When U Say Nothing At All, MN, Pt 7 Pg27 19Jun - Page 15

Of course, it's a love story, if the hero doesn't love the heroine, then who will (the villain? Huh!)? Somebody tell our heroine Nupur that . She thinks her hero doesn't love her.

Meanwhile, our hero Mayank is in a daze.

Did I just have the most absurd conversation of my life? Well, what do you expect when you have such a nautanki for a best friend? I wonder why I love her, she makes me so mad, it's like I get so mad that the madness makes me love her more. Get the logic? No? Well, I don't think there is much space for logic here, I am in love with Nupur I-don't-believe-in-logical-conclusions Bhushan. So, love in, logic out. End of story.  

Have you seen the way she twists logic to suit her? It can only be beaten by the way she gracefully twists the end of her duppatta on her finger. I sound sickeningly like a love sick puppy. Gags. Mayank Sharma is not a filmy lover boy. No way. Except maybe once or twice, around Nupur, but then Nupur is different. I mean she is a full too film heroine.

You wouldn't believe the kind of stuff she does. Who have you heard of last (movies not counted!) , who missed a bus and got lost in a jungle? I mean imagine this girl would've been left alone in some lonely place but what does she do when I get down to keep her company? Shout at me for being angry with her. Whatever has this world come to? Balai ka zamaana nahi raha. Did I just say that!Why am I increasingly sounding like Nupur? Don't ask me, she has invaded my life. Blame her.

Actually don't blame her, I love playing hero to her. You won't believe it, this once when Nupur got herself locked in the staffroom, the first person she called was me (*smug look*) and I went running to save her like a true filmy hero and ok, no you don't need to know this part. That would be the end of the fine image I have painstakingly cultivated over the years.

 Ok, fine, this is what, her leg was hurt so I picked her up in my arms and walked. No, I won't hide my face, because I was really proud of what I did, don't you understand- she was unable to walk. I couldn't imagine letting her strain her feet. We had a play to do, I dint want a heroine who couldn't walk properly right? What would happen to the reputation of Excel college, Tam mam's (that would be our drama teacher) dream? Fine, the real reason is I couldn't see her like that. She looked so cute, completely helpless unlike the jhaansi ki Raani, Morena ki mallika avatar she is normally in. *not that I love her any less then* (There you go Mayank!)

See what you have done to me, now I miss her. Right now, if Nupur sees me, she'll say one word 'sadu. No not because I miss her, but became of my mood. Maa is on the phone with someone for hours now. Nupur's phone is engaged as well. How can I stay normal?

 I have finished all my college work, to add to my misery I have 10 days off for some god forsaken reason and that gives me more time to miss Nupur. Atleast college keeps me busy most of the time. Right now, I want to meet Nupur badly. It's been so long since I have been subjected to the volcano called Nupur. I think maa is right my every sentence begins and ends with Nupur. Hmmp. Maa is always right.

Finally, maa has finished her unbelievably long phone conversation. Maa, Who do you talk to for such long hours ?

I was just talking to my future daughter-in-law (bahu, hayye!).

What? I freaked out understandably. What rubbish, who on earth was she talking to?

Don't freak out baccha, I was talking to the one person who is on your mind 24*7.

Nupur? I said automatically. Oh no!! I need to learn to shut up in front of maa.  I can't believe I just said that. Now this is enough for maa to pull my leg for at least a month! Mayank Sharma, you need to stay more alert around such a smart mother.

My mom was grinning like a cheshire cat. Nothing I said to cover it up obviously mattered to her. Just my luck!

Strangely maa just grinned, shook her head, ruined my perfectly set hair and went to the kitchen.

She dint even hear me whine asking her not to touch my hair (maa balon ko mat chuo!)

After a while I heard a song playing, Ab mujhe raat din tumhara hi khayal hai'kya karoon pyaar mein deewano jaisa haal hai'It was a beautiful melody. I tried to match my situation with the words and mentally kicked myself, I was doing exactly the set of things I had promised myself I wouldn't.

Maa was back eyeing me with interest, I pretended to read something. She knew me too well though, she took the book out and asked me if I could relate to the song. I rolled my eyes indicating my (supposed) exaggeration and secretly wondered how she knew exactly what I had thought. Or was it that she had pre-empted my reaction? She is too smart for my good, my mother!

My padaku (Studious!!) seedha-saadha (straight forward) and a little sadu (is that rude?) beta (son) is now looking lost.  The best part is he doesn't realize she loves him and she doesn't realize he loves her. Did I say it was the best part, sorry, make that the worst part. I can't believe they still haven't confessed! I thought kids these days were ahead of their times. I obviously dint have much hopes from the son as he was never the social kind, but Nupur? I would've expected her to have asked him to marry her by now. They worry the other doesn't love them, the usual! I'll need to talk to my son, no that won't work, I think I'll try a different approach. He'll get it, he is an intelligent boy, but god knows he needs the push or I might never see my son getting married. Ok, I know that was a little dramatic, but what do you expect? I was just talking to Nupur and By God, She brings out the best in me :D

So I told Mayank to go to Mumbai to finish off some work on my behalf (this was only an alibi! He he!). He seemed suspicious, but I was a good actress (I even won the best actress award in my college days not unlike Nupur, besides where did you think my son got his acting genes! Ha!). I told him that I had arranged for the keys of our old house, since the current tenants had to shift unexpectedly and the next tenants would shift in only next month, it was vacant for a while. I had already spoken to the owner, I briefed him in a matter of fact tone. He believed me. Way to go Shilpa! *pats self*

Much later, I casually asked my son if he were getting any gifts for Nupur. When he glared at me, I shrugged my shoulders and said I thought she was your best friend, I dint know you were so averse to gifts.

 I walked away nonchalantly, but there-I wanted to do a little jig- I had planted the seed in his head. If I know my son even a little, Nupur will get the best gift ever. How I wish I could get him to confess too. Oh well, who knows even that might happen, when the two love birds (oh sorry! Best friends) meet! I sent up a small prayer that everything becomes alright (filmy hi sahi, maa tho hoon na).

Mayank had already planned his entire itinerary in his mind for his stay in Mumbai, first was finishing off the work his mom has assigned so that he could dedicate all his time to Nupur, thereafter. He wanted to surprise her, since she had college he knew she had no other plans. That was one good thing about being Nupur's best friend, she would keep him updated about every minute detail of her life.