"This is where I live," Mayank said, introducing himself to the poor girl.
The girl nodded.
"What's your name?" Mayank asked.
"Nupur," Nupur said. "Nupur Bhushan."
"Hi Nupur," Mayank said. "I'm Mayank Sharma, naam toh suna hoga. I will help you find a place for you once you settle down."
"Thanks," Nupur muttered.
"So why did you come to Mumbai in the first place?" Mayank asked, looking at her.
Nupur felt herself blush. She looked away.
"To become a model," she said quietly.
Mayank looked at her, shocked. He had no idea how to respond to that. He had met many aspiring models before, but now there was this extremely beautiful girl (in a pure way) tell him, him the king of models that she wanted to become one.
"Are you sure Nupur?" he asked. "I mean someone like you..."
"So you don't think I'm a village girl and can't become one?" Nupur asked. "Well I will prove it to you Mr. Mayank Sharma, that one day I will be THE QUEEN OF THE FASHION WORLD."
"No that's not what I meant," Mayank said quickly.
"Then what did you mean?" Nupur asked, a fire raging in her eyes.
"Why do you want to spoil your life becoming a model?" he asked.
"Oh so you are spoiling your life?" she asked, sarcastically.
"Not exactly," Mayank said. "But Nupur look what happened today, to become a model you will have to compromise your morals."
"I will prove to you that I will become a supermodel and will NOT compromise my morals for that," Nupur said sternly. "By the way have YOU compromised your morals, I'm sure you have not."
"I have not," Mayank said. "I see so much of myself in you. I had the same fire in me when I moved to Mumbai and I guess that's why I'm so successful."
"Then why are you discouraging me?" Nupur asked, uncertainly.
"I'm not discouraging you Nupur," Mayank said. "I will perhaps be the happiest person alive if you make it out in the big bad world of fashion."
"W.H.A.T?" Nupur asked.
Mayank scolded himself for saying that. He had no idea what made him say that. Why should he be happy when Nupur would become a successful model?
"Nothing," he muttered. "You know once a famous fashion designer, he was a MAN, asked me to sleep with him."
"Seriously?" Nupur asked, breaking into a fit of giggles. "What did you say?"
"He got so touchy-touchy," Mayank said, shuddering a bit. "But I firmly told him that I wont compromise my morals for anything."
Nupur smiled at him. She had a beautiful smile, the kind which started at the lips and reached the eyes. He smiled back at him.
Nupur felt blood flush up her cheeks at Mayank's smile. She had alwayd been an ardent fan of his million-dollar smile, which melted not just hers, but many other girls hearts.
"Thank you Mayank," she said.
"For what?" he asked.
"For being there today," she said. "For saving my life, for preserving my respect, for it all thank you."
"Nupur," he said, placing his palm on hers. She immediately pulled it away. "I..."
"It was like you were meant to be there," Nupur said.
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah."
Jalwa ki jalwa fashion ka hain yeh hain jalwa
Gunjan pressed the TALK button on her cell phone.
"Hello Gunjan Kapoor speaking," she said formally.
"Miss. Kapoor this is Samrat Shergill speaking," the voice said from the phone.
Samrat Shergill? Gunjan thought. He is among the 5 BIG DADDY's of the fashion industry.
"Yes," Gunjan said. "Yes Mr. Shergill."
"Call me Samrat," Samrat said.
"Sure," Gunjan said, smiling. "And you can call me Gunjan."
"Sure Gunjan," Samrat said. "I'm launching my new line of clothes on the ROMAN RUNWAY and I want you to be the show stopper."
"Me the show stopper?" Gunjan asked calmly. But inside she was screaming with excitement.
"Yes," Samrat answered. "Yes, you."
"But why?" Gunjan asked. "When you can have the top most models walk the ramp for you, why me?"
"Because I want to showcase new talent," Samrat said simply. "It's that simple."
"Oh," Gunjan said, speechless for words.
"So is it a yes?" Samrat asked hopefully.
"Of course, I mean I would love to," Gunjan said.
"I will give the details soon Miss. Kapoor," Samrat said. "Till then good bye."
"Miss. Kapoor nahin, Gunjan," Gunjan said.
"Gunjan," said Samrat, before he hung up.
Gunjan couldn't understand why she had asked Samrat Shergill, the Samrat Shergill to call her Gunjan. With the exception of Mayank she had not let anyone else in the industry call her Gunjan, not even her agent. She always preffered to keep things professional and not personal.
Ki Jalwa ki jalwa fashion ka hain yeh jalwa
The phone rung again and Gunjan picked up. It was Mayank.
"Gunjan it's an emergency," Mayank rushed through the phone. "Come home in RIGHT NOW."
"What's wrong?" Gunjan asked, worried.
"I'll explain all that when you get here," Mayank said. "Just come over right NOW!"
"Yeah I'm leaving," Gunjan said.
"Thanks," Mayank said, hanging up.
Now what does he need? Gunjan thought with an exasparated look. She went to change and leave for Mayank's place.
"Welcome to my house Miss. Nupur Bhushan," Mayank said opening the door to his 3-bedroom apartment.
Nupur smiled as she stepped into his house. She couldn't believe her luck. Just yesterday had she seen Mayank walk the ramp and today she was in his house. Was this happening for real or was all this a figment of her imagination?
"What are you thinking Nupur?" Mayank asked. "How do you like the place?"
"It's beautiful," she breathed. "Its beautiful."
"I know," Mayank said. "That's why I brought this place."
He grabbed her bags and took it inside the guest room.
"And this is your room," he said.
Nupur peeped inside the room. It was a large and spacious room. She smiled.
"It's nice," she said.
Mayank placed her bags and both of them went inside the room. Nupur started talking about her family back in Morena and how sad she was to leave them and come. She kept moving around the room and suddenly tripped over one of her bag.
Mayank caught her in his strong, steady arms, preventing her from falling. He looked deep into her eyes and Nupur looked back into his. They were totally lost in the moment that neither of them realised what was happening.
End of Chapter 4
Hope you all liked it! It's quite long and I had both MayUr and SaJan scenes in it! I hope you enjoyed the update!!
Comments are appreciated and criticism is welcome!
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Love,
Nidheya
CID
35