MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic #2: Chapter #45 Teaser pg62 11/29 - Page 35

Chapter #40

Mehek hung up her mobile and took a deep breath. She had been doing that a lot over the last forty-eight hours it seemed. "Chachi, she called hesitantly, as she rotated to face her aunt. "The car will be arriving in two minutes to collect us. Shaurya will meet us at the studio entrance...Chahi?"

"I am not hard of hearing Mehek."

The abruptly spoken response cut as sharp as a knife, and the shaken young woman found herself having to ignore the vocal protests that rose from the rest of the family and force a smile when she turned to face them. Nearing her grandmother to bid her goodbye after her aunt's severe acknowledgment the young chef hid her hurt as best as she could. PD's genuine smile went a ways to help to sooth Mehek's frazzled nerves...somewhat. Needing as much support that she could get today, Mehek went towards the surprisingly steady hands reaching for her and clasped the senior tightly. Before she could even open her mouth, PD spoke up. "Don't be nervous, Laddoo; just go and be yourself. That's all you need do...that both of you need do," she added quietly so only her great-granddaughter heard her the much-needed words of encouragement. A serious look crossed her face as her glance strayed towards her daughter-in-law "In doing so, perhaps eyes will begin to open to the truth, as it has been relayed, and with it, some understanding may follow." That PD did not add the word approval was understandable but in squeezing Mehek's hands encouragingly she silently let her grand-daughter know where her leanings were in this situation. "We will all be watching, Laddoo, and I know you will be just marvelous, and so will those who oppose what you are back home to do."

"Thank you, PD."

"Good luck beta," her uncle Jeevan uttered as he approached her to give her a firm hug. The rest of her family echoed the sentiment and Mehek nodded thankful for their support, especially in light of the fact that they remained indecisive over the whole situation. Her impromptu thought of inviting Kanta Chachi to the live taping that had sprung up out of the blue, had seemed the right thing to do at the time: now that the time had arrived, not so much. The idea that the mere observation of her and Shaurya together would somehow allow her over-protective aunt to see the man she loved in a better light seemed rather shortsighted. Nahi, now the only thing running through Mehek's mind was that she had been mad to even have contemplated that such was possible.

If anything, the invitation had only increased Kanta Chachi's irritation over what she perceived as the continuous manipulative nature of the vile man who had her niece jumping through hoops for his own benefit, and the last twenty-four hours especially had been filled with even more tension, with the woman elucidating exactly how she felt about this latest development to everyone present. Consequently, in the last day and a half Mehek's uneasiness had increased at a corresponding level to her aunt's anger. With barely anytime to speak to Shaurya to express her concern; the support she was receiving from her siblings seemed shallow indeed. It just seemed completely impossible that Kanta would ever relent her stance. All the same, Mehek knew that there was no way that she could withdraw the invitation not at this late stage. Things would just have to play out as they were meant to today. Nodding one last time to her family the young chef gathered the garment bag that held the outfit she would be appearing in and led the way out the door to confront the fate in store for her.

After an uninterrupted or to be more precise: a painfully silent ride to the location where the talk-show was taped, Mehek was beyond disappointed to see, not Shaurya but a young studio employee, easily identified by the credentials fastened to her blouse waiting as the chauffer pulled the limousine into the reserved parking spot in front of the studio. Her aunt who knew her so well on observing her niece's obvious disappointment lift her head and spoke for the first time since they had left home.

"Don't say that I didn't warn you Beta; if he is incapable of fulfilling this one small responsibility how can you expect..."

The remainder of what she had to say went unsaid when smiling, the young woman there to greet them opened the door just as soon as the automobile stopped. Stepping aside to allow the two women space to exit she immediately folded her hands and genuflected to the older of the pair. " Namaste. You must be Kanta Chahi. It's a true honor to have you with us today; I imagine you are so proud of your niece. She has become such an inspiration to so many young women here in Delhi. She then addressed the female in question with true pleasure, "And Mehek Ji, you cannot know how thrilled I am to meet you. My name is Seema and I will be assisting you and Mr. Khanna today. As if knowing what was running through Mehek's mind the assistant continued "Mr. Khanna has already arrived but as we have a very tight schedule today I had to insist that he go to ready for the show He was actually quite put out by the fact that he wouldn't be here to greet you and insisted that I did, and that every courtesy be extended to both you and your aunt. She motioned the to the entrance not far from them and then opened the door when they reached it. "He shouldn't be that long and has asked me to let you know that he will stop by the changing room to meet you... with both of you actually. I have distinct instructions not to escort you to the front before he arrives, Aunty. When it does to the actual taping, we have reserved one of the best seats in the audience for you, Aunty. As they carried on to the changing room the affable young woman continued detailing what an awesome show they had in store today and how things would proceed, with Mehek and Shaurya slated as the second and third of the three guests that were scheduled for this episode. Finally inside the area dedicated for her use the production assistant relieved Mehek of her garment bag so that she could get quickly the outfit steam pressed introducing her to and leaving Mehek in the capable hands of the makeup artiste who would get the eagerly anticipated guest camera ready.

***********

"Namaste Aunty.

Mehek froze, caught totally off guard when Shaurya entered the room unannounced. He barely spared her a glance before he bent down offering the respect warranted. Her own gasp sounded over-loud in the quiet room when Kanata Chachi stepped back, blatantly disallowing his efforts and she was rewarded with a stern glance from her aunt before she turned back to the man now straightening up. Chachi's eyes narrowed when Shaurya failed to respond to his rudeness, and congenially spoke. His hands folded, he maintained his attentions on Kanta. "Thank you Chachi for coming to support our endeavors tod...

Chachi exploded and Mehek instantly felt ill.

"Bas! Let me make one thing clear Shaurya Khanna I am here solely for my niece: to support her and to provide the protection she clearly needs. Your endeavors, she scoffed. "Your schemes you mean. They have nothing to do with my daughter, so your attempt of portraying it as anything but what it is, will not sway me in the least. As far as I am concerned...

A knock on the door brought an end to what she intended on saying. Giving no indication that she had heard the conversation inside the changing room, Seema advised the trio that the show was about to begin...

Minutes later in the privacy of the green room they had been escorted to await their appearances, Mehek found herself exactly where she needed to be when she stepped into and was immediately enfolded in Shaurya's arms. She wondered how long the brief encounter would continue to haunt her.

His embrace tightened when he leaned down inhaling the delicate floral perfume she wore as well as that which was indelibly hers that when combined made for a heady assault to his senses. He grinned into the wealth of hair he encountered when she responded by burrowing closer to him.

"I guess you really meant it when you mentioned you had a thing for this blue suit, he teased.

He sobered straight away when a stifled whimper reached his ears. Taking both of her hands in his Shaurya raised them and gently kissed each in succession. "Accha what's this? Surely not nerves: not my Mehek. You can do this Dost. Admittedly the hostess is renowned for being somewhat intrusive not to mention a bit cheeky, but I have complete faith in your ability to handle anything she throws your way.

Sable eyes made luminous by the sheen covering them rose to meet his. She shook her head "What I am about to do is nothing Shaurya: a walk in the park, but Kanta Chahi... She extracted one hand from his and gently stroked his cheek. "The way she behaved...I am so sorry Shaurya. I knew that it was going to be difficult but...

His mind drifted back less than fifteen minutes when he had reached Mehek's changing room, entering it with every intention of getting this first uncomfortable interaction behind them for both his and Mehek's sake. Although he had hardly any opportunity to speak in depth to her since he had seen her at the airport, he had easily discerned through their brief chats just how increasingly tense things at home had become; even more so after this interview had been brought forward. He actually had been pleased to learn that her aunt would be attending the taping. To his way of thinking it would be better to meet the problem head one and bear the wrath, whatever form it should take, by meeting Kanta Chahi as soon as possible, and preferably before the dinner his mother had planned for their families, which already would be a tumultuous event. Better for everyone that the woman had the opportunity to express herself before hand, not that this was any guarantee that the meal would go smoothly. Nahi, what he encountered was no more than he had expected. Kanta's failure to even acknowledge his greeting let alone his attempts to show his respect, he had taken in his stride. If fact, it was ignoring Mehek's reaction that had proven harder for him. In his opinion, the older woman's response had been entirely as expected when she immediately set him straight as to her reasoning for being here today. There was to be no confusion that her being here was any indication of her support for Mehek's involvement in ISC, let alone anything personal that connected him and Mehek. She would protect Mehek at all costs from what she perceived as danger to the innocent woman her niece was. Shaurya was sure that she would have gone farther if not for Seema's arrival, but all in all this first encounter hadn't been as bad as it could have been. Now he was counting on Kanta's innate pride for Mehek's accomplishments to temper her mood; for today that would be enough. Yet with Mehek still rambling on he knew his love was completely horrified by what had happened, so he did what he had to do and stopped her mid-sentence when he placed a single finger to her mouth.

"Actually, all things considered I don't think it was bad at all for our first go around. he stated calmly. "In fact, he continued to the dazed woman "In fact, I anticipated it to be far worse than that. He placed a comforting kiss on Mehek's forehead and smiled, "Strangely enough I find myself rather grateful that you had someone as formidable as Kanta Chachi there protecting you all this time. I'm convinced that only her intervention has saved you for me all these years. I can't imagine too any fellows faring well for your attentions with her around. he speculated, "And I would hate to even think that I could have come to know you after you were committed to someone-else. I shall be eternally grateful for that you know. He studied the incredulous expression now on Mehek's face. He chucked her chin playfully. "You don't believe me do you; well you just wait and see Miss. Mehek Sharma, if after this appearance you are not convinced of your appeal than we will really have to get your head examined You are awesome and those who didn't know before will surely be clued in after your appearance. Beauty and talent: an incredible combination, he added.

*********

His was a classic case of be careful what you wish for. Mehek, as he had anticipated had been a hit, but this idea to promote Mehek and ISC, Shaurya determined, was not proving to one of his better ones...well to his way of thinking at least. The talk-show audience, for their part was loving every minute of what they were seeing, and undoubtedly the ICS franchise would benefit from the publicity. Still backstage, awaiting his turn to be called out by the show's hostess, his mood soured more, as he watched in particular, Mehek's aunt, beaming happily front and center in the crowd. She especially seemed taken by the interaction between her niece and the Tellywood actor who coincidently had been booked for the same taping. Evidently, any male attention was better that Shaurya Khanna's, even some two-bit soap opera actor. Who cared that the man from all appearances was the decent sort, kind and generous from all reports. Handsome, good natured and charitable ... the perfect specimen it seemed. And, much to Shaurya's ire, Mehek's favorite actor, who after his own segment professed to be a huge fan of the chef he now shared the stage with. How coincidental indeed, Shaurya thought, his eyes narrowing as he studied the talk-show moderator. How much of a coincidence was it exactly, he wondered? The fact that Mehek's celebrity crush just happened to be scheduled for the same taping that ICS was to be featured was more than suspicious to him. The hostess did not achieve the ratings she consistently did by being clueless. She often had her finger on the pulse of everything going on in her guests lives, which made her shown one of the more popular ones on television. So how coincidental had it been to pair the actor and chef today?

An increase in the audience's tittering had him turning his speculation away from the hostess to refocus on the two guests seated side by side. He was just in time to witness a deep blush come to Mehek's cheeks, and for her: his Mehek, to nervously sweep her hair behind her one ear in reaction to the man's comment. It was all the encouragement the charismatic actor needed to ramp up the charm, and he followed up one compliment with another. Misinterpreting Mehek's action as a flirtatious move was one that the man would pay for if he wasn't careful, Shaurya thought unreasonably. Thankfully the commercial break that would bring him into the fray was seconds away, and the suave celebrity would soon get the message that his attentions were not wanted: subtly though. Aside from possibly presenting a bad face to his target audience, more important to Shaurya was not to give the woman Mehek considered her mother any more reasons to be against him. He watched the actor lean towards Mehek and clenched his fists in anger at the brazen move, unclenching them only when the production assistant came to him to advise he was up next. He didn't exactly barge onto the set, but he made sure that all attention was focused on him when he did. An unexpected kiss on the cheek from the gregarious hostess who met him halfway, took him by surprise, and then he was seated beside a slightly more somber Mehek. The fact that even her celebrity crush hadn't warranted such a greeting wasn't lost on the him, and Shaurya's mood shifted instantly to worrying how angry Mehek was, as he took his seat in between the woman he loved and the emcee...

In the front row, Kanta's expression was speculative as she observed her niece's demeanor change. Her frown now matched the slight one on Mehek's face, but assuredly for other reasons.

If Shaurya needed any more proof that the presenter was more in tune than she let on, then that little show was it. Inwardly, he cursed. This rating game truly was a pain in the ass he thought.

"Welcome again to show Shaurya, you are looking well today. The hostess turned to her audience. "Actually, wouldn't you all agree that this is one of the more attractive panel of guests we've had here in a while, she asked gesturing to the trio seated, to the crowed who indicated their agreement by the rapturous applause that ensued. "On the surface I believe that many a woman would like to be in your position today, but between us girls, I think that it's our guys who are the fortunate ones to be in your company, Mehek. Her powers of observation had immediately picked up the young chef's change in body language that had her favoring the famous hotelier. Likewise, the man in question was doing his best to be subtle about staking his territory after the flirty celebrity had interacted with Mehek Sharma in the last segment. "Abos**tely, she continued as she focused on her newest guest. "While I'm certain none of what has been disclosed to news to you Shaurya, Chef Sharma's story has been a fascinating tale. All of Delhi is proud of the strides she has made in such a short time frame.

"As well as they should be, Shaurya replied. "She, Ms. Sharma, is most extraordinary.

"Indeed, she is, but this is something you were not convinced of; not at first at least.

A screen behind the panel began reflecting some of the couples most infamous encounters that took place during the first season of ISC.

Shaurya tensed, but answered. "Perfect I am not, he suggested, before he continued. "But even sinners can eventually see the light.

"I couldn't agree more, Shaurya. So, tell us what we are all dying to know. Tell us exactly when you came to the realization that Mehek Sharma was the one... she let her question hang in the air, giving rise the speculation guaranteed to increase her ratings... "The one you needed to take ISC to even greater heights that is.

Chapter41