So Anokhi is in the 8th month of pregnancy in this short story. A presentation is taking place.
Anokhi-Sir I am so sorry. I was actually. I mean I am sorry for being late. I was a bit.
Client-Its ok. You may proceed. We asked Shaurya to start as it's fine. Aap dono ko hi project achese pata hai toh koi bhi start kare it is fine. You may proceed.
So after the presentation.
Client-We loved your presentation maam. I think project ka progress bohot accha tha. We would like to extend it for 6 months more.
Anokhi-6 months! Thank you sir but mein lead nhi kar paungi. Hope you understand. Shaurya will lead it on behalf. I will be there sir to guide but he will do it.
Shaurya-Nhi sir. I will take the extension only if Anokhi hissa ho project ka.
Anokhi-Shaurya kaise. I won't be there.
Shaurya-Anokhi tumhara senior hoon toh that is final. I will discuss with you.
Client-Ok you can discuss and tell us.
Shaurya-Anokhi you like the project? You enjoy being a part of it?
Anokhi-Yes.
Shaurya-Then no discussion tum part ho iska. You can take a month off when you have to and tum usse ghar se manage kar sakti ho. You don't have to be on campus. I hope that is fine with you?
Client-Yes it is.
Anokhi-Shaurya tumne keh toh diya but I don't know.
Shaurya-Anokhi if you are physically not feeling fit to do it woh baat alag hai. And I support your decision to take some time off to rest. But yeh project tumhara hai. Tumne isko iss mukam tak pohonchaya hai. You should get the credit for it. You will. And you will lead it. Zaroorat pade toh take a break from college stuff. Take a break from teaching. Just project pe dhyaan do. Class mein right now I know do topics baki hai. I can take that up. Trust me I am not bad.
Anokhi-I know. You are good. But mere students meri responsibility hai
Shaurya-Siac bhi. And tum meri. I want to be rested. I want you to enjoy this phase. But mein nhi chahta ki tum sacrifice karo. Mein tumhari khushi aur taraki chahta hoon.
Anokhi-I know. But what about baby Sabbarwal?
Shaurya-Baby Sabbarwal ko mein aur tum dono sambhalenge. And anyways ek baar mujhse milega toh tumhe bhul jayega.
Anokhi-Haww!!!
Shaurya-Mazak tha. But hum dono khayal rakhenge baby Sabbarwal ka. Not just you.
Anokhi-Shaurya!
Shaurya-Anokhi ro mat. Chalo I will take you home ab. I know tumhari tabiyat theekh nhi hai.
Anokhi-Tumhe kaise?
Shaurya-Isliye late ho gyi thi naa?
Anokhi-Haan. I was puking away in the washroom and just couldn't stop.
Shaurya-That madam is not in your control. And mujhe bulaya kyu nhi?
Anokhi-Kaise bulaoon? Should I focus on puking or you?
Shaurya-Achaa baba. Phone apne paas rakha karo aur text kar dena. If you feel sick. I know tumne call nhi kia kyunki tum chahti thi ki hum donk mein se koi toh ho matter handle karne ke liye.
Anokhi-Haan samjhdar hubby.
Shaurya-Ok let's take you home first.
Anokhi-But tumhara class?
Shaurya-Aa jaunga lene. I will exchange with Ranjan. Mein tumhe chodkar le loonga.
Anokhi-Nhi tum le lo and jaldi come home naa. I want you.
Shaurya-Hmmm. Lets see. I will exchange it with Ranjan's tomorrow's class.
Anokhi-Whats the guarantee mein kal better feel karoogi?
Shaurya-Whenever you are better tabhi class lene aa jaunga.
Anokhi-But students?
Shaurya-Koi suffer nhi karega. There is always a middle ground and I will find it. Jaise tum humesha ghar ki responsibilities and college ke beech dhundti aayi ho yaa phir hum itne din se dhoondte aaye hai.
Anokhi-Hmm. You are so clear nd sorted. And you sound just like I used to.
Shaurya-Oh! Thanks for the compliment. May be we did transfer something else along with the genes.
Anokhi-Shut up!!! Don't even want to think about that process now.
Shaurya-So mean!
Anokhi-I know but I just want to think about sleep abhi.
Shaurya-I understand. And I will tuck into bed soon.
Anokhi-Tucking into bed is not equal to sleep for me.
Shaurya-I know. But try naa. Tum kitni thaki hui lag rhi ho. I think aaj tumhe acchi neend aayi. I will sprinkle magic dust on you.
A gesture of sprinkling of dust follows.
Anokhi-Tumna. Bacha hone ke baad ye sab mein believe karne lage ho.
Shaurya-Obviously. We will be bringing to life our love uske baad toh kuch bhi ho sakta hai.
Anokhi-Yeah. I guess.
Shaurya-I understand tum dari hui ho but I am with you Anokhi. I won't leave you even for a second. I know it's going to be painful but I will be with you.
Anokhi-I know. Without you I can't even imagine yeh mahine kaise hote.
Shaurya-You can do anything Anokhi. Tumne sab kuch achese manage kia. But now it's time to give yourself some time. So I am saying take the offer. Do the project ghar se. And let me handle the classes.
Anokhi-I guess you are right.
Shaurya-Woh toh mein hoon. And I am also right about something else.
Anokhi-What?
Shaurya-Magic dust. Because tumhari aankhen band ho rhi hai.
Anokhi-Hmm. Sleepy as fuck.
Shaurya-Ok. Gadi mein so jana. And I will give you a ride to your room.
Anokhi-Ek naa ek din tumhari peeth toot jayegi. I am 80 kg.
Shaurya-Tumhari toh nhi tooti so meri kahan se tootegi. Thodasa baby Sabbarwal ko mein bhi utha loon. How is it fair ki sirf tum usko uthao? Baad mein sirf mumma ke aage peeche ghumta rahega. Papa ko toh attention dega hi.
Anokhi-Ek attention seeker ho tum.
Shaurya-So toh hai. I want bharpai for your missing attention during these months also once the baby is out. Aur baby ka bhi attention chahiye.
Anokhi-Achaa ji. Aur mera kya?
Shaurya-Tumhara kuch nhi. Mein aur baby Sabbarwal khelenge. You do project.
Anokhi-Haan? Very bad.
Shaurya-Arre tum bura mann gayi. Ok hum teeno khelenge ok.
Anokhi-Hmmm. Now I am super sleepy.
Shaurya-Chalo.
Anokhi-Chalo.
So I know this wasn't very dramatic. Tried to create a realistic picture to the best of my abilities. Hope you guys liked. I know this didn't have too many fun dialogues. But will try to make something fun soon. Wish me luck to be able to write that.
