MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 47

Chapter #13 -

"And as they say Uday, There's no rose without a thorn. Welcome back to ISC Ms. Sharma. Picking right up where we left off are we?"

"Not if you value your health, Shaurya Khanna. However, as per your request: one thorn in your side, reporting for duty."

There was something to be said for being more exhausted than she ever felt before in her life, Mehek thought. Her delusion of Shaurya Khanna responding to her off-the-cuff comment with a genuine smile was completely plausible under the circumstances. She took it in, the grin that had his eyes bright with mirth, as if viewing some endangered species; which in truth it was.

"Touche, Mehek Sharma: well played."

She shook her head casually at his retort: meeting him stare for stare as she waited for what shocking occurrence would take place next, or at least for the man to realize he still held her arm. Finally, when it looked as coming to face-to-face with her had stunned him into inactivity, she resorted to clearing her throat subtly, and then exaggeratedly sliding her glance down to her captured wrist. He released her, as if her limb was a red-hot poker. Unconsciously, she raised her hand, and rubbed it. He seemed to realize then, just how tightly he had actually been holding her, when he saw the slight redness encircling her lower arm.

"I'm sorry about that, Ms. Sharma."

"It's okay Shaurya, protecting yourself was probably to be expected if one considers our past. But for certain, I wasn't aiming for you: today."

Her comment, meant as a joke, appeared to have brought him out the strange moment they had just shared, and only because they were close as they were, did she see a darkness move in his eyes, revealing once again the harshness that lurked just under the surface within this man. Months ago, this would have jolted her, but not today for some reason.

Shaurya's eyes refocused over Mehek's shoulder to the man who had instigated this bizarrely intimate tete-a-tete, who was now plainly enjoying the spoils of his efforts. He could practically see the workings of the man's brain, and knew that he would need to reiterate again to the producer what would and, in particular what would not be permissible on the set. And soon. As a matter of fact, as soon as Mehek Sharma was out of hearing distance. He faced the young woman with the intent of removing her from their present situation and was shocked to see her, there with rubbing her left temple; her eyes closed and wobbling a bit. Before he could react to this, Rajiv Bhai suddenly came to her side, and as inconspicuously as possible moved to support the young chef, advising her that the car to take her home had arrived. She had opened her eyes then and bid Shaurya goodbye, a beatific grin on her face.

"Goodbye Ms. Sharma," Shaurya replied, although his attention was centered more on his partner, who obviously knew what ailed the young woman. Rajiv tipped his head slightly, acknowledging back, that he had everything under control.

"Do you think she's on something: drink or something a bit more recreational? it would certainly explain a lot; specifically, that entrance of hers. Not to mention how euphoric she was in meeting you."

Not to mention adding a spice of drama ahead of the show., Shaurya reckoned. Had they been alone and not in a public space, Shaurya would have gripped the producer for his slanderous comments. The fool wasn't even attempting to be subtle in finding some angle to create buzz for the show. Instead of the physical violence he would have meted on the ass had they been alone, Shaurya instead coolly responded to the man. "Unlikely, Uday. But for the record, let it be known if even a hint of that conjecture makes it out into the public domain then Ms. Sharma will have the full backing of my legal team to defend her from such salacious gossip. But in all honesty, I would say nothing could be farther from the truth. As a matter of fact, I would say she was quite in possession of her faculties by the fact that she spurned the unwanted attentions you attempted to force upon her, Uday."

The man had the temerity to justify his untoward actions. "Ah well it turns out she was not at all what I expected." He clapped Shaurya on the shoulder. "Hell man: the show did not do her justice. I get it now, Shaurya. And since I know she isn't your type; damn if I couldn't resist having a go. You don't have any issue with that: right?"