my heart and my soul.My true soulmate.’ Shaurya laid her hands on Anokhi’s shoulders and squeezed reassuringly. He felt her trembling but it was important to get a closure to this Shagun mess first.
‘ And miss Shagun, get this well in your head. Anokhi is here to stay. You so much as create any trouble for her, you will have to answer to me. Understood? Whatever you have in your mind, get it away, stop entertaining hopes from me, don’t let yourself nurture feelings for someone who won’t reciprocate it back..’ Shaurya snapped his fingers and said with finality: ‘ THIS....IS....MY TRUTH! I love Anokhi. The sooner you accept it, it would be best for all of us. Stay as SIAC professor or I think UK will be glad to welcome you back on short notice. Now apologise to Miss Bhalla!’ stated Shaurya as he moved to resume his seat apposite Anokhi.
‘ Shaurya,its best I book my flight at the earliest then, and as for apologising, you can dream of it.’ snapped Shagun.
‘ Get out then. And close the door while leaving.’ said Shaurya with deadliness.
Upon hearing the door’s click shut, Shaurya gathered Anokhi in his arm while taking care not to disturb her ankle. She felt shy as he lifted her so easily onto his lap.
She buried her face again in his neck and held him tightly.
‘So, where were we?’ asked Shaurya.
‘Oh, we were discussing about semester’s upcoming exams I’m sure.’ replied cheekily Anokhi.
She felt his chest rumbled with laughter as he pulled her back and urged her again to tell about her feelings.
‘I love you Professor.’ whispered Anokhi in his ear.
He felt a chill went down his spine at her voice. Finally, they are together. Finally, he is with her and come what may, this girl is his and he will make sure she stays where she belongs. With him. Always.
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This is my first try at writing an OS for SAAKK. hit like if you like it and shower with comments please. i'd like to hear from you. please read and let me know. lots of Shagun, i'm sorry.
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