Summary: Mehek finds herself in a situation where there is no winning.
ONE SHOT
THE SILENCE
Mehek sat dressed in her best outfit. A dark maroon suit with a gold border. She nervously played with the end of her dupatta and peeked at her suiter. He was handsome, so handsome that her stomach twisted with both excitement and nervousness all at once. He was wearing an expensive black coat with stark white shirt paired with a blood red handkerchief.
She was so shy that, she often found it hard to meet people's eyes.
"When I met Mehek Kantaji I knew she would be perfect for Shaurya. She is such a sweet child, she helped me so much that day. In the market. I knew than and there I wanted her as my ghar ki laxmi His mother was a handsome woman, the way she held her head high all reinforced her look.
"He is no less than a prince. Mehek told us, about your accident how are you feeling now? Kanta Chachi asked, Mehek felt Nehal touch her shoulder.
"Where are the snacks? She asked annoyance tinging her voice.
"I left them all on the table Mehek answered, Nehal looked at something else and walked towards the table, where the snacks were.
"I am feeling much better She said smiling excitedly.
"Bring the tea Kanta Chachi told Mehek with her eyes, Mehek went to the kitchen and quickly arranged the tea. She walked back slowly into the room with Nehal who carried the snacks.
"Nehal is going to college. Mehek did not want to study, she left school at 16 Kanta Chachi said, Mehek felt her cheeks turn warm. Her education was not something she had turned away from, she did not want to be a burden to anyone.
"Shaurya graduated top of his class, he has his own company now apart from my families' companies. I don't know if you have heard of his company SK group Mehek felt embarrassed as her chachi and chacha stared at him with open mouths.
"SK group is always in the news, for its profits Her chacha ji revealed excitedly.
"So, what do you want to say for this rishta? His mother asked. Mehek put a sugar in the cup and held it out for him. He took it with cool detachment.
"We are ok with it She answered.
"I want to talk to her alone first before this, proceeds any further His voice was deep, Mehek blushed painfully when everyone began to smile at her.
"Sure, Mehek show Shaurya the terrace Mehek stood up and lead the way, he followed her silently his hands buried in his pockets.
She waited for him to speak as the cool breeze ruffled her hair.
He pulled out a rectangle piece of paper and held it out to her.
"Take this, and tell them you do not want to marry me Mehek realised it was a cheque. She looked at him confused, then hurt settled in, he did not want to marry her. She could not blame him. She had met so many men that had rejected her because she was too fat. Tears began to cloud her eyes. She had thought this time he would be different. Like in the fairy-tale he would see the soul inside and not judge her on her appearance.
"Why? She asked shakily blocking her expression with her hair.
"My mother thinks that getting me married to some poor little nobody is going to save my damned soul, but I don't. I don't want no part in this farce. Mehek Sharma, I will give you this offer once. If you marry me I will not like other husbands give you my salary nor will you get cent from me. So you should jump on this now I will give 20 lakhs if you go down those steps and refuse this marraige
"Why can you not refuse this marriage?
"Because I promised my mother I will marry the girl she chooses for me. Little did I know she would bring someone like you. We have no match. You are poor, uneducated, you would never fit into my life. You would stick out like sore thumb
Mehek looked at the floor and said nothing.
"I will do it. For free She said her cheeks were wet when she looked up at him. For a split second Mehek thought she saw uncertainty in his eyes.
When they both walked back downstairs. Mehek tried to hold her head high but could not. Her chin felt buried in her chest.
"So Mehek what do you think of my son? His mom asked her playfully.
"I don't want to marry him Mehek said, her words were but of a whisper, His moms face fell, Kanta Chachi and Jeevan Chacha glared at her.
"Mehek what are you saying Kanta Chachi came behind her and twisted her skin painfully. Mehek grimaced. But she would not say what they wanted her to say. He wanted nothing to do with her she would not view him as an escape from her hell. She would not.
"I don't want to marry him. Please excuse me Mehek said running upstairs, her back hurt, where Kanta Chachi had pinched her. Mehek feared worse would come. Far worse would come when they left.
She cried against her pillow. How she wished her mother was alive, her mother would never have let anyone treat her like this.
"What do you think of yourself girl, We hit it big, so big. Thankfully I was able to tell Karunaji that I would talk you and she believed me. You ungrateful wretch Kanta Chachi cursed her, Chacha ji stood at the door glaring at her as well.
"Can you believe she said no to him? Chachaji said shaking his head, Nehal poked her head in.
"If you won't have him. I will. He is gorgeous
"You look so much prettier than her, his mother must be blind to like this little elephant. Don't you worry once she marries him. We will find someone in his family for you Mehek pretended not to hear them and looked downwards.
"But you listen here. If you say no again or in any way try to break your relationship with Shaurya Khanna, Mehek I will stop paying for your fathers treatment in hospital. You will marry him. Mehek said nothing and waited for them to leave as they bantered back and forth about how rich they were going to be. Mehek felt sick. Her father, they would use her sick father to blackmail her into marrying someone who wanted nothing to do for her.
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"What happened to doing it for free changed your mind? His voice was angry. He gripped her hands so hard, Mehek half flinched.
"I am sorry She said, wanting to cry, but she could not if she did her Chacha and Chachi would do something to her father.
"You are disgusting. Know this sweetheart I will make your life hell. You chose this life, Mrs Khanna He told her as he slipped his arms around her waist and they danced in the middle as if they were in love. Mehek hated herself, her situation, everything so much. She did not dare to speak anything else. Despite his hands being so rough on her, Mehek pretended she felt nothing. She ignored the pain she felt whenever he touched her back.
The music stopped and Karunaji stood near the center with a mike.
"Good evening everyone. Today I know many of you know that you are here for my sons engagement but I want to also introduce you to my future daughter in law. Mehek Mehek felt uncomfortable as everyone stared at her. Shaurya hand was on the small of her back.
"I own a company where more than 10 000 people are employed by me and you are going to have to speak and listen to them. This is the life you choose He told her sarcastically. As the party went on, Mehek felt him going all out to show her how wrong she was next to him. He was right, how could she tell him she already knew. She knew that she was in no way his equal.
"Now I guess all that is left since nothing at all is affecting you, is going to be having my child He whispered to her. Mehek felt his hand lower and touch her hip.
"I will have sleep with you until you are pregnant Mehek pulled away from him, her eyes wide.
He was cruel. Incredibly so. She bumped into someone and mumbled a sorry. Her Chachiji glared at her.
"What is wrong with you go back to him She scolded her.
"I need to use the bathroom
"Be quick. Go back to him. You have to seduce him, make him want you. You stupid girl, rich boys are easy to seduce. I never buy you that sari for nothing. Make him want you so much that he wants to push the wedding sooner
Mehek went to the bathroom, her ears were red. She quickly splashed some water on her face.
Mehek felt she was stuck between two sharp rocks turning to either side would hurt her.
She thought of her father and closed her eyes.
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Mehek stood beside Shaurya who was busy speaking in English to someone.
"Do you even know how to greet in English? Mehek said nothing, he placed his hand on her waist.
"I keep trying to find what my mother saw in you and you have nothing. Literally nothing. Mehek waited for him to be finished with his insults. She pushed his hand away. He looked amused at her rebuff.
And touched her again.
"Why pretend to be so shy, you have to get used to me touching you won't you? He was trying to break her. Mehek was so used to Chachi and Chacha's taunts that his did not bother her. She just remained quiet as she always did.
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Their wedding was scheduled a week later. Shaurya had thrown a party at a club and wanted her to come. Kanta chachi had went out and bought her a dress so short, she felt embarrassed looking at it.
"Tonight is the night Mehek you make him fall for you. Hook him. If you come back home tonight, you won't like the consequences. Now go prepare lunch I am very tired from shopping. Mehek walked slowly towards the kitchen. Shaurya was probably going to laugh at her or call her a whale in it. Mehek phoned the hospital in the morning her father was doing good. He was showing signs of improvement.
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Shaurya was early, Mehek walked toward him with a large overcoat on, it covered her body so she felt a comfortable with it on.
"I am only taking you because my mother insisted I should. Having dates with silence is not my thing Mehek said nothing trying to will away the uncomfortable blush on her cheeks. She wished she could go home. She had no wish to go to such a place.
"Why are you wearing that, it is not that cold you know He told her shaking his head.
When they reached he handed his keys to valet who opened the door for her. He left her outside and went inside on his own already. Mehek walked a few steps stumbling in her heels. She felt a hand on her and looked up at women with a kind face.
"First time with those? She asked her looking at her heels. Mehek nodded.
"My names Sonal. She said helping her inside. Mehek allowed her to escort her to a chair.
"I am Mehek She said smiling back.
"Let me take this She said, before she could protest, the coat was off and Sonal raised her brows.
"You have an amazing figure, curves in all the right places She complimented Mehek, felt exposed. She felt cool air on her bare legs and arms and felt uncomfortable.
"Like I am so flat Sonal said pouting.
"You have a beautiful kind face Mehek said making her smile.
Mehek saw Shaurya who had been busy talking to someone was now looking annoyed.
Mehek turned back to Sonal who had ordered something.
"I got us some drinks
"I don't drink alcohol
"Nonsense, everyone should drink
"Please no... Mehek said when shots were placed at their table.
Mehek felt a hand on her shoulder looking up, a tall figure stood over her.
It was Rohit Dabla. A boy she went to school with. Rather than saying hello he bent down and pulled her up into a hug.
"Mehek oh my god. You look beautiful Mehek cringed, he was a little drunk, she stepped out of his hold and took a step away from him.
"God, you were beautiful in school too, I had the biggest crush on you
"That's sad she is getting married now Mehek felt an arm settle on her shoulder and did not dare look up.
Rohit moved away, holding his hands up. Mehek felt a jacket go around her shoulders.
"I don't want the club to see my wife like this. You act like screaming virgin, yet you dress like you are begging for me to f**k you. You never answer me when I speak to you. You avoid me then you cling to me. It is almost like you are two different people
"I am sorry Mehek said, Sonal who had long disappeared was no dancing. Mehek looked at the floor and waited for Shaurya to go back to his friends but he did not. He stayed by her.
When it was closing time, and Mehek felt sleepy, that her chachi's words slipped her mind. She fell asleep and later woke up feeling someone lay her on her bed.
Mehek felt his breath on her cheek. It was warm and smelled like mint.
"You don't drink Mehek said looking at him confused, His eyes widened as if surprised by the deduction.
"No I don't my father died drunk. I promised my mom I would never touch that stuff Mehek smiled in the dark. Shaurya Khanna really loved his mother.
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"Mehek phone and ask Shaurya for money. We don't have enough for the hall Kanta chachi said. Mehek who was cooking paused.
"Please no chachi. We should not ask them for things like that
Mehek was unsure how fast it happened her hair was pulled so hard behind her back, she felt as if it would come of her head.
"Did I ask for your opinion? She asked her.
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Mehek looked at her mehndi and felt like crying they had written Shaurya's name on her hands. She half wished she did not have to do this to him. She felt his glare all the way across the room, where he sat with his cousin and some other people.
Chachiji had not allowed her to eat the entire day. Her head had begun to throb dully. Nehal was busy dancing with some people.
"Congratulations sweet Mehek Mehek looked up and frowned at the face that leered at her. Ajay Verma, was one of Nehal's former boyfriends. Why was he here? He held out a flower for her.
Mehek held out her hands to show him she could not take it. As her mehndi was still wet.
He ran the flower against her cheek, surprising her than held it to his lips.
Mehek felt bile rise to her throat and stood up.
"Excuse me She said walking away with her head down. Mehek ran towards the main house and went blindly into a room. Karunaji had insisted that the function be held at their house. Mehek sat in the dark on the bed. She heard a soft click of the door open.
"Who is it? She asked, the lights came on. Shaurya stood at the door, looking at her with distaste.
"Looking for a place to take your boyfriend to? He asked, Mehek looked at him confused.
"I don't have a boyfriend
"You really have no shame, Nehal told me about how you dated that gadda who was rubbing that cheap rose all over your face, excited you did it? A little almost touch, you want it quiet badly? He asked her slowly walking towards her. Mehek grew scared, Nehal loved telling lies about her.
He grabbed her waist and holstered her up against him.
Mehek tried in vain to twist away but he was stronger than her.
His hands spanned on her bare waist greedily touching her. Mehek tried to keep her hands from touching him and tried to push him away with her elbows.
"You have my name on your hands but you are flirting with your boyfriend, trying to meet him in my bedroom
"You are mistaken
"I am no idiot Mehek Sharma, to think that I once thought you were noble, I knew you were detestable when you agreed to this marriage, I just did not know the debts of your ghatiyapan
Mehek's vision blurred.
"Now you are going to cry, and put on a show about your innocence. Well I don't care since I have no choice but to marry you. You will no longer be seeing all the other men, if you do I will kill them. I will be the only one in your life
He let go of her, Mehek fell onto his bed.
He roughly exhaled and walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him.
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Mehek hugged her father, she had managed to sneak away before anyone could notice. Today was her Haldi and tomorrow she would Mrs Khanna.
"Papa, what should I do, I don't want to ruin his life, and I want you to get better She cried, her father's comatose state was improving according to the doctors.
"Please come back to me so I don't have to do this She whispered.
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Mehek could see Shaurya sitting on the other side of the curtain.
She looked forward at the red carpet and barely looked up as aunty after aunty came to bless her.
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Mehek snuck out on her wedding day, to see her father. She pretended to be sick and asked to have a nap.
"Please papa. Wake up. Please She begged. The nurse came in and smiled at her.
Mehek, heard, the monitor's beeping increase, she looked at it and felt hope in her heart. For the first time in days.
"Please papa She said holding his palm to her cheek. When nothing happened. Mehek closed her eyes.
"Papa please She begged.
A hand touched her shoulder.
It was the nurse.
"He is moving She said pointing to his other hand.
"Please papa She whispered. Kissing his hand and rubbing it.
His eyes slit open. Mehek almost fell down as relief hit her like a ton of bricks. She began to cry and held onto him for dear life.
"Doctor come quick patient 9009 woke up
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Mehek was late, she knew, Shaurya would probably be happy by the news she would bring now. She would leave, take her father and leave. She would tell him everything.
She walked slowly towards the house. The sight she saw stopped her dead in her tracks. Someone wearing her bridal outfit sat there.
The guests began to whisper as they saw her at the door. Shaurya looked up, and his face changed. He turned to look at the person next to him and quickly pulled her veil off it was Nehal.
He pulled loose the knot that tied them together and walked towards Mehek.
"What the hell is going on? He asked her angrily. Nehal followed them crying dramatically.
"Mehek ran away before the ceremony. I did not want you to be embarrassed so I sat there. Shaurya.
"So, you would have married me secretly filling in for your sister
"She ran off with one of her boyfriends, and is probably back because it did not work out
"Is that true, Mehek do you not want to marry me? He asked her, Mehek felt like this was a scene from a prime-time serial.
"We knew Karunaji really liked her, Shaurya beta, so we tried to make it work. But this girl and her dirty ways Chachiji said, shaking her head at Mehek.
"Answer me god damnit Shaurya shook her.
"There is her boyfriend Nehal cried pointing at Ajay who was standing at the end of the hall.
Karunaji looked at them and then at Mehek.
"Shaurya I am so sorry beta. I am so sorry. I made the biggest mistake brining this girl into your life Shaurya's jaw clenched. He grabbed her wrist painfully.
"I will not allow you to make a fool of me He said dragging her to the priest. Mehek tried to pull away.
"Read the prayers He said, dragging her around the fire.
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"I will never let you be happy. Welcome to hell He told her as he put the mangalsutra around her neck. Mehek closed her eyes as he put sindoor on her head.
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There was no happiness when Mehek was dragged into Shaurya's room and left inside. She was married to him now. Her truth was buried under so many lies, that Mehek could hardly breath. She curled into a ball and cried until she could no longer cry.
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Mehek heard the door open. She looked up as saw Shaurya, standing there with a bottle of wine.
"Hello wifey He said drunkenly He stumbled onto the bed. His head fell against her stomach. He wrapped his arms around her.
Mehek bit her lip so she would not cry out at the sheer forcefulness in which he held her to him.
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Mehek woke up feeling the curtains drawn. She could hear someone in the shower. He had fallen asleep against her. Mehek looked at the door and sighed. Perhaps she could leave. She went to hit and tried to turn the handle yet just like last night the door was locked. Mehek heard the bathroom door open. Shaurya came out in his towel.
"I locked the door. I don't want my bride to run away. After all I have not even consummated our marriage as yet. Nor do I want to, I would not want ant disease you carry from all those men you were with He said, Mehek clenched her fists and turned around, he was not wearing a shirt. They key to the room was around his neck on a chain.
"This is all a misunderstanding Shaurya let me go please.
"So that you can run off to that looser, You know I thought you were clever but you are not. How much does that guy even earn? It will never match what I earn. With me you will have so much more, yet you want to run away with him He drawled venomously. He walked towards her and pulled her against him.
"How many men have you fooled with these wide eyes He asked grabbing her chin. Mehek pushed his hand away. He threw some clothing on her.
"Have a bath. When I come back from work, I want you ready and waiting like a good little bride.
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Mehek had a bath and began looking for a way to escape. She had to leave before he touched her, if he did and found out the truth, it would be horrible. He would feel obligated to take responsibility for her. Mehek closed her eyes. How did her life become so twisted? Her mother had always thought her that would kindness, true happiness was easy. Where had her kindness brought her, she wished she had never helped Karunaji that day in the market when her car had hit someone else. She wished she had never been kind and taken her to the hospital, she wished she had never allowed her chachi and chacha take advantage of her silence so much that they distorted her image so much that even she no longer recognised herself.
Mehek closed her eyes as she lay on the bed.
She wished she had never dreamed that like Cinderella a prince would come for her to take her away from her misery. She wished and wished with all her might yet she knew nothing would happen.
"You had my name on your hands yet you went and ran away with your boyfriend Mehek felt him spit out angrily. She stood up and waited for him to punish her, beat her yet he did not.
"Why did you do that? He asked looking stunned. Mehek tried to recall what she had done all she had done was flinch at his raised voice.
"Do what? She whispered.
"You almost acted as if I was going to hit you He said, Mehek turned white.
"God you are an idiot. I don't hit women; those things are not my taste He said disgusted.
"Why have you not eaten? He asked looking at the food that was untouched at her table.
"I am not hungry
"Well you better be hungry because you are about to have a very long night He told her looking at her body as if he were undressing her with her eyes. Mehek turned away and looked at the window.
"I forgive you. I want you to know that, I don't hold you responsible for anything She said so softly he almost did not hear her.
"Forgive me for what? he asked smarmily. Mehek said nothing. He undid her zip and suit fell to the floor. Mehek covered herself, and closed her eyes, trying to avoid his gaze.
"Look at me He ordered, Mehek reluctantly did. He looked at her so intensely Mehek's stomach coiled.
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Mehek looked at the key around his neck and slowly took it. He was asleep. Holding her against him tightly. Mehek put her clothes on and tried to ignore the dull throb she felt from his possession. She was sure he now knew, he looked at her as if it were the first time he saw her when he had taken her. Mehek walked out the door, out of his life. Leaving her innocence behind.
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2 months later.
Mehek felt sick again her stomach heaved.
"I think you are pregnant her co-worker Sheetal said knowingly. Mehek knew it as well, yet she wished she was not. Her period was late. And she was never late.
Her father was sitting, near the door looking outside. She was unsure how much he knew, but when articles like Business Manganite's wife missing graced the tabloids, she was sure he was not all unknowing. Mehek had changed a lot, after leaving and moving to Mumbai, things had changed. The thought of a baby terrified her, but she would be strong. And raise her baby on her own.
With her father. He would understand. She was on lunch break she would tell him.
"Papa I am going to have a baby She confessed. His face did not seem stunned by the news.
"I know, when you first started vomiting. I knew. It reminded me of your mother when she was pregnant
Mehek was unsure what to say.
"I know who your husband is, He has been looking for you. I saw those articles Mehek nodded her eyes going to the floor.
"I called him Mehek felt her face turn white.
"Papa no... She said shaking her head.
"I called him and asked him to give me one reason why I should tell him where you were and he gave it to me. So I told him you were here. You have suffered enough my child. I want you to be happy
"Papa, he doesn't love me. He will just be with me for the baby I cannot live like that
"Assuming things about people is never the way to go. Trust me I would know Mehek felt her heart almost hit her stomach at the sound of his voice. He was wearing a hood standing near her, he moved forward and sat down next to her.
"Mehek you should listen to him Her father said waking up leaving them alone. His eyes had deep dark circles around them and his eyes were bloodshot.
"I never thought I would see you again He said after a minute, his words were nothing but a course whisper.
"It was never your fault... Mehek said to him with a watery smile.
"I was an idiot. God help me. I was an idiot. I have no idea how it happened but I fell in love with you. During those days up to our wedding whenever I saw you with another guy I assumed the worst because I was so ridden with jealousy that I could not see straight. I have never been in love before, It was so much all at once. I never thought I could love someone else. But you changed that when you left, all I thought about was how wrong I was, how much I wanted you back. I thought that if I found you I would lock you in my room and throw the key away just so you would never be able to leave me. I know the truth about your aunt and uncle as well it did not take me long to realise their game, when they showed up asking for money. Please forgive me. I love you
Was he saying this just because she was pregnant Mehek felt her eyes fill with tears.
"I forgave you Shaurya you don't have to do all of this. And the baby I will look after on my own please don't do this just out of duty
"You are pregnant His eyes looked like they would bug out of his face.
"Yes, you did not know Mehek said realising he had confessed truly to her.
"I never believed in god. But this has to be sign come back to me I swear I will change. I will be better, I will treat you like a princess. I will protect you and our child
There was no way anyone could reject that. Mehek nodded and hugged him.
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THE END
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Cricket
