part 6
A plump middle-aged lady with twinkle in her eyes, a skinny teenage boy, a bespectacled man in early fifties with a warm smile stared unabashed into a pair of imploring dark brown eyes.
"I miss u guys."
A tear rolled down onto the pic flashing in my cell. A feeling of loneliness engulfed me as his outburst continued to echo in my ears. The neon-lights formed a brilliant outline of the city across the Delaware. The imagery reflected on the gently flowing river compounding the effect.
Leaning on the cold iron-railings, I wondered at the hustle- bustle of the city. A million population surrounded me yet I was lonely.
"Nupur, what are you doing here?"
"Liu? Hey. Just taking a night stroll." I quickly turned to wipe the tears from my eyes." But what brings you at the water front?"
Liu Chang was a Chinese-American, my batchmate at my internship at Chestshire Hospital.
"Just had break-up with that ass George."
"Oh. I m so sorry Liu."
"Don't be. It's great to be single again. Who needs a coward? Right."
"Are u sure you're fine Liu?"
Her voice sounded unnaturally high pitched.
"Stop worrying hon. In fact, I am going to celebrate my independence tonight. Common join me."
"Liu I would love to but...'"I began in protest. My mood was no better to party.
"There is a good French restaurant at the end corner there. Now don't be a spoilsport."
Too tired to argue further I gave up.
La Bergerie. The restaurant was modeled on a French chateau. It seemed a pretty expensive place. I hesitated.
Reading my face she said," All expenses on me Nups. The food here is the best in the whole south end."
"Nupur." I corrected dryly as I followed her inside.
"Isn't the place just so beautiful?"
"Beautiful. That's an understatement Liu." I looked around the huge hotel cum restaurant draped in French history and luxury. I prayed inside that she hadn't forgot her credit card.
"Let's order fast. My stomach is growling. Drinks first. Yup I know your no-alcohol rule. Order some fruit based drink."
I stared hopelessly at the French menu ordering the first drink off the list. The main menu was tougher.
" Crepe Metisse...Crepe Enchatio...Merquez Et Dis Ouefs...Mussels Marinieres'. Liu all this French is Greek to me. You only order for me."
"Fine. Two Mussels Mariniers for us with Soupe A L'oignon. "She ordered the waiter.
Mussels. Not bad. I still shudder at the memory when she had taken me to a Chinese diner and I had almost barfed seeing the fried grass-hopers on my plate.
"George was a bas***d. Glad I dumped him." She sipped her wine.
"Yeah, you simply can't just trust anyone anymore. "I sipped my drink.
"Do you know how good u feel when you are single?"
"You are speaking to a single lady."
The mulberry taste lingered on my tongue. It was strong and warm. Somehow it eased the clogging I felt in my heart making me feel free. Hurriedly, I gulped some more.
"This drink's amazing. It is making me confident."
"Nupur what you ordered?"
"Umm...'.Saint Emilion." I read off the list.
"Duh. That's French wine you just gulped."
"What?"
"Leave that. Look at the party going over there. Seems a 'bachelor do' is on. Who you think is the groom?"
I turned my head to other end. It was the bar whereas we were sitting in the diner. A group of rowdy guys were dancing and bringing down pegs.
"The one who is the most rowdy. Celebrating his last few days of freedom. The center one. He surely needs a good eye-brow waxing done."
"Love is blind Nupur. Woahh...''.who's that hot dude over there? Just check out the one in grey sweatshirt!"
"M A Y A N K'"..I stared in horror.
Oh god why me? Why me of all the people in the world. It's been just three hours since we last met. Three meetings for one day. Hospital, flat and now here? God what wrong I did in my last life? It has to be some big crime coz the punishment is worst. He looked like the last time I saw him clad in black denims and grey sweatshirt. The difference was him partying.
"Liu. I gotta go." I quickly got up..
"You know him. Superb! Common be a good buddy. Atleast introduce me to him."
"Sorry Liu. I can't'"I began but she was already on her way pulling me along.
He turned stopping mid-way into his break-dance. If he was as surprised as me he quickly hid it coz his face was blank.
"Look who we have here. The Messiah on earth.- The Great One- The Mayank Sharma!"
The words popped out of my mouth before I could think. The drink had bolstered my confidence. The feeling of running away was lost. My head was starting to spin.
"No one turns their back on me too Mr. Meet Liu'.."
I turned at my right. She wasn't there.." Liu"'.i stammered.
"Move out of my way. "His voice was cold. He moved past me from the bar back into the partying crowd. I saw Liu in a deep conversation with a cute Chinese guy. Rolling my eyes at the traitor I turned to go away when something glistening caught my eye. A blackberry laid orphaned on the counter.
"It was Mayank's cell."
...'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"You! Having some ear defect eh? I shouted your name twice."
"Make it thrice. Shout as many times you want."
I got up on the bar-stool. "MAYANK...'..MAYANKKK...'MAYANKKK"
"Nupur get down! Guys I can handle this. It's alright. I know her."
He lifted me off the stool in his arms.
"Get me down you fool!"
"Why don't you try standing on your legs?"
"If you're holding me so tight in your arms, how will I stand?"
He loosened his grip. I got down on the floor swaying back on my feet.
"Don't you want it ?"
"Not from you. Just let me go Nupur."
"Fine then. I m keeping your Blackberry."
"My what?" He patted his jeans pocket. "You...You have my cell?"
"What you thought I was referring to, you idiot? You left it at the counter."
"Give it back!"
"But you just said you don't want it."
"Miss just hand it over."
"Do I hear a pleading tone? You ask for favor with that rough voice? And seriously people help you?"
"What ya want?"
"Kiss me."
"Come again!"
"You heard me." I moved closer.' Kiss me."
"You have lost your mind, Saxena."
"I always knew you are mere words not action."
"The drinks got you girl. You'll regret it." He added in a low whisper
"Do you see me shaking? If you're scared just admit it."
"Do NOT challenge me."
"Oops I just did. Kiss me if you have the guts."
He inched closer slowly with every passing moment, staring intently in my eyes. Gathering all my strength from inside I held my breath meeting his gaze. The lavender scent was exhuming my insides. The air grew moist and warm as his breath I felt on my cheeks. His face finally just stood an inch apart. His lips quivering above mine. He inched further.
"Mayank!"
"Bells! Honey...you''...here...'."his mouth opened in horror. "It 's not what you just saw''you are getting it all wrong."
"You were just about to kiss her and I am wrong???"
"But weren't you busy in that modeling assignment? You cancelled our date. How come you are here then?"
"I just got a call from your secretary to meet you here! And that too from your number! Glad I came!!"
"Whhhattt? My secretary doesn't use my number to call. How's that possi...'?" He turned to look at me.
"Isabelle, oh NO. So was he your date too?" I widened my eyes in amazement .
"Don't lie!"rumbled Mayank
"Nupur he's a cheater! Mayank this is the last you're seeing of me!"
"Bells you have got it all wrong. I can explain all. Darling listen to me once...Bells...Bells..."
She stomped around and was lost in the crowd. He turned back to me.
"So you love playing games? You forget that I am a born champion." He laughed a hollow laugh.
"Don't bet on that. You just lost," I smirked.
"The game just begun babes. Wait for the winner."
"Who really cares? "I snorted.
"We shall see."
"In your dreams Monsieur."
"Madame." He nodded curtly going off in the direction of Isabelle.
It had been one LONG night, I sighed. My head felt heavy.
272