Chapter One
The blue above my head changed to a tacky crimson before swiftly returning to blue again. The movement seemed to be in tune with the blaring music - neither of the two comforting but definitely distracting. Distraction was what I needed the most right now and was the whole motive behind coming to this much hyped but previously unappealing pub.
Megha had been miffed with my constant refusals the past week. Each time she had tried to arrange a double date with Mayank and me in this supposed out-of-the-world dating destination, I had politely shaken my head. This whole pub culture was a Megha-thing; wine ran in her veins, red wine being the pick of the lot. Her big brown eyes would grow even wider with excitement at the very mention of a night to be spent drinking your guts out. But the past week at work had been almost inhuman, with me having to cover up for Gunjan, who had very conveniently persuaded the boss that her sick sister in Mumbai needed her much more than the latest Java presentation we had to make to one of our most valued clients. Earlier this evening, I had been all perked up about the work week being finally over. The weekend, I thought, was going to be about much needed quality time with Mayank, who had also been working really hard with the latest issue of the Business Times. Sometimes I felt that the magazine worked him far too hard. He was constantly under a lot of stress, switching his favourite novels with articles that needed editing and picking easy to cook pasta over the rajma chawal he had always relished. With his Mom at her cousin's place, the schedules had only become more haywire.
I had just exited the office elevator ' avoiding an exceptionally chatty colleague and enjoying the excitement I felt about meeting Mayank after a week ' when my cellphone scared the wits out of me.
Now there isn't really anything scary about a ringing cellphone, but since my phone was on silent mode all through the day, I had almost forgotten how the ringing sounded. What was more, I didn't even recall having changed the profile settings. Dismissing it as a probable software bug and congratulating myself on having found another reason to replace my phone with a newer model, I glanced at the screen. Unknown number. Possibly more of those customer care people, hell-bent on getting me buy a new flat in some remote corner of the already full-to-burst-point Delhi.
"Hello?" I said in the tone of someone who is aiming at setting a new record in a shut-the-caller contest.
"Hey Nupur" said a muffled, but familiar voice. Mayank. A thrill went up my spine. The past week had been too strenuous to even talk on the phone, apart from the routine good night.
"Mayank! Whose number are you calling from?" My voice, though delivering a rational question, couldn't hide the evident joy speaking to Mayank always brought to me.
"Are you out yet?" he said curtly, ignoring my question.
"Yeah. Just left the office, getting to the car. I had to dodge Gaurav yet again. Good thing I managed or else we would be meeting tomorrow." I chuckled in memory of the many times Gaurav had bestowed me with tales of his family's long lost relative, the relative's brown spaniel and the colour of his ever crooked collar.
"Ah yes, about that. Actually Nupur, we can't meet today. I ' I have a new piece to add in the issue. It has just come in and is too good to let go." Mayank sounded honest. I never doubted his honesty; he was as loyal to me as I was to him. But despite the fact that I understood, I couldn't help but express my disappointment.
"Can't it wait till Monday? You told me the issue won't go for printing till later next week."
"If it could, I wouldn't be calling you. This is really urgent." Mayank sounded like he wanted to wrap the conversation up. I could almost hear my former anticipation hit the hard marble floor.
"Well, never mind then. As it is, all the excitement about seeing each other seems to be one sided." I snapped, surprising myself. What was even more surprising was that Mayank failed to note the sarcasm.
"So see you next week then, deal?" Wow. Next week. No mention of the weekend whatsoever.
I murmured a barely comprehensible ascent, cancelled the call and threw the phone in the recesses of my hand bag. Instantly, I did a double take. What was with me? I had never snapped at Mayank before. But then, he hadn't ever behaved like such a cold oaf either. Feeling disconcerted with that weird phone call and not willing to return to my empty apartment so soon in the evening, I stood there, fidgeting with my silver watch. Its clear round dial, with little diamond like studs, looked back at me. Hadn't it been a gift from Mr. Busybody last birthday? I instantly stopped playing with the dial and started with my green, dangling earrings.
When I had almost decided to step into the car and drive to a quiet diner, Megha appeared as if by magic. She was still in our formal office wear, but had styled it atrociously with a few loud chains around her neck and some glittering bracelets made of oversized beads. She was clinging to one of her girlfriends, which was surprising considering I rarely spotted her out of office with anyone from the same gender. I looked askance at her, not trusting myself with a sane question. But she needed just a look of acknowledgment to begin blabbering.
"Nupur, sweetie pie, are you really here still? Pinch me Aastha!" As Aastha obliged, Megha let out a pretend squeal.
"Um, well, I was just leaving'" I hit the buttons of my car remote and waited for the beeps. They didn't come. What was with all electronic equipment these days? Perhaps my car wished to follow my cellphone to the trash can. To be lost out of sight. The only hindrance was ' could I find a trash can big enough? More importantly, could I afford a new car? Giggles broke through my thoughts as my spectators nudged each other.
"Look, even your car doors won't open!" Aastha grinned as if she had made the best wisecrack ever.
I merely smirked and hit the buttons again, this time successful at unlocking the doors of the damned car. Just as I was about to get in, Megha pulled at my arm.
"Since you aren't going out with Mayank tonight, join us for the girls' night out. It won't kill you Nupur and I have been asking you all week!" Megha was at her persuasive, or rather, wailing best.
"How do you know I am not meeting him tonight?" I played safe, not wanting to fill her in on my newest letdown.
"It isn't rocket science sweetie. If you were, you would have already left and be getting ready in your best evening dress at this very moment. Not lurking in this empty car park, wondering how to lift your Friday evening spirits back up." Megha said in a triumphant tone. "Uh, to be more precise, I happened to overhear part of the conversation." she added as an afterthought.
Now being with Megha and her girly gang was nowhere on my priority list. Mayank, Dad and work always tied for the first spot, with other things like books, music and movies making appearances lower down the list. But on this evening rapidly dissolving into night, I felt withdrawn from the usual league of things. Work had been satisfactory; my boss had even dropped in a word about how he appreciated the creative touch I added to our presentations. But everything else seemed disjointed and weird. I had had a tiff with Mayank for the first time in moths ' the last time we had argued over picking a colour for his shirt. While I preferred brighter shades like violet or dark blue, he had been more inclined towards the somber white. My cellphone was playing tricks, so was my car. They were things that were not really alarming, but seemed unnatural to me just then. Maybe it was just my mind reacting to a week of having no Gunjan around to talk things out with. Yes, I was sure that was it. I even nodded slightly in agreement.
"So you are coming!" squealed Megha, jumping up and down in excitement. For Christ sake, what was so enthralling about my joining them for their event? I decided to play along, assuming that any place Megha choose would be loud enough and jarring enough to take my mind off everything. Her taste in most departments had that effect: the clothes would always have a pronounced wild edge, the makeup too overdone and prone to smudging, the music always proving metallic to the nerves. Maybe some dose of her craze could counter the craze that had hit me today.
As a couple almost crashed into me in their hurry to get to the dance floor, I switched back to the present. The Wild Nights pub was designed to resemble a forest, with the bartenders actually dressed as bears. The music was a nightmarish combination of metal and hard rock, played by an even more nightmarish looking DJ. Here I was, sitting on a mushroom shaped stool, watching the blue neon lights turn crimson, when my eyes flickered to the doorway and froze. If my day had been weird so far, it had just turned unearthly.
~ ~
This is my second FF in this forum and to be honest, I haven't a clue about how life will unfold for Mayank and Nupur. But if anyone wants to join me in finding out, do tell me to add you to the PM list. 😊
Really looking forward to your reviews.
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I N D E X
Chapter One: Page One
Chapter Two: Page Four
Chapter Three: Page Nine
Chapter Four: Page Thirteen
Chapter Five: Page Nineteen
Chapter Six: Page Twenty Six
Chapter Seven: Page Thirty Two
Chapter Eight: Page Forty
Chapter Nine: Page Fifty
Chapter Ten: Page Sixty One
Chapter Eleven: Page Seventy
Chapter Twelve: Page Seventy Seven
Chapter Thirteen: Page Eighty Two
Chapter Fourteen: Page Eighty Eight
Chapter Fifteen (Last): Page Ninety Four
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