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~~CAGED~~
Chapter 4 (longest chapter ever)
Next day Mahek woke up early thinking about what the day may have in store for her. Coming to the window she looked at the wide open sky. "Dear God,let Shaurya's hatred turn into love for me. And give me strength to go through and pass every test and punishment thrown at me today by the man I love dearly.'' Her silent prayer was interrupted by Sonal. "Mahek,wear this and follow me to the mansion.'' Sonal handed her a uniform fit for a waitress or a chef. "Chii! I can't wear this...it's too short!'' Mehak tossed the dress on the bed. "My dear! Your master has ordered you to wear this and come to the mansion. Time is running out..you have to start cooking for at least one hundred people so wear this and come.'' Sonal told her. "That akdru master of yours can go to hell! I can still cook with my kurti and leggings on..I don't need these kind of attire! Tell him I'm not gonna wear this!'' Mehak stood her ground. "Ok fine! I'll tell him!'' Leaving the dress on her bed,Sonal stepped out of the cottage. Mehak sat on the bed with an angry pout. Few minutes later Mehak's phone rang. As expected it was Shaurya. Grimacing she picked up the phone. "What's your problem miss sharma? Wear the dress quietly or I'm coming there to put it on you myself!'' Mehak's eyes widened in disbelief. "Do you prefer me doing it for you or you'll do it yourself?'' He asked. Mehak gulped to moisten her throat which suddenly went dry on her. She knew he can do anything and fighting with him was just a waste of time. And the thought of him stripping her naked made her head spin and butterflies fluttered in her tummy. "No ..no need! I'll wear it myself!'' She managed to say. Hanging up she tossed the phone away. Shaurya smirked on the other side.
Sonal brought Mahek out when she was ready with her new attire on. Every now and then she would pull the hem of her skirt to cover her bare knees. "You'll get used to these kind of dressing soon'' Sonal told her. "You know Someday I'll make your boss wear this!'' Sonal looked at Mahek in shock and then both burst out laughing. Mahek stood in awe when she stepped inside the mansion. "Oh my god it's huge and beautiful!'' "It is..now come with me I'll show you the kitchen.'' Sonal directed her to the kitchen. "Breakfast is already served,lunch and dinner is your responsibility. Remember you have to cook for 100 people.'' Saying that Sonal showed her around the kitchen. "100 people? I can't cook for hundred people all by myself!'' Complained Mahek. "You Don't have a choice miss sharma! Don't forget it's your very first punishment!'' Mehak turned to the owner of the voice. Sonal slipped out of there seeing Shaurya standing there with his hands in his jeans pocket. For one second mehak couldn't take her eyes off him. He was dangerously handsome! Oh how she loved him! Her train of thoughts broke when he walked around her while whistling. "Well! Well! Well! Aren't you looking sexy miss sharma!'' He scanned her from head to toe. Mehak lowered her gaze in embarrassment and pulled her skirt down to cover her bare knees. With a chuckle he took a step towards her. Mahek took a step back. "Don't! Stop right there Shaurya!'' Her warning didn't affect him at all. "I will not! What will you do huh?This is my house! My kitchen and don't forget you are also mine sweetheart! I will do whatever and whenever I Please! You got that miss sharma?'' Mahek held back her tears. He dragged her to the countertop. "Don't you wanna look at the ingredients before you start? Come on remove the lids!'' Mahek swallowed and removed the lids from the plate. With a scream mehak dropped the lid and jumped away. "Meat? I..I can't cook this! I'm a vegetarian!'' More tears formed in her eyes. "Relax miss sharma! I'm asking you to just cook meat and not eat them! It's my order and your duty is to obey!.'' Before Shaurya could finish,Mahek covered her mouth and ran to the washroom and puked. "Sonal!'' Howled Shaurya. Sonal came running to him. "Yes sir!'' "Look after her..I don't know how but the food will be prepared by Mahek only.'' Saying that he left to attend his business partners sitting in the hall.
"You can do this Mahek! His every punishment you will endure with a smile. You will follow his orders and fulfill his demands without a word. You will make it through every trials,tests or punishments. And one day he will run out of punishments and that day will be the day he will surrender and accept you!'' Her conscience told her. Gathering her strength,Mahek dried her tears and came out of the washroom. She found Sonal standing by the door and waiting for her. "Are you ok?'' She asked. "Yes I'm perfectly fine! I'll get back to work.'' She headed for the kitchen. Sonal wanted to give her a hand but Shaurya had told her to sit and watch while she cooked. Mehak planned a menu and started cooking.
It took a while for Mahek to prepare lunch but she made it anyhow. Hired waitresses and butlers served the meals. Mahek was already tired and exhausted from making so much lunch. She tried to relax for a bit when Sonal called her to help serve the food. "Sorry Mahek..it's Shaurya sir's order.'' "It's ok Sonal I'll help with the serving.'' Mahek left towards the dinning hall packed with businessmen and women. "Wow Shaurya! Food is delicious yaar!'' Shaurya's childhood friend and business partner Raj complimented. Shaurya just nodded. "I would like to meet the cook,if she can cook for our next business meeting which will be held in my office ..it will be great.'' Said Raj. Shaurya almost choked on his food. Mehak who heard him thought Shaurya will introduce her as the cook but instead he called Sonal. "She's Sonal, She prepared the meal for today.'' Sonal's eyes popped out and she looked at Mahek who was at the verge of crying. Raj and the rest complimented Sonal for her talent in cooking. Sonal wanted to tell the truth but Shaurya glared at her angrily and she zipped her mouth. Blinking back her tears Mahek pretended that everything was ok and nothing affected her. She continued her duty as the server. One of the male guest present there was giving Mahek a dirty look which made her uneasy. Shaurya had also noticed it. When Mahek left towards the kitchen,the guy followed her. "Hello sexy! You look smoking hot in that mini skirt!'' His hungry gaze scanned her from top to bottom. Before Mahek could snap at him Shaurya came and stood in front of her,blocking the guy from getting a visual of her. "You are needed in hall mr xyz!'' Seeing Shaurya's fiery eyes and his hard fists he fled from there. Turning to Mahek he said,Go change your dress!'' "What's wrong with you Shaurya? One moment you are threatening me to wear the dress and the next moment you are telling me to go change! I'm not gonna change! Wait a minute! Are you jealous that someone actually complimented about my dress and me?'' She questioned. Shaurya quickly looked away avoiding her eyes. Seeing her with another guy did something dangerous to his equilibrium. A possessive impulse threaded through him,knotting at his chest. His eyes clashed with hers. He's angry. Oooh. Why? Have I hit the nail on the head somehow? Thought Mahek. Suddenly He slung her over his shoulder and carried her towards his room. she bounced upside down as he ascended the stairs. His stairs. In his goddamn mansion. "Shaurya please let me go! Shaurya!'' She fought him every step of the way, stunned she couldn't break free. She wanted to bit him but couldn't. Inside his luxury room he dumped her on his bed and walked to his huge closet. Mehak had started to panic and quickly sat up. "What are you doing?'' She Asked feebly. He tossed a anarkali suit on her. "Get into this or you know what I will do...'' His husky voice moved through her and every nerve ending came to life. She was close enough to feel the heat radiating off his body. A rush of desire slammed into her, making her knees wobble, and her heart beat faster. Damn him. "Please don't look at me like that..you are scaring me Shaurya...'' she muttered. "Bloody hell then wear the dress!'' "How can I undress in front of you...I can't please go..'' saying that Mahek slowly got out of the bed. He reached for her, twining a black tendril of her hair around his finger as his dark eyes caressed her face. "Are you sure? Damn! She couldn't breathe. Birds sang high outside his huge window disappearing over medieval stone walls. The same walls that now kept herin. "Im pretty much sure..''she stammered, shaking with desire for him. For his warmth. For his touch. For the way he made her feel alive again. She licked her dry lips. "I want you to go. She muttered. "Bloody hell!, he said. "You think I'll go?. And lifting her chin, he kissed her. His lips were so hard and soft and sweet, she could hear the buzz of honeybees in his garden. The fragrance of overgrown half-wild roses drenched her senses. And she felt dizzy. She was lost, lost in him.And she didn't want it to ever end. He kept pushing her and they both ended up in his balcony. He pushed her back against a wall that was warm with sunlight and thick with twisting vines of grapes. He kissed her again, more forcefully. Teasing her. Taking. Demanding. Seducing... She tried to resist. She did. But it was like trying to push away happiness, or joy. Like trying to push away life itself. Then suddenly Realty struck him! Their promises to each other and then her betrayal. He pushed her away at once! "Stay away from me!'' Anger crossed his face and He was walking away when Mahek stopped him. "Ruko!'' Composing herself she took few steps towards him and whirled him around. "I have been staying away from you Shaurya! I live in the cage and not in your mansion. You are the one who called me here to cook! You carried me to your room and kissed me! I wasn't coming closer to you but you were Shaurya Khanna! So don't you tell me to stay away! You yourself stay away from me! Samjhe Tum?'' Mahek was raging. Shaurya was stilled for a moment. Blinking back her tears she ran inside,grabbed the suit and hurried out of his room. Tears running down her cheeks she ran to her little cage. Throwing herself on her bed she cried. Back at the mansion,Shaurya kicked some chairs and over tuned few tables in anger.
Mahek had to cook dinner for the guests so she calmed herself down and got dressed. Anarkali fit her nicely. She headed back to the mansion. "Wow! You look amazing in that dress!'' Sonal complimented her. "Thanks,it's not mine.'' Mahek told her. "Oh it is for you Mahek. Shaurya sir had bought this for you. He wanted to gift you after your marriage to him. He has lots more in his closet.'' Mahek felt happy and sad at the same time. "Unintentionally I had hurt him Sonal...he will not forgive me easily. Tears swam in her eyes. "I know you didn't mean to hurt him but you did Mahek...but don't you worry! One day he will forgive you and he will be the one to marry you.'' Sonal gave her hope. Forcing a weak smile,Mahek headed to the kitchen. Dinner menu was big. Mahek had blisters on her hand by the time her cooking finished. She was dizzy due to hunger. All she had for breakfast was a piece of toast. "Mahek,eat something otherwise you'll get sick.'' Said Sonal. "I will once the dinner is served and everyone eats.'' Servers pushed the trolley full of food to the dinning hall. Sonal served the food with the butlers but Mahek stayed behind. Raj who went past the kitchen saw Mahek making dessert. "So you are the real cook!'' Mahek whirled to see the owner of the voice. "Hi! I'm Raj,Shaurya's childhood friend and business partner.'' Raj had extended his hand for a handshake. "Oh! Nice to meet you Raj ji,I am Mahek. Sorry I can't shake your hands.'' Mahek showed him her blistered hands. "Good lord you are hurt! You need first aid!'' He was calling for help when Mahek stopped him. "It's ok Raj ji! I'll apply ointment and I'll be fine. You go have dinner.'' "Are you sure you'll be fine?'' He asked. Mahek nodded and he left with a worried expression. Mahek arranged the dessert on trollies and pushed it to the dinning hall. Her hand was hurting her but she managed. Her blood boiled when she found a girl leaning on Shaurya's arm. They walked towards her. Shaurya wanted to see her burning with jealousy. Mahek pretended to be calm and composed. "Miss sharma,me and Ria will be eating in my room. Please serve us there if you don't mind.'' Shaurya told her. Mahek just nodded and they both left towards his room. "Control Mahek control. He will stoop down low to break you but you won't react.'' She told herself and exhaled. With the help of other servers,she took the food in Shaurya's room. Ria was going through his closet. "Wow Shaurya! These dresses are nice! Who's are these anyway?'' Shaurya looked at Mahek who kept herself busy arranging the food on the table. "These were for someone I loved very much some months ago. She shattered me by betraying me and leaving me on the day of our marriage.'' Mahek just tried to hold back her tears. "She doesn't matter to me now so you can have them.'' Mahek's heart pinched in pain. A lone tear made its way from the corner of her eyes and she ran from there. Shaurya was feeling bad ..he was giving her tears since morning and he wasn't liking it at all. It hurt him to hurt her. He walked to the closet and moved Ria from there. "I'll buy you new ones but don't touch these please.'' Ria couldn't understand his antics. They ate dinner quietly and came downstairs to join his business partners. Shaurya's eyes were searching for Mahek but she wasn't in sight. "There you both are!'' Said Raj. "Ladies and gentleman I have important announcement to make.'' Shaurya gave a questionable look at Raj. No one knew what was coming up and all looked confused. Raj pulled Shaurya and Ria to stand beside him. "As you all know Ria is Shaurya's childhood friend just like me. She's also his fiance.'' Mahek who had just joined them with Sonal couldn't believe her ears. Raj continued. "They both love each other and I am announcing their engagement in this very party!'' Everyone whistled and applauded. Mahek felt like passing out. Shaurya frowned with shock and confusion. "What is this Raj? I didn't plan this! And you know I love her like a friend and not like..'' Shaurya mumbled in his ears. Raj cut him off. "So what? shes your finace! Instead of getting engaged tomorrow why not today?'' He handed a ring to Ria. "Come on Ria make him yours!'' Without wasting much time Ria slid the ring on Shaurya's finger. It happened so fast not giving a single second for Shaurya to react. A little chill spread over Mahek's skin. She was suffocating. Tears pricked her eyes. "Cheater!'' She wanted to scream at him. She shot Shaurya a look of disgust. Shaurya blew out a puff of air. Mahek felt as if the ground beneath her was about to give away. Her head swam with what she just witnessed. She slowly walked away towards the kitchen. Shaurya didn't expect all these. He wondered what might she think of him now! His feelings waged war within. He felt anger at his friend for mentioning something he had not expected. Ria's family and his family had made Ria his fiance which he never approved. He scuffed the floor with the heel of his boot. Shaurya closed his eyes, and when he opened them,Raj and Sonal were running towards the kitchen. Shaurya hurried to catch up to them to find out what was wrong. He found Mahek on the floor unconscious! His eyes fell on her blistered hand. "Mahek!'' He Cried and hurried towards her but Raj stopped him. "I'll take care of her her Shaurya...Ria needs you in the hall.'' Shaurya stood there with anger and balled fists. Raj and Sonal attended Mahek and tried to revive her. Shaurya didn't budge from there but stood with worried expression. Mahek opened her eyes when Sonal sprinkled water on her face. "I told you to eat but you didn't listen! Cooking for hundred people with empty stomach is not easy! Stupid girl!'' Sonal scolded her. "What? She didn't eat? Raj I'll take over from here buddy!'' Said Shaurya But Mahek lifted her hand in the mid air to stop him. "I don't want you to touch me! Ria needs you more than me! Please go! Raj ji will look after me.''The words stabbed a dagger through his chest. She spoke as if she'd given up on him. A stilted silence fell over them. She looked at him with painful eyes. Another uncomfortable silence stretched between them. And then Mahek lost consciousness again. "She needs a doctor,take her to the hospital.'' Shaurya told Raj. Raj and Sonal helped her to the car and headed off to the hospital close by.
At the hospital Mahek got treated. Her hands were looked after and bandaged. She was too weak to move. "We will keep her here for the night.'' Doctor told Raj. "Thanks Raj ji But you can go now...Shaurya will come and get me.'' Raj looked confused. "But you told him not to touch you.'' Mahek smirked. "And you think he will listen? He's your best friend you should know him better then me.'' Mahek told him. Raj nodded. "I will stay till he comes. By the way I know everything about you and him.'' "I'm sure you do..he must have told you.'' Said Mahek. "Hmm...how long will you stay in that cage Mahek? Can't you object and fight him for your freedom?'' Mahek smiled. "As long as he wants! I love him Raj ji...he can marry Ria and make me his mistress ..I will endure everything but I wont fight him.'' Raj was quite after that. "Yeh kaysa pyaar hai tumara?''(what kind of love is this?) he asked. "I wish I knew.'' And she closed her eyelids to sleep. Raj also dozed off in the chair. Few minutes later,Shaurya entered the hospital and then her room. Even in sleep Mahek could feel his presence. She opened her eyes feebly. The first thing she saw was dark, dark eyes filled with concern. Air seemed trapped in her chest, and she didn't have the breath to speak. He reached down and shoved one arm beneath her back, and he hooked the other under her legs, lifting her from the bed he carried her to his RDX. Her muscles flinched at his touch.
Mahek felt strength in his arms and the immediate warmth of his hard body pressed against her hip. His impressive, masculine power embraced her as if she weighed no more than a quill. The scent of him and his cologne awakened something soft and feminine inside her and for a moment she had an intense desire to cuddle into the warmth of the strong arms that held her. It wasn't until he started walking that her common sense returned. She was mad at what had happened earlier but didn't utter a word. He placed her gently on the front seat and fastened her seatbelt. Their eyes met briefly,still no one said a word. He got behind the wheel and started moving the van. She was fine, she told herself again and again. She was just feeling a little stressed, nothing more, and certainly nothing to worry about. But she wasn't fine. She had lost her love to someone else, her only love, the one person whom she had loved unconditionally. The strain of the last few days had taken its toll.The tension in her muscles was working its way upward, and now her head was beginning to throb.Rubbing her temples,she looked at Shaurya who was driving without a word. "Say something Mahek! He shouldn't know you are affected by his engagement or Ria.'' Her inner being told her. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Congrats for your engagement.'' The RDX stopped. Mahek realized they were home. He got out of the van and went the other side. Opening the door he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her cottage. Guards let them in. "Say something Shaurya...please?'' She Pleaded. He maintained his silence. He could have put her down, but he didn't. "Ria won't like it if she sees us like this,me in your arms.'' She murmured. She was jealous of Ria at that moment but Shaurya shouldn't know about it. "You are mine! Only mine!'' She said in her heart and tears rolled down her cheeks. Mahek weighed next to nothing in his arms. He sat on the side of the bed with her in his lap, his arms wrapped around her as he waited for her tears to stop flowing . Her head was down on his shoulder, and she was so soft cuddled against him. He had the sudden urge to never leave her.He was reacting to her in a way he wasn't suppose to. She finally stopped crying and leaned back so she could look into his eyes. "I will go from here after you are married...can I? Her arms were still around his neck. "Not really!'' His voice rumbled low in her ear. "You will stay right here with me till death do us apart! You hear me?'' She suppressed a shiver. More tears formed in her eyes.Mahek glanced at him, so close. She leaned up and kissed him on his cheek then started to move away, but he didn't loosen his hold. He continued to stare into her eyes as though he was searching for something inside her. She quickly lowered her gaze not wanting him to read what was in there. "I'm ok now..please go otherwise your people will think you are trying to get me in bed...'' she said softly. His voice went low and husky. "When I want to get you into bed, I won't wait for your consent! and I don't care what people think!'' Her face flushed. She opened her mouth for a snappy retort, but nothing came out. "Shut up and sit quietly! I'm going to get us some food,tumarey chakkar mein I couldn't eat.'' He placed her gently on the mattress and propped up the pillows behind her so she could sit up in bed. He left.
He returned few minutes later with food and beverages. But Mahek was already sleeping sitting like that. "Mahek..! Bloody hell You can't sleep without eating yaar!'' He shook her gently. "I'm not hungry.. you eat na!'' Mahek said and feebly opened her tired eyelids. "Let me go before you get married...I don't want to nanny your kids.'' She blabbered. Shaurya laughed and Mahek was lost in his laughter. Her reverie broke when he pushed a spoonful of food in her mouth. "Don't think too much,just eat and sleep.'' Mahek ate quietly and watched him eat from the same spoon. "You can never hate me shaurya..neither can I...'' she murmured as her medication given at the hospital started to kick in. "I know that..'' she heard him say. she smiled. "You do? Oh how I love you!'' She threw herself in his arms just as Shaurya put the plates on the nightstand. "Aren't you jealous that Ria is the one I'm gonna get married to?'' He asked. Mahek pressed herself more on his chest. "No I'm not! Because I'm sending that Ria to hell soon!'' Shaurya chuckled. "You know Shaurya...I should get married to Raj ..'' Shocked Shaurya lifted her head from his chest and looked at her face. "Oh don't you worry! You'll see me all the time! You know how? Because you'll be the baby sitter to my kids.'' He choked on the mint he was chewing and coughed. Mahek laughed. "Tit for tat mr khanna! You marry I marry...and not live happily ever after...'' blabbering for a while,Mahek fell asleep in his arms. "As if I'll let you.'' He captured her bandaged fingers and brought them up to his lips. He planted a feather like kiss on her forehead and rocked her to sleep.
Next chapter :-
Shaurya runs out of punishments.
Mahek doesn't give up and goes through every trial
Raj becomes Mahek's best friend along with Sonal
Shaurya has one last plan to break her down and that is to sleep with her. Will it work? Will Mahek break down and give up after they spend one night together? Will she live in the cage or flee?
Keep reading guys. Don't forget to leave your valuable comments. Thanks and love to all my lovely readers.
Cheers!
Sanjh 😳
Edited by Sanjh30 - 7 years ago
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