If you leave there is no U-turn (Part 4)

Recap: Sameer, Kyra and Alana went back to Shimla… Karuna hugged Shaurya and said she will miss them…. He said he too! They both have a heart light laugh and goes back into Khanna Mansion.

Shaurya gets ready in the morning and heads with Vicky to White Chillies. He greets Sonal and in return she gives him ladoo, PD made for him. He smiles and takes it from her… he went to his tiny working corner which he made near the kitchen. As soon as he opened it, the sight of ladoo reminded him of Mahek… PD used to call her as Ladoo…. He leaned against his seat and recalled all his moments with Mahek… the moments that he would die to re-live but this time with pure love in his heart. Vicky held his shoulder and brought Shaurya back to reality. He looked at Vicky puzzled as to why was he disturbed and Vicky said… ‘Didi has been calling you many time but you have not answered her call. Apparently it is something urgent’…. Shaurya panicked hearing the word urgent… he quickly returned her call and as soon as it was answered… he could hear laughter… he took a deep breath only to realise his sister and niece had pranked him. He smiled instead of getting angry… well yes, Shaurya Khanna has learned to laugh and smile more rather than frowning or getting angry.

He spoke to Kyra who reminded him that he needs to book his ticket to Shimla… Shaurya jokingly reminded her that he hasn’t receive any official invitation to be the guest of honor at the university and since he is a ‘busyman’.. it is important to block his dates fast. She laughed and said… ‘acha bachu… thik hai, I’ll get the invitation to you soonest Mr. Busy Khanna… they both laughed and ended the call. Shaurya just sighed and felt glad his sister and her family had returned to India… though they were in Shimla but it was easy for him to meet them whenever he needed a dose of love…

3 days went passed and Shaurya as usual spent most of his time at White Chillies, exercising and ensuring the Sharma family had been comfortable. He would help Mohit and check upon Nehal from time to time. The Sharma family was part of his priorities… He was least troubled by Shruti, Shewtlana and Sanjay because Sanjay was back to jail…. Wondering why… let mystery be reveal at the right time. Shruti had tamed down because Vicky had suddenly realise he was wrong to make evil plans against Shaurya as he loved him but Shruti was after his money. He had left Shruti and was happy being single again…. Shruti wouldn’t leave him so easily so on and off she would trouble him which gives her less time to trouble Shruti. Shwetlana on the other hand has no soldiers to help her out so she thought its best to not disturb the wounded lion… so Shaurya was free from his enemies for time being…

As he was talking to Sonal regarding the accounts, a waiter came and passed him an envelope. It was for Shaurya and he quickly opened it wondering if it could be Mahek’s letter. He opened and had a wide smile on his face…. Di… he uttered…! It was an official invitation for him to attend Kyra’s university open day which is inviting his as the chief guest of honor being the youngest successful and top hotelier. He smiled, opened it and just glanced through the details. He picked his phone and called the number that was stated on the card. It was the co-ordinator of the event who now had confirmation from Shaurya for his attendance. He requested Sonal to help him book his flight tickets for tomorrow (14th July) since the event is on 15th July. He would spend a day with Alana… his recent reason to smile and do masti…. Sonal nodded but also knew it is going to be a hard day for him.

Recalling last year 15th July, Sonal remembered how Shaurya was so agitated that he told a top celebrity to get out of his restaurant because he said the decoration of the day was too tacky and middle class. On 15th July, Shaurya would decorate White Chillies like the way Mahek likes, indirectly celebrating her birthday and remembering her. So Sonal knew it is not going to be easy but knowing Alana will be around, she allowed her heart and mind to be at rest. Before Shaurya left home that day, Sonal handed him his tickets and also wished him luck for the event because in these 3 years, he had avoided such gathering because people would end up asking him about Mahek which would hurt or agitate him. He doesn’t allow any media members to roam around him as he didn’t want to further recall all ill treatment he has given people… he is a changed man and wanted a simple life. Shaurya smiled and thanked sonal while offering her lift home since he was going to meet the family. They reached home and Kanta was waiting at the door. She hugged Shaurya and told him she wants to come along as she knows he won’t be able to handle himself in crowd. He looked at Sonal surprised and realised she must have told the family about his trip. He assured Kanta he will not do anything that would hurt any of them. He had dinner with them and left calling the night off.

Karuna helped him to pack his bag and Shaurya went off to bed. He could hardly sleep knowing the date is coming closer. He opened his drawer, took out their pic and started looking at Mahek. He looked at her Chura, her diary, the terrace, her cup…. He walked to the bathroom… recalling how they used to fight to shower and she would trick him… the bed and side bed… while he was recalling all their moments…. A song was going on in the background…

Tu jo nazron ke saamne kal hoga nahi
Tujhko dekhe bin main marna jaun kahi
Tujhko bhool jaun kaise
Maane na manaun kaise
Tu bata..
Roke na ruke naina
Teri aor hai inhe toh rehna
Roke na ruke naina..
Kaat’tha hoon lakhon lamhe
Kat’te nahi hain
Saaye teri yaadon ke
Hat’te nahi hain
Sukh gaye hain ansu teri judai ke
Palkon se phir bhi badal
Chhat’te nahi hain
Khud ko main hasaun kaise
Maane na manaun kaise
Tu bata..
Roke na ruke naina
Teri aor hai inhe toh rehna
Roke na ruke naina..

He looked at the moon, closed his eyes and a tear escaped his eyes… he joined his palms, requested GOD to just give him on opportunity… he wanted see Mahek… he wanted to just tell her he is sorry… he just wanted to tell her that her family needs her… he just wanted her once….! The night just went by in Mahek’s memories… and the sun was up..

Shaurya offered his prayers and he had a different kind of peace in his eyes today. Karuna realised he didn’t sleep the night but she saw he was looking happy internally today. She blessed him and he headed to the airport. He stopped by at paratha wali gali… took blessings from PD, Dadaji, Jeevan, Kanta, Ravi and Mansi. Mansi kissed his forehead and gave him some parathas for his journey… Shaurya.. this is your favourites… I am glad didn’t give me a son… because I was meant to have you as my son. Shaurya felt emotional and he hugged Mansi again. They wished him luck and he headed on. Sheetal saw his walking out of Sharma’s house and taunted him. It has been three years, where is the ‘Mahek’ (fragrance) of your life. He smiled and said… she is right where you can’t see because you have no love in your life… we have swapped places, sheetal aunty… I have so much of love from my family today and you are all alone… your husband left you after what you did to your daughter… your daughter doesn’t talk to you anymore since you threw her out of your life… and your son, he hates you because you being a mother did such mean things to his sister…. Yes, my Mahek is missing but I have her in my heart along with love from the Sharma family and Sonal whose like my sister! He put his shades on and walked off, as if won some war…. Sheetal aunty felt the pinch and teared hearing the reality of her life…

‘Mamu… where have you arrived? I am eagerly waiting for you’, said Alana. It was as if she had been calling him a million times and wanting to be the first to know Shaurya’s status as soon as he lands. He told her he is walking towards the arrival gate. As he was walking he was suddenly stopped by a tall dashing guy… excuse me! Mr. wrong call… this is my bag mate… you have accidentally taken my bag.. Shaurya looked at that ‘clown’ and just managed to say … excuse me as he was puzzled. He smiled and introduced himself being Angad. He said they had accidentally taken each other’s page and he identified him via his driving license which was in the bag. Shaurya realised their bag got swapped and was quick to apologize for the goof up. Angad smiled and said its okie buddy… pyar mein aksar insaan ko jata hai (often people are lost in love) and walked off waving at Shaurya. Shaurya found it extremely strange but just went on heading towards the arrival gate where Sameer was waiting to receive him. They hugged and went towards the car.

Alana was waiting at the gate and she rushed towards the car excited to receive her Mamu… Shaurya came down, went on his knees… she followed him and went on her knees… she snuggled her nose with his, kissed his nose and then hugged him… Mahek! Thought Shaurya but lifted Alana in his arms. She was so happy to have her Mamu around… she showed him her playroom, her studyroom and finally her bedroom…. She had stars around her bed… she had 2 large frames on her wall opposite her bed… one had a picture of her and Shaurya… to which Shaurya looked with such loving eyes… he knew she loves him probably even more than anyone else… but Shaurya’s eye was caught on the frame next to it… it was empty… he asked Alana why was this frame empty… Alana innocently told him that she was waiting to snap a picture with Mahek mami and put it there because she loves both of them so much…. Shaurya’s eye moisted… he couldn’t imagine how this little girl had developed loved for Mahek through that one letter and his stories about Mahek…. Alana wiped his tears and told him to believe that Mami will be back soon… no one can be away from Shaurya Khanna for long because her mamu is too sweet…. She hugged him and this time he hugged her tighter…. She told shaurya that he had written a song for him…. Shaurya was quick to ask song dedicated to his is it? She in her usual way with one hand on the waist and another hitting her forehead said … ‘no Mamu… this song is for you to sing when you meet mami…’. Now Shaurya was eager to hear the song.

Alana who was taking classical singing classes had a lovely voice and sings very well…. She started singing the song and Shaurya didn’t realise when he went into Mahek’s world mode where it was Mahek in cream saree among the hills and Shaurya in Red Kurta…!

*song*
Tu aati hai seene mein
Jab jab saansein bharta hoon
Teri dil ki galiyon se
Main har roz guzarta hoon
Hawa ke jaise chalti hai tu
Main ret jaisi udta hoon
Kaun tujhe yoon pyar karega
Jaise main karta hoon
Haa.. Aa..
Meri nazar ka safar
Tujhpe hi aake ruke
Kehne ko baaki hai kya
Kehna tha jo keh chhuke
Meri nigahein hain teri nigahon ki
Tujhe khabar kya bekabar
Main tujhse hi chup chup kar
Teri aankhein padhta hoon
Kaun tujhe yun pyar karega
Jaise main karta hoon
Haa.. Aa..

Tu jo mujhe aa mili
Sapne hue sarphire
Haathon mein aate nahi
Udte hain lamhein mere
Meri hasi tujhse
Meri khushi tujhse
Tujhe khabar kya beqadar
Jis din tujhko na dekhun
Pagal pagal phirta hoon
Kaun tujhe yoon pyaar karega
Jaise main karta hoon
Haa.. Aa..
(shaurya is imagining singing this song to Mahek romantically)

Kyra broke Shaurya’s imagination… Shaurya opened his eyes and realised his niece was now playing with her dolls while Kyra was sitting near him wiping his tears…. He hugged her and cried his heart out… he missed Mahek so much… he can’t bare the pain anymore and just wants to meet her once. Kyra was in pain seeing Shaurya in such condition and assured him that he will meet her one day… she is sure about it as GOD is testing his love and patience… she wiped his tears and forwarded the plate of food she brought for him… she fed him and he gladly ate from his loving sister’s hand.

Kyra prepared the guest room for Shaurya but Alana was adamant that her Mamu would only sleep with him. Shaurya agreed but Kyra warned him as Alana has funny attics of sleeping…. He smiled and said he would gladly have her kicks because in between she will hug him and kiss his nose…. Alana jumped on him trying to give him the kiss …. He lifted her and took her to the room… He put Alana to sleep and looked at the clock striking 12… he closed his eyes…. Imagined Mahek and wished her Happy Birthday…. He was about it sleep when he felt something near his leg. He looked at it and it was a drawing Alana had made… she had 3 people in it… Shaurya herself and Mahek….with Happy Birthday written beneath the page… there was a letter and it read….

“Happy Birthday Mami…. Shaurya Mamu loves you so much… please come back soon because Alana wants to eat kheer from your hand… Mamu said its extremely tasty…. Love you mami…’

Shaurya couldn’t imagine the love Alana had for Mahek though she has never met her. He wished GOD will atleast hear the little girl’s prayer and send Mahek back. He kissed Alana’s forehead and went off to bed. The night just passed in hope for a better morning….a morning where Mahek would be with them….a wish to see her… talk to her… eat kheer made by her….