Long Shadows of Old Sins

Chapter 3

Mehek's side of flashback

"Would you like to have a baby girl or baby boy?", Shaurya asked Mehek mischievously. She glared at him and scoffed. She was forced to accompany him by her father so she and  had to spend time in an orphanage funded by Ahlawats. They were currently painting pink colour on walls of room meant for accommodating girl children. "C'mon, Mehek. Don't be shy. You can tell me", he pushed her further. She kept her brush down and sneered, "Shaurya, I made it clear already. You & I; we are not going to happen. There will be nothing amidst us and children are the least you can expect". 

Shaurya was hurt but he masked it. Over past few weeks, he had become expert in taking her rudeness. "You may want to have children at some point of your life, won't you? Not even when you find the right man?", he asked her carefully. "No", she replied firmly, and turned back to her task, "I will be the worst mother. You know about my mother , don't you? She left her own blood and ran away with her lover. Apple doesn't fall from the tree".

Mehek was a little girl while her sister, Nehal a toddler when their mother left them. Her father was deeply affected.. Mehek reminded him of his estranged wife and it made him treat her badly. While Nehal got all love & care from their father, Mehek was taunted and ignored. Her only mistake was her stunning resemblance to her mother. As years passed, Mehek build up her own coping mechanism to fight against the odds. She never wanted to be in open and vulnerable. Mehek nursed a deep scar behind her rude & snobbish attitude.

"You will make a great mother", suddenly she felt Shaurya's hand on her shoulder. "How do you know?", she was sarcastic but wanted to know his reason. "You are a good person, Mehek. Even if  you try really hard to hide it, I can make it out", he told confidently. "You are telling it because you want to get into my pants", she chided. Shaurya was really hurt by her callous comment, "Is that what you think of me?". 

Mehek sighed and gave up, "No. I know you are good guy. I was just trying to rile you". She didn't know the reason but it was hard  for her to see him hurt. Shaurya chuckled at her failed effort and asked again, "So girl or boy?". Mehek understood that he will never give up unless she answers. "Honestly , I never thought about it. But my doll house used to have a girl baby. And I called her Diya", she told absentmindedly still wondering how he manages to let her guards down. "DIYA, sweet name", Shaurya smiled at her but she acted to ignore him. "Get back to work, Ahlawat", she spat at him, hiding her smile.

Mehek sighed recalling her past. If fate would have been merciful, she would have been settled in a home with her own Diya. She may have had trouble managing children but Shaurya would have been an excellent father. However hard she had denied Shaurya, they shared a connection. A convoluted chemistry of opposite attraction . It would eventually have sorted out things amidst them. 

She had none but herself to blame. In her impulsiveness, she lost her chance to be loved and have a family. Mehek gazed at the tastefully decorated room of Diya. She couldn't helpl but  imagine herself & Shaurya in a similar room with their daughter or son. Diya's soft cries saved her from further mental agony. She held Diya closer and started to talk in baby voice, "Atleast I got a chance to take care of you. I am happy, are you happy?", Diya cooed in her baby voice, "Love you Diya". Mehek tried to find happiness in her current situation.

Although wary to spend the advance money, Mehek was glad that she had cleared all dues at Drishti's care home. She even paid in advance for next whole year and a small amount as charity for the orphanage. After long, she managed to buy some new clothes for her daughter. Mehek too needed many things but for the time being she gave leave to her demands. Long gone are the days when she used to frequently shop and throw away barely used goods. She is no longer a spoiled brat of her rich father but a responsible middle class mother of an ailing daughter. It was difficult for her to leave Drishti but atleast she was at peace that she will get better care for a longer period.

It's been past lunch time and Mehek's stomach started to grumble. Since she was with Diya the entire morning, she didn't befriend any other staffs except the butler. She was hungry and was disappointed when she found none in kitchen. "You are supposed to stay beside Diya Baby", the Butler's voice boomed over her. Mehek was startled, "Diya is sleeping and I have the baby monitor with me", she showed it to him. 

The butler who called himself Awara was still looked displeased. "Where are others?", Mehek asked timidly, "Did I miss the lunch time?". Awara sighed understanding her reason of wanderinag around the kitchen, "I apologize as it is my mistake". Mehek tried to stop him taking blame but he cared the least and went ahead. "Today, a prayer is held at temple for our late Madam. All staffs were given off. So kitchen is also closed".

Mehek checked the fridge for leftovers. She was surprise that it was absolutely empty expect for some baby foods and formula. "All food were given away to staff last night", Awara's voice boomed from behind.She wondered why the butler was hell bend to scare her. She could vividly feel his dislike towards her. "What about those?", Mehek inquired pointing at few parattas (stuffed indian bread) kept near the sink. "Spoiled ones. Intended for dust bin", he told in a matter of fact way. 

Mehek took them to check the quality. Over past years, Mehek had known the value of food. She mocked the folly of rich who didn't value their entitlement. "These are still edible", she looked at Awara as if waiting for his permission. "Suit yourself. If you fall sick, none else are answerable", he informed and left. Mehek warmed the food and ate it silently. She felt content while draining it down with glass of water.

"She is back, Swati. Fate brought her back at my mercy", Shaurya spoke in his mind to Swati's picture. The prayer for her departed soul had ended with food & cloth distribution to the poor and needy. He missed Swati and wished she was near him. "I am sorry Swati for using Diya as a bait to lure the witch into my den. But I need to pay back Mehek", he apologized to Swati. I will have my revenge. Time brought back my culprit while I never ventured out to hunt her. So I will never miss this opportunity, he vowed in his mind.

"As Diya baby is asleep, you are fee. So make yourself useful and clean up few rooms", Awara ordered as soon as Mehek had finished her lunch. Mehek didn't know she was supposed to do household work yet she agreed. She took the dusting cloth and went ahead to the room he had pointed out. The large room was already clean and need little tidying up. 

Mehek moved from one furniture to another until she came before a portrait of a woman with fresh flower garlands adorning it. It didn't take much time for her to identify the person. Swati. She couldn't believe that a sweet, kind and smart person like Swati is no more. Mehek recalled the last time she had seen Swati. It was 5 years back, on Mehek's wedding day. Her wedding with Shaurya