Part 7:

Mayank looked at receiver Nupur held out to him. What would he call and say? He didn't know what to say. His mom would definitely break down on  hearing his voice. He didn't want to put her through more pain than she already was going through. Mayank seemed to be fighting his heart and brain at the same time.

N- Kya soch rahe ho? Sirf ek baar baat to karlo. Pata hai, mujhe apni behen se baat karke kitna achcha lag raha hai. Trust me, just call your mom. Tumhari sadness door ho jaayegi.

Mayank looked at Nupur, into her eyes, and could see an encouraging look on her face. She cared so much if he was upset. He continued to stare into her deep brown eyes, and without realizing what he was doing, he took the receiver from her.

Nupur had a wide smile on her face.

N- That's better.

Mayank smiled back at her, and dialed his residence number. The phone kept ringing, but no one seemed to be answering it. Mayank was tired of waiting and was about to hang up, when someone picked up the phone.

D- Hello?

M- Hello?

Dia stood still for a minute. It was actually Mayank. It was her bro.

D- Bro?

M- Dia.

D- Bro, how are you? Kahaa chale gaye bro? Arey, shaadi nahi karni thi to theek hai, ma se baat kar lete. Lekin bhaagne ki kya zaroorat thi? I am dying to meet you bro.

M- I'm sorry princess. I know mujhe bhaagna nahi chahiye tha, par aur koi option hi nahi tha.

D- I'm missing you bro.

M- Main bhi. Uh, Dia..

D- Hmm?

M- Maa kahaa hai?

Dia looked a little nervous. She looked over at her mother who was lying down on the sofa, sleeping, having high fever.

M- Kya hua Dia?

D- Kuch nahi bro. Maa so rahi thi. Lekin chaaho to main unhe jagaa deti hoo. Ek min----

M- nahi, unhe sone do. Main phir kabhi call kar doonga. Bye Dia.

D- Love you bro.

M- Love you too. Bye, aur tum please apna aur maa ka khyaal rakhna.

Mayank then hung up. He looked at Nupur, who was looking back at him inquisitively.

N- Dia kaun hai?

M- Wo, Dia meri choti behen hai.

N- Arjun, tumne tumhaari maa se baat kyon nahi ki?

M- Kyonki wo so rahi thi, aur mein unhe jagaana nahi chahta tha.

Nupur looked thoughtful.

N- Khair chodo, phir kabhi hi sahi. Ab hum thoda aaraam kar lein?

M- Hmm.

Mayank and Nupur both went inside the room.

M- Main neeche so jaata hoo, aur tum bistar pe so jaana.

N- Tumhe kahi huyi baat samjh nahi aati? Thaki sirf mein nahi, tum bhi bohot thake huye ho. Isiliye tum bhi bed par hi soge. I told you na, I trust you.

M- lekin,.

N- Lekin wekin kuch nahi. Chalo, ab so jaate hai.

Nupur lay down on the bed, while Mayank reluctantly slept beside her. At this point, he had no control over himself. He was afraid he would end up doing something which he would regret for the rest of his life. But the amount of trust Nupur had on him, made him feel a whole lot better. He was instantly asleep. Nupur kept fidgeting on the bed, unable to fall asleep. She had slept a lot in the morning too, that now she was unable to sleep. She got up and sat down on the bed, resting her back against the headboard. She saw Mayank sleeping comfortably. She was instantly lost into him. What was happening to her? Why was she getting attracted to him? She felt like she could go on and on looking at him while he slept. Nupur slowly patted his head and moved her fingers through his hair. A bright smile lit up Mayank's face. Nupur also ended up smiling, while watching him smile
N- Yeh mujhe kya ho raha hai? Wo hasta hai, to main hasti hoo. Wo rota hai, to mujhe bhi rona aa jaata hai. Yeh ho kya raha hai?

M (thinking in his sleep)- Mujhe uske paas rehna itna achcha kyon lagta hai? What is happening to me?

Nupur could slowly feel sleep taking over her. She was sitting close enough to Mayank, and ended up falling asleep, with her head on his chest. Just then, Sumi entered the room, and seeing them sleep so comfortably she gently closed it back, smiling to herself.

 

                                                             ************

Gunjan was finally happy after so many days. She was really happy to speak to her di, and all the more happy that she wasn't alone. Atleast she had someone with her.

S- Chashmish, tumhe itna khush dekhke mujhe bohot achcha laga.

Gunjan was still smiling when she looked at Samrat.

G- Samrat, di bilkul theek hai! Wo akeli nahi hai! Pata hai, yeh jaanke mujhe kitna achcha lag raha hai.

S- I know Chashmish.

Gujan hugged Samrat tightly.

G- I love you Samrat.

S- I love you too chasmish.

 

                                                           *************

Dia was sitting on her couch, all smiling to herself. After sometime, her maa woke up and came upto her.

(mayank and Dia's mom-MM)

MM- Dia, itna muskura kyon rahi ho?

D- Ma, tum yakeen nahi karogi, lekin, bro ka call aaya tha!

MM was shocked on listening to this.

MM- Kya? Mayu ka call aaya tha? Lekin usne mujhse baat kyon nahi ki? Main use kitna miss kar rahi hoo. Dia tune mujhe phone kyon nahi..

D- Arey ma, aapko bukaar tha aur aap so rahi thi, isiliye mein aapko jagaana nahi chahti thi. Aur bro ne kahaa ki wo waapas call karenge.

Mayank's mom could feel a faint smile on her face. Her son was safe. Nothing bad had happened to him. She felt so happy that he did miss them. He called them up. Dia could see her mom's happiness, and hugged her tightly.

D- It's okay ma, bro is absolutely fine.

MM- Jaanti hoo. Lekin mein usse bohot zyaada miss kar rahi hoo.

D- Mein bhi ma, mein bhi.

 

                                                   ***********

Nupur heard a knock on the door, and opened her eyes instantly. She realized that she had her head on Mayank's chest and his arms were wrapped around her shoulder. She simply blushed, and gently pushed his hands away, so that she could get up. She sat upright, and was about to get off the bed, when Mayank caught hold of her hand tightly and pulled her back. Nupur was shocked and she turned to look at Mayank. He was sleeping peacefully, with a sweet smile on his face. She smiled at him and slowly moved her hand away from his tight hold and got down from the bed. She again heard a knock on the door and went to the door to open it. Sumi was standing there, smiling at her sweetly.

S- Uh sorry beta, did I disturb you?

N- Arey nahi nahi aunty, main to waise bhi uth gayi thi. Uh, kuch kaam tha?

S- Wo, dinner tayyar hai. Tumlog aake khaalo.

Nupur looked at Mayank.

N- Aap chaliye, mein Arjun ko jagaakar aati hoo.

S- Sure beta, lekin jaldi aa jaana.

Nupur smiled back at Sumi and then Sumi went from there. Nupur slowly went towards Mayank and sat down beside him.

N- Arjun utho!

Mayank simply moved a little, but didn't wake up.

N- Arjun, please jaldi utho.

Mayank sleepily opened his eyes and saw Nupur sitting beside him, waking him up. He quickly got up and sat upright.

M- Sorry, wo main….

N- Koi baat nahi. Ab chale, dinner bhi to karni hai.

M- Ha, chalo.

 

                                                   ********

Gunjan laid her head on Samrat's lap and was smiling to herself. Samrat patted her head, and leaned his head closer to Gunjan's and kissed her forehead gently. Gunjan simply closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.

S- To ab apni di ki chinta chali gayi?

G- Thoda sa. Mein bas bohot khush hoo ki di akeli nahi hai. Yehi mere liye kaafi hai.

S- Uh Gunjan…..

G- Kya hua Samrat? Pareshan ho?

Gunjan instantly got up to look at Samrat.

S- W-wo, Nupur ne kaha ki wo shaayad hamaari shaadi pe nahi aa paayegi.

G- Kya?

S- Ha chashmish. Wo actually, wo nahi jaanti ki wo uncle aur aunty ko kaise face kar paayegi.

G- Samrat, jab tak di waapas nahi aa jaati, mein shaadi nahi karne waali.

S- lekin chashmish….

G- Please Samrat, is bar meri baat maanlo. Yeh pehli baar hai ki main tumse kuch maang rahi hoo. Jab tak Di waapas nahi aayengi, mein shaadi nahi karoongi.

Samrat smiled.

S- As you say chashmish.

And then he hugged her tightly. Gunjan hugged him back and smiled. She was lucky to be with someone so understanding, caring and loving.

 

                                                        ********

Nupur and Mayank were done with their eating, and Sumi had also gone off into her room to retire for the day. Nupur went and settled down cosily on the sofa, and Mayank came and sat down beside her.

N- Arjun, apne baare mein kuch bataao na.

M- Kya bolu?

N- Kuch bhi.

M- Tum mujhse kuch pucho, aur main uska jawaab de doonga.

Nupur looked thoughtful for a moment. One question had been troubling her ever since she met him. She really needed to get it out of her head and get all her doubts cleared.

N- Uh, tum shaadi kyon nahi karna chahte ho? Tum kisi aur se pyaar karte ho kya?

Nupur had held her breath, while Mayank looked thoughtful. Mayank looked at Nupur's anxious expression.

M- Nahi. Mujhe aaj tak kisi se bhi pyaar nahi hua tha, until….

The first part of Mayank's answer relieved Nupur, but the next part left her anxious again.

N- Until what?

M- Uh, kuch nahi.

N- Arjun, bolo na!

M- Kuch nahi Neha. It's seriously nothing.

Nupur frowned. She was hoping for him to say something that would make her feel that he did feel something for her, just like how she did. She was, however, disappointed. She rested her head against the sofa, and closed her eyes to think. As soon as she closed her eyes, the memories just rushed in. The way Mayank had rescued her from the jungle, the night they spent at that cottage, the way Mayank was so concerned when that thorn had hurt her, they way they almost kissed under the waterfall, and the way they actually kissed in the bedroom. Nupur felt something strange. She knew what she felt wasn't just mere attraction. She knew there was something more she felt for him. She didn't want to degrade the feeling by giving it the name of attraction, or as a matter of fact, lust. She knew there was some kind of attachment she felt towards Mayank. But what was that feeling? Why wasn't she able to figure that out?

M- Neha! Neha!

Mayank tapped Nupur on her shoulder. Nupur suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Mayank.

M- You're sleepy? To tum andar jaake so kyon nahi jaati?

Nupur simply shook her head.

N- I'm not sleepy. Main kuch soch rahi thi.

M- Achcha? Kis gehri soch main thi tum?

N- Wo, kuch nahi…

M- Fine, mat bolo.

Nupur felt bad on not being able to tell him what she was thinking. But what could she tell him? She was getting infactuated by him? She was getting attracted towards him? That she was, maybe, she didn't know, but just maybe, falling in love with him? What was she exactly suppose to tell him when she herself was confused about her feelings for him?

N- Wo, mujhe, well, meri behen shaadi karne waali hai.

M- Kya? To that's good news na? Tum itni sad kyon ho?

N- Kyonki wo chahti hai ki main uski shaadi ke liye wahaa maujud rahu.

Mayank looked thoughtful.

N- Aur main nahi jaana chahti.

M- Kyon?

N- Kyon se kya matlab hai tumhaara? Agar mein wahaa waapas gayi, to maa aur papa mujhe shaadi karne ke liye force karenge! Aur mein us stupid ladke se shaadi nahi karna chahti. Main to uska naam tak nahi lena chahti.

Nupur looked irritated.

M- Kyon? Kya tumhe kisi aur se pyaar….

N- Pyaar?  Paagal ho gaye ho kya?

M- Kyon?

N- Arjun, pyaar aise hi thodi na ho jaata hai. Infact, mein to apne mr. Right ke liye rukhi hoo.

M- Mr. Right? Aur tumhaara Mr. Right kaisa hoga?

Mayank didn't know why, but somehow he was eager to know what Nupur wanted in her Mr. Right. He didn't know why, but everytime he thought of her, a smile automatically came on his face. She was just so innocent, sweet, and so full of life. Nupur looked at Mayank, deep into his eyes. He was genuinely interested in knowing how she wanted her perfect man to be. She just smiled on looking at his curious face.

N- Well, zyaada kuch nahi. He should just love me and no one else, jab hum ek doosre ki aankhon mein dekhen, to humein ek dusre ka pyaar nazar aaye, jo meri aur baaki ladkiyon ki izzat kare, aur jo mera bohot khyaal rakhe.

M- Achcha……to tumhe looks ki chinta nahi hai?

Mayank asked, amused by Nupur's description for her perfect man. As far as he knew, all girls wanted their Mr. Right to be handsome, hot, and he should have a good body.

N- Hmm…..Physical appearances bhi matter karte hai, lekin mein unhe itna importance nahi deti. Par agar goodlooking ho to, sone pe suhaaga!

Nupur said and giggled while saying the last line. Mayank also couldn't help but giggle.

Nupur's giggle suddenly died down as she saw Mayank smiling. He looked so cute. His dimples were so prominent. She suddenly felt the urge to go closer to him and kiss him. She was shocked at her own thoughts. What the hell was going on with her? Mayank suddenly saw Nupur had ceased to smile, and he abruptly stopped smiling as well. Nupur's expressions confused him.

M- Kya hua?

N- Kya tum mujhe pasand nahi karte?

Nupur spoke out, without realizing what she just said. Mayank was confused at her question. What was that supposed to mean? She asked him if he liked her. But why did she want to know what he thought about her?

M- Kya?

Nupur suddenly realized what she had just asked him. She quickly shook her head, and smiled to cover up for what she said.

N- I mean, as a friend.

M- Well, as a friend, ofcourse I like you.

Nupur blushed at this. Mayank noticed Nupur blushing and simply smiled at her.

M- I think tumhe jaake so jaana chahiye, kyonki humein kal shehar ke liye nikalna hai.

N- Shehar?

M- Ha, kya tum bhool gayi kya ki humein bus stop pohochna hai? Hum Mumbai jaa rahe the, yaad aaya?

Suddenly it clicked Nupur. What? It was the last night of their adventure? Tomorrow they would be back on their way to Mumbai. This was the last night she would get to stay alone with him. Why did that hurt her so much. She didn't want to go back. She felt like staying with him forever. Why was her heart aching at the thought of getting separated from him? What was  happening to her? Suddenly Nupur frowned.

N- Hm, yaad aaya.

Mayank noticed Nupur's sad expression and became worried.

M- Kya hua? Koi problem hai kya?

Nupur dully shook her head.

N- Nahi to. Kal hum finally Mumbai ke liye nikalne waale hai. Aur phir hum Mumbai pohoch jaayenge…aur phir ek dusre ko alvida………

Nupur sighed. Suddenly something clicked Mayank. This was the last day they had to be with each other all alone. Once they reached Mumbai, they would part ways. Mayank's heart pained to even think of it. He didn't want to leave Nupur and go. He felt like staying with her forever. His heart deeply ached as it slowly dawned on him. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Nupur spoke up.

N- Mein sone jaa rahi hoo.

She said slowly, and then got up and walked in to the room. Mayank remained still, sitting on the sofa, resuming back to his thoughts.

 

Nupur lay down slowly on her bed, and closed her eyes tightly. Instantly, all the memories of her and Mayank rushed in again. Nupur kept shifting her positions but was unsuccessful in getting him out of her head. She sighed slowly and got up and sat upright.

 

Mayank rested his back against the sofa, unable to come up with any reasonable conclusion. For the first time in his life, the very sorted, Mayank Sharma, was in a complete dilemma. He tried hard to find out a solution to his problem, but just sighed when he found none.

Nupur slowly closed her eyes to think peacefully. She simply wasn't able to understand what she felt right now. She opened her eyes again and came up with only one conclusion. She sighed as she slowly whispered to herself.

"I'm in love with him."

 

After all the rational thinking Mayank had done, the only conclusion even he could come upto was that, yes, yes he was in love with her.

 

                                                          *********

Mayank didn't realize when he had fallen asleep on the sofa, and was woken up by Sumi.

S- Beta, utho.

Mayank slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see Sumi waking him up.

M- Aunty, aap?

S- Ha beta. Tum yahaa kyon so rahe ho? Kal raat kya tum dono ka jhagda ho gaya tha kya?

Mayank looked confused. Last night? He suddenly remembered. He was so lost into thoughts last night that he must have fell asleep on the sofa itself.

S- Actually, mein kaun hoti hoo puchne waali. Tumhaara personal matter hoga. Waise, naashte ke liye aa jaao.

Sumi then left from there. Mayank stood up and began walking towards the room where Nupur was. He entered the room, and was shocked to see the bed neatly done, and no sign of clothes here and there. He walked further in, and looked around, but couldn't find Nupur anywhere.

M- Kahaa chali gayi?

He thought to himself. Just then, he saw someone sitting calmly on a chair, in the small balcony that was attached to the room. Mayank slowly moved towards the figure, knowing just enough that it was definitely Nupur. He slowly came and stood behind her, and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

 

Nupur was awake quite early. She looked around here and there, but there was no sign of Mayank. She knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep, especially when she tried really hard to fall asleep last night. She slowly got up, and collected her open hair into a bun, wearing a thin straps, sky blue colored nylon nightsuit, looking extremely gorgeous, even though her eyes looked sore. She had cried the last night, cried because of her sister, cried because of her parents, and finally, because she knew she was in love with Mayank but didn't know what he felt for her. She quietly set her bed properly, stacking up the blankets and pillows in one corner, and got up, stretching herself as she did so, and walked up to the balcony, and slowly sat down on the chair. She rested her head against the back of the chair, and closed her eyes, lost into thoughts. Just then, she felt someone place their hand on her shoulder. She didn't open her eyes, neither did she jerk to a stand. She just closed her eyes even more tightly, taking in the sensations as they passed through her. She slowly opened her eyes as she felt the hand move away from her. She turned around to face the person, though she knew very well who it was.  She saw Mayank standing there, looking at her, gazing at her, gazing into her deep brown eyes. Nupur knew that if she stared back, she would lose control, so she quickly looked away. Mayank realized what he was doing and looked away as well. Nupur slowly smiled at Mayank.

 

N- Good Morning

M- Good morning.

N- Kal raat theek se soye? Kyonki subah dekha to tum room mein nahi the.

M- Ha, wo actually, mein kal raat sofe pe kab so gaya, pata hi nahi chala.

Nupur smiled at him.

M- Uh, jaldi se jaake tayyar ho jaao. Humein kuch hi der mein nikalna hai.

Nupur sighed and got up from the chair. She looked into Mayank's eyes one last time, and then went inside the bathroom. Mayank also went outside the room and waited for Nupur to be done.

 

After about twenty minutes, Nupur came out of the room, wearing a baby pink colored kurti with thin straps on a pair of dark blue jeans. She had her hair left open, which kept falling on her face. Mayank looked at her. She was looking stunning. Absolutely gorgeous. How could someone look so innocent and hot at the same time? Mayank just looked at her in wonder, and was suddenly brought back to reality when Nupur stood in front of him, snapping her fingers.

 

Mayank quickly rushed inside the bathroom, to avoid facing Nupur. Nupur only smiled at his childhish act, went inside the room again to tidy things up.

 

Mayank was done with his shower, and was only in his jeans and his black vest, since he had left his shirt outside. He slowly got out of the bathroom, when he saw Nupur in front of him, facing her back to him. She was busy picking up the clothes from the bed, and the towels, and was putting them into the laundry basket. Mayank just gazed at her in awe.

 

Nupur was busy in doing her work, unaware that Mayank was standing behind her. She was too engrossed in doing her work. The straps of her kurti were a little loose, and as she moved her arm to pick up the dress lying on the bed, one of the straps slid down her shoulder, exposing her bare shoulder. Nupur, however, remained unaware of the fact that her strap had slid off her shoulder. She continued to do her work.

 

Mayank noticed the strap of Nupur;s kurti, and for an instant, was confused. He slowly walked up to her, until he was close enough to her. The moment Nupur felt him close to her, she instantly froze. She could feel the strange sensation pass through her again. Mayank slowly moved his hand towards Nupur's right hand, where the strap had slid off. He slowly traced his fingers on Nupur's, and slowly moved his finger along her arm very slowly. This made Nupur feel ticklish. She closed her eyes tightly. He slowly reached up to her bare shoulder and slowly caressing her shoulder, he caught hold of the thin strap, and slowly pulled it over her shoulder.

 

Nupur had her eyes tightly closed. She felt chills run down her spine. Mayank slowly shifted Nupur's hair to one side of her shoulder, and was almost about to kiss her on the back of her neck, when he came back to his senses. He slowly backed away. Nupur slowly opened her eyes and turned around to face Mayank.

N- T-thanks

She stammered.

M- Your welcome.

Mayank replied awkwardly.

                                                      ********

Both Mayank and Nupur were done with eating their breakfast, and were to leave from there. They thanked Sumi for letting them stay in her house for a day, for taking such good care of them and promised to visit her sometime again. They then bid her a goodbye, and left from there, following an unknown path.

 

They did not know where this unknown path was going to take them, but both knew one thing for sure, that destiny had definitely something planned for the both of them, which was going to be the ultimate turning point for both of them. Both unaware of their destinies, continued to walk, unknown to the fact that the road they were following was soon to connect somewhere and become one. Just like that, though these two were heading for their own ways, later on, they had to connect and become one.

hope you liked it. please do comment and let me know what you all think.