Chapter 15

Turning point in the story. 

Major revelations and possible hints for separation

Hope you like it

CHAPTER 14

 

Shaurya sipped from his coffee cup and stood near balcony. It overlooked to the beautiful landscape and elegant pool. He shivered as cold breeze brushed through his bare chest. He wish to cover himself in his shirt. But when he glanced at the sleeping figure on bed who needed it the most, he refrained. His heart brimmed with love for the woman lying on his bed. Mehek, his wife, love of his life. Though he managed to hide it beneath hatred and revenge, he always loved her ardently. Past two days were roller coast ride for him, both emotionally and physically. After tracing Reshmiji in a remote part of country, his sole need was to meet Kanta Chachi. He rushed to her town although it was on another part of the region. It was easy for him to find Chachi becoz he knew her native. He found Kanta Chachi at her home; being bored and spending her time idly. Her son Mohit, now hale & healthy is earning well and Sonal ran a small scale food business which aided her to balance between house & work. Chachi couldn't believe her eyes when he marched into her house unannounced.

 

 "Shaurie...is it really you, mera bacha?", Kanta wept holding his face, "you have change so much". After initial emotional encounter, Chachi quickly asked, "Have you met, Mehek? Do you know you have a son? His name is Veer. He is so much like you". She bombarded with information without giving him any time to explain. Soon she became angry and scolded him, "Why didn't you contact me? I always believed you thought of me as a mother. How could you isolate from me? Was I just a paid servant for you?". Her anger ran down as tears. "I am sorry, Chachi. You are more than a mother for me. Yet when I got broken, I foolishly chose to detach myself from you also", he apologized sincerely. She sighed, trying to control her emotions,  "After initial years, I lost faith that you may come back. But Mehek always believed you will return. She loves you so much and eagerly waited for you. She had tough time without you, Shaurie but she fought back gallantly", Chachi told him. "Chachi, help me.  I want to know everything. What happened when I was arrested? If she loved me truly, why did Mehek hurt me?", he managed to question Chachi. "She did it for you", Chachi replied in single sentence.

Sonal withdrew after placing tray with tea and snacks. The courtyard was silent except for chirruping of birds and tick-tock of grandfather clock. ""I was wrong about Mehek. Her feelings for you were genuine. When I reached Maan's mansion as per your instruction, I witnessed her distress. Her father and Aarush were forcing her to press charges against you. But she denied. They even held me and Aarti as hostage to threaten her. Mehek went hysteric and was on verge of mental breakdown. Then Aarush proposed a plan. He proposed to let you scot-free if she breaks you mercilessly. He even asked Mehek to snatch away Aarti to make it look real. Still Mehek didn't waver. She was confident to appear in court next day in your favour. Finally they took her to police station and made her witness your torture. She understood that they would kill you rather than letting the case taken to court. With a bleeding heart she agreed and acted as a vamp", Kanta Chachi sobbed reliving the horror, "She expected you to stay back and fight. But you were calm even when you signed over Aarti's custody. She tried to instigate you but failed. Anyways, Aarush held her under close watch. She was helpless when you decided to leave in peace. "Why didn't you contact me?", he asked. "I was locked in Maan's mansion for many days. By the time they released me,  you were long gone. I didn't know how to reach you further. When I returned to Maan's mansion to check on Aarti ,Mehek requested me to stay with her. May be Vikram Maan took pity on her broken state or he didn't consider me as a threat. I know don't know why but he allowed me to stay. Eventhough it was part of their vile plan, Mehek was happy to be mother of Aarti. She spend all her time with Aarti and took good care of her. Agarwals and Vikramji persuaded her to marry Aarush but she stealthily refused. When they pushed her, she etched your name on her chest with kitchen knife. She bled a lot and had to be hospitalized", Kanta Chachi paused trying to read his expression.  Shaurya balled his fists and trying to come in terms with the pain Mehek had gone through to protect him and their love. Further Kanta chachi told same story that he had heard from Reshmiji.

"It was tough time for Mehek. She had no money , friends or family. Even I couldn't help her since my financial condition was bad. I brought her here and moved her into a nearby nunnery. She & Aarti stayed there with nuns during her pregnancy and gave birth to Veer in their charitable hospital. She had a difficult pregnancy but she managed to fight against all odds. During her stay in convent, she learned tailoring and started a small shop for stitching. It soon became success. Later Swati, her friend helped her to expand it. When Mehek sought my support, I quickly agreed and we all moved to a small house nearby. Aarush was still ready to marry her but Veer was major hindrance for him. Besides, Mehek made it evident that she wanted to do nothing with him or her father's money anymore. Then one fine day, Aarush got betrothed to Swati", Kanta Chachi's word made Shaurya skeptical. "Mehek was happy for Swati. She always knew about Swati's infatuation for Aarush. Though she was concerned for Swati's well-being, she believed Swati could handle it.", Chachi filled,"Mehek didn't want to yet nonetheless she attended Swati's wedding. There after many years Vikram Maan met her daughter. Surprisingly he apologised to Mehek and reconciled with her  He realized the injustice he had hurled on his own daughter and wanted to make amends. Later he visited us here and accepted both Aarti & Veer as his grandkids. Prosperity and happiness were returning to Mehek's life. Aarush was settled with Swati and Maan's empire bloomed under Swati's guidance. Vikramji made Mehek handle few NGOs run by Maan's empire and wanted to invest in her business. He wished to retire and spend time with Mehek & kids. He even promised to trace you and bring you back to Mehek's life", Kanta Chachi reminisced past.

 

Shaurya's trance was broken when he heard her soft whimper. Mehek held onto her forehead to fight heavy pounding. She sat on bed and hugged herself to warm her chilled body. "Good morning", Shaurya wished her cheerfully. She glanced at his shirtless figure and looked down onto herself. Her clothes were removed and she was dressed in his missing shirt. "What did you do to me last night? Did we sleep together?", she was aghast. Shaurya was momentarily surprised but soon got amused. He was so eager to come back to her once he left Kanta Chachi's house. When he failed to find Mehek at home, he called her and found she was in trouble. He quickly reached the location she had told him and found her unconscious. He took her to his penthouse which was closer. She muttered continuously in her sleep. He tried to understand but couldn't, except for few parts about Veer, Aarti and himself. He tried to pacify her and ended up caressing her soft lips. His desire to ravish her reached its peak when she confessed her love for him. He ignored her weak protests and kissed her passionately but soon withdrew when Mehek became unresponsive. She collapsed after turning him hot and hard. He chuckled at his ill-luck and climbed on bed to sleep next to her. Later during wee hours of the night, Mehek became delirious and  puked on her dress. He had to removed her soiled cloths and clad her in his shirt. "Did we get intimate last night?", she jumped to her feet and shouted at him again. "What if the answer is Yes?", he questioned back mischievously coz he wanted to play her. He expected her to throw a fit for taking advantage of her inebriated state but she looked scared and her voice trembled, "Did you use protection?".  He wasn't expecting it from her still he kept poker face. "Don't you think it is far-fetched to be anxious about pregnancy. Unlike last time, we are married now and it is expected you to bear my children. So why bother about protection?", he kept up the game. Mehek looked as if ground beneath her was snatched away. She fell down and wept. Shaurya was quick to switch to his caring mode and rushed beside her. "Mehek, please I am sorry. Please don't cry", he tried to pacify but she pushed him away. "Don't touch me. I am filthy. I am so dirty that I will taint anything pure. Stay away from me", she pushed him away and broken down to tears. He quickly held her close and cupped her face, "Mehek, don't say like that. I am sorry for everything in past. But now I am here with you so don't be afraid. Tell me what's bothering you. I promise we will find a way through it". "I am doomed, Shaurya. If anything happens to you after I am gone then our children...", she sobbed, "Veer will be outcasted by society. I cannot bear it". "Enough of this melodrama Mehek. Tell me the truth", he yelled at her. "I am HIV+", she shouted back and covered her face.

 

In reflex, he moved away. Mehek realised painfully that he refrained from touching her. It was bitter truth of her deadly disease. She was shattered nevertheless she composed herself, "I think you should consult a doctor immediately". Her concern of his well-being shook him, "Nothing happened last night. I was just kidding. But I guess as usual you managed to astonish me". Mehek gasped in shock that she revealed her biggest secret due to a silly prank. She should have known better that Shaurya will never take advantage of her. She was about scold him but he spoke quickly, "Nonetheless I am happy that it brought out the truth". She was silenced by his harsh words. They sat quiet for few minutes and abruptly he asked, "Is Veer  ...". Before he could Mehek shook her head vehemently, "No, he isn't. He is tested negative". Shaurya was aware of Mehek's dark past. She was a drug addict and had many illicit relationships. But if Mehek was infected long back then probably Veer and he himself should have been victims. Shaurya always had regular checkups and was sure about his condition. Finally he had courage to probe, "How did you...". Again she pitched in before he could finish, "I am not sure. May be from my past life. But as routine, I had HIV tests when I was carrying Veer and nothing came up then. I had complications during pregnancy. Post-delivery, I suffered heavy blood loss and had blood transfusion. May be then. I never took drugs ever again and no men came into my life after you. So I assume it happened at the hospital". "Does anyone know about it?", he questioned it. "Aarush knows", she replied and earned a tough glare from Shaurya. Mehek quickly clarified, "When Dad was admitted in hospital after his accident, he needed blood. My blood was taken to check if it matched. It was found that I am HIV+ when they tested my samples. Aarush knew about it since he was with me in hospital". Shaurya nodded while she continued, "Aarush helped to hush up the reports Else it would have been a scandal. Aarush helps me with medicines and treatment. I keep a low profile treatment".

 

Shaurya was stay beside her and rushed to lock himself in the bathroom. Fate has again played its cruel game. Few hours past, he was eager to reconcile with Mehek and move ahead to a beautiful future. But now he felt lost. After meeting Kanta Chachi, he was sure that Mehek has a valid reason to act cold and bitter towards him. He was ready to face anything and sort it out. Yet he was not prepared for the ugly truth Mehek revealed to him. He splashed water onto his face in a desperate act to think straight.

[NOCOPY]