Lights, Camera, SHAKHI !!

11. To protect her image dammit !

Reema's Flat

Reema was in her balcony and she saw Anokhi coming out from the cab

"Ye Anokhi party se itni jaldi kyu aa gyi!?"

She moved out of her house to meet her till then Anokhi has reached her flat

"Anokhi"

Ting tong

"Anokhi open the door"
"Mujhe pata h tu andar h"
"Anokhi hua kya h darwaza khol"

She gets no response so she brought  spare keys and open the door, it was dark, she switch on the lights but she didn't find Anokhi in the hall so she went towards her room.

Anokhi was standing in the balcony, gazing at the moon without blinking, her face had trails of tears which have dried till now, her face had no expression she was numb.

Reema was shocked to see her state she went near her and shook her arm

"Anokhi"
- no response

More vigorously

"Anokhii"
- still no response

Reema took her into a hug and started caressing her back

"Anokhi mai hu na yaha, sab thik hai, bol na kya hua h, party kesi thi..?"

She felt Anokhi's heartbeat increasing Anokhi....

(After a pause) "Shaurya Sabherwal ne kaha kuch tujhse?"

And now she broke down, she hugged back Reema really tight and started crying as if it was an end to everything

Now Reema understood that something has happened in the party and is somewhere related to Shaurya
She tried to calm down Anokhi and took her inside the room settled her on the bed and get seated next to her and the very next moment Anokhi placed her head on Reema's lap, she was broken inside, she needed that motherly affection from someone to ensure that she is safe,
She's safe from the men like Anmol, She's safe from accusations of Shaurya.

Reema avoided any kind of interogation as she didn't wanted to trouble her more, she just caressed her head and soon Anokhi was asleep
She was physically and emotionally exhausted she needed rest at that time.

Shaurya's Room

Shaurya reached home after the party got over he went to his room, took off his coat and sat on the couch covered his face with his hands

"I hope she's fine"

—————

Next Day

Anokhi's house

Reema saw Anokhi was still sleeping so she moved out of the room to get freshen up and prepare some breakfast
She returns to the room with breakfast for her and Anokhi and saw Anokhi who has already bathed and typing something in her laptop.

Reema : Arey Anokhi kya subha subha laptop lekar beth gayi ye le chal breakfast karle tere favourite pohe banaye h aaj...

Anokhi : Bas 2 min Reema

Reema : Acha dikha kya kar rhi h

Reema turned the laptop towards her

"Won't be able to continue the workshop"
"Can't go further with this project due to some personal reasons"

Reema : Anokhi ye kya mail kiya h tune Shaan Sabherwal ko huh?
Tu film chhod rahi h!?
Par kyu esa kya hua h Anokhi! Bata mujhe please!

Anokhi : Esa kuch nhi h Reema..... (after a pause) shayd Mumbai mere liye h hi nhi... Mai Chandigarh m hi thik thi, apni choti si duniya m khush thi mai, ye sheher ye bade bade sapne... Mai inke liye nhi bani hu