MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 51

Chapter #13

"And as they say Uday, There's no rose without a thorn. Welcome back to ISC Ms. Sharma. Picking right up where we left off are we?"

"Not if you value your health, Shaurya Khanna. However, as per your request: one thorn in your side, reporting for duty."

There was something to be said for being more exhausted than she ever felt before in her life, Mehek thought. Her delusion of Shaurya Khanna responding to her off-the-cuff comment with a genuine smile was completely plausible under the circumstances. She took it in, the grin that had his eyes bright with mirth, as if viewing some endangered species; which in truth it was.

"Touche, Mehek Sharma: well played."

She shook her head casually at his retort: meeting him stare for stare as she waited for what shocking occurrence would take place next, or at least for the man to realize he still held her arm. Finally, when it looked as coming face-to-face with her had stunned him into inactivity, she resorted to clearing her throat subtly, and then exaggeratedly sliding her glance down to her captured wrist. He released her, as if her limb was a red-hot poker. Unconsciously, she raised her hand, and rubbed it. He seemed to realize then, just how tightly he had actually been holding her, when he saw the slight redness encircling her lower arm.

"I'm sorry about that, Ms. Sharma."

"It's okay Shaurya, protecting yourself was probably to be expected if one considers our past. But for certain, I wasn't aiming for you: today."

Her comment, meant as a joke, appeared to have brought him out the strange moment they had just shared, and only because they were close as they were, did she see a darkness move in his eyes, revealing once again the harshness that lurked just under the surface within this man. Months ago, this would have jolted her, but not today for some reason.

Shaurya's eyes refocused over Mehek's shoulder to the man who had instigated this bizarrely intimate tete-a-tete, who was now plainly enjoying the spoils of his efforts. He could practically see the workings of the man's brain, and knew that he would need to reiterate again to the producer what would and, in particular what would not be permissible on the set. And soon. As a matter of fact, as soon as Mehek Sharma was out of hearing distance. He faced the young woman with the intent of removing her from their present situation and was shocked to see her, there with her eyes closed, rubbing her left temple; and alarmingly, wobbling a bit. Before he could react to this, Rajiv Bhai suddenly came to her side, and as inconspicuously as possible moved to support the young chef, advising her that the car to take her home had arrived. She had opened her eyes then and bid Shaurya goodbye, a beatific grin on her face.

"Goodbye Ms. Sharma," Shaurya replied, although his attention was centered more on his partner, who obviously knew what ailed the young woman. Rajiv tipped his head slightly, acknowledging back, that he had everything under control.

"Do you think she's on something: drink or something a bit more recreational? it would certainly explain a lot; specifically, that entrance of hers. Not to mention how euphoric she was in meeting you."

Not to mention adding a spice of drama ahead of the show, Shaurya reckoned. Had they been alone and not in a public space, Shaurya would have gripped the producer for his slanderous comments. The fool wasn't even attempting to be subtle in finding some angle to create buzz for the show. Instead of the physical violence he would have meted on the ass had they been alone, Shaurya instead coolly responded to the man. "Unlikely, Uday. But for the record, let it be known if even a hint of that conjecture makes it out into the public domain then Ms. Sharma will have the full backing of my legal team to defend her from such salacious gossip. But in all honesty, I would say nothing could be farther from the truth. As a matter of fact, I would say she was quite in possession of her faculties by the fact that she spurned the unwanted attentions you attempted to force upon her, Uday."

The man had the temerity to justify his untoward actions. "Ah well it turns out she was not at all what I expected." He clapped Shaurya on the shoulder. "Hell man: the show did not do her justice. I get it now, Shaurya. And since I know she isn't your type; damn if I couldn't resist having a go. You don't have any issue with that: right?"

"In fact, I do," Shaurya answered. "But not for any reason you are thinking." Peering sideways to where Uday's hand rest on his shoulder Sahurya crossed his arm across his chest to remove the unwanted appendage. "Rather," he continued, "I take exception to it, because as little as I know of you, I am certain you aren't deserving of coming anywhere near Ms. Sharma: in any fashion." He glared at the man opposite him. "You got what you wanted, Uday," he practically growled. "She's returned and has agreed to a week's worth of filming. Be content with that, and only that. Do not dare..."

The producer laughed and then audaciously repeated his action, this time clapping both hands on Shaurya's arms. "Chill Man. I get it: she's off limits." He smirked shrewdly, before, as if what they had been discussing was of no consequence, he excused himself to speak to someone of a matter of more importance. His abrupt departure left Shaurya no choice but to believe he had played right into the shifty man's hands. Not here but for a couple of hours and already Mehek was creating havoc, Shaurya groused bitterly to himself. He would have to remain on his guard for the next week, most likely more than he had expected to. Uday would not let this temptation go so easily.

**********

"Hello...oh hi, how are you?"

Rajiv glanced in the rearview mirror and the heavy-eyed visage of the young woman, whom he had relinquished the rear seat to so that she could get comfortable on the drive to her home. Alarmed at first at the ill-timed telephone call that had disturbed her much needed rest, he soon changed his mind when he realized the genuine happiness on Mehek's face on identifying her caller.

"I'm fine, everything went so much better than I thought it would Malik." She paused and then tittered at what had been relayed to her. "No, not yet, but don't let up on those bicep curls for now. I've caught him off guard today, so his true reaction is yet to be seen. I still may need some muscle in the near future."

Another pause and then she spoke some more.

"Nahi, honestly it went well, but you will be able to see for yourself in a few days I expect the commercial will be airing there soon as well. Other than that, I'm just so tired. I could sleep forever...Mmhmm. Okay I will definitely call you later. And, don't go ruining my recipes, you hear me? Thik hai. Bye."

Mehek hung up the phone and stretched once with her eyes close, before catching her fellow passenger's glance in the mirror's reflection. Weary-eyed, she smiled at him.

"That was Malik, um Chef Malik checking up on me," she stated unnecessarily. "He has become a great friend."

"I'm glad to hear that Mehek, just as happy as I am to know that you are doing so well there. The opportunity couldn't have been afforded to a worthier person."

"Thank you, Rajiv Sir. You cannot imagine the number of reasons I have for thinking it to be the best thing to ever happen to me."

Her face had taken on a dreamy expression when she spoke, and Rajiv smiled in return. She too seemed in a happier place now, and although she had expressed some concern of her dealings with Shaurya, the fact that she had done so in such a lighthearted manner, lent credence to the fact that she was not as disturbed as she would have been in the immediate aftermath of the first season of ISC. Still he thought it only right to reassure her that all would be well this time around.

**********

After finally getting a reprieve from her excited family for a few hours, Mehek had made to her bedroom with the intention of taking a few hour's rest until dinner time. She would do one thing first, but as she went to lock her door Kanta Chachi barged in.

"Chachi?"

The woman came and hugged her daughter once again. As much as she appreciated the fact that she had the opportunity to return, the reasons behind Mehek's trip back home still worried her.

"Chachi, I'm fine. I promise you. Please don't worry. Everything went just as Rajiv Sir told you. There was no trouble."

"Are you certain beti? He didn't bother you in anyway, at all?"

"Nahi Chachi." She yawned then, and only then did her aunt realize that her incessant worry was preventing Mehek from doing the very thing she had insisted on: resting.

"I will wake you for dinner, beti, Kanta indicated as she hugged her niece one last time before backing out of her room. "Go straight to bed, Mehek."

After locking her door, Mehek immediately logged on to her laptop. More than any other day, she was sure that Shaurya would reach out to her as soon as she signed on. Immediately, her stomach did a little flip when she noticed that he was already on, and she steeled herself for first contact. After the events of the day, she anticipated that today she would potentially get a true measure of the man she had been conversing with. Exhaling, she set the computer beside her on the bed, and she drew her legs up to her as she waited. She cradled her knees which were uncharacteristically shaking. Another deep breath and she closed her eyes, knowing it to be just a matter of time now.

Fifteen minutes later, she blinked awake, realizing that she was back exactly where she had started hours earlier: fighting sleep while waiting to see her encounter with Shaurya Khanna out. She stared at the computer curiously.

**PING**

... MS, you're back

Mehek raised her head from her knees and rubbed her eyes. Finally. She smiled.

...Haan Shaurya. I didn't think you noticed.

...Sorry about that. A little distracted, but now that I see the time, it's my loss. You're probably just about to leave for work now.

...More like ready to get out of these clothes and finally get in my bed ...but I'm here at last.

...I don't understand.

Neither did she, Mehek thought before she looked up at what she had inadvertently typed. Argh, how could she have been so stupid, she wondered. She was supposed to have acted as if it was one of her normal morning chats. One thing was for sure: she now had the man's full attention.

...MS what's going on?

...Are you just getting in?

...Where have you been?

Shaurya's hand hovered over the keyboard, as he came to his senses, just as he was about to demand who she had been with.

...Did your work hours change?

That was a better question, he thought, as he waited for a response.

...Nahi. It had nothing to do with work, not really.

...Just a bunch of like-minded people getting together

Not quite a lie, Mehek thought, reasoning that she and her fellow travelers on last night's flight to India, did all have something in common.

...Oh really, and how many of these like- minded people did you know personally, MS?

He didn't believe this. If he was interpreting this correctly, she had been out partying; and from the sound of things: heavily if she was just getting in. God only knew what sort of people that involved.

...Well thank goodness, you've managed to get home safely.

...A friend got me home, Shaurya. I was perfectly fine.

... A friend...come one MS, just fess up and say it was Malik.

...I never said it was him.

...Oh, come on, MS I'm not in the mood for games.

...And I'm not playing games. What is wrong with you Shaurya, why are you acting like this?

...Fine, since you are so keen to know when I last saw Malik, here goes. It was 4AM he helped me out as a friend, and then left me to go to the gym. And to satisfy your morbid curiosity, he looked incredibly good at that time of the day in his work out gear, and of course his dimples are just as attractive at that hour in the morning. It was like I was seeing a completely different side of him, and yes Shaurya Khanna, I liked what I saw.

...But I suppose that isn't something you would ever understand.

Shaurya closed his eyes, and reflected on what she had written. She had no idea how close she was to his issue. He understood completely, and in typical Shaurya Khanna fashion, rather than contend with the real issue, he had, as usual taken out his frustration on an innocent party.

... I'm sorry.

...It has been a troubling day.

Mehek felt the tears pooling in her eyes: so, this is how he saw her: as trouble. What a fool she was for thinking that things could be different.

...You should stop taking out your problems on those you profess to care about.

... Mehek Sharma showed up on the set of our new commercial today.

Mehek wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, and then took a deep breath.

...That must have been a shock, but still not a reason to be so nasty.

...It was, but not as much as I ever imagined it would be. Maybe I've grown up a little of late, but all the worry that I have been feeling in anticipating her arrival this week seemed to dissipate after that first meet.

...Perhaps the jolt of seeing her knocked it out of me.

...It was different to say the least, but almost instantly I felt as if I could handle the next week of filming with her.

...But you are correct. It's still not an excuse for my behavior. I'm sorry.

Mehek ignored him and continued typing.

...And the part that made it troubling?

...Uday, ISC's new producer. I don't trust him not to attempt to create controversy at her expense. Aside from the show not needing it, I want no parts of it. If somehow Mehek Sharma has found peace after everything, then I am happy for her, and I'd prefer for her to leave us feeling the same in a week's time.

Mehek read the affirmation that her gut feeling that the man who had approached her was up to no good, was correct, and even more surprisingly that Shaurya Khanna seemed prepared to defend her from the man's machinations. This was something she would never fathom.

...That's a big step for you Shaurya Khanna. Next you will be telling me that she's not so bad after all.

...Now you're pushing it, Dost. I'm not as easily swayed as you seem to be, by one's appearance.

Normally, he thought, as he recalled the woman they were discussing. He imagined it best, however, not to add this addendum to his message.

...I guess then, it was a you had to be there moment. Or maybe I'm far more into muscles that I thought I was.

...Oh, really, well chances are, he's probably just one of those posers: too busy checking himself out than actually working out. Serious bodybuilders don't prance around in their workout clothes as a fashion statement, or to impress young women.

... His arms didn't seem to tell that story. Plus, he told me that he was going to up his workout anyway, just for me.

...Oh, he did: did he?

... Aacha, he did. How else is he to protect me from the likes of you, Shaurya?

...Your Malik, knows of me?

...Your reputation does proceed you, Shaurya Khanna, even on this side of the world.

...That's not necessarily something I can count on being in my favor.

...Hence the reason for the change in his workout, I guess.

...Lucky for you though, I can make up my own mind about things.

...And how is your decision making coming along MS?

...Were you really going to watch out for Mehek this week, Shaurya?

...I owe her that at least.

...Then I can say that I am getting closer to my decision.

...And you will also call off your hired goon now, MS?

...Don't hold your breath on that one Dost; someone needs to make you think twice about how you behave. But I really need to get to bed now. It really was a long night.

...Yes that. I'm sure I don't want to know about it, but will you promise me that you won't let anything stray you from your course. I know how easy it can be to get caught up with things not necessary best for you.

...Some would say that description would fit you to a tee Shaurya.

...I suppose some would, but thankfully I'm dealing with someone who can make up her own mind about things, aren't I?

...Touche Shaurya Khanna; well played.

...Good Night.

Chapter14