Mehek Shaurya OS: Mrs. Khanna's Fast Part8+ Epilogue 2/9 pg39 - Page 20

A shorter update, but I hope just as enjoyable.

Kelly

Part#5

"It's under-seasoned, I tell you."

"Nahi, nahi, since when have you ever been the best judge... besides, which one us is on his way to having to take medication for high blood pressure; not me Bhai. And you know the primary reason for that don't you Ravi," Jeevan complained as he waved the salt shaker he had snatched from his brother. "Too much salt; you never know when enough is enough."

The other man held his finger up in his brother's direction. "Once, just one time was the reading high, and all of you decide to curtail the flavor of my food...aacha; not today Bhai. For one day," he continued reaching for the condiment his brother now held over his head. "For today at least, the meal will be to my taste." And then, incredibly, he started jumping to grasp the just out of reach shaker.

If he hadn't the makings of a raging headache, Shaurya may have found the ludicrous scene comical, as he watched his beloved's Chachas arguing over the flavor of the dal that they were in the midst of preparing. God help him, Shaurya thought as he reached for his temples.

When finally out of breath from his wasted exertions, the younger of the two Sharma brothers stopped and bowed over with his hands on his hips. Breathing heavily, he turned and beckoned Shaurya to him. "Ch...Chalo beta, you're... the professional. Come here and determine who is right," he huffed as he tried to catch his breath.

Reluctantly, Shaurya approached the pair. He had thought his escape as good as made after he had commandeered the kitchen, taking the lead of the haphazard meal preparations that were already underway when he had arrived. Efficiently, he had assigned each of the three men who appeared overwhelmed by the task at hand, as in addition to their family, the Sharma females had also welcomed their immediate neighbors for their post-fast meal. In short order, Shaurya had arranged everything so that all that was necessary was for the men to keep an eye on the food as it simmered away. If they did that, everything would be on track to be ready when the women needed it. And, he thought, he would be able to steal away from the kitchen away from the tempting smells that now added another layer of torment to his fast. "Wishful thinking," Shaurya mumbled as he headed for the burner in question.

Lifting the lid, he drew in the aroma of the dal, identifying the spices and seasonings and assessing the ratios each of them via smell alone. From habit he was able to determine the balance of the flavor enhancing condiments, and nodded in satisfaction. In his opinion, it would be wiser to err on the side of caution and allow any additional salt to be added just before serving the dishes. By then, the women would have broken their fasts, and surely only of them could be called on to taste the dish in question.

"I think it's fine as is, Uncle."

"I told you, "Javeen insisted with satisfaction that his opinion had overruled his brother's.

Ravi would not be denied, and went away for a second, only to return with a spoon. "You are not Mehek, beta, she I would trust, but you are more businessman than cook." He thrust the utensil at his niece's husband. "Taste it and then answer...truthfully," he added.

"Trust me, Uncle..."

"Nahi," Ravi pressed, "You will do this properly, and try the dish, itself."

"Forgive me Uncle, but I cannot."

"More like will not," Ravi broodily responded. He held up his hand in disgust when Shaurya went to explain further.

"Shaurya beta,"

His relief unmistakable, Shaurya turned gratefully towards Kanta Aunty who had entered the kitchen calling for him. He smiled his gratitude, which unfortunately lasted only until she next spoke.

"Beta, Nehal has just helped Mehek to her bedroom. She was feeling a little light-headed..."

*********

He almost barreled Nehal over when he barged through the bedroom door. He steadied his wife's sister, and absently apologized while he looked to the bed where his wife sat. Nehal shook her head to let him know that she was okay, and headed out of the room. Pausing in the doorway, she smiled at the attentive husband, who by this time had reached his wife's side.

"Mehek, Jaan..." He attempted to intercept her as she rose from the bed. "Nahi, sit down before you..."

She placed one finger to his lips to hush him, and gently smiled, and then deftly switched places with him so that he was nearer to the bed. "Hush Shaurya Khanna, and just take a seat," she commanded him

Dazed, he did just that. Over him, Mehek reached and adjusted the pillows and then gently pushed her husband back against them.

"Mehek Khanna.."

"Can you slip your shoes off you do you need help?"

Wordlessly, Shaurya complied and then allowed his wife to settle him back again against the pillows and then take a seat on the edge of the bed next to him. She turned her back to him, returning moments later with a cloth in her hands, and then surprised him completely when she placed the cool compress on his forehead. "Normally I would have added a drop or two of Lavender Oil to the water, but the doctor has advised that I should stay away from all essential oils, at least for my first trimester." She gently pressed the cloth from temple to temple. "But hopefully, this will still help your headache in a while. If not," she continued, "then we will move on to a head massage and see how that works." She frowned suddenly, as if she had become of aware of something and then stood suddenly.

"Wait."

Mehek looked down to where he had clasped her hand and grinned at Shaurya. "Aacha: well it's not as if I could leave now even if I wanted to," she teased.

"You're okay, Baby?"

Mehek stared lovingly into his dark brooding eyes and nodded, "Haan, I am, but you are not, so let me draw the curtains and cut down some of this afternoon sunlight, okay?"

Shaurya released her hand, letting her go to her task of dimming the room and then backtracking to lock the bedroom door. He didn't have a long wait, as she returned to him immediately, and checked his compress. Unsatisfied, she removed it and placed it back into the bowl of cold water.

"Did you think I hadn't noticed that you had come home? Or that I wouldn't check to see how you were doing?"

Shaurya shook his head, wincing when the movement exasperated the persistent ache. Instantly, Mehek returned with the chilled cloth. "I took the opportunity to peep in the kitchen. You were directing the troops at the time so didn't notice me. I don't think you were even aware how often you reached for your temple."

"This fasting is not as easy as it looks," Shaurya conceded. "You women are stars for doing this." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Thank you Jaan, but aren't you breaking the rules doing this?"

"Taking care of you; I don't think so, just using my condition to my own benefit is more like it. Chachi advised that I take a break anyway, so I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone. As far as the others are concerned I am taking the rest I needed, and my husband is attending me. Only Chachi and Nehal know the difference." She moved to the opposite side of the bed. "Are you feeling any better Shaurya?"

In truth he wasn't, but neither was he prepared to have his wife exert herself anymore for his sake either. "Perhaps if you come and lay beside me and take that rest, then that will relieve my suffering somewhat," he suggested.

She would never know who had fallen asleep first, only aware that his proximity had relaxed her immediately as they lay side by side, and at some point, unknown to either of them, they had settled into their usual position: Shaurya cradling her body with his longer frame, one arm holding her fast against him. Her last conscious thought was of his hand splayed low on her now slightly rounded belly and hers coming to rest on it.

***********

No matter how unorthodox this Karva Chauth was progressing, at the very least Shaurya knew the direction his thoughts had swayed on waking with his wife nestled so close to him was a definite no-no. He had awaken experiencing an entirely different sort of hunger; one that food would decidedly not sate, and had barely stopped himself from nuzzling his wife's neck in an unconscious attempt to evoke a similar response from her. At least, he reasoned dolefully, his headache had dissipated, and judging by the longer shadows being cast in the bedroom: some time had passed. All he needed to now do was to get up without waking Mehek: a task easier said than done as even in sleep, she countered every move he made. It was the worst of torture, him moving away, and she settling her curvy body hard against his groin each time he did. She was a temptress even in her slumber he thought. Finally, he had to purposively set her away from him, just so he could escape the sweet torment, by getting out of the bed. He hesitated when he did, standing over her for some time, mesmerized by her loveliness that had him moments ago, retreating for his own sanity. His body felt bereft just being away from her, and yet there she lay unaffected. He shook his head, on realization that his angel hadn't even stirred after his departure. Or so he thought.

"Don't go Shaury; come back to bed," she begged in a voice made husky by sleep.

Good Lord, even her voice was a turn-on, he thought as he approached the bed once more. He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead. "You just take the rest you and my daughter require Mehek Shaurya Khanna," he whispered, which induced a soft upturn of her lips. She murmured an unintelligible response before instantly drifting back off.

A few more hours to go Shaurya thought as he departed he room intent of heading back to the kitchen to see how the feast for the ladies was coming together. The room was quieter, and thankfully there were no noxious smells emanating from the room. Recharged, he had hope that the meal had survived his bickering male in-laws he thought.

Not long now then, Shaurya thought as he went to meet his Uncles.