Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Coming Closer

Continued from the last part...

Nandini was the first one to be done with her food as she hardly ate anything. Her mother sighed, knowing she cannot eat properly when surrounded by so many people. Before leaving, she also took her six months old nephew who was wailing and not letting Shalini eat properly. Manik's eyes discreetly followed her till she disappeared inside the house. Clearing his throat Manik excused himself feeling nothing but anger and disappointment.

Passing through the corridor Manik heard few giggles of a baby and headed towards the source. There he saw her, playing with her nephew who was giggling holding her chain in his small fist. She simply let him play and tickled him occasionally. The sight felt beautiful to him.

The view of her neck without a dupatta was fanciable and the way her hair was lying on her shoulder in a messy way, he just wanted to run his fingers in between them. He didn’t want others to see her in such an alluring state and hence coughed to gain her attention. Being snapped out of her bubble, she stood up abruptly putting a dupatta on her chest which earned her a frown on his face. Without keeping any eye-contact, she supported her niece in between her arms who was busy chewing over her chain and staring at his uncle curiously.

Smiling at the little boy, Manik moved ahead to take him in his arms who surprisingly hopped instantly. Manik loved kids and so did the kids. However, his smile vanished the instant his eyes fell over the ring hanging in the chain she wore around her neck. It was their engagement ring. Why was she wearing it there and not on her finger? He looked at her questionably while the kid found another chain to nib at and was busy in his own world giving his uncle-aunt enough time to have a conversation.

“It is loose and keeps falling. I somehow fixed it with a thread but it still comes out.” She said sincerely and Manik felt a little guilty, for judging her and blaming her for his fault. He never knew that whether the ring was of her size or not and neither made an effort to ask her.

“Okay. We will get it fixed once you come to Lucknow.” He said calmly and made his way to Ram's room. Nandini frowned, hurt with his behaviour.

He still didn’t wish her.

_______

“Manik ji might leave in the evening. Father is requesting him to stay till tomorrow morning and then anyone will drop him to his workplace.” Sapna informed Nandini, lying next to her on the bed.

After lunch all the members decided to rest while Nandini’s  sisters returned to their respective homes. Since Manik was staying in Ram’s room, Sapna was with Nandini.

“Why to force him when he wants to leave?” Nandini's voice came out harsher than she wanted it to be. Earlier she wanted him to stay a little longer as they might get a chance to talk but perceiving his impassionate behaviour she didn’t know what to say or expect!

“What happened Nandini?” Sapna asked, frowning at Nandini’s coldness towards Manik. It isn’t that Nandini had been very obvious or explicit about Manik but there was always a spark, an eagerness to listen whenever the family talked anything related to him. How much she tried hiding it but everyone could feel how happy she was when Manik confirmed about his arrival. Then what went wrong?

“Look at me. Did he say anything to you? Or is he upset with you?” Sapna was concerned on getting no response from her sister-in-law.

“He didn’t even wish me bhabhi.” Nandini verbalised the reason of her sadness. Sapna sighed and pursed her lips in a thin line. She didn't have anything to say on this matter.
____

“Bhabhi!” Sapna turned aside and saw Manik standing near the kitchen while she was boiling the tea.

“Yes Manik ji, do you need something?” She became attentive towards him.