MehRya SS: Under my Protection - SUSPENDED

Under My Protection

PROLOGUE

Shaurya paused mid-swing and suffered for it when his sparring partner connected with a vicious punch that shook his very foundation.

Or maybe it was the sight of her that had.

She had been shopping, and he for one was glad for it. An act that normally would have him fearing the damage done to his credit card by the various women in his life, actually had him excited for a change. The fact that she had decided to invest in some new exercise-wear meant that she was beginning to believe in the changes that had come from her fitness regime. Where as before he had admired her mostly for her work ethic as she had toiled endlessly in the male dominated gymnasium, today his regard rest mostly in the trim figure she cut in her new tracksuit. He hoped she had treated herself to a bunch of things and had burnt every baggy t-shirt she had in her possession. She was no longer the woman she was a few months ago, and it finally appeared that she was believing it. Still, looking fabulous wouldn't save her from the rebuke coming her way for arriving late for her session today. Her coach was the gym's owner: a beast, and a stickler for time-keeping. The fact that she was one of the few people and the only female he trained meant that the former professional boxer saw something in her, but by no means would that count in the face of her having broken his cardinal rule. In the past, Shaurya had witnessed the man literally reduce grown men to tears, so she didn't stand a chance. Raising one gloved hand, Shaurya called for a break. He didn't think why he was doing it, but he would be ready to intercede on her behalf should it become necessary. Being the country's number one boxer had to count for something around here.

*****

Mehek had barely folded her hands in greeting, before she was blasted by the wiry former boxer, who coached her.

"Did you have a date and forget today's session, Mehek? Is that the reason you are so gussied up?"

"D-date?"

"And what's with that hair, how are you supposed to work out with that mess hanging from your head?" He tapped impatiently on his watch. "Ninety seconds Mehek, in ninety seconds I want you sorted and warming up with the jump-rope. If you can't manage it, you may as well leave now."

"J-ji Uncle, I'm...I apologize for being late," she replied nervously as she reached into her pocket for a scrunchy to pull her hair back into a ponytail. She swung around to get to work and collided with the boxer who had unbeknownst had come up behind her. Gloved hands steadied her, and her startled eyes drank in the virile man she was pressed against. Her lips fell open and her cheeks flamed when his gaze focused on her mouth. She felt the sudden urge to lick her lips, giving to the instinct a second later as unblinkingly, Shaurya Singh Ahlawat seemed to stare through her right to her soul.

"Unhand her before I show you what a real punch feels like boy," the gym owner ordered Shaurya. He glared at the younger man who reluctantly acquiesced to his instruction. You have sixty seconds now Mehek," the older man warned his client, sending her scrambling. He turned his attention to the professional athlete whose presence contributed to the extensive waitlist for membership at his gym. A steady stream of wannabees who thought that they would realize some measure of status just by training where India's champion did. "Stay away from her Shaurya; she's not your type...she's smart and a hard worker and most importantly she's a good girl."

"Worrying about a pupil? You getting soft in your old age, Uncle?"

"A very good girl," the man reiterated, "and far more than any of these men in here deserve...including you." A rare look of concern crossed his weathered face when he noticed quite a few of the other gym members noticing the young woman who had removed her jacket to reveal the pretty pink crop exercise top she wore today.

Shaurya knew straight away that her days at the gym were numbered. In fact, he expected that the owner would most likely break the bad news to Mehek at the end of today's session. Unless he did something about it himself.

"Would it help if I look out for her," Shaurya queried.

"And why exactly would you do that, Shaurya?"

"She's dedicated... I like that about her." He stared at the focused young woman skipping in the far corner. He wasn't lying, he had admired this about the novice boxer from the beginning. It hadn't been an easy road for her, and it would be a shame if she had to give up her training now, because she was now a potential distraction.

The gym owner nodded. "Thik hai, as long as you know that I will be watching you as you watch out for her. And champion or not, I will think nothing of kicking you out of here if you overstep your bounds Shaurya Singh Ahlawat."