Thank you!Here is the date!
CHAPTER 14
PART 3
It was half an hour before the car stopped.Nupur looked up finally as the car zoomed to a stop.They were facing a huge granite building.It was grandly built to say the least.From the expensive cars she passed as she walked with Mayank to the front door and from the haughty manner of the doorman as he swung open the magnificent doors,she was sure this was some place for people who were somebody.
She entered the place trying to look comfortable .As always the prospect of facing a crowd and in this case a noveu rich crowd was making her nervous.She bit her lips and stared ahead.
Why did Mayank bring me here anyway?Is this his idea of a date?
"You would love this." Mayank said
"You think so?" she challenged.
He smiled at her doubtful tone and nodded.
"Follow me."he ordered.
He led her through a double set of doors,nodded at the man with beard,who came bustling towards them.
"This way sir."
The path led to a cornered lawn covered with neatly trimmed bushes.As they entered Nupur shot a quizzical glance at Mayank.He smiled at her.
"Thought you might like these..."he said pointing his hand straight ahead.
There was a large fountain in the middle of the lawn.The fountain glowed light pink and yellow in alternative turns.Surrounding the fountain was a radius of elegantly decorated stalls.From what she could see there were many people dressed in sophisticated gear moving around.As she moved closer she gasped.
Each stall had its own charm.They offered everything from Persian rugs to Egyptian wall arts.It seemed that this little nook of the lawn was a assembly of different cultures all set side by side.
She had never even imagined such an affair.This seemed like a dream.
She turned to Mayank excitedly after examining a china moulded artifact.
"I have never seen such a thing ever in all my life experience as an interior designer..."
He smiled at her.
"Nupur..they are not for public to see.These are exclusive affairs for exclusive people."
Nupur rolled her eyes
"Thank you exclusive person."
He grinned.
"This exclusive person is actually sorry he brought you here."
"Why?"
"Well you seem to have eyes only for the stalls and not even a glance for me."
She blushed.His eyes grew softer as her colour increased.As she stared into his eyes she suddenly realised how very amazing he was looking.Dressed in maroon,his lips turned up in half a smile and his eyes delving into hers he was doing curious things to her heart.
Rather than risking a heart attack she turned around and pointed randomly at a store.She had no idea what it held so she was surprised when he said.
"Now that is more of my area."
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They started walking down to the stall.Nupur was positively drinking in the sight each stall offered and Mayank was drinking at sight of her.
As he walked he remembered the drive and the way their fingers lay intertwined.He had cursed himself when he made that move.Thankfully Nupur didnt mind but he could have easily offended her.At that moment however all that mattered to him was to reassure Nupur and he had done what he could.The fact that the holding hands had seemed symbolic to him only proved that he was slowly losing his marbles.
"You okay?"she asked.
Maybe he looked like he was losing his marbles.
"I am fine...just thinking..."he trailed off.
"Of...?""she encouraged.
"Of completeness.""he blurted out.
"Completeness?""she asked her eyebrows arching.
Now why did he have to say that?Maybe he was completely losing his marbles.
"Can we forget this?"
He had expected her to nod in affirmation.Instead she shook her head with a smile growing on her face.
"Mayank..."
"what?"
"Finish the thought."she said.
Rather than embarass himself further,he looked around and his eyes fell on the stall they were heading towards.
"Didnt you want to see this?"
He quickened his pace.Nupur followed laughing slowly.
"Mayank...I dont get distracted so easily."
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Mayank was sometimes so easy for me to understand.Maybe because I have always tried my best to know him as well as I could.
I knew he didnt want to continue the conversation and I knew why too.He had begun to express how he was feeling and he knew he wont be able to say it being Mayank Sharma.
But I wanted to hear!Hear what he was feeling!Did he also feel what I felt?Did he feel that when our fingers entwined something within him changed as it did with me.?
"Mayank I dont get distracted so easily."I said laughing.
He ran his hand through his hair looking absolutely adorable.Then he reached out and brought out two small bell-like looking objects.
"These are called manjiras...have you seen them before?"
I shook my head,trying to tell him I wasnt interested.
"These are musical instruments tribal people mostly use.They look small but can make great noises."
My smile disappeared.Suddenly the air was too still.What was happening?The premonition of something wrong hung over the air.
"They make awesome music.Listen to it."
"NO!NO!""I whimpered too softly for him to hear.
It was too late anyway
He swung the two metal bells.They both met with a large clung and the rest swung together again.
The sound echoed down to the very last vein in my brain.Blood rushed up.
"NO!!!!""
It was a shout,a scream of agony.Someone was shouting hysterically as the sound ransacked my mental piece.Metal on metal.
CLANG!
Someone was screaming still!!My hands reached out to block my ears.It was then I realised it was me who was shouting.
The screaming stopped immediately.I was trembling like a live bee electrocuted.I sank to my knees sobbing loudly.
Tears trailed down my cheeks wetting my face.I peeked in through my fingers and almost collapsed.
Mayank was standing few feet away looking stunned beyond belief.He looked at me as though he had never seen me before properly.
And it was true!He had never seen me for what I actually was. A freakshow!!
But now he knew!I wished somehow I could die instantly! __________________
Tum Se Tum Tak
Ganesh Kartikeya
