Extremely sorry for not updating earlier. I know it's really delayed, but I hope you'll like the chapter
Part 5:
"Nupur, I asked you something." Mayank said, staring at Nupur.
Nupur gulped and looked back at him. "I have no idea" she slowly turned around and was about to leave, when Mayank caught hold of her wrist. Shocked, she turned around only to find him gazing intently back at her. "What is it?"
"Nupur, do you know where she is?" Mayank asked, staring into her eyes.
Nupur was unable to resist any longer and she stared back into his eyes.
For a moment, Mayank forgot what he was asking Nupur. He stared right into her big, brown, expressive eyes. A lot of unspoken words lay deep inside them, which Mayank was trying hard to read. He suddenly snapped back to reality, and remembered why he'd called out to her in the first place. "Answer me Nupur."
Nupur stared into his eyes. She flashbacked to her school days, and as she did, she felt a piercing pain within her. Her eyes turned moist as she came back to reality. There's no use dwelling in the past Nupur. She tried to hold back her tears, and without another word, she jerked her hand away and walked away from there.
Mayank was stunned. He stared back at her receding figure, too stunned to do anything. He tried to look for a valid explanation for her action, but got none. He just sighed and dismissed the entire thing. He then turned around and walked away from there.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nupur tried to quickly make her way to the hotel room without being spotted by Nisha or Aishwarya, but was unsuccessful. Nisha spotted Nupur and walked up to her. "Where are you going?"
"Nisha, I" Nupur said reluctantly, turning around to avoid looking at Nisha. "I need to go to the washroom." She slowly wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Nupur, are you okay?" Nisha asked, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Your voice seems shaky. Are you crying?"
Nupur seemed apprehensive. She wiped away her eyes in a rush and turned around to face Nisha. "I'm absolutely fine Nisha." Nisha just gave her a questioning look. "Goodness Nisha, I'm fine!"
"Fine, do as you please. Anyway I have no say whatsoever. It's your life. Go ahead and ruin it as much as you like." Nisha said and then stormed off from there.
Nupur looked over in Nisha's direction guiltily, and then immediately left from there.
"Damn it Tanvi, I told you, nothing's wrong!" Nupur spoke into the phone, adamant to make Tanvi believe her lie.
"Nupur, you know you cannot lie!" Tanvi snapped into the phone on the other end. "Seriously Nupur, what is wrong with you!"
"Damn it Tanvi, just forget it!" Nupur yelled into the phone and hung up. She knew she shouldn't have yelled at her best friend like that, but she was left with no other option. And Tanvi wasn't making things any easier for her. She felt helpless. She just threw herself on to the bed and closed her eyes. The painful memories of the past just flashed in front of her eyes. And she remembered that one particular day especially. The last day of seventh grade, meaning, goodbye to her friends, and especially- Mayank.
------------------------------------------------Flashback (seventh grade) ---------------------------------
Nupur entered class late that day. She looked around the class; that being one of her usual habits ever since she had entered seventh grade. Her eyes stopped on the one person she was looking for. He sat on his usual assigned bench, laughing with a few of his friends. Watching him laugh like that, a smile automatically crept up her face. Nupur slowly walked up to her seat and sat down, trying hard to avoid looking at Mayank.
Neha snapped a finger in front of Nupur to draw her attention. Nupur looked back at her with a confused expression. "What?
"It's just polite that you greet me with a hello." Neha complained. "You look so lost ever since you've come."
"Oh I'm sorry. Was, was just thinking." Nupur said. "I mean, it's the last day of seventh grade today, and we have our final semesters beginning from tomorrow."
"Well, I really don't care about the semesters." Neha said, but instantly corrected her statement when she saw Nupur raise an eyebrow at her. "I mean, yeah, I do, but I'm more upset because it's the last day of seventh. I mean, I will really miss this school."
"School?" Nupur asked. "We're going to be in the same school Neha, just different classes next year."
Neha shook her head. "I am changing schools next year."
"Oh" Nupur said sadly. "But we'll keep in touch."
Neha just smiled. The two girls were interrupted when Mohit joined their discussion. "Wow, girls and tears always walk hand in hand, don't they!"
Neha shot him an angry glare. "Yeah right. Do we look like we're crying?"
Nupur simply chuckled. "Mohit, we're just saying that we'll miss this class a lot."
"You girls no nothing better than to get all touchy and emotional."
"Okay, this is going beyond limit now. You shut up now or I'll kill you." Neha snapped. Mohit simply walked away from there, leaving Neha fuming at him.
Nupur tried to calm her down, and suddenly looked towards Mayank. He was still smiling and talking to his friends. He seemed so jovial. Nupur just smiled looking at him. She secretly hoped he'd never change. He was perfect the way he was. She didn't want him to change himself for anybody. If only she could tell him what she was thinking.
--------------------------------
"Nupur, I told you I wanted to fill that slam book first!" Mayank protested.
"Well, so what if you aren't the first. You could be the third. Good enough, isn't it?" Nupur said sheepishly. Mayank just frowned at her and continued to chit chatter with his friends.
Nupur looked at him guiltily, and then at the person who was filling up her slam. "Uh, are you done yet?"
"Just started filling, if you want, you can give it to him first." Nikita said and winked at Nupur. Nupur just smiled and took the slam book from her.
"Mayank?" She called out to him. He looked at her with a questioning look. "Here you go." She then handed over the slam book to Mayank. He took it and smiled at Nupur sweetly.
"Thanks" he said and then opened the slam book to begin filling it.
Nupur just smiled looking at him filling up the slam book with such enthusiasm.
-----------------------------------
"Why don't you tell him you like him?" Kiran asked Nupur, while the final bell rang, indicating the end of the day." I mean, I'm sure he wouldn't reject you."
Nupur shook her head. "I just don't want him to know that I like him. It'll spoil the friendship we have."
"But take it this way. If he accepts, he'll be more than just a friend to you. Don't you want that?" Kiran asked.
"And if he rejects me? Will I be able to bear it? I guess not." Nupur counter questioned, dismissing the subject. "It's best that I keep mum about the whole thing. I can't afford to lose this friendship."
"Well, it's entirely your call then." Kiran said.
"Nupur!" Someone yelled out from behind. Nupur turned around and saw Mayank walking towards her. He stopped few inches away from her. Nupur gave him a questioning look.
"Uh, what is it Mayank?" Nupur asked him.
"Well, just came to wish you luck with the exams. I doubt we'd meet after this." Mayank said, and extended his hand forward. Nupur smiled and shook her hand with his.
"Good luck to you too, Mayank." She said.
"Well, will surely not forget you, and the entire class." Mayank said.
Nupur smiled back at him. "Me neither."
--------------------------------------End of Flashback--------------------------------------------------------
Nupur slowly opened her eyes, only to find them moist. She had been crying. She slowly got up and decided to call Tanvi. She checked the time. It was past midnight. She was in two minds whether to call Tanvi or not. She later dismissed the idea and went to sleep, since she was anyway leaving for Delhi the next morning.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Mayank sat in his room constantly thinking about Nupur. He was thinking about her strange behavior towards him. Why was it that she despised him so much? Or was it just his illusion? But why would he have an illusion of Nupur despising him? His mind was just playing games with him. But he desperately wanted to talk to Nupur about everything. Past included. He needed some clarifications from her, and he knew he owed her some explanations, though she never asked for them.
Suddenly Mayank's cell phone buzzed and he was brought back to reality. He checked his phone. He had one unread message. He immediately checked it, and was shocked and angry when it read Gunjan's name.
"Hey bro. Gunjan here. Just wanted to inform you that I'm on my way to Goa. With Samrat and friends. I am willing to face your wrath on returning. But please do not yell at Nupur for anything. Bye. Love you."
"Love you?" Mayank snorted. "Yeah right, if she loved me, she wouldn't have run away just like that without informing me." He re read the message and widened his eyes. "Nupur? So she did know where Gunjan was after all!"
Instead of replying to Gunjan, he decided to call her up. He dialed Gunjan's number and waited for her to answer the call.
"Hello" Gunjan answered reluctantly. Samrat was seated beside her, his arm around her shoulder. On receiving no response, Gunjan spoke up again. "Bro?"
"Where are you?" Mayank asked, trying hard to avoid losing his temper.
"Uh, I am on my way to Goa."
"And who told you to do so?"
"Bro, can we just talk about this when I get back? I don't mind being punished once I get back. At least I can enjoy a bit before getting punished, right?" Gunjan said.
Mayank was about to yell, but instead took a deep breath. "Well, have fun then."
And saying so, Mayank hung up on Gunjan.
Gunjan looked at the phone guiltily. If Mayank would have yelled at her, she would have felt more relaxed. But he not yelling at her was a little hard to digest. No matter what he said or did, she did love him after all.
Mayank just threw the phone on his bed and lay down. More than angry, he was deeply hurt by what Gunjan did. It made him feel like he was a bad brother. He suddenly felt that he wasn't amiable. It was as though the whole world despised him. Why on earth was he like that? He knew for one, that people definitely didn't talk to him because they wanted to; it was mainly because they had to. Well, so it was in his office. He really needed a transfer from Bombay. He needed to get rid of known faces, and meet new people. If only that were possible. He decided that he would speak to his boss for a transfer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
"Yeah Tanvi, I should be reaching by eight. And I want to see you two at the airport, get it?" Nupur spoke into the phone, smiling as she headed for the airport. "Okay Tanvi, I guess I need to hang up. See you."
Nupur slowly made her way to the airport, and without any hassle, she managed to get into the aircraft. She slowly switched off her cell phone and leaned back against the seat, and closed her eyes. The memories of the reunion flashed in front of her eyes. It was now impossible to forget Mayank. All her attempts would only prove futile. She was glad she didn't stay back in Mumbai. She was finally going back to Delhi, far away from Mayank.
She slowly closed her eyes, and tried her best to avoid Mayank's thoughts. She was desperately trying to get rid of any memory that involved him.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
"Nupur!" Aditya exclaimed happily as he saw Nupur walking up towards them. He went ahead and hugged her tightly. Nupur struggled to keep her balance and hugged him back. "I missed you"
Nupur just smiled. "Adi, it's just one day that I was away, and you missed me?" She laughed and pulled away. "You should totally be nicked as the drama king."
Tanvi couldn't hold back her laughter at this. She looked at Aditya. "Drama King, where is your Drama Queen? So that you two could rule the kingdom called Drama Club?" And she began chuckling.
Aditya shot her an angry glare. "You really are impossible."
"Yeah, and what about the times when you've made fun of me?" Tanvi protested. "I mean, this is just nothing compared to what you do."
"Okay guys, relax." Nupur said. "I'm way too tired. Can we go home now?"
"Can we come with you?" Tanvi asked innocently.
Nupur just smiled and walked ahead.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
"Yes Mr. Khanna, I really need a transfer. I know it's too early for a transfer, but I desperately need a change in surroundings." Mayank tried to reason out with his boss.
"You do know we have no vacancies in any of our branches." Mr. Khanna said, looking at Mayank skeptically. "And why would you want a transfer, when the Mumbai Branch is doing so well?"
"I just need a change" Mayank replied. "Please Mr. Khanna; I'm sure there might be some vacancy."
"I'll try" Mr. Khanna replied. "Now, till then, please get back to work."
Mayank, disappointed, turned around and was about to leave, when the phone rang. He was not sure why, but he wanted to know who it was.
"Hello" Mr. Khanna answered. Mayank couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, so just listened to Mr. Khanna ramble on. "Oh, that's bad. Yes, Yes, I totally understand where you're coming from. I'll see if I can send someone in place of him." Mr. Khanna gave a glance towards Mayank, who immediately turned around and pretended to leave. "Mr. Sharma, don't leave yet. Yes Mr. Kapoor, I'll let you know A.S.A.P. Do not worry. Goodbye." And saying so, he hung up.
He then looked at Mayank, observing his expressions. He seemed a little reluctant in asking, but he just cleared his throat and looked at him. "Would you like to work in Delhi?"
Mayank was stunned. This had to be a miracle. He was getting an opportunity to move away from Mumbai, and what better than Delhi? His relatives stayed there, so it would be perfect. Gunjan wasn't a problem either. He knew how to deal with her. Mayank took in a deep breath and looked at Mr. Khanna.
"That would be perfect, sir."
Hope you liked it guys. Do comment and let me know what you think.
Edited by utfracks - 15 years ago
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
35