Memories In the Making-The Sharmas(MN)Link p.149 - Page 78

Part 11

Later that night....

On Monday night, Mayank had gone off to sleep early and Nupur sat there watching him. She was lucky to have gotten him as her husband, she thought to herself. Though they had their share of fights, she was always his top priority and these couple of weeks, he had cared for her like a mother. He had been there to hold her head while she threw up and always cleaned up after her. Like a mother, he found different ways to make her have her meals, from feeding her to making new dishes just for her. He took care of her every needs and wants, even if it was childish or stupid. She wished she could do something special for him but with her morning sickness she had been unable to do anything in the past weeks. But his birthday was coming up in the first week of January. In the time they've been together, she had never celebrated his birthday with him. The first year, they were both fighting with each other during January and the second year, they were both busy trying to figure out how to stop her marriage with Adiraj to do anything for his birthday. The next three years, she had spent that day alone in her room and he had spent it with her memories. But she wanted to make this birthday memorable for him. She was really excited and couldn't go to sleep. She sat there making plans in her head until sleep caught up to her.

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Next Day...

As soon as Mayank left for work, Nupur sat down on the sofa and recollected her thoughts regarding Mayank's birthday. She wanted to make this birthday the most memorable one for him and she knew the first thing she had to do. She picked up the cordless phone lying beside her and called Shilpa Aunty.

"Hello"

"Hello Maa, Nupur here"

"Nupur Beta, how are you? How is your morning sickness now? Mayu said you couldn't eat anything last week'"

"I'm fine Maa. Morning sickness is still the same. But I'm able to eat a little better now"

"Beta, I'm so sorry for not being able to be there to take care of you."

"Maa, please don't say sorry and don't worry about me. Mayank is there na? He is taking good care of me. He doesn't let me lift a finger" Nupur said smiling.

Shilpa Aunty smiled. "ouch!"

"Maa, are you okay?"

"Haan, Beta. I was just checking myself to see if I was dreaming. But no, it's real'Nupur Sharma is all in praise of her husband today"

"Maa...." she whined a little.

"Just joking Beta. Acchaa, I can tell you have something in your mind. Tell me"

"Actually Maa, I called to ask you if you could come here for Mayank's birthday. We never got to celebrate his birthday together and I want to make this a memorable one. It wouldn't be the same without you. And also, we miss you a lot"

"Beta, I miss you both too. And ofcourse, I would come. But you sound like you have a lot in mind'tell me, kya plan hai?" Nupur started listing her plans and Shilpa aunty contributed to it by making suggestions and after about an hour, they finally hung up. Nupur had a huge smile on her face when she hung up the phone and walked upstairs.

When Mayank came home in the afternoon, he found her in the living room, with the same big smile on her face. He quickly walked to the bed and sat down beside her. Kissing her forehead, he asked, "Mrs.Sharma is looking extremely happy today. Excited about going shopping with your sisters?"

She smiled inwardly about how wrong he was. Yes, she was happy about that too but the big smile was all due to the party planning she had done in the morning. She just nodded.

"Haan, of course. Finally I would be shopping with someone fun"

Mayank pouted. "What do you mean? We had fun the other day'"

"Mayank, u had fun," she said stressing on the you. "We were at a bookstore'Normal people shop at malls, you know with a lot of clothing, accessories, gift items, etc. You know how it looks like right, Mr.Sadu?"

"haan haan'mujhe pata hai." He said with a little pout. Just at that time, Dia's car beeped outside their house.

"Mayank, that's Dia. I have to go. Bye," she said getting up but he remained quiet. She looked at him and smiled. Bending down to him, she quickly kissed his cheek, catching him off guard.

"I'm sorry Mr.Sharma but I have to be honest," she whispered into his ears and walked to the door. Mayank couldn't control his smile any more. So he got up and followed her to the door.

"Nupur, don't walk around too much and make sure u eat something. If u feel tired at all, just call me."

Nupur saw the concern in his eyes. She walked over to him, hugged and said, "Mayank, I'll be fine. Don't worry."

She let go of him. "And Mr.Sharma, Don't start working the minute I walk out of here. Eat your lunch first, ok?"

"Yes Ma'am", he said smiling. They walked to the car together and after telling Gunjan and Dia to take care of Nupur, Mayank walked back into the house.

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Later that evening'

When Nupur came home, Mayank was waiting for her in the front yard. He couldn't concentrate on his work as he was scared about whether she was feeling tired or not. As soon as he saw the car, he walked towards it and helped her get down. After Dia's car left their house, Nupur turned to go towards the house, when she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

"Mayank, what are you doing?"

"Nupur, you've walked enough for the day. My baby doesn't want to walk anymore" He said as he started towards the door.

"By god Mayank, tum bhi na" she said, shaking her head.

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The next two days passed by very quickly. Mayank and Nupur spent most of their time at home, Nupur watching movies, while Mayank sat beside her with a book in his hand.

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Dec 31^st Night....

Like the rest of the city, Bhushan mansion also echoed with laughter of the seven friends as they waited to welcome in the New Year together.

Mayank, Nupur, Dia, Uday, Benji, Samrat and Gunjan sat in the living room, happily discussing about anything and everything they could think of. After so long, they were all together at a place for this long and they were trying to get the best out of it. Actually, only the other six were talking, Uday was busy munching on the ladoos he had specially ordered for this party.

Mayank saw Uday's state and showed it to Samrat and Benji. The three laughed out loud, only to get glares from their better-halfs. Samrat knew that if he didn't distract the girls now, then they would all be getting a lecture on how to treat Uday Bhaiya. So he decided to intervene.

"Guys, come on. Are we going to just sit here and talk like 60 year olds? It's a new year party, let's dance"

Dia, who was always ready to dance got up, "Sammy is right guys. This party needs some dancing. Let's go"

Nupur got up next, "Mayank let's go...."

"Hello Madam..where are you going? U were complaining about being tired in the morning and now you want to dance. No, sit down Ms.Morena. U need some rest," Mayank tried to be a little strict.

"Mayank, don't be such a spoilsport..."

"Nupur..." By now, the other two couples were already dancing.

"Please Mayank...," she asked with a pout. He couldn't do anything now.

"Ok fine, but only a slow dance...no sudden movements...ok?"

"Ya ya sure," she said, which meant she heard none of the stuff he said. He shook his head, followed her and they started dancing. Nupur tried to move a little faster but Mayank held her tight in his arms and swayed ever so slowly to the song.

The three couples were dancing together while Uday still sat at the dining table, attacking the variety of snacks that was placed on it.

"Nupur," Mayank said as they ever so softly danced for the song.

"Kya hua Mayank?"

"Where is my phone?" Nupur's phone battery had died in the morning and she had borrowed his.

"Phone? Mayank, why do you need the phone now?" she asked slightly irritated.

"I need to make an important call, please"

"Ahh...Mayank, it's on the desk in our old room...go get it"

"Nupur, just come with me. It's urgent'"

"Mayank..."

"Please'just 2 minutes"

"Fine'"

They told the others and left the room. Nupur walked ahead mumbling something and Mayank followed her. Just as she was about to go towards the room, he picked her up in his arms. "Mayank!! Let me down"

He shook his head and kept climbing up the stairs. She knew that when Mayank is determined to do something, it's next to impossible to stop him, so she gave up and leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She only realized where she was when he let her down on her feet. They were at the terrace and she could feel the breeze touching her. The full moon shone on them. It was such a beautiful weather to be outside. She looked around the terrace and noticed some floral decorations. She looked at him, "when did u do this?"

"When you were making sandwich for your Uday Bhaiya.." She heard the teasing tone.

"Mayank, stop it"

"Okay fine Baba...I was just kidding. Ur Uday Bhaiya is the best, khush?" She nodded and walked away from him to admire the view. He hugged from the back and whispered in her ears, "I didn't bring here, so you could admire this view."

She felt his warm breath near her ears and it drove her senseless. She managed to utter, "so why did u bring me?"

He turned her around in his arms and looked at her. She looked at him for a second before looking down. "So I can admire this view"

She felt herself go red and he also saw that. She was in her pink saree, her hair open. With the blush adding to her beauty, she looked like the freshly bloomed flower covered with raindrops. Her pink saree pallu was swaying with the wind and she was trying to hold onto it.

Mayank got caught hold of her hand. When she looked up with raised eyebrows, he kept his face still, without any expressions. She tried to pull her hand again but he didn't let go. Rather, he brought his other hand also. With the next breeze, Nupur's face was covered with her hair. She was trying to blow away the strands on her face when she felt something being slipped down her finger. She looked down at her left hand and saw a beautiful ring.

"Mayank...ye Ring?"

"Haan Nupur. It's a ring, not a necklace."

"I know that but why?"

"Why? I can't gift my wife a ring without an occasion?"

"Mayank, please stop your witty question...tell me, what is this ring for?"

"Well Mrs.Sharma, it seems like you've forgotten but somebody complained to me once about how they never got an engagement ring. So I thought I should do something about that." Nupur remembered that day. She had just come back after getting Gunjan's engagement ring from that lady and had jokingly complained to him about how he never gave her an engagement ring. She never meant it; she didn't need a ring to symbolize her love. She opened her mouth to say something, when he spoke again.

"I know you didn't mean it." She smiled.

"Nupur, exactly four years ago, a girl was supposed to get engaged on this day. But she didn't want to let him put the ring on her. Because she was in love with another lucky man and she only wanted her true love to put a ring on her ring finger. So she with the help of her friends, made the other man put the ring on the wrong finger. Though she eventually did get married to the man she loved, he didn't have the money to give her a ring. But now he does and he wants to fulfill all her wishes. I'm sorry..," she stopped him by sealing his lips with hers.

When they pulled back, she cupped his face and said, "You tell me I talk too much and look what you are doing'."

He smiled, "What to do? After all I'm the husband of THE NUPUR Bushan"

She hit him lightly on the chest and continued, "Don't ever say sorry. I don't need an engagement ring to know you love me. I can see it in your eyes and you've given me much more valuable gifts: true love, lots of happiness, a mother, and now our baby. I don't need anything more than that"

She hugged him tight. "Hmmm...but I do"

"What?" she said getting out of the hug. He pulled her right back in and said, "Another mithai wali kiss"

"Mayank," she blushed into his chest.

"One more...please"

"Mayank, no"

"Just one more...," and just as he was about to claim her lips..

They both cautiously looked up to find the whole gang on the terrace.

To be cont'd. 😃

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