Part 20
'Get out of the damn car!"
"I am never stepping outside."
"This car is driving back to New Jersey tomorrow. Till then it will rest in the garage."
"Whatever Dia I am not coming to his house."
"You are acting like a stubborn kid Nupur. Come out right now or else I am calling you-know-who to lift you out of the car."
"You can't be serious!"
"Try me. Mayank! Mayank!! "She screeched at the top of her voice as we both stood in the foyer outside the door of his manor in the imposing driveway. The old manor build in Gothic style was set in a picturesque location with tall dark woods surrounding from three sides and the distant lofty white peak of Ivis mountain visible in the background.
"HeyâŠStop thatâŠI am coming out." Scowling I reluctantly stepped out of the land cruiser.
"Are you girls done yet? Come inside." Ian came outside from the manor. He had accompanied the bell boys who had taken our luggage inside.
" Just a minute. We both are coming baby!"
"Don't talk to me Dia."
"Yeah talk only when you want to know the details of my honeymoon. Who giggled the most hearing a beach storyâŠ..sadly the massage story I am not permitted to tell her anymore."
"HaahaaâŠ.you are impossible girl, I am not going to leave you so easilyâŠ.I will hear your full escapades you dirty girl. How can I ever be angry with you Dia?"
"Lemme think. It's not that difficult actually. Only when you act stupid at times maybe."
"Dia!" I shoved her gently on the shoulder.
"Just take a deep breath Nupur. It's not like he's going to eat you up or is that your plan? "She winked.
"One more word and I am back to the car."
"MAYANK"
" Don't run coz you are so dead now." She paced ahead past me too Ian. "Baby ..where is Mayank?"
Every part of my body at once became alert.
" Honey he was supposed to be here by now but something cropped up. Don't worry he'll be here soon."
I inhaled a sigh of relief. My hands stopped shivering as I realized he was not inside the house. Not yet. I was not anticipating meeting him. He was still under the illusion that I was engaged with Aman.
I was taken aback by the grandeur inside the manor. Italian marble in white and black adorned the floor. A musical fountain was the centerpiece. Two imposing stairways led to both sides of the house. The electronic fireplace contrasted with the white roman marble sculptures. A huge chandelier hung from above in the hall. And this was just the entrance way. He was mind-boggling rich.
A servant in black bow walked upto me and handed me my keys.
"This way Madame."
"ErrâŠ", hesitantly I looked at Dia. Such a huge house I was bound to get lost my way."
" Go and get yourself refreshed Nupur for the party in the evening. Take some rest. I need to go on a round with Ian to check all the party arrangements. I'll come to you then. Make yourself comfortable till then."
"Sure guys. Bye."
I followed the servant up the long staircase into the winding corridors. He stopped while we had walked a long way.
Removing the bed-covers I sank into the fluffy bed. It was a warm and sweet. The room seemed straight out of some classic Hollywood movie. Weariness after the long journey finally started to take a toll on me as I found my eyes drooping shut.
"Nupur."
"Nupur. Are you ready yet?"
Low rumblings on the wooden door made me open my eyes from the deep slumber I had fallen into. The huge clock in front showed 4:00 pm. GoshâŠI had been sleeping like a log for 4 hours straight.
" Can you hear me inside?"
A deep male voice was calling me. My heart came to my mouth.
"Coming!"
I sprang up from the mattress and rushed to open the door.
"MayâŠAmanâŠAman it's you."
" You don't happy to see me?" his grin vanished from his face.
" NoâŠI am âŠ.it's just that I am surprised you made up here. I hadn't known you would be accepting Dia's invite since you barely know her."
" Well anything for you. How can I let go off any opportunity to see you. After all I have to make sure that your decision in the end swings on my favor."
I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.
"Flowers for you" . he pulled out from behind a bouquet of red roses.
" ohâŠ.Aman really you shouldn't have taken the troubleâŠIâŠ. they are lovely. Thanks." I added as I accepted it.
" I am sure you love red roses. Every girl loves them."
Every girl may do but not me. It's way too common these roses. I have a fondness for exotic flowers. Orchids count in there too. I winced as the orchids made me remember him.
" But I am not sure I deserve these."
"Well better make sure then that you deserve it. After all it costed me 11 dollars." He laughed.
" You look all ready for the party. I am still to dress up. Am I late? I just felt asleep."
" Things are starting to warm up downstairs with guests beginning to arrive. I think I was early." He winked at me.
"UmmâŠwhy don't you go and enjoy the party. I'll get ready and join you soon."
"Sure. Just don't make me wait much coz I hate waiting."
I closed the door after him. Darn he had come. I was going to kill Dia. I prayed he and Mayank do not meet face to face tonight. I don't think I can handle it. I wondered if Mayank had arrived. What was he thinking of my stay in his house tonight?
Putting the final round of lip-gloss I smudged my lips to complete the matte look. Dia had sent for me a stunning Giorgio backless red gown which I wore it after she threatened to come here and dress me myself. I added on my jackets that I had brought and stepped outside the room.
There were two identical passages in left and right. I forgot which one I had taken to reach here. Left was the one.
No it must be right.
I walked in the right corridor. I was walking and walkingâŠthe rooms were closed and the staircase was not yet to be seen. I must have taken the wrong route. Couldn't Mayank have a board installed here directing the ways. I should call Dia for help. Darn I had forgotten my purse in my room. My cell was in the purse. I cursed myself for the carelessness.
Maybe I should try out these rooms. Someone can surely guide me. I wondered why was there was silence prevalent in this part of the house. It seemed as if someone loved his privacy to allow else to come here. The first door opened to an empty study. The second to an empty mini theater,the third to an empty gym. Fourth opened to an indoor swimming pool.
Everything in this house was HUGE so was the swimming pool in the center. The clear blue sparkling water reflected the setting sunshine through the huge glass windows. Wooden flooring spread around. I walked up the window by the swimming pool to look outside the beautiful sweeping green woods. It was a breathtaking sight as the fading light played havoc there creating shadows in the greenery.
Something ruffled the surface of the water on the other end. The turbulence was coming to this side now. I couldn't understand the gleaming line in the water. What was thâŠit was a man swimming in the pool. And to my horror it was none other than Mayank.
I froze on my spot.
He came to the end and lazily he climbed up the ladder and came out of the water.
If some girls called him Adonis incarnate. They had been totally right. He looked every bit of a Greek god. His bare chest decked with pearls of water. He stood upright with his torso gleaming his well-built abs. Water dripped from his wet hair, moving on to his eyebrows and his eyes. I felt my cheeks turn a deeper shade as I unabashed stared him. He wiped the clinging drops from his eyes and lips.
"If you are done ogling at me can we speak or you need some more time to check me out?"
Anupamaa
CID
272