Chapter 1
Mehek dropped Pari at her playschool and rushed to her bakery.
Her bakery ' Piece of Cake' was quite famous in town which both locals & tourists frequented. Baking was her passion .Few years back when her Dadu moved in with her, she started homestay business. It kept Dadu busy and he could take care of Pari when Mehek was in bakery. After Dadu passed away last year, Mehek was juggling with both business. Considering bank loans she had , it was difficult to close the homestay and concentrate on bakery or vice versa. It was off season and not much guests were expected. Few guests at homestay now would have meant more income and solace to her.
Mehek looked at her mobile and found confirmation mail from online portal to which she had registered her homestay. A booking was made by Karuna enterprises. That too for a month and entire rent has been paid in advance. They had requested only one thing - ensure complete privacy for their guest. Getting such a booking during off season was lottery for Mehek. It meant less time to juggle and more time with Pari.
As informed her guest came next week . This handsome guy was dropped by a luxury taxi.'Welcome to Mehek's Jannat, sir. I am Mehek, your host' saying this she extended her hand to him. He did not respond but looked at her and her home as if assessing both. Mehek was feeling a bit awkward. May be having this loner at her home was not great boon. But he quickly smiled and shook her hand. 'Thank you Mehek. I am Purab Mehra. You have a beautiful home here'.
'Thank you, Sir' Mehek answered she was feeling better again. "Call me , Purab" he told quickly. Mehek felt like butterflies were in her stomach. He is quite charming , she thought.'As demanded in your booking , I have arranged best room with good view and ensured complete privacy for you. It was also told that you need high speed internet connection and printer/fax machine as you are may have to do some official duties during your stay. I couldn't arrange another printer/fax machine for you but I have moved mine to your room. I hope you don't mind that you have to share the printer incase I need to use it . But I promise it will minimal. ' Mehek conveyed doubtfully. 'Sure. No issues' he replied. 'Enjoy your stay, Sir... sorry Purab. Incase you need anything , please use the service bell and we will be at your service' with these parting words she left him.
Once Mehek left , he locked his room. After ensuring that nobody is eavesdropping , he pulled out his phone and dialed someone.
"Hi, yeah I reached safely. Don't worry ,things are smooth. ... Nahi, I have not met Pari yet. May be she is in school . Don't worry, I will meet her soon. Will call you after meeting Pari"
Till evening she did not see her guest outside. Probably he is resting after long journey. Her mind kept wondering about him. She felt as if his eyes spoke volumes about him yet he was mysterious .Snap Out Mehek. You are thinking too much. Time to go and pick up Pari.
He was watched her exiting. Perfect . He came out and found a maid near dining room. He asked for coffee and started chatting with her once she brought it. He slowly asked her about Mehek and her family. It was child's play for him to make the elderly women talk.
'Since when you are working here, Latha Mausi' he asked .
' I started to work here when they began this home stay . Mehek's Dadaji used to take care of everything then. As it is off season , nowadays I come on demand whenever Mehek needs me'
'So Mehek's Dadaji stays here too , who else stays here ?' he asked innocently.
' He passed away last year. Now Mehak and her beti Pari stays here.' Latha Mausi told.
'What about her husband?' he asked quickly and regretting why he asked it.
' I have heard that Mehek' s husband was in army. He was killed on duty that too only few weeks post their marriage. Poor girl. She rarely talks about him. Her daughter is her only hope in her life'
He felt pang of guilt in his heart. A life without Hope was meaningless . More than anyone he knew it. Snatching Pari from Mehek will not be just but then life is not just.
By then he heard the sweetest voice of whole world. "Latha Aunty, give me my snacks & milk soon. I am so hungry. I need to join my friends too. " Pari rushed to the dining hall followed by Mehek. Pari turned to him and introduced herself " Hi , I am Pari. Pari of this Jannat. And you?" He was overwhelmed to see Pari. Before he could respond, Mehek spoke " Pari, he is our guest, Purab Mehra. You can call him Purab Uncle" .
"Pari, you can call me Buddy" he retorted, surprising Mehek. "Sure Buddy" smiled Pari.
Few days passed. Pari and her Buddy were growing closer & closer. Mehek was also feeling happy. She felt that some void in their lives were being filled by Pari's Buddy.
After continuous request from Pari, Mehek allowed her to go with her Buddy for watching Circus show that came to town.
Her phone rang, it was Adv Mehta. She somehow forgotten all about legal battle she started. On attending the call , Adv.Mehta informed that he has not yet received any reply from Shaurya Khanna. He needed her signature on few more documents. After ending the call, she checked her mail for document from Mehta and hit Print button without thinking that printer is in Purab's room. She didn't want Purab to know about that legal issues and wanted to remove those pages from his room but going to his room during his absence did not feel right thing to do. Finally after so much of thinking and counter thinking , she decided to open Purab's room using her spare key. On entering the room, he felt quite uneasy. Though they have become quite friendly with Purab, he always guarded his privacy. "Mehek, don't think too much. Go to printer take the pages and leave" she told herself. She quickly came and ransacked through the pages. She got her pages and was about to leave but then she tripped and some of the files kept on table fell down. She panicked and tried to pick those papers and put it back. While arranging them back , she came across the name 'Shaurya Khanna'.
She became suspicious. Who is Purab ? Does he work for Mr. Khanna? Is he spying on her ? She started searching everything on the room -the papers, files on desk, his luggage. Finally she got a passport in his luggage. On opening , she got shock of her life.
The man who was staying with them under the pretext of Purab Mehra was actually SHAURYA KHANNA. Her Pari's father .
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