Updt: For better or Worse-MJHT FF-Part 14 - Pg 16 - Page 4

wowwwwwwwwww really awesome ff

very nice update.....loved it...
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loved it
plz add me to ur pm list
eagerly waiting
cony soon

BIG Sorry to keep you guys waiting.. here is a long update - Parts 3-6.

Part 3

Nupur removed the clip from her hair, and let her hair fall down her back – the twisted messy pile of hair made her look like a patient and she did not intend to make it obvious to Mayank that she was not well.

The pain was hers and she would keep it that way.

Forcing a smile on her face, she threw open the door, "finally" Mayank muttered, holding his laptop in one hand, his suit swung over his shoulder and his navy blue tie loosened around his neck.

"Come in" she said, moving away, giving him way to enter.

He sauntered in and placed the laptop on her tea table, after that he proceeded to neatly place his suit on the sofa arm.

Nupur rolled her eyes, she's usually tossed her bag and suit in the direction she wished – and ended up searching for it for 30 minutes the next morning.

" Do you need an invitation?" Mayank asked, looking up from the sofa, where he'd so quickly set up his laptop and laid out three huge files.

This was going to take long – she hoped she could hide her sickness till then.

****

Three hours, five rounds of arguments, a dozen balls of crumpled papers in the bin and three cups of coffee later, they were done.

Mayank leaned back on the sofa, "I think we're set" he announced.

She sunk back in the plushness of her sofa, "finally" she muttered, closing her eyes. In her tiredness she didn't even let her mind delve into the fact that Mayank had not asked her anything – she had been at the receiving end of a few suspicious looks, but he hadn't been vociferous about it, and when she wasn't asked questions – she need not bother about answering.

Mayank peered at his senior consultant – she looked relieved. It was obvious that she was not well and that she trying to hide her sickness from him.

He was worried for her, but if she did not want to share – then it was none of his business and he was not making it his.

That was always the rule – keep business and personal separate. Do not mix both. If you do, your business is screwed.

"The meeting is at 11.20 tomorrow…" he informed her, closing his laptop shut.

She opened her eyes to look at him, "okay. I'll come..." she said resignedly.

Then he remembered – she'd wanted to take the next two days off, "are you okay?" he asked earnestly, placing his arm on hers.

She looked down in surprise, "Yes" she lied.

"Don't lie. Why would you want two days off then?"

"I'm going to elope to the Himalayas with my boyfriend" she replied in a flat tone.

"How sick are you?"

The last question was met with a glare.

"Would you be able to travel?" he asked.

"What is this, twenty bloody questions?" she snapped.

He sighed deeply, hooking his index finger under his suit, he hoisted it over his shoulder, "good night" with that he walked to her door.

Nupur sat there – glaring at his back, what the heck had just happened? Why was Mayank being so damn random?

As if in answer to her question, he stopped and turned, "Caf India is in Venice, Nupur" he said.

"So…?"

"The inauguration is next week –and we're going"

She shot up from the sofa, "We? We as in..?"

"You and I"

Her jaw dropped – he's got to be kidding, she voiced as much, "you've got to be kidding me!"

He smirked, "Absolutely. Telling my employees that am taking them to random places in the world is my favorite pass time"

"Very funny. But an all expense paid holiday –?"

"Holiday? Heck NO! It's more of business, less of holiday" Mayank asked, his brows rising up in a smirk, "Pack your formals. And pack some evening wear. Flight is at 05:20 AM day after tomorrow. Don't sleep in. I'd be here at 03:45 AM. Be ready. Get well before that. I don't want a sick woman tagging along with me"

Nupur's crumpled paper ball hit the door Mayank had shut in his wake

********

Gunjan frowned at Samrat – ever since dinner, he's been acting strange. He was stuck to his mobile phone even during dinner.

She had tried talking to him - nothing in specific – she had just generally tried talking him – but he'd only said one thing again and again, " not now, Gunjan. I'm busy"

Sure, she understood that – he was stressed, and he had a lot to do – especially after he'd promised her that they'd fly to Mumbai tomorrow. She really did understand – but not even one word since then? Not even one smile her way?

It had never happened before – how ever busy Samrat was; however tiring his day had been – he'd always made sure that did not carry over during dinner. He'd switch off his phone and…I'm all yours Chashmish… only yours Samrat's smiling face and twinkling eyes loomed before her.

Was she reading too much into this? Maybe. But there was a nagging voice which told her that something was wrong.

"Samrat…" she started, all she got in reply was a lousy distracted "hmmmmn…" she frowned at him; he was busy pouring over his laptop, furiously typing away something.

He hadn't even paid attention to what she had been saying for the past thirty minutes,

"Samrat - "she tried talking to him," are you listening" she questioned, impatiently.

All she got as reply was a non-committal nod of his head and a lousy, "hmmmn".

gritting her teeth, she leaned in and quickly closed his laptop, " am trying to talk to you" she snapped

" Kya hai, Gunjan?" he answered irritably, then seeing the bewildered look on her face, softened immediately, " accha, bolo - am all yours.." he said with a smile.

" Jab se di se - "

" Chashmish" he cut her off

Gunjan frowned – every passing second confirming that she was not reading too much into it.

" woh drawer se woh tournament ke sponsorship papers hai, can you get that for me"
" Fine" she snapped. Plunging sideways, she reached for the drawer and plucked the papers out of it roughly and dumped it unceremoniously in Samrat's lap.

He however, wasn't paying attention - his eyes twinkled and he was looking at something next to her on the bed.

She followed his eyes - and gasped.

A red envelope lay near her feet – the shiny golden alphabets landed directly into her heart – Happy Birthday, love.

"Pick it up" Samrat said. She looked up at him, "What..?" she breathed, his smile widened, "Pick it up, Chashmish"

" T-t-tickets?" she whispered, picking up the air tickets with trembling fingers. Big fat teardrops landed on the tickets with a splotch. She could hazily see Samrat scoot next to her, cupping her face with his hands, he brushed the tears off with his thumb.

The clock chimed twelve.

"Happy birthday" his wish was a caress against her lips.

"You needn't have…"

"I wanted to..."

Their foreheads touched, smiles graced their lips, "Where are we going?" she asked a while later, her head nestling contently in the crook of his shoulder.

"Venice."

Part 4

Nupur threw her handbag on her desk, and slid into her chair, the cool air from the air-conditioner hit her face.

After that highly irritating Digital Citi meeting, getting back to her desk was pure heaven.

Closing her eyes, she replayed the conversation with her doctor, which was just as depressing and irritating

"The cramps are getting better, Dr., but…"
Her doctor sighed impatiently, "Understand, Nupur – they are getting better for this cycle – but the cramps as such will only get worse with each period"
She understood damn it – she really did, her doctor did not, "do I have a time?"
"Yes –you can postpone the operation for one year or at the most 18 months – but even if you postpone the operation, there's no guarantee that –"
"I can get pregnant" she said along with her doctor, hearing it for a hundred times sort of gave her the insight into what her doctor might possibly say next.

That was it then – she had a time limit – maybe she should call Bui and tell her she wanted to get married - within a month or so.

And maybe she could have that family she'd dreamed of

But what about her childhood dream of – No, she cut herself off sharply, forget love… you don't get everything that you want, Nupur.

A tear drop slipped through her closed eyes. If only convincing the heart was that easy.

"Nupur ma'am!" she was jerked back to reality by a frightened voice.

She hurriedly wiped off her tears and opened her eyes to look at the terse face of the 18 year old trainee, "yes, Aneesha?"

"Mayank sir asked me for some print outs" she said, her lips quivering, "when I went to give them to him, he asked me to go away" she said looking down at the carpet.

"What happened to his secretary?"
"Not on her desk"

Nupur felt a sudden wave of sympathy for the girl, she stood up and walked to her, placing her arm reassuringly on aneesha's shoulder, she said, "Give those to me. I'll give it to him"
"Ok. Here" she said quietly, handing over a bunch of papers to her.
"It's ok, Aneesha. Mayank is just stressed out after a client meeting. Don't worry" she assured.
Aneesha left with a dejected nod.

Shaking her head, she walked to Mayank's cabin and knocked; "Go away" he said harshly.

"Mayank, it's me" she called out.

Why did she think that would miraculously wipe out Mayank's grumpy mood? She was losing her marbles, that's why…

"Get lost, Nupur"

"Yeah right" she pushed open the door, stepped in, walked to his table and placed the prints outs on his desk.

He stood near the window, his back to her, and his fingers tightly clutching the panes, he didn't acknowledge her presence.

Instead of walking out, she walked over to him, sensing her presence, he snapped, "Don't you have work to do?"

Heaving a sigh, she placed her arm on his, "Is everything –"

"My uncle passed away"

"Oh…" she didn't know what to say, she just stood there beside him, with her arm on his.

What do you say to your boss when he's grieving the loss of family? Had it been any of her other teammate, she would have probably given them a hug, or at the least draped her arm around their shoulder tightly and given them a one sided hug.

She could not do that to Mayank – they were not that close. And she and Mayank were not "friends"

"I should be going..." he announced, wrenching his arm away from hers.

"When will you be back?" as soon as the words were out of her, she bit her lip and frowned – why had that sounded as if she would miss him? Damn!!

"Do you have to discuss a client with me?" he asked distractedly.

She bit her lip and looked down at the floor; "um…" did she have a client to discuss? Think, Nupur…

Nupur was staring at the carpet, biting her lip profusely - what was with her anyway? She was acting strange – maybe he should ask, but right now he should be out of here.

"Whatever it is, it can wait till am back in Mumbai tomorrow" he said, stowing his phone into his pocket

Nupur looked up at that, he was going out of town? Where had his uncle lived? And would he make it back in time tomorrow for the - oh shit!

"Tomorrow? But…" she trailed off looking at him frantically.

"Damn" Mayank muttered, ramming a hand through his hair, " Venice..."

"Yea"

"I'll drive back tonight. I'll be back in time. I should go now, Nupur.." he said, rapidly, placing his arm on her shoulder and moving her out of the way.

"Mayank, wait..." she called, walking up to him.

"What?" he bit out, his jaw clenched.

"Are you driving alone..?"

"Yes" the clenched jaw was becoming more and more pronounced.

"Where did your uncle live?"

"Pune" he replied impatiently, "I really don't have the time ..."

She was not paying attention as she did the math in her head – It took close to 4 hours to drive, and it was already 2 Pm – which meant Mayank would have to drive back as soon as dinner – he would have to leave Pune by 10 Pm latest. He'd be driving alone – and she knew he'd been working non stop for three days – to put together 5 client presentations that had happened over the last two days.

Her decision was made in an instant, "I'll come with you"

He whirled his head around to face her, "why would you do that?"

Good question!!… "You'd be incapable to drive in the night".

He clenched his jaw, " am perfectly – "

She put her hand up, "Listen, Mayank – we don't have the time and you will not drive alone – can you think of anyone to accompany you?"

"I live alone"

"What about your secretary?"

She could see that he was getting irritated – but she stood her ground, she met his fierce glare with a steadfast one of her own.

"On a vacation – Why would she come with me? She's only my secretary"

" Fine, then. Give me just five minutes" she started to walk out of his cabin.

"Why are you doing this?" he called out, the tiredness apparent in his voice.

She stopped and turned, tossing him a haughty look she said, "I don't want anything jeopardizing my free holiday in Venice"

"It's not a damn holiday" his irritated voice floated out of his cabin.

****

Nupur shot Mayank a look out of the corner of her eyes as he expertly maneuvered the car.

She's only my secretary, he'd said – and she was only his senior consultant – why was she sitting on the passenger seat of his car, accompanying him to his uncle's funeral???

Life was only getting messier

HEY!!!
GREAT AWESOME UPDATE!!!
aww Sammy's so sweet!!!! HE GOT HER TICKETS TO GO TO VENICE!!!
pllzzz continue soon!!!

Part 5

"Where's your sister?" Samrat asked, planting his hand on his hip, after the hectic schedule they'd had to put things in order so that everything would function normally during their one week absence, and the flight – he really did not want to come home to a locked door.

Gunjan fiddled with the lock, "I don't know" she said, "and Di is not picking her phone up"

"Great" Samrat muttered, drumming his fingers on the wall impatiently.

"Come on Di, pick up, pick up, pick up" Gunjan urged, but only getting the caller tune at her

She snapped her phone shut, "Di told me once that she had a spare key made, just in case we needed it while we were visiting her… Where did she say she kept it..?"

Samrat narrowed his eyes at her, "knowing your sister, why don't you try it behind that plant?" he said, pointing to a pretty potted plant near the door, sarcasm dripping in his tone and body language.

Gunjan shot him a look and started looking around for probable places where Nupur could have kept the spare key.

Then she remembered –

"Chashmish – call Nupur again"

She shook her head, "The spare key is inside the house"

"WHAT?!"

She grinned at Samrat's expression, she patted his cheek, "I remember Di telling me that after a robbery in the apartments she no longer kept the spare key hidden – we'd have to check into a hotel"

"Fabulous! Chalo" Samrat muttered, walking towards the elevator.

******

Nupur fished her mobile phone out of her bag – It had been close to thirty minutes since they'd started driving and Mayank had not said a word.

She might as well listen to some music –

"Gunjan's call?" she muttered out aloud, wondering why her sister had called her 5 times.

Mayank looked at briefly, "My sister" she explained, slightly lifting her mobile phone, he nodded, "younger sister, right?"

"Yeah" she said with a smile, thinking about Gunjan

"Isn't she married to Samrat Shergill?" Mayank asked again, looking at her.

She turned to look at him, surprised that he knew this about her, "That's right. She's called – wonder why -" she muttered.

Mayank turned his head a little sideways, "why don't you call her and find out?"

"Are you giving me permission to call my own sister?"

"Well, most people would call back to find out why the caller had called. But you're Nupur Bhushan so I really don't know how you operate"

She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes at him, "Why are you employing me if you find me so whacky?"

"You're excellent in your work"

That shut her up – she hadn't expected Mayank to be so forthright in praising her, and she'd much preferred it that way – she didn't know how to handle this explicit compliment, " Thanks" she muttered, busying herself by calling Gunjan.

The number you have called is currently not reachable. Please try again later.

"Not reachable" she said, dropping her mobile back into her bag, "So – erm…" So... Erm? What the hell was that? Nupur Bhushan – you talk so much in a day – think of something to speak now.

God, this was awkward.

"Tell me about your uncle"

A moment passed. Mayank's fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

Nupur looked at him intently, while he concentrated on the road, a nerve in his temple twitched. With a sigh, she realized he was not going to answer; she tried again, "Were you two close?"

A quick glance her way before his attention went back to the road, "Yes"

She waited for him to continue – only it didn't come. That was it? Yes? That was his answer?

Gritting her teeth, she turned around in her seat to fully face him, "Have you taken an oath to talk in monosyllables today?"

"No"

"Mayank!" she almost yelled

That got a longer glance that the last one, "What's your problem?" he asked.

"You..."

"What?"

"Yes" Two can play this game, Mr. Mayank Sharma, she thought with an inward grin.

He looked at her exasperatedly – she thought he'd say something – he didn't. They fell back into the silence, their even breathing the only sound filling the car.

"He was a great man" he said suddenly – still looking straight at the road.

Good, that gave her time to hide her surprise of having her question answered. Quickly re-arranging her face she faced him, "You had a great bond with him, didn't you?"

A slight smile, "yes"

She smiled back, "Tell me about him"

If she'd blinked, she would have missed that curt nod, "He was elder to ma by 5 years. He was strict, yet so loving. He was not the 'drop in during festivals, give gifts, have fun' kind of uncle. He was so involved in our lives. I have so many memories…" he trailed off.

Mayank stopped talking as his voice gave way – there were too many memories. It was hard to believe that his uncle was gone. Bone cancer. He still remembered the last time he'd spoke to his uncle. He'd said, " Mayank – if you don't marry now, son. You'd have heavenly interventions in your wedding"

He smiled – that was so like his uncle – making light of every situation.

Nupur watched as Mayank's face broke out into a bittersweet smile, his eyes moistening up with the memories of his late uncle.

That moment, she understood that his uncle were one of the few people who mattered the most and were closest to Mayank Sharma. His uncle was like a father to him. She didn't know anything about him – but this, she just knew.

Her throat constricted, and I'm sorry seemed just too inappropriate now.

She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his hand on the gears.

Mayank looked down at their arms; Nupur's fingers lay lightly over his. Tears slipped down her cheeks while her lips held a light smile.

Something shifted inside of him, "Nupur - ?"

"I know the pain of losing a parent – ma died when I was a year old – when she gave birth to Gunjan"

His hands stilled on the steering wheel, he turned to look at her, "I didn't even know my mother" she said, her voice dipping.

He turned his hand around and entwined his fingers with her. She squeezed back. The next few minutes went by without a word uttered between them, her hand slowly drifted out of his, and his concentration returned to the road.

He didn't say anything in comfort to Nupur, not because he didn't know what to say – but because he knew exactly how it felt when someone tried to offer their sorry – they just did not understand what it meant to a lose a parent. And even if was said with the best intentions – it would always fall short.

He understood that was why Nupur had not tried to do the same – she's just showed him she felt for him – and he appreciated that.

Sniff

The sudden sound jerked him away from his thoughts. Quickly glancing at Nupur, he found that she was fast asleep, her face was tear-strained and her hand lay on her stomach.

He lifted his hand to her face, wanting to brush her tears off. Realizing with a start what we was about to do was totally improper, he quickly dropped it down.

Clenching his jaw, he clutched the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles going white because of the strong grip. He flicked on the CD player, as the soft tunes of kuch khushbuen started filling up the car, he let his mind drift off to his childhood and the times he had spent with his uncle.

Everything need not have a reason, beta. Sometimes things are the way they are - we can't question them, just accept it and see what best you can make out of the situation and move on.

He glanced at Nupur - as always his uncle was right, they couldn't question the happening of some events in their life - Nupur's mother had passed away when she was just a baby. His father had left them when he was two years old. His uncle had passed away now - Both Nupur and him had lost family early in their lives - Neither of them could question these events - only regret them, and wish it had been better. And carry the pain throughout your life, Mayank thought grimly, his eyes going back to Nupur's face again.

With a sigh, he reached out and brushed her tears off.

Part 6

Nupur bit her lip, the choices were laid out perfectly in front of her – going by what Bui just told her, Avinash was a very good man – clean habits, good family, the only son of doting parents – software engineer – lived in the U.S – even their kundalis matched.

She still couldn't believe Bui had actually went ahead to match their kundalis without asking her – but then again, that was exactly what bui would do.

She glanced at her cell phone – minutes ago, Bui had tried her best to convince her to say yes to the match.

She'd almost said yes.

With a sigh, she plopped down on the bed, this was a good match and as Bui said – she'd be happy with Avinash. Get married – try for a baby – and then, then what?

Her doctor had warned her time and again that there were no sure chances of her getting pregnant. What if she never did? What then? Would she and Avinash fall in love by then – would her incapacity no longer matter to him? What about his parents?

Tears welled up in her eyes - wrapping her arms around herself, she went to stand near the window.

The cool breeze that hit her face did not soothe her; neither did the questions die out – What if they did not fall in love?

If she said yes to this match – would she tell Avinash about the operation? She should, that was only fair – would he accept her?

She punched the railing in frustration – she was thinking too far – the question that needed answering right now was – Was she going to say yes to the match?

She closed her eyes – hoping that somehow the answer would miraculously come to her.

None came. She brushed at her tears hastily, " I'm going to say yes" she muttered aloud, hoping even now that she'd face some sort of a divine interjection telling her that what she was doing was right or wrong.

Nothing came. She took that as a go ahead. From now, she'd leave her life to destiny. However it played out – she'd deal with it when it came.

She was done with reasoning. Her resolve to call Bui became stronger with each heartbeat.

"This is right" she muttered to herself, "So what if you never fall in love? Face reality, Nupur" there was a strong gush of wind, the window slammed shut – she didn't even notice, "No one is going to knock on your door and say, Nupur, I Lo -"

Knock.

Nupur stopped speaking.

Knock. Knock

Was this the divine interjection she was hoping for??

Knock. Knock. Knock

This time the knocks were rhythmical to her frantic heartbeat – she started at the door as it creaked open.

"Nupur, I've been –" Mayank pushed open the door, and stepped in – taking a look at her face, he stopped speaking.

Tears ran down her cheeks – and her face was etched with worry. And she looked at him as if he'd sprouted another head.

Shaking his head, he walked to her, "Are you okay?" he asked gently, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you look like you've seen a ghost"

She gaped at him – how in the name of heavens was Mayank Sharma a divine interjection?

She shook her head vaguely and mumbled something; he randomly caught words like doctor marriage and interjection – none of which made sense to him. But he was too tired to try and make sense of anything now.

Sighing, he sat her on the chair, "Nupur" he called out, reaching for the glass of water in the bed stand, "here, drink" he urged, thrusting the glass at her face.

She blinked at it, and sipped at it mechanically. She barely took a sip from it, then decided that it was no use to calm her frantic heart, she leaned over to place the glass in the bed stand, when the photo on the bed stand caught her attention – "who is that?"

Mayank turned his face in the direction she was looking and groaned.

She blinked furiously, gasped and then burst out laughing, "By god! May - ank!" she chortled out, her sentence interspersed with unbridled laughter.

Mayank groaned, "Oh, shut up"

"How did Mayank become Mayuri?" she asked, laughing, she picked up the photograph of Mayank dressed as a girl.

"Give that here" Mayank barked, snatching the photo out of her hand he walked to the draw that was kept near the window, "and stop laughing" he said, glaring at her as she doubled up in laughter.

Pulling the draw open, he dumped the photo inside it and turned to her, "Will you st–"

She nodded furiously, pursing her lips together and trying her best to control the bubbling laughter inside of her – she failed. The laughed bubbled out, and she shook with it

"NUPUR!"

She looked up, "Am sorry, but not everyone gets to see their boss with his hair collected in a ponytail with a bright pink ribbon securing it and –" she stopped to think, "oh yes, lipstick smeared across his lips and cheeks"

"It was a fancy dress contest" he said flatly, turning away from her, "And I was only two years old".

She stood up and walked to where he stood, facing the window, his back to her, "did you win?" she asked, stopping behind him.

She heard the sound of his smile, "Yes" he answered, his smile widening, "It was a goof up" he said.

"What was –?" She asked, slowly walking to his side,

"I was not supposed to be a girl – I was supposed to be gandhiji" he did not turn to look at her.

"What happened –" she enquired softly, wondering at the strange bond that she and Mayank seemed to be starting to build.

"A mix up – wrong clothes packed. And I was too stubborn to quit." he answered, his gaze still at the lawn below.

She followed his gaze, what he'd said wrung in her ears – too stubborn to quit – that was what she was – always had been – " I've always been too stubborn to quit" she muttered absent mindedly.

He turned to look at her, an inquisitive look on his face. She nodded in affirmation,"Yeah. I loved dancing – I still do. Bauji tells me that in first class I wanted to be part of the school play. My teacher had also taken me in and a week before the play I fell down – sprained an ankle. My teacher replaced me in the play and I refused to go back home with Bauji. Always used to sit around in the play rehearsals – always kept asking the teacher to include me too"

"Did you get in?"

She turned to look at him, he smiled back at her, "what do you think?"

"You did" he said, his smile widening

She nodded, "yea, I did – but I was in the eighth row of the dance – and that too not seen."

Mayank looked at Nupur as she stopped and pouted – she did look like a disappointed child, he chuckled, "tough luck".

She shrugged, "I told Bauji that I would always be in the first row of any school dance from then on – and I've always been the main dancer at every school dance"

"And I hoped that I never ever have to dance on-stage again – and thank god, I never did!" Mayank said dryly.

Nupur laughed, "You danced?" she asked incredulously, Mayank nodded, "yea – what else was I supposed to do? I had no idea what to say or do onstage - Thank god ma and Vidya Di –"

Damn it!!! Mayank stopped talking, and turned around hastily, how had that slipped out? He rammed a hand through his hair, And what the hell was he doing? Sharing his childhood like that to – to Nupur? He'd always kept it private and personal.

What made him talk to Nupur?

Oh amazing parts Mridhu..........simply loved it............plz plz update soon

Hey Mridhu Di

Awesum

Hi
happy 2 c ur update after long time.
loved ur mega update.
it was really very nice.
i felt little bit sad 4 nups.
hope her operation will b successful
loved mayur convo.
great job.
keep it up
thanx 4 pm