"Are you sure this plan's going to work Armaan?" Nupur was anxious.
"We don't have any other option Nupur, I've explained Mayank & Riddhima everything. Just hope it works this time."
"This isn't right! Nothing right at all! Why did Rohit have to come at this moment? I was trying to get my life back to normal without him & now I'm back to square one!"
This time it was Mayank who spoke. He could sense the height of her dilemma over the phone.
"Nupur relax! Everything's fair in love & war. You've got back your love & that's what matters right now. Think about this, just a few months back, if you got this back, if you got this opportunity, wouldn't you have grabbed it without second thought, then why the confusion now?"
"But everything's changed now Mayank. What if my love for him has changed too?"
"Gosh! Have you freaked out Nupur? Nothing of that sort has happened okay? So don't worry unnecessarily. Remember, you just need to convince your parents that there has been a misunderstanding all along about us. It's Rohit you have always loved & wished to marry, not me. Moreover, we'll all be there to back you. And if nothing works out, Armaan's car will be waiting outside for you both."
"This isn't how I imagined my marriage to be Mayank", Nupur didn't seem like calming down.
"Cheer up buddy! Time will heal everything."
Somehow, Mayank found it difficult to speak out these words. Would time also fill the emptiness in life once Nupur was gone? Would this be the last day they would meet?
Brushing aside his thoughts, Mayank turned to leave when Armaan held him back.
"Dude, are you sure you'll be able to manage all this? Wouldn't it be better if you confessed your feelings to her?"
Mayank shook his head & tried to deny the sudden emotions which were flooding inside.
But Armaan cut in, "C'mon Mayank! And don't start off with that just friendship crap again! You can fool Nupur, but not me."
"It's too late Armaan! Nupur's got what she wanted. That's enough for me."
But Armaan still didn't seems like giving up, "Look Mayank it's always better late than never. Have you tried to know what's in Nupur's mind?"
"Enough Armaan!" Mayank stormed out of the place.
Mayank walked towards his room where Rohit was supposed to stay till the confusion was cleared. Rohit hadn't arrived yet. He hoped everything would be sorted out as soon as possible. But he hated to think of his future without Nupur. He did love her. But in his case, love meant sacrifice. He could do anything for Nupur's happiness. After all, she was his reason to live; she was responsible for whatever he was today.
"But isn't she also responsible for your heart's state?" A small voice told inside him.
"No! The poor girl doesn't even know that her best friend loves her. Wouldn't it be the lamest thing to shock her at this moment?"
Armaan sighed disappointedly. He couldn't watch Mayank suffer like this.
Normally, in most of the difficult situations, it was Mayank who'd come forward to offer a solution coolly. This was different & seeing Mayank like this didn't help in the least.
But everything wasn't over yet. No, he would set everything right before it was actually too late. He quickly hurried to Nupur's room, where Riddhima was helping her dress up.
"Basket, I need to talk to Nupur."
Riddhima smiled, "Armaan, there's still time for the-"
He interrupted her, "It's urgent!"
Riddhima seemed to understand, "Ok! I'll be back after a while then."
"Thanks Basket, love ya!" Riddhima blushed & left soon.
Armaan turned towards Nupur, who wore a depressed look not suiting her face even a bit, "Nupur, I need to talk to you!"
"What is it Armaan? Is there a change in the plan?"
"Well I......"
Mayank's thoughts were interrupted when he heard footsteps.
Not willing to take any risk with family members who did not know the truth, he quickly put the Sehra which was lying on the bed on his head & sat with his back facing the door.
The door opened & Armaan rushed in. "Mayank, a huge problem has arised dude! That oaf Rohit has shown his true colours. He has run off to Paris!"
Mayank couldn't help swearing loudly!
"What the heck! Why did he do that? I thought he had changed. But what now?"
"Well bringing him back isn't in our hands as I found that he never came to Morena. It was all a lie. He's already on his flight now. There's only one way left now. But I doubt whether it will work"
"Stop beating around & the bush & tell me what you have on mind Armaan!"
Armaan whispered something in Mayank's ear.
Mayank was revolted!
"No! There's no way I can do that! This is Nupur's life. We have no right to ruin it with this silly act!"
"But think of Nupur's future! She has already been deserted once by that scoundrel. You're her best friend Mayank & I know that you love her too. Can't you do this much for her? And the work's easier since everyone thinks you are the bridegroom."
"But Armaan I-"
"Mayank, Armaan, where are you?" Both jumped hearing Riddhima's voice.
Armaan quickly adjusted the Sehra on Mayank's head & pushed him out.
Mayank walked towards the Mandap & sat down, his mind blank with confusion & guilt. What would Nupur think of all this?
It was time for the bride's arrival. Mayank kept trying to peek at the stairs [he reasoned to himself that it was out of nervousness] & suddenly caught sight of her! She was slowly descending down with her mom & Riddhima beside her. Mayank was absolutely spellbound by her beauty & grace! He found it hard to take his eyes off her.
But he had kept his Sehra intact, just to avoid Nupur freaking out even before the marriage would happen.
Nupur sat down beside him. Somehow, she never looked up & seemed lost in thoughts.
All the better, thought Mayank. He himself did not dare to make any eye contact with her.
The rituals took place with Mayank keeping his face hidden. Mayank tied the Mangalsutra & filled her forehead with Sindoor. All the while, Mayank's hand shook a little with guilt while Nupur seemed to be in a trance. Finally, the marriage was completed & they were declared soulmates for life. It was time to retire for the night & the newly-married couple were taken upstairs where they would spend their first night.
The moment Mayank had been avoiding to think was arriving closer with their every step. How should he begin? Should he tell her about Rohit's escape at the last minute? Or should he hide the fact? But wouldn't it come out anyways, sooner or later?
They entered the room, which was decorated with roses & jasmines, giving a sweet aroma, but they didn't help ease up Mayank's inner turmoil. He closed the door & turned towards Nupur, who was standing near the window, looking no less than a vision of divine beauty. How he wished he could just spend the night taking in her exquisite form. But what had to be done, had to be done.
He advanced towards her, placed his hand on her delicate shoulder.
Nupur turned towards him & smiled, "Mayank! Why haven't you taken out your Sehra yet? Do you plan to sleep wearing it?"
Mayank didn't react! Was this some sort of dream? Ah! How nice would it be if Nupur accepted him like this? No questions, no answers.
Nupur snapped her fingers, "Earth calling Mayank! You seem to be lost in la-la-land!"
It took him some time to realise this WAS reality! He threw the thing covering his head, which suddenly seemed very irritating & stared at Nupur, his mouth hung open!
Nupur giggled & closed his mouth, making Mayank go bonkers at her touch!
Seeing no response from him, she continued, "Yeah, I knew it was you all along. This was actually Armaan's plan. He was the one tricked you into doing this, when he found that I'd never be as happy with Rohit, as I'd be with you."
Wait, did she just say she's happy to be married to me? Mayank still couldn't digest the fact that all this was planned, by a mastermind of a friend!
"I need to thank him for making me realise why I was unhappy when Rohit returned & when he agreed to marry me. It's you I love, not him. Armaan talked to me in the morning & revealed about how you had loved me but hid it so that it wouldn't come in the way of our friendship. But I love you too! And I'm glad I made the right decision of spending the rest of my life with you!"
Mayank smiled & his smile lit up Nupur's world! Whatever had happened was for their better! So that idiot Armaan had saved the day by this small trick. He could never thank him enough. He had been too busy in his own thoughts to realise that Nupur had conveniently 'forgotten' talking to her parents about Rohit.
"So I was the fool all along!" " Bole toh ekdum Mamu bana dala!" Nupur mimicked & both burst out laughing!
"So that was quite a happy ending, wasn't it?" Mayank asked Nupur, who was closing their Wedding album.
"You call that a happy ending? Oh! How I dreamed of getting a handsome hunk like Raj of DDLJ for my husband & how I ended getting the 'sadu' Mayank Sharma instead!" Nupur replied dramatically.
Mayank sighed. Some things never change......
ohk, that was it! not a good one again....i was totally bored so thot of writing this....chappals/sandals/high heels/tomatoes etc. r welcome!😃
267