Chapter 20
Few days passed, after Shaurya gave the news of him leaving for the USA to Anokhi.
Both Shaurya and Anokhi tried to conceal their feelings from each other and behaved as normal as they possibly could. But, still they could sense the sadness behind each other's smile.
Love doesn't require assurance of words, their hearts could sense some spark between them.
Every time they came face to face they smiled at each other but their fake, masking smiles could not hide the immense pain and the sadness in their eyes, the sadness of not being able to show their true feelings for each other to each other and the sadness of the inevitable separation that was approaching fast.
Shaurya was sad thinking that Anokhi has no feelings for him! Whereas, Anokhi was sad thinking Shaurya can never feel what she feels for him.
They both decided to conceal their feelings from each other. But at the same time they both were deeply in love with each other and wanted to be near each other as much as possible and everyday it was becoming more and more difficult to keep their feelings to themselves.
Anokhi to herself 'It's been so many days but I still don't know why he wasn't happy or excited when he told me about him going to the USA. Why did he sound sad that day? I haven't had the nerve to ask him but, I sure want to know why he is going if he is not happy! He shouldn't go if he doesn't want to. What could be the reason behind his sadness?? Hmmm Maybe it's the separation from friends and family or fear of being alone in a new country, fear of the unknown. But then again he doesn't seem like someone who would be scared, I mean he is a smart, nice, confident person, then why would he be scared of anything. He can't be!! But then, what could be the reason?? Maybe I should ask indirectly if not directly. One of these days very casually I will fit all these questions in our conversation. Ya, this is a good idea, this is what I'll do, otherwise this unknown mystery will drive me crazy.'
Shaurya to himself 'Ever since I told Anokhi I am going to the USA, something is different about her. I am not able to pinpoint exactly what, but something about her definitely feels different. Sometimes I feel there is sadness in her eyes, but then I wonder sadness about what?? Why would she be sad??? She said she is happy for me so the reason for her sadness can't be me leaving, right? Lately, I've also noticed that her smile does not reach her eyes. It doesn't seem genuine. Ohhh how I sometimes wish I could just read her mind, that would be really relieving and wonderful! I would at least be saved from going crazy thinking about it, that's for sure.'
They both were going crazy thinking about the questions they had about each other. Day by day their confusion about each other's behavior was increasing, they were slowly losing their sanity. Both wanted to reveal their feelings to each other but both concealed their feelings from each other thinking the other would not reciprocate in the same manner.
The fear of not getting the love back from the other was holding them back from revealing their true feelings to each other, but the bigger fear which they both had was of losing the friendship they now shared and treasured so much.
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Sunday evening
Shaurya called Anokhi.
Anokhi picked up the phone and casually said "Hello!"
Shaurya sweetly replied "Hi Anokhi!"
Hearing his voice brought a pleasant smile and blush on Anokhi's face and she happily replied "Hi Sir, how are you?"
"I am fine, thank you for asking." Shaurya paused for a few seconds, then continued "Actually I wanted to ask you something" Shaurya said warily!
Sensing his worried tone Anokhi quickly replied "Sure, anything!"
"Can we cancel Tuesday's tuition class?" Shaurya asked sadly because he really didn't want to miss any chance of spending time with Anokhi, whatever little bit he could anyway.
At first Anokhi felt sad but then she got concerned about why he needed to cancel the class as he never did that before. "Why? What happened? Is everything okay?" she asked concernedly.
"Yes, everything is fine, nothing to worry about" said Shaurya quickly, recognizing the concern in Anokhi's voice. He sounded much more depressed and then sadly he added with a deep sigh out "I just need to go somewhere for some more paperwork, that's all."
"Oh okay!" Not losing the opportunity she quickly asked "Why do you sound so sad?? Aren't you happy about going to the United States?? The other day when you were telling me about going to the USA you didn't sound too excited about it and today also. Donāt you want to go there??"
At first Shaurya got surprised hearing so many questions, but then he started smiling thinking 'Hmmm so she did notice that I am a bit sad, well at least she loves me...NO NO what am I saying, I mean she cares enough for me to notice my sadness.' Then suddenly his smile vanished and he started panicking thinking how and what he would say to Anokhi.
"Uhhh nnno no nothing like that, I am happy I am happy. Why did you think that I am not happy?" he said staggeringly while trying to sound convincing.
"Ummm no reason, I mean you don't sound too happy or excited whenever you talk about it so I thought I'll ask." Anokhi replied confused. "Are you sure you are happy?? I mean, don't get me wrong but won't you miss your family? Your friends? (ME, she thought to herself) It's a new country. How will you live there alone?? You will have no one with you to take care of you, do you even know anyone there??" asked Anokhi in one breath.
"Slow down Anokhi! Wow, so many questions, you sound really worried. And yes of course I'll miss my family and friends (YOU too, he thought to himself) but I'll be fine. Yes I agree it's a new country, new job, new everything but at least I won't be living alone..." said Shaurya trying to calm Anokhi and answer all her questions.
"What do you mean you won't be living alone??" asked Anokhi, confused and frantic.
"Well, I will be living with someone I am very close to and have known for years." Then he happily added "I am really looking forward to it actually, we used to have sooo much fun together, I really miss those days. It will be great to stay together again and enjoy just like before" said Shaurya reminiscing those days.
Hearing the happiness in Shaurya's voice Anokhi got confused and started wondering who could Shaurya be talking about? But then suddenly a thought popped up in her head which made her extremely frantic. DOES HE HAVE A GIRLFRIEND WHO LIVES THERE AND HE IS GOING TO HER PLACE TO LIVE WITH HER??? She got shocked at her own mind for thinking such thoughts, this was not something she wanted to think about or know about for that matter.
While Anokhi was busy panicking thinking about what Shaurya said and who he was talking about, Shaurya was busy reminiscing about those past days. Soon the silence between them stretched.
Then the sudden sound of Shaurya's phone ringing brought him back to the present and Anokhi out of her misery.
Seeing the number on his mobile Shaurya got extremely excited and said "My mobile is ringing Anokhi, can you hold on a second."
"Uhh sure" said Anokhi to Shaurya but then continued in her head 'like if I say no, you will not pick up your phone!' and shook her head left to right in frustration and then thought 'He has never done this before, he never took another call while talking to me. Must be a very important call.'
Shaurya spoke cheerfully on the other phone "Hello, I was just talking about you only. How are you?" he asked sweetly.
Suddenly, hearing Shaurya's sweet talk, Anokhi, who was until now busy humming and waiting on hold, unintentionally started paying attention to what he was saying.
"I am doing good, very excited to meet you, can't wait, it's been such a long time."
He stayed quiet for a few seconds, listening to the other side and then continued.
"Ya ya of course I will stay with you, I don't need an invitation. It will be just like the olden days, Oh I can't wait!!" he said laughing mischievously.
'Huh' said Anokhi confused, WHAT THE HECK, Anokhi gasped in shock! 'Who is this person he is telling he will stay with and don't need an invitation, he seems way too cozy with this person, I don't like this.'
Hearing him talk like this made Anokhi feel agitated, she was losing her calmness with each passing second and was becoming more and more agitated.
Suddenly Anokhi heard Shaurya saying "Hey hold on a second, I almost forgot I have someone on the other phone. Hold on, okay!"
"Hey Anokhi! So will you inform everyone that Tuesday's class is cancelled??" asked Shaurya in a hurry.
"Uhh Sure!" said Anokhi, surprised by his hurried tone.
"Can I call you back after some time to decide the time for replacement class?" Shaurya asked quickly.
"Okay, but that might not be possible as..." before Anokhi could finish what she wanted to say Shaurya had already hung up the phone.
'What??? Did he just hang up on me?? That too so abruptly, I was still talking...uggghhh. This is the first time he did this, he always used to tell other people that he will call them back, he never hung up on me', she thought sadly and a bit angrily. 'What is going on with him?? Why is he doing this to me?? Who was that on the phone he was so eager to talk to? I can't believe he hung up on me. This is unbelievable!!!!'
Then suddenly she realizedā¦'Maybe I am thinking too much now, ever since I've accepted my feelings for him I have started to think too much. He didn't mean to hurt my feelings, I don't think so, he can't, well he never did before so why would he do it now. But then why do I feel angry right now?? Ohhh this is so confusing, what should I do?? I don't want to be mad at him but I feel so mad at him right now. How dare he hang up on me?? I will not talk to him. I will just not pick the phone up when he calls back and I also have to go to Mumma in half an hour. Anyway I won't be here to pick up the phone if he calls more than half an hour later. Achi baat hai maza aayega, jab main phone nahin uthauingi na tab pata chalega!' She stomped her feet angrily .
Half an hour or so later Shaurya called Anokhi.
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"Why is she not picking up the phone??" Shaurya murmured anxiously. 'I feel bad that I had to cut her call so abruptly but I didn't have any other choice because if I hadn't then I would have been asked who I was talking to and I didn't want to say a student, coz she is not, I mean she is...she is my student but I also love her na, and I can't tell that to anyone.'
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'I would rather avoid talking about her to anyone instead of calling her JUST A STUDENT coz she is CERTAINLY NOT JUST A STUDENT FOR ME, she means MORE, MUCH MUCH MORE TO ME.'
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'Where is she?? Pick up the phone Anokhi.' Shaurya looked at his watch and realized that it was the time when usually Anokhi goes to her Mom. 'Hmmm, maybe she already left.'
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'I called too late...damn. Now I can't say goodnight to her like everyday, I have to wait till tomorrow morning to see her.'
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Shaurya hung up the phone disappointedly.
Anokhi heard the phone ringing while opening the door but by the time she ran and reached the phone it stopped ringing.
"I wonder who it was!! Was it him? It could be. Oh no, I missed his call. Damn it!!" She paused and thought 'Hmmm by the way didn't I actually want to do that?? Well no, not really, I was just mad at him when I decided that!! But then I would have missed it anyway, he is calling me now when he already knows I am at Mom's at this time. I just came back from half way to change my broken sleepers, otherwise I wouldn't even know if he called or not!! But then how do I know it was him??? It could be anyone!!
What the hell am I doing?? I don't even know if it was in fact him or someone else and I am standing here and arguing with myself like a crazy person. I have really gone crazy, haven't I??' Then with a deep sigh out Anokhi told herself, "Stop driving yourself crazy Anokhi, just stop."
She changed her sleepers and then she left to go to her Mother.
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Love Preet ā„ļø