We have not been children of close friends, neither we were enemies nor were we chuddy buddies. We are just friends, friends with practically no history of dramatic beginning with a fight or one being knight in shining armour, it was simple meeting in a class and then gradual meetings in group studies. Here we are being Friends Forever.
"Are you gonna wake up, you dog? " Nupu screamed standing at the edge of his bed
"I dont mind you sleeping like a log but I have just 20 mins break before second half of college starts. So better get up Sharma." She said finally pulling his sheet from him and he got up flustered
"I had a break up last night, you insane." He shouted back
"That was because you were being an ass. Now stop sulking and come down in 5mins or I dont mind going back to college and presenting 'our' case alone. " she stomped
"You are such a bitch." H headed towards washroom while she smirked before leaving his room.
"Just ten minutes." Nupur commented as she saw him coming downstairs while adjusting his hairs
"Are we going or you have to pass few more comments." He walked off while she followed him whistling
"Dont be mad at me Mayank." Nupur said picking up the race
"I hate sitting in passenger seat."he replied
"Fine !" She turned her attention to road while he sat with a smug expression. He waited for few more minutes and when she didnt paid any heed, he spoke "Just because of you, I killed my 1 hour and made her wait. So because of you we broke up. I hate you." His tone went higher as he spoke and she tried containing her smile.
"I dont love you either. It was not my fault that you were stuck in traffic jam. She couldnt wait for one hour and how do you expect her to wait for three long years for your post graduation in australia."
"I was not gonna marry her." He said irritated
"So stop sulking. !" She said as she parked her car and watched him raise his eyebrows.
"No one can wait for three years." He argued as she rushed to the class
"You never know !" She replied as she turned to take a glance at him and entered the class for their final presentation.
"So all packing done?" Nupur asked sitting on bonnet of his car while he nodded silently
"Its ok dumb. You will be fine."she slipped down the car and hugged him lightly. He placed his hand around her waist while she supported herself on him
"I am gonna a miss a big event in your life. "
"I am gonna miss you too there." She said with her eyes filling up.
"Wish you didnt have to go."
"Hmm..then I would have proposed you." He said looking at her while she laughed
"My childhood sweetheart would have been in tears."
"Oh! Your big boy cries too? "He mocked and she slapped him lightly on his shoulders. They parted " He is the best and you know that."
"Yeah! Anyone who can tolerate you is bound to be the best." He said and ran for his life while Nupur followed him to kill. Well this was the last fun frolic chase they shared
"You look beautiful." He said as his eyes were on laptop screen.
"I know. He said the same." He could hear her giggle which made him smile automatically
"I could see his they way he is looking at you. He said looking at Nupur's wedding picture which she had emailed him.
"Oh shutup. Ok, he must be waiting in the lobby for me. Talk to you later."
"Yea! Enjoy your honeymoon." He added mischievously
"Get lost. Miss you Mayank. Byee."
"Miss you too stupid." She replied and he could hear dead tone from other end.
"Poor Abhi." Mayank chuckled at the thought of Nupur basking excuses for her late arrival while Abhi rolling his eyes at her. But then they are made for each other, even the picture on his laptop says this so easily His eyes only on her while her eyes on their tangled hands.
His phone buzzed and he wriggled in his place. Who the hell calls at midnight. Pissed, he picked up his cell and his expressions changed from fury to worry.
"Where have you been?"
" listen to me first dumb."
"You were almost lost for 2 days. I was going to call abhi today."
"Mayank!" She said impatiently as he was continuing with his side of tale
"You could leave a msg..."
"I am pregnant! "She cut him between
"And..what? Wait a minute, what did you say? " Mayank looked bewildered at his phone.
"I am pregnant. It just happened. We used pro.."
"Hold on moron. Dont divulge into details atleast." It took him a moment to settle down with everything . She was pergnant! His Nupur was pregnant.
"Mayank? " she said in meek voice..she was afraid, he could make out
"Nupur thats the best news. I am so happy for you." And he meant it with his eyes filling up with happiness.
" You are not kidding right?"
"Obviously, Wait did you tell Abhi?"
"Amm..actually you are the second one to know after mom."
"Nupur, whats the matter?" Mayank asked concerned because as far as he knew she would have told Abhi till now
"I dont know. I am afraid, we didnt plan it and its just 3months to our marriage. I read somewhere that.." she paused and Mayank rolled his tongue to avoid laughing at what was coming ahead "that husband looses interest after wife gets pregnant because he cant romance her anymore."she blurted and Mayank couldnt control anymore, he laughed and almost rolled down from his head
"Mayank, if you dont stop right now I am not talking to you." she shouted from other side and he laughed even more
"Mayank..."she said again but this time her fears were transfered into tears.
"Nupur..shhh..dont cry."
"Hmm.."
"Nupur, as far as I know Abhi he will be the happiest person on this earth. He is so gonna love his little baby, like a perfect Dad."
"Are you sure? " she asked sniffing
"I am never wrong."
"I love you .. without you I would have been a mess." She said holding onto he phone tightly while comfortably lying on the bed
"You are lucky to have me ..I know." He said as he relaxed against the bed rest.
Mayank rushed through the white walls. He would collapse if he stopped even for a second. He reached to her mother
"Nupur.." he could bearly speak out while her mother hugged him tight.
"Beta talk to her, he is talking all non sense. Please make her understand." Mayank nodded and took small steps towards the door.
His caught his breath at the site ahead. Never in his life he would have imagined watching her like this
"You came?" She didnt need to turn to know his presence. Her voice held so much agony, she was afraid but still her eyes had the spark which used to make believe in miracles.
He dragged himself next to her and tear rolled down his eyes as soon as their eyes met.
"I didnt call you for crying." Nupur said swallowing lump in her throat. He caressed her cheeks lightly "see, you are always in trouble without me. I proposed you also." She smiled with tears.
"My bad.! " they stared at each other while Nupur held his hand securely in hers. "I am here. You are gonna be fine." She nodded and composing herself, she looked at the other side of the bed "Dont you want to see my lil champ? He is so on Abhi.." Mayank got up from the there and saw lil body wrapped securely was next to Nupur.
"Can I pick him?"
"Obviously moron. You have to take care of him now." Nupur said earning a glare from Mayank. Mayank's hand trembled as he picked lil champ in his arms. He was finally here, he had planned so much with Nupur & Abhi about him and he felt like holding his own child. Felt so connected, it was a bliss.
"Dont cry in front of my baby." Nupur whinned . mayank looked at her who was pouting like a little kid.
"He is gorgeous."
"Has to be." Nupur said, looking satisfactorily at Mayank and her son " take care of him Mayank please." Her voice cracked and all the unshed tears made way out. He hated this moment, hated to the core . Mayank kept the baby next to her and sat on his original position.
"Nupur you are not going anywhere."
"Doctor said there are too many injuries due to accident and I wont be able to survive for long."
"Shut up !"
"Abhi left me, he didnt even see his son, didnt even hold him. What am I gonna do without him." Nupur sobbed and finally Mayank could see wires all around her, monitor beeping every single time her breath hitched, mask which she had kept away.
"And what am I gonna do without you dumb? I am gonna die." he said holding her hands
"Mayank make.my baby just like his dad. Please.." manvi said with pleading eyes and Mayank just hugged her.
"Dont go."
"I cant wait to join Abhi.." she said stroking his back "call mamma " She managed as she gasped for oxygen. He separted from her and immediately placed mask on her mouth, rushed outside to call her family.
Everyone sobbed as Nupur picked her child and kissed lovingly on his forehead "mamma loves you a lot baby. Please" she again gasped "please dont hate mamma. She left Mayank for you." Tears rolled and Mayank just took support of the wall behind him.
And monitor stopped beeping..
"Hey Bud!" Boy of around 5years looked up at the figure standing on the doorway
"You are late.!" He crossed his arms against his chest and looked away. He walked upto where that child was sitting.
"I had .."
"You had a meeting which kept you pre-occupied that you forgot that your son is waiting for you after school." He completed his sentence and looked with piercing eyes which would fill up anytime now.
"No, this is not the excuse this time. I had trip planned for both of us to India to your Grandparents house."
"Like really?" He squealed in joy and hugged him. While Virat picked him up in his arms.
"So how was the day?"
"Fine. How about yours?" He looked at Mayank
"Mine was fine too Abhi." He carried him to his car
"Can I ask you something?" His eyes sparkled and Mayank knew he is thinking on weirdest of lines *so like Nupur.*
Virat buckled him up to the seat "Yes you can." While starting the car
"Why you named me on my Dad's name?"
"Hmm.. because your mom always wanted you to be on your Dad but since you are turning more like you mom so I thought of giving Dad's name to you."
A/N Thats it .. I couldn't think of a bette end. Hope you enjoy it
Ruchi