Disquietude of My Heart

Chapter 8

                                         "Mehek, is everything okay? Meera Aunty told me that you seemed to be a bit troubled", Ajay asked her cautiously. Mehek absentmindedly nodded to her best friend,"I am okay". Ajay Parmar is Mehek's best friend since childhood days. They grew up together and were really close. Although not romantically involved, Mehek always visualized a man like Ajay in her future. Despite her mother's scandalous past and poor conditions, Ajay and his family were always supportive. Ajay is a kind and compassionate friend. Those were the only qualities she aspired to find in her life partner, until she met Shaurya. He manged to open a range of unknown feelings in her. The magnetism, spark and intensity she felt for Shaurya were unique eventhough confusing. She was pulled towards his thoughts. Mehek felt unhappy at her predicament. She knew she had lost herself to a man whom she failed to understand and accept. She could no longer imagine Ajay as her spouse or lover. Ajay deserved someone who would truly love him; body, soul and heart. 

"Mehek, I know you are hiding your problems. I am your best friend. So please share it with me. May be I can help?", Ajay coaxed her still she didn't reveal. It was suffocating to pent up her emotions but she thought it was better not to involve Ajay or her mother into her mess. Besides, she had promised Shaurya that she will never reveal her ordeal to anyone. She remained silent and it irked him. "Fine, don't tell me and just sulk. I will leave", Ajay got a bit angry and walked away.  But before leaving, he turned to her, "I am always there for you, Mehek. Hope you know it". She broke down at his words and ran to him. She hugged him tightly and wept against his chest. He rubbed her back to console her, "Everything will be fine, Mehek ". She nodded and broke apart. "I know you are disturbed and don't want to talk about it. But please try to be normal before Meera Aunty. Her health is fragile and we need to be careful not to give her any stress", Ajay advised her and she agreed.

Meera Sharma ran a small restaurant attached to her home. It was located near a serene steam and had a nice garden. The tranquility and beauty of the place attracted many customer who arrived to enjoy her food. She had single-handedly brought up Mehek although periodically DK financially aided her. Meera was an unwed mother but DK always accept Mehek's paternity. Although DK was married to Nehal's mother, he never abandoned or disgraced Mehek's mother. He was never a caring father but his name protected Meera and their illegitimate child. Nehal and Mohit were her siblings born from another mother but they respected Meera and were close to Mehek. Over the years DK had neglected Meera and his daughter. Meera's health deteriorated and she became anxious about Mehek's future. Desperately she had sought DK's help for their daughter and he agreed to think about it. Hence she was delighted when DK had invited Mehek and expressed his wish to present her as his daughter. But never in their wildest dreams, Meera or Mehek would have imagined the horrible turn of events. Meera was still in dark but she knew her daughter was not the same as she had left few weeks back. She assumed Mehek would have gone through hardships due to her illegitimate status and refrained from questioning Mehek. Meera blamed herself for her daughter's misfortune. She could only pray for Mehek to bless her with happiness she truly deserved.

Mehek gazed aimlessly at the horizon. She hugged herself to keep her warm. She took Ajay's advice and tried hard to act normal before her mother. Yet she was troubled and her mind was full of her mate's thoughts. Mate! She cursed herself for using that damned word. She wondered why she was missing her captor rather than relieved. Is he missing me? she asked herself . 'It is much worse that you think', she heard Shaurya's voice. She got alarmed and turned around but could find none. She shook her head. Probably her mind is playing tricks on her. Rajeev Bhai told that Shaurya will be miserable if she parts him. But she believed he will remain unaffected. He never tried to call her or even send her a text. Not that she wanted him to stay in touch with her but she wondered. Maybe he went back to his pretty bimbos. 'It's just you, Mehek. I belong to you. You are my heart and soul. I am only yours', she heard him loud and clear. She covered her ears and screamed, "Stop it".

"Quit playing your mind games, Shaurya", Rajeev dashed into his cabin and admonished him. Shaurya smiled sheepishly while his gamma caught him red handed. "He needs to stay in touch with his mate, Rajeev. You are lucky that Luna atleast talks to you", Vivaan defended him. In short period of time, Mehek considered Rajeev like a brother and remained in touch with him. "Why don't you just call her?", Rajeev asked him. "She needs space", Shaurya replied. "Then why are you intruding into her thoughts?", Rajeev accused him. "I only intrude when she thinks that I have forgotten her or moved on. I cannot bear it when she assumes that I can live without her", he explained to his Beta and Gamma. "Dude, it been a couple of weeks. This give-her-space method is not working. You need to take some actions", Vivaan told him. "I agree", Rajeev's words surprised both of them. "Don't look at me like that. Mehek is like my baby sister. And I know she is also suffering like Shaurya", Rajeev explained. "Finally Bro", Vivaan hugged Rajeev, "Now that Rajeev is also in our side, let's get to work. Bros, I have a plan", Vivaan jumped enthusiastically.

Mehek was waiting nervously at the reception. After many rounds interviews, she was selected for the post of personal assistant. She was glad to bag the job which paid well despite her poor education. It will help her to save money for her mother's treatment and support her in running the restaurant also. "Hello, Ms Sharma", a professionally dressed lady walked up to her, "I am Bulbul Arora. I will be helping you settle down in your new job", she spoke cheerfully. Within few minutes, Bulbul explained her job details and led her to boss's cabin. "Mr. Khanna, she is your new secretary Ms Mehek Sharma", Bulbul introduced her and stepped away clearing Mehek's view. Mehek pulled her best smiled to meet her new boss. As she extended her hand to wish him, she stood frozen identifying her boss. She got shock of her life when she saw Shaurya. Soon her vision blurred and world twirled around her. Bulbul rushed to her side as Mehek fainted.

When Mehek managed to open her eyes, she found Bulbul hovering over her with a glass of water. "Ms Sharma, are you okay?", she asked anxiously. Mehek quickly moved to farther end and yelled at her, "Are you one of them? I know you are part of his pack". Bulbul's eyes widened with shock and turned to Shaurya. "Bulbul, can you give us a minute?", Shaurya asked her softly and she left immediately. He then looked at Mehek who was still perplexed, "What's wrong with you? Bulbul is just an employee, a human. How could you reveal my identity to her? We had an agreement when we parted, didn't we? How dare you break it?", he spoke vehemently. She heaved for breath after hearing his accusing words. Her body trembled with anger and unknown strength went through her body . Without giving another thought, she lunged forward to grab lapels of his suit,  ""How dare I???? ", she yelled at him.  "Relax, Mehek", he raised his hands up, acting to be defenseless to calm her. She wasn't ready to give up, " You disgusting, Dog". He couldn't deny that he was enjoying her aggressiveness. "You are wrong, my Love", he kept his hands over her shoulder. Slowly he grazed them down and grabbed her hips to bring her closer. Mehek shivered in pleasure and fear when familiar tingles spread through her body. He pulled her closer and whispered into her ear, "I am a WOLF"