Chapter 5

Oh gosh, I cannot end this story...here we are Chapter 5. Not proof read, so forgive any errors, just need to take advantage of my internet holding (fingers crossed) finally...Definitely looking to finish this SS this weekend...Enjoy and do leave your FB:

Chapter #5

Shaurya shook his head as he spoke to the police inspector. "I'm sorry, I can't offer anything else other than the name he told us: Jaisan. The others mostly referred to him as Boss.

The older man nodded to the orderly who re-covered the dead man's face with the sheet, as he had done the two prior. Identifying the deceased trio would be paramount to this investigation, which seemed stranger by the minute to the seasoned officer. It wasn't helping either, that the only surviving member of the gang, was, from all accounts, completely resisting any persuasion to give up any information.

"If you are done with me?

A small smile touched the older man's lips. "Aacha Shaurya...of course. Thank you for your time. I know you are probably anxious to return upstairs. I do hope that your chef makes a full recovery. She was incredibly brave.

"Haan, Shaury replied. "She is. Very. He hesitated instead of leaving. "Inspector Saab, if I may ask. The injury that brought him: Jaisan, down...

"Conclusively determined to be the gunshot. You can assure Ms. Sharma that her actions did not cost Jaisan his life. And even if it had, it would have been considered self-defense in any case...

Shaurya held out his hand to shake the officer's hand, "Even still, it will be a weight off her shoulders, knowing this. So, if there is nothing else...

"Nahi, that will be it for tonight. I am certain that I will be touch in the coming days, the police officer indicated, basically finishing his sentence to empty space, as the young man was already making a quick exit. His eyes roamed the room and then back to the three bodies that lay on the steel tables. He acknowledged the ward-man, and then left to return to the station. It had been on the tip of the inspector's tongue to ask the hospital staff to contact him immediately should anything go amiss here, but then stopped himself, remembering where he was. There would be bigger things to worry about if three dead criminals escaped the morgue.

 

Encountering reporters on his way up to the ward where Mehek and Sara were, was completely unavoidable, but the young businessman handled them adroitly. A few photos flaunting his bandages could be expected in the newspapers the next day, but little else, as the savvy young man deferred any statement until the press conference his family would arrange for the next day. Any answers Shaurya knew, would be best given in a controlled environment. Still, he couldn't say that he was unhappy to leave the probing group behind when he was let into the secured area afforded to his family.

 

She had obviously been on the look-out for him, as Shruiti stood up when as soon as the door closed behind him. His jaw tightened, but he knew better to make a scene right now. However, that did not mean that he had to acknowledge her. The expression in his eyes made that clear to her when she blocked his path.

"Shaurya, please, you have to at least let me explain.

"No, honestly I don't. Nor do I want to. Why are you even here Shruti?

"Why...how can you even ask that? I have every right to be here, Shaurya. If for no other reason, the fact that my cousin has been admitted...

"How convenient for you that you have the chance to save face in front of your family. We mustn't let them see the real you, can we?

He was stymied from continuing when an older man joined them: Shruti's father.

"Namaste Uncle,

"I've been waiting for you, beta. Probably not as anxiously as my daughter has, but close. Shruti has told us how incredibly brave you were, and how you ensured her safety during this horrible ordeal. You have done your family proud, and your action only affirm my opinion of things.

"Uncle if you could excuse me, I believe the doctor has just come.

"Aacha, in that case let's go. Good news on Mehek will be the best way to end this dreadful night.

 

*******

 Her injuries were far less severe than they had expected, but still necessitated an operation, which they were presently prepping her for. Left with little to do, but to wait for Mehek's surgery to be over, Shaurya separated himself from the others so that he could think back to earlier when everything came to light. He still was having a hard time comprehending everything that had unfolded and how he would proceed now that he knew the truth.

 

~~~~~~~

Seven years ago...

 

Tanya picked up her phone on the first ring. "So?

"I can't believe that...that behenji..

"Has managed what no other girl in the school has accomplished? Not even you Shruti? Obviously Shaurya Khanna has strange taste. Or perhaps, he's just one those guys who go after forbidden fruit and is all about the conquest. Shruti...hello are you still there?

"It's not like that all, but you can be for damn sure that I'm going to let someone like her get someone like him.

"Chill babes... I get it, you can't stand her. One day you will have to let me know what the problem is with her, but later. What do you have running around in that evil little mind of your?

"Plenty, and the best part is that, thanks to my idiotic little cousin, they will be doing all of the hard work for us.

~~~~~~~~

 

Knowing that Tanya took drama classes with Trey, Sara had recruited the senior in their attempt to dissuade Tanya, and by default Shruti, from believing that anything was going on between Mehek and Shaurya. Unbeknownst to all of them, the feat would prove more successful than they could have ever expected. The execution had been that good: that convincing. However, what Shaurya hadn't been privy to that day, according to Tanya, was the intense pep-talk that Trey had to give Mehek. The shy, unassuming teen had no clue how she would be able to pull off what Sara had convinced her would be the best method to rid herself of the predatory females. At one point, Tanya had confessed, she thought the plan would be a bust, but Trey had not only convinced Mehek to go through with the pretense, but to be so convincing as to instigate the destructive path that Shaurya had taken.

 

Shruti had been the one to decide that while Trey and Mehek were otherwise occupied that she would secretly film the couple's act and then anonymously send it to Shaurya that evening and sit back and wait for the inevitable fallout. And, provided what was captured was really wicked, she would consider posting it on social media, the perfect one-two punch to ruin Mehek's life. It would serve as the ultimate payback against the girl who her family adored second only to Sara. Shaurya's unexpected arrival on the scene had quashed that idea, but in the end, it had given Shruti something she had craved even more.

 

Hindsight being twenty/ twenty, Shaurya realized that the blame for what had happened next, and the subsequent fallout could not be levied on Shruti entirely. Even if it could be claimed that he was is a diminished state of mind, and as much as he regretted it now, he had been more than a willing participant in what had occurred.

 

******       

"Do you mind if I sit here for a bit?

Trey's voice broke through Shaurya's reveries, which considering where they had headed, was a reprieve of sorts. However, before he could respond to the man's query, Trey had already taken the seat in question.

"Your mother...sorry, step-mother is incredible.

"You were right the first time, and the second time for that matter: Ma is incredible, Shaurya answered with a sincere smile. He looked across the room to his parent who was enthusiastically speaking to one of the staff members. "What has she done now?

"She overheard Sara wondering aloud if it would be possible for her and Mehek to share a hospital room, and apparently is making it happen.  Contingent on Mehek's condition, of course.

Shaurya grimaced. "I'm sorry, I didn't even ask; how is Sara and the baby?

"Don't...it's completely understandable. Sara's okay. She's mainly being kept a precaution more than anything; a move which readily has our parents' seal of approval. I don't think anyone expected such a dramatic pregnancy announcement, so it has been a little overwhelming for Sara tonight. Now that we are certain that Mehek will be okay, Sara is lot more settled. Although I expect she will have words over the stiches she had to get, she will be thrilled to be reunited with Mehek even if it's just for the night, Trey answered in an amused tone. "So, I figured that if the girls were possibly going to be bunking together, that it may be a good time to clear the air between us; you know show our ladies that we can get along... without them browbeating us.

Since his only contact with the man beside him was during the worst point of his life, Shaurya was unsure how to take the about face in Trey's attitude, and the allusion of friendship that man was suggesting, so rather than blunder, Shaurya chose silence as his response.

"You know, the child betrothal didn't officially exist between Sara and me.

Shaurya scoffed. "Another one of Shruti's lies. Why am I not surprised?

"Not officially, but it as definitely inferred. Consider it the peril of Sara and I having mothers who are lifelong friends who always dreamt of their respective offspring one day marrying each other. As you can imagine, it can be quite galling growing up hearing your name constantly linked with the most infuriating pest of a little girl you've ever met.

Astounded, Shaurya looked over at Trey. If ever there was a couple that could be considered soulmates, it was the two of them.

"Then one day, the nuisance who has been the bane of your existence for years, takes your words to heart, and actually goes away from you. At first, I thought it was the best thing ever to happen to me, until after months of leaving me in relative peace, I noticed Sara in the school halls chatting with a bunch of friends, and I suddenly wanted to kill every guy in the group who was hanging on to her every word. But I had been the one to tell her to leave me alone, so it wasn't like I could take the first step, right? When she came to me with the inanest scheme I had ever heard, I jumped at the chance to impress her and get back in her good graces. It wasn't easy though.

~~~~~~~

 Seven years ago...

 

If he didn't take control, this was going to be a hard sell, Trey thought critiquing Mehek's stilted reaction.  Rapidly, his mind sought the answer that would make her performance more fluid. Unlike her gregarious best friend, the teen was extremely shy; not at all comfortable around members of the opposite sex. It showed, even in the role-play she had reluctantly agreed to. Yet somehow, Shaurya Khanna had cut through her reservations. Trey supposed that had it not been that most of their initial interactions were centered around a subject that she was confident in, Mehek probably would not have found the courage to speak to Shaurya at all. The fact that their association had progressed to something personal was a clear indicator of her feelings for the guy. Drawing on this could be the key, Trey thought.  But he needed her to relax just a bit. The answer in this case  was a total improvisation on his part, when he playfully flicked her nose to break her concentration. As he hoped, she giggled.

 

"You are so bad, Trey. Don't complain to me when you get punished later.

 

Better Trey thought...

 

"That's not necessarily a bad thing if the right person is punishing you...and what the nature of the punishment is. He leaned down to her ear, "Under the right circumstances, even a first kiss from your Valentine, if done right, can be the sweetest of punishments.

 

BINGO!  There it was: the emotion he was looking for.

 

"Since you're not objecting I'll take it that you wouldn't mind that at all, Trey continued suggestively.

 

"I think would like that a lot, actually.

 

~~~~~~~

 

"You see Shaurya, it was you, not I, that technically spurred her reaction that day. Her thoughts of you.

 

Trey let his words sink in with the man beside him. "I know it is probably of little consolation, but I received my own share of grief from that little scene. Sara was furious with me, accused me of flirting with her friend, and then refused to speak to me for days.

"You said she meant nothing to you that day, Trey. Can you blame her for feeling the way she did?

"Haan, I did. And do you recall exactly how Mehek responded?

 

"Then by that reasoning, the same goes for Shaurya...he means less than nothing to me.

 

How could he forget: the words were ingrained in his mind and had set him on a course best forgotten.

 

"Extroverted, she may not have been, but Mehek was clearly astute, with a well-hidden mischievous streak to boot. She was basically calling me out over the feelings for Sara, I thought I had hidden from everyone. Her reply was basically telling me just as much. Me feeling nothing for Sara was akin to her lack of feelings for you, Shaurya: a complete fabrication. She was totally into you.

 

Was being the operative word, Shaurya thought.

     

"Unfortunately, Sara and I were so caught up in our own issues that we didn't realize straight away that something happened. Before we knew it, Valentine's had come and went, and you had been a no-show. Mehek was heartbroken and Sara furious at you. Then the rumors started that you had been got into trouble and your family had sent you away.

 

At first Shaurya neither confirmed nor denied Trey's words.  Instead, he searched the room until he located the woman who was his savior, and met his mother's eyes. Karuna smiled at her son encouragingly, prompting him to do the same. "A UK boarding school. It was either that or leave the house, Shaurya admitted. "Thankfully, Maa had made that choice a possibility. The move probably saved me from total self-destruction.

 

~~~~~~~

Seven Years Ago...

 

"Do you know who I am; who my father is?

 

Wrinkling his nose, the front-desk clerk, cleared his throat. It was one thing for the bar to allow the occasional drink to be sold to a minor, as was clearly the case here, but what the young man was demanding was a definite no-go. No matter whose son he was.

 

"Look...Sam, Shaurya, "You either want your job or you don't.

"Is there a problem here?

"Only one for Sam, if he doesn't do what I want.

The new attendant shooed his colleague over and took command of the computer. "Forgive my co-worker; he's new here. Let's see what we can do Mr. Khanna.

Minutes later, room-key in hand, Shaurya, far less steady on his feet than when he had arrived at his father's hotel headed for the elevator. He nodded to the girl who had bunked off with him when he decided to ditch the afternoon school session. Her eager company had been a balm, after the shock of Mehek's betrayal. Ending up at his family's hotel had been a natural, since he was guaranteed to get service in the bar, and he had to concede that he felt slightly more relaxed after a few beverages. It was unclear whose idea it had been to chill out in one of the rooms, but it probably wasn't the worst idea. He could at least order some room service and sober up a bit before they headed home, Shaurya thought.

 

He flopped onto the chaise in the room and closed his eyes, while Shruti had looked around the room.  

"This is really nice, Shaurya.

"Papa's pride and joy, Shaurya muttered. "Did you want me to order some food, he asked as he reclined on the lounger. After a minute, when she hadn't answered, he called out for her.

"How about later, after we've worked up an appetite, Shaurya? This time her voice was much closer, her words whispered against his lips in fact, as she leaned over him. He was no match for her oral skills, and when his hand reached up, it was her bare waist he met. For the moment at least, his pain was replaced as his baser instincts took over.

~~~~~~~

 

"Shaurya beta.

Across the room, Karuna stood with Mehek's aunt, beckoning him. He stood up, casting aside his memories, when he saw that the two women were conversing with one of the medical staff. He rushed to the group.

"Maa...Aunty, what is it? Is Mehek...

"Her surgery went well, and she's in recovery now. She's just a little agitated right now and is asking for you. It will be a great help if you could come...

"Nahi, I mean surely Aunty you should be the first to visit.

"We will, beta, Kanta answered. "But I doubt she will settle until she sees you for herself. Go, for her sake.

 

Shaurya nodded. He was probably the last one who deserved to be there, but he would do anything to relieve her distress. Following the nurse, he entered the dimly lit recovery room, cognizant of the monitors she as attached to, and how frail she looked in the hospital bed. Her entire arm had been fitted with a cast to hold it stable now that the comminuted fracture had corrected.  He would never forget the instant when her body had jerked back by the force of the bullet meant for Jaisan. He would have welcomed death right there and then, but somehow, the sharpshooter who had already dispatched two of the other criminals wasn't as precise with his third shot. He had more that made up for it with his fourth, which had taken out the leader of the gang, but Shaurya had been beyond caring by then. All that had mattered was Mehek. Just as it did now.

 

"Mehek, I'm here.

Chapter 6A 

[NOCOPY]