CHAPTER 15: BELLA'S REVENGE (II)
Once he was safely
out of the room, she turned to Sumitra with a smile.
Sumitra: Well done
Bella. Now that will show him what it feels like when someone you love treats
you like a stranger.
Bella: I don't know
Ma. I know I said that I will make him suffer but he looked so hurt when I
called him a stranger. He is not a stranger. He is my husband. The love of my
life...
Sumitra: Bella! Be
firm.
Bella: But ma...
Sumitra: Listen dear,
I know you can't see him hurt but I think I know what this is all about. And if
I am correct, this is something you will have to deal with quite often. Bella
Mahir is extremely possessive when it comes to his loved ones. You saw how jealous
he was when I cared for you. He is doing this for your attention. You have been
quite busy lately. He will have to understand that this is not how things work.
This is a life lesson that only you can teach him.
Bella: But Ma, why
hurt him? I can go and tell him and explain it to him right?
Sumitra: No dear.
Some lessons are better learnt the hard way. Now go and get him in. And
remember treat him exactly the way you treated him when you joined the Sehgal Industries.
Friendly but distant and professional.
Bella went outside
and called Mahir in. Sumitra had buttoned up her top by then. Mahir was
awkwardly leaning against the wall waiting to be called in. They did not have a
single meeting that day so on Sumitra's orders they were going to stay at home
that day. Bella spent the day in bed complaining of sore back. Mahir was forced to sit on the reading chair
as whenever he tried to sit on the bed, Bella would get up to go and he would
feel guilty for making her sit on the chair when her back was hurting her. The
whole day went in an awkward silence, side long glances and uneasy sighs.
Next day same thing
happened. Bella came out wearing a bathrobe and then acted awkward in front of
Mahir. She shooed him to take a bath and then leisurely put on her clothes.
When he stepped out in a towel, Bella acted all awkward and Mahir was forced to
retreat inside the bathroom as he did not have the heart to tell her to leave
the room. Post breakfast, Mahir was made to stand outside the room while
Sumitra applied balm to Bella's back. Actually they both were having a good
laugh at Mahir and his situation. Once they were done, Mahir was allowed back
inside. BeHir had an important meeting post lunch that day. So after lunch,
Bella decided to torture Mahir some more. She decided to wear a saree that day.
After she was done wearing the saree, she went and lied down on the bed, face
down. When Mahir knocked she told him to come in. He saw her lying face down on
the bed. First of all Bella in a saree was Mahir's weakness and top of that she
was lying down on the bed in a very suggestive manner. When she saw him, she
told him to call Sumitra.
Once Sumitra came
there, she applied balm to Bella's back. After that they went to the office.
Mahir was very uncomfortable when Bella continued to call him Mahir sir even in
the office. Their subordinates were surprised to see this sudden change. When
Mahir told her to stop calling him sir, she very innocently replied that she
was just trying to make things go back to how he remembered them. She did not
want him to stress because of unnecessary changes. Mahir, knowing that he was wrong,
could not even tell her to stop it after that. He continued to suffer in
silence.
The walls were up. He
could feel it. Her demeanour, her behaviour was extremely friendly but oh so
professional. She would do no wrong. Post marriage Bella had the habit of
coming in Mahir's cabin to eat lunch or afternoon tea. That day she didn't
come. Instead she went to the canteen with Tanvi for tea. Mahir kept waiting
for her to turn up but she didn't. Finally he went to her cabin and was told
that she was in the canteen. He came back disappointed. He remembered that
before their marriage Bella never joined him in his cabin. It was an unspoken
rule. They did not want their subordinates gossiping about them unnecessarily
so they were never alone in the cabin without leaving the door open.
Post marriage Bella
would flop down on the sofa in his cabin while talking to him. Or they both
would end up cuddling on the sofa while discussing business related stuff. That
day when he summoned Bella to his cabin after tea break, he was sitting on the
sofa but she went straight to the chair and sat there like a prim and proper
girl. Back straight, attentive like she used to be. It was so horrible to see
her all stiff and professional with him.
Mahir spent the rest
of the day feeling miserable. When they reached home, Bella was on the verge of
giving up her revenge mission. She had seen Mahir roaming around with a
thoroughly miserable expression on his face and was feeling bad. But Sumitra
and Polo convinced her to continue the drama for some more time. Bella agreed
reluctantly. That night again, Bella built a pillow wall between them and Mahir
tried not to look too upset.
Next day was quite a
hectic one for them all they were having a party that night to celebrate
Mahir's recovery and after lunch the decorators arrived to prepare the house
for the party. Mahir tried to keep Bella in bed but Bella declared that her
back was much better now she was perfectly fit to supervise the decorators. Mahir
was a bit reluctant to let her do it but she somehow managed to convince him.
She was in an unexpectedly chirpy mode that day. No one could get her to tell
them why. Only Sumitra and Bella knew the reason. They had made a devious plan
to make Mahir regret ever entertaining Anu in the last few weeks.
It was in a way the
first party that they were having in the Sehgal House after a long time. The
media people were coming and so were their business associates. As usual Bella
had the responsibitlity to look at the decorations and the arrangements.
Previously whenever Bella saw to these things, it would be because she was an
employee but that day for the first time she was going to be hosting the party
as THE Mrs. Bella Mahir Sehgal. Bella had purposely chosen a lemon yellow
coloured full length gown. Plain and simple but it was accentuated with blue
accessories and blue stilettos. It was similar to one which she had worn to a
Sehgal Party some years ago. She wanted to remind Mahir of a certain party
where they had shared their first dance together. It had happened so
organically that they had not even realised that it was their first dance. It
was only after Suhani pointed it out to her that she realised that she had
shared her first dance with Mahir. Bella, at that time had felt that maybe
Mahir had not realised that but now that she knew him better, she knew he
definitely knew that it was their first dance. So that was a party that he
would never forget.
She called Pratham
and Yuvi to her and told them her plan. Pratham was slightly alarmed but Yuvi
was up for it. So with the whole plan in place, she got down to instructing the
decorators. She wanted to ensure that everything was just perfect for the
party. Sumitra saw her shouting at the florist for bringing small flowers and
was amused. She knew if she did not remind Bella to get ready, Bella would
still be in her shorts and a tank top when the guests arrived. About an hour
before the guests came, Sumitra instructed Pratham and Yuvi to carry/drag
(whatever worked) Bella to her room and Suhani to get her ready. Suhani giggled
as this had happened once before.
Exactly forty-five
minute before the guests were supposed to arrive, Pratham and Yuvi went up to
Bella and unceremoniously lifted her and carried her to BeHir's room. Mahir saw
that, and laughed out loud when he remembered the last time he had witnessed
this scene. Bella was as kicking and screaming like the previous time. Once
inside her room, they placed her on her bed.
Bella: I told you to
recreate that party. But you guys took it quite literally. I did not mean
recreate it action by action.
Sumitra: Well that
day it would have been fine if you were not ready to welcome the guests. But
today? You are the hostess, you need to be there to welcome each and every
guest. So, Suhani? Get her ready.
Polo: I will help you
look sexiest best... I was not there for the party...
Sumitra: That was
because you were at your parent's place, remember? You sister's daughter was
getting married...
Polo: That does not
mean that I did not miss this party... Anyways Suhani is boring. I can teach
you a thing or two about attracting men.. I mean Mahir.
Bella: Fine...
As soon as the boys
exited the room, Suhani pushed her inside the bathroom and told her to get
dressed. When Bella stepped out in the figure hugging gown, Suhani and Polo
made her sit in front of the full length mirror and began to do up her hair and
her face. Within thirty minutes Bella was all set for the party. When she
stepped out of the room, she saw that Mahir was already in the living room
waiting for her, looking miserable. When he saw her, he perked up a little. He
rushed to her and tried to hug her but she pushed him away.
Bella: Sir, my dress
will get spoilt.
That was when he
noticed the dress that she was wearing was similar to the one she had worn some
years ago. He looked at her suspiciously. What was she up to now? First that
scene, then this dress... What was she trying to indicate? Had something
happened at that party that he was supposed to remember? He was very sure she
was trying to recreate the party where they had shared their first dance
together. He puzzled his brains for some time but then dropped it.
Mahir: Bella, please
don't call me sir in front of the guests. That will be so...
Bella: Don't worry I
care about our reputation. Whatever is happening between us will remain between
us. The media will not know.
When the guests
arrived, Bella and Mahir greeted them with a smile. Finally the whole of the
Mittal family came. Rehan complimented Bella on her dress and looks while Anu
gazed at her wearily. She had still not forgotten the insult. But Bella
surprised her by hugging her tightly. Not wanting to create a scene in front of
the media, Anu also smiled and hugged her back. Mahir and Rehan were left
staring at the girls. Now what was Bella up to?
Soon the party was
going on in full swing. BeHir played the perfect hosts, attending to the guests
and talking to them. At one point Bella went to where Anu was standing all
alone.
Bella: Anu, I am
sorry about the other day. I was rude to you when you simply wanted to enquire
about Mahir's health. I am really sorry. I don't know why I keep forgetting
that you guys have known each other since you were kids. And anyways, he
doesn't remember our marriage at all. He is not very happy these days. Maybe
being around his childhood friend will cheer him up? Will you do that for him?
Will you keep him company?
Mahir had followed
Bella and when he heard this, he was alarmed. To spend an entire evening with
Anu and that too with Bella's permission was just too much. Now he will not be
able to escape by saying that Bella will feel bad as Bella herself had told Anu
to spend time with Mahir. Just then Sumitra came there. Mahir hoped that
Sumitra will stop Bella but...
Sumitra: Bella did
you talk with Anu?
Bella: Yes ma.
Sumitra: Anu dear,
please help Mahir. We really think your company will help him remember what he needs to remember.
Anu was looking at
them both thoroughly confused. But Bella and Sumitra's genuine expressions
convinced her and she smiled.
Anu: Of course Bella.
I know Mahir since we were kids. I can get him to remember anything you want...
Bella: See I need
your help. I feel if he is around people he is most comfortable with, he will
be able to remember stuff easily. Luckily ma also agrees. So will you help him
regain his memory?
Anu: Yes. Although
you have always been jealous of my and Mahir's friendship, I will do it for my
friend.
Bella: You are so right.
I should have come to you sooner. But you know how it is... My ego was not
allowing me to let someone else treat my husband. But now I realised my ego is
not greater than my love. So I am begging..
Anu: No need.
Just then she spotted
Mahir slinking away. Mahir had pinned his hopes on Sumitra. But when he heard
that even Sumitra wanted him to spend time with Anu, he decided that the time
had come make himself scarce. No one was going to save him now. He stopped in
his tracks when he heard Anu's sickly sweet voice call out to him...
Anu: Mahir...Where
are you going? Come with me...
She went to him and
grabbed him arm and held on tightly and began to lead him away from Bella.
Mahir looked at Bella trying to plead through his eyes but she looked back at
him with unflinching victorious gaze.
He suddenly remembered
her promising him that she would save him anytime till his wife came along.
Then his wife would save him. But when he had questioned her as to who will
save him from his wife... She had replied that he would have to do it
himself... So this was her revenge. This was how she would get back at him for troubling
her. He was almost certain that she knew that he had remembered everything.
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