Selfish LOVE

Part 6

In the aftermath of the chaos, Mehak found herself in the quiet room, the distant wail of sirens serving as a stark reminder of the unsettling turn their lives had taken. She stared at the closed door, heart pounding with a mixture of fear and frustration.

Shamsher, amidst the turmoil outside, was navigating through the maze of uncertainty. The ballroom, once filled with laughter and celebration, was now tainted by the echoes of panic. As he tried to piece together the situation, he couldn't shake off the worry for Mehak's safety. He was afraid and angry. Someone had disrupted their reception, his and Mehak's. He couldn't forgive that, Mehak was already upset with him and this would push her away even further.

Minutes stretched into an eternity for Mehak as she waited, the silence of the room amplifying her apprehension. She wondered about the cause of the disturbance, the implications for her family, and the consequences of this unexpected twist in their already complicated lives.

Finally, Shamsher reappeared in the doorway, a grave expression on his face. The chaos had subsided, but the tension lingered. "We need to leave," he stated, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "It's not safe here." Protecting her was his priority. He couldn't even think about anything else while she was here.

Mehak, her thoughts still in disarray, nodded in agreement. As they steered through the now-quiet venue, Shamsher kept a protective arm around her. The guests, visibly shaken, exchanged worried glances as they exited the hotel.

Outside, the night air was cold and carried a hint of tension. Shamsher guided Mehak towards a waiting car, the headlights casting long shades in the dimly lit street. The journey home was filled with a heavy silence, both absorbed in their thoughts.
Shamsher asked her again, softly, "Are you ok?"
Mehak unable to speak, just nodded in response.
Upon reaching their residence, Mrs Dilawar, anxiously waiting, rushed towards them. She too was worried about Mehak, and Mehak felt touched by her concern. She reassured her mother in law that she was completely unharmed.

As Mehak retreated to her room, the events of the night weighed heavily on her. The gunshot had shattered the veneer of the grand reception, exposing the fragility of the life she had unwillingly stepped into. Yet, amid the uncertainty, she found herself clinging to the desire for some sense of normalcy.

In the following days, the incident cast a shadow over their lives. Security measures were heightened, and whispers of potential threats echoed through the Dilawar mansion. Amidst the turmoil, Mehak grappled with conflicting emotions – the fear of the unknown, the resentment towards Shamsher, and the lingering question of whether she could find any solace in this forced union.

***************************

In the dimly lit study of the Dilawar mansion, the air was thick with tension. Mr Dilawar, a stern and imposing figure, paced the room with controlled fury etched across his face. Mrs Dilawar sat on the edge of an ornate chair, her worried eyes following her husband's restless movements.

Dara, Shamsher's elder brother, stood against the wall, his expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. Farwa, Dara's wife, clutched the edge of her shawl, aware that the events of the disrupted reception had repercussions beyond the immediate chaos.

Mr Dilawar finally broke the silence, his voice a low growl, "This is unacceptable. My son's celebration, our family's reputation, tarnished by some audacious act of violence." His eyes flashed with anger as he spoke.

Dara interjected, his voice calm but assertive, "Father, we need to find out who is behind this. We can't let our enemies take advantage of the situation."

Mrs Dilawar, normally a voice of reason, added, "We also need to ensure Mehak is safe. She's already overwhelmed by the circumstances."

Farwa, seized the opportunity to subtly fan the flames of tension in the room.

"Shamsher, your family and reputation are at stake here. It's essential to take swift action. Waiting for the authorities might not be enough," she suggested, her eyes locking onto Shamsher's.

Mr Dilawar, already seething with anger, nodded in agreement. "She's right, Shamsher. We can't rely solely on the authorities. Our own men need to find out who dared to disrupt our family event. We cannot let this go unanswered."

Farwa continued, "And Mehak, she must be terrified. How can she feel safe when we're not taking decisive steps?" Her words full of fake concern.

Shamsher, fueled by his aggression, absorbed Farwa's nudges. His eyes flashed with a dangerous determination. "Fine, we'll handle this our way. No one messes with the Dilawars and gets away with it."

As the family rallied around Shamsher's decision, the atmosphere in the room thickened with a mix of anger, uncertainty.

Mr Dilawar turned to face them. "I've already set my men in motion. Both the police and our associates will leave no stone unturned. We'll get to the bottom of this."
******************************

Sofia found herself in a state of terror after the chaos at the reception. Rushed home by family members, she couldn't shake off the fear that gripped her.

Incessantly calling her sister Farwa, Sofia desperately sought information about the unfolding events.

Farwa, with a nonchalant tone, relayed the information to Sofia, believing it to be just another twist in the game they played in their high-society world.

Farwa: "Relax, Sofia. Shamsher is perfectly fine. Whoever dared to pull this stunt is a fool. This drama is going to be quite entertaining, don't you think?"

Farwa, unaware that her own sister's actions were part of this theatrical tragedy, was enjoying herself.

Sofia: "Farwa, I'm really scared. What if this goes too far? What if Baba Saheb takes severe action?"

Farwa, dismissive and confident, assured her sister.

Farwa: "Baba Saheb is ruthless, yes, but he knows how to handle such matters. Trust me, we're safe. Enjoy the drama; it's just a game for people like us."

As Farwa relished the prospect of the unfolding chaos, Sofia couldn't shake off the ominous feeling that her actions had set into motion something far more perilous than the calculated games they were accustomed to playing in their elitist world.