Waltz of Hummingbirds

20. Love & Pride

Shaurya had a smug expression when Mehek came back to him but soon it turned to confusion. He had expected her to throw a fit. But she looked resigned and lost. The egoistic man in him revelled at his wife's defeat. But his heart swelled when he saw her sadness. However, he failed to show her compassion when he remembered her uncalled anger. It was enough to smudge his sympathy for her. She had crossed boundaries when she charged on him, without giving a chance to explain. He felt degraded in public by the woman he loved. His pride made it difficult to forgive her.

Yet it was clear as day light for Shaurya. When Mehek walked inside the mansion, keeping her head low, he felt bad. He had big plans for her entry to his mansion. After settling up the business issue in her company, he had planned to share the entire truth to her. He expected her to be angry but contemplated she would realise his efforts to bring her company to safety leading to a chance to understand his reasons. Soon a romantic night at the honeymoon suite and then a surprise trip to her favourite location was supposed to calm her. On their return, he wanted to welcome her like a Queen into his mansion which will soon be their sweet home. Alas! Nothing happened as planned. Tonight, Mehek walked in to their home lost and defeated.

"Your luggage is in the guest room", Shaurya informed her while gesturing to the room. He knew she needed space and time to adjust. Considering their situation, it will be difficult for Mehek and him to share a room  She had pushed herself to a corner where they all were her culprits. On the other hand he suffered unfair humiliation at her hand. So it's better that they stay separate until they both are in a better frame of mind. Apart from a curt nod, she didn't respond to him.

Shaurya wanted to share his side of story even when he feared Mehek's distrust. Yet one look at her distraught face made him realise that it was now pointless. It may take a lot of time before they both could even breath the same air peacefully. "Can I have some water?", her ask scrunched his heart. She was seeking her permission as if they are strangers. He quickly grabbed jug and poured her a glass of water. He offered more when she greedily drank the first glass. Her thirst seemed to be quenched with second glass as she shook her head when he offered more. "I will get you something to eat", he spoke as he realised that Mehek may not have had food till now. She walked towards her room as he went to prepare a plate for her. When he came back to her, she was fast asleep in her bed.

"Have you spoken to Mehek?", Vivaan was anxious but soon got disappointed when Shaurya shook his head. "Sonal is adamant to meet her", Vivaan exclaimed, "but I don't want her to run into a furious Mehek who will spew nonsense. It won't be good for either of them". Shaurya agreed but was helpless. Mehek had withdrawn into her since she arrived last night. "How is Sonal?", he asked Vivaan. "Not good", he was exasperated, "now she is blaming herself of everything. It will soon be too hard to handle her. So please tell the whole story to Mehek", he pled his friend. Shaurya understood his predicament and decided to confront Mehek at any cost.

When Shaurya entered, Mehek was awake but still on bed. She unkept state made it clear that she was distraught. "Why didn't you have breakfast?", he tried to initiate conversation. "I wasn't hungry", she replied nonchalantly. He pinched bridge of his nose to control his nerves. She was giving him no respite so he decided to go ahead without any preface. "Mehek, I did what was needed to save your company. If I haven't stepped up the game, you & your mother would have been sidelined and lost everything. You have no idea how hard I worked for you", he spoke vehemently but she didn't respond. He was irked by her silence, "Instead of thanking me, you are pouting like an angry child. Atleast for once, think rationale". 

Being afraid that he may say something hurtful to Mehek, Shaurya decided to walk away. But her soft voice stalled him. "Thanks, I appreciate", she spoke robotically. Clearly she was mocking him with her fake gratitude. He had enough of her tantrums. If not for Vivaan, he would have left her alone. "Sonal is innocent. Vivaan and she...", he was interrupted. "I don't want to hear anything about Sonal", she was decisive. Before he could speak further, she stormed out of bed and locked her inside the bathroom.

It was past noon time. Shaurya sighed since Mehek had still come out of her room or had any food. Her silence was testing his limits. He preferred her outburst to her retrieval. "Why are you not having lunch?", Shaurya marched to her room. This time he had every intention to fight with her stubborn wife. "I am not hungry", she repeated the same excuse. He sifted his hair angrily with using his right hand. "You take things for granted Mehek", he accused her. He had expected her to atleast try to understand him after he told her his side of the story. He had tried to bring sky on earth to make her happy. Yet she chose not to appreciate his efforts. 

"You have food on table, a roof above your head and all the luxuries. But you chose to act as a drama queen", Shaurya scolded,"Do you have any idea how hard is life beyond your protective cocoon?". "I don't know", Mehek angrily retorted, "never got a chance". "Fine! You need to learn a lesson. I am not your mother who will try to compensate your tantrums with luxuries. Now onwards, you can't be freeloader. You need to work for it". She was taken aback but soon met his challenging glare with confidence, "Okay". Her single word acceptance flared his anger, "you will join my office", he announced, "as my secretary. TODAY".

To Shauyra's surprise, Mehek did good as his secretary. She was inexperienced but proved to be a quick learner. Perhaps she has learned a lot from Sonal and her line of work. Quickly, she completely sank into her role efficiently. He should have been proud of her but it irked him. She had proven him wrong. He expected her to fail and run back to his arms for comfort. Instead, she was doing pretty well. 

Shaurya wanted to keep Mehek close while giving her glance of the real world. He assumed she will start see that one needs to work hard to earn success. He wanted her to appreciate his efforts to give her a luxurious life. But Mehek was growing distant from him. Her success at worked irked him so much that he tried his best to make her life difficult.

For Mehek, work gave her perfect excuse to ignore problems in her life, especially Shaurya. Even her so call husband was her new boss, she managed to keep their relationship limited to professional. Contrary to what everyone believed, she was neither lazy nor dumb. Harder the task he gave her, stronger she stood before him and tried to finish it effectively. For the time being, she ignored her health and well-being while focusing on her work.

"Mr. Oberoi is here to meet you". Mehek informed Shaurya politely. Before she could lead the guest in, a cheerful man entered Shaurya's office. "Shivaay", Shaurya greeted him happily. Both men hugged one another while chatting friendly. She was about to leave when Shaurya demanded her, "Ms. Maan, grab hot Mocha for Mr. Oberoi from coffee shop across the street. Don't forget to ask for extra cream   And get my usual Cappuccino as well. Be quick". 

Shivaay squinted his eyes in confusion but didn't interrupt his friend before his secretary. "What happened to Rahul?", Shivaay asked about Shaurya's secretary. "He is on leave due to some personal emergency", he lied . Shaurya had forced Rahul on paid leave so that Mehek can work for him. "So she is filling in for him", Shivaay smiled at Mehek. "I know she is not the professional type. A rookie with no real qualifications or experience. Just a temp so I am managing for the time being. ", Shaurya taunted Mehek. She quickly excused herself while Shivaay stared at him, keeping his arms crossed against his chest.

"Care to explain?", Shivaay asked him . "What?", Shaurya shrugged innocently. "You were extremely rude to the poor lady. That's not the Ahlawat I know", Shivaay pointed it out, "I am an expresso person. And I never take coffee from outside. You know me too well. Then why order a mocha with extra cream. Besides, you know I will be leaving in few minutes. You are just making her run around for nothing". "I know you never drink outside coffee", he had always taunted his friend who never compromises on standards, "Mehek has sweet tooth and loves mocha. So when she comes and find you gone, I will taunt her for being late. She will not have heart or energy to throw her favourite drink but consume it". 

"All this drama is for her to have her favourite coffee"Shivaay laughed at Shaurya's antics, "what so special about her?". "I can't describe in words", he replied praising Mehek. "Then go the simple way, Man. Ask her out for a coffee. A win-win. You will have a date with her while she can have her favourite mocha". "I wish but..", Shaurya exhaled, "it's complicated". "How so?", Shivaay was curious. To appease his friend, Shaurya lifted his hand to show his wedding ring, "She is my wife. Mrs. Mehek Shaurya Ahlawat", when Shaurya told the truth, Shivaay was aghast but he knew his friend too well to probe deeper. 

"Shaurya, you are a devil", Shivaay playfully scolded his friend. "But sweeter than you", Shaurya mocked him. They talked for some time until it was time for Shivaay to leave. "Go easy on her, Shaurya", Shivaay advised, "you may have your own reasons but when Love and Pride collide, try to give Love a chance to win".