Chapter 51
Nupur gaped, "What?" her head was swimming. She almost swayed, and Arjun came up to her. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. Nupur chortled, "You are amazing, first he makes an earth shattering statement and then asks if I was alright. You take the cake for being daft." She felt her best defence at this time was sarcasm.
He had not touched her for he knew he was near combusting point, but he stood next to her as he had asked her that silly question. He smirked, "yeah, well!" and added, "What do you have to say?"
Nupur gawked, "About what?" playing dumb and about to turn away. He then held her wrist, "You know what Nupur! How about us going out for a drive? Let's get to know one another. I feel we have something here, something special."
Nupur could not believe, her heart could withstand so many shocks in space of few minutes. Her jaw dropped. Was this guy for real? She wondered. First he drops drink on her, then he ignores her after a dance and now out of the blue, he declares he has the hots for her. What did he think of himself? A stud, that she would fall for his line, the minute he said it. Forget it.
She eyes widened when she heard herself say, "I would like that!" Arjun who had been holding on to her wrist, slid his hand down to hold her hand and bring it to his lips. "Nupur, I don't know how this is done," he said kissing the back of her hand, "But I feel like I want to know you, I have never felt like this for a woman before."
Nupur had been berating herself for her tongue not following her brain's instructions and was even more taken aback when he kissed her hand. She felt all mushy inside. She did not know men did that in today's era. She was stunned, at how chivalrous he was. She realized, he had moved away not because he was rude but he was affected by her as she was by him.
His straight forward and honest statement had a mellowing effect on Nupur. She smiled at him and was about to say something when Nargis and Vicky came out of the room. Arjun let her hand go, but Vicky had seen it. He did not say anything but he gave a look to Nargis.
Faz on the balcony with Adi were standing near each other as if transfixed and Faz asked,"why don't you want a reply? You don't really want to take me out or you know that I am going to say yes?" Adi pressed his specs up his nose in his nervousness, "Er, well Farah I want to take you out but I am not sure whether you would give me a slap or …"
"Or what…? Do this?" Faz quizzed and gave him a peck on his cheek. Adi's hand flew to his cheek, where Faz had placed a quick kiss.
"Farah!" he rumbled and then smiled advancing towards her till she was backed against the railing. He put both his hands besides her trapping her against the railing and him, though not touching her at all. Once, he was satisfied to see her pleasure at out smarting him die away, he leaned close and whispered,"What if I did more than that?" against her lips, his lips mere millimeters away from hers, now confident that his advances were not unwanted. Farah licked he lips and stared at his. He moved a bit more closely almost touching her lips, and whispered "Farah, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met" and moves away.
Farah was left speechless, oh this man could tease she thought, I will have to be on alert she thought fondly enjoying the feelings he evoked in her. She knew this feeling was almost taboo for her. She knew, if she led him any further, they would have a tumultuous relationship. But she shook all those unhappy thoughts and decided to live a little and let this burgeoning feeling which Aditya was actually reciprocating give her a few moments of happiness. She wanted to catch all she could, in her fist for she knew one day, they may not be together and all she will be left with are memories like tonight.
She smiled at him and rejoined, "Aditya, I think you are the most wonderful man I have met, charming and intelligent. I will always treasure your friendship should you choose to make me your friend."
Aditya laughed, "Faz, May I call you that? I find you the most contradictory person. If I had not seen it myself, I would not believe, you to be a prankster." Saying his he laced his hand with hers and told her may be it was time to go back in.
They went in there to find everyone in the living room. The rest started making cat calls to the late comers. Vicky and Arjun particularly seemed to have lot of fun at the expense of Adi and it was Faz, who became defensive of them teasing Adi that Vicky said, "Faz, Adi apna defence khud kar sakta hai, aap jo itna inki taraf daari kar rahin hai, kahin…hum jo soch rahe hai woh to nahin…giving a reminder to her silently of the linked hands they all had seen when they come into the living room from balcony."
Faz, in her bravado and happiness blurted, "Adi and I are going out on a date, you have any problem?" and then put her hand on her mouth and stared at Maan first and Vicky who winked at her and she winked back.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
29