Chapter 3

Here we go everyone, Chapter 29 and a bit of Diwali fluff. It dawned on me that the food festival actually goes on during Diwali so I figure what the heck, lets throw in a party. I have focused on the secondary pairing in the story a bit more in this chapter just so we can get our favorite Uncle's attention on his own business and off MehRya's so I hope you don't mind the inclusion. There's a method to my madness I assure you. Let me know what you all think... off to do some chores and then to start on the 2nd FF...yikes what have I done to myself

Kelly

Chapter #29

 

"So sorry."

Shaurya shook his head, dismissing the man who had brushed against him when the monorail turned a slight bend.

Mehek had chosen one hell of a time to make her declaration, he thought as he swayed with the movement of the overcrowded train. Although, to look at her now, it appeared that she may be second guessing having done so. Ironically it wasn't for the reason one would have expected; that being the chance of being overheard by their fellow passengers, but because of him, and the presumed indifference he was showing to her assertion of wanting them to be together. Inwardly he sighed. The daft woman, she should have figured out by now that she had nothing to worry about in this regard.

 

He had known the second he had stopped his car last night with the intention of making a U-turn and returning for her, that even if he had not quite forgiven her actions, then he had at least been on his way to understanding her reasons behind them. Which by every right he should have. If Mehek had been devastated enough to have left the country the same night after witnessing what she had, then it would be unrealistic to expect her to straight away believe him at face value. As he had sat in his parked vehicle, he put himself in her shoes for the first time, and imagined how he would have felt walking in on her giving herself to another man.  He could only suppose that because he was still simmering in the lust she had induced that it was easy to visualize her in the full throes of passion, but when his mind envisioned  her desire being shared with anyone else but him, he had frozen. He recalled how his grip on the steering wheel tightened, and the vile curses that escaped. He would never share her. And If the mere idea was enough to put him in a killing mood, how was she not expected to feel something similar? On the other hand, while he could understand her feelings; that didn't take away the pain she had caused him, by acting the way she had either.

 

The perverse side of him had wanted to punish her today, not only for hurting him the way she had last night, but primarily because despite his exasperation with her, he couldn't turn off this insane response to her. As soon as he saw her, he would feel his resolve slipping.  It was beyond a physical reaction, although it definitely had roots there in the carnal realm. She was a weakness he had yet to find a way or the will to overcome. At some point, in Mehek, he had identified a higher standard of women, and he never thought that she would ever use his weakness against him. However, she had, and the way that she had gone about seeking retribution, was something that still had him reeling. Ms. Mehek Sharma had shown herself to be decidedly human, and not the paragon he had built up in his mind. Did that lessen her in his eyes; perhaps initially, but one thing was for sure, right now he was far from letting this one incident stand between the two of them. Especially now, when her own thought process had her coming at last to the decision that favored his aspirations.

 

 He had the perfect excuse to lean into her when they reached their destination, and the crowd around them surged forward to exit. He placed his hand over hers to prevent her from letting go of the upright bar. "You have an extremely vicious streak in you, Mehek Sharma," her whispered to her.

Her eyes shot up to his, and when she was jostled by someone passing her Shaurya took his other hand and pulled her to him. "I believe that it was good I found this out early on in our relationship."
"Shaurya, forgive me...I'm so sorry."

He shook his head. "We will have much more to learn about each other before all is said and done... and we should. I envision for a number of reasons that the two of us being together will not as easy as either of us have imagined."

She stared at him hopefully and slowly nodded her agreement.

"And the stronger a foundation we have the better we will be able to face any obstacles thrown in our way."

"I can't imagine that any future challenge we face can be any worse than this first one, Shaurya."

"One not of any fault of our own, so let's not focus on it, or anything associated with it until we have to." he responded. "I think it's more appropriate to speak of your tendency to keep using the words that bind us together: Us...We...You do realize, Dost, that there is no going back now. I am committing everything you have said today to memory, and have every intention of keeping you to your word. I will be quite rigid in my thinking on the subject."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you," Shaurya, Mehek said seriously. "But unless we intend on taking another spin around the property, we probably should disembark."

He reached up and began toying with her hair, unmindful of the few passengers who were now boarding. "I don't know, Dost, I think I have become fond of where I am right now."

Mehek grabbed his distracting fingers, and coaxed him instead to follow her. "Aacha, but if we keep going in circles how will we be able to go forward and see what lies ahead for us? Chalo meri Dost, let me show you my new reality."

 

***********

 

"Talk to me Handsome. What can I do for you?"

 "Are you here at Epcot?"

"Ji, our kiosk is in sight, and surprise, surprise, so is my favorite uncle."

"Shit. I was hoping he would cut me a break today."

"Really, after last night? Not too smart on your part Handsome. Things are better today, I gather?"

"Decidedly, so I really do not need the interference."

"Aacha, let me see if I provide a bit of a distraction. You just make sure you treat my friend right, thik hai?"

 

Shaurya was about to thank Mel for her help, when suddenly, he heard her startled exclamation and what sounded like the young woman's phone clatter to the ground. Worried, he began calling out to her, getting no response other than the sound of her whimpering. Just as he was about to decide that he should head in her direction, a familiar testy voice echoed over the phone. Shaurya smiled. The young woman's improvisation skills were second to none. Just like that she had created just the diversion that would hopefully prevent Malik from intercepting him and Mehek today. He owed her big time for this.

 

"Good grief, can't you even manage to walk without getting into trouble?"

Mel looked up from where she had literally tripped over her own feet. The palms of her hands stung from sliding on the ground when she had thrown them out to avoid face-planting, and she was pretty sure one if not both of her knees were scraped. Both hurt terribly, but not as much as her pride. She had never felt more embarrassed in her life. "Go away Malik, I'm not in the mood right now."

 

To Malik's ears she sounded a little tearful, so he kept his next thoughts to himself. Before he thought better of it, he bent down and scooped her up into her arms.

 Automatically she put her arms around his neck, and waited. "Now what," she winced, when he just stood there.

Malik blinked, and came out his stupor, looking around and locating an empty bench. Carefully, he set her down, and left to locate the closest first aid kit.

"Wait," she called as he was walking away. He turned back her to see her pointing where she had fallen. "My phone...please."

Malik covered the distance to pick up the mobile. The line he saw was still open, and a male voice calling out for her. "Handsome the caller ID showed. The same ID he had noted last night when her phone had rung. He frowned. "She'll have to call you back, he said brusquely before disconnecting the call. He then went over to the Indian kiosk where Tanya had already retrieved the small first aid kit.

"Is she okay, do we need to call...

"Nothing serious, I will take care of her, Malik interrupted.

 

"You hung up my phone call."

Malik ignored Mel's complaint as her concentrated on cleaning the debris that had embedded in the young woman's knees. She had picked a fine day to be prancing around in the tiny denim shorts she had on today, he mused.

"You had no right..."

"Aacha? Well by my way of thinking, your caller had to have heard your mishap. If your wellbeing meant anything to your Mr. Handsome, he would have called back by now."

"Are you missing Mehek, Uncle? You seemed to be in the mood to scold someone...as per usual," she added under her breath.

"I wouldn't have minded seeing her, but actually it's you I was really looking out for today."

"Really, well that's a change. I don't know whether I should be nervous now or not."

*********

 

Two days later Melissa was even more nervous than she had purported to be, when Malik had disclosed what he needed of her.

 Silently, she paced in Mehek's suite, where the two of them had met to leave for the impromptu Diwali party that Malik's mother had put together, and they had been invited to.

"I know that my invite was only to assure that you and Shaurya would attend, but I'm so nervous Mehek. Suppose his mother hates me on sight?"

"Impossible," Mehek answered as leaned in closer to her mirror, peered under the bodice of her t-shirt. Even though she had used a dab of concealer, and her blouse this evening would have an illusion neckline providing additional coverage, she was very conscious of the love bite that remained days later. Shaurya had marked her well and good, however that wasn't something she need have the world know about. "How could Aunty hate someone who is sweet enough to volunteer to come early to help her preparations?"  

"That's you who did that, Mehek. She isn't even aware that I'm coming with you. She doesn't even know me."

"All the more reason that she will love you, a sweet stranger. Stop fretting, yaar."

 

She hadn't been the only one worrying that day. As soon as he had received word from his mother around lunchtime, that everything for the gathering was well hand, now that Mehek and her young friend had come home all Malik could think of was the outrageous mannerisms of the young woman in question. Lord only knew what she could be disclosing to his parent in his absence. By the time he had pulled into his garage at the end of the day, he figured it would just be best to face whatever fallout of Mel's unanticipated visit had in store. However, when he entered his house, to find his mother talking on the phone, the transformation of his home had any other thoughts, save for how it truly felt like Diwali now, completely fall off the radar. Mom had truly outdone herself. As he took in the luminescence of the festively lit great room, of which an exquisite lotus flower rangoli was the central focal point, his mother concluded her call and came to him. "Mom this...all of this is beautiful, thank you."

Indira saw that her son's focus remained on the colorful design on the floor and smiled. "When I told her that this was probably going to be the first Rangoli in your home, Melissa immediately volunteered to do it, which was a win-win situation. The poor thing is still limping a bit, so it was easier to let her stay in one spot and work. Plus, it saved my old bones from having to get down on the floor," she joked. "She did a wonderful job though." 

"Mel did this?"

"Haan Beta, and naturally I commandeered Mehek to help in the kitchen. I've sent them up to get ready now, which you probably should do as well." She looked the time, and smiled in the general direction of her son. "The guest should start arriving soon."

Malik nodded to agree. "I'll be ready in about fifteen minutes."

"Thika hai, Beta. And you are sure that Shaurya is coming?"

"Yes Maa, I'm certain of it," he called over his shoulder as he headed upstairs to freshen up.

"Okay. Good. Oh, and Beta, just one more thing. Why would you tell Melissa that she couldn't bring a date tonight, something due to guest number limitations, I'm sure she said, which makes no sense at all?"

Malik was grateful he had his back to his mother. He closed his eyes, not believing that had come up in conversation. He wasn't quite up to explaining the spur of the moment condition he had placed on the young woman at the last minute, not when he didn't quite understand his reasons either.  "Ma it's getting late," he muttered instead.

 

**********

**PING***

 

...Is it really necessary for me to explain to you the importance of spending some of Diwali with your loved ones, KK?

 

...Really Jaan, your first message after so long is to nag me? I need a bit more time. I will come as soon as possible.

 

... My mistake for thinking time with me may have taken priority this evening at least.

 

...Dost, I told you that I may be later than I thought.  These negotiations are important. Time is money sometimes I'm afraid.

 

...Aacha, and when you leave in a few days will it be the money or the time spent that you will miss more, Dost?

 

Mehek waited patiently for an answer. He had told her of the possibility of running a little over time, but not this much. Still, she hoped she hadn't come across as too demanding, but she was determined to begin as she meant to go, and show Shaurya the importance of balancing his work and personal life.

 

**PING**

 

...Wrapped up now, leaving in five minutes.

 

...We are adding manipulative to the list MS.

 

...If I am then I've learned from the best, Dost.

 

********

 

"Still no Shaurya, Beta?"

Mehek smiled at the older woman who had to come to stand beside her. "He has just concluded his meetings, so hopefully he will be here in about forty-five minutes."

"Good, it would be a shame for him to miss out on you looking so beautiful tonight Mehek. Any longer and I am afraid that I will be inclined to start introducing you to one or two of these eligible bachelors we have here." She indicated over to where Mel sat speaking to the son of one of Malik's neighbors, who had popped by. "I think though that Dev may consider himself off the market it Mel smiles at him one more time...he's a doctor, in the final year of his residency I understand... definitely a good catch."

"Hmm," Mehek voiced as she sought out her co-worker. She smirked when she located Malik. The man did not look happy at all as his glance slid in Mel's direction.

"It serves him right, making demands of her and then not following through on the true reason behind his edict," Indira Varma stated suddenly, making Mehek aware that she had been very swift in understanding far more than her son thought. The older woman waved across the room to someone, and then turned back to Mehek one last time. "I've got the clock running now in anticipation of Shaurya's arrival. Hopefully I won't have to take steps to get him to toe the line as well.," she said with a cheeky wink.

 

In record time Shaurya made it to the gated community and to the doorstep where he was expected. He rang the doorbell of the gaily lit home and smiled when his number one fan opened the door to welcome him in. "Happy Diwali, Aunty," he greeted her offering her the gourmet gift basket he had brought for her.

"Happy Diwali, Beta. Come in, you have made it just in time. Come along, I'm certain you will most welcome."

 

He moved through the foyer and into the lounge just in time to see Mehek refusing a young man's, some child's, request for a dance.

"Come on don't be dull, Mehek. You haven't danced all night."

"Perhaps the next one," Mehek offered, not wanting to be overly cruel to the young man.

"Or perhaps none of them... catch the hint already dude, she doesn't want to dance with you," Shaurya said as he sauntered over to Mehek's side and possessively put one arm around her waist. He stared the young man down until he left.

"That was rude Shaurya, and totally unwarranted."

He shrugged, and turned her around so that she was facing him "Add that to the list of my bad qualities. Mind you, I still think you are leading on the Con list Mehek Sharma."

"Aacha?"

"Ji...it's a good thing I have I've developed a penchant for bad girls, don't you think?" He held her away from him and looked his fill at her. She looked stunning in the warm yellow lehengha. "You look beautiful tonight Mehek. This dress is perfect for you. Maybe you should have saved it for the gala in a few days-time, instead of tonight." He fell silent when speaking of the upcoming event had brought to mind that he would be leaving the country the next day. Mehek seemed to understand this and stepped closer to him and hugged him tightly.

"I've actually got something really special to wear that night Shaurya. I really think you will like it. But let's focus on tonight for now." Brazenly she went up on her toes and brush her lips against his cheek. "Happy Diwali, Dost."

Chapter 30

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2017-10-29 20:23:14