CHAPTER 9
Shaurya managed to turn the wheel and avoid the vehicle that sped to them. But he was unable to control the vehicle, ramming it into the sidewalls of the road. Mehek's shrill screams echoed in her ears as their car hung on the edge of the cliff. She gasped while trying to understand the danger they were in. The vehicle was gently swaying back and forth, threatening to plunge itself into the depths of cliff. "Mehek, are you okay?", she heard his concerned voice. She turned to him and nodded. Unlike her, Shaurya was severely wounded due to lack of seatbelt yet he tried not to panic and think straight. "Mehek, listen carefully. I want you to climb out of the car from your side", he asked her. "It will unbalance the car", she wasn't ready. "We have to take the risk. We cannot stay here forever. Once you are out, you can pull me", he coaxed her. Slowly and steadily under Shaurya's guidance Mehek managed to move out and landed on the road. The vehicle swayed a bit. She gasped for breath and was relieved to find it still stayed on the edge. She looked around and tied her dupatta onto a nearby tree. She held on to the free end of the cloth and stretched to reach him. "Shaurya, give me your hand", she ran to his side to help him. While he extended his hand, he moved a bit causing the vehicle to slowly dangle like a pendulum. They both knew that they had to rush else any moment their car will fall into the cliff. Shaurya took a deep breath and Mehek closed her eyes in desperation while extending her hand to meet him. But in that moment of distress, she recalled all the torment inflicted on her by Shaurya. When he was about to grab her hand, she withdrew it. "Mehek, what are you doing?", he was shocked. In that moment she relished his helplessness and fear. Her predator has turned her prey. "Mehek, please help me", he begged. But she stood still and shook her head.
"I never planned any of this, Shauyra. Yet fate had bestowed this opportunity. I am not going to waste it. It is payback time", she smirked evilly. "Mehek, you don't have to do this", he appealed miserably. "Even you didn't have to take advantage of my drunken state but you did. I too have an option to save you but I am deciding against it. Like you, I have decided to take the wrong path. Now we are even", she told firmly. "I am not afraid of death but I want to live with you", he plead but she remained adamant. "You can never be at peace. You will never be able to live with guilt of killing me, Mehek. You are too pure for that. So please help me, Mehek", he begged her again. Tears spilled all over her cheeks but she shook her head. She took few steps back and scream, "Rot in hell, you monster". As he realised that she had made up her mind, he just smiled at her. "I love you, Mehek. I always did and always will", he calmly professed his love as the vehicle moved forward, taking its leap into the depths of darkness. Mehek sat down and screamed till her lungs ran out of breath.
Mehek sat on the cold floor of hospital casualty ward, clutching her knees to chest. She trembled in fear and rocked back & forth to calm herself. A police woman led Noor to her,"She is still in shock. Few passersby's found her and informed us. Rescue team is still trying to find her husband", the lady explained to Noor. She dashed to her side and embraced Mehek. "Noor, Shaurya is gone. I didn't save him. I let him die", Mehek wailed on realizing her friend's presense. "Shhh. It's okay. Everything will be fine. Just relax", Noor rubbed her back to comfort her. "Poor girl. It's not your fault. It was an accident", the Police woman too tried to pacify her. "Yes, Mehek. It was an accident. You cannot blame yourself for it", Noor too agreed. 'Nobody thinks I am guilty. But it is killing me. Shaurya was right. I am unable to cope with this guilt of taking another life', she thought sadly. She leaned when Noor pulled her to her shoulder. She slowly gave up to fatigue and let darkness consume her.
"I love you, Mehek. I always did and always will", Shauyra smiled evilly before choking her. Mehek screamed and woke from her nightmare. "It's just a dream, Mehek", Arjun tried to bring her to reality. He shook her repeatedly while Noor spoke to calm her. Arjun slapped Mehek hard to bring back her senses. Mehek held on to Arjun and wept bitterly, "He is gone. Shaurys is gone". "I am sorry, Mehek", he apologized to her. Mehek looked around to find Harish, Karuna, Kanta and Nehal. They have all come to support her. Despite her ill-feelings, she ran to Kanta Chachi for solace. "Everything will be fine, my child. Please calm yourself. Mata Rani will be merciful", she told Mehek. "Mehek", Arjun's voice broke her from Kanta, "Few officers are here to take your statement. Will you be able to cooperate now? Or shall I ask them to come later? ". Mehek nodded. She requested for few minutes and excused herself to use bathroom.
"Harish, I don't think this is an accident. I doubt Mehek is involved in it", Karuna was exasperated. Harish tried to console her. He too wanted to get to the bottom of it but didn't feel Mehek was behind it. "I swear to God, if that s**t is behind my son's demise, I will ensure that she and her entire family rot in prison. I will leave no stones unturned to bring justice", Karuna shot angrily while sniveling. Unknown to them, Mehek heard everything from bathroom. She was all set to accept her guilt and seek punishment sentenced by law. But Karuna's words poke her ego. 'I was pushed to the edge with no one to aid me. I endured my agony while everyone disowned me and left me to suffer. He ruined me and I killed him. We are even. I shouldn't suffer anymore', she was determined. When officers came in to take her statement, she told her side of story. She didn't hide anything except for the last part. She lied that before Shaurya could grab her hand, their car fell forward taking Shaurya along with it. They accepted her statement. Their initial investigation too had collaborated with her story. Mehek felt thankful that her ramblings were ignored considering she was under shock.
It's been almost 24 hrs since the accident and authorities were yet to find Shaurya's body. Mehek was left with Nehal. She felt suffocated in her room so when Nehal was not paying attention she walked past the door. She found Arjun and Harish conversing with Police officers and Doctor. Tension and sorrow were evident on their faces. "Mehek", Arjun took her name softly when he saw her and Harish turned to her. "Beta, why are roaming around at this time of the hour? You need to rest. Arjun, please take her back to her room", Harish scolded her with fatherly affection. Mehek suddenly grabbed his arm, "Dad, what's wrong? I can sense it. What are you trying to hid from me?". "Mehek", Arjun kept his hand on her shoulder, "They were able to find Shaurya". "Where is he? I want to see him", she was hysterical. "Mehek, listen to me", Harish tried to pacify as he was afraid she may hurt herself. "Mehek, his condition is very critical. Doctors are trying their best", Arjun informed. "I want to see him", she begged them tearfully.
Mehek looked at the wounded figure lying on hospital bed. From head to toe, he was covered with bandages & blood; with many machines attached to him. Her heart squeezed with guilt. All courage she had gathered were drained off her. Whatever his crime had been, he didn't deserved it. In her attempt to get even with him, she became a monster she despised most. Doctors at first didn't allow anyone inside the ICU. But as hours passed they understood that nothing much could be done to save him. May be sending him quietly was the best thing at this hour. Though none told her explicitly, Mehek understood that Shaurya's life hanging on a weak thread. Eventually they allowed immediate family members inside the ICU to visit Shaurya. Harish painfully watched his son but kept a brave face to support his weeping wife. He turned to face his daughter-in-law who was crushed by turn of events. "Mehek Beta, why don't you sit beside him?", he offered and she mechanically moved to Shaurya. "Love you, son", Harish pecked his forehead and left the scene holding to Karuna. It was too painful for the parents to witness death of their son. Mehek stared at his limp body. She forwarded her hands to grab his palm. "Please don't give up. Do it for me", she wept. She lost track of time as she sat beside him. "Mehek, you cannot stay here for long", Noor tried to break her trance. She nodded automatically and stood up. But she look down to realise that his fingers laced against hers.
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
