Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Red Flags - I

A knock on his bedroom door startled Prakash, putting a pause to his soul shattering reverie. He sat straight folding the newspaper of which he hadn't read a word.

Wordlessly, placing a tray of evening snacks and tea, Manik waited for his father to ask something or react like he usually did to start the conversation but nothing came. Manik wanted to ensure that there wasn't any tension between his father and sister.

Prakash stared at the food silently, with moist eyes and a lump clogging his throat, as the memory of starving his son was fresh in his mind. Deep in his heart, he yearned to confront Manik and question the forgiveness that the latter had charitised. A punishment would have made him feel so much better, had somewhere soothed his inner conscience that still burns in repentance. By forgiving him, Manik had punished him for life and he found impossible to forgive himself, to look into his son's eyes without any shame and regret.

"Ar --- are you -- okay?" Manik stammered while asking a question he had never directly asked Prakash. As only silence greeted him, anxious, he turned around to call for Manas but stilled hearing a feeble reply.

"I apologise on Madhu's behalf, Manik. She was venting out the pain I had put her through. I won't apologise for my deeds because I don't deserve it but if possible, forgive her. Don't bereft her of a brother's love, she has always loved you."

With agitation flooding his senses, Manik's head snapped in Prakash's direction and he regretted his decision of coming to give the tea and check on Prakash himself. Manas was always the better choice but his brother was playing with the kids. Shivansh was smiling with him.

He glanced at Prakash in perturbation. He couldn't tolerate the sight of Prakash defeated, with his hands joined and begging for pardon. He just didn't know how to handle a confrontation that demanded to be dealt with emotions when his father was concerned. He was better off maintaining the distance with him.

However, shifting to a new house and regular encounters had created opportunities and forced a need of communication between them.

Manik, neither, wanted to repeat and talk about his past that should be best forgotten. He had moved on, not entirely, but enough to live and think about his future. Life isn't worth wasting on something that cannot be controlled or changed. His past was not in his control but his present and future is.

Inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, Manik avowed tonelessly, his voice not betraying the chaos swirling within him.

"Madhu is my sister, nothing can change that. I will always be there for her, doesn't matter she needs me or not. Manas will always have my guidance, whether anyone likes it or not. I don't repeat my mistakes, father. I won't leave them alone, under your care, again. Nandini made these snacks for you. Have it -- for her."

Prakash removed his spectacles and let the tears fall as Manik walked out without sparing him another glance. His heart was brimmed with only and only gratitude for his wife. She had given him a gem that he couldn't cherish being busy picking and gathering the stones. He was really a failure!

****

Madhu arranged the starters to be eaten along with drinks, on the table while Renu brought the crockery. The men sat around the table, conversing on general topics, business dominating the most. Manik and Manas were mostly silent and helped the ladies in serving.

Harish smiled at Manas as the latter poured out the drink in a glass for him. Madhu skimmed her gaze at her husband in worry. The thought of the consequences of Harish over drinking and losing his senses, terrified her.

"Make one for yourself and Manik too, Manas." Harish said as Manas kept back the bottle.

His gaze instantly wandered towards Manik who didn't react, neither was he drinking himself. "I don't feel like, Harish ji." Manas answered quietly as his brother's silence only meant he was still firm on what he said.