Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Sweet Confessions.

30th September, 1995.

Delhi.

With the rising of the sun, the members of the Bedi house also kick started their day. The chirping of the birds in the verandah, who came to have their meal put by Swastik worked as a natural alarm for the children trying to catch a little sleep on the holiday, that surprisingly included Nandini today as well.

Running around the house to do her part of the chores along with the added wedding preparations has tired her to the bones. From the selection of her each jewellery to all the stuff that is needed to be send for her in-laws, she was looking after each detail. Swastik wanted everything to be according to her wish. It was the last marriage in their generation and he wanted everything perfect out and out.

"Your tea." Jyoti forwarded the cup of tea to her husband who was reading the newspaper. “Where is Nandini?” He asked, not taking the offered tea. He preferred having his first tea of the day, only made by her.

"She looked tired so I let her sleep for a while. Besides you should start changing your habits now. Her marriage is only a month away." Jyoti advised sitting beside him on the charpoy bed in the verandah. A sad smile made it's way on Swastik's lips. The realisation was joyous yet painful.

"I will have my tea with her only, after she wakes up. I still have few days and I don't want to miss anything." Prakash stated, concentrating back on the newspaper.

Few years after Nandini was born, Swastik had given all his responsibilities to his sons who handled the handloom business perfectly. He'd seen her growing and spent all his time with her post his retirement, hence his every other activity was related to her. Jyoti sighed, knowing he won't budge.

Nandini heard her father's words and felt a lump forming in her throat. Ever since her marriage was fixed, she only thought about spending the rest of her life with her husband. The idea made her feel exhilarated and once they started talking over the phone almost every week, her thoughts revolved around him only.

Now when she realised about being a guest in this house for the next month, where she had grown up, a melancholic feeling poked her heart. She didn't want to leave her home, her family, for forever.

Can't she have both the things? She wished!

Composing herself, she quickly took a bath before making her father's favourite breakfast. "Mother, you also come please." She requested Jyoti who smiled at her and picked up the tray containing three cups of tea followed by Nandini with a tray of their breakfast.

Swastik smiled fondly at Nandini who sat next to her, giving him tea with her bright smile, that makes his every day brighter. Now he could only count his days left to be greeted with this smile. 

Cherishing this moment, he sipped his tea with a content smile, tears forming at the corner of his eyes. Gradually everyone from the family joined and had their breakfast together, talking on few lighter topics.

"Today there is a fare in the nearby area. We all can go there and enjoy." Shyam proposed the idea which etched a smile on Monica's face. She had requested her mother about it last night.

All agreed and moved to get ready but Nandini sat there sceptically. Manik was supposed to call her today, like on every Sunday he did and she won't be here to receive the call.

At this moment, she wanted to spend most of her time with her family, given the fact that only few days were left for her to live these moments. She will anyways get a lot of time with him in future after their marriage. Hoping he would understand, she also moved to get ready.