PROLOGUE
Mehek sat nervously on the soft bed, waiting for her groom to arrive. She looked lovely in her bridal wear. She was placed like a perfect piece amidst the lavish adornment. The room was romantically decorated with flowers and scented candles. Tonight is her wedding night, a night which every women anxiously awaits. A night which marks beginning of a new life. A life filled with hope and happiness, her happily ever after with her prince charming. But she wasn't fortunate enough to marry her charming prince. She was punished for her sins to become bride of his evil step brother. She wept looking at her palms where his name was written beautifully in henna, "Why did you leave me? I loved you with my heart and soul but you didn't have nerve to stand by my side".
She became conscious hearing a soft thud at the door. She wiped her tears and turned away, with her back facing the door. She shivered sensing his presence close behind her. She held on to her lehenga, sending silent prayer begging to Almighty to take her life and spare her from further humiliation and pain. She was aware of his reputation and temper. Her new husband is known for being ruthless and impetuous. She knew everything about him, above all she was well aware of his hatred towards her. She froze when she felt his hands on her shoulders. He turned her slowly to face him but she kept her gaze down refusing to meet his eyes. As he kept his finger below her chin to lift her face, she broke down into tears. She fell on her knees with folded hands. "Please have mercy on me", she begged.
He was shocked by her behaviour. He knew she was forced by her family into this marriage. She had no other way than yield when he proposed to wed her. Yet he never expected the free spirited Mehek , whom they called adorably as 'Laddoo' be such a shattered weakling. Love does that to people. It corrodes the soul and makes you fragile. Hence he had always kept safe distance from love and its effects. "Get up, Sharma", he commanded but she didn't relent. He pulled her up , "Calm yourself, Mehek. I may be a villain but I too have my dignity. I won't waste my energy to molest my wife, especially when she is with child". She gulped, still keeping her folded hands close to her bosom. She tried to speak, "Sahib,..I...I...". He kept his forefinger on her parted lips, "Shssshhh, not another word. You know how much I value obedience". She kept mum. He was always talented to rule. He enjoyed authority over others and relished being their master. From childhood days, his father considered her like a daughter and allowed her to address him as 'Uncle'. Still he was always adamant of being called as Sahib. Even during her tender age, he wanted her to accept that he was the prince and she was just a petty maid. Her fear and meekness made him glad. "Mehek, have this", he offered the glass of milk kept on the bedside table. She shook her head. "I know you are in no mood to have food but you cannot sleep empty stomach in your delicate condition. So atleast have this", he insisted. She drank few ounce of the liquid between her muffled sobs. "You need to take rest", he led her to bed, "Now sleep comfortably. We will talk in the morning". He made her lay down on bed and covered her with soft duvet. Being exhausted by the tiring wedding day and the comfort given by him, sleep crept into her eyes. He sat beside her and ensured she was asleep. He gazed at her palms where his brother's name was written- 'Vicky'.
He walked away and took the glass of milk she left. He turned it around to find her faint lipstick mark on it. He pressed his lips to it, drank the remaining milk and smacked his lips. He gazed back at the sleeping figure and said, "Tumharey haton key lakeeron pey uska naam likha tha , Par tumhare Naseeb mein sirf mera naam likha hain. Shaurya Khanna ka Naam" ( His name was written on lines of your palm. But it's just my name, Shaurya Khanna's name is written in your fate)
Chapter 1: Pg 11
Chapter 2: Pg 16
Chapter 3: Pg 20
Chapter 4: Pg 25
Chapter 5: Pg 32
Chapter 6: Pg 39
Chapter 7: Pg 46
Chapter 8: Pg 53
Chapter 9: Pg 60
Chapter 10:Pg 68
Chapter 11:Pg 82
Chapter 12:Pg 89
Chapter 13:Pg 105
Chapter 14:Pg 118
Chapter 15:Pg 125
Chapter 16:Pg 131
Chapter 17:Pg 139
Chapter 18:Pg 144
Chapter 19:Pg 148
Chapter 20:Pg 152
Current Affairs
