"Nupur, we are leaving right now!"
"Let go off me Mayank...Ouch..." I shoved his hand off my shoulder.
"What you think you have done? Going behind my back like this?"
"If I'd had told you you'd have tried to stopped me."
"That's right!"
"See." I stared intently at him.
"Don't you understand? I care for your safety because I love you??"
"Maybe that's the problem!"
"Oh...m sorry...I...I didn't..mean.."
"No I get it perfectly. I am a liability."
"Mayank...MAYANK!!!"
I splashed the water on my face. It's a new day. New beginning. Come on Nupur, you will get the job. Today is your day. Have faith.
I tried smiling through clenched teeth failing miserably.
It's no good. Why would they hire a grumpy freelance writer who has absolutely no recommendations? When did the world last worked on merit?
That's the real world Nupur. Unjust monster with its tentacles out to pull you down if you dare to rise against it. I started to brush my teeth.
"Hey Dia, morning. Yes I remember my interview today. Will reach in time. Don't you worry." I took a spoonful of cereals.
"Nupur just be fine there. And do not start upon your high philosophies &ideals. Remember they are expecting a practical smart shrewd assistant for the job."
"Yup I get it. They want my pretty assistance in getting photocopies done and serving coffee. Being a writer is just an added bonus point."
"Nupur just focus on the job! Maybe it's not what you want but then you have your choices limited. It's this job or else..."
"Or else my visa is expiring and I'll be packaged back to India in the next flight."
"You have only six months left."
"I haven't forgotten my green card problem. The embassy seriously sucks big time."
"Nupur that is why just focus on..."
"Dia..Dia..I get it. The job is very vital to my existence in Big Apple. Don't stress babes."
"Finally I can see the few shades of my old Nupur back in you."
"It's the real me. I am already over it Dia. Trust me."
"Fine. Take care and all the best."
"Thanks. Bye."
I am already over it. The words echoed in my ears. The wounds have healed. He was just fragments of long-lost memory. Surely I don't remember anything to do with him now."
"They are coming tonight for dinner."
"You yourself invited us."
Doesn't he get it? I invited all his jerk friends for his sake. So that he comes along and I get time to know him some more.
"See you in the evening Nupur"
He turned away walking in his characteristic casual style with hands tucked in his jeans pockets. I was alone in the corridor. Is it remotely possible I can be kidnapped today enroute to my flat from college or a sudden calamity striking New York? Any disaster would be better than the disastrous food I would serve. I don't have enough pocket money left to order a take out for so many people. I sighed in desperation at the lack of my abilities to cook anything palatable except for Maggie.
"3 ml milk with 3 tsp custard powder." I read aloud from the bool performing the said task.
"Now Blanche the tomatoes." Okay does that mean peeling them off? I dipped my hands ion the bowl containing boiling tomatoes. "AAArghhh...my fingers!"
The door bell rang. The music mingling with my howls as ran to the fridge to get ice cubes."
Who the hell was here? Don't they know I am super busy tonigh?
"Yes what is it...umm...you...hey..Hi Mayank." Nervously I tucked the loose strand of my hair behind my ears.
"Nupur. I know I am well before time."
My heart started to pound loudly seeing him in his entirety right outside my door. Afraid it would come out my chest I kept my hand over it." No...Yes...I mean Great!..It's a pleasant surprise ." All the burning pain vanished instantly at the sight of him.
"You have something on your forehead. "
"Huh...where?"
"Flour." He leaned forwards wiping it off my face. High voltage currents see to transmit in my body from where his fingers gently touched my skin.
" oh ..yeah..." I stared confounded at him.
"Well..If you don't mind can I come inside?"
"Yeah..sure...Sorry I forgot. You are most welcome inside." I closed the door after him.
This can't be true. The most happening good-looking guy in our college was in my flat all to myself atlast. I tried to stop myself from shivering so badly lest he noticed.
"Incase you'r wondering what am I doing so early in your apartment, lemme tell you I know your big secret."
Does he already know? Was he going to confess too? I knew it! He feels the same for me. The audacity with which my heart was pounding now I was sure it can come straight out of my mouth. My jaw dropped.
"You don't need to worry. I am here for the cooking." He winked with a mischievous smile illuminating his well chiseled face.
Was I in heaven or was it the sparkling white teeth that had blanked out my mind and set me in a trance? Were the twinkling white lights for real?
"Nupur. Nupur!..Are you alright?"
"Oh..yeah..." I closed my mouth. " I can't just thank you enough. You are my savior."
"The Savior needs your help in chopping these vegetables. Chop-Chop."
"Aye Aye captain..." I happily grabbed a knife and stood beside him only to be drowned in the good Boy soap smell he emanated.
"Nupur you have burnt your fingers!"
"what?" I looked down following his gaze. I had completely forgotten about it. " My poor fingers..Aaahhh...".the pain returned.
"Nupur you are too much. Sit down and keep your fingers in the ice-bucket."
"Mayank it's alright now. I can ..."
"Nupur. Sit. I'll make some coffee for you."
I drank the delicious coffee as I watched him preparing the night's dinner.
The coffee burned my tongue. Angrily I banged the cup on my table. It's been over a year now. How can you have the stupid details intact?
The door bell rang breaking the chain of my meandering thoughts.
I looked in the camera. Someone tall in black tux with his back turned was outside in the lobby. Who can it be early in the morning?"
"Screw these embassy officers. I ain't making a bomb here!" I muttered to myself turning the knob.
"Yes. How may I help y..."
"Miss Nupur Bhsuhan."
...
"It's me. Mayank Sharma in case you don't recall."
...
"Well you are allowed to close your mouth. I am not an alien species you see."
"You...here..."
"I am here with a business proposal. Will you marry me?
Edited by shivi02 - 13 years ago
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Cricket
