A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 7- Changing Equations

Nandini's POV:

I had also congratulated Tara after everyone. As usual, she had a warm smile on her face. "Nandini bhabhi" she called me again and I was stunned again. "Whenever Aryaman describe you, he always say Nandini bhabhi about you. I saw your photo in Mukti wedding album" she said. "What did he say?" I asked her. "Literally I knew nothing about you. He just said your name and later I saw your photo. I don't know what happened with you and Manik bava but I wish you both are together" she said.

Why did Aryaman said nothing about me. "Let's just accept that Manik and me are not meant to be" I had finally gathered my courage to say it. I cannot run away from Manik or anyone from his family. It's high time that I should let everything go from within. The more am seeing them I realize that they were not wrong either. All the while I was trying to hate his family but they never treated me in a wrong way. "I gotta go now" I excused myself and went back.

Neha's grandma said that it's muhurtham time and she mixed gangajal in the water for mangala snanam. After the joy doubled for the family, they celebrated this event with fun and pomp. I was completely drenched after someone poured water on me instead of Neha. I wasn't prepared for this and now my dress looked that it stuck to my body and I felt embarrassed amidst everyone. I excused myself to change into something comfortable and I was on my way to my room when Manik saw me. He spared a glance and I felt uncomfortable as my dress had now become see through. He silently opened the door of his room with the keys and was about to go inside. ''Manik'' I almost shouted on him as my voice echoed in the deserted verandah. ''What happened?'' he asked faking a concern. 

''Can't you see that I'm completely wet'' I said. ''Well, that I can see but why did you call me?'' I can't believe he asked that. ''You can give me a towel so that I can go to my room, it is really uncomfortable to walk in wet clothes'' I said. ''Are you asking for help?'' he widened his eyes and came near me. ''Don't come near me, and pass a towel'' I said. ''People request for help Nandini, they don't order'' Manik said clearing his throat. ''Please mujhe towel dena'' I cannot ask him anymore. I quickly entered in his room and he said louder, ''I can't believe that reverse psychology game still works on you'' he said. I took a towel and covered my upper body. ''If I had asked you to come to my room and take a towel, you would have never come. Just because I turned a blind eye, you came to room by yourself'' he said. 

Maybe he really had a point. I would have never accept his invitation into this room. ''Na ye resort tumhara hai, na ye towel. So technically I'm not taking your help'' I said mindlessly. ''Ok, then give it back and go to the other room'' he was about to take off the towel but I held it tightly. I moved forward when he pulled the towel. I was standing very close to him and I can feel his warm breathe on my cold skin. ''If I had knew you so well, I would have never asked you to stay with me. I would have asked you to be away from me'' he said. Why is he saying this now! ''Maybe you would have stayed back if I asked you be to be away'' he spoke again. Manik doesn't know how to lie. The only thing I always liked about him is his honesty. Sometimes, sugar coated lies are better than the harsh truth.

''Leave me'' I said and he pulled me closer again. ''I really meant to leave me now'' I was quick this time. ''Pata hai, gale nahi lagne wala tha. I was just covering you up'' he said covering my head with another towel. ''First dry your hair'' he said and I walked out from there. I was in my room in 2 minutes. Why do I have to face Manik again? Why is he behaving like nothing happened between us? He really doesn't feel anything. Did he really want me back? No, Nandini! You shouldn't fall for his sweet words again. ''Nandini, where have you been?'' Navya just opened the door. ''I was searching for you there'' she said. 

''It was so embarrassing to stand there in wet clothes, so I came back'' I said. ''I've followed you till verandeh, but I didn't see you coming towards the room'' she asked. Navya shouldn't know that I went to Manik's room. ''Leave it na! Isn't it amazing there?'' I asked her drying my hair. ''Achoo'' I sneezed. ''This is why I ask you to dry your hair first. You know you easily catch cold yet you be careless'' Navya said. I changed myself and headed for lunch. The family pampered Tara with the sweets and savouries. How lucky she is! If mom and dad were alive, they would have treated me like their princess. Every daughter is a princess to her parents, no matter what happens. We had lunch and were heading to look after the return gifts for Gorintaku (Mehndi) ceremony.

Aryaman blocked our way and Navya was about to speak something. ''Can we keep all our petty fights aside Navya?'' he spoke first. ''I was about to congratulate you Aryaman'' she said with her face hung down. Aryaman twitched and apologized her instantly. "Congratulations on becoming a dad, Aryaman'' I said. ''I'm so sorry girls'' he mouthed. ''Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?'' he asked and we both looked at each other. ''Don't worry, main tum logon ko kha nahi jaunga'' he said. Navya approved his request and we sat in the lounge. ''Tara and you, make a great pair together'' Navya said and he smiled. ''Is it a love marriage?'' I asked him. ''Yes, I told you about her many times too, if you remember'' he said. ''I remember but I didn't knew it was her'' I said. 

''Thank you'' I said. Aryaman looked with a question mark face. ''For not telling anything about me to Tara'' I said. ''Mujhe khud nahi pata hai why you and Manik had to part ways. What would I tell her?'' he said. ''Khud nahi pata matlab Manik might have said something'' Navya said. ''No, he too was tight lipped just like you'' Aryaman said uneasily. ''Like we're going to believe that he shut himself from 2 years'' Navya's voice had higher levels of sarcasm. ''He didn't come home from last 2 years. He was in Australia'' Aryaman said. I did not expect this yet I wasn't shocked too. Manik had plans to move out of India and he might have gone there. ''Mere shaadi ke baad wo pehle baar yaha aaya. It's almost a year since we last saw him'' Aryaman said and he suddenly froze like a rock there. ''What happened?'' I asked him. ''Mom'' he said in a whisper.

''Nandini, tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?'' Mom, sorry Nyonika aunty looked at me fiercely.