A Wrong Move

Chapter 30

"What do you say? Blue or Black?", Shaurya held both his suits infront of the camera and asked Mehek. He wanted to be close to her, even when he is on business trip. So as soon as he checked in to his hotel, he had made a video call to Mehek. While it was morning for him, it was almost bed time for her. "Anything is fine", she spoke timidly, "you look good in both". He laughed, "Wow! Rare from Mehek Sharma. A compliment for her boyfriend". "We are not girlfriend-boyfriend, Shaurya. You are my boss. That's it", she was annoyed. He realised that Mehek was not in a good mood so he didn't pursue. 

"What shall I get you from here? I have heard that cosmetics are really nice. Or some branded perfumes. What about some designers cloths", Shauyra tried to change the subject. "Anything is fine", Mehek replied as if she was desperate to end the call. "Why are you stuck at Anything is fine",  he made fun of her, "How will I get you something if you give me some clues?". "I am sure Kavya can help you", she replied sharply. "Oh!", he understood the situation. "Mehek", he sat down as he knew it is going to be a difficult conversation,"Kavya being part of this trip was unforeseen. Mrs.Joshi has to stay back due to some personal work". She just nodded. 

"She is not even staying in the same hotel", Shaurya explained, "I don't think we will even meet  other than office hours". "You don't have to explain yourself, Shaurya. I never knew what you were up to when I was staying in Khanna mansion", Mehek spoke bitterly. "Things are different now", he replied firmly. "Indeed", she smirked, "earlier I was blissfully unaware and now I clearly know implication of your so called business trips". "Mehek, ...", he wanted to explain but she stopped him. "I need to sleep", she spoke curtly and disconnected his call.

Next day was hectic and tiring owing to absence of Kavya & Mrs. Joshi. All were whining but Mehek was thankful. She didn't want to spare even a moment fretting over unnecessary suspicions. There is nothing she can do if Shaurya was enjoying with Kavya or any other women. But if he thinks that he can come back to her after his lustrous vacation then he is wrong. But what if he is truthful to you? An inner voice asked her. She muffled it and tried to focus on her tasks. She even volunteered to finish job of others to stay busy. So it was not until late that she managed to leave office. She was too tired when she exited the cab. Somehow climbing stairs to reach her apartment seemed like a huge effort. Her stomach grumbled in protest as she hardly had food. Still all she wanted was to hit bed and sleep.

Hard knocks on door made Mehek feel like drumbeats inside her head. She moaned in protest and covered her ears, but knocks never ceased. Eventually she has to get up. She yelled at the person at door, "COMING". She grabbed her phone to check time but found to be switched off. She cursed for being careless to not put it to charging. She searched for her charger and plugged her phone. The knock restarted. Much to her annoyance, person at the door started to bang again. Her headache threatened to come back with vengeance and body refused to cope with her. She grabbed her crutches to perch towards the door, as fast as she could accommodate. Despite her fatigue, she was determined to give the person a piece of her mind.

"Shaurya!!!", Mehek was shocked to find him at her door, "what you doing here?". Before she could hear his reply, she tend to lose balance. He quickly came for her support and led her to nearby chair. "Mehek, are you okay?", he enquired. When she nodded, he poured a glass of water and made her drink it. "I have been trying to reach you but your phone was off. When I came to know that you left office late last night, I got tensed", he explained himself, "I couldn't help but come here in person to check on you". She nodded registering his words. "Are you okay?", he asked again anxiosuly, "should we go to hospital?". Her health was better now but he knew better that she was fragile. "I am fine", she didn't like to bother for her, "Just tiredness and hunger". Now his concern turned to disappointment at her lack of attention towards her own well being. He went straight to kitchen to make some tea while she stayed to calm herself.

"I thought you will be gone for few more days", Mehek asked while sipping tea. She was glad that Shaurya stayed back even when she asked him to leave. Yet she was too proud to accept it. "How can I stay in peace when I know you are troubled?", he explained with a sweet smile, " so I finished it all and took the immediate flight possible". "Kavya?', Mehek asked and he shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea", he replied plainly, "our job was done. Company had already booked her return flights and stay. It is upto her whether to prepone her return or stay till the original date. Actually, I didn't bother to check with her", he came close to her to pick the cups, "Don't worry, she will manage". She has to bit back a smile as she could imagine Kavya's sour face. "I have ordered your favourite breakfast. We will have it and see whether you are fit to come to office or not", he told affectionately.

"You don't have to do all these", Mehek spoke nonchalantly while Shaurya was keeping their dirty plates in sink after having breakfast with her. "This is nothing", he went on washing them. She pushed him softly away from the sink, taking plates from his hand, "I wasn't referring to doing dishes", she looked at him intently before resuming the task, "you needn't come here to pacify me. We are not committed". "From your side, perhaps", he was dismayed, "I am definitely committed to you". She placed the cleaned plates to dry. Without meeting his eyes, she spoke her mind, "I don't trust you, Shaurya. May be I will never be able to trust you". Even though he looked disappointed she didn't try to console him by her justifications. "You looked tired. Go home and take rest", she proposed, "I also need to get ready for office". "You are unwell so better take rest at home", he implied tenderly, "nothing is more important than your health". "Fine", she agreed since her health was not on peak, "Still you don't have to stay here. Please leave".

"I will leave once I am sure that you are pacified and taking care of yourself", Shaurya sat at the dining table and pulled out the chair for Mehek to sit, "Besides, I need to tell you something". She sighed and sat being defeated. She knew he won't leave until he is satisfied. "Shoot", she spoke disinterestedly. "I have been going for therapy", he informed, "since you left". "For what?", she was genuinely concerned. He looked away and closed his eyes before sparing the truth. Uneasiness to accept his shame was not hidden from her eyes. "For my addiction", he tried to explain, "My urge to be in physical relationship with multiple women". While she still remained baffled, he continued, "just like any addiction, it needs to be cured with proper treatment. So I have been consulting someone trust worthy. It's confidential. Apart from my Dad, only you know".

"Why are you telling me?", Mehek tried to act indifferent. "Because I want you to know that I am trying my best", Shaurya spoke firmly, "I want you to trust me", he held her hands tenderly, "I want to be better for you". "You don't have to do anything for me", she pulled out her hands and stood up angrily, "even after knowing about your treatment, I don't feel anything different. I don't dare to be hurt by trusting you. I learned to care of myself than others". He smirked. She was trying hard to cover her concern but he knew she did care for him. "You don't have to change your opinion, Mehek. I know it takes a long time to build trust. Bit by bit. Stone by stone. I just want you to know that I will not blow my chance with you for a mere roll in hay with someone else ". She gulped to control her emotions. She wanted to trust him but failed. She was afraid to get hurt. Shaurya always managed to hurt her deeply.

"I know your worth now", Shaurya spoke as if sensing Mehek's turmoil, "I caused you so much pain before the realisation dawned on me. But it did. Now I am hurting", he placed her palm on his chest, "here". Tears betrayed her still she spoke vehemently, "you deserve it". He laughed at her spiteful words, "I agree. This pain is enough to regret my past. I won't repeat my mistakes ever again. You are my life. I won't do anything to lose you". "You already lost me, Shaurya", she spoke conclusively, "let's stop torturing one another and move on". Realising that Mehek was in no frame of mind to accept him, he decided to leave. But he has not accepted defeat. He decided to retrieve a bit until Mehek was stable.

Once Shaurya reached door, Mehek spoke, "The project will be over this month. Once the restaurant is launched successfully, I will return back to my parent company. Please don't pursue me further", she sounded adamant, "Let it be the end of US". "We will see", he murmured softly so she was unable to hear yet she noticed gleaming spark in his eyes. It screamed that he still believed she will give him a chance. She wanted to revel in sadistic pleasure while crushing on his hope. Yet she was worried about him for she knew how it feels when your heart breaks into pieces.