Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Fallacy.

31st July, 1995.

Manik ran and hoarded a bus from Delhi railway station to his in-law's house. Securing a window seat for himself, he kept his bag on the aisle and chugged few sips of water from the pitcher, wiping off the sweat from his forehead. The temperature was surpassing the records in Delhi every year.

Bedi's have invited Manik's family for the Guru Granth Sahib ceremonial worship which they perform every year and since this year Nandini's marriage was fixed by god's grace they chose Nandini's birthday as the perfect auspicious day for this prayer and also wanted Manik and his family to be a part of this celebration.

Since Manas had finally got a job, he was busy and Manik already had some work related to his business in Delhi, only he was free to come. So he decided to come a day prior to attend this event. Though Prakash was eager to meet his daughter-in-law who had greeted him respectfully on the day of her engagement but his eyes didn't allow him to join this long and uncomfortable journey. He had started developing cataract in his right eye.

Manik gazed outside the window, the sun rising and symbolising a beginning of a new day. 31st July, he memorised today's date which is going to be special one for the rest part of his life- it is his fiancé's birth date.

When he received the post from Bedi's, he was shocked and somewhere embarrassed that he didn't even know about Nandini's birthday. Hadn't her family sent the invitation for this ceremonial worship, he would've definitely missed this day. She must be expecting something from him, shouldn't she?

Without any delay he called the mentioned STD number in the post from the nearby PCO and confirmed them about his arrival.

A small smile etched his lips thinking about her cute face. He never knew someone could capture his thoughts in a single meet. Her smiling face, nervousness, soft voice, grumpy expressions- her every action from the day of their engagement was carved in his mind as a beautiful memory. As much as these precious moments helped him in passing a month away from her, these moments also increased his urge to see her once again. His own thoughts about her felt too unfamiliar to him. As he reached closer to her house, his excitement to catch her single glance escalated.

______

Drying her wet hair with the towel properly, Nandini applied a moisturizer on her face and hands. Placing a stone 'bindi' in between her threaded eyebrows, she got ready looking spectacular in her embroidered off-white georgette patiala suit and a multi-coloured dupatta.

Hanging the towel under the sun, she quickly entered the temple, bowing down her head to seek blessings from the Almighty. Turning around she saw her mother standing and waiting for her with a smile. "Happy birthday Nandini." Jyoti wished, embracing her daughter with her free arm while holding a plate full of 'badaam sheera' in her other hand. It was Nandini's favourite. Breaking the hug Nandini eyed the 'sheera' hoggishly. Jyoti chuckled at her daughter's antics and said, "I'd to cook this for you. It's your last birthday with us. Next birthday, you'd be in your own home with your family."

Nandini's smile dimmed and her favourite 'sheera' tasted bitter. "Is this not my home, not my family anymore?" She questioned innocently, sadness lingering in her beautiful orbs.

"You will always be our daughter Nandini and we will always be your parents but my child, a girl's real home is where her husband resides, her real family is her in-laws. For us, you are their chattel now till you get married. Always remember, your happiness should lie in your husband's happiness and it's your duty to keep him happy, okay?" Nandini acceded to her mother's perspicacious teachings, understanding that what is she sharing is her own experience.

Patting Nandini's cheek, Jyoti scurried away to complete her pending work regarding the prayer ceremony leaving Nandini deep in thoughts. Her mother gave her a piece of advice, from her own experience which she might have gained during her years of marriage or might had been taught by her own mother.