FF: Last thing I expected - Mayur. Chapter28 Pg148 - Page 19

Originally posted by: AMMY LUVS RIDZ

OMG THAT HOTTIE CONVO WAS SOOO FUNNY...........AWESOME YAAR!!!!.........PLEASE UPDATE SOON....PM ME.

Kainath u must be soo annoyed with me atm.. but updte plzzz?? before i go to sleep?

Originally posted by: Bollywood_chic

Kainath u must be soo annoyed with me atm.. but updte plzzz?? before i go to sleep?

Mayank could have sworn he was just at ICICI Bank, talking to a hula-dancing receptionist. Or, was he at his Mom's house dancing the tango with the bird who taught at Neev's school'Sunita? Sushmita? Sonali? That's it, Sonali.

Oh no'he was at Excel College running laps around the sports field in the buff.

"Daddy," Neev's whispered voice broke through the incredibly strange dream Mayank was having. "Daddy, wake up."

Mayank opened one eye and found Neev standing next to his bed, wearing his footy-pyjamas and poking his father in the arm.

"Go back to sleep, Neev," Mayank mumbled, closing his eye and stilling his son's hand from the continuous poking.

"But daddy, it's time to get up," he replied. "The clock stick is pointing to the seven."

Mayank used a very potent curse word inside his head and rubbed at his eyes. He looked at the clock and wondered why his alarm hadn't beeped to wake him up. For God's sake, it was only 6:59 am. He could have had one more minute! God damn it! It would have been the most wonderful minute ever' and now it was gone.

A few seconds later his alarm on the bedside table started to beep. Great.

"See?" Neev said, pulling his thumb from his mouth, a habit Mayank tried ridiculously hard to stop in him. "Time to wake up."

Mayank forced himself out of the warm cocoon of his bed and walked to the bathroom, leaving Neev to climb into his bed and curl up into the warm covers.

Mayank finished his morning ablutions: take a whiz, shower, shave, brush teeth, etc. He walked back into his room to find Neev sleeping. Typical, Neev. Mayank leaned over the bed and kissed his son's forehead.

Neev blinked up at his father. He smiled and hid his wet thumb under the pillow. "Time to get up, daddy."

Mayank laughed and ruffled his hair. "Get your scrawny butt up, buddy, and go pick out the clothes you want to wear today."

Neev climbed out of the bed and ran off to his room across the hall. Mayank set off to make the both of them breakfast: sugary, colorful cereal with warm milk. Not the healthiest choice, but hell' he had lost a whole minute of sleep. He would need the sugar.

After getting Neev washed up, dressed and presentable, the two of them set off for school. Neev seemed to practically skip that morning, compared to the sluggish drag of the previous morning.

"I'm going to show Harshad my marble collection," Neev chattered. "I bringed it with me in my backpack."

"Just don't lose it," Mayank said. "That was a gift from Dadi."

"I can never do that, daddy!" Neev said with wide eyes. Good grief, how dare daddy even suggest such a horrid thing?

"You're going to be on your best behavior, today?" Mayank asked.

"Yes," Neev replied automatically.

"And no sucking your thumb."

Neev stayed quiet at the accusation.

"It's a disgusting habit, Neev. You're four years old and a big boy now. Big boys do not suck their thumbs."

Ok, dad' I get the friggin' point. Jeez. Thumb-sucking equals not cool. Got it. But will I listen...? Hell no.

"I'll pick you up at five again today."

"We're going to have macaroni with red sauce for lunch today, daddy," Neev explained.

"It's good to know my money is going to your culinary appreciation," Mayank mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing, Neev."

They reached the door to where the evil hag corrupted' er, taught. The entire night his dream, no sorry, nightmares, were plagued by her random appearances. And now he had to face her. And this was just the second day. Fantastic.

Two different parents and three students were already standing in the entrance area. Mayank had to check his temper before approaching Nupur. Oh, but wait, something else to test his cranky (due to that one minute lost sleeping) temper.

"Harshad!" Neev cried out, running to a small boy holding on to his mother's hand.

The two boys hugged and Mayank tried to think of the appropriate age boys should stop hugging. Five? That'll work. Let the kid get hugs out of his system and then fifth birthday can come along, and bam, no more boy-hugs. Only dad-son hugs and nothing else. Oh shit, that's Gunjan! The day keeps getting better and better. Did I have to come at this time of the day? Kill me, someone. Now'

"Mama! This is Neev!" Harshad said excitedly to the woman sporting a bright yellow salwaar.

"Your mummy's dress is the same color like pee-pee!" Neev said as a sporting introduction.

Mayank had to bite back a laugh and groan at the same time. Thanks for reflecting my parenting skills so wonderfully, Neev. Especially to someone who already hates me. I owe you.

"Neev, that's not a nice thing to say," Mayank quickly scolded, evading Gunjan's amused glance. "Apologize."

"But it's lellow like pee-pee, daddy," Neev defended himself.

Mayank caught the smile on Gunjan's face. At least she's smiling. She doesn't look like she's going to eat me up any minute. Good. Bach gaye.

"I don't care, Neev. Say you're sorry," Mayank said, signing Neev's name onto the sign-in list, still intently avoiding Gunjan.

"Sorry," Neev said quietly. "I like your dress. It's lellow like' mustard."

"Thank you, Neev," Gunjan said, choking on a laugh. The child obviously got his lack of tact from the Sharma side of the family. They all had an annoying tendency to speak before they thought.

She looked up at Mayank and stuck her hand out, her face expressionless. "Hello, Mayank. Long time no see."

"Gunjan," Mayank said politely, shaking her hand. He could insult, annoy, criticize her sister as to his heart's content, but Gunjan had always been poles apart. No matter how much had passed between her sister and him, she still acted civilly towards him. Thank God for that. Whereas her sister was another completely different end of the spectrum. "I'd like to apologize as well for Neev's hideous comment. He usually doesn't speak like that, knowing that a spanking could be in his immediate future."

Neev grabbed the seat of his pants in horror. "I said sorry, daddy."

"It's quite alright," Gunjan said cheerfully. "Honesty is the best policy, right boys?"

The two boys nodded and then walked into the open door leading to the classroom right as Nupur walked out of it.

She looked between the boys and smiled at Gunjan. Oh God, he's here too. So Gunjan and him met. Great. At least no verbal insults were hurled. But then again, Gunjan's too gentle. And she forgets easily. I seriously have a lot to learn from her. Anyway, Nupur, it doesn't matter. Ignore the rat. IGNORE.

"You look so cute today, Di," Gunjan said.

She was referring to the pale pink sundress Nupur was wearing, completely opposite of the greys, navys, and blacks that she usually wore to teach. Her hair had been pulled back from her face in a slightly chaotic chignon, exposing her slender neck and accentuating her feminine face.

"Thank you, Gunjan," Nupur said, a pink fog creeping up to her cheeks. Did she have to say that in front of that ass? "Sonali made me promise to brighten up. She said I looked like a mortician before."

Gunjan laughed at the blunt comment. "Well, you look great, Di. Time for me to jet. My boss will have my patootie if I'm late again. Bye Di! And, nice to see you Mayank."

She walked out of the school, leaving Nupur and Mayank to deal with the thick tension and horrid social pressure.

How the hell does Gunjan remain so calm before him? She totally presented herself as though nothing had happened in our pasts. Heck, she acted as though there was no past between this monkey and me, whereas I had to bloody cry my self to sleep like a baby! My sister is an absolute marvel! Ugh'

Why the hell didn't I leave the minute I signed Neev in? Damn me! This is the last time I spend more than a minute in this hag's presence. Ok, quick, say something and leave.

"I agree, you do look nice," he said.

DAMN! What the hell is wrong with me? What in the DAMNING DAMN made me say that? No more Sugary Hyper Puffs for breakfast anymore, Mayank. Dump the whole goddamn box the minute you get home.

"Um, thank you," Nupur said slowly.

"I'll be back at five to pick Neev up."

"Ok, he'll be here," she joked.

Nupur inwardly slapped herself. 'He'll be here?' Are you serious? Of course he'll be here. He's four, where else will he be? Stop trying to be witty and just do your job.

Mayank nodded and quickly left the school, running his hand through his hair. What a fantastic start to a fantastic day. If only he had slept that one extra minute'

Work was uneventful, filled with tedious employees, two near disasters of losing accounts, and bouts of unbridled frustration. All in all, a good day.

The first breath of air as Mayank left his office building was like the key to the lock on his stress. He strolled on the sidewalk, letting his mind relax from every worry and annoyance, until he could just enjoy the wind blowing against his skin and the hypnotic rhythm of a nice walk.

Before he knew it, he was standing at the school, recharged and ready for whatever life had prepared to throw his way, whether it was in the form of his son's rambling or his teacher's hatred.

"Greetings, Mr. Sharma," Sonali said from the desk, her feet propped up and her face hidden behind a book, surprisingly not about Vikram Raina.

"Um, hi," he answered, not sure how to reply to the colloquial greeting.

"How was your day?" she asked conversationally, her nose still buried in the book.

"It was as usual," he replied, automatically going to the sign-out sheet. "And yours?"

"I had a student barf on me and then I stubbed my toe on the edge of the doorway," she said. "But it wasn't as fun as Nupur's."

Mayank nodded politely, knowing that she was probably waiting for him to ask exactly why Nupur's day was more fun than hers. He wasn't falling for it, because he frankly didn't care. He had had enough of her for one night. He was slowly training himself not to think of her. And he was succeeding too. But the minute she appears in front of him, his concentration snaps and back to square one it is.

"Did you know that the ultimate way to get a bloke to fall in love with you is to focus all of your attention on him and make sure that he knows he is the center of your attention?" she asked, looking up from the book.

"The next time I want a man to fall in love with me, I'll be sure to remember that," Mayank said with a straight face. "If only I had known before'"

Sonali broke out in a round of laughs. "I'm reading a book on the best ways to get a man to love you. I need as much information as I can get if I ever want to snag Vicky."

"Vicky?"

"Vikram Raina. I gave him a nickname. It's what I'll call him once we're married," she replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Does he know you two are getting married?"

"Of course not," she said with a wave of her hand. "But he'll know the minute he meets me. It'll be love at first sight, unless he has a certain aversion to frumpy, out-of-shape teachers' then we might have to work a bit on the love part."

Mayank furrowed his eyebrows. "You're not frumpy nor are you out-of-shape."

"You think?" she asked, looking down at her body. She was obviously disillusioned, because she had the body of a tiny faerie, small and petite.

"Yes, I do believe you are neither of those things," he replied. "Now, when are the kids supposed to be let out? It's almost ten after five."

Sonali looked at the clock behind her. "I thought the toddlers left already. I know Harsh left and Ritu left and Lakshya left. But obviously all the toddlers haven't left if you're here to pick up Neev.."

Mayank couldn't help the small bit of worry that clawed his insides. He had arrived exactly at five, so where was Neev?

"Oh, there they are," Sonali said as Nupur and Neev strolled out of the classroom.

Neev ran into his father's arms and squeezed his father around the neck, staying eerily quiet. Usually he was blabbing nonstop.

"Is everything alright?" Mayank asked, rubbing his son's back and turning to Nupur.

Nupur clasped her hands together and swept away a stray hair from her face. "We had a small accident."

The bit of worry grew into a colossal ache. "What happened?" Mayank managed to say. "Is Neev hurt?"

Nupur shook her head. "Neev was playing with one of his marbles and accidentally broke a window pane."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"No, but Neev was really scared." Nupur said with a small hint of worry in her eyes.

"Neev? Are you ok?" Mayank asked quietly.

Neev shook his head, burying it in his father's shoulder.

"Oh, sweetheart, it's alright. I told you that the window will soon be fixed," Nupur said, stepping closer to the small boy in his father's arms. "Nobody was hurt and you didn't ruin anything."

"I breaked the window, daddy," Neev's voice came out in a squeak.

"Neev, it's ok," Nupur said again. She patted his back and stroked his hair off of his forehead. "It's going to be fixed and everything will be perfect again. You didn't do anything wrong."

Neev looked up and switched his gaze between his father and Nupur. "I won't get in trouble?"

Mayank shook his head. "No, Neev. You won't."

'I was just playing with the marble Daddy, and I just threw it high in the air, daddy and then it happened! I didn't want the window to break but it just happened and Ritu screamed!"

"Yes, well Ritu is a little snot'" Sonali mumbled from the desk. "She screams like it's a second language to her."

"Sonali!" Nupur chastised. "Not in front of other students."

Sonali shrugged and went back to her book.

Mayank walked over to the row of hooks and picked up Neev's jumper and backpack. "Tell Miss Nupur thank you for keeping you out of trouble," he told Neev.

"Thank you," Neev said.

He put his head back on his father's shoulder and stuck his thumb into his mouth.

"Mr. Sharma, could I speak to you for a few moments?" Nupur asked, walking behind the desk to where Sonali was sitting and pulling a ring of keys from a desk drawer.

Mayank withheld a sigh and nodded. What is it now? Didn't I make Neev acknowledge his mistake? God, she never can rest, can she?

"Sonali can watch Neev," Nupur said. "I just have to discuss something with you."

She led him to the back office and motioned for him to take one of the seats across the desk from her. Mayank sat and waited for her to begin speaking so he could get out of there. No matter how hard he tried to avoid her presence, there always seemed to be a reason for them to interact. It got on his last effing nerve.

"I'm just going to get right to it," Nupur started. "I want you to know that what Neev experienced was very normal. He's at the age where children start to learn about their strength and abilities and it's crucial that they learn how to control them."

"I know," Mayank said simply, already annoyed with the speech. Isn't it done already? Can I please leave? You can't possibly want to interact with me do you? Do you'? Of course she doesn't, you great prat. Stop fantasizing.

"He's an extraordinary boy and so far, he's the first child to have shown immense capability in both academic and extra-curricular areas. I want you to know that I've studied child physical and mental development extensively and that you shouldn't worry about his control over his actions, because I will see to it personally that he works on it."

"Ok, thank you," he said and stood up. Finally.

"One more thing," she quickly said. "If you want Neev to stop sucking his thumb, I suggest using diluted jalapeno."

Mayank's hand was on the doorknob, but he turned slowly around to look at the deranged woman. "Excuse me?"

"Cut up a jalapeno and put the pieces in a cup of water. Find a way to get him to stick his thumb in the water and he'll eventually stop sucking his thumb once he realizes that it's uncomfortable to suck on it."

"That sounds cruel," he replied. "I would never purposely hurt my son. He'll eventually grow out of that habit. Thanks for the advice, but no thanks." What the hell does she think I am, a sadist? Umm'Mayank, I think she does think you're a sadist. Sigh.

"He's not going to grow out of it," she said with a hint of irritation. "Don't be so stubborn. He needs to be conditioned to stop the action or it's going to continue."

"I'm not going to do that to my child."

"It won't hurt him. It's diluted jalapeno water, not a habanero pepper from the outskirts of the damn Yucatan peninsula. It's enough to make it uncomfortable for him to suck his thumb."

"You're insane."

"And you're an obstinate fool."

"Is that all or do you have any more pearls of wisdom you wish to bestow upon me? Should I punch him in the jaw the next time he curses or do you want me to kick him in the bollocks whenever he wets the bed?"

Nupur shook her head in exasperation. What an idiot. This is who I was crying over. Nupur Bhushan, you're pathetic. "Fine, I don't care. I'm just trying to help. My efforts are obviously going to waste on such an unfit parent."

Mayank's eyes turned icy cold and Nupur actually felt the temperature in the room plummet. She instantly regretted her words and willed them to come back to her stupid, stupid mouth.

"I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude of me'"

"Hi, my name is Nupur Bhushan and I say incredibly vulgar things and then go and apologize as if it makes it all better. Damn you, oh, wait, I'm sorry, that was rude. You're a horrid bitch, oops, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I hate you and wish you weren't my son's teacher so that I could tell him what a horrible person you are, nope, sorry about that, too. Didn't mean to say that," Mayank said in a rabid, loathing tone.

Nupur clenched her fists together. "You're not a shining beacon of morality yourself there, Mr Sharma. I seem to remember countless times when you used horrid words and traded insults as if you were born to do it. You called me the worst names and said the worst things and you made me hate you with everything I possessed."

Mayank's jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"I never hated anyone before I met you," she continued, malice oozing from her words. "You're the one who showed me what it's like to actually hate someone, to loathe someone with all of my being! I hated you so much and I hate you still. So, don't you dare come in here and pretend like I'm some evil demon set out to hurt your feelings. Be a man and take an insult, the likes of which you gave out every chance you had back when we were in college."

"I'm glad we agree on something," Mayank spat.

"What?"

"You hate me and I hate you. It's a match made in the fiery pits of hell," he said and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Nupur fought the urge to have a cathartic scream and instead paced her office slowly, breathing in and out to control her rage.

I don't think I can handle him every day' I'm going to lose it.

"Nupur?" Sonali's voice came from the other side of the door.

Nupur granted her entrance and Sonali slowly entered the room. She took a seat in front of the desk and watched Nupur stop in her pacing.

"Mr. Sharma looked really mad when he walked out of here," she said.

"We had a slight argument." Keep your cool, Nupur. Don't say anything you'll regret in anger.

"By slight argument, do you mean an explosive fight that I could hear all the way from the entrance area."

Nupur's face blanched. "Oh, God, did Neev hear?"

Sonali shook her head. "I took him to the sound-proof music room when the two of you entered the office. It's a bit sad that I knew you two were going to fight."

Nupur sank into the chair behind the desk and rested her head on the surface of the desk. "I can't believe how much I hate him."

"Remember, babe, don't let your relationship with the parents affect your life. Just forget about him. He's really not worth the stress."

She is so right. Just like Gunjan. What's wrong with me? Why can't I just forget about him and just consider him like another parent. Does our stupid, incorrigible past always have to get in the middle of us?

"I can't help it. I can't just detach my emotions and not let his words affect me. I don't like fighting with anyone, Sonu. It's not a fun experience and I hate that Neev comes from such a horrid man."

"I doubt Neev shares your opinion."

Nupur groaned and rubbed at her temples. "Yeah, I know. The stupid prick is clearly a great father to Neev and yet I don't know how he switches so easily from SuperDad to Evil Mutant Ass-face."

"Evil Mutant Ass-face' cute," Sonali laughed.

Nupur felt her lips twitch into a smile. "You're right," like everyone else, "He's not worth stressing over. Let's go grab some dinner and then we can swing over to Uday Bhaiyya's flat. I heard he was having the rest of the team over for drinks."

"Ooooh, yummy Rugby players after a long day of training. I'm so in," she said dreamily. "Although no one on the Bombay Cannons can come close to Vikram in catching my affections, some shameless flirting is exactly what we need."

"Damn, now I wish I hadn't mentioned it. I just wanted to see Uday Bhaiyya and Benji again. You're going to make me flirt with the team, aren't you?" As if I need a man right now. They are so useless, there's no point in thinking about snagging one at all. Why don't I learn from previous relationships? Wait, Nupur. You've only had one. And that was a complete disaster. Ugh. I hate men.

"Duh. You need a man, babe. A man that you can go home to and hump until your troubles fly away," she said simply.

Nupur couldn't help the bubble of laughter that escaped her lips. "You're a real poet, Sonu."

Sonali smiled coyly and winked. "Yep, now let's get going. I'm starving, single, and ready to rub some bloke's dingle."

"Sonali!" Nupur gasped in a laugh.

"Kidding!" Sonali sang. "Now, get your butt out of that chair so we can go. Those Rugby players aren't going to flirt with themselves' unless they swing that way, and I'm pretty sure I read in last week's issue of 'Rambunctious Rugby' that the captain for the Cannons has his eye out for Ashish Choudhary, the new chaser."

"Why were you reading 'Rambunctious Rugby'?"

"I have to make sure they aren't slandering Vicky or spreading rumors about his sexuality," Sonali explained.

Nupur shook her head in astonishment and followed Sonali out of their office after checking on a few things and locking up. It was definitely not going to be a dull night.

"Are you mad at me, daddy?" Neev asked Mayank as they walked home after parking his car in the basement, his small hand in his father's larger one.

Mayank was so wrapped up in his thoughts, in his hatred for Nupur that he barely heard his son's question. "What? No, Neev' I'm not mad at you."

"Why are you mad?"

"I'm not mad," he lied. "I'm just a little tired."

"Oh. Do you want to take a nap?" Neev asked.

Mayank smiled softly. "A nap sounds wonderful' but we have to eat dinner first."

"Alright!" Neev cried out. "I can tell you about my school and Miss Noopurr and Harshad and how much fun I had today!"

"Great, Neev." Hearing more about Miss Noopurr, the stuck-up hag. Perfect small talk over dinner.

"Can Dadi come to school with me tomorrow? I want to tell her all about my school too Daddy!" Neev asked after a few minutes.

"You don't have school tomorrow, Neev. It's a Saturday," Mayank explained, thanking all the deities and mythological deities and unknown deities that he wouldn't have to see stupid Nupur Bhushan for two whole days. It was a blessing.

Somehow, a week went by and Mayank found himself falling into a daily pattern. It basically went like this:

-Wake Neev up (if the little bugger hadn't woken him up first)

-Do morning necessities and make sure Neev does them too

-Breakfast (NO SUGARY HYPER PUFFS!)

-Drop Neev to school

-Say hi to Supriya' no, damnit, her name is Sonali. God, how hard is that to remember?

-Ignore the chatterbox Komodo dragon, except to say 'good morning' if Neev is present

-Go to work

-Yell at employees for their incompetence

-Get some work done

-Count down the minutes until lunch

-Yell at employees some more

-Lunch

-Back to work

-Yell at employees

-Count down the minutes until five o' clock

-Leave work

-Drive to Neev's school

-Say hi to Surili. Oh, darn it. Sonali. People should wear name tags

-Ignore know-it-all swamp creature, except to say a polite goodbye if Neev is within hearing range

-Leave school and do an internal jig that the day is nearly over. Key word: internal

-Make Neev something edible to eat for dinner. (For future reference, do not follow any more recipes found in the Cook it Yourself magazine' those tend to cause insane diarrhea)

-Play a game with Neev that doesn't involve talking in a high-pitched voice

-Give Neev a bath

-Change into dry clothes because apparently, 'sit still' means 'splash as much you can' in four-year-old jargon

-Read Neev a bedtime story

-Listen to Neev explain how the story could have been better if there were dragons and/or dinosaurs eating the heads off of the hero of the story

-Make sure Neev falls asleep

-Collapse into own bed and sleep

-Repeat the vicious cycle over again

Another week passed by with the same lovely pattern. Things were going great for Mayank and Neev. Mayank was even hoping that his son was soon forgetting about his ex-wife, which was a wonderful thing. The last thing the kid needed was the memory of his shit-for-brains incubator.

Neev was enjoying school immensely. He was learning basic educational principles and having fun with Harshad.

Annoyingly, he was also growing dangerously fond of the barracuda he had for a teacher. "Miss Nu-pur this, and Miss Noopurr that and Miss Nu-pur said this and Miss Noopurr said that'"

It wasn't until Mayank received a letter from Chitra Jain (CJ), his remaining friend from college, that their life was turned completely upside down.

Chitra worked with 'Randhawa and Chadda' firm as a lawyer. She dealt mostly with business legal matters, but for Mayank she would make an exception.

Especially when he had received such awful news'

Mayank went into shock the minute he read CJ's brief letter.

Mayank,

I was just informed by my superior that we had a new case filed. It seems that Annie Fernandes wants custody of her son, Neev Sharma and has hired a lawyer to fight her case.

We need to talk. You could lose your son and it's imperative that we speak as soon as possible. Write me back.

CJ