An Arranged Journey To Forever

108

Nandini watched Manik with a mix of amusement and concern as he sat there, fidgeting and grumbling. "Manik, why are you getting so angry?" she asked, her eyes scanning his irritated expression.

"I'm not angry! I'm freaking hungry!" Manik shot back, exasperation evident in his voice. "Listen, Mom, Nandini—you two go ahead and shop. Dad and I are heading straight to the food court."

Raj, who had been silent until now, immediately chimed in, "Yes, please! I'm too exhausted to roam around."

Nyonika, however, was far from convinced. Her sharp gaze landed on the two men before she crossed her arms. "Oh, so you both expect Nandini and me to do all the shopping while you lounge around eating? How exactly do you think that's fair?" she questioned, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Exactly! And Manik, you just had snacks in the car," Nandini added, rolling her eyes at his theatrics.

"Snacks?" Manik scoffed. "Snacks are not food, Nandini. They're just fillers!" His frustration was now at its peak, his stomach protesting the delay.

Nandini let out a deep sigh, trying to pacify him. "Okay, fine. Just wait for two minutes. We only have a few things left to buy from Home Town, and then we'll be done."

Manik, however, was not having any of it. He firmly shook his head in refusal. Before he could argue further, Nyonika gave him a light slap on his chest, making him wince.

"Oh, shut up! You're not going to die in two minutes without food. Now, just follow us, and then we're heading straight to Mom's Kitchen," she declared.

"Dad, please?" Nandini turned to Raj, hoping he would take her side. Raj, torn between his son and daughter, hesitated. Manik was signaling a big 'No,' but when it came to choosing between his son's hunger tantrum and his daughter's request, Raj found himself siding with Nandini.

"Manik, beta, let's just wait. Nandini is asking so nicely. It's only a matter of two minutes," Raj said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

Manik exhaled loudly, crossing his arms and giving them all a stern look. Nandini, sensing her victory, flashed him a bright, triumphant smile while Manik simply glared at her.

"You guys don't love me at all," he muttered, sulking as he trudged ahead, making Nandini chuckle at his childishness.

As they entered the store, Nandini held up a set of beautiful lights on display. "Manik, look at these!"

Manik continued to sulk, looking anywhere but at her. Nandini leaned in with a knowing smile. "Oh, come on. You know you can't stay mad at me for long. Admit it!"

Manik sighed, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Yeah, I know. But I can at least try," he grumbled, making Nandini laugh. The sound of her laughter only deepened his pout, but it was impossible to stay mad at her for long.

"Fine, let's go," Nandini finally relented.

The moment those three words left her lips, Manik's face lit up instantly, his sulking forgotten. Such a child, Nandini thought, shaking her head with a fond smile.

Seated at Mom's Kitchen, the family relished their meal, enjoying the impeccable hospitality and warm ambiance. However, what stood out to Raj and Nyonika the most wasn't just the food—it was Manik and Nandini.

At home, they had always been aware of their children's care for each other, but tonight, witnessing their bond outside the comfort of their house was something different. It was the unspoken understanding between them, the small yet significant gestures—Nandini passing Manik the dishes he liked without him asking, Manik absentmindedly fixing Nandini's hair while she struggled to tie it with messy hands, them sharing food from each other's plates without a second thought. It was these little things that warmed Raj and Nyonika's hearts.

They were watching not just a couple in love, but two souls deeply connected in ways words couldn't define. It was a beautiful realization.

This day was special, a rare occasion where they all got to be together, cherishing these moments. A day that would remain in their hearts, especially since it would be one of the last times they would have such an outing before things changed.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the departure for London loomed closer. Manik, Nandini, Raj, and Nyonika were set to leave the next morning. While Raj and Nyonika would return in two days, Manik and Nandini were embarking on a much longer journey.

Late at night, Nandini sat curled up on the bed, engrossed in a book, while Manik was still at the office, tying up loose ends. Their flight was in the early hours, but there were last-minute responsibilities he couldn't ignore.

It was past 11:00 PM, far later than when Manik should have been home. Unable to wait any longer, Nandini called him. It took him five or six rings to answer—an immediate sign that he was still buried in work.

"Manik, how much longer?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.

After more than twelve exhausting hours at work, his tired, husky voice finally responded. "Nandini, hi. I don't know... I need to sort out a few more documents. You should sleep, I'll be home soon."

"You know I can't sleep until you're back. Is anyone even still there with you?" she asked, glancing at the clock.

"Just me, Aman, and Kiara," he replied, handing a file over to Aman.

Nandini frowned. "Kiara too? Manik, it's really late. Make sure she gets home safely. Don't let her go alone."

A small smile formed on Manik's lips at her concern. "She lives near Aman's place. He'll drop her off. Don't worry."

Nandini sighed. "Alright... but come home soon."

"I will. But please, if you feel sleepy, don't force yourself to wait up," he insisted.

By the time Manik returned home, it was 12:30 AM. As he entered their room, he found Nandini lying on the bed, eyes closed. He knew better than to believe she was asleep, and sure enough, the moment she heard his footsteps, her eyes snapped open.

With an apologetic smile, he walked towards her, his exhaustion mirroring hers. They were both drained—Manik from office work, Nandini from packing and handling hospital formalities. Her transfer was finalized; the hospital in India would continue running in her absence, while she practiced in London.

After a quick shower, Manik slid into bed beside her. Without a word, they melted into each other's arms, seeking warmth and comfort in the embrace. It was their last night in India for the foreseeable future. They didn't know what awaited them in London, but one thing was certain—they would face it together.