Long Shadows of Old Sins

Chapter 20

                          Mehek kept milk bottles and baby food neatly arranged in the nursery. Diya was sleeping so without waking her Mehek pecked her soft cheeks. When she reached the hall, Shaurya walked towards her. "All set to spend the day with Drishti, aren't you?", she softly smiled at his amicable query. 

Mehek repeated about Diya's feeding schedule and informed that she will wake up in an hour or so. Lately Shaurya had been spending more time with Diya so it was no longer difficult for him to take care of her during Mehek's absence. "Shall I drop you?", he offered but she declined. Still he walked her till the gate. It was evident that he wanted to talk to her in private.

"I have been feeling light in past few days. Making amends with Mr Gupta, spending time with Diya and taking a break to my vengeful plans on you", he told her, "Honestly, it was becoming difficult for me to come in terms with my grudges and wrath. With Swati gone, I lost my support system and guide. Then you appeared suddenly. Made me focus all my energy to wrong you". Mehek wanted to stop him but he went on, "I believed it as my sole right to punish you. Shamefully, I used an innocent child like Drishti and even my dead father's name in this game". "Shaurya, please don't be hard on yourself. If you could listen to my side...", she wanted to tell him everything but he stopped her.

"Mehek, I am letting go off my past, still not forgiven you. You may have had your reasons but they will never appear justifiable for me", he looked away being frustrated then sighed, "I don't want to ponder on it. But it also true that I longer wish to harm you", he was determined. She nodded understanding that it is fruitless to reveal her part. Shaurya was neither ready to listen nor willing to understand her side of story. 

"Despite our animosity, you never tried to harm Diya or me.Instead you brought me closer to her. It proves that you have also changed for good. Let's leave it at that point", he proposed. Mehek nodded, considering it as the best solution for the time being.

"You have acted as a good friend, Mehek. And I badly need a friend", he spoke abruptly as she was about to exit his property, "maybe we can start afresh as friends". He extended the olive branch and Mehek was happy to accept it. She smiled extending her hand which he shook amicably and said , "Friends"

Drishti was getting better day by day. Doctors informed that she shall be discharged in few weeks and hopefully be able to lead a normal life. Already she was able to move around with walking aids; ditching wheel chair. Mehek wanted to rent a small house near Shaurya's place so that she can stay there with Drishti while her job is not hindered. Shaurya even offered her to bring Drishti to his home so that Mehek need not worry about accommodation. Accordingly to him, it appeared reasonable for Diya well being too but Mehek was indecisive to impose herself on Shaurya.

Days passed peacefully. Mehek and Shaurya enjoyed their comradeship. One day while she brought lunch to his study, he appeared disturbed while talking over phone. "I was supposed to attend the function with Archie but she is unwell. Is it necessary to bring a plus one? Can't I come alone?", he was irked. He ended the call and looked at Mehek who served him a plate. 

An idea stuck him and he spoke," Mehek, I need to attend a charity gala and need a plus one. Can you accompany please?". "Me? No way!", she was aghast. "My plus one cannot make it today. I can't go alone. Me & Swati used to go their regularly and contribute for the noble cause. I need to be there. Please, help me". "I don't have anything to wear", she stated the most obvious excuse. "You can borrow one from Swati's wardrobe", he proposed.

Few hours later. Mehek gazed at her transformed self on the mirror. She was wary to wear Swati's clothes at first but when Shaurya insisted she gave in. Few of the young maids helped her to style her hair and do her make up. They did it splendidly but made subtle remarks that she is sleeping her way to take over their late Madam's position Mehek brushed it aside as she had much bigger worries. She had never attended any public event for long. The fact that it was going be a masquerade party gave her a bit of solace.

The event passed on without much fuss. It was evident that Shaurya was mesmerized the way Mehek was transformed for the event. She was no longer the fake doll, cake faced girl but grown up to be a natural beauty with curvy figure. She had hidden herself well in over-sized dowdy cloths but today her beautiful self was revealed to him. 

"You look stunning", Shaurya complimented her despite his reservations. They wore matching masks and Shaurya introduced her to others as his friend. They participated in few auctions to contribute, danced a bit and later enjoyed food. Mehek got worried when Shaurya downed more than a couple of drinks. May be it was a bad idea not to bring his driver. Will you be able to drive?", she asked cautiously but he brushed aside her concern while grabbing his next drink. 

Eventually when event ended, Mehek had to take driver's seat as he was too tipsy. It is been many years since Mehek touched steering wheel. Adding to it, it was dark and started to drizzle. Due to influence of alcohol, Shaurya dozed off quickly. Mehek drove slowly and they were far from reaching their destination. Finally she started to doubt whether she lost the way. It started to rain heavily and it was hard for her to see anything. Mehek applied sudden break when some kind of animal jumped before the car.

"What happened?", the sudden jerk, woke Shaurya. He was much sober after his brief nap. "A dog or may be a cat. I am not sure", Mehek breathed hard while explaining. "Where are we?", Shaurya tried hard make sense of their location. Mehek trembled in apprehension, "I don't know. I think we are lost". "Why didn't you use navigation app to find the route?", he got irritated. "My phone doesn't support any maps", Mehek replied softly. Shaurya looked at the antique piece that she termed as her phone and sighed. He took out his phone but there was no range. She started to whimper in panic and he tried hard to consoled her. "Mehek, don't worry. We will find a way", he consoled her.

Shaurya looked around and realised that they were not in main road. Mehek may have taken a wrong turn and would have alienated them to faraway route. Stopping at a unknown place seemed pointless, so he urged Mehek to drive ahead. "Drive slowly. We will soon reach main road or alteast some sign of civilization", he told Mehek. She agreed and drove carefully.

"A cottage", Mehek spotted a dim light, amidst heavy pour. "Let's go there and try to get help. May be we can use their phone", Shaurya told her. The road to the hut was muddy and car could get stuck. So they decided to get the car as close as possible without getting stuck. Then they dashed to reach the cottage.