FF: Last thing I expected - Mayur. Chapter28 Pg148 - Page 62

Chapter 19

Neev watched as his father propped his shiny, silver and black motorbike in the parking lot of their condo. It had been a long day at school what with the whole 'learning how to read' business and Neev had believed himself to be on the verge of a nice nap on the couch, listening to his mummy rustle around in the kitchen. But then, Daddy had come and decided to take him out for a spin on his most prized possession.

Now….there was that beautiful bike just a few steps away. Any thoughts of a nap were long gone. Neev quickly engaged himself in looking at a passing butterfly when Mayank turned around. He still concentrated on that butterfly as Mayank kissed him on the forehead.

When he heard the footsteps fade away from that parking lot, Neev stole a glance at his father – who was now busy checking the letter box – to make sure the coast was clear. Yep, no grownups. They had an annoying tendency to say no to a lot of fun things…

Neev sneaked towards the bike and checked all around him to make sure his Daddy or any of his silly neighbours weren't hiding somewhere. He turned back to the beacon of all things fun and goodness: daddy's motorbike. He reached it in nearly no time at all… it was one hell of a Siren.

He ran a tiny finger down the polished handle all the way to the perfectly designed tail end. He looked at the opposite end where he saw two letters he knew but didn't understand: M. S. He had learned those letters when daddy had taught him the entire ABCs.

He wrapped his hand around the handle and felt the hum of vibration pulse through his arm. It was so freakin' cool!

"Neev Sharma," his father's voice drifted from the open area in front of that parking lot.

Oh, man… so close.

"You have one second to get your hand off that bike."

Neev released the handle as if it had scalded him and turned to face his father.

"I was only touching it," he said. "I wasn't going to ride on it."

"Neev, you know you can't touch my bike; it's not a toy. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Sorry," Neev replied quietly. He didn't like it when daddy got mad at him. "I won't touch it anymore."

"Good," Mayank sighed and knelt down to pick up his son. "I'm not being mean, Neev. It's important that you stay away from this bike because you could end up hurting yourself. Do you understand?"

Neev nodded twice and then smiled his 'Neev is a good boy' smile. He used it in emergencies only.

Mayank shook his head with a smile and hoisted Neev up onto his shoulders. "Did your mummy say something about ice-cream for dessert?"

They both took the lift up to the flat. Nupur was sitting on the couch, reading a magazine as they entered.

"How was the ride, Neev? Did you have fun?"

"Yes, he did. Too much fun. So much fun, he decided to try to have a go on it himself." Mayank said, shooting an amused look at his son.

"What? Mayank, I told you to never leave your bike unattended where he can reach it," Nupur said, standing up from the couch. "He drools like some love-sick puppy whenever it's around."

"He didn't seem interested in it when I left him. And besides, I'd already taken out the keys," Mayank mumbled, knowing he was just as much at fault. God, she's already behaving like an overly concerned mother fretting about her son…her son? Neev isn't….well, I might as well admit it now….the way she's treating him – she's definitely a mother to him.

Neev looked at his mummy and then his daddy. Grabbing the opportunity, he blurted out, "Mummy you said we can have ice-cream for dessert!"

"I didn't say anything about dessert," Nupur said, putting the magazine back in the rack.

"Let's get ice cream!" Neev exclaimed. "Please?!"

He gave his smile again, turning it towards Nupur.

She smiled back and nodded. "Fine, but only if you finish your dinner."

Suckers… smile always gets 'em.

Things were moving slowly… but surprisingly smoothly. It had been a few days since the Ancient Mistress of Evil had visited. Mayank and Nupur refrained from speaking that hag's name to prevent any recollection of her existence.

Four days after the initial inspection, Nupur came home with Neev sleeping in her arms, tired from the long school day. She placed him in Mayank's bed since the master bedroom was closest and her arms were worn-out.

Quietly exiting the room and walking towards the living room to rest her feet and possibly take a quick nap before she had to start dinner, Nupur didn't expect to hear the doorbell ring.

The postman had arrived with a few couriered packages. She thanked him and closed the door. Rummaging through the stack of letters, she mostly found some letters addressed to Mayank with the words 'Confidential Information' stamped across it.

Hmm…everything's for Mayank…better keep them on the coffee table…wait, what's this? Letter from Annie D'Aggostino?

Throwing the other letters onto the coffee table, Nupur hesitated a moment before opening the letter. It wasn't addressed to anyone, but she knew it was meant for Mayank. But he wasn't home yet, so, tough luck. Plus, her curiosity was killing her. What could she have written? Something about the case? About Neev? About….about getting back together with him? No…no that can't be it. She….she can't possibly…after this whole custody drama….she doesn't Nupur. Well, only one way to find out.

She quickly unfurled the letter written on perfumed parchment and written in glitter-black ink.

Mayank,

What the hell are you thinking!? You married the bitch? Out of all the desperate whores in that country, you pick that bitch again? Well, pray tell, WHY am I not surprised? Even when we were married you were just…..ahhh…. I couldn't believe my ears when I overheard that you had gotten married… to her!! I am so utterly disgusted with you. I wrote this to tell you that I do not want my precious baby raised by that filth. I'm going to fight for him and keep him away from you and your dirty, lowly wife! God, how could you expose our son to her?! I'm so angry right now I can barely think straight. I won't let you get away with this, Mayank. Neil is my son, too, and I want him here in France with me, with his real mother!

Madame Annie D'Aggostino

Mayank unlocked the front door and tucked his key back into his blazer as he stepped inside the flat. His head hurt from finally finishing one of his most complicated projects and all he wanted to do was collapse onto his bed and sleep.

He heard Nupur rattling around in the kitchen… it sounded louder than usual, as if she might have been slamming things down on the counters instead of placing them.

Hanging his coat in the hallway closet and making his way to his room to change out of his work clothes, he stopped only when he heard the springs of his bed squeaking with the proof that Neev was jumping on it.

He smiled and shook his head before stepping into the doorway with a practiced 'parent-frown.'

Neev flew off the bed and ran to his father with a very innocent expression. "Daddy! You're home!"

"Yes, and you're in trouble," Mayank said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you in this room?"

"I waked up and I was here," Neev explained.

"And you decided to just start jumping on my bed?"

"I wasn't jumping. I was standing on the bed and then I moved my knees up and down and then I got up a little bit on the bed and then went back down on the bed really fast."

Mayank raised an eyebrow at his son's descriptive lying. The kid was such so like him…

"Well, you're not allowed to do that anymore. Got it?"

"Got it," Neev assured his father.

When's he going to leave so I can get back to jumping?

Mayank smiled at his son and bent down to kiss his head. "How was school today?"

Neev perched himself on the edge of his father's bed and watched him change out of his clothes. One day… he'd be tall just like him… and he'd have muscles too. Maybe he'd have a line of hair on his belly, too… whatever that was.

"School was fun and fun. I learned how to spell my surname!"

"Yeah? And how do you spell it?"

"S-h-a-r-m-a," Neev said loudly. "I can spell all of my name now!"

Mayank's head popped out of the clean white shirt he put on and he laughed. "You're a genius, Neev. I swear."

"I know," the little boy replied. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, scissor-style and looked at his father for a few seconds. "Daddy?"

"Yes?" Mayank answered, walking to the bathroom to wash his face and his hands before dinner.

"When I went to Harsh's house on the other day, we builded a fort in his mummy and daddy's room and we played battle."

"Sounds fun."

"His mummy and daddy only have one bed in the room. You and mummy have two beds," Neev said, his brows furrowed in that mixture of curiosity and confusion.

Mayank froze mid-step, coming out of the bathroom.

Why, oh why is this kid so goddamn smart? Damn his paternal genes.

"And you like to jump on both of them," Mayank said, hoping to change the subject delicately.

"But Daddy," Neev continued, trying to figure this dilemma out. "Why are there two beds?"

Where the hell is Nupur so she can answer his bloody questions? She's so much better at making up shit…

"Why don't you go ask your mummy?"

"Ok," Neev replied, jumping down from the bed and scurrying off towards the kitchen.

Mayank let out a breath and sank into the closest chair, rubbing his hands over his face. A few seconds later Neev was back in the room, out of breath from running. "Mummy said to ask you."

Damn you, Nupur. Damn you.

"And she's mad,"Neev said.

"What? Who's mad?"

"Mummy's mad. She looked very mad and she talked very mad," he explained.

"Why is she mad?" Mayank asked, suddenly on alert. What happened now? Can we please not have another toy drama?

How the hell am I supposed to know? I'm four years old, buddy. Neev shrugged. "Maybe you have to kiss her so she can't be mad anymore."

"That's not how it works, Neev." Thank the heavens. Lord knows if that was true then I'll….-hold on to your reins you fool.

"Can I have a chocolate?" he asked, already moving on to a more interesting subject.

Mayank didn't even hear him as he left the room and walked straight to the kitchen, Neev tagging along, singing a song about Rosie the dinosaur and his magic adventure to the Kingdom of Sesame Street.

Nupur was at the sink, washing something, her posture straight and stiff.

She looked over her shoulder when Mayank and Neev walked in. Even with the male trait of not being able to read emotions, Mayank was still able to tell that she was furious. Sigh….what have I done now?

"Hello, Nupur," he started, unsure of what to do.

She didn't reply, but went on washing whatever poor dish was at her mercy.

"Neev, mate, why don't you go watch some television. That show you keep on watching…Sesame Seeds-" Mayank suggested.

"Sesame Street," Nupur corrected, her voice low and harsh.

"Right, go do that," he said, pushing Neev out of the kitchen.

Neev had acquired an incredibly strong infatuation with that show recently – Mayank couldn't understand, but the kid loved to watch a show with a huge yellow bird and various other monstrosities singing about God-knew-what. The show gave him the creeps.

Stumbling away from his thoughts, once he assured himself that Neev was out of hearing range, he turned back to Nupur who was now cutting up some vegetables on the cutting board. Actually, she was more accurately massacring the poor, helpless produce. Mayank thanked the heavens that he hadn't been born a carrot.

"Uh, Nupur," he started. "Are you going to tell me what's bothering you or are you going to keep it bottled up and then murder me in my sleep?"

She spun around, the knife held ominously in her hand, a piece of mutilated cucumber stuck to the edge. "Nothing's bothering me, Mayank. What makes you think that something is bothering me?"

"I don't know, it might be the way you're holding that knife… or the way you're looking at me as if you want to chop me up and throw me in with the stir-fry for tonight's dinner."

She scowled at him. God, why doesn't he understand? "You're not the one I'm thinking of chopping up."

"Ok, how about we put the knife down and you can tell me what's wrong… or, you can put the knife down and not tell me what's wrong. Either way, I'd be a lot more comfortable if you put the knife down."

"For heaven's sake, Mayank, I'm not going to stab you!" she exclaimed, slamming the knife down onto the cutting board. "What went through your head when you married that sorry excuse for a woman?" She burst out, and immediately regretted it.

What followed suit was an uneasy, eerie silence. She continued chopping the vegetables, refusing to look at the man who she was sure was staring at her in disbelief. Why did I have to go and open my big mouth? For once, once, we were actually behaving normally…well, our version of 'normal' anyway, and everything was fine! Then I had to go and ruin everything….wait a minute…wasn't me! It was that bloody wench! She did it…she – she ruined everything….I didn't. Ok Nupur, get back on track….you just divulged something you shouldn't have….instead of digging out old grievances – mend the mistake…Quick!

Mayank raised an eyebrow at this and put the small table they had breakfast on between the two of them. "Are-are you talking about Annie?"

Woah…what was that about? She asks me that question now? Out of the blue? How the hell am I supposed to answer it? Because at that time you had pissed me of beyond belief? Because your baseless accusations drove me to the point of insanity where I chose to make that horrendous decision? Because of my stupidity, there was no other choice left – I couldn't leave an unmarried, pregnant woman stranded? What? Good, god, she looks like she's going to murder someone….but why? She couldn't care less about Annie…why bring her up now? Is she…is she wanting to talk things out? No, no if she wanted to she would have done so long ago….but being Nupur Bhushan – nothing's predictable….then what is the matter with her? Why am I getting so worked up about this? Calm down, Mayank. Breathe.

Nupur's scowl deepened and she grabbed something from the apron around her waist, thrusting it into Mayank's hand. He brought his finger up to his lips, nursing the paper-cut wound she had inflicted on him.

Note to self: stay away from Nupur during her time of the month...

His eyes scanned the parchment, his eyebrows furrowing as he reached the end. Nupur stood in front of him, her arms folded over her chest as she watched him read. Her temper rose when he finished the letter, looked at her and then laughed.

"What on earth is so funny?" she demanded. Oh right….he must be enjoying the fact that his precious wife agrees with him about me being a 'bitch'….after all, that's his opinion about me isn't it? I hate him…absolutely hate him.

He shook his head as his chuckles subsided and clasped his hands behind his head. "Are you seriously angry because of this?" he finally asked.

"Of course I'm angry. She's threatening to take our son away!"

The minute the words had left her mouth, Nupur's eyes widened and she quickly shut her lips. Mayank stared at her curiously, his mind reeling. Our son? Since when did Neev become….our son? What the heck is she playing at?

They chose to ignore the statement. Ignoring things was best.

She took a breath and straightened out her apron along her thigh. "She's threatening to take Neev away from you and you just laugh?"

"Yes, because it's funny. I take Neev's threats more seriously than I do hers. She doesn't even know his name!" He looked back at the letter in his hand and read aloud: "'Neil is my son, too, and I want him here in France with me, with his real mother!'"

He waited until Nupur finally cracked a smile, despite herself.

"I can't believe you actually think she has the mental capacity to try and take away Neev. She's dumber than your brother on one of his bad days."

She scowled at him again. "Grow up, Mayank. Leave my friends out of this."

He rolled his eyes and pocketed the roll of paper. Thank goodness she didn't prod much about the Annie not being surprised bit…that would have been…the epitome of awkwardness. "Don't worry about this, Nupur. We're providing Neev with a stable home and a vision that the Ministry wants. He's never been happier and I know for sure that Annie is in no way going to gain custody of him. She's all talk and a bag of wind. Not even wind. A bag of matter-less vacuum."

"What about the inspections, Mayank? The first one, it didn't go so well. That stupid hag could very well have ruined our chances… and we don't even know when the next inspection could be or if we'll be at each other's throats when the inspector arrives or if Neev will be running around naked like he's started to do since you let him watch the documentary on that Togolese tribe of Africa. I think I preferred it when he used to suck his thumb."

"When I left the room that one time, the television was featuring a show on dinosaurs. I walk back into the room and there are a bunch of naked people standing around a circle banging on drums! It's not my fault the kid is so impressionable."

"Whatever, Mayank. Now, get back to the point! This is serious. Annie might act dumb, but she was smart enough to file a petition for the custody of Neev and she might have shrewd Judicial Advocates who can be giving her all the help she needs."

"So, you're worried about the inspections? I thought we were faking a loving marriage quite well. Every time we're in public people still think we're newlyweds."

Umm…right – faking it. Sigh. "That's only because your mother put out an announcement in the Times of India alerting the entire world and seven other planets about our nuptials. It's been a month, Mayank, and do you want to know what Sonali told me the other day?"

He stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.

"She asked me if the sizzle has died in our marriage. When she was over here for dinner, she said we seemed to be a bit stiff with each other and that she thought we were angry at one another."

"We were angry at one another. You had left your…your brassiere hanging on the doorway of our bathroom. The last thing I need is Neev asking me questions I don't have the patience to answer."

Nupur sighed. This whole conversation just has to get more and more embarrassing doesn't it? "I told you it was a mistake and seriously, what century are you living in? Brassiere? My grandmother doesn't even call it that!"

"Excuse me, Miss Lingerie Terminology Patrol," he mumbled.

"Stop digressing, Mayank!" she nearly screamed. "People are starting to notice that we hate each other!"

"I don't hate you," he said quietly. "I dislike you immensely, but I'm grateful for everything you've been doing." Lord knows I don't even dislike her…I still…No Mayank – you do dislike her. You just feel extremely obliged to her at the moment. That's it.

Nupur shut her mouth and watched Mayank sit down across from her.

"You've been helping me more than you think. You cook, you clean, you help with Neev, you organize outings for us when you know a Ministry official is going to be present so that we can be seen as a married couple… you do all this and run a school at the same time. I never realized how much work I used to do before you came to live here and I wanted you to know that I am glad you are around." There. That was simple. Nothing too over the top. You managed to convey the subtle thank-you message well…good job.

Nupur observed Mayank through her eyelashes. What is he doing? One minute he acts as though I'm the most wretched person on the planet and the next, he's being thankful for everything…why? Why does he keep doing this? "Um, well I'm glad I can help," she said softly.

"I'll try harder to not snap at you so often… and I'll try harder to make our marriage seem more authentic."

She nodded, not knowing how to respond. "I will do the same."

"See? We don't completely hate each other," he gave her a wan smile. "We're able to reach the end of a conversation without one of us pulling out a gun. That's definitely progress."

Nupur ducked her head and laughed. "I… I should get back to dinner. I think I hear the bed springs squeaking, so why don't you check on Neev and I'll finish up in here."

"Actually, you've cooked every day this week, so since it's Friday, we'll go out. Plus, I don't think those vegetables can be saved. No chef can repair them from the slaughter they went through."

He winked at her and she threw a towel at him as he left the kitchen, laughing.

Turning back to clean the counter, still chuckling to herself, Nupur's eyes widened and her laughter died instantly.

Oh, dear God… I was just flirting with Mayank… and it wasn't even for show!

It was real! Oh, jeez…What am I doing? Nupur – you can't be so…so happy around him. He doesn't make you happy. He only makes you depressed and angry – that's all. And he doesn't care about you….see, even Annie couldn't believe that he'd chosen to marry you…but then why did she say she wasn't surprised? Anyway, you can't trust that woman…anything that comes out of her filthy mouth usually tends to be an utter load of crap…but why do you feel so intimidated by her then? Is it because she's threatened to take away Neev? Or because she might come back to wreak havoc in their lives? Sigh….

"Well, look who we have here. If it isn't the Sharmas…" Benji's voice said from behind their table at the restaurant.

Nupur and Mayank turned their heads and while Nupur smiled at Benji, Mayank tried his hardest not to curl his lip.

"Benji! This is a pleasant surprise. We haven't seen you since the wedding," Nupur said, standing up to hug her friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I was meeting the team captain here before we head over to Tokyo for some sports convention he's insisting we go to," he replied.

"I'm sure it'll be fun, Benji. Tokyo sounds like a wonderful city and you usually have the talents to make any city your own," Nupur laughed.

He smiled at her and looked at the two men sitting at the table. "How are you treating my best gal, Sharma?"

"Like a queen," Mayank said affectionately, inwardly gagging at the cheesy line.

Benji grimaced, shaking his head and muttering something about disgusting, lovey-dovey nonsense. "And you, Mini Sharma, how are you enjoying your fantastic step-mum?"

"Mummy is my mummy," Neev corrected. What the heck is a step-mum? "I'm not mini. I'm a big boy."

"Ah, a thousand pardons, sir. Now, I do believe I have a toy that's only allowed for big boys. Would you like to see it?"

"Benji," Nupur warned, well aware of his and Uday's 'toys'. "This toy wouldn't happen to be lethal or carry a distinct smell, would it?"

"Completely harmless, Mrs. Sharma," Benji laughed. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small replica of a crystal ball. He handed it over to Neev and watched as the boy's huge, brown eyes widened with interest.

"What is it?" Neev asked, unable to tear his eyes away from the small glass ball.

"It's our most inventive creation till date. We're actually thinking of getting it patented. Well, anyway – it's so sensitive it detects footsteps. Anytime your mummy or daddy are approaching your hidden location, it starts to beep."

Neev's eyes widened even more, only having understood the last line. "So, I can jump on the bed and when it beeps it means mummy and daddy are coming?"

"Exactly. Have fun, soldier!" he said and left quickly before Nupur or Mayank could strangle him.

The two of them watched helplessly as the little glass continuously buzzed in Neev's hands as they sat by him. Neev giggled in delight as he looked at them and then placed the toy on the table. "I like Unca Benji. He gived me a nice toy!"

Mayank scowled. I hate Unca Benji.

I wish he hadn't given him that," Nupur said quietly. "As if he needs more reason to jump on the bed. We'll give him a few days with it and then it will mysteriously disappear. Got it?"

Mayank hid a smile and nodded covertly. Married life was turning out to be not so bad. He could actually tolerate being in the same room with her, having decent civilized conversations without immediately breaking into a fight or without awkward moments where one of them 'accidentally' reveals something about their past history. What he couldn't stand was why he was pushing himself further and further into this so-called relationship? Why was he being so cordial towards her? Why was he joking around, flirting, consoling, apologizing? There was no need to. But yet….yet he couldn't help himself…her aura, her personality, her heavenly beauty – everything drew him to her. There was no way he could escape all of that. Sigh….I can already imagine how this evening out is going to be…discomfited, extremely uncomfortable and heavily tense.

Well, it wasn't so bad until the Ancient Mistress of Evil walked through the door of the restaurant, a young woman with square spectacles and corrective braces on her teeth tagging alongside the older woman.

"Oh, my God," Nupur breathed.

She scooted closer to Mayank's chair before he knew what was happening, and grabbed his arm to wrap around her shoulders. He looked towards the doorway and saw why Nupur had gone temporarily insane. Miss Yadav and someone he didn't know were talking to the waiter.

"I didn't think they'd give us an inspection outside the home," Nupur whispered in his ear, invariably sending shivers down his spine. "Oh, good grief, I think that's our permanent DMP."

He gulped at the proximity. Focus Mayank. Focus. "She doesn't look so scary. I think Neev could probably knock her down…"

Nupur sighed and shook her head. She wouldn't admit to Mayank that he was right… the brunette woman was tiny and the glasses she wore kept sliding down her nose and she looked as if she spent more time doing algorithms and word problems than she did caring about her outside appearance.

"Poor girl must be terrified having to be in the company of that creature." She whispered.

"Ok, no pitying the enemy, Nupur. That's definitely not allowed."

"Fine, but… oh, here they come. Act happily married." She tightened her grasp around his hand, still wrapped around her shoulders.

Mayank turned his head and kissed her on the cheek right as the two ladies turned towards their table and approached them. He didn't know what came over him, probably the fact that he was holding her so close…it made him very, very impulsive.

Neev stayed quiet, looking at his mummy and daddy hugging. They looked silly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, good evening," Kiran Yadav said brusquely. "I trust you are finding your meal adequate."

"Quite adequate, Miss Yadav," Nupur replied, laying her head on Mayank's shoulder. "It is good to see you again."

"Right," she replied. "I have sought you out to make you aware of your new Domestic Ministry Professional assignment. This is Rashmi Walia. She will be joining you for the rest of the meal and reporting her evaluation back to the Ministry. Good night to you all."

On that note, the evil horse-face left them to an awkward silence.

Mayank and Nupur looked at the brown-eyed girl, looking back at them through magnified eyes, thanks to the eyeglasses. She didn't falter in her gaze and kept staring at them as they stared at her.

"Uh, Miss Walia, please, have a seat," Mayank finally said, gesturing to the seat next to Neev. "Would you like something to drink or to eat?"

"No," she said shortly. "Just act as if I'm not here."

Easier said than done, you twit.

"Who are you?" Neev asked, staring at the strange woman sitting next to him.

"I am a certified Domestic Ministry Professional employed with the Maharashtra's Ministry of Social and Family Services. My name is Rashmi Walia and I am your permanently assigned DMP."

Ok, lady… dumb it down a bit. I lost you at cetenterfied.

"He doesn't understand you," Nupur explained, wondering if their DMP was really an idiot or just plain clueless as to how the minds of children worked. "He's only four years old."

Rashmi checked the clipboard she had in front of her and pushed her glasses up with her pointer finger. "Yes, yes. Neev Mayank Sharma. Age: four years old. Birthday: the twenty-second of September. Birthplace: New Delhi. Father: Mayank Akash Sharma. Mother: Annie Fernandes D'Aggostino. Legal guardians: Mayank Akash Sharma and Nupur Bhushan Sharma. Paternal grandpare…"

"Yes, thank you for that," Mayank interrupted. "I thought we were supposed to act as if you're not here."

She looked at Mayank and blushed in embarrassment. "Please, go on. I'm not here."

I wish that were true.

"Uh, Neev, sweetheart why don't you tell your daddy what you learned today in school," Nupur said, steering the conversation to something they usually talked about.

"I already told him," he replied. "I told him we learned our whole names today and then I asked him why Harsh's mummy and daddy sleep in one bed and why…"

"Ouch!" Mayank suddenly yelled, drawing much attention to their table.

The poor DMP jumped from being startled, her glasses askew on her face and her eyes blinking rapidly. "Are you alright, Mr. Sharma?"

Mayank held his hand to his chest. "Oh, I'm sorry; I just got um a…cramp in my hand. Dreadful thing, I get these cramps in my hand you see… from uh, writing all day long and from… weightlifting."

Nupur raised an eyebrow at him. At least give a believable lie, you moron.

He shrugged back at her, keeping an eye on Rashmi the robot.

She blushed again and bent her head. "That sounds awful… but, yes, I could tell that you practiced weightlifting."

Mayank and Nupur shared incredulous glances, well, Mayank sported a amused smirk on his face, his ego inflated a bit too much for Nupur's taste. The last thing they needed was for the imbecilic, nave DMP to fancy Mayank. That would be the icing on the shitty-life cake for them. Bloody useless freak. First tells us to pretend she isn't here and then giving crappy inputs into the discussion….and my darling husband is no less…stupid smug smirk on his ridiculous face. Humph. Good that I hurt his hand – he totally deserves it. Actually, I should have hit harder.

"Do you have an ouchie, daddy?" Neev asked, a worried look on his innocent face.

"Just a bit of pain, Neev. Nothing serious. It's all gone now," Mayank assured his son.

"Ok. Mummy should kiss it like she kisses my ouchies," he replied. "Then it makes it very better!"

I need to invest in some adhesive to fuse his lips together.

Nupur smiled her best seductive smile at him. "How careless of me. I forgot to kiss your ouchie, love." Ha! Take that for trying to ignore me…

I've got an ouchie in my heart you can take care of if you keep looking at me like that.

She wrapped her slender fingers around his larger hand and brought it to her mouth. She pressed her lips to the back of his hand and winked at him as she kissed it.

Definite ouchie in the heart. Probably somewhere below it too. God! Your son is a foot away and you're lusting after your fake wife! Have some control, man!

"All better?" she asked in a low voice meant to be used only in the bedroom, clearly enjoying his discomfort. Wait Nupur – what are you doing?! Stop stop stop being all brazen….you were supposed to be the mellow, sweet Nupur Bhushan, not the Sonali-type provocative Nupur Bhushan! Stop giving him ideas – what the hell must he be thinking about you?

"Much," he said through clenched teeth and instantly released his hand from Nupur's.

"I have a di-osaur named Rosie. He's gonna get big one day and eat the fat lady," Neev explained to the woman next to him. "She wasn't nice to me, so Rosie is going to eat her and then poop her out."

Nupur and Mayank closed their eyes in horror. The both of them had to clap their hands to their mouths to prevent bursting out in uncontrollable bouts of laughter.

"Neev, mate, that's not polite. You don't speak like that at dinner and you don't speak like that in front of ladies. Understood?" Mayank said, his eyes nearly watering in the effort not to laugh.

"Ok," Neev replied. "Am I going to get a spanking?"

"You spank him?" Rashmi said, breaking her bout of silence.

I thought we were supposed to pretend you aren't here, you great idiot.

"Yes," Nupur and Mayank replied.

When they saw Rashmi note something down on her clipboard, Nupur tensed and took a deep breath.

"Miss Walia, do you have children?" Nupur asked.

Rashmi looked up with surprise and shook her head.

"Do you have a certificate in childcare and child developmental studies?"

Again, the DMP shook her head.

"Then please note that neither I nor my husband ever hit our son anywhere but his bottom. Nor do we hit him with anything besides our hands, that way, we know if we are inflicting unnecessary pain on him or not. Do you follow?"

Rashmi nodded and made a shaky note on the clipboard. "I'm not here, remember?"

Make up your damn mind!

"Nupur, darling, are you finished with your meal? Neev looks like he's getting sleepy and we have an early morning tomorrow."

"Come on, Neev," she said, standing up. "It's time to go. Do you have your present from Uncle Benji?"

Neev nodded and hopped down from his chair, rushing to Nupur to grab her hand. "Bye, lady," he said to the DMP.

"I'm dreadfully tired," Nupur said. "Let's get going before you have to carry me home, Mayank."

"Oh, you know I'd love to do that regardless of how tired you are," Mayank said loud enough for the 'nonexistent' DMP to hear.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sharma!" Rashmi said, getting up from her chair.

"Do you hear something, darling?" Mayank asked.

"Nope, not a thing," Nupur replied, leading the way out of the restaurant.

"Ok, ok. You can stop acting as if I'm not here," Rashmi said desperately, shaking like a brittle leaf on a windy day. "I will call on you next week for your inspection."

"Goodbye, Miss Walia. Have a good night," Mayank said, nodding his head in her direction and then draping his arm around his wife's shoulders as they left.

The minute they set foot outside the restaurant, a great breath of relief escaped both their lungs before they turned to each other and started laughing.

"I think we're going to have fun with Miss Rashmi 'Uptight' Walia," he said in between laughs.

"Tons of fun," Nupur replied. "You know, now that we've brought down our intense hatred for each other down to a strong dislike, I think we should team up to try and get her as flustered as possible with how much we supposedly love each other."

"She looked like she was watching an x-rated film when she was watching you kiss my hand, she was blushing so much. I don't think she's ever been exposed to anything of a sexual nature," Mayank agreed, speaking in low tones so that Neev wouldn't hear them. "I think I understand what you have in mind."

"We'll start out small, maybe leave a book on the coffee-table that has tips and facts about lovemaking… she seems pretty easy to manipulate, yet she has a bit of a firm streak in her. It'll be easy to break down."

"This will definitely make the next five months a whole lot more fun," he said. "As long as Neev doesn't open his mouth to spill his random observations, then this could turn out to be very interesting."

"Oh, but I think Neev adds to the interesting factor," she pointed out. "He never fails to amuse me."

Mayank nodded in agreement.

"Why are you whispering?" Neev asked as the three of them walked back to the flat. "Secrets are not nice."

"You're right, Neev. They're not. Do you want to know what we were talking about?" Mayank asked.

"Yes!"

"We were talking about how you've been such a good boy helping your mummy with the chores that we've decided to let you stay up an hour extra tonight."

Neev's squeal of excitement lasted until they reached their front door.

Lying in bed that night, Nupur listened to the sound of Mayank's deep breathing as he lay a few feet away from her.

Their relationship was starting to tread dangerous waters. They both acknowledged the fact that their attitudes towards each other were changing… but that was only the least of their worries. She couldn't turn over to the dark side! What happened tonight was….was a day reminiscent of five years back. Five years back, they used to laugh just like that, tease each other, try to put the other in tricky and embarrassing scenarios, crack silly jokes…she couldn't, she absolutely could NOT return to those times. That was a closed chapter for her now. But being with him, living with him, talking things out with him for more than a month – those thoughts kept coming back to haunt her. But she was smart – she knew where the forbidden line lay. She'd already had her fair share of pain and solitude, she could not afford to suffer through all that again. It would destroy her.

Imagine Nupur, just think! If you keep reducing the distance between him like that, then what will happen after 6 months? How will you willingly be able to leave him and Neev? You…you won't be able to do that. You love them too much. So much, it hurts your poor little brain to think of such an outrageous thought. Yes, Nupur – you do still love him…very much. You never stopped. Damn it. Why, why does my stupid heart always betray the more rational mind?

She watched him sleep, his chest rising slowly up and down, up and down – leaving her in a trance.

She wanted to snog the daylights out of him.

But, no. She wouldn't act on their impulses. If she did that… then everything would be ruined. Attraction always ruined things and since their relationship was not conventional at all, neither of them was going to risk destroying something already so fragile. I have to suppress my feelings. I cannot show him this weakness. I will not let my heart get trampled over by him once more. I won't.

Closing her eyes, Nupur let the sound of her husband's breathing lull her to a sleep filled with images of a past memory with that very same husband chasing her around in the park, after she teased him about being a good-for-nothing slob. A small smile appeared on her exquisite face, her stomach doing somersaults.

Little did she know that her poor husband had had to ease his own frustration and pounding heart before bed and then fall asleep to a bountiful amount of images featuring his wife laying next to him, simply laughing her wonderful, delightful laugh…and he would just watch her...till eternity.

Who could blame them when they woke up the next morning, grouchy and irritable, and unable to look one another in the eye?

@debby: Hope you find it alright....I'm slightly skeptical abt it though....erps....lol... :)

Kainath...mindblowing update..reserved for a longer comment.

*Edited*
Kainath, i had a BIG smile on my face while reading this update. As i said earlier, i absolutely ADORE Neev. I mean, how do you manage to show his character so flawlessly? it is so impressive. I mean..are you really fond of kids?

Well, I'm really happy that finally the arguements are slowly reducing...i mean..mayur are living pretty normally now..i like it that way...please continue keeping it this way..

Oh, and Annie is a real bitch! WTH does she think of herself! She doesn't even know the name of her son, and she calls him HER son? ugh! Hate her from the bottom of my heart..i definitely cannot see my darling neev with that witch...

Now, that DMP you mentioned..guess whom she reminded me of...professor Trelawney from harry potter...lol, u might end up thinking that i'm a potter obsessed fan..but trust me..the way u described her..it really matched to that of prof..Trelawney...

And that restaurant scene..wow..i loved that "mummy kiss daddy's ouchie.." hehe..so cute..and the way nupur kissed his hand..it was..uhm..HOT!

Finally mayur are getting along..wow...this is so awesome..and FULL credit goes to Neev..and a li'l acknowledgement to Annie for giving birth to Neev..nothing more than that..😆

And finally nupur accepted that she loves him..that's such good progress...

I just looooooooved this update..pls do continue soon..lol..i'm just too into this ff now...

tell me one thing

I just love Neev.. he is so really cute.. the things he speak and evrything.. it is jsut beautiful!!

Loved the part and it was long ewnough as well..

u have an art of writing....

update next part soon

fianlly u updated...plzzz update fast yaarr i cant wait..

amazing update