Har baar khud ko takleef pahuchana jaruri hai kya...?
Jo nahi samjhta usey samjhana jaruri hai kya...?
Manta hu khud ko sambhalna mushkil hai filhal...
Par kisi ke intezaar me khudko barbaad karna zaroori hai kya...?
-
After her last encounter with shaurya, anokhi was devastated & so was shaurya and others. Shaan tried his best to console anokhi and assured her that everything will be soon going to be fine.
In the meantime, Ahir too informed Babli in the morning 7am about anokhi's critical condition. Babli too assured him to visit anokhi by 11-12 as she had a really "important" meeting with her client. Ahir assured her to focus on her meeting and he will take care of anokhi's health.
It was 9 in the morning.
"Anokhi..." Aastha was taken aback seeing anokhi laying on the bed, her eyes closed. A few drops of tear escaped her eyes.
Her eyes were closed. Her face had few dried tear stains while Shaan was sitting beside anokhi on the stool, affectionately carresing her hairs. Shaan too, has worried, concerned demeanour as he looked towards Aastha who was standing at the door.
Aastha silently approached anokhi and sat beside Shaan. Quietly observing her sleeping, she couldn't resist herself so asked softly not wanting to disturb anokhi's slumber - "anokhi ki tabiyat itni kese bigdi Shaan..."
Shaan was baffled not knowing how to explain Aastha what happened last night between shaurya and anokhi.
Before he could think about an answer, Aastha fired another question for Shaan - "Shaurya kaha hai... Iss w...waqt usse anokhi pe paas hona chahiye tha na ..."
"Woh anokhi ko esi haalat mai akela chodd ke kaha gaya hai ...???" Shaan gazed Aastha while his deamanour changed to a blank one.
Shaan's demeanor shifted to a blank expression, his mind racing with fear and worry. He feared that revealing the truth to Aastha about Shaurya leaving Anokhi alone in such a state would only worsen the situation, especially considering Aastha's previous reaction when she discovered Shaurya's ignorance of their wedding anniversary.
Shaan mai kuch puch rhi hu...??? Shaurya kaha hai...???" Aastha enquired again not being able to digest Shaan's silence.
Stammering, he struggled to find the right words, "Noor...w...woh..-"
"Noor woh shau-..." As he was about to say anything further, anokhi woke up.
As she was trying to get up, Shaan said -
"Anokhi beta araam se ...." Saying this Shaan & Aastha helped her to sit on the bed.
"Kaisi ho beta..." Aastha asked, her eyes moistened seeing her fragile state.
"M...maa... Mai thik hu..." She said in a low tone, indicating that she was still weak and fragile.
Aastha took her in soothing hug caressing her hairs affectionately.
"M..mai ek din kya chali gayi .... Tum ye kya haal bana liya ha... Pata hai mujhe kitni tension huyi jab mujhe pata chala ki t...tum yaha... Itni beemar...." Tears started brimming down Aastha's cheeks.
"I am s...sorry maa.." Anokhi said.
"Shh... Tumhari maa aa gayi hai na abb tumhe jaldi thik hona hoga...." Aastha said.
"Tumne subha se kuch khaaya...??"
She nodded in Yes.
"Noor subah 8 baje hi sister ne anokhi ko light breakfast kara diya tha... I mean soup..." He replied.
"Medicines liye...???"
Anokhi nodded her head in Yes.
As she was saying this , shaurya's thought struck her mind. Aastha scanned the entire room to look out for shaurya, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Ye shaurya kaha gaya... Jab se mai aayi hu tab se kahi dikh nhi Raha..."
"Shaan shaurya kaha h...?" Aastha questioned once again, staring into his eyes.
Shaan stared at Anokhi, who gestured her head in the memorandum of understanding and requested him not to tell her about the mishap that happened last night.
"Shaurya..."
"Shaan shaurya kaha h..." Aastha asked once again, feeling agitated with Shaan's silence.
"W...woh noor..." His was loss at words. He didn't knew what to say. He wanted to say everything to her but since anokhi didn't want to he stood there silent.
"Noor... Woh..."
"Shaan kuch kaho na... Shaurya kaha hai...???"
"Anokhi tum hi batao shaurya kaha hai... Aur woh tumhare paas kyu nhi h..." Aastha turned to look at anokhi, seeking an answer from her.
"M...maa woh ... "Anokhi's words were stammering too.
"Aunty jii..." Ahir entered gaining everyone's attention.
"Ahir beta aao na..."
"Tumhe pata hai shaurya kaha hai...???" Aastha questioned him too.
"Ji aunty woh ... Woh actually bahar Gaya hai... Ek zaroori kaam se..." Ahir lied.
"Anokhi ki tabiyat se zyada esa kya zaroori kaam aa gaya usse..." Aastha questioned.
"W...woh ek med...medicine nhi mil rii thi... Toh woh bahar m...medical shops mai dhundhne gaya..." He lied, not being able to look into Aastha's eyes.
Aastha gazed at him suspiciously.
"Aap log mujhse kuch chipa toh nhi rhe na..." She said while looking at Shaan & then turning her gaze to look at anokhi.
"N...nhi maa...hum aap se kya chupayenge..." Anokhi said.
Aastha's phone rang as she was about to say something further.
Seeing a call from her workplace , she excused herself and went outside. No sooner did she exit the room, anokhi took a heavy sigh of relief.
Shaan began peppering her with questions while she was just taking her first breath.
"Anokhi beta... Tumne mujhe roka kyu...???"
"Tumne mujhe Aastha sachh kyu nhi batane Diya..."
"I know isse tumhare aur shaurya ke rishte mai aur bura asar hoga... Par abb kuch behtar ho bhi nhi sakta..."
"Tum samjh rhi ho mai kya kehna chahta hu...???" All this while anokhi was listening to him carefully while Ahir stood their silent listening father-daughter duo conversing
with e/o.
"Papa aap shaant ho jaiye... Mujhe kuch kehne ka mauka toh deejiye..." Said anokhi in a soft tone.
"Agar maa ko kal raat ke baare mai pata chala toh bohot badi mushkil ho jayegi...
"Woh shaurya se naraaz ho jayengi... Aur fir baat kaafi zyada bigad sakti hai..."
"Toh tumne kya decide Kiya hai ki tum shaurya ko itne asaani se maaf kar dogi... Usse apni galti ka ehsaas karaye bina..." Shaan said in an agitated tone.
"Maine esa nhi kaha... Ek baar meri tabiyat normal ho jaaye mai khud maa ko saara sachh bata dungi... Uss ke baad mai aur sh... shaurya ke r... rishte ka faisla... " As she continued saying , her eyes welled up once again. She still couldn't forget yesterday's incident.
"Filhal mai nhi chahti ki mere aur shaurya ki wajah se mimi pe koi asar ho... Uske liye behtar hoga ki kuch dino ke liye sab waisa hi chale jaisa pehle tha... "
"Anokhi beta...mai nhi janta tumhare dimaag mai kya chal rha h... Lekin tumhara Jo bhi faisla hoga mujhe manzoor hoga... Mai tumhara pura saath dunga..." Saying this Shaan left the ward.
A lone tear escaped her eye.
Ahir took a seat beside her on the stool.
"Anokhi bhabhi I hope u are feeling better now..." Ahir said in a soft,concerning tone.
"Sab itna ulajh gaya hai ahir bhaiya...kuch samjh nhi aa rha..." She said. Her eyes closed trying to process what's happening with her.
"Bhabhi I know ki shaurya ne bohot galat kiya..."
"M...mai uski tarafdaari nhi kar rha hu...lekin shaurya bhi toot gaya hai...Usse apni galti ka ehsaas ho rha hai..."
"Galti karke ehsaas karne ka kya fayda..Galti toh ki na aur mai uske liye unhe kabhi maaf nhi karungi..." She said, her eyes moistened yet again.
"Bhabhi mai sirf itna kehna chahta hu ki aap jo bhi faisla lengi soch-samjh ke lijiyega...Isse sirf aapke aur shaurya ke zindagi pe nhi lekin sabse jyada farq mimi ke zindagi par hoga..."
"Mimi already ek baar apni maa khoo chuki h...Agar aap shaurya ko chodd ne ka faisla liya hai toh apko mimi sir aur ma'am sabke baare mi bhi sochna hoga..."
"Sabke baare mai sochte-sochte mai khud apne baare mai sochna nhi bhul sakti na ahir bhaiya..."
"Mai Anupama nhi hu...Anokhi hu..."
"Dusro ke saath-saath mujhe apne mental health ki bhi fikr hai..." She snapped back.
"bhabhi mai ye nhi keh rha ki aap apne baare mai sochna bhul jaaye...Mai bass ek request kar rha hu ki aap please sirf ek baar...sirf ek baar shaurya ko ek aakhri mauka dijiye...please bhabhi..." Ahir begged.
"Itna sab kuch hone ke baad bhi aap mujhse ye umeed kaise rakh sakte hai ki mai shaurya ko ek mauka dungi..."She questioned with a somewhat angry tone while staring into his eyes.
Ahir, taken aback by her retort, felt at a loss for words. He didn't know how to respond, realizing that Anokhi had every right to prioritize her own well-being after everything that had happened.
Shaurya's mistake had caused a significant breach in their relationship, and Anokhi was justified in not easily granting him another chance.
"Thike bhabhi aapko jesa thik lage aap wesa kijiye...Mai aapke faisle mai aapke saath hu..."
"mai aata hu..." Saying this he too left the place.
"Sab ulajh gaya hai aapki wajah se shaurya..."
"Saare rishte ulajh gaye hai..."
As the silence settled in, Anokhi was left alone with her internal turmoil. The weight of her emotions pressed upon her, causing her to question the consequences of her actions. All the connections that once held their lives together now seemed entangled and uncertain.
In the midst of the chaos, her focus shifted to the person who mattered most—Mimi. She understood that amidst all these relationships, Mimi's well-being was paramount.
Mimi's mental health is not something I can gamble with, especially due to his mistake.
Anokhi was aware that she needed time to heal and regain clarity before making any permanent decisions.
She couldn't ignore the pain she had experienced and the wounds that were still fresh. There was a part of her that longed for forgiveness, for things to go back to how they were, but the hurt remained.
With a heavy heart, she resolved to consider all the aspects of the situation, weighing the impact on not only her own life but also the lives of those around her.
The path forward was uncertain, but she knew that whatever decision she made would have a profound ripple effect on everyone involved.
She wiped away her tears, determined to find a resolution that would prioritize her own well-being while also considering the needs of her loved ones.
*-*-*
"Chal jaldi boriya bistar baandh... Boss ne jitna jaldi ho sake yaha se nikalne ko kaha hai..." Said Aman , his voice filled with urgency.
"Lekin hum jaa kaha the hai...??" Asked confused chaman.
"Kuch dino ke liye Delhi chlate hai... 1-2 mahine mai waapas aa jayenge..." Replied Aman while hurriedly packing his clothes inside the bag.
As they scrambled to gather their belongings, the front door suddenly burst open, causing Aman and Chaman to jump in fright.
Two men entered the house, their presence sending shivers down their spines. The face of the first man remained concealed, hidden behind a mysterious mask, while the features of the second man were revealed, his gaze stern.
"K...kon...ho t.. tum dono...??" Asked the scared chaman.
"Tum dono ka arrest warrant..." Said the other man whose face was revealed.
"P...p...po...lice... "
"Nhi... Lekin bohot jald police station bhi pohocha denge... Lekin usse pehle mere boss tum dono ki khatir daari karre... Fir dekhte h..." Said the man with a malicious smirking.
Without uttering another word, the masked man launched into a relentless assault, raining blows upon Aman and Chaman. Their bodies absorbed the impact, each strike leaving them bruised and battered.
Meanwhile, the second man skillfully brought a vial of chloroform into play, discreetly exposing them to its pungent fumes, further disorienting them as the physical assault continued.
The onslaught was relentless until both Aman and Chaman succumbed to the combined effects of the beating and the chloroform. Their bodies slumped, unconscious.
"Inn dono ko apne saath le jao..." the masked man ordered, leaving the premises swiftly, his identity still hidden behind the mask. The second man, aided by his accomplices, promptly lifted and carried both Aman and Chaman away, leaving the house behind, a scene of chaos and despair.
*-*-*
Ahir beta shaurya abb tak aaya nhi..." Aastha enquired as he was now 10 in the morning and shaurya was still missing.
"Pata nhi aunty jii kaha gaya hai shaurya...humari aakhri mulaqat ke baad toh maine bhi usse nhi dekha..."thought Ahir in his mind.
"A... aunty jii... W...woh shayad dawai nhi mil rhi hogi..." Replied Ahir.
At the same time as Aastha was speaking, Shaurya came. Everyone's eyes were on Shaurya. He had some packet in his hand.
"Shaurya tum kaha chale gaye the...Anokhi ko ese choddke..."
Aastha enquired. He was looking everywhere except in Aastha's eyes.
"A...aunty ji...woh shaurya dawai... Anokhi bhabhi ki dawai lene gaya tha na...isliye late ho gaya... Haina shaurya...!!!" Ahir quickly interjected, directing his gaze towards Shaurya, silently signaling him to agree. Understanding Ahir's cue, Shaurya nodded his head and said-
"H...Haa mom...woh anokhi ki ek dawai nhi mil rhi thi na...isliye wahi lene gaya tha..."
"thike...Chalo ander...Anokhi tumhara intezaar kar rhi h..."
Saying this Aastha held his hand and dragged him inside the ward while Shaan and ahir kept gazing at each other.
"Anokhi beta... Dekho shaurya aa gaya..." Aastha said walking towards anokhi while shaurya stood there behind, gazing at her with his misty eyes.
"Arre shaurya tum waha itne dur kyu khade ho... Yaha aao..." Aastha said observing shaurya standing far away from her.
Shaurya took hesitant steps towards Anokhi, his eyes focused solely on hers. They both could see the pain reflected in each other's eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the turmoil they had been through.
Just as their connection seemed to deepen, Aastha's phone rang, shattering the momentary tranquility. Annoyed, she excused herself, casting a glare at the caller ID before leaving the room.
Approaching Anokhi, Shaurya sat beside her, placing the packet of fresh fruits on the side table. They sat in silence, their hearts heavy with unspoken words.
He knew he was the cause of the turmoil in her life, and he yearned to apologize for his actions, but the right words eluded him. It seemed as though fate was never on his side.
All he wanted was a chance to hit the restart button and mend everything. He longed for Anokhi's love, attention, and concern once more.
He wanted his Anokhi back ...!
His Love...!!
"Anokhi..." He called out her softly. Looking into his eyes, she instantly averted her gaze and looked in the opposite direction.
A lone tear escaped both's eye.
"Lis-..." As he was about to say anything further, the door suddenly opened as Shaan and Ahir walked inside.
Shaan still had a strict expression on his face as he looked towards shaurya.Ahir too, had a concerning demeanor on his face.Both approached anokhi.
"Anokhi beta... Abhi kesa feel ho rha h..." Asked Shaan.
"Better papa..." Replied anokhi in a gentle tone.
"Papa apne bete se keh dijiye ki maa ko kuch na bataye..." She said, royally ignoring shaurya.
Shaurya scrunched his brows in confusion not being able to deduce anokhi is talking about whom.
"Dad anokhi kya keh rhi h..." He asked softly to Shaan to which he refused to give any answer.
Shaurya turned his head to look towards Ahir who said - "Anokhi bhabhi ke kehne ka matlab hai ki ma'am ko kal raat tum dono ke jhagde ke baare mai kuch pata nhi chalna chahiye... Jab tak woh khud na bataye...."
Shaurya was taken aback. He thought Aastha has already learnt the truth.
"Iska matlab ye nhi ki maine aapko maaf kar diya hai ya fir mai humare rishte ko dusra mauka dena chahti hu... "
"Sahi waqt aane par mai maa ko sab sachh bata dungi ...." She said in a stern tone.
(A/n : Sahi waqt jesa kuch nhi hota... Waqt ko sahi bana na padta h ;) ...)
Shaurya simply nodded, understanding that it was not the appropriate time to discuss their relationship. He knew he needed to exercise patience and wait for her anger to subside before addressing the situation.
"Papa... I need some peace... Kya aaplog kuch der ke liye mujhe akela chod sakte h..." Anokhi requested Shaan in a low tone.
"Sure beta..."
Everyone exited the room.
Outside the ward -
Ahir beta tum raat se yaha ho... Ek kaam karo ghar jao aur thoda araam kar lo..." Shaan said to Ahir.
"Nhi sir... Mai bhabhi ko ese haalat mai chodd ke nhi Jaa sakta..." He replied.
"Ahir beta meri baat maano anokhi abhi thik hai... Infact tumhe shaurya aur noor tum teeno ko Ghar jaana chahiye..." As Shaan said this, shaurya looked at him startled.
"Shaan mai anokhi ko chodd ke nhi jaungi..." Came Aastha's voice from behind.
"Noor mai..."
"Maine sab sun liya Shaan..." As Aastha stated this everyone gazed at her startled and scared.
"Sab sun liya matlab...???" Asked Shaan.
"Matlab yahi ki tum hume ghar isliye bhejna chahte hona taaqi yaha bheed na ho... Matlab ek tarah se chaos avoid karna chahte hona..." She said effortlessly.
As she said this, everyone took a heavy sigh of relief. Shaan nodded his head in Yes.
"Lekin shaan mai anokhi ko chodd ke nhi jaana chahti..." Aastha said .
"Noor please samjho... Ahir beta tum noor aur shaurya ke saath jao mai anokhi ke paas rukta hu..." Said Shaan.
"Mai anokhi ko chodd ke kahi nhi jaane waala...." Shaurya stated straightforwardly.
Shaan shooked his head in disbelief. Paying no heed to shaurya's words, Shaan once again said to Ahir - "Ahir beta tum noor ko leke jao..."
"Ma'am chaliye..."
"Tum chalo mai anokhi se mil ke aati hu..." Saying this Aastha walked in the ward while Ahir too left the spot.
Only Shaan and Shaurya remained outside the ward. Neither of them was interested in speaking to each other. Shaurya slumped into a chair, his face reflecting his anguish.
After a moment, he felt a touch on his shoulder, causing him to flinch slightly. He looked up to find Aastha standing there, gently stroking his shoulder.
"tension mat lo shaurya sab thik ho jaayega..." Aastha reassured him. Without hesitation, he emotionally hugged her, burying his face in her stomach and holding her tightly.
Aastha was surprised for once, but she soon started stroking his hair to make him feel better.
"Laddoo..."
"Beta mujhe pata hai iss waqt tumpar kya beet rhi hai... Matarani pe bharosa rakho sab theek ho jayega..."
"Aur abb toh anokhi bhi better feel karr rhi h fir tension kis baat ka... Fikr mat karo...- "ye daur bhi guzar jayega... Itminaan rakho..."
"Thike..???!!!"
He said nothing in response, and she continued to gently stroke his hair. After a couple of minutes, he released her, wiping away his unshed tears.
"Shaurya beta... Tum thik ho na...?" Aastha asked him in a concerned tone.
He simply nodded in Yes.
"Agar koi baat hai toh tum apni maa se share kar sakte ho..." She said gently.
"Nhi mom... Aisi koi baat nhi... W...woh bas anokhi ko leke thoda ..." Said shaurya in a melancholy tone.
"Are u sure...???"
"Yes mom... Aap ghar jaiye aur aaraam kijiye..."
"Thike...Mai chalti hu..."
Shaan tum bhi apna khyaal rakhna aur kuch chahiye ho toh call karna ..." Aastha said approaching Shaan.
"Hmmm... Tum bhi Ghar pohoch ke call karna..."
"Ha...'
Aastha left.
"Shaurya tumhe bhi abhi Ghar jaana chahiye..." Breaking the silence, Shaan said looking at shaurya.
Aastha left, leaving Shaurya and Shaan behind. Shaan looked at Shaurya and broke the silence, suggesting that he should leave and go home.
Shaurya being shaurya remained unresponsive, so Shaan approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched at the touch.
"Dad mai anokhi ko chodd ke kahi nhi jaunga... Aap please mujhe force mat kijiye...." He requested in a calm tone.
"Force my foot... Already tum anokhi ko tension de chuke ho... Kyu uski tension bada rahe ho..." Shaan spoke in a frustrated tone.
"Dad please..." He begged in a tired tone.
"What please shaurya... Can't u understand that your wife is not interested in talking to you at all..." Shaan yelled.
"And who decided that she'll be talking with me or not...???" He retorted back in the same tone looking into his eyes.
"Please dad ... I am begging u ....please leave me at my situation..." Saying this shaurya left the spot.
"This man is just impossible..." Shaan muttered under his nose.
*-*-*
TOODLES Until we meet👋