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Part -14
It was early morning & house was still . Nupur had managed to wake up early even after staying up late talking to Mona. she came down stairs & saw Raghu kaka watering the plants in the garden.
" good morning Kaka" greeted Nupur. Kaka turned around " good morning bitiya !!! you are up early today." " yes Kaka , could not sleep. may i water the plants ?? you can do some other chores if you want to." Nupur said.
" ok ,bitiya. just these two rows need to be watered , i will go in make some tea for you. rest of the family will be down soon." said Raghu Kaka handing the hose to Nupur.
Mayank came on the terrace adjoining his room ,mopping his face with towel slung across his neck & looked down, Nupur was out in the garden ,watering the plants.
* she looks like a flower herself in that pink dress.* thought Mayank & then was amused at himself. * you are getting cheesy buddy* he thought * better watch out.*
Nupur sensed his gaze , looked up in his direction & gave him a smile . Mayank returned the smile & waved his hand in greeting , then indicated he was coming down.
Nupur nodded & turned back to the plants. *thank God !! Mayank & i are almost back to normal * thought Nupur. * may be Mona's presence played catalyst.*
Mayank had joined every one for dinner the night before, relieving Nupur's mind . Nupur had tried to guage his feelings ,he appeared as friendly as ever.
* nobody is up & around yet ,should i take advantage of this & confess my feelings to him??* thought Nupur. * if not that i can at least tell him that i have to talk to him .*
Nupur finished her chore & neatly put away the hose ,where she had seen Kaka storing it every day. then she walked inside the house. She saw Mayank was not down yet but Shilpa aunty was walking down the stairs. Nupur was a bit disappointed , but schooled her face. *i will try to talk with Mayank later* she decided & greeted " good morning aunty!!"
Mayank joined them at the dining table as Kaka brought in tea for every one. Mona came down looking sleepy eyed & perked up at the sight of tea being served.
" i thought you would sleep in a bit more Mona ." commented Shilpa. " i would have maasi but the fragrance of Kaka's cardamom flavored tea woke me up & brought me down here." said Mona dramatically, flopping down beside Mayank. every body laughed.
Kaka poured a cup for Mona & placed it before her, she took a sip , " mmm... Kaka its too good !! nobody can make it quite like you." complimented Mona.Nupur saw Kaka smiling at Mona's words," thank you bitiya !!! so tell me what would you like for breakfast??" said Kaka.
"Kaka !! this is so not fair ," said Mayank in mock complaint ," are'nt you going to ask us what we want ?? why should we eat what this chhutki wants??" Mayank smirked at Mona & pulled her hair.
Mona slapped at his hand & huffed " don't call me chhutki, bhai.don't you know i am administrative assistant to Mr. Grewal of starlight industries now??"
She looked at Mayank & made funny faces . " wow!!! what a way for Miss. Administrative assistant to behave. see this is why i call you chhutki as you insist on behaving like a kid ." said Mayank pulling Mona's nose. then both of them started hitting the other playfully.
" children, children !!! Kaka is waiting , Mona tell him what you want for breakfast then you can resume your fight." said Shilpa.
" I will take care of you later , peasant!! " said Mona grandly to Mayank," Kaka how about some yummy aaloo ke parathe with dahi."
Nupur & Mona were in their room in the afternoon, soft romantic song was playing , Nupur was trying to draft the article ,she wanted to submit after her break.
" Nupur!!!! be a sweet heart & pull that curtain close plz." came Mona's muffled voice from the bed ,as she had pulled a pillow over her face," i am trying to sleep , but its too bright in here."
Nupur looked up from her work ," Kumbhkaran!! is this the time to sleep?? get up & do something constructive."
Mona peeked out from behind the pillow & said ," Madame Dictator ,there is this thing called siesta , i know,i know you may not be aware of it, but i am trying it out .as i am on a vacation so will you plz cover that damn window!!!"
Nupur let out a sigh ,walked to the window to cover it, she looked outside & saw a jeep pulling up in the drive way. Nupur stood looking out curiously, Deviprasad kaka got out from the jeep ,followed by a man , Nupur had never seen before. Then she saw Mayank walking over to meet them. The stranger shook hand with Mayank & the three of them walked towards the patio ,disappearing from Nupur's sight.
* who could that be with Deviprasad kaka ??* thought Nupur. * something is going on, i have never seen DP kaka come here this way.*
Nupur could not help herself, so walked down quietly. she met Shilpa walking her way up, Nupur could see a bit of worry on her face,though she was trying hard to control it.
She asked " Aunty!! whats the matter ?? why are you looking worried??"
Shilpa was surprised that Nupur saw right through her, " apparently i am not doing a good job of hiding my feelings. "
Shilpa took Nupur to her room , now Nupur began to feel worried too.
" That man who has come with Deviprasad ji is the forest officer , they have come here to put together an operation to nab that gang which illegally cuts trees & smuggles the timber. they have information that Lakhan & his gang are planning to cut & take away the trees tonight .Mayank & our ppl will help out the officer& his colleagues.though i have full faith on every one of them ,still i am a bit worried because what ever said & done those people are criminals with no morals & they want to make money at any cost."
Nupur silently prayed to God to keep every one of them safe. Though she was worried too , she felt something else too ,it was pride & admiration for Mayank , who was doing every thing he could to help the government officers. He did not stop & think that it was not his job ,but the government's.
Nupur had admiration for every single one of Mayank's ppl too , who were willing to risk themselves . *These people are aware that they had to preserve the forest & stop indiscriminate cutting of trees.* thought Nupur * may be i can do an article on them.*she thought. She came back from her reverie & said to Shilpa ,"i know its really difficult to do Aunty ,but don't worry ,every thing will be alright.Mayank will be successful in this mission.keep faith."
Shilpa smiled at Nupur. " i feel much better now that i got all this off my chest." she patted Nupur's back. Shilpa noted that Nupur was worried too ,confirming that she had feelings for Mayank. * God please help my Mayu in both his missions. * Shilpa prayed.
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waiting for your comments.😃
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
