Nupur came out of the bathroom, wiping her face with the towel, her hair let loose, wearing her pink nightdress. Mayank had also changed into his vest and pyjamas. He was busy keeping the dinner tray on a side table and turned when he heard her come out. And stared. Suddenly the enormity of having nupur back in his life, in his home struck him. She realized the change in his expression and avoided his eyes which followed her as she went to the cupboard, placed something inside , came and sat on the chair in front of him.
"kya hua? Kyun ghoorrahe ho?"
"kuch nahin. Bhoolgaya tha ki tum kitni khoobsoorat ho." He said still staring.
"mayank!" she said with a slight blush but then trying to lighten the mood ,changing her tone asked ," achha tho tum mujhe bhoogaye the?"
"tumhe nahin. us ehsaas ko bhulgaya tha – jab bhi tum mere saath hoti thi ,,tab aisa lagtha tha ki main zinda hoon. Warna tho bas saansein chal rahi hoti thi . itne din baad jab tumhe dekhraha hoon tho dil mein ek khoobsurat se feeling hain. Jaise ki koi….koi achhha sa khushboo ho. Wo ehsaas bhulgaya tha"
"lagtha hain wo khushboo in parantho ka hain." She tried to joke but Nupurs eyes turned moist again. He bent and placed a hand on hers, which she had kept closed tight on her lap.
"ro mat nupur, please. Mujhe tumhaare ankhon mein kabhi bhi aansoon nahin dekhne hain."
"yeh tho khushi ki aasoon hain mayank." She replied.
He smiled and picked up a piece of the paratha and put it into her mouth. She ate without resisting . neither of them spoke till the plate was empty.
"shayad dono ko bohot bhookh lagi thi."
"haan. Waise tum aaj bhi achha se khana banathe ho." Nupur complimented
"yeh maine nahin amba ne banaya tha." and picking up the tray went out the room. Nupur sat still , expressionless till mayank returned. And looked at her questioningly.
"yeh amba kaun hain?"
"kya? Ooohh amba? Wo bai hain." Nupur relaxed involuntarily. Mayank went around switching off the lights and talking constantly.
" mujhe kal college jaana hain nupur. afternoon tak aajaaunga. Subah gunjan ghar aajaayegi. Tho tum dono sisters time spend karo. And ek aur kaam kardena dia ko bhi phone kardena . agar wo nahin aathi tho main tumhe doondne nahin nikaltha." And sat on the bed with one light on. Nupur hadn't moved from her place. After waiting to be with mayank all these days, she was suddenly hesitant.
"nupur," he called out softly. He had realized she was beginning to feel uncomfortable and he did not know how to react.
"nupur, raat bar wahin rehne ka iraada hain ?" nupur shook her head but still sat on the chair. Mayank got up, went to her and sat on his knees taking her hands in his.
"mayank main aanewaali…"
"its okay nupur. relax karo. Tum suddenly itni kyun chup hogayi?…. kuch sochne lagi ?," when she couldn't reply, he forcibly made her get up from the chair, led her to the bed and made her sit on it. Nupur was changing colour , she did not know what she wanted. she longed to hide her face in mayanks chest and cry, she also wanted him to hold her and kiss her but she she felt strange when he was close to her.
"now sleep," he made her lie down on the bed and as he lent over her to adjust the pillows, he was too close for comfort. Their eyes met and mayank almost involuntarily stroked her face, pushing her free hair behind her ears . her eyes closed at his touch but her face betrayed her uncertainty. He swallowed hard and trying to maintain some calm, pulled the quilt over her .
"tum darna mat. Main yahin sofe pe so jaaunga. Kuch chahiye tho bulalena."
"nahin mayank, tum …" nupurs face showed her embarrassment," tum please bed pe aajao. Maine teek hoon"
" shayad. Par shayad mujhe time chahiye tumhaare phir se aadat dalne ki. So now sleep." And without hesitation kissed her on the forehead.
Nupur s eyes closed . she was visibly relieved. Mayank taking another quilt slept on the sofa.
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Mayank- with closed eyes- suddenly isko kya hua? Kal tak tho jab bhi mere paas athi thi tho us ki dil ki dhadkan teez hojaathi thi aur aaj itna uncomfortable! Maybe us dhruv ne jo kiya aaj us se darr gayi hain. Is ladki ka kuch nahin keh sakthe. but shayad mere liye bhi yahin teek hain. isko saamne rakhkar main apne aap ko control nahin karpaaunga shayad.Pata nahin kya kya saha hain us aadmi ke wajah se. and felt his fingers close in an angry fist. Tum ne aisa kyun kiya nupur!! and sighed as he thought of what she had tried to do for them. Hey bhagwaan give me strength ki main isko phir se wo sab khushi de sakoo jo isne , hum ne miss kiya hain in teen saal mein. He turned his head and looked towards her , she seemed to be sleeping. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Nupur- yeh mujhe achanak se kya hogaya. Do din pehle tak jab wo kareeb aatha tha tho itna achha lagtha tha , aisa lagtha tha ki main uski bahaaon mein apna saara gham bulaadoo apne aap ko bhulaakar sirf usko yaad rakhoo. Par abhi abhi jo mujhe darr sa laga…..aisa tho pehle kabhi nahin hua hain hamare beech. Lekin abhi wo mere saath nahin hain tho , akela sa lag raha hain . tum paagal ho nupur. aur us se kaisa laga hoga- itne din ke bad mile hain aur wo bhi is tarah maine usko door kardiya!!
And she got up from the bed to see him- he was sleeping.
Shayad so gaya. Lamba din tha aaj. Shaukar hain bhagwaan ka ki kuch hua nahin.
And her thoughts turned to the events of the day- dhruv threatening to kill her and the shooting. She shivered and pulled the blanket closer, turned over and closed her eyes. Sleep was far away.
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Some time , still dark
Mayank turned in his sleep and his hand hit something next to his face. He hurriedly woke up and tried to switch the lamp on. Nupur was sleeping with her head on the sofawith a frown on her face , near his head and sitting on the floor, her face registered some change as the light fell on her and he called out softly- nupur. he shook her awake. She looked at him and woke up, rubbing her eyes.
"tum yahaan kyun soyi ho?"
"wo neend nahin aarahin thi, tho main tumhe utane aayi. Tum gehri neend mein the tho …..yahaan…"
he got up and indicated her to get up as welland walked to the bed. Nupur stopped and held his arm.
"mayank tum bhi yahin raho na please. Mujhe yakin hojane tho do ki tum….matlab hum saath hain…." Her eyes were almost pleading. It shook him.
"tum itna pooch kyun rahi ho nupur. mujhe laga ki tumhe kuch space chahiye."
"nahin mayank mujhe sirf tumhara saath chahiye. Agar main tumse kahoon ki mujhe chod do tho bhi mujhe mat chodna."
He pulled her into his arms and hugged tight. He kissed her hair and said," relax nupur. main yahin hoon." And put her on her side of the bed. As he lay on the other side, she moved closer and placed her head on his arm.
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