Nupur was thinking where her life was going, she might never even have such a nightmare, but the phase of her life was way more unexpected, unanticipated and unwanted, she was feeling herself helpless, without any hope left to survive. Its been three days, she didn't know where Mayank was; he didn't try to even contact her once. Her parents were too busy in preparations of marriage as only 4 days were left, and many ceremonies were going to be celebrated as per schedule, like Haldi, Sangeet, Mehandi, and then marriage day, they wanted to do grand preparations for their only daughter's marriage, who was their soul, their reason to live. Many professional decorators were busy in decorating the house, and so many other arrangements. Nupur was feeling suffocated in all these surrounding. Many a times she decided to face the reality and blurt out everything to her parents, but what next? She could never let her father head lower because of her. Her parents meant world to him and their reverence was dear to her more than her own life. The day truth will be out, the only people who will have to suffer after Nupur were her parents only.
Lying on bed her trail of thoughts would stop on Mayank only, his smiling face that naughty smile, his winking at her, his irritating Nupur by his silly acts, always bring smile on Nupur's face involuntarily. In this situation too, her heart wanted to see Mayank, who could just tell her these words that everything would be okay. She just wanted to feel the comfort and satisfaction of his being with her but Mayank was not where. She didn't even know where he was? Why he wasn't doing anything? Have he left her all alone in these circumstances? No, her heart told her. Her mind was forcing her to think practically but her heart lead her to Mayank and his promise that he would never let anyone question her self respect and esteem. Thinking about different possibilities, she was feeling like to kill herself so that everything could get to normal. Mayank's face in her memories was getting blur because of unshed tears in her eyes, which soon made way out of her angelic eyes and got absorbed in her hair making way through her white milky skin from corner of her eyes.
She was out of her reverie as she heard the door clicking open sound; she quickly wiped her eyes and looked towards entrance of room. Suhaani was coming in, holding a plate of fruits with knife, followed by Dia holding glass of fresh apple juice for Nupur. Nupur tried to sit on bed when Suhaani swiftly came forward and holding her shoulders make her lay down again.
"Koi zarorat nahi uthney ki, you are still so weak, Nupur." Suhaani said, concerned. "And by the way have some fruits han, phir tujhy medicine bhi leni hai." She said passing plate towards Nupur.
Pushing plate aside with her hand, "Mujhy bhok nahi hai." Nupur said meekly.
"Of course, bhook kyon ho gi, she wants to faint once more, right?" Dia said sarcastically. Nupur was fainted last night because of high depression and stressing her nerves so much. Moreover she didn't eat anything from past one day, so all leads her to lost her conscious and were admitted in hospital because her glucose level of blood was lowered to dangerous level for her health.
"Listen Nupur, You won't get anything by stressing yourself, situation would get worst only." Dia tried to explain things to Nupur as she took a seat beside her bed on visiting chair.
"Tuh kia karun main, Dia? What I am supposed to do now? You know I can't just marry Sameer, I can't tell Mama, Baba anything. I just.........!!"
Nupur said in broken voice in between her sobs, while her eyes tearing up yet again. There were dark spots round her eyes making it quiet evident that she has been crying for so long, her eyes were puffy red. Suhaani sat beside her on bed and gave her side hug by circling arms around Nupur, patting her shoulder and caressing her hair to calm her down.
"Nupur, please! I know its not easy for you but please compose yourself." Suhaani said.
Getting some control over her sobs and cries, Nupur asked wiping her tears, "Mama, kahan hai?"
Dia looked towards suhaani and then at Nupur, "Aunty raat se yahan thy so I forced her to go home by saying we are here for you." Dia told peeling the apple, and added further, "Uncle and aunty would come in evening. You might get discharged tonight."
Nupur looked away feeling guilty, she knew her parents were worried for her, but it wasn't intentional at all, she can never even think to hurt her parents, to make them sad but everything was just not in her hands. Trying to lighten the situation Suhaani spoke, "Nupur, you better to get alright soon, By God, agar doctors hi hospital main iss tarha admit hona shuru ho jayien gey tuh, patients ki treatment kaun karey ga."
Nupur tried to smile but her smile couldn't reach up to her eyes, which were not having the same shine and twinkle, this lively girl used to have. Dia and Suhaani were feeling so terrible because they were simply helpless, they didn't know what to do for her. They eve tried to contact Mayank but got to know he was out of town for sometime, but where? Couldn't make out.
After a silence of almost two minutes Dia gave her plate of peeled apple pieces, Nupur took one piece only that too reluctantly after getting deadly glares of Dia. She hardly took one bite of it when she spoke out.
"Mayank se koi contact hua?" Nupur asked expectantly, hoping to get some positive sign this time.
Dia's temper raised at mere mention of Mayank's name. She was pissed off at Mayank, would be an understatement. She might have done something wrong with Mayank, if she could get to see his one glimpse. "That's good for him, key wo abhi tak mere samney nahi aaya" Dia gritted her teeth while putting the plate on side table. "I was just so wrong to think, he is reasonable for you because he loves you, but damn me, I am feeling ashamed for even thinking this way." Dia ejaculated her anger.
Nupur lowered her gaze, while more tears made her way out. She couldn't hear bad about Mayank, though Dia was saying this because she loves Nupur so much, but Mayank too had made his own place in Nupur's heart by now. How she could all of sudden believe that all that was just fake, his love, his those words for Nupur, the respect he has in his eyes for her.
"May be, wo kuch kar raha ho and couldn't get enough time to inform us or..........." Suhaani tried to reason out but Dia said cutting her in,
"Oh really? Don't even make me start now Suhaani. By which reason you would justify that he couldn't even get a chance to inform Nupur, where the hell he is. Didn't he know everything by now, he damn know even the date of marriage of Nupur, but still." Dia poured out her frustration, Nupur was just listening both Suhaani and Dia's arguments, but her heart still was saying there might have been something wrong or Mayank must have told her about his whereabouts and that what he was doing to stop this marriage.
After having enough of argument with Dia, Suhaani finally said, "Meri Mayank se aaj hi baat hui hai."
This was not less than a bomb shell on Nupur, Suhaani talked to Mayank, but then why she didn't tell her anything earlier. A ray of hope again made way in Nupur mind and heart, which was enough to make the shine reach to her eyes which was missing.
"You talked to Mayank? Kab? Why you didn't tell me Suhaani? Kia kaha uss ne? Kahan hai wo?" Nupur simply showered Suhaani with series of questions; even Dia was shocked to hear this from Suhaani and was waiting her to reply Nupur.
Suhaani went upto Nupur, who was sitting on bed now without any support, while her head was spinning, but she didn't care. Noticing Nupur's situation, Dia quickly make her sit comfortably on bed by placing the cushions behind to which Nupur could lead her back.
"Suhaani, please bolo." Looking Suhaani still quiet, Nupur again asked out, "Kia baat hui tumhari Mayank se?"
"Nupur, please calm down! Meri uss se kuch zyada baat nahi hui." Suhaani finally spoke, "He called in hospital, only almost 2 hours ago, to talk to YOU. I was at reception that time so receptionist told me about this call for you. On receiving I got to know its Mayank! He asked me about you and told that he tried to call at your home but no one gave you phone as there might some decorators or servant has picked the call, and in so much fuss and noise couldn't really make out what they said and all. And today he called here in hospital, I told him that you are admitted here in hospital, before I could ask anything else, call was disconnected. So, that was it......" Suhaani shrugged, "I couldn't talk to him properly so that's why didn't tell you about it." Suhaani finished telling Nupur about call and waited for her response.
"What else he said?" Dia asked, as Nupur was just too numb even to say anything, "Is he coming here?"
"I don't know, wo kuch kehta iss se pehle hi call disconnect ho gayi, I even called back but it was some airport number and he wasn't there anymore." Suhaani further informed. "But I am sure, wo zoror aaye ga." Saying his she directed her attention towards Nupur, who was simply listening to both of them, her eyes welling up with tears. She didn't know what It was making her cry now, even she knew Mayank at least called. She started crying hiding her face in her arms resting on her knees. Dia and Suhaani were too confused to think what to say her now. Both headed towards her and sat on either sides of her on bed, placing hand to her shoulder, Dia said. "Nupur please! Tum kyon ro rahi ho ab." She said getting anxious. But Nupur herself wasn't aware why she was crying.
Dia and Suhaani looked towards each other helplessly, just then door creaked open and to their surprise it was no other than Mayank, it seems from his appearance he came there running all the way to room. He was out of breath, and soon relaxed himself as he caught Nupur's glimpse. Nupur still was crying, her face submerged in her arms, oblivious to fact that for whom she was crying was now in front of her. Dia and Suhaani stood up and were somehow stunned to speak anything. Mayank gaze was at Nupur only. He was feeling his heart being pierced looking Nupur in this condition and was guilty knowing the fact he the reason behind it.
He gulped in some air, as was not able to say anything. He let out a sigh and finally uttered, "Nupur!!!"
Nupur held her breath the moment she heard Mayank's voice, and in no time, she lifted her head only to saw Mayank standing there at some feet's distance. Nupur was too blunt to say anything and couldn't even blink her eyes, fearing his turning out a dream. But no, he was in real standing next to her, reproaching himself looking Nupur's red puffy eyes, pale yellow colour of her skin, few hair strands were blocking his view to Nupur's face. Looking Nupur so dull and weak, he felt his eyes getting moist for a moment but he controlled somehow. Mayank headed towards Nupur and stood at some distance from her bed. Nupur too lowered her gaze looking Mayank coming towards her.
"Umm, kaisi ho tum?" Mayank finally managed to say something. But before Nupur could reply Dia intervened. "Zinda hai, dikh to raha ho ga." Her sarcasm didn't go unnoticed by Mayank. This was definitely something he had expected. Mayank looked towards Dia and Suhaani. Even suhaani was shocked noticing the cold tone of Dia.
"Listen, Dia!! I just.........." Mayank tried to say something but again Dia cut him in, saying, "You listen Mr. Sharma. Nupur had had enough now. What you think, you can do whatever you want to. Didn't even think for once what Nupur would go through, how she would face all this alone." Dia was way too infuriated and was blurting out all what was coming in her mouth in resentment, "Aaj Nupur ki job hi halat hai, its only because of you."
Nupur was trying to stop Dia from saying all this, she didn't want Dia to behave like this to Mayank, at least she should ask the reason of his sudden disappearance. "Dia, please, tum yeh..........."
"Nupur, don't you say anything now." Dia told Nupur and again turned to face Mayank. "You don't even deserve Nupur, I never have seen Nupur in this condition but look what you have done to her. You have no right to even say you love her, Arey pyaar ka matlab bhi pata hai aap ko?"
Mayank was listening her silently first, but now his patience level was about to break. He tried to spoke in between but dia was not letting him and even suhaani to say anything, who was trying to stop her "Agar aap uss k liye kuch ker nahi saktey, then why don't you leave her, forever."
"DIA!!!!" Nupur shouted her name out, "Do you even know what are you saying." Nupur said narrowing her eyes at Dia, straightening herself in sitting position, getting all dizzy, placing her bare feet on floor, because Dia was saying too more than required and Nupur couldn't take this anymore.
Mayank too had had enough now so he too spoke out grinding his teeth with fire in his eyes, "So what do you want, chor dun main Nupur ko, hamesha key liye. right?"
"ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nupur screeched. "Buhat ho chukka, tum log aisa bol bhi kasie saktey ho." Nupur said, her eyes tearing up. She looked towards Mayank "And you! Am I a lifeless puppet, jisse jab chaha apna bana liya aur jab chaha chor diya." Nupur was hurt, Mayank's words certainly hurt her. But Mayank didn't mean even one percent he said, it was just a reply to Dia who was talking about this. He couldn't even think of parting his ways from Nupur, he loved Nupur more than his life.
Mayank went upto Nupur, saying, "Nupur, I didn't mea........."
"Mujhy kisi se koi baat nahi kerni, just go all of you from here. I don't want anyone." Nupur said out loudly, verbalizing her anger. Even Dia realized what she said was really a lot more she wanted. "I am sorry, Nupur." She said holding Nupur's hand, sitting at side of her. "I know I hurt you, but I never meant that." She apologized. Nupur didn't say anything. Dia's hand reached upto her face and wiped of her tears saying, "I am sorry."
Mayank was looking both of friends, and their bonding. He wasn't upset with Dia, because he knew she was saying all this because she too loved Nupur too much to see her in pain. Suhaani placed hand on Dia's shoulder and gestured her something from eyes. Dia nodded simply and casting a look at Mayank, both Dia and Suhaani left the room excusing themselves to attend their duties. Nupur still was sitting holding the bed sheet firmly, her eyes red in rage and fury and head spinning because of effect of medicines and weakness.
Mayank again came towards her bed and took a seat beside Nupur. Nupur looked away making it obvious she was not willing to talk to Mayank. "Nupur, you know, I didn't mean anything I said. It was just an outburst because of Dia's............"
Before Mayank could complete Nupur spoke in, "Maine kaha na, I don't want talk to ANYONE." She said looking straight in Mayank's eyes with agony. Mayank heaved a sigh and said, "I am sorry, Nupur."
"Okay fine, main khud hi chali jati hun." Nupur said being stubborn, though she already was enough. She got up from bed all of sudden and due to sudden jolt, she felt her head heavy like anything, dizziness and almost everything got blur from her view and she lost balance. But Mayank quickly held her from shoulders and make her stand straight circling his one arm around waist and with other holding her by shoulder. Nupur held her head, caressed forehead with her fingers, and felt as if someone was knocking it hard with mallet. She opened her eyes and saw Mayank just a few inches away from her face. Forgetting her sever headache, she pushed him back with all courage she had in him, groaned, "Leave me, I don't need your help and not even you."
Mayank smiled and said, "Of course, wo to main daikh hi raha hun." He made her sit and then lay her down on bed putting blanket over her. She didn't further object knowing that Mayank won't listen her like always and let him do what he was doing. After setting blanket properly all over her, he took the glass of water from side table and offered Nupur. Without saying anything she looked away. Mayank shook his head at her stubbornness and again put the glass on table.
He sat on chair placed at the side of bed, and was looking Nupur who was busy playing with blanket with her hands but looking at the ceiling consistently. Mayank was noticing her from last 5 minutes, his arm resting on chair's side arm and hand placed below his chin. Without saying anything he kept staring at Nupur, and so did Nupur continued to gawk at ceiling of room. Nupur was no more crying or even thinking about all problems of her life, the fact was Mayank's mere being with her make her free from all her pains. That was the beauty of their relation, their love. Mayank let out an audible sigh and got up from chair. Sat on bed at Nupur side, took her hand in his, shocking Nupur. She looked her hand in between Mayank's hands and darted her gaze to Mayank.
"Kaisi ho tum?" Mayank asked with concern and love quiet evident in his eyes and even voice. Nupur looked towards Mayank's, she couldn't remember anything else but the thing he was away for 3 days. She closed her eyes, not letting them to become watery yet again. She didn't even draw her hand back. Their hands like this, were giving Nupur a feeling of satisfaction, contentment and completeness. She simply nodded saying, "Main thiek hun." and lowered her gaze. She wanted to ask Mayank where he was, why he didn't inform her, even tell her once. Why he left her all alone during these days when she needed him the most.
"I am sorry, Nupur." Mayank apologized. "I was in USA, I even tried to inform you before going but because of flight timing couldn't come to meet you before leaving. I even called at your cell but it was switched off, then I called at hospital but they said you were busy in some surgery. After going there I tried so many times to call at your home, but don't know why, every single time ended without talking to you. I came back only few hours ago and called hospital because no one was receiving your phone. Suhaani told me you are here in hospital. I am just coming straight way to hospital to see that you are fine. I am really sorry Nupur for everything, for leaving you alone facing all the situation. I am sorry for being responsible of your this condition. I am just really sorry Nupur."
Nupur was listening Mayank silently, noticing the fear, pain, guilt, and immense love in his eyes. She knew there was definitely something otherwise he would never have left her alone and that too without any contact. Hearing Mayank saying sorry, she placed her hand on Mayank's hands, her other hand was still in Mayank's hold. She squeezed his hand assuring him that she wasn't angry with him, was just scared, helpless and left alone in these circumstances.
Mayank was ecstatic looking Nupur responding to his love and concern. She herself placed her hand in Mayank's hand for the first time. Their relationship definitely had grown to this level now, to have the faith and blind trust on other. His happiness knew no bounds when for the first time she stood up for his relation to Mayank, he was truly elated when Nupur stood up for him against Dia, though it was not in clear words, but still it showed how much she cared for him and his for her now. She couldn't bear his saying of leaving her. Now Mayank knew, it was not only him who want Nupur in his life but Nupur also wanted the same.
"Mayank! Umm.........wo......."
Mayank's reverie broke as he heard Nupur, "Kia hoa?" Mayank asked looking her hesitating in asking out something from Mayank.
"Wo, shadi main sirf 4 din reh gaye hain, aur mama, baba......." Nupur said hesitating a bit, Mayank tightened his grip around Nupur's hand and said, "Sab thiek ho jaye ga." Mayank reassured her, "Yeh shadi aaj hi toot jaye gi."
Nupur was shocked at his saying this with so much confirmation. "How can you say that?" She asked
"Because Sameer ki already shadi ho chuki hai." Mayank told Nupur, shocking hell out of her, "Kia?" all Nupur could manage to ejaculate as she sat on bed resting against cushion behind.
"Han, he is already married and even father of two children." This was another bomb on Nupur, though she was immensely happy knowing this but still shocked as how his family hide all this from her parents. "I doubted this, since the time we were in London but now got this news confirm and he actually is married in USA. I went there just to collect some proves. And his wife Jassica also accompanied me all the way from USA. She is in waiting room of hospital; the first thing I would do is to meet Uncle and tell him all about Sameer."
Nupur was way beyond happy, her happiness knew no bounds. A burden was off from her head, she was feeling light like a feather. "Mayank, tum sach keh rahe ho?" Nupur said still in awe.
Mayank smiled looking her this happy after a long, her smile made her even more beautiful, the sparkle reaching upto her eyes gave Mayank everything he wished for. He only wanted her see happy and now it was done. She was happy, immense happy. Mayank blinked his eyes and nodded to make her assure that he was saying the truth.
"After knowing about Sameer'a marriage, there is no way key uncle iss shadi even engagement ko accept karien." Mayank further added.
Nupur quickly moved forward to hug Mayank. Mayank was stunned by Nupur's this act but happy at the same time. He draped arm around Nupur and hugged her back pulling her closer. After disco night, Mayank and Nupur shared their second hug, Nupur didn't even realize what she actually was doing. Mayank was just too happy for words. "I am sooooo, sooooooo happy Mayank, I am feeling so light after ages." Nupur exclaimed.
Soon it dawned to Nupur that she was in Mayank's arms, the place she wanted to live forever and ever. Blush crept her cheeks, and turned crimson red as she felt butterflies in her stomach. They broke apart, and the red in Nupur's cheeks didn't go unnoticed by Mayank. He smiled profusely. Today he was feeling as if he had got everything he wished for.
"Main hamesha tumhien khush daikhna chahta hun, Nupur. Nothing else! Nothing a bit!"
Nupur looked towards Mayank, and smiled slightly. She was feeling herself hale and heart but soon one more fact stuck her, for which she still was worried. Their marriage still was a secret. No one knew about it. How they would tell others about it?
"Mayank?"
"Hmm?" Mayank said noticing her questioning look.
"Yeh shadi to toot jaye gi, but............" Nupur fumbled with words.
"But kia?" Mayank asked, concerned, "Is there anything else disturbing you?"
Nupur looked at her hand in Mayank's hold and continued, "Wo, hamari shadi? I mean how we would tell others. That Marriage certificate!" Nupur trailed off. She was talking about marriage certificate Mayank made her sign forcefully.
Mayank chuckle, Nupur looked at him shocked, what was so funny in this? "Kia hoa?" Nupur asked confused.
"Nupur, wo marriage certificate! That was fake, just a simple paper, nothing was in that."
Nupur looked at Mayank in utter disbelief. She thought for a moment he was kidding, marriage certificate was fake. Was this all he said? She questioned her senses. This was something she wasn't able to believe, or might be she heard him wrong so asked out yet again.
"Ma.....Mayank.... what?" She tried to think for words, "You said what? That was not a marriage certificate?" She asked to confirm.
Mayank smiled and told her, "Umm no, that was just a simple blank paper, not any marriage certificate. We are not married yet, Nupur. So there is no need to worry about telling others."
Nupur felt her as if earth had shook below her feet, with his single words 'FAKE' her world spinned around her. In an impulse her face went blank as she drew her hand out of Mayank's hold.
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Phewwww, that was it. Cliff hanger........ 🤣
Ok guys, this was the thing Mayank always wanted to tell Nupur, by saying, "U still aren't aware of many things!" Mayank made her sign on simple blank paper, not any marriage certificate. Reason as you all know, he loved Nupur, and may be just to make her realize he is only for her, and moreover Nupur started talking to Mayank only after signing that paper, by being bound to him by this paper, first she used to run away mere looking at him😆 so he had to do this!!! A fake marriage certificate.
Moreover no one get married by simply signing the paper, there need to be at least two witnesses, and bride and groom had to sign marriage certificate in front of magistrate, not all alone in some barn.🤣
I am not a law student, but still, this was all I know abt it. And one thing, I haven't think this twist for now!! By God I don't wanna drag this FF 😆, (Just want this ff to end asap) only this was the idea in my mind to which i gave the shape of FF 😆.
When all this happened in FF, no one pointed out about this aspect, so now enjoy!!! 😉😆
Now what would be Nupur's reaction?😉 U never know!! 😈 Just wait and watch!!😉😆 I mean wait and read!!! 🤣
Will try to update soon!!
Press the like tab and do share ur views!!!😳
Luv
Rabi
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