MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 96

And I am back...

I have to admit that it was so hard getting back to writing after vacation, and I am nowhere as satisfied with this update as I have been with others. I haven't covered as much as I wanted to in this chapter, so rather than prolong the posting I am splitting the chapter in two updates. Part A will be told from Shaurya POV and B mostly on Mehek's. I hope you all find it worth the wait. Looking forward to your comments

Kelly

Chapter #24A

Bested by a woman...

Certainly nothing unheard of, and considering that the situation was unlike any Shaurya had ever faced before, frankly he should have at least considered the possibility of their meeting dissolving into a complete debacle. But he hadn't, not even after realizing who he was dealing with. Undoubtedly, Mehek Sharma was not just any woman, and not heeding this fact was his mistake. Even once his initial shock wore off, he still believed that some understanding would be reached between the two of them. He had thought himself prepared for any eventuality. After all, he was Shaurya Khanna: master negotiator. The reputation that had everyone believing the skills that persistently gave him the upper-hand; that his uncanny ability to straight away gauge his opponent and quickly adapt his approach to further his advantage was somehow an innate quality, was not far off. Few could ever confess to putting Shaurya Khanna on the back foot, let alone resorting to that defensive measure left for lesser men than he: the strategic retreat. But today, Mehak Sharma's rebuke had done just that.

The irony of his position was not lost on him now, as he regrouped in his suite. This had to have been one of the most calamitous encounters of his life: far worse than any of their initial confrontations had been.

Breathing deeply, Shaurya stole one last glance out across the lake view the suite's verandah afforded him, and then turned away to gather his luggage. He had at least the clarity to understand that staying here would only exasperate the issue right now. He had minutes to get down to the lobby so that he could leave the hotel for more neutral location for the interim. It was imperative that he do so before he was found to be here, at Bay Lake Towers, so that he could formulate his next steps without the additional problems that would ensue should Mehek find out he was here. So fixed on this, it was natural that the unexpected two-rap knock on the door as he approached it, immobilized him even as it set his heart to quickening in his chest. It couldn't be her; not this soon, he thought, in the weighty pause, before the second set of taps demanding his attention had him reaching uneasily for the knob to determine who awaited on the opposite side of the door.

His visitor stood silent, taking in both his wariness as well as his obvious departure. A slight raising of one eyebrow was her only reaction. She held his gaze with a seeking one of her own, as she studied him for an indeterminate length of time before finally bringing his attention to the dish she brought with her, when she raised it almost to eye level.

"You forgot your order, Shaurya Sir. It is after all what you have come all the way to America for, isn't it? Surely you weren't planning on leaving without it, were you?

******

The previous night...

Shaurya's trust in his PA's abilities had been rewarded as soon as he switched on his mobile upon landing at Orlando International and it connected to a local network. Exhausted beyond belief, he was grateful for Hina's usual meticulousness, as A Disney resort was to be his destination he noted. Below this, Hina had given him a brief synopsis of the other emails she had sent: notes, delineated by level of importance that he would likely require in the coming days, that he could read at his leisure. He frowned on first reading one item: an email consisting of a tentative schedule of appointments that she had set up for him, with for now, a number of unknown local executives, but he figured that when the time came, he would have a better understanding why Hina had booked these meetings. However: first things first. As bone- tired as he was, reaching his accommodations was paramount. Accordingly, when Shaurya entered the arrival hall, he had looked exactly where he had been advised to find his driver. He immediately approached the man who was holding the sign aloft with his name on it, who would transport him to the hotel that had been booked to him.

"Welcome to Orlando, Mr. Khanna, the liveried chauffer greeted him as he tucked the sign under his arm and offered to relieve his passenger of his luggage. In exchange, the man handed Shaurya a business card. "Our twenty-four-hour contact information, Mr. Khanna. Your assistant has secured our services exclusively for an initial four days. Either I or one of my colleagues will be available within fifteen minutes of contact. Now if you follow me, we will get you to your hotel as quickly as possible, Sir.

The journey was made to feel much shorter when the chauffeur kept his conversation to a minimum as he recognized his client's fatigue and before long Shaurya found himself at the well-appointed Disney property, being drawn to the balcony of the tenth story suite that had been reserved under his company's name. The lodging itself was one that he would have expected Hina to have secured for him under normal circumstances, but Shaurya suspected that there had been more to his PA's decision when she had booked his stay. Haphazardly resting his travel bag on the king bed, he took only his cellphone with him as he headed for door leading out to the open-air terrace. It had been impossible to miss the huge body of water as they approached the luxury hotel, but only after comparing it to the image he kept on his phone, would he be able to confirm the brilliance of his assistant. He was steps away from determining if she had come through for him once again, when the phone rang. He almost let it go straight to voice-mail, but knew that this would only result in undue worry.

"Namaste, Mom, Shaurya answered warily, knowing that she still had to be unhappy about his abrupt departure. "I...

"Namaste Beta. Your flights were good? Have you reached your hotel now, Beta, Karuna asked, interrupting him.

Despite her interjection, the only thing Shaurya detected in his mother's voice was loving concern. He hesitated, slightly confused. The mild, conciliatory tone was the last thing he expected from his parent tonight. "Haan Ma, it was a long travel day, but I've checked in now, and will be off to bed soon.

"That will probably be for the best Shaury. You, I expect, have a busy day planned tomorrow, Beta.

Still feeling the need to explain himself, Shaurya spoke up. "Ma, please understand, I had to do this. I...

"I do understand Shaury. And I hope that your journey proves worthwhile, and that you discover all that you need to.

"Thank you, Ma, he replied sincerely, basically lost for words over the continued non-censure over what she had to believe was his extreme impulsiveness. There was a pause between them before he spoke again.

"How was Mehek, Ma; was she feeling better, he asked.

He couldn't explain the slight panic he felt suddenly when his mother did not answer him straight away, nor the fact that his anxiety grew expeditiously with the absence of a response to his question. "Mom?

"These past days have not been easy for her, Beta, she finally answered.

"Which means what exactly, Mom? There hasn't been any improvement in her condition? Has been seen by a physician; someone competent? I don't like this Maa, not one bit. Ma as soon as you get off the phone with me, I want you to arrange for Dr...

On the other end on the phone, Karuna smiled listening to her son's protestations. Whether he recognized it or not, his concern for Mehek ran deep. The young chef had clearly penetrated his mind and taken root there. Which, given the circumstances was a very good thing. "Shaury, I don't think that will be necessary, but I am very glad that you would even think to do that for her. Especially with so much on your mind already.

"Don't let her family say no, Mom. I know they want nothing to do with me, but please don't let them compromise with her health over their mistrust...

He stopped abruptly, realizing that he had probably gone overboard and then braced himself for a repeat of his mother's opining an imagined relationship between him and Mehek Sharma. It didn't come and instead, bizarrely she just bade him goodnight and citing the big day he had tomorrow, wished him good fortune. Not quite sure to make of her turnaround, he couldn't deny that he was glad for it, and got off the phone before she could have a change of heart. Frankly, he still didn't quite understand how and why at seemingly the most inopportune times Mehek Sharma would commandeer his thoughts, and didn't need the added trouble of his mother offering her own interpretation. But neither could he deny his worry for her, and in a move completely alien to him, spontaneously, Shaurya whispered a soft entreaty to whatever higher power may be listening for Mehak's recovery from whatever ailed her. Perhaps, he thought ruefully, whilst he was getting an earful from that well-intentioned Aunty on his initial flight he should have brought the topic of Mehek Sharma up as well. Perhaps his fellow passenger would have the answer to this dilemma as well; she seemed to have a solution for everything else. He yawned then and realized that he would follow the first of many advises that had been forced on him by getting a good night's sleep so that he could function tomorrow. That was next on his agenda. Just as soon, he thought as he finally opened the door to the sitting area off his bedroom, as he took a gander at this lake that had beckoned him since he had arrived.

It was beautiful; completely serene and awe-inspiring from where he stood.

Shaurya smiled to himself, not even needing to confirm the view against the one on his mobile. He was exactly where he should be.

Perhaps, Shaurya thought, when next he spoke with his mother, they would both be in the position to exchange good news.

***********

Shaurya blinked.

Her laughter: pure and unaffected, brought Shaurya out of his reverie and at the same time made him realize his mistake in speculating that the young woman he had first spied from afar could possibly be MS. Unless she was a master at hiding her feelings, there was no way that she would be able to express such unadulterated joy right now. Particularly not after her last message to him. Nahi, the young woman at the rear of the kiosk was not her. She would have at least been suffering the same level of disquiet that he felt in their estrangement. And the other woman working there was definitely a no-go judging by the wedding rings she wore. Perhaps he had been over optimistic in his way of thinking and the discovery wouldn't be as easy he imagined this morning when he woke.

But still, something told him he was on the right track. How could he not be, when everything was pointing to this being the place he needed to be?

"So, have you decided what you would like to have, Sir?

The question, which he suspected had been asked more than once brought Shaurya back to awareness, and finally, he tore his eyes from the unknown young woman and back to the young man behind the counter, who waited patiently to take his order. He hadn't even looked properly at the offerings.

"Nahi, I'm sorry I haven't. I think I better step aside as not to hold the line up any longer, Shaurya responded sheepishly.

He turned away not wanting to go far; sure that this is where he would find answers. Why else would have Hina booked a complete vacation package for him if not to get him to the only park that would remotely have some connection to MS. And what were the chances that this year's festival would, for the first time, have a full representation from India among the highlighted cuisine?

He fiddled with the special wristband that had given him admission to the park and the festival.

"Mel, is everything okay?

About to walk away, Shaurya stopped in his tracks and flashed a final glance in the direction of the young woman on hearing that voice, only then noticing the other newcomer the one who, although not in the uniform of the others, still obviously belonged there. He was certain she hadn't been there before, but she was now. And more importantly, he knew that voice. The fates had finally offered a helping hand at last... and now had to be laughing their asses off at him, if he wasn't mistaken about recognizing her voice. The speaker still had her back to him, but now the other female; the carefree woman he had first noticed was staring right at him. The happy-go-lucky demeaner she had displayed previously had changed. There was recognition in her eyes and a whole lot more now.

Her companion, who had yet to turn around addressed her again. "Mel, what's wrong?

Feeling less shocked than he would have anticipated, Shaurya mouthed her name and willed her to turn around.

******

Be patient, Beta, and do not jump to conclusions, until you have all the facts. Everything may not be as it first appears.

Shaurya had to call on those words of wisdom when he found himself giving chase to a fleeing Mehek Sharma. The pursuit was short lived and he soon reached her and captured her wrist, and pulled him back to him.

"Did you not think I wouldn't answer your plea, Dost? I thought you knew me better than that by now, Shaurya whispered for her ears only.

Mehek didn't respond at first, at least not verbally, and for a split second Shaurya irrationally believed that she would deny the situation which he, himself had not quite yet come to grips with. However, when she stiffened under his grip, she provided, right then, the very proof that he sought: that she was indeed his MS. Inadvertently, his hold tightened, and he glared at her, seeking something; anything. Whether it be some sign of remorse, for having fooled him; for the myriad of emotions dealing with her had triggered in him that had confused him, he couldn't really say. He only knew that he was unable to deny the way his spirit soared, when instead of withering under his thinly veiled indictment, she haughtily raised her nose, and made to answer him. Her fighting spirit was nothing if not immensely appealing to him, now.

"You've got yourself in a bit of a quandary here Shaurya Khanna. You probably think this is a straight up scene from some filmy romance, but you are so barking up the wrong tree. For this ploy of yours to work, the heroine of the story would need to be willing; which I am not. And that unfortunately leads to another issue. Since you had to have not long arrived here, let me explain a few things for you. You see, Disney has this nice happy vibe going on, but I can assure you that security is very tight around here, and at this very moment your gripping me is probably being closely observed by more than a few of the plain- clothed security officers stationed here in the park. And I'm afraid things work vastly different here in America, Shaurya. There will be no commissioner; no inspector that you can call should you fall afoul of the law. So how about you let me go nice and slow, and then I will turn around and smile like we are the very best of friends. She turned her head towards him, and catching the obsidian gaze that immediately set her to flushing, in her peripheral. "And then, Dost, I'll give you the really bad news.

"Bolo, MS, he goaded, huskily in her ear. "Give me your worst, he said, dismissing her threat, but releasing her all the same.

"Aacha, she spat venomously at him, "How about this: it was all just game and you've lost Shaurya Khanna. To me, a mere middle-class woman no less. It's is all I ever wanted, you know: to bring you down a peg or two, and here you are having travelled all this way chasing a figment of your imagination, proving that it wasn't hard at all to bring the mighty Shaurya Khanna down to his knees. You may have started all of this, but today I've finished it, Dost.

Chapter24B