A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 5- Moments to Memories

Author Note:

Hi All, 

As you have commented that few snippets would make the story interesting, I would follow the same. Words written in Italics will be the past instances and the present story will be in normal font. 

Do vote and comment to let me know your opinion on the story and the suggestions are most welcomed to continue the story line. I have a basic story line ready for this but not an elaborated one. So, your suggestions will be implemented if you dm me. 

Happy Reading....

Nandini's POV: 

''I'm so sorry Nandini, I've forgot your birthday'' Manik said as he came back from his office. ''This is so expected of you, tumhe kabhi kuch yaad hai tho wo badi baat hai'' I could never hope ki Manik sudhar jayega. ''I've got a gift for you'' he said taking out a box. ''You know that I don't like gold jewelry and all, but you still you got it!'' I asked him. ''This is not gold, it is platinum'' he said taking out a bracelet. ''Platinum costs more than gold, so technically I should be having more problem with you gifting this now'' I said looking at him. ''Koi bhi cheez ki keemat paiso se nahi uski memory se aur dene walon ki neeyat se value karna chahiye. You technically don't hate gold or platinum, bas tumhe dar hai ki yeh cheezein kahi kho na jaye'' he was actually right. 

I have many times lost gold since my childhood so I never wear something so expensive. ''Ye main tumhe kho ne nahi doonga'' he said. ''You should have planted a tracking device along with this bracelet'' I took the bracelet from him and it was so beautiful.

''The day you would lose this bracelet, would be our last day together. So keep that in mind, whenever you take off this from your hand'' he said. ''Wow, I didn't knew you were so sentimental for these things'' I was really surprised at his statement. ''Not a sentiment but you would take an utmost care if I say so'' Manik being Manik would always try to balance emotions with logic. 

''Moon and stars bracelet it is! Who is moon and who is star now?'' I asked. ''You are the moon'' he said. ''Kyunki chand pe bhi dhaag hote hai par main be-dhaag hu na!'' khud ki taareef karna koi mujhse hi seekhe! ''So funny, chand and dhaag ah! You're so impulsive Nandini, tum kehte kuch aur and karti kuch aur. You're so unpredictable'' he said. ''I will take that as a compliment then!'' I decided to pull his leg. ''See, you said ladkiyon ko manaane ke liye unhe gifts dena padhta hai and when I got you a gift, you still have a problem with it. I can never understand girls'' he said throwing his hands in air and sat down. ''Absolutely! But tell me this, why did you called me chand'' I asked curiously. ''I was about to say that you are the moon and you are the star too'' he said leaning forward from where he sat. ''So cheesy Manik, and its not your cup of tea'' I said. 

He took the bracelet and tied it on my right wrist. ''Then where's the cake?'' I asked looking at him eagerly. ''I will order now'' he said cluelessly. ''That says that you have no clue about the cake'' I said in a complaining tone. ''Birthday kal hai tho aaj cake kyu katega?'' he said whining like a child. 

*****************************************************************************************

''Calculator! Who could drop this in this basket?'' he asked and I turned towards him diverting my thoughts from Manik. Is it my mistake to agree for this project! First Aryaman and now Manik! ''It is mine'' Navya came forward to take her calculator from him. ''Hi, I'm Cabir'' he said extending his hand. ''Warm welcome Mr. Cabir. Now can I please have it back'' Navya asked. ''I got this from the basket and do I get nothing for participating?'' Cabir asked. ''Ha, there should be something for those who win'' someone said on Cabir's behalf. 

''But you haven't guessed that it is mine. And moreover we don't even know each other'' Navya said. ''Yes, those who have guessed, they would get the item which the girls dropped'' I said. All the boys who participated in the game and only 3 of them could guess it right. The three boys chose to dance together but I searched the bracelet which is nowhere to be seen now. I came to know that two of the three couples are in love with each other so they could guess their girlfriends' things. 

It is the turn for married couples now and all the ladies dropped their blouses in the basket. ''Why blouses? We can't even recognize them'' one of the uncles reported. "Uncles and aunties, all of you have been living together for years now, come on can't you win a game for your wives" Cabir said cheering all the gentle men over there. All the men went out while all the ladies headed over to their rooms to get their blouses. And when all of them are done and the men came back. The ladies went to their husbands who has correctly took out the blouses.

I saw Aryaman also standing with a blouse while a girl came near him. "Is she Aryaman's wife?" I was thinking the same when Navya asked. She was none other than Neha's sister. She kissed on his cheek as he took out correctly. This was quite surprising to me to know that they are married. So Aryaman is the first son-in-law here. Does it mean his family will also be here? No, I won't be able to face them. Within few minutes, the hall looked empty and I began to search for my bracelet again. "Is this what you're searching?" I heard Manik on my back.

I looked back and there's no one around. I tried to move away but he didn't let me go. "I never thought we would meet again" he paused and said, "in such an unexpected way". He showed me the bracelet which I have placed in the basket. "You have lost it, so do you think it's over between us?" he asked. "It was over long ago" I replied. "I found it in the basket and I knew it's yours" he said. "You can take it then!" I was about to get away from there but he stopped again.

"Then why were you still searching for it?" he asked again. "Because I know it's value. I mean it was too expensive to lose" I said. "Now that you have it, you can take it back". Manik forcefully pulled me by the wrist and said "Its not me who sent you away Nandini, you have chose to walk away" he looked into my eyes. Aryaman came there all of a sudden. "Manik, why the hell are you here?" he shouted on Manik and then he looked at me. "Nandini, I swear I didn't knew that he will be here" he said.

I'm not a fool to trust both of them yet. "Tara had invited me, and here for a business. Cabir is my new business partner. So please don't come in my way" Manik warned Aryaman. "Ye Tara bhi na!" Aryaman cursed under his breath. "Stop this nonsense now! I should have expected all this before signing the contract. Now I'm just fed up with you" I didn't know what to say and walked out from there.

My hands trembled and I was sweating unusually. How worse can a day could be! I felt like all my mistakes from the past made their way into my life again. Everyone sat for dinner and Karthik came to me asking the menu. ''I hope you have non-veg in today's menu. Pre wedding festivities will start tomorrow so...'' he asked a bit hesitant. ''Yes, we have non veg and sea food options for today and that's why we are having dinner in a buffet hall'' I said. ''Why don't you have dinner with us?'' Neha's sister Tara has asked me. Aryaman nudged her to proceed and whispered something I couldn't hear. She looked at me with a smile and moved on. Now I could feel why this family was so keen on me. But I can't blame him alone as I myself came back for this job. I decided to turn a blind eye on Manik and Aryaman. The hotel staff served the food items in the guests' plates and Manik sat with Cabir. 

Oh God! Can't he check what's on his plate. He still seems to be so careless about what he eat. God knows why is he always on phone! Did he really get a new girl or something! No, I'm overthinking, I don't care even if he has one. He always lectures about being careful and safe and this self-obsessed Malhotra is so careless now. I had to stop the waiter before he serve in Manik's plate. ''Please check with the guest before serving them, they don't even know what you're serving. Ask them if they want to eat it or not'' I said. The waiter mouthed, ''prawns fry'' to Manik.

''No thanks, I'm allergic to sea food'' Manik said after a long pause.

***************************************************************************************

So, how do you think Manik and Nandini got separated?

Any guesses on what's wrong with Aryaman, Manik and Nandini?

Please share your views on the storyline, and do vote, comment and share if you think someone could enjoy this story.