A Wrong Move

Chapter 6

"I love you", Ajay pecked her forehead. Mehek embraced him tightly. "Please come back safely", she told him emotionally. Kanta and Jeevan saw the couple from afar. They were not in favour of their public display of affection yet happy for their daughter. Ajay is a good boy who cares a lot for their daughter. 

Soon Mehek will be married and then she will no longer be just their sweet angel.  "She will be just a wall away, Kanta", Jeevan tried to pacify his wife who always became teary eyes thinking about the impending wedding. "She will have new relations but always remain as our own daughter", he reassured her.

An unknown fear grabbed Mehek as Ajay left for the city. He had to leave to attend an important job interview. Ever since they had come from city, she had been uneasy with the thought of their adventure. She was happy to have helped Vicky and Shruti but decided never to bring up the topic ever again. Even Ajay decided to keep distance while his friends have invited him multiple times to attend Vicky's wedding. It was hard for him to forget Mehek's condition. She stayed silent throughout the journey back home and fainted as soon as she crossed threshold of her home. Kanta and Jeevan were throwing daggers at him when Mehek was found to be burning with fever. Yet Mehek didn't utter a word about the incident to her parents. It took a while for her to recover and gain back her health.

Ajay had stayed beside her throughout the ordeal. Eventhough she was miffed at him, he leave her side. His support made her feel safe. Apart from her parents, she never felt comfortable with others until Ajay. He appreciated her courage to have helped a star crossed lovers, despite being timid. Soon she started to recover well.

Perhaps the situation brought Ajay & Mehek closer. Her parents had always cocooned her in their family but Ajay showed her a different world. He was loving, caring and supportive. He evoke new feelings in her heart. She started to fall for Ajay. Her parents also noticed the growing proximity amidst the betrothed and started to give them friendly taunts. They humoured that Ajay had cast a spell on their young daughter.

In a week, Mehek and Ajay will be wedded. Both families planned to have a simple ceremony with close relatives and later give a grand reception. When a good job opportunity knocked at the door for Ajay, all praised Mehek's luck. Yet none favoured Ajay's sudden departure to city for interview. Wedding day was too close for the groom to make a journey. Still after thinking and rethinking, Ajay decided to attend the interview. If he managed to get the position, it will be real boost to his future. He wanted to give the best to his sweet heart. A dream job with great pay will be stepping stone to a better life style for them.

A day became two since Ajay was amongst few who were selected for final round. He was confident of being selected and hopeful to return back with a joyous news. Yet Mehek started to feel uneasy. She couldn't comprehend her own fear and prayed for Ajay safety. She was returning from temple after her regular evening visit. Prayers gave her comfort and helped to ward off pessimistic thoughts. A smiled played on her lips as she walked into her home. But it was short lived as she gasped ,recognizing the guest. 

Mr. Shaurya Khanna. He looked different. Dressed in formal shirt and trousers, he looked like a commoner. Plus the spectacles gave him a nerdy look. His domineering aura was replaced with a sad and tired look. Yet Mehek was terrified when his gaze met her. A chill ran down her spine as if warning her of an impending danger. She looked onto her parents who were keenly watch something on a tablet, probably given by Shaurya. 

"Sir, I hope you believe my words", Shaurya spoke with so much respect that it alarmed Mehek. Jeevan and Kanta looked down in shame and held on the device. "Mehek, what have you done?", Kanta asked her tearfully. Mehek gulped down her fear but stood silently. She prayed that her parents haven't watch something that she fears.

"Why did you do it?", Mehek got bombarded by tearful outburst from Shaurya. She was shocked when he removed his spectacles to wipe away his tears. "My engagement broke. Love of my life refuses to even hear a word from me. My father is devastated. All for some sick prank you played for your joy", he spewed on her. "Is it true, Mehek?",Jeevan was furious, "have you stooped so low to destroy a man's life for momentary humour?". "Trust me, Baba. I didn't do anything", she swore. But her parents refused to trust her and thrusted the tablet into her hands so that she could watch the video. It was not the short snippet that Vicky had created where her face was blurred. The video showed the entire sequence where she pinned Shaurya and lead him to get intimate with her.

Mehek shook her head vigorously while trying to convince her parents. "Ma, trust me I did to save a girl's future. Ajay's friend was love with this man's fiancé. I agreed to be part of the drama to save their Love", she turned to Shaurya, "even you would have been unhappy if married to a woman who loves another man". Shaurya shook his head in dismay, "Let me guess. The friend's name is Vikram Agarwal aka Vicky". She nodded and he looked sad, "Vicky is my cousin who wanted to double cross me for a business deal. His aim was just financial gain while destroying my family just an added benefit". 

Mehek was shocked while Shaurya smirked inwardly. He knew that he got her yet he kept his act. "No, Shruti told me her truth", she was not ready to believe. "Have you even met me or my fiancé before? What do you know about us to be so sure? You met a random actress who played part of Shruti", he played his cards carefully. She was appalled by his words. "Next time before destroying another life, think twice", he told her gravely. For a moment, she saw the same predator but he was too quick to change, "Congrats on your wedding. Hope you will be happy after breaking my marriage".

Kanta sat being devastated while Jeevan asked her to calm down. They were worried about her health. Yet both parents were unable to come in terms with the event they watched on the video. Their innocent daughter had acted so vilely. Mehek clutched to her knees of her mother  and asked for forgiveness. "Where have I failed?", Kanta asked herself, "I was so proud of my upbringing". Mehek shook her head in refusal but Jeevan spoke, tearing her heart, "It's in her blood. Evenif we give her best of values, it will show it's true colours". 

Not even once in her whole life, Jeevan and Kanta had ever taunted Mehek but always considered her as their own daughter. His words tore her apart. "Baba, please don't say like that. Let Ajay come and clear everything", she tried her best, "I trusted him and agreed to be part of the act. I swear my intentions were noble". "While you are waiting for new life, you destroyed another family without care", Kanta laughed in self pity, "you proved that you are not our own child". She broke Mehek's heart.

Shaurya walked past the threshold of the humble household. He never enjoyed drama but since it was demise of her, he made an exception. The silly village belle had tarnished his name and made his head bow in shame before his father. Revenge is served. Now she is unable to face her own parents. Tit for Tat.  

Shaurya was now sure that apart from the role of Annika Mittal, she had no part in the entire plot. She is too petty to waste another moment of his precious time on her. But he got a name from her mouth. Ajay...Vicky's friend. His next target.