Chapter 14

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Benaam Rishta
Chapter 13 A

It was morning and Shaurya was still at sharma's waiting for Mehek. But Mehek never came back. The sharma's were worried sick for Her. They tried her cell phone till morning but she never picked it up. "Shaurya,we should file a missing report on Mehek." Said Chachi worriedly. "Nai chachi...she needs some time alone and space to heal...let's hope she remembers her past 8 months spent with me and forgives me for my past sins." Said Shaurya. "Meri laddo mujhey bina bataay kayse chaligayee?" PD had tears in her eyes. "Don't worry PD! Main laaunga usey! Yeh mera wada hai aap Sab se!" Shaurya gave them hope. Jeevan chacha patted him on his back. "Jaa puttar ghar jaa kar araam karle ...Raat bhar yahi tha soya bhi nai...Vicky puttar le jaa apne bhai ko." Reluctantly Shaurya and Vicky left from there. Sharma's sat in the hall sadly. No one was in a mood to talk. "Cheer up guys! Jeej ne kaha hai na he'll find Di? Aur jeej joh bolta hai woh karta hai! Remember last time how he found Di? He'll do exactly the same this time too!" Said Nehal.

In khanna mansion,Shaurya confronted swetlana. "Instead of fuming at me Shaurya you should be thankful that because of me that middle class got her memory back! Shouted swetlana. "Next time you call her middle class I'll throw you out of this house!" Shaurya warned her and left towards his room. "Whatever!" Making a face she also left from there. Shaurya entered his room to find karuna ma looking at meheks shopping bags which Shaurya brought from Chandigarh. "Mom!" She turned towards him with tears in her eyes. "Mehek kaha hai beta?" Shaurya ran and hugged her. "Don't worry I'll find her ma...iss baar main usey aap ki bahu bana kar iss ghar mein laaunga." He assured her. "Sachii?" Karuna ma's face lit up in excitement. "Muchii!" Both laughed and Shaurya wiped her tears. Karuna ma caressed his cheeks. "Go freshen up I'll send breakfast to your room." Shaurya held her hand. "No mom I'm not hungry I just need to sleep." Said Shaurya. "Tu theek hai na shaury?" Shaurya forced a smile. "I'm ok ma." Karuna also faked a smile and left from there. She knew very well her son was in pain. As soon as karuna left,Shaurya closed the door and looked at the shopping bags. How happy Mehek was when she made him carry all her shopping bags around town. "This is one of the jobs you'll be doing after I become your wedded wife so get use to it." Meheks voice still rang in his ears. Suppressing his tears he placed all her bags in his closet. He was putting away the last bag when his eyes fell on the shirt inside that bag. His heart ached when he took that shirt out. It was an Adidas shirt and a cap. She had bought that for him. "Tum jab ghar aaoge na mera haath maangne toh yahi pahen kar aana." She had told him. "No way Mehek! This is sportswear! I can't come in this asking for your hand in marriage!" Shaurya had said. "Why not? Please Shaurya mana mat karo." Mehek had made a sad face. "Accha theek hai Abh aloo jaysa shakal mat banao I'll wear this!" Shaurya had teased her. "Haww! My face looks like a aloo to you! Abhi batathi Hun ruko!" Mehek had chased him inside a shop. "Hey you two! This is not your bedroom! This is my shop! Bahaar niklo abhi ke abhi !" The shop owner had chased them back out. Once outside,huffing Badly Mehek had looked at him and both burst out laughing. Back in his room Shaurya was laughing and softly shedding tears holding the t-shirt and the cap in his hand. "Where ever you are Mehek,I'll find you babe!" And this is the very shirt and cap I'll be wearing when I come to see you." He put the clothes away in the closet and left towards the washroom to freshen up.

Months went by without any news on Mehek and her whereabouts. The hollowness in Shaurya's chest grew with each passing day, the tense yearning, the loneliness he braces against every morning until he can immerse himself in work and forget. At night he drinks in her memory of love they once shared.

"Bhai,you can reach her through newspaper,post her a message and wherever she is she will definitely read it." Vicky said one morning. "I was thinking the same Vicky,I have given her enough time and space...it's about time we did something and brought her home!" Within minutes Shaurya was on the phone with various newspaper editors all over India. Hanging up he sighed. "Tomorrow's paper will carry my message to the love of my life,wherever she is!." A smile crept on his lips. Vicky was happy to see his bhai smiling after so many months.

Next day in Jaipur,Mehek was in the kitchen of a luxurious palace surrounded by flower gardens and greeneries. Chopping veggies she was lost in her thought. It has been months since she left Shaurya and came to live in that palace amongst one of the richest families in Jaipur who loved her like their own daughter. Few months earlier she had ran into Neeta who told her about her past 8 months with Shaurya and also referred her for treatments which gradually helped her to recall her past 8 months. She had requested Neeta not to tell Shaurya or anyone about her whereabouts. Neeta agreed after several attempts from Mehek. Mehek knows shaurya loves her with his heart but her heart wasn't allowing her to trust him again. Recalling the moments spent with him in the farm house brought tears to her eyes. "I wish you move on and forget me Shaurya...Bhagwan tumey aysi ladki de joh tumey mujh se bhi zyada pyaar de sake." She prayed in her heart. Just then one of the servant name Manju came running in the kitchen with a newspaper. "Mehek Di look at this!" Huffing badly she handed the newspaper to Mehek. Mehek read the message written by Shaurya. "Mehek,Its been months since you left but I'm still screaming your name into the empty air and into the empty sky but there's no answer. Where are you Mehek? I feel so incomplete as you are not beside me. Please forgive me and come home,no matter what has happened. No matter what I have done. No matter what you will do. I will always love you. I swear it!" Yours Shaurya. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she finished reading. "wherever I was,whatever happened, I have always thought about you Shaurya,and the time we spent together, was my happiest time. I'd do it all over again, if I had the choice...I'm sorry Shaurya I can't come home even though I want to." She sobbed hugging the paper to her chest. "Di,he's your Shaurya na?" Asked manju. "Han...he's my Shaurya ...Lekin humare rishtey ka koi naam nai..Benaam Rishta hai humara." Said Mehek. Unable to control her tears she ran towards her room which was situated at the far end of the haveli. "Mehek beta!" She came to a halt when that voice reached her ears,quickly wiping off her tears she turned. In front of her stood the lady of the house Mrs vandana Purohit and her husband Mr Ravi purohit. These two were her life savers. After running away from Shaurya,Mehek had found a job in a factory. Few weeks later that building collapsed leaving so many dead and injured. Mehek was among the injured,Purohit family found her buried under the debris. They managed to pull her out and take her to a hospital. With their love and care Mehek had survived. Mehek couldn't refuse when they brought her to their haveli and gave her a place to live. She cooked for whole family in that haveli during the day and they paid her really good. She had saved up and opened a night cooking school where she taught people how to cook. In no time everyone in that haveli including daadi and daddu fell in love with her. One day,Rahul the only son of Mr and Mrs Purohit arrived from London after successfully establishing a business there. When he met Mehek he fell in love with her at first sight. Who wouldn't? Mehek thi itni pyaari. He told his family about it and his mom asked Maheks hand for her son. As Mehek had planned not to go back to shaurya,she asked for some time to think. And they happily gave her time. She was still thinking and couldn't come to a conclusion because Shaurya was still ruling her heart mind and soul. "Mehek beta kaha khogayee?" Vandana snapped her fingers in front of her eyes. "Kahi nai Aunty ..aap batao Kuch Kaam tha?" Said Mehek. "Kitni baar kaha hai Aunty nai beta,ma Kaho mujhey." Said vandana while caressing her head lovingly. Meheks eyes filled up,the only person she called ma was karuna ma. Suppressing her tears,she just nodded her head. Vandana smiled and continued. "My friend and her family is coming from Delhi in few days to visit us,her son and Rahul are childhood friends and also went to college together when we were living in Delhi...toh main chahti hun unka khaane se lekar rahne tak ka intazam tum karo...take manju's help or hire more servants if you need to, theek hai?" "Don't worry main Sab sambhal lungi." Mehek gave them assurance.

At around 11 pm in Delhi,Shaurya was sitting by the pool and drinking to ease his pain. Karuna ma came looking for him. "Shaurya tu yahan hai main kab se tumey dhoond rahi Hun! Aur yeh Kya you are drinking again?" Karuna took the bottle from him. "Bhai,you'll die if you drink this much." Vicky said while helping him get up. "If drinking doesn't kill me then her memory will!" He said with tears streaming down his cheeks. Karuna ma cried listening to what he said. "Vicky,Mehek ka koi message?" He asked as they slowly brought him inside to his room. Sadly,Vicky nodded in no. His countenance fell. Vicky tucked him Nicely in bed. "Get some sleep bhai,tomorrow we have to leave early." "Leave matlab? Am I forgetting something?" He asked. "Didn't I tell you we are leaving for Jaipur tomorrow?" Asked Karuna while sorting out his clothes to pack. Karuna ma and Vicky were still blabbering when Shaurya dozed off hugging Meheks photo to his chest.

Next morning Karuna ma and Vicky were all ready and waiting by the car for shaurya to come out. Inside his room,Shaurya felt like wearing the shirt and cap Mehek brought for him in chandigarh. "Who knows I may meet you tonight!" A sheepish smile crept on his lips. Grabbing his luggage he came out of the house. In no time they were on the road to Jaipur. It was around dinner time when they reached Purohit's haveli. Ravi and vandana greeted them. "Hey buddy!" Rahul hugged Shaurya,his childhood friend. "Hey dude! What's up?" Shaurya also hugged him back. "Nothing much yaar...hey Vicky!" Rahul shook Vicky's hand. "Raat bhar wahi rahogey ya andar bhi aaogey?" Rahul's daadi yelled from inside. Everyone went inside. "Bhai,what a beautiful palace! Feel like staying here for the rest of my life!" Whispered Vicky. "Han toh ruk jaa na! Woh dekho woh Kaam waali bai." Shaurya signalled towards manju who was standing and shying away looking at Vicky. "Marry her and become naukar with a apron hanging on your neck,produce half dozen kids and stay here happily." Shaurya teased him. Vicky's eyes widened and mouth turned into a big O. Shaurya laughed. Vicky wanted to say something when daadi and dada ji called them. They went and took their blessings. Vandana and karuna got busy with their chit chat while the guys talked about their business.

Half an hour later,dinner was served. They cracked jokes and laughed over dinner. "Karuna,Abh tum Sab shaadi ke baad hii Jana." Ordered vandana. "Shaadi? Par kis ki?". "Rahul ki." Answered Ravi. "What? How come you never told me?" Complained Shaurya. "Yaar main kayse batatha...ladki ko wakt chahiye sochne mein..it's been months and she's still deciding." Said Rahul. "Give me her contact Info i'll have a word with her." Said Shaurya. "No need for contact info beta,she lives right here in this haveli." Vandana told them. "Bingo! Job made easier! Where is she? milwa doh mujh se." Said Shaurya. "Bro she's not home,She runs a cooking school and usually she teaches at night...it will be late by the time she comes home,how about if i do the intro tomorrow.?" Said Rahul. Little did Shaurya know the girl whom Rahul was talking about is no other then his Mehek whom he has been searching for months. Finally dinner came to an end. Rahul showed them their rooms while the servants brought their luggage inside. When Rahul and Vicky left,Shaurya sat down on his bed. Meheks thoughts were resonating in his mind and made all his desire and need for her reappear in his anguished soul. He grabbed his drinks and found his way to the terrace. Cool breeze was blowing gently. The sky was clear with moon and stars shining its light. Under the moonlight he started thinking about her,The moments they have shared since she returned home after her memory loss. Lost in her thoughts He began to drink.

Meanwhile,Mehek reached haveli. "Hey Bhagwan I'm so late! Visitors bhi aa chuke honge...Sab ne Kya socha hoga mere baarey mein ...vandana Aunty gave me a job to do par woh bhi nai huwa mujhse!" Feeling bad,Mehek made her way upstairs to her room. Haveli was dark with few lamps here and there. It was so quite and calm inside. "Thank God all are sleeping." Said Mehek. She freshened up and changed into her nightwear. Before crawling in bed she realized she had left mango slices on terrace to dry for pickles. Rushing to the kitchen,she grabbed a plastic bucket and hurried to the terrace. As she neared the terrace,her heart beat rose. "Gees What is happening to me?" She stopped on the stairs to normalize her breathing. Karuna ma who came out of her room to fetch some water,saw a figure moving on the stairs that led to the terrace. "Who can that be at this hour?" She thought. Mehek reached the terrace,without looking around her she got busy gathering the dry mangoes. Shaurya who was lost in his thoughts,heard noises. Gulping down the rest of his beer,he turned to find a girl at the far end of the terrace,doing something with her back facing him. He took few gentle steps towards her to get a clear vision of her. Her dupatta slipped off her shoulder and he could see her half bare back. The night caressed her smooth skin and the wind carelessly tossed her hair on her shoulder. A wash of gentle moonlight on her,her hair glittered. "Who is she?" Thought Shaurya. Suddenly the wind blew,a familiar scent filled his nostrils. His heart beat rose fiercely as her scent swamped him, a delicious hint of jasmine and magnolia that rose to his nostrils and made him go dizzy. Nervous excitement ran in his tummy. "Mehek!" Hearing her name she quickly got up and turned. Her jaw dropped opened and she couldn't believe her eyes! "Sha..Shaurya!" A tearful voice came from inside her. Shaurya neared her and she blinked twice to make sure it was him she was really seeing. "You are not hallucinating it is really him!" Her inner being told her. Her stomach rolled as He came and stood in front of her in the shirt and hat she gifted him. Tears welled up in her eyes and she wanted to throw herself in his arms and cry but she couldn't. In that full moon night,he looked upon her as if he was seeing her for the first time. Both had tears in their eyes and they stood like a statue for minutes just staring at each other. Their hearts lost it's rhythm and they could not speak. Time slowed to a crawl when in between tears she saw his lips curl into warm gentle smile. Her dupatta flew with the wind and landed on the floor then the Bucket full of mango slices fell from her hand but Shaurya caught it on time and left it on the floor. "Tu Tum yaha kayse?" She managed to find her voice, but the words came out a bit slurred. Without a word he picked her dupatta up from the floor and covered her chest and shoulders. "I told you I'll find you!" He dried her tears with his thumb. His touch sent shivers down her spine. "And look I found you!" He tried to smile through tears. "Mehek..." He cupped her cheeks gently and she forgot everything! Standing on her toes she wiped his tears with her dupatta. Shaurya gently blew his breath on the hair strands that were caressing her cheeks. His hot breath was giving her goose flesh from head to toe. Suddenly she realized what she was doing and what he was doing. She turned around,her back facing him. "You can't be here Shaurya! You have to go! We can't be together!" Shaurya tried to stop her. "Please Mehek listen to me!" She didn't stop and was leaving when her eyes fell on Karuna ma standing by the terrace stairs. "Ma!" Karuna ma smiled and opened her arms for her. With tears and a smile,she ran in her arms. Karuna ma caressed her head and back lovingly. "Kayse ho mere bacchey?" Shaurya came and stood by them. Before anyone could speak,Rahul entered the terrace. Mehek quickly broke the hug. "Everyone's here! That's great!" Said Rahul. He went and stood beside Mehek. "Shaurya,this is my fianc Mehek,and Mehek,meet my best friend Shaurya and his mom Karuna Aunty !" Karuna and Shaurya's jaw dropped open! Everything was clear now. It was Mehek whom Rahul was talking at the dinner table. Mehek gave Shaurya a pained look and left from there. "Sharma gayee shayad!" Laughed Rahul. "Anyway I'm going too,aap dono bhi aajaao." Saying that,Rahul left. "Ma,tell me this is not happening!" Karuna comforted Shaurya. "Shaanth ho jaao bacche...looks like we are in for a long haul..." said Karuna ma. "I won't let this marriage take place at any cost.!" Raging with anger he punched the steel post. Blood gushed out from his fingers.

Chapter 13 B on the way
Precap: MehRya encounters in the haveli. Jealousy track with loads of romance in woods,attic,washroom just to name a few. Stay tuned and new members start reading if you are romance lovers. Silent readers I'm still katti with you! Don't forget to hit the like button and drop me a comment. Love to all my readers,keep smiling and stay blessed.