A Wrong Move

Chapter 37

"Let me help you", Shaurya moved quickly to Shruti's side who was picking a heavy object. "Thanks Shaurya", she was amazed at the ease with which he took it off from her hands. "You are pretty well built", she praised him. "Thanks, I work hard to me", he humoured, reveling in her compliment. They both laughed at his joke. "Where is Mehek?", he looked around and asked. 

Shruti shook her head as she knew what Shaurya was seeking. She felt bad for him but need to be open, "Mehek hasn't decided yet to go to the gynac, Shaurya". "I wasn't expecting her to", he acted defiantly. "But I know you were", she mocked him, "All are excited, except Mehek. Frankly speaking, I am bit irritated that she keeps on avoiding the topic. As if she doesn't want to know". "Mehek loves children. Haven't you seen her with Khushboo", he was quick to his wife's defense. Shruti exhaled deeply once he mentioned Khushboo, "Life changes a lot after a baby. Perhaps Mehek has taken my life as a bad example. I feel responsible for all bad things in her life", she started to get emotional.

"Shruti, please relax", Shauyra grabbed tissue from table and handed it to her. While she was dabbing her eyes to prevent her break down, he ushered her to a comfortable seat. He and Mehek were aware that Shruti was going through a rough patch. Her life turned so complicated that she decided to leave everything and go abroad. He knew it was not easy for her but she was trying hard to gather pieces and moved on. 

"I am pathetic. I feel like I made joke of my life while pulling others into the mess", Shruti sobbed, "Ajay, Mehek, you and even Khushboo. All are in trouble due to my mistakes". "Rubbish", Shaurya rebuked her, "Stop bothering about past, Shruti. You are a good person friend and a great mother. Above all, a wonderful human being. Mehek and I are happy to have you with us". "Thanks Shauyra", she smiled through her tears, "it means a lot to me". 

Shaurya patted Shruti's shoulder, "things will work out between you and Vicky. Just give it some time. You both love eachother". She scoffed while wiping her tears, "Sometimes love is not enough. I guess we lost the spark amidst us", she paused as if gauging her decisions of past, "Perhaps it was never there. We had nothing but a silly infatuation that too faded with time". They both sat in silence for a moment, until she spoke while keeping her palm on his knee, "at times I wonder what would have been my life if I didn't break our engagement and married Vicky".

Shaurya was quick to retract, avoiding the momentary contact with Shruti. He knew she meant well while being confused & agonised, so he tried not to overreact. Yet he couldn't shake as her thoughts were wrong. "It would have been hell for you, Shruti. If not for Mehek, I would have remained the same old Shaurya who never valued relationships", he spoke the truth, "She changed me. But not before suffering a lot because of my cold vindictive nature", he always felt guitly for her pain, "Today I am happy with Mehek her. So I wouldn't want to change my past because my present is beautiful". 

Shruti nodded. Shaurya just spoke what she always knew. She told him, "you love Mehek a lot, Shaurya. At times, it makes me envious of her. Often, I feel angry on her when she doubts you and fails to appreciate you". "Mehek shoudn't be blamed as I am at fault, not her", he got up to leave, "anyone else would have left me long back. Only she could stick with me for better and worse".  She had to agree, " Mehek is a gem". They both decided to part. But before he left, she called him, "Shaurya, please do come for my farewell party. Not just as my friend's husband but as my friend as well". He agreed with a smile and walked away.

Few days later. It was Shruti's farewell party at their restaurant. All guests have arrived except for Mehek. Shaurya was waiting for her all the while trying to reach her. She wasn't answering his calls. Shruti knew something was amiss but she kept her thoughts to herself. She understood that Shaurya needed some space. She suggested him to call Mehek from her cabin so that he can talk in peace. She handed him the keys which he grabbed thankfully. 

 "Mehek, where are you? I have been trying to reach you for long. Why are you ignoring my calls?", out of worry, Shaurya was on verge of shouting at her when she finally picked his call. Nowadays, Mehek was getting on his nerves for no reason. But she was in no mood to accede. She too gave back in vigour, "I need my space, Shaurya. If I am ignoring your calls then can't you leave me alone in peace". He was taken aback but shot at her, "It's your friend's farewell party. All have arrived but you". Mehek gulped down as she was guilty as charged, "I will text Shruti that I will be a bit delayed. It's all fine". He could find shiver in her voice. Anger gave way to concern so he asked anxiously, "What's the matter Love?". She bit back a sob but replied, "I fainted at client's place so they brought me to the hospital"

"Which hospital? I am coming there", Shaurya wanted to be beside her. "No need, Shauyra. I am fine now and just waiting for my results to come",Mehek paused before informing him, "Amongst other tests, pregnancy test was also done". "So?", he was getting anxious. "So I want to be alone when I get the results", she raised her voice in anger, "I need some space to process the results". With those words, she disconnected the call. 

Shaurya tried his best but failed to understand Mehek's perception. Why was Mehek so concerned about carrying our baby? Haven't  I done enough to prove myself ? Is she still so insecure that she fears to bring our child into the word? What more can I do to assure her? His mind was at far. He felt being treated unjustly despite his best efforts. 

Shaurya has been walking on egg shells since the day Mehek shared with him that behaviour brought back her insecurities. Even if he had not ill intention with the waitress, his callous action hurt Mehek. So he apologised and promised never to repeat. But she seemed to stuck in same point rather looking beyond. Recently she has been wary whenever he tried to be intimate or even tried to kiss her. To be honest, he started to feel lonely while being punished unfairly. He gulped down his drink in anger and stayed back to avoid other guests.

"All okay, Shaurya?", Shruti entered after a cursory knock. She had two drinks in her hand, obviosuly one was brought for him.  He was thankful for her thoughtfulness. "I thought you may need it", she spoke while holding the glass of drink. She knew something was brewing as soon as she got Mehek's text. She didn't interfere , leaving the couple to figure it out. 

Shaurya shocked Shruti when he grabbed her glass too after finishing his drink. "I need this too", he drank from it before looking away in frustration. Situation was awkward. It was evident that Shruti knew about Mehek's where abouts but kept quiet for her friend. "Why is Mehek avoiding me?", he asked her earnestly. "I wish I knew", Shruti replied, "Honestly, I am also surprised as you". He laughed at himself. There was time when women used to throw themselves at him. He was a charmer who bed many women, just to satiate his lust. Now when reformed, his own wife is keeping him at distance. "I feel lonely", he blurted it out. Perhaps, it was alcohol in him that made him reveal his condition to Shruti.

"Oh! Shaurya", Shruti came near him, "I know how you feel", she embraced to comfort him . He was too tired to pull out of her arms. It is usually strange how people connect over their sorrows. "It hurts deep when person you love most is the reason behind it", she spoke and he had to agree. Mehek's action was cutting him deep. Shruti cupped his face affectionately. "You are a wonderful husband who should be treasured not pushed to a corner", she spoke. 

Shaurya was elated by few simple words of assurance from Shruti. He remained quiet even when her eyes twinkled with forbidden emotions. He didn't move when she reached his lips. When she kissed him softly, he was too confused to respond but unfortunately he didn't stop her either. For a moment, he found solace in the pleasure she was ready to give him even if he was cheating on Mehek.

Mehek, His Mehek. Her thought was enough for Shaurya to shudder away from the lustful dream. "This is wrong", he tried to push Shruti away. "Let's just try to live the moment", she tempted him, "We will part as friends. No one will know". She kissed him again but he didn't comply. "Don't fight it", she spoke hoarsely, "You want this Shaurya", she kissed his jaw, "we both need it". She snaked her arms around his neck and brought her lips close to him. He tried to avoid but she held him closely. Alcohol had made him weak. Yet he knew for sure that he cannot cheat Mehek. Not even for a moment. He kept struggling, desperate to escape the entanglement.

A sudden movement at the door caught their attention. It was sign of a person leaving abruptly. Someone who had entered the cabin, after witnessing their tryst have left in a hurry. They both failed to notice presence of a third person until late. While Shruti was still contemplating, Shaurya immediately jumped to conclusion who it can be. Mehek. His instincts screamed that Mehek had seen him with Shruti. He need to rush to her before she assumes the worst.