MN FF: TEN CLUES TO FINDING HERCh5upd comp 4/15 - Page 2

CHAPTER# 2: A HELPING HAND

Gunjan fluttered about the foyer, looking for any unfinished trivial tasks to get done with. She was elated to say the least, and was making no efforts, whatsoever, at containing her elation. Obviously, the entirety of the situation was too grand; and too sudden.

"Gunjan zara idher aana beta. I need you to help me around here." Responding to Shilpa's call, gunjan had stopped with her bustling, and had rushed upstairs being careful not to trip over her white lehenga adorned with zardozi embroidery. The hustle and bustle that evening at the Sharma house was unusually apparent, and spoke of something grand .

"Beta I need you to go and help Mayank with his sherwani. Pata nahi is larke ka kya hoga?" On receiving a questioning look from Gunjan, Shilpa sighed in exasperation and plopped down on a couch nearby in exasperation. "Tujhe to pata hai na uska. Even the idea of donning a sherwani is equivalent to having to live his worst nightmare for him. And now not only the fact that he has to wear one, but that too for his engagement is making him act unusually capricious. Mere to bus ki baat nahi rahi. Tu ja ke dekh le zara beta," Shilpa requested an atypically excited Gujan who in turn gave her an avid nod and turned to leave in a hurry.

"Please check with Nupur too beta," she shouted to an almost sprinting Gunjan and then stood up with an uneasy haste. "Are mithai pata nahi aayi ke nahi," she mused to herself, and walked off to tend to the task at hand.

The engagement of Mayank and Nupur was an event of profound merriment to all related to them, and of slight peculiarity to many from among them. Nevertheless, it were Shipa's determined efforts in Mayank's case, and constant coaxing in Nupur's case to get both the parties to accede to her wish. Neither was interested in anybody else when it came to matters involving relationship of an amatory nature, nor were they strangers to each other. In fact, they were well aware of each other- although in a peculiar way. To her, the match was perfect as it could be.

Gunjan knocked for the umpteenth time at Mayank's door to here the repeated growl followed by some cussing, much to her impatience.

"MAYANK JUST OPEN THE DAMN DOOR. WILL YOU?" She shouted to get her voice through the locked door.

"I AM NOT LETTING YOU IN AT ANY COST AND NEITHER AM I GOING TO WEAR THIS JOKE OF A SHERWANI," shouted back a furious and agitated Mayank- much to Gunjan's annoyance.

"IT'S YOUR ENGAGEMENT FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE. WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO EXACTLY? WALK AROUND IN BERMUDA AT YOUR OWN ENGAGEMENT?!" By now, Gunjan's voice clearly spoke of her irritation. On the other hand, seeing the resolute stance of Gunjan to not to step back from trying to convince him to wear the horrendous choice of clothing that seemed to have come straight out from the closet of Louis XIV, Mayank had thought it better to resolve to silence. However, what he was not aware of was that he had badly underestimated Gunjan's determination.

"OK Mayank. You have only a few seconds to cover up' err' anything inappropriate inside this room." With that there as a click heard, and the very next second Gunjan was standing akimbo in front of a somewhat disheveled and flustered Mayank.

"Gunjan!!" Mayank jumped in shock and bewilderment at her sudden appearance. "H'how? When?" He was too taken aback by Gunjan's uncharacteristic act to give words to his queries.

Responding to his astonishment, Gunjan held a hairpin aloft in her hand and then spoke airily, "Di ne sikhaya tha."

That erased all the shock from Mayank's face, and in no time he was outraged, "I knew it! I so knew it. Behen ka kuch asar to hoga na," he ended with a sarcastic tone and cursed under his breath.

Gunjan had, however, taken too much of him as of then to care about his miseries and considering what the situation demanded she preferred to stay calm. Ignoring all of his tantrums, she spoke in a collected and affectedly polite tone, "Now what's the issue over here? You don't want to wear the shewani? What's bad about it? It's colour? Fitting? What?" She casted an appraising glance over the sherwani in question.

"Nothing is right about it! Colour, fabric, stitching, nothing!" Mayank's voice held a tone of finality. Saying so, he had dropped himself on the bed heavily, and sighed.

Seeing the sorry state of her friend, Gunjan moved over to Mayank, and rested a hand over his shoulder. "I know Mayank that it might not be too easy for you- and a bit too sudden to digest. But this is happening and that's the reality. No matter how much Shilpa maa persuaded you for it, you know, and I know that you agreed for the engagement all on your own. Then what is this entire ruckus about?"

It had taken many a long nights of heated and extensive discussions, or perhaps arguments to be more apt, between Shilpa and Mayank, for him to agree for this engagement. But somewhere deep down, he was aware that Shilpa's persuasion had played a very minor role in his acquiescence. Although, he had agreed for the matter at hand, considering his mother's desire, but it was a decision that he had taken after much thought and contemplation. After all wasn't his mother's happiness was what he wanted?

"I don't know Gunjan. I just can't get myself to get use to the change. I have no regrets, but as you mentioned, it's all a bit too fast for me."He replied in a helpless tone.

"Then take my advice. Don't think over it anymore. You are over thinking and then mulling over the entire thing. Give it a break. Just try to involve yourself in the merriment. It all will become much easier. I know that you must have a lot, and I mean a lot of questions lingering in your mind. And well' also the fact that Di might not be your ideal choice for a life partner. But take my word Mayank, you will not regret it. I know her inside out. I know her more than anyone else."

Mayank passed her a thankful smile in return but added abruptly, "Although my mood has improved considerably, but no need to get your hopes high. I am still not wearing this sherwani."

"Ugghh' fine Mayank. But select something traditional for yourself. May be a formal kurta would work well." Gunjan answered in defeat, and then turned to leave saying' "Ab please jaldi neeche aajao. Mujhe Di ko bhi dekhna hai."

Just then Shilpa entered Mayank's room in a hurry, "Are Mayu jaldi kar. All the guests have arrived, aur Nupur to tayyar ho ke neeche bhi pohanch gayi hai." With that she left in a haste that equaled her arrival.

"Haan maa," with that Mayank turned to look for a suitable alternative to wear.

First thing he noted when he reached the hall, was the scowl that adorned Nupur's face. But Shilpa's voice made him let go of any further thoughts and hurriedly take his seat beside an evidently upset Nupur.

"Are Mayu jaldi kar na. mahurat nikal jaye ga. Abhi pooja bhi karni hai," were Shilpa's stirring words.

As soon as he had sat beside his bride to be, he couldn't avoid thinking that he had heard her curse something under her breath, which was overpowered by Benji's comment. "Wah! Bari jaldi hai Nupur ke paas bethne ki . Kya Mayank, tujhe dekh ke tu nahi lagta tha ke tu itna fast nikle ga. Mujhe to hamesha lagta tha ke Samrat pehle phasey ga." This earned him a murderous glare from the couple at the receiving end and made him go quiet.Nevertheless, the teasing was continued by rest of their friends.

"Mayank ko competition dena mere bus ki baat nahi. Engagement bhi kar li and he never gave a clue about his feelings. Way to go bro!" Piped in a chirpy Samrat.

" Haan childhood love. Aisa to movies mein hota hai, nahin Mayank?" It was Uday who threw a question at Mayank out of the blue, and pulled the last straw. Passing Uday a forced smile, he leaned toward Nupur and whispered, "Yeh Uday ko invite karne ka idea kis ka tha? It must be you. Only you have the mental capacity to make such absurd decisions."

"I can say the same for you. You see, Sheena does not top my priority list when it comes to socializing." She whispered back while gritting her teeth at the audacity of Mayank to insult her friend on her face, indicating towards a aloofly standing Sheena, who had an aura of arrogance around her. Nupur furthered after a pause, "and for that matter Mayank, not to forget that getting engaged to you was also my decision Mr. oh-so-intelligent," she finished with a plastered smile.

"At least she can talk sense for more than five seconds, unlike some people. And you are forgetting Ms. Oh-so-witty, it was me who decided to commit to you, you only acceded to my judgement."

"Now don't start over here Mayank. This is not the time and place for me to settle your ego issues. Keep this for later."

While the seemingly cordial couple was busy bickering- trying to reach a settlement that solely favoured themselves only- behind the guise of ear to ear smiles and amicable nods, at the other end of the room Siddharth and Shilpa Sharma couldn't help but exalt in the joy of witnessing their children together.

Originally posted by: Faria.

OMG, a new writer for our magical couple
i m damn happy..:D

Welcome dear
ur starting was fabulous
i really loved it
plz do cont. it and pm me

may b u wont many readers like others but plz dont stop to write on MN...
Take Care
and ALL THE BEST

Originally posted by: -Anila-

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a New writer for our MN...

Loving it already...😳

will read it n comment for sure

n do continue soon n plzzz PM me for sure...😳

Originally posted by: --WHATEVER--

wonderful start n nice concept...

Pm me next time when u update this FF😊