Part 5: '
Nupur tried to eat her food as quickly as possible. She wanted to leave the dining table without any more awkward talks. As if on cue, mayank said, "tm khana kha kr uper chali jao.mere room mein rest krlo. Mere wese bhe kuch guests ne aana hai. Meeting hai."
"Nahe mein yaheen kaheen wait krloonge."
'mein keh raha hoona. Her baat per zid krna zaroori hai? Wese bhe shakal se he itne thaki hue lag rahe ho."
"Acha sahe hai.." Nupur just wanted him to stop talking.
The way he casually talked about her and to her made her heart flutter and she did not want her heart to flutter. She quickly finished her food and went upstairs. As soon as she entered mayank's room she felt the anxiety took over her. She shouldnt be in that room. But he was right. She was exhausted.
Infact by that time she had started to feel feverish. What with all the anxiety and nerves wrenching discussions with Mayank. She sat on the bed- his bed- and leaned back looking around the room. It looked like mayank. Extravagant and almost perfect. The room was decorated with maroon drapperies and bed covers. There was a sofa on the extreme left and a huge mirror on the opposite wall. There was a large window facing towards the garden and a picture of Mayank aleena and Diya on the right side of the window. Nupur felt her eyes droop. In any other circumstance she would be too afraid to close her eyes. But this was Mayank's room, and if nothing else, there was one thing Nupur had always felt when around Mayank - safe. Whether it be all those years back or now.. He did play havoc with her nerves and she was afraid of his odd behaviour. She was afraid of him, yes, but not of anything else when she was around him. She had almost dozed off when she felt a movement beside her and woke up with a start.
"Relax Nupur. Mein bus..'
"Aap kya kr rahe hain?" Nupur straightened herself but when she looked up Mayank's gaze was down.
"I am sorry. I knocked but tmne koi jawab nahe dia. Mein aik important file bhool gaya tha. Bus le kr ja he raha tha."
"Nahe I am sorry. Aap dekhlen jo dekhna hai. Sorry mere ankh lag gaye pata he nahe chala."
"Tabiat theekh hai tmare Nupurr?" She felt his hand touch hers. She quickly moved her hand away.
"Jee.. mein theekh hoon." Her voice lost all the friendliness and she tried to get up but he stopped her by pulling her arm, "kya bachon wali zid hai Nupur. Tmare awaz bata rahe hai tabiat theekh nahe hai tmare.. mujhe check krlene do bukhar na ho.."
"Exactly.. she move away from him) ap bhe zid na karen. Mein ab bachi nahe hoon. Aur theekh hoon mein."
'theekh hai. Phir mein tmare ghr phone krke keh deta hoon ke tmen fever hai. Aj raat yaheen per rukne den tmen."
"Kyun? Kya masla kya hai apka!!!"
"Tm masla ho mera.. (he pulled her closer and softly touched her forehead)" Nupur felt a shiver run down her spine and blood rush to her cheeks from his touch. "As much as I want to beleive that this color on your cheeks is because of me, you clearly have a fever. Tm laito mein doctor ko bula leta hoon." Nupur turned a deep shade of red on his words and made some space between them, " doctor ke kya zarrorat hai? Halka sa fever hai. Rest se khudi theekh ho jaeyga."
"Acha tm abhe lait jao.. mein guests ko bhej kr aata hoon. Temperature check kr deta hoon.>" "Meine kaha to hai nahe zaroorat." 'lait jao.. " Mayank pointed at the bed and left the room in a hurry. Nupur sat down on the bed and closed her eyes. She could feel her face radiating heat from the feel of Mayank's touch. Nupur shivered again but this time from fear. She had no idea what Mayank wanted or needed from her.But his words and gestures were implying a very dangerous tale. Once again she ignored the obvious signs and lied down quietly. She indeed felt feverish. soon afterwards she heard another knock and quickly sat straight.
"Jee?" the housekeeper entered with a tray.
"Madam jee Sir ne apke liay soup bhejwaya hai."
"Nahe mujhe nahe peena."
"Madam jee Sir ne kaha hai jb tk aap soup na piyen mein hiloon na yahan se." Nupur felt a wave of fury ran down her spine. "Apne sir se kahen meine nahe peena!" Nupur turned away and lied down. She heard the woman place the tray on the beside table and leave. a few minutes later she received a caall. Instinctively thinking it was from home she picked up, but before she could reply , an irrirated voice greeted her from the other side,
"ye kya bachon wali harkaten hain Nupur? Chup chap soup pee lo warna.."
"Kya warna?nahe peena meine soup!" Nupur furiously disconnected the call. She was shocked yet again at the nerve of Mayank. How could he use that tone with her. The consequence was that a few minutes later he came himsel.I
This time she did hear the knock."jee" she retorted angrily straightening herself yet again. She kept herself averted so she only heard him move around the room until the bed shifted and she quickly turned to the sight of hi sitting on the bed, pretty close to her. She shifted away and glared at him quietly.
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
293