A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 30- At the Edge

''Aryaman, why are you saying this? Please control yourself. I know you are hurt now but please'' Nandini could see how hurt Aryaman is. ''The Aryaman I knew, you are not him. That cool attitude wala hero yaha ho tho, he would make everyone smile with his presence'' Nandini said. ''Now don't put on sad face and go now'' Nandini sent Aryaman to mandap. She turned around to see Manik standing so close to her. ''Huh, you scared me'' she said. ''What did Aryaman say? Is he alright?'' he asked her. Nandini didn't want Manik to know about Aryaman and she wanted Aryaman to disclose it. ''Kuch nahi, he said that Mukti will leave to her in-laws home tonight, bas yahi soch kar upset hai'' Nandini lied. ''Who feels bad for vidaai during shaadi! Ye Aryaman bhi naa. Ye dono tom and jerry ke tarah ladthe hai but they're really gonna miss each other'' Manik smiled. ''You are not going to miss Mukti?'' she asked. 

''Mukti isn't going to any other city, she is literally 30 min away from my home. I can go and see my sister whenever I feel like. I won't miss her at all'' Manik said and continued, ''but I'll miss you'' he said. ''Me! Why?'' Nandini is surprised to hear him. ''Maybe I won't see you after this wedding, tum apni shaadi mein busy ho jayegi and I will leave to Bengaluru. Maybe we won't see each other after a few days'' Manik said. ''If that is the case, I'll miss you too'' Nandini smiled. ''Ok, but abhi hume shaadi miss nahi karni hai, so let's go'' Manik and Nandini went back to mandap.

Nandini was waiting for a chance to speak to Abhinav. "Looks like you're waiting for someone special" Navya tried to tease Nandini. "Stop it Navya, engagement in 2 days. Why all of a sudden?'' Nandini said biting her nails. ''It is not all of a sudden, it was supposed to be next week but you know Abhinav's parents, they are so particular about these tithi vaara nakshatram and panchangam (telugu astrological terms), so go with the flow'' Navya said. ''Yes I know but Abhinav didn't say a word to me before. How would I be feeling now?'' Nandini asked Navya. ''Don't overthink Nandini. I'm glad you have planned it all so well. He will apply for your visa after the wedding and in 3 months, you'll be gone from India'' Navya said. ''Ok now, finally he is here. Be calm and patient, talk to him'' Navya said as she saw Abhinav walking towards them. 

''What happened? You are not looking fine'' Abhinav asked as he approached Nandini. ''This engagement and wedding, isn't it too fast?'' Nandini tried to read his facial expressions. ''You know mom and dad won't listen to me in these matters, so we'll engaged first and then get married in a month. Your mom dad were so happy when they heard this'' Abhinav said but Nandini isn't convinced. ''My dear fiancé, we're going to be one soon'' Abhinav said. ''But then, this would be the last project na'' Nandini said. ''But you've decided not to pursue this after our marriage, so your job shouldn't be a problem'' Abhinav said. ''So, you think you know everything about me?'' Nandini asked. ''Of course'' Abhinav said. ''You won't know me. If you know me, you would know that I want love marriage'' Nandini said. ''We are going to have a love marriage, you love me and I love you'' Abhinav said.

''Oh hello, you proposed and not me. You didn't even give me time to think'' Nandini said. ''There isn't enough time for all this. We will love after we get married'' Abhinav said. ''Ok, we don't have all the time tonight to talk, I got to go'' Nandini said and saw Aryaman sitting alone. ''Everyone is thinking that you are sad because of Mukti ki vidaai, please ab tho hass le'' she tried to cheer him up. All the guests went for dinner. Mukti and Abhimanyu seemed exhausted after the endless rituals. Manik had to spend half of his time with Jahnavi. ''Bhook lagi hai Nandini, kuch khaane ke liye laana, please'' Mukti asked Nandini. ''Nahi Mukti, your mom in law is so strict that she asked you to to fast until all the rituals are done'' Nandini said. ''Nandini, please kuch karo, she is eating my brain since half an hour'' Abhimanyu said to Nandini. 

''Here, have it'' Manik said sneaking a dessert in Mukti's dupatta. ''Manik agar Mukti ki saas ko pata chal gaya tho!'' Nandini said but Mukti spoke then. ''Kaise khau main ye ab?'' Abhimanyu helped her to hide behind him and eat it. Nandini and Manik also covered up Mukti. ''What's going on?'' Jahnavi asked. ''Mukti is eating something and we're hiding her'' Nandini said. ''Ha, why don't you go and announce it to everyone Nandini?'' Manik taunted her. ''It's ok I won't tell anyone'' Jahnavi smiled. ''You love her so much, don't you?'' Jahnavi asked. Manik looked shocked. ''Do you think I love Nandini?'' Manik asked with a straight face. ''Woh Nandini ki nahi, Mukti ki baat kar rahi hai'' Abhimanyu clarified. ''Of course, I love Mukti so much'' Manik said but Abhimanyu interrupted. ''No, I love her more than you'' Abhimanyu flexed his love for Mukti. ''Ab mujhe khaana kab milega?'' Abhimanyu asked.