A Wrong Move

Chapter 36

"Mehek, please talk to me", Shaurya pled her. "I am really tired, Shaurya", she hasn't spoken a word since they left restaurant. She came in while he was acting a bit over friendly with the waitress who had claimed to be their so-called fan. The girl had come to him with praises for her favourite couple. When their conversation progressed, he didn't know whether he had unknowingly encouraged her to flirt with him. He would be lying if he says that he didn't like her attention. He was used to be center of attraction of female population so it felt good to be back in limelight. Probably it led him to lead the girl on. Still for sure he had no ill intentions. All momentary pleasure vapourised as soon as he saw Mehek, gazing at them blankly.

Shaurya had expected Mehek to throw a fit or alteast shout at him. But she walked back to their table elegantly, sat down to drink a glass of water. When he introduced the waitress to her, Mehek maintained a sane smile on her lips but he knew better. Once they exited the restaurant, he grabbed her elbow and explained himself, "It was nothing , Mehek. We were just talking. Infact, she stayed to meet you". Mehek nodded her as if understanding his point. He was supposed to be relieved still tension was building in him. He expected the storm to break as soon they reach their home but her prolonged silence disappointed him again. He couldn't sleep whole night, while she succumbed to fatigue.

Next morning, Mehek behaved as if it didn't matter to her. Shaurya expected her to confid to his father. But the way they all acted at breakfast table, made him realise otherwise. Nothing seemed to be unusual as the morning went by. However, the silence was suffocating him. So he confronted Mehek as soon as they both were alone. "Mehek, I am sorry if I hurt you with my callous slip. I promise I will be careful in future", he apologized. She acted being confused, "what are you talking about?". 

Shaurya sighed as he knew he had to endure explaining the entire scene again. Once again, he need to admit his mistake before his wife. It was her way of punishing him. He had to narrate his wrong doing line by line. So he complied. Once he was finished , he still faced her poker face, "But if you had no bad intention then why are you apologizing now?". He shrugged, "because you are acting weird since last night. I know you misunderstood the entire scenario". "Oh!", Mehek acted to be thoughtful, "then it is my fault. Do you want me to apologize? ". With those words, she walked away haughtily.

"Women!", Awara emerged from shadows, "Can't live with or without them". Shaurya was often irritated by his bulter's ability to come out of no where. "Imli used to be terrible when she was carrying. Hope Mehek Bhabi will be better", he commented before swaying away an imaginary speck of dirt from the curtain. "Pregnant?", Shaurya's widened in shock. Quickily it progressed to joy. "Could it be?", he mused. Her fatigue, mood swings and sickness pointed to it but he wasn't sure. 

"Did Imli tell you something?", Shaurya coaxed Awara. It was not a secret that Mehek & Imli were close confidantes. "How on earth will I know?", Awara feigned horror, "Imli is extremely loyal to Bhabi to share their secrets with me", he spoke, "I was sharing my observation based on experiences". "What do you think I should do?" Shaurya couldn't believe that he was asking tips from his butler. "Treat her nicely. Make her feel speical. Give her all the Love & Care she deserves. Leave clues that you are also as eager and confused as she is. And then wait patiently", with those golden words for advice Awara left elegantly.

"Mehek, you are being absurd. Won't you talk amicably to stranger if he is polite to you? ", Shruti admonished her. Mehek knew she was right,  still it was hard to erase the picture of Shaurya flirting with another woman. Someone younger & better than her. "Men was wired to be flirts and charmers, Mehek. You cannot feel insecure for such trivial issues. Besides, I don't think anythink fishy in it. Just harmless conversation", she shook her head in disapproval, " You are so lucky to have a husband like Shaurya", Shruti praised Shaurya. "Ofcourse. He being the perfect Shaurya Khanna. And me the ugly lady with a limp. I should workship the ground he walks as he chose to be with me". "You know that's not what I meant", Shruti sighed, "I was simply comparing him with Vicky. My relationship has just hit rock bottom, Mehek. So trust me when I say Shaurya is better than many men. He cares a lot about you. He feels empty if you are not with him. Can't you see that?". Mehek nodded, "I know". She knew Shaurya loves her a lot but his past addiction made her insecure.

"Let's talk something else", Shruti spoke with a glint of mischief in her eyes, "Is it confirmed?". "Shruti, not again", Mehek groaned, "It may sound crazy but I am not eager to know whether I am pregnant or not. For all the trouble, I will have periods in few days". "You have many symptoms. Especially, mood swings", Shruti murmured last part but Mehek heard her. She glared at her friend.  Shruti pouted at Mehek's lack of enthusiasm. Mehek was least bothered about possibility to have a child. She was in no hurry to take the test. Her mind was elsewhere and troubled.

Khanna mansion was extremely quiet when Mehek walked in after a day of hardwork. She knew Harish Uncle would have gone out to visit his friends. She was expected to be a little late than usual so obviously Imli retired for the day to take care of her child. She still expected Awara and some of their staff to be present. She was tired and hungry that she wished she will have a bite of something before hitting bed. But as soon as she entered, she was surprised when Shaurya turned on every lights in the dining room.

"Welcome home, Honey", Shaurya greeted. Despite Mehek's sour mood, she was happy and hugged him. "I gave leave to everyone else", he told her, "but after asking them to prepare healthy meal for us". She knew he inclined to eat healthy and always tried to push her in same path. But today she was not at all ready. She pouted unable to deny his efforts, same time her stomach hurled at the sight of the dishes kept on dining table.

"We can skip if you don't want to eat them", Shaurya quickly got Mehek's pulse, "Tell me what you wish to eat". His wanted her to eat healthy during pregnancy but also aware that pregnant women develop strange cravings. "Can we order pizza?", she asked him like a kid. He didn't wish her to have junk food but was not in a situation to spoil her mood. "Sure. Let's order the cheesiest pizza", he agreed. "With lots of toppings", she squealed while he tried best to hide his angst. "Let's watch a move", she proposed and he reluctantly nodded. He wanted to eat while sitting idle around the table, talking properly to his wife. He wanted to give her enough confidence to break the news to him. Yet he never wish to rush her. Incase, it is just a false alarm, then he may make her sad and add to her woes.

"Mehek?", Shaurya nudged her softly. She had finished the pizza  andthey were almost done with second movie. He thought it will be best time to probe. "Do you want to tell me anything?", he spoke discreetly, "I mean, you know you can share anything with me". She became thougtful. She took a deep breath and paused the movie. "Are you okay, Love?', he sensed she was troubled. He no longer was excited to hear about the arrival of their new member. He wanted to ease her worry. 

"I wasn't okay with what happened last night", Mehek breached the topic, "It made be angry. More than that filled me with angst and fear". "Mehek", Shaurya took her hand, "I would never go back to my old ways. You are the only one I want. I am sorry for making you feel bad". She nodded and tears started to flow even before she knew. "I trust you. I need to trust you. I want to trust you. But at times, I am weak and can't stop myself", she didn't know what was happening to her, "I am sorry. I don't know how to handle myself". 

Shaurya wiped her tears, "Don't be sorry. If anyone needs to apologize then it's me. I should have been more careful". "I don't want to lose you", Mehek sniffed, "I would rather kill myself than suffering another heartbreak". "Enough!", he roared being unable to hear those wretched words from her. He pulled her to his chest and tried to pacify her.