An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 94

"Let's play our national game now," Mukti announced with a mischievous glint in her eyes as the others turned their attention toward her.

"Alright then, I'll go grab a bottle," Manik replied enthusiastically, getting up and retrieving a bottle from the bar counter.

With anticipation in the air, the bottle was spun, and as it gradually came to a stop, all eyes landed on Dhruv.

"So, Dhruv," Mukti teased, "truth or dare?"

"Truth, Mukti. Always," Dhruv replied confidently.

Cabir leaned in with a knowing smirk. "Come on, Dhruv, confess—where exactly were you and Alya last weekend?"

Dhruv hesitated for a moment, stealing a glance at Alya. She gave him a small nod, encouraging him to speak.

Taking a deep breath, Dhruv revealed, "I proposed to Alya last weekend, and we're officially together."

A chorus of cheers erupted around them.

"Woah! Now that's some exciting news!" Mukti exclaimed.

The game continued, and this time, the bottle landed on Mukti.

"Truth or dare, Mukti?" someone asked.

"For a change, let's go with truth," she decided.

Alya, seizing the opportunity, posed the question everyone was curious about. "Mukti, what do you truly feel for Abhimanyu?"

Manik already knew the answer, as Mukti had confided in him about her feelings before.

She sighed before admitting, "Guys, I do have feelings for him, but he doesn't feel the same way. He's interested in someone else."

"Wait, what? Abhimanyu is in a relationship?" Cabir asked, taken aback.

"I'm not sure," Mukti responded, "but I saw him with someone at a café."

Manik, sensing her unease, wrapped an arm around her in a comforting gesture. Mukti managed a small smile in response.

The night continued with more rounds of truth, daring confessions, and endless laughter, punctuated by drinks and shared memories. Their camaraderie made everything feel right.

By the time Manik and Cabir stumbled into the house, exhaustion weighed heavily on them. It was already 4 a.m., and they could barely keep their eyes open.

Manik tiptoed into his room, making sure not to disturb Nandini's sleep. However, to his surprise, his wife was wide awake, seated at her desk with her hair tied up in a messy bun. She looked visibly drained but was deeply engrossed in her work, oblivious to his presence.

He tossed his blazer onto the bed, the noise catching her attention.

"When did you get back?" she asked, turning toward him, her tired eyes meeting his.

"Just a few minutes ago," he replied, smiling as she walked up to him.

His gaze shifted to the cluttered desk. "What's keeping you so occupied at this hour?"

Nandini exhaled, rubbing her temples. "It's a complicated case—a high-risk delivery for a woman in her sixties. I wanted to go through the medical file again to ensure I don't miss anything."

Her voice was laced with fatigue, and Manik could tell how exhausted she was. He, too, was drained, but he knew exactly what she needed at that moment.

"Alright, you focus on your work. I'll be right back," he said cryptically, leaving before she could question him.

She was too immersed in her files to dwell on his sudden departure. Minutes later, she heard the bathroom door open, followed by the sound of the bedroom door closing. Curious but still focused, she continued working.

Around fifteen minutes later, the door creaked open again. She turned, puzzled, only to find Manik standing beside her, holding a steaming cup of coffee, his signature warm smile playing on his lips.

Her face softened, and she couldn't help but smile back. "Manik, you really didn't have to do this."

"Of course, I did," he countered, placing the cup in her hands. "Now, finish your work. Let me know if you need anything."

Before she could say anything else, he pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead before retreating to the bed. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.

By the time she wrapped up her work, the clock read 6 a.m. She glanced at Manik, who was still sound asleep, undisturbed by her movements. Sleep evaded her, as it often did—another habit ingrained in her due to her demanding profession. No matter how late she slept, she would always wake up early, a true testament to the life of a doctor.

She decided to freshen up and get ready for her shift. Selecting an outfit from the wardrobe, she slipped into the bathroom. By the time she emerged, it was already 7 a.m.

After neatly packing her files into her handbag, she prepared to leave but not before leaving a note for Manik on the bedside table.

The house was still quiet, except for the servants who were already attending to their morning duties—some in the garden, others cleaning and preparing breakfast. She informed one of them to let Nyonika know that she had left and that she would return by 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Nandini was already in the operation theatre, engrossed in her work.

Back at the mansion, Manik stirred awake around 10 a.m. He had already guessed that Nandini would have left early, but the note on his side table brought an instant smile to his face—an unexpected but wonderful start to his morning.

Unfolding the paper, he read:

Good morning, Manik,

I had to leave early, and since you came home so late last night, I didn't want to disturb your sleep. Please try to come home early today—I'll be bored otherwise. I'll be back before 2.

I love you.

His smile widened as he folded the note, deciding to work from home for the day. After all, last night's memories still lingered, and he wanted to savor them a little longer.