Meera

Episode 09

Money is definitely a wonder! A man's yearning for money makes him a thief and the lust for money makes him a scamster.

Raghav Sundar was one scamster in the making. He was going berserk for money. He was going mad on Raghav for avoiding signing the papers he wanted him to ink. And he wanted to somehow create troubles in Raghav's life so that he obliges to do anything, as Raghav Sundar believed to have the magic potion to make Raghav come under his control - alcohol! Though Raghav kept it very limited, extreme happiness or sorrow could easily make a person cross his own Laxman Rekha. Raghav Sundar was waiting for such a chance.

November 2001

It was just the first week of the month but to everyone's delight, the assignment with the new client was successfully completed, much before the agreed deadline. They had made huge money and Meera was given the credits for the success of the assignment. The team was extremely happy. They had arranged for a party at Taj to celebrate their success. Raghav and Meera had initially planned to celebrate it with an exclusive candle light dinner date, but as the team insisted, they agreed to have their plans moved to another weekend.

The party had begun. Raghav Sundar was pretending to be happier before Raghav. There was happiness in the air. Raghav was asked to give his speech. He begun with thanking his partners, with a special mention to Raghav Sundar. He proceeded with thanking the managers and his work team. He finally took pride in giving special credits to his Meera. While doing so, his romantic instincts popped up and he proposed Meera on the floor. Meera blushed and her cheeks turned pink. She was surprised and to add to her surprise, Raghav had a gift for her, a Platinum Pendant.

"Hey Miss Beautiful! You look so gorgeous in this blue party gown! You look like one of the Apsaras of the Indra Log clad in a modern apparel! Meera, Mera pyaar! Will you accept me as your life partner? Will you be my Queen!? Will you accept this humble presentation from this poor man yearning for love from the most beautiful woman he has met in his life!?"
"Hey sweetheart! My heart is all yours! And I too feel this is the time, my love, to decide on making me all yours!"
"You mean our wedding?"
"Yes my man! I'm all yours! Let's get wedded soon!"
"I love you Meera!"
"I love you Rags!"

They were lost in the feel of love as they started making gentle steps to the music that filled the air. The team was so happy to see what was happening, except for one who was found nowhere in the hall.

The dinner was over and everyone started leaving except the ones who wished to stay back for the drinks. Meera wanted to be sure Raghav wasn't drinking, so she stayed back.

"Rags! If you want me to accept your proposal for our marriage, I need you to stop drinking!"
"Meera! I ain't a regular drinker at all. I am just a social drinker. I consume only little of select drinks. I'm so happy today, so I hope meri jaan would not mind me taking just one peg."
"No Raghav! Not even a drop! You are stopping it, and it's a promise!"
"Ok done!"
"That's my boy!"

So, Raghav and Meera each ordered a glass of mocktail. As Raghav was sipping his mocktail, he started feeling giddy.

"Raghav! Are you all right!?"
"Mee...Meera! I feel drowsy. I feel.... giddy! Mee...raa. I think I'll go home!"
(Meera calls the waiter)
"Waiter! What have you served!?"
"Madam! Am sorry Madam. Sir was wrongly served a cocktail instead of mocktail. It's my mistake madam. Am sorry. Please don't take it to the higher officials madam. Am really sorry!"
(Raghav Sundar suddenly appears from no where)
"Meera! Please leave this issue for now, I will handle this later. I'll better take Raghav back home now and drop you on the way."
"It's ok Mr. Raghav Sundar! Thank you for that. But I'll take Raghav to his home. Don't worry. You please be here and settle the bills! I know how to drive his car! See you at the office on Monday!"

Saying this, Meera left the hotel with Raghav lying on her shoulders almost semiconscious. Meera drove the car to his mansion, parked it in the portico and took Raghav to his room. Due to excessive alcohol, Raghav was sweating hard even with the weather not so hot. So she switched on the air-conditioner and made him comfortable by removing off his waist coat, tie and his shirt buttons.

The alcohol had hit Raghav so hard that the gentle touch of Meera started waking his sensual soul. He grabbed Meera's waist hard. She objected with her full might but eventually she joined the league as the lights went off. They kissed so hard that her lips had turned wet. She let the flower of love blossom. Her silent moans kindled his sensual soul, and there begun the concert of two souls, with the cot playing percussion in unison! Their bodies finally met, so did their souls!

***

The next morning, while Raghav was still asleep, Meera woke up to get freshed up. Raghav had given a day off for his servant for the party and so Meera started preparing coffee and breakfast. There was a knock on the door. Meera wondered who could it be as the milk, newspaper and the vegetables had already reached home when she first checked the door this morning. She went to the door, puzzled. Outside the door stood a woman who was also equally puzzled looking at Meera.

"Yes!"
"Is Raghav here?"
"Yes. But he's asleep. By the way, may I know who you are?"
"Sahana!"

Hearing that name, Meera felt her spine go chill. She felt Sahana's presence wasn't something pleasant and at the same didn't want to lose Raghav as she was aware who Sahana was.

"Sa...ha...na...!"
"Yes, that's my name. By the way, who are you? Isn't this Raghav's house? Where's he?"
"Yes. But I'm Meera. Raghav's love and fiancé"
"Oh! Damn! That cheat... He has used me. He has screwed my life. He has made my life a question mark, while he's happy to get himself another girl. Don't trust him Meera. He's a cheat!"
"Excuse me Sahana. I'm confused. I hope you are doing this just to trick me?"
"No Meera. I am serious. I'm pregnant with his kid inside me. 4 months! My life is over. I'll have to bear this or die. That cheat, I'll make sure he faces the consequences for this!"
(Saying this, Sahana rushed out of the house)

Meera was devastated. She already had accepted Raghav into her and she didn't want to leave him. But for the sake of Sahana, who was his first love, she decides to leave Raghav. She left the mansion with the Platinum Pendant in her neck and his thoughts in her mind with which she would live her life as she didn't want to give her mind or herself to anyone else, except her Raghav.

When Raghav woke up, he just had the slightest sense about what had happened between him and Meera the previous night. He was feeling shy to face Meera. He went in search of Meera all round his mansion only to find a piece of paper on the kitchen countertop. As he read what was written in it, he understood something had happened that Meera had to leave him. He felt lost as he kept reading what was written on it again and again...

'I should go away from you, for your own good Rags. Don't come in search of me. I will live with your memories forever.

- Love... Meera'

'Minnale nee vandhadhenadi, en kannile oru kaayam yennadi!? En vaanile nee maraindhu pona maayam yennadi!?' - Raghav's mind was literally singing this aloud.

What next!?