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(Credit for the banner goes to a very intelligent and talented Roma Rani)
~~ Khamoshiyan ~~
Chapter 5
Next morning Shaurya woke up to find Mahek sleeping peacefully on the sofa next to his. A smile crept on his face seeing her beautiful face first thing in the morning. He covered her nicely with a shawl and gently pushed her hairs away from her face to get a clearer view. "Ahem Ahem!" Vicky and Simmi cleared their throat from the stairs. Quickly Shaurya pulled his hands away and composed himself. Simmi giggled. Shaurya walked towards them. "Don't wake her up,let her sleep for now." Saying that he left towards his room to shower. "I'll go freshen up and head straight to the office." Said vicky. Both stopped in their tracks when they heard water splashing. Both turned to find Ajji dumping bucket of water on Mahek! Mahek jumped up soaking wet. "Ajji!! What did you do? Bhai will turn the house upside down if he finds out what you did to his Mahek!" Shouted Simmi. "How could you Ajji??" Asked vicky angrily. Old woman lifted her hand in the mid air to stop them. She looked dangerously at Mehek who was shivering with the cold. "As long as you are here,my grandson won't agree to the marriage proposal I have brought! I know what your intentions are!" She threw her bag on the floor by her feet. "Leave right now and never show your face to us!" Mahek was shocked. "Are you deaf too? Didn't you hear what I said?" Ajji snapped. With tears rolling down her cheeks she picked her bag up and looked towards Shaurya's room which was closed. "Vicky! Shaurya's fiancee and her family is at the station,go get them! I'll make sure Shaurya's wedding date gets fixed today!" Vicky and Simmi's mouth dropped open. "But Ajji bhai won't..." Ajji cut him off. "Shut up and do what I say!" Old woman seemed to be filled with venom. Mahek left crying towards her house. "I can't believe my Ajji can be this mean!" Saying that Simmi ran to Shaurya's room. The door was locked from inside. "Bhai please open up! It's important!" But Shaurya was busy having shower and he couldn't hear a thing. Simmi broke down and ran to her mom. Karuna was in her room giving medication to Harish. "Mom! Mahek left...Ajji told her off! She left crying ma..." Simmi sobbed. Karuna and Harish were stilled for a moment. "And she sent vicky bhaiya to get the girl she chose for bhai for the marriage." Simmi continued. "Why is ma doing all this? If Shaurya comes to know he will turn the house upside down!" Said Karuna. "Text Mahek now and tell her that you are coming to get her." Simmi quickly sent her a message. Mahek replied right away. "Don't worry Simmi,I'm fine! I won't come there until Shaurya gets married. But please come and stay for the night as I'm very much afraid of the dark." Simmi showed the message to Karuna. "We can't leave her alone there,she's our responsibility till her parents come back. I'll ask Shaurya to go get her." Just then Ajji shouted. "Bahu! Is breakfast ready? Guests will be here soon!" Karuna rushed towards the kitchen. "Dad,can you please send your mom to the village? For the peace of this house?" Asked Simmi. "I can't but Shaurya will."
Meanwhile at the railway station,vicky managed to find the khurana family. "Hey I'm Alisha khurana and you are?" Vicky was lost in the girl in front of him. "Hello! I'm talking to you mister!" She snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. "Umm I'm sorry!" Vicky composed himself and extended his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you Alisha,I'm vicky.." Alisha shook his hand and he won't let go. "Nice to meet you too." Vicky had to let her hand go when Mr khurana interrupted them. "Son,we should get going your family must be waiting." Vicky nodded and guided them to the car. Mr and mrs khurana got inside. "Our son in law is handsome isn't he?" Mr khurana said to his mrs. "Yes he is!". They thought vicky was the one Ajji chose for Alisha. Alisha's phone rang and she got busy with it. Vicky couldn't take his eyes off of her. "I'll be the one marrying you miss Alisha,because bhaiya loves his cupcakes!" He said to himself. Just then Alisha lost her balance and was about to fall down when vicky caught her on time. They stood there in each other's arms,sharing an eye-lock. "I'm in love .." He whispered. "Me too..." She whispered back and blushed. "Will you marry me miss Alisha?" She lowered her gaze and said, "yes!"
In khanna house,Shaurya was bursting with anger. "How dare you Ajji? How could you do this to her?" He turned the table upside down. "Shaurya please!" Calm down beta!" Pleaded Karuna. "I can't mom! You know how much I love Mahek! And Ajji is trying to harm her! But I won't let you succeed Ajji!" He said while looking at Ajji with fiery eyes. "For the last time,I won't marry the girl of your choice! I love Mahek and soon I'll propose her for marriage!" He said loudly. Ajjis eyes popped out while everyone smiled in joy. "You love that mute?" He went and held Ajjis shoulders. "Yes I love her!!!If she was deaf,blind or bed ridden,I would have still married her!" Ajji raised her hand to slap him but Simmi grabbed her hand. "I will not let you hit my brother Ajji!" Ajji pushed her hand away angrily. "I won't let Shaurya marry that mute!" Shaurya smirked. "I'm going to marry her right before your eyes!" He shoved his phone in his pocket. "I'm going to get my Mahek ...I'll see who has guts to stop her from entering this house!" Shaurya left towards sharma house. Just then vicky entered the house with the khuranas. Ajji greeted them and led them to the living room. "Bring beverages and snacks!" She Ordered glaring at Awara. Terrified Awara left towards the kitchen. "Ma ji,it's a yes from us ..we like our future son in law very much." Said Mr khurana. Ajjis eyes widened. "But you haven't met him yet!" "He's talking about me Ajji." Vicky gave her a almost heart attack. "What??" Ajjis expression was worth watching. Simmi and Karuna were in for a hi5. "Alisha and vicky loves each other a lot,we should fix the wedding date without anymore delay." Added Mrs khurana. Ajji was dumbstruck! Harish called a pandit and the marriage date for Alisha and vicky was fixed. Ajji left towards her room like a cat who had just lost a bone to a dog.
Shaurya saw the door of sharma house widely open. "Mahek doesn't leave the door open like that!" He sensed something was wrong. He rushed inside to find the place a mess! "Mahek!" He ran towards her room. Her room looked like as if a storm had hit in that place. Shaurya was scared to death for his Mahek. "Mahek! Where are you cupcakes?" His voice was brittle. "Ameer took her forcefully with him." Shaurya turned to find Bebo standing in the doorway with tears streaming down her cheeks. "What? How do you know?" Shaurya picked her up in his lap. "My mom dropped me off to spend few minutes with Di,we were having a good time when Ameer broke in the house...Di signalled me to hide so I hid and watched him make her pack a bag and drag her to a car parked outside. I tiptoed behind them and managed to copy the car number." She handed him a little torn piece of page. "You are a brave girl Bebo!" I can reach the driver of the car by tracing this plate number and find the whereabouts of Mehek!" He hurried towards khanna house and left Bebo with Simmi. He gathered the family members in his room except Ajji. "Listen up guys,Mahek is missing but I know with whom she is,I'm going to find her and bring her back. It may take a few days or even a week. I need you guys to stay calm and when Meera aunty calls,tell her Mahek is with me and is fine." Simmi looked terrified while Karuna sat on the bed with a thud. "Mahek meri bacchi..." Karuna cried while Harish consoled her. "Vicky,trace the plate number and Maheks phone number,they shouldn't be very far." Said Shaurya while packing his bag. "I'm on it bhai!" Vicky left the room while dialling few numbers. "Awara! Pack some food please!" He howled. Simmi was sobbing while hugging little Bebo. "Shaurya,promise me you'll bring Mahek home safely.." Shaurya held his mom's hands and made a vow. "It will take me few days mom but I promise to bring her back safely." He dried her tears. "Bhai,cops have been successful in tracing Maheks number,she's east bound on highway 16. She can be monitored as long as her phone is on. I have information on the owner of the car as well." Said vicky while coming inside the room. "Alright! Keep me posted vicky,simmi look after mom I'll be back soon." He hugged his parents,planted a kiss on Simmi's head,ruffled bebo's hair and stepped out of the room. "Be careful Shaurya!" Howled Karuna. "I will mom!" Waving,he stepped out of khanna house. "I'm coming cupcakes!"
The car which Ameer had hired was speeding on a narrow road surrounded by deep jungle. Mahek was sitting at the back remembering Shaurya and sobbing. "He will be engaged today." Tears made its way down her cheeks. "Why are you crying? You should be happy for your friend." Her inner being told her. Mahek couldn't understand why her tears wouldn't stop just thinking about him getting engaged. She thought to message him before her phone dies. Hiding the phone from Ameer,she sent shaurya a text message. "Shaurya,Ameer has kidnapped me...he's taking me to some refugee camp ...I'm really scared..please get me out of here!" Shaurya read the message and replied right away. "I know where you are cupcakes,I'm right behind you...I'm coming to get you...just stay calm and keep your phone switched on." A smile appeared on Maheks face when she read the message. "I know you'll never leave me." She hugged the phone to her chest and quickly deleted all their messages. Just before sunset,the car came to a halt by the gate of a beautiful mansion surrounded by deep thick jungle. Maheks eyes widened in disbelief at the beauty of the palace. Ameer opened the back Door and pulled her out. "Don't look shocked sweetheart,this is sultans kingdom! Sultan is the prince To whom you'll become a mistress and live in this luxury palace forever!" Mahek couldn't believe her ears. Tears formed in her eyes. Ameer had lied about the refugee camp and the mute kids. "Now who is this sultan and how does he know me? Hope Shaurya finds me soon." She said in her heart. Ameer dragged her to a luxurious villa beside the mansion. The pavement soon gave way to cobblestones. Four other girls greeted her who called themselves sultans mistress. "Show her the villa she'll be staying in!" Commanded Ameer. "Bath her in milk and honey,purify her with the incense and spices! She should be ready for sultan in few days!" Ameer touched her cheek but Mahek pushed his hand away in disgust. He laughed. "That's sultans palace over there." He gestured to the mansion beside the villa. Bodyguards hovered in the background, ready to apprehend anyone brave or foolish enough to approach. "Don't try to run from here sweetheart!" He warned her and left.
Mahek sat on the bed and cried. "What if Shaurya doesn't reach me on time? Will sultan rape me?" She asked herself. She was hell terrified. She pulled out Shaurya and her picture from her bag and hugged it to her chest. "I know you will come and get your cupcakes...I have faith and confidence in you Shaurya...please come fast and take me away from this place!" She prayed in her heart. The door flung open and the maids appeared with burning incense,fragrances,spices,milk&honey,silk gown and lacy lingeries. "Remove your clothes and get in the tub!" A girl said. "No! Please go! Just leave me alone!" Signalled Mahek. The girls held her arms and made her stand up. Just then the head mistress entered the room. "Leave everyone!" The girls nodded and left closing the door behind them. The head mistress neared her. Mahek gulped and hugged the photo to her chest tightly. Suddenly Mahek realized she has seen that girl somewhere. She was trying to figure it out when the girl removed the covering from her face. "Sonal!" Mehek's heart cried out. "Mahek!" Both friends ran and hugged each other after so many years. "Where were you all these years? And by the way What you doing here? This place is dangerous! And why do they call you head mistress?" Mahek signed. Sonal made her sit on the bed and sighed. "I am sultans first mistress...I was brought here against my will and since then I couldn't leave this place." Her eyes welled up. "I missed you! But you know I'm here now,we will escape together ok?" Mahek signed and gave her hope. "That's not possible sweetheart! We'll be killed without mercy!" Mahek thought about Shaurya who was on his way to get her. "Hope he doesn't get caught." Sonals eyes fell on the photo beside Mahek. "Who's that with you?" Mahek showed her the picture. "He's my neighbour and my best friend and you know what? He's coming here to get me out of this place." Mahek signed with a beautiful smile. "He's a friend or a boyfriend?" Asked Sonal. "Nahi silly! We are just good friends." Mahek didn't know she was blushing. Sonal pulled her cheeks. "I can see you are more than just friends! You just don't seem to realize." Mahek hugged the photo to her chest once again. "We are friends who can't live without each other." She said in her heart. "Text him and find out where he is at the moment,it's dark and if he's nearby I'll go get him without anybody seeing me. They'll kill him if he's caught." Said Sonal. "No..nothing will happen to my Shaurya!" Mahek quickly sent him a message. "Where are you? Text me the location and stay hidden,My friend is coming to get you." Shaurya read the message. "Friend? Here in this jungle?" He thought. "You are unbelievable miss sharma!" Shaking his head unbelievably he replied with his current location. Sonal told her to bath and get in the gown. "I'm good in my kurti and leggings. She signalled. "If Ameer comes and finds you like this,we'll be in trouble. If you listen then he won't hurt you but if you don't then he will torture you." Mahek grimaced. "Please meri Jaan,just do what they tell you..I promise once Shaurya reaches here ..you both will be out of here by tomorrow night." At the mention of shaurya,Mahek left to shower without a fuss. "I'll lose my life but I won't let that wicked sultan touch you!" Saying that Sonal stepped out of the villa,locking the door from outside she hid the key inside her blouse. The night was pitch black. Looking here and there she covered her face and stepped in the darkness.
An hour later,Shaurya was standing with Sonal at the door of the villa clad in burkha. Sonal explained him what to do and what not. She opened the door and let him inside. "Remember no one should see you,go meet your Mahek I'll see you both soon." Thanking her,Shaurya went inside and locked the door behind him. He scanned the room but Mahek wasn't there. He quickly got out of the long dress and looked for Mahek. "Mahek!" His voice reached her inside the closet where she was hiding in her robe. "Shaurya!!" Her heart and soul cried. The closet door flung open and she rushed outside. There in front of her stood her best friend! Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she ran in his arms. "Mahek..." He wrapped his arms around her,kissing her face he hugged her to his chest. "I missed you cupcakes!" He cupped her tear stained cheeks. "Are you ok? Did he hurt you?" He asked. "I'm ok now that you are here .." She gave him her best smile ever. "He didn't hurt me but he will if I don't obey or follow his orders." She signed. Shaurya wiped her tears. "And What are his bloody orders?" Mahek told him about sultan and what he intended to do with her. His blood boiled and palms balled into two hard fists. "Bloody hell! No one has the right to touch you Mahek! Only I have! And this sexy robe and other things that you are wearing underneath,only I have the rights to see! Samjhi tum?" Mahek shivered at his words and the authority he was speaking with. She searched his eyes for the answers her heart was asking. Something happened inside her. Did she hear right? Her heart thundered in its rib cage. Shaurya read her expression and realized what he had just said. Biting his lips he turned,showing his back to her. She held his shoulders and turned him around. "What did you mean by that?" She signed. Shaurya swallowed. "Cupcakes I...I mean to say I ...you know you ask too many questions? Change your clothes we are leaving right now!" He diverted her attention and looked for her bag. But Mahek was still thinking about what he had said. "Why did he say that? What does that mean? Usually a possessive lover would say that or a boyfriend to his girlfriend...does this mean he has fallen in love with me? No...he can't ..I'm a mute...he deserves someone better than me." Tears formed in her eyes. There was a knock on the door. "Mahek,it's me!" Hearing sonals voice,Mahek opened the door and let her in. "Sultan is coming tomorrow morning,I want both of you to leave right away,tomorrow will be too late!" She told them. "We were planning to do just that." Shaurya told her. "Please come with us!" Signed Mahek. "I want to but I cant,sultan will find me and bring me back,it happened before it will happen again. Now hurry up ..we can't waste time!" Mahek got into her kurti /jeans and packed her bag. Shaurya covered himself with a shawl,taking the bags and holding Maheks hand he followed Sonal. The guards were snoring as Sonal had spiked their drinks. It was dark and spooky where Sonal left them. "Use the pan light,and there's candles in the bag if you need it,and remember you can't stop anywhere in the jungle or else they'll find you. Before daybreak you should be in town,now go!" Sonal hugged Mahek and Shaurya before heading back to the palace. Mahek watched her friend disappear among the trees with tears in her eyes. "Don't worry,the cops will raid this place once we reach home,I'll make sure sultan and company rots in jail and your friend comes home safely." Shaurya comforted her and gave her hope. Keeping his arm around her shoulder protectively,they made their way towards the deep jungle.
They walked for hours until they were exhausted. Mahek had so many questions to ask him but because of the dark she couldn't use her sign language. She hadn't eaten anything since morning hence her head started to spin. She fell on the ground unconscious. "Mahek! Are you alright? Babe What happened?" Shaurya tossed the bags on the ground and attended her. He sprinkled water on her face and she opened her eyes feebly. "Are you ok? You passed out." He helped her to sit. Thank God the moon light was shining above their heads. "I can't go on...my leg hurts and I'm starving..." she signed. Shaurya kissed the crown of her head and rested her head on his chest. "We will eat,take a nap and leave in the morning...look over there!" He gestured towards an old abandoned hut. Mahek twitched her head to see in the direction he pointed. "What about if sultans men find us?" She signed. Shaurya helped her up. "Don't worry,I will deal with them my way! Now let's go." They came inside the hut and checked for any danger. The hut was safe to stay for the night. He secured the door,Putting the bags on the floor,Shaurya lit a fire with Mahek clinging on his arm. He spread the shawl by the fire and helped her to sit down. He had brought food from home. "You are very sweet!" Mahek signed when he handed her the nice and warm food. "Tell me something new!" He said while Mahek smiled. He sat down beside her and began to eat. "Thank you for coming to my rescue." She signed. "I did it for me..for myself." He blurted out. Mahek gave him a questionable look. "I mean...you are my friend and my responsibility na that's why." Mahek just stared at him. "Ghooro mat,finish eating and sleep,we have to leave early." He told her. "Tum ghoorte ho uska kya? (You gawk at me,what about that?) she signed. Before he could say anything she rested her head on his lap and closed her tired eyelids. "Just don't fall in love with me Shaurya!" She said in her heart. "I already have!" Mahek opened her eyes when she thought she heard him say that. "Did you say anything?" She signed. "Did you hear anything?" Asked Shaurya with a smirk. "Yes I did!" "What did you hear?" Mahek swallowed and signed. "Nothing!" And closed her eyes. "Don't do this to me Shaurya! I love you like a friend...just a friend." Shaurya smiled at her expressions and caressed her hairs. Suddenly she remembered something and shot her eyes open! She grabbed his hand and examined his fingers. "Now what?" He asked. "According to Ajji you were getting engaged today! I was checking for the ring." She signed. "Oh! I postponed it for a day,it will resume tomorrow." He was all set to pull her legs. Her countenance fell. "Don't forget you have to be there to rain flowers on me and my fiancee." He was adding fuel to the fire. She blinked her tears and closed her eyes. Shaurya suppressed his laughter,moving her head from his lap to the shawl,he lay beside her. Tears escaped the corner of her eyes. "My best friend is getting engaged and I should be happy ..but I'm not. I'm sad and I'm crying...don't know why. From tomorrow he might not talk to me or even look at me...his complete attention will be on his fiancee...I'll lose my best friend and live alone!" She sat up and started sobbing. "Are you jealous of his fiancee?" Her inner being questioned her. "No...why should I?...On a second thought,yes I am! I am bloody jealous!" Her heart cried. Shaurya who was wide awake and watching over her also sat up. "What's wrong cupcakes? Why are you crying? Is something bothering you?" Mahek looked at him with teary eyes,more tears rolled down. "Mahek come here." He pulled her petite figure in his arms. "Now tell me the reason for these precious tears." She wanted to say why do you care? But then she signed "I miss my parents that's all." "Talk to them when we go back ok?" She nodded and broke the hug. "You shouldn't hug me like that anymore...your fiancee won't like it! Please stay away from me!" She signed and slept a bit far from him. Shaurya knew she was jealous and it was the beginning of something beautiful. "You are falling in love with me miss sharma." He said in his heart. "I smell something burning,do you?" Angrily she threw the bag on him. He caught the bag and laughed. Mahek stayed up thinking about the rights he was talking about back in the villa. "One minute you are claiming your rights on me,the very next minute you talk about getting engaged,you are one confused soul Mr confused khanna!" Tossing and turning she finally dozed off. On the other side,Shaurya stayed up all night watching over her.
Next chapter: surprise! Any guesses? 😆
Anupamaa
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
