Hey guys, myself shab I have been a silent member on this forum for a long time now. This is the only ITV show I follow and The chemistry between the leads pushed me to write something. Heres the preview.
* ~prologue~*
Sitting in her favorite spot ,staring into nothing is how she found her friend
"Earth to anokhi ", she was startled at the sudden interruption
"Hey" she said composing herself
"U were lost there"
"Lo .st no..ermm..bl.... actually I was thinking about how little time we have... We need to check about accomodations, we haven't got a confirmation did we ? And there is again the matter of ....." She was interrupted
"Relax will you ?"
"I can't seem to " replied anokhi sighing
" Come on , it's your hometown we are going, your country, to your parents, to your roots . Why are u always trying to get out of this program , we worked very hard for?" Meira asked not beating around the bush
"It's not about backing off ..it just cold feet I guess"
"Cold feet ?u are going to meet your family after years anokhi , normally people would jump with joy at this opportunity . And u my friend is giving no such vibe"
"Meira...u know about my family " Anokhi said tying her Rapunzel like tresses into a messy bun
"Nikks...I also know how much u love your mother and sister .. it's not like I don't know how suffocating families can be . But it's all worth with when u gonne meet your fav ppl .now cheer up .. look at the mess"Meira said collecting the scattered papers
"I am not sure ...if it's worth going back " anokhi whispered to herself
"Did you inform ur family about this visit ?"asked Meira
" Not yet... I didn't get around that . And I honestly dont know how to disclose this ..maybe surprise them ?"
"Oh my colorful gummy bears! We have less than three days for our departure and u haven't even decided about this .nikks u seriously worrying me .... What is it ? You are always lost since we got on this program "Meira asked sitting infront of anokhi taking her hands
This was just last nudge and the dam broke ,anokhi couldn't hold her tears anymore
" I don't know...m just overwhelmed, our hardwork, this programme, going to meet my family and ....I don't know if I am happy or scared of all those skeletons I left back home " Meira hugged her trying to comfort anokhi
"Shhh..shhh it's okay....it's going to be alright..." they sat there get over all those emotions
"Now if we are done being little weeping mess.. we have shopping and packing to do " Meira cheered anokhi
"Ohh .nooo" said anokhi wiping her teary face
"Oh yes.. I am going to meet little pari for the first time its going to be party..." Meira sang tugging anokhi along
†***************
With the pen continuosly banging on the table ,playing perfect staccato in the silent room , a few scattered papers and three cups of coffee that how's this night was going to be. Coming up with nothing trying to reach for the coffee mug only to find it empty. Leaving the pen aside taking off his spect pinching the bridge of his nose he decided to recharge himself with another cup of coffee and relax his cramped muscles.
He walked in the little kitchen made himself a cup of coffee admiring is his Coffee drinking skills he laughed at himself thinking about the reaction of his peers once the cleaner relay the message without missing a beat to them .
With a warm mug of coffe he walked towards the little balcony which faced the endless plush green trees , pros of living on the farest side of city.
The sky was still dark, barring itself of any light , neither moon or stars. It's darkest when it's going to break into a new dawn .the chirping of birds as they are readying themslves for a new day new flight.leaning against the grill looking at the empty sky trying to figure out his answers.
'is it a new day or end of another hope'
'is this really another day '
'is the new day going to fill the emptiness residing within him '
A single beep from his mobile put a stop to his thoughts which was going south.
Sighing loudly he closed eyes trying to encourage himself
" Didn't he decide he wasn't going down that route again "
Taking a look at his phone he saw the mesg notif
"Are u sure you guys are still meeting today ? Shouldn't you be relaxing after a long journey ? - love dad"
He smiled looking at the mesg
"Yes! Meeting is on . Shouldn't u be sleeping why are up so early ? -shaurya"
He replied and kept his phone back . And left the coffee mug which was ignored .
Looking up he was waiting for the canvas to begin as sky took in indigo blue which mystically turned into violets and pink and the bold oranges and yellow making it ways painting the sky into spectacular vision to hold too bad it changes soon . Looking at the sky a smiled creeped up his face
"New day it is "
******************
Aastha was surrounded by the little girls , who were eager and excited to tell their own tales to their Aastha mam. He smiled at the scene before him .
"Hello everyone" he announced his arrival
All the girls ran to him with glee and joy
"U are late bhaiyya , we just finished our story reading session" pouted the little girl
"Aww , I missed my most favorite session , sorry " he tried pacifying the little girls
"It was anya and my turn today, and you missed it " grumped the same girl
"I am really sorry , will you try forgiving me ?" Asked shaurya trying to cheer up the girls
"No!" Girl said tears pooling in her eyes
"Okay, how about I read twice the stories next time to make up for today?". He asked
The little girls eyes twinkled at the offer all cheered
"Yes, but I am still sad" said the girl
"Okay maybe these brownies will help me get the pass" he said forwarding the box towards the girls
A sweetest smile broke up the little girls face
She hugged him tight
"You are my favoritest person in the whole world" she announced
"So are you " he hugged er back
Aastha patted his back
"Hmm , so the brownies bribing is the compensation ?" Asked Aastha smiling at her son
"No! I promised to read two stories next time " he answered turning to her
" Well in that case mr .shaurya sabherwal you are still not forgiven by me " said Aastha
"Oh no, I thought you loved me " pouted shaurya
"Yes I do , but u are late and that's not forgiven "
"Hmm will ice cream help me gets forgivenes" asked shaurya
Astha and shaurya laughed out loud at this. They spent the next hour with kids and left later after promising the girls they will be back .
"so how was your trip ?" Asked Astha.
"Good"
"Weren't u late last night ? And m sure U were up till late" Aastha said looking into her phone
"And who might have told u this ?" Asked shaurya with a lopside grin
"I have my sources"replied Aastha smirking at her son
"Please tell your source I had a good sleep , and he should look after his own sleep he isn't getting any younger "
"Shaurya!" Aastha
"Mom"
"I missed u !" Said Aastha looking out
"I missed you too mom "
They arrived at sabherwal mansion , where shaan was waiting for them
"Took u guys long enough " he said hugging Aastha
"Your son was late !" Complained Aastha
"What do u expect from a person who loves burning midnight oil ?" Asked shaan hugging shaurya
"Dad"
"Noor, doesn't he looks frail ?"shaan asked while walking inside
" Dad I was gone for five days only " grumbled shaurya walking towards the entrance mentally preparing himself for another set of pampering .
"Hello everyone" announced shaurya
Took the elders blessing and joined the men who were discussing something abt SIAC .
While the ladies got busy with the setting dining table. Devi, aastha and gayatri were talking about random stuff.
Later everyone joined at the dining table.
"I see u haven't been eating well"commented devi placing another paratha in shauryas plate
"Yes, parjayi ji he looks leaner too" added gayatri
"Oh no guys , I have been eating well and thank you my dieting and workouts paid off" winked shaurya
"Bhaiyya, dont mind them u look dapper like always" commented kanchan and while gayatri and aastha nodded in agreement
"Shaurya, u still need to take care of yourself....maybe come back home " asked devi. every eye looked at him in anticipation.
"Badi maa I...I don't think I m ready for that yet...I still need to sort out many things which are still tangled. And plus u know my schedule is very weird . It will just be. An inconvenience for everyone" smiled shaurya as he saw hopeful gaze directed at him
There was a thick silence in the room and the fun atmosphere turned awkward
"Welll....did I tell you guys I might join SIAC as asst professor " announced kitty trying to diffuse the earlier convo
"Wow! That's . That's a great idea kitty" said shaurya smiling
After which they laughed and smiled at the silliest things
"Though he puts on A smile which hardly reaches his eyes, I can clearly see through the facade "Thought Astha
"Okay guys, bye I need to leave.. m tired.. and there a imp meeting tmrw which I need to prepare for ...mom dad do want me to drop u guys ?" Asked shaurya
"No shaurya , but I brought my car .. and thanks for coming "
"Dad" he hugged shaan
"When can we see u again shaurya ?" Asked devi
"Badi maa u can always come see me at my apartment " replied shaurya taking her blessings
"Take care beta, u have no idea how precious u are to us " said an emotional devi
"Come on badi ma no tears.. I will be here more often"
"Go easy on coffee child"
"I was waiting for this comment" laughed shaurya
" Bye guys , badi papa ,chachu, mom, dad see u at college tmrw and our new asst professor too "
Shaurya left after all the goodbyes
†****************
"It is now or never nikki ! Holding onto memories isn't the wisest thing to do "anokhi pep talked herself
"I cant run or hide forever"
"U can do it and you will do it."
"Anokhi can do this "
******************
Walking aimlessly in the almost empty park at this hour with moonlight being his companion and crickets and other little being making their presence known. This is how his serendipity sounds.
Away from the world, away from the festivities and joy ppl have . He seemed happy embracing this fate. Watever it is , it is what he himself picked for himself. Not something inflicted on him by others. Going back to his home he switched on the light in his otherwise dark and cold apartment changing into his nighwear he walked towards that one untouched regal Chest which looks odd in his tiny apartment, caressing it lovingly like it was most fragile china glassware , he left it at that because he still couldn't bring himself to unleash the pain which now seem like a part of him .this is what he choosed for himself.
.....
Hope u like it.
Do leave your review ,I'd love to read it
~shab
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
