||Aadha Ishq|| MehRya SS- last chapter Pg63 30/Sep/18 - Page 35

Chapter 6 Revelation

Mehek breathed in the pleasant fragrance of her new home. The house was simple, clean and warm. Shaurya, true to his nature had kept his house in order. It was a small house of 1BHK, with a tiny garden behind it. Shaurya had planted few essentials herbs and vegetables in it too. "Lovely", she told but suddenly felt conscious of his smirk, "I meant it perfectly looks like an old guy's house. Boring and colourless. Just missing a fat, ugly dog". "Now you are here. I guess it will be fulfilled", he taunted her while carrying her luggage. "Shaurya Beta, who is this new friend of yours? Is she also here for combine studies?", a nosy old man voiced from next compound. Mehek glared at him and Shaurya whispered to her," He is Mr. Kapoor. Curious, idle and gossip master. Unfortunately he is close to my landlord so we have to bear him". He faked a smile and waved at him, "Areey, Nahi Chachaji. This is my wife. Mehek, greet Chachaji". Mehek folder her hands to greet him. "Good that you came to stay with him. Else I was afraid your husband was getting wayward by shehar ki titliyaan", Mr. Kapoor tried to provoke Mehek. "Oh! Chacha. Marvaavo ge kya", Shaurya tried to add humour and waved his hands while pulling Mehek to the house.

"So your love nest is frequented by butterflies", she asked him with disinterest. "Sort of. Nikki used to come here for studies. Last night Shruthi came in...", he paused when Mehek stiffened. "I just wanted to curb your popularity. I never thought that b***h will come and tell you everything. Stupid girl!", she told. "You were wrong about Shruti. She didn't get scared of those rumours but wanted to get a taste of me. When I rejected her advances, she became furious and spilled out your words. She got mad when she knew she was duped", he explained. "Oh!", Mehek was surprised. "I still haven't forgiven you though you tried your best to divert my mind", he told firmly but with a faint smile. "I don't want your forgiveness either", she retorted. "You will regret soon", he murmured and Mehek was unable to make sense out of it.

Mehek wore her cotton pj suit and was all set to sleep on bed when Shaurya walked in bare chested. She yelped and turned away from him, "Shameless Chora. Put on some clothes". "I usually sleep without shirt", he told and walked towards the bed. "Are you sleeping here?", she asked wide eyed. He nodded innocently. "Then where will I sleep?", she was taken aback. "Anywhere you want. Kitchen, Hall, here on bed or on floor. Your choice", he laid on bed and pulled blanket over him, "Oh, I forgot to mention. Avoid couch in hall, it is a bit old to handle your weight. And kitchen will be invaded by cockroaches at night". "So I am left with sleeping on the floor. Pray tell me what adversity I shall expect there?", she was sarcastic. "Nothing. Though I have not seen, I have heard sound of rats running around but I am not sure. You will know it tonight", he humoured. "I will sleep on bed. Coz I am not afraid of you", she said confidently. "It's your decision", he turned back to sleep. Mehek climbed on farther end of bed and made herself comfortable. He chuckled hearing her soft snores and dozed off.

During middle of the night, he was startled by heavy weight on his chest. He opened his eyes to find Mehek sleeping on his chest. Her hand was wound on his shoulder and head balanced over his chest. He grinned at her antics and wrapped his legs around her to pulled her closer. He held her closer and fell into peaceful slumber.

Mehek felt refreshed after long night of rest. She opened her eyes to find him ironing his cloths. She tore her eyes away when he looked at her. "Coffee is kept in microwave", he told. She freshened up and went to kitchen. Shaurya had already prepared breakfast. She munched few bites and moaned in delight. "Softly, my darling. You will scare the neighbours with wild imagination", he chuckled at her bewilderment. He quickly changed the topic, "Since we have to co-exist, lets divide chores. I will cook and you have to clean". She agreed.

Thus started a new phase in MehRya's life. Early to bed and early to rise, it was Shaurya's motto. He helped Mehek to catch up in studies and they practiced together. Mehek was glad and was eager to join back college. Living with Shaurya proved to be worthy. She really wished them to be friends again but somehow he never showed any inclination.

Days passes away quickly. It was evening time and Shaurya was busy in kitchen. "Beer to celebrate end of our suspension", Mehek got some cans from nearby store. "Mehek, it is not good for us. Don't ignore our diet", he forwarded the home cooked healthy meal to her. "Nothing will be spoiled in a couple of cans", she threw one at him. "Fine, then just one", he allowed cheerfully. They sat in their backyard facing garden, enjoying calmness of night. "Skirts and frocks suits you", he complimented on her red & black frock. "Oh, thanks. Though not exquisite for outdoors, this is special for me. Swati Di tailored it for me. She wanted to be a designer but our father never allowed". An awkward silence crept between them after she mentioned Swati. "Shaurya, can I ask you something?", she added a preface and he nodded. "Why did you...I mean that night...you...", it was difficult for her. He laughed bitterly, "Aren't we a bit late to discuss about our so-called wedding night?". But she kept her look fixed on him, forcing him to spill the truth. "Will you trust me if I told you?", he asked her. "I will, else I wouldn't have brought it up now", she replied. "It was all for show, Mehek", he stood abruptly and left.

Mehek was dumbfound and trod behind him. "I didn't understand ", she reached behind him. He sighed and turned to face her, "It was the only way I could save both of you, Mehek. If we didn't have got married that night then situation would have been turned extremely ugly. My father would have thrown you both to his men. Those low lives would have not spared a moment to devour your flesh. I had to act like a mad man possessed by vengeance and forced our wedding as punishment. My name was your single protection". "Then why didn't you let me leave with my Di? Why didn't you insisted on spending night together?", she shot her questions. "Because...because my father demanded it. He wanted me to complete your punishment by snatching your virtue. I am ashamed to call him my father still I had to comply to him, fearing he may doubt my intentions and harm you. I had to put up a huge act with your screams and scars to prove him that I forced myself on you", he felt broken. She was unable to comprehend. "You don't believe it, do you? Till date I couldn't convince my own mother and seek her forgiveness. One of the main reasons I chose to leave home", he was on verge of breaking down. "It's difficult , Shaurya", she was honest. He chuckled sarcastically. "You know, Mehek. I am a fool. A loser. I lived for others. I crushed my dreams for my dad, had to hide my passion to cook to save my mother and failed to win love of my life. I loved someone dearly but I could never express my feelings for her", he said sadly. "Who was she?", she was eager. He shook his head, "My father preferred Swati as my bride since she was simple and gentle. Yet when Daddyji asked me to get married to one of Vikram Maan's daughter, I could have easily chosen you. Still I didn't. You know why?", he grabbed Mehek's arms and growled, "Do you know why?". Mehek shivered and shook her head. "Bcoz I love you. Love you so much...so much to sacrifice myself for your dreams". He pushed her away and left her.

"Shaurya, I never knew", she was desperate to convey her ignorance. He was venting his anger on punching bag. "Ofcourse you didn't. It is so convenient to play blind", he was not pleased. "Stop it. You will hurt yourself", she was concerned. But he didn't listen and went on attacking the punching bag. "Enough!", she pulled him away. He was panting for breath while she examined his reddened knuckles. Her care and concern brought him back to reality. "I am sorry, Shaurya", she apologized while blowing on his hands. He looked away trying hard to hide his tears. "I need to be alone", he moved to the bedroom and shut the door.

"Shaurya", she knocked softly on his door, "please let me in. You are scaring me". A soft sound indicated he had unlocked the door. When she entered, she found him sitting on bed with his head hidden in his palms. "You haven't eaten anything since evening. Shall I bring some food?", she offered. "I am not hungry", he said strongly. "Shaurya, please don't do this", she pleaded, "Talk to me. It may ease your burden". He laughed, mocking himself, "I was ready to give it up. All set to start a new life with Swati, promising myself to be a loyal and dutiful husband. Despite being in love with you, I promised myself to move on and committ myself to your sister. I sympathized with Swati as we were mere pawn in power games. Yet I was hopeful of a better future". "She never loved you, Shaurya", Mehek tried to reason. "Neither did I love her. With time we could have got adjusted to each other. But you...you were so adamant to ruin everything", he sounded hurt and moved away from her. Mehek was unable to put some sense into his thick skull. "Fine. I am the guilty one. I accept my faults. Will that make you happy?", she asked him. "Leave me alone", he tried to push her out of the room. But Mehek quickly grabbed his wrist, "You cannot run away from it, Shaurya. We have to face it". He freed himself from her grasp and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "How shall we deal with it? Any brilliant ideas?", he asked her. "Can't we try to be friends again?', she asked timidly. By fraction of a second, she realised her folly. She had pricked his sensitive spot. His eyes shone with fury as he grabbed her by her shoulders, "We can never be friends". Mehek trembled noticing madness in his eyes while he shoved her to his bed.