Posted:
CHAPTER 4
I kept the bouquet on her side and hid myself behind the big rock to note her reaction. Its gonna be fun. I was enjoying the shock and surprise on her face. She was looking around so anxiously. Oh man! Sneha will enjoy it when i'll narrate all this to her. Now it was enough of troubling her. I walked up to her, her back was towards me. She suddenly turned. Her eyes were showing expression of shock, recognition and back to shock one after another. She took a step back and lost her balance. Oh crap! I rushed to catch her before she fall. ************************************************** **
Nupur clutched his collar for support and mayank's hands instantly
reached for her waist. His grip was tight enough to save her from
falling. Nupur had closed her eyes tightly. Maybe she was scared of
getting hurt. He held her close in his arms. Her face was red with
fear and her lips were tightly sealed. He was spellbound at the view.
'she looks so adorable with childish fear and red cheeks' he thought.
Nupur opened her eyes slowly, only to find herself in mayank's arms.
Her hands freed his collar and made attempts to loosen his grip around
her waist.
"would you mind loosing your grip, its hurting" nupur said softly.
"huh! Umm... Ya Sure... I mean... I am sorry" mayank said lost mindedly.
"sorry! For what?"
Mayank thought the same thing. Why was he sorry..... 'Sorry..... Sorry
because i was staring at you, sorry because i was lost in your
childish scared face, sorry because you're so beautiful that i
couldn't..."
"mayank!... Hellooooo" nupur interrupted his thought by waving her
hand in front of his eyes. He still wasn't responding.
Nupur started to blush under his intense gaze.
"mayank! Wat happened?" this time it was soft voice.
"huh! Mmm.. Nothing"
"what are you doing here?"
"even i can ask you the same thing.. What are you doing here?"
"oh! Me? Actually i was here for inspiration... I mean i have to make
a project on 'mumbai and the sea'.. So i thought what is better than
writing about sea while sitting on sea shore!"
"hmmm... Great thought"
"oh! I forgot... Thanks for the flowers.. Waise tumhe kaise pta ki
orchids mere favorite hain?"
"well, let me correct you first.. These flowers, this surprise are
from your sister's side.. She is quite busy with the workload, thats
why she asked me to do this.. So, no thanks and blames on me! I am
just a puppet of your sister's hands"
Nupur laughed on his last line. Mayank smiled as he was successful in
getting her out of hesitation mode.
"Oh! So this is all done by di... Anyway.. Thankyou 'Mr. Puppet of my
di's hands'.. I loved the surprise" and she broke in laughter again.
"by the way miss nupur bhushan, are you planning to spend the night
over beach.. Its getting late and i think you should probably leave
by now" mayank teased her.
"oh Yes! Dekha you distracted me... I was about to leave before i saw
the flowers"
"so now the blame of your carelessness is on me!.. Great!!!"
"chalo.. Lets go now.. Don't delay further.. Its already 8"
"Yes miss morena... As you say" mayank bowed in front of her and
offered her the way.
I reached my office at exactly 9. Being on time was something that runs in my blood. Bauji always said 'person who doesn't respects time, he can't earn respect in life'. I had worked on the assignment till late night and now its turn to submit it to the creative head for him to revise it and guide me. Maybe everyone is late or maybe my watch was ahead, whole office was empty leaving the sweeper and peons. I walked passed the reception and the editor's cabin which were deserted right now. I reached a cabin, 'creative head'. "Yes! From here the plane of my career will take off in another half hour. Till then.. Miss nupur bhushan is all set to take a round of her new work place" i smiled at my silly talks. I turned on my heels and CLASH!!!... My file, my bag all flew in air, the papers scattered on the floor. "meri puri raat ki mehnat ko hawa mein uda diya!!!..." i said crouching down to collect my papers. Who the hell got so much guts to ruin my work the very first day of my office?? Whoever he may be, he is not going to get away with this so easily. I started to get up in rage. "don't you have working pair of eyes? Or is it just a show piece to fool others... I won't forgive so....." i stopped as i recognised the culprit "TUM??" my mouth fell open as i saw him the third time!! "mayank! Are you planning a heart attack for me? Yesterday you drag me on the verge of heart attack and now this..? Will you stop following me?" "Nupur, calm down... Listen to me first..." mayank said signalling to keep her pitch low. "Oh! Please don't tell me that di has sent you to surprise me again... For god sake its my office and you have just messed up all my work on very first day of my office.. And now you're telling me to calm down.. How??" "nupur, enough!!" mayank yelled as he placed his palm on her mouth to silent her "listen girl! You are getting it all wrong... First let me finish then you can continue with your monologues..." "hmmm... Mmmmm!!" i agreed and asked him to release my mouth.? "ok! Sorry for this" he took off his hand. "See.. I am not here to surprise you or to give you heart attack... i am here because i am..." A voice interrupted before he could complete. "hey nupur! Welcome to mumbai heartbeat!" my boss, mr. Bose beamed as he walked passed the creative head's room. His eyes fell on mayank and he added "oh! Let me first introduce you two.." "sir, i know him, he is mayank... My sister's good friend" "well, if you should know... He is not only your sister's good friend but also the talented creative head of mumbai heartbeat... Since the next edition is going to carry your work too.. I suggest you to take some guidelines from mayank.. All the best" with this mr. Bose left. Leaving behind a ton of shock in my open mouth and widely open eyes. WHAT? he is the 'creative head'!!! Did i just shouted on the man who was supposed to be the fuel of the plane of my career.. The plane which just crashed down with my non-sense talks before it could even take off from run-way? Oh! Crap!!! Nupur bhushan is in action AGAIN!!! Noooooo!!!
*************************************************
"nupur, you alright?" I asked her as i saw colour fading away from her face. "nupur! NUPUR!" I jerked her out the sub-conscious state of mind that she drifted in. "huh! Aah... Oh! I-I-I am s-so-sorry" the guilt in her eyes was so visible. But why was she sorry? It isn't her mistake that she didn't knew about me,.. Sneha told me to keep my identity hidden from her until she gets to know it herself.. SNEHA!!! Why in the world all my problems start from one name? In which unfortunate hour i agreed with her to keep my identity a secret from this innocent girl? Now she might feel uncomfortable while talking to me.. Shit!!! "NO! Please don't be! Its none of your mistake... I am the culprit, i didn't told you about my job.. I am sorry, i really am"? "You are making it more difficult for me by saying sorry... Umm... Why didn't you tell me about your designation earliar?" she asked it with so much sincerity in her eyes that i couldn't help adoring her deep-dark-chocolate-brown eyes. What shall i say now? I can't take sneha's name.. She'll chop off my neck if she gets to know this. Umm.. Yes! "I wanted to surprise you with this.. And i can see that i am successful in it" i said with double confidence, i remember the phrase 'Say the truth with confidence and say a lie with double confidence'... Its the golden rule of media. I could see colour creeping over her cheeks as she smiled softly. Was that a blush or guilt? Whatever it is! I just know it is making her look more beautiful.? "So... the creative head wants to see your work miss bhushan... Umm.. Would you mind having a coffee with me.. They have really nice coffee in office cafeteria. I want to apologise properly.." i asked her for the coffee, i was careful enough to avoid offending her. She nodded in affirmation with a slight shy smile. I led the way to cafeteria trying to avoid the effect her blushes were having on me.?
********************************************************
"Amazing! Your work is really good nupur" mayank said sipping his coffee as he sat across me in this cozy cafeteria. "I like your writing style... Must say.. Your presence will reinforce the creativity flow.. maybe i also get to learn something new from you" he added like matter-of-fact. Did he knew, his continuous praising in this matter-of-fact way was driving me on cloud 9? I am thankful to god that one can't read other's mind. "thanks.." it was all i could say when my heart was floating in air and mind was lost somewhere. The irrational side of my mind was driving me crazy but my rational mind suddenly woked up and asked me 'nupur, is this guy praising you because he liked your work or because you are his friend's sister?' I became alert. No! I don't want there praises if my work isn't worth it! "Mayank! You liked my work genuinely or you are pretending to like it because i am sneha's friend?" i tried to be as straight-forward as i could. "What made you think like this? I genuinely liked your work... See nupur, now that we have to work together.. I think you should know that i like to keep my personal and professional life seperate.. I doesn't matter if you're my friend's sister or even my girlfriend"
************************************************** *******
Oh no! What did i just said? The words were out before i knew it. "I mean.... Its always the same for me... all my colleagues are same for me.." "hmmm... I-I get it" she stammered as she said this. Oh no! These blushes are going to take my life. "Nupur, i think we should get back to work before the editor kicks us out of mumbai heartbeat" i tried get a hold of situation... Actually i needed more to a get a hold on myself!!! "yes, sure" she kept her cup down and got up. I joined her and we left for our creative cabin. 'MAYANK SHARMA... Focus!!!' ************************************************** *********** ************************************************** ***********
Nupur clutched his collar for support and mayank's hands instantly
reached for her waist. His grip was tight enough to save her from
falling. Nupur had closed her eyes tightly. Maybe she was scared of
getting hurt. He held her close in his arms. Her face was red with
fear and her lips were tightly sealed. He was spellbound at the view.
'she looks so adorable with childish fear and red cheeks' he thought.
Nupur opened her eyes slowly, only to find herself in mayank's arms.
Her hands freed his collar and made attempts to loosen his grip around
her waist.
"would you mind loosing your grip, its hurting" nupur said softly.
"huh! Umm... Ya Sure... I mean... I am sorry" mayank said lost mindedly.
"sorry! For what?"
Mayank thought the same thing. Why was he sorry..... 'Sorry..... Sorry
because i was staring at you, sorry because i was lost in your
childish scared face, sorry because you're so beautiful that i
couldn't..."
"mayank!... Hellooooo" nupur interrupted his thought by waving her
hand in front of his eyes. He still wasn't responding.
Nupur started to blush under his intense gaze.
"mayank! Wat happened?" this time it was soft voice.
"huh! Mmm.. Nothing"
"what are you doing here?"
"even i can ask you the same thing.. What are you doing here?"
"oh! Me? Actually i was here for inspiration... I mean i have to make
a project on 'mumbai and the sea'.. So i thought what is better than
writing about sea while sitting on sea shore!"
"hmmm... Great thought"
"oh! I forgot... Thanks for the flowers.. Waise tumhe kaise pta ki
orchids mere favorite hain?"
"well, let me correct you first.. These flowers, this surprise are
from your sister's side.. She is quite busy with the workload, thats
why she asked me to do this.. So, no thanks and blames on me! I am
just a puppet of your sister's hands"
Nupur laughed on his last line. Mayank smiled as he was successful in
getting her out of hesitation mode.
"Oh! So this is all done by di... Anyway.. Thankyou 'Mr. Puppet of my
di's hands'.. I loved the surprise" and she broke in laughter again.
"by the way miss nupur bhushan, are you planning to spend the night
over beach.. Its getting late and i think you should probably leave
by now" mayank teased her.
"oh Yes! Dekha you distracted me... I was about to leave before i saw
the flowers"
"so now the blame of your carelessness is on me!.. Great!!!"
"chalo.. Lets go now.. Don't delay further.. Its already 8"
"Yes miss morena... As you say" mayank bowed in front of her and
offered her the way.
I reached my office at exactly 9. Being on time was something that runs in my blood. Bauji always said 'person who doesn't respects time, he can't earn respect in life'. I had worked on the assignment till late night and now its turn to submit it to the creative head for him to revise it and guide me. Maybe everyone is late or maybe my watch was ahead, whole office was empty leaving the sweeper and peons. I walked passed the reception and the editor's cabin which were deserted right now. I reached a cabin, 'creative head'. "Yes! From here the plane of my career will take off in another half hour. Till then.. Miss nupur bhushan is all set to take a round of her new work place" i smiled at my silly talks. I turned on my heels and CLASH!!!... My file, my bag all flew in air, the papers scattered on the floor. "meri puri raat ki mehnat ko hawa mein uda diya!!!..." i said crouching down to collect my papers. Who the hell got so much guts to ruin my work the very first day of my office?? Whoever he may be, he is not going to get away with this so easily. I started to get up in rage. "don't you have working pair of eyes? Or is it just a show piece to fool others... I won't forgive so....." i stopped as i recognised the culprit "TUM??" my mouth fell open as i saw him the third time!! "mayank! Are you planning a heart attack for me? Yesterday you drag me on the verge of heart attack and now this..? Will you stop following me?" "Nupur, calm down... Listen to me first..." mayank said signalling to keep her pitch low. "Oh! Please don't tell me that di has sent you to surprise me again... For god sake its my office and you have just messed up all my work on very first day of my office.. And now you're telling me to calm down.. How??" "nupur, enough!!" mayank yelled as he placed his palm on her mouth to silent her "listen girl! You are getting it all wrong... First let me finish then you can continue with your monologues..." "hmmm... Mmmmm!!" i agreed and asked him to release my mouth.? "ok! Sorry for this" he took off his hand. "See.. I am not here to surprise you or to give you heart attack... i am here because i am..." A voice interrupted before he could complete. "hey nupur! Welcome to mumbai heartbeat!" my boss, mr. Bose beamed as he walked passed the creative head's room. His eyes fell on mayank and he added "oh! Let me first introduce you two.." "sir, i know him, he is mayank... My sister's good friend" "well, if you should know... He is not only your sister's good friend but also the talented creative head of mumbai heartbeat... Since the next edition is going to carry your work too.. I suggest you to take some guidelines from mayank.. All the best" with this mr. Bose left. Leaving behind a ton of shock in my open mouth and widely open eyes. WHAT? he is the 'creative head'!!! Did i just shouted on the man who was supposed to be the fuel of the plane of my career.. The plane which just crashed down with my non-sense talks before it could even take off from run-way? Oh! Crap!!! Nupur bhushan is in action AGAIN!!! Noooooo!!!
*************************************************
"nupur, you alright?" I asked her as i saw colour fading away from her face. "nupur! NUPUR!" I jerked her out the sub-conscious state of mind that she drifted in. "huh! Aah... Oh! I-I-I am s-so-sorry" the guilt in her eyes was so visible. But why was she sorry? It isn't her mistake that she didn't knew about me,.. Sneha told me to keep my identity hidden from her until she gets to know it herself.. SNEHA!!! Why in the world all my problems start from one name? In which unfortunate hour i agreed with her to keep my identity a secret from this innocent girl? Now she might feel uncomfortable while talking to me.. Shit!!! "NO! Please don't be! Its none of your mistake... I am the culprit, i didn't told you about my job.. I am sorry, i really am"? "You are making it more difficult for me by saying sorry... Umm... Why didn't you tell me about your designation earliar?" she asked it with so much sincerity in her eyes that i couldn't help adoring her deep-dark-chocolate-brown eyes. What shall i say now? I can't take sneha's name.. She'll chop off my neck if she gets to know this. Umm.. Yes! "I wanted to surprise you with this.. And i can see that i am successful in it" i said with double confidence, i remember the phrase 'Say the truth with confidence and say a lie with double confidence'... Its the golden rule of media. I could see colour creeping over her cheeks as she smiled softly. Was that a blush or guilt? Whatever it is! I just know it is making her look more beautiful.? "So... the creative head wants to see your work miss bhushan... Umm.. Would you mind having a coffee with me.. They have really nice coffee in office cafeteria. I want to apologise properly.." i asked her for the coffee, i was careful enough to avoid offending her. She nodded in affirmation with a slight shy smile. I led the way to cafeteria trying to avoid the effect her blushes were having on me.?
********************************************************
"Amazing! Your work is really good nupur" mayank said sipping his coffee as he sat across me in this cozy cafeteria. "I like your writing style... Must say.. Your presence will reinforce the creativity flow.. maybe i also get to learn something new from you" he added like matter-of-fact. Did he knew, his continuous praising in this matter-of-fact way was driving me on cloud 9? I am thankful to god that one can't read other's mind. "thanks.." it was all i could say when my heart was floating in air and mind was lost somewhere. The irrational side of my mind was driving me crazy but my rational mind suddenly woked up and asked me 'nupur, is this guy praising you because he liked your work or because you are his friend's sister?' I became alert. No! I don't want there praises if my work isn't worth it! "Mayank! You liked my work genuinely or you are pretending to like it because i am sneha's friend?" i tried to be as straight-forward as i could. "What made you think like this? I genuinely liked your work... See nupur, now that we have to work together.. I think you should know that i like to keep my personal and professional life seperate.. I doesn't matter if you're my friend's sister or even my girlfriend"
************************************************** *******
Oh no! What did i just said? The words were out before i knew it. "I mean.... Its always the same for me... all my colleagues are same for me.." "hmmm... I-I get it" she stammered as she said this. Oh no! These blushes are going to take my life. "Nupur, i think we should get back to work before the editor kicks us out of mumbai heartbeat" i tried get a hold of situation... Actually i needed more to a get a hold on myself!!! "yes, sure" she kept her cup down and got up. I joined her and we left for our creative cabin. 'MAYANK SHARMA... Focus!!!' ************************************************** *********** ************************************************** ***********
317