A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 10- Status: It's Complicated

Nandini's POV:

I used to love gorintaku until I found that I would never get the love of my husband. ''She is our wedding planner'' Chowdary uncle said introducing me to someone. ''Hi, I'm Jai'' the guy introduced himself. I nodded and smiled out of courtesy. ''He is my son'' uncle said. As far as I know, he only has 2 daughters and where did this son come from now? ''I know what you must be thinking, he is my brother's son but I consider him as my own'' uncle said. Was the confusion so obvious on my face?

It was too lovely to watch all the husbands applying gorintaku to their wives. Navya's banter with Abhinav is tirelessly continuing. Few ladies have started to sing songs on how good the groom will be for Neha. Karthik is getting praises from everyone through these songs. As Karthik's family is new to all these traditions, they seem to be very engrossed in these events. ''Nanamma, you had 5 days wedding na! Were you able to enjoy the same way as I'm enjoying now'' Neha asked. A lone tear escaped from her grandmothers' eyes. ''It was just another game in my childhood, I didn't get to see your thathayya until 2 days after wedding'' she said. ''When did you know that thathayya (grandfather) is the one for you nanamma?'' Tara asked. ''For someone from your generation, will never understand the beauty of arranged marriages from this generation. We literally married a stranger and promised ourselves to live with them for the rest of our life. It didn't happened in a minute or a month, not just a day but I was feeling that he was the one for me until his death'' she said. I got to know that Tara and Neha's grandfather passed away before 4 years. 

Yes, I may not connect with her but the feeling that he is the one, should not be confined for a moment or a phase. That feeling should be experienced till the end. ''So, everyone let's say something, when did you actually fell for your partner? What marriage means to you?'' Jai said. ''Starting with Pedananna (elder brother of dad) as usual'' he announced. Chowdary uncle happily accepted and stood up. ''I had an arranged marriage with Padma. When I first met her, she was so silent and beautiful. I must say that her eyes had bound me. I had nothing to tell no to her. Marriage for me is like a life long agreement assuring that I will provide you everything you want and you need'' he said. He then asked his wife to say about him. She was feeling shy to say it. ''Amma, please don't be a spoilsport, please'' Tara asked. 

''After the engagement, pandits suggested that I should change my name to match with my husband's name. I didn't wanted to change it and my parents didn't listen to me. It was him, who went against everyone and didn't allow to change my name. With each time, he is taking my name, I would fall for him'' Padma aunty looked like a cherry tomato when she said that. Everyone cheered for her and then it was the bride and groom's turn for confession. ''So Neha and Karthik, what does marriage mean to you?'' Jai asked. ''For now, marriage is a mystery'' Karthik said while he earned a glare from Neha. ''I mean, I just thought me and Neha will become one, but after all this rituals I understood that not just the individuals but two families should come together to accept the new one in the family'' Karthik said. ''If someone has told me that I'm gonna fall for Karthik before Tara-Aryaman's wedding, I wouldn't believe them. I knew Karthik from the time Tara and Aryaman are in love but I don't know when and how I fell for him. Me and Karthik used to wait for Tara and Aryaman whenever they wanted their time'' Neha is speaking her heart out and Aryaman interrupted her.

''Please stop Neha! Talk about your love, you're embarrassing us now'' Aryaman said. ''Embarrassing and you bava! it's always the Chowdary sisters who protected you. It's because of us you became everyone's favorite here'' Neha said and her cousins supported her. Aryaman looked at Tara and she gave a not to mess with them look. ''Acha Aryaman ke love story ke baare mein hume itna detailed pata nahi tha. I think we should dig in! What say Mukti?'' Abhimanyu passed a comment which made Aryaman more cautious. ''It's because of Tara, I'm not saying a word against him for now. But Nandini I think you have seen different kinds of weddings, alag alag log, alag alag cultures. What do you think of marriage?'' Nyonika aunty asked. 

I know why she is asking me this now. I regret getting married to Manik Malhotra. I wish Nyonika aunty never asked me to marry her son. I wish that I shouldn't have said yes to him. I wish that I had never loved him. I wish I had listened to mom and dad, they would have never died. ''Marriage for me is so sacred. Different people, different cultures, all of this doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the right person. Everyone will have parents, siblings, friends and family, but the only one constant in your life is your spouse only. Even in Bible, it is written that A Man always belongs to his Woman. If you love each other, you will be together forever'' I said. ''I don't agree with you Ms. Nandini Reddy'' it was a shocker from Manik when he said that. ''Does that mean, everyone should love their partner if they want to stay in marriage?'' he asked and I nodded yes. 

''So those who fall out of love, they should get divorced right'' he asked it straight on my face. ''Why would they get divorce? Love is definitely a reason for marriage and after that responsibilities, children, career all these might be a hurdle'' Jai said. ''When there's no love, there is no point in being together'' I firmly put forth my opinion. ''Bava, then why didn't you marry? You said that you did not get a girl of your choice!'' Jai asked Manik. How on earth everyone could think that Manik is still unmarried. ''Shaadi ke liye ek couple ke beech sirf pyaar nahi, understanding bhi honi chahiye. I don't want someone who wants to adjust with me in marriage and even I don't want to adjust. Marriage is a companionship. You have to live with that person for the rest of your life. You can't just lead a happy life being adjusted for that person you love. I will marry someone who exactly match my ideology'' Manik said. 

How shameless he turned to be! ''Maybe then you may not marry anyone! No two persons think alike. I hope you know the fact, opposites attract'' Chowdary uncle intervened when Manik spoke. ''Uncle, tell me something, you said you fell for aunty's eyes and you married her! Have you guys never fought with each other! Was it always a happy marriage?'' Manik asked him. He thought for a second. ''Of course, we had our own share of problems in our married life but that didn't stop our lives'' he said. ''Exactly, I don't want to fight with my life partner. I want to give all my love to that one girl in my life'' Manik said. So he is finally saying that I'm not that one girl! Of course, I'm not. ''But Manik, your brother and sister are already married. When will you get married?'' Padma aunty asked. ''Life race thodi hai. I'm happy that my siblings found their love and united with their spouses'' Manik said.

Reality had hit me so harsh again. Why did I fell in love with the person who can never love me? I can't even hide my tears for much time now. I went aside before it become embarrassing for me. I had tears of regret in my eyes. Why do I still feel the pain of betrayal? Why could you never love me Manik? I never liked you but how did I fall for you? I wish I could shout louder to the world and make my heart light. I cannot carry this emotion with me anymore. But all I could do is to move on in silence. ''Nandini! I'm so sorry'' my head started spinning when I heard his voice again. What is he upto now? Wasn't the confession enough for him? ''I'm sorry'' he reiterated it again. I lost the count of sorry Manik had told me after I decided to part ways with him. But why was he saying that? I always had an urge to ask him this but could never gather myself to face him.

''What was it for? Is it because I loved you or because you never loved me?'' I might have never asked him if he was standing before me.