CHAPTER 13
Anokhi felt relieved knowing that she is not in any trouble and knowing Shaurya sir trusts her made her even more happier! Her face suddenly started to glow. She kept looking at her hand and felt a little shy.
Unknowingly she started to like his attention. She was very happy about the fact that Shaurya sir does not distrust her. His one little touch gave her immense energy. She blushed recalling his anger towards Ms. Bindu. Without her knowledge her heart started to beat faster. Anokhi wanted to scream out loud and tell everyone what happened. She ran to her cousin's house.
Seeing her cheerful face, her cousin was also surprised.
Anokhi with an exciting sound told everything to her cousin about Shaurya sir and her conversation.
Cousin with a smile said "See I told you, when you didn't do anything why would you get in trouble!"
Anokhi gave a warm hug to her di and said "Thank you soo much di for understanding me and giving me courage to tell everything to Shaurya sir! You know I was very scared of how he will react but he didn't get mad at me at all, in fact he was quite furious with Ms. Bindu. He said he will talk to her tomorrow!"
Anokhi also noticed a relieved expression on her di's face.
Di with an excited tone "That's good! Let's go eat your favorite Gol Gappe, my treat."
Anokhi happily replied "Neki aur pooch pooch...chalo!!" (Let's go, don't have to ask me twice.) She went happily with her cousin to enjoy the Gol Gappe.
Shaurya on his way back home
'Wasn't it enough what happened yesterday, today again Ms Bindu said all this crap to her' he angrily thought!
'Yesterday only she was so scared and it took so much effort to calm her. And today morning she was all normal, back to herself like before. In fact, all the tension and the pain I saw on her face throughout the week, probably because of me not talking to her, was all gone. Today after so many days, I saw her carefree happy smile, just like before. But this crazy Ms.Bindu ruined everything. She was so scared and hurt, again. It's all because of me, if only I had reached early yesterday, none of this would have happened. But then again, if none of this would have happened, I would have probably asked Anokhi to leave the project. God, I couldn't see her like that, she was crying so much, even her hand was shaking, only when I held her hand did it stop shaking. Wait, what? I held her hand, oh my God, I held her hand, why did I do that?? I can't believe I did that and didn't even realize till now.'
'What are you doing God. I asked for your help to get away from her, what kind of way are you showing me. This doesn't take me away from her. I can't understand anything, what have you thought for me...for us. I don't know what I am supposed to do now or what I should be doing.'
'Though one thing that I know for sure is that I can't be rude to her anymore or make her leave the project. Maybe I can't even stay away from her and shouldn't even try. This Is her last year in school anyway, maybe mine too. Who knows what will happen next year, where we will both be.'
'Now I am leaving everything on you God, please show me the right path, help me.'
Soon he reached home!!
Anokhi came back after enjoying the Gol Gappe and heard the phone ringing...she quickly climbed the stairs and ran to pick the phone up!
Anokhi quickly picked up the phone and spoke while catching her breath "He...he... he...llo...Hello!"
Shaurya with worry quickly asked "What happened? Why are you panting? Are you ok??"
"Oh it's you , I am fine! It's just that I was coming back from having Gol Gappe and heard the phone ringing so quickly I ran up to pick it up. Anyway, you needed something??"
Shaurya in a low tone "No nothing, I was just checking if you were ok. You are not crying anymore, right?"
Anokhi giggled "No Sir... I am fine and I am certainly not crying. You don't worry so much about me. As I was upset, Di took me to eat Gol Gappe, to lift my mood."
Shaurya smiled and asked "Oh you like Gol Gappe??"
Anokhi realised she talked too much. "Hmmm I like them a lot,'' she said shyly in a low voice!
Shaurya casually asked "What else do you like?"
Anokhi with a surprising tone "Why? I mean why are you asking??"
Shaurya with a little embarrassing sound "No reason, just like that."
"Oh! Not much, actually I don't like that many things outside, I only eat Dosa, Gol Gappe of course and fries, I don't eat Burgers and such stuff.
Shaurya smiled at her detailed innocent answers and asked "Why?"
Anokhi shrugged and replied "I don't know, never tried."
"You should at least try."
"Hmm ok!" She replied quietly.
"What happened?" Shaurya asked at the sudden quietness in her voice.
"Uh nothing, it's just that I don't like trying new things. Mumma always wants me to try new food and things but for some reason I just can't make myself do it. Anyway forget all this, you tell me, did you reach home??" Anokhi asked, trying to change the subject. 'It's better to change the subject before he also starts lecturing me about trying new things.'
"Yes I reached home. I was just worried about you so thought to call and check up on you. You are okay na??" Shaurya asked in concern.
"I'm fine and as long as you are not mad at me I'll stay fine." Anokhi stated.
Shaurya got confused hearing her and asked "Why would I get mad at you?? You were not at fault. Why did you think I'll get mad at you?"
"Uh just like that."
Shaurya wanted to talk to her more and more, hence he was stretching the conversation "Just like that, meaning?? There has to be a reason why you felt that??"
"It's just, it seemed you…." Anokhi hesitated.
"I what??" Shaurya impatiently asked.
"Well, for the last few days you seemed mad at me, you weren't even talking to me so I thought you were mad at me and I was scared." She complained.
Shaurya felt really guilty hearing this!
"No nothing like that, it's just that I was a bit busy with some personal problem. I wasn't mad at you." He guiltily replied.
"Really??" Anokhi excitedly asked.
"Yes really!" Shaurya replied, smiling at the elation in her voice.
"1 min!" She said and put him on hold.
"Coming Di...."
Shaurya asked, "What happened?"
"Uhh I'm supposed to go to Mumma with Didi, so that's what she’s calling me for." Anokhi explained.
"Oh ok ok, no problem. Go ahead. Take care of yourself, we'll do final preparations tomorrow for Monday. Your presentation is ready, right??" Shaurya asked and smirked knowing full well the response he was going to get.
"Presentation? Why my presentation? That's only for emergencies na??" Anokhi asked in panic.
Shaurya laughed and said "Yes yes, it's for emergency only. You go now, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!!"
"Ok, Bye!" Anokhi hung up with a happy smile on her face.
On Friday in School
Computer class started. Shaurya felt contented seeing cheerful smiling normal Anokhi.
The day went normal. Shaurya's behavior was warm and nice and all smiles towards Anokhi! They did the final check on the model and prepared everything for Monday!!
Even after all this Anokhi was still feeling a little bit worried. Reflexively she was thinking about Ms. Bindu. How will she face her, if they meet again.
Anokhi was again in a dilemma. 'Should I ask him or not? What conversation did he have with Ms. Bindu and Principal mam?' She desperately wanted to ask him but decided that she would certainly not ask him in front of Gurvinder.
With her confused mind she thought 'Will he tell me if I ask?? He didn't tell me what he said to Principal Mam the other day? Anyway it doesn't matter if he tells me or not, either way I better stay away from junior classes to avoid seeing Ms.Bindu again, I certainly don't want her to say anything more to me than she already has.'
Shaurya noticed Anokhi lost in thoughts. Seeing her worried face he called out "Anokhi!"
His voice shook Anokhi out of her thoughts and she quickly replied "Yes sir!"
"What happened?" Shaurya asked in concern.
Anokhi abruptly answered "Uh no no...Nothing sir!"
Her abrupt answer confirmed his doubt. This made him think 'Maybe she is still worried about Ms. Bindu, but I don't want to say anything in front of Gurvinder, I will talk to her later!!'
Shaurya let it go for now and instructed them for their trip "Ok! So all set then...we will leave from here around 9 am along with 4 other students from science side and Mrs. Sangeeta who is accompanying them!"
In the evening
Anokhi wondered to herself 'He should be home by now, should I call him and ask what happened with Ms. Bindu?'
Finally after struggling to decide if she should call or not she decided to call and ask him what happened? She was too curious to know.
Anokhi called and spoke with a hesitant tone "Hello!"
Shaurya's face gleamed hearing her voice. "Hello Anokhi! I was thinking of calling you only!"
His statement made her more nervous. "Why sir? Have I done something wrong? Am I in trouble?" Her sound filled with alarm.
Shaurya with a little frustrating and angry tone "No Anokhi! Why do you always assume I am mad at you?? I saw you lost and thinking something in school so I wanted to ask you what the matter was? But I think I already know, it's about Ms. Bindu, right?"
Anokhi with a shocked and surprised tone "How did you know?"
Shaurya still sounded a little upset and with a questioning tone asked "Never mind that, did she say something to you again??"
Anokhi with a frightening tone "No! I just wanted to know what she said to you when you talked to her, you did talk to her, right???"
"Yes I did talk to her and you don't have to worry about it, she won't bother you anymore! I explained to her that she was wrong and out of line to say anything without knowing the whole thing! She won't bother you anymore! And if she does, you straight away come to me and tell me. Okay?" Shaurya explained.
Anokhi with surprise blurted out "That's it?"
Shaurya in a firm and final tone "Yes, that's it!" Implying he does not want to say anything more about it. The topic is closed.
Anokhi in a slightly disappointed tone "Ok Sir!" She had to let it go as she was scared of him getting mad at her.
Shaurya continued a calm tone "Ok Anokhi! So I will see you tomorrow morning for tuition class! Ok?"
"Sure! Bye!" She sullenly replied.
"Bye!"
Anokhi thinking after the phone call 'Seems like he is still upset about it. God knows what Ms. Bindu said to him and what he said to her?? He was so furious yesterday after finding out...anyway now I have to remember not to talk about it with him or he might get mad at me next! Which I certainly don't want to happen.'
Monday morning
Everyone gathered near the minibus!! Models were kept in the minibus, everyone was ready to go! All 6 students, 2 teachers, Driver and the school photographer.
"You are also coming with us?" Shaurya asked the school photographer.
"Yes Sir, I have been ordered to accompany you all as well." He disclosed.
"Okay good!"
Driver came and started talking to Shaurya "Sir I only know the way to the Hyatt hotel, after that we will need to ask someone."
"No, that won't be necessary. You take us till Hyatt and rest I will tell you where to go."
Mrs. Sangeeta, who was listening, curiously asked "How do you know that place?? Have you been there before??"
"Yes mam, actually this place is very near to my house, that's why I know it."
"Oh okay!" She replied in understanding.
40 mins later
Shaurya pointed and explained to everyone "See that street, I go in from there and a couple streets down is my house and there across the street is Hyatt hotel!"
Anokhi asked fascinatedly, "Wow you come to school every day from so far away?"
Shaurya smiled at her expressions and replied "Yes I do!"
Mrs. Sangeeta suddenly spoke "You don't have to come to school all the way from here as we have to come here only and in the afternoon you'll go back and pick up your scooter from school and come all the way back here again! Why don't you meet us here tomorrow, we can pick you up from here and drop you off here in the afternoon...it will save you a lot of time and petrol!"
"Yes sure, it's a good plan! We can do this! We can decide a time and I will meet you all here tomorrow! Thanks Mam!!" He appreciated her kindness.
Soon they reached the state fair ground! They were all given batches with their names on it along with the name of the school and allotted tables to display their models!
All 6 of them started setting their models and 1/2 an hour later they were all set!
Soon students and teachers from other schools started coming and looking around!
As usual Anokhi hid behind and made Gurvinder give the presentation and explanation of the model!
After some time they all decided they should also go and look at other models! They made two groups Anokhi, Chhaya(12th science section), Neelu(11th science section) and Gurvinder, Jatin(Chhaya's classmate), Rohan(Neelu's classmate) as one person from each model needs to be there with the model at all times!!
Anokhi looked around and noticed hardly any people were coming in their direction. So she asked the guys "Why don't you guys go first and look around then we will go!"
Gurvinder shrugged "Ok sure!"
Gurvinder, Jatin and Rohan left.
Anokhi crossed her fingers and wished 'I just hope no one comes and asks about the model until Gurvinder comes back!!'
Soon the boys came back and to Anokhi's relief, no one visited their model while Gurvinder was gone. Then she left with Chhaya & Neelu! They all enjoyed looking at other models.
The girls started discussing the other models.
"Wow, some of these are really good!" Anokhi spoke amazed.
Chhaya sadly replied "You are right yaar, our models won't make it to the next level."
Anokhi tried to cheer Chhaya "Arre so what? Reaching State level isn't a small achievement and we did it. So don't get sad and just enjoy it!!"
Shaurya, who was nearby talking to another school's teacher, heard Anokhi and smiled!
Shaurya to himself 'She is sooo sweet, always helping others, cheering them up, she is full of positivity, makes everyone smile! Who would not love her??' Then he sadly thought 'But she can never become mine.'
Soon it was lunch time
Mrs.Sangeeta came and announced "Lets go and have lunch, we will go in two groups! Three of you come with me and three can go after we come back!!"
First the girls - Anokhi, Chhaya & Neelu went with Mrs. Sangeeta. They went to the lunch area and sat on the benches and shared their lunches with each other and enjoyed themselves. Then later the boys went with Shaurya!
Anokhi somehow managed to survive the second half as well without having to give a presentation even once! She was very happy with this achievement of hers.
On the way back everyone was tired and sat quietly in the bus! It was a tiring day as they had to stand most of the day!
First off the bus was Anokhi! She waved and said goodbye to everyone and Shaurya made sure she got off the bus as near to her house as possible!
After dropping everyone to their respective houses including Mrs. Sangeeta, Shaurya went to school and picked up his scooter and went home!
Tuesday morning
As decided everyone met near the bus except Shaurya as they will be picking him up from near Hyatt hotel! All of the students played Antakshari on the way and had lots of fun! They reached a bit early at the meeting place as there was less traffic that day! Shaurya was not there yet so the driver parked the bus in a corner and they continued playing antakshari while they waited for Shaurya to arrive.
Soon they saw Shaurya walking towards the bus and as soon as he noticed the bus was already there, he ran a bit to reach faster!
As Shaurya entered the bus everyone wished him "Good Morning"! And the driver started moving.
"Good Morning everyone! How long have you guys been waiting here??" He asked.
"A few minutes only! Not too long." Mrs.Sangeeta replied.
"Oh okay! I'll come early tomorrow!" Shaurya felt guilty for making them wait.
After reaching they all went to their respective tables and soon people started visiting and as the previous day Anokhi hid behind and Gurvinder gave the presentation to everyone!
At lunch time Mrs.Sangeeta came to take them for lunch but Gurvinder, Rohan & Jatin said today they will go first! So the girls stayed behind! After they returned back Mrs.Sangeeta said now you girls go. She looked around and noticed Shaurya was busy talking to someone so she asked the girls to go and start their lunch! They all went and sat and started eating! A couple mins later Shaurya sir reached there.
"Here you girls are!" He spoke as he reached them and sat next to them!
Anokhi saw he was empty handed and asked "Where is your lunch?"
"I don't bring lunch from home, I will buy something and eat later!"
"Later when?? Aren't you hungry?" Anokhi asked.
Chhaya said "Sir, share our lunch with us!"
"No no it's okay." Shaurya hesitated.
Anokhi in the meantime already put half the pooris aside in the cap of her lunch box and moved it towards Shaurya. "Here, eat please!"
"No, you will be left hungry." Shaurya worriedly spoke.
"No i won't be, this is too much, I don't eat this much! Mumma usually gives extra for Reema, because she loves Mumma's pori aaloo, I think Mumma forgot that I was not gonna eat lunch with her today, so she still gave me so many pooris...I can't eat this much!" Anokhi quickly explained.
Shaurya smiled and asked again "Are you sure?"
"Of Course!"
Then they all started eating!
After some time
Anokhi thought to herself 'Didn't I have one and a half poori left? How come there's half more?? Hmm, maybe I am getting confused!'
She shrugged and started eating again! Few minutes later there was another half poori on her side.
'Okay now I am sure I didn't have this one!! She looked at Shaurya who was smiling mischievously and purposely looking the other way.
"Oh so you are keeping these here! Here take yours back! I wasn't looking so you started cheating?" She accused him.
All three of them- Shaurya, Chhaya & Neelu started laughing.
Anokhi stared at them in annoyance "It's not funny"
Shaurya smiled "I just didn't want you to be left hungry! You gave all the pooris to me and kept so less for yourself. It seems like it's small bird's food, that's why I had to do some cheating" he shrugged nonchalantly.
Anokhi’s eyes went wide hearing him "First of all, I told you I'll be fine! And secondly, I don't eat like a bird."
"Yes yes I can see that." Shaurya spoke sarcastically.
Anokhi stared at him!
"Ok ok I am eating!" He finally gave in.
"Tomorrow also you have lunch with us, I will bring extra for you!" She all but ordered him with a haq.
Shaurya smiled seeing her casually instructing him and replied "Okay!"
"And no cheating tomorrow!" Anokhi pointed her finger at him.
Shaurya laughed and raised both his hands in mock surrender and said "Okay okay no cheating!"
While leaving in the evening Shaurya instructed the driver to drop all the students in the same order and place like the day before!
Later at Anokhi's house
Anokhi casually asked her mother "Mumma what will you give for lunch tomorrow??
"I'm thinking about making Kadhi with Rice, why? Do you want something else??" Rama inquired.
"No no Kadhi with Rice is perfect! Just give some extra as we all will be sharing lunch with each other." Anokhi felt happy with the lunch choice.
"Oh okay!" Rama agreed.
Wednesday Morning
Same like Tuesday, they left from school at the same time and picked up Shaurya sir on the way. Today he came early and was already waiting there when the bus arrived!
It was a busy day as lots of visitors came. The whole first half Anokhi again managed to survive without having to give a presentation!
Before Lunch time
"Gurvinder today also you guys go and have lunch first." Anokhi said to Gurvinder.
"Why?"
"Oh yesterday when we went with Shaurya Sir for lunch, we shared our lunches with him as well as he doesn't bring his own lunch. So today we will also share lunch with him. We told him yesterday only to have lunch with us." Anokhi explained.
"Oh okay! Sure, we will go first." Gurvinder agreed.
At lunch time all the boys went with Mrs. Sangeeta.
After they came back Mrs. Sangeeta Said "Okay girls, now you all also go and have lunch!!"
They all headed towards the lunch tables!
Anokhi looked around trying to locate Shaurya. "Where is he??" she mumbled to herself.
Then she spotted him talking to someone. 'There he is...but how will we ask him to come? Maybe he will come on his own like yesterday!' She thought.
All the girls sat on the table and waited for Shaurya sir to come!
A few minutes later Shaurya came and saw they were just sitting there with closed lunch boxes!
"Why are you all not eating??" He asked.
Chhaya and Neelu spoke together "We were waiting for you only!"
Shaurya looked at Anokhi and she was looking at him like 'Don't you know why?'
"Oh sorry I made you all wait!" He quickly sat!
Chhaya and Neelu offered their lunches to Shaurya and he took a bite from them!!
Anokhi opened her lunch box and handed a spoon to Shaurya saying "This is Kadhi with Rice, hope you like it!"
Shaurya smiled and started eating! They both ate from the same lunch box.
Anokhi noticed that he was eating very slowly, she wondered why?
Anokhi wondered 'Does he eat this slow?? Maybe he is doing it purposely so I can eat more.'
Anokhi looked at Shaurya "Do you always eat this slow or is there something special today??" She asked sarcastically with a saccharine smile.
Shaurya looked at her amused by her question "What?!"
"I know why you are eating so slow, you think there will be less food for me, right??" She questioned and then she opened the bottom half of the lunch box and pointed "See here, there's more rice, I thought it will get cold that's why I didn't open it. I was thinking once we are done with this then I will open the other half. But you again started cheating like yesterday." She complained and pouted.
Shaurya laughed seeing her pouting "Okay okay fine I'm eating, you also eat."
Anokhi smiled and started eating.
Shaurya asked them not to bring lunch the next day and said "Tomorrow we will get free before lunch only as they will be announcing the winners and distributing the participation certificates. So afterwards we can all go and have lunch somewhere. I will tell the others as well. Ok?"
Chhaya and Neelu excitedly said "Wow Sir, are you throwing a party??
Shaurya laughed at their excitement ans replied "Sure, you can say that."
Anokhi sat quietly thinking about something! Shaurya noticed her lack of enthusiasm and observed her for a minute and then he smiled mischievously and thought to himself 'I know what you are thinking.'
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Hello my lovely readers.
Here's the next chapter 😊
Hope you all enjoyed reading it. Do share your thoughts.
Love Preet ❤
Chapter 14👇
Their days are pretty happening with all fun & work. Interesting fair that was, the lunch time being amazing obviously! How Anokhi is not at all hesitant with Shaurya, understanding his side of mind, sharing her food & all were really adorable..
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Health and Fitness
History
