A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 18- Family Vamily

''Zero'' Nandini said irritated. ''Sirf dress pehenne se achi jodi nahi honge na'' Manik said. ''Exactly!'' Nandini said. They have selected the outfits for both Mukti and Abhimanyu. Nandini went home tired after shopping with Manik. ''Nandu, what happened?'' Mohan asked her. ''Nothing nanna! Just a bad day at work'' Nandini said closing her eyes as she sat on sofa. ''Here! Take coffee'' Anitha came there with coffee. ''Nanna, what did doctor say about Amma?'' Nandini asked taking coffee from Nandini. ''Both of you, no need to worry about me. I'm completely fine. Even doctor said I'm fine. He even reduced my pills'' Anitha said excited. 

''Amma, don't take anything easy, are you sure you are taking medicines on time?'' Nandini asked. ''Of course, she is taking medicines and I'm the proof'' Mohan said. ''I hope you both are not lying'' Nandini said. ''Ok, both of you can have your time, I have some work'' Anitha said. ''Work! Who works in notice period?'' Mohan joked with Anitha. ''Me! I will work until my last working day'' Anitha confirmed. ''Mom and her work ethics'' Nandini sighed. ''Nandini, how about we celebrate her retirement in a hotel?'' Mohan asked. ''That's a great idea dad! I'll check with some banquet halls'' Nandini said switching into her work mode. ''No, no. I'm not going to have any fancy party. My party will be at our home. All our friends would be invited'' Anitha said. ''Anu, don't be miser with your last pay cheque at least'' Mohan said. ''I'm not being a miser, but what could be a better place than to celebrate here. Having all my friends and colleagues at my place is a bliss'' Anitha said.

Navya came there and heard about the party. ''Which party are you discussing?'' she asked excited. ''Anu ki retirement party'' Mohan said Navya. ''Wow! that's great'' Navya exclaimed. ''Nandini, why didn't you pick up any of my calls, I was really worried and that brings me here'' Navya asked concerned. ''Oh no don't remind me again. It was a hectic day. I was struck with Manik'' Nandini said. ''Manik? Who?'' Anitha asked. ''Remember I told you about that big fat Punjabi wedding, Manik is bride's elder brother'' Nandini said. ''Is he bothering you?'' Mohan asked. ''Not him nanna. But all the siblings seems weird. I think they are doing it on purpose'' Nandini said. ''That girl Mukti, she left alone at her place. Aryaman was still at home but he never came out of his room and this Manik really annoyed me. He has these stupid ways to test me. On the top of that, I had to go shopping with him'' Nandini said. 

''Why shopping?'' Navya asked. ''Mukti and Abhimanyu's engagement shopping. Anyway, their outfits are finalized'' Nandini said. ''Nandu, you can quit the deal if you don't feel good about them'' Anitha said. ''Amma, it's not like that'' Nandini tried to explain. ''Nandini is going to get a huge sum of amount after this wedding aunty, why would she leave such an opportunity'' Navya said. ''Ha, money is the first thing but this wedding is challenging. From Manik and Mukti's words, I learnt that bride and groom's family seems poles apart. And it won't be good to back out at this moment'' Nandini said. ''Right, let them do whatever they want and you are there just for work. So simple! Get your job done and bid them bye'' Mohan suggested and Nandini high-fived him. They then had dinner and Navya left.

''Nandu, are you sure you are doing this?'' Anitha asked. ''Amma, this is my job. I may find hundreds of people like this. And Nanna advised me to stay away from any drama and that is what I will do. Ignoring their tantrums'' Nandini said. ''Hmm good. Now will you help me for a while'' Anitha asked. ''Helping in what?'' Nandini asked and Anitha took her till the dining table. ''No way, I'm not packing these now'' Nandini said looking at few empty glass jars in which Anitha wanted her to pack the avakaya pickle. ''I promised my colleagues that I will get them tomorrow. Please Nandu'' Anitha pleaded to help her. ''Amma, why would you take pickle jars to college. Students might make fun of you'' Nandini said. ''You know Nandu, when I was small, my amma used to make this avakaya and she would distribute it to everyone who comes home. Amma and her kotha avakaya (freshly made mango pickle) are heaven'' Anitha closed her eyes and Nandini smiled. 

''Ok my drama queen, if this makes you feel happy, I will do it'' Nandini smiled seeing Anitha smile. ''20 jars are enough, you give them to Navya'' Anitha said. ''No amma, Navya has ulcer, she is acidic'' Nandini said. ''Oh, then give these 2 to your Punjabi clients'' Anitha said. ''For them? Is it some bad joke?'' Nandini said. ''No, Amma used to say that giving avakayi during wedding is so auspicious. Anyway they are Punjabi's and they might have never tasted also'' Anitha said. Nandini did not like this idea but said yes on Anitha's insistence. 

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

Next morning, Nandini woke up with a call from Manik. She took the phone without looking at her screen. ''Hello'' she is still sleepy. ''When are you coming today'' Manik's voice startled her and she is fully awake now. She looked at her watch and it's just 7 am. ''Who on earth calls for work at this time?'' Nandini thought. ''This might be work for you but for us, it's our sister's wedding. So go get ready fast and come home soon'' Manik said. Nandini realized that she did not just think but actually said that to him. ''Hmm'' was all that she could reply and Manik hung up on her. ''Meet you at 9 sharp at home'' Manik messaged her. Nandini held her head. ''Oh God! I chose to work on my own terms but this guy seriously giving me 9 to 5 job vibes'' she thought to herself.

Manik literally made a list of the things to do that day. From buying engagement rings to gift wrapping the return gifts, he wrote it all. He got ready and sat in the drawing room waiting for Nandini. ''You're late by 10 minutes'' Manik said to Nandini who just entered. ''Traffic'' Nandini made a lame excuse. ''So, only the venue is confirmed. Today, we will give advance to the hotel, caterer and decors. Then we should go buy engagement rings, return gifts, engagement gifts, invitation cards, clothes and jewelry. Itna saara kaam baaki hai and you're late yet'' Manik created a sense of urgency. ''I have my vendors ready for all of that. I can sit back and make payments for everyone through phone'' Nandini said. ''Like I'm gonna let you do that'' Manik had a wicked smile on his face. ''What do you mean?'' Nandini's eyes widened.

''I don't trust you with the money. I will check everything personally and then will pay everyone'' Manik said. ''Whatever you wish'' Nandini shrugged off. ''Hey Nandini, come, have breakfast with us'' Nyonika greeted Nandini with a warm smile. ''Thanks ma'am but I already had breakfast at home'' Nandini said. ''Arre, I'm not going to listen to any of your excuses, humare ghar mein famous aloo parathas banaya hai. You should definitely try'' Nandini sat on the dining table as Nyonika insisted. She felt the dining table like a hot seat where she sat opposite to the infamous Malhotra siblings. Nyonika heartily served on her plate and she looked at them like a lost kitten. She suddenly remembered what she got for them. ''Just a minute ma'am. I'll be back'' Nandini went to get her bag. She came back and placed 2 jars of avakaya on the table. 

''Ye kya hai?'' Shrikant asked. ''My amma made this pickle. Andhra avakaya it is!'' Nandini said. She looked at Nyonika to say something but Nyonika was in tears as she held the glass jar in her hands. ''Is something wrong?'' Nandini looked horrified. Malhotra siblings looked at their mom and going a step ahead, Aryaman went near Nyonika to hold her. Nandini didn't knew what happened. ''Ma'am, kya maine kuch galat kiya?'' she asked in a low voice. 

''No, you reminded me of my mother-in-law, Athayya'' Nyonika said with happy tears.