Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Extinguishing the Fire.

14th November, 1995.

Clasping his hands together in a fist, Manas paces the room up and down, brainstorming himself to find a believable excuse for his deed. In anyway, he cannot let the truth reach his brother or he will be beaten to the pulp. He shudders, imagining his condition otherwise.

Prakash enters the room after a bath and his ignorance towards Manas was enough for the latter to know that he won't be getting any kind of help from his father, not that he'd very high expectations from him. He contemplates on taking help from Nandini as her impact on Manik was evident. But what will she think about him when he'll ask her for help? His respect and image in her eyes will only fall and he does not want that. The slap and scoldings were more than enough already.

An idea clicks his mind and to execute it, he needs an escape without making anyone suspicious. He tip-toes to his brother's room and found him asleep. He breathes a sigh of relief that doesn't last long as Nandini calls him from behind.

"Bhaiya, do you need something?" She asks, finding his presence just outside their room strange.

"No bhabhi. I was just wondering how to seek bhai's forgiveness." He explains with a pale face. Nandini believes his words and sympathizes with his situation. Manik's anger was definitely something to be scared about.

"Just tell him the truth and he will forgive you." Nandini suggests with good intention and Manas bit back his scoff. His sister-in-law was too innocent.

"What are you doing with this container?" He changes the topic for all he wanted was an escape not any sort of enlightenment and definitely not from her.

"We've decided to purchase milk from the shed, just one block away so I was about to wake him up for bringing it." She elaborates and a smile peeps over Manas' face. This is the opportunity he was looking for.

"Give it to me bhabhi, I'll bring it. Let bhai sleep." He requests politely and she doesn't find any reasons to deny. Explaining him the exact address and the amount needed, she hands him the money. "I don't need it." He mutters giving a fake smile and goes away.

Around an hour later, Manik enters the kitchen and finds Nandini standing on a big stool and cleaning the first marble shelf. Few jars containing the dry grains were kept on the slab. Manik clears his throat and her neck snaps in his direction. She sighs in relief seeing him as she wasn't wearing any dupatta right now.

"Can you pass me these sheets?" She asks, unsure, but it is difficult for her to bend and pick up the cut out plastic sheets from the slab. He nods and hands them one by one. She covers the marble shelf neatly and then places the jars in a row.

"Who brought the milk?" He asks helping her to climb down from the stool.

"Bhaiya. He offered to help. I'll make tea for everyone." Nandini tells and washes her hands from the sink. Manik stood bemused, his brother and offering help was a rare scene but he chides himself for thinking like this for him.

"Later. Where is he?" Manik asks about Manas as he was no where to be seen. "He is on the terrace." She informs quietly and Manik turns to leave. Talking to his brother was more important for him than anything.

"Suniye!" She calls him softly and comes ahead with a two glasses of mosambi juice in her hands. "Are you going to talk to him?" She asks and he simply nods. "Can I say something?" He looks at her, already having a hunch about her thoughts but nods anyway. He genuinely wanted to hear her, as she indirectly calms him down always. Maybe she'd something to tell which will help him in dealing with Manas.