Chapter 10
Thank you so much friends for all your responses. This means the world to me.
Here we go......
Shaan looked at the garden and smiled seeing the scene in front of him. Whenever, Arjun come he brings such an energy with him. The whole house seems to brighten with his presence. And now he is here for a good few months because of his University projects. Shaan chuckled slightly seeing Arjun's antics and felt happy that finally all the youngsters were enjoying in his presence. Especially Kanchan and Anokhi. Poor girls, they were the ones who were suffering the most.
Anokhi , ofcourse he could see his son's behaviour towards her. He warned him earlier but it seems his son is too much blinded by his foster parents teachings. He wanted his son to have a unburdened childhood and a enjoyable youth. But alas, Shaurya had always been running away from the shadows of his past. He never enjoyed his life fully and still nursing a broken heart. But in the midst of this, he was given the responsibility of a innocent girl in which he was failing miserably. Ofcourse his son is afraid of trusting her and most importantly the ever confidant Shaurya is doubting himself now.
" What are you doing here dad?" Shaurya asked coming besides him in the balcony.
" Nothing much. Just thinking about our lives and it's complexities. " Shaan replied.
" Don't you think it's a little late for doing that. " Shaurya mocked.
Shaan smiled sadly and shook his head , " Arjun seems to bring energy and happiness wherever he goes. Even Anokhi is very happy and enjoying herself in his presence. " Shaan commented.
" You should also join them. " Shaan continued.
" I don't want to. I have other works. " Shaurya replied.
" Shaurya I warned you earlier, but you didn't listen to me. I wish your mother were here, she wouldn't have let this happen. " Shaan said.
His father's words bring back those memories . What he did. How unfair he was with her. He looked at Arjun and Anokhi who were smiling brightly and exchanging jokes. They just met todayand it looked like they had been friends since a long time.
" Dad I should go . Good night. " Saying so he walked away.
" Arjun you are joking right. I mean...... you once stole Mr Sabharwal's specs and mimicked in front of everyone and that too in his birthday party ?" Anokhi laughed, hearing Arjun's tale.
" I did just that. But after that I couldn't walk for a week. " Arjun smiled.
" Why?" Kanchan asked.
" Because Shaurya bhai made me do 1000 sit ups. Can you believe it? I fainted even before completing half. "
" Then he must be a strict professor. " Anokhi commented.
" Oh no. Infact he is the coolest professor. But you won't understand , after all you are a ganwar. " Bebo taunted.
" I feel so bad for bhaiya that he is married to a stupid little girl like you. No class, no looks and ofcourse not a match for him. " Kitty added.
" Ofcourse your Shaurya bhaiya is that. Blah blah blah. I know. But don't belittle Anokhi, because she is your bhaiya's choice and she is a very good girl. She is best in her own unique way. Samjhi, Cinderella ki sauteli behene ya samjhau ?" Arjun said punching both of them lightly on head.
Bebo and kitty gave him a disgusted look and walked away.
" It's okay Arjun. You don't have to fight with them. Honestly I don't care what they think about me. It's their opinion and I can't change it. " Anokhi said.
" Ofcourse you are right. But sometimes we have to fight our own battles. " Arjun replied solemnly.
Shaurya rubbed his forehead and looked at the time, it's half past midnight. He soundlessly enter the house and go to his room. He can't help but feel suffocated whenever he is home. His father's gaze, his badi ma's questioning eyes and then Anokhi's hurtful orbs always seems to suffocate him. He can't answer them. He didn't know what to say. He was wronging every one and didn't know what to do.
He entered his room and slightly smiled seeing Anokhi sleeping on the couch with a book tightly held in her arms. He chuckled seeing that the couch seemed too big for a small frame. This little girl is very amusing and a breath of fresh air in his otherwise dull life.
He walked towards her and took a book from her hand and put it on the small table besides the couch. He securely put the blanket over her and was about to go when she grabbed his finger lightly.
" Mummy.....I...miss you so much...... there is no one for me here..... it's so.... lonely....." She mumbled in sleep.
Shaurya frowned seeing her distressed face, looked like she was missing her mother very much. Poor girl. He started caressing her head softly and kissed her forehead.
" Don't worry, soon you will be with your family. " He whispered to her.
He sighed and laid down on the bed thinking about the promise he made to her mother. He promised to protect and support her and no wonder he was failing miserably. He still remember the pleading look in her mother's eyes when she asked please take care of my innocent Nikki. She has a lot of aspirations, please give her all the happiness she deserves.
But what does he know about it? Nothing. His so called mother left him for her carrier , but he was lucky that he had his badi ma. He could do anything for his badi ma. I have to make sure that woman stay away from our lives. I don't want her to spoil anything. Esp Anokhi , that woman could poision her head with her so called ideas. No doubt how manipulative she could be.
Aastha looked at his son's childhood picture and smiled sadly. She blinked back the tears that were forming in her eyes.
" Kitni badnaseeb maa hoon main. I can't even hug my son. How much I missed everything about him. His childhood, teenage , his youth. I couldn't even attend his wedding. But I know something is very wrong with their marriage , but what?" She asked to herself.
She was lost in her thoughts when her doorbell rang.
She opened the door and greeted the visitor.
" Yes, how may I help you?" She asked.
" Help? Me? Hello mam, looks like you are not recognising me. " The other person answered.
" Oh tum. " Aastha chuckled " how would I recognise you , when you are covered with this hoodie. Anyways come in please. "
This is for now. Hope you guys liked it. Please do vote and give your feedbacks.
Thank you friends
Love you all.
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
