Chapter#21
His taut lips thinned even more as Rajeev concentrated on the image on the monitor. He paused the video, before reversing it once more, and just to confirm what he suspected was real, adjusted the playback feed. The sequence ran in slow motion, and when it reached the point he was interested in, he paused it. On the larger monitor, as opposed to his laptop screen, he could clearly determine, that right at this moment, something had occurred that had greatly affected Mehek. Exactly after Uday had followed her out of her dressing room, and had leaned down to her, presumably saying something that had caused the young woman to stand shock-still while the man had brushed past her. In reaction, she had covered her mouth and dashed out of sight of the camera: back into the confines of her dressing-room. He jotted the time that the DVR had logged and then let it run again at normal speed. The camera that monitored the area just outside the dressing-room had recorded no further comings or goings until, minutes before shooting would begin, Mehek exited. He was unable to discern any clear expression, from the slightly grainy film, as Mehek, her head hung low, passed through the area the camera covered, but Rajiv could not help but reflect on how subdued she had been when he had first seen her.
He had been right to have stopped by the studio after he had left the launch the night before. Even luckier was that, with the right enticement, that the security-guard had bypassed standard procedure and had downloaded the day's taping of the camera that monitored the area just outside dressing room #3 on to a flash drive for him. It was the best that security could provide, the man had advised, as due to privacy regulations they were prevented from taping inside the greenrooms themselves. But what Rajiv had seen was more than enough: telling and frankly infuriating. Unbeknownst to them, everything he and Shaurya had strived to avoid had been circumvented in one fell swoop. Uday had struck at the opportune time, with something that had shattered the young chef in an instant; that was more than clear.
Rajiv leaned back in his seat and pressed his finger-tips together as he contemplated what could have shaken the woman so. And more to the point, how it all tied back to Shaurya. He suspected that more facts could be sourced from the security tapes, and thought, there would be no better time than now to go and make a formal request for the recordings. Barring any delays, there stood a good chance that he would have them in hand by the end of the day, and then he would advise Shaurya of the situation and present this evidence. Nothing would convince him that the recently changed man, would have purposively done something to hurt Mehek.
A baffled expression suddenly crossed his face and he stole a glance at the wall clock, as he realized that his business partner had yet to make an appearance in the office. Confused, considering their full schedule, Rajeev stood and grabbed his coffee mug. Surely Hina would know the whereabouts of her boss, so it made sense to seek her out to ask. At the same time, he mused, hopefully he would be able to cajole a cup of the delicious brew the PA was known for, which would be a vast improvement over the acrid cup of coffee he had prepared for himself when he had arrived at the office in the pre-dawn hour.
*********
"An emergency meeting and press conference? Nahi Hina, I have no idea what you are talking about."
Rajiv stared at the PA as if she had grown a second head. Granted he had been occupied with the work he was doing, but he had had no communication with Shaurya either via telephone or email on the matter that she was intimating. He was saved from asking the reason for the unorthodox action, when she handed him a copy the daily newspaper. The headline she had presented face-up, was an eye-catching lead in into what could only be termed a salacious article that would not bode well for neither the subjects of the reporting, nor for the show.
"The press conference is to be held at the television station, in about twenty minutes, Rajiv Sir. You will have to leave right away, if you stand any chance of catching it before it begins."
He hurried back to his office to collect his things so that he could make the short trek to the television station. Retrieving his mobile off the desk, he took half a minute to reconfirm that in fact no message of any sort had been sent by Shaurya. That none had, served to impress how quickly this the damage-control plan had been activated. He scanned the table top before remembering where he had left them, and then extracted his car keys from one of its drawers, and then hurried out of the office with them in hand. He would be cutting it close given the busy traffic he could anticipate. Approaching Hina's work station he needlessly called for the PA to cancel any meetings they had scheduled for this morning.
"I'm sorry miss, Mr. Khanna is not available this morning, and I cannot be certain when to expect him."
Rajiv overheard the sincere response to someone who had made it past the reception area to the PA's office.
"And I'm telling you, that I know he's here, so just call him out here, before I ..."
"Nehal?"
The enraged young woman turned on hearing her name called. A determined expression on her face, she started for the man who had addressed her, believing if he was there, then so too was his business partner.
"I'm about to really lose my patience here Sir, so go back and tell Shaurya to come and meet me now, or he will see exactly what I can do. I will trash this entire office before I go and then I will call this same reporter, and tell him exactly what sort of man Shaurya Khanna is."
"Nehal, calm down," the young woman who accompanied her implored. She grabbed her friend's flailing arm, in which the she held the same periodical Rajiv had been shown minutes ago
"Nahi Sonal, I won't. Not after what he's done to Di."
His ears perked up, and immediately he sought to appease Mehek's younger sister, who from the sounds of it, had some information that would aid him this morning. He smiled gently. "Perhaps there's something I can help you with. If you just come into my office..."
"Ji and then what, Shaurya sneaks out past us while we're distracted? Nahi, I don't trust him... nor anyone who works here," she answered, sliding a glance back at Shaurya's assistant. "Call him out now."
Rajiv smiled and began speaking calmly to Nehal, "Hina is telling the truth; Shaurya is not in the office. I'm afraid I'm the best you can do for the moment."
The impotence of the situation exploded when Nehal finally understood that she would get neither the satisfaction of confronting the man who had hurt her sister so badly, nor the answers for the same. Worst of all though was the nonchalance that everyone here had been treating the situation with. She just lost it.
"Thik hai, Sir, if you have the answers and can speak for him, then tell me why Shaurya Khanna has cheated my sister." She thrust the newspaper in his direction. "Explain the very good reason why that man was getting Di drunk and kissing her two nights ago when he knew he was practically engaged? How far would he have gone with her if she hadn't caught him at his game?"
"Oh my God!"
The exclamation from the usually unflappable Hina, parroted the real shock Rajiv felt on Nehal's divulgence. Only Sonal's retort gave him the hope that Nehal's words were not as inflammatory as they seemed.
"Stop saying that Nehal, I told you that's not what happened." She stared at the man that they hoped would shed some light on her beloved friend absconding from home, for what looked to be an indefinite period. "Well not exactly, anyway."
Rajiv pursed his lips: providence had determined that rather than attending the press conference, that the greater need was that he remained here. "Nehal, Sonal please follow me. I really think we need to talk."
***********
"Vultures: circling for the kill, Shaurya thought as he took his seat the table and looked out at the press who had gathered for the official response that from the ISC executives. It was most likely a complete waste of time, as the journalists would, in all likelihood, believe their own interpretations of the situation, and run with that. However, the farce of an event had been dictated by those higher than him, and it was easier to submit to the command, and just get it all over with so that he could attend to more important matters. The foreboding inside him would grow, he knew, with every hour that passed without him getting in touch with MS. With it only being mid-morning locally, he recognized that he now had the time difference on his side, but it would have only take one click on a search engine, before retiring last night, for MS to have pulled up the sordid report connecting him and Esha. He wanted to believe that he had been lucky, and that she hadn't, but it would still be better that she heard about all of this from him directly as opposed to via the gossip links which were gathering speed as the story spread more across cyber-space with every passing hour.
To one side sat the show's director and on the other: Uday, who Shaurya still felt reservations about despite his overt show of dismay this morning. That he be the manufacturer of the gossip, was still within the realm of possibility, and although Shaurya had not openly accused him, the producer had to have realized that he would see him a prime suspect under the circumstances. Still not even this mattered now. This was just a means to an end for Shaurya. His cool demeanor belied the true scope of emotions he felt as he earnestly waited the much-desired notification from the mobile resting in his inner-breast pocket. It was a hell of a time to realize that when it came down to the crunch that he didn't give a damn about ICS, especially if it caused him what had come to mean the most to him now.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if we can begin. Thank you for coming..."
****************
The statement was standard issue: an official disavowal of any connection between the principal of the show and the young contestant spurred on by the unfortunate incident that occurred during the filming of the second episode of the show. This had precipitated the young woman's public outburst that had formed the basis for the conjecture that was now being taken as fact.
Listening, Rajiv turn to study the two women who were watching the live conference with him. Understandably, much as their attitude had exposed on arrival, Nehal sneered in disgust as she listened to Shaurya, while Sonal seemed more reflective in nature. The pair had just begun to provide more information, detailing Mehek's happiness this past week which they firmly attributed to Shaurya, when Hina had come in with drinks for all of them, and then had turned on the cabin's TV so that they could watch the proceedings as they happened. However, the real interest would come when the floor was opened for questions.
****************
At six AM Orlando time, Mehek finally closed the door and locked it behind Malik. It had taken her insistence that she was fine now, and agreeing to meet him the next day, that finally convinced her co-worker to leave her once they had made it back to her suite. She had thanked him for everything, and promised that she would spend the day resting and would order room service today. She had even managed a laugh when he informed her that he would resort to using his clout and checking with the hotel's food & beverage department to determine if she had, but ultimately, he had accepted her smile and hug and left.
She had freshened up, changing into some pjs and made her telephone call for something light to eat, before she would decide what next to do. Not quite up to the phone call home she had to make, she had logged on hoping that an email to her family would suffice for now. Not unexpectedly, she had found series of messages from both Sonal and Nehal, who were quite upset over her sudden departure. She felt awful for their pain at her decision, but hoped that one day they would understand. Still, she did not expect to receive what both girls had independently sent her, apprising her of the activities of the man they knew to be the cause of her leaving.
**********
"Shaurya Saab, you cannot deny that the first season of ISC was notorious for its drama quotient. How are we not to think that this isn't another ploy to bring attention to the new season? After all you have managed to get all of us here and have our full attention..."
"Season one is something that I consider a lesson learnt, and something we have moved and have strived to improve on. As noted from the ratings of our first episode, the show has been well received,so there is no need to resort to underhanded acts, undermining anyone's reputation. The quality of the show and this season's contestants speak for themselves and will continue to do so. Suffice to say there is no reason to manufacture any drama. To suggest such is ridiculous."
"Everyone noticed the absence of Mehek Sharma at last night's launch. Is there any truth that she did not show up due to the discovery of your association with your contestant?"
"Again, here we go with the speculation of a nature that has brought us to where we are today. Unfortunately, Mehek fell ill at the last moment and was unable to attend our function last night. Naturally everyone was disappointed by this, but of course her health should be paramount to anything else. We hope that she recovers very soon."
"So, there is no merit to the report that you spent the evening with Mehek Sharma earlier this week then, Shaurya?"
"Ms. Sharma and I did dine earlier in the week, although I have no idea why this would be newsworthy. Surely everyone here has shared a friendly meal with a colleague."
"Can you speak to the rumor that your family is now in negotiations for an alliance between you and Esha?"
"Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if they were. I'm sure at least everyone here can attest to an overzealous family attempting to fix our marriages as soon as we become of a suitable age. Speaking for myself, I can only say that such intentions would be met with failure due to other commitments of mine."
"Considering the controversy, have you asked Esha to withdraw from the competition?"
"That hasn't even been a consideration. Esha has nothing wrong other than express herself, albeit rather publicly, over an issue that any young woman would find concerning. It would be wrong to even think on those lines and ask her to leave. The competition would suffer if we even give in to such an idea."
"How then, is the viewing audience to believe that the show is not fixed, and that any success Esha meets is legitimate and not due to your association?
"For clarity, there is no, nor has there ever been any association of a personal nature between Esha and I. Therefore, there is no issue, however, I am more than willing to remove myself from the show to remove any doubts. Ultimately, India's Super Cook is a platform for the competitors; not for Shaurya Khanna. Especially in this case I would have no issue with stepping aside to allow season two's competitors an equitable chance to succeed."
"Shaurya Sir, one final question. You have suggested that you have made a commitment to someone. I'm certain that this news has not been well received. Would it be correct to state that at least one reason for this press conference is personal: for the sake of your relationship?"
"Absolutely. I would rather that there had been no misunderstandings at all, but I am not above calling an audience before the whole world if that is what it would take to let her know that her faith in me is not wasted. In knowing my truth, that my dost, comprehends that no-one can supersede her place in my life."
**********
He hadn't even hesitated; had spoken these words as if they were an oath to his love. And Mehek couldn't help but weep again, as she reached to stop the video and exit out of the link. He was the master of all liars she thought, as she logged in to Facebook.
**********
With the makings of a raging headache, Rajiv returned to the office.
He had spent hour by hour, gathering snippets of information from a variety of sources, but none that he could piece together to come to some rational conclusion. Or at least one in which Shaurya was not the culprit. The only constant in all of those he encountered today was that most them believed Mehek to have been a victim of some machination of his business partner. From the young woman's kin to the head chef and most of the staff at White Chilies, Rajiv had met with complaint upon complaint about the man. With everyone he had spoken to attesting to the fact that if any connection had been made between two people, it was one between Mehek and Shaurya, Rajiv had begrudgingly started to believe that whether by design, which he would hate to think was the case, or by sending mixed signals, Shaurya may indeed have played some role in the woman's agony.
He smiled at Hina, who although on her telephone waved him over before he could pass her desk. As he waited for the PA to conclude her phone call, he was drawn to her screensaver and the sunset view of a body of water that looked like an oasis of peacefulness. It looked familiar to Rajiv's cluttered mind, and somewhere he wouldn't mind being right now. Perhaps once everything was resolved, he would book some vacation leave, he thought. His attention went back to the PA when she disconnected her call.
"Thank goodness you're back. Shaurya has returned and is fit to be tied. He's now asking for you every five minutes now. He's in his office."
Rajiv had intentionally ignored his mobile as he had gone about his fact-finding today, so he wasn't surprised. "He's that bad, is he?"
"The worst I've ever seen him in some time actually," Hina replied.
Rajiv nodded. "Thik hai, let me see what I can do to appease him. Perhaps if you aren't too overloaded, you can do something for me though in return?" He indicated with his thumb to her computer monitor. "Book me a couple of weeks wherever that is. Mayhap, even yourself some time there too. Something tells me we are both going to need a vacation soon."
He earned a small smile from the PA. "I'll gladly take the leave, but I think I will bypass the destination if that's okay, particularly since Shaurya plans on going there, once I determine exactly where it is, that is," she added under her breath.
Before Rajiv could question her further, Hina's phone rang again. "It's him again," she whispered. "Haan Shaurya Sir, he's just arrived, he's coming now."
***********
He was pacing, and didn't see his partner when he first entered the office, but when he did, Shaurya, without preamble approached Rajiv.
"Ms. Sharma, provided she's feeling better, I need you to schedule a meeting with her. I don't care whatever it takes, but I need to get her under contract for the remainder of the season of ICS. Whatever it takes cost-wise; schedule-wise, I'm willing to offer. She's the only one I can trust to take my spot on the judging panel. Obviously, I would expect you to take over the main hosting duties Bhai, but she is the only person I know who will be able to handle this. I need you to make this happen Bhai, as soon as possible, as I anticipate not having much notice before I have to leave."
"Leave...leave for where? Shaurya, what are you talking about?"
In response, the man swung his laptop around to face Rajiv. It spoke to the desperate state he was in, that he would allow anyone to be privy to what Rajiv was now reading.
...You lie so convincingly Shaurya, if nothing else you are quite credible when the camera is on you.
...Dost...jaan I have been absolutely truthful. You've seen the tape so you had to have understood.
...I expect any number of girls would be quite flattered. You have come across as quite the hero. Thank God, I know better.
...MS, don't. I know you have seen my earlier messages. You have my telephone number now. Please call me so we can talk this through. Give me the chance to explain.
...More than you already have Shaurya. No thanks. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Unless this doesn't apply to you either KK: so many things do not it appears.
...Goodbye Shaurya.
Rajiv looked up from the screen. The troubles he thought would be the only ones Shaurya would be contend were just the tip of the iceberg. "Shaurya..."
"I can't lose her over this, Bhai. I must go to her as soon as I can. I just need you to get Ms. Sharma to help me out. Please convince her."
Rajiv was at a loss for words, as slowly the synapses began firing in his head. This couldn't be he thought.
"Bhai, are you listening?"
"Haan, Shaurya. Uh where exactly are you travelling to?"
"America...Florida: I will know exactly where, once Hina works her magic for me."
Chapter22
Edited by crtkelly - 8 years ago
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