"Turn on the TV," a young, female voice said. "My favourite show is on!"
A young woman dressed in a deep red shalwar-kameez, the neck of which was a little deep but was covered with her red dupatta. She had matching earrings and a thin silver necklace with a tiny square-shaped pendant. She had five red bangles on each hand which tinkled against each other as she ran from her bedroom to the living room.
"Change the channel Dia," she said.
"Offo Nupur," Dia said, shaking her head in exasperation.
Nupur, our heroine grabbed the remote and changed the channel to Fashion Today. A huge smile spread across her face as she saw her favourite show Walk the Ramp. It showed the latest fashions of the month. The show was a monthly one and the only one Nupur watched. Her soft, black hair flew due to the fan and blinded her for a minisecond. She effortlessly brushed it out of her face and rearranged it, holding it back with a tiny black clip.
She stared intently at the TV screen and couldn't take her eyes off it, even for a minute. The rest of the house went on chattering and talking.
After one whole hour as the rolling credits of the show appeared Nupur sighed and switched off the TV.
"One day it's going to me up there walking the ramp," she said smiling at her father.
"Stop dreaming big dreams," her aunt, Ratna a.k.a Bui said. "We have to get you married."
"I'm not some toy that you can just get me married," Nupur said, miffed at the marriage comment. She hated it when Bui brought up marriage. According to Bui she had brought up Nupur and Dia for getting them married to the most traditional and richest family. But she had other dreams. She wanted to fall madly, crazily and deeply in love with the perfect guy and she knew who that perfect guy was. Mayank Sharma.
Yes, that Mayank Sharma who the whole world loved. He was every girl's dream come true. He was India's top male model. He was known for his flirty, outgoing nature. Even though he was so famous it never went through his head. He was still grounded, just a little bit of a casanova. Actually, a big casanova.
"Turn a little to the left," the cameraman said. "Yes, that's perfect!"
Mayank Sharma smiled his million-dollar smile, added a little attitude to his handsome face and posed. The cameraman kept clicking away and Mayank kept changing his poses.
"Thank you Mr. Sharma," the young petite secretary told.
"I should be the one thanking you," Mayank said, gazing into her eyes. "For it is always a pleasure to work with such beautiful women."
"Thanks Mr. Sharma," the girl said, blushing hard. She looked very hopeful.
"Would you like to join me for lunch?" Mayank asked showing his palm.
"Of course, who wouldn't?" she asked, placing her hand in his.
"Sexy," Mayank said.
"Remove this modelling dream from your head Nupur," Bui said.
"No Bui," Nupur said. "It's my dream, goal, ambition and life. I'm not going to give up on it just like that."
"Bhaiyyah make her understand," Bui said.
"Ratna she is a child, she will understand as she matures," Bauji said smiling at them.
"Don't even dream so Bauji," Nupur said. "Nupur Bhushan, supermodel from small town Morena! Waah!"
"Keep dreaming," Bui said. "A boy's family is coming to see you tomorrow."
"WHAT?!?!?" Nupur asked. "No ways! That is so unfair!"
"All is fair in love and war," Bui said.
"So is it official?" the young woman asked.
"What is offical Pooja?" Mayank asked, chewing the chappati and mutter-paneer.
"It's Priya," she corrected, smiling. "Our relationship?"
"Relationship?" Mayank spat. "What relationship?"
"You don't want a relationship?" Priya asked, shocked.
"No..never...Mayank Sharma hates committment," he explained. "I love being the playboy."
Priya got up, grabbed her bag and looked at him.
"In that case Mr. Mayank Sharma," she said. "You can pay your own bill."
She walked out of the restaurant.
"Oh My God," Nupur said, locking the door behind her. "A boy is coming to see me tomorrow? What am I going to do?"
She collapsed on her bed and thought. She couldn't believe this. How could they just decide to get her married her off to some random guy without her consent?
Edited by NidheyaCole - 15 years ago
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