NEW GIRL IN TOWN- SECRET DIARIES-MNff-Part35-pg105

Only two more steps to go!

Finally I reached the fifth floor lobby. Room 506.

I took a short halt to catch my breath.125 steps covered- I recounted in my head. Damn the tight schedule of Dia's wedding. The lift just had to snap out when I needed it the most. The Marriott should be sued for this gross inconvenience.

Gasping in some more fistfuls of air, I proceeded to his room. Time was running out. In the hurry & huffing-puffing my hand flew to the knob. To my surprise it turned open.

He was standing in the middle of the well-furnished hotel room with just a white towel on his well-sculpted torso. His perfect washboard abs gleaming in the dim light .

" Bad manners. U should have knocked on the door"; he smirked

For a moment I had been taken aback by this unprepared sight. But seeing the familiar smirk back on to his chiseled face I gained back my senses. Yes u can suppose he was hot...freaking hot but that lopsided smirk just left my fingers itching to slap it hard off his face.

"U didn't come to collect your dress. Here ... I kept the brown parcel on the table...your carelessness made me bloody climb up all these five storeys coz the lift stopped working!"

"Isn't it great my booking on the 10^th floor got cancelled & the top-most suite wasn't available?" He grinned

"I don't do free charity. If it only wasn't for Dia's wedding! But to expect gratitude from u is akin asking the devil to self-reform."

"Oh Nupsie I am..".

"Nupur . Nupur Saxena is my name."

"Miss Saxena, I m obliged by your marathon Olympic caliber steps sprint. A mere thanks won't be enough..."

He flung open his arms wide for a hug & stepped forward.

Horrified I took a step back. Gathering my composure after the slight fumble I began- "hey just leave it there! Will u hurry up though? Or are you planning a change of traditions this year with instead of the bride being the last to enter to the best man doing us the honors?"

"U don't have to say it. I know it's such an honor for everyone that I m the best man."

Winking he grabbed the parcel off the table and took the black velvet tux out. He started examining it as if to check was that Armani worthy of him.

I rolled my eyes.

"Listen..there's less than an hour left for the wedding to start. Get dressed fast. Your cab is waiting outside to escort you to St.clare's church. Just hurry up!"

"You know I have no qualms in dressing in front of u but not too sure of your wish missy."

Taking extra care to slam the door hard on his face I left fuming to meet the bride.

...'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Dia Malhotra ... it was her wedding today...my bestest friend in this new unfriendly city.

I entered her special bridal room booked for the occasion.

"Whatever happened to u? u look so flustered..& what's with the ugly scowl on your face? It's ruining ur eye make-up?" exclaimed Dia

Alarmed...'I rushed to the big mirror at the end of her room & saw the eye-liner hazy. Grabbing the brush I started to sort it out.

"It 's all coz of that idiot!"

"Who?"

"Who? The Adonis incarnate on earth. Boon for women all over. The great Mayank Sharma. Stupid arrogant git!"

"U have arrived safely from his room," she observed

"He had the guts to flirt with me"I snapped back

"U can't blame him...u look so pretty in this peach bridesmaid outfit I selected for u. but u wouldn't let me get u a strapless one," she made a sad face

Dia was a budding fashion designer with sophisticated fashion taste.

"The full sleeve laced gown is in vogue Dia..remember Kate Middleton's wedding?" I tried to cover up my discomfort in Dia's choice of clothes

"Oh yes..i do remember..nonetheless u look so pretty . who can resist u today?"

"He was downright cheesy. Such arrogance. Oh my'he has done nothing in this world except for spending his millionaire dad's money on his one- week girlfriends !"

"Chill Nupur. He' just a normal guy. Why do u get so worked up coz of him? U had once found him hot, "she winked

"I was under the effect of cough-syrup then . I was sick...u can't blame me. it was just the first time. Looks can be deceptive. I have discovered his true Casanova identity now."

"U are too quick to judge him..u hardly know him."

"Don't wanna know anymore."

I adjusted the tiara on Dia's elegantly tied French bun.

Dia adjusted her veil..."honey..."she began

"How come u chose Ian? His friends including that idiot are a bunch of jerks."

"My criteria in choosing him was certainly not his friends. Ian's a great guy."

"I know...I have met him twice..I m so happy for you Dia!...i hugged her from 10 inches apart so as not to wrinkle her wedding gown. U are finally getting the guy u always wanted. Ur high school crush..aww u both are childhood sweethearts." I squealed in joy.

"He didn't even know of my existence back then..it's ur tips that came handy.."..she winked again.

"Hahahhaaa'...'.but I do have a bit of a doubt back in my head. U both have known each other now for only four months & this decision to take the vow? How do u know u are really sure for this?"

"Nupur when u'l fall in love then u'l get it. Sometimes even four years can seem too short if u aren't ready. It's love dear. It just takes a moment to realize that this is it! The one with whom u are ready to share ur life .A happy forever endings."

"Happy forever endings just exist in retarded Disney shows Dia. But I m really happy for u. god bless this amazing couple"

"U just wait Nupur...when u'l fall in love u'l understand it perfectly."

"Lol...that's so not happening with me. It's arrange marriage all the way with me"

"U will give in to your parent's demands? Any tom,dick ,harry will do?"

"U haven't met my mom yet'but yes I'l have a say in the guy."

"What will be your criteria?" Dia put on the final touches of her make-up."

I really wished she would stop discussion of my non existent love-life.

"For starters a moustache guy is a big no-no for me."

"I see. Don't wanna have any hindrance while kissing?"

I laughed".for now just focus on your honeymoon. Enough of talks about my love-life or rather the lack of it. It's your day!"

"So how do I look? "Dia turned to face me. The white transparent veil surrounded her crimson cheeks, the glittering tiara adorning her sleek brown hair. A gorgeous white gown hugging her curves & flowing freely on the ground.

"Simply beautiful."

"What? Only this?"

"Okay mam..here u go...u look not only beautiful.. but ravishing, stunning, hot, sexy..u are going to put the ACs there to disuse...Ian is going to be blown away. He might even not recognize u.."i took a deep breath

"Thanks sweetheart'''... that was lot better. I m feeling confident now."

She picked up her bunch of gorgeous white lilies that Ian had send.

"Aren't u gals done yet?" A husky voice interrupted us. It was Isabelle. Dia's second cousin. She was an asian-american mix. A supermodel with long brunette hair. Her exotic looks made her seem a Brazilian native.

"Dia darling u r looking a stunner. We should be moving now. It's almost time, "she beamed.

"Heya'the bride is all ready to dazzle.."i exclaimed in delight

"Dazzle? I m going take all the breaths away.."

"U betcha.."I grinned.

...'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''...

It was time.

We were waiting outside the church on west long side road.

It's was Ian's parents wish to have the wedding the traditional way in a church.

Even though Dia was a Hindu by birth she agreed to their wishes.

I tightened the grip on the lilies in my hand. Gently lifted the gown slightly up by other hand. I was nervous to do this...it was the first church wedding that I am attending. The idea of walking down the aisle with all eyes strained to me made me shudder. On my right Isabelle..the second bridesmaid stood poised & confident.

"It's our turn coming. On the count of three."

"One"

"Two"

Before she could finish her third count we stepped inside the church. It was a huge Anglican structure with a high ceiling. Fresco glass windows let the sunlight enter in a relaxed mood. The guests sat on both sides of the aisle. White lilies adorned the sides of the partings. A red carpet led up to the altar. There along with the bishop was standing the bridegroom Ian .next to him in his black tux...looking like a Greek god ... his best man.

Our eyes met .I inhaled'I can do this'looking away from him to the less formidable Ian. I walked along with Isabelle taking slow steps'

For what seemed an eternity..i finally reached the end'& took back at my seat at once. I couldn't believe I did without any fumble'those dress rehearsals here did come in handy. Jubilant at mission accomplished'I let myself relax to enjoy the rest of the wedding.

As the wows between the bride & groom were going on'I sensed someone looking towards me. It was Mayank'.he was smiling at me''a cute dimpled charming harmless smile.

Something happened in that spur of the moment '.i would like to believe it was basic human courtesy..i smiled back at him'he then waved at me.

Before I could analyze what to do?...a hand waved back at him beside me.

Puzzled I looked right'it was Isabelle waving & smiling at him'he had gestured to her!

My jaw dropped..Looking at a spot above me I felt my cheeks going red. I simply wished to vanish in that tiny black hole. From the corner of eyes I could see him hi-fiving with his other jerks of a friend.

I thought about making some good excuse to let go the reception after the wedding. I cannot face him.

"The wedding's almost over." Finally Isabelle had time for me. She continued. "U r doing the next dance after the opening dance by Dia & Ian?"

"Uh? ..no idea..i didn't know I have to dance"

"Ofcourse u have to!..it's the tradition'after the bride & groom'the main bridesmaid that is u here takes the dance floor with the best man."

"Whattt?...how come no one told me before? I m so not prepared'I can't dance with..."

"What's in a dance? I am dancing with Jake'he's my date today'but look at u'.u have Mayank all to urself'..lucky u! "she sighed.

"Yeah right. Lucky me.".i almost cried.