A Wrong Move

Chapter 12

Your life can change in few minutes. Indeed! Mehek mused at her fate while Shaurya drove silently. She didn't know where he was taking her and she didn't ask. Slaves are meant to listen and obey without question. Slave. In mere moments, she had written off her life to save Ajay. A decision she didn't regret but it did fill her with sorrow. 

Ajay fought valiantly to save Mehek but Shaurya's men had put him on hold. When he finally realised his failure, he begged repeatedly to Shaurya to spare her. Shaurya asked her again whether she wanted to rethink her decision. He seemed to be least interested in her and would have preferred to torture Ajay. Yet she remained firm and chose a life of slavery in exchange of Ajay's life.

Ajay will  be spared. Shaurya has given his word and Mehek believed him. He will be safely send back home while she escorted to her doom. She wanted to bid farewell to Ajay but it was not allowed. Shaurya dragged her outside stating that she cannot. Apart from a tearful glance, she couldn't afford anything more towards Ajay who appeared to be broken. Both were helpless to even act per their desperate heart. She knew she had no control over her life anymore as it was signed over to Shauyra Khanna.

They reached a house. Considering the time they travelled and the backdrop, Mehek deduced that it was settled in outskirts. It wasn't a huge mansion where Shaurya had kept her as captive but big enough to accommodate many people. As she took few moments to absorb her surroundings, he grabbed her by wrist and walked ahead into the house. He lighted the house and she found it to be beautiful from inside as well. Her heart rate spiked to miles per hour when he brought her into his bedroom. Dressed in his oversized T-shirt, she felt extremely exposed and helpless infront of him. She was always at his mercy but tonight she has lost her right to even protest. If he decided to take liberties, she wasn't privileged to scream.

"What do you think about the house?", Shaurya's question was least expected. When Mehek remained mum, he stated firmly, "I hate repeating". "It's a nice one", she replied immediately in fear, "Well kept. Clean and Comfortable". "Good", he seemed to be pleased, "It is now your responsibility to take care of it". She nodded as she didn't mind being a mere servant. "Hope you won't disappoint me", he asked wickedly, "I am not a pleasant man if not pleased". Mehek took a sharp breath keeping her head down, "I will cook and clean diligently. My mother had taught me well", she spoke being a bit of proud. She was surprised when he responded with a loud laughter. 

"Your innocence is priceless", Shaurya told Mehek and tipped her face upwards with his forefinger beneath her chin, "But you will lose it soon, my mouse".  Fear grabbed her since she knew his meaning. Her body shivered when his hands grazed down from her shoulders to arm. He held her by elbows and spoke softly, "Your thoughts are correct. I will use you to quench my carnal desires", he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to whisper into her ear, "But not tonight".

Mehek stumbled back as Shaurya softly pushed her away. "You will be mistress of this house. All staff working here will be beneath you", he turned to her dramatically, "But you will always be under my command". She nodded as tried to decipher his words. "Outside this bedroom, you will be my companion. Someone cherished and loved by me. A kept woman", he explained. "Your mistress", she spoke dubiously. He grinned wickedly, "But when we are alone, you are nothing but a slave whose sole purpose of life is to obey me, your master". Her eyes brimmed with tears and threatened to spill. He cupped her cheeks and acted to be affectionate, "You still have time to rethink. You are writing away not only your body but your life as well. Does Ajay worth it?".

Shaurya was perplexed himself why he was scaring her to the core. Till he reached their destination he had no plan how to deal with Mehek. Over the time, he realised that perhaps he took a loss by taking her instead of Ajay. A part of him really wanted Mehek to retrace her steps and run back to her home. But Mehek didn't seem to waver. "I will do as you please, Master", she spoked feebly but her decision was clear. "Very well", he hid his disappointment and circled around her, checking her out. 

"Don't misunderstand that I got besotted and chose you in exchange. You are much beneath me to even stand in a same room", Shaurya sneered at her, "but your courage is admirable".  Mehek moved her eyes to ground as if questioning herself whether she is brave. "I will mold you to perfection, Mehek. Once you are worthy, you will be used as I please", he explained, "Your training will start from tomorrow. In time, you won't be able to recognize yourself. I promise". She remained numb but moved her head affirmatively. Her submissive behaviour pleased him.

"Now that you have decided, let's try to make it easier for both of us, Mehek", Shaurya spoke conclusively, "I know it won't pleasant for you but you have to adjust and adapt", he looked at her teasingly, "Who knows may be you will also enjoy what I offer you. Perhaps at the end, it will be win-win for both of us". She highly doubted whether she will be at advantage yet his words gave her a little consolation but didn't last longer. "Now give me a smile", he asked her. When she remained passive, he commanded firmly while grabbing her chin, "Smile. NOW". Her lips curled up unwillingly being afraid of him. "That's more like it", he patted her cheek softly. 

Few Months Later

Mehek stood before the full size mirror in her exquisite bedroom. True to Shaurya's words, she was unable to identify herself. His experts have efficiently changed her to a glam doll. It was limited in her physical appearance but extended much beyond.

Her personal maid had just finished final touch ups of her make up. As usual, Shaurya had chosen an outfit that perfectly accentuated her assets with enough skin show. It wasn't vulgar but not modest either. But she had learned to cope with his choices. She was no longer an innocent village belle but an eye candy of a rich bachelor. People acted to be friendly when she came out with Shaurya. But they shamed her as soon as he turned away. She was tagged as a shameful character. A kept woman of Mr. Shaurya Khanna.

"Thank you, Roop", Mehek appreciated her maid who as usual replied that she was just doing her duty. The house had ample staff to keep it running perfectly but none were permanent especially Mehek personal maid. Their lack of longevity kept a gap between them & Mehek. They remained as employees and couldn't be close to her. Shaurya preferred it but Mehek felt lonely. Perhaps it was his tactic to keep her alone and be more dependant on him

Shaurya had graciously allowed her to communicate with outer world but her ties were severed. Mehek was already detached from her family and friends. Only few knew the real reason behind her current predicament and they were helpless to reveal it. For remaining world, she was a cunning woman who grabbed opportunity to become mistress of a rich man. 

Mehek's parents were shamed by her act and they tried to clear their side with reason that she was never their own blood. She consciously chose not to contact Ajay. It would have helped him to move on. Vicky often met her during those parties where Shauyra chose to show her off as a trophy. Her condition hurt Vicky but he could do little. It felt as if Shaurya wanted Vicky to witness her condition and deliberately made them encounter often.

'I will be there in 10 minutes. Be ready', Shaurya's message flashed on Mehek's phone. She sighed after reading the message and checked her appearance. He hated tardiness and appreciated perfection. Her most modern expensive phone was an apt example. But just like her, it was empty and purposeless. Apart from his number, her contact list had none. She kept away from social media fearing she will encounter someone from her past life. 

"Honey, I am home", Mehek heard Shaurya's voice from downstairs. It was her cue to enter the stage and perform. She checked her appearance once again and stashed her phone into her expensive clutch. She climbed down the stairs quickly yet gracefully. "Welcome home, Honey", she flashed the best smile she could fake to greet. Employees who were around, performing their daily chores, looked at them in awe . A few amongst them envied the loving couple. Only Mehek and Shaurya  knew that they were far from it.