A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 14- One Last Time

Nandini's POV:

I felt numb when Manik said Neha's grandmother died. Now what's gonna happen? Will they marry? I should have stayed away from Karthik and Neha's life, my bad luck showed effect on them too. ''No one should have an ill fate like me'' I mumbled. Manik stood there right in front of me. I couldn't look at him and went away from there. What have I done to deserve all this in my life. Just this wedding could have helped me fix few things in my life. I made up my mind to stay here only for money even though I knew that mental peace would be at stake. Now, everything went in vain. ''Nandini'' Manik is here again. 

''Why are you so sad? They would reimburse you'' he said. ''Do you think I just care about the money and nothing else?'' I asked him. ''Nandini, you better decide what to cry for? Is it because the marriage is cancelled or is it because you're not getting payment for your work?'' he asked me. It was my mistake as I thought Manik would understand me. ''It's because of my fate. Why is it always me?'' my blood boiled seeing him. ''Why do you always blame yourself? Something happened, someone died and that's not your fault'' he said. I'm sick of hearing him saying this. ''Well, I shouldn't take all the blame on myself, right. If you had helped me to reach my parents that night, I wouldn't have blame myself'' I said. ''I apologized for that night'' he still has that audacity to talk. ''I shouldn't have married you, I shouldn't have loved you, I shouldn't have proposed you'' I regret everything I have done. 

''I shouldn't have accepted to stay with you, I shouldn't have got drunk that night'' Manik almost shouted. Manik said sorry again but that won't make any difference in my life. ''Your parents died in an accident Nandini, please don't blame yourself'' he said again. I couldn't take it any longer and tears flew down. ''I'm tired Manik, tired of everything in my life'' I just want him to hold me but I can't let him near me again. But Manik seemed to understand my feelings as he hugged me. ''Don't say anything now, please let me hold you'' he said. This Manik is so strange, sometimes he would not understand anything I speak, and sometimes he would even understand my silence and unsaid feelings too. He broke the hug and wiped off the tears and then his gaze is shifted on the other side.

I turned back only to see his family members standing there along with Navya and Cabir. We were quick to react in a moment and both of us parted away. I went off from there to my room. Navya came to me after few minutes. ''Navya, I can explain what happened'' I said but she had cut off my words. ''Chowdary uncle is leaving with his family, let's just send them off'' she said. I walked till the reception where they seemed to check out. I couldn't speak a word. ''Aap ne kaha ki both Karthik and Neha aren't allowed to step out after this pellikoduku and pellikuthuru function, then where are you taking them?'' Manik interrupted them. ''They weren't allowed to go out if they are going to get married. Now this wedding is cancelled'' Chowdary uncle said. ''Postponed or cancelled?'' Karthik's father asked. 

''My mom died just before the wedding, do you think I should still consider Karthik as my son-in-law? I can't risk my daughter's life'' Chowdary uncle said which didn't make any sense at all. ''When your daughter was found pregnant two days back, you said that you were lucky that one daughter conceived and another one is getting married. If something good happens, that is your daughter's luck and if it is bad, you can easily blame my son'' Karthik's mom asked. There is high tension in the air. Both the families were on fire and Karthik, Neha looked worried. ''Uncle, did you ever had time to spend with your mom?'' Manik intervened again and asked Chowdary uncle. ''What do you mean?'' he narrowed his brows. ''I meant that you never had time for your family but ab tho aise behave kar rahe hai ki, you are mourning for the loss of your mother'' Manik smiled and that instigated uncle.

''You were never there for your family, It's been an year that I got Tara married off into your family but you never went home'' he said. ''Because my mom and I had some things to sort between us. Agar sab issues khatam ho gaye tho main ghar jaunga. But have you ever asked your mom what she was feeling? Did you ever try to know what she wanted? Did you see how happy she looked because it was her first time in years that she came out with her family'' Manik said. Manik was right, she herself told me that she is enjoying this as it is her holiday. ''And aap sab log kyu itne udaas kyu ho? Everyone is crying like there is a competition on who will cry more. Yaha koi pageant nahi chal raha hai chill. How many years you were expecting your mother to live, 100 years! If so, then you should be happy enough, she is in 90s. She has seen all the phases in her life. Rather than mourning on her death, you should be celebrating for the life she led. Aur isme Karthik ki kya galti. Let's stick to what you've said and hum sab yaha se Karthik and Neha ke shaadi ke baad hi niklenge'' Manik said. 

What is he even talking about? ''How can we marry off my daughter when my mom died?'' Chowdary uncle said in his aggressive tone. ''Why can't you nanna, it was Nanamma's last wish to see Neha getting married'' Tara said. ''Tara, it's not auspicious to marry off Neha in such situation'' Padma aunty said. ''Why not aunty! Jo log mar gaye hum usko bhagawan ke tarah treat karte hai, so why don't we get them married as per grandma's last wish'' Manik said. Nyonika aunty stood beside Manik. ''It's true that me and my son has few differences but what Manik saying now is reasonable. I think we should get them married'' Nyonika aunty said. ''But we aren't supposed to do anything till 10 days from today. We can't just ignore my mom's death like this'' uncle said. ''Nanna, then we can marry after 10 days na!'' Neha finally asked. ''Please nanna, I love Karthik and I want to marry him. Please agree'' she had tears in her eyes. ''Mavayya, please maan jayiye. Karthik and Neha really love each other'' Aryaman said.

Chowdary uncle instantly held Karthik's hands and apologized him. ''Uncle, what's all this? You aren't supposed to apologize me'' Karthik is a real gentleman. Uncle then said sorry to his parents too. ''We have to go home for funeral and cremation'' Chowdary uncle said. ''Uski kya zarurat hai, let her stay here forever. She was enjoying the nature here. Let her find her peace here. Issi bahaane every year you make sure to come here with your family and celebrate her life here'' Manik advised. Uncle didn't deny but was hesitating till resort manager said that they can creamte the body in the graveyard nearby. ''I'm so sorry uncle, uss concrete jungle se zyada peace usse yaha milega'' Manik said. 

I don't know how Manik always succeeds convincing anyone and everyone. He sugarcoats the most illogical things and can actually win the other person. I didn't knew he was so manipulative while I was with him. The guests who were earlier invited for wedding ceremony had come to witness the funeral and it is so heart-wrenching to see this family sad. ''What shall we do here? Can we go back!'' Navya said and I felt the same. We should at least get some time for ourselves. We offered our condolences to Neha's grandmother and attended her last rites. Then we got ready to leave. I heard a knock on the door and I knew it must be Cabir. I opened the door and Cabir was there. ''Can I talk to Navya once?'' he asked and I stepped out and let me inside. I waited in the garden and I never thought we would go from here with an unfinished job.

Manik was seen at a distance from me, fully engrossed in his laptop not caring about his surroundings. There was another laptop open beside him, probably Cabir was also there till now. He then got up from there and walked away. For a moment I thought he would at least come near me to send away. But then I realized he never saw me. I didn't expect Manik to be here but now when it is time to leave, why do I not feel like going away from him! I know he wouldn't come to meet me, should I go and say bye? No, why would you go Nandini. For Manik, I'm just one more friend and am not special. After an emotional turmoil within myself, I decided against meeting him. I turned back only to find a pair of strong arms holding me to stop from falling. I was about to fall down as I didn't expect someone to stand beside me. It was Manik who caught me in his arms and realizing our awkward position, I stood straight within a moment.

''Uh, Cabir?'' he mumbled. ''He is inside, Navya ke saath'' I said. ''Cabir seems to be so fascinated with Navya'' he said looking towards the room door. ''Jo tumhe fascination lag raha hai, wo pyaar ho sakta hai'' I didn't knew why I said that. I didn't knew if Cabir really loved Navya or not but the way Cabir looks at her, I think he is in love. ''Love has different meanings in our dictionaries and let's not talk about it'' Manik literally asked me to change the topic. ''So, decided to leave?'' he asked and I nodded. Manik took my hand in his and I looked at him sharply. ''This bracelet, it would be always yours. You like it or not, I would always want to be your friend. My door will always be open for you!'' he said putting the bracelet in my hand. 

I felt like someone has crushed my heart into a million pieces and Manik said ''bye'' for one last time again.