A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 28- Marriages are made in heaven

''Really, that's a great news'' Manik said. ''Thank you'' Nandini said. ''Tumhara hero kahi dikh nahi raha hai, kaha gaya?'' Aryaman asked. ''He might be on his way'' Nandini said. ''We've already met him but we never knew that you and him are going to get married. Tell me your love story'' Aryaman asked interesting. ''There is nothing to tell you, Abhinav and I knew each other since our school days. Recently he said that he loves me, so I asked him to meet my parents. But I didn't expect that he will come so soon'' Nandini said. ''So, you love him too'' Aryaman asked. ''I don't love him but he is good guy and I didn't find any reason to say no. Mom and dad knew him and his family since many years so'' Nandini said. ''Na kehne ke liye reason nahi hai tho ha keh diya!'' Manik's laugh was contagious. ''Aryaman, tell your brother that this is not a joke'' Nandini said looking seriously at Manik.

''Seriously Nandini! You are such a'' Manik was about to say something but he stopped looking at Nandini. ''The bomb might explode at any time, be cautious Manik'' Aryaman warned Manik before he leave from there. ''Can't you be nice to me for a single day?'' Nandini asked. ''Ok, I'm sorry'' Manik quickly apologized. ''So, I hope everything is good between you and Abhinav. I hope you both have an amazing life ahead'' Manik said. ''Wishes and compliments must be delivered on my wedding day, not tonight'' Nandini said. ''So am I invited to your wedding ceremony, I thought only Mukti, Abhimanyu and Aryaman will get the invitation'' Manik said. ''I'm sorry, I didn't knew you know my mom and dad. We never had anything to common to talk even. So I didn't think you would like to come home for my mom's retirement party'' Nandini explained. 

''Chill. I was just pulling your leg. True that we are completely opposite poles and we can never have anything in common'' Manik admitted. ''But there is something I'd like to tell you now and you will be happy'' Nandini said. ''What?'' Manik asked. ''Remember you asked me about an event to do it for free! I'm ready'' Nandini said. ''Are you serious?'' Manik asked. ''Yes, mom told me about it and you have less time to organize everything so'' Nandini said. ''I can't thank you enough for it Nandini. Mukti ki shaadi ke next day hi wo event plan kiya hai humne. I was thinking to postpone it if things go overboard. But thanks once again for saving my day'' Manik was grateful to her. ''But iss shaadi ke payment mein discount nahi maangna please'' Nandini said. ''Of course not, this means so much to me'' Manik said. ''But why did Sun not rise in the east? how come you are so nice to me?'' Manik asked Nandini. ''I'm not mean Mr. Malhotra and if I was mean to you, that is just because of you'' Nandini said. Nyonika, Mukti and Abhimanyu also congratulated Nandini for she is going to get married soon. 

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''Aise baar baar mere liye rishta mat leke aana'' Manik said to Nyonika strictly. ''Leave him today mom, why are you so stubborn on getting him married now?'' Aryaman asked. ''Why are you pressurizing him for wedding?'' Shrikant asked Nyonika. ''Agar main pressure nahi kiya tho ladka mera haath se nikal jayega. I myself heard Manik saying that he has no intention to get married. Manik ko shaadi karna hi padega'' Nyonika said. Nandini widened her eyes at Manik. ''What? Maine kab bola?'' Manik asked Nyonika. ''Didn't you say that you don't want to marry ever! I heard you saying on phone'' Nyonika accused Manik. ''Why would you take that seriously mom! I might have said it as a joke'' Manik said. ''People will think that you are a gay Manik'' Nyonika disclosed her worst nightmare. Shrikant and Aryaman are fed up of Nyonika and her madness. They left from there without a word.

Manik kept a straight face. ''Jo hua so hua. Please go now. Abhimanyu's family is here'' Manik sent her. Nandini was still there and Manik looked at her sharply. ''Hmm, why are you trying so hard to control your laughter?'' Manik asked and they both burst into a laughter. ''I can't believe your mom thought you're a gay'' Nandini finally spoke after laughing so hard. ''No wonder, you thought Abhimanyu and Aryaman are a couple. Look at their camaraderie'' Manik showed Aryaman and Abhimanyu who danced her heart out in the Sangeet. ''First things first, why did you not want to marry?'' Nandini asked. ''It's not like I don't want to marry, but I don't want to marry someone who doesn't match my vibe. Look at my mom and dad! See how happy they are'' Manik had a smile on his face.

''I want what my mom and dad has! A spouse with whom I should be spending the rest of my life. Ek aisi life partner, who will never fight with me. I want to be with a girl who is my another version'' Manik poured out his heart. ''Are you serious! A girl who is another version of you! Will you be able to find one!?'' Nandini asked. Aryaman interrupted Nandini and Manik. ''Nandini, mujhe teri help chahiye'' Aryaman took her to a side, away from Manik. ''Tell me what it is!'' Nandini asked. ''Manik ke liye mom kisi ladki ko bheja and she wants me to stay with them while they both speak to each other'' Aryaman said. ''What? How will you be with them?'' Nandini is literally shocked. ''I know this is weird but you know na! mom will never trust Manik with any girl now. Will you please be with them? Please, for me and my mom'' Aryaman pleaded her.

''But why me!?'' Nandini asked. ''Mujhe guests receive karna hai, mom trusts me and I trust you'' Nandini didn't find Aryaman's plea convincing. ''Tell me who are you waiting for! Is she coming here?'' she asked him. ''Who? no one is coming'' Aryaman said. ''I know that you are waiting for someone special. Will you show her to me?'' Nandini got excited. ''Meri maa, ha main wait kar raha hu uske liye. I'll show you, but please Manik ka khayal rakhna and don't let him mess up everything'' Aryaman said to Nandini and asked that girl to come inside. A girl walked inside the room who wore blue gown. ''Hi, I'm Dr. Jahnavi'' she said to Manik extending her hand. ''Have a good time, Manik and Jahnavi. Nandini is your host for now'' Aryaman closed the door as he left. Manik and Nandini sat on one side while Jahnavi sat on the other side of the table.

Manik had no idea of what's going on. ''This is so weird that our first meeting is a mess'' Jahnavi smiled to ease the tension between them and Nandini smiled awkwardly. ''I'm Manik! Manik Malhotra. I'm an architect'' Manik spoke like a gentle man taking her hand for a handshake. ''I'm a gynecologist by profession'' she said. ''Aapke baare mein Nyonika aunty ne mujhe sab bataya'' she said and Nandini couldn't hold back her smile for which she earned a glare from Manik. ''I'm sorry'' Nandini said. ''Jahnavi, you're beautiful, Smart and ambitious. I think ye rishta and all is really so old fashioned. Why don't we meet tomorrow again. Maybe we shall meet tomorrow again for wedding. And yeah, I have planned an event, the very next day after the wedding. We will meet there too. I will text you the address, we shall meet there again'' Manik said confidently.

Jahnavi smiled again and took Manik's phone and entered her number. Nandini looked at Manik who took his phone from Jahnavi. ''What do I save your number as?'' he asked. ''Dr. Jahnavi'' she said. ''Heart doctor'' Manik said. ''Gynecologist hai cardiologist nahi'' Nandini said innocently. ''Aise hi save kar lena'' she said before leaving. ''Why did she smile at you before leaving?'' Nandini asked. ''Because I'm smart and you're dumb'' Manik said. ''So, main Nyonika aunty aur Aryaman ko kya bolu?'' Nandini asked. ''Bol do ki rishta pakki hai, ladki pasand hai'' Manik said. ''Are you serious! Ek meeting main kaise decide kiya shaadi ke liye'' Nandini asked. ''Because this is how mom would want me to react'' Manik said. ''But!'' Nandini wanted to bombard Manik with questions.

''Nandini, na bolne ki wajah nahi hai, so maine ha bol diya, I'm following your foot steps'' Manik said. 

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So Manik and Nandini are going to get married, but with someone others. What do you think will happen next?