Part 15
The concrete buildings blurred past me as I jogged ahead. Just three blocks more before my morning sprint is over.
I paused at the roundabout to catch my breath.
"Saxena."
"What the…."
"Hey!"
"What a co-incidence. You here. Hey Mayank!"
"Nothing is ever co-incidental. Everything is pre-destined Miss."
"Sure. What are you doing here early morning?"
"The flowers at Bremen's are the best in this area. Plus its the only one who opens at this hour. Need to get some."
I turned around to look where he was pointing. A small cornerstore was decked with some of the most gorgeous flowers I hadn't seen.
"Those are lovely."
"And good to see you working out early morning. Last time you were heavy."
"Mayank!"
"Mayank" he imitated me in a shrill voice.
"Dog." I laughed. "You are up so early to get flowers. Must be having the time of your life..eh?"
"You bet. It's 7 AM and I am still learning how fanciful and whimsical girls can be"
"That's the problem with you guys. Always blame the girl. You all never really understand what a girl wants."
"I fail to understand what girls look in flowers when they can have me instead."
I rolled my eyes.
"Which one you like from these?"
"No…thank you but I don't want any flowers."
"I was asking for help to select me one."
"Oh..yeah…."why do I always get myself embarrassed infront of him.
"You think orchids would work? Can I get a bouquet of orchids please?
Orchids. You gave me one in the park. The dried petals are still lying inside my notebook. Get something else for Isabelle. I know you are just my friend. I m trying my best to deal with it but the wounds are still raw.
"Sorry we have run out of stock. How about these lilies Sir?"
"Phew!" thankfully no orchids he was giving her.
"What?"
" I….I was taking in the fresh air. Early morning the air is so cool and pure."
" Huh" he turned back to get a bundle of white lilies.
"Nupur! Hey Nupur Saxena!!!"
I turned around to locate who else was shouting out my name.
"Aman………..It is you?"
I was shocked. It was none other than Aman Mehra. My high school senior. The nerd with those huge ugly specs who had a crush on me. Who had asked me out on our school's farewell on which bowing under my peer pressure I had gone. How on earth he was here?
"Hello…Nupur…Wow…you haven't changed at all. Pretty as ever."
I turned to look at Mayank who seemed puzzled.
"Nor have you. Except for the specs. They are gone. Nice to see you here."
"I knew you'd be happy to see me," he beamed.
"Nupur won't you introduce me to your dear friend?"
"Sorry. Aman this is Mayank and Mayank this is…."
"…Aman. Hey dude. She is a hard nut to crack. Best of luck."
"I love challenges. Thanks though. Hello Mayank." He shook his stretched hand.
"Mayank he's my senior from high school. My friend."
"That's even better. High school sweethearts." He winked.
I am going to kill Mayank if he doesn't stop right now.
"Wish I could say that dude. But it's better late than never."
"Nupur you are good at hiding things. But Aman is too large to hide."
They both laughed. It was useless to explain to Mayank.
"Aman are you visiting here? Or some business brings you to New Jersey."
" You can't say it is business. It's a matter of life and death. I am here to meet my future wife."
"Wife?" The horror finally dawned upon me. It was the Aman mom had talked on phone that day. He was supposed to visit me with Aunt Rita this weekend. And freak today was Saturday. Never had I thought she might be talking about this Aman Mehra. Too bad I had forgotten to ask his surname from mom.
"ummm….where is Aunt? She was supposed to come with you here." I have a lot of talking to do with her.
"She must have reached your apartment by now. We were on our way there when I saw you here. I couldn't wait to meet you so I came out of the cab."
"I am really surprised to see you here. I mean after 5 or is it 6 years we are meeting again."
"5 years 6 months 17 days to be exact."
"You'd been counting the days??" my jaw dropped.
" Nope. Just got some good memory. Are you buying some flowers for me?"
"What?..No…it was Mayank who………."
I looked sideways. There was no sign of him. He had left without saying goodbye.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
'Mom how can you do this to me?"
"Do what? I can't believe you doubt my honest intentions."
"It's not that! Why didn't you tell me it's Aman Mehra.?
"What difference does that make?"
"He is my high school senior"
"Superb beta! You already know him!"
"I don't like him. He was a nerd."
"That was high school. Now look at his pay- he has a job in Microsoft. I don't get what are you talking about. Rita send me his pics. He is tall, dark and handsome. He comes from our society too. "
" It's not that I dislike him coz he was a nerd. He was just so clumsy back then. Yes he has changed. He looks better now. But still he is the same clumsy nerd for me."
" Now stop it Nupur. He is such a wonderful guy. He is decent looking with good job and family. I m trying to secure your bright future and you don't even want to co-operate."
"Maa….no need for you to get sad. We can leave this emotional drama out."
" You call this emotional drama? Can't a mother expect this much from her daughter."
"Fine!..I am meeting him."
"You are my sweetest girl."
"Nupur hurry out of the washroom." Aunt Rita banged the door. Gosh no peace even in the washroom!
" Maa..I'll let you know."
" I'll be waiting. I want to hear yes as an answer."
"Where is dad?"
"He has gone to Delhi to meet Rahul in his college."
Dad I need you the most now!
" Okay then. I'll talk to Dad and bro later. Bye."
"Nupur come out dear. Aman is waiting for you."
"Just two more minutes Aunt."
I went to shower myself deciding not to take less than half-hour to come out.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
"Aman I don't think this is the best place. We can go to a caf or some mall."
"Nupur I heard this is the place which is happening with hot chicks."
"Excuse me?"
"I meant this is the most happening disc in town. And for long those chicks haven't faced solid competition. You need to be inside."
"Ummm...Let's hurry up then."
Grr……..who was I stuck up with this whole evening?
I saw a familiar red bling SUV parked outside as we made our way inside.
My heart started to pound loudly. I did not want to meet him again. His sudden walk off and his uncanny voice change suddenly in the morning had been so strange.
272