MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 78

Chapter#20

The door closed behind him, separating Rajiv from the Sharma family who, like he, had been left reeling to have learned that Mehek had gone. PD's anguished lament that her great-granddaughter; her Ladoo, had departed without even saying good-bye echoed in his head. He turned, anxiously to the woman who had escorted him outside.

"Kanta Ji, please tell me this isn't true. It's not possible that Mehek has left the country." He flourished an arm towards the home he had just left. "And not have informed anyone, not even..."

Kanta held up one hand to interrupt. "It was necessary. She was lucky enough to be able to change her ticket for an 8:00PM flight tonight, so there was really no choice. If I could not save her the damage done to her, then the very least I could do was to ensure that she was removed from those determined to do her harm."

Rajiv stood scandalized. "Damage...harm?" He reached for the woman's arms imploring her for more information; fearful of what may have happened to the talented young chef.. "Kanta, who has... what exactly has happened to Mehek?"

Mehek's Aunt twisted herself out the businessman's hold. In her eyes, he too was as at fault, only slightly less blameworthy as his partner in her opinion. "What hasn't," she seethed. "In the company of that despicable man, what chance does any woman have of remaining unscathed? None of this would have happened had she not been asked to return."

Clear as to whom she was alluding to, still Rajiv had no idea the reasoning behind her vitriol, let alone what Mehek could have possibly divulged to her elder, that would have the woman unilaterally blaming Shaurya. It was a mystery indeed and although it seemed that the price had already been paid, inasmuch as Mehek had elected to return to America so abruptly, Rajiv could not let the insinuation go unanswered. "I can assure you Kanta, whatever..."

"Had you seen the condition of my child, you would not dare to even begin to defend that man," the visibly stressed woman interrupted.

"That man, Kanta Ji, has treated Mehek with absolute respect for the past week, to the point to looking out for her wellbeing the entire time she has been on set. As have I. You of all people know that I completely, and wholly abhorred his past behavior, and had there been any chance of a reoccurrence of it, even the minutest chance, I would not have made the plea. Shaurya's first inclination was not to do so at all, he hoped she would decline the offer to return, just to avoid even the perception of impropriety as it pertained to Mehek. If she has been slighted by something he has done, I can assure you that it was purely unintentional."

"Slighted... slighted...had it been a mere slight, do you believe Mehek would have reacted so Rajiv Saab? She is a mature woman, not a young child; even more so after her time abroad. You, yourself have taken pride in her accomplishments, in her growth. Do you honestly believe some snub; some mild upset would bring about such a conclusion? She felt she had no choice but to leave: tonight, and even though she refused to disclose the full scope of what he did to her..."

She faltered, and covered her mouth with one trembling hand. The ramifications of the actions she had supported her niece in taking, was not lost on Rajiv. Although a stalwart of the Sharma family, Kanta was not beyond reproach, and on return inside would be answerable to the entire clan: both elder and young. To have taken such steps, knowing the inevitable fallout...

"What time does her flight land? Will it be necessary for her to overnight or has she managed a connecting flight soon after she lands?"

He watched as he older woman, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, shook her head. She folded her hands.

"Nahi," she pleaded. "Please do not contact her. You are the only connection between Mehek and her pain. Please Rajiv Saab, let this door remain closed now."

"Nahi, I will not shirk my responsibility for her. I would know that Mehek is safely returned to her destination, at the very least," the businessman insisted.

Kanta acquiesced to his stipulation. "Thik hai, but please...please no more than that. For Mehek's sake."

Rajiv shook his head. "Nahi Kanta. How can I leave this matter unsettled? I cannot believe it possible that Shaurya has done anything wrong, but I fully intend on discovering the truth behind this. And if by some remote chance, I find that Shaurya is indeed responsible for Mehek's condition, then I will not spare him."

In the silence that this statement brought, they both started when the door they stood near to, swung open.

"Kanta..."

The Sharma family, it seemed had exhausted their patience, and Jeevan had now come to collect his wife.

"I will not spare him, if you are correct" Rajiv reiterated to Mehek's aunt, who now had to return to her residence to run the gauntlet that lay before her in the form of a traumatized family. "However, I am certain I will discover that this is one big misunderstanding."

"I pity you the belief you have in that man, Rajiv Saab, for you will surely be disappointed this time," Kanta responded before turning her back on him an re-entering her home.

*********

His threshold for patience, long surpassed, Shaurya dialed Rajiv's number once again. The man, very much like his quarry, seemed to have disappeared into the same abyss that had swallowed Mehek Sharma.

"Bloody Hell," he groused, when his call went unanswered.

He felt a tap on his arm and turned to see his mother pointing to a distance not far from where the pair stood in the hall. "Aacha, beta. Rajiv has returned."

The man in question plastered a small smile on his face, as he prepared to meet Karuna, and folded his hands as he came in front of the mother and son who awaited him.

"Namaste, Karuna Ji."

Shaurya grimaced when the pair exchanged pleasantries, when all he wanted was information; an explanation for Mehek's absence.

"And Mehek," Kanta asked, unable to disguise her worry for the affable young woman who was missing the festivities that she deserved to be a part of.

"A migraine: of the very worst sort. She thought she would be able to contend with it, but it the end had to return. Her pain apparently is quite intolerable according to Kanta."

"You did not see her, Bhai?"

"Nahi, not directly. But I have been assured that the best steps have been taken to ensure her recovery."

"The poor dear. These headaches can be quite debilitating, she may be incapacitated for a few days, if it is as bad as it sounds. Beta, I hope you haven't overtaxed her to the point that made her susceptible..."

Shauryia glared at his parent in exasperation. Not wishing to make light of Ms. Sharma's condition, he still could help but reply to his mother's inane comment. "Aacha, well if that is the requisite, then I should be the one suffering, not her."

His comment was not well received from either party. "Okay that probably wasn't called for." He indicated to Rajiv. "Bhai, make sure you check on her in the morning, thik hai?"

"That should your responsibility, Shaury. It's the least you can do after all of her assistance this past week. Besides," Karuna continued, "It will be good for you to make amends with the Sharma family now that you and Mehek seem to have a fair rapport now."

Shaurya stiffened, and then covered his inability to speak, by taking a draw from the glass he held in his hand. He was grateful when Bhai spoke up and rescued him.

"Our schedule is actually, very tight tomorrow, and it may be better to allow Mehek a day to recover at any rate."

"Haan Ma, Bhai is right. However, I will make sure to touch base with her when she is feeling better."

Karuna smiled at her son, but nonetheless followed through with her insistence that Shaurya attempt to placate the family that he had behaved so badly with. Satisfied that he would see her instructions through in the coming days, she reached up to fondly kiss the man's cheek. "I will get going now, I think it's getting late and you probably have had enough of catering to me, I expect Shaury."

"Wait Ma, I will escort you the car."

Rajeev observed his partner, as he guided his mother through the crowded room, and pondered yet again, what could have possibly gone on that had affected Mehek so, that Kanta would have supported the young woman's drastic step. Even with all his faults, Rajiv doubted that level of duplicity ran through Shaurya which would allow him to act as unconscionably as Mehek's Aunt had suggested. That was another problem, Rajiv thought. Other than the understanding that whatever had happened was traumatic, Kanta had offered little by way of details as to what had gone on. Somehow, he would have to start from the end result, and work his way backwards in trying to ascertain what could have taken place. Especially since everything had seemed to be fine between the two of them, up until two days ago. Thankfully he knew exactly from where he would start.

"Oh no, Mehek is ill Rajiv Sir? I'm so sorry to hear that."

Turning his head, Rajiv was astounded to find Esha beside him. When had she even arrived, he thought? He acknowledged her statement with a nod. "Hopefully it is just a temporary inconvenience."

"I hope so," the young chef responded. "She is such an inspiration."

***********

Without letting go of her, Malik had edged them away through the gathered passengers to the perimeter of the baggage hall. And then he let her cry: woefully, until such time that she had finally exhausted her tears. Spent, she then expended a good ten minutes shuddering as she slowly collected herself. When, at last it looked as if Mehek had finally reached a level of composure he felt would allow the ability to coherently communicate, Malik lifted her head up so that she could meet his eyes.

He never thought anything could pain him anymore, than having to pose the question he couldn't avoid. However, given the complete uncertainty over what had happened to her, it was imperative that he know the exact extent of what he was dealing with.

"Mehek," he began carefully, "Do you need medical attention? Have you been harmed...physically abused in any way?"

Her face, already blotchy from crying took on a fiery hue, and she tore her gaze from his. She felt his fingers tighten where he held her. "Mehek," he repeated; his voice now taking on a desperate edge. "Answer me."

She shook her head slightly, and then raised her head "Nahi," she whispered, "Nothing like that happened."

He sighed heavily; his relief evident. "Okay...Good."

"I should call Chachi," Mehek offered weakly.

"We will, as soon as we decide what we are going to do, now that we can move on. We have two choices: stick to your original flight plan, which means we should probably look to book a couple of rooms somewhere, or we head over to La Guardia and catch an earlier flight to Florida. The first available one and leaves in two and a half hours. We just need hop in a cab right away."

She nodded to the second choice, making one small request, and then made haste to the nearest washroom. After attending to her more pressing needs, she had splashed her face with some cold water, and tried to pull herself together.

She felt torn asunder; a mere shadow of the woman she had been twenty-four hours ago, but she knew that she couldn't allow herself to sink any further. Studying her pallid complexion, she decided that a little colour would be just the start. However, after two failed attempts of applying her mascara; made near impossible by her unsteady hand, she wiped the messy stain from her face and went for the clear gloss instead. Who was she trying to kid: she was a mess, and nothing would change that for the moment.

Malik was on the phone when she came back to him, explaining to Kanta Chachi, that he had connected with her, and they were to catch an earlier flight back home.

Home. Weirdly, that didn't sound totally unnatural now that her world had irrevocably changed, Mehek thought to herself, as she waited for Mailk to finish the call. He ended it and then immediately ushered them to the exit so that they could secure a cab. She had nodded when he explained, that since her first call to her family would be a long and protracted one, that it would be best that she at least had the opportunity to have rested first, as the reason why he had handled the call. The rest of the time was spent very much in this manner: her letting Malik take the lead in their next steps, and she following automatically in his wake. He hadn't even seemed to have minded that she had done so, Mehek realized when, with kids-gloves, he gently guided her down the aisle of the plane that would soon take them down south.

"Are you fastened in, Dost?"

Mehek couldn't help but to tear up again when Malik addressed her so, and nodded; unable to get any words past her suddenly constricted throat. He just stared at her, aware that she was teetering on the edge again, and potentially about to breakdown for the second time. This was affirmed when she suddenly reached for, and raised the armrest between them so that she could lean into him without the encumbrance of the bar that would separate them. He felt, rather than heard when her breath hitched, and knew that she was weeping yet again in the crook of his shoulder. His jaw tightened, and he answered her plea for comfort as silently as she expressed her sorrow, when he wrapped his arm around her and held her as tightly as the space allowed. Whether not it be him or someone-else, Malik hoped that she would eventually decide to share her troubles with someone, so that she could receive the help that her plight required. However, for now: just as he had responded to her aunt's desperate, yet vague, phone call that Mehek was in crisis, he did what he was capable of. And if that was merely comforting the young chef on the flight back home, then that was what precisely what he would do.

For now, he was limited in his responses, however, if fate should ever bring him face-to-face to the man behind her condition, then Shaurya Khanna would learn exactly what he thought of his suspected ill-treatment of the young woman beside him.

**********

"Awarwa, another mimosa; make it stronger this time," Svetlana demanded to the ever-attentive servant.

"How diligent of you, ensuring an adequate dose of vitamin C this morning, Mami," Shaurya snidely remarked as he took his seat at the dining table. Vacantly, he raised his cup, and waited for another of the well-trained housemen to fill it with his usual beverage of choice: coffee, black and strong.

His aunt smirked, and Shaurya raised his head staring at the woman, recognizing the familiar Cheshire-cat grin, as one that pointed towards his aunt knowing something that would bring her joy, and him: trouble of some sort.

"Perhaps instead of complaining, you should join me instead: a celebration of your good fortune, or at the very least an improvement in your taste." She pouted as if thinking, before grinning again when her requested beverage was presented to her. "Congratulations nephew, this one may need a little taming, but at least she is of our class."

Shaurya narrowed his eyes at the woman, observing only then that his mother had lifted her head from the newspaper she had been reading when he came in and now was looking at him, dismay clearly on her face.

"Shaury?"

Shaurya, grabbed the paper from his parent and scanned the glaring headline: After last night...

Rather than an overview on the launch of the new season of India's Super Cook, an expose of Shaurya's speculated romance with one of the youngest contestants had been highlighted. Somehow Esha's dramatics at the television studio had been discerned and broadcasted as the basis of an association between the show's creator and the young woman. Complimented by numerous photos taken the night before, including one of a smiling Shaurya and young chef together with his mother in the background, that had been captioned as a bahu about to meet her mother-in-law, the article had gone on and on about the possibility of a love match of two children of two of Delhi's renowned industrialists. Even the love-bite that somehow managed to be photographed, had been attributed to him.

"What the hell?"

"Chalo Shuriti, darling show your brother-in-law how his good news has spread so fast, already," Svetlana urged her son's wife.

Her anger palatable, for reasons of her own, Shruti thrust her mobile over to him so that he could see how the story his affair was now plastered all over social media, shared sadistically by their peers. While Esha was one of their own, the speculation that the wild-child had gotten her hooks into someone like Shaurya was apparently the talk of the town.

"This is a lie, Mom; nothing more. I will get our legal team on it immediately," Shaury said as he stood up reaching for his phone with the intention of leaving the room. He needed to go back to his bedroom needing the privacy now more than ever. His lawyers, he would definitely contact, but before this he had something even more paramount in securing, beyond his reputation. Somehow, he had to forewarn MS of what had happened so that she wouldn't misunderstand. He wasn't even allowed a single step, when his father stormed into the dining room.

"You damnable fool, what the hell did you think you were doing? Do you have any idea who that girl's father is? Did you even care? She's not some middleclass girl who you can use and discard at your whim, you ass. If you weren't going to be discrete why didn't you stick to that sort, someone easily paid off?" He shook his head. "Nahi, you are so arrogant that you think you can do as you feel without consequence. Even if the girl is of loose morals, her family's standing in the community cannot be overlooked."

Before Shaurya could answer the absurd accusation, Haresh Khanna turned to his wife. "Your spoiling is the cause of this. Well, I hope you found this Esha girl acceptable since you can expect her to be your Bahu-to-be by the end of the day, if her family has any more to say about it!"

"Like hell she will," Shaurya bellowed, wondering how his world had suddenly descended into madness.

"Awara, forget the juice, go and break out a couple bottles of the good stuff," Svetlanta interjected into the rancid pall that had befallen the room. "We must toast to such good news: a potential alliance for our son!"

Chapter21