A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 20- Aryaman Befriends Nandini

''Abhimanyu, it's already late. Can you go back home! We'll sort it out'' Aryaman asked to calm him down and managed to send him out. Mukti left to her room without saying a word. Manik was about to say something but Aryaman interrupted him. ''Can I talk to Nandini for a minute?'' he intervened and grabbed Nandini's hand and took her out. Aryaman took Nandini and made her sit in the car. ''Where are we going? How could you drag me out?'' Nandini was like an erupting volcano. ''Just gimme a minute and I'll explain everything'' he said joining both his hands as if pleading her and Nandini remained silent as it was the first time he actually made sense. He drove the car and suddenly stopped where the road is almost deserted.

''Why did you stop the car here? Listen, I'll call the police'' Nandini panicked for a second when he asked her to get down. ''What? I just wanted to talk to you. Main kuch nahi karne wala hu'' Aryaman said banging his head. ''I'm not a creep Ms. Nandini. But you need to know about Mukti and Abhimanyu and their dynamics before commenting anything'' he said. ''Abhimanyu is from an Orthodox family, his family is still living in 90s I think. It is only because of Mukti's money, they are allowing Abhimanyu to get married to my sister'' he continued. ''But Abhimanyu aisa nahi hai, he truly loves Mukti and Mukti also loved him. Ha Mukti lies to mom and dad to meet Abhimanyu because mom and dad will never allow Mukti to go out with him. Ek baar tho Abhimanyu's father called my dad and called us manner less for sending Mukti with Abhimanyu'' Aryaman said. 

''This is ridiculous, they are getting married and can't even go out on their will?'' Nandini gasped. ''Exactly tab se Mukti jab bhi Abhimanyu ke saath baahar jaati hai, we used to hide it from both Abhimanyu's parents and from my mom, dad too. Abhimanyu's family is dominant, they wanted you to take over this wedding. If you back out now, then they will blame it on us. My mom dad and Mukti never want this. Please quit karne ki baat mat karo. Tumhe lag raha hoga ki Mukti dominant hai and Abhimanyu submissive but it is vice-versa when families are around and you have never seen that'' Aryaman said. ''And coming to today, it was my mistake to pay that amount without looking at it. I thought you might have checked. I apologized Manik bhai too. I promise I'll be careful from now on'' he said in a convincing way. Nandini nodded her head.

''Ha actually we did not like you but the way you impressed my mom is so good. We were just playing along'' he smiled. ''So are you telling me that you were playing along with me all the while?'' Nandini narrowed her eyes. ''I mean me and Mukti thought you will back off from this but now the situation is like little complicated, I think you know now'' he said. ''I seriously don't understand a word of what you're saying, let me go now'' Nandini said turning towards the car to sit and Aryaman took her hands to his. ''Please mana mat karna Nandini, maan jao please'' he literally pleaded. ''Consider your hands as your legs, if you really want I will hold your legs too. That is why I got you here so that no one can see me'' he said. ''Ok, leave my hands. I'll not go anywhere'' Nandini said pulling her hands from his hands. 

''Oh, thank you, thank you so much'' he said relaxed. ''But promise me that you'll never be on phone when you are with me'' she said. ''Ok done deal'' he said. ''And ask your brother to be away from me'' she said. ''No, that's not possible. He is my brother, of course he will take all responsibilities of Mukti's wedding'' Aryaman said. ''What does he think of himself? Does he think I will steal his money? Am I a gold digger?'' Nandini asked him. ''Manik is always strict with his money. He will not let go off a penny of him. Actually he wants to save the amount for his startup'' Aryaman said starting his car. ''Startup?'' Nandini wondered. ''Ha, Manik is an architect, now he is working in Bangalore to save money for his startup. He thinks that behen ke shaadi ke liye paise dena uska farz hai that is why me and Manik are sharing the wedding expenditure. Chupke Abhimanyu is also sharing but no one knew other than me, Mukti and Manik'' he said. ''Hmm, interesting!'' she said giving a pause and said, ''but how do you manage to give money? Tumhare paise matlab papa ke paise?'' Nandini asked.