A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 33- Marriage Proposal

''What do you mean?'' Nandini asked not understanding a word of what he said. ''can we go out and talk?'' Manik looked around and asked her. Nandini took him out in the lawn. ''See Nandini! I know you're smart enough to understand what am saying'' he said. ''If I don't marry now, I know the consequences I have to face. Till last night, I didn't knew about Anitha ma'am. And then I found both of us in a similar situation. Ye relationships humne nahi choose kiya. Neither you were in love with Abhinav nor I'm in love with Jahnavi, but still we decided to marry them'' he said with a pause and Nandini looked at him. ''But see what destiny had in store for us! Ek hi raat mein hum dono ka relationships toot gaya, which exactly brought us on the same road'' Manik said. 

''You are highly mistaken Manik Malhotra, leave about same road, we're not even in the same universe! I hope you're telling a joke or talking about a parallel universe'' Nandini ignored what he said. ''Even I hope the same, because you and I are never meant to be one. But in the parallel universe like you said, it is possible. We're just 2 strangers on a known road'' he said. ''I don't think I can marry for this silly reason. I'm not a burden to my parents and my wedding is not their utmost priority right now'' Nandini said. ''Then why did your mom kept saying that your marriage broke because of her. In fact your dad, he asked me to talk to you about what I said'' Manik said. ''It's guilt Manik'' Nandini said. ''Ab tum mujhse shaadi ke liye ha nahi kaha tho kisi aur se shaadi karwayenge tumhare ghar wale ussi guilt mein'' Manik said. ''Tum se tho koi aur better hi hoga na'' Nandini taunted him. They both are tired of their argument and stood facing opposite sides. ''I don't know what's your problem in just agreeing to marriage, bas haa keh do. Anyway we will just be faking it'' Manik muttered in a low voice but Nandini heard.

''Anyway, we will fake it matlab?'' Nandini turned towards Manik. ''Ha, bas yahi solution hai mere paas, my mom will never be convinced if I don't marry and look at your mom, she will be drowning in the sea of her guilt'' Manik said irritated. ''Then, are you suggesting to fake our marriage? Matlab hum asli nahi nakli shaadi karenge'' Nandini widened her eyes in shock. ''Ha aur nahi tho kya, mujhe bhi koi interest nahi hai tumse shaadi karne ke liye. I know you will also feel the same about me. So, its a win-win for both of us'' Manik said. ''Is this why Jahnavi broke up with you?'' Nandini asked Manik. ''Tum mere personal matters mein involve mat ho jana'' Manik said. ''This isn't working Manik'' Nandini said holding her head. ''Bye'' Manik didn't speak anything thinking how to convince his mom.

All along the way to his home, Manik rehearsed on disclosing his breakup with Jahnavi. ''Mukti!'' Manik saw Mukti and Abhimanyu as he went home. This was the first time Mukti came with her husband after marriage. She wore a saree and Manik is amazed to see her as a new bride. Mukti hugged Manik. ''Now I know why your saas force you to wear a saree, you look like a princess in this saree'' Manik complimented her. ''Not exactly, she's a queen, but my mom says, maa inti mahalakshmi'' Abhimanyu imitated his mom. ''So good to see you both here'' Manik hugged Abhimanyu.

''But we're so disappointed, jab se shaadi hua tab se ghar aaya bhi nahi tum'' Nyonika said to Manik. ''Mom, I was just busy'' Manik covered it up. ''Chalo aaj dinner mein Jahnavi ko bhi bulao, then it would feel like a family dinner'' Nyonika instructed Manik. Manik tried to speak to Nyonika and took her alone into his room. ''Mom, I want to tell you something'' Manik said. ''Ha bolo, aaj main bahut khush hu, if you want to ask me something, assume that it will be approved'' Nyonika showered her kindness. ''Kuch kehna hai, so important'' Manik hesitated to speak and his phone rang. He has cut the call without even looking at it. ''Mom, wo Jahnavi hai na, wo'' Manik continued but his phone rang again. ''Take your phone Manik, it might be important'' Nyonika said and to his surprise, it was Nandini who called him. ''Mom, ek second. I need to take this call'' Manik said. ''Hello'' he spoke moving to balcony from his room. 

''Yes'' Nandini said. ''What?'' he asked nervously. ''It's a Yes, Manik'' she said again. ''Kis liye?'' he asked. ''Do you have any short term memory! half an hour pehle hum baat kar chuke hai'' Nandini reminded him. ''So, are you saying yes to marry me?'' Manik breathed a sigh of relief. ''Yes, but not to marry. As you said, let's just fake it'' she said. ''Aade gante mein aisa kya hua tum itni jaldi maan gayi?'' Manik asked. ''Tum mere personal matters mein involve mat ho jana'' Nandini repeated his words. ''So, are we all set for this drama!'' Manik sounded relieved. ''I don't know kya hone wala hai'' Nandini's voice was filled with hopelessness. ''Don't worry, tum kuch mat karo, just follow my lead'' he said. She nodded and said, ''Ok, I trust you'' the moment she said that, Manik felt that someone had pinched him. 

''But Manik, please remember! I'm doing this for my parents'' Nandini said. ''Trust karti ho na mujhpe, leave it to me. Humari shaadi nakli hai aur hum nahi. Your parents will be mine and you take care of my family. All we want is to make them happy, at the cost of our compromise'' Manik said. ''Did you tell your dad?'' Manik asked her. ''No, not yet'' she said. ''Ok, relax. Mom kehti thi ki ladke wale ko ladki wale ka ghar jaana chahiye shaadi ke liye. I'll go and tell mom about it'' Manik said. Nandini wanted to say something but she fell short of words. ''Don't worry Nandini. Abhi sirf baatein hoga, shaadi ke liye tho bahut time hoga'' Manik assured her. ''Hmm'' was all she could say before hanging up on him. Manik came to his room but Nyonika wasn't there. He went out and saw the dining table is being set for dinner. ''It's good to make an announcement tonight'' he strategically planned everything in his mind already.

It became an untold rule at Manik's home to have all the important discussions at the dining table as they all believe that the best route to someone's heart is through their stomach. Shrikant was busy in watching something on his phone and Nyonika got all the dishes arranged on the table as it is first dinner for the married couple. Mukti and Abhimanyu seemed to be floating in love while Aryaman made a dull face. Manik has been observing him for a while now as he was always in bad mood after Mukti's wedding. He definitely knew that there's more than what he know but he decided to give time to Aryaman. Everyone looked busy with something or the other and Manik tried to say it. ''Mom'' Manik spoke. ''I've told you to invite Jahnavi tonight, tumne call kyu nahi kiya'' Nyonika said. ''Ha main call karu?'' Mukti asked in a teasing tone. ''No need to call her'' Manik said still trying to say something.

''Nandini hai na!'' Manik finally made an effort to speak. ''Bichari Nandini, uski engagement toot gayi and we had to leave from there'' Shrikant said. ''Hume na ek baar uski ghar jaake usse baat karni chahiye, wo bhi humari bachchon ki jaise hai. Itni shaadiya karwayi hai wo, why does it have to be with her?'' Nyonika expressed her thoughts. ''Mom, meri baat tho suno'' Manik raised his voice a bit. ''Ha bolo'' Mukti said. ''Maine Nandini ko propose kiya'' Manik finally said it but none of them reacted in a way he expected. ''Aap log suna nahi!'' Manik confirmed with them. ''Proposal kis baare mein?'' Aryaman spoke for the first time after sitting for the dinner. ''Shayad Jahnavi aur uska function ke liye hoga'' it was Abhimanyu's turn to tease him now. ''Did you make all payments to Nandini. Agar nahi kiya abhi karo'' Shrikant asked Aryaman. ''I've cleared it all a day before wedding'' Aryaman said eating. Manik was really annoyed seeing his family members. 

''Maine Nandini ko shaadi ke liye propose kiya and we're all going to meet her parents tomorrow morning to ask her hand in marriage'' Manik said and stood up from his chair to gain everyone's attention.