An Arranged Journey To Forever

111

Manik stood outside Abhimanyu's room, his ears catching the muffled sounds of hushed voices and occasional laughter coming from inside. Amidst the chatter and the peals of amusement, he keenly observed that none of the voices belonged to the one he was desperately hoping to hear—Nandini's. Yet, despite that realization, a persistent curiosity gnawed at him, compelling him to push open the door just slightly and take a cautious peek inside. His eyes scanned the lively room, which was brimming with people, primarily young women scattered across couches and cushions, their animated conversations blending into the overall hum of festivity. Somewhere in the midst of them, he spotted Abhimanyu, who was lounging comfortably with a few other men, whom Manik presumed to be his cousins.

The moment the door creaked open, Abhimanyu's sharp gaze caught sight of Manik standing at the threshold, surveying the room. A wide grin stretched across his face as he instantly got up to greet him.

"Manik, bro!" Abhimanyu's voice rang with genuine excitement as he pulled him into a firm, brotherly hug.

Manik reciprocated the embrace, patting his back with warmth before pulling away slightly. "Congratulations, Abhi! I know I'm a bit late, aren't I?" he remarked, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Abhimanyu chuckled, shaking his head. "Not at all! Though, honestly, I was half-expecting you to show up only when my kids celebrate their birthdays," he teased lightheartedly.

Over the years, the bond between them had strengthened tremendously. Ever since Cabir's departure, Abhimanyu had become Manik's go-to person, the friend who filled the void left behind. The physical distance between them—Manik residing in London while Abhimanyu remained in India—was a hurdle, but Abhimanyu had always made sure to be there for him, whether through long phone conversations or brief yet meaningful messages. However, his connection with Cabir had dwindled over time, reducing to sporadic exchanges once every month or two.

Manik let out a soft sigh, his gaze flickering around the chaotic room. "There's so much going on here," he observed, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and mild unease.

Abhimanyu nodded, rolling his eyes playfully. "Tell me about it! These guys are relentless—they won't let me live in peace. But now that you're here, I finally have someone on my team," he said with mock relief.

Manik offered a small smile before his curiosity got the better of him. "Where's Nandini?" he finally asked, unable to suppress the question any longer. He had been in the house for nearly half an hour, and yet, there had been no sign of his wife. The restlessness inside him grew with each passing second.

Abhimanyu, noticing his urgency, gestured vaguely. "She's probably outside or in her room. Why don't you join us for a bit?"

Manik, however, had already made up his mind. "I'll see Nandini first and then come back," he said firmly, not wasting another moment before making his way out of the room.

The atmosphere inside had begun to make him slightly uncomfortable. The lingering glances from unfamiliar faces, the overwhelming energy—none of it sat right with him. But more than that, the need to see his wife, to feel her presence, had taken precedence over everything else.

Stepping into Nandini's room, he felt a familiar sensation wash over him—a feeling he had come to call 'The Nandini Wave.' It was a warmth, an invisible force that reassured him of her presence, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace even before he laid eyes on her. The faint fragrance that lingered in the air was uniquely hers, and it made him close his eyes for a brief moment, absorbing the completeness he felt just by being in her space.

The distant sound of water running alerted him to the fact that she was in the washroom. Smiling to himself, he made his way to the bed and settled down, allowing himself to revel in the familiarity of her world. Every corner of the room had traces of her—her books, her soft cushions, her favorite scented candles. It was home.

Moments later, the washroom door swung open, and Nandini stepped out, completely unprepared for what awaited her. The sight of him made her gasp in shock, her startled scream filling the room. The emotions on her face shifted rapidly—from fear to disbelief, then to unrestrained joy, and finally, pure surprise as the reality of his presence sank in.

"Are you for real?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, her wide eyes locked onto his face as though she feared he might disappear if she blinked.

Manik, unable to contain his own emotions, simply smiled before stepping forward and pulling her into a tight embrace from behind. His arms wrapped around her securely, his warmth seeping into her skin, his breath grazing the side of her neck.

"I missed you so much," he murmured against her skin before pressing soft kisses along the curve of her neck. Each touch sent a shiver down her spine, confirming what her heart already knew—he was truly here.

Still reeling from the surprise, Nandini turned around in his arms, her hands reaching up to cup his face. She stared into his eyes for a second before crashing her lips onto his. Their kiss was far from the picture-perfect moments of fairy tales. It was raw, filled with longing, reassurance, and the deep comfort of familiarity.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads remained pressed together, their breaths mingling as they basked in the closeness they had craved for weeks.

"Seems like you missed me a lot," Manik teased, earning an affectionate slap on his chest from Nandini.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" she demanded, her voice laced with playful annoyance. They had spoken just the day before, and yet, he had not dropped a single hint about his arrival.

Manik smirked, pointing at her lips. "If I had, I wouldn't have gotten that welcome," he said cheekily.

Before she could respond, they were interrupted by a voice calling out from outside the room.

"Nandini, Amayra is not listening to us! She's hell-bent on cooking!" It was Alya, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Manik and Nandini exchanged knowing glances, instantly recalling the last time Amayra had attempted to cook—at midnight, no less. That disaster had sent them running down the stairs in panic, only to be met with the most chaotic kitchen scene imaginable.

The memory made them chuckle, but they both knew they had to intervene before history repeated itself. Sharing a quick, understanding look, they rushed towards the door, ready to handle whatever mess awaited them.