MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic #2: Chapter #45 Teaser pg62 11/29 - Page 46

Originally posted by: jhankarbeats87

Wow Kelly.

Really surprised to see the teaser.

Will be waiting for the nee chapter eagerly.

Sorry for taking so long; just happy there are still folks around still interested in it....Enjoy when you have the chance to read.

Chapter#44

Observingthe work going on around her, Mehek was grateful that her early arrival to the busy set this time around had been without the fanfare that had come with her last appearance. For many reasons actually.

For one, it gave her the opportunity to scrutinize what it actually took to turn out the popular show, which would be important if she was to co-host its spin-off sometime in the future. But more than that, she hoped it would allow her the time she needed to best prepare for what and specifically whom she would have to contend with by returning to India’s Super Cook.

Chef Eshato be precise.

She had come to understand that while wholly complicit in the dubious scheme perpetrated by the show’s former producer, that the young chef had been allowed to remain a contestant. Damage control clearly for both the show and Shaurya himself, and, as much as she hated to admit it the recent controversy had piqued interest of their targeted audience. Although resigned to the fact that this side of the business would be something she would never be at all comfortable with, Mehek comprehended that absolute professionalism would be expected from her. And that: her intent to place her best foot forward on behalf of her employer, had guided her actions and brought her to yet another reason why she had come ahead of schedule: to have a private word, in person, with Shaurya and clarify what and why she had done in the early hours of this morning.

He was there already hard at work, but it only took him one quick glance for Shaurya to bring his conversation with the director to an end and make for her direction. He faltered as he approached, stopping to speak to one of the production staff, who clearly hadn’t expected that, before taking a deep breath and continuing at a more measured pace. To Mehek it seemed almost as if he needed to catch himself from rushing to her in an all-together improper fashion. He basically confirmed it when he reached her. “You make me forget myself, Jaan,” he whispered for her ears only. “You have no idea how very close I came to sweeping you into my arms just now,Mehek.”

Mehek blushed, and surreptitiously looked around to see if anyone had overheard his scandalous confession. “In that case I am very glad for your control, Shaurya, although I will not lie and say that hearing your confession doesn’t give me a thrill that no respectable woman should look for in the workplace.”

His eyes flashed in a way that she was becoming all too familiar with before he responded to her, but thankfully he didn’t linger on her admission. Instead he greeted her properly. “Good Morning, Mehek. You’re here early. Had I’d knownyour intention I would have arranged to collect you; we could have had breakfast. Is everything okay,” he asked urgently as an afterthought. His look now was one of concern, borderline panic, as it occurred that her unexpected arrival might portend something being amiss.

“Shaurya, I’m…everything is fine.” Her eyes again searched their surroundings.

“Why don’t we go for some chai,” he asked interpreting her actions as the need to speak to him in depth.

“Only if I’m not taking you away from something pressing,” Mehek insisted. She didn’t object when he placed his hand onthe small of her back and lead her away to the canteen.

****

The previous night:

She knew that sleep would not come easy when she reached home after their dinner with Shaurya’s family. As expected, the progress that had been made had yet to reach a conclusion, but the fact that their families were speaking was something to be said in itself. And that would not lend itself to a restful night for either of them. Consequently, after they had departed and before Mehek had even reached home, she wasn’t surprised to find herself on the receiving end of a message from Shaurya.

**Ping**

… I am going to consider the fact that all parties have left intact as an indication that this has been a successful beginning.

Hersmile only encouraged her siblings’ taunts.

“Di, you have to tell me how you managed to enthrall the man that he can barely be away from you for five minutes.”

“Five, I would say that was more like three minutes,” Sonal quipped. She laughed at her friend’s overheated face which they could see even in the darkness of the vehicle. “Okay, let’s say three and a half.”

“He is determined,” Jeevan Chacha mentioned from the driver’s seat. The glance he spared his wife was not lost on Mehek, and she wondered if her uncle was attempting to persuade Kanta of Shaurya’s sincerity.

“As he should be,” PD added, her focus on her great-granddaughter. “The man is in love with our Laddoo.” She nodded at Mehek, “Aacha, at least answer your beau, Beta. Let him know that all is not lost.”

….Very.

“Is that it,” Nehal demanded, as she glanced over Mehek’s shoulder. “Hardly enough to satisfy a man like Shaurya Khanna,” she whispered for her cousin sister’s ears only. She had the decency to display some contrition when Mehek’s head whipped around to her. Her hands immediately went up to her ears. “Thik hai, I’m sorry Di. It was a lovely evening though, wasn’t it?”

Appeased, Mehek nodded her head. “Haan, it was.”

“Shaurya’s family is very nice,” Sonal stated. “All that were there,” she added, pointedlyin Nehal’s direction.

A sigh met Sonal’s comment. “You don’t need to remind me, Sonal.”

It was Mehek’s turn to stare at her kin with an eyebrow raised in question.

“Shaurya’s sister-in-law is a very lucky woman,” Nehal sighed as she leaned on her bigsister’s shoulder. “And no, you needn’t say it either,” Nehal whispered. “He is completely off limits, no matter how fit I find him. Perhaps once you get sorted out properly, Di, then it will bemy turn to find someone just for me. Thankfully after tonight, I don’t think it will be long now.”

*****

Nehal’s words had only added to the thoughts that kept Mehek from sleeping. If she was correct, and Mehek truly hoped she was, then an accord might come between hers and Shaurya’s family sooner rather than later, and then there would be no stopping Shaurya from insisting that they marry as soon as possible. That news, she was certain, would come as a shock to her employers, and now when it looked to be a real possibility, she couldn’t help but to wonder how the situation would be looked upon. Would it jeopardize her position with the corporation, orworse yet aversely effect Shaurya’s contract? Would they even wish to continue with the partnership as it stood, or would the executives deem her involvement untenable due to their relationship. Unless she disclosed the information herself: now before she fully committed tothe series, she would not know.

So, she had.

Warming her hands with her mug, Mehek began, “I spoke to James this morning concerning my participation in the show given that circumstances will most likely change.”

When Shaurya’s expression prompted her to continue, she did.

“Basically, I told him about us; all of it. Our relationship from the start and that our families’ have effectively entered into discussion that will determine whether we will be together.”

“With their blessing.”

Mehek blinked, and then she nodded in reluctant agreement. “With their blessing.” She released the hold on her cup when his hand reached out. “Obviously, I don’t even want to contemplate that it will come to that, but I…”

“Then don’t. I’ve already let my mother know that we should acquiesce to anything your family should request. She told me that it wouldn’t be necessary…”

“It won’t, Shaurya. They will come around; I think some of them have started to already. At any rate, back to what I was saying. I felt it important to let James know exactly what the status of our relationship is. Just in case it changed things. Perhaps the corporation wouldn’t want the gamble of colleagues who share a level of intimacy that could potentially produce some conflict to the programming.”

“Au contraire, your employers have made fairytales a business, I doubt…”

“Actually, it was suggested that Malik replace me in the first instance, if I truly felt that this could possibly be an issue.”

“I would think that they would need to discuss such matters with me in the first instance,” Shaurya bristled before Mehek’s soft caress stopped him.

“Nahi, not in this case Shaurya, the discussion was between my employer and myself. The matter had nothing to do with their contract with you,” Mehek responded firmly. “Anyway,” she continued in a softer tone, “It’s my opinion that we shouldn’t bring Malik here until Mel is firmly settled here in her position. In the event that they haven’t reached some understanding by then, then seeing a familiar face when he arrives…” She laughed at his raised eyebrow. “Yes, I’m absolutely vying for the two of them to get over the obstacles between them, and if you knew them better you would as well.” She sighed. “I’ve made a complete mess of this haven’t I? Suffice to say, I’m not going anywhere Shaurya, I’m here to do my job, and yes to be with you. I only thought it best to be upfront with my superiors. It was the right thing to do.” She drank a bit of her chai. “ In the end, much to my amazement, what I had to say wasn’t much of a surprise. James confessed to being clued in about the two of us already by his wife, and then owned up to having a word with Malik, about what would most likely happen next should his wife’s suspicions prove correct.”

“So, basically you are saying that us being together is a non-issue?”

“Not unless I believe that there will be, which I do not. James actually seemed more than keen on the subject….Disney’s fairy-tale culture being what it is.”

Shaurya exhaled noisily. “Jaan, you had me worried for a minute.”

“I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t want to keep anything from you, Shaurya, which is why Ireally must tell you that I will most likely have one issue with all of this.

********

‘I should have got rid of her.’

It was later in the day when the chefs returned to the studio and retook their respective places at their workstations. As they did, Shaurya stole a quick glance at his co-hosts, who looked ready to render their verdict for this round of the competition. Another peek, to the distance where Mehek was settled next to the director, did little to assuage his misgivings. To put it plain and simple, Mehek hadn’t lied about being unhappy by the chef’s presence. As much as she tried to hide it, and thankfully to everyone but him, and he suspected, Rajiv Bhai, she was successful in doing so; he could see her displeasure over it. He watched as her expression hardened and turn back to follow Mehek’s line of sight only to see the young woman in question had turned her attention to Mehek. It was brief exchange, when guilt obviously got the best of her, and Esha, looked away. It was the chef’s mistake to then turn to him, and what she saw there had the young contestant flushing.

Yeah, he should have definitely shown her the door, but, as fate should have it, unfortunately it would not be today.

“As indicated at the start of today’s session, today’s winner will have a distinct advantage going into the next round of the competition. This advantage will be disclosed to you the next time we meet. However, I can assure you that it will be it will be most welcome. Following the announcement of today’s winner, we will then name the second tier by points who will live to see another day, after which we will say goodbye to one of you. To that end, I am pleased to reveal today’s winner who will progress to the next round with the aforementioned advantage. With so many delectable recipes being produced today, it was a difficult choice, so kudos to all of you. However, it was in fact an unanimous decision amongst the panel, that put the victor above her counterparts. Advancing to a next round as today's victor will be….Chef Esha.

*******

It had been a long day, yet when Shaurya finished up overseeing the initial post-production work, Mehek was still there waiting. Watching as she spoke on the telephone, he could see that despite the weariness evident in her eyes, she maintained her normal pleasant demeanor with whomever was on the other end. Crazily, he hoped it was one of her family that was privy to her sweet nature, since it being anyone else really didn’t sit well with him: a sure indication of his own exhaustion. Still, it was with no little excitement, that she moved to finish her conversation when she saw that he was at last free.

“Home checking in,” he asked when he closed the distance between them. She shook her head but didn’t expound further.

“Are you done now, Shaury?”

“So anxious to be away from all of this or perhaps just me, Dost?”

“Nahi, just want to make certain you are done so I can make sure you eat something before you head on home. Taste-testing your contestants’ creations doesn’t count,Shaurya. And do not think, that I didn’t notice how many cups of coffee the runner got for you.”

“Chalo Mr.Shaurya Khanna,” she instructed as she pcketed her mobile. “Let’s get something hearty in you.”

********

It had taken some cajoling, but finally Mehek wore down the fulsome dhaba owner into accepting her money and only then did she collect the tray the older male had generously filled. Pivoting so that the next customer could be served, Shaurya watched with guarded interest, as the man whose path she cleared traced his Mehek’s retreat with a wistful expression, before a vociferous query of what he wanted to order reached him. He wasn’t the only one here at the roadside eatery whose attention had been stolen by his Mehek, but thankfully none pressed the issue. His dost truly hadn’t been alone in believing it a long day.

“And what was that all about, Mehek?”

“Just me telling Uncle a half-truth, that it was actually your money I used to pay for our meal.”

“A bit more than a half-truth, meri dost.”

Mehek just smiled, while she collected what she considered the perfect bite. He watched incredulously when she offered it to him instead of partaking of it herself. “Not if you pay me back, Shaurya; then technically you would have paid. Chalo Dost,you’ve had a long day.”

He didn’t repeat the same back to her, when she gave him no choice, by pressing the mouth-watering fare to his lips. Nor could he when, as soon as he swallowed she was there ready with another portion. Finally, at the portent of a third bite at the expense of her having none, Shaurya stopped her and redirected her hand towards her mouth.

Watching her chew with appreciation, the basic yet satisfying food, Shaurya pondered how such a simple activity could bring him such pleasure, and contentment: how he had gone all this time without experiencing such a feeling, and how he couldn't bear another minute without it…without her. He couldn’t, and dammit, he wouldn’t; not anymore.

“Marry me, Mehek.”

what a great chapter after such a long time Kelly. I have opened this tab for hours and longing to read them and interrupted for some incoming calls, then some discussion not to mention the girls arguing whose coloring is the best. I tried to throw daggers at them for not keeping quiet and finally before have my lunch I want to read this and go or else my head will explode. The chapter was mindblowing and I jsut love the way how things taken far and the way Shaurya didnt do extravagant preps or going down his knees but just asked her to Marry him while they enjoy their lunch at dhaba. thats excitement bubbling in me, i tell you its simply superb. do continue my dear dont keep your readers hanging in here, my heart cant take the excitment anymore....stay blessed and stay safe too..

Originally posted by: Haseena2020

what a great chapter after such a long time Kelly. I have opened this tab for hours and longing to read them and interrupted for some incoming calls, then some discussion not to mention the girls arguing whose coloring is the best. I tried to throw daggers at them for not keeping quiet and finally before have my lunch I want to read this and go or else my head will explode. The chapter was mindblowing and I jsut love the way how things taken far and the way Shaurya didnt do extravagant preps or going down his knees but just asked her to Marry him while they enjoy their lunch at dhaba. thats excitement bubbling in me, i tell you its simply superb. do continue my dear dont keep your readers hanging in here, my heart cant take the excitment anymore....stay blessed and stay safe too..

Well Haseena I am so happy that you did find the time to read🙂 and more importantly enjoyed it. In their own ways these two are laying the foundation to be together: Mehek by informing her employers of the true status of their relationship and Shaurya with this impromptu marriage proposal. That ring has been burning a hole in his pocket for some time hasn't it LOL. At any rate with the next week off from work I am hoping to get another chapter going if not posted, so ideally you won't have to wait much longer for Mehek's answer. Thanks for posting a comment on the chapter and I hope you and your family are doing well and have/are enjoying the festivities.

Res🙂

Unres😊

Thanks for the much awaited update Kelly😊😊😊😊😊😊. I must say i feel so good to read your so lengthy and beautiful update after so long ....truly amazing ...loved every bit of it👏👏👏👏👏👏. U hv your very own style of writing which i really like👍👍👍👍👍. Shaurya is thinking of Mehek all the time ...finally Mehek family has made some relevation that they are trying to think of Shaurya for Mehek....its good .. Its good that they are spending quality time with each other ....and Shaurya finally without thinking much proposed Mehek for marriage .....really waiting to read Mehek response towards his proposal... Mehek is very ambitious for her career ...i really hope she dont feel like this proposal may hinder her professional life ...eagerly waiting for the next update ....please try to update soon if possible 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Originally posted by: AD04

Res🙂

Unres😊

Thanks for the much awaited update Kelly😊😊😊😊😊😊. I must say i feel so good to read your so lengthy and beautiful update after so long ....truly amazing ...loved every bit of it👏👏👏👏👏👏. U hv your very own style of writing which i really like👍👍👍👍👍. Shaurya is thinking of Mehek all the time ...finally Mehek family has made some relevation that they are trying to think of Shaurya for Mehek....its good .. Its good that they are spending quality time with each other ....and Shaurya finally without thinking much proposed Mehek for marriage .....really waiting to read Mehek response towards his proposal... Mehek is very ambitious for her career ...i really hope she dont feel like this proposal may hinder her professional life ...eagerly waiting for the next update ....please try to update soon if possible 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for the comment🙂 and I am glad you enjoyed the chapter. I think that everyone is slowly coming around in their own ways. For Mehek it is by being upfront with her employers and even her family is starting to see potential in a relationship between them. As for SK his progress has come in appreciation for the things that mean the most...who would have envisioned a man like him to believe their simple meal to be sheer perfection? Not many for sure but true love has changed him.❤. Hoping to update in the coming week and hopefully provide the answers you are looking for.

Hope you are well and staying safe.

Taking a moment from my own special day to offer up a treat to those still reading Not sure if the chapter will be finished today, however I would like share the special even that will be happening next.... do tell if you think Shaurya is on the right track:

Chapter 45 Teaser 11/29/20:

“Marryme, Mehek.”

“You must be more exhausted than I first thought,” Mehek replied cheekily as her hand reached for the platter they were sharing. Her eyes shot up to his when, before she could fix another mouthful for him, her wrist was captured in a firm grip. Upon seeing the resolve on his face, her lips parted in a gasp. She shook her head in disbelief, even as Shaurya nodded his.

“This is certainly not how I anticipated doing this. In my head I had checked all the boxes: flowers, candlelight, music…it would be the perfect moment; the perfect time, the perfect place for the most perfect of women. But, what I have come to realize, is that any moment I spend with you Mehek is perfect, even when it isn’t.”

She heard the words, but truthfully her attention was more on the fact that with his other hand, Shaurya was rifling in his jacket pocket. It could only be one thing; the one item that would have him so focused, so she was not at all surprised when he unearthed a small box from inside his coat. Her eyes must have articulated the questions that she didn’t have the courage to voice: ‘How….when….was this truly happening?’

...to be continued

Amazing teaser kelly ....waiting for full on reading😉😉😉😉😉 Yes shaurya is on right track ...every moment spent with Mehek is special for him😍😍😍😍😍😍.

What special dearie .....ur birthday....anniversery😍😍😍😍😍😍🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁🎁

Originally posted by: AD04

Amazing teaser kelly ....waiting for full on reading😉😉😉😉😉 Yes shaurya is on right track ...every moment spent with Mehek is special for him😍😍😍😍😍😍.

What special dearie .....ur birthday....anniversery😍😍😍😍😍😍🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁🎁

Still my birthday for another hour yet😂