Love Will Find A Way

Chapter-50: His Little One

Dedicated to chaithra28 chai

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in their bedroom. Nandini stood in front of the mirror, frustration was evident on her face as she tried on dress after dress.

Each one seemed to cling too tightly or feel uncomfortable in some way. She tugged at the hem of the dress she was wearing, her brow furrowed.

"I feel like nothing fits me anymore," she complained, her voice edged with frustration.

Manik, rummaging through a pile of papers and books on the dresser, was frantically looking for his keys. His mind was preoccupied with the upcoming day, and he barely glanced at Nandini.

"Nandini, you look fine. We’re running late. Mr. Rao has asked us to reach before 12 and it's 11:15 already. Can we just go?" he said, exasperation creeping into his voice.

Nandini's irritation flared up instantly. "Fine? Just fine? Thanks a lot, Manik," she snapped, her eyes flashing with anger.

Manik, already feeling the pressure of the day ahead, felt his patience snap.

"Yes, fine. Can we not make a big deal out of this every morning?" he retorted, his tone sharper than he intended.

Later that day, they sat at the dining table with everyone for Dinner. Nandini, her appetite fluctuating with her pregnancy cravings, was suddenly overcome with a desire for mango chutney.

"Manik, Can you pass that jar to me?" she asked, her voice soft but insistent.

Manik, his attention absorbed by his phone as he checked emails, barely registered her request.

Absentmindedly, he pushed the chutney jar towards her, not noticing it was teetering on the edge of the table. The jar tipped over, spilling its contents across the tablecloth and onto Nandini's dress.

"For God's sake, Manik!" Nandini exclaimed, exasperated and on the verge of tears. "Can you not be so careless?"

Manik’s frustration boiled over. "It's just chutney, Nandini. Why are you making such a fuss about everything?" His voice was louder than he intended, causing Nandini to flinch.

Others were just seeing all these not knowing what to say. For the first time, they are seeing them fighting like this.

As the evening rolled around, the tension from earlier still hung in the air. Nandini was in their bedroom, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep. She shifted and turned, unable to find any comfort.

"Manik, can you help me with the pillows?" she asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion and frustration.

Manik, sitting on the edge of the bed with his laptop, groaned inwardly but went to help her. He tried to arrange the pillows around her, but Nandini snapped, "No, not like that! You're making it worse!"

Manik threw his hands up in frustration. "I'm trying, Nandini! Nothing I do seems to be right for you," he said, his voice rising in volume.

Nandini’s eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "Maybe if you paid more attention, you'd understand what I need!" she shot back, tears of frustration and fatigue welling up in her eyes.

In the middle of the night, Nandini woke up feeling queasy and upset. Her head seems to be heavy as feels drowsy. She nudged Manik awake, her voice small and pleading. "Manik, I need water."

Manik, groggy and irritable, muttered, "Can't you get it yourself, Nandini? I'm tired." He turned away from her, trying to go back to sleep.

Nandini’s face crumpled, and she turned away from him, tears spilling onto her pillow. "I just needed a little help. Why is that so much to ask?" she whispered, her voice breaking.