MN FF: TEN CLUES TO FINDING HERCh5upd comp 4/15 - Page 3

Originally posted by: Irum.

Wow!!! A new Mayur FF writer.

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Nice concept and start.

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Sending u buddy request.

Originally posted by: kirti123

thanks for writing on mn

its interesting

pls continue soon

already loving it 😊

CH# 3: A PINCH OF REALITY

The engagement had proved to be a joyous and merry occasion for all present and all efforts were made to make it a memorable one. Amid the festivities, Puja was performed that was followed by a ceremonial exchange of rings. However, it seemed that the awkwardness of doing the aarti together wasn't enough, that Mayank and Nupur were also made to go through the uncanny act of slipping a ring onto other's fingers- as according to what the duo thought of it.

Where Mayank had been too harsh with his act, (under the undue stress and peculiarity of the situation), Nupur, had been stiff as a stone throughout. Consequently, one now suffered from a painful hand, while other with a bruised ego. Amid all this, it was their friends and Gunjan of course, who had aggrandized the event with dance and music.

Samrat and Gunjan had started with grooving to the tunes of Kajrare, and were later joined by the rest to move to the more upbeat notes of Bhangra genre. Conversely, Nupur was the unfortunate one, going through her very first experience to sit still throughout the music that had led further irritate her. No matter her constant fidget was so obvious, that despite the irritability of her act, Mayank couldn't help but pity, yet mock her condition at the same time.

Witnessing the pathetically pitiful state of the lass beside him, he wasn't able to resist the amused smile that adorned his lips- as he stared at his subject of interest in silent glee. The bronze zardozi embellishing her attire played its part impeccably, at complementing her sparingly dusky complexion, while the green of her lehanga perfectly matched the refined embroidery on his khaki kurta.

Nupur, who had been too busy mulling over her own predicament, had finally come to notice Mayank's constant gaze on her. Initially, she had attempted at ignoring his fixed stare, and later had tried to allay the oddness with a hesitant and confused smile in his direction- as she couldn't fathom the reason behind his gauche grin. But, when nothing had worked, seeing no other probable option at hand, out and loud she had shouted right next to his ear to make herself audible over the blaring music. Much to her agitation, it had taken her more than once to shout, so as to bring Mayank out of his reverie.

"Stop. Staring." She stated emphatically to a flustered Mayank.

"Sorry?" Came the clueless reply.

"I said stop staring. You are adding to my already heightening unease." She now seemed to be on the verge of pulling her neatly done hair, barely able to contain her irritation.

But much to her surprise, and to Mayank's own, what he did next was completely impulsive and out of the blue. Instead of putting her in her place- as was expected of him- he had held her hand dragged her to the dance floor. While others had hooted at the unanticipated, Nupur had been awed to stillness. It was now she who stared fixedly at a merrily dancing Mayank, with her mouth literally hanging open.

Noticing her immobility, Mayank had nudged her with a smile and gesticulated to join others in the raving movements. Taking a few moments, to come out of her trance, Nupur smiled awkwardly at Mayank and joined others with reluctance.

It had been quite a while now that Mayank and Nupur had joined others in celebrations, and as Nupur circled to a beat, what she saw had ticked something inside her. Sheena in all her elegance and chic was bumping shoulders with Mayank. Registering the unwanted sighting and her somewhat repulsive feelings, she thought it best to elude the incident and its outcome.

But now even after striving for quite some time, she found it impossible for herself to continue with the dancing. On the pretext of exhaustion, she had called it an early night and retired to her room.

Nupur had changed into her tee and pyjamas, and was just about to go to bed when Gunjan entered their room and dropped herself on her bed while heaving a tired sigh.

"Kya hua Gunjan? Are you alright?" asked a worried Nupur seeing her sister's fatigued state.

"Nothing di. I think that I am just feeling a bit tired of being too busy for the last few days."

"Who asked you to take so much upon yourself? You go and change and until then let me brew some tea for you, aur who bhi adrak wali. Chalegi?" Nupur's voice held all the affection and care that she had for her sister.

Gunjan held her hand and made her sit beside her, "Nahi Di baitho. It has been days since we haven't have her nightly talks. Aur aaj to waqt bhi hai, mauqa bhi, aur dastoor bhi." Gunjan's words had and underlying tone of mischief.

"Gunjan," Nupur reprimanded.

"Acha sorry. Baitho." Gunjan again held onto a rising Nupur who finally gave into her sister's demand. "Now tell me." Said an enthusiastic Gunjan.

"Kya jaanna hai tujhe," Nupur lovingly tapped her head.

"Yehi ke tum khush ho. Since the day your engagement has been fixed, humne sahi se baat hi nahi ki."

"Yeh bhi koi poochne ki baat hai. Of course I am fine, or else, why would have I agreed for this engagement? Budhoo."

"No not fine. I want to know are you happy?"

The creeping concern in Gunjan's voice, made Nupur to force a smile, "ok fine. I am really happy. Ab khush."

"Nahi di. Something is amiss. Mujhe batao." Nupur knew that it was next to impossible for her to keep her feelings to herself being the extrovert she was. And here it was Gunjan, who was the person in question. How would she be able to hide her apprehensions from her; even if she tried to?

Seeing the forlorn expression on Nupur's face, Gunjan coaxed further, "Tum ne haan kyu ki?"

Nupur felt that she had suddenly found an outlet for the emotions she was brewing for so long inside her. "Pata nahi Gunjan. Shilpa maa ne poocha aur maine haan keh di. And when I got to know that even Mayank had given his approval for the proposal, I couldn't find a reason plausible enough to refute Shilpa maa."

"Itni si baat thi! Aur maine socha pata nahi kya hogaya." Said a now relieved Gunjan. "Di everything will be fine." Gunjan placed a reassuring hand over Nupur's and searched her sister's face for some ease.

Nupur smiled back at Gunjan, "Acha ab ja change kar. Main chai lati hun."

With that she got up trying to give a rest to her mind that had been accrued with many an unanswered queries for the past few days. Unknown to anybody else, was Nupur's state of uncertainty and perplexity that she had now decided to pay no heed to. And maybe then somehow, at the stroke of her luck, would be made aware of what she wanted and what not; had she done the right thing or not; what would this lead to, and what not?! Unknown to her was another individual, who had been a part of her and Gunjan's conversation, whom she missed completely while making her way to the kitchen. Who hadn't failed to notice the unease and confusion that occupied her face.