From You and Me to We :- An Arrange Marriage Saga

The Golden Night

Everyone retired back to their places after Manan's Roka. Mukti seemed to be lost in her own world. Manik and everyone knew the reason but we're helpless. Manik being the closest to Mukti was trying to divert her mind. He could read his twinnie like an open book. Suddenly his phone rang with an unknown number. He declined but it rang again. He answered the call this time.
He was about to burst off when he heard

Nandini:- Manik it's me!
Manik:- I am sorry, I didn't have your number. (Mukti understood Nandini was on the call and snatched the phone)

Both the girls talked for good 30 minutes before she handed the phone back. Manik spoke hello only to find the call ended. Mukti laughed.

Mukti:- She called on your phone as she didn't have my number.
Manik was shocked 😲 his mouth was wide open!

Manik pov:- Very smart Mrs. Soon to be Malhotra

Manik:- She wanted your number and you talked for 30 minutes completely.
Mukti:- Stop being a desperate jealous man! She already loves me and you have a way to go my sweet twin!

With this she left the room. She was cheerful. Manik and everyone else was surprised to see Mukti like that. She used to lock herself up every year on this day for past 2 years. Manik planned to take Mukti on a nightout when Nyonika informed that they are supposed to spend the night at the Golden Temple for the akand path(I apologise for the spelling mistakes)
Manik was worried about Mukti but all of them got ready and moved to the Gurudwara. Nandini seeked Nyonika's permission and took Mukti with her which made Manik restless. It was a couple of hours, though he had started trusting Nandini but was scared about Mukti, he knows her condition on this day. He moved out in search of the girls. Nyonika observed this and followed him.

Nyonika:- Kya hua Manik
Manik:- Mom I am worried about Mukti. You know this day is the toughest for her.
Nyonika:- I know mera bacha but she needs to learn how to fight her own battles.
Manik:- I can't see her in pain.

They reach and the grand area where many women are cooking as a part of their sewa and are shocked to see the girls. Mukti was laughing hesterically. They both chose to observe the two girls who were cooking and talking like they have known each other inside out. Manik was on cloud 9 to see Mukti so happy on this day and what added to his happiness was the way she was comfortable with Nandini. Nyonika was shocked too. She always had a fear that how will Mukti accept a girl in Manik's life, but seeing her like that with Nandini she knew she had chosen a gem for her son. They saw Mukti catching hold of Nandini's hand and dragging her near the sarovar. The mother-son duo followed the girls secretly. Mukti and Nandini settled down and to everyone's utter surprise Mukti layer her head on Nandini's lap. Though Nandini was surprised too but then a thought crossed her head and she started running her fingers through her hair.

Nandini:- Kya hua bacha
Mukti:- You know there's something strange about you. You make me happy just like him. I so wish you are the same person I am thinking but that's a wild thought.

Nandini was well aware of what Mukti was talking about. Still she kept mum and wanted her to continue. Manik and Nyonika frozed. Mukti never talked to anyone, not even to Manik about that one incident in her life.

Mukti:- I met Nishant in my college we fell in love. He was everything I wanted my life partner to be. Everyone in the family loved him like their own. I was living a dream life. But I guess I only jinxed it. 2 years back it was our 4 anniversary, he wanted me to meet his twinnie, it was surprising tht we both had twins. We were in the way, a truck hit us and he pushed me and took my death on his head.
(Tears were falling down her eyes, Nyonika and Manik were in tears but Nyonika noticed Nandini, she was doing everything to control her tears. Her expressions had a different story, as if she knew about the incident)

Mukti:- I saw him dying and bloody couldn't do anything. It's his birthday today and I feel like giving up everything. I don't want to upset my family they have been with me, held me but I know it hurts them to see me like this.
Nandini:- It's hurting him too. (Nandini spoke for the very first time, with Mukti in her lap, she looked absolutely nowhere) It's hurting Nishant Mukti.  He valued your life more than his. He wanted you to live, live on his behalf, he wanted to live through you. By hurting yourself you are hurting him too. Let him rest in peace and shine brightest among the stars seeing you happy. Mukti, love is not only living together forever, love is living the moments and smiling for years remembering them. Love is living for each other's happiness. Live for his happiness Mukti. Live for his happiness.!!

Mukti hugged her waist tightly. Nandini wiped her tears and asked her to smile and for the first time in these 2 years Mukti had a genuine smile on her face.

Nandini:- Let's go inside before everyone comes here finding us.

Mukti stood up and started moving when she was suddenly hugged by her twin. They both moved in together whereas on the other hand Nyonika stood there looking at Nandini. Nandini took out her phone and was talking looking at a picture!

Nandini:- You were so right, she is so naive, she loves you immensely, you did wrong leaving her alone. You were supposed to be here with us.

(She bursted out crying)

What do you think of yourself. You had to wish me today but you forgot. Anyways I will do it. Happiest birthday my Twin! Stay happy wherever you are. The world doesn't seem the same without you but today I know you must be happy, I spent the first few hours of our birthday with your lady love! I know you hate my tears but you only are the reason behind them. But don't worry I won't let you down. You will still be in my first and every prayer of this new year! I miss you!

She kisses the screen.

Nyonika:- Happy Birthday bacho!

Nandini was shocked. She wanted to run but Nyonika held her.
She sat beside her.

Nyonika:- Nishant hamesha kehta tha, aap meri twinnie se miloge na, you will love her. I always found something familiar in you but could not guess. Bacha maaf kar do mujhe, meri Mukti ko bachane ke liye Nishant....

Nandini:- Nhi mom! Bado ka hath mafi ke liye nhi ashirwad ke liye uthta hai. Wo Nishant ki destiny thi, Mukti somehow became the part of an incident she is nowhere to be blamed. She deserves to be loved, to be happy and as Nish said to be treated like a princess. Mom ek request hai, don't tell her that I am Nishant's sister till the time she finds it out, I know she has been guilty for no reason. I want relieve her from that pain

Nyonika had tears in her eyes.

Nyonika:- Kis mitti ki bani ho tum. Nandini trust me aaj se tum meri pehli aulad ho. To kya hua tumne meri kokh se janam nhi liya, but you are my daughter and my first child. I wouldn't tell this until they get to know.

She hugs her tightly. Nandini relaxed feeling a motherly embrace. She was assured of Nyonika's promise.

#Okaythanksbye!!
#Mananforever