MN FF - Truly Yours Part 3- PG 17 [9/30] - Page 9

"Mayank, promise me that you will move on in life and will never try to speak to me again." She had said when she came to meet me for the last time before we went our own ways, wherever destiny took us. I noticed a hurt expression on her face, as she said to me in her trying-to-look-strong tone. She was breaking within but didn't make it obvious. Little did she know that I knew her better than she knew herself. There were several moments where she would break down in my arms but this wasn't the one of those moments. She knew she had to be strong and to some extent she succeeded except I knew her real self.

Breaking apart from the hug, I wiped the tears from her cheeks and rested my forhead against hers. No words exchanged after that. Only silence that spoke the volume.

A tap on my shoulder brought me back to the reality. It was Nisha standing in front of me, with Nupur on her right side. Nupur avoided me gaze, while Nisha was studying my face. From all my school friends, Nisha and Sameer were the people who knew every single thing about me and Nupur except few things which only shared by me and Nupur. They stood by us every time we needed us. Apart me and Nupur, they were the people who were most hurt with our separation. I still remember Sameer asking to get back to India whenever he phoned me while I was in US. I owe this to them and maybe that's the reason I came back to India after 6 years to attend their wedding.

"Earth calling, Mr. Sharma!" I heard Nisha saying, while Nupur still looking down on the floor. Seeing her from so close made me realise that she looked even prettier than she had been when I saw her from the far away. She carried herself with elegance and simplicity which made her look unique. I felt my heart beating faster than usual, giving indication of what was approaching.

"Look who's here?" She sounded excited and happy at the same time. She turned towards Nupur before continuing, "It's Nupur!"

Meanwhile, Nupur who was looking down until now, looked up as Nisha made an effort to get us talking. Her expressions weren't quite clear; however I knew she was going through the same thing I was. It was awkward, I told myself before doing something which I promised never to do it.

"Hello Nupur." I kicked myself as soon as I said it. I did control myself up till now but things were beyond reach now. Seeing the love of my life standing in front of me, I couldn't just let the moment pass without saying anything. After a brief pause, she replied with a nervous smile.

"I'll have to go now. Bye" And with that I was gone.

**

I was sitting in the backyard area of the house, trying to grip of myself while studying the peaceful yet hot weather. It was unusual to experience such weather, after spending 6 long years in darkness of US. The bright sunny day brought lots of memories of school. Playing cricket with the Gang, or sitting under the tree to study during exam time with Nupur, the memories were all I had to survive these years. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to live. As the hot sun fell on my face, I felt my tears going dry. Yes I was crying. I couldn't hold them back. I was holding them since past 6 years, I couldn't anymore. I tried and tried but failed to remove the image of the person I loved the most in my life. I tried to hate her, tried not to think about her, tried to move on in life but I failed. She was the first person I would think about in the morning and the last person before going to sleep. She was everywhere I went. I could feel her in everything I do, everywhere I went. Today, I had to let the pain out. I couldn't clutch it back.

"Nupur?" I heard myself saying in wonder.

I didn't say anything. Instead, I turned back to gaze at the sunset. Few seconds later, I felt her sitting next to me on the bench.

"Mein theek hoon, aur tum?"

And there was silence. None of us spoke for the next few minutes.

"How've you been?" She asked, breaking the silence.

"Good!" I replied.

"Doing what?" I said, not understanding what she meant by the question.

"And what am I doing right now?"

"Nupur, I do know that it's past and I am not hurting myself because of it. I have moved on, Nupur. I have." I couldn't quite recognise my tone. Weirt but yes, I couldn't.

Before I could speak any further, I heard the back door open once again and saw my future. Jhanvi entered the backyard, and walked towards me, well us. Jhanvi was one person who stood by me when I was lonely and needed someone, with whom I could share my pain. She listened to everything I said when I was down and in return she didn't expect. When I had cried, she was there to give me a shoulder to cry on. She stood by me in everything I did.

After the first meeting, I often saw her in library and eventually we introduced each other. She was the first friend I made in US and maybe the last too. As we got to know each other, I found out that she was my Uncle's business partner's daughter.

"Hey Mayank!" Jhanvi's voice brought me back to present. We hugged and from corner of my eye, I could see Nupur turning her face towards the other side. I was hurting her maybe but in these 6 years, lot of things have changed.

Breaking apart from the hug, I called out to Nupur, who was still gazing at the other side.

"Ummmm" She replied, turning to face us.

"Hi Jhanvi, it's really nice to meet you." She said, before approaching me with a smile.

I sat down on the bench, burying my face in my hands as I heard the door getting closed. I was tired. All this was too much to take in.

"Mayank, this is the Nupur, right?" Did I mention that Jhanvi was aware of my past including Nupur? Well yes she was. Before our engagement took place, I felt it was necessary and Jhanvi's right to know about my past. I didn't think it was right thing to hide it; therefore I told her everything. As expected, Jhanvi was glad that I shared my life with her.

"Mayank, mujhe khushi hai kit um mujhe apni zindagi ka hissa maan te ho. Thank you for sharing this with me." She had said when I told her the truth.

Back to the present, I felt Jhanvi's hand on my shoulder. I looked up to find those caring expression. I knew that she knew what was I going through. Jhanvi was one person who kept our friendship before our relationship and for that I would always be grateful to her. Even now, her eyes exposed the concern she had for me.

"Mayank, mein tumse ye nahin kahungi ki, sab theek ho jayega or don't worry because I know nothing is going to be same for you. It'll be tough for both of you." I stared at her as she continued, "Mayank, I saw the pain in her eyes when you introduced me as your fianc; the same pain that I see in your eyes, mostly every day. This is your best friend's wedding and of course you wouldn't want it to get ruined because of you. So my advice to you is that be happy, at least for the time being. I know it's tough but you can do it. If not for anyone, do it for her, please." I simply hugged her. I hated myself for doing this to her. Even she had a life, had problems in it but no I always come to her to solve my problems. This wasn't the right thing to do., I kept telling myself but received no reply.

**

"Hey guys." I heard that voice. It was familiar but couldn't figure it out.

"Hey Di." Alisha said, as she leaned in to hug her elder sister. Nupur returned the hug.

"Aapki bahut yaar aa rahi thi, to chali aayi. Kaisa laga mera surprise?" Nupur smiled at her reply. I could tell that she was genuinely glad to hear that.

"Mayank bhaiyaaaaaaaaaaaa." Alisha literally jumped and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back, feeling the equal amount of happiness as she was feeling. Alisha was like a little sister to me. I shared a different kind of comfort level when Alisha was around me. She would do silly stuff and we would laugh together. I missed those day when me, Nupur and Alisha used to sit for our and laugh our heads off. Back then, she was only 10 years old but had acted like 20 years old. Her talks held deep meaning which I understood so late.

"OMG!" She used the slang lingo before continuing, "I mean it's so great to see you. Kaise hai aap?"

"Perfect as ever." She said, "Di, can you believe this? Mayank Bhaiya is here. I mean you must be so hap...." She didn't continue further, seeing the change of expression of Nupur's face. I could tell that she felt as if someone just stabbed in the corner of her heart where she hid all the pains.

"I'll show you your room. Come on." It was Nupur who broke the unexpected and unwanted silence before disappearing inside the house, followed by Alisha.

**

At night, it was supposed to be a family gathering but due to the sudden snowy weather, most of the guests weren't able to attend the party. However, they guests who had made it to the party thought of making the most of the evening. They all gathered in the hall and thought of playing antakshari. Yeah, I know it's boring but there wasn't much they could do to kill the time. So they made two teams - girls and boys.

After everything was set, the ladies came out with the snacks. All the ladies came out, except her. My eyes were searching for her but there was no sign of her whatsoever. While, everyone was sorting out few other things, I kept my eyes fixed on the doorway, waiting for Nupur. I knew it was wrong to do that but I couldn't help myself. I was engaged to someone else. I was in relationship with someone. But none of these things mattered for me at that point of time. All I wanted to do was see her angelic face, which I didn't see after the morning incident.