MN SS.we might as well be strangers.Part 2PG 12 - Page 4

''dadddyyy' the long haul of sound hit just right in front his fathers room as he dashed inside without caring to knock. Even though he had been advised many times to knock, but manners ran low in the genes. '' daddy daddy lookk'' pausing, after placing his gaze on his father Ayaan gave him his bestest smile and batted his eyelashes innocently.

''Ayaan, what did we talk about?'' the strong voice was aggressive but it held a subtleness along with patience.

Grinning, 'I know, knock on the door before entering, but I just haddd to tell you…about this '' holding up his hand he flashed his new shiny police car. At the age of four; toys primarily cars were a boys whole world. After giving his father a good look Ayaan smiled, '' samrat uncle brought it for me and he also bought Aloo ---'' taking a huge breath, '' a doll''

''Ayaan, its Alina not Aloo'' shrugging Ayaan bit his lip, '' same difference'' pouting he crawled into his father lap and smiled, '' don't you like my new car?''

Giving in, '' ofcourse I do, its so big and shiny''

''I know right just what I wanted, Samrat uncle is soo cool''

'' am I hearing my praise?'' stopping by the door Samrat peeked in to find his nephew and his brother in deep conversation, '' I hope I'm not interrupting ---'' '' but even if I'm its okay"

Squealing Ayaan wiggled out of the lap into the arms of samrat, his very cool uncle in his opinion, ''uh-huh, I was telling daddy about the car you brought me''

Samrat smiled, '' yeah big guy and what did your dad say?''

''he said it's great'' getting restless Ayaan freed himself from samrat's arm and ran out of the room, '' I'm going to show this to Aloo''

''Alina '' mayank corrected his son watching he run away..

''so big bro, how is everything'' feeling the temperature decrease in the room, samrat warmed up to his elder brother.

'' you just had to buy him that car after I strictly said No?''

''sue me, I like to spoil my nephew?''

''and because of your spoiling he is becoming more and more spoiled''

Sighing samrat frowned, '' mayank what's wrong?''

His brother knew him so well, mayank flickered a frown but it was gone before samrat could see it,'' tomorrow's his first day of pre-school''

'' so daddy is sad to his boy all grown up?''

Shaking his head mayank leaned by the window, '' I'm afraid of his questions. I don't want him to think anything that I don't feel''

''he is four mayank''

Smiling, '' his mouth runs off questions as if he was older…the boy does not know when to put on the brakes''

''but you love him?''

''of course he is my son'' pride was everywhere when mayank responded, '' I love him samrat very much''

''that's it, he is your son'' stopping he stood before mayank, '' your son, are you hearing yourself mayank...''

Agreeing with samrat mayank smiled, '' I suppose its just nerves of seeing him so grown up and ready for school''

''hmm, it never hurts too see your older brother become an emotional fool once in a while now!''

''well savor because it might be the time you see me like this''

Mimicking a camera, samrat snapped a picture and pointed towards his heart, '' done and saved'' stopping he laughed, ''now you can become your old rotten self again''

''samrattt'' grinning samrat headed out the room followed by mayank. It never hurt to act on sibling rivalry once in while now, infact it was good for your health.

It was not good for her health, even the doctor had said the same thing but she could hardly stop herself from taking the sleeping pills, they helped her eased her from the pain that only seemed to grow inside her. Its been said that no matter what life goes on, and truly it did, but for her it seemed to have stop long time ago now she was just living for the sake of living.

This was her life now and she lived it. Life which was a beautiful gift was merely a burden now, which she carried upon her shoulders. She was breathing but not living, smiling but dying inside, laughing but breaking into bits and bits.

It was a tragedy really, she loved life dearly, and years ago there was nothing but smiles, laughter and love all around. The eyes which always held a shine now were hallow, the lip that always was adorned with smiles now was stagnant and her face which always turned a few heads now was pale and lifeless.

Snapping the lid back securely, She snuggled into bed and shut off the light; tomorrow was another day after all.

''again you took pills' beside her a voice murmured beneath the comforter.

''I can't help it'' helpless, she shriveled into a ball and let those tears fall away.

Tossing and turning, she found herself being grabbed from behind by the man who claimed to love her, which should have brought her comfort but it only made her ache more, '' I love you'' he whispered slightly into her ear.

''I love you too'' rather than being a sweet nothing it came off as a to the point statement.

''let me help you''

''I don't need help Rahul'' shrugging away his arms she wrapped her arms around herself, '' nupur your not all right baby you need help''

No what she needed was no one, and that she had learned to accept was her fate, it seemed easier to accept than to fight it, snapping straight up she switched on the lamp, '' I went to the psychiatrist you suggested, what more do you want'' her eyes were red but her tears had dried up.

'' I want my nupur back again''

Drained and annoyed, '' well I'm here na? right beside you'' she snapped, '' what the hell do you want Rahul, I'm no longer the twenty year old nupur change is inevitable''

''change happens but you faded…'' stiffening Rahul leaned against the headboard '' four ye ---''

''don't you dare!'' she warned her voice rising, which was very rare with nupur. Though when her temper raised it meant she was in a corner and didn't want anyone probing her further, '' you have no right''

''Nupur –if you –'', holding her palm in his hands he stroked her chin lightly with his hand, '' the past does not concern the future'' oh but it did and that too so much, if only he knew how much and how it was eating her alive. – The past. How easily it could be termed into something so neat and away but if only someone could peak inside and see it was still alive and breathing inside torturing her.

The room dissolved into darkness and once again she cried herself to sleep.

''daddy wake up'' frowning Ayaan giggled and neared mayanks ear, '' DADDYYY'' before he could run mayank grabbed him and pulled him into bed with himself.

''you brat!'' smiling mayank pinned Ayaan to the bed,'' is that any way to wake up your father''

Ayaan nodded with a hint of tease, '' you weren't opening your eyes and ---'' his words stopped mid –way when mayank closed on his face, '' daddy what are you doing?''

'' giving you a taste of your own medicine''

''how?''

''the tickle monster always comes back for revenge you know''

Looking smug Ayaan touched mayanks cheek, '' threes no such thing as the tickle monster''

''oh really?'' curling his fingers, '' lets find out shall we'' laughter burst out of the boy as fast as the thunder clashing outside the window, mayank felt something stir inside but shrugged it off and concentrated on Ayaan, '' so brat does the tickle monster exist?''

Giving up Ayaan cried with laughter and nodded, '' yesss'' Mayank hauled him up, '' now run along and get ready..'' stopping to consider mayank smiled, '' you do remember today is your first day of preschool brat?''

Filled with excitement Ayaan jumped out of the bed, '' daddy I can't wait to go to school..uncle said that I'll make loads of friends …'' twitching he continued, '' and he also said to ask you whats a teacher's pet?''

Intrigued mayank cocked an eyebrow, '' why?''

''because he called you a teacher's pet…and''

Appalled '' there's an and''

Caught up in the humor, Ayaan nodded, '' he also said all the teachers loved you'' ''okay I'm going to go and get ready now'' running out of the room Ayaan headed into his own room to change.

''Ayaan chew with your mouth closed'' gunjan added absent mindedly while pouring mayank a cup of coffee, black just the way he liked it, strong and effective.

''I'm – see'' beaming with smiles Ayaan worked his way through the bowl of cereal while playing around with his younger cousin Alina who was only 2 years old and currently making a mess out of mashed peaches '' I don't think aloo likes peach'' Ayaan frowned and than tasted some of it himself and growled, '' now I know why, this tastes yuck''

''hands in your own plate ace'' mayank added when he took a seat at the table, '' ready for school are you big boy?''

Gunjan and Samrat exchanged glances when noticed mayank running his hand over ayaan's hair who was too busy in his cereal to notice the affectionate gesture.

''he'll be fine'' gunjan comforted mayank, '' our little Ayaan is a big boy now''

That's what I'm afraid of mayank thought , '' I'm fine, just alitttle worried''

''don't worry Ayaan will be a teacher's pet just like you bro'' samrat added out of habbit.

''Samrat'' gunjan nudged him but he only grinned, '' fine..ayaan will be a Casanova just like his uncle, right Ayaan?''

''whats a cassa – nova daddy?''

Smiling mayank shook his head, '' something you'll eventually be/…that pretty face of yours bound to break some hearts''

Opening the door to her office nupur placed the box on the table, another year another whole box of memories to fill in, she sighed and sat down and simmered for a moment.

This school always gave her some peace, something about being here around kids always helped ease some of the pain she had looked inside herself.

Pushing through the box, nupur pulled out a photograph and smiled with wet eyes, '' he was right I'd always hate myself for doing this'' stuttering with her words nupur opened the drawer and put the picture beneath a file, ''' I have hated myself for four years. And will for years to come'' god only knew when her suffering would stop but she didn't resent god for it because she deserved it all. When she had it all she threw it away for an illusion now she had it the illusion but she would never ever be complete like that again and in her heart she knew her one decision four years and 4 months and 2 days ago had forever changed her life to come……because that day she promised to give away a part of herself that was not hers to give. It was a priceless gift that was hers to keep but in her selfishness she was blinded and now for life she would be drowned in regret and tears.

''slow down Ayaan will you'' Mayank ordered while speaking on the phone, as the neared the crossing sign, Mayank slipped his hand into Ayaan's and helped him cross the road. The gesture was simple as that, that neither thought about it.

''Daddy, do you think I'll like school?''

'' of course you will'' mayank spoke with tenderness and picked up Ayaan as his little legs curled around mayanks waist, '' do you know when me and your uncle first went to school we cried so much that your grandma had to threatened us to get us in there''

Giggling Ayaan locked his arms around mayank's neck, ' but I'm not crying''

''I know that's because you're a good boy''

''but I thought you said I was a brat?''

Opening the door, Mayank entered and placed Ayaan on his feet, '' you are at times but otherwise your good''

''daddy your being mushy like aunt gunjan''

Pretending to stunned mayank reformed, '' well I'll have to stop being mushy now. don't I ?'' Ayaan nodded and held onto mayanks hand as they walked into his classroom.

Inside the room was filled with many other anxious students and worried parents. The room was a cozy one where a kid would definitely feel comfortable being in. In the front there was a big chalk board which was filled with welcomes for the new students, and in the corner were a stash of toys, tables and chairs filled the room mostly, and the walls were covered with educational yet fun posters that were sure to catch a students eyes.

But none of the above caught mayanks eyes, he saw her sitting behind the desk so poised as if she belonged just right there. She was wearing a black blazer and her hair were tied up and those big glasses hid her eyes at least in mayanks opinion there was nothing special about her, except one thing her smile. The way her lips curved when she looked at the kids or answered a question.

Across the room her gaze swept and met his, holding there for a second something flickered between the room and than it was gone like the fresh breath of air.

''daddy'' tugging at mayanks hand Ayaan frowned, '' I'm scared''

Bending down to Ayaan's level mayank smiled, ''chicken much?''

''I'm not a chicken''

''yes you are, only little brats are chicken. Otherwise good boys are not scared of anything''

Already forgotten Ayaan strutted his chin, '' I'm a good boy – uh- huh and I'm not scared''

Grinning mayank smiled, he knew just how to distract the fear, it was something he often had to work with Ayaan at. '' hmm – we'll see''

''daddy I'm a good kid''

''if you bring a gold star today and then I'll believe you're a good kid''

''I will ''

''we will see'' playing along mayank stood up, '' ready ace?''

The walked up to her desk hand in hand and it was like time stopped for her, he eyes moved in their direction. The contrast the tough yet handsome guy with that smirk compared to the cute yet wicked boy with the adorable smile on his lips…it made her smile. And the strangest thing happened her heart twisted when the man bent down and kissed the boys cheek that did the same in return.

''Hi I'm Ayaan'' grinning'' Ayaan shergill '' something tugged inside nupur but she ignored it. The chocolate brown eyes looked at her with so much love and those lips were so sweet and caring and then he moved his hand forward, '' and I'm not scared to be here''

Slowly with an ease nupur filled his tiny hand, something came and went before nupur could even recognize it, '' well I'm Miss Sharma your teacher …and we're glad to have you here''

''really?'' Ayaan asked with much zeal.

''really! theres nothing to be scared of. I promise I won't eat you up and in return you will be a good student?''

'' daddy says I'm a good kid at times and a brat at others''

Flicking her gaze over to mayank she steadied herself, maybe it was the appraising gaze that retreated her smile but there was something there…it brought back memories, she had been trying to escape, '' don't worry brats are allowed here also!''

''can I go sit at the desk?'' the question was so sincere that nupur averted her gaze and smiled, '' sure, right up there at the blue desk''

Turning around Ayaan smiled at mayank, '' daddy I'm going to sit down now'' Mayank nodded and watched Ayaan run along and take a seat and so easily slip into conversation among his classmates, it didn't surprise mayank at all. The kid was a pistol always ready to talk and make friends.

''uhmm.. .'' she didn't want to detract his attention but she had too, there were other things she had to tend too. And she certainly did not want him here anymore; something about his aura gave her the chills.

He could smell even though she was standing behind that desk away from him, the scent was a mix of something sweet and it suited her so aptly. But than again everything she was suited her in mayanks' opinion. She didn't look old but she certainly dressed way to old for her age the nurse shoes and the knee length skirt made her look like a women who was married and had already had two kids. And the auburn brown hair of her's were locked away safely at the base of her neck, nothing was added to her face, just simple it was except for maybe those glasses. Nothing was simple about them. All they were ugly.

''Mr Shergill'' clearing her voice nupur spoke again hope to gain his attention, he stood there aloof maybe that was a part of what made her sway towards and fear him too….dressed in black trousers and that collared shirt suited him just enough. His eyes were marble black and hair reached just above his collar in jet black color. A far he had seemed so simple, just a father with his son and now up close nothing was the same.

''Mr. Shergill'' this time her voice was loud enough to snap his attention back to her. '' you need to fill this package out and send it with Ayaan tomorrow, it would be beneficial if you filled this out together, it helps to know about our students''

Without a word spoken, he took the papers from her and walked out of the classroom.

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Heres the first update :) I hope you like it...