She opened the lock to her flat, flipped off her sandals & flung her hand bag
on a sofa & began pacing the room agitated. she just had an altercation
with some of her friends.what had started as a bit of leg -pulling had
suddenly taken an ugly turn & ended in a fairly heated exchange .some
things were said ,which disturbed her immensely.she paced some more
,thinking dark thoughts. then she picked up her hand bag & took out her
cell. *i will just call him up* she thought * i will feel better when i talk to
him .* " the number you are trying to call is out of the coverage area" .
announced an annoying voice .
*damn it all !!! * she thought * this is the worst day of my life .* she felt
totally alone & ugly doubts started to raise head .
Nupur sat on a rock ,her feet immersed in the pool
,created by the water fall ,the one near the Oakwood estate. she sat there
lost in her thoughts, throwing pebbles in the pool. she was very disturbed
with the dream she had the night before. It had left her shaky. she'd
awaken abruptly & was unable to sleep for the rest of the night.
she had come down from her room listless & had a single cup of tea with
Shilpa aunty & excused herself from breakfast saying she needed some
excercise after lying around for a week with her twisted ankle.
somehow Shilpa aunty had sensed that she was disturbed & did not want
to talk ,so she had let her go without any pesky questions. *Shilpa aunty is
a very sensitive & sensible lady * thought Nupur * she knows when to pry
& when to let go.*
Nupur heard the crunch of gravel under someone's foot steps ,she turned
around to see Mayank walking towards her with a wicker basket in his
hand. she gave an uncertain smile & asked him," Mayank!!! what are you
doing here??" Mayank said ," well !! it depends upon your mood Nupur."
Nupur was confused ," m..my mood?? " she stuttered. " yes your mood. if
you are in a agreeable mood then you have a companion for the treat in
this basket." said Mayank ,raising the basket. " but if you would rather be
alone ,then i am just the delivery boy who brought you the most important
meal of the day ." he smiled at her charming her totally. " so what shall it
be Madame Nupur ?? a companion or just a delivery boy??"
Nupur was totally mesmerised.She was done with the brooding over the
disturbing dream, she decided. besides it would be ungracious & churlish of
her to send Mayank away after all the trouble he took for her.
" how can i send you away Monsieur Mayank, " said Nupur
laughing mischievously ," after all the trouble you took for me?? " now it
was Mayank's turn to be bewitched.He stood there looking at Nupur with
out blinking. Nupur got down from the rock & walked towards Mayank
,who was still staring at her, she waved her hand in front of Mayank's face
saying ," earth to Monsieur Mayank ,you are needed down here. " Mayank
came out of his trance & they laughed together.
They chose a spot near the pool to have their impromptu picnic.
they spread out the mat & took out the items. Nupur found that she was
really famished . they enjoyed the sumptuous parathas in companiable
silence. Mayank took out a thermos flask of tea & poured out two cups as
Nupur gathered the debris of their meal.
" so Nupur are you now ready to share ,what ever that was troubling
you??" asked Mayank in a simple & straight forward manner. Nupur took
the cup that Mayank offered, bit her lower lip & looked into the cup .
Should she tell him ,she was having very vivid dreams about him she
debated in her mind. she stole a glance at Mayank & saw he was watching
her patiently. she quickly looked away.
In the end she decided not to tell him about the dreams .she'd feel too
uncomfortable sharing them especially with Mayank. " nothing much
Mayank, could not sleep properly last night ,so was feeling restless &
thought the open air would do me good."said Nupur evasively.
as she was not looking at Mayank she completely missed the hurt feeling
that passed over Mayank's face. he guessed she was not sharing the truth &
that hurt him, but he schooled his feelings & decided to let the matter drop.
"ok ,if you say so ." said Mayank," this is my favorite spot too. i come here
when ever i have some thinking to do."
Nupur was startled at Mayank's if you say so comment. she realised that
Mayank guessed her evasion , she felt a bit uncomfortable.but she took her
cue from Mayank & let the subject drop.
" Nupur i am off to the plantation now. we could go for that hike i
promised you tomorrow if you feel up to it." said Mayank.
Nupur beamed at him & said " of course !!! i am 100% fit now. lets us do it.
i really want to see the woods ."
" its a date then." said Mayank " i am going back now , want to come or do
you want to spend some more time here??"
Nupur's heart skipped a beat at Mayank's Its a date. as she walked along
with him towards the mansion ,she started to think what a real date with
Mayank would be like.
*********************************************************************************************************
here it is friends. waiting for your comments.😊
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