Fate of Fireflies

Chapter 13

"Mehek, please listen to me", Shaurya pled her as she frantically moved away from him. She was already on the edge of the bed and he fear she may fall to hurt herself. "I know you are upset but please..", he begged her. "Upset", suddenly she started to laugh as if she was crazy, "I was mourning your death while you were enjoying here", she gestured luxury around her, "I left everything for a bloody cheat like you". "I am sorry for everything but just listen to me once", he try to coax her but angered her more. "Your sorry won't count for my loss", she started to cry, "I lost my life, my future, ...", she held her stomach recalling precious life he lost, "my baby". 

Unable to rein her emotions, Mehek broke down. Shaurya too couldn't hold back anymore. He rushed to her side to cover her in his arms. She wept bitterly while he was also broken. They both were mourning over loss of their child.

"Who are you?", finally she calmed down enough to ask him. "I am...", he hesitated but decided to reveal his truth to her, "I am Shaurya Khanna. People know me as SK". "The new king", she smirked at him, "your name came many times while they interrogated me", she looked away, "they suspected I knew about SK and wanted information from me. They questioned me until I was exhausted and then ....", she wept remembering pain of her miscarriage. 

"I won't spare anyone of them. Tell me who all were there?", he asked her sternly, "I will destroy all of them who are responsible for our loss". But she didn't reply. She slowly detached herself from him and spoke softly, "Only you are responsible Shaurya", she pointed her forefinger on him, "you killed my child". "Mehek, please don't...", she didn't allow him to complete. "Leave, I don't want to see your face", she looked away, "You are not Atharv I had married. Just a cruel man with his face".

Shaurya was fully aware of his wrong doings .However when Mehek accused her mercilessly, he couldn't take it anymore. "It was my baby too, Mehek", he cried out loud emotionally, "How can you put blame on me so cruelly?". "Because it is the truth", she snapped back at him, "it was your lies that burned our family. It was your betrayal that killed our child". "No, I didn't", he tried to justify himself but she started to scream. Hysterically, she started to thrown whatever she got hold of at him. "Leave me alone", she yelled at him, forcing him to retreat. Even when he walked out of the room, he remained near the door, listening to her wails until it died out to sobs.

"I am Dr Sai Joshi", the friendly doctor tried to be pleasant with Mehek but she didn't falter. "your blood pleasure has improved", she spoke while checking her, "you seem to be better. Few days of rest and you will be all fine". "I am stronger than anyone thinks about me", she spoke vehemently glaring at Shaurya, "I need to leave now". "You can't", Shaurya commented strongly. "I can and I will", she was quickly to jump on her feet but held her head being dizzy. 

Dr. Joshi supported her to stand. "Stop being adamant, Mehek", he scolded her, "it's for your own safety". "I hate you. I don't want to be beside you in name of protection", she screamed, before giving in to weakness. "Truce . Truce", Sai tried to play mediator, "Mehek, please stay here until you are feeling better", then she turned to Shaurya, "until then SK will not bother you".

"She is my wife. Why should I stay away from her when she needs me the most?", he snarled at her. "You are no one to me", Mehek burst out to tears. "can you give us some privacy?", Sai requested him, "It will be better if I can talk to her alone". Although reluctant, he complied because he feared Mehek will hyperventilate if he stays longer.

Some time passed while Shaurya waited patiently. Finally Dr. Sai came out adorning an awkward smile. "She is adamant to leave", he groaned hearing her words. "Why can't she quit being stubborn and be reasonable?", he was exasperated. "Because she is hurt by your betrayal", Sai spoke calmly keeping her voice professional, "We cannot blame her for being mad at you". 

Although SK was better than his father, Sai still feared him. She tried to tactfully put her point, "She needs time. Give her some space". He nodded with a sigh.. "She needs a friend whom she can talk and cry her heart out. Can't you let her contact her friends?", Dr Sai advised. It was impossible at the moment to involve anyone from Mehek's side so he shook his head, "We cannot take the risk". She understood, "I will come tomorrow and do the best I can. Meanwhile please don't disturb her"

Days passed. Dr. Sai visited regularly, giving company to Mehek while helping her recover. Soon both women became amicable. Meanwhile, Mehek avoided Shaurya like plague. "SK, why don't you take Mehek out for shopping?", one day Sai suggested but Mehek opposed vehemently. "I don't want to go out", she replied blatantly. "Wise decision. Queens never ventures out. Vendors will be brought to you", all of them turned their heads to Anjali's voice. 

Anjali smiled sweetly but her pretence failed to deceive any. Mehek quickly walked away avoiding her. "SK, a bit of fresh air will be good for her. Shopping was just an excuse", Sai suggested, "I can take her with me if she is hesitant for you to accompany her". "We don't trust you", Anjali shot down her suggestion rudely. Before he could apologize to Doctor who has done enough to help Mehek, Anjali added in, "its not safe for her to roam freely with someone like you. Even if title of queen doesn't befit her, she is no longer a commoner. Being wife of the King, her life is at risk now". "I will go with her", Shaurya spoke with finality as he had to agree with his half sister because she had a point.

After much reasoning, Sai managed to persuad Mehek. She remained passive, keeping her head down unable to share enthusiasm of her partner. As she nervously glanced around, she saw many of his men placed discreetly around them, apart from the evident hefty body guards following closely. "Will they always be around?", she asked dubiously. Although pleased to hear her words addressed to him, her discomfort made Shaurya uneasy. "It for our own protection", he grabbed her hand. She didn't pull back still made evident her dismay.

"Buy whatever you want", Shaurya told enthusiastically, beaming with pride. He recalled his mother's face whenever she went on a buying spree. Despite her condition, a good shopping days always lifted her spirits. He realised that Mehek is no different because she gazed around the shop in awe. For a moment, she seemed to be happy like a kid in a candy shop. She may not be materialist, yet a door of possibility shall open if she gives him a chance. "I don't know what to choose", she spoke forgetting their animosity, "they are so pretty", then she paused reading the price tag, "and so expensive". He was beaming with happiness as she started to converse with him. "Don't worry about money. Your husband is rich", a callous remark from his side , dampened her spirits. The glow he had restored in her eyes was blown off so effortlessly in a moment.

Shaurya quickly called out for the help and instructed them according to Mehek's preferences. He knew her favourite colors and choices. "I need your best designer for creating a perfect dress for her", he commanded. "Any special occasion, Sir", the man in shop asked with a sly smile. "Yes, a special one", he held Mehek's hand, "I will be introducing my wife to the world". She became numb but he held her closely. Without giving any time to talk, she was whisked away to take measurements and other details. However he knew it was a momentary respite. She will be back, storming at him with her wrath. He was ready to face it if she could give him a chance to explain and understand their situation.

Yet the mighty king couldn't stop hammering of his heart when he heard the most alarming words that any husband feared from his wife. "We need to talk", Mehek spoke as soon as they came out of the shop.