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Part 2:
"How dare he. Samjhta kya hai wo khud ko! Hai kaun.."
Nupur was quietly listening to the thunderous tirade by Gunjan. She was standing beside the open window and looking up at the sky. It was a clear night and the moon was shining brightly.
"Tm sun rahe ho na Nupur?"
"Han NGunjan. I am listening to you."
"Than why arent you saying anything?"
"Kya kahoon? I feel for Diya I really do. Andi have always respected her brother for the love he has for his sisters. But he Is the kind of man who will respect the women of his own family but when it comes to women in general, they are to be humiliatd. pehle bhe mein iseleye peece hue the. The way HE behaved with Rimsha. Afsos hota hai. Pata nahe kaun bechari hogi jisse iske shadi hue hogi."
******
"Bhai you embarrassed me today. Apne kese baat ke Nupur ke mutaliq."
"Kyun? Meine kya keh dia?"
"Bhai.. I was introucing you to Nupur and you said .."
"I know what I said Diya. Aur aik dum ye friends ho gaye tmare? I have not heard anything about Nupur in the past ten years. aik dum usko tm yaad aagaye?"
"Matlab yaad the na wo apko. Bhai kya krte hain. Kya sochay ge wo. Aur ye kya baat huye. SHe was busy with her studies and career. I was mostly out of country with Aleena and Jiju. Ismein Nupur. Ka kya kasoor hai if we have been out of touch? Jo apne aj kia she will never meet me again now."
"To na mile,,"
"Bhai.. she is my friend.. I need her and not this stupid lunch party where Aleena displays me infront of everyone and boast about what we have .."
"Diya wo y sb tmare liay..'"aap log samjhte kyun nahe ho? Nahe chahaiy mujhe ye sb!I I dont want to show people how happy I am after I was rejected by my fiance. I want to be with my friends who loveme the way I am, regardless of everything."
"And you reallyy think Nupur is one of those friends?"
"I know it bhai.. aik wohe to sincere friend reh gaye hai mere..."
***
The next few days passed ina blur. With her job and the constant nagging in the back of her mind, reminding her of what Mayank said, kepther on edge and she had already fought with every member of her family and gunjan. She was looking forward to the weekend when she received acall from Diya,"Hello.."
"Hi Diya.. kese ho.."
"Mein theekh hoon.. tm naraz ho? Nupur bhai ke baaten.."
"Diya mein naraz nahe hoon. Lekin jo hua ghalat hua.."
"Acha na.. mein maafi mangti hoon bhai ke taraf se.."
"Maafi ke baat nahe haiDiya.. achachoro.. tm kese ho?"
"Mein theekh hoon aur bajaey ise ke tm reunion ke date decide krke mujhe call krti , mein call kr rahe hoon.. sb se baat hogaye mere. I posted in the facebook group and they were all very eager to meet. Kuch to out of city hain aur uch out of country. They sid they will try their best but baqe sb tyar hain.. ab tm ghussa choro aur bus kal office ke baad yahan mere ghar aa jana na.. hm sb kuch dekh bhe len gay aur sham tk sari tyari bhe kr len gay.."
"Diya kal? Abhe to meine kese ko ghr per bhe nahe bataya..."
"Please na Nupur..dekho tmne bahana banaya to mein smajhoonge tmne mujhe maaf nahe kia.."
"Acha baba,. Krti hoon mein baat.. but kal driver ka bhe issue hai.."
"Wo mein khud pick krloonge na tmen.. please na.. aur Gunjanka number send karo mujhe. I have tocall her. Usko bhe to invite krna haina.."
Nupur bit her lip and queitly Narrated Gunjan's number.
Gunjan was not going to like it. She was so not going to like it.
"Tmne kya? Nupur.. how could you say yes? After what happened.."
"Gunjan she was apologising. What could I have said?"
"You could have said a plain no. That is what you should have said."
"Please Gunjan.Byou know I couldnt jUst say no. Besides, I am sure I wont even have to ever see her brother again. I mean.. I was at her house all the time but I never met him .. rarely whn he had to pick or drop us from school did I had to see him. To ab to aisa koi chance he nahe.. maan jao na.."
She was regreting her words the next afternoon. She had said it too soon.
"Kya? Nahe Diya. Mine kaha na nahe.. tmne.. how.. I mean.."
"Nupur I understad. I do. But bhai sent both the drivers for some task at early morning. By the time I woke up, they were gone. And when I asked bhai he suggested.."
"I dont care what he suggested. Diya I..ruku shayad Gunjan ke call aarahe hai.."
Nupur placed Diya's call on hold and attended tHHe other call without really looking at the number.
"Hello.."
"Who the hell are you calling at this time? Get the hell outside I am waiting."
Nupur placed the mobile at an arm's lenght and glared at it for a whole minute. Than she slowly pressed unhold and briskly informed Diya that Her brother had arrived. With a heavy heart she picked her bag and typed a message to gunjan telling her about the change of plans.
****
Nupur seated herself in the front seat and umbled a hello without looking up.
"Ye is kism e jagah per office hai tmara. Itna rush. Uper se jahil log hain sare. Phansa kr khare ho jate hain."
Nupur looked up at him. It was the second time in a week that he had rendered her speechless.
She opened her mouth thrice to say something that will kep a piece of her mind to Mayank, but than she just turned away and looked outside the window. There was no point of arguing with him.
"Ab tmen kya masla hua hai? Jate he kuch keh do ge Diya ko phir wo moon bana kr beth jaeyge."
"Gari roken.."
"Kya?"
"Meine kaha gari roken..."
Mayanl pressed the breaks and turned towards her with an angry expression..
"Masla kya hai tmen?"
"Masla mujhe nahe apko hai,. Aur Mujhe koi shauq nahe hai apki shikayaten lagana ka.." Nupur burst, "apko mein nahe pasand na? Theekh hai. Meine kaunse zabardasti ke hai apke sath. But apko oi haq nahe ai mujhe insult k rne ka." , she opened her side of the door and she was about to get out of the car when she heard a curse and an arm grabbed hers and pulled her back in her seat.
"What the hell do you think you are doing? ''
"Mujhe nahe jana apke sath. Choren mujhe.."
He didnt budge and let her struggle for a little while until she realised the stupidity of the whole thing an calmed down a bit..
"Hogaya tmara? Bachpana gaya nahe tmara? Ye kaunsa tareeqa hai?"
Mayank's tone and words were still offensive but he had lowered his pitch and was talking softly.
"I am sorry. Ab khush? Chalo chupchap betho gari mein Diya wait kr rahe hogi.."
Nupur could have fought and created a scene but she was tired after a long day at work and if she struggled fuirther, se might end up in tears and she would never do that infront of him. Ever
***
When they reached Sharma mansion. it was the same as Nupur remebered from all those years back. The exterior had been maintained andadjusted according to the latest fashion but it still had the antique and traditional look of an old palace.
"Ab yaheen bethe raho ge? Ander nahe jana?"
"This time Nupur literally rolled her eyes. What was wrong with the man.
They were interupted by Diya who came to receive Nupur.
"Aray finally you are here. Aajao. There is so much we have to do still."
Diya dragge her inside and after that they had no time to discuss to comment on the oddities of mayank Sharma.
Gunjan arrived on time but pertaining to their cultural traditions, all the others arrived pretty late.
And they were not many people. Only a few of there classfellows could make it.
There was Alisha and Rahul and Palwisha and the ultimate dua of Samrat and Vivan.
Samrat and Vivan had been friends since the very beginning. They were the most happening duo of friends at their college . They were loud and extremely talented but at the same time they had always been nice to Nupur and Diya. It was a good reunion. Sort of. Until Aleena arrived.
Nupur had been dreading this. Aleena and Nupur never liked each other. Nupur wasnt too vocal about her dislike but aleena had repeated tried to mock her. Due to some childhood sickness she was a year or two behind the other students of her age and was continuing her studies with Diya at that time. However after only a year of study she had left the college without completing her A levels. Nupur was planning to manage Aleena the way she always managed her, by ignoring her. Aleena also helped by leaving pretty soon. She had to pic her daughter.
"So Nupur. What are you upto these days?"
Vivan and Samrat were looking at her.
Nupur had worked at various functions with Samrat and Vivan. She was a very reserved girl during A levels but she loved extra curricular activities so she had often worked with the duo now and than.
"I am teaching at a university these days."
"That is pretty cool. You sort of disappeared after A Levels."
Samrat pitched in.
"You both know how she was. Ye to ab reunion ka plan he isne banaya pata hai."
Diya looked pretty happy and it was the only thing that was keeping Nupur intact. She was pissed at mayank, and reunion with people after a decade was like sitting with complete strangers. They barely knew each other except for the memories of who they were almost 9 years ago.
"Acha? Wese tm apne students ke sath kya krtihogi? Tmne to hmen kitne baar danta hua hai."
Vivan's comment brought a grin on Nupur's face.
It was an embarrassing memory but it was pretty true. Once they were all busy in mingling with each other in the very beginning of A Levels when they should have ben working on the speeches they had to present in groups infront of the entire college. They were very non serious and Nupur had scolded the entire class because they were talking whle she was delivering her speech.
"I dont scold my students. You people needed scoldings."
This is what Nupur liked about Samrat and Vivan even during her college life. They could bring together people and ligten the mood of any gathering with their warmth and humor.
Suddenly they were indeed the same group of children who were studying together and making the most of those two beautiful years .
*****
Gunjan was scowling. Literally. It was one thing to come along with Nupur for this reunion. But the Excitement was not part of the plan. On top of all that Samrat had taken up the responsibility of cheering her up and amaking her feel the part of this group.
She hated such socialwork.
"So you have been wit Nupur since aftr college right?"
"Yes."
"That must be awesome. So you are bestfriends?"
"Yes."
"Should I get you something to drink?"
"No."
I single syllables were not conveying the hint she wanted Samrat to get. Or myabe he didnt want to gt it.
"Nupur tm aik baar kitchen dekh lete ho mere sath?"
Nupur nodded and started to follow Diya when she was called by Aleena and she gestured Nupur to continue without her.
Nupur was overlooking the preparations when Razia, the housekeper handed hr a cup of tea, "bibi je, can you hold this for a moment. I will just go and tak the pizza out of the oven. It will burn otherwise and all the others are busy setting the table."
"Kiske chai hai ye?"
"Mayan sahab ke.."
She held the mug at a distance as if it would be influenced by Mayank's personality. Suddenly, she heard a familiar shout, "Razia, wher the hell is my tea? Aik kaam nahe hota tm logon se."
Nupur closed her eyes and prepared herself for the collision.
She turned and extended her hand towards mayank, Apki chai. Razia is taking the pizza out of the oven."
"To? Ye kaam pehle nahe kr sakti the? Aur baqe sb kahan hain?"
He took the cup angrily and glared at it.
Nupur shook his head and was about to leave the room when he again shouted, "ab tm kahan ja rahe ho?"
"Jee?"
"Kahan ja rahe ho?"
"Bahir. Obviously."
"Kha to nahe jaon ga mein tmen agar tm yahan ruk jao ge to. Krlo apna kaam. Ja raha hoon mein wese bhe."
With this he turned and left the room leaving behind a Bewildered Nupur. SHe had no idea what was wrong with the man and most importantly why was he focusing so much of that wrongness on her.
She checked everything once more and went out in search of Gunjan.
Gunjan was scowling and Samat was still hoveringf around her.
"Gunjan.." She almost ran to Nupur and glanced at Samrat, "kya ajeeb admi hai ye."
"He is a nice man. Acha banda hai. He just wants you to feel like a part of this group."
"Whateve.I Tm kahan the. Aur tmne bataya he nahe kya hua Mayank bhai ke sath?"
"Purana bataon ya jo abhe tamasha kia hai unhen e.."
"Ab kya hua?"
Nupur quicly narratd everything.
"What is wrong with him? How can he talk to you like that?"
"I have no idea.. ab diya ko kya kahoon. Oi tu nahe banta. Bus khatam hoti hai party to ghr calte hain."
"Acha tm fiqr na karo. I will stay beside you."
"Kyun? Itne zalim to nahe mein ke tmen samrat se door rakhoon."
Nupur grinned and nudged Gunjan.
"Nupur.. you know I dont like such gatherings. I know he is being sweet and all but I dont need any of that."
"Acha na.. mood off na karo na.. aajao sb ke pass chalen. The sooner this gets over the better."
*****
the rest of the time was spent pretty smoothly until the moment when they had to leave and out of no where mayank appeared on the scene.
"Nupurao tmen aur Gunjan ko mein aur vivan chor den.."
Nupur gave him The-Look, "ta ke ghar wale ghar mein na ghusne den haina?"
"Ab to barii ho gaye ho tm ab bhe permission nahe?"
"Isko permission hogi bhe tb bhe isne khudi nahe jana. Rehne do Samrat," Vivan also pitched in.
"But tm dono jao ge kese? Meine aur vivan ne use taraf jana haina..''
"In dono ko mein chor aonga. Tm log fiqr na karo."
Nupur closed her eyes and glanced at a disbelieving Gunjan. She knew Gunjan was going to bluntly refuse. She have had enough.
"Nahe aap rehne den. Hm cale jaen gay.."
Nupur spoke before Gunjan could voice the same idea with blunt words.
"Mein pooch nahe raha bata raha hoon. Aajao mein gari mein hoon."
Nupur quickly held Gunjan's hand before she could blurt out something, "rehne do Gunjan.." she whispered.
"Kyun? Nahe kyun chup rahen hm? Samjhtn kya hai Mayak bhai khud ko?"
"Acha na Gunjan.. Diya is in such a nice mood lets not spoil it by ending up in a fight with her brother."
Gunjan took a deep breath and nodded. But her patience was soon attended again by Samrat,"Gunjan apse mil kr bhe bht khushi hue. You should definitely come to the next reunion. We are going to go out next week. You should definitely come."
Nupur moved and stood between the two of them to save poor Samrat becausethe way she was looking at him might have actually physically hurt him.
"Phele aj ka to reunion khatam hone do Samat. It was nice meeting you all. Bye Bye."
She dragged Gunjan out of the room and quickly said her goodbyes to Diya as well.
"Nupur and Gunjan thankyou for coming. Acha about bhai.. "
Just than there was a loud honk of the car.
"Bye Diya.. baad mein baat karen gay na.."
The ride back home was uneventful and soon they dropped Gunjan off to her house.
Now it was just Nupur and Mayank.
Gunjan had offered to call during the rest of the way but Nupur was too exhausted for all this. She leaned back and closed her eyes.
"Kya hua ab tmen? Tabiat theekh hai?"
Nupur covered her face with her hands in the hopes of disguising her expressions. This man was driving her crazy and considering that she had known him since a decade made her question her own ability to understand people.
"Nahe ..theekh hoon mein."
"Diya kafe khush lag rahe the."
The topic was changed without any courtesy.
"Jee."
"Nupur.."
"Jee.." Single syllables. SHe was going to use Gunjan's technique.
"achi lag rahe ho tm aj."
This time Nupur gave him the bewildered look. SHe was more shocked by his attitude rather than his words. But soon the words seeped in and she felt herself turn red. She had no idea how to reply to that. Even through single syllables.
So she kept quiet until she was saved by Gunjan's call who was getting worried so had called anyways. By the time the call ended he had already dropped her and left without anyother word. Not even a goodbye.
After briefing her family about the reunion she quietly went into her room and got into her bed.It was all so weird. She knew Mayank. He was a gentleman. Rude, blunt , maybe even a bit agressive , but he was not a flirt. And he was definitely not this confusing from the time she remembered him.
She turned to the other side and hugged her pillow. He had behaved very odd. And she couldnt deny that once she had a strongcrush on him. Bt she was always afraid of him. She respected him for the way he bore all hardships in order to keep his sisters happy. But all that was almost a decae ago. She was a kid back than. Now she was a grown up woman and she could sense. Something was just not the right. and instead of meddling with it she decided she will keep her distance from the man even if that meant she will have to stay away from Diya.
With the decision made, she closed her eyes and waited for sleep to engulf her.
*****
Edited by mulan. - 8 years ago
Cricket
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