MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 84

Chapter #22

"I need you to stall him..."

Hina turned back from watching Shaurya depart to express her confusion at the request being made of her, by the man she thought had remained in his office after she and Shaurya had left it. "Sir, I don't understand..."

Rajiv ignored the young woman's response, and began questioning her instead. "Hina, how many lakes are there in Orlando?"

Without missing a beat, the PA responded, "When factoring in the man-made ones, in excess of one hundred."

"And your process in pinpointing this particular one," referring to the photo Shaurya had provided her as the means for her to find where his online friend was living.

"I've taken a hint from the photo itself. The vantage indicates that it has been taken overlooking the water, much higher than a single home dwelling, so my focus will be any multi-storied buildings that are near to any significant bodies of water. And because the only firm address I have is the restaurant where she is probably employed, I am going to use it as the epicenter and work my way out; the theory being that a single female in a foreign country would be more likely to select somewhere close to her job to live.

And this was exactly why Shaurya had put his PA on the case, Rajiv thought. The young woman had an uncanny eye for detail that was much appreciated by her employer, and it hadn't failed her today. At this rate, he wouldn't be surprised if Hina wasn't apprising Shaurya of the information he needed by tomorrow morning. Although this would be a relief to the man, it probably wouldn't be ideal considering the situation, with so many unknown factors at play.

"Sir?

Hina's voice drew him away from his thoughts.

"You won't be able to shore up Mehek for ISC will you, Sir?

Rajiv shook his head, not surprised in the least that she had put two and two together after the happenings of the day. "Nahi; she has already left Delhi. She left last night.

"How could he not know, Hina wondered aloud. "With a co-worker's name, he could have he could even now, track her down so easily. To prove this, the young woman pulled out her smartphone, did a quick search, and with no trouble pulled up a review of one of the food demos that Chef Malik and Mehek Sharma had conducted. Even with the evidence right before her, she could barely believe it. "But he has been with her for days, how could he have not had even an inkling?

"I'm not sure that deep down he hasn't, but the fact remains that theirs is a unique relationship. He had promised not to seek her out until she was ready to reveal herself. It was the only way she would agree to maintain the friendship once she came to know his identity. He has lived up to his side of things, and it looked as if had borne fruit as, before today's fiasco, she had made a decision that she wanted a relationship with him.

"After their dinner, I suspect, Hina mumbled to herself. "She must have finally believed that he had changed after that.

Rajiv nodded his agreement. Recalling Sonal's insistence, over Nehal's ire, that Shaurya had acted the complete gentleman, he believed this as well. "I think their dinner date sealed it for Mehek, he added to the PA.

Now that everything was out in the open, in no way did he feel as if he was betraying Shaurya by sharing these details with Hina. With the time constraints they were dealing with, the input from someone who could offer fresh view of the situation was welcome. "By my way of thinking Mehek returned to Delhi in to see if he had really changed, and in the end, must have believed he had. From what he said, everything was going well until two days ago. Until someone interfered and made her think otherwise, I believe she may have intended on confessing to him last night. But then the timeline falls apart: it's all wrong. She left before any scandal arose, and I cannot for the life of me comprehend what was relayed to her to would make her flee so suddenly.

"Betrayal, Hina stated. "She had to believe that Shaurya had betrayed her all over again. The young woman withdrew to herself and looked to be in deep thought for a minute. "Shaurya and I spoke some weeks ago. It was the strangest conversation, as if something, or someone, had prompted him to do some real soul searching. He took notes, she said to reiterate how intent Shaurya had seemed at the time. "I won't believe that he wasn't sincere; it all fits. And there is no doubt that he is different now: a better person, even.

"Haan, and I would wager anything that there isn't a scheming bone in Mehek Sharma's body. What she asked of him, I am sure was done with the best of intentions.

"And you have found some proof that someone has meddled...

Rajiv pulled the flash-drive he had kept on him all day, and held it out "A very strong indication, Hina. I have hopes that to find something more soon.

"Two days: I can guarantee two days. The only contact name I have; Chef Malik went on leave unexpectedly. He isn't due back to work for another two days.

Rajiv nodded. "I know. A friend was in need, and he made himself available to her. Even if I am unable to discover the truth; the fact remains that emotions are running high, on both ends right now, and I think you would agree that it would be best to at least let things settle down a bit before he learns the truth. He stared emphatically and the PA hoping that she would understand this fact as well. As expected, she didn't disappoint.

"He won't be happy; or patient, Hina stated. "We're in for a rough couple of days, she added, resigned that what they were doing was for the greater good.

*********

Mehek lasted all of three hours after her breakfast before she felt the walls closing in on her, and, as she looked over to her laptop, her resolve giving way. If she remained in her suite she would either go mad with her thoughts, or worst yet give in and contact him. The mere fact that the latter was even a consideration scared the life out of her: that Shaurya could be so entwined in her that she would be willing to subject herself to more of his lies was unfathomable. It was as if her heart yearned for the illusionary world he had drawn her into, despite understanding the harsh reality she knew to be fact. Forget that, she thought. Instead, she decided to get out of bed and get dressed. If she was insistent on remaining in a fantasy world, then better to be in a place that was actually built around such a premise.

Twenty minutes later, after a curtesy message to Malik, who she knew would worry if he wasn't able to reach her, Mehek was riding the monorail on her way to Epcot. She had almost had made her way to the Magic Kingdom, but in the end, had remained on the train, on the realization that she may not be quite up to the whimsy that the mainstay of Disney World offered: better to save the castle and its plethora of princesses for another, a happier day. The opportunity to actually explore the Food and Wine Festival would be more her cup of tea. She was evidently not alone in her thoughts and after a few minutes of looking out the window at the passing property the train track ran above, she turned her attention to her fellow passengers. Unlike when she had first arrived in Orlando weeks ago, there was a dearth of children now, except for the very young, for whom the limitations of the school year were not a factor yet. Mostly though, her fellow passengers seemed to be of the same ilk: the foodies that the park catered to during this period. Almost. Her eyes touched on the newly-wedded couple, easily identifiable, even without the dead giveaway of their matching bride and groom mouse ears, who were completely into each other, and unashamed in expressing their affections. Briefly Mehek wondered if they had married on site; the wedding industry being another niche the corporation had found and developed by offering fairytale weddings of any sort that a couple could possibly dream up. She could just imagine how magical it could be; that is, should one find someone worthy to share their lives with, in the first place, Mehek thought miserably. Her eyes pricking, she wondered if she should just go back, but, just when it felt as if her stable mood was about to permanently shatter, her attention was drawn to an older couple nearer to her who were planning their strategy to make the most of their first day at the Food and Wine Festival. Her mood was saved from souring any further when she heard them mention that the laddoos they had heard all about at their hotel, were a must to start their culinary adventure, and made sure to mark the location of the India Kiosk on the map they were studying. Behind her sunglasses, Mehek smiled, thankful that small blessings came when least expected, but most needed. It almost seemed fated that she be here right that this moment when she had made the choice to venture out today.

Once she had taken the obligatory ride in Spaceship Earth, the iconic golf ball shaped structure Epcot was famous for, in all it took Mehek just over four hours to make her way around the World Showcase, snacking and shopping her away around and visiting the specialized exhibits of every country represented at the festival. Aside from the one telephone call received from Malik, checking up on her, she had been undisturbed in this solo trek of hers, and on the whole, had enjoyed it immensely. It wasn't without its lows, as more than once she imagined how it could have been to share this time with him; surely if things had worked out to plan he would have visited. Pragmatically, she thought it best to face the fact that that would never happen and then get the idea out of her system; a task easier said than done. A pep-talk in the thankfully secluded washroom she had to retreat to, when at one point she became completely overwhelmed with grief, was par for the course, and afterwards she was eternally grateful for the sunglasses that she could hide her pain behind. Still she pressed on knowing that at some point she would have had to get this first functional day post- Shaurya behind her in order to get some normalcy back into her life. Today might as well be that day. Mind you, when she reached what she had determined would be her last stop, she was more than ready to return to her suite to hide under the covers. She had been brave enough she reckoned. However, she couldn't very well leave until she had checked things out, so she waited in line, until it was finally her time to be served.

"One order of laddoos, please.

************

"Who exactly is that girl, again?

Mehek turned around and waved again at the young woman she knew would be avidly following her exit.

"That is the incomparable Mel. She is here on the Disney College Program...

"An intern; that explains it then, Malik grumbled.

His patronizing comment had Mehek raising an eyebrow at Malik. "So judgmental, yaar. I'll have you know that she's recently attained her BS with a First in Tourism and Hospitality Management, and this internship is just a fun stepping stone for her before she moves onto bigger and better things. You really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Malik said nothing. Once he had determined that he would meet Mehek; much like his fellow chef, he had headed out to the kiosk to check how things were going. In Mehek's absence he had sent his associates in his stead each day, but not before reviewing the wares before they left the industrial kitchen. Nothing had been amiss in the past week, but his coming here today, was still the perfect opportunity to conduct an impromptu inspection.

The kiosk was doing a brisk business, with all three workers active for the entire time that he had taken to observe them from the bench he sat on, as he awaited Mehek's inevitable arrival. He had waited for a lull, and had made a purchase himself, and found his server to be both well versed in the food she was selling and enchanting too boot. He had been unable not to smile in return when she had served him so attentively. He had then gone back to his bench and continued to watch the group, and her in particular.

Needless to say, he could barely comprehend when the young woman's true nature revealed itself, when Mehek finally showed up.

"Mehek Babes your back! You weren't supposed to be back for another couple of days. Tanya taking five," Mel called out over her shoulder as she left the kiosk to bombard Mehek with her presence. After a few minutes watching aghast, Malik decided to join them, coming up behind Mehek and her companion who wasn't leaving her even the chance to get a word in.

"Mehek, let me get those bags for you".

"Oh, are you here to meet Mehek, this is the reason you've been hanging around," Mel asked, smiling up at Chef Malik. She looked at her friend and winked mischievously at her. "And here I was thinking my luck had finally come in and my first real stalker was going to one of the highest quality. Oh well, next time around I guess. Anyway, Mehek since you're back, you really have to come to our ISC Season 2 viewing party tomorrow night. You can be my super-surprise guest. Let me just give you the address and..."

"I don't think that would be the wisest thing do you Mehek," Malik interjected.

Mel drew back, and then grabbed Mehek's left hand studying it for a second. "No ring: cool. Sorry, I thought I had missed something important," she stated. "Anyway, Mehek it would be so awesome if you could come. You can even bring Uncle if you wish, since he seems so concerned, about you," she added sweetly. "That is Uncle, if you don't mind hanging out with we youngsters. We promise to send you home in time for your bedtime."

Mehek doubted that Chef Malik had ever encountered anyone like their Mel, and smiled inwardly.

"Please Uncle," Mel requested with folded hands, and an adorable pout. "Please let Mehek come home."

When Malik pursed his lips causing those deadly dimples to appear, Mehek heard her friend's sharp intake of breath at the sight, and immediately spoke up as to cover the young woman's true reaction to having her crush in front of her: The crush, who much to his chagrin, she incessantly kept referring to as her elder. If nothing else Mel's naughtiness would be a welcome relief to her doldrums. "I would love to, Mel. Text me your address and the time. I'll bring some sweets with me. Which means a trip to the grocery store is in order. You don't mind, do you Malik?"

He nodded brusquely, and waited in silence as the two women hugged each other.

*********

"Shaury?"

From his bed, where he had rested propped up against his headboard, Shaurya opened his eyes in response to the greeting. Had he the wherewithal to appreciate the irony of it all, he would have laughed his head off. Life was surly having a great fun at his expense today. His mother sent a small smile in his direction as she entered the room proper holding the small tray. Reaching him she lift the glass and held it out for her son.

"Turmeric Milk," Shaury uttered with a wistful smile, as he reluctantly shut his laptop he had kept on in vain hope, and shuffled over in the bed as to allow his parent space to sit beside him. "It was one of the first recipes she had listed on her Facebook page Mom."

Karuna sighed. "I thought it just the ticket for you, to help you sleep after such a tumultuous day, but it looks like even my efforts won't alleviate your suffering, beta," she said as she placed the drink, her son had refused on the nightstand. His next action only compounded her worry for her child when, as soon as she sat, he positioned himself so that his head rest in her lap.

"If I am suffering it's only because she is, Ma".

He lay there finding comfort as his mother ran her hand over his hair.

"I am going to have to leave soon Ma. I need to find her and make her understand that none of this mess is true."

Karuna kept to her own counsel. Her loyalties to her child had her thinking that had the friend he held so dear truly understood him, that his proposed actions wouldn't be necessary. She should have known the character of the man he was by now and never doubted him. But of course, this wasn't something her son would understand or even appreciate being voiced. When he was in such need of her support, she couldn't express her misgivings.

"And what of Mehek, Beta?"

"Mehek, well hopefully Bhai will get her to agree to join the judging panel of ISC. It will make it easier for what I have to do. Heaven knows how long it may take to convince...

"You want Mehek to join your show?"

"Haan Ma."

"But what of the two of you?"

Shaurya sat up quickly. "Ma what are you talking about?"

"I'm not blind, Shaurya, it is obvious over the past week that something has developed between the two of you."

"A friendship, Mom nothing more; nothing less, Shaurya barked defensively.

"Aacha thik hai. Mehek Sharma is your friend; your very own Dost. Forgive me for misunderstanding. How is you friend then? Is she feeling better now?"

Her son's silence spoke volumes.

"I will go by her house first thing tomorrow morning, Maa" Shaurya said, acknowledging his mistake of disregarding the young woman's condition, in his focus on his own problems.

"Nahi Beti, I will. You put your attentions where you feel they should be."

"In that case; we will both go Maa, first thing, thik hai? It's the very least I can do for Mehek. You don't think the Sharma's will run me out of Old Delhi when I show up on their doorstep do you, Maa?"

Chapter23