||Tere Ishq ki Mujhko Aadat HaiS3||MehRya(dark)FF FinalPg109 16/Dec/18 - Page 5

Chapter 1

"I love you, Mehek", Aarush told her again. His constant proclamation of love, irked her. Ofcourse he was handsome, well-built, rich and talented. In short, the best choice for her. She really liked him and was looking forward to settle down with him but somehow she always wondered whether they will be happy together. Love was never a criteria for Mehek bcoz she never had faith in it. Infact she never experienced love. Her mother passed away giving birth to her.Her father, Vikram Singh Maan, was truly devoted to his wife. He could never love his daughter whom he considered as sole reason for his wife's death. He tried to curb his shortfall by providing Mehek with enough money and ample freedom. Loveless childhood amidst luxury and indiscipline led to a perfect disastrous youth called Mehek Singh Maan. By the time, her father realised that he had lost his reins on his only daughter, it was bit too late. Only solution he could find was to tie her down in matrimony and Aarush was selected as her groom. "Aarush, please don't tire me", she chided him. "Mehek, why is it so hard for you to trust that I truly love you?", he was hurt. "May be becoz of the string of girlfriends you f***ked and still f**k", she stood and gathered her bag. Though she referred to many, she had a particular face in her mind. Face of a modestly dressed, innocent female who was visibly pregnant. "Mehek", he held her wrist, "They are my past. Those were just flings whom I bore no feelings. But you are different. I love you. I never had anyone since the day you came into my life. Trust me". She sighed and sat down as she knew he was honest. "I am sorry, Aarush. It's just that I am under lot of pressure. Dad is hell bound to make me sober and I am unable to get hold of a drinks or other stuffs", she whined. He chuckled, "It's for your own good, Babe. It's our big day tomorrow". She nodded and drank her soft drink. She leaned on his shoulder as they enjoyed sunset from her balcony, "sometimes I feel you deserve better coz I am not good for you". "Why do you think like that?", he was astonished. She shrugged her shoulders and squeezed him tight.

Shaurya was trying to feed the baby girl. He turned on the television and played a video. A chirrupy girl came on to screen and blew a flying kiss at them. Shaurya tried to focus baby's attention to her,"Aarti, look. It's your Mamma".

"Bhai, I know it's a girl", Smriti held on to his hand while she underwent sonography. Shaurya smiled to cheer her up. "I want to name her Aarti. It's made from Aarush and my name. Aar+Ti", she explained much to his chagrin. His sister expected that son of b**ch to come back to her. She was too nave to understand that he had used her for his pleasure and abandoned her. She squeezed his hand, "Bhai, I know you despise him. But trust me, Aarush is a good person. If he was not trapped by that vixen, he would have come for us. One day he will come of her clutches and accept us". Shaurya sighed and patted her cheeks. He waited for Smriti outside while lost in thoughts. Smriti always blamed other woman who came into Aarush's life and failed to notice his short comings. Shaurya didn't want to upset his sister but knew that one day she had to accept that Aarush will never be back for her or their baby. She was one of the many girls whom he had used for pleasure. But Shaurya was determined to support his sister and take care of her child.

"All the best, Beta", Kanta Chachi blessed him. He nodded and hugged her, "Thanks Chachi. I need your blessing. Today, I need to bring justice for my sister". Kanta blinked away her tears and pecked his forehead,"They will be punished. God is with us, Beta". She took Aarti from him while Shaurya kissed to her tender cheeks, "Bye, Sweety. I will be back after fulfilling my promise to you and your mother".

Mehek was being pampered by beauty treatments when she heard commotion. When she reached hall of her mansion, from tensed look on her father and Swati she understood that situation was serious . "Mr. Maan, please let us do our job", ACP Reshmi Sawant told her father. Mehek smirked at the her. She was never in good books of law and ACP Sawant despised her. "What a surprise Madam? I hope you are here to give your blessings to me. How kind of you, eventhough you were not invited". Mehek tried to humiliated her. "Mehek", her father scolded her, "I am sorry, Ma'am", he apologized. Reshmi brushed it off, "I am here to arrest you, Miss Mehek. On account of murder of Smriti Ahlawat". Mehek was shaken and for a moment she lost her cool demeanor. Flashes of pregnant Smriti and her cries came into her mind. But she soon composed. "Are you high on some stuff? Do tell me what it is? I would love to try it sometimes", Mehek mocked her while her father was embarrassed. "Ma'am, please. I beg you. She is getting engaged tomorrow. Can't we wait for few days?". "I am afraid I cannot. Mr. Aarush Agarwal is also getting arrested now as he is suspected to have abetted Mehek", she informed. "What the f**k?. Aarush is innocent. He has nothing to do with it", Mehek shouted. "Not another word, Mehek", Swati warned her and turned to ACP, "Mehek will be reporting to your office in an hour, Ma'am". "I am here to take her, Ms Swati Singh. I am sure she will enjoy free ride in our government vehicle", ACP was stern. "Mehek Singh Maan is not a petty thief, Ma'am. She is a celebrity, from an elite family. We both know that her security cannot be compromise by your cheap antics. I am sure your colleagues would have done same arrangement for Aarush also", Swati had to put down her foot. "Fine. At my office, in an hour. Not even a minute late", ACP told strongly and left. Mehek smirked at her and gave a pat on Swati's shoulder. Vikram Maan sank into nearby chair while Swati rushed to his side. "Thank you, my child", he gulped water she had offered. Mehek saw them and wondered whether they were actual father-daughter and she an outsider. 'I don't care', her mind screamed. Vikram gave her a reproachful look and commanded Swati, "Call Svetlanaji and asked her to meet here with her lawyers. Take care of media too"

Shaurya stood up as ACP Reshmi walked to her office. He had expected culprits to be handcuffed and dragged to justice but couldn't find them. "Don't worry. They will be here. Please wait in adjacent office until I call you", she told him. He nodded and walked to the room she had pointed. Soon Mehek and Aarush entered the scene, with their lawyers and parents. Mehek wore her designer salwar suit while Aarush chose to appear in casuals. He was ill at ease while Mehek hid herself behind expensive shades. Soon ACP's office room became a battle ground where evidences and acquisitions were thrown & countered. Finally, much to ACP's distress, Mehek & Aarush emerged as winners. She had to let them scot free due to lack of proofs. She couldn't keep them locked even for half a day. Sensing commotion Shaurya came out of the room , only to witness Mehek & Aarush being allowed to be walk away. "Why aren't they arrested?", he frantically enquired ACP. She sighed and answered embarrassed, "Lack of evidences". "What?? I showed you the CCTV footage from entrance of the house. It is clear that Aarti entered the house when Mehek was still inside", he was desperate. "Mr. Ahlawat", Mehek's lawyer pitched in, "It was a sabotaged footage, sold to you by one Maan's employees. We have enough evidences to prove that Mehek was at a friend's birthday party and Aarush was rehearsing in his studio". Shaurya was taken aback and looked at ACP for support. "It's true, Shaurya. Maan's employee himself confessed that footage he sold to you is fake. It may take us many days to prove the authenticity of footage. Besides we don't have any CCTV coverage from inside the house to prove that Smriti could have been harmed deliberately", she explained. "It appears that Ms Ahlawat met with an accident while trespassing Maan's property", lawyer gave his verdict. "No!!!!", Shaurya yelled, "my sister was murdered". "Mr. Ahlawat, we understand your feeling. But you need to accept the truth", he advised Shaurya. "I am sorry, Shaurya", ACP too tried to console him. He was broken and fell defeated. Mehek remained aloof but Aarush sympathized with him. He went near Shaurya . His face displayed utter guilt & pain when he kept his hand on his shoulder, "I am sorry. I really am". Mehek was extremely irritated by Aarush's attitude. She felt as if he truly loved Smriti. Shauraya pushed him away and sprang to his feet, " Ba****d. Save your fake concern to yourself. You are responsible for her death". Aarush fell back and Mehek couldn't take it anymore. She came in between them and scowled at Shaurya, "Stop accusing others, Mr Ahlawat. Your sister was a bloody wh**e. God knows who is the father of her child". Shaurya was about snarl at her but Aarush pulled her away. "Enough, Mehek", Aarush tried to silence her. Mehek was irked by his constant concern for Smriti and her brother. She channeled her anger on Shaurya, "She was upset when she couldn't trap Aarush and fell victim of her own foolishness. But you on the other hand, is a clever man. Bloody Pimp, still trying to make few bucks over your sister dead body ". "Shut your filthy mouth", he roared and charged at Mehek. She grabbed her throat while Aarush and other officers tried to separate him. They pulled him apart and lockedhim away while Aarush took an injured Mehek to adjacent room.

"Drink this, Mehek", Aarush handed her a glass of water. "I need a strong drink than water", she rejected. Aarush shook his head in dismay. "You seem to miss your wh**e , Aarush. You are feeling sorry and supporting her brother. Makes me wonder whether you were in love with her?", Mehek spewed at him. "Enough Mehek. Smriti was just a fling and nothing more. I didn't care about her. When I had asked her to terminate her pregnancy, she agreed. I never heard from her afterwards and thought she had taken care of it. I never knew about her condition. I agree I feel guilty. That's it and nothing else", he explained. Mehek walked away and stomped her feet near the huge window. He hugged her from behind, "I really love you, Mehek. You are the onIy one I care for". Mehek heart fluttered. She wasn't used to the emotions Aarush constantly projected on her. It was enticing and magnetic. She wasn't used to it so was unable to handle it. Yet she liked it and was afraid of losing it. She turned to face him. "Don't you feel angry at me? After what I did to...to her", her lips trembled. "Shhh, Mehek", Aarush hugged her, "it was an accident and never your fault. Let's forget it and look forward. It's just you who matters to me". She nodded and squeezed him tight.

Shaurya who was locked in adjacent room could vividly hear them. Though he always knew, now he had no room for suspicion. It was Mehek Singh Maan who killed his sister. Aarush though had no direct hand in it but Shaurya considered him to be equally responsible. 'These rich spoilt brats needs to be punished. Where law failed, Shaurya Singh Ahlawat will win ', he vowed to himself.