FF: Last thing I expected - Mayur. Chapter28 Pg148 - Page 86

Chapter 23

"He's been drinking for nearly five days straight now," he said, following after her insistently. Curling her hands into fists inside her pea coat pockets, she did not reply. It was muggy out, her least favorite weather, and all she wanted was to sit in a bubble bath with steaming tea. Instead, she was hurrying through a foggy street, stepping in puddles and splashing muddy water all over her churidaar. "Doesn't that matter to you at all?"

"What matters to me is getting out of this weather and back home," she told him bitingly, barely turning her head towards him. He grabbed her arm suddenly — she hadn't realized he was that close behind her — and finally stopped her, swinging her around to face him.

"Your home is that way," he nodded his head in the opposite direction. "Not that shabby apartment you bought six days ago. You want to go home? Fine, I'll take you there." She had rarely seen him glare so fiercely at her. Trying to shrug her arm off, she made sure to hold on to her tears, refusing to let him see her devastation.

"Samrat, while I appreciate that your concern for me is genuine and that you're only trying to help — such concern is unwarranted and such help unnecessary. Now if you would be so kind as to stop manhandling me and let me go to my shabby apartment, I would be very grateful." She sent him a glare to rival his.

He released her arm.

"Thank you —"

"My concern isn't just for you." She couldn't help herself: she was slightly shocked and worse, slightly upset. "My concern is for Mayank. You remember him, don't you? Jet-black hair, well-built, rather tall, and, if I remember right, your boyfriend?" Nupur had never been fond of sarcasm, especially not from Samrat.

"Look, Samrat," she sighed, "I know he's drinking and all, but you don't understand—"

"You don't understand, Nupur — you! By shutting yourself out you've been hurting all of us! And mostly Mayank!" Nupur flinched at that, but he only went on. "You've been ignoring us and refusing to talk to us; you've slammed the door in our faces multiple times. Hell, you shouted at Gunjan so badly over the phone, you made her cry! I admit, these days something's amiss between the both of you, but now you've broken up and suddenly hate him? Fine, then, you hate him? Okay, that's fine. But do you hate me too?"
"I don't hate you," she replied sadly, rubbing at her temples.

"Then why are you treating me like this? Why are you acting like this? This isn't you, Nupur, none of this is you. Please, if I'm any friend to you at all," he pleaded, "just tell me what's wrong. Tell me why you're acting like this. Tell me why you broke up with him."

"Samrat, I…I don't know. I don't know why I've broken up with him all right! Yes, I've been awful lately, but I never expected something like this to happen to me. I'd always thought I was better than this! And he did this to me, Samrat, he did this to me!"

"All he's ever done is loved you. The rest you've done yourself." Samrat had never been one to dole out sensible advice, and now that he was, Nupur didn't think she could swallow it properly. "I know you love him, and I know you do want to live the rest of your life with him. Don't let your pride or whatever it is — don't damage everything because things didn't go exactly according to your plan."

"Everything is already damaged, Samrat!" She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "You don't know anything alright! You don't know what sort of a man he is! I don't know what the hell he's trying to prove by drowning himself in alcohol, or what new excuse he's about to cook up because I don't care now! I cannot, just cannot even think about him now, let alone getting back together with him…it…it kills me Samrat, whenever I think about that night. Oh but, you've got no idea what I'm on about, have you? Without understanding anything it's obviously clear that the saintly Mayank Sharma can do no wrong, can he?! It's always me, flawed, ditzy, the airhead who gets the brunt of everything! Always me!" She was now sobbing hysterically in the middle of the deserted street.

Samrat slowly walked towards her, his face contorted with confusion and worry as he saw Nupur break down. He held her shoulders gently and tried to console her, but that effort was proving to be more and more futile by the second. "I'm sorry Nupur, I'm really sorry. I- I shouldn't have vent out my anger on you like that. But, if you don't tell us what's wrong, how can we help you? Gunjan, Uday, Benji, me, none of us can see you torment yourself like that Nupur. What is it? Please don't bottle your feelings inside, Nupur. That would only cause you further harm."

Nupur gradually tried controlling her hiccups and wiped the tears furiously. Her bloodshot eyes roamed over Samrat's anxious face. He was right. She couldn't do this to all of them. She owed them an explaination – for everything. And she would have to muster up the courage to repeat all that transpired a few days back, no matter how much emotional and physical pain that would cause her. It hurt to look into Samrat's eyes, to see him look at her as if he didn't know who she was anymore.

"Nupur, please calm down. Why are you doing this to yourself?" There was a plea in his voice. "Look, why don't you talk things over with him? There's no need for both of you to ruin your love over your problems, right?"

She shook her head sadly, and something in her stomach twisted painfully. "It's already ruined, Samrat." Her heart had been broken, and she realized Mayank had pounded the broken pieces into dust.

It happened slowly. Slowly, she realized she was warm. She realized she was wrapped up in soft sheets, and a warm weight was pressed up against her and on top of her stomach. Slowly, she remembered that a day, a few years, more than five years, had passed since that confrontation with Samrat. It was only a memory, a dream, and here she was now, contently lying in her warm bed . . . naked.

Wait . . . what?

Her eyes flew open. Yes, she could most certainly feel the silk sheets pressed up to her bare skin. Her eyes flitted about, and in no time at all, she was completely back in the present, aware that she was in his bedroom, and that Mayank Sharma was lying asleep beside her, his arm draped over her stomach, and the both of them stark naked beneath the sheets.

Sudden alarm shot through her. She remembered the Soiree, with RV trying to rape her, she remembered Mayank saving her, she remembered, with a gulp, what they'd done after that and she remembered her mental conflict afterwards. She couldn't believe it: how had she let this happen? She found herself looking over at Mayank, who lay on his stomach, his mouth open as he let out soft snores. He looked so much younger, so much sweeter, so much more like her Mayank. Not the sarcastic, bitter man who she'd been spending most of her time with for the last two months. Staring at him sleeping, at his bare back and messy black hair, she felt the alarm illogically slip away for a moment.

He was snoring. To others, those snores might be irritating and raucous snores, impossible to fall asleep to, impossible to even lie and listen to — but not to her. To her, they were familiar and comforting music, reminders of past times, of happier times when listening to Mayank Sharma sleeping had been nothing to bat an eyelash over.

Again, alarm spread through her. What was she doing? She could still remember how he had been looking at her, how his eyes had been smoldering and how suddenly they darkened not with anger, but with something else . . . with passion and desire. God, listen to her, she sounded like some damsel in distress from those steamy romance novels she used to love once upon a time. But then he'd kissed her. That had been better than any of those stupid old romance novels.
As always happened when he kissed her, her mind was wiped blank. When they'd first begun dating she'd loved the way he could do that to her. Her mind was a constant hive of activity; thoughts were always swirling around, random feelings and absurd things forever being written on a scroll within her mind. Until, that is, he would kiss her, and then she was blissfully lost in the simplicity of Mayank Sharma.

Honestly! If she wasn't careful, she would be writing her own romance novel before too long.

He had pulled away, and all the thoughts had returned. That had been the way it was when everything had gone wrong five years ago. She'd had been so upset, so horrified, so overwhelmed, and then he had kissed her and held her close, and for a few shining moments he had made her believe that everything would be alright. And then he left, just like that and never returned…

She dismissed the thought. The past was the past. No sense in dwelling on it – she was already succeeding at putting in the back of her mind. But the present? Last night? What about that? She had been lost in a hurricane of emotions as they shouted at one another, then he had kissed her and she was blissfully blank for a moment, and then he wasn't kissing her, and sense returned. Why then, did she kiss him again? Why did she encourage the kiss that had led to this?

And for God's sake, why in Pete's name was she still lying in bed naked as the day she was born and allowing Mayank Sharma to drape his arm over his stomach and lay beside her as if he belonged there? He most certainly did not. He didn't. Seriously. Really. He didn't. Of course he did.

Steeling herself, she slowly began to pull away from him. Slowly, she let her stomach slip out from under his arm. Slowly, she kicked the sheets back with her feet. Slowly, she nearly made it all the way off the bed before — before the arm suddenly tightened, the hand curling around her side at the last minute and effortlessly dragging her back to the center of the bed, back to be pressed even closer to his side.

His snores hadn't even disappeared. His face hadn't moved. "Mayank?" she murmured softly, trying to put a tone of disapproval into her voice. Surely he thought what had happened was as ridiculous as she had? Surely he agreed that they had been unimaginably rash and that they needed to completely ignore the subject until she left after a few more months and would never have to face each other again?

"No," he told her stubbornly, his lips barely moving and his voice groggy, but his intention clear.

"Mayank," she repeated, unspoken words ringing with his name, be sensible.

"You're not leaving," he told her. His eyes were still shut. "So stop trying. I won't let you. Go back to sleep."

"Mayank —" for a third time, once again to no avail.

"No," he insisted, and this time, his eyes still closed, he dragged her closer still and pressed a sloppy kiss onto her face, half on her lips and half on her cheek. Mayank had always been one for sloppy kisses. She had loved it once upon a time. She was so very neat and meticulous in every way, and something about sloppy kisses . . . once upon a time — as in not now.

"Mayank," she insisted, aware that her persistence was wavering. Another protest from him and she'd probably give up. Half of her was already screaming to do as much; the larger part of her, if she was honest with herself. The more rational part of her still putting up a struggle, she added this time, "Mayank, be serious. We can't do this. We aren't together anymore. I can't believe I let you drag me into this."

And suddenly, the arm was gone. It had been pulled away from her as if she were on fire. Really moving for the first time, Mayank rolled away from her. The sheets were still just as warm as before, but for some reason, for a reason she knew but wouldn't confess, she felt terribly cold now. Why did she do this to herself? Why did she tear herself apart this way? If she would just keep her distance from him as she originally intended all two months ago. . . .

"Mayank." She felt as if she'd said his name a thousand times in the last few minutes. But for the first time, there was no reprimand of any sort in her voice. "I'm not trying to be mean, I just —"

"You're right. We're not together," he cut in. "My bad. Go shower. I'll go after you get out." He wouldn't look at her. His voice was thick, cutting, and emotionless. Had that been it? Had her saying we're not together been enough to completely destroy the stubbornness he had been using to anchor her to him? She knew it was something more.

Distance really was the best way to deal with it. Balling her hand into a fist, she kicked the sheets completely away and stood up, quickly disappearing into the bathroom. Oh god, that was so horribly awkward…wh-what do I do now? Maybe I should just dig a hole in the bathroom and bury myself alive – that way I don't have to see him…but how can I not see him? Why do you put yourself in such situations? Did you have to do it with him last night? Oh this becomes sooo much more complicated…
___________________________________________________________________________

She came out of the shower, only to find Mayank already showered and putting on his trousers. She quickly turned in the opposite direction wringing her hands, clutching on to her bathrobe – well, it's not like you haven't seen anything.

"I-I'm done, Nupur. You can look now." You can look now? What the hell is that supposed to mean Mayank? Have you lost your grip on sensibility as well now?

She turned to face him, looking straight into his eyes. God knew how much guts she needed to do that.

A sudden loud knocking at the front door sounded and they looked at each other, wondering who would be knocking so early in the morning. Just in case it was the DMP, Nupur immediately fused their beds together, mussing up the covers and pillows, although the illusion didn't really need to be altered much.

Mayank quickly wore the clean white shirt he had in his hand, while Nupur grabbed her clothes from her wardrobe, he went out to answer the door.

As soon as the door was open, Sonali pushed past him and looked around the flat. "Where is she? Is she alright? I can't believe I just let you two leave without telling me what was going on! I've been worried sick and I didn't sleep all night and… where is she, Mayank?"

Sonali stood in the living room, her hair a complete mess, pulled back with a frayed ribbon; she wore sweat pants and a t-shirt that had seemed to have lost a fight with a gallon of bleach and a horde of moths; and her eyes were bloodshot.

"Where have you been all night, Sonali?" Mayank asked, leading her by the arm to the kitchen to get her a cup of tea.

"I've been worrying my bum off!" she said. "Nupur was attacked and I just let her go home with you without even finding out what happened. I couldn't sleep, Mayank! The guilt and the worry were eating me alive."

He sat her down at the table and the minute he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she burst into tears.

Someone forgot to take their anti-PMS medicine this morning.

"Er, Sonali? Uh… Nupur's fine," he said, wondering when his wife was going to finally come and relieve him of comforting her friend.

"I'm supposed to be her friend! But, I just left the party and did as the two of you told me to when I should have insisted you tell me what was going on," she cried. "Plus, on my way home, I ran into Karan and he's engaged! Engaged, Mayank! I can't even find a boyfriend and that stupid wanker is engaged!"

Who in the hell is Karan? AND WHERE THE HELL IS NUPUR?

"Sonali?" Nupur's voice finally said, coming from the doorway of the kitchen. "Sonu, what's wrong?"

Mayank slowly backed away from the kitchen, leaving the two females to themselves as Sonali started speaking in that high-pitched sobby voice only dogs, and apparently Nupur, could hear. He gestured to Nupur that he was going to go pick up Neev, and he left before he was dragged into anything he didn't want to be a part of. He had a lot to think about, anyway.

"And then we played monsters and then we played outside and we made a hundred sand castles and then Auntie Gunjan made us some dinner and it was yummy and then Uncle Samrat played with us and he fixed our broken Lego pieces!" Neev chatted happily to his father as they drove home from the Khanna residence.

"Sounds like you had fun, Neev," Mayank replied, squeezing his son's hand.

"I did, daddy! But I missed you and mummy."

"We missed you, too, mate," he smiled.

They made it home to find Nupur in the living room, reading a book and twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

"Mummy!" Neev cried out, rushing into her lap and hugging her tight. "I missed you!"

She kissed his face and wrapped her arms around him. "I missed you, too, sweetheart. Did you have fun with Harsh?"

"Yes!" he replied.

Nupur looked over at Mayank, sitting across from them in the armchair. "Your mother invited us to lunch today. She's angry with us for leaving so abruptly yesterday without saying goodbye."

He nodded at her, repudiating to think about what happened after they'd left the Soiree. "What time?"

"In half an hour," she replied.

"Are we going to Dadi's?" Neev asked. "I wanna tell her about my sleepover with Harsh!"

"Yes, and she'll be so excited to hear all you've got to say," Nupur told him. "Why don't you go put your bag in your room and change into clean clothes?"

He nodded quickly and jumped off the couch, leaving Mayank and Nupur alone in the living room.

Oh man, why did I ask Neev to leave? Now I've got to face him! Ok, Nupur, think nothing about last night – nothing…I said nothing Nupur, I did not ask you to stare at his navel!

Okaaay….this has got to be the weirdest moment ever….what am I supposed to tell her? Nupur, last night was amazing, and we've got to do it again? What the heck are you on about, Mayank Sharma? And stop staring at her neck! You've not only stared enough at it, but done God-knows-what with it last night. Deviate from that topic. Ask her about Sonali. Now!

"So, what happened with Sonali?" Mayank asked once Neev left.

Phew, at least he didn't say anything else. Nupur, you've got to take your eyes OFF his lower area and look at his face! Answer him now.

"She was having a bad day not having had any sleep last night and worrying herself sick over what had happened. I assured her that I was fine and that I wasn't hurt. She also ran into her ex-boyfriend yesterday, the man she caught sleeping with her neighbor. It seems he's getting married and Sonali's been kind of down lately with everyone around her getting married."

"Is she still hung up on that Raina bloke?"

Nupur smiled, unconsciously touching the mole on her collarbone, drawing circles around it. "Yeah. She's always been a bit eccentric and her Vikram Raina obsession vents her frustration on not finding a boyfriend. I'm actually starting to feel really bad for her. She's such a wonderful girl and yet she can't seem to find one decent man to love her just the way she is. I was thinking of doing something special for her since it's our three-year friendship anniversary next week. She's been doing things for me every year, and now I think it's high time I do something for her. I just can't think of anything."

"I'm sure you'll think of something," he said, barely listening and just concentrating on the hypnotic motion of her fingers circling around that darn mole. He recalled having kissed and nipped it about gazillion times last night. Even now, he felt like leaping across the coffee table between them and attacking it. He knew better though.

"I hope so. I'm not very creative when it comes to giving gifts and I really want to cheer her up," she mused out loud. "If worse comes to worst, I guess I can just take her out to dinner and buy her some jewelry."

"You're right, you're not very creative," he teased getting a glare directed towards him in response. Good god, he can joke at a time like this? When a knife can cut through the tension between us? Well, what can I say? He's my Mayank Sharma. My Mayank? Well, of course Nupur dear, after last night, do you have any doubt about that? He's all yours to claim…no, wait he isn't!

"Me and Harsh had a pillow fight, too!" Neev announced as he walked in to the living room, continuing his recital of his fun-filled yesterday. "I winned the pillow fight because Sharmas never lose!"

Nupur snorted and shook her head. "Everybody loses at some point, Neev."

"Nuh uh. Not Sharmas. Daddy told me that we never, ever, ever lose! We are always the winners," he explained.

"Well, it seems Daddy forgot to tell you about the times he lost to me in our exams in college," she said, trying to incorporate a sense of reality in the disillusioned child.

Neev turned a horror-stricken look at his father, who was glaring at his wife. "You losted eskams, daddy?"

Mayank spoke through clenched teeth. "Once or twice, yes."

Nupur snorted again at his understatement. She mumbled something under her breath that sounded a lot like 'more like once or twice a year.'

"But it's ok, daddy," Neev assured him. "Harsh winned when we played racing and when we played jumping jump. And Mummy is a Sharma too right? So Sharmas still are always winners!"

Nupur wanted to grab hold of that sweet darling and smother him in hugs and kisses at his heavenly words. But not only would she be declared insane for the random act of affection, she'll also be confirming her secret desire to truly be a part of this family.

The three of them left the house soon after, listening to Neev explain the intricate, nonsensical rules of 'jumping jump.' They arrived at the Sharma Household after a few minutes.

Shilpa greeted them with her usual brilliant smile and Ajay, of course, greeted them with his subtle nod, only giving Neev a small wink of acknowledgement.

Lunch was served in the dining hall of the manor, the five of them seated around the shrunken grand table for a more intimate setting. Neev talked extensively to his grandmother and granduncle, telling them every single thing that had happened since he had last seen them.

Taking a sip of his apple juice from the plastic, spill-proof cup, he was just about to finish telling his grandmother about the adventure he had had with Rosie and an abandoned box when he suddenly gasped and pointed at Nupur.

"Oh, no!" he said, his eyes wide as he stared at her. "You have an ouchie on your neck, mummy! Are you ok?"

The three other adults turned to look as Nupur reached up to her neck with a confused look on her face. "I don't have an ouchie, Neev."

"Yeah, you do," he insisted.

"He seems to be right, dear," Shilpa said.

Nupur picked up one of the spoons laid out in front of her and turned it over to look at her neck, not caring how improper using the silverware in that manner was.

Ajay snorted inelegantly into his champagne. "Why, Shilpa, your naivet astounds me."

"My naivet? What are you talking about, Bhai— oh, dear heavens," she gasped. Is that what I think it is?

The minute Shilpa had spoken Nupur dropped the spoon with a clatter to the table, shooting Mayank a dark look as she saw in the reflection the hickey he had given her. How the hell did I not notice it?! I could have at least put on some concealer!

His eyes were wide, flitting from his mother to Nupur. Shit, shit, shit.

"Do you need Daddy to kiss your ouchie?" Neev asked.

Ajay snorted again. "I do believe that's what caused the ouchie in the first place."

"Bhai!" Shilpa admonished. Oh my goodness, they have done it! Already? How did this happen?

"Huh?" Neev asked.

"Nothing, Neev," Mayank said, his head down as he was contemplating scramming for the main door.

Nupur's cheeks flamed as she propped her elbow on the table and rested her face in her hand. "It's ok, Neev. I don't have an ouchie. I accidentally colored on myself with your coloring quills."

"Oh. That's silly, mummy," he laughed, taking a bite of his food. "You're always so silly. Like a silly-billy."

As he laughed to himself, his rhyming pretty much being the funniest thing he'd thought of, he didn't seem to notice the tension and inquisitive glances taking place between the adults.

Shilpa was the first to break through the awkward silence and her grandson's giggles. "So, Mayank, you didn't tell me exactly why you left so suddenly yesterday."

"Nupur and I had a prior engagement," he mumbled.

Ajay rolled his eyes and smirked. "Is that what you young people are calling it these days?"

"If you can't behave yourself, Bhai, you can go eat in the kitchen," Shilpa said sharply.

"Uh oh, Unca Ajay got in trouble," Neev snickered.

"You'll have to excuse my dear brother. He forgets his age," Shilpa said angrily. "Now, did you at least enjoy yourselves at the Soiree? I know Sonali ran off soon after the two of you left. The poor girl seemed distressed for some reason."

"She's been having a tough week," Nupur half-lied, thanking all the Gods that the attention had shifted off her…ouchie.

"Oh, poor dear. You know, I know that she's single, so I was thinking maybe to introduce her to some single male acquaintances of mine. Do you think she would like that?"

"I'm not sure; who do you have in mind?" Nupur asked, still flustered.

"Well, I know Malvika Rathore's son, Ranvijay, is single."

"No!" Mayank said violently. When they all gave him surprised looks, he took a calming breath and forced a smile. "I mean, no, I don't think the two of them would be compatible. She spoke with him at the Soiree and they didn't get along." He gave Nupur a quick look. She on the other hand, was determined not to look his way.

Shilpa nodded sadly. "Well, I'm sure we'll find someone for her. I absolutely adore her to bits."

After the conversation dwindled, Shilpa took Nupur into the sitting room while the menfolk were served brandy, talking about the economy and the Ministry and other male interests. Neev sped off to find his favorite Kaki to play a game of hide-and-seek.

Nupur sat down across from her mother-in-law and smiled politely while the older woman looked at her. She felt herself constantly tucking a stray curl behind her ears. "Are you having an extra-marital affair?" Shilpa asked without preamble. I know it's cruel, but I've got to find out what she really feels…this is the only way.

Suppressing the urge to drop her jaw, Nupur shook her head. "No, Maa, I would never- I mean, I'm not cheating on Mayank."

"Then, tell me, how on earth did you get that love-bite… and don't lie to me, because I'm not that nave."

Nupur worried her lower lip between her teeth, unsure of what to say. Realizing that Shilpa was really the only one she could talk to about the situation, she expelled a pent-up breath and closed her eyes. "Mayank and I…we…we had sex."

"I see," Shilpa replied, tapping her fingers against her chin. Well, this definitely complicates matters. But it could work to my advantage though. "How long have you two been sharing a bed?"

Nupur's eyes widened at her blunt question. She tucked her stupid strand once more and she stammered, "J-just o-once Maa. L-last night."

Shilpa nodded and tapped her finger faster, a nervous habit of hers. "I thought the two of you disliked each other."

"We do. Our personalities are so divergent that we fight more than we do anything else," she said defensively. "But, then, we've been getting along for Neev's sake and because two people can't really live together and hate each other for so long. Compromises have been made and we do realize our faults eventually."

"So, do you think that you might have feelings for him? Again?"

Nupur shook her head, a bit too quickly though. How do I tell her that those feelings never really diminished? And last night just aggravated them even further? "No, Maa! I mean, I don't know… it's all a bit confusing. I-I can't forget everything in one second, Maa. You're aware of what happened all that time back. It's not something that's easily forgiven and forgotten."

Shilpa smiled sympathetically. You still love him dear. It shines through on your face. And I should have known, the minute I saw you today your face was glowing…this was inevitable.

"I know how you feel Nupur. You must be going through a whirlwind of emotions, confusion taking the lead at the moment. And I agree, it's extremely hard separating sex and emotions – your concern about the past is valid too. But Nupur, life is all about forgiving mistakes and moving on. If I remember correctly, you were the one who told me that once." Shilpa exclaimed.

Nupur found herself nodding along, understanding exactly what Shilpa was saying.

"I can't afford to have feelings for Mayank," she said after a while.

"Why not?"

"What we have going on right now is a business arrangement and nothing else. He doesn't have any feelings for me and it would be much easier for me to not have any for him. We make a terrible real couple because we truly do not get along, as experience tells screams out to me. We're like two negative magnetic poles, opposing each other in almost everything. It's horrible now talking to him as though nothing happened between us last night, whereas I just cannot ignore that fact. And now, with you Maa, you of all people hinting at us to get back together? Us cannot happen between Mayank and me anymore, Maa. The 'us' factor had been subtracted long, long back."

Mayank and Ajay walked into the sitting room, interrupting any response Shilpa could have made.

"Are you ready to leave?" Mayank asked Nupur.

She nodded and rose with Shilpa, exchanging a meaningful glance with the older woman that clearly said that none of what they had said was to be repeated to anyone.

Neev raced his way into the room, giggling as the out-of-breath house-maid, Kaki, chased him and finally tagged her young master with a victory squeal of 'Tag!' Neev burst into laughs at being caught and hugged Kaki tight before running into his father's arms.

"Goodbye, Master Neev!" Kaki squeaked before bowing out of the sitting room and scurrying off to finish her chores.

Saying scattered farewells, the younger generation left the Sharma manor and made their way back home. An exhausted Neev fell asleep on the way, taking his nap later than usual. Once back at the flat, Mayank put his son in his room, watching him sleep for a moment before going out to the kitchen where Nupur was putting away the clean dishes, an agitated expression on her face.

He offered to help her but she shook her head vehemently motioning for him to sit down on the chair. She proceeded to stack plates and cups back in the cupboards.

"I think I should probably get Gunjan something, I mean she's had Neev over to her house tons of time, I never really thanked her properly," Mayank muttered lamely, trying to strike a conversation. Nupur went back to the sink washing the remaining plates. She just uttered an "hmm" in response.

Why isn't she talking now? Maybe….maybe she's upset about that 'ouchie' comment…I have to talk to her about it.

He walked towards her standing inches away from her back. "Nupur about the ouc- I mean the…the hickey…Once Maa saw it she must have asked you about it. I knew she wouldn't rest until she heard the story behind it. She's a wonderful woman, but terribly nosy."

Nupur took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Why was she getting so hyper? Did Shilpa's remark make that deep an impact on her? And what she told her after that – that emphasized her pent up feelings, probably that's why she was so distressed right now. She turned back to place those dishes in the cupboard, only to have her nose bump against his.

"Ouch!" She shrieked out loud, holding on to her smarting nose. Did he have to be standing so close?

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, Nupur! I didn't notice, let me see it," he apologized swiftly, pulling her chin up to get a better look. Nupur stopped her yelling and looked right into those dark-brown orbs. They were so close, too close. Mayank stopped fussing over her red nose and realized the propinquity between them. Her hands gripped the counter behind her as she tried not to completely melt at the touch of his body against hers.

Mayank watched the flush of colour rise in Nupur's cheeks, crawling up from her neck. That rosy tint was way too inviting. Once again, his impulses completely took over his logical side as he leisurely bent his head and kissed her jaw, trailing his lips to her blushing cheek. The path his lips left burned her skin and made her knees tremble with the gentleness of his mouth. He nuzzled her neck, smelling her sweet scent. Pulling back slightly, he now wrapped an arm around her waist, his other hand intertwining with hers, which was still gripping the counter as he dipped his head to kiss her lips. But before he could seal his with hers, she retracted immediately, flinging his arm away from her waist.

"Stop it Mayank! Stop it!" she screeched, despair strewn across her face. She ran from there, through the hallway, into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her - leaving Mayank to his own devices, flabbergasted by her abrupt departure.

Gosh kainath...... i hav no words to express wat am i feeling...