||Junooniyat hai yehi ||MehRya FF Final Chapter Pg 109 06/May/19 - Page 43

CHAPTER 8

Mehek sat uninvovled while Noor browsed through the lehengas spread by salesperson. Once Mehek had agreed to Shaurya's proposal and it was decided that they will get married in a simple ceremony held at Khanna mansion. Noor was happy to accommodate Mehek till the wedding. Mehek showed zilch enthusiasm for marriage preparation and repeatedly informed Shaurya to decide everything as per his wish. Today he had arranged an elite boutique to bring their bridal wares for Mehek to choose. "How about this one?", Noor showed her one. "Yeah, its fine. Let's buy it", Mehek wanted to escape. "Atleast try it before deciding", Noor tried to persuade her. "No need, Noor. It looks fine", she informed and dismissed the sales person. Noor sadly glanced at Arjun who sitting in the corner. He sighed, a clear indication that they are aware of Mehek's plight. As Mehek sought solitude of her room, Noor called out from behind, "Mehek, you don't have go through it if you don't want to". "Noor!!", Arjun tried to stop Noor. "Save it, Arjun. Shaurya Bhai may be your best friend. But don't forget that he will neither be happy nor at peace if Mehek is unhappy in this marriage. Are you blind? It is so evident that she is disturbed", Noor snapped at him. Mehek felt touched by her care & concern. Noor quickly grabbed her hands, "I am with you, Mehek. You are not alone. I will support you in any choice you make. No need to feel compelled". Mehek was overwhelmed by her words. But before she could open her mouth, Arjun pitched in, "You are confusing her, Noor. I know Shauyra well enough to understand that Mehek is precious to him. They just need some time to settle". "Stop being, you friend's Advocate", Noor yelled. Arjun was furious, a verbal tiff ensued among them. Mehek was aghast. Last thing she wanted was to cause trouble in Noor's marriage. Arjun is a good man although he is blindly supporting his friend. Unlike Shauyra, he doesn't consider Noor as his property. He respects Noor and truly loves her. Mehek couldn't allow to bring cracks in their relationship at her expense. "Enough", Mehek cried out, startling the couple. "I will marry Shaurya. Period. No more discussion on it. Please help me to live my remaining days with you in joy and peace", she spoke and ran to her room.

"Mehek", Noor entered her room after knocking. Mehek tried to appear happy. "Mehek, someone is here to visit you", Noor informed her. Mehek was puzzled and knitted her eyebrows in worry. "They said they are your family", Noor told her timidly. Mehek quickly got up and walked out with Noor. When she reached hall, she found Nehal and Kanta talking to Arjun. Noor served them tea while Arjun tried to make loose talk whereas whole time Mehek remained tight lipped. He tried to ward away the awkwardness of the situation. After few minutes, Arjun made some excuse and left with Noor."Di, how are you?", Nehal asked after a short silence. "I am okay, Nehal", she answered nonchalantly. "We heard that you are getting married...to Shaurya", she asked again and Mehek nodded. "Don't you have courtesy to inform your family?", Kanta finally broke her silence in anger. Mehek smiled sarcastically, "Family? My parents died when I was young. I have no family". "Mehek!!!", she raised her voice. "Am I not dead to you? So don't bother", Mehek stood up to leave. "Di, we are sorry", Nehal's words stopped her. Mehek turned to face them, "You don't have to feel sorry. The Mehek you knew is no more. This new Mehek has no emotional ties with anyone so no hard feelings". She bid farewell to the bewildered duo and came out to find Arjun at the door. He probably was eavesdropping their conversation. She smirked at him and proceeded to her room. "Mehek", she turned at his voice, "I am sorry, Mehek". "None of these were your fault, Arjun. You and Noor have always supported me", she told him earnestly. "Mehek, I was wrong. I agree to Noor that you don't have to marry Shaurya if you don't want to. We will always be there for you", he told her. "Thanks Arjun. Your words mean a lot to me. But I have made up my mind", she was firm. "You are not the same Mehek I knew", he said sadly. She didn't grace him with a reply but gave a hollow smile in agreement.

A week later.

Shaurya gazed at the sleeping figure as he entered his bedroom after changing to his night clothes. Few hours back, she had entered his home as his bride. His father welcomed Mehek to the family while his mother stood as a mute spectator. Karuna didn't take any effort to hide her annoyance over the fact that Mehek is being married to Shaurya. He was worried for Mehek but somehow she seemed to be unaffected. She bent to take Karuna's blessings. Karuna just murmured her blessing over Mehek and swiftly turned to Shaurya. Her relationship with Shaurya was still sour and she blamed Mehek for it. She perceived it was unfair that she had to bear the brunt while Mehek was forgiven. She cupped his face, "Congrats, my boy. May god bless you with happiness and prosperity". "Thanks Ma", he replied but didn't hug her. In turn he caught Mehek's hand showing his support and protection. Karuna was hurt and left immediately. Shaurya found it ironical that Harish Khanna who had been cold & distant became forthcoming towards Mehek. while Karuna chose to remain angry at her.

When he entered his bedroom for their wedding night, he found her sitting gracefully on bed. As he lifted her veil to admire his beautiful bride, she remained emotionless. He was used to her fear and contempt but tonight she sat lifeless. She looked as if she had lost all hope and desire in life. He missed the lively Mehek. He could even manage with the petrified lamb in Mehek, but the frozen version of her was unacceptable. "Change into something comfortable else it will be difficult for you to sleep", he told her and she nodded. He went to bathroom as she came out of it. Clad in her white kurta pajama, she looked angelic. He deliberately spend more time to get ready for bed. It was weird but he needed time to deal with his bride. There was no argument that he wanted her. Every cell in his body screamed to take her but his conscience restrained him. He knew, apparently Mehek also expected him to pounce on her like a wild animal to devour her. She may not even raise a feeble protest and yield to him but he didn't want it. Although he pretended never to care, her indifference was killing him. He could lie to whole world but not himself. 'Give her time and space. Show her that you care. Don't break her. Try to win her', headvised himself. Patience was never his virtue but for sake of winning her, he had to endure it. When he came out, he found her sleeping on farther corner of bed. He smiled at her and moved to the couch to make himself comfortable. He tried to sleep after turning off the lights.

Mehek opened her eyes immediately once lights were out. She was pretending to sleep yet least expecting him to spare her. She wanted to make it evident that she doesn't wish to get close to him. He could take her forcefully but she will make her disapproval loud & clear. He left her perlexed by choosing to sleep separate. The bed was big enough for both if he would have chosen to rest himself. But he decided to leave her in peace and to sleep alone comfortably in his huge bed. 'Be on guard. Evil never reforms. Don't fall for his tricks', her inner voice warned her.

Mehek quickly settled into her new life. She efficiently ran Khanna household and became dear to all. She warmed upto her father-in-law whom she started to address as 'Dad'. She tried her best to appease Karuna. Although she remained rigid, it was visible that her annoyance towards Mehek was slowly melting. Mehek tried her best to remain cheerful and blend in with everyone but she maintained her cold demeanor with Shaurya. He tried his best to please Mehek. He provided her the best money could afford. He restrained his urge to possess her and gave her space to be comfortable in their relationship. But to his utter dismay, Mehek remained unapproachable. She hardly spoke to him or even graced him with a soft glance. The newlyweds tried their best to appear normal before outer world but they were worse than strangers. As days passed away, Shauyra found it hard to reign his anger and obstinacy while Mehek grew determined. Harish Khanna noticed tension between Mehek and Shaurya. He wasn't surprised as it was bound to happen. He knew that a lot had transpired between the young couple that it was difficult for forgive & forget. Yet he was happy that his son was trying his best to win his daughter-in-law. But he knew that situation will turn really ugly if not dealt delicately. So he decided to give a slight push from his side to help his son. "Mehek Beta, why don't you both take short break ?", Mehek was unhappy with her father-in-law's offer. Harish soon explained to her that Hoodas have a getaway house at a beautiful hill station and Arjun & Noor will also be there to give them company. Noor's presence was a definite consolation for Mehek and she looked forward to spend time with her friend.

Shaurya studied her face while she dozed off. They had started from Khanna mansion early morning. Arjun & Noor had already arrived previous day and were waiting for them at the vacation home . Shaurya appreciated his father's effort but chided when he warned him not ruin his chances with Mehek. He was trying his best but Mehek's disinterest was irritating him. He moved an unruly hair strand her from cheek and tucked it behind her ear. She suddenly woke up and drew back into her seat in fear. She looked as if his touch burned her skin. He focused on road to control his annoyance. But he failed and uttered abruptly, "How long will this go on, Mehek? I am trying my best to make this marriage work. Why don't atleast reciprocate a bit?". Mehek remained silent but glared him in exasperation. She ignored him by pretending to admire nature. "Mehek", he called her softly and kept his hand on her thigh. She slapped away his hand and yelled at him, "Don't you dare". His hand went back to steering wheel but his eyes burned with fury. Suddenly he unbuckled his seat belt to move closer to her. Keeping one hand on steering, he grabbed her neck using his free hand. He pulled her closer and spoke hoarsely, "Your Devil is back, Princess". Her eyes widened in shock but he didn't give her chance to escape. He pulled her to him and kissed her brutally.

Mehek pushed him away with all her might, until he retreated. Once he fell back into his seat, she raised her hand to slap him but a vehicle speeding to them caught her attention. "Shaurya!!!", she screamed, alerting him. Shaurya tried his best to maneuver his car before it was too late.