Chapter 9

Part 8:

Nupur was lost deep into thoughts, while walking. She kept recollecting the time she spent with Mayank, all alone. There was no one with them, and she really enjoyed being with him. She kept thinking of the kiss, and whatever happened today. She always felt a tingling sensation whenever Mayank touched her. She smiled to herself, and continued to walk, still lost in thoughts.

 

Mayank was walking beside Nupur, but was completely unaware of anything. He was lost into his own world. This was the first time he had fallen in love, and it felt really amazing to fall in love. He just longed to be with Nupur forever. He even considered telling her what he felt for her, but was afraid she wouldn't feel the same. So Mayank dropped the idea of telling Nupur that he loved her. He thought of the times he spent with her, and smiled to himself. He couldn't believe he was actually in love. But his heart suddenly ached as reality hit him. He was soon going to be parting ways with her. She would be going her way, and he would be going his. He seemed upset as he continued to walk silently.

 

Nupur wasn't able to bear the silence any longer, so she turned to look at Mayank, but seeing him look so upset, she decided to keep quiet instead. Mayank wasn't able to bear the silence too, so he turned to look at Nupur, and saw her looking at him.

 

M- Uh, kuch kehna hai?

N- Uh, n-nahi to.

M- Oh.

Mayank looked down while Nupur continued to look at him.

N- Uh,

Mayank instantly looked up at her.

M- Kya?

N- Wo, hum, bus stop kab tak pohochenge?

M- Uh, wo, mujhe exact time nahi pata.

N- Oh.

This time both looked in different directions, feeling really awkward to look at each other.

 

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Gunjan was busy preparing food in the kitchen, when someone came and hugged her from behind.

G- S-Samrat!

She was shocked.

S- Ha meri jaan.

Samrat said teasingly. He hugged her tighter.

G- S-Samrat, chodo mujhe, mamma aur papa ne dekh liya to!
S- To kya? Tum to meri soon-to-be wife ho na.

G- Soon-to-be wife, abhi tak wife hoo nahi!
S- Dono mein zyaada fark nahi hai.

G- Bohot fark hai Samrat.

Saying so, Gunjan released herself from Samrat's hold. Samrat readily let her do so, but continued to look at her lovingly.

Gunjan was busy adjusting her dress when she saw Samrat looking at her. She suddenly felt conscious and looked downwards.

G- Kya hua Samrat?

Samrat simply smiled.

S- I love you chashmish.

Gunjan blushed.

G- I love you too

She whispered. Samrat moved closer to her, while Gunjan stood there, her legs glued to the floor. Samrat was close enough to her. He slowly placed his hand on her waist, and pulled her towards him. Gunjan was really nervous.She closed her eyes tightly. Samrat inched his face closer to hers and was about to kiss her, when they both heard someone call out to Gunjan. Gunjan suddenly panicked and quickly ran away from there, taking it as an excuse to get out from there. Samrat was confused, but eventually smiled at his innocent angel.

 

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Both Nupur and Mayank were tired of walking, and Nupur suddenly sat down on a rock. Mayank continued to walk in front, but he later realized that Nupur wasn't walking with him. He turned around to look for her, and saw her sitting on the rock, rubbing her foot. Mayank slowly walked towards her.

 

Nupur's foot seemed to be hurting, the place where the thorn had pricked her. She took out her sandals and began rubbing her foot gently.

 

Mayank came and stood beside her and looked at her with concern.

M- Kya hua?

Nupur looked up at Mayank and saw his concerned expressions. She simply shook her head.

N- Kuch nahi, bas thoda sa dard ho raha hai.

Mayank slowly went closer to Nupur, and gently picked her up, and put her down. He made her sit on the ground, and he sat down beside her, taking her foot and placing it on his lap. He slowly began rubbing her foot gently. Nupur looked at Mayank, and stared into his eyes. Her love for him was increasing with every single minute that passed. She felt the urge to hug him tightly and never to let go. She loved him a lot, and there was nothing she could do about it.

M- Ab theek lag raha hai?

Mayank asked, while Nupur was lost in her own thoughts. She didn't answer him.

M- Uh, tum theek to ho?

Mayank looked confused. Nupur suddenly jerked out of her thoughts and looked at Mayank.

N- I'm fine. Thanks a lot.

M- No problem.

Nupur slowly got up and tried to stand on her foot, but it suddenly felt heavy and she wasn't able to stand properly. She almost lost her balance. Mayank noticed all of it. 

M- Let me help you.

Mayank said as he placed his hand around her waist, and Nupur instantly placed her arm around his neck for support.

 

They continued to walk like that for the next few miles, both feeling absolutely content with each other.

 

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Gunjan came out of the kitchen, looking around nervously to see if anyone had caught them or no. Just then Mrs. Bhushan came to her.

(Mrs.Bhushan-Mrs.B)

Mrs.B- Gunjan bete, mujhe tujhse kuch zaroori baat karni thi.

 G- Ha boliye na ma.

Mrs.B- Dekh beta, ab jabki tumhaari shaadi ki baat ched hi gayi hai, to mein soch rahi thi ki kyon na hum tum dono ki shaadi jald se jald karwa de?

Gunjan looked nervous. She wanted her sister to attend her wedding too. And for that, she would have to delay her wedding, to which even Samrat had agreed.

G- Lekin ma, wo mein…

S- Aunty, shaadi ki jaldi nahi hai humein! Aap apna time lagaake usse perfect banayiyie! Hum intezaar karne ke liye tayyar hai, kyon Gunjan?

Samrat interrupted, to ease out Gunjan's nervousness. Mrs. Bhushan saw Samrat entering and smiled.

Mrs.B- Beta, shaadi jaldi ho ya der se, perfect to hogi hi, aakhir meri beti ki shaadi hai.

Gunjan blushed at this while Samrat smiled.

S- Lekin aunty, jald baazi ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Wo kya kehte hai, ha, hum aapke traditional way mein shaadi karne ko tayyar hai. As in, wo shubh muharat wagera wagera.

Mrs. Bhushan just laughed at that.

Mrs.B- Tum log bhi na, ek hi time mein decide karlo, ki shaadi jaldi karni hai ya nahi.

S- Aunty, der se bhi chalegi, bas yaadgaar honi chahiye!

Samrat said and then winked at Gunjan, at which she blushed.

G- M-ma, mein wo, aap logon ke liye chai banaake laati hoo.

She said, and then was about to leave when Samrat caught hold of her wrist.

S- Mein bhi tumhaari madat karoonga, (then looking at Mrs.Bhushan), agar aapko koi takleef na ho, aunty.

Mrs.Bhushan understood that they both wanted some time alone, so she just smiled and walked away from there.

Gunjan rushed into the kitchen, while Samrat followed right behind her.

 

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Nupur was lost deep into thoughts while Mayank noticed something in front of them.

M- Neha, saamne dekho.

He told her. Nupur immediately looked up at him, and then followed his gaze. There it was, the bus stop, where the bus they missed would be reaching shortly.

Nupur saw the bus stand a few feet away and could feel the pain of separation take over her again.

N- H-ha, that's great

She said dully. Mayank noticed her dull expression and got confused. They both reached the bus stop, and sat down on the bench.

 

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Gunjan was busy preparing tea in the kitchen for her mom and Samrat, when Samrrat slowly walked up behind her and hugged her tightly from behind. Gunjan almost dropped the tea vessel from her hands.

G- Samrat!

She scolded him lovingly. Samrat simply rested his chin on her shoulder, and then rubbed his nose in her hair. Gunjan simply blushed.

G- Samrat, yeh romance ka time nahi hai.

Gunjan said, trying to push him away.

S- Delkho chashmish, maine is shaadi ko delay karwaayi hai, tumhareliye. To mujhe mera reward to chahiye.

G- Kaisa reward?

Gunjan asked, turning around, now facing Samrat. Their faces were too close to each other, their noses almost touched. Samrat slowly closed the distance between them, and gently pressed his lips against hers. He suddenly was holding her by her waist, and kissing her passionately,

 

Gunjan was stunned. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back passionately. They both kissed each other passionately for what seemed like ages to them, and eventually, Gunjan was the one who broke out of the kiss. She blushed a lot and looked down at the floor.

S- yeh reward.

He whispered softly.

G- T-to tumhe tumhaara reward mil gaya na. Ab please jaao. Mujhe bohot kaam hai.

Gunjan said, still not looking him in the eye. Samrat simply smiled at Gunjan and then slowly went out of the kitchen.

 

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Dia was lying down on her bed, reading a book. Just then, Shilpa entered her room.

S- Dia, kya kar rahi ho?

D-(still looking into her book) book pad rahi hoo ma. Kyon? Kuch kam tha?

S- Nahi, kuch nahi. Bas mujhe, Mayank ki bohot yaad aa rahi hai.

Dia stopped reading and closed her book and sat upright o look at her mom.

D- Maa, don't worry. Bro jaldi waapas aa jaayenge, I'm sure.

S- Pata nahi Dia, shaayad saari galti meri hi thi. Mujhe usse itna force nahi karna chahiye tha.

Shilpa had tears in her eyes now. Dia looked at her ma sympathetically. She slowly went and hugged her ma tightly, and Shilpa began sobbing, hugging Dia tightly.

 

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Nupur and Mayank had waited almost an hour for the bus, but it failed to turn up. Nupur looked around here and there, as she was beginning to feel restless. She saw a small dhaba sort of thing in front of her, and she instantly looked at Mayank. He had his eyes closed. Nupur slowly tapped him on his shoulder, to which he instantly opened his eyes.

M- Kya hua?

He asked her, looking concerned. Nupur smiled at his concerned expression.

N- Nahi nahi, kuch nahi. Wo bas, mujhe bhook lagi thi, to mein soch rahi thi, kyo na hum us dhaabe mein jaakr kuch kha le? Waise bhi bus to abhi tak aayi nahi hai.

Mayank followed Nupur's gaze and saw the dhaba. He instantly felt for his pockets, and took out his wallet. He checked for how much money he had. He had just enough to manage for the time being.

M- Fine, chalo.

Both of them got up and went towards the Dhaba.

 

Both Nupur and Mayank sat opposite each other. Nupur couldn't help but feel lost whenever she looked into his eyes. He looked just so cute. She suddenly frowned when she realized she had just this much time left to be with him.

 

They both ordered for the food, which was served to them quite early since they were the only ones in the dhaba. Nupur moved her hand forward to serve herself, but her fingers touched the vessel, which was very hot. She suddenly flinched in pain, and moved her hand away immediately. Mayank looked at her with concern. Without thinking, he just grabbed her hand and softly kissed her fingers.

 

Nupur looked up at Mayank, and could feel a tingling sensation when his lips touched her fingers tenderly. She felt bliss. She could feel her cheeks turn red, and she tried to awkwardly look away.

 

Mayank realized what he was doing and he instantly let go of Nupur's hands. Nupur looked up at him, and managed a faint smile.

 

N- Thanks.

They both silently got back to eating, neither of them looking at each other in the eye.

 

They both were finally done with their eating, and moved toards the bus stand. Nupur leaned against the pole, while Mayank was lost in thoughts. The sudden sound of horns got them out of their thoughts. The bus had finally reached. This was the end. They would have to part ways from here. Neither of them seemed to be aware, but Destiny seemed to have planned something else.

 

Nupur slowly climbed into the bus, followed by Mayank. She went and sat down on an empty seat, while Mayank sat down in front of her. Nupur could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.

 

She recollected the way she ran away from her house, met Mayank for the first time at the bus stop, the way he came looking for her when she was lost in the forest, their night at the broken cottage, the waterfall, the slight brushing of their lips, the way Nupur had cried her heart out to Mayank, the way he cried his heart out,  the way he helped her when she had a thor prick her foot, the way they met sumi, stayed with her, and the  way she slowly, fell in love with him. This was the end of them. Mumbai was to decide their fate. As Nupur thought of all this, tears began streaming down her cheeks. She slowly closed her eyes and rested her head against the window.

 

Mayank seemed completely lifeless. The first time he fell in love, and he was losing out on her. He wasn't able to tell her what he felt. He was afraid, afraid that she would reject him. He slowly closed his eyes and recollected the memories of their trip. He was grateful that he ran away. Otherwise, how would he have met Nupur and fallen in love with her?

 

Both Nupur and Mayank hoped this journey would never end, but as said, all good things had to come to an end. The bus jerked to a stop, waking Nupur up from her thoughts. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, and looked around. People were getting down. She looked out of the window once, and her heart flinched in pain. This was it. They were in Mumbai.

 

Mayank looked around to see what the commotion was all about, and was shocked. They were in Mumbai, already!

 

Both of them took their bags and got down, neither of them saying a word. They finally looked at each other once they were out of the bus.

 

M- Bye. This is it. Hope we'll meet again soon.

 

Nupur had a huge lump in her throat. She was unable to utter a word to him. She finally gulped, and tried to keep her face as straight as possible.

 

N- bye. It was a real pleasure meeting you. Thanks for everything.

They both shook hands one last time, and Nupur quickly turned around. She kept taking small steps, trying to move as slowly as possible.

 

Mayank just stood there, looking at her, unable to think of anything. He was waiting for her to completely disappear.

 

Nupur continued to walk, and had hardly moved 2-3 feet away from him, when she suddenly froze. The memories of their trip flashed past her. She could feel the tears roll down her cheeks. She was losing him. She was walking away from the one man she loved the most! How could she?

 

Mayank continued to wait and instantly saw Nupur stop. She turned around, and he could make out that she was crying. She suddenly ran up to him and hugged him tightly. She buried her head in his chest and began crying uncontrollably.

 

Mayank simply hugged her back, not bothering to wonder why she did so. He just knew that he loved her, unconditionally.

 

Nupur continued to cry, tightening her hold around him.

N- Don't go, please don't leave me and go! I love you!

 

Mayank was shocked, and eventually happy. She loved him? Heck yes, she did love him! She loved hm! He was the happiest man on this earth.

M- This is unbelievable. I love you too!

 

Nupur stopped crying and looked up at Mayank with a confused look. He smiled in response and wiped her tears away.

 

M- Yes, I love you. I wasn't hoping that you loved me too.

 

Nupur couldn't believe what she just heard! He loved her! Yes, he loved her!

 

Mayank slowly bent down, and kissed her softly on her lips. Eventually, they were kissing passionately, oblivious to the world. They both had finally found their incomplete self, and neither of them seemed to let go off it. Ultimately, destiny had joined their path. It was no longer a cross-junction. But they didn't know what else destiny had planned for them.

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