Indecent Proposal- MN FF-Part13-pg35 - Page 18

"The Miracle……Blind date service???"

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"Nupur, no you aren't changing out of this one." I could see her stern expression from behind in the mirror.

"Fine." I sighed too tired to argue further.I was standing in a low cut blue Dollce short dress.

"Trust me you look hot, " she winked.

I wondered what Mayank would feel seeing me in this. Not again. I shook my head to ward off his not so auspicious thoughts at the start of my new life.

"Madame." John, the butler stood at the door and nodded curtly to both of us."If you'd excuse me Mam, the dinner's ready."

I signaled Dia to follow.

The Bohemian look of the dining room had been changed to warm & luxurious one.Mayank was already seated at the head of the table looking dapper in his light brown suit. Beside him were two persons whom I had previously seen in the restaurant. The short haired old lady in the velvet coat I presumed to be his Aunt and the young petite girl in grey tunic to be Naina.

"Who are they?" Dia whispered in my ears.

"Mayank's guests…ain't that obvious…see how snobbish all of them look." I whispered back.

Mayank turned his attention towards me. For a moment I thought I saw disapproval in his eyes. He gestured us to sit down.

"Aunt, this is Nupur Bhushan..and she her friend…umm…friend.."

"Dia Malhotra. Hello Mayank. Don't you remember my name? We attended the same college?"

"Mayank , is she living with you? Here?" Naina pointed straight at me with an accusing look towards Mayank.

"Naina, this is Nupur & Nupur she is my Aunt's daughter…..well Naina..we.."

"Yeah girl, we are in a live-in…"Dia coughed."…as we are husband-wifey. Right, Mayank?"

"But you told me it's all fake! Just a contract?"

"You are right Naina, it is a contract like I told you all…"

"Why is she then living here with you?"

"What we need to do, needs to be done up close. So lies the need of us staying so close."

Mayank shot me an infuriated look.

"Isn't it right Mayank? We need to take of each other….when you get back from work all tired you need your dinner on time…and when you get up in the morning I swear you just can't seem to do without me.."

Dia gave me a look of admiration.

"She brings me my morning tea even when I clearly told its old John's work."

"But Mayank.."

"Naina," the old lady raised her hand instantly silencing Naina though she continued to give me shrivelled look.

"Miss Nupur Bhushan, I am Shobha Roy, Mayank's mother's old friend."

"Mrs. Nupur Sharma," I wryly corrected her.

"I am not to be interrupted young lady. I am glad you were useful to Mayank. Mayank's been fighting for his son's custody which was urgently required. If you need any more financial help, I am sure Mayank would help."

I shot Mayank a furious look. Wasn't this contract marriage details to be a secret?

"Rightly said, Aunt."Mayank smirked."Can we start the dinner before it turns cold?"

The lobster bore the brunt of my anger as the fork damaged it's exterior. I glanced sideways at Dia who was engrossed in the culinary delights that were laid on the table.

Mayank's aunt was neatly removing the shells from the lobster. Her gravitas unnerved me. I moved on next to Naina who was busy in throwing resentful looks to Mayank and hadn't touched her plate.

"Naina, common eat something." Mayank plodded.

"Mayank, my love biscuit, You haven't got these shrimps on your plate. They are delicious. Let me help you."

"Mayank don't eat that…save some for the dessert."

"Naina.."

"Mayank's still hungry. I've known him a lot closer you see…longer I meant. He needs to eat those shrimps."

"Now Nupur…"

"No he doesn't..He doesn't gobble everything you lay your eyes on the table, like you. Give him a break!"

"Girls, okay now…stop."

"You don't tell me what to do or not to..in my house! Get that?"

I grabbed the bowl with shrimps and moved it across the table towards Mayank.

"I am not having a low-life like you talking to me like that." She lurched at the bowl.

"Look who's talking ass-hole!" we both were now engrossed in our wrestle for the coveted bowl of shrimps.

"Cummon Nupur!" I could hear Dia cheering me . The very next moment the bowl skidded off our clutch and landed straight on Mayank's head upside down with the shrimps plastered on his face.

There was a moment of resounding silence which was broken by the Aunt putting her fork down.

"I am done, Mayank. " she got up. "can we go to a more private room and discuss… Arav's future?"

"Sure, I am coming in a minute." The Aunt and her daughter stormed away to the next room. Refusing to look at anywhere but at Mayank's I eyes Dia to leave.

"Nupur, don't you have to say something before you leave?"

"I….I..It was her fault…Totally!...I wanted you…shrimps…She messed…"

"You ruined my hair!"

"I can pay…."

"How were you behaving at the table?"

"…as your wife…"

"And what the hell are you wearing?"

"It's..you know..as they say 'going with the times'.." I added meekly.

"Look here, Mr. You can't boss on your wife like that. She ain't your slave. She wanted you the shrimps. So what if it's in on your head. Just toss them & eat. And how behaves? Just following your example. Lastly why is she dressed like that…coz she has a blind date next!" Dia shot at full speed. Didn't I ever mention, I just love my friend!

"What date?"

"Cummon Nupur, we are getting late."

"See you later Mayank..or not." I grabbed my purse and twirled my hair and made way for the door.

"Good luck, Nupur.." he shouted from behind" I really hope the guy's not exactly blind to like you!"