A Wrong Move

Chapter 26

"Where is Zoya?", Mehek asked Ajay as they entered his hotel room. "I send her away", he informed shamefully. "You should have also gone with her", Mehek was still angry on him. In spur of a moment, she used Ajay to get back at Shauyra. But she was in no frame of mind to act cordially with him. "Can we talk?", he begged her, "please?". She sighed as no option was left for her. She sat down on the couch with a smug expression on her face. 

In quick words, Ajay unfolded his side of story. Most them were in sync with what she had heard from Zoya except for the reality of their marriage. "You were always in my mind & heart, Mehek. I could never move on with Zoya or anyone else. It was always you", he spoke emotionally. She was supposed to be moved by his words but she felt nothing. They would have meant the world to her but today just empty.

"Even after Shaurya Khanna snatched you from me, I never gave upon you. I bared the truth to Vicky's father-in-law, Mr. Mehta. When he realised it was all for Shruti, he agreed to help us. He tried to strike a business deal with Mr. Khanna in return of you. But he didnt agree and soon you disappeared", Ajay explained. Mehek recalled how Shaurya set her free when Mehta made an offer to him. Although unwilling, she told him everything that led to her accident.

Ajay was burdened more when Mehek uttered her misfortunes. "If you could have stayed....", he paused but he knew she wouldn't have. It was not in her character to be selfish. "I wanted to tell everything to your parents but was afraid that Shaurya may harm them or you", he accepted his cowardice, "I always believed he kept you hidden". She scoffed, "At the end, only Shaurya was there to give be asylum. Else I would have died on streets". She stood up to leave, "Bye".

"There is no misunderstanding amidst us now, Mehek", Ajay proposed, "I still love you. Can't we start over?". She glared at him and snapped , "And what about Zoya? Will you leave her to a rotten fate?". He didn't have a proper answer so she smirked. "Your life is a mess, Ajay. I won't be dragged into it anymore", she was taunt him. "What about your parents, Mehek?", he coaxed her, "Won't you want to set things right with them?I can do that for you". She thought for a moment and answered, "A lot of time passed and I believe they have learned to live without me. There is no point now to open old wounds that ends up in more pain". 

Ajay was unable to comprehend Mehek. The Mehek whom he knew was not standing before him. "What shall I do for you, Mehek? This guilt will eat me alive", he was close to tears. She felt pity for him, "Do nothing and stay away from me. Next time we meet, let's act like stranger. That's the best you could do to me". She was happy to end everything with him.

Mehek knew Shaurya would have lingered around the hotel room. As she crossed lift lobby, she found him leaning against the wall. She crossed her arms defiantly against her chest. He came near but stayed quiet. "C'mon. Don't be silent and torture yourself. Shoot", she challenged him. His eyebrows raised in confusion. She smirked at him, "You are dying to know why I preferred to spend hours with my ex in his hotel room rather than returning back with you. Words are on tip of your tongue to ask me whether I am happy after f*cking Ajay". 

 "Shut Up, Mehek", Shaurya rebuked her, "I know you better. You would have given him an earful. I stayed around to ensure your safety if that wimp tries to hurt you". She was taken aback sensing his trust on her. As a weak comeback, she retorted, "I can take care of myself.". "Ofcourse, you can", he held her wrist possessively, "Still I want to take care of you". "Leave me, Shaurya", she scolded him angrily but he didn't release his hold. He took her into the lift and pushed button for ground floor.

"I will take an autorickshaw", Mehek spoke adamantly. "It is getting late so you won't get a rick easily", Shaurya countered. "Then I will stay till one comes", she spoke adamantly. He was amused by her childishness and decided to tease her a bit, "Good thought. But what if the autorickshaw driver is a psycho who drives around late night to pick his next prey". Her face contorted with fear. Yet her pride weighed more so she didn't relent under dread. "I am going to your way anyway. It will be saving fuel and less carbon print", he tried coax her, "if it make you feel better, you can compensate the fare". "Fine", His tricks worked as she finally agreed.