An Arranged Journey To Forever

114

Manik took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Nandini. "Nandini, look, I understand what you're saying, and trust me, I love her and care for her just as much as you do. But I don't want her to feel different from other children her age. I want her to experience everything she desires. I don't want her to restrict herself or hold back just because she is—"

Before Manik could complete his sentence, a loud voice interrupted him.

"Nandini!" Alya's voice rang through the house, cutting through the tension in the room.

Nandini turned her head just as Alya entered the kitchen. Sensing the serious conversation taking place, Alya flashed a quick smile at Manik but didn't linger. "Nandini, someone's calling for you outside," she said before walking out swiftly, giving them space.

Manik gently rubbed Nandini's hands, soothing her. Understanding the depth of her worries, he pulled her into a warm embrace. She clung to him briefly, then pressed a soft kiss on his cheek before pulling away. Wiping her face, she forced a smile and stepped out of the kitchen, with Manik following behind her after a moment.

Outside, the family was in high spirits.

"Nandini, we're planning a night stay today!" Suman, one of her distant cousins, announced excitedly.

"A night stay? What's the occasion?" Nandini asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Well, we're leaving for Udaipur in just two days, and we want to make the most of our time here. We all know the wedding preparations will be hectic once we arrive, so we thought—just us cousins, up on the terrace, talking the whole night. We need to make some special memories before everything gets too chaotic!" Ayeza, another cousin, explained enthusiastically.

"Exactly! There's so much to catch up on. Nandini, you've been in London for so long, it feels like you've forgotten us! Once you go back, it'll be the same routine all over again. Come on, let's make the most of this time," Mahesh, her maternal aunt's son, added with a teasing smile.

Nandini sighed, feeling the weight of their expectations. She knew they meant well, and despite the exhaustion creeping in, she found herself nodding. "Okay, okay, fine. I'm in."

As her cousins returned to their lively chatter, Nandini instinctively scanned the room for Amayra. Spotting her comfortably engaged with Manik, she felt a wave of reassurance wash over her. Confident that Amayra was in safe hands, she turned toward Ishita, who was busy preparing for the evening.

The Murthy Mansion was a whirlwind of activity. With the wedding rituals already in motion, the house was bustling with guests and extended family members. According to South Indian customs, several pre-wedding ceremonies had to take place weeks before the main event, making it necessary for everyone to stay at the mansion rather than head directly to Udaipur.

Wanting to help, Nandini made her way to Ishita's room, only to find her engrossed in conversation with Naira over the phone. Ishita rummaged through her cupboard while talking.

"So, you guys are coming tomorrow, right?" Ishita asked, still searching for something.

"Yeah, I'll send someone to pick you up, okay?" Naira responded just as Ishita found what she was looking for.

Before Ishita could hang up, Nandini grabbed the phone and jumped onto the bed, eager to speak with her sister.

Ishita chuckled at Nandini's enthusiasm and, shaking her head, walked out of the room with the keys she had been searching for.

"Oh, shut up," Naira laughed as Nandini dramatically expressed how much she had missed her.

"You don't believe me? I swear I do! Honestly, sometimes these cousins drive me crazy," Nandini admitted, half-joking but also a little exasperated.

"I can imagine," Naira chuckled.

"I mean, they're sweet and all, but why do they have to be so nosy?" Nandini groaned. "Suman went completely overboard with her inappropriate jokes and even asked me about my personal life with Manik! I mean, seriously! I know she was joking, but still... it's uncomfortable, you know?"

Naira burst into laughter, well aware of Suman's blunt nature. "Don't worry, I'll be there tomorrow. We'll show them who's boss!"

The playful moment between them was suddenly overshadowed by a more pressing concern as Naira's voice softened. "How's Amayra? Did she have that pain again?"

Nandini's heart clenched as her mind drifted back to one of the worst nights she had experienced.

"Thankfully, no. But I think we might have to consider the surgery soon," she admitted.

The memory came rushing back—the night Amayra woke up in excruciating pain, clutching her chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Amayra, stop crying, baby," Nandini had whispered, trying to comfort her as she held her close.

"Mamma, it hurts a lot," Amayra whimpered, tears streaming down her little face.

"Did you exert yourself too much today?" Nandini asked, gently rubbing her chest in hopes of soothing her. She wanted to avoid the strong injection if possible, but as Amayra's sobs only grew louder, she knew there was no other choice.

Panicked, she called Manik, who answered almost immediately despite being in an important business meeting. He didn't need to be told—her voice alone was enough for him to understand.

"Give her the phone. I'll talk to her while you administer the injection," Manik instructed firmly.

"Okay," Nandini replied, passing the phone to Amayra while she retrieved the injection from the cupboard.

"Hi, my little princess," Manik's voice was light and cheerful, masking the worry bubbling inside him.

"Dad, it hurts so much," Amayra cried, breaking his heart into pieces.

"Amayra, aren't you my strong girl? Do you remember what you did the last time this happened?" Manik asked gently.

"I... I stopped thinking about it," Amayra sniffled, her voice trembling.

Nandini had already given her the injection and disposed of the packaging. Returning to the bed, she wrapped Amayra in a comforting hug, listening to her daughter's conversation with Manik.

"That's right! And that's exactly what you need to do now," Manik encouraged. "Tell me, what did you do today?"

"I learned a little bit of swimming! Mukti bua taught me. I also played a lot... maybe that's why it started hurting," Amayra admitted, now calmer. The injection had begun to take effect.

"Oh, wow! That's amazing! You know what? When I come back, we'll go swimming together. How does that sound?" Manik promised.

"Really? Promise?" Amayra asked sleepily.

"Promise. Now get some rest, sweetheart. I love you," he said softly.

"I love you too, Dad," she murmured before passing the phone back to Nandini.

Manik's voice on the other end was firm yet gentle. "Nandini, don't you dare cry now."

Nandini swallowed the lump in her throat. "This was the worst one yet..."

"I know, love. But she'll be okay. And so will you. I'll be home soon, I promise. Just take care of yourself too," he said reassuringly.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Nandini sighed as Naira's voice brought her back to the present.

"You were lost in that night again, weren't you?" Naira asked knowingly.

"Yeah... but never mind. Just come soon, okay? I'm waiting," Nandini replied before ending the call. Placing Ishita's phone aside, she took a deep breath and headed downstairs to join the rest of the family in the hall.