||Tere Ishq ki Mujhko Aadat HaiS3||MehRya(dark)FF FinalPg109 16/Dec/18 - Page 43

CHAPTER 10

Shaurya restlessly browsed through the report gathered by his hired detectives. It was an elaborate one and he had studied it several times that by now he knew each line by heart. He was already distressed that his useless sleuths were not able find anything about Aarti. Yet today he was extremely disappointed bcoz there was so less information about Mehek too. Except for the part that Aarush broke up with her and married Swati, nothing else absolutely nothing. Mehek went off the radar completely until recently. Shaurya expected her to be leeching on Vikram Maan's wealth and lusting after Aarush but after last night he knew it was more than what it meets the eye. He had ordered his men to probe further and find about Aarti's whereabouts. Yet now he wanted to know more about Mehek. He need to know more about her. Developing soft feelings for her again?, an inner voice probed. 'Never. But unless I know her strengths & weakness, I cannot destroy her', he countered it.

The man he had been eagerly waiting walked in. He can be termed as an old ally. None could ever imagine this well-dressed gentleman to be linked to criminal world. Someone whose service Shaurya sought while dealing in grey areas of legality. Long back, Shaurya met him through a friend when he had to sort out miscreants who tried to cultivate illegal drugs amidst his plantation. Later they remained amicable. His official and un-offical contacts were valuable and useful for Shaurya. Shaurya recalled he was only one whom he trusted to involve in Mehek's kidnap. "Mr. Ahlawat", he greeted. "Rajeev, I am still the same Shaurya", they shook hands amicably and got comfortable. "Tell me why did you summon me?", Rajeev never liked to beat around the bush. "I need to find about a person. Dig deeper find as much as dirt possible", he told Rajeev. "I guess you already tried and failed. So it's a difficult job. It won't come cheap", Rajeev told him. "If you get me the results, the reward will be beyond your expectations", Shaurya offered and Rajeev agreed. "Ms, Mehek Maan. All about her in past five years. Even most minute details ", he told Rajeev. "The same Mehek Maan?", Rajeev clarified and Shaurya nodded. "Hmmm. Not easy job. Ms Maan disappeared few months after you left. A brief statement about her broken engagement with Aarush Agarwal was released to press. Just that and nothing more. It was as if she never existed. For reasons, best known to him, Vikram Maan chose to hide his daughter", Rajeev shared with Shaurya, "An year back she made brief appearances with Vikram Maan and started to run few NGOs on behalf of Maan's company. Additionally she runs her own designer boutiques, though modest it is successful in its range". "Not enough, Rajeev", Shaurya told him impatiently. "I am on it", Rajeev agreed and took his leave.

Jugraj entered Shaurya's cabin throwing a suspicious glance at Rajeev who walked away. "Who is he?", he asked his son. "Nobody", he ignored his father curiosity. Shaurya was never close to his father. Though he respected Jugraj and felt indebted to him for his support during last 5 years, he could never breach the ice wall amidst them. When Shaurya felt his eyes boring onto him, he replied reluctantly, "I hired him to get some information". Jugraj sighed. Though his son didn't take any names, he knew it all. "I hope you know what you are doing", he advised subtly. "Daddyji, I need to do this. I hope you understand", he requested. Jugraj nodded and asked, "Lunch?". "I thought you went out with Svetlana to have lunch", he was surprised. "I did. But I had no intention to get bored with that bimbo", Jugraj smiled at Shaurya, "It was just an act to keep tabs on her". Shaurya smiled and got up to accompany his father. "By the way, I have some piece of information. Don't know whether it will be of any use", he paused to get Shaurya's attention, "Svetlana is a wicked vixen . But she loves to bitch about Mehek. After couple of drinks, she slipped away that Mehek had shamelessly used her contacts to influence an elite school but remained ungrateful". Shaurya's muscles tightened but soon his lips curved upwards to a smile as he got the name of the school. "Thanks Daddyji", he embraced Jugraj quickly. "My pleasure, Son. But it's just a vague clue and may not lead to anything", he warned.

A week later, Shaurya stood with the headmistress in the school premises. He could easily sway her when he proposed that his company would like to support their scholarship program for underprivileged students . The elderly woman was showing him around the school. Shaurya was satisfied with the school. It was not one of those money minded institutions that produced snobbish brats. It was an elegant school which nurtured future citizens, inculcating good values & attitude. Now he sincerely wanted to help the school. His eyes wandered around trying to identify one face. With the clue his father passed on, investigators were able to find a student named Aarti. Atleast he believed it was his Aarti. The photographs of the 5 years old girl which they mailed him didn't do justice. Finally he found her. She was sitting beneath a tree with a drawing book. He knew immediately that it is Aarti, his sister's child. Her thanked his fortune when headmistress excused herself for an urgent work. He was eager to talk to Aarti yet couldn't muster the courage or comprehend his move. Sitting serenely and focusing on her drawing, she looked so much like his sister. While he gazed at her lovingly, he felt a soft tug at his wrist and heard voice, "Excuse me, Sir". He found a cute boy with bright eyes beside him. "Why are you staring at her? Don't you know it is not proper to stare?", the boy scolded him. Shaurya couldn't help grinning. He knelt down to reach his level, "Hey Buddy. What's your name?". The boy crossed his arms across his chest with attitude. His antics looked funny but extremely adorable. He reminded Shaurya of his own childhood. "Ma told us not to talk to strangers", he replied. "Even if I offer you this", Shaurya pulled out a big chocolate packet from his jacket. He had kept it for Aarti, but couldn't help from offering it to the sweet little guy beside him. The boy was tempted but before he could decide to take it from Shauraya, Aarti rushed to their side. "No thanks but Ma had told us not accept things offerred by strangers. I am sorry if my brother bothered you", she told swiftly and tried to pull away the boy with her. 'Brother? Aarti has a brother?',Shaurya was perplexed but the kids walked away before he could ask further. He quickly got up and walked briskly behind. The kids got alarmed and ran away. He was saved when headmistress came to his rescue. "Good afternoon, Children. Don't be afraid. He is Mr. Shaurya and he is soon going to be our patron. C'mon greet him", she asked him. Aarti wished him politely, "Good afternoon, Sir. I am Aarti Singh Ahlawat and this is my brother...". Before she could complete the boy cut in, "I am Veer Singh Ahlawat. You can call me Veer", he said with full attitude and extended his hand. Shaurya kept his trembling hand into his tiny ones. He couldn't take his eyes off the kid. His eyes, his dimples, the mole on his upper lip and his sweet smile. Bell rang and teacher came to take them back to their class. With great difficulty Shaurya managed to control his emotions and bid farewell. He gasped for breath when he finally managed to reach his car. 'My son. I have a son. Veer is my child', he repeated to himself.

Mehek woke abruptly from her slumber. Someone was constantly ringing bell of her apartment. In her sleepy state, she didn't bother to look through the peep hole which turned out to be a huge mistake. When the door was slightly ajar, she felt a heavy push and fell down. In few seconds Shauray entered and kicked the door closing it. He grabbed her by shoulders, pulled her up and shoved her to the nearby wall. Her eyes widened in shock while gasping for breath. "How could you do this to me , Mehek? How could you keep him hidden away from me?", he roared at her. She was aghast, hoping against hope that he was not referring to Veer. "I saw him today, Mehek. I saw my son. I saw my Veer", fresh tears shone in his eyes when he released her. "This was by far the worst you have done to me", he accused her. Mehek was shaken by the entire turn of event but she was quick to gain control. "Please sit. Let's deal with it like adults", she directed him to nearby sofa. She poured him a glass of water and sat opposite to him. Once he gulped the content, she knew it was time to talk, "After you left, I was so busy enjoying my life that I didn't realise I was pregnant, until it was too late. I hope you understand that I never wanted to give birth to your child but I was helpless. My health was not at its peak to accommodate a delayed abortion", she told casually while Shaurya balled his fists in anger. She moved a bit, trying to put some distance between them. "Dad, send me away, hiding me from world. He broke my alliance with Aarush, financially cut me off and forced me to strive on a low allowance. I was forced to live in exile like a mere peasant girl. A heavy price for my self-indulgence", she spat him, "But when I gave birth to a son, I had hope. Legitimate or Illegitimate, he is the sole heir of Maan family. Besides, my father was extremely fond of him. He finally got male child he always wished for his reign. So I pretended to be a good parent. Believing that I have mend my ways to turn a new leaf, my father slowly allowed me to come back. So I decided to keep up the play of taking care of Veer & Aarti", she smiled wickedly,"They are actually good investments". "Enough, Mehek", he threw the glass down. Mehek winced at the shattering sound. "I am taking them back. Aarti and Veer belong to me. They need to grow in a caring environment, not with a calculative b****h like you", he declared. "Ofcourse they do need a caring father like you. I have no problem to let them go. Just pay me the price and take away your pups", she told vehemently. "Price? What price?", he was taken aback. "Transfer me the shares of our company which you own and give me the power to control it. In return, you will get my...your children", she made it clear. Shaurya took a deep breath and crashed on couch. He started to laugh mocking her. "Fine. Infact it's a small price for my invaluable children. I will draw the paper tomorrow itself. Be ready to sign over the custody and enjoy your wealth in loneliness ", he spewed at her and left. She quickly locked the door and gasped for breath. She couldn't believe that Shaurya didn't get violent or argue to her proposal. She was happy that the worse phase was over and it will all be sorted by tomorrow.

"Are you sure about it, Son?", Jugraj asked him again. "I am Daddyji", he was clear yet his voice was weak. "You can talk to me, if you want to", Jugraj coaxed him. Normally Shaurya would have declined but today he badly needed a shoulder to cry and a hand to hold for support. When Jugraj kept his hand over him, he turned and hugged him tightly. "I would have forgiven her. It was enough for me that she is mother of my child. She could have earned it just becoz she gave birth to my son. Last night when I went to confront her, I thought she may fight with me for Veer and challenge me for custody. But again she shocked me when she traded our ...my son. She shattered me with her cruel truth that she wanted to kill my child even before he was born", he wept on his father's shoulder. Jugraj patted him affectionately, trying to console him. "She is inhuman. She is darkest creature on earth. I don't want to have any feelings for her, not even hatred. Punishing her is futile and I don't want to waste my time pursuing her", he wiped his tears furioisly, "Life is precious and finite. I want to spend each moment of my future with my Veer and Aarti", he sounded determined. "As you say son", his father agreed to him, "I am always there for you".

Precap: Homecoming of Aarti and Veer.