A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 32- Two Minus make a Plus

''Are you out of your mind?'' Nandini asked Manik. ''Why are you telling it to mom? If you're doing this to make her better, then please know that it would make her worst'' Nandini said. She couldn't process what Manik said. ''I haven't said that to make her feel better but I would really want to marry you'' he said with a pause, ''only if you also want to'' he concluded. Mohan then took Manik out from there. ''Stop playing pranks here. Can't you see my wife's condition?'' Mohan said. ''Why would I pull a prank on my wedding?'' Manik honestly answered. Nandini came out as Anitha was given an injection to sleep. ''But you have introduced a girl that you're going to marry'' Mohan's voice softened a bit. Manik looked at Nandini. ''Jahnavi and I broke up'' Manik said. ''You've hardly knew her since a week and now break up wow!'' Nandini mocked at him. 

''I've had enough of everything today Manik, please leave'' Nandini joined her hands together as if requesting him. A tear drop fell down her cheek and she was quick to make an exit from there. ''Manik, thanks for all your help but please leave'' Mohan patted Manik's back. Manik sat there in the waiting area while Mohan went inside. Manik made himself comfortable after having a coffee and sat stretching his legs. ''Looks like he got settled here'' Mohan said to Nandini. ''Nanna, let him do whatever he want'' Nandini said sharply. ''I'm so sorry beta, I should have told you before accepting Abhinav's parents demands'' Mohan said. ''Exactly, I would have understood if mom made that promise but you! I would have never believed if someone said that Nanna. Do you think you should give your property as dowry for me to get married'' Nandini asked disappointed with her parents.

''No Nandu, we just thought you would be happy, everything was good and then just before 2 days, they said this. What could I do! I can't break it just because I don't want to give dowry. Everything I earned is anyhow yours one day'' Mohan justified himself. ''So, don't you and mom have a life of your own!?'' Nandini said sobbing as she hugged him. ''I'm sorry, I made my little girl cry so much today'' Mohan said caressing Nandini's hair. ''Your little girl is not really little nanna'' Nandini said. ''Yes, I can see a fierce, self made woman in you today. I must say that it was so brave to take that step'' Mohan smiled. ''But thinking of the after effects is actually scaring me'' he said about his biggest insecurity. ''People will say anything and everything about you. I don't know how Anu will deal with it'' he said. Nandini decided to not let down her parents but she knew that she is going to have hard time. 

After some time, Nandini fell asleep beside Anitha's bed and nurse asked only one attendant can be with the patient. Mohan had to come out and saw Manik struggling to sleep. ''Manik, aren't you going home?'' Mohan asked. ''Sir, I don't want to be an opportunistic person. You did not like what I said but you can't ask me go home too'' Manik said, throwing a challenge to Mohan. ''Just because Nandini ki rishta toot gaya, do you think I would marry her off to anyone?'' Mohan asked subtly. ''If Nandini's engagement isn't fixed today, I would have come with my family to ask her hand to marry her. You didn't give me time, but may be it was my luck, uska engagement toot gaya'' Manik said. ''What?'' Mohan asked surprised. ''Yes sir, I thought of asking Nandini for marriage after Mukti's wedding, but my bad luck, you fixed an alliance. I was so disappointed but when she said no to Abhinav, I knew that she is mine'' Manik said. 

''As far as I know, you and Nandini were never on good terms, you were about to marry Jahnavi also. Phir ye sab kaise?'' Mohan enquired. ''Jab Nandini ki rishta Abhinav se pakka ho gaya tabhi maine Jahnavi ko haa kaha. Even if Nandini and Abhinav are engaged tonight, my relation with Jahnavi would have broke. Me and Nandini, both of our relations broke today, don't you think it is a sign!'' Manik asked and observed Mohan. He didn't speak anything but ignored Manik. On the contrary, Manik noticed a positive aura from Mohan. ''Agar aapko abhi bhi lag raha hai ki main sirf prank kar raha hu, then you need not believe me'' Manik said. Mohan nodded his head but did not talk. Soon they both drifted to sleep and it was in the morning Manik woke up when he felt someone patted him. 

''Manik'' Nandini said patting his arm to wake him up. He jerked off in the sleep and suddenly woke up. ''Ghar jao'' she said. He was quick to respond to her. ''No, I can stay here'' he said. ''Mom is getting discharged now. Hum bhi ghar jaa rahe hai'' Nandini said. Manik nodded his head and got up. Nandini left from there. He saw Anitha was already shifted from the room. He didn't see Anitha as she got discharged. Manik saw that they were all already in the car. Nandini and Anitha sat at the back. Mohan saw Manik and came to him. ''If Nandini says yes, mujhe koi problem nahi hai'' Manik was relaxed to hear from Mohan. ''Thank you sir'' Manik said. ''But if Nandini said no, promise me that you'll never disturb her again'' Mohan asked. ''I promise I will never see her again'' Manik said confidently. Within no time, Manik drove back home and saw his family members having breakfast. 

''Manik, where were you?'' Shrikant asked as he saw Manik. ''Ek zaruri kaam tha, my phone's battery died. Main fresh hoke aa jata hu'' Manik said and went to his room. He decided to speak to Nandini about what he said last night. He had breakfast and talked with Nyonika. ''Mom! Jahnavi ne tumhe call kiya?'' he asked. ''Nahi tho, kyu? Did you ask her to call her future saas'' Nyonika teased him. ''Aisa nahi hai, I casually asked you, that's it'' Manik now knew that Jahnavi hadn't spilled the beans yet. ''Ok mom, I have something important today, wish me'' he asked touching Nyonika's feet. ''Arre, ye kya! Ok, get up now. All the best'' she smiled as Manik acted really strange. 

**********************************************************************************************

Nandini is really annoyed seeing Manik at her doorstep again. ''Please don't shut the door on my face'' Manik said holding the door with all his strength and Nandini allowed him inside. ''Nandini, please listen to me'' he said. ''About what? Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya? We can't even stand each other. We're really poles apart? Suddenly ye shaadi ka keeda kaise tere dimaag mein aaya?'' Nandini spoke her heart out. 

''Exactly, we both have same problem and that is shaadi! Then why not make 2 minus a plus!!''

***************************************************************************************

What do you think Manik is doing? Why did he want to marry Nandini?

Will Nandini agree to marry Manik?