MaNan- She is to be Loved

Chapter 29- When past meet the present!

~Would it be that easy to forget the face which caused the happiness in life? I don't think so; just like the face that caused the tears to remain unforgotten ~

At the park

It was never easy for Nyonika to forgive and forget. People who hurt her have to pay for what they did to her. She would make sure nobody hurt her loved ones or herself, and if someone did, she would never forgive them.

But that was Nyonika, and not Shamishti. Her best friend.

Shamishti could forgive anyone, even if they were once the reason for her sleepless teary nights. She could easily forget the bitterness people showed towards her and be a good friend to them. Punishing someone isn't even something she would think about.

Poles apart the two were, yet the best of friends. Nobody could separate these best friends.

Except for Yashjeet Murthy!

"Sha-Shammi!" Nyonika whispered to herself, while staring at her best friend, who was standing opposite to her with her hands full of rose petals.

Shamishti had tears in her eyes, yet she chose to walk towards Nyonika with a smile playing on her lips.

"Nyo" Shamishti stood so close to Nyonika, yet she couldn't believe her eyes or ears. "It's a---dream?" Nyonika asked, and Shamishti held onto the former's hands to shift some of the rose petals to her friend's hands.

"Chalein, best friend?" Shamishti asked, and Nyonika stared at their entwined palms. "Warna Jesus bhaag jayenge tho?" And Nyonika burst out into tears, before hugging her best friend, tight and hard.

"It's not a dream." Nyonika muttered to herself, and Shamishti smiled through tears. "No, it's not."

Breaking the hug, they wiped each others' tears, when Nyonika's gaze fell on Manik and Nandini who were standing there, all smiles.

"Actually, Ma would take time to come." Nyonika's eyes widened. "My parents are here." She stared at Nandini, who was now staring back at Nyonika with a guilt filled smile on her face. "She's gone to collect rose petals. She likes to keep rose petals at the feet of Jesus Christ while lighting the candles for him." And her gaze shifted back at Shamishti, who was also having the same expression as Nandini.

"Shona." Shamishti nodded at Nyonika, who stared at the mother daughter duo in disbelief.

And all Manik and Nandini did were to stare at each other

***

"I can't believe it." Anjali muttered to herself, before throwing her hands up in the air, "You're Shona. Like literally, The Shona. Bhabi's Shammi's Shona??!!"

"Anju!' Arpita glared at her, before pointing at Nyonika, who looked visibly upset. "Oh. Right." Anjali murmured, before staring at Manik and Nandini, who were busy gawking at their mothers.

"You can...yell, you know?" Shamishti cleared her throat and Nyonika threw a look at her best friend before looking at Nandini. "Should I, now? Or maybe I lost that right too. Waise bhi bathana kya hai. It's just about your daughter coming to India, disguising herself to be someone else. Right?"

"Disguised?" Nandini looked at Nyonika with her eyebrows scrunched together. "FYI Mrs walking-talking Gussa , I didn't lie a thing about my name or identity. Bas aapko pehchanne mein thodi dikkath hui."