Mehrya FF: Her Undercover Lover -Chapter 10 page42 08/15 - Page 33

Chapter #10

The cat was let out of the bag shortly after asking his mother to remain on the skype call, when rather than continuing the discussion of the nursery he had given her and Kanta Chachi leave to create in preparation of their return to Dehli, Shaurya instead requested that Mehek's bridal bangles be couriered to him at the resort. Karuna's eyes widened. "Beta," she shrieked, so shrilly that little Meera startled and began mewling audibly in Shaurya's arms. The doting father immediately swayed his daughter to soothe her, not at all surprised that his mother had deduced his plans via one single question. "Oh, my little one...hush...hush," the grandmother cajoled over the computer monitor, before speaking again to her son when her granddaughter quieted. "Why would you keep this news from us, Shaurie...you should have let Mehek's family know so we could all arrange to come and allow us all to meet you."

"Which is exactly why I didn't, Maa... to avoid this very excitement...for Mehek's sake. We: Mehek and I, it's not the same anymore Maa... Even though logically, she understands that we are already married; she wants a something simple; just a small ceremony in order to reconnect, but without any of the usual hoopla that goes along with a full wedding. I am simply attempting to ease her back into her life in a way that makes her happiest."

Nodding her head, Karuna showed her agreement. "Thik hai, I expect that you understand what is best. We will leave you to your plans and prepare for your arrival home in the meantime, beta. Mind you cannot expect us to contain our happiness when that happens, beta."

"Nor will I ask it of you; of any of you. Ideally, by the time we are to come home, she will have settled more, and better prepared to meet all of you," and the over-the-to celebration, he could only imagine their family would have in store, Shaurya surmised. Just then, in his arms, Meera flailed suddenly, and her soft wailing began again. Shaurya, immediately put her up on his shoulder, something he had learned that she liked, but this time the tiny girl refused to be placated as she had previously. Even secured against the sturdiness of her father's chest, her crying increased in intensity. "Maa, I have to go."

"Haan Shaury, it sounds as if our little angel is in need of her mother. I will send everything will you need in a few days."

"Everything, nahi Maa, I just need her chura, that's it, nothing more."

Just as he was disconnecting from the video-call, he heard the bedroom door opening, and Hina, followed immediately by a worried looking Mehek emerged from the bedroom. As his assistant left, presumably to finalize the order of the dress that had been decided on, the new mother quickly approached. "I think she may have had her fill of her Papa," Shaurya stated.

Running her hands gently over her daughter's back, Mehek shook her head. "That's highly doubtful; not when she already understands how much he loves her." She glanced up at him, smiling as the infant settled into silence. "You see...she knows."

"Her mother too, I hope," Shaurya retorted, not even bothering to mention how it was both her touch and voice that had outwardly calmed the baby down. "I hope she realizes the same," he finished as he freed one hand to caress her face. "That she is loved more than any other woman in this world."

A blush rose in her cheeks, but Mehek nodded. Such blatant adoration, she admitted to herself, was taking a little while to get used to, and not for the first time did she wonder, how she could have ever forgotten it. "Was it always like this between us, Shaurya?"

"Nahi. I wish I could say it was, but that wouldn't be the truth. Let's just say that life's lessons can change even the worst of men."

Worst of men, now that she would never believe, so to continue the conversation seemed a waste of time. "Your talk; did it go well," she asked.

"Thanks to our daughter; very. Everyone was thrilled for their first real glimpse of our angel."

"I'm glad."

"They are even more excited at the thought that their next meet will be to face-to-face. I'm afraid it may be a spectacle; in fact it there's unlikely no getting around that. But not for a while yet, he added to reassure her. "Not until things are settled here, and you feel up to it."

Indicating that they should take a seat, Shaurya led Mehek to sit on the sofa first, and then handed Meera to her, before sitting beside her and putting his arm over her shoulder. "Did you find something you like?"

Toying with an again contented Meera, Mehek nodded. "It's not a bridal outfit per se, but it's very appropriate."

"Appropriate, hmm I can't say that I like that hearing that description. I hope you haven't shortchanged yourself by getting something not worthy of yourself, Jaan."

"It's pretty, but it's...well let's just say that it's all I can manage in my present state. I guess I just wanted to forewarn you that it isn't your typical elaborate..."

"Good, then I least I won't have some flamboyant ensemble to distract my attention from the beautiful woman beside me," Shaurya proclaimed. " Mind you, you could decide to wear your chef's coat, and I would still think I have the most beautiful bride and that I am the luckiest man in getting married to her."

"Matching chef coats...now that's a thought. You should have suggested it sooner, I could have saved you some money just now, Shaurya," Mehek joked as she leaned into him, contented. How he managed the right words every time, she would never understand. She looked down at Meera and then up at him. "Actually, I didn't just order for myself. I also picked out something for you, as well as something pretty for Meera."

Shaurya didn't know if in her silence she was seeking his approval, but he gave it all the same. "Good; I'm glad that you have. We will definitely have some photos taken of the three of us that day, in that case. So we will add a photographer to the list of to-dos.

She nodded and maintained her silence. Sensing her desire to disclose something more, Shaurya gently squeezed her shoulder "Bolo, Mehek..."

"As to the wedding itself..."

"Haan...go on."

"I know that I already said what I didn't want, but now that I've gotten more involved in the arrangements...well, I think I may want to change things, and I wanted to make sure you were okay with it."

Shaurya looked at her, ready to reassure her that whatever she wanted, he would do his best to accommodate. As far as he was concerned, her getting excited for and wanting to put a personal touch on the proceedings was a very good thing.

"Not many things, really. I still would like it to be held here in our suite, just with a few people attending now. Hina reminded me that Dr. Arora, Sareena and her husband will be back vacationing with us then. I would really like for them to come, Shaurya. And Hina, I want her there as a friend, not as your assistant."

"Done. Anything else?"

"A luncheon for everyone immediately afterwards. I've put together a menu in my head; nothing extravagant, but special enough for the occasion. We could set up something nice in the far corner." Shaurya gazed around the room where the ceremony will take place. What she wanted was definitely doable, and more importantly wouldn't take her away from Meera for any real length of time. "Thik hai, you can discuss the menu with Chef, and I will sort out the rest."

"Are you sure Shaurya? You really don't mind?"

"Why would I mind, Mehek?" He watched the uncertainty remain on her face. "Tell me, Mehek."

"Am I wrong for wanting this? I mean, I know you were keen for our families to be here, and you are probably right that they should be."

He shook his head, " Jaan, what you want is all that matters to me, so don't think any more on it. You don't have to force yourself any more than necessary. Whatever makes you happy; makes me happy," he reiterated, "I think our guests will be thrilled to attend, and I will be pleased to have them there. All of them have played a significant part in our lives these past months. Besides, little Miss Meera here, has inspired our relatives in a way, that they will be busy, probably right up to the moment we arrive home. So, what's next in the planning, my love?"

"That's it; that's all I have come up with. Is there anything you would like to add or to change; perhaps someone you may wish to invite? We can still accommodate a couple more people, if there is anyone you have in mind."

"I think what you have decided on sounds perfect, Mehek; absolutely perfect."

"But if there is anything..."

"Then I will certainly let you know. So, is that it, then, my love? Or is there anything else you may need to make the day perfect for you?"

"Flowers...flowers would be nice," she answered.

He kissed her temple. "Then flowers you shall have."

******

A few days later, in the midst of finalizing his own plans for the wedding, the notion that there was someone they had overlooked inviting, hit Shaurya when the direct line to his office rang.

"Shaurya Khanna speaking."

"Hello Shaurya, this is Dr. Archie Bhasin. I am just in lull between patients and realized that it has been a while since we have spoken. How are you?"

"Your timing is impeccable Dr. Bhasin. Had you waited much longer, then you would have missed me entirely."

"Aacha, are you working shorter hours now?"

"For now, but that's not what I meant. I was actually referring to missing us here at the resort. You see, the time has finally come for us to return to Delhi, he joyfully expressed.

"Us," the counselor asked cautiously.

"My wife, our daughter...my PA..., the lot of us." Expecting some sort of response, Shaurya frowned when he was met with dead air. "Dr. Bhasin, are you still there?"

"Your wife... do you mean to say..."

He didn't let her finish, "Ji you have the right of it. Mehek has..."

A quick rap on his door frame interrupted him.

"Sir, your last appointment has arrived."

"Appointment, Hina? What appointment?"

"It was last minute Sir. Shall I send them through?"

His absolute confusion gave way to surprise and then immediately to concern, when a grinning Hina moved aside, and without ceremony, the duo entered the room. "Dammit, Mehek, what are you doing here when you should be resting?" Abruptly disconnecting his call, Shaurya rushed over and put his arm around Mehek with the intention of guiding her to the nearest chair. Rather than cooperating, his rosy-cheeked wife remained standing. She pouted. "This is not quite the reception I was expecting, nor do I think we deserve," she complained, as she gently caressed her daughter's back through the baby sling carrier that cradled Meera securely at her chest. Shaurya stared at her tensely; worried in the first instance that Mehek had exceeded her physical limitations in coming to him, as well as the security of the baby in the contraption she held their child in. He couldn't see how something that allowed her to be hands free could possibly be safe. "Please, Jaan, please just sit down, and I promise..."

"Sit, nahi, Shaurya, I feel as if I've done enough sitting for a life-time. It's a beautiful afternoon, and I thought a bit of a walk fresh air would be wonderful." She turned her attention to Meera and sighed. "It seems baby, that papa would rather us be cloistered away like a pair of fairytale princesses." She smiled up at the man who hovered protectively near. "Don't you know that love story begins when the damsel escapes captivity, Shaurya. Come on," she enticed him sweetly, "Take a walk with us."

"Mehek," he blustered before giving in. "We won't go far, he insisted a second later.

"Agreed," she said holding out her hand to the man she loved.

*****

Hina was sitting at her desk still smiling at how her boss was complete putty in his wife's hands, when she noticed his telephone line ringing once more. She picked up his extension and answered, "Shaurya Khanna's office."

"Dr. Bhashin for Mr. Khanna," came the curt greeting.

"I'm so sorry Dr. Bhasin, Mr. Khanna has left for the afternoon. May I take...hello...hello?"

Looking askew at the telephone , Hina shook her head and hung up the handset, and turned to track the package coming from Karuna Ma'am. The task was far more important than trying to figure out what that call was all bout.