Hidden Flames ....♡

< Part 15 >

"meri Baat sun mehak"
Amrita tried talking to her

"tu meri baat sun... Main nahi ja sakti vapis".
Mehak turned around and said
"khush hu main yaha... Please"

Amrita sighed
A girl by, Chanda came from behind

"Amrita didi... Vikrant sir aaye hai"
The girls nodded at her and moved out to meet vikrant.

Vikrant's rescue mission brought relief to the girls, who were then reunited with their overjoyed families, wherever possible.

However, for those who had no family to return to – the orphans – Vikrant opened his heart and home, providing a warm and nurturing environment in the cottage.

But his compassion didn't stop there. Recognizing the importance of empowering them for a brighter future, Vikrant took it upon himself to secure their educational prospects, paving the way for a life filled with promise and possibility.

The cottage, equipped with modern amenities, provided a comfortable and secure environment for the girls. The men  ensured their well-being.

They transformed the cottage into a haven, offering:

- Spacious rooms and recreational areas
- Nutritious meals prepared by skilled cooks
- Expert tutors for academic guidance
- Dedicated maids for personalized care
- Trained security personnel and maintenance staff

Vikrant stood up as soon as he saw mehak and Amrita entering.
Mehak slowed down seeing Isah,

"kaisa chal raha hai sab..?"
Vikrant asked
Amrita nodded with a small smile
"everything's fine , thank you for the help"

Vikrant nodded
Amrita's gaze unknowingly looked out waiting for Daksh to enter
Vikrant answered her unasked question
"vo busy hai, nahi aayega"

Amrita hummed in question
"Daksh"
Vikrant continued
Amrita looked down
Meanwhile Isah and mehak were having an eye battle
He looked at her and she was looking away.
He smriked a little enjoying her acts.

Vikrant cleared his throat a little
"Mehak... Tum ghar kab Jaa rahi ho..? "

Mehak froze listening to him
"um... vo.. Main nahi jana chahti*

Vikrant: Kya?  kya kehna chahti ho?
Mehak gulped and shooked her head,
She and Amrita just argued about it.
Vikrant observed her for a moment, he knew the reason she's denying.

" yeh accept karna mushkil hai?"
He empathetically asked
Mehak jerked her head up,
How did he know?, she thought
"Haan.... Mummy mere liye sab kuch karti hai, lekin yeh... main nahi samajh sakti"

Isah was calmly listening to everything,
While Amrita was confused,
Why is talking about

Vikrant: Mehak, tumhare liye yeh thoda mushkil hai, lekin tum strong ho. Tum apni zindagi ke liye lad sakti ho.

Mehak: (firmly) Main yahan rehna chahti hoon, Vikrant bhai. In ladkiyon ke saath.

Vikrant sighed
"I understand your concerns, but your mother loves you. She wants to take care of you."

Mehak: (tearfully) Lekin, Vikrant bhaiyya, wahan kuch nahin hai mere liye. Yahan mere dost hain, aur main khush hoon.

Vikrant: Main samajhta hoon, Mehak. Lekin, tumhari mom ke liye bhi yeh mushkil hai. Woh tumse door nahi  rehna chahti hai.

Mehak was silent now

Vikrant: tumhare liye yeh ek chance hai apni zindagi ko ek naya mod dena. Tumhari mom ko ek chance do.

Mehak thought for a moment
She inhaled and nodded
"Theek hai....main chali jaungi."

Vikrant smiled a little
"Mehak, tum strong ho. Tum apni zindagi ke liye lad sakti ho. Aur main hamesha tumhare saath hoon, bhai kehti ho na mujhe"

Mehak nodded hesitantly still unsure

Vikrant then walks Mehak to her mother, who is overjoyed to reunite with her daughter.

Kavya : (tearfully) Mehak, beta, main tumse kabhi door nahi rahungi.
She hugged her daughter
"sab kuch thik hai na... Kuch..hua to nahi tere sath"

Mehak hugged her mother back and shooked her head
"main thik hu"
She missed her mother too but the conflict within her didn't let her move.

Isah looked at the scene,
His gaze never moving away from her.
Vikrant smiles, knowing Mehak has found the strength to face her challenges.

Amrita too smiled and turned around to leave but
"Daksh.."
She turned around as Vikrant called his name.
She saw him entering the hall, his hands resting in his pockets.
"you said you were busy...?"
Isah asked him
Daksh gazed at Amrita intensely
"hmm... Baaki  hogaye bas ek imp kaam bach gaya"
Amrita looked away.

The other two exchanged the glances and left after bidding bye to Amrita.
She was about to leave when he held her wrist.
"kya Kar rahe hai..."
She asked trying to free away
Daksh squinted his eyes and asked in deep voice
"missed me..?"

"No"
Amrita gave a firm response

Daksh : so sad
He mumbled

He smiled unnervingly
" Amrita, tum mere liye hi banayi gayi ho."

Amrita was uncomfortable ,
"maine kaha, main aapse pyar nahi karti"

Daksh: (laughing) Tum yeh keh deti ho, lekin tumhare liye mere dil ki dhadkan badhti hai.
Dekho abhi bhi.... Dhak dhak
He whispered still holding her close,
His eyes darkening

Amrita was scared a little
"door rehna hai mujhe aapse"

Daksh: (menacingly) Tum mujhse door nahi rah sakti, Amrita. Main tumhare liye kuch bhi kar sakta hoon.

Amrita : chahte kya hai
She said a little louder
Daksh : tumhe.! tumhe chahta hu main..
His eyes never left her.

_______

Meera was in the kitchen working, when vikrant suddenly back hugged her.
She flinched
"Vikrant..."
He let out a chuckle seeing her.

"hato ab... Hum kitchen me hai koi dekh lega"
He scoffed ignoring her words, she continued her work.

"meera...."
Meera pushed him as she heard Bhavana's voice.
Bhavana entered to see her son sulking and Meera standing awkwardly
"meera... Kal tum...papa ji ke sath cottage ho aana"
Meera nodded at her with a smile.

Bhavana turned towards vikrant
"tu yaha kya kar raha hai.."
Vikrant shrugged
"a-aise hi..."
He glanced at meera and saw her flushed cheeks

Bhavana shooked her head at him
"pura baap pe gaya hai"
Vikrant smiled sheepishly and held Meera's hand taking her away.
Meera widen her eyes while Bhavana chuckled.