"It's hot news", Vivaan laughed softly as he spoke to Shaurya while he gazed at his friend's vague photograph with socialite Mehek Singh Maan. "News?" Shaurya scoffed, "Hardly worth a minute's attention. It's just a juicy gossip for idle minds", he spoke animatedly, "Not a big deal".
Vivaan knew that Shaurya never cared about fame. He always wished to stay behind scenes even when he is backbone of their company. "It's a big deal for someone like her", Vivaan pointed it out. Shaurya didn't want to think about her, his new wife. Her bratty behaviour in the morning had pissed him off. She can go to hell, if she thinks money can buy it all for her. The more he heard about her from Vivaan, his dislike grew.
She is nothing but a social butterfly born with a silver spoon in her mouth. A face used to market her company while many toiled to drive it to success. A heiress who reaps profit while deserving people failed to get their due credit. A woman who loves to portray her fake life in social media just to garner more attention. Sadly her popularity is going to hit her worse.
"Too bad your face is not clear. Still people who know you may recognize", Vivaan teased him lightly. Shaurya didn't show his uneasiness while trying to dodge him, "who in their senses will read such tabloids?". "I know someone who is a fan of them", although words were light, Vivaan sounded serious, "Someone who is naïve enough to believe it all", he paused to assure that he had full attention of Shaurya, "your mother". A cold shiver ran over Shaurya's spine as he thought about his mother.
Resmi Ahlawat is a doting mother and pillar of strength of her son. Yet she is a gullible lady who lost her temper quickly. Shaurya still not able to comprehend how she will take up news of Pranati breaking up with him. Rather than consoling him, she may even blast him for taking his fiancee for granted. She has a penchant for acting mother hen to girls who were close to their family. Perhaps, it was her way to fill the void of not having a daughter. If a scandal of her son with some heiress reached Resmi's ears, it will be catastrophic.
"I hope Ms.Maan doesn't give any statement that may harm you", Vivaan broke his train of thoughts. "Such as", Shaurya asked while trying hard to hide his anxiety. "Like you took advantage of her", Vivaan explained, "Then law and media will turn in her favour. She will be a victim sucking all sympathy". Shaurya groaned and rubbed his forehead. He didn't care about the entire world but his mother shall not misunderstand him. His mother is an innocent mind that is susceptible to vile articles published by gossip sellers. Few words could paint him as a dishonest and immoral man. He need to act quick but wise.
Vivaan's phone rang. He read the name of the caller and showed it to Shauyra. Resmi Aunty. Shaurya had been ignoring her calls, so was Vivaan. Both knew it cannot go on. "Please help me to handle her", Shaurya requested Vivaan. So many times Shaurya had acted as his guardian angel, saving him from disgrace. So Vivaan didn't even think another second before jumping to rescue his friend. He attended the call on speaker.
"Vivaan, where is Shaurya? Why is he not picking my calls", Resmi Ahlawat's anxious voice was heard, "I am so worried about him after Pranati called me". Both men were baffled when they heard her name. "She informed me that she had called off the wedding", Resmi added, "she didn't dare to talk to me further else I would have give her an earful". They sighed. Atleast Pranati had decency to reach out to Shaurya's mother. "My poor boy will be broken", she sobbed, "I know how much he loved Pranati. Where is he, Vivaan? Has something happened to my Shaurie?', she wept.
Shaurya was about to speak but Vivaan stopped him. "Aunty, Shaurya is fine. He is with me...I mean not with me right now..... but staying at my place", he lied to avoid her insistence to talk to her son, "he is hurt but your son is much stronger than we give credit to him". Shaurya could sense his mother smiling through tears. "He will explain everything to you once he is stable", Vivaan continued to pacify her, "He needs some time to gather himself but he will. I will bring him to you as soon as possible", he promised.
"Thanks, Vivaan", Resmi sniffed, "He is fortunate to have a friend like you". Vivaan beamed with joy and looked at Shaurya with pride. Shaurya gestured him to check about the situation. So far it seemed like she didn't get a whiff of the scandal. Vivaan decided to handle it properly. "Aunty, Shaurya is going through a tough time. We all need to support him", he paused and added discreetly, "Always remember that his upbringing was done by you. So he is a gentleman with morals". Although baffled, she didn't question him. She assumed that Vivaan was speaking about her son accepting Pranati's decision to break up with him
"That went well", Vivaan told proudly after ending the call. "For the time being", Shaurya exhaled deeply, "I need to reach her before she assumes worst". "I agree. But let's take necessary steps to avoid further complication", Vivaan suggested to sit with their legal advisors. He agreed, suggesting to meet them quickly. "Aren't you curious to know about Pranati?", Vivaan was curious. His friend had been so enamoured with Pranati that he was surprised he didn't speak a word about her till now.
Shaurya took a minute to evaluate before answering. He has been busy dealing with his share of problems but it will be lie if he says that Pranati never crossed his mind. Her betrayal still hurts but he was able to deal with it. He had expected a call or aleast some words from her to explain her decision. She had courage to face his mother not him. So it is clear that she doesn't want his interference anymore. Her decision was clear so he will not disturb her further. "I have worse things to deal in life, Vivaan", he replied vaguely to his friend. Vivaan knew him pretty well not to probe further. "Right. Let's tackle Mehek Singh Maan's scandal", he agreed with his friend.
They have been staying in Vivaan's room in the hotel. Once they reached the reception, Vivaan stopped to check some details so Shaurya decided to wait at the reception. He was about to sit comfortably and read a magazine when a shrill voice disturbed him, "There you are". Although known for a less time, he could recognise her voice anywhere. It belonged to his new wife.
Shauyra was shocked to ran into Mehek soon but he tried to keep a poker face to act indifferent. Meanwhile she seemed to be excited. "This is a sign", she exclaimed, "I came here to hide from media and search for you. And found the person whom I was looking for". Eventhough curious, he asked nonchalantly, "What do you want?". "You", she replied cheerfully but as he raised his eyebrows, so she explained, "It's complicated. Can sit somewhere and talk? I have heard that the coffee shop here serves excellent coffee and cakes". He nodded but acted to be least interested.
"What??", Shaurya was furious when Mehek explained her recent statement to media. He sprang on to his feet, "How could you do it? Are you crazy?". Before he gathered more attention from onlookers, she grabbed his arm and begged him to calm down. "Look, I am so sorry but I had to. My reputation was at stake so was my business. You don't understand how difficult for people like me to succeed", she tried to explain. He glared at her in contempt. Born with a silver spoon, she never had to struggle. While people like him, need to work hard and make a name. He hated people like Mehek Singh Maan who threw around their weight on others.
"I request you to help me out", Mehek asked Shaurya nicely, "in return I will pay you handsomely". "I don't want your money", he spat at her offer. "Then what do you prefer. A well paid job in my company", she baited him, "with a chance to settle abroad". When she saw that he is not tempted, she got desperate, "There must be something you want in your life", she tried her best to lure him. He was about to refuse her blatantly when his phone rang. "Excuse-me", he spoke firmly to Mehek. He wanted to use the call as an excuse to walk away from her. Nevertheless he has to attend the call and face the music.
"Hello Mom", Shaurya picked up the call. It was unfair to avoid his mother any further. Besides, his senses warned him about repercussions of Mehek's lies to media . "Shaurie", Resmi let out a breath of relief. The consolation and joy of finally speaking to her son was evident from her voice, "My dear son". He felt bad to have troubled his mother. He should have gone back to her the moment his heart was broken. She should have helped him to recover and it would have saved him from so much trouble.
"I am sorry, Mom", Shaurya apologized emotionally. "Don't be, Shaurie", Resmi was quick to shush him, "Why didn't I see it earlier? My son was marrying his best friend just to nurse his wounded heart". Shaurya was baffled but as usual Resmi didn't give him any chance to speak, "Mehek explained everything in her statement". "Mom, let me explain", he tried to reason but she didn't allow. "I was a fool not to see your emotions while you were marrying Pranati out of duty. But universe conspired in your favour. Mehek got courage to pursue her heart. I am so happy that you married the woman whom you truly cares". He was struggling find words to come clean before his mother but she sounded so overwhelmed. "Just come home with Mehek. I want to welcome my daughter in law", Resmi sounded adamant.
Shaurya was lost in thoughts as he walked back to the coffee shop. "I ordered Cappuccino", she pushed a cup to his side. She wanted to put him at ease but her action was mistaken as manipulation. He called at the waiter, gave back the cup rudely and ordered for himself, "Get me a double expresso", he glared at Mehek who putting sugar into her Cappuccino, "And no sugar". She shrugged her shoulder sensing his anger. "I agree to play my part", she was taken aback by his words. "Thanks, Mr...Mr..."Mehek tried hard to remember his last name. "Mr. Ahlawat", he filled her in with contempt, "Mr. Shaurya Ahlawat".
Mehek smiled sheepishly, scolding herself for not recalling name of the man she had married last night. "Thanks, Mr. Ahlawat", she thanked Shaurya . "But I have a condition", he told her haughtily. She wasn't surprised as she expected him to bargain. Since she was desperate for his support, she had made up her mind to accept his price. She kept her fingers crossed, praying that he will not be unreasonable, "Ofcourse, Mr. Ahalawat. Please tell me your demand". "I want you to come home and convince my mother", he told her without beating around the bush. Unlike her, he didn't care about the world. But he couldn't fall in his mother's eye.