A Tale of Guilty

Chapter 22

Mehek moaned in protest as someone shook softly. Her body refused to wake up while the latter tried a bit more hard to wake her up. She opened her eyes slowly only realise that it was already morning. "Mehek, wake up", Shaurya told her softly. Slumber left her eyes quickly and she looked around. Shaurya seemed to have showered and already dressed impeccably. She looked down at herself. She was still in her bridal wear and her body ached due to improper posture in which she had slept off last night. The side mirror showed her image that horrified herself. She looked like an ugly witch while he was attired as prince charming. "Excuse me", Mehek mumbled to him and dashed to the bathroom after grabbing her suitcase.

A quick shower after morning routine and then few touch ups with a pony tail. Discarding her bridal wear, Mehek was dressed in her comfortable attire and felt more like herself. Her sane mind urged her to calm down but her emotional side was furious. She tried best to balance it out else her first day of married life will be a disaster. As she exited the bathroom, Shaurya stood up and gave her a cup of tea that had made with the tea bags available in the room. She simply rejected it and stood before him with a poker face. 

Mehek took a deep breath and asked, "when did you come last night?". He shrugged his shoulders and rubbed his chin in embarassment, "very late. probably early morning". "why didn't you wake me up?", she huffed without waiting for an answer and walked away. "When I came you were fast asleep. I thought it will be better if I let you sleep". "Why?", she crossed her arms across her chest, "so that you can escape my questions". He didn't deny but just sat silently.

"what is happening Shaurya? I need to know. What going on with you?", Mehek tried her best not to shout at him. "We are leaving for honeymoon", he spoke abruptly. Though it would have appeared romantic on any another circumstances, she was irritated. They never planned for an abrupt honeymoon. It was mutually agreed that they will go on a trip once Mehek & Shaurya balanced in their new life. It was Mehek's suggestion as it would have given her enough time for her to settle as Mrs Khanna. Moreover, Shaurya was working on an important project that needed his imminent attention. They planned to go for a peaceful long honeymoon later. So when he proposed travel, it fueled her anger.

"We are leaving", Mehek concurred, " but not for honeymoon. But to Khanna mansion". She packed her suitcase but he held her hand, "Don't be adamant, Mehek". "If you don't want to take me to your home, then I will go back to Baba's house", her words startled him, "Don't worry. I will make some lie about some bizarre post marriage ritual and try to stay there for long". Shaurya was slowly losing his cool, "Act sensibly. What can't you understand the situation? ".

 "Understand?", Mehek exploded, "our wedding was almost cancelled. My Baba's was on the verge of getting a heart attack. Not to mention the humiliation and agony he faced on his daughter's wedding day. Then after everything when you arrived, I tried my best to support you". "I have had my reasons", Shaurya yelled back at her. 

"Fair enough", Mehek spoke, "your mother was affected and I accept your side. But I cannot come in terms with your changed behaviour", she tried hard to fight her tears, "I feel like being punished. You treat me like I am responsible for this mess". "You are just making a mountain out of nothing", Shaurya rubbished her words. "Then let me in", she held his hands, "talk to me. Help me understand your issues. Let me be your side and we will fight your demons". He patted her hands, "the best you can do is to abide by my plans. Let's go from here, Mehek. I promise, I will make it up to you". Anger rose in her when he remained stubborn. "You managed to ruin the best day of my life", she declared dejectedly, "You cannot make it up for my loss"

"Now you are over reacting", Shaurya chided her. "You abandoned me here like an unwanted baggage", Mehek yelled at him, "I spend my wedding night alone in a hotel room while waiting for my husband". "So what?", he acted to be bewildered, "It's nothing special. Don't act like a blushing bride because you are not". Once those words were out of his mouth, he regretted. Mehek was deeply hurt by his mindless blabber. Tears betrayed her as they fell on her pale cheeks. "Mehek, I am sorry. It came out all wrong", he held her shoulders, "we have had many nights before and many nights will be spend together", he wiped his thumb over her tears, "now please stop crying and come with me". More tears fell on his fingers and it tore him that he was the reason. Still he stayed adamant in his decision to leave for their honeymoon.

@Khanna Mansion 

Karuna rubbed her temples to ease her tension. She felt bad for Shaurya. His marriage was one of her most awaited dreams. But when it got fulfilled, neither happiness nor peace seemed to reign in their lives. "Good morning, Darling", Vanraj greeted her but she ignored him. "Where is our boy? Haven't the newlyweds returned yet?", he asked cheerfully. Karuna informed plainly, "Shaurya and Mehek went for his honeymoon". "Lucky Rascal!", he tried to humour, "Got married to the girl he loves and keeping her all for himself". 

Karuna was irritated beyond her limit, "Shaurya was fortunate until you came back to blackmail us. My son was unable to even spend a moment in peace with Mehek since wedding. Why do you do this to us?". Vanraj looked away in regret dismay, "I never wanted to trouble him, Karuna. You may not accept but I always cared for him. Through out his life, I tried my best to protect him. Why can't he accept me if I want to come back to your life?".

Karuna smirked, "There was a time when I waited for you", she tried to be strong while recalling those fateful days, "But rather than being a visitor, you were nothing more. He had seen the way it broke me. How can you blame him if he wants to protect me from you?". "Shaurya is wrong. He thinks I broke your trust. But you know that I never betrayed you, Karuna", Vanraj told firmly, "I was trapped in a loveless marriage. From day one, you knew the truth". She looked away unable to have a defense.

Karuna slumped into nearby chair, unable to bear the sadness and shame of being involved with a married man. Vanraj knelt before her and grabbed her hands, "You are the only love of my life, Karuna. And I know you still love me". She didn't respond by deftly pulled away her hands from him, "what do you want, Raj?". "I want you", he told her decisively but she chided him. "I am finally free, Karuna", Vanraj grabbed her shoulder so that they look into eachothers eyes, "I managed to get divorce without losing my business empire. We can be together and have our own happily ever after". 

"I never cared for your wealth, Raj", Karuna spoke angrily, "you could have divorced earlier and lived with us but you chose your business over us". "I chose my legacy", Vanraj raised his voice. Karuna sighed, " You made your choice. And today I am choosing my son over you". She stood up determined, "You still hold a special place in my heart, Raj. Still it is not enough. I won't go against Shaurya's decision". As she tried to walk away, Vanraj spoke firmly, "If he stands in my way, then I will not spare him". Karuna looked at him dismay so he clarified, "Shaurya came into our life as a blessing. But if he becomes an obstacle between us then I will be forced to ruin him". "You wouldn't dare", Karuna yelled at him. "Relax, Darling. It will be a worst case scenario. So Convince your son, I mean Our son", he caressed her cheek, "if I lose you, then Shaurya will also lose Mehek".

Miles away.

Shaurya noticed that Mehek was exceptionally quiet throughout ther journey. He tried to make conversation but beyond single syllables she didn't reply. Soon he got busy with his laptop. He had a lot to finish before they landed. His unplanned holiday has affected his work schedule. Once he finished his work and turned to Mehek, she was fast asleep. She looked so serene and beautiful that he gazed at her for few moments. He caressed her forehead softly and covered her properly with the warm blanket.

"Are you excited?", Shaurya asked enthusiastically after they landed. Mehek loves beaches and he had chosen one of her dream vacation spots. He believed she will be glad to have come there. Still apart from a curt nod, she didn't respond. He could make that she was still angry. "The villa is not so big but located very near beach and has a private pool. It's close to tourists spots and many good restaurants are nearby", he tried to impress her, "A housekeeper will come for few hours to cook and clean". "Good", she replied again in one word. Shaurya sighed realizing that he need to work hard to earn her forgiveness. Perhaps, she needs some space and time to process their situation.

"Network is so bad here", Shaurya cursed the connectivity issues. He had an important presentation for the upcoming business proposal and was going crazy over the work pressure. Mehek looked on to him but didn't open her mouth. It's been few hours since they entered the villa and he was already tensed. "I have to find a motel or somethingsimilar  where there is good internet", he spoke to himself. He looked at her and asked awkwardly, "Would like to come with me or stay here?". From his body language, it was clear that he didn't want her to accompany him so she made it easy for him, "I will stay here". He smiled, "I too think that's better. Locked in a tiny room with a cranky workaholic won't be pretty. You will enjoy here more". She nodded and walked away. Sensing her sadness, he held her wrist, "It's just for a today. I promise". Again she nodded still didn't utter a word