Part 32
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
I wanna go higher
Higher in the Lord
I'm pressing on the upward way
New heights I'm gaining everyday
Still praying as I'm upward bound
Plant my feet on higher ground
Higher, higher, higher
Higher in the Lord
With the soulful tunes of the St.Clare's choir, Senior Mr.Sharma's body was laid in the freshly dug grave. The turbulent grey sky marked the grim atmosphere. Mayank had wanted his father's funeral to be a small affair with his closed ones. The privy eyes of the paparazzi could be seen at the surrounded structures trying to capture shots of ongoings in the cemetery.
Mayank stood ahead with his mother and sister looking grimly upon the state of proceedings. One by one we laid flowers before his grave.
"Mrs. Sharma. " she was a beautiful middle aged lady who radiated warmth inspite of her beleaguered face mirroring her grief inside.
" You are such a brave lady. The strength you showed under these circumstances inspire us. He was a very lucky man. Your husband. May his soul rest in peace." I waited nervously for her response. She was my future mother –in-law if things were to happen the way it seemed. It was awkward for me to give condolence to anyone and here I was talking to Mayank's mother.
"Thank you darling." She nodded and moved ahead to meet the other visitors.
From the corner of my eyes I spotted Mayank surrounded with his business and family friends. Isabelle hugged him in show of sympathy. Jake was following her everywhere. Next Ian & Dia stepped forward to meet Mayank. Alice was in deep conversation with the parish Father who had conducted the rituals. Liu was missing from the scene as she had an emergency case to handle at The Chestshire. I had deliberately not invited Aman here. All were busy except me.
"Excuse me, are you Dr. Nupur Saxena?"
"Oh,,,yes...yes , ofcourse mam." She had turned once again to me." I am the very same person."
"My son mentioned you. Apparently he mentions you a lot these days."
"I..well...he..." I fumbled for words.
"He never talks about girls to me. But good for a change he told me about you."
I flushed hard wondering what he had told her. Has he told everything?
"And changes are always for the better. Hope to see more of you."
"For sure, Mam. Your son..."
"I know he can be quite a case to handle. Got his genes from his father you see. Only few has the capability to see right through him. I am sure you are capable enough."
"Well..I do try...Your son & I...we are...are just good friends."
"It's nice to be friendly." She finally smiled."Isn't it? See you later Nupur."
"Good bye Mam." The glint in her eyes and that tiny smile revealed it all. She knew everything.
...
"My busy lady. Got any spare time for me?"
"Mr. Sharma you were busy with your friends. I was always here waiting for you. Excuse us, Dia."
"Yes sure Nupur." She eyed us with satisfaction leaving us alone.
"Why did she stare at us like that?"
"Hahaha...Dia has her own match making agenda to fulfil. I met your mother just now. You say what you told her? Why didn't you warn me? I was so nervous."
"I didn't say a word except telling her how irritating I used to find a girl. That's it. She thought the other way around. It's not my fault."
"Mayank! You are such an ass! If I irritate you so much why bother talking to me? How could you say that to your mother?"
"I never lie to mother. So when she asked to describe you I was left with no choice but to be the honest me." He shrugged.
"Unbelievable! What else you blabbered huh?"
"An irritating lass used to irritate the hell outta me. To make her stop I kissed her one fine day. She blushed and the sexy gorgeous girl became mine." He smirked.
"You liar! You didn't say anything like that to her. Stop teasing me." I tried hard to control my face from turning scarlet.
"Babes this is not lying. It's called flirting."
"You are a born champion in this, I know" I mocked my head in a mimic bow. "Okay seriously now, how are you doing?"
"To be very seriously speaking I am not seriously okay. People have gathered here to pay respects to my father lying in his grave. It's hard yet you see me standing here with you all."
I let my fingers slid into his holding them tightly.
"So how was it?"
"Atlast talking to him before he left. I can now put a closure to my emotions for this and move ahead. I want to thank you Nupur for teaching me a very important lesson."
"And that is?"
"That saying goodbye means a lot."
"I know. You always keep wondering why he didn't come for the last time? It hurts."
"So glad I could properly bid him goodbye. Telling him how much I still love him and forgiving him for everything."
"I am so proud of you." I wiped the brimming tears in his eyes.
"Alice is going back to Trinity to complete her studies. Mother is moving back to Atlanta for a while."
"You are going with her. She needs you."
"I am sorry Nupur. I have to leave."
"It's alright Mayank. I understand ."
"Umm...when you'll be back?"
"Don't know, Maybe a few days or some months. All depends on her."
"Great. Hope you have a good time there." I forced a smile." Just keep your distance from the wannabe chicks there."
"I don't run after them. They do."
"For your safety keep your welcoming smile shut and they'll get it..."
"...that someone is way too possessive for me to turn cranky"
"Ha! As if. I'll be alright. The loss will be yours not mine."
"You won't miss me?"
"No. Why shall I? I have loads of things to pre-occupy me here. Dia and Ian's New year bash. Liu's bachelorette party. My hospital assignments. My flat is going for a renovation. I'll be busy in that. Plus I am planning on having a hair-cut. It's been a while..."
I was cut mid-way into my ramblings as his warm lips captured mine. His fierce tongue leaving inside a fiery path. The fire burned inside every inch of my body. He ruthlessly let his emotions be known through my mouth. I groaned as he sucked the air inside. Finally we broke apart when the need to breathe overtook our dire need.
"Don't cut. I love your hair long."
"I'll miss you." However hard I tried, a drop managed to escape my eyes.
"Have a wonderful New Year Nupur."
"The New Year wouldn't be the same without you."
"Hopefully it wouldn't be that long. Good Bye Nupur."
It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe
I don't want to miss out on the holiday
But I can't stop staring at your face
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe
With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you under the mistletoe
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
272