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

CH# 4 A MUSER'S NIGHT

Her engaged mind- as it was for the past few days- finally found some serenity as she inhaled the soothing aroma of tea. Resting her head against one of the cabinets, she let the peace take over her mind and heaved a sigh, as if she had eventually found the solace she had been craving for.

In that awakening hour post midnight, she let herself free of all the speculations and qualms as she realized the only remedy to her doubts. Engagement, marriage, marriage with Mayank, Mayank ' all the thoughts needed to be put to rest, at least for now. No doubt that the latest happenings of her life hadn't been exactly as she had thought of them to have , and most certainly not at this stage of her life. But there lay the catch- what else had she ever planned in life. To her life had always been about living as it would come, and accepting what it offered. "So from now on Nupur Bhushan, you need to get back into your element. Mayank or no Mayank. Marriage or no marriage." Decided a resolute Nupur, who finally thought that she had thought of a way out of her so-called misery.

Placing the cup in tray, Nupur continued pondering over the recent musings that had entered her mind and walked toward her room. But it was in a matter of seconds when the tray was jerked off her hand and too overcome by surprise to react, a stunned Nupur was pushed inside a room and the door produced a click sound of being locked. The click however brought Nupur back to earth and realizing the situation, fury took over surprise.

"What do you think you are doing?" Nupur advanced toward an equally furious Mayank.

"What does it appear to you?" Mayank replied with a rage that equaled her fury.

"MAYANK! You need to let me go right now."

"And why exactly should I NUPUR?"

"Because I say so, to put it precisely." Nupur replied with a hint of sarcasm and a plastered smile to add to it.

"Oh it completely slipped my mind. Aap to rajkumari Nupur Bhushan hain." Sarcasm drippped off Mayank's words but the very next moment he changed his tone to that of sternness. "You get this straight, you are not leaving this room until you answer all of my questions." But as soon as he noticed a glint appearing in Nupur's eyes, that only appeared when her mind busied itself with an uncalled for tomfoolery, he found it necessary to add," aur normal insano ki tarah."

The insulting ending made Nupur's rage reach new heights and she was about to explode into a chain of shenangians when realizing her helpless state she preferred resignation and ploppped down onto Mayank's bed with a huff followed by an expletive, that she made no effort to make inaudible. To her it was an established fact that when it came to being stubborn, she was no match for Mayank, and at that very moment every inch of him spoke of it.

Offended by her newest antic, Mayank inhaled deeply to suppress his anger and tend more' important' task at hand. Finally reaching what could be termed as a, fitting level of calmness he started, "Why did you agree to this proposal?"

Nupur, who had by now resorted to contemplating over the precision of her nails out of boredom, had her reply laced with nonchalance much to Mayank's agitation. "Proposal? What proposal?"

"THE PROPOSAL," by now it was very hard for Mayank to keep his voice down and his hardship faced new hurdles as he saw the confused look that Nupur passed him.

But as soon as the realization dawned on Nupur, she hit her head with her palm and stood up while shaking her head, "Oh woh proposal. Yeh kaun sa waqt hai aisi baatein karne ka? Mayank please I am too sleepy to talk over this. Kal baat karenge. Bye." She ended with a flick of her hand and was just about to walk past Mayank who held her back by the elbow.

"Nupur don't test my patience at this hour."

"Exactly Mayank. We really need to retire to bed at this hour, which would only be possible IF YOU LET GO OF ME." Nupur could no longer keep herself from shouting out of frustration.

Mayank however had taken enough. By now he was literally trying to manhandle a struggling Nupur who was putting her best efforts into trying to reach the door. After many futile attempts by Nupur, and exerting efforts by Mayank both were flushed and too tired to utter a word. Nevertheless, Nupur knew that the only way for her to get to room for a much needed peaceful sleep, she had answer to Mayank's queries.

"Why did you?" Nupur asked after several moments of panting.

"Why did I what?" Now it was Mayank's turn to be curious.

"Why did you agree to this proposal?"

"I asked you first."

"Now that I come to think of it, why are you so curious about my reasons?"

Nupur's inquisitive stare had Mayank flustered for a moment. "Well I have my doubts you know. "

"What doubts?" Nupur's inquiring gaze was still fixed at Mayank's face.

"Umm' well you know' people kind of think and they might get to see or' err' hear things that may put them in doubt."

By now Nupur didn't only seem inquisitive but confused too. She had never seen Mayank that anxious while answering her.

"Mayank'" she stretched 'Mayank' a bit too long to convey her suspicions.

"Hmm."

"Did you see something?"

"No." Mayank replied too abruptly.

"Heard?"

"Can you just tell me what I asked?" Replied an exasperated Mayank.

"Not until you apprise me of your reasons." Nupur on the contrary seemed relaxed, in fact enjoying the whole thing by now.

"Nupur stop this nautanki of yours." He advanced toward Nupur.

"You stop with yours and better come straight with whatever seems to bother you."

"Didn't you tell Gunjan that you weren't happy with the engagement?" It was too much for Mayank to hold back any further.

"You were eavesdropping?" Said a shocked Nupur with eyes widening every passing second.

"Me? Eavesdropping? N'No. Never. I was just passing by and got to hear over your conversation. But now stop trying to dodge my questions. I have answered your queries. Now it's your turn."

"I don't need to give explanations to a person who sneaks up on my talks."

"I . DID. NOT. SNEAK. It was only a matter of chance."

"Was it? Really?"

"Nupur." Mayank's tone now held traces of impatience and sternness that warned Nupur to complete her part of the agreement.

"Bata rahi hoon. Itna ghoorne ki zarurat nahi hai."

After a pause that lasted quite a few seconds and Mayank's expecting and yet threatening looks she mustered the courage to speak on the dreaded subject. " Well.. I couldn't say no to Shilpa maa."

"So you are unhappy with the commitment?"

"No. but I am neither happy."

"Then you shouldn't have agreed. At least I would have been spared." Frustration took over Mayank.

"Itna problem hai to khud mana karte." Nupur was back to her angry self at Mayank's words.

"Why should have I? You are the one who is not happy."

"Matlab? You' mean to' say you' are?" Nupur stuttered at the newest revelation.

"Main ne kab kaha?" Said a flustered Mayank.

"What else did you mean by what you just said?" Nupur's scrutinizing gaze lingered over Mayank that flustered and angered him even more.

"Listen Nupur. I don't know what you are inferring out of my words, but I would never want to marry someone who is doing it out of obligation. I would want to have a married life full of respect, trust, and love." At the very word love coming out of Mayank's mouth, Nupur's eyes widened in astonishment.

Realizing her reaction he affirmed, "Yes love. As unromantic you might find me, I do believe in love. Only that it's not that bollywood crap for me. However I do not expect you to share such a relationship with me, but since we can't even have something even remotely similar thanks to your insecurities, I want you to call off the engagement first thing tomorrow morning." His tone carried anger and bitterness.

"I am not doing any such thing. It would hurt Shilpa maa and Sid uncle. If you are so adamant putting an end to this then why don't you take a stance."

"It's not me who is not coming to terms with the newfound relationship. You are the one having issues?" he accused.

"Then what do you expect me to do? Join one of your fan clubs and trail you wiyh earnest compliance, 'Mayankji this. Mayankji that.'" Nupur imitated.

"Probably, it would have been better. No brains is better than an over imaginative and utterly poppycock one."

"FINE! Three months. Give me three months and I will find a 'suitable' match for you. But then you back out of this marriage deal. "

"Fine. On the condition that unable to find one, you should go ahead with the refusal."

"FINE!" With that Nupur left banging the door shut behind her and not to forget Mayank, who now sat on his bed with his head dropped in his hands.

As the night passed, both mulled and pondered finally giving into sleep, in the company of a slumbering Gunjan and a forgotten cup of tea.

Chapter 5

Next morning Mayank had much preferred to dote onto an otherwise 'repulsively oily paratha'- as he would term it in a situation other than the prevalent one. As much as he tried to block the memories of previous night, all failed as soon as he had come face to face with Nupur.

To start with, despite being her chirpy self Nupur was not being loud enough as she would be any other day and actually acted quite weird all through the breakfast. This along with the glares from Shilpa and Gunjan from across the table added to Mayank's predicament.

She had walked down for breakfast in a dazed state- which Mayank thought was a plus as he wouldn't have to put up with her constant rambling. But what followed forced him to reconsider his conclusion. Much to his and everybody else's surprise she had quiet nonchalantly announced to everyone present, that today she would be taking a ride to college with Mayank. Hence, the reason for Shilpa's and Gunjan's teasing glares.

The memories from previous night along with the happenings of the present day caused Mayank to mull and mope over his condition. But what aggravated his mood was the casual indifference that Nupur was able to portray with ease. Much to his surprise, the glares that disturbed him to no end were disregarded by Nupur with a smile.

"Maa, Gunjan aisa kuch nahi hai jaisa aap soch rahe hain", he finally exclaimed when he was no longer able to put up with the silent teasing. At this Gunjan almost choked over her piece of toast in order to hide her laughter while Shilpa only passed a questioning look.

"Hain! Kya?", but the verbal response at his sudden outburst came from Nupur, much to his misery. Nupur and her big mouth he thought. When he finally forced himself to disengage from his 'paratha' and looked around himself, much to his embarrassment Siddhart too was looking at him curiously.

"Nothing", muttered Mayank again looking down at his plate.

Finally coming to realize the situation, Siddharth stood up with a smile and said, "I think I should leave now. Bachcho you all too leave for college it's getting late." With that he bid everyone goodbye and left for his daily work.

"Bye maa. See you and khayal rakhna." Mayank too stood up to leave.

"Haan Chalo. Bye maa." Nupur followed him.

"Nupur you are not coming with me." Mayank turned around and said in a stern voice that caused Nupur to stop midway.

"Kyu Mayu? Take her na beta, what's the harm?" Shilpa came to Nupur's aid. Only the idea of Mayank and Nupur start spending some quality time was enough to excite her and this was just the beginning.

"Maa'", Mayank cribbed.

"Mayank I am coming with you." Said an adamant Nupur who thought it wise to avail the opportunity which Shilpa's intervention had provided.

"No you are NOT!", replied Mayank taking a firm stance.

"KYU?", Nupur stepped toward him with an angry glare with hands on her waist. Why couldn't this sadu for once go with her plan? Doesn't he realize that it was for their own good.

The sudden change in her behavior caught Mayank off guard.

"Kyun'.kyun", he stammered and suddenly his gaze rested on Gunjan who had been a mute spectator till now. "Haan Gunjan!", he exclaimed as if he had hit a jackpot.

"Gunjan' Gunjan kya?", Nupur was now confused and was no way able to comprehend how Gunjan could be the reason for her to not accompany Mayank for the ride to college.

"How will she travel alone to college? It's not safe Nupur." He knew it! Gunjan always worked with Nupur and had been his savior when it came to Nupur since forever. And it had surely worked now too.

Nupur's expressions clearly showed her inner turmoil. She was now forced to make a choice between Gunjan's wellbeing- a result of her being overprotective nature when it came to Gunjan- and her first step towards executing her plan. A plan of life time!

"Mayank ,", said Shilpa in a stern tone. " Gunjan is not a kid anymore she can manage on her own. Stop scaring Nupur."

"Haan di, Mayank. I can go on my own aur waise bhi car mein driver ke saath jane mein there are no safety issues." Gunjan appeased her sister with a smile.

Nupur who had understood what Mayank was playing at, casted him an adamant and irate glare which accompanied Shilpa's stern look and ended every possibility for Mayank to escape the situation.

"Chalo." He addressed Nupur in an irritated tone, who couldn't help but hear him mutter "Nautanki" on their way out.

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"BIKE!!" The shriek from Nupur caused Mayank to grit his teeth in anger, finding no possible way as to how to deal with the 'predicament' he was forced to accompany ALONE.

"Ab isme kya problem hai?" A furious Mayank turned to face an equally nonchalant Nupur, and spoke through still gritted teeth and curled fists- his last resort at practicing patience.

"Bike Mayank. Riding it would ruin my hairstyle." She stated as if it was the most obvious and rational reasoning one was supposed to think of.

"Oh to aap ke liye plane arrange karun?" His tone was sarcastic as ever.

"Tum bhi naa Mayank'" she spoke with the flick of her hand, as if he really intended to do that, "'I can manage with a car."

"Kharab hai!" he shouted and furthered in the same angry tone as he sat over the bike, " Baitho ab. Serves you right for your stubbornness."

And Nupur was left with no other option but to sit behind him with a frown.

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"Uff aik to its so hot and to add to it even you aren't helping either." Nupur said with a slight tap on Mayank's shoulder.

They were in the middle of a traffic jam irritated and annoyed and Nupur's nagging and Mayank's obstinate behaviour weren't being helpful in any way possible.

"This is the last time Nupur that I am telling you tum mujhe shaanti se bike chalane do." His grip on the handles tightened as he finished.

"Only if you had preferred a car." Now she literally had to shout over the busy Mumbai traffic to make herself heard.

"Only if you had preferred a car'" he imitated "' tyre puncture tha to kya hawa mein chalata. And don't shout yeh road hai ghar nahi."

"Accha who sab choro na. Batao tumhe kaisi larki chahiye."

"Nahi chahiye."

"Mayank batao naa warna tumhari kisi aur se shaadi kaise karwaaongi."

"Nupur tum filhaal chup raho gi?"

"No I want to know tumhe kaisi larki chahiye and that too now."

Mayank now thought it best to ignore her constant nagging and remain silent to put a stop to further questioning. But it was Nupur whom he was dealing with who might prove to be a complete 'jhalli' at times but can never be revered from anything once she had aimed for it. Seeing his change of behaviour she too decided to manoeuvre differently.

After a few moments of silence when Mayank didn't budge from his silence, she employed a pleading tone and said, " Aik hint hi de do. Please Mayank."

"Uffo Nupur kya hai?" Mayank had now stopped his bike on aside and had stood off it facing Nupur in irritation.

"Wohi to tum bata nahi rahe ho ."

"Kya?"

"Yehi ke tumhe kaisi larki chahiye."

"And didn't I say ke mujhe nahi chahiye."

"Mayank stop being such a spoilsport." This earned her a glare from Mayank and she immediately thought it better to change her tone so as to pry something out of him. Even something as meager as eye colour could be of help to begin with.

"Ok just tell me one quality and I won't bug you for the rest of the ride pakka." She finished and looked at him in anticipation.

Mayank on the other hand mulled over his options and didn't find it that bad a bargain afterall Nupur Bhushan ko kaun seriously lega, he thought.

"Mayank kuch bhi chalega naak kaan baal'"

"Curly hair." He interrupted.

"Huh?"

"I would prefer curly hair. Ab baitho aur moo bandh rakhna." With that they were off to college.