Part 9:
It was late evening where the guests had started arriving for the mehendi ceremony of the bride. Shaurya and Rajeev were coordinating with the event managers whereas Mehak and her team of chefs were arranging the dishes in order to be sent with the waiters.
After few hours of hardwork, the team decided to head towards their rooms as they were restricted to participate in any of these functions. However, Mr. Jindal invited the team for the function and insisted Shaurya to allow them to attend the ceremony. According to Mr. Jindal, the team had done exceptionally good and had almost become a family to them in the last few days. He simply nodded and agreed.
The team was excited to hear that and was already gearing up to go to their rooms to change into their best outfits.
Mehak thought This is the perfect opportunity! The entire team will be at the banquet hall enjoying and Shaurya will be as usual in his room. I just have to make an excuse to skip the ceremony. Thank you Maata Rani!
Rina walked up to Mehak and said excitedly: Thank God, we packed some good lehenga suits while coming here..Who would have thought we would get to attend the mehendi ceremony of the "Mr. Jindal's daughter? Haaye!!! Mehak, we need to get dressed fast...We need to look our best, kya pata yahan koi humme apna rich, handsome prince charming mil jaaye.
Mehak tried at act shy and said: I don't think I would be coming!
Rina shocked: What? Why?
Mehak pretended to have a headache and started massaging her temples with her fingers.
Mehak: I guess I will take a tablet and rest in my room. Sorry!
Rina: But try to come Mehak..Why don't you take the medicine now? We still have 2 hours and if you take a small nap, maybe you will feel better after that.
Mehak faked moaning in pain and said: Nah I cant come Rina..Honestly, this pain is too excruciating..I just need to rest! There will be a lot of noise and dhols..That would just aggravate the pain! Sorry!
Rina sympathized with her and said: I really wanted you to come yaar but its fine...Anyways, you rest in the room and if you need anything, just give me a call or ping me..I will come to the room.
Mehak felt bad lying to her but she had no other option. She smiled and assured her that she will take care of herself and rest.
After 2 hours, Rina and the others dressed in their beautiful attires and left for the venue. Mehak waved at them and pretended to sleep in her room. After confirming that everyone has left, she dialed Shaurya's number. He didn't answer her call. She knew he would ignore her but she wanted to try one last time.
Saying so, she went to the window and tried messaging him. While doing so, she spotted someone familiar in blue suit. Since her suite was on the 7th floor, she couldn't see who the person was. He had her back towards her. When he turned to talk to someone, she saw his face.
Mehak screamed: Shaurya! What is he doing here?
She immediately dialed Rina's number and asked: Ummm..Rina, who all have come for the mehendi ceremony?
Rina: Everyone..Our team is here..Kunal, Vikas, Sia, Aali...
Mehak: Nah..I meant...Are our bosses there too?
Rina: Ohh yeah they are here too...Everyone is little shocked!
Mehak inquisitively: Why?
Rina happily: Coz Shaurya Sir is here too and he is looking smoking hot in blue! The bride's friends are already going gaga over him..Wish you were here but koi baat nahi you rest in the room...The DJ is going to play the music in few minutes so its going to be too much noise.
Mehak (in a sad voice): Bride's friends?
Rina: Yeah..anyways, bye. Gotta go!Take care!
Mehak started pacing in the room.
Mehak angrily to herself: This guy is just impossible. On one hand, he says that he doesn't like to attend these wedding functions and on the other hand, he is busy attending the ceremony dressed looking killer giving the perfect opportunity to all the girls to ogle at him..Argghhh!! Shaurya is going to be the death of me! I cant let that happen. I have to go now!
Within minutes, she hurried around, got dressed and put some makeup on. She rushed to the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor. She was getting restless. She feared that if she wasted more time, Shaurya would find someone else and would even propose and marry that girl.
Seeing how he had reacted and proposed her when he thought that he had taken advantage of her that night, she feared his irrational behavior today.
She rushed and went towards the banquet hall looking for Shaurya.
Mehak: I had seen him here few minutes back..Ab yeh kahan chala gaya??
On spotting Mehak, Rina came running towards her and hugged her tight: I am so glad that you came..Tum theek ho na???
Mehak hugged her back and said: Yeah yeah I am fine..
Rina: Chale?
Mehak: Kahan?
Rina looked at her questioningly: Kahan kya? Chal lets have some fun...They are going to start the ceremony soon.
Mehak: Oh ok...Rina, you had said that Shaurya Sir is here, where is he?
Rina stared at her suspiciously.
Mehak covered up saying: Nahi I wanted to talk to him about a dish..isiilye.
Rina: Why are you talking about work now gal? He might be surrounded by a lot of good looking girls...Please, let him enjoy with them!
She said so winking at her.
Mehak (in a low voice): Woh unke saath enjoy kare yahi toh main nahi chahti.
Rina: What did you say? I couldn't hear.
Mehak: Nahi kuch nahi...Lets go.
Mehak followed Rina in the hall where she was joined by her colleagues. The artist was applying mehendi on the bride's hands who was flocked by all her friends and relatives. Her cousins teased her when the artist asked the bride where she should write the name of her would be husband. The bride blushed deep red on hearing that.
All this while, Mehak had her eyes set on finding someone the someone whom she feared of losing if she didn't hurry and apologize for her misunderstanding.
She waited for half an hour and finally, when she couldn't take it anymore, decided to leave. She had walked two steps ahead when she spotted him talking to Anna. A bright smile lit her eyes.
Mehak went and stood few steps behind Shaurya and Anna waiting for them to finish. Once they were done, Shaurya turned around to see her staring at him with a huge smile.
Shaurya couldn't deny that she looked elegant and beautiful in her attire with little makeup.
Mehak excitedly: Hi
Shaurya: Hmm and walked off.
Ignoring her disappointed pout, he walked past her and stood next to Rajeev. She went and stood next to her colleagues who were busy admiring the bride's mehendi.
She was staring at Shaurya from the corner of her eyes who had his eyes fixed on something ahead. She looked in the direction of his gaze when she saw him seeing one of the bride's cousins. She was upset but not angry anymore.
Their eyes met but he broke it off. She was still staring at him being hopeful for him to see the pain in her eyes. An instant later, she heard a voice behind her said: Excuse me ladies!
She looked at the source of the voice. The bride's mother requested the mehendi artist to apply mehendi for all the girls too as she felt that they had become part of their family in the last few days. All the girls looked excitedly at her and thanked her for the kind gesture.
Rina happily: She is such a nice lady yaar...Hai na Mehak?
Mehak nodded. Mehak wasn't in the mood to do anything now but Rina pulled her and made her sit next to her.
Mehendi artist: Mam, shall I apply mehendi for you?
Mehak sadly: No, I don't want to..Thank you!
Mehak was about to get up when Rina pulled her back and said: Yes, she will apply mehendi...Give her some nice designs please.
The artist smiled and started making design patterns on her hand. After few minutes, the artist: Do you want me to write the name of someone you love on your hand?
Despite the fact that they were surrounded by several other people, her eyes immediately went to Shaurya.
Mehendi artist: Mehak? Do you want me to write the initials on your hand?
Mehak : Umm..Yes..Please writ...
A voice: Please write Karan.
Mehak turned around to see who it was.
Karan came and kept his hand on her shoulder saying: Its Karan for her..So please write K'!
Shaurya didn't take his eyes off Mehak, but his face flashed the all too recognizable anger.
Mehendi artist smilingly: Oh ok, I will write K'.
Shaurya was mad at the turn of events. He glared at her angrily and left the place in huff. Mehak knew she had to pacify his anger. She was about to rush behind him when the artist said: Mehak, one minute..let me write the initial for you.
Mehak nodded and said: Wait!
Shaurya was outside near the garden area. He knew all would be inside so he thought this was the perfect place to vent his anger. He strode furiously trying to calm himself. His face darkened with anger fighting to control himself. He had his back towards her when Mehak walked behind him: Shaurya listen..Please!
Without turning round, he said: Leave Mehak!
She had her hands adorned with henna. She went and stood in front of him. Shaurya had his eyes closed trying to calm himself.
She lightly nudged him with her elbow and said: Ek baar toh meri baat suno Shaurya please!
Shaurya angrily: Which part of leave do you not understand Mehak? And why do I have to listen to you? Please ask your Karan..I am not your puppy to follow you like him!
He turned to leave but she looped his arm with hers careful enough to not spoil her mehendi: Enough Shaurya, I agree I misunderstood you but now aren't you overreacting? I have been trying to apologize to you since yesterday, trying to fix things between us but you are ignoring me..Why? I need a chance, is it too much to ask for?
Her eyes brimmed with tears. She looked at him with a pained expression.
Shaurya angrily: Oh really! Is it "us now? It wasn't a few minutes back when you were happily writing Karan's name on your hand.
Mehak angrily pulled him: Arghhh why are you an idiot? I didn't write his name on my hand and why would I write his?
Shaurya: I didn't peg you for a liar Mehak Sharma..I was there when he asked his name to be written on your hand.
Mehak angrily: Tum bewakoof ho kya? Usne kaha toh kya main likh lungi. Do you ever use your brains when you are dealing with me Shaurya Khanna? I bet you don't!
Shaurya held her shoulders firmly and said: Don't cross your limits Mehak!
Mehak: Well I guess it is time for me to cross them.
Saying so, she wrapped her arms around his neck, dragging him closer and kissing him fiercely. Shaurya was first shocked and he tried to pull back but she wound her arms tight around his neck pulling him closer.
The pull was enough to satisfy Shaurya and he kissed her back possessively. He ran his fingers down her spine pulling her closer until there was no space left. They parted and gasped for breath as he relaxed his hold on her waist. They stood with their foreheads touching each other.
Mehak: I never wrote his name on my hand..I would never allow anyone other than your name on my hand.
Saying so, she showed her hand to him. A big S' adorned the center of her hand.
Mehak: I love you Shaurya and I will always love you no matter what! Please don't doubt my love ever!
He held her hand and pressed his lips to her wrist feeling her pulse. He cupped the back of her neck with one hand, brushing his thumb along her cheek. He wiped a lone tear that had escaped her eyes and held her face firmly.
Shaurya kissed her forehead and said: I never doubted our love darling!
She looked up at him and said with a pout: No, you did. I know I misunderstood you but I tried to apologize to you so many times. And as for the mehendi, Karan said my name, I didn't but you walked off angrily without waiting to hear what I had to say!
Shaurya couldn't stop himself from kissing her lips once more when she made that pout face.
He pulled back and looked at her: Did you get a taste of your own medicine now?
She looked at him with questioning eyes: What are you talking about?
Shaurya pecked her lips again and said: When you accused me of cheating on you and paying with your emotions? You easily believed the write up in the paper and not me..Dont you think I was hurt by your accusation and lack of faith in me?
Mehak bowed her head and said: I am sorry about that but tumne bhi toh kuch nahi kahan to defend yourself...I am sorry Shaurya! I should have trusted you.
Shaurya simply smiled and lifted his chin with his fingers making her look at him: I wont blame you for that Mehak! You come from a different background. I am used to dealing with such gossips everyday and I never pay attention to them. When you confronted me about it, I wouldn't deny that I was upset for sometime but the next moment, I realized that you weren't completely wrong. Any girl would have reacted that way. I would have ignored all of this coz I don't let them affect me but seeing you hurt, I knew I had to put a stop to this, so I asked them to publish an apology in the paper.
Mehak: So you aren't angry with me?
Shaurya stroked her cheek and said lovingly: I was never angry with you.
Mehak angrily: Toh phir why were you making me run behind you for the last two days?
Shaurya bent and placed his mouth beside her ear kissing her earlobe: For fun!
Mehak tried to push him with her hands: Fun? What do you mean by that?
Shaurya kissed her nose: You look beautiful when you are angry Mehak...When I had proposed you, you left me without an answer keeping me on the edge. Well, you have forgotten you are dealing with THE SHAURYA KHANNA' so I made you come to me and confess your feelings...Revenge is sweet honey!
Mehak was shocked with this revelation. She tried pushing him with her elbows since she couldn't let her mehendi get spoiled. Shaurya only laughed and enjoyed her antics. The more she tried to push, the more he pulled her closer.
Shaurya pulled her closer and kissed her hard: Ok sorry, now please stop, will you!
Mehak was tired with this constant pushing and pulling not physically but emotionally. She leaned into him hugging him tighter: You are bad!
Shaurya smiled: No, I am handsome!
Mehak rolled her eyes at his comment. She hit him on his arm playfully and kissed his cheek.
Shaurya: How did you manage to write my name on your hand in front of so many people without being questioned?
She pulled away and looped her arms around his neck: Ohh that, I said that I believe in Lord Shiva and I would want a husband like that, so I asked her to write "S. It was that simple!
Shaurya smilingly: I am impressed Mrs. Would be Mehak Shaurya Khanna. You are a perfect match for me!
She blushed when he said Mrs would be Mehak Shaurya Khanna'. Seeing that blush, Shaurya leaned in and kissed her on her lips.
Mehak looked at him surprisingly: Will you stop doing that?
Shaurya asked: Stop what?
Mehak: This?
Shaurya perfectly knew what she was talking about but he was enjoying her anger now.
Shaurya asked innocently: I don't know what you are talking about. What should I stop?
Mehak shyly: This..You are umm...kis..
Shaurya pecked her lips again and said: But I jus did this. I dont know what else you are asking me to stop? I am sorry jaan, can you please be more specific ?
He brushed the nape of her neck with his lips. Mehak closed her eyes and moaned in pleasure.
Mehak: Don't try to act smart Mr. Khanna...Stop being so touchy! I know very well that you know what I am talking about.
Shaurya tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said: No, I don't know what you are talking about..But I know what I have to do next!
Sensing that Shaurya would kiss her again, she closed her eyes but that kiss never happened. She opened her eyes to see Shaurya bent down on one knew with a ring in his hand. He looked up at her, a smile on his face and love in his eyes. Her eyes were filled with tears of happiness.
Shaurya: Ms. Mehak Sharma, will you give me the honour and joy of being your husband? I promise you I would never leave you alone in this world. Would you marry me and become Mrs. Mehak Shaurya Khanna?
She bent down and kissed his cheeks softly: Yes, I will. I love you Shaurya.
Shaurya hugged her back tightly and said: I love you too Mehak and will love you forever!
They kissed each other passionately. Mehak's heart felt as if it would burst from the love she felt for this man and the trust and faith he had for her. She put all her love into that kiss wounding her hands in his hair softly.
Shaurya: Make sure you don't spoil your mehendi and my name on it.
Mehak chuckled and kissed him back. A new chapter of life was waiting to begin for Shaurya and Mehak which would be filled with love and trust.
THE END
P.S. Thank you for all the love for this FF...This is the final chapter. No epilogue for this one! Please leave your comments and let me know your thoughts!!!!😛
