MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 8

Chapter#2

Shaurya had shaken the talk-show's producer's hand; thanking him for the confirmation of the details he had suspected. When the man was out of sight, he let his feelings on the matter show. He was more than disgusted with himself over the fact that he had gotten all worked up for nothing. Really, what more should he have expected from someone like her? "No ethics: work or otherwise," he muttered to himself. Of course, Mehek Sharma would be the sort to renege on appearing on the talk-show at the last minute, despite making an earlier promise to attend - typical middle-class behavior he thought. He saw, now as they prepared to depart, that he had Rajiv Bhai's full attention. "She's an ingrate: after today, at least admit that Bhai," Shaurya complained, wishing that on learning of her actions, that at last Rajiv would finally see through the self-serving female, on whose behalf he had always foolishly advocated.

While disappointed at the unavailability of their champion, and his suspected love-interest, "As if she would ever be so lucky," Shaurya had grumbled under his breath, Chef Ashmit's introduction and animated arrival had still brought the audience to their feet. The cook immediately launched into an over-the-top recitation of how lucky he was to be alive, as he truly thought Shaurya Sir was trying to kill him by making him handle and cook mushrooms. The deathly allergy he had to the fungi was well documented, and with his hands flourishing as he spoke of his abject terror during that task. His spirited antics were well received, as where the other comical anecdotes he shared of his time on the cooking show. While not the ultimate fan favorite, Ashmit and his effervescent personality had gone some way to make up for the absence of the season winner. Ashmit had played up to the crowd, basking in the attention he received, and ever the consummate strategist, Shaurya had made the point of bantering back and forth with the cook who had proven another fan favorite; anything to get the inquisitive crowd's minds off Miss Mehek Sharma.

Now in the studio's parking lot, out of the corner of his eye, Shaurya saw Rajiv making to leave without addressing what needed to be. "Aacha Bhai: Are you heading somewhere important?"

"Nahi, Shaurya: just leaving," Rajiv answered coolly.

"I don't think so," Shaurya countered approaching the other man. "So be it, if you refuse to acknowledge that your golden girl is in fact made from brass, but don't you think that at least you should explain what kept you from making the prearranged time?"

A slight smile came to his face, the man reflected on his rush back from the airport after seeing the special young lady on her way towards the new and exciting phase of her life. He was not ashamed to admit that he, as had most of her family, shed a tear or two when Mehek had turned and wistfully waved goodbye to all of them as she prepared to go through security. Never, in Rajiv's view, was there a more deserving woman. And not solely due to her talents, he thought as he studied his friend. Shaurya's churlish behavior towards Mehek from the moment he had met the young woman, had been barely tolerable. Rajiv for one was glad that the young chef had been given the opportunity to put distance between her and the man who had, in his ill-treatment of the young woman, had revealed a side of him that had frankly sickened him. It had been obsessive, reckless, and totally undeserved, and unfortunately, it looked that Shaurya was quite ready and willing to continue his torment of the woman, even though his association with the young chef was for all intents and purposes, now over and done.

Shaking his head, a rueful Rajiv, patted Shaurya on the shoulder. As much as he respected him, his friend without a doubt needed to learn a few life lessons. Hopefully something soon would happen to make him understand, how so very wrong his conduct had been and stop this inexplicable descent into madness and change the astute businessman for the better. Otherwise...

His train of thought was interrupted by the curt question reaching him.

"Well: your explanation, do you wish to share?" Shaurya insisted when Rajiv maintained his silence.

Rajiv shook his head, not so much in denial, but because he knew that most of the venom behind the question still had more to do with Mehek, than not. "Nahi Shaurya, I'd rather not."

The younger man rolled his eyes, frustrated over the fact that whenever the subject turned to his precious protege, that Bhai's attitude turned curt, and that interfered in their successive dealings with each other. Reaching for his mobile, Shaurya shook his head in disgust. "Whatever. Well before you go, perhaps we should go over tomorrow's schedule just to make sure our appointment suit your comings and..."

Her message. How could he have forgotten?

It had slipped his mind that he had left the app open, so in swiping his finger across his cell's screen, Shaurya had immediately accessed the message that had been sent, instead of the scheduler he had intended on checking. The photo taken out of the jumbo jet's window had been captioned.

KK, I'm on my way soon: Is it crazy to be missing home and everyone even before I've even left the ground? These last few days chatting have meant so much...I couldn't bear if you disappeared again ... so let's make a deal that we won't let life get in the way of our friendship again. Just don't forget me, okay?

Forget her: was she crazy, Shaurya thought, as he found himself reading her words for a second time. Nahi, not crazy, just anxious it seemed, judging by semi-rambling text. He couldn't stop himself from responding: a practical missive, uncaring that it would be at least fourteen hours before she would be able to access it. He had promised to support her, and he had meant to, and so he kept typing ignorant to the fact that he had left his conversation with Rajiv hanging in the air.

Rajiv understood straight away that something had happened. Nothing bad, but something that deeply affected his friend. The expression Shaurya now wore, as he focused on responding to some message, one that plainly he believed more important than tomorrow's schedule was akin to the one reserved for his mother and yet not. On numerous occasions, Rajiv had been thankful for Auntie's calming presence that managed kept Shaurya on an even keel. Until today, as far as he was aware, only Shaurya's mother had the ability to cut through, and bring forth the gentleness that lay deep beneath the abrasive veneer that her son wore like armor. However, some instinct told Rajiv that it wasn't his mother's communication this time around. And for that he felt encouraged. To know there was another capable of doing the same- well that was wonderful. Often, Rajiv had contemplated the completely heartless being Shaurya would dissolve into without Karuna Khanna's influence. This calmness; the peace brought on by merely interacting with her was incredible, and always gave Rajiv hope that one day Shaurya would perhaps work through his demons one day. And now, it seemed that someone else had come along who could, if not take up the mantle, and then possibly supplement the love he received from his mother.

"Send Aunty my regards, while you are at it." Rajiv uttered, just to note Shaurya's reaction.

Not even bothering to stop what he was doing, Shaurya answered "Nahi, it's not Mom, it's..." He stopped typing and, his attention brought back to present company, he self-consciously looked to his friend. "It's..."

Rajiv cocked his head to the side, "Aacha... Someone special perhaps?" Rajiv finished for Shaurya.

Shaurya let out a deep breath and nodded. "Haan; she is very special," he confessed. "Bhai, look I'm sorry for..."

"Seems it's been a while," Rajiv interrupted, purposively recalling the singular time Shaurya had expressed a similar sentiment: interestingly enough also while attending an online conversation with someone he had classified as special'.

Reminiscing how he and MS had used the past couple of days just reconnecting, Shaurya couldn't help but agree. It had been too long between their chats, and it pained him now to know that he had denied himself their unique comradery: but no more. "Ji it has, but I'm determined that won't be a problem again. I can't afford to again. I don't..."

Rajiv arched his eyebrows at this unadorned display of emotion. "I see. Well in that case, perhaps we should leave going over our schedule for tomorrow until later," he suggested, giving Shaurya the out he was seeking. Not unaware of the apology he had arrested moments before, when amazingly, it seemed that the younger man had become cognizant of how belligerently he had behaved moments ago, Rajiv was more than willing to forgo it, under these extraordinary circumstances.

"Haan, that will be fine."

It was clear the younger man wished to get back to his message, so Rajiv bade him goodbye, incredulous that his theory had proven true and there was indeed another with the ability to temper Shaurya's inner demons. Shaurya's mystery woman couldn't have returned at a better time, Rajiv thought, as he glanced back at the man whose attentions were again fixedly on his cellphone. His driver, Rajiv noted had to call out to the twice, before the man even realized that his car had come for him. Incredible. Whoever she was, she was special indeed: magical even. And unmistakably Shaurya Khanna needed of someone like her more than ever now. Perhaps, she would even be the one to teach him what he needed to learn. And if that was to be case, then in Rajiv's opinion, she was most welcome into their circle.

Rajiv grinned as he headed towards to his own vehicle. Today, it seemed was to be a new start for Shaurya as well. He just hoped the man heeded the opportunity he had been granted.

*********

"Enjoy your stay in the United States," the official said as he stamped her passport, and handed it back to Mehek.

"Thank you," she answered and followed the other international arrivals out of Immigration area.

Waiting just outside, Rachna stood with her two youngest children, Aryia and Piyush. "Not too painful, right Mehek? There are restrooms not too far. I figured you would...

"Ji," Mehek answered. She looked around for Kabir and Sanjay, the couple's eldest son.

"KT decided to go ahead. He and Sanjay will start rounding up the luggage," Rachna explained.

It made sense, so Mehek offered her new friend a hand with the bags she had and they headed on to take care of theirs and the youngest children's pressing needs. Before long Mehek found herself staring out of the window of the car hired to take them to their Midtown Manhattan hotel.

Noticing that in between the few photos she had taken, that the young chef and was basically fidgeting with her mobile, Rachna smiled, and leaned over to her. "I would leave it on airplane on mode, just until we get to the hotel; you know to avoid those crazy data charges. You will be able to connect the Wi-Fi there, and chat to your heart's content: to let your family or perhaps a friend or two know that you have arrived safely. If that was your intent I mean," Rachna added cheekily.

Mehek's face felt as if it was on fire; had her thoughts been so easily read?

Fortunately Kabir came to her rescue, when he gently reprimanded his wife. "Aacha Beautiful, you have been taking too many lessons from Naomi. Enough with teasing Mehek." He smiled in the direction of the young chef, who welcomed the reprieve. "Barring my wife's nonsense, I do hope you enjoy your time in New York with us Mehek. You will find it an amazing city."

"Haan," Rachna added, "Plus you will have the added benefit time to adjust to the new time zone. Ideally, by the time you head down to Orlando, you will be over the worst of any jet lag."

Three whole days in this incredible place, had been an unexpected bonus of travelling with the Tripathi family, who had wholeheartedly taken her under their wing, to the point of settling her in the most mind-blowing hotel room she had ever seen. Frankly she would have accepted a cot in the children's room in the suite the family had procured for themselves, but they had insisted that she needed her own space.

"Somehow, you've only been privy to the best of their behavior, "Kabir had insisted as they had seen her to her room across from theirs. "Trust me, in another day you will be more than grateful for the separation."

So now she was here, with a steady Wi-Fi connection and explicit instructions to try stay awake for a while longer, so that she could acclimate to the time zone changes faster. It was six in the evening here, which unfortunately meant that with the time differences that aside from Chachi, who she knew would not rest until she checked in; that most likely no-one else would be up to receive her message.

***********

Shaurya tossed in his bed, throwing the coverlet off himself. He was certifiably mad after this. He was not invincible in that he could go without any rest. He closed his eyes tighter: refusing to check either the time or the possibility of MS being online. No...he wouldn't do it...not again. He needed to get some rest; even if it be an hour or two. But dammit, where the hell was she? He knew her flight had landed on time, and figured that between getting through Immigration and then getting to her hotel would have eaten up another couple of hours, but surely she should have settled in. He hated uncertainty, and now, at this ungodly hour, he was swimming in the thick of it. For one, he had no idea where she was staying, only that she would be accompanying a family who had made all of the arrangements. And God only knew who or what type of people her travelling companions were. What the hell were her own relatives thinking in agreeing to this arrangement: for her to travel with complete strangers, anyway? He sat up on that thought, freaked out in his contemplation of what type of people MS could have journeyed with to America. "Get a grip Shaurya Khanna," he mumbled. The lack of sleep was clearly affecting him. But it hadn't stopped his brain from working; already his mind was already wandering through his contacts in the States that he could call on should it become necessary. He grabbed his mobile, but before he could go any further, he raised the phone to his head with a cry of frustration. "Perfect: just bloody perfect," he groaned, wondering, even if all lined up and he could set someone on the case to find her, who exactly would he tell them to look for? Just as his identity was an alias, so was hers. Finding who she really was would definitely have to move up his list of priorities, but...

Please tell me you're not still online?

KK?

Oh good, you're not.

Relief washed over him.

I mean, I really hope you are resting, and won't see this for another couple of hours. My family has kept me on with them for what seemed like forever. Every last one of them, even Daadi had stayed up waiting to hear from me. Considering I've already kept an entire household awake, I was really hoping that I wasn't responsible for you not getting any sleep too. Anyway I've arrived, and have checked in to the hotel now. Feeling a little loopy from the time change, but hopefully that will get better soon.

She was typing something else, but rather than acknowledging the first messages, Shaurya, just smiled, and allowed himself to finally get back into a relaxed state. She was okay; that's all that mattered, not that he engaged in conversation with her. There would be plenty of time for that. He would see to it.

Finally what looked to be her final message came through.

KK...Dost. Your message meant everything to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to send it when you did. Yes, you were right. I was panicking at the time, but nahi, I didn't spend the entire flight stressed. I had enough to distract me, and yes I managed to rest as well. The family I'm travelling with is really very nice, and have the sweetest kids, so helping them with the youngest two has kept my mind occupied. Anyway I just wanted to check in and wish you Good Morning KK, since that's when I expect you will be reading this. I can't wait to chat again when you are actually online. Until then, have the best of days, and thank you so much for contacting me. Every girl should be as blessed to have such a caring friend as you. TTL, MS.

Chapter3