Shakhi OS Shadhi Ke Pehle Raat
Shaurya has somehow managed to calm down Anokhi who was super mad at him for filling her hairline with vermillion without her consent. She yelled at him, calling it forceful marriage and not a love one and disagreed to accept this marriage and called out at him for his impulsive act and said that it’s better if they part ways because she believed he could never change.
But Shaurya being Shaurya, he didn’t stop until he made her listen to him and he promised her that if she feels he hasn’t changed then he’ll try to change himself for her and asked her to help him rather than abandoning him and his love.
Shaurya promised Anokhi that he’ll never ask her to choose between him and her career, that he’ll keep her education first and assured her that he won’t make their marriage public until she’s convinced that he’s a changed guy.
Anokhi took a chance with life and half-heartedly agreed to Shaurya although she had her own doubts and insecurities. Anokhi put forward a condition that only if he shows her that he has changed that she’ll accept their marriage. When he asked how, she asked him to accept his mother back in his life and prove that he has changed, putting him in a fix.
Shaurya was hesitant at first but agreed her condition. When Anokhi asked about Shagun, Shaurya declared that he’ll end his family’s misunderstandings and put an end to Shagun’s chapter in his life. Anokhi wasn’t fully convinced but she decided to go with the flow.
Shaurya helped Anokhi in cleaning the mess he created in the name of applying vermillion, leaving a small portion of vermillion on her hairline which she hid by moving her hair aside. He tried to cheer her up but she just glared at him and asked him not to expect anything from her until she’s convinced that he has changed. Shaurya dropped a silent Anokhi who was lost in her thoughts to college before heading back to home.
As he walked inside the Sabharwal house, he couldn’t fight the smile that threatened to slip out of his lips as he saw his hand with red stains from the vermillion. Shaurya realized that a heated argument was already going on as loud noises hit his ears. He stepped inside with a determin to end things with Shagun.
Shaurya spotted the Sabharwals in the living room. Even Astha was also present. He could make out that an argument was going on between Devi and Astha regarding his engagement with Shagun. Shaurya was shocked to see his Badi maa in a great health as she argued with Astha, sowing a seed of doubt in his mind.
As Shaurya entered the living room, the whole attention shifted on him. He saw the change in his Badi maa’s expression as her voice soften on seeing, making him more suspicious.
“Shaurya, tum aa gaya na. Dekh is Astha ko, yeh mujhe sawal kar rahi hai ki mein tumhare sagai bina kisi ke permission ke, bina uske permission ke kaise kar sakthi hoon! Bolo na isse ki mujhe kisi ke permission ke zarurath nahi hai, kaas karke iske” Devi said as he held onto Shaurya.
“Shaurya tum please yeh Devi Bhabhi ke bathon mein math aao. Hum sab ko patha hai ki tum Anokhi se pyaar karthe ho. Toh phir inhonhe aese kaise kar sakthi hai tere sath?” Astha said walking up to Shaurya.
Astha stood in front of Shaurya, her eyes determined to fight for her son’s happiness which Shaurya didn’t miss. Something shifted in him as he saw the way she’s standing up for his happiness while the woman he loved as a mother is doing the exact opposite.
“Mein ne jo kuch bhi kiya apne bete ki balaai ke liye kiya Astha. Mujhe tumse safai dene ki zarurath nahi hai” Devi said in a raised tone, standing her ground.
“Accha? Shaurya ke balai? Mujhe is pe sirf aap ke balai dikh ri hai Devi Bhabhi” Astha spat as she looked at Devi and fixed her gaze on Shaurya “Shaurya, tum ab bacche nahi ho. Tum he sahi aur galat patha hai. Jab tum Anokhi se pyaar karthe ho toh Shagun se shadhi karne ke liye maan kaise sakthey ho?”
“Astha, leave it. I felt bad that Devi Bhabhi didn’t discuss with us about the engagement but I agree with her. Shagun is perfect for Shaurya than Anokhi” Shaan said stepping forward “He would be happy with her than being with Anokhi”
“Yeh tum kaise bath kar rahe ho Shaan!” Astha asked in disbelief while Shaurya was bewildered to hear his father’s words.
“Dekh lo Astha. Shaan ko bhi patha hai ki Shaurya ke liye kya sahi hai aur kya galath. Tum in sab ke beech mein math pado. Humhe patha hai ke humhare bete ke liye kya karna hai aur kya nahi” Devi said pointing her fingers at Astha, warning her in a raised tone.
“Agar bath mere bete ki toh mein zarur beech mein aaongi!” Astha said determined “Aap ne saalon pehle jo kuch bhi kiya, voh mein ne chup chap maana par ab bath mere bete ki hai toh mein chup nahi hone wali. Tum sab log ke kehne se yeh galat sahi nahi ho saktha. Mein Shaurya ko us ke zindagi barbaadh karne nahi dungi”
“Barbaadh? Mein ne sirf apne bete ki khushi chaha aur voh tum he barbaadh dikh raha hai, Astha?” Devi asked as she glared at Astha.
“Shaurya ke Khushi toh Anokhi ke sath hai, Shagun ke sath nahi. Phir aap kyun usse zabardasthi kar rahe ho, Devi Bhabhi?”
The argument went on and on to a point that Shaurya lost his cool. He untangled Devi’s hand from his as he stepped back from Devi gaining everyone’s attention.
“Enough!” Shaurya yelled in frustration.
“Shaurya…” Devi said trying to place her hand on Shaurya but he stepped back from her, nodding his head in a no.
“Please” Shaurya said as he raised his hands “Koyi mere paas math aao”
“Shaurya ple-” Shaan said trying to walk towards Shaurya.
“Please stop right there” Shaurya snapped as he looked at Shaan, shocking everyone “I can’t believe this!”
“Shaurya be-”
“Badi maa kal hi toh aap ko heart attack aaya tha na. Bahat weak feel kar rahi thi. Bol nahi pa rahi thi subah bhi. Ab aap achanak teek kaise ho gayi?” Shaurya taunted shocking Devi “Seems voh jadu wali promise ne aap ko ek chutki mein teek kar hi diya”
While Devi fumbled with her words trying to come up with an excuse, Shaurya shifted his attention to the rest of Sabharwals.
“Ho kya gaya hai aap sab ko?” Shaurya yelled in frustration “Badi maa, Bade papa, dad, chacha, chachi, aap log toh mujhe bachpen se dekthe aa rahe ho na? Phir kyun aap log aaj mujhe samaj nahi rahe ho? Mere dardh ko, bechein ko mehsoos nahi kar pa rahe ho? Sab ke sab mujhe zabardasthi karke apne life ko barbaadh karne mein kyun lage ho? Inhonhe (pointing at Astha) Inhonhe mere se 25 saal dur rahi par inhonhe mujhe, mere feelings ko, mere taqleef ko, mere becheini ko, mere dardh ko mehmoos kiya hai, samji hai aur aap log? Aap log ko bas aap ke hi padi hai?! Shaurya ke liye shagun teek hai, perfect hai. Aese soch the rehthe toh. Aap ko yeh nahi dikh ra ki mein Anokhi ke bina kaise tadap rahi ho? Mere pyaar nahi dikh ra kisi ko?”
Devi was too stunned to react while Astha was happy that Shaurya’s standing up for himself while the rest were taken aback with Shaurya’s outburst. They have never saw Shaurya this angry.
“Shaurya, aese-” Shaan said but Shaurya cut him in middle.
“Aur dad aap? You have spent twenty-five years of your life, living with the memories of the woman you loved yet you want me to give up on the woman I love and marry someone whom I don’t love?” Shaurya asked Shaan, accusing him with his eyes.
“Shaurya mein nahi chatha ki jo mere sath hua voh tere sath bhi ho! I don’t care if you judge me but I don’t want to see you in pain. Anokhi tere liye sahi nahi hai. She’s not the right one for you and this is the truth” Shaan said standing his ground “Mein tere dardh samaj raha hoon isliyeh to-”
“Oh really? You understand my pain? You understand what I’m going through? You would rather have me living a life of regret than taking a chance of happiness in my life?” Shaurya spat, his anger clouding his senses. When he saw Shaan opening his mouth, he was quick to add “Jo insaan pichle 25 years apne baap hone ka responsibility nahi nibhaya, unke bath ko mein ab maan ne nahi wala. Mujhe lagha ki aap mere pyaar ko samjhenge, mujhe support karenge, mere liye stand lenge. Par mein ithna galath kaise ho saktha? Mujhe nahi patha ki tum dhono ke beech mein kya hua par jo insaan uski kudh ke biwi ke liye stand nahi le paya voh apne bete ke Khushi ke liye kyun stand lega? (Shaurya said as he wiped his tears) Aaj tak jab jab aap ko Bade papa ne ek nalayak pita kaha, tab mujhe bahat hurt hua kartha tha. Par aaj, mein kudh kehtha hoon, apne nalayak pita ka nikambha beta mein nahi ban na chatha!”
Shaan was hurt with Shaurya’s words as he took a step backward while tears pricked his eyes while Astha was too shocked to react.
“Shaurya yeh kaise tarika hai apne dad se bath karne ka!” Devi said composing herself.
“I apologize if my words were mean but truth is always bitter” Shaurya said fixing his eyes on Shaan before looking at Devi, his anger and pain clouding his senses “Aur Badi maa aap? Kya kaha tha mein ne us din? Huh? It’s not about you but that its about my life! Mera haq bhi bantha hai mere life pe! Ussi din mein ne saaf saaf kaha tha ki mein Anokhi se pyaar kartha hoon, Shagun se nahi. Jab mera accident hua tha tab bhi mein ne wahi kaha. Jab mein kidnap ho keg ghar aaya tha tab bhi mein ne aap se wahi kaha ki mujhe Anokhi ki zarurath hai, pyaar kartha hoon usse. Phir aap ne mere sath aese zabardasthi kyun kiya? Mujhe emotional blackmail kyun kiya? Kya yahi hai aap ke pyaar jo mujhe ek aese bandhan mein baandhna chathe ho jahan mein suffocated feel karunga? Kya yahi hai aap ka pyaar jo mere dardh ko nazar andaaz karke aap kush ho rahe ho? Yeh pyaar nahi hai, Badi maa. Aap mujhe control karna chathe ho jo mein aaj aap ko karne nahi dunga. Nahi karna tha mujhe Shagun ke sath sagai aur nahi karna hai mujhe Shagun ke sath Shadhi! Mere dil mein sirf Anokhi hai aur Anokhi hi rahegi aur mein usse se hi shadhi bhi karunga. Yahi mera faisla hai jo mein kissi ke liye bhi nahi badlunga” Shaurya said determined as he removed his engagement ring and placed it on the coffee table, shocking everyone present there, especially Devi and Shagun.
“Shaurya…” Devi whispered in disbelief.
Shaurya stepped towards Astha and stood in front of her, ignoring Devi’s words.
“Jab in mein se kissi ne mere liye stand nahi liya, aap ne mere aur mere pyaar ke liye lade in sab se. Aap ne mere dardh ko mere emotions ko mehsoos kiya, mujhe samjha” Shaurya said as he folded his hands together “Iskeliyeh thank you”
Before Astha could say something, Shaurya turned on his heel and rushed upstairs to his room. Everyone was taken aback by what happened. Shaan rushed out from there followed by Astha while Kanchan was happy with the turn of events while Gayatri was tensed.
Shagun was shocked while Devi felt as if the ground beneath her legs slipping away. Shagun started complaining to Devi who asked her to leave her alone and walked to her room, fearing for her position in Shaurya’s life.
After giving it a long thought, Devi called Shagun to her room and asked her to leave Sabharwal mansion, saying Shaurya would never marry her. She then walked up to Shaurya’s room, trying to make things right.
Shaurya came out after a fresh bath and found Devi sitting on his bed. He wanted to ignore her and walk out but she stopped him and apologized to him. She told him that she has sent Shagun away and that she won’t force him ever.
Devi has looked the way Shaurya behaved with Astha. She felt threatened and if accepting Shaurya’s choice is what would make her regain her place in Shaurya’s eyes then so be it.
Shaurya was sure that his Badi maa’s apology wasn’t honest yet he let it go. He was happy that she has sent Shagun away. He didn’t accept her apology but thanked for not forcing him and excused himself.
Shaurya walked out of the Sabharwal house and drove towards his favorite spot in the city where he can ponder over his thoughts. After an hour he decided to push all his worries at the back of his head and thought about what happened between him and Anokhi.
Shaurya couldn’t fight the smile on his face as he thought about Anokhi. He couldn’t believe that they are married. After a stressful day, it is her thoughts that has managed to calm him down.
But then his smile faded as he thought about her words in the morning. He started to realize how wrong he was to force her into something she’s not okay with. He felt guilty of taking her decision himself.
Shaurya jumped down from his car’s bonnet and slipped into the driver’s seat. He decided that he wanted to meet Anokhi right away. He would feel better if he meets her after the whole fiasco and he also wanted to apologize to her. He drove towards SIAC with the excitement of meeting her.
On the way Shaurya bought a red rose bouquet and a big Dairy Milk Silk for Anokhi. It was around 9:30 pm when he reached SIAC. He quickly parked his car and rushed to her hostel room, making sure not to get caught.
Anokhi, on the other side, was buried in her thoughts. She didn’t show it in front of Shaurya but somewhere deep down she was happy that she and Shaurya are married. As she recalled their time together, she has come to accept it to herself that she is Mrs. Anokhi Shaurya Sabharwal but she won’t show it in front of Shaurya, not until he convinces her that he has changed.
Anokhi felt weird and bad to lie to her Babli di and Reema but she hid her marriage from both of them. She doesn’t want anyone to know about their marriage until she and Shaurya’s sure of their relationship.
As Anokhi laid on the bed, deep in her thoughts, constant knocking on the door grabbed her attention. Her eyes went to the wall clock. Assuming it to be Reema, she got up from the bed and went to the door.
“Reema tu-” Anokhi started as she opened the door but stopped in mid when she saw Shaurya standing in front of her “Aap? Aap yehan kya kar rahe ho?”
“Hareey, koyi dekh le ga. Mujhe andhar toh aane dho” Shaurya said as he allowed himself inside her room while Anokhi was still at the door, shocked.
Shaurya placed the bag he brought near the bed, removed his shoes and settled himself comfortably on her bed. Anokhi broke out of her trance. She closed the door and walked inside the room.
Anokhi was in a mood to give him an earful but stopped when she saw Shaurya lying down comfortably on her bed as he whistled to himself and played with her heart shaped pillow. Her lips formed a perfect O on seeing him cozy on her bed, looking as if he did nothing.
“Aap yehan kya kar rahe ho?” Anokhi asked as she walked up to him.
“Mein? Mein toh apne biwi ko miss kar raha tha” Shaurya said putting on an innocent face “Socha ki milke aaon toh aese hi chala aaya”
Anokhi face-palmed herself before scoffing at Shaurya. Although her heart made a summersault on hearing him calling her as his wife, she has clearly told him that she’ll only accept the wedding if she’s convinced that he has changed.
“Biwi? I haven’t accepted our marriage yet” Anokhi exclaimed as she placed her hands on her hips “Aur aese hi chala aaya matlab? Yeh aap ke ghar thodi hai jo aap jab marzi chahe aa sakthey ho! Yeh girls’ hostel hai aur yehan males allowed nahi hai. Jaayeyeh yehan se”
“Haan yeh humhare ghar nahi hai na ki humhare bedroom” Shaurya said as he knelt on the bed, grabbed Anokhi’s hand and blinked at her innocently “Par kya karun? Aaj humhare Shaadhi ke pehle raat hai, Anokhi. Tum se dhoor kaise rahunga?”
Anokhi was taken aback by the way Shaurya’s bringing up their marriage. First biwi, then their bedroom and now Shadhi ke pehle raat? She released her hands from Shaurya’s as she took a step back from him and glared at him.
“Shadhi ke pehle raat matlab? Mein keh rahi hoon ki mein is shadhi ko maanthi hi nahi hoon aur aap?” Anokhi scoffed and pointed her finger at door “Aap na jaayiyeh yehan se”
Shaurya ignored Anokhi’s words as he laid on the bed again and looked up at her.
“Kya yaar Anokhi, kab se aaya hoon, tab se jaane ke liye keh rahi ho” Shaurya said and rolled over to the other edge. He bent down and took the bag he brought along with him and sat up on the bed “Dekho na mein tere liye kya laaya hoon”
“Hareey aap utiyeh” Anokhi said pulling his arm “Mujhe kuch nahi dekhna. Before someone comes, aap yehan se jaayiyeh. You have already done enough damage. Don’t create more problems for me now!”
“I’m a problem for you Anokhi?” Shaurya asked hurt, his smile instantly dropped.
None of them said anything. Anokhi released Shaurya’s arm from her grip and sat on the opposite bed as she heaved a sigh in frustration while Shaurya’s face lost its smile as he sat on the bed, blankly staring at the pillow.
Anokhi chewed her lips as she stared at Shaurya. It’s true that she’s angry at Shaurya but then seeing him hurt and completely down made her feel bad. Her eyes fell on the bag he brought for her.
Anokhi stood up and reached for the bag. Shaurya looked up as he watched Anokhi taking the bag from his bed and sitting on hers before he looked down. It was evident that he’s feeling bad inside out.
Anokhi took out the red rose bouquet and Dairy Milk from the bag. A ghost smile appeared on her lips for a second before fading away. She smelled the roses and kept it aside.
Anokhi looked up at Shaurya who was busy sulking like a kid, she shook her head in disbelief and opened the chocolate wrapper and ate the dairy milk in silence. It has been a long day and she needed it.
“You know Astha Sabharwal stood up for me today” Shaurya said breaking the silence that dominated the room. Anokhi looked up at Shaurya who was still staring down as he spoke “When I entered inside the Sabharwal house, I found Badi maa and her arguing over my engagement with Shagun. I was taken aback by the way she was fighting for my love. What my Badi maa, Dad and family members couldn’t understand, feel, realize…despite being away for 25 years, she understood me…”
“She’s your mother, PS” Anokhi said as she stood up and walked over to Shaurya. She placed her hand on Shaurya’s as she said “Distance doesn’t matter. A mother always understands her child better”
“I behaved rudely with dad today” Shaurya said as he raised his eyes to meet Anokhi’s, a lone tear slipping out of his eye followed by more “I lost my cool and before I realize I said some mean things to him”
A taunt regarding his anger issues was at the tip of her tongue before she swallowed it as she saw the way Shaurya’s fighting with his tears. She can understand from his facial features that he’s regretting the way he spoke with his father.
“If you feel bad then you should apologize to Shaan sir” Anokhi said slowly as she lowered her eyes. When she was about to take her back from Shaurya’s, he held her hand in his, tightening his grip as she looked up at him.
“I’m sorry Anokhi” Shaurya said as he brought her hand close to his heart.
“Kis baat ke?” She raised her eyebrow as she asked. He have to apologize for bunch of things and she’s just curious that he’s sorry for which one.
“I’m sorry for what I did today. I shouldn’t have forced this whole thing on you” Shaurya fought the lump in his throat as he said “When I saw you walking away, I felt as if I was the same four-year kid again who watched helplessly as his mother walked away from him. I was helpless that day and I felt the same helplessness today too. I couldn’t understand what to do. I felt as if I was drowning. I wanted to stop you at any cost and then I saw sindoor, I don’t know what came over me but I just went ahead and did what I did…when you said it’s not a love marriage but forced, I couldn’t accept it at that time saying we love each other but then I gave it a lot of thought and I understood how wrong I was. I’m really sorry, Anokhi. I shouldn’t have forced you into this relationship. Even if we love each other, It is wrong. I don’t want to create more problems for you. It was never my intention. I was scared, you know. You were the best thing that happened to me ever and I was scared of loosing you. I can’t justify my actions by saying all these but I just want to apologize”
Anokhi could feel understand how sorry he was as she stared into Shaurya’s eyes. She hesitantly raised her hand and wiped his tears before pulling her hand back. She hasn’t forgive him yet but she was happy that he understood where he went wrong.
“We’ll sort this out” Anokhi said as she extended the Dairy milk to Shaurya’s lips “Waise bhi, It’s nothing new. We get into new troubles almost every day since we have met. Toh yeh bhi dekh lenge”
Anokhi could understand that Shaurya’s trying to change. There’s still a long way to go but this glimpse gave Anokhi a little hope that things would be fine one day. Shaurya stared at Anokhi as he opened his lips and took a bite of the chocolate.
“You want me to go?” Shaurya said clearing his tears as he watched Anokhi eating her chocolate.
“Well, you can stay for a while. I mean we can talk, if you want” Anokhi thought for a moment before she said on seeing Shaurya’s sad face.
Shaurya nodded as an instant smile lit up on his face and made space for Anokhi to sit next to him comfortably. Anokhi stood up, put the roses on the vase and sat next to Shaurya, making herself comfortable.
Shaurya threw a smile at Anokhi before placing his head on Anokhi’s lap as he made himself comfortable on the bed, taking her by surprise.
“Aap yeh kya kar rahe hain?” Anokhi asked as she looked down at Shaurya.
“I haven’t slept peacefully in days, Anokhi. First you left me and then I got kidnapped…The only time I did, it was under the effect of medicines. With family’s pressure, Badi maa’s emotional blackmail, with whatever that happened between us…I’m tired both physically and mentally, Anokhi. Let me rest for a while in your lap, please?”
Anokhi studied Shaurya’s reactions and the way he’s fighting his tears, trying to put on a straight face before her. Her eyes moisten as her fingers found his hairlocks. She nodded at Shaurya as she caressed his hair while he relaxed under her touch and closed his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips while tears slipped out of his eyes.
Anokhi leaned back on the headrest as her fingers caressed his hair softly. This is not how she imaged she would spend the night but here she is, on the first night of her marriage with Shaurya resting on her lap.
Tired, soon Shaurya slipped into sleep as he wrapped his arms around Anokhi’s waist and snuggled into her while Anokhi was deep in her thoughts. Anokhi knows that her life has leveled up and more hardships are on her way; that this isn’t an end to her problems but a beginning to new ones. She was scared but deep down she knows that everything would be fine one day.
Pushing those thoughts at the back of her head, Anokhi heaved a tired sigh before looking down at Shaurya. She couldn’t fight the smile that grew on her lips as she saw Shaurya snuggled up into her. She caressed his cheek, wiping away the tear drops before switching off the room light on her left and leaned against the headrest, closing her tired eyes.
THE END.
~ * ~
Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. This is my take on the current track. I hope you enjoyed reading this story. Do let me know what you think of it. As for SAAKK, I was disappointed that Shaurya didn't reveal about his engagement to Anokhi. (I don't want her to find it from someone else) The reason Shaurya gave to Kanchan made me roll my eyes at him. But I'm sure best things are yet to come. Please continue watching SAAKK on Tv. Stay home, Stay safe.
Thank you.
PS: Those who got excited on seeing the title, sorryyy 😜
Nan ~
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