Chapter 9
It was evening. Mehek could feel nervousness creeping into her. She never attended such parties. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. It's been really long since she wore something completly western. Blue color went well the design and suited her too. She felt beautiful and confident in it . Yet she was unsure about tonight's party. She knew she will be walking into a room full of prejudiced people who might have already tagged her as Gold Digger.
Pari came to her all excited. She was wearing pink dress which Shaurya got for her and was looking like a princess in it. Mehek wished she could feel as excited as Pari.
"You both look like characters from a fairy tale", Mehek was startled by his voice. She didn't notice that Shaurya came near them. "Daddy, I am so excited. Will it be like those parties from Barbie movies?", Pari asked him. He smiled at her and nodded his head. Pari went to her room to pick something. Shaurya came near Mehek, kept his hands on her shoulder and gently rubbed it. "No need to be nervous, Mehek. You are now Mrs Shaurya Khanna. Just be yourself. You will for sure find few likeminded people here. Mingle with them, try to enjoy and before you know it be over". She nodded. He took her hand and led her outside the room.
As Shaurya told her, the crowd seemed to be pleased to meet the new Mrs Khanna. It was small muster of his friends and business associates. Mehek exchanged pleasantries with guests. Very quickly she was moved away from Shaurya and was surrounded by a bunch of new faces. Contrary to her fear, all were friendly . Whenever she turned back to search for Shaurya, she found him busy with his friends. She felt bit unhappy that he seemed to be least concered about her. Time passed and soon she felt alone among the crowd. She was getting bored. "Ladies and Gentlemen", they heard Purab's announcement. "Let's not push it to a boring party. So come on everyone join me at the dance floor". Soon song ' Badtameez dil, batameez dil, batamiz dil.Maane na, maane na...' was played with Purab & his friends rocking the dance floor. Suddenly so much energy came to crowd . Mehek too couldn't stay unaffected . Apart from cooking , dance was something Mehek enjoyed a lot. She was enjoying it and moved with the tune.
Shaurya was noticing Mehek. He felt happy that she was enjoying and dancing. Earlier itself he was impressed that Mehek easily mingled with everyone. Though he kept pretext of not noticing her , his eyes were always on her. When song was for over, every one applauded and Purab bowed dramatically. But before exiting the floor, he continued, "Thank you for being such a lovely audience. But it is not over yet, after so much masti, let's move on to some melody. I request all lovely couples gathered here to come to dance floor especially our guest of honor Mr & Mrs Khanna". Mehek was taken aback. She knew they are going to be in lime light again. It's their first dance as a couple. What if Shaurya doesn't want to dance ? But Shaurya quickly moved to her and charmingly extended his hand inviting her . When she gave her hand, he slowly led her to dance floor.
He placed her hand on his shoulder and slid his hand to her waist. Music started, ' Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Ye Hasin Raat Ho Na Ho. Shaayad Phir Is Janam Men Mulaaqaat Ho Na Ho ...'. They slowly waltzed to the tune. "You are looking beautiful today", he said. She smiled timidly. "I am happy that you are enjoying. For a newbie ,you are managing quite well", he added. She whispered near his ears, "Thank You , Mr. Khanna". He smiled as if she tickled his ears. He twirled her and replied "You are welcome, Mrs Khanna". They were having their moment. Both were unhappy when song was over, they wanted to be with each other for some more time.
Few more hours went by . Pari was feeling so tired. She wanted to go to sleep. Mehek was about to take her to her room. But Shaurya intervened , told her to be with guests and took Pari inside. It was around midnight. Party was almost over. Most of the guest left. Remaining were also leaving. "Oh my God. Mehek. Is that you ?" . Mehek turned and saw her college mate Rehan. "Rehan. What a surprise ? How come you are here?" she asked. "I work with Rajeev Sir. His plus one couldn't make it today so I tagged with him". They started to talk and were catching up. Mehek was happily reliving her college days.
After ensuring that Pari is comfortably asleep in her room , Shaurya came down. He was planning to be near his wife but he saw that she was laughing and enjoying with Rehan. His blood was boiling. Few minutes of his absence and she already found someone to fill in. He controlled himself. Flashes of Nehal came into his mind. No, Mehek is not like Nehal. Yet he has to ensure that old mistakes are not repeated. He came near them. "Hey Rehan, glad you could make it today. I could see that you have already met my wife", he asked. "Ji Sir. Actually I know Mehek from college days. We were part of same gang and it was pretty close knit group", Rehan told him. "Really ? " Shaurya mocked while his hands possessively wound around Mehek's waist, pulling her close to him. Mehek felt awkward. Whole evening he ignored her, while he was amidst his friends. He was surrounded by size zero women all the time. Now all of a sudden he is being possessive . Wait a sec, is he jealous? She felt an unusual satisfaction. May be its time he got taste of his own medicine. When Rehan bid farewell , she deliberately hugged him and said "Bye Rehan. See you soon". Shaurya was fuming. He pulled her forcefully and walked inside. "Shaurya , what are you doing ? Leave my hand", she knew that her stunt had backfired. He pushed her inside their room and slammed the door.
S: "What was that Mehek? How could you behave like that ?"
M:"What do you mean by behave like that ? Rehan is an old friend. I was just talking to him". She was rubbing her wrist where he pulled her.
S: " Come on, Mehek. I am not blind or stupid. Whole evening I was watching you. You were polite to all but with Rehan you were over friendly. Or were you waiting for me to leave so that you can assume your true self. Do you know how cheap you looked when you were throwing yourself at him." He cursed himself for blurting it. He knew that he didn't mean it but damage was already done. Mehek was fuming. She was hurt and wanted to hurt him back.
M: "You are disgusting. Who are you to judge me ? A bloody Casanova, who had always used women and discarded them. You won't understand friendship coz you have only one feeling towards women, which is Lust. I am ashamed to call you my husband. You , you, you characterless human" .
Shaurya was enraged. Her words made him mad and he felt like devil chained inside him was set free. Truly she crossed the line now.
S: "If that's what you think of me, then maybe I should behave like one".
He pulled out his coat and slowly moved towards her. She panicked and moved back until she hit the wall. She felt like being caught in spider's web. She suddenly recalled her nights with Ajay, the way he used to torture her and force himself on her. Those painful memories haunted her forever. She was terrified that Shaurya is going to do the same to her. She was shivering violently. She dragged herself to ground and sat hugging her knees.
Witnessing her distress, concern took over his anger. He wanted to console her , he sat near her & extended his hand to touch her but she quickly pushed it away. She was crying and kept on saying "Don't hurt me. I can't go through this again". It killed him to see Mehek in such pain. He wanted to scare her but had no intention to violate her. He could never dishonor any women. It was distressful to see her petrified status. He felt as if his heart was ripped out. He has to bring her out of it.
He cupped her face and made her confront him. "Listen to me, Mehek. Just listen to me. I will never hurt you, never ever and I will never let anyone hurt you. I will always be there to protect you. ", he said. Mehek looked into his eyes and his words slowly sank into her. She moved closer to him and hugged him. She sobbed like a child and vocalized her agony, "I begged him to stop. But he never did. He was unfair and unjust to me". "Mehek , tell me what happened. Please trust me and share it with me. I promise, you never have to fight those demons alone. I will be there for you always", Shaurya consoled her. She continued to sob in his arms and eventually confided to him. Nehal's elopement, her sudden marriage, Ajay's torture, his departure and death. She told him everything. Shaurya was well aware of Nehal's selfishness and was not surprised by her actions. But it was unpardonable that Ajay made Mehek atone for Nehal's mistakes. If Ajay was not dead already, Shaurya would have killed him for sure.
For hours they remained like that. No more words were uttered but their silence spoke volumes. Eventually Mehek dozed off. Shaurya carefully picked her up and placed her on bed. All of a sudden, she held his hand .She pleaded in her sleep, "Don't leave me. I am scared". "I won't leave you ever" he confirmed. He climbed into the bed and stretched near her. She stirred in her sleep and cuddled into him. They slept peacefully in each other's arms.
