EID Mubarak to all 😊
CHAPTER 21
The doorbell rang continuously, disturbing Shaurya's peace in his study. He wondered why no one had bothered to answer the door and walked towards it. He found a stranger at his door."Hi, I am Dr Vivaan Kapoor. I am here to meet Ms Mehek Sharma", the handsome young man informed him. Shaurya was bit surprised and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Mehek. She appeared from nowhere as if she waiting for the men to meet. "Hello Doctor. I am Mehek. Please come in", she invited him adding to Shaurya's confusion. Like given her cue, the maid brought Pari to them. Vivaan eyed her lovingly and extended his hands to hug her. But Pari remained beside Shaurya, holding his knee. "She is a bit shy", Mehek said timidly. Shaurya still unaware of the entire picture, lifted Pari in his arms. "Shaurya, would you mind giving us a few minutes", Mehek requested him. 'I do mind', his inner-self screamed but didn't voice it out. He started to walk away with Pari when she asked him again, "could you please leave Pari with us?". His blood boiled still he chose to control and left without a creating a scene.
Few minutes passed, yet it felt like an eternity for Shaurya. He realised that Dr Kapoor took his leave. He wanted to rush to Mehek and demand an explanation but was stalled by soft knock at his study. Mehek came in, "Can you spare few moments? I need to tell you something". He nodded and gestured her to nearby chair. She was nervous and fidgeting with her dupatta, unable to bring herself to speak. He wanted to make her feel at ease. "Mehek", he touched her hands gently, "tell me what it is? You don't have to be scared". She pulled away and walked to the window. "I am not afraid. It's just...it's just seem inappropriate to share private matters of my best friend to you", she sighed, "but I guess I have to". She glanced aimlessly outside the window.
"Sonal! She was an outgoing girl. Though her family was orthodox, she preferred to be a rebel. I met her at White Chili's and we became good friends. She told me she was nursing a wounded heart owing to her recent break up with her live-in boyfriend. I could empathize with as I had gone through the same. Sonal was looking forward for a better future. She had frequent faint spells but she always blamed it on her blood pressure. After...after you... You left me...", she paused and looked at him. Her gaze pierced into him, they accused him and reflected the pain he inflicted on his Mehek. Tears welled in her eyes and she turned away. She continued after reining her emotions, "I stayed with PD and she got me a job at a nearby restaurant. Few months passed and accidentally I met Sonal who was by then married to Rohit and pregnant with Pari. She needed care and company so I moved in with her. Soon we became close confidantes. She revealed to me that she had got pregnant from her ex-boyfriend". "So Rohit is not Pari's father. Does he know ?", Shaurya was taken aback. Mehek shrugged her shoulders, "I am not sure. May be or may not be. Sonal never told him but he could have figured it out. Anyways Rohit was in dire need of money then, so was happy to marry a well off girl like Sonal although he knew little about her. And Sonal just wanted a father for her child. After a brief honeymoon, Rohit fled abroad with her money. He practically disowned Sonal. ", she explained, "After Pari was born, Sonal's family reconciled and Rohit too landed back in our lives. He had bagged a good job here and wished to have a normal life with Sonal. She was apprehensive but his care and love changed Sonal's mind. Finally we decide to move here". "Is Vivaan...?", he left it incomplete, coaxing her to talk. She nodded her head, "Yes, He is Pari's father".
Mehek and Shaurya sat in silence for few moments. "Ironic , isn't it?", Shaurya smirked. Mehek gave him a questioning glance. "I mean, I despise Rohit. But I really feel bad for him", he told her, "Sonal wronged him". "Really?", Mehek jumped from her seat. She furiously grabbed his collar, "You men will have your share of fun with our body and discard us like thrash. Still you expect us to be remain faithful to your filthy memories and harm ourselves, don't you?". "Mehek, relax. I didn't mean to offend Sonal. It's just that I cannot justify her actions", he tried to defend. "She was never at fault. To save her child from a disgraceful future, she decided to marry a greedy man. She gave away her wealth and honour to a low life like Rohit. Yet you stand here and advocate him". "It's not like that", he tried to reason but she yelled at him. "You married me, made me feel like girl of your dreams, forced me to fall head over heels in love with you. Then you used me as per your whims & fancies, only to mercilessly shatter me and leave me to rot in pain", fresh tears spilled out of her eyes. Shaurya realised it was no longer about Sonal & Rohit. Mehek had drifted away from the subject and agonizing over their past. He didn't pacify or justify further. He needed her ouburst, he needed her to open up and bare her agony. He kept quiet, allowing her to vent out her feelings. She wiped her tears and panted, " After years, when we met again, you were eager to know whether Pari is your daughter. Now I am eager to know. All these years, have you ever given a thought what would have happened if I was carrying your child? How did you expect me to survive? Begging on streets with our child or whoring around for money?", her agonizing query pushed him to extreme grief. "Mehek, please don't say such horrible things", he held her close and she broke in his arms. But she quickly came back to her senses. She moved apart and wiped her tears. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have", she apologized. "You should Mehek. You have all rights to burn my soul", he declared. "I have no rights on you and I don't want any. Just help me to gain custody of Pari", she became formal. He agreed. "I contacted Vivaan few days back. He had agreed to appear in court as Pari's biological father and help me. Please inform Adv. Khurana", she quickly informed and left. Though Shaurya agreed to her, he knew Vivaan's testimony may not act in favour for Mehek. After all he had abandoned Sonal & Pari for long and Rohit was legally married to Sonal. It was his duty to help Mehek, by hook or crook. He knew he had wronged Mehek. But today she made it evident to him that her wounds are so deep and he had no chance of redemption. He decided something in his mind and pulled out his phone.
Few weeks passed away. Vivaan was a constant visitor to their home. Shaurya was pleasant towards him and Pari got warmed up to Vivaan. Yet Mehek noticed that Shaurie was Pari's favourite. She hated to admit that Shaurya was an amazing father figure for Pari. Khurana did everything in his power to win the case in favour of Mehek. Finally just a day before the court hearing, Khurana called to inform that Rohit had agreed for an out of court settlement and decided to give away Pari's custody to Mehek. It was happiest news for Mehek. She was so happy that she didn't mind celebrating it with Shaurya. Shaurya, Mehek, Karuna and Pari went out for dinner. He was kind enough to invite Vivaan too. While they left venue and was about to enter the car, Shaurya noticed a bike speeding towards Mehek. He was quick to dash to her and cover her while the assailant threw pungent liquid over them. Shaurya cried out in agony while Mehek was too shocked to make sense of it. Vivaan was quick to react and took care of Shaurya.
"Mrs. Khanna, your husband had suffered severe burns from acid attack", doctors informed her. Mehek stood there frozen while Karuna wept in sorrow. Vivaan consoled her, "He is strong man , Auntyji. He will come out of it". Mehek walked towards ICU and looked at his bruised figure. Tears made way through her cheeks as she couldn't withstand his condition.
Shaurya was discharged in few days. He had severe burns on his back, shoulder and neck. His flawless skin was scarred and he was nervous of his blemishes. Mehek took good care of Shaurya and nursed him back to health. Vivaan moved in with them as per her request and was aiding in Shaurya's recovery. "He is recovering fast, Mehek. The wounds are healing swiftly but may leave permanent scars. He has to come in terms with it", Vivaan informed her.
A month passed. Shaurya recovered quickly. He gave full credit to Mehek but she in turn thanked Vivaan for his advice support. It hurt Shaurya that over the time, Vivaan became closer to Mehek & Pari. Shaurya stood before the mirror dressed in casuals. Those ugly scars were peeking through his neck. He quickly wrapped a muffler around his neck to hide them. He lost his confidence since he no longer possessed a perfect physique. "You look great", Mehek told him as if reading his thoughts. He gave her a weak smile, "Thank you, Mehek". "It's least I could do to repay you. You did it for me. I am responsible for your burns", she told him. "A small price compared to worth of your life", he was earnest. She sighed and started to fidget around. From her body language it was evident that she was uncomfortable to convey the news. "Is everything okay, Mehek?", he encouraged her. She spoke, "Vivaan is leaving in few days". Shaurya nodded and waited for her to proceed. "He...he... he proposed to me. He wants me and Pari to move in with him", she told in one breath. "And?", his heart was beating miles per hour. "I agreed. We are leaving day after tomorrow", she informed him. She expected an outburst from him but was surprised by his calmness, "Good decision, Mehek. Vivaan is a good man. He will keep you happy. I wish you both a happy life". "Thanks", she replied quickly and left.
Mehek walked briskly and locked herself in her room. She breathed heavily as if suffering from panic attack. She had nursed Shairya back to health but had no intention to be with him. She only wanted to hurt him by raising his hope and then moving on with Vivaan. She expected him to throw a fit and refuse to leave her for another man. But he gracefully accepted his defeat and congratulated her. His pain was evident in his eyes but he chose to endure it for her happiness. "I should be happy. I hurt him the same way he had pained me. Payback accomplished", she told herself. But she couldn't remedy the hammering pain in her heart.
PRECAP: He held out a file towards Mehek., "it's my parting gift. I have transferred 50% of my wealth to your name". She shook her head, "I don't want it. I never wanted any of it". "Please don't deny it. This is the least I could do to compensate the pain I cause to you", he begged her. She didn't want to fight him further so she took it from him and walked towards Vivaan's car'. Shaurya lifted Pari to him and kissed lovingly. He placed her on child seat near Mehek and fastened her seat belt. "Goodbye, Love", he uttered painfully. Mehek sat numb with her eyes fixed on him, unable to decipher whether he meant those words for Pari or herself.
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