An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 100

As Nandini noticed the deep, contemplative look on Manik's face, she couldn't help but ask, her voice gentle yet concerned, "What is it, Manik? What's on your mind?"

She knew him too well. She could sense when he was lost in thought, trying to piece together his emotions and uncertainties. And she also knew that, no matter how stubborn he was, he always wanted to share them with her.

Manik turned to glance at her briefly before focusing back on the road. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he exhaled slowly. "Nandini, everything that has happened... everything that is happening... everything that Navya is doing—whether it's for good or bad—it's made me realize something very unsettling."

Nandini leaned slightly toward him, her eyebrows knitting together in concern. "And what's that?" she asked softly, urging him to continue.

"That I am so uncertain in the present times," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of his thoughts.

His words lingered in the air, and though Nandini couldn't entirely decipher his emotions, she understood the direction in which he was thinking. She knew there was more to it.

"Okay... and?" she prompted, her voice patient, her eyes filled with understanding. She wanted to hear him out completely.

Manik sighed and looked out of the window at the vast expanse of water stretching before them. The gentle waves kissed the shore, reflecting the moonlight in a mesmerizing dance. There was something about the sea that always called to him—just like how the cool winds did to Nandini. No one could truly understand the depth of what the sea meant to him. The ocean had no definite start or end; it was an endless cycle, much like life itself. Water was the most flexible yet the most powerful force—no one could resist it. Blocking its path would only force it to carve a new one. That thought always soothed him, inspiring him deeply. The sea was his sanctuary, second only to the stars. And the stars? They soothed him almost as much as Nandini did.

"Let's sit by the sea, please," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nandini turned to look at him, seeing the longing in his eyes. Without hesitation, she nodded. "Let's go."

She didn't waste another second. As soon as the car came to a halt, she jumped out, leaving her slippers behind on the floorboard. What was the point of walking on a beach if you weren't barefoot? Manik chuckled at her childlike enthusiasm. It wasn't that Nandini had an undying love for the sea, but she loved the fact that he did. And that, in itself, made him fall for her all over again.

They walked side by side, the cool sand pressing against their feet. Manik had his hands tucked into his pockets, lost in thought, while Nandini walked beside him with her arms folded across her chest. She kept stealing glances at him, waiting for him to speak.

After a few moments of silence, Manik finally said, "Nandini, don't take this the wrong way, okay? I am not saying that we need to leave our family or our house... but today, Navya made me realize something important. The house I live in—it's mine, yes, but at the same time... it's not really mine."

Nandini's brows furrowed as she listened carefully. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Manik exhaled deeply and sat down on a large rock facing the shimmering city lights in the distance. Nandini followed suit, resting her back against his, offering silent support.

"I mean... I don't truly own anything, Nandini. The house I live in—it belongs to my family, but not to me. The work I do... it's not fully my own. If someone wanted to, they could take it all away from me in an instant. Anyone could throw me out—out of my job, out of my home. And I would have nothing to fall back on."

Nandini turned slightly, tilting her head to look at him. "Manik, why are you thinking like this? Mamma and Dad would never do that. You know how much they love you."

"I know," Manik admitted, nodding. "I'm not saying they would do something like that. But think about it, Nandini... did we ever expect Navya to do what she did? Life is unpredictable. We never know what the future holds. And right now, if something were to go wrong, I have no backup. I have nothing of my own."

Nandini let his words sink in. "So, what do you want to do?" she asked after a pause, her voice steady.

Manik looked at her then, his eyes filled with determination. "I want to work on my own business. I want to have my own house—no matter what is happening in the family. I need to stand on my own feet, Nandini. I've lived my entire life under Dad's hard work. And even though he loves me and provides for me, it's not enough. He doesn't let me work too much because he wants to make things easier for me, but that's not right. I want to build something for myself... for us."

Nandini stared at him, her mind racing to process his words. "Are you saying... you want us to live separately? Away from the family?" she asked hesitantly.

Manik immediately shook his head. "No, Nandini. Not at all. We are not leaving our family. I just want to create something that belongs to me, something I can call my own. That's all."

Nandini remained quiet for a moment before she reached for his hand and held it firmly. "And where do you plan to begin?" she asked, her voice gentle yet curious.

Manik squeezed her hand slightly before replying, "You already know I've been working on a project in London. No one else knows—not even Dad. That project is my brainchild, my effort, my hard work. It's something I can truly call my own. And now, I want to focus on it completely."

Nandini's breath hitched slightly. "And you can't do that from India?" she asked, already suspecting the answer.

Manik took a deep breath. "No. That's why... I want to move to London."

Nandini stopped walking, her feet suddenly feeling heavy. The thought of leaving India, her family, her home—it was overwhelming. Manik noticed her hesitation immediately and turned to face her.

He gently cupped her face, his eyes searching hers. "Nandini, listen to me. The final decision will be yours, okay? If your work can also be managed or shifted there, only then will we go. I promise. I will never make you leave everything behind if it means losing a part of yourself."

A wave of relief washed over Nandini. She gave him a small smile, nodding as he opened the car door for her. As they got in, she stared out of the window, her heart conflicted. She was proud of Manik for wanting to stand on his own feet. She loved his ambition. But the idea of leaving India... it was something she wasn't sure she was ready for.