Nupur got ready & stood looking at herself in the mirror critically
. * you are looking good girl * her mind told her * now stop fussing around
& go down ,you know ,you want to .* She blushed at the thought & with
shy smile on lips hurried down the stairs.
Raghu kaka was setting up the breakfast table , Nupur saw he
had placed only two place settings instead of usual three . She was puzzled
& was about to ask him ,when Shilpa aunty entered wishing her a cheery
good morning. as both of them sat down to have their breakfast Nupur
looked towards Mayank's wing . Shilpa aunty caught her doing so & said
"Mayank has already left for his office at the plantation . Kaka did he have
breakfast ??" "Mayank beta said he was not really hungry so i packed up
some for him to take away." replied Raghu kaka.
As Nupur heard Mayank had left already her euphoria disappeared.
*why did he leave so early today?? * she thought * he waits for me every
day & left today without even talking to me. may be he has some urgent
work . * Nupur consoled herself.
"what are your plans for today Nupur ?"asked Shilpa.
"i think i will do some research today Aunty , for the articles ,i plan to write
after i get back." replied Nupur.
Twenty minutes later Nupur was in the library ,riffling thru books &
separating the ones she thought would help her. She began jotting down
the relevant points on a note-pad.
Nupur tried very hard but could not concentrate on the work at all .
her mind kept drifting to Mayank. she shook her head & thought
*good thing you are on vacation Nupur & this is just preliminary
research. at the rate you are going you'd be doomed if there had been a
dead-line to meet.*
Lunch was announced & again there were just two place
settings, Nupur asked kaka quietly " Mayank is not coming home for
lunch??" " No bitiya , he called up a while ago & asked me to send it over to
the plantation ,so i sent it ." replied kaka.
Nupur had the lunch without much enthusiasm ,though the food was
delicious as usual . She replied to Shilpa aunty desultorily & then excused
herself. she had some thinking to do.
Nupur was walking around in the lush garden of the Oakwood
estate, deep in her thoughts totally unaware of the beauty surrounding her.
* am i misreading the situation ??* thought Nupur * is Mayank really busy
or is this a ploy to avoid me??* she kept on thinking over it from various
angles but her mind could not provide her a satisfactory answer.
In the end she gave up & looking at her wrist watch decided to call up
Mona who would be having her lunch -break too.
" Hey Nupur !!! " greeted Mona in a loud & cheerful voice. "wassup??"
Nupur hastily pulled away the cell from her ear to protect her eardrum.
" Mona !!!! lower your volume will you?? have mercy on my ears." said
Nupur laughing. Mona guffawed from the otherside in response.
"ok ,ok , so tell me how is your vacation going ?? " asked Mona lowering
her voice.
"its going good . when are you coming?? " replied Nupur " i have lots to
tell you & i want your advice on somethings. "
" wow !!! you sound really serious." said Mona. " i will be there
by evening tomorrow. see you then now i gotta go before boss sends out a
search-party for me , you be good ,OK. "
Nupur disconnected the phone smiling to herself, Mona never failed to
cheer her up. even talking to her for a couple of minutes improved Nupur's
mood a lot. Nupur looked forward to Mona's arrival , she knew her friend
would definitely help her solve the puzzle that Nupur found herself in.
Nupur spent rest of the day reading book, sending mails to some of her
friends . That evening Shilpa Aunty took her to the mall -road with its
quaint little shops selling various decorative items made locally. there were
several shops selling hand embroidered clothes.
Nupur bought several soveneirs to gift her friends & relatives. for herself
she looked at a beautifully embroidered white anarkali dress.
*its so impractical!! * her mind told her * so difficult to maintain*
Nupur ignored her inner voice & sought Shilpa Aunty's advice, who said
it would suit her very much.
Loaded with shopping bags & eating icecream cones Nupur & Shilpa
reached back home. for a moment Nupur thought whether she should
excuse herself from dinner, as she did not want to face Mayank's empty
chair again . * what reason would i give Shilpa Aunty * thought Nupur
* plus it will be a bother for Raghu kaka or aunty ,as they will insist on
getting something upto my room. its better to go down & face the music.
anyways Mona will be here tomorrow then i will decide,what to do about
the situation.*
Edited by .SA. - 12 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
