||Junooniyat hai yehi ||MehRya FF Final Chapter Pg 109 06/May/19 - Page 68

Chapter 14

Days became weeks and weeks became a month. Karuna and Harish were back from their pilgrimage, thereby filling Khanna mansion with laughter and joy. Mehek was so happy when they returned. After her outburst, Shaurya treated her with utmost care but she felt lonely. He never tried to breach the topic of giving him another chance and tried his best to make her comfortable in their marriage. He remained an enigma to Mehek. He was closer to her yet afar. He kept her away from his health issues and Rajeev also chose not to communicate with Mehek. Shaurya appeared fine but still Mehek was worried. He never interfered her life and gave her enough space. She was unable to decide whether to be delighted or angry with his new attitude towards her. She no longer knew him completely and he never tried to bother her with his queries. Slowly they became strangers who lived under one roof. Although there was no animosity amidst them, she missed their companionship. They remained amicable and happy before their parents, giving impression that they are doing fine.

"Are you okay, Mehek?", Shaurya asked her when he came back from office, "I heard that you went to hospital". "Why should I tell you? You never tell me anything after meeting Dr Rajeev", she taunted. Shaurya was amused, "I don't talk becoz there is nothing to tell. It's just regular check-ups and you can see I am as healthy as a horse". She did believe him yet felt angry that he was keeping to himself. Her temper slowly rose when he again asked about her visit to hospital. "My periods are delayed...so I went to see a gynac", she paused gauging his reaction. "Mehek", he pulled her closer, "Are you...are you pregnant?". "What if I am?", she challenged him, "Will you be happy, Shaurya?", she was still in dueling mode. "Ofcourse, I will be Mehek. Why do you even ask?", he told her emotionally cupping he face. She slapped away his hands, "I don't know. May be becoz our child is not born out of love or you shall feel a bit guilty that you took advantage of me or you finally understand that I am suffocating in this marriage", she sneered at him. Her words annoyed him but he still remained in check. He understood her turmoil and tried to calm her, "Mehek, I know things are not cozy between us. But I am trying my best to make it work. A child...Our child is a blessing and it will help to heal our wounds. I would love our child and so will you". "Stop making assumptions, Shaurya. I don't want your child. Especially when you tricked to plant in my womb", she raised her voice. "Enough, Mehek", he was angry and pinned her wall while his eyes shone with fury. "Go on. Don't restrain yourself. Yell at me, beat me and torment my flesh", she challenged him, "I know too well that you will never change. Under this cool demeanor, lies a vicious beast". He loosed his grip on her and tried to be composed, "Mehek,I am sorry. I just lost it", he softened, " Our child is innocent and don't punish it for our mistakes". "Our mistakes??", she pushed him away, "It's just your mistakes". "Fine, I accept. It is all my mistakes. I beg your forgiveness", he plead her with folded hands. "I hate you, Mr Shaurya Khanna. I hate everything related to you, even YOUR child", she told firmly while fighting her tears. He walked back defeated. He couldn't believe she was same Mehek whom he had fallen in love. Her hatred for him had turned her into a monster who didn't care even her own child. His head started to pound but he tried hard to remain calm and sat on the bed.

She threw her reports on the bed and spat at him, "I am not pregnant. It was just false alarm. But If I were carrying your child, I wouldn't have thought twice before aborting it". She expected him to throw a fit and thrash her. She was provoking him and wanted to prove he was the same beast. But to her surprise he remained seated, covering his face with his palms. After a couple of minutes of sickening silence, he grabbed his coat and walked out of their bedroom. Mehek was disappointed by his tranquil withdrawal and thrashed everything in their room. Once she was tired, she fell on floor and cried her heart out. "Mehek", a soft voice woke her. "Karuna Ma", she called her and wept holding Karuna who came to her room sensing the commotion. Karuna looked at condition of room and Mehek. She tried to pacify Mehek, "what happened, Mehek? Did you both have a fight? Where is Shaurya?', she was anxious. Mehek couldn't answer but went on crying against her chest. Karuna ceased questioning her and allowed her to vent out her emotions. After a while when Mehek was calm, Karuna spoke, "When I got back from pilgrimage, Shaurya told me everything". Mehek gasped and lifted her face to Karuna. "He told me about the incident during your college days; the truth of the fateful night where you ended up together and everything after. I accept that not only Shaurya but me and Sharma family are also at fault. We didn't try to know your side of story. You were pushed into this marriage and he treated you like an object", she sighed and continued, "It hurts me to acknowledge that my son could do such a sin. But Mehek, he is changed now and regrets his actions. May be it is his karma but God had punished him enough. He met with an accident which nearly took his life and he lost many years of his life in oblivion". Mehek understood that Shaurya had not revealed entire story to Karuna. He just confessed his sins but kept her deeds under wraps. She was so lost in thoughts that she didn't realise Karuna took her hand and spoke tearfully, "Can't forgive him and give him another chance?". Mehek couldn't reply to the motherly figure before her. But as if understanding her dilemma, "I understand, Mehek. But will you consider my advice?", Karuna continued once Mehek nodded, "if you unable to forget and move ahead in this relationship then better end it". Mehek was ahast by her suggestion. "I am serious, Mehek. Staying in such a toxic marriage will destroy you both. Divorce him and move on. I am sure you will find a man whom you will love and would spend rest of your life happily. Perhaps Shaurya too will have his chance for a happy life". Mehek remained tongue tied, unable to make sense of her mother-in-law's advice. "Think about it and come to a decision. I promise to support you, in any case", with those words Karuna left her alone.

"One more", Shaurya ordered at the bar counter. Bar attender studied him dubiously but poured another drink. "Sir, it is almost closing time", he informed Shaurya discreetly. "Fine, one more drink and I am done", he asked and caught the glass to gulp down the bitter liquid. It's been years since he had alcohol. Being Shaurie he never touched drinks and once he recovered Dr Rajeev had strictly asked him to refrain from it. But today he couldn't help it. He needed it in his system to get through the horrible night. Mehek whether weak or strong, had always rejected him sternly. He was used to it but today he could comprehend depths of her hatred towards him. His innocent dove no longer exists. He had managed to kill and bury her deep. Years back she didn't falter to kill him and today she didn't mind killing her own child if it was sired by him. He felt hopeless and disappointed. Although memories of his years as Shaurie was haze, he could still recall it. Her love and care for him were boundless and he wished he would have never recovered. Bar attender knocked the wooden counter to wake him from his thoughts. He raised his hand in acknowledgement and tried to get down from the bar stool after paying the bill. He stumbled but managed to walk. He managed to exit the bar and reached the open air restaurant. He gait wavered and took support from nearby chair to stay put.

"Shaurya Sir, are you okay?", a familiar female voice inquired. He turned to its direction and recognized it's owner. It was Mia, his secretary. "Hey, Mia...", he fumbled but she caught him immediately. "Sir...? Sir...?", she shook him several times but he couldn't respond properly. Last thing he could remember was Mia supporting him and taking to one of the hotel rooms.

Shaurya groaned as another wave of pain hit his head. He held his forehead to curb the ache. He knew it was unlike his usual pain attacks and he was suffering from severe hangover. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. It was already morning but he didn't wake up in his bedroom. He found himself in a strange hotel room. He was jolted back to realty as he found himself naked on bed and covered under a soft duvet. He found his cloths scattered on nearby couch. He raked his brain to remember last night. He was stupid enough to get drunk at a bar and got carried under its effects. In his vague memory, he recognized the female figure who led him to this room. It was Mia, his secretary. He quickly grabbed his clothes and tried to wear them. It was only then he found faint mark of lipstick on his shirt. He felt sick that he allowed another women to touch him. He belonged to Mehek; in body, soul and heart. He dashed to the bathroom and puked his guts out. Once he washed and got cleaned up he sat on tiled floor and yelled miserably. He cursed himself when realisation dawned on to him. It killed him that he had cheated on Mehek. She will never forgive him. Dammit, he can never forgive himself. When he managed to freshen up and come out, he saw a note kept on the bedside table. 'Sorry, couldn't stay. Need to rush. See you in office. Mia . P. S. Don't worry about last night. It's our secret'. He threw away the piece of paper and banged his fists on the table.

Mehek couldn't sleep whole night. She knew her words had shattered Shaurya and was worried when didn't return home. But it was the conversation with Karuna that disturbed her the most. During wee hours of night, she managed to get wink of sleep. But soon she was disturbed by a phone call. "Hello", she yawned while attending the call. "Hello Mehek, this is Arjun. Noor gave birth to our baby girl", Arjun informed cheerfully.