||Junooniyat hai yehi ||MehRya FF Final Chapter Pg 109 06/May/19 - Page 56

CHAPTER 11

Mehek wanted to stay in bed a little more but she knew she had to wake up. She had a sweet smile when she gazed the space beside her where Shaurya had laid. She touched the empty bed which was still warm. She snuggled into his fluffy pillow and giggled. Her alarm chimed and she reluctantly got up. After a warm shower, Mehek came out of their bedroom. She was a bit disappointed not to find Shaurya. She saw Awara who was surprised to see her. "Mehek Bhabhi, when did you return? I may have mixed up the dates as I thought you will be returning tomorrow", he told her. Mehek chuckled at his words of guilt, "It's not your fault Awara Bhaiya. I manage to wrap up travel a bit early and came a day early", she turned around to look for others, "I was looking for Shaurie. Have you seen him? Where Daddyji and Karuna Ma?".

Awara appeared nervous. He checked his watch, "Well, Shaurya Bhai and Sir left for office an hour back". Mehek was taken aback that her father-in-law took Shaurie to office. But before she could respond Awara gave her another astounding news, "Ma ji had gone to temple". Mehek eyes widened with shock. Karuna Ma was hardly religious so she couldn't believe that she went to temple early morning. "Why ? Is there something special? ", Mehek asked him quickly. Before he could reply, she heard Karuna's voice, "Becoz God has blessed us abundantly". Mehek turned to face a cheerful but modestly clothed Karuna. She was clad in a pale coloured cotton saree and wore no footware. She was devoid of make-up and jewelry. "Karuna Ma, what is all this?", Mehek was exasperated. She smiled and kept a hand on Mehek's shoulder, "This was an offering I had made to Lord".

They sat down for breakfast. Mehek was still lost and couldn't make head or tail out of Karuna's attitude "Mehek, I need to listen to patiently", Karuna set the preface and Mehek agreed. Karuna spoke, "Few days after you left, it begn extremely difficult to manage Shaurya. He became more and more restless. We tried our maximum to calm him down but one night he ran away from mansion and met with an accident on road. He suffered head injury". "What? Why didn't you inform me?", Mehek jumped from her seat. She felt so angry to trust her in-laws. Karuna waited for her to calm down and looked wary. Sensing there is more to come, Mehek threw her a questioning glance. "He is back, Mehek. Our Shaurie is fine now. His got back his memory. He is absolutely fine", Karuna told her with teary eyes. Mehek was shell shocked and couldn't react. "Our prayers are answered. Mehek. God had blessed you abundantly. You got back your Shaurya", Karuna hugged her.

Involuntarily Mehek extended her hands to grab a glass of water. Her eyes brimmed with tears. Karuna misunderstood it as tears of joy. "I know you are overwhelmed. We wanted to inform you immediately. But then we thought it will better to break the news to you in person", Karuna explained, "Me and Harish were planning to pick you from airport tomorow and share this good news with you. But then you surprised us all by coming a day early". Mehek gulped hard while Karuna remained oblivious of her turmoil. But suddenly she asked her, "Did you get a chance to talk to him?". Mehek shook her head and lied, "When I came, he was sleeping. Later when I woke up, he was gone". Karuna kept her hand on Mehek's shoulder, "Shaurya is desperate to catch back the time he had lost. He insisted to join the office as soon as Doctors gave him clean chit. I know you want to meet him but don't be dejected thinking that he ignored you. Perhaps he wanted one of us to break the news to you". Mehek nodded mechanically and excused herself. Karuna looked sympathetically at her as she briskly walked away.

Mehek slammed the door and leaned against it. She wept bitterly. Her Shaurie is gone. Why didn't she notice it? His attitude, his speech and his touch, they were all different. She was too blind to understand it. The devil is indeed back. She slowly walked towards their bed and started to thrash it violently. She threw away the pillows and bed spreads. She fell on the ground and cried her heart out. She was betrayed, again. She felt as if she was taken back to that fateful morning when she found that Shaurya had snatched away her virtue. Why? , she asked herself while tears made way through her cheeks. She gazed at her reflection on the mirror. 'I am not longer that gullible Mehek. I am stronger and brave. I will not allow you to trample my life again Mr Shaurya Khanna', she promised herself and wiped her tears forcefully.

Mehek marched confidently into their office. She was dressed up impeccably in her formals and had put on makeup. She had worn shades to cover her puffy eyes. Her secretary, Mia greeted her cheerfully. "Good morning Ma'am. It's pleasant surprise as we didn't expect you to join back today". Mehek smiled slightly and asked her about Shaurya. "Sir, is in his cabin", Mia informed. Harish never gave away Shaurya's cabin to anyone. He kept it intact coz he believed that once day Shaurya will be back to himself and take charge of everything. Mehek sighed realizing that dream of her in-laws finally came true but it was her worst nightmare. When Mehek turned to his cabin's direction, Mia intervened, "Ma'am, Shaurya Sir had specifically asked not to be disturb him". Mehek glared at Mia and told firmed, "Hope you diligently repeat his orders to others, Mia". Mia withdrew timidly as Mehek briskly walked to his cabin.

Without even a cursory knock, she pushed open his cabin. "What the heck...", Shaurya was about to shout but went silent seeing Mehek. She removed her eyeware and he knew she was on the edge. Her red eyes shone with anger and sorrow. She dashed to his side and pulled lapels of his shirt violently. "You Ba***d", she shook him forcefully. "Mehek, calm down", he spoke softly. She couldn't contain her anger and slapped him hard. "Mehek, I know you are upset. But believe me...", she slapped him again before he could finish. "Believe you? You bloody rap**t. You took advantage of me again. You shameless pervert", she lashed at him. "Enough", he roared, "I have heard this blame for long. But not today, Mehek", he pushed her, "what happened amidst us was with your consent and wish. You wanted it as much as I did". "No, I didn't", she sobbed, "I would never desire to have you. I wanted my Shaurie. I love my Shaurie. I made love to my Shaurie while you used me under his pretense". She swayed and grabbed the table for support as she was afraid she would break down.

Shaurya remained quiet for a minute then spoke slowly, "I am the same man, Mehek". She ignored plea in his words. "No, you are not", she spat at him, "My Shaurie is pure at heart and honest. He will never hurt or cheat anyone, especially me. He loves me from bottom of his heart". "SO DO I", he raised his voice but regretted as he saw fear in her eyes. He raked his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "Mehek, I have made many mistakes in past and most were unforgivable. But haven't you punished me enough", he sounded sad. Guilt pricked her as she recalled how she had tried to kill him. Yet she couldn't allow herself to melt. So she became defensive, "Oh, So this is your revenge". "If I wanted revenge, I would have revealed the truth the very moment I got back to myself", he told firmly. He moved closer to her but made effort not to touch her. "Mehek, I love you, always did and always will. Give me a chance to make amends. I promise you won't regret". He was disappointed when she shook her head and turned away. She sniffed and said clearly, "I miss my Shaurie". She was startled when he threw a glassware down for vent his frustration.