Mehrya SS : One Last Chance Part 16 Updated 30/5 - Page 88

Part 15 :

For the past 2 hours, Mehak was trying to sleep. She kept on tossing and turning on the bed. She kept on telling herself to sleep but all her efforts were in vain. She kept on looking at the phone assuming that any moment Shaurya would call her up and this time she decided to not hang up. When she had answered his call the first time, she could feel him being disturbed. She knew that something was bothering him. Before she could say anything, she heard a loud thud and the call was disconnected. She expected him to call back but he didn't. After thinking for an hour, she thought of calling him but the next moment she remembered his taunts and insults. What if this was another ploy to get her to react? No, she couldn't let that happen. She wasn't in the mood to fight or argue with him. She didn't even know that he was back in India. In these 15 days, she had missed him. For the past few months, her mantra had been to avoid and ignore him and she had been successful with it too. At least that's what she made him think but that wasn't the truth. In the last two-three months, she had been putting up an act of being strong and confident but that was far from the reality. She was thankful to Shaurya for teaching her one thing- how to put up an act! All those memories of him would haunt her every night in her dreams. She kept on telling herself that he wouldn't ever change and won't come back in her life but her heart wasn't ready to listen. She had no one to talk to, no one to express the pain she was going through. She couldn't even discuss this with Sonal. Sonal was currently in the happiest phase of her life - her engagement was fixed with Rohit and she didn't want her to be worried for her. In spite of having so many people around her who loved and cared for her, she still felt lonely. Finally, her eyelids became heavy and she fell asleep.

Next day:

Shaurya walked in his cabin and dialed Riya's extension. Riya entered his cabin with a file.

Riya: Morning Sir, Aashima Mam's manager asked me to give you this file.

Shaurya: Morning Riya.. Thanks. So what's my schedule today?

Riya: Sir, only one meeting with Aashima Mam and her team. Rajeev Sir asked me to cancel all the other meetings because this meeting will go for 5 hours.

Shaurya: Yes, the event is in 10 days and we still need to finalize few details. Anything else?

Riya: Nothing Sir, That's it.

With that, she left his cabin.

Shaurya sat on his chair thinking about Mehak. He opened the drawer and took out an orange colored thick envelope. It was Mehak's wedding card. He had finally got it. She had couriered it to Khanna Mansion inviting him and his mother. He knew the invitation was for his mother and not him but since it would look rude to people if she didn't invite her boss, she included his name as well on the card - Typical of Ms. Mehak Sharma. He smiled thinking about her.

He read the lines loud - "Mehak Sharma weds Ajay Parmar". He ran his fingers over the beautifully engrossed golden word "Mehak" on the card.

Shaurya repeated once again: Mehak Sharma weds Ajay Parmar.

Something wasn't right. There was no ring to it...

Shaurya then looked at the card once again and said: Mehak Sharma weds Shaurya Khanna.

He had a smile after saying that.

Shaurya: Yes...now it sounds perfect!

Before he could savor the moment, Aashima barged in his cabin and said : Oh how I missed you Shaurya...So happy to see you back.

She leaped forward and hugged him tight. He didn't even have the time to react. Shaurya kept his hands on his sides trying to avoid any sort of physical contact with her.

Shaurya frustratingly: Will you please move?

Aashima moved back and smiled at him. Shaurya got up from his chair and adjusted his coat.

Aashima was smiling like a love sick puppy batting her eyelids.

Shaurya: Morning Aashima and next time...

Before he could complete his sentence, she leapt forward again to hug him. This time Shaurya was well prepared. He put his hands on her shoulder to stop her: Are you nuts!

Aashima confusingly: Sorry?

Shaurya: Stop being so touchy with me...I guess you have forgotten what I had told you two months back...I do not get personal with my clients. This is strictly professional. I am warning you this time - If you touch me again, I won't spare you. And trust my words coz you really don't want to see the bad side of me.

Aashima gulped in fear. She didn't know what to say. Honestly, she had missed him in these 15 days. Initially, her only aim was to get Shaurya Khanna as her boyfriend so that she could flaunt him in their Page 3 parties but now after working with him in these two months, she realized the enigma of this man. She had indeed fallen in love with this man. There was something about him that she couldn't resist. She thought that he might have missed her too and that's why she hugged him hoping for him to reciprocate too.

Aashima: I am sorry Shaurya. I missed you!

Shaurya sighed in frustration.

He looked at her and spoke: Shall we talk about business now coz that's why I come here. We have a meeting in 10 minutes in the conference room. Now will you please excuse me?

Aashima was upset. She looked at him in pain and quietly left his cabin.

The moment the cabin door closed, he banged his hand on the table.

Shaurya: Dumb..Never understands when I tell her to keep distance..Bloody weirdo..Ten more days Shaurya and she will be out of your life forever.

Shaurya gulped a glass of water to calm his anger. He had a final look at Mehak's wedding card. He ran his fingers over her name on the card, smiled and left for the conference room.

Rajeev and Aashima's team were already seated in the conference from. Shaurya entered the room and waved at Rajeev.

Rajeev: Morning Shaurya.

Shaurya: Morning Rajeev.

Shaurya quietly sat in his chair far from Aashima. Rajeev looked at Shaurya. One look at him and he could make out that he seemed disturbed.

Shaurya was reading the file that was kept in front of him at the table. Although he seemed to be reading it, Rajeev could sense him to be pretending. Seeing Riya making the arrangements of setting up the projector for the meeting, Rajeev gestured Shaurya and signaled him to come outside.

Shaurya looked at him confusingly: Now?

Rajeev nodded: Yes, for a minute please Shaurya!

Shaurya closed the file and walked behind Rajeev towards the door. The moment they came out, Rajeev closed the door and asked: So what is it?

Shaurya looked at surprisingly: What is what?

Rajeev: Is everything alright Shaurya? I can sense that something is amiss with you. Will you tell me what it is?

Although Shaurya and Rajeev shared a professional relationship, Rajeev knew a bit about Shaurya's personal life - his tiff and hatred for his father as well as his immense love and respect for his step mother Karuna.

Rajeev had realized it long ago that even though he claimed to the world that they are only business partners, he always looked up to him as his elder brother.

In the first few months of their partnership, Rajeev had understood how impulsive Shaurya is but he also knew the reason behind it - his traumatic and bitter past. Today, too he knew that his younger brother needed him.

Shaurya tried to shrug it off: Nothing has happened Bhai. Its Aashima...She was trying to get close to me in the cabin. That's it!

Rajeev looked at him with an expression that said that he wasn't convinced with his reply.

Shaurya: What?

Rajeev: Who are you trying to fool Shaurya? I know we don't know each other much but I know when you are upset or irritated. If Aashima had been the reason for your behavior today, you would have been irritated but sorry to disappoint you my friend, you don't look irritated to me but upset and disturbed.

Shaurya tried to avoid his gaze: There is no other reason. I am just tired.

Rajeev kept his hand on his shoulder and made him look at him: Tired of what Shaurya? I have been noticing you for the last couple of weeks, you seem too lost and uninterested as if something is bothering you. And this I have observed much before Aashima's entry in our hotel so I know she is not the reason. I do not want to force you or intrude your personal life. Like you always say - Your life, your decisions and I will always respect that. I just want you to sort out anything that is bothering you. I know you have questions, ask them and find out your answers. For once, let your heart rule your ego.

Shaurya looked at him : Do you think I have a heart like the others? Coz everyone thinks I am made of stone. I only think about business and nothing else. Is that true Bhai?

Rajeev looked at him. There was certain kind of genuineness in his question which told him that he desperately wanted to know the truth.

Rajeev shook his head and said: No, you too have a heart filled with emotions just like the others . The only problem with you is that you don't give the freedom to your heart to make decisions for you. Just once, put yourselves in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too. Just think about it. Take this as an advice Shaurya. Now lets get back to business, shall we?

Shaurya smiled: Yes, thanks Bhai.

After 5 hours, the meeting was finally concluded. All of them were very tired.

Rajeev: So its decided that on the last day of the event, we will have a big party for all the guests and our staff too. We cannot deny that if the event is successful which I know it would be, it will all be because of their hard work and sincere efforts. They too deserve the applause. As for the question of serving the guests, we will call the staff from our Mumbai hotels. That definitely won't be a problem. Does the board agree with me?

Everyone agreed with Rajeev's suggestion. Shaurya raised hand to make a point.

Shaurya: Make sure to call the entire staff who has worked on this event. In these two months, we have had few employees who had resigned or were on extended leave for some reasons. I want all of them to come for the party.

Rajeev: Sure Shaurya. So guys let's just wrap up. We only have 10 days and still a lot of things to be planned. We have been at it for hours so we too need rest. Good night guys.

The board members started leaving when Rajeev tapped on Shaurya's shoulder and said: Impressive!

Shaurya: What?

Rajeev: I am happy that you are so concerned about our employees. Appreciate that.

Shaurya smiled: Just following your advice.

Rajeev looked at him questioningly: I didn't get it?

Shaurya smiled: Lets leave Bhai. I am very tired. Have to come early tomorrow.

Rajeev: Yes.

P.S.: Ok i know it didnt have any prominent Mehrya scene but i needed to show Shaurya's turmoil and for that i had to write this chapter. I am sorry guys if you are disappointed with the lack of Mehrya scenes in this but I assure you that the next chapter would definitely have Mehrya scenes.

N yes for the record it is still the flashback 😆 Criticism welcomed!!!