Prologue: 🔗OS part 1. Shaurya & Anokhi part their ways and have not seen each other for almost an year now. Anokhi continues her studies at SIAC, lived in the hostel on a full scholarship but on the condition that she must always be the class topper and crack IAS exam. This was Tej's way to make sure his investment pays off and university gets more publicity.
If there is one thing Anokhi learned in this one year, then it is to adapt and ignore what wasn't her business. She noticed that most people did not need her help unlike in small towns and life is so busy in a big city people forget that something unfair happened in their life and move on very fast. So she learned to fight the right battles else her she was losing focus and it showed in her grades.
Shaurya moves to Patiala for setting up the new campus. He has the hardest and most challenging time of his life trying to build everything from scratch. He was living alone in Patiala and visit Chandigarh occasionally. If there is one thing he learned from living alone then it is this — abandoning family to live alone is not fun, it's not an easy decision to make, it requires a lot of guts, will power & goal. Else living alone can get depressing.
~*~
(1 year later) SIAC Patiala campus - Annual day function
The Patiala campus was decorated with festivities and glowed like a new bride. It was bustling with people and the air was filled with music and the smell of food. The preparations for the annual day function were going on in full swing. After all this is the biggest publicity and marketing event to attract new students and professors onboard.
~*~
The college inauguration that happened a year ago was very low key A. because they did not want to attract high profile students before their infrastructure was ready B. the funds to the campus were limited till it showed results.
However, Shaurya took this very personally. He made sure the students scored good grades, were active in extra-curriculars and professors got recognised for this. This year he did not ask but demand a huge loan from his bade papa to celebrate the completion of 1 year of the campus successfully.
In his heart, he also had an ulterior motive behind making this event so big. He was hoping for that one miracle to happen which he imagined playing in his head a million times — to see her face. Somehow the guilt of treating Anokhi badly, making life difficult for her especially when she was new to a city made him sad everyday. Since he now knows firsthand how hard coping in a new city feels like. Especially, he comes from a privileged layer of the society and his family took care of everything for him. He barely had any adjustment issues but he would curse himself how miserable Anokhi might have felt when she moved to Chandigarh. No support system, no money or a job, obviously the girl had to depend on people she even barely knew.
All these realisations made him want to apologise to her. After all for keeping his mental peace he needed to apologise to her. But he promised to his bade papa he wouldn't visit the main campus for the fear of a possibility of meeting her.
So he made a strategy, *removed by DT*
~*~
"Sir, sir. Gaddi aa gayi" — the peon shouted.
Shaurya jumped from his director's chair snapped out of his thoughts and gave the peon an angry stare.
"Tej sir, Shaan sir, Alok sir, Devi madam gaddi mein hai. Security ka phone aaya ki main gate enter ho gaye"
"Okay. Chalo neeche"
Shaan was the first to come out of the car and give a tight hug to Shaurya. Shaurya reciprocated. He touched everyones feet. He wished his bade papa, badi ma, chachu, chachi and of course his dad.
"Chalo pehle ghar chalte hai. Aap sab fresh ho jao, lunch karne ke baad campus dikhaunga"
Everyone nodded. Alok said he needed to wait.
"Arre, aap sab jao. Abhi Chandigarh se college bus ayegi, woh hamari car ko follow kar rahe the pata nahi kaise late ho gaye. Mein unko receieve karunga. Mr. Kapoor ko guest house dikhaunga jahan students aur professors ke liye rehna ka arrangements kiya. Phir aake aap sabko join karunga"
Shaurya insisted on waiting along with Alok but badi maa insisted that he has his lunch on time as he thinned down beyond imagination.
~*~
The bus ride from Chandigarh to Patiala was a lot of fun. 15 students were coming from the main campus escorted by 3 professors. They were invited formally to participate in singing, dancing, debates and other extra curricular activities. The students enjoyed the bus ride with singing, Antakshari, dumb charades etc
The bus driver was instructed to follow Tej's car but all the students insisted on taking a chai stop. So they got delayed.
When the bus arrived at Patiala campus everyone felt the campus was smaller than the main one but it was beautiful beyond imagination. Alok was there to receive them. All the students and professors checked into the guest house.
The professors got individual rooms but students got rooms allotted on a twin sharing basis. Anokhi and Reema were to share a room. Kitty & Bebo were to share the adjoining room. Anokhi's mind was not particularly at ease. The idea of going to Patiala made her restless from the beginning.
She was given an ultimatum by Tej & Shaan that as the university topper she had to visit the sister campus and make a good impression on new students. So she was forced to participate in a debate competition & give a speech on student life at SIAC. She was not afraid of the competition or speech at all but the possibility of meeting Shaurya sir made her uneasy.
~*~
Annual Function - Day 1
The event started with candle lighting by Devi & Gayathri. This was followed by speeches from Tej, Shaurya, Prof. Tripathi of Patiala campus. This was followed by speeches of students from Patiala campus sharing their experience of being a part of SIAC family for the last 1 year. This was to be concluded by speech from Anokhi, Bebo and another boy from their class in SIAC main campus.
Shaurya sat in the front seat with his family and there she was walking proudly, head held high towards the podium. His heart skipped a beat and he did not know this feeling.
Anokhi delivered her speech with a tone of authority & poise.
"I stand here in front of all of you as a proud SIACian. Aaj yeh meri pehchaan hai. Lekin 1 saal pehle baat kuch aur thi. When I came to Chandigarh, from a small town called Kapurthala I wanted to make a career. I wanted to be the girl who supported the family. I fought with my parents and came to join SIAC. People called me pindu, ganwaar and lot of other names. I thought this would become my identity.
But this university which gave me names also gave me friends for life who supported me through these tough times. Friends mujhe kisi bhi university mein shayad mil jaate lekin Tej sir aur Shaan sir jaise mentors, Mr.Kapoor, Mrs. Chadha jaise professors mujhe sirf aur sirf yehan naseeb hue.
Would you believe if I told you I was going to leave the university and quit studies because someone once accused me that I joined a prestigious university to make high level contacts. I was very offended that day."
This felt like a dagger piercing into Shaurya's throat. He was getting angry at her and the audacity she has to quote this incident in front of him in his campus. She did not even look at him, this made him even more angry)
"But Tej sir aur Shaan sir ne mujhe rok liya. They guided me through that tough phase, they challenged me to reach my potential. The board members and staff here recognise talent & support you to grow. I was offered a full scholarship and I am thankful I stayed and proved my mettle every single day that I walk in the corridors of the university. The professors here are very talented and give us a lot of surprise tests"
Everyone laughed
"I have friends who are very smart, I feel I absorb knowledge by staying in their company and they are rich also so your canteen bill is taken care of"
Again the audience broke into laughter
"Cateen, hamara main campus ki shaan hai khaana bekaar hai lekin doston ke saath achchi mehfil jam jaati hai. And we have the world's best library, computer labs and please baaki amenities aap brochure mein padh lena"
My God. This girl just knew how to capture the crowds attention. There was laughter and hooting in the room unlike a bored audience for all the earlier speeches.
"Anyway mein kehna kya cha rahi hu. I think I am having the once in a lifetime opportunity. And like a wise man once told me, this university will be give me my ticket to a better and comfortable life. So dear students enjoy the university life, struggle but not alone make friendships for like, eat a lot of bad food in the canteen, and if anyone tells you that you are here to make contacts, look them in the eye and say, yes dear friend that's called networking. Thank you everyone" — And now she looked Shaurya directly in the eye.
Shaurya would never forget that cold icy glare that she gave him. It felt as though she accused him in front of a million people yet she did not. Shaan did a face palm and Tej's curve on the face went from a smile to a frown. Anokhi knew very well she should not have added that last sentence because now she will have to face the music from Shaan & Tej. But it felt oddly satisfying.
She got a huge round of applause and cheer from the crowd. Some students hooted & whistled also. She got down the podium and saw an angry Shaurya dash out the auditorium. She came to Shaan and Tej and caught her ears in a maafi gesture.
Shaan smiled and said — "Tum jitna sweet dikhti ho utna ho nahi. Grudges rakhti ho, galat baat hai"
Tej retorted — "Tumhe woh last line bolne ki zarurat nahi thi Anokhi"
"Sorry, Tej sir. Aage se aise nahi karungi. Last time I promise. Anyway abhi I have to leave for the debate competition. Thank you sir."
Reema & Anokhi participated in the debate competition. Anokhi came first, second place was given to a Patiala campus student and Reema came third. Kitty, Bebo and some other participated in dance competition and the group came second. All the students decided to go and check out the canteen in Patiala campus and celebrate the victory.
~*~
Canteen
Everyone was having chai and maggi. The lady at the counter shouted that more items from their order came so Anokhi went to pick them up. At the same time Shaan & Shaurya came down for tea.
Shaan ordered for two tea.
"Ek sugarless bana dena bhaiyya" — Anokhi added. Shaan looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Kya?? Aap ke sugar levels border line pe hai. Meri bhi contacts hai aur mein bhi gossip karna jaanti hu" — Shaan caught her ear and twisted it.
"Aaaaahhhh. Mein grudges rakhti hu yaad rakhna"
"Chalo bhaiyya, ek sugarless bana do" — Shaan added
Both of them burst into laughter. Shaurya was looking at them awkwardly yet amused. How did he end up here, his dad was unwell and he did not have the slightest idea. This made him sad for staying away from his family and immersing in work, not paying close attention to his family members.
Anokhi picked up her food tray and before leaving she made a I am watching you gesture to Shaan with her other hand. Shaan laughed.
The bond his father shared with Anokhi made Shaurya feel strange and left out.
"Dad aapka tabiyat kharaab hai kya?"
"Nahi Shaurya, I am perfectly fine. Woh doctor uncle bol rahe the ki umar ho rahi hai toh thode se diet adjustments karna padega. Like salt kam karo, sugar kam karo, oil kam karo basically zindagi jeena chod do"
"Aapne kabhi bataya nahi Dad"
"Tumne poocha bhi toh nahi na Shaurya" — Shaan said mockingly. Shaurya felt guilty.
"Aur woh aurat aap ko call karke poochthi hai ya aap khud se batate ho"
"Shaurya, when will you grow up" — Shaan said irritatingly.
"I am a lot more matured now dad. Lekin aapka dhyaan mere pe rahega toh aap notice karoge na. Mein pichle ek saal mein itna badal gaya hu aap shayad touch mein rehte toh aapko pata chalta. Akele rehna, family se dur rehna aur naya city mein adjust karna bahut mushkil hota hai"
Shaan nodded in agreement and patted on Shaurya's back.
"I know. Life must have been hard for you. You only got a 3 bed room bungalow to stay, only one cook. one maid and one driver. A mere director of university job that doesn't pay you high enough hai na"
"Dad, aap meri mazaak uda rahe ho"
"Nahi beta, mein hamdardi dikhaa raha hu. Poor Shaurya caught alone in an unknown city, no friends, no money, no roof over the head, no support system"
"Dad your are being very mean to me"
"Is it? You want my sympathy, sorry you won't get any. Because I know real people who go through real problems and you don't bloody respect that. Now you want me to praise you for getting through all this alone, sorry I can't do that"
"Chai lelo" the canteen bhaiyya interjected before Shaurya could reply. They both sipped the tea silently. Shaurya broke the silence:
"Dad mujhe pata hai aap mere so abhi bhi naraz ho lekin mein Anokhi se maafi maag chuka hu and we moved on"
"Really is that what you tell your consciousness"
"Dad I don't want to talk about it" as he was sipping his tea he looked over his shoulder, looked at Anokhi laughing and happy with her friends. In his heart he muttered how I always wanted to see her but seeing her happy is actually making me more irritated. Why? Did I want her to feel miserable?
"Achcha dad ek baat batao yeh Kitty aur Bebo aise normal students ke saath kaise friends ho gaye? Like Anokhi & Bebo on the same table mujhe kuch digest nahi hua yeh baat"
"Toh tum khud hi pooch lo" Shaurya glared at his father irritated.
"Arre Bebo se pooch le. Tujhe kya laga mein Anokhi se poochne ke liye bol raha hu" Shaan laughed mockingly. Maafi maag sakta hai, cough cough.
~*~
Last Day - Prize distribution
The prize distribution ceremony was going on. As the director of the campus, Shaurya was handing everyone their prizes. Anokhi came on stage to receive her prize. Shaurya shook hands with her and gave her the trophy.
"Congratulations Miss. Bhalla"
"Thank you sir"
"Kya coincidence hai. Humara yeha aisey dobara milna"
She remained indifferent. She wanted to snatch the trophy from his hand but his grip was firm.
"You can't ignore me like this Miss.Bhalla" She tried to snatch again, he dint loosen his grip.
"Mujhe tumse baat karni hai Miss.Bhalla, I will wait for you in the library" he whispered
She grabbed her trophy and left. His intuition told him she will definitely come to the library.
~*~
Library
Shaurya was pacing restlessly in the library. He waited for more than 30 min yet no sign of Anokhi. Finally when he was about to give up and leave he heard footsteps. He thanked his stars. She came.
Anokhi quietly walked into a deserted library. Once she came inside she heard the door close behind her and latched. She looked back to see Shaurya.
"Thanks for coming Miss. Bhalla"
She nodded respectfully.
"Mein....mein tumse....arre yaar mein kehna kya chahta hu"
She looked at him with raised eyebrows
"Dekho Anokhi, mein apne past mein tumhe bahut hurt kiya. I am really sorry for whatever transpired between us. Mujhe tumhare character pe comment nahi pass karni chahiye thi. But I was angry, I lost control..."
Anokhi cut him short — "Apology accepted. Bye"
She started walking towards the door while he caught her by the arm.
"This is your reaction?"
"Sir. Aap ne maafi maagi maine forgive kar diya. You can be guilt free now. Kyunki sorry sab kuch fix kar deti hai. Hai na kisi ko zaleel karo sorry bol do, thappad maarlo sorry bol do. Sorry ek word nahi hai ek cure hai"
"You are being rude Anokhi"
"Sir aap mere professor hai. Mein aap se rude ho hi nahi sakti. I want to put the past behind us and move on. You are sorry I get it. I put all bitterness of my past and moved on"
"Mujhe tumhari baatein accusations jaise kyun lag rahe hai"
"Sir mein genuinely bol rahi hu. Mein Tej sir aur Shaan sir ko promise kiya tha ki mein kisi ke bhi life mein especially aapke life se dur rahungi. Mein jab tak iss college se scholarship le rahi hu mein apne marzi ka malik nahi hu"
Shaurya listened intently — "Kya hum dost ki tarah baat nahi kar sakte"
"No sir. I am a student, you are a professor. Your family funds my education. I have no hard feelings towards you. Trust me. Have a good life sir. Bye!"
She bowed her head and was about to leave.
"Ek baat batao. Tum aur Bebo aur Kitty dost kaise hue?" he asked as he couldn't resist.
"Mein aapki dost nahi remember"
She smiled at him wickedly and left. Shaurya sat in the library reminiscing how easy this conversation has been. He was enamoured by her smile at him.
"We are already friends Anokhi. You just don't want to admit it because you are a student and I am your professor"
~*~
Anokhi dashed outside the library door and touched her cheeks. They were hot but not with anger this time. She walked away into the shadows towards her guest house thinking to herself.
"Hmmmm... this feeling is new"
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
