A Wrong Move

Chapter 28

"What was that all about?", Shaurya snapped at Mehek as soon as she closed door of his cabin. His cabin was sound proof so their conversation will not be audible to others still the transparent glass walls gave enough visuals for their privy team. Many seemed to eager to know how she will be reprimended for her crassness. 

"You asked me a question and I answered", Mehek didnt care and replied plainly. Shaurya deliberately remained seated while she stood before his table, holding the notes. A bit distance was needed amidst them else he was afraid he may do something regretful. "Mehek, this is an office. Your behaviour was utterly unprofessional", he rebuked her, "unknowingly you have created a false image of yourself. A frustration young woman who is desperate and vile". She bit her inner cheeks to stop herself from crying. She knew his words were true but bow has already shot the arrow. "I just wanted to show them your real face. You made me do it", she spoke vehemently, "you hired me to manage your psuedo restaurant just to trouble me. I will not let you bully me".

Shaurya sighed and tried to clarify, "First thing, this restaurant is for real, a new venture from my company. Second,  I hired you since you are talented. I have seen personally how good you are at your job. Since I know you well, it was clear that you will enjoy this project". "So it has nothing to do with keeping tabs on me?", Mehek spoke viciously. He chuckled, "How can it not be? Near or far, I always kept tabs on you. Now I got an opportunity to keep you close by. But rest assured that there is no intention to trouble you". "I don't trust you", she shook her head like an adamant child, "I am resigning". 

"Ms. Sharma let me remind you that your firm is a budding startup company. They won't be happy to have an employee who is unable to hold on to her projects and cause animosity with their clients", Shaurya warned her. " I will take any project they give me but not yours", she told decisively. "Perhaps", Shaurya agreed the possibility, "but wherever you go, there is a possibility of an unknow trouble", his eyes glint with mischief, "so why don't you continue here? Known devil is better than unknown angel". His words seemed to make sense so she decided to stop fighting him for the time being.  "Notes of today's meeting", she gave him file, " have a great day, SIR"

Mehek was chewing down her lunch without evening acknowledging its taste. Her mind was elsewhere. Shauyra was right. She had a long call with her manager and his words resonated with Shaurya. As a fresher, it will be difficult for her to progress if she switches her projects frequency without valid reasons. Till now her performance was top notch and they didn't want to put a block in her career graph. At the end, her manager advised her to think about it and proposed to meet again in few days. Yet it was clear that she was in soup. 

"Try some soup", Mrs. Joshi voice woke Mehek from her trance. "Thank you, Ma'am but I am full", she declined politely. Mrs. Joshi sat beside her and pushed the bowl of soup to her, "Have some. You need for the remaining day", she paused a bit and started, "I am a bit disappointed in you. However out of the box you claimed it to be, your proposal was downright cheap. We are talking about a restaurant not a shady venture".

Mehek felt guilty and tried to explain herself but she was stopped. "I am sure you have your excuses still it is not justifiable. Fresher or not, you need to act professional", Mrs. Joshi tried to understand Mehek, "I noticed, since yesterday, you are upset and tensed. Probably something happened after you left office". Mehek wasn't sure how to explained herself. But Mrs. Joshi wasn't keen on to probe further. "You need to act smart, Mehek. Don't let anything or anyone, pull you down. You are a talented and intelligent young lady. Focus on your work and overcome your difficulties". The elderly woman gave Mehek much more than she had ever imagined. She realized that she cannot runaway from her problems forever. It will not end until she faces her issues bravely. "Yes Ma'am", she agreed to Mrs. Joshi but it was a promise to herself.

In next few days, Mehek understood repercussions of her callous act. Women were looking down on her as a wannabe who is frustrated by her disability. While few men shared same view, many thought of her as an opportunity; mistaking her as desperate woman. Lewd remarks were thrown when she passed, some shamming her while others seeking her out. Yet Mehek ignored them, keeping her head high and focusing on her work. She didn't waste to explain or defend but invested her energy into her tasks. Mrs. Joshi, continued as her guardian figure who always guided her. Strangely Shaurya stayed away, allowing her to fight her own battle. She was relieved that he didn't interfere acting as her saviour. It would have complicated her situation further.

"Ms. Kapoor, you will be joining in place of Mrs. Joshi", when Shaurya selected Kavya, she was so happy. Mehek rolled her eyes despite her resolution to remain unaffected. "Ms. Sharma, I need you too", he added surprising both ladies. "Sir, I have no prior experience here", Mehek tried to dodge the offer, "Besides, Kavya is already accompanying". "You gain experience in this way, Mehek", playfully he addressed her informally, "And I like your methodical notes". He looked at Kavya who laughed at his joke. Mehek smirked and walked with them.

"You did well, Ms. Kapoor", Shaurya appreciated Kavya. After the meeting , he had taken both ladies for lunch. "Thank you, Sir", Kavya beamed, "please call me Kavya". Mehek sighed and looked around ignoring them. Kavya found it a bit odd that Mehek was completely disregarding their boss. Nevertheless, she was happy being devoid of competition. Shaurya tried to steer their conversation to Mehek's interest but she remained silent, playing with her food. Out of compulsion, he had to keep talking to Kavya. 

"Sir, can I ask you a personal question?", Kavya asked timidly. Her words made Mehek a bit inquisitive. Sensing her interest, he nodded to Kavya. "Do you have a girlfriend?", Kavya asked him, "your marriage was called off suddenly. Speculations were all over the news. Is there a mystery woman behind the scene?". "I fell in Love", his reply jolted Mehek, "I realized that it was wrong to get married when my heart clearly yearns for another". "Wow! So romantic", Kavya clapped and looked at Mehek but she quickly got up to leave. "Excuse-me, I will take my leave", Mehek quickly gathered her things, "I will send you the notes, Sir".

"Mehek behaves a bit weird", Kavyra tried to be virtuous, "if she wasn't good at her work, I am sure team would have voted to get her fired". Shaurya too wasn't favour of Mehek's reaction. She has openly disrespected him; her boss infront of a colleague. Nevertheless he wasn't amused by Kavya's comment . He still stayed mum not to give wrong impressions. "I understand her. An invalid with average looks or nothing boast about. She is frustrated that men are not interested in her. But she need not rub it on face of others", Kavya went on taunting Mehek. 

"I have asked my driver to drop you both", Shaurya got up as he didn't want to continue, "It will be better if you catch up with Mehek else you will miss the ride". Kavya wasn't happy with his curt dismissal. She was shrewd enough to note the way he addressed Mehek with her first name while always keeping others at bay. She never heard him conversing informally even with long timers like Mrs. Joshi. Kavya made a mental note to probe into it.

"Mehek do you know Mr. Khanna apart being an employee?", Kavya asked once Shaurya's driver picked them. Mehek cleared her throat and looked onto the rearview mirror. Shauyra's personal driver knew her very well that she found it difficult to lie to Kavya in his presence. She was forced to nod in acceptance. "Harish Uncle; I mean Mr. Khanna's father...I am ...a distant relative of him", she repeated the same lie that was shared earlier to cover her identity. "So you know them pretty close", Kavya's entire  giggled trying to be friendly with her but Mehek kept quiet, "relatives know all secrets & gossips" 

Kavya tried to know more about Shaurya, "Do you know mystery woman for whom Mr. Khanna called off his wedding? Was he even saying the truth that it was Love?", Kavya tried to gossip, "I mean, it is known to all that Mr. Khanna used to be a stud. It could all be just a sham ". Mehek was upset with her question because she herself didn't know whether Shaurya was truthful or playing with her. "I don't know, Kavya", she replied truthfully, "My knowledge about this matter is same as you"