Chapter 12

CHAPTER 11

"Mr Ahlawat, I haven't told them the truth. They just know that they are going home", the Headmistress told timidly. "They are indeed going home", he reassured. "I understand. But for Aarti and Veer, you are still a stranger. They are too young to understand that they are taken away from their mother", she told. "A selfish mother who chose to dump them here so that she can enjoy her life", he was angry. "Mr Ahlawat", she was stern, "I have no rights to comment on your issues with Mehek. But I must tell you that she is a good mother. Aarti and Veer were admitted to boarding recently, just few months back after their grandfather's sudden demise. Till then she was with them, taking good care of them. Although she is a single mother, she have performed her duties really well", the elderly woman informed proudly. Shaurya rubbed his temple in frustration. It was no surprise to him that Mehek had delivered her act with perfection. She had successfully worn mask of a caring mother and deceived a shrewd man like Vikram Maan. A gullible headmistress was no match to her talents . When Mehek no longer needed to pretend, she left their kids in pursuit of her own pleasure. Yet it was useless to argue with headmistress and so he leave after polite farewell.

"So what do you think?", Shaurya asked anxiously to the kids. In short span of time he had arranged a beautiful kid's room, stuffed with toys and goodies. It was evident that they liked it yet indecisive . When Veer uttered his next words, Shaurya felt defeated. "When will Ma come?", Veer asked sweetly. Shaurya sighed, "She is longer in your life. I am your father and you are going to live with me". "No, I need Ma", Aarti wailed and Veer too declared, "We won't stay with you without Ma". "Listen you both", he lashed at them but controlled his anger, "She doesn't love you. She had abandoned you. I love you a lot and we will be happy here". "No, we don't want you. We want Ma. We hate you", Veer pushed him away and ran holding his sister's hand. Shaurya was quick to catch them. Though still kicking and struggling, he bought them back to their room and locked them inside. They banged on the door and cried loudly. Shaurya was exasperated and left in dismay.

Mehek was gulping down another shot of whiskey. It's been long since she consumed alcohol but today she needed. 'Celebrate your victory, Ms Mehek Singh Maan',her empty mind taunted. She was lost in her solitude when she heard Veer's voice, "Ma". She shook herself to come out of the illusion but she heard Aarti too, "Ma, we missed you". She turned and saw her children. They rushed to her arms while she couldn't believe her eyes. Her eyes become moist when the cutie pies crushed her with bear hugs. She showered their face with kisses. "They haven't had anything since morning. Shaurya tried his best but they need you", Jugraj's voice broke her trance. "I hope you don't mind feeding them", he extended food carrier boxes to her while glancing distastefully at whiskey bottle. Mehek quickly wiped her tears and hid the bottle. She took food from him and started to feed Aarti and Veer. Jurgraj observed them and sighed while Mehek fed them lovingly. He couldn't believe Mehek to be as evil as Shaurya had portrayed coz he was visibly seeing a caring mother. Jugraj waited patiently when kids finished eating and decided to watch their favourtite show with Mehek. Aarti and Veer were extremely tired and slept off holding to Mehek while watching TV. She laid them properly on bed and came beside Jugraj . "Does Shaurya know?", she asked diffidently and he shook his head. "Then maybe it's better you take them when they are still asleep", Mehek suggested. "It won't be proper, Mehek. They will never be happy separated from you. It won't bring peace to Shaurya either", he told her. "It's unavoidable. They belong to Shaurya", she tried to keep her voice straight yet it trembled in sorrow. "Why are you so adamant, Mehek? This rigid negative attitude of yours will destroy all. I hope you know it", he scolded her. Mehek couldn't meet his eyes and held her head low. "I don't know what is going on between you and Shaurya. You are both are hell bound to play a wicked game. But please don't destroy childhood and future of your own kids", he told and stood up to leave. "Let them sleep here for tonight", he declared before exiting. "But Shaurya will not like it", Mehek got tensed. "I am aware of it. He will be furious. When he knows,the next moment he will be here. So use this time wisely to think and come up with an solution that at least benefits your children", he ordered and left her alone.

"Daddyji, where are they?", Shaurya panicked when reached back home and couldn't find kids. "At Mehek's place", he told casually. "What the f*** is wrong with you?", he swore. "Mind your language, young man", he warned Shaurya. He was about to retort but Jugraj stopped him, "Why are you always cold to me, Son? Even when you knew that divorce was mutual decision of your mother and mine, why did you & Smriti dislike me?". His sudden query put Shaurya ill at ease. "Becoz you were devoted to your mother. You wanted to protect her and be her strength. It is always easier to hate your father who couldn't keep your mother happy", Jugraj explained. "There no comparison between my mother and Mehek", Shaurya shouted. "That your perception. But for Aarti and Veer, their mother means the world to them. They will never warm up to you if you separate them from Mehek", he stated. "I never took  them from Mehek. She sold them to me", Shaurya argued. "Perhaps. But they are too young to comprehend it. Veer is your blood. Just like you, he is extremely devoted to his Ma. He is as stubborn and strong as you are. He will hate you the moment you pull him away from Mehek. And trust me Shaurya, it is not a pleasant feeling to face your son's hatred", Jugraj walked away, leaving him alone to think about his words.

"We need to talk", he told Mehek as she opened door of her apartment. Mehek allowed him inside and gestured to sit. "They are asleep. I will send them back in few hours", she told him while he glared at her furiously, "I will talk to them and make them understand the situation. They are kids, be gentle and handle them a bit softly", she advised. "You are well aware that it won't work. They may stay with me on your insistence but will hate me forever. I can't allow it to happen", he was determined. Mehek sighed weighing the situation. "We are getting married", Shaurya declared suddenly. "I don't want to", Mehek was astonished. "I didn't propose to you, Ms Maan. I am telling you ",he mocked her, "You have no choice. Else you will lose your dad's precious company. I still have a fair amount of shares in my father's name. I will sell them cheap in market, causing depreciation of share value and destroy your company. "Do your worse, I don't care", she spat at him. Shaurya was taken aback by her refusal. "Just to irk me, you are ready to spoil Veer & Aarti's future. You want to remain their fairy while painting me a villain. When will you stop, Mehek? Is there no boundary for your dreadful nature. Don't you feel any remorse playing with other's life", he asked genuinely. "Enough", she yelled at him. For a moment he felt as if she was going to burst into tears but she composed quickly, "Fine, let's do it. But I have my conditions". "Ofcourse you have", Shaurya was ready to negotiate her monetary demands. "We will be married for namesake, a happy couple just for world . You will never interfere in my life and I won't intrude into yours. We will not be anything other than parents of Veer & Aarti. Our rooms will be separate and there won't be any relationship between us, especially physical relationship", she finished in a breath. He was amazed by her demands. He expected her to demand wealth & property. Her conditions seemed to be immature and petty. She acted like a virgin trying to protect her virtue from her beastly suitor. "Do we have a deal?", she asked him. He looked at her intently. Though he never considered it, having her to warm his bed is still an enticing proposition. Her desperate effort to protect herself gave way to a wicked thought. He walked towards her slowly while she backtracked. She felt like a prey being trapped in her own abode. She hit the wall, found being trapped as he hovered over her and placed his hands on both sides. He bend down and she turned away to avoid him but giving him ample access to her neck. He took whiff of her scent and grazed her skin for a second before whispering into her ear, "I will keep that in mind". .Quickly he moved away, making her feel relieved and disappointed at the same time. He took his leave after informing that kids shall remain with her until he decides otherwise. While driving back, he felt happy . Though the reason was unknown, he had found her Achilles heel.

Coming days, Shaurya was frequent visitor to her apartment. He wanted to be part of his children's life and was happy that Mehek didn't prevent him. Infact she tried her best bring him closer to Aarti and Veer. She coaxed them to play with him and told them not to be afraid of him. She explained them that he is their father and loves them a lot. With Mehek's aid, he managed to slowly blend into their life. Mehek's love and care for children still puzzled him. But he remembered that she had fooled him before with her formidable acting skills. But this time he decided to give her tough competition. He too acted well to portray a happy couple. Mehek often reminded him to be in his limits and just be a loving father. Slowly kids started to warm up to him and became closer to him. A week later, he arrived at her place in the morning. Veer and Aarti jumped into his arms, "Pa, where is the surprise you promised us?", they asked in unison. "Soon. But now ask your Ma to get ready, we need to go somewhere", though he told to kids, Mehek knew it was addressed to her. In an hour, they all left in Shaurya's sedan. Finally they reached their destination, the court. "We are getting married today", he told her plainly while Mehek's eye widened.

"Why are we waiting here, Pa?", Aarti asked innocently. "Ma and Pa have to sign few legal documents. Once it is done, we all will go to Pa's home and live there happily. Don't we Mehek?", he nudged Mehek who was lost in thoughts. She jerked and nodded mechanically. "Feeling nervous?",he enquired  but soon she realised he was taunting her, "Years back, I felt the same. My heart was beating miles per hours while I was waiting for you without knowledge that you were plotting to ruin my life", he smiled sarcastically. Unable to meet his eyes, she looked away. "I am no longer that stupid man who wanted to keep the world at your feet. Today I am nothing but your nemesis", he tried to instigate her but she ignored him. Finally their turn came and they were summoned. Advocate DK and Jugraj were present as witnesses. Signatures were taken and they were declared as husband and wife. "Though it is a court marriage, some rituals cannot be avoided", Jugraj spoke softly. Shaurya took out mangalsruta Jugraj offered and tied it around her neck. While she stood dumbfound, he took a pinch of vermilion and adorned her hairline. Veer and Aarti jumped with enthusiasm although they hardly understood about the ceremony.  "Welcome to our family, Mehek Beta", Jugraj wished her with a warm smile . Mehek thanked him and touched his feet. While others were busy distributing sweets, Shaurya came beside her and whispered, "Today is best day of my life, a new beginning. But not for you, dear wifey. Your life is finished, Mehek. It's poetic justice, isn't it? Eventually destiny made your wear sindhoor & mangalsutra of my name". "That too on the same day", she told gently. Shaurya was confused but soon realise the truth. Five years ago, it was on the same date when she had betrayed him to be left alone at the altar. "I do remember, Shaurya", a lone tear escaped her eye but before she could hide it she gasped in fear, "Aarush".

Picture Courtesy : My dear panda Anu

PRECAP : "You are mine, Mehek. Even if I have to hurt you immensely, I will not withdraw this time", he threatened, "You are all alone, Mehek. Neither your dad nor Swati is alive to help you". Mehek sobbed when bitter truth sunk in to her mind. She yelped when he twisted her hand again. "You know it very well that Shaurya will never rescue you. He is just playing with you for his revenge. He will be crueler than me. So be a good girl and come back to me", he warned Mehek

[NOCOPY]