Chapter 4
"THE CHOICE IS YOURS". Whenever this dialogue is thrown at you, often you are left with no choice but to go with the person who had actually thrown it at you.
Mehek was puzzled. After years of neglect, one fine morning he is accusing her of keeping Pari away from him. Once she recovered from initial shock, she called her advocate and informed him. " Mehek beta , as your advocate I can assure you that if Shaurya files such a complaint then you won't be charged. We have enough proof to indicate that you have been taking care of Pari well and you are in midst of legal war for her custody. But as your family friend, I would also advice you not to go against a man like Shaurya Khanna. He is a powerful man who might have very efficient legal team. They can prolong the legal proceeding. During this time, Pari will be forced to stay in third party care like boarding school. So it will be better to settle it out of court amicably. Meanwhile I will try to get in touch with his lawyers too."
Mehek was devastated after the call. Pari taken away from her that too in a boarding school with no family around her. No child should be put in that situation. She was ready to bend for sake of her daughter. She took her phone and walked towards his room.
Shaurya was pacing around his room. He was angry, mad and above all hurt. His impression about Mehek was smashed. He felt betrayed again. He was afraid that he would do something drastic if she doesn't allow him to talk to Pari. Hell, he wanted to hurt Mehek, yet he couldn't bear to see her in pain. He was going mad. He removed his sweatshirt and threw it to ground. He was about to smash the mirror that he heard knock at the door. He opened the door and Mehek extended her phone to him. "It's Pari. You can talk to her". Before he could take it from her , she added "keep speaker on while you are talking to her". He smirked and took it.
He came inside but Mehek stayed at the door. "Hi Buddy" on hearing Pari's voice , he felt relieved. He relaxed and sat on the bed. "How are you angel? Hope you are happy at Nani's place" he asked. "I am good, Buddy. Having great time here. I love to stay at Nani's place. After my school opens next month, I won't be able to take such long vacation often. So enjoying here. Well, how are you? Mom told me that you will be gone by the time I come back. Is it true?". Shaurya felt like his blood boiling. The manipulative witch already conveyed to my daughter that I will be abandoning her again." No baby. I will be here waiting for you. I miss you a lot. Come back soon and we will have lot of fun with your Da...your Buddy. Love you, Bye". He disconnected the call and sat there.
He was watching Mehek angrily but kept quiet. "Give me back my phone" she said. "Come inside and take it. You were never shy to enter my room earlier. Infact during my absence also you did it. Have few threats drained you confidence?". She barged in and was about to take her phone from him. Swiftly he grabbed her wrist, "Don't mess with me Mehek. Don't you dare poison Pari's mind against me. You will be harming her childhood if you do so". " Just shut up, Mr Shaurya Khanna. If you feel, you can bully me with your threats then beware. I allowed you to talk to her bcoz it was right thing to do" ." Really!!! Do you people care about right and wrong. Right thing would have been to keep Pari here and talking to me directly Mehek. But you ran away with her." It hit her hard. She has to admit, it was wrong to run away like that. But she didn't want to admit it to him. "Shaurya , please. I did what I thought was right for me and Pari. I don't want to talk about it further. Period." He noticed how she moved from Mr Shaurya Khanna to Shaurya. Somewhere inside he felt happy. He missed her companionship. He released her hand. She took her phone and was about to leave. But she slipped on his sweat shirt. To break her fall, Shaurya caught her and they both fell on bed.
He was on top of her. Shirtless, sweaty and hot . His proximity and masculine fragrance were magnetic. He was embodiment of temptation. A naive girl like her was no match for him. She had noticed his well chiseled body earlier too when he took occasional plunge in their pool. But even in her wild dreams, she never thought of having direct access to it.
Shaurya was a lost in eyes. He shifted his gaze to her lips. Those kissable lips that kept him awake few nights back. He slowly lowered his head and was about to kiss them. Mehek closed her eyes as if giving silent permission to him.
"Oh I am sorry. I didn't mean to .. Sorry Sorry", Mehek & Shaurya woke from their trance by rambling of Latha mausi. Mehek pushed him and ran outside following Latha mausi.
" Sorry Mehek. You told me not to come. But I needed some money urgently. You can cut from my salary. Please help me beta" Latha was pleading her. Mehek gave her money. As she was about to leave,but then Latha mausi told "Mehek, you are like a beti to me. I know you are young and may be feeling lonely without a man in your life. I complete understand your situation". Mehek felt so angry. Though Latha mausi was good at heart, her big mouth always got the best of her. Soon Mehek's 'so called encounter with Shaurya' will be talk of town. She almost shouted at her " Mind your own business. Don't overdo you duty. You got the money. Now leave."
Shaurya was embarrassed by his behavior. How could he lose his control like that. Already Mehek thinks low about him. Now she will definitely think him as an opportunist. He didn't like her name being tarnished either. He dressed up and went to dining hall where Mehek was sitting after sending Mausi away. She was having a glass of wine to calm her senses. He didn't know that his timing was most imperfect one. " Look, I am sorry for what happened there. It was... it was unintentional. Just happened" Shaurya started. Mehek looked at him and laughed sarcastically "Really. Why am I not surprised? Let me think. Yea . Coz you are the playboy Shaurya who will charm any women he wanted to his bed, use her and throw her like Chinese maal. Just the way you thrashed my Nehal. Friendship , commitment , etc don't exist in your dictionary. You just play with women's honour and abandon her when she is ruined.", Mehek was hysterical. But this time Shaurya didn't lose his cool. He knew it was time to clear things up. " Mehek, kaunsi Nehal ke barey mein baat kar rahi ho tum? (Which Nehal are you referring to ?). The Nehal whom I married was a selfish, scheming minx. She never loved me . She wanted my money & status. I don't blame her for not loving me since I didn't love her either. Our loveless marriage could have bloomed if it was based on mutual respect & trust. Even that she couldn't afford. You blame me for torturing her .But it was Nehal who used to kill my soul slowly"
Mehek looked up and saw his eyes, they were brimming with tears. She was about to extend her hand, but moved back & left.
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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