Hurdles

Protecting a secret never felt so difficult before. She was usually a very private person and had only a handful of friends but ever since she married a certain Professor Shaurya Sabherwal, life had thrown plenty of bends in their twisted lives.

Shaurya never voiced his irritation but Anokhi knew that his family was starting to get suspicious of his late night rendezvous and weekend stays at Patiala. She had warned him about taking her along so frequently, but he wouldn't take her words.

If that wasn't enough, a bunch of rumors had been circulating around the campus that Anokhi had a personal relationship with the Sabherwals. Then, Shaan Sabherwal and now Shaurya Sabherwal. People had started to see her differently.

"Dude, she is totally hitting on Shaurya Sir!" A third year senior whispered to his friends.

"Who wouldn't!? I mean look at him!!!" A girl squealed.

"But isn't it strange that Shaurya Sir is always around her too? Do you think there is something cooking there?"

"She is probably very close to the Sabherwal family. I mean, everyone knows how Shaan Sir went out of the way to schedule an interview for her. And Shaurya Sir bhi kaha kam hai? You will always spot him buzzing around Anokhi! Mujhe toh lagta hai Anokhi ko student council head bhi issi liye banaya hai..."

"What nonsense! Logic kya hai iss mei? Anokhi council head majority votes se bani hai!" At least someone defended her. "And by the way, you are talking about a topper, if you score half the marks she does, I am sure Shaurya Sir would appreciate you as well."

Usually, Anokhi would brush it off, but recently these things worry her to no end. In their two weeks of SINDOORI marriage, she hasn't lived a single day without the fear of exposure. What would happen to them if they got caught!!?

And her husband just won't take her seriously!

Like now... Teasing her in front of the whole class.

"So your student council has planned a movie night as a stress-buster activity... So Ms. Bhalla and Ms. Kaur, as council president and vice president, you two have to make sure everyone makes it to the MPH by 8 PM." His eyes meet hers, "Nobody stays back in the Hostel."

And the only thing Anokhi could do was blush hard. She knew that everyone but herself would be at MHP that night.

The stress did go away once they got married officially a month later. But the relief was short-lived because she had to deal with a new problem each day in the Sabherwal House. She knew that Badi Maa was simply being wicked and purposely creating hurdles for her but nothing was impossible for Anokhi because she had her PS to support her through everything.

Although Badi Maa was being unfair, Anokhi knew that she would have to work on proving that she could take care of her personal and professional responsibilities. She could be a Sabherwal bahu and still fulfill Anokhi Bhalla's dreams.

*******

The smell of rain fresh in the air, two lovers silently walked towards their destination hand in hand on a quiet street.

This was probably the first time in such a long time that they were graced with a moment of peace. But it was a blessing after days of anxiety, excitement and rush.

"Ek baat puchu?" She hesitated.

"Haa?"

"What made Badi Maa back off? Tumnne aisa kya kaha unse?" Anokhi watched his smile falter a little.

"Mera naam Shaurya Sabherwal hai, Wifey." He smirked, "If she can be melodramatic, I can act a little too, right?"

"So, you resorted to emotional blackmail?" Anokhi gasped.