Chapter 18
PART 2
Mayank's POV
The sweet aroma of coffee was slowly engulfing the entire room.I looked up from the newspaper when Mom came to sit next to me in the breakfast table and Ramu Kaka poured coffee in my cup.I flashed him a smile.
""Some coffee for me too Ramu Kaka..""Diya said from my right side.I apred a glance at her.She was staring moodily at the table.
""Absolutely not.""interjected Mom.""Diya you havent finished the chicken broth...""
She shrugged
""Maybe because its digusting..""
"It doesnt matter how it tastes.Its for nutrition and you need it."
Diya sighed.I hid a smile by sipping on coffee.Life had taken a definite downturn for Diya ever since she fainted in Sujoy's office.No longer was she allowed to diet or even go down to visit friends for hours.She needed constant supervision- courtesy of Shilpa Sharma.
""Mom..I am fine!Really...I am healthy.There is nothing wrong with me.""
she protested.
I shook my head.
""Healthy people dont just faint.Mom is right..""
She pointed a spoon threatheningly at me.
""Stay out of this.""she squeaked out and muttering turned to the broth.
Mom buttered a toast.
""Do you have any plans for the weekend?""
I shook my head.
""Good.We are planning to go to Mr.Sabherwal's house.""
""Why?""Mr.Sabherwal was a close friend of my father and while mom remained in constant touch with them after dad died -it wasnt the friendly relation of having dinners every week together.Infact I dont remember seeing them for years.
""Its a get-together.His daughter just returned home after finishing graduation from the States.""
I dropped the spoon loudly.
His daughter...That fitted up the puzzle
""Mom I thought you had given up matchmaking for good.I dont want to get married now and I dont want to go see every girl in town.""
Mom rolled her eyes.
""You would never want to get married.Its my duty -I want you to get married.All my friends have seen their children getting married.I want to experience that too....and since is younger than you it only makes sense for you to get married.""
""Mom I am not getting married to appease your thirst to fit in with your friends.""
""What did you want to get married for then?""she threw in casually.I knew it I was trapped.
What did I want to get married for?I dont know...I couldnt think of any reason to get married-why did people marry-oh yes love...but I always thought love was a nonsensical concept.You couldnt just fall in love-someone couldnt just start meaning something to you.
Unbidden then the image stole in-a beautiful angel in white,her dark silky hair blowing in the wind,her downcast eyes...the softness of her skin as it brushed against my lips.
""Mayu...""Mom said softly and then cleared her throat loudly.
I jolted up feeling slightly hot around the collars of my shirt.
""Mom..I am not going to meet any other girls and thats final.""I said in an authorative voice.
""Yes ofcourse you wont.I will always attend other people's wedding.Guess I would never be as happy as Devika is now.""
I looked up.Devika ...as in devika bhushan...The thought came rushing down.Was Nupur getting married.?
""Why is Devika aunty so happy?""I asked.I saw Diya shift slightly as I spoke.
""Because Gunjan is getting married...""
What?
""...to Samrat.Did you know that Diya?It is quite interesting.""Mom said.
""No..I didnt know.Nupur didnt bother to tell me.""came the instant reply from Diya.I glanced at her face as she ate determinedly.There was something amiss her-something I couldnt pinpoint.
""She called me a while ago telling me everything.She will be here-soon with the formal invitation.I have never seen her so happy.She has dreaming of Gunjan's wedding for so long.""
Of course!!She had and somehow I knew that.It was in her way of talking about Gunjan.I remembered how she had completely sidelined Nupur..
""How come Gunjan is getting married first,anyway?"Diya said in an annoyed voice.""I mean Nupur is older...""
""Diya you know very well...""mom began
""Well..isnt it normal for the eldest to marry first?"'she persisted.
""Things arent normal here.Nupur..is ..well autistic.."Mom said softly.
""I think the girl is lovely but you have to admit there isnt much chance of her marriage.""
""Just because she is autistic doesnt mean she isnt worthy of marriage.""I found myself saying.
Mom nodded
""But it does reduce her chance of getting married.I really like Nupur-I wish she finds every happiness in the world but all I am saying is that there is that shadow of doubt whether she can handle a marriage.""
She finished kindly.
I could hear the lingering affection in her voice-the fact that nupur might not ever marry was hurting Mom but yet she said it-because it was true.
Suddenly I stood up.I couldnt take it any longer.The thoughts started rolling down.I managed to bid them goodbyes and walked to my car.
What was I doing anyway?I was getting involved in a relationship that had no future...
Could I marry Nupur?Can I visualise a future with her?How would that look like?She was autistic...could I deal with that?Could she deal with me?
I was so into thinking that I didnt realise the two figures walking near me.I only saw them in my rearview mirror when they were two feet away from me.
""Mayank..""Devika aunty said through the car window.I flashed her a smile.
""Namaste aunty.I heard about Gunjan's marriage -congratulations!""
She nodded and smiled brightly.
""Its fantastic isnt it?I mean I always knew my Gunjan was so perfect that she was meant to be in the very first circle.It was a given..but still..""
I tuned out her voice as I looked behind her a Nupur.She smiled softly at me,her cheeks slightly red.My heart ,as always,picked up pace with her color.
Nupur looked so beautiful...so normal...
Just then a car backfired in the road.My eyes were still on Nupur when the sound lashed out-
And the demeanour slipped.The sound broke through her.Her eyes went unfocused,her body twitched and trembled.Her breath was coming in gasps and she tried muffle the sound by covering her ears
Involuntarily I reached to comfort her.
""Nupur... said making Devika aunty turn towards her.We both moved towards her but she backed down frantically,muttering and she turned her back towards us.I could see her shuddering.Devika aunty walked to her and whispered softly.
I stood there feeling utterly helpless.After what felt like an eternity she turned to look at me.
There was a small timid smile on her face but my jaws seemed to be locked.I couldnt smile.
""You okay?""I asked.
She nodded.I looked down.
""I need to get going.I am getting late...""
They bid me goodbyes and I drove out quickly.As I waited for the guard to open the gate,I glanced back.Nupur was still standing there,rocking herself slightly-muttering to herself.
For once I saw beyond that face-that person.I saw her for what she was.
Nupur was different-in so many ways from me.
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
Cricket
