A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 26- All Set?

''I want that necklace for Mukti's wedding'' Nyonika said to Shrikant. ''Shaadi Mukti ki hai, tumhara nahi'' Shrikant said ignoring Nyonika's demand. ''Mom pe aap naraaz kyu ho rahe hai dad, aapse nahi tho kisse mangegi wo?'' Aryaman came her to rescue. ''Mom, you can buy it for yourself too, why are you asking dad?'' Manik tried to find logic. ''Main khareed sakti hu par tumhare dad se lene ka mazaa hi kuch aur hai'' Nyonika tried to tease Shrikant. ''Do whatever you want, main tho tumhe paise nahi dene wala'' Shrikant shrugged his shoulders and went away. Nandini felt bad for Nyonika. ''Aunty, are you upset?'' Nandini asked. ''Ye tho bahut normal si cheez hai Nandini, roz roz ka naatak hai humare ghar mein'' Aryaman said. ''Tu chupkar, mom ko tum dono mein se koi necklace gift dena'' Mukti suggested. ''We're ready'' both brothers said in unison.

''Mom, come on we can go shopping'' Manik said. ''Ideally it is the responsibility of your dad to gift me anything, not both of you'' Nyonika said. ''Mom, see your relationship with dad is so beautiful but aise conversations se aap dono khud screw up karte ho'' Manik said. ''These cute fights and little banters will help us revive the essence of our relationship'' Nyonika blushed like a newly wed bride. ''If I ever get married, I don't want to fight with my wife ever'' Manik said. Nyonika, Mukti and Aryaman had a surprised look on their face. ''Kya baat hai bhai! You and marriage!'' Mukti teased. ''Aaj nahi tho kal mujhe bhi shaadi karna hi hai'' Manik said determined. ''Looks like universe has answered my prayers'' Nyonika said joining her hands to pray god. ''What Universe?'' Aryaman asked smiling.

''Manik ke liye maine ek ladki dekha and see co-incidentally he is also determined to get married'' Nyonika said. 'No, no! aise main kisi random ladki se shaadi nahi karunga. Whenever I get married, I'll marry a girl who is a female version of myself'' Manik said. ''Matlab Manik will marry Manika now'' Aryaman said. ''We will never fight, we can never have difference of opinions, sirf pyaar hi pyaar hoga humare beech. We will be two different individuals but we will be one. Humara dil aur zubaan ek hona chahiye'' Manik said. ''Matlab uss ladki ko dimaag nahi hona chahiye'' Nandini intervened. ''Tum beech mein mat bolo'' Manik said as she broke his trance. ''My idea of love is so different, tum nahi samjhogi'' Manik said. ''All the best finding your perfect match'' Nandini said sarcastically.

''Aunty, 2 choreographers would come for Sangeet's dance practice, Is that okay?'' Nandini said to Nyonika. ''Ha, I was eagerly waiting for them. Abhimanyu ke family bhi perform kar rahe hai na!'' Nyonika asked. ''Yes aunty, 1 choreographer waha bhi jaa raha hai'' Nandini said. ''Phir tho hume songs select karna hai, performers ko yaha bulana hai. Rehearsals and all, I'm too excited'' Aryaman said. ''Rehearsal ke liye Abhimanyu aa raha hai na?'' Manik made sure to ask Mukti while she happily nodded yes. ''Chalo issi bahaane wo dono mil payenge ab'' Aryaman said to Mukti. ''Ok, I'll meet you all in two days then'' Nandini said. ''Two days? Kahi jaa rahi ho?'' Aryaman asked. ''No, mujhe Abhimanyu ke ghar jaana hai, we will have to get outfits for them too. I'll get that sorted and will be back by the day of mehndi'' Nandini said. ''Par humara dresses ka kya?'' Mukti asked in horror. ''Don't worry, they are almost ready. Navya will drop them here'' Nandini assured. ''Nandini beta, please make sure nothing goes wrong'' Nyonika stressed it. Nandini nodded with a smile.

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Manik went to meet Anitha after her retirement party. ''Arre, Manik tum? Come inside'' Anitha warmly welcomed him. ''Please have a seat'' she said. ''No thanks ma'am, this isn't a formal visit like last time. My sister is getting married, next week. So, I've just wanted to invite you both'' Manik said giving her wedding invite. ''Yes, I got to know Nandini is the wedding planner, I guess she is busy with this wedding. Hum zaroor aayenge'' Anitha said. ''Thank you, sir nahi hai ghar pe?'' Manik asked looking for Mohan. ''No, he just went out for groceries, he'll be here in 10'' she said. ''What would you like to have? Chai or coffee?'' she asked him. ''No, nothing'' Manik said casually. ''Just before few minutes, you've mentioned that this isn't a formal meeting, so why are you being formal!'' she smiled. ''Ok, coffee then'' Manik said. 

Anitha made coffee for them and took Manik to her backyard. ''You have a beautiful house'' Manik complimented. ''We took this house from builder after Nandini is born. I remember she was just 3 month old baby when we shifted here'' Anitha's eyes sparkled as she remembered those good old days. ''So aapke bahut saare memories honge iss ghar mein?'' Manik asked. ''All my life is here, we've spent days and nights in this backyard. We've watered each plant here. Every corner of this house, knows us in and out. Through, thick and thin, we were all together at our home, our happy place'' Anitha became emotional. There was a moment of silence between them. ''I love it when people given attention to detail, but I never thought aap itni jaldi emotional ho jayenge'' Manik didn't knew how to react and Mohan saved him from embarrassment on time.

''Hey Manik, how are you man?'' Mohan greeted him. ''I'm good sir, just dropped in to invite you both for my sister's wedding'' Manik said. ''Oh sure, we'll be there. It'll be fun I think. I was never invited to any wedding which Nandini's team is managing. I'll check if your wedding planner is up to my expectations or not, warna main apne beti ki shaadi mein wedding planner ko hire hi nahi karunga'' Mohan laughed at his own joke. ''That's a bad joke, MR'' Anitha said. ''MR?'' Manik asked in confusion. ''Ye mujhe pyaar se, MR bulati hai. Mohan Reddy!'' Mohan tried to show off his wife to Manik but miserably went wrong when Anitha glared at him. ''Nandini has grown too fond of your brother and sister. They became friends, ghar aate hi unhi ke baare mein bolti rehti hai'' Mohan changed the topic. ''Aur mujhe monster Manik bulati hogi?'' Manik asked. ''It's not like that, but I guess tum dono ki beech dosti nahi hui hai!'' Mohan said. Manik had a serious look on his face.

''We don't have anything in common and both of us can never agree on anything'' Manik said. ''There's no need that she has to agree with you, but that doesn't mean you are wrong. Maybe you both are right, but your way of doing things is different'' Mohan said. ''Nanna, I'm here. Where are you both?'' Nandini shouted from the drawing as soon as she came home. ''I think Nandu is here'' Anitha went inside followed by Mohan and Manik. ''Hi Nandini'' Manik greeted her formally and she is confused to see him there. ''Hi'' she forced a smile. ''Kal mehndi hai'' Manik said to Nandini. ''I know I'll be there morning'' Nandini said. Manik didn't knew what to talk and then a car is stopped in front of their gate. ''I think there is someone at the gate'' Anitha said and then Manik bid bye to them.

''Abhinav?'' Nandini said looking at him. Manik and Abhinav has crossed paths while Manik is going out and Abhinav came inside with his family.

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So, Abhinav is a freelance photographer who works with Nandini's team, if you remember from earlier chapters.

I know Nandini and Manik's story haven't started properly, but I cannot rush the plot only to write their lovey dovey moments. I think characters should take their time for the story to progress.

Please share your views on the progress of the story and do suggest any ideas/suggestions.

Kindly do vote and comment. Happy Reading