REGRET
How can you be certain; surely it's too early. Are you sure you just don't have gas?
Mehek smiled up at him; he was such a man. As if she wouldn't recognize the difference: it was her body after all. Wordlessly she reached for his hand and placed it on the firmness of her abdomen.
"See for yourself Shaurya."
He went along with her, knowing that he would do anything to appease her and keep her happy during this miraculous period of their lives.
Nothing: he felt absolutely nothing.
He smiled down at his wife, quickly searching his mind for the words that would comfort her, and not make it seem that he was dismissing her beliefs. She seemed to sense this, as she increased the pressure on the hand she held fast against her.
And then it came, the two quick taps followed by a longer prolonged bit of pressure which ceased as quickly as it had come, leaving him awestruck as he leaned over the mother-to-be, who beamed up at him with a Cheshire-Cat grin of satisfaction.
"Mehek"
The tapping on his shoulder brought him back to awareness, and he called out for her once more. "Mehek..."
The feminine snort that reached his ears, didn't carry a hint of affection. "Mehek: hardly lover," the woman responded. She tapped him again. "Come on Shaurya, you need to leave. I have things to do and in case you don't recall, you have a flight to catch."
Shaurya clenched his eyes tighter, fighting against the dream - the nightmare- that had tortured him. They were coming more frequently now, as if his psyche was determined to show him precisely what his actions had cost him. This last one seemed especially cruel, as it was entirely feasible that this could have been their reality: his and Mehek's, had he not chosen the path he had. Not for the first time he wondered if it had been worth it.
"Hey, don't get comfortable, I thought you understood it's not that type of party."
Subjected to a vigorous shake now, Shaurya opened his eyes. The harshness of the sunlight streaming through the bedroom's oversized window made it near impossible to see, but for the silhouette of the woman who was insisting of his departure. Blinking, he attempted to come to his senses, as the female: Sheena he realized, continued her rant.
"Look Shaurya, I think this needs to be the last time we meet. It's nothing personal, but...well you need to get your life together or something. I'll miss our rendezvous, but your attitude is starting to bring me down." She leaned over the man still reposed in her bed, and kissed him hard on the lips. "You're the best, Babes," she uttered before standing back up. "I have to go, lock the door when you leave, and have a safe flight home."
The two hour flight had provided more than enough time to finally face the realities that his conduct had brought about. Sure, the restaurant had been a success from the word go: already looking to be his most profitable venture. But the cost had been high. For one, he was a practical pariah in his mother's eyes, meaning that he now had no support in the den of iniquity that his home was. The vultures remained, always waiting for some slip up that would give them an upper hand. It was tiring, being in a constant state of fight or flight, having to be on his guard against the intrigues lead by his uncle and aunt. Exhausting was not the word for his existence now; now that he was entirely alone. By choice; by deed he had done this to himself.
But, could he honestly say that it been worth it?
************
It figured his driver would be late today, Shaurya groused, as he waited impatiently outside the airport arrival area.
"Mehek Di!!!"
He froze in his tracks at the familiar voice calling out the one name that haunted him night and day.
Standing on the curb he turned and watched as Mehek Sharma, appearing more beautiful than ever walked through the doors pulling her carryon behind her. Smiling she rushed into the waiting arms of her sister.
Wistfully, Shaurya watched the two women embrace. Their love for each other was palpable. What felt like a dagger piercing his innards had him almost doubling over.
"How was Mumbai, did everything go as well as you hoped it?"
Shocked, Shaurya made no pretense of not paying attention.
"Better than planned, Nehal. I've never been happier," Mehek answered as she broke out in joyful laughter when the younger woman squealed in delight.
"So, where is he? Did he not return with you, Di?" Nehal asked breathlessly.
"How would we possibly have a wedding if he didn't, Nehal," she answered coyly.
She turned then and greeted the handsome man who had come up behind them. Smiling she looped her arm in his and smiled up at him, until he gave the two women the signal they had been waiting for by way of a slight nod.
"Thik hai: he's gone," he stated, choosing not to disclose that Shaurya Khanna's expression was of someone who, if he could will himself to die on the spot would have. Pain and regret, read on the man's face like words on a chalkboard, but Mehek needn't know that. Not when she had made such progress.
"Thank you Jiju," Mehek whispered and reached up and kissed her business partner cum brother-in-law- to-be's cheek before pushing the man towards his intended.
It was sheer luck that she noticed Shaurya's obnoxiously late arrival at the gate for the flight from Mumbai, they were both fated to be on today, and even better to be in the company of someone who was willing to go with the flow when she proposed the plan she had in mind if she were to come in proximity with the man who had betrayed her so.
They had basically come face to face, and she hadn't fallen apart. Life was good, she thought savoring the small victory. It would be the first of many, and when she met the man in his own arena very soon, Shaurya Khanna would assuredly learn the definition of regret.
CID
