Chapter 13

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elKgytT6aNw

 

Hey friends! Hope you remember me. Actually, it’s not your fault if you don’t. It’s been a year! I am writing this update for Yashfeen_adil… for she continuously asked me for an update on FB. Happy birthday to you girl! This is my gift to you, as you wanted. You must know how special it makes me feel when I come to know that someone loves this FF like I do. It makes me happy that I could make you happy on your birthday! :)

Coming to this FF- Well, writing this FF is growing more difficult day and day. I imagine and I write. This FF is at a stage where Mayank and Nupur have started developing feelings for each other. They are falling for each other. Personally, I am very cynical when it comes to love. Shocking? Yes. Even though I write loads of love stories, I don’t have anyone in my life. Infact, this FF is my dream sequence and hopes for my future. I only believe in arrange marriage. But writing about romance is not easy for me. Whatever MN talk, is a product of imagination and I blush so much while writing it down. I really have to think about the scenes. I am very romantic at heart, but MN needs something more. Don’t get me wrong, but I don’t believe in love… except that it exists in books. Maybe I will believe in it when and if I fall in love. But before that happens, it’s so difficult to pen down my own fantasies on paper. Now, before I get carried away, let me give you an update for this FF. Hope you enjoy! :)

Chahun Main Ya Na...

Nupur’s Pov-

As Mayank held her in his arms, she felt a blush creep up her neck. She felt shy as his mouth came closer to hers. His eyes were searching hers with intensity. She felt as he was looking through her soul. He gently pushed away a lock of hair that came on her face. He gently stroked her cheek and she felt her growing pink. His lips were mere inches apart and she felt herself drawn towards them. As he came closer…

I woke up with a start. I couldn’t believe it. What the hell was I dreaming? I am already dreaming of Mayank kissing me! Shit man! What the hell is happening with me? I am yet to be married to him. How can I even dream of such a thing?

But then, isn’t this what other girls dream about? How can I not view Mayank like that? He is my life partner. Within a week, we are going to be bonded for life. 

As I assured myself that dreaming about him in such a way is not a big deal, I heard my mobile ringing. I smiled when I saw “Mr. Perfect” displaying on my screen. Hmm… so maybe he is thinking about me too. But it was 5 AM in the morning! So… what? I reasoned and picked up the call.

I shyly said, “Hello.”

He chuckled and said, “Nupur, I think it’s about time that you drop the formalities. What happened to my talkative Nupur?”

I blushed. Yesterday, we had chatted till late in the night through messages. And I had flirted back with him. I had said many a things to him, which I couldn’t even dream of, saying infront of him. I smiled and recalled how much we had shared. Yeah, it was about time I dropped the formalities.

I said, “Hmm… but why are you awake at such a time? Aapko neend nahi aai?”

He said, “Umhm.”

I asked, “Par kyun?”

He softly said, “Mujhe neend usi vajah se nahi aai…jis wajah se tumhe neend nahi aai.”

I immediately spoke up and said, “Iska matlab even you were lost in my thoughts?”

He said, “Iska matlab tum bhi mere baare mein soch rahi thi?”

I blushed a deep shade of red. I realized that I had spoken out loud. Ohkay, This is so embarrassing! But then, how am I to know what to say? I turn a babbling fool when I am with him. I don’t know what happens to me. All I know is he makes me act like an idiot.

Before I could form a reply, he said, “Ohkay, you can stop blushing now. This is unfair cause I can’t see you right now.”

How does he know that I am blushing? I am so shocked. Since when did he start to get me more than myself and predict my actions?

Mayank’s Pov-

Teasing her is one of the best things in this world. It makes my day. Infact, she indirectly confirming the fact that even she was thinking about me, made my day. I am falling for her. When I talk to her, I can totally imagine her standing infront of me. But before I lose my track, I need to ask something.

I said, “Nupur, are you even there?”

She shyly said, “Hmm..”

I said, “Nupur?”

She said, “Aap boliye na.. main sun rahi hun.”

Does she realize how much her “aap” kills me? In a positive way, ofcourse. I hadn’t thought that her not taking my name, would make everything so beautiful. I hadn’t realized how much her “aap” made me feel special. Her shyness takes my breath away.

I said, “Kuch nahi… maine socha call kar lun… isse pehle ki main aaj meetings mein busy ho jaaon."

She said, “Oh. Aaj aap bahut busy rahenge?”

I knew she was distressed. If she thinks that I can ever be too busy to talk to her, she is so wrong. I will always have time for her. I can never be too busy for her. But the fact that it can affect her, made me glad. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy to know that his fiancée likes to talk to him?

I said, “Haan, busy toh bahut hun… par itna bhi nahi ki tumse baat na ho paaye.”

I could sense her blushing again.

She shyly said, “Aap bhi na..”

Before I could say something, she asked, “But aapko yaad toh hai na ki aaj aapko dinner par jaana hai?”

She remembered! I can’t believe how caring one can be. I had told her yesterday that today I have to go to a friend’s house for dinner. She cared enough to remember and remind me about it. Her caring nature makes me feel blessed. I feel as if my presence and absence matters to someone. Everything I do, affects her. She makes me fall for her.

I smiled and said, “Hmm.. actually I called you for that reason only. I was wondering agar tum bhi mere saath chalti is dinner mein toh…all my friends are coming in couples. So I thought, it would be for the best if you come with me. Ishika would have met you too and even I wouldn’t have felt left alone. So, will you come with me?”

There was silence on the line. Had I crossed some line? Should I have not asked her? It is wrong to ask your fiancée to a dinner? I was thinking of some ways to cover up and apologize, when, the line went dead. I felt like my heartbeats had stopped.

Before I could call her up again and apologize, I saw a message flashing on my screen. It was from her. With shaking hands, I forced myself to read her text.

It said – “I will always be there by your side, whenever you need me. You don’t even need to ask. I will be ready by 7.”

Her answer made me feel like the luckiest person in this world. She felt shy to answer me directly, so she had messaged me. She was finally opening up to me. She made me ecstatic. This was definitely more than just ‘like’. I was falling in love with her.

At night-

Mayank’s Pov-

I was waiting for Nupur in the drawing room. Aunty and Gunjan were fussing over me. I was trying my level best to concentrate on the conversation but I found my eyes searching for her. I was early. But I knew that Nupur is very punctual. I found myself staring at the stairs, when I saw her descending.

The scene was mesmerizing. She took my breath away. She was clad in a white anarkali suit with silver border. She was wearing long diamond earrings and a small diamond pendent that adorned her V-shape neck. A simple pearl bracelet was clad delicately around her wrist. Her hair was long and flowing, as usual. It was parted on right side and fell on her face.

I could see looking at me from her long eyelashes. Her eyeliner brought out her eyes and the kohl made it seem that you can drown in those chocolate brown eyes. A pink lipgloss was stained on her lips. The overall effect was ethereal. I felt as if an angel was descending the stairs.

I was the one who had asked her to wear white tonight. I wanted her to match my white shirt and black suit. But I had never imagined that she would look so breathtakingly beautiful. She was looking like a dream come true.

I have no idea what happened. I was so lost in my trance that I don’t even remember how we got to sit in the car. I don’t remember anything. I was intoxicated by her fragrance. It was very difficult to even describe her perfume. She had told me how fond she was of strong male perfumes. I hadn’t realized how much I like it too.

As I started the car, I knew I was speechless. Even if I wanted, I couldn’t utter a single word. I was dumb-struck by her beauty. But I knew that it was a long drive to Ishika’s place. I didn’t want to make her bored. So I switched on the radio.

…Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de… chahun main ya na...

Apne tu dil ka pata de… chahun main ya na…

The song filled the car and I found myself looking at her. It’s strange how a random song can convey your feelings more than you can. The song conveyed the deepest feelings of my heart. Looking at her, I found that she understood. 

…Itna bata dun tujhhko… chahat pe apni mujhko…Yun toh nahi itkhtiyaar…

Phir bhi yeh socha dil ne… ab jo laga hun milne…poochun tujhe ek baar…

Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de… chahun main ya na.

Apne tu dil ka pata de… chahun main ya na…

I knew that she could feel it in my stare. She could see it in my eyes. I felt like I was asking her the question of should I love her or not. I couldn’t risk it. I realized how afraid I was. I didn’t want to fall alone. I wanted her to fall for me too.

I wanted to know if she was ready. Ready to fall for me too…

….Kisi se bhi milne ki na ki thi koshishien…

uljhan meri suljha de… chahun mai ya na…

Aakhon aakhon mein jata de…chahun main ya na…

It was true. I hadn’t ever tried to find as many excuses to meet someone, as much I make to meet her. I could have easily gone to the dinner alone like in the past. But somehow, I didn’t want that to happen. I wanted her besides me. Always.

I hadn’t realized but I was singing the song aloud. My voice reflected my deepest concern. I knew she could feel my question and my fears. After all, she was going through the same stage too. It’s strange that in arrange marriages, one doesn’t realize how much uncertain he is about the other’s feelings.

I gazed in her eyes and searched for my answer. I wanted it now. I wanted to feel assured too. I couldn’t afford her shying away now. The music was testing my feelings.

She kept her hand on mine as the female part of the song came. I felt myself shivering. Her hands provided warmth. For the first time ever, she had touched my hands on her own. I felt a connection to her. I looked at her again.

She smiled and sang along the next few lines.

…Mujhko na jitna mujhpe... utna is dil ko tujhpe…hone laga aitbaar…

tanha lamho mein apne…bunti hun tere sapne…tujhse hua mujhko pyaar…

poochungi tujhko kabhi na… chahun main ya na… tere khwaabon mein ab jeena…

 

I found that I had got all the answers to my questions. I could see the answer in her eyes. I could hear the love in her voice. She is my own personal Nightingale. My shy Nupur had finally spoken aloud.

She had finally confirmed what my heart knew all along. She was slowly but steadily falling in love with me too. I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. She had started dreaming about us too. Now I could rest all my fears aside. I just had to reach for her. And I knew that she would be there.

It made it a lot easier to fall in love with her, because I knew that with every step I fell, she was falling along too.

I kept my other hand on hers in a reassuring gesture. We felt the connection. She blushed and I smiled. After a while, I restarted the car and we went on our way ahead. 

Third person’s Pov-

They had a long way to travel. But they both knew that now, the journey would be worth taking. They both were falling for each other.

With a constant smile on both of their faces, and a lovely song playing in the background, it was a memorable journey. They had moved from being a couple to being together. 

They both were enjoying their togetherness. Finally, they had started enjoying the journey more than the destination.

It wasn’t a question anymore... whether they should love or not. Because… deep in their hearts, they both were already half-way there…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To be continued…

I am so sorry for not including much of Nupur’s pov in this update. Actually, Nupur was very busy blushing. I couldn’t include her even if I wanted. She would have simply blushed and not said a thing. Plus, I wanted Mayank to give way to his fears and feelings. I personally believe that it’s not only a girl who is afraid of her new life. A guy must feel something like that too. And my Mayank is like that.

Hope you like this update. I am so in love with this song that I just can’t stop humming this one. I tried blending this song in the update to suit the FF. You must have noticed that every update of this FF, is like an OS… which can be read separately too. Well, that was my idea so that everyone can enjoy the updates. Hope you all like it.

I really missed writing something. It’s refreshing to write this FF after so long. I thought that I had forgotten how to write or lost my muse. But I guess I can never lose my inspiration because I firmly believe in everything I write in this FF.  :)

Even though I lost the right to ask this… but can you please comment on this update and make my day? And please do not forget to press the LIKE tab. I will try and update sooner. Love you all, and missed you all.

To comment here, you can choose the "anonymous" review and write your name at the end. Or choose "Name/url" where you can simply put your name and continue without needing to fill the url thingy. Or sign-in from your google account and comment. But please do comment :)

-           - Mahak

Chapter 12

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elKgytT6aNw
Isn't this VM a perfect picture of MN's feelings? Well, guess what? Dakshu made it for me. I just told her the song and asked her to fit in some scenes, and you know what? The next day, I find this! This VM, which made all my imaginations come true! You must take some of your time out and check this one. This one surely deserves all the time in the world. And this VM gives an image to the FF. I am proud to have such a VM made for my FF. Really. This one helps in imagining all the scenes- past, present & future- of this FF, easily. So do check this out. All credit goes to Daksha.

Now...on to the short update. My bak-bak at the end... 

Mayank's pov-

I don't know what's happening. I am lost. I have started hallucinating. For god sake! After a week, it's our marriage. It's THE day. Still, I am restless as hell. What's happening?

Samrat came and kept his fingers on my shoulder blade. He gently massaged them to make them at ease.

Samrat said, "Relax dude. You need to chill. I have heard of 'pre-wedding jitters' but, your marriage is after a week, not today!"

I looked at his face and said, "Haha. And that was supposed to ease me!"

He laughed. How dare he? When I glared at him, he showed a sign of surrender. 

He said, "Dude, ok. I am sorry. I was joking. But what the hell is wrong with you? Where is THE Mayank Sharma? You are, either, lying on bed, living in some sick imaginary world or smiling to yourself. Where's the one with I-am-not-a-person-to-mess-with? The industrialist? I mean, dude seriously, either you are in love, which I am sure you are, or you are having jitters. What's wrong? You know you can share everything with me."

I stared at him as if he has five heads. After all, since when did he have the knowledge? How could I tell him that I was restless and she was the reason for it? I mean seriously, she hasn't called me or had talked to me since 23 hours!

And I was dying here. How can she not call me? Doesn't she care a bit for me? I mean, here I was waiting for her like anything and she can't even talk to me. It's not as if I was waiting for her to call, I too had called her two times already, but she couldn't talk to me. God knows why!

And then I recalled something Sam had said. I replied, "It's just a headache. And by the way, I am not in love with her. I just...like her."

I myself wasn't convinced of what I was saying. I had started hallucinating her sweet smile. Whenever I thought about the twinkle in her eyes, I had to refrain myself from smiling. She was mesmerizingly beautiful. I haven't seen a girl more beautiful than her. And by this I mean, not only by looks, but in her moral values. She is simple and loves simplicity.

Samrat smiled at me and said, "Dude, you are mad. Seriously, you have started really liking her. I can just see the stars in your eyes. And before you argue with me, tell me one thing, where is Dia?"

I monotonously said, "Dia must be either in her room with Benji or talking on phone with Benji. I wonder how much can those two talk!"

Sam chuckled and said, "It seems great to know the amount of interest a brother has for his sister."

I shot him a dark look and he quickly made his exit. What can I do when my little sis is madly in love with a guy, whom I had practically known for all my life? I don't know why brothers have a problem with their sisters marrying their best friends! I simply have no problem, as long as Benji loves her and treats her like a princess.

All said and done, I quickly typed up a message and sent it to my Nupur. I don't how and when, but Nupur was no longer just Nupur, she was MY Nupur.

Nupur's pov-

I don't know what's happening. There are so many things to do. Besides, I didn't even have enough time to talk to Mayank. God! He must feel that I don't even care about him. Oh! What can I do? He had even called two times, but my hands are so full that I literally have no time to talk.

Just then, my mobile indicated me of a message. I opened the screen to see that it was from him. A shy smile automatically came on my lips accompanied by a little color on the cheeks.

'Khoye khoye rehene lage hain hum,

na jaane kyun unke khyalon mein,

simat kar reh gai hai zindagi,

unhi ke ehsaason mein.'

[The above lines are written by me, copyright intended. Infact, all the lines used in this update are written by me. And yes, I know. I suck at Hindi shayaris.]

As I read his message, the first thing that came in my mind was, 'He writes?' Wow! This is just beautiful. My cheeks started to burn and I realized that I was probably blushing. I touched my cheeks to remove my blush to no effect. He is the sweetest person I have ever met in my life.

While I was blushing, I didn't notice Gunjan coming into my room. I only noticed her when my mobile was snatched away from my hands and she had it.

I tried to reach to my phone to no avail. She wouldn't give me. She had a mysterious glint in her eyes. Okay, now I was scared.

I said, "Gunji, de na...tang mat kar mujhe."

She kept it further away from my reach and said, "Kyun? Main pehle jiju ka msg padh loon, tabhi doongi. Aakhir main bhi toh dekhun ki aisa kya likha hai jiju ne, jise padhkar tum laal hui jaa rahi ho."

I tried reaching for it, but she was faster. It was his entire fault! He had to be so sweet and loving that I had to blush! Now Gunjan would read everything and tease me like anything. And like I said, she did tease me.

Gunjan said, "Ooohhh...khoye khoye? Aha...kisi ko pyaar ho gaya hai...woh, kaun sa song tha? Haan! Yaad aaya. 'Hamein jab se...mohobbat ho gai hai.' Ooohhh...Jiju is so romantic. Samrat ko kuch kyun nahi sikhate hain woh?"

I know she hadn't realized this, but she gave me a perfect opportunity to recoil back. I was so red by her teasing.

I said, "Kisi ko Samrat ka romantic mood pasand hai..."

I purposely trailed off. This action irritated me and my sister like anything. We both are curious people, and become excessively curious when someone doesn't tell us something.

I managed to take away my mobile from her grasp. I quickly typed a reply back for him. I was lost at words, but somehow I guess I managed. I can't believe I sent this THAT message! What had come over me? Since when did I become such bold and frank?

I guess something changed with your life-partner. I knew I could be open and frank with him. And let him accept me the way I am. I no longer had to be shy with him. I was going to share my life with him...thoughts and views are too less in that comparison.

People may think that I am too shy to even talk, but when it comes to my life partner, I am a die-hard romantic. Always had been. After all, my entire life was going to be connected with his, so I had to be open.

I was lost in his thoughts. But then, Gunjan had to interfere! She threw a pillow at me, and then our pillow fight begun.

Mayank's pov-

I sent her the message and waited for her reply. It was as if, waiting for the result of my board examinations. Really. I was tensed. For the first time in our life together, I had sent her a flirting type of message. God knows how she is going to react! I just hope that she doesn't shies away.

Stupid Mayank! Who asked you to send you that SMS to her? What would she think? She still isn't that comfortable with me. What would happen if Nupur gets cross? Oh shit. I screwed up, I guess.

I was pacing in my room, when my phone buzzed. 'My Nupur' name flashed on the screen. I did a little prayer and opened up the text to read.

'Kyun kho gaye hain aap khyaalon mein,

Kyun phans gaye hain aap sawalon mein,

Khayalon mein kisi se milne ka kya fayda,

Jab hakeequat mein hi woh aapka hai.'

Really? Now I was stunned. Was she...flirting back? Wow. I have never seen this side of Nupur. Does this mean...? Is she too feeling the same feelings that I feel for her? Is she waiting for my reply? Or was this a reply to my SMS?

God! WTH is happening to me? Why am I behaving like some stupid teenager in love? I am a grown up man and I am acting like a moron. I must message her back. We have talked often on the phone, so let some messages be shared between us. After all, she is franker this way.

Some Messages Shared-

Mayank: Rangon ko zindagi mein bharke toh dekhiye... Sapno ko udaan bharne toh dijiye... Shayad koi apna mil jaayega... Joh aapki zindagi ban jaayega...

[Nupur's pov : Hmm...and he tells me that he doesn't know how to write! Let me answer him indirectly.]

Nupur: Hamari zindagi mein... rang bharne ke liye... aapka shukriya.

[Mayank's pov ... Was she indirectly telling me something? Does this mean that she considers me as her life? Is she Nupur...? Or is Gunjan playing some games with me?]

Mayank: You are Nupur only na?

[Nupur's pov : Hey bhagwaan! Inhe lagta hai ki main koi aur hun! Aur ban Miss Shy!]

Nupur: LOL. Yeah, me only. Don't be worried. I never let anyone touch my mobile.

[Mayank's pov : Thank God! She is Nupur only! But how is she suddenly very open with me? Maybe she has realized that it's time we maintain a comfort level.]

Mayank: Oh. Sorry, I thought ki how come you suddenly started talking.

[Nupur's pov- Hehe...he doesn't know me at all.]

Nupur: Don't worry. I am very talkative, I just don't talk easily. It's time that you know the person you are going to spend your entire life with. And I am already warning you, I am not as quiet as you consider me to be.

[Mayank's pov- I just love this talkative and frank Nupur.]

Mayank: Haha... No issues. I like you as you are. You are you...that's all what matters.

[Nupur's pov- His SMS suddenly struck a chord. I had once written in my diary, about my Mr. Perfect that, 'He must accept me the way I am and love me like that.' And I don't know, how and since when, but Mayank is becoming my Mr. Perfect.]

Nupur: Thank you...for accepting me the way I am. Infact, come to think of it, even I like you..the way you are. *shy* I don't want to change anything in you except the thing that you had promised me to change. So, you left smoking, right? *very serious*

[Mayank's pov- She LIKES me! I had a huge smile on my face.]

Mayank: I never had a habit of smoking. I just smoked occasionally. But since I promised my soon-to-be-wife and current-fiance, I never had any. I never break my promises...especially not to the one, with whom I have to spend my entire life.

[Nupur's pov- I just can't explain this feeling. Some butterflies are doing bhangara in my stomach. I feel so happy. Nothing in the world can make me feel down right now.]

Nupur: You know what? Mere dil ko... aap... bahut ache lagte hain... Umm... Okay, I have got to go. Bye.

[Mayank's pov- I just couldn't stop a soft smile to come on my face. Knowing Nupur, I know how difficult it must have been to confess about her feelings. I know that her last message indirectly said that she liked me more than just like. I know the reason for her going. She was feeling a little awkward along with immense shyness. It's like... I can almost see the blush on her face right now. This day finally proved itself to be just great.]

Mayank: Mere dil ko bhi tum bahut achi lagti ho. Bye and sweet dreams :)

[Nupur's pov- I smiled softly and pulled my covers. He likes me more than like...the way I feel towards him. Maybe it's too early to call it love, but it's far too late to call it a fling. Maybe it's 'like' or maybe the first step to...love. I know that I am not going to sleep tonight when the reality is far too sweeter than the dreams...]

Nupur: Sweet Dreams :)

[Mayank's pov- Pulling up the covers, I knew that sleep was the last thing I am going to have tonight. The messages we shared, are going to take up the place in my inbox, for forever. Today I realized that my feelings aren't just one-sided. They are reciprocated. Maybe it's not love, but I would be damned if it's not the first step to love.]

Now...to my bak-bak...

I sincerely hope that you like this update as much as I do. It was really fun writing this update. I would have updated earlier today, but I had not written the 'SMS' part. I just wrote some crap, which I deleted and added this update. I noticed that my earlier updates were full of traditions and all... So I decided to put this one to provide Comic Relief.

To tell you the truth, I was not happy with myself and thinking some real crap about myself. So I was this late. And I also thought that now, sooo many talented writers are writing on this concept, so why would anyone be interested in reading mine? So, I wasn't updating along with the college burden.

And now, in November, my End-semesters are approaching. But I would be active now. This FF would be frequently updated, thought I can't warranty about the length. Coz I asked many of my friends, who were on 'short updates + frequent updates' side and not one 'long updates + late updates' side. But I would try to go for length too.

Also, MN are going to pick up the pace in their relationship. They are no longer going to be 'too slow' and 'nervous' about any of this. And after their marriage, they would be first, best of friends and then, life-partners.
See, it was really tiring to write all of this, especially when I had to type up my assignments. So, I am hoping to get some nice reviews in exchange of my hard work. *wipes her sweat on forehead* *phheww* Constructive Criticisms and Suggestions are always welcome :) And please don't forget to hit the 'LIKE' tab.
With Love,
-Mahak

P.S. - The amazing reviews you left me behind, made my face break into a smile. Thank you for all those amazing praises, which paid off my work :)