An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 28

Manik let out a sigh of relief when he saw Nandini. "Thank God you're here," he said, his voice filled with frustration.

Nandini's expression softened as she stepped closer to him. "Of course, I had to be here, Manik. What's going on? What's troubling you?"

Manik's face tightened. "I just can't take this anymore. They're so fucking irritating all of them." He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

Nandini raised an eyebrow. "Manik, language," she said, trying to calm him down.

Manik's face flushed with anger. "Forget the language, Nandini. That Soha—she's constantly all over me, clinging to me like I'm some sort of prize. I can't handle it anymore. If she says one more thing, I swear, I'll lose it." His voice cracked with the weight of his words.

Nandini's eyes softened with understanding. She gently tugged at his arm, pulling him towards the nearest room. "Come on, let's get away from all this noise for a moment."

Manik reluctantly followed, his mind still racing with frustration. Once inside, Nandini closed the door behind them and turned to face him.

"Now tell me," she said quietly. "What's really bothering you?"

"I just don't understand it," Manik muttered, his hands in his pockets. "Why is she so clingy? Why is she acting like I'm the only thing in her life?"

Nandini took a deep breath. "Maybe because she likes you?" she suggested gently. "But Manik, you don't have to spend your life with her. You're not tied to her. You don't owe her anything."

Manik looked at her, his brows furrowed. "She likes me, so she's clingy? You love me, but you're not like that. What does that mean?"

Nandini smiled, her eyes softening as she stepped closer. "I'm not like her because I'm not trying to change you. I love you for who you are, not because of what I want you to be. I'm unique, remember?"

Manik's lips twitched with a hint of a smile. "Unique, huh? You really know how to change my mood. I don't know how you do it, but it's like you've got some magic power over me."

Nandini chuckled softly. "It's because I love you, silly. Now go. Go before they start asking questions."

Manik hesitated, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Wait, you don't want me to stay here with you?"

She rolled her eyes and nudged him towards the door. "You can't stay here for too long, Manik. Trust me, go downstairs."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's the rush?"

Before she could answer, Nandini's phone rang, cutting their conversation short. She answered with a sigh, "Hello, Mom?"

Nyonika's voice came through the phone, sharp but loving. "Beta, Nandu, I'm happy when you're both together, but now I need you to send him downstairs. That girl's not going to handle things with us. Trust me, it's for the best."

Manik raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Nandini glanced at him, shaking her head. "What? You want me to send Manik down to handle her?"

Nyonika's tone grew more insistent. "I just don't want her around him too much. If she comes upstairs, it's going to be trouble. Please send him down."

Sighing, Nandini glanced at Manik. "You know your son doesn't listen to me." She put the phone on speaker and turned it toward Manik. "Come downstairs now, please. I'm telling you, if this keeps going, I might have to come up there myself. Once that girl leaves, take Nandu wherever you need to. Just come quietly."

Manik gave a resigned sigh. "Okay, Mom. I'm coming."

Nandini hung up the phone, her eyes meeting Manik's with a mixture of concern and affection. "There, done. Now, go."