A Wrong Move

Chapter 5

Shaurya gazed at the ceiling of his bedroom. Sleep was far from his eyes. The night would have been fulfilling if he had ravished the alluring beauty. A submissive who yearns to be dominated. Her inexperienced desire and pointless defenses made her special.  An eager compliant who want to please his partner but afraid to proceed. He could sense embers buried deep inside her, waiting to be blown. A passion that could burn them both to heights of satisfaction. Losing her tonight had definitely made her more tempting. 

Annika Mittal. Shaurya noted in his mind to make it a mission to track her down. He can't rest until he brings her into his bed being hot & needy. Where shall I begin? How will I reach her? He wasn't trained to worry but execute meticulously. Besides, his impending wedding forced him to be cautious. Perhaps his two goody shoes fiancé can keep him entertained until he finds Her.

Shaurya and Harish waited at Mehta's mansion waiting for Shruti's family. They were supposed to meet and plan further regarding wedding ceremony. Shaurya was feeling restless and hope that his betrothed will keep his mind occupied. His father insisted that he spend time with Shruti. It was those rare moments when he didn't mind complying to his father's demands. Yet Shruti was no where seen. They had expected warm welcome but apart from a cold attitude even employees didn't pay them much attention. Soon Mr. Mehta, Shruti's father walked in with his younger brother. His expression gave away gravity of the situation. Harish and Shaurya remained tight lipped, awaiting for him to speak.

"The marriage is off the table", Mr. Mehta announced. "What??", Harish was astonished, "What on earth made you cancel the wedding abruptly?". "Mr. Khanna, I am not obliged to answer you", Mr. Mehta replied stoically, "I will compensate for your financial loses", he paused for the insult to sink in Harish. "Bloody Hell, you owe me an explanation. A good one", Harish was furious. 

Mr. Mehta noticed that Shaurya was still keeping calm. He was in no mind to spend more time with Khannas  but added further blow to Harish, "Needless to say that our business deal is also over", he looked over to Shaurya who still didn't speak, "It was mistake to consider you worthy of being our relative or partners". Before Harish could speak further and make matters worse, Shaurya elegantly got up. He was seething from inside but clever enough to perceive the situation. He had already added Mehtas to his list of enemies but decided to exit gracefully. "Let's leave, Father", he spoked firmly.

While they were exiting the house, the younger Mehta who actually got the alliance of his niece to Harish, rushed to their side. He was evidently trying to make his mark in business, moving away from his brother's shadow and wanted to be in good books for Khannas. "Harish, I am truly sorry. My brother would have tolerated anything but not infidelity", he explained leaving Harish puzzled. In quick words he explained and forward Harish the video clip of Shaurya getting intimate with another woman. 

The engagement ring on Shaurya's finger was so prominent that it was pointless to argue about timeline. Harish walked into his car keeping his head low. "You should have kept your pants intact", he sneered at his son when they were alone. "That's the way I am father", he simply shrugged his shoulder, "rather than wasting time on me why don't to device another plan to bag the deal?". His unapologetic words pierced Harish but he knew it was in vain to scold his wayward son.

Few days passed while Harish was trying his best to win the deal and Shaurya going back enjoying his bachelor life. Until one day, the shocking news dawned on Khannas. Shaurya rushed to his father's cabin. Harish looked dejected and looked away when he entered. "Is it true?", Shaurya asked his father's assistant. The old man had been with Khanna family since Harish started his business. He  knew very well the impact on Harish and Shaurya. He nodded, "Agarwals got the deal. With this they will have a chance to bring back their business to glory again".

"How is it possible?", Shaurya was mortified by the news. "Mehtas supported them. They are now relatives. Vicky Agarwal is getting married to Shruti Mehta", he was informed, "Probably, it was Vicky who leaked the video....". "Enough", Harish stopped his assistant, "No point crying over spilt milk". Shaurya was surprised that his father didn't even utter a word to scold him. But disappointment was evident in his face.

"Perhaps, it's God's will that Agarwal family prospers again", Harish sighed. "No they won't ", Shaurya yelled but Harish remained passive. He came beside his father, "They won't , Father. I will destroy them". Harish looked deep into his son's eyes. A rare moment when he actually acted like a dutiful son. "I am truthful , Father. I was bargaining with you last time since it was just a move to expand your empire. But now this is a fight against our enemies. A family who destroyed our home. You can trust me", he tried to convince Harish. 

"I am tired, Son", his father shocked Shaurya, "I need a break so going back to our ancestral home". The decision of going back to his village where he had spent his days happily with wife proved Harish was utterly disturbed. Shaurya understood that his father was deeply affected by sudden turn of events. Old wounds had become scars but still not hidden. "I promise to sort it ", he assured his father but rather than a curt node Harish didn't respond. "May be in time", Harish seemed to be disinterested but expressed his wish, "Why don't you come with me?". "Not now. I have work to finish", Shaurya quickly disagreed and Harish sighed unhappily. "It will all be well when you return, Father", he was determined.

Shaurya and his most trusted men started to work rigorously. Initially it was cake walk. The bar attender was caught in no time and he confessed about Vicky's involvement. But apart from aiding the woman he knew nothing else and no hand in the plot. So now it made her the next most prominent pawn. 

Annika Mittal. If she is caught and brought before Mehta family, then truth will be out. Shaurya had no wish to marry Shruti. His sole aim was to shoot down the business deal and push Agarwals back into misery. But finding the enigmatic Annika Mittal turned out to be more difficult than they had expected. Apart from a vague video image, they had no clue. They expected her to be Vicky's friend or family but she wasn't. She didn't seemed to be a hired professional either. Slowly he was getting desperate to find Mrs. Annika Mittal. Time was running out.

After a long period of time, Agarwals made it to the news. Vicky Agarwal got married to Shruti Mehta, followed by his company bagging a huge deal. Media congratulated the new couple and made statements that hopefully Agarwals will rise back to glory with new generation of entrepreneurs. Typical of media, they didn't spare to pull dirt about Shruti's recent broken engagement with Shaurya Khanna. Discreet murmurs didn't spare the truth that without help from Mehta's this deal would have been out of reach for Agarwals. 

Shaurya read the newspapers and folded it neatly. He was raging inside. He seldom failed and never enjoyed. But he knew when to accept defeat and take a step back rather than actin in haste. He had relieved his team after appreciating their efforts. They needed a break but he didn't.

Failure. It's been a while since Shaurya failed severely . His cousin has indeed managed to check mate him. All feared that Shaurya may go berserk but he took it in calmly. His father had not only taught him to be a winner but learn from failures as well. He wanted to be alone and plan his next move. Yet he felt indebted to answer his father. When he called to inform, Harish surprised him, "It's okay, Shaurya. Leave it". Shaurya had already made up his mind to retaliate but his father didn't encourage him. Perhaps age got a toll on his old man or going back to memories of his mother had weakened his father. Yet Shaurya was determined to strike back. Not in haste but taking his sweet time.

Shaurya looked around the deserted park. It was too early to have visitors. He sat on a lone bench as a man walked beside him with a newspaper. He sat in adjacent bench and acted to read. Shaurya discreetly moved a folder towards the man, "She is the target. Find everything about her, even the minute details. Give special attention to her whereabouts in last month". The man picked up the folder and chuckled, "Seriously? You called me to trace a silly wench". "She is not an easy task as my team had tried & failed", Shaurya explained, "perhaps you will succeed". "I am usually hired to find assassins, secret agents and so on. This is child's play for me. She will be found by end of this week", he boasted but cleared his throat, "even if it not high profile, I don't come cheap". Shaurya chuckled at his humour, "Already kept your payment in the folder". Being satisfied, he stood up to leave, " A week". Shaurya nodded and pretended to enjoy the serenity of nature.