Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Shaurya came back week. Mehek saw him from her window. Mehek touched her cheek it still hurt. Her father was coming home later that week. Mehek was not looking forward. To having to deal with his anger. She had sent him a picture of her cheek and said is this the man you want me to marry?

Mehek wondered was money really everything, or did other things like one's safety and self-respect not matter. She could see him outside greeting his mother, he was wearing a light blue t shirt and a pair of dark black jeans. All Mehek wanted to do was run downstairs and straight into his arms. Shaurya looked up at her window, she could not see his expression but she hid away.

Did he see her? She wondered.

Mehek's heart thundered against her chest.

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The next day, Mehek heard snow flake cry out. She went outside and saw her stuck in a bush. Mehek bent down on her knees and tried to pull her out, but there were thorns everywhere. Mehek scraped her hands against the thorns and tried to pull her out as safely as possible. When she was done, her hands were covered with bloody scrapes. Mehek winced as snow flake cried.

"Shh baby, I am sorry I let you go out on your own I promise I will never do that ever again She told her, Snow flake licked her chin. Mehek was about to go inside when she saw Shaurya standing by the door. He was carrying a bunch of flowers. He stared at her with a strange expression on his face. Mehek looked down at her old shirt dress and ignored the way her heart said, you should have combed your hair before coming out, now Shaurya knows that you look like without brushing your hair.

"Congratulations on your engagement He said evenly holding the flowers out to her. Mehek took them, they were a plain bunch of white jasmine flowers. Her favourite flowers. She had always dreamt that at least once Shaurya would give her flowers. His finger touched her cheek.

"What is that? He asked, his voice was quiet. Mehek blinked and looked away.

"I fell She lied, she had sworn Karuna ma to secrecy.

Shaurya snorted.

"You fell onto a hand huh? He asked, Mehek looked away. Shaurya grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

"Who did that to you?

"Nobody Mehek said, if Shaurya did something to Sandeep, Mehek's father would cancel the scholarship immediately. Mehek wanted to wrap her arms around him and cry against his chest. But she forced herself to push his hands away.

"Who are you? How did you get engaged so quickly? You used to want to hit any girl that even looked at me Mehek blinked and looked away, she still would hit any girl that looked at him now even. His gaze lowered to her hands, which were covered in little cuts. He cursed and pulled her into the house. He went into the kitchen and brought the first aid box out. He made her sit down and slowly cleaned her cuts. Mehek stared at him.

"So will you tell me now? He asked her. Mehek looked away.

"I thought you would be happy with the thought of me going far away from here She said, He covered her hands with light plaster. Mehek looked in the mirror she looked like a poster child for abuse. She shuddered at her reflection.

"I am happy He said, meeting her gaze. Mehek could not find any hurt or anything in his expression. She wondered if he could even begin to understand how she was hurting.

Mehek took a step back and went behind the counter.

"But shouldn't you be the happy one Mehek, it's your wedding after all he said, Mehek took a step back and looked over his shoulder.

"I am happy Mehek said. Shaurya walked backwards out.

"I can see how happy you are He said, and went away.

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"What is this Mehek, you threw your engagement ring in Sandeep's face?

"What was I supposed to do? lay on the floor and wait till he beat me to death? She asked her father, who fumed.

"Well then I will be phoning in and cancelling Shaurya's scholarship. Bright fellow, I am sure, when you both are poverty stricken you will remember this moment... He said picking up his phone. Mehek grabbed the phone out of his hand. Shaurya's future she told herself. For Shaurya's future she would do anything.

"I will apologise She said evenly. Her father put the phone down and smiled.

"Those Khanna's are the only way I can keep you in check Mehek looked at the door and saw Karuna ma standing there. Her face was white.

TO BE CONTINUED...