FF ON MEHRYA 'SOCHA NA THA'ch18 on pg 141dt 19/12 - Page 46

Chapter 12

It was already 1030 pm and I had called mohit number of times , the idiot has not picked till yet .

"pata nahi yeh mohit kahan mar gaya( where is that mohit ) I said while calling him . while I was busy on calling I felt a tap on my shoulder I turned and found a little drunk and worried Rajeev sir . " mehek , kya hua tum pareshan lag rahi ho( what happened mehek you look worried ) " he asked . though his mouth was smelling alcohol and his eyes were little red still he was standing firmly . I was not nervous talking to a drunk Rajeev sir as I know he Is good men . " sir, actually I am calling my brother and he is not replying . I have asked him to pick me from the party I replied . " but shaurya has arranged a driver for picking and dropping you , where is he. Call him he said . while we were talking a lady in her late twenties joined us . she placed her one hand on Rajeev sir waist and one on his shoulder from behind and he greeted her this gestures lovingly by smiling to her . " baby what are you doing here " she asked . I wanted to excuse seeing their PDA but before that Rajeev sir introduced us " moushmi this is mehek and mehek this is my better half moushmi chatterjee kapoor " . I smiled and said hello ma'am to her . she came forward and hugged me. I was bit surprised with this gesture of her " finally I met you she said while breaking the hug . my expression being louder then my words were read by Rajeev sir . " don't get surprised. firstly she is an extrovert , secondly she Is a big fan of your he explained . I smiled to him . " of course I am a big fan THE GIRL WHO SLAPPED SHAURYA KHANNA she said dramatically with a grin on her face . seemed like to me she doesn't get well with shaurya . " it was all past ma'am I said politely . " still I will always raise a toast for you on that deed of yours she said enjoyingly . " still here she is working as an employee to me came a voice from behind and when I turned I found the voice owner to be shaurya khanna . he glared at me and then shifted his gaze to moushmi . " power is power he said placing his hands in his pocket and a smirk on his face . " I feel like I am watching game of throne said Rajeev sir with grin. " well your wife enjoys my weak points taunted shaurya . " you have only given me reason for that she strike back . " enough you two yaar , mehek ki problem solve Karen( should we solve meheks problem) he said stopping those debators . " ab kis musibat main padh gayi tum( now in which problem you landed yourself) he said taunting me . I was about to say something when my phone buzz it was mohit I instantly picked it " kahan hai tu mohit , kitni call ki tujhe yaar( where are you mohit , I called you so many times ,buddy) I said in one go and excused my self few feets apart.

Mohit- di ek pasudi pe gayi hai( a problem has occurred in punjabi )

Mehek- kya ( what)

Mohit- meri bike kharab ho gayi hai , main mechanic ke pass gaya tha dhikh karane ke liye lekin usne kahan pure do ghateh lagenge . kisi dost ki bhi bike arrange nahi ho rahi ( my bike has broke down , I went to mechanic but he said it will take whole two hours. I am unable to arrange any of my friends bike )

Mehek- toh ghar jake chachu ki gadi le aa ( then go to home and bring chahu's car)

Mohit- di agar main ghar ke andar gaya na toh hamare vegetarian ghar main mera chicken ban jayega. Mummy mujhe halaal kar dengi ( di if I went inside , then today in our vegetarian house I will be roasted chicken . mom will kill me)

Mehek mohit kuch nahi hoga , aur jake chabi lekar aa ( nothing will happen mohit go and get the key ) I said angrily

Mohit- di dekh tujhe nahi suneko milenge tane jaise ki nalayak , bewakoof , ullu ka patha etc etc. mujhe nahi sunna aage hi badi mushkil se yeh log college trip ke liye mane hai . agar andar jake bolunga toh mera trip cancel kar dengen .( you won't be the one who will listen their taunts like stupid , idiot duffer . I don't wanna listen already they have agreed on sending me to college trip with great pleads of mine . if I went inside , they will cancel it.) you listen di I am waiting outside only u came from a cab I will pick you from near metro only . then we will come together okay bye and if mom called say we are stuck in traffic.

With that he cut the call . "mohit I tried to hold the call but he was no longer on line . " ghar jake ache se iska chichen banungi( I will roast him on reaching home) I said to my self. I turned and found my three pairs of eyes on me. Guessing their queries I said " my brother who was coming to pick me , he is not coming now shaurya became curious " why , where is that driver I arranged , call him he said . " I didn't took his no and I have only asked him not to wait as my brother will come I replied . he was pissed . he took out his phone and said " I will call him . he dialed a no . " his phone is switched off he said irritatingly . he dialed again " dusra driver bhi phone nahi utha raha( other driver is also not picking ) he was more irritated this time " sab ke sab kamchor hai( everbody is work escaper ) he said . " if I would have not drink I would have dropped you mehek , sorry said Rajeev sir apologetically. " sorry girl , I don't trust my driving skills and that's why Vicky would be dropping us and presently he is busy handling the guest as told by shuarya said moushmi ma'am . I was really worried now " rahul Is also not picking my call " I said bluntly. " rahul , who " asked moushmi . " rahul is my friend , he worked with me in food castle. I think I should hire a cab I said . " no need I will drop you said shuarya . I was surprised ,so was Rajeev and his wife . he knew our reaction and explained himself . " it was my responsibility for your transport arrangement , which you yourself sabotage . I mean if you wanted to come with your brother still you should have not denied driver . bloody chauffer I will fire him tomorrow for keeping his phone switch off he replied clearly . " mehek you should go with shaurya and you don't worry I will handle everything here said Rajeev to shaurya . I was still not sure on going with him but did I had any choice . " I'll just came after greeting mr and mrs behl and you meet me at parking lot " saying that to me he left.

Its been ten minutes me and shaurya were in his car . we have not exchanged any words till now . though I found him glancing at me me two three times but whenever he was caught he shifted his gaze. We were at traffic signal . already there was hell of the traffic I was getting bored on my right was shaurya khaanna , who was just on looking the car ahead of him measuring the traffic and on my left were cars and people on bike . I had already informed mohit that I am coming with someone. I thought of listening to radio to cut the time so I thought of asking " can I play radio. He turned his face to me and nodded his head in a totally do whatever you want way'. I switched on the radio . one of thr RJ on a channel was talking about the traffic of delhi . I was enjoying the FM when the signal lights turned green and shaurya started the car. I liked what that RJ was saying " its eleven pm of night and u are listening to RJ ravi . Well though its hell of busy on delhi roads ,but the weather is quite a romantic today . if you are travelling in car then open the windows and fell the breeze and enjoy your time with your partner listening to RJ , I felt awkward . I was in the car , the mausam (weather)was quite romantic , I have already lowered the window but I was not with my partner infact I was with mr kaddos . I looked at shaurya , he was giving pathetic looks to RJ talks . " so this song is for all the couple who are struck in this traffic , enjoy the music and the feel . As soon RJ said this a music played " jadu hai nasha hai , madhhoshiyan tujhko bhula ke ab jaun kahan " listening to the lyrics I without thinking looked at shaurya , he too looked at me . I felt awkward and I immediately tuned to radio and changed the channel . some music was going and as soon as I heared the lyrics " kitni bechain hoke tumse mili , tumko kya thi khabar thi main kitni akele . i changed the channel bending a little towards radio . on the next channel the song playing was " kundi mat khardkayo raja , seedha andar I didn't let the line even to get complete and I switched the channel . I I peaked towards shuarya who was looking at me amusedly on my antics . I instantly straightened my self on seat . I looked out of window to avoid this situation . some English channel was being played . why all such weird romantic songs were being played . RJ was talking about two singer collaborated song . I didn't paid any attention but just wished a decent song to be played . the music started . I had never heard that song before anywhere , its lyrics were

I like the way that your body move all over the floor na na na
I'd like to find a way to get lost in you yeah yeah yeah
I wanna talk to you baby
Say what's on your mind

" I thought the song must be about a club and people enjoying and dancing there

But tell me anything that you wanna do yeah yeah yeah
Ain't we all just looking for some loving tonight
Got a crazy feeling that I fit you just right

now this went different than what I thought

So try me in the morning when the sun comes rising up
Try me, in the afternoon, bet you just can't get enough
Try me, in the evening, satisfaction guaranteed
Baby I got what you need, you gotta try me
Try me
I was helpless now seems like today any channel I select will play weird songs only I just closed my eyes in defeat . Suddenly the channel was changed I turned my face and saw shaurya getting his hand away from radio " aankhein milayengen darr se , gusrenge mushkilo ke mohalon se . nikle hai zunnoo leke ghar se. aankhein milayengen darr se. as soon as this line finished he passed a light chuckle. I looked at him . this was his natural . " I think this is your song right now he said teasingly with naughty smile on his face . I turned my face away with embarrassment as he teased me on my own nervousness . Unknowingly my lips turned into a embarrassed smile when I was trying hell not to . I bite my lower lip with my teeth stopping my self from widening my smile . what an antic I am' I said to myself . when I was thinking all this a new song played on the radio . it was one of my favorite song . the music it self brought smile on my face. " aur aahista kijiye baatien " was the song but I saw shaurya extending his hand to radio " nahi ( no), please I said stopping him from my words . he looked at me . asking me from his eyes. I read his question and replied " I like this song . he kept on looking me for some seconds and then blinked his eye agreeing to my request . he again looked back on road and then focused on driving . till that time first para as already passed . I looked out again but I saw his face in the rear view mirror which was set such that he could see cars on the left side and I was able to see his face in it . aese bolo ke dil ka afsana , dil sune aur nighah duhraye. I looked at his face. He had a plain smile on his face which was rare thing. aese bolo ke dil ka afsana , dil sune aur nighah duhraye, apne charo tarf ki yeh duniya , saans ka shor bhi na sun payen , na sun payen . aur ahista kijiye baatien ,dhadkane koi sun raha hoga , lavaz girne na payen hooton se , waqt ke haath enko chunlenge. Kaan rakhte hai yeh daro diwar , raaz ki sari baat sun lenge aur aahista kijiye baatien while listening to these lyrics I was staring on his face . he looked handsome . suddenly he tuned his face and was staring at me from rare view I just shifted my gaze . he caught me staring at him . it was hell embarrassing . luckily his phone ringed and he picked the phone and talked though Bluetooth. I lowered the volume of music . " yes mrs aggarwal , ( pause) KD's employee as ISC contestant . well that's treason I would say . ( pause) I don't care about his reason . I just wanted to be clear on one thing, I don't want him to latter on bring any issue on my show . plus he has to get an NOC from his bosses . ( pause ) mrs aggrawal I will disscuss this case with you later on . bye gud night " saying that he cut the call . I heard one side talk o f this phone conversation but one thing was very clear . someone from KD company was taking part in ISC . who it could be. Knowing KD and his dislike to shuaryas success I am very sure he will not give any NOC . why should I think about all that nor I am a KD S employee nor in ISC this time . but hearig KD name I remembered how he answered KD for his accusation on me . the music was still low on volume . shuarya eyes were on road only again there was red light hold and the car halted. I thought something to say him " thank you I said turning to him. " samaan ki delivery karne se pehle , thank you accept nahi karta main( I don't accept thank you before delivering a luggage ) he replied with his eyes on road . taking a pause he turned to me and said " and you are still in my car he completed with a candid smile . I looked straight into his eyes . it had rage in them . he called me a luggage . I calmed myself. I know he loves to irritate me. he even didn't removed his gaze . " I am talking about what you said to KD in the party I said looking in his eyes . the smile he had was gone as I said this . I saw his body getting stiff . his one hand which was on steering wheel tighten and other which was on window turning into a fist . why he was miffed I didn't get it . " I didn't expected it from you I said finishing the matter and turned my face towards window . " its bad manner listening to others conversation , mehek Sharma . lagta hai tumhari middle class harkate jayegi nahi( it seems like you will not leave your middle class habits) he said immediately . I turned to him on this accuse of him . " main tumhari baatien nahi sun rahi thi ( I was not listening to your talks ) . I was passing through there and you both were talking about me . aur agar koi mere bare main baat karega toh mere kan behre nahi ho jayegen ( and if someone is talking about me then my ears will not turn deaf) I defended my self. I turned to left side he doesn't deserve a thank you I thought we again stopped at signal . I heard a knock on the window . my window was already open . I turned to see who did that . " bhaiya , phool lelo na . 50 ke do hain( bhaiya , buy these flowers , two for Rs 50) said a boy somewhat 15 years old who was holding a bunch of red roses . shaurya ignored him . his side window was half open . the boy tried again . he still ignored him . he inserted one the rose through window " bhaiya , bhabhi ke liye lelo na . itni sundar girlfriend hai apki( bhaiya , take it for bhabhi. Your girlfriend is so beautiful) said the boy . me and shaurya both loked at each othe at same time . we both felt awkward . " bhabhi ruthi hai toh maan jayegi( if she is angry she will forgive you he said pushing the rose towards shaurya more . that broke our stance . shaurya turned to him angrily said " abe ja yahan se , nahin lena mujhe kuch bhi( just go from here , I don't wana buy anything) . poor boy I felt bad for him the way shaurya talked to him . " chila kyun raha hai nahin lena toh na le , ae didi chod dena is khadoos aadmi ko( why you are shouting , don't buy if you don't want to. Listen didi( to mehek) leave this snobbish man the kid said and ran from there. My eyes widen listening to that . shaurya looked at me again. He was angry on that kid now and was reading my reaction . seeing his pissed face , laughter bubbled inside me . he guessed that and passed me narrow eyed look questioning my dareness to laugh . I turned my face away and had my silent laugh on this moment of shaurya khanna embarrassment . before he could say me anything the light went green and car behind us started horning and thus he started his car " I am moving " he shouted at the person who was horning . I was enjoying my laugh. Suddenly my phone buzz I checked it was rahul . I picked in the first ring only .

Mehek- thank god you are alive , kahan gayab ho gaya tha tu( where you vanish )

Rahul- kahan hai tu ( where are you)

Mehek- main bahur hoon( I am outside ) {I said looking at shaurya who was staring at me curiously while driving}

Rahul okay I am reaching your house in five minutes . just stay outside only till I came . I have something important to talk to you.

Rahul sounded very serious to me . my whole concentration was on him now. I turned my face away from shaurya .

Mehek- rahul everything okay . you sound disturbed .

Rahul I'll tell you everything when we'll meet . okay . see you.

I just cut the call I was very worried for rahul now . I hope everything is god with him . I shut my eyes and prayed to mata rani for rahul.

" who was on call. You look quite worried for him asked shaurya . I opened my eyes on this and turned to him . I looked at him in confusion. Some minute ago he was lecturning me on not listening to others talk and what is he doing now . I thought of giving him back " dusron ki baatien sunna aachi aadat nahi hoti. Lagta hai ameeron ko bhi yeh buri hadat hai , haina( its not good listening to other talk . seems like rich people also have this bad habit )? I questioned him tauntingly . he was little amused . he looked away in a total disinterested way and concentrated on his driving . I was just a corner away from my home now . both of us were looking at the road now the music was low and a beautiful old song was being played " kuch na kaho , kuch bhi na kaho . what an irony we both were not saying anything , I thought . suddenly he stopped his car . I was surprised I have still not reached my destination. I mean the pick and drop spot of our road entrance . I looked at him with surprise . he looked at me back and signal me with his eyes to my left . I followed his eyes direction mohit was standing there may be waiting there for me . I got now , why he stopped . I opened the car door and kept my one foot outside when his words stoped me " jo daring tum mere saath dikhati ho , woh baki sab ke saath bhi dikhaya karo . agar koi tumhe wrongly accuse kare to use jawab do( the daring which you show towards me , show it on others also . if someone accuse you wrongly , then answer them) what I did don't take it as my good deed for you . I did it as I take stand for my employees specially who becames beeghi billi( scared cat) in front of my rivals . I would have done same for any other employee of mine . he said referring to KD's thing. " ab jao waise bhi, tum mera kafi time waste kar chuki ho( now go , already you have wasted enough time of mine he said with a stern face . the thankyou I was about to say to him once again for defending me and dropping me died inside only . I moved out in anger and shut the door with a force conveying my anger . he didn't had any reaction . he took a u turn and drove back. " jerk I said looking his car leaving . " tu mujhe jerk bol rahi hai di ( u are calling me a jerk di ?) " questioned me mohit from back . I turned to him . the moment I saw him . I started hitting him with my hands on road only and said to him . tujhe nahi bolungi toh aur kise bolungi. Bewakoof kahin ka ( whom I will call jerk , other than you , you idiot ) because of you I had to face another jerk . " lagta hai badi mari hui tere saath aaj . ek hi din main do jerk(seemed like very bad happened with you today. two jerks in a day ) he said . he tried to act funny which irritated me more . I started hitting him again . he plead me to stop . " di baskar koi dekha, tujhe meri future girlfriend ki haye lagi gi . sorry na bike kharab ho gayi thi( stop it di . you will get bad mouthing of my future girlfriend . sorry . my bike broke down. ) . " tum dono bahar kyun lad rahe ho aese( why you both are fighting like this outside ?) . came a voice I turned it was rahul. He looked tired . " woh kya hai na ghar main ladna mana hai( fighting inside house is forbidden ) he said with a full grin face . rahul gave a weak smile on that. I hit mohit hard on his shoulder . " awww he shouted . " abe mard ko dard hota hai( a man does feel pain ) I glared at him for his stupid joke. " main pappu mechanic se apni bike lekar aata hoon , tum dono ghar chalo. But enter mat karna mere bager ( I will bring my bike from pappu mechanic . you both go inside but don't enter without me) said mohit and he left us . me and rahul started walking towards my house . I looked at him . he was not his usual self today . I stopped him and asked what happened. " kya hua hai . he took a deep sigh . " you remember that 2 BHK flat that I had booked and for which I am paying installments . He said . I nooded my head conveying yes I remember. " that contracted told that a big company is ready to buy a whole set of flat of a block which includes my house too . he is ready to give me my whole money of installment and my down payment back. And if I still want that house I have to pay the remaining installment all together which will sum up to twenty five lakh . he has given me one month time for this or he will give me my money back and will give the house to that company " said rahul with tired voice. I was blanked . he was in this problem . but how can he do that , that illegal . you must have those document of deal . how can he do that now I asked him .

" mehek this deal I got was from reference of one of my uncle who works in dubia . . there was a clause that if I am unable to pay the said amount in time that contractor can cancel the deal . already due to kiddos( his brother) fees and I am late in giving some installment he will use this against me . if I went through law. Plus I don't any money fo hiring a lawyer . second I don't wanna loose this deal . who will give me 2 BHK flat in 60 lakh in delhi . if I even take back the money . my whole investment will go in vain. He said with disappointment . I was not knowing what to say . I don't how to help him. " I have some 10 lakh in my account rahul . the money I got from ISC half was wasted in my marriage preparation with ajay and half I utilized for nehal and mohit's education . I can talk to chachu and we collectively could arrange some 14 15 lakh I said with concern. He smiled on me and holded me from my shoulder . " thank you . but I can't take it . plus woh paise chachi ne teri shadi ke liye save karne ke liye bola hai ( chachi has asked you to safe that money for your marriage )right? he asked . " kyun nahi le sakta( why can't you take it ) I asked him with a little anger . " because if you would have asked me any money help other than for health issue , I am not sure whether I would have helped you or not he said being unsure . I looked at him amusedly . " you know how I am . money is money mehek. May be I would have helped you. You are that close one to me but I am not sure . so asking you , my heart doesn't allow . he justified himself. I looked at him . sometime he does surprised me with rationals. He knew I was angry on this thinking of his. Okay listen , even if I take 15 lakh from you , it will not solve my problem. He added . now this was definitely a valid point. I started thinking for more solutions . " what about taking a loan " I asked . " I went to bank . they say I don't have anything for mortgage and personel loan are only upto 15 lakh and this whole process of banking will take time . the loan will be granted or not is also not confirmed . he answered hopelessly. " did you asked KD I questioned him. he passed a mocking chuckle . " I asked him he refused . he said he can only provide 5 lakh he said shrugging his shoulders . I was feeling sad . seemed like there is no way. "So I decided something he said with a hope . I looked at him curiously . " ISC he said . I felt something different when he said this . " what ISC I asked nervously. " I am participating in it he said . I was shocked and numb . " this season the prize money is 50 LAKH . if I won I will have that money he said with great enthusiasm . he read my face which was little unsure . " look I have only one month and ISC finishes in three weeks . if I won then great and if lost then atleast I will think I tried something for getting my and kiddos house he said . " this is risky and will KD permit you for participating I asked . " I know he will not so when I got selected , I resigned from food castle he said . I was shocked . " see mehek I know this is risk , but I am no fool in this field . I am trained chef plus I am an experienced one. May be I might win this yaar.( pause) what do you think? he questioned me. What I am thinking . I just have one thing in my mind . ISC means shaurya khanna .

I had reached my home after dropping miss Sharma . car journey with her is always something I thought . I was heading to my room when I collided with my not so loving mamiji and her so called bahu shruti . " watch out mamiji. I said holding her . saving her from falling . she balanced herself on her high heels . shruti was standing beside her drinking a bottle of bear . " be carefull warna muah ke bal girengi( otherwise you will fall on your face) I taunted her making her stand properly " darling , you are so boring , your age is not for being careful but for being carefree she said from her alcohol smelling mouth. I just passed a smile on their condition . " awara " I called our helper. He came within five seconds . " yes sir he asked . " ma'am logo ko unke room tak chod do(leave them to their rooms) I instructed him passing him the ladies. I took one step when shruti stooped me from holding my arm " handsome , mujhe room tak tum chod do ( you leave me till my room) and then give me company she said seductively. I know what she meant . I passed her stern look removing her hand from my arm and told her straightly " Vicky will come soon to accompany you I replied to her flirting and walked to my room . my phone beeped. It was Mahesh , one of my employee who was working for ISC . " yes Mahesh I said picking up the call . "yes email me the list of finally selected 21 contestant from all the judges , I wanna know history of each one them . due to lack of time . I was absent in few auditions . yeah do it I ended the call and went for changing . I was in my night wears when I opened my laptop and opened the email send by Mahesh with information of all the final contestant. I was checking each one when I stopped at no 7 . Rahul phian . my hand formed into a fist the moment I saw his passport size photo where he was showing his teeth. He was the same man on whose shoulder mehek Sharma placed her head and for whom she was so worried. He was a trained chef who had good experienced for participating in ISC. A strong contestant . he has even resigned from food castle. Rahul phian , a potential candidate commented by mrs aggarwal but This man name didn't went well though my throat. He seems liked someone close to miss Sharma and this definitely bother me .