Author’snote: This One shot is based on future story. Anokhi doesn’t stay at her sister’s place but at college hostel. She is now in her final year of college. Her relationship with her father hasn’t improved. Shaan and Aastha hasn’t got together yet. Shaurya still hates his mother.
Devi tried to get Shaurya married to a girl of her choice but Shaurya asked time for him to recover from his break up so he’s still unmarried. Shaurya doesn’t think Anokhi in negative light anymore. Although their ideologies clash, they respect each other. Both have slightly started to develop feelings for each other but haven’t realized yet.
~ * ~
ShaKhi OS Zehnaseeeb
Anokhi and her debate team from SIAC came to Delhi for a debate competition where Shaurya was invited by the college as a guest. An ex-minister was the chief guest. The debate topic is about politics and just like always Anokhi had impressed the audience with her speech. But the ex-minister wasn’t. In one of her argument in the debate she has spoken against the minister’s party and its rule. So, he and Anokhi got into an argument.
Shaurya saw the look of the ex-minister whose face is twisted with anger. He knows Anokhi has offended the minister so he quickly asked one of the hosts to cut the debate and get Anokhi out of the stage. The Debate competition was the last event and so the minister stood up. He has already scolded Anokhi while they were arguing.
“Tum ne mujhe insult kar diya!” He glared at Anokhi and walked down the stage.
Shaurya pulled aside Anokhi as soon as she is off the stage. Anokhi looked at him, puzzled.
“Sir, kya hua?”
“Aap kar kya rahi thi Miss. Anokhi? Why did you argue with him? Look at the way he left. You have pissed him. Why do you always have to argue?” He chided her.
“But sir, he is wrong. Isliyeh mein ne-”
“Silence. Not a word more. Let’s get the valediction get over. We are leaving from here soon” Shaurya knows it’s not good to get into arguments with politicians. They can do anything so he wanted to take proper safety measures.
Anokhi looked at him with a I-have-messed-up-and-I’m-sorry look. Shaurya sighed.
“Come. Let’s get you some water”
~ * ~
“How dare that girl spoke to me that way?” The ex-minister sounded pissed as he walked out of the campus “Kuch toh karna hai us ladki ko. She has to learn how to talk to someone like me”
“What do you need us to do sir?”
The ex-minister thought for a while.
“Get our goons into campus. Make sure they enter inside like students. Ask them to rebel against the staffs and hit other students. Make sure it looks like students riot and then take care of that Anokhi. Zyada nahi, I want her hands and legs broken”
~ * ~
Shaurya was talking to his Badi maa when he heard students screaming. At first, he thought that the students are screaming during valediction. But the noise kept increasing. Now its more like a scream for help. He was out of the event venue to talk to his Badi maa. He left his students inside for the valediction. He rushed inside.
When Shaurya went inside, he was shocked to see students hitting one another. Everyone running here and there in college premises. His eyes frantically searched for his students. When he looked closely, he realized it wasn’t just college students but goons. One among them was someone whom he saw with the ex-minister. Realization dawned him.
They are after Anokhi!
He started running into the crowd, searching for Anokhi. On his way he saw few goons trying to hit some girls with sticks. He put his fighting skills into action and saved those girls.
As he looked for Anokhi, he bumped into his students except Anokhi. He instructed them to go safely to hotel. He also asked about Anokhi.
“She went to washroom during valediction sir. We haven’t saw her since”
There was a huge uproar among the riot.
“Okay, just take the rest of them safely. I'll be back with Miss. Bhalla”
He sent them off and rushed to look for Anokhi. He escaped the hits of goons as he moved along, saving few students. He was getting frustrated by each passing second.
Anokhi, kahan ho tum? This is all he could think.
~ * ~
Anokhi walked out of the washroom. She had no idea what happened outside. When she saw students running around, she was shocked to see the whole scenario.
Few men came that way. Their eyes were fixed on Anokhi.
“She is the one. Catch her!” One among them yelled which startled Anokhi.
When Anokhi realized they were coming towards her, she snapped, her survival instinct kicked in. She started running with those goons behind her. She ran like no tomorrow.
“How dare you insult our leader like that? Wait, we’ll teach you how to behave like a girl”
Anokhi, by now, has realized that they are the ex-minister’s men. Shaurya was right. She shouldn’t have argued with the ex-minister. She looked back at them and ran for her life. When she looked front, she bumped into Shaurya who held her by her shoulders.
The goons stopped on their tracks on seeing him. They looked at one another and back at Shaurya. Anokhi looked at Shaurya and finally heaved in relief. Shaurya looked at Anokhi and then at the goons.
“Sir, yeh log meri peecha kar rahe hain” She said, panting.
“Oye hero, let her and run from here” One among them said.
“Our issue is with her. You don’t poke your nose into our business” Another one said.
“Sharam nahi aati tum logon ko? Ek ladki ki peecha kar rahe ho? Turn around and go your way. She’s my student and I’m taking her back” Shaurya said sternly.
“Alright. You won’t listen. Now we will take you down and then take her with us”
Shaurya glared at them while he asked Anokhi stand a little behind.
“Teri toh”
One among them approached to hit Shaurya but Shaurya fought him off. One by one all five attacked Shaurya who single handedly thrashed them. He saw that everyone’s on the floor. So, he quickly grabbed Anokhi’s hands and dragged her with him.
The noise was getting louder and louder so he dragged Anokhi into a classroom in deserted side of the campus and locked the door. Its not safe to bring Anokhi into a crowd of goons who are after her. When the riot dies down, he’ll take Anokhi back to the hotel.
Anokhi looked at the closed classroom. The memory of her being locked in her classroom during her second year rushed back into her mind. All those words, the way Anmol misbehaved with her, everything started to play into her head. She started hyperventilating.
“We’ll be safe here for the time being, Miss. Anokhi” He said, turning around to look at Anokhi.
Shaurya’s eyes didn’t miss Anokhi’s state but he couldn’t put a finger on why she’s reacting this way. Then he saw her gaze fixed on the closed classroom door. This classroom is similar to the one where the VIP students ragged her and locked her. Realization dawned him.
“Tum teek ho?”Shaurya asked in a soft voice, walking towards her.
“Sir…” Anokhi sounded weak.
Shaurya looked at the closed door and back at Anokhi. The riot hasn’t died down yet so he can’t open the door. He hesitantly held her hand and asked her to look at him.
“Anokhi, calm down”He instructed her “Take deep, slow breath”
Anokhi’s eyes filled with tears as she tried to repeat what Shaurya asked her to. Even after getting them punished, it took a long time for Anokhi to heal, at least she thought so. Those closed doors brought it all back.
A huge bang was heard from the main campus. An already traumatized Anokhi shrieked in fear and held onto the only person near her – Shaurya, who wasn’t expecting the hug from Anokhi so he stumbled a little but balanced at right time. His left hand was at the top of her head and his right arm holding her shoulder.
Shaurya was shocked by the hug but pulled himself together when he felt her crying against him. He wanted to say something and comfort her but it was like he’s tongue tied. He patted her head, trying to comfort.
“Anokhi” He managed to say. She was crying softly.
“Anokhi, try to breathe slowly, calmly” He said, trying to relax her while still embracing her.
Anokhi started doing the same and within few minutes her breathing got normal. They both realized the position they are in and moved away from each other feeling awkward.
“Tum teek ho?”Shaurya asked, trying to break the tension in the air.
Anokhi looked at him, wiping her tears. She nodded at him.
“You lock the door from inside, I’ll get you some water” Shaurya said, starting to leave but Anokhi held his arm.
“Sir, please don’t go” Anokhi said in a pleading tone. She isn’t okay yet and she doesn’t want anything to happen to him.
“But-”
“I have water with me” She said, opening her bag. She took out her bottle and drank few sips before passing it to Shaurya. He took few sips and returned it back to her.
“Let’s sit down for a while” Shaurya said, sitting down on a bench “Once this riot dies down, we’ll leave from here”
“Sir, yeh log mere peeche-”
“I know they are behind you. They are that ex-minister’s goons. That guy is not a good type” He filled in the info.
“I had no idea sir”
“That is why I always say that don’t argue at every change you get”
“Sorry sir” Anokhi said “But I don’t regret showing him his place. This very act by him proves how correct I’m with my argument”
Shaurya shook his head with a slight smile. He knows that she would say something like this.
“I could never understand you Miss. Bhalla” His lips said but in truth he is the only one who could understand her in SIAC.
“I’ll take that as a compliment sir” Anokhi said, finally smiling.
Shaurya saw Anokhi relaxing. So, he started conversing about academic stuffs and literature. It was so easy for them to talk with each other about studies. Slowly time passed. When the conversation reached about Anokhi’s family, Anokhi talked about her mother and sister in a proud and cheerful tone. When he asked about her father, her face fell.
Shaurya noticed this. He asked her not to share anything if she isn’t comfortable. She gave a small smile and shared about life with her father. All those beatings, words, his act of nearly getting her married off to a cruel person and the way he threw her out, Anokhi shared everything, tears brimming her eyes but a victory smile on her face.
“I didn’t let any of this stop me from doing what I want the most sir – to study. I’m sad that my father doesn’t recognize my talent but I’m happy that I have proved myself” Anokhi said with a triumphant smile.
Shaurya looked at her with moisten eyes, his respect towards her growing. At the same time, he felt guilty about the way he treated her before. He shouldn’t have done any of that.
“Anokhi I-” Before he could say anything, there was a loud bang outside. Someone banged the classroom door.
“Search for that girl. We’ll leave only after teaching her a lesson” They heard one of the goons shouting from outside.
Shaurya dragged Anokhi from the bench and pulled her down with him to sit on the floor. She yelped in surprise but Shaurya quickly covered her mouth with his palm. He signaled her to be silent.
There were few more shouts from the outside before the goons left that hallway. Shaurya slowly released Anokhi and rested his head behind the wall. That was a close one!
“Sir!” Anokhi panicked, still in shock.
“Ssh, kuch nahi hua hai. Calm down. They are gone”
“What if they comeback?”
“We are safe, Anokhi. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you” He reassured her by holding her hands. She nodded.
“I’ll make a call to dad and fix this whole issue” He asked her to sit down while he stood up and walked to the other corner of the classroom. He doesn’t want to scare her more by talking in front of her. He made a call to Shaan and explained their whole situation to him. Shaan assured Shaurya to send help soon and also sort the issue with ex-minister. Shaurya thanked his father and walked back to Anokhi. He sat beside her on the floor.
“Don’t worry, dad will take care of everything” He assured Anokhi.
“Okay sir” Anokhi finally heaved in relief “Aap se ek baat puchu?”
“Mujse? Pucho”
“Why are you so grumpy always? I mean no offense sir but you are being grumpy at times that your handsome face gets twi-”
“My handsome face?” Shaurya asked hiding his smile while lifting an eyebrow.
“Haan, voh, I mean sab kehthey hain ki aap handsome ho” Anokhi realized her slip of tongue but managed to correct her sentence.
“So, you don’t find me handsome then?” Shaurya was in playful mood.
“Sir… mein ne yesa thodi boli thi” Anokhi stammered with her words, looking down in shyness.
“So, you find me handsome then?” Shaurya was laughing inside on seeing Anokhi’s reactions.
“Sir I only wanted to ask why you are being grumpy all the time at college” She tried to change the topic.
“Now I’m just being grumpy, not handsome grumpy?” Shaurya finally laughed. Anokhi turned red.
“Anokhi stop getting embarrassed. I was just pulling your legs. Relax”
Anokhi blushed. Why is she feeling butterflies in her stomach? She had only read in books about this feeling, never felt. This feeling happens only around someone you like. Does that mean she likes Shaurya sir? Her mind was at a fix.
“Anokhi?” Shaurya called out. He was slightly scared whether he have offended her or something. Anokhi broke out of her trance and looked at him.
“Kya soch rahi ho?”
“That you are handsome” She blurted out without thinking. It was only after she said those words, she realized what she has said. Shaurya was shocked initially but he recovered soon.
“Kya kaha tum ne?” He asked while hiding his smile.
“Nothing sir” Anokhi was quick to say, lowering her eyes, blushing.
Shaurya looked at her blushing. He doesn’t know what took over him. He held her chin and lifted it up, meeting her eyes.
“Jo bhi bolna hai, look into my eyes and say” His voice was soft.
They both looked into each other’s eyes while he held her chin. It was a bang on the door from outside that broke their trance.
“Mr. Saberwal? Police is here”
They both moved away from one another and stood up. Shaurya reached for the door and opened it.
“Mr. Saberwal, we have controlled the riot and captured those goons. I have spoken with Mr. Shaan Saberwal. He have spoken with those responsible for the whole situation. You and Ms. Bhalla are safe to go. We’ll escort you safely to your car”
Shaurya thanked them and lead Anokhi towards the car with police men escorting them. Once they are near the car, Shaurya and Anokhi thanked the guards and get inside the car.
The ride towards their hotel was silent but their mind wasn’t. Both are confused about their feelings. Their prior conversation didn’t help at all. So, no one said a word. When they arrived, Anokhi quickly got down from the car. Shaurya called her name.
“Pack your things and ask everyone to get ready. We are leaving to Chandigarh in an hour” Shaurya said.
“Okay sir” Anokhi was about to go but Shaurya stopped her again.
“And one more thing”
“Yes sir?”
“When we are back to Chandigarh, I want my answer” Shaurya said while Anokhi slightly blushed and turned around, a smile on her face.
Shaurya shook his head with a smile and walked towards his room.
Such a long way to go.
THE END.
~ * ~
Thank you everyone who have read my previous One Shot Samjhavaan. It was the response to that OS which made me write this. Show some love to this one too. Writers please do write more works on ShaKhi.
Thank You.
Nan ~
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