An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 22

The Engagement Day – A Bittersweet Goodbye

Nandini stood there, her heart heavy as Manik spoke.

"What do you mean by that, Manik?" she asked, confusion and worry clouding her voice.

Manik took a deep breath, trying to calm her down. "Nandini, listen to me. I will be back soon, I promise."

Nandini's face fell. She couldn't understand why he hadn't told her earlier. "You really think you can just tell me this today, on our engagement day, that you're leaving tomorrow? And expect me to smile? To just be happy for you?" She shook her head, her emotions running high.

Manik's heart sank seeing her upset. He knew he had made a mistake. "I'm sorry, Nandini. I just wanted you to enjoy today, without worrying about me leaving. I didn't want to spoil your mood." He looked at her with pleading eyes, his voice soft. "Please, forgive me."

Nandini sighed deeply. "It's not that I don't like you going, Manik. It's just... why today? Why when we're supposed to be celebrating?"

Manik stepped closer, his hands gently holding her shoulders. "I never meant to hurt you. I should have told you sooner, but I was trying to keep everything perfect for you."

Nandini could see how genuinely sorry he was, and despite her frustration, she knew he didn't mean to upset her. But the disappointment was still there, lingering.

Manik, sensing her inner conflict, pulled her into a hug. She melted into him, needing the warmth of his embrace. "I'm sorry, Nandini," he whispered, his lips brushing the top of her head. "I'll be back before you know it."

She held him tightly, not wanting to let go, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry too. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I just... I don't know, Manik. Something feels off. I can't shake it."

Manik kissed her forehead, his arms wrapped around her securely. "You're just overthinking, Nandini. Everything will be fine. I'll be back before you miss me too much."

Nandini didn't say anything more, but the unease in her chest remained. Slowly, she pulled back from him, her gaze locking with his. "When is your flight?"

"2 p.m. tomorrow," he replied quietly, his heart aching seeing her so vulnerable.

She nodded, trying to push her worries aside, but the uncertainty still gnawed at her.

As Nandini started to walk away, Manik quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "You really think I'm going to leave and go to Vegas with that sad face of yours staring at me?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Nandini paused, her eyes locking with his. Deep down, she knew something wasn't right. Her intuition was telling her there was more to this than just a business trip. But for Manik, she forced a smile, a small one, just enough to reassure him.

Manik's gaze softened, but his teasing nature still shone through. "Not that fake smile, Nandini. I want the real one."

Nandini forced herself to smile a little wider, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Manik stepped closer to her, his hands gently resting on her waist. "Not quite there yet," he murmured, before pulling her into a playful embrace. "I know how to bring that smile back."

Before Nandini could protest, Manik began tickling her, his fingers finding the sensitive spots on her sides.

Nandini gasped, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. "What the hell, stop, stop!" she giggled. "Manik, stop, please!"

He grinned mischievously, holding her tighter. "Promise me you won't be sad now?"

"Manikkk, stop it first!" Nandini laughed, her breath still shaky from the tickling. "Okay, okay, I'll try. I promise I won't be sad."

Manik stopped, his hands still resting on her waist as they both caught their breath. Nandini smiled genuinely, her eyes shining with warmth.

Without thinking, Nandini took a step closer to him, and Manik, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them, lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, filled with love and tenderness, the promise of forever in the way they held each other.

After what felt like an eternity, they broke the kiss, both of them smiling, their foreheads resting against each other.

Nandini wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Be careful, please," she whispered, her voice full of concern.

Manik tightened his hold on her, his heart full of affection. "I will, I promise. I love you."

"I love you more," Nandini replied with a soft smile.

Manik chuckled, his hand gently stroking her hair. "No, I love you more."

Nandini laughed lightly, nodding in agreement. "Okay, okay, you win."

The clock had ticked into the early hours of the morning, and the elders had already left the resort, knowing that Manik had to leave soon. Cabir had told them about Manik's departure, and they understood that the young couple needed some privacy.

Manik and Nandini left together, heading to his car. The quiet of the night enveloped them as they drove to the Murthy Mansion.

By the time they arrived, it was already 4 a.m. Nandini looked at Manik, a weak smile on her face, but her eyes were filled with unshed tears.

Manik reached over, cupping her face gently. "Please, Nandini, don't cry. We'll talk every day, I promise. If it weren't urgent, I would never leave you like this."

Nandini blinked back the tears, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand, Manik. But tomorrow, I have surgery at the hospital... I won't be able to drop you off. Please, just be safe. Come back to me."

Manik nodded, his heart heavy as he hugged her tightly. "I will. I'll be back before you know it."

She held him tightly, her arms wrapped around his waist, trying to push away the fear that had taken root in her chest.

Manik finally pulled away, and as he walked to the car, Nandini stood at the gate, watching him drive away. Just as his car disappeared into the distance, the rain began to pour down, the sound of the storm mingling with her thoughts.

"Why do I feel like something is wrong?" Nandini whispered to herself, her heart aching with an unexplainable sense of dread. "Why do I feel like I won't see you, Manik?"

Manik, driving away, felt the same strange unease settle over him. "Something doesn't feel right," he murmured to himself, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "It feels like I'm moving away from you, and you're moving so far from me."

But then, amidst the storm, the first rays of the morning sun broke through the dark clouds, casting a serene light over the world. Both of them, unknowingly, felt a sense of peace.

Nandini smiled softly as she gazed at the sky. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet determination.

Manik, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, spoke to the empty car, though it felt like he was speaking to Nandini. "Where could I go without you? I won't let you slip away from me. We will be strong, Nandini."

And with that, they both entered their respective homes, their hearts still tethered to one another, knowing that no distance could ever keep them apart.