Threads of Friendship, Bonds of Marriage

Chapter : 13

{Angel Falls}

Manik: Can you now tell me what's really going on?

[The cool breeze rustles through the trees. Nandini is fiddling with her fingers, nervousness evident in her demeanor. Manik notices her anxiety and places his hand on hers to encourage her to speak.]

Nandini: I know about you and Soniya.

[Upon hearing this, Manik abruptly withdraws his hand, feeling an uneasy stomach churning. He doesn't know what to say next and doesn't want to make Nandini uncomfortable. Sensing his inner turmoil, Nandini decides to break the silence.]

Nandini: When I told Navya that Nani Ma talked to you about our marriage, she confronted Nani Ma and discovered that you were given two options.

Manik: I'm sorry, Nandini. I never meant to hurt you or make you feel bad.

Nandini: Then why did you tell me only half the truth?

Manik: I don't know. I just...didn't want to say it. It didn't feel right. Moreover, you two are cousins.

Nandini: If that was the case, Manik, you should have told me there were talks of your marriage with Soniya. Mami even hinted at it during dinner, but I just didn't catch on.

Manik: That's their perspective. I didn't think that way.

Nandini: I think you're confused yourself. That's why you didn't find it right to tell me.

Manik: And why do you think so?

Nandini: Because you are still hiding your date with Soniya in Paris.

[Manik's eyes widen in shock. He didn't expect this revelation to come up so soon in front of Nandini.]

Nandini: I found out about this from Navya.

Manik (murmurs): She's a dangerous woman. I'll have to be careful.

Nandini: I know, she's very dangerous. When she went to meet Nani Ma, Mami casually mentioned that you both went on a romantic date and that you both like each other.

Manik: Nandini, you're getting it all wrong. There was nothing like that.

[Manik starts to panic. He can't bear the thought of Nandini misunderstanding him and Soniya. After a long time, Nandini has begun sharing her heart and trusting him. Without giving a second thought, Manik grabs her hand firmly, making her gasp in surprise. She feels a tingling sensation in her stomach as she looks directly into his intense eyes.]

Manik: Nandini, listen to me very carefully. Make a mental note of this: there is nothing between Soniya and me. I never went on any romantic date with her.

[Nandini's heart races as she looks into Manik's earnest eyes. She feels a mixture of relief and confusion, her emotions swirling like a storm inside her.]

Nandini: But why would Mami lie?

Manik: (taking a deep breath) Your Mami didn't lie. We did go on a date, but for me, it was a blind date, and Dhruv and Alya convinced me to go.

Nandini: Wait a minute, Alya convinced you to go on a blind date?

Manik: Out of everything, that's what you picked up on?

Nandini: No, no, it's not like that. I heard you, but why would Alya... I mean, how... I thought... maybe I was wrong.

Manik: Nandini, what are you trying to say? What did you think?