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

Chapter #3

Her hosts were obviously taking very good care of her; so much so that in the first two days, Shaurya barely heard a peep from his MS. That there was a steady stream of photos and videos being posted to her Facebook page; tagging him in practically all of them, let him know that at least he hadn't been forsaken, but he had to admit that despite the novelty of experiencing the Big Apple through the eyes of an impressionable first-time visitor, their lack of direct communications had been a bit disheartening. The time difference between them had been the greatest obstacle, lending him only the option of responding to her posts when he was able, and looking forward to hours later when he could access any response she would send. It seemed they were destined to pass by like two ships in the night: neither online when the other was.

Like now, he thought, as he pulled up one of the latest images she had posted.

She was as much of a foodie as he, Shaurya thought as he clicked like on the picture of the stylized plate, her incredible dinner she had said, that obviously met her approval. Setting his phone down, he picked up the cup of coffee the servant had just poured, savoring the exquisiteness of the flavored brew.

...We need to make a decision, now that we are down to our last 24 hours, don't you agree? The thing is I'm not really into quickies, so mornings are really a no go on my end, but then again you may not feel the same. Personally I would prefer the luxury of an all-night session before that. Your thoughts KK?

Shaurya had perked up when his phone pinged an incoming message and then almost spit his coffee out when he read it. She wasn't into quickies, preferring all nigh... Good lord, did she even realize the connotations of what she had typed?

...Has New York changed you that much MS?

Sitting cross-legged on her bed, already in her night clothes, Mehek frowned in her confusion after reading his message. What was he on about?

...It's just with the time difference Rachna suggested that it may be best for us to agree on a chat time that will work for both of us. I'm not certain what that has to with my time here in New York, but my personal preference would to talk at the end of the day, which would be mornings for you...I wouldn't feel as rushed I think, but that may not work for you.

Their chats; of course, Shaurya thought, disbelieving that his mind could sink into the gutter just like that. She was certainly wasn't that type of girl, and Shaurya chided himself for allowing his thoughts to stray in that direction. Perhaps a different type of female might have no reservations in sending such a suggestive message to a man, but definitely not his MS. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his Bhabhi entering, and scoffed. Speak of the devil and she shall appear' he thought, of the woman of debauched character.

He ignored Shruti as she took a seat opposite his, retuning back to his mobile, when it sounded again.

...Maybe I'm asking for too much?

Shaurya smiled and began typing.

...Never think so. We will definitely sort things out before you head down to Fl. Like you said the time difference has been a challenge. And...I have a bit of a confession...

...Bolo KK...don't keep me in suspense.

...Well as much as I can tell your companions are showing you the best of the city, I admit to being the slightest bit envious of the time they get to spend with you, while I am relegated to observing from afar.

...Aacha, and here I thought I was doing a good job of sharing it with you. In fact, I hoped you would have guessed that the reason that I was posting so much was because I wanted you to feel as if you were experiencing it all with me; especially since we haven't been able to connect before now.

Mehek bit her lip, wondering if between the convoluted text she had sent, that KK would understand that despite the terrific time she had had these past two days, that somehow, she in fact missed him and their chats too.

Had she been able to see his expression, she would have no qualms in that regard. Certainly none of his breakfast companions doubted his rapt attention to the person he was communicating with.

...Anyway, you needn't feel left out; two days from now it will just be the two of us...once we sort out the time we should chat that is...

...Absolutely, I can't think of anything more pressing right now MS.

Across from him Shruti stared intently at her obsession. She wasn't liking one bit what she was seeing. He was completely enthralled by his messaging session. And to make matters worse, she was damn sure it wasn't business related. "Wheeling and Dealing so early in the morning, Shaurya," she asked snidely.

Shaurya raised his head, and stared the faithless woman directly in the face.

"Oh, you would never understand how important these particular negotiations are, Bhabhi dear," Shaurya taunted back.

*********

The very last place Mehek expected to find herself on her final day in New York was in a high fashion studio, getting fitted for what had to be one of the most beautiful lehengas she had ever seen.

Considering that she was in the company of not one, but two renowned designers, perhaps she should have considered how they would have interpreted her desire to find something a bit more special for the gala that would be held at the food festival in a few weeks. Although neither husband or wife had seen anything lacking with what she had brought for the event, they happily agreed to give her a hand in securing another option just in case. "One could never have enough special occasion outfits," Rachna had suggested. However, when Mehek inexplicably vehemently vetoed Kabir's idea that a little black dress, would both work for any occasion, and also be easily sourced, Rachna had interceded and had suggested instead that her husband contact his US business partner to see if he could assist. Above Mehek's protestations, the couple had totally rearranged their schedule to accommodate her.

It had been unbelievable to be honest; not to mention a little bit disconcerting, to have such preferential treatment seeing as she wasn't exactly model material to even consider wearing the high fashion designs that had been presented to her as possibilities.

Tending to her children, who were clearly welcome in the studio, Rachna took note of the uncertainty on Mehek's face. After asking one of the assistants to keep an eye on her daughter who was busy drawing at one of the drafting tables, Rachna hoisted her youngest on her hip and then approached the young chef. "It really is quite beautiful Mehek; the color is lovely on you, and it will be perfect for the location..."

The young chef shook her head in agreement.

"Then you are content; and absolutely certain that you wouldn't prefer for us to find a boutique and get something off the rack?"

"Nahi, I love it Rachna, it's just...well," she took the opportunity to direct Rachna's attention to a nearby image that hung prominently in the studio. "I will never look like her; she looks as if she should be wearing something as beautiful as this, while I will feel like a total fraud, and that's providing that they can even alter it to fit without totally ruining the design."

Rachna rotated to look at the poster-sized print Mehek spoke of, and then turned back with a smile. "Haan she has the ability to look perfect in just about everything she wears," Rachna agreed. "Her petiteness was a blessing when she was modelling, but she forever bemoaned the fact that her height always worked against her. In fact, the heels she wore for that shoot are the only reason Naomi reached the height she does next to her husband in that photo."

Mehek studied the image of the foreign, green-eyed woman posing with the tall Hindu man: they made a stunning couple. "Your friend, and her husband are both models" she asked feeling daunted by this fact for some reason.

"Kabir's own discovery," Rachna answered, "But before any of the fame that came with that she was my best friend from university: sweet girl who hated how tiny she was. And he, Rajeev, was a model just for that day: for her. However, I only brought it up only to say that there is no such thing as a perfect body. Everybody has something they wish to be different. We just each have to embrace what God has given us. So, you're not model-thin, and what? Please don't have qualms about what may need to be done. In all honesty I doubt that it will mean little more than releasing a seam or two, but you shouldn't let that make you think any less of yourself."

She had been absolutely right, Mehek thought when Rachna had delivered the garment bag containing the freshly tailored outfit that had been arrived at the hotel just before supper. They had just enough time for Mehek to slip into the suit one last time before she and the Tripathi's would go out for their final dinner together. In doing so, Mehek couldn't help be feel so special in the outfit that had been personalized specifically to her conservative tastes. That they had managed to lengthen to blouse so seamlessly would have one believing that this had been the original design: it was perfect it her eyes.

Later at dinner, Kabir looked at the snaps his wife had captured on her smart phone. "You were right to reject the option of a black dress, Mehek: this is perfection if I do say so myself. Thank you for allowing us to treat you."

Mehek nodded: too full for words. She would be lying to herself if she didn't recognize that these past couple of days with the Tripathi family had gone some way to restoring her faith in the goodness of people; and in particular had shown her that not everyone of means conducted themselves as Shaurya Khanna did: without a care for his fellow man. Purposively, she tore herself from thoughts of that man, and back to her company who were addressing her around the dinner table. She smiled and nodded at something Rachna said, thinking that she would miss the family who had aided her.

**********

Her mobile pinged for the first time about twenty-five minutes after she arrived at the airport, when she was still saying her farewells to the Tripathi family.

"We don't want you feel beholden to us in any shape of form, but we would love to hear how you are making out," Rachna stated as she gave Mehek another goodbye hug.

"Haan," Kabir added, "and if not that, just remember that you have us here and available for the next twelve days: a couple hours away should any emergency come up. Call us straight away if you have any need."

"Oh and please..."

*Ping*

Rachna hesitated when the obtrusive sound came again. She looked Mehek squarely in the face and smiled knowingly, when an anxious look came to her face. "Never mind," she concluded. "We will talk to you later okay. Have a safe flight and let us know when you have arrived, thik hai?"

...All checked in and ready now?

... Security is a pain; I know...hope to hear from you soon.

... Everything is okay; right?

...Come on dost: where are you?

************

Karuna had spent the past ten minutes, undetected, just watching her son from the doorway of his bedroom. She shook her head desolately: he never seemed to turn off. Even at this later hour, when he should be resting, he was still at it, his attention squarely on the conversation he was having on his mobile: one that plainly was not going well. Finally, when noting that his exasperation looked to have manifested into complete anguish, demonstrated when he threw the device down and just held his head in his hands, she entered his room with the intention of doing something she had never done before. That she had managed to get as far as she did: crossing the threshold and picking up the cellphone that was behind his distress, Karuna felt justified in what she was about to do, and moved to power it off, when her attention was drawn to the series of one-sided messages. She was shocked: it hadn't been some business dealing after all.

... I'm so sorry, KK. I got stuck saying my goodbyes, and then getting through security was a nightmare. I'm here now, and we still have just under an hour until my flight boards, if you still wanted to chat. It's up to you though...I know it's late at home...I promise you it will be better once I get settled later today.

Shaurya's eyes popped open when at last, he heard the chime that indicated that the long awaited incoming message had finally come. Reaching in the direction that he had chucked the mobile minutes before, he came up empty and turned completely to see where his phone: his lifeline, had disappeared to.

"Mom: Aap?"

Karuna glanced up from the note she had just read.

"Haan beta; and clearly I was worried for all of the wrong reasons."

She ignored the hand reaching out for the cellphone she wasn't quite ready to relinquish yet.

"Let's see: obviously a friend - mayhap even a close one, and yet one you have chosen not to share your true identity with, beta," the worried mother commented. "Please Shaury: no more games, thik hai, not after..."

Shaurya's jaw tightened. His dealing with one Mehek Sharma had been one of the very few times he and his mother had been at odds. No matter how much he had attempted to justify his actions: the wily chef had managed to undermine any account of his action to his parent, who too had been taken in by the innocent face she wore.

"There is no comparison between the two situations Mom. She," Shaurya persisted, pointing to his mobile. "There is no artifice in her: she is special."

"And yet not special enough to disclose..."

"I want to Mom; you cannot imagine how much I do." And I want to know her as well, Shaurya continued in his head. "And I plan to do so when the time is right."

"So why do you not now; why have you chosen this ruse over the truth beta," Karuna asked. But in her heart she knew: she knew how the pain of her child's past dealings had affected him now. She could even understand, although she could never condone his actions, why he had ill-treated sweet Mehek but she could not understand how the astute man her son was, could not understand that unless he released his past, that he would never be able to move on.

*PING*

She didn't acknowledge the message this time, and just passed the cell phone to her son.

"The funny thing about fate, is that you never know what it has in store for you, beta. A less charitable person would say that this worry you are experiencing is the direct result of your recent actions, Shaury. This may even be true, but all I know is that you will be doing yourself and your friend a disservice by not being truthful soon...you may even be risking your own happiness for all you know. At least think about what I have said, Shaurie."

She smiled slightly at her son, when he shook his head to acknowledge her advice, and then left him to his own devices.

... At last, but your delay is perfectly understandable. Forgive me for coming across as so restless. I could say it's a lack of sleep, but that wouldn't be the truth. And if nothing else I want to be truthful with you MS, you deserve that from me at the very least...The truth is that somehow, this connection we have has become incredibly important to me, that I find myself unnerved when I can't reach you whenever we are scheduled to

... And, I probably sound like an anxious Aunty, now.

It had taken more time than she had expected to get through security and by the time Mehek reached and settled at her gate, she was at least closer to an hour later than the time that she had promised KK that she would be in contact. Consequently, when she accessed her phone it was to a string of messages, each progressively more anxious than the previous. She had answered as quickly as possible, but after the delay in getting an answer, Mehek assumed that she had missed him completely.

She was so glad that she was wrong.

... I have a couple of Anxious Aunties and they love me very much...I don't have a problem with another person joining in

...Not that I expect you to love me...

Unbidden, the words "too late" came to Shaurya's mind, and he had to consciously stop himself from typing the same. He opted to type something only slightly different.

... There can be love between friends though...even online friends, right?

He waited.

...Han Dost. I have friends that I love very much, and know they love me too.

...None quite like you though, KK

His topic had her in a tizzy and relaying things probably best left unsaid. Like the fact that she really believed that somehow she had begun seriously crushing on her online buddy.

And just as suddenly as this had happened, so did she want to let him know everything: to give him more details than the vague ones she had thus far divulged. She wanted to put aside her belief in safety behind the anonymity of her page, and let him know exactly who she was. Perhaps he would even be familiar with her, and hoped that it wouldn't make a difference: that MS and Mehek Sharma were the same person he had struck a friendship with. And that she wasn't...

...But before that: first there should be truth between friends.

Was he reading her mind, she wondered.

...I agree KK.

There was a lapse as each waited to see what would happen: who in fact would be the braver of the two.

...You may be familiar with my name once you hear it.

...Are you famous KK?

...Or infamous: I guess it depends who you are talking to, and what you may think you know about me already.

For the first time Shaurya stopped and really considered how his recent actions would have appeared to an outsider looking in. Without doubt the show's drama quota had resulted in high ratings and success, but with it also came a definite split in how the public viewed him. Villain or Hero: he speculated how MS would view him, as he had no doubt that, as passionate as she was about cooking, that she would have certainly tuned into the show. He swallowed recognizing that this reveal could possibly preclude his friendship progressing any further. Mom was right though, and it was best to get it over with and deal with the fallout whatever that may be.

This was it he thought as he began typing: what will be will be.

... My real name is actually Shaurya...Shaurya Khanna... and yes before you ask, I am the Shaurya from India's Super Cook. And now it's your turn...