An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 21

The day after the roka passed quickly. The dresses and all the arrangements had been taken care of, and everything was falling into place. Today, Nandini and Manik were supposed to go ring shopping. Nandini had already gotten ready, but something was off about her. Since the day they'd announced their engagement, she had been distant. Manik hadn't seen her much, and whenever anyone called her, she either didn't pick up or quickly ended the conversation, saying she was busy.

Nandini was sitting at the dining table with Abhimanyu when Manik entered the house. After greeting everyone, he and Nandini left for their trip to the jewelry store.

Nandini sat in the passenger seat, the silence between them thick and heavy. Manik, sensing her unease, coughed a few times, trying to get her attention.

He coughed louder, and Nandini turned toward him with a raised brow.

Nandini: "Pani? Need water?"

Manik shook his head, still coughing a little. "Na na, I'm fine."

Nandini glanced at him curiously. "Kuch kehna hai?"

Manik turned his head to look at her, his gaze intense. "Hmm... but you need to tell me, what's bothering you, Nandini?"

Nandini looked away, looking out of the window, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. "What's bothering me? I'm fine," she replied, her voice quieter than usual.

Manik, unconvinced, pressed, "Nandini, please try again. You're not good at lying, especially not to me."

"Nandini..." he repeated softly.

She sighed and turned to face him, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "Manik, when we announced our engagement, various articles came up. You know how I don't usually get affected by them, but there was one article that caught my attention..."

Manik raised an eyebrow. "What article?"

Nandini: "It was an interview of yours, from four months ago. You said you weren't ready for marriage so soon... and then, I started wondering. Are you sure about us? About this whole thing?"

Manik's eyes narrowed, as he processed her words. "Space? You were giving me space?" He looked at her, disbelief in his voice.

Nandini, flustered, turned to look out of the window again. "I was just giving you time, Manik. That's all."

Manik slowed the car down and parked in a quiet, secluded area. He turned to face her, taking her hands in his gently.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" he asked, his voice soft yet firm.

Nandini exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry. It just... I thought maybe I was rushing you. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Manik shook his head, his expression serious now. "Nandini, I don't want space. I don't need space. All I want is you. Just us. Do you understand?"

The sincerity in his voice left Nandini taken aback. Her eyes softened, and she quickly threw herself into his arms. Manik wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly and kissing her forehead.

"I'm sorry, Manik. I shouldn't have doubted you," Nandini whispered into his chest.

Manik smiled gently, his chin resting on the top of her head. "Four months ago, I didn't meet you, did I? That was my bad luck."

She chuckled softly.

"I love you," Manik said quietly, his voice full of warmth.

Nandini pulled away slightly to look at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "I love you more."