A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 36- Backfired

''Ok bye'' Nandini sneaked inside her room without making any noise. Manik called Aryaman to open the door for him. He did not ask any questions to Manik and seems to have convinced himself that Nandini and Manik are together. ''Kal subah jaana hai Nandini ke ghar, be ready'' Manik said excited. On the other side, Nyonika couldn't sleep the whole night and thought about Manik and Nandini. ''Manik aise kaise Jahnavi se rishta tod diya?'' she asked Shrikant who seemed to be in deep sleep and woke him up. ''Arre call your friend in the morning and ask her what's wrong'' he suggested and went back to bed again. She was determined to know why Manik and Jahnavi decided to end their relation. Manik got ready early and greeted Nyonika. She gave a cold smile which didn't go well with Manik. She dialled Jahnavi's mom's number. ''Hello, its Nyonika here'' she spoke. ''Ab call kyu kiya?'' Jahnavi's mom taunted her.

''So you know about Manik and Jahnavi and still didn't bother to call to even know what's wrong?'' Nyonika couldn't contain her anger. Manik didn't expect this call. ''Mom, ab kya kar rahi ho tum?'' he tried to stop Nyonika. ''Baat karne ko bacha hi kya! Manik has said everything to Jahnavi. When he is interested in other girls, why will my daughter marry him?'' she asked. ''Other girls matlab, my son is neither a womanizer nor a playboy. You better be careful before choosing your words'' Nyonika said defensive. Manik seeked Aryaman's help to calm down Nyonika. ''Mom, please! Jo ho gaya so ho gaya'' Aryaman intervened upon Manik's insistence. ''How dare Manik to tell Jahnavi that he would marry her even if he is with other girl. Why would my Jahnavi accept him as husband knowing he had an affair with some other girl'' she said as Nyonika provoked her. ''Manik, tu toh gaya'' Manik thought this is an end game for him.

Nyonika became an angry bird listening to her accusations against Manik. Aryaman took away the phone from her and hang up. ''Tu ne phone kyu cheen liya! How dare she! How can she talk about my Manik like this'' Nyonika said. ''Mom, ye sach hai na! Manik aur Nandini ek doosre ko like kar rahe hai. Maybe that's why he said Jahnavi to back off'' Aryaman said and looked at Manik. Unexpectedly, everyone now thinks that Jahnavi's mom mentioned about Nandini. ''Agar Manik ko sach mein Nandini pasand hai tho, let him marry Nandini'' Abhimanyu said. ''Ha waise bhi Nandini achi ladki hai'' Mukti said. ''Why don't you speak something Nyonika! Bachche sab Nandini ko vote kar rahe hai'' Shrikant asked. ''But abhi abhi uska engagement toota aur agar hum abhi rishta leke gaya tho!" Nyonika hesitated. ''Mom maine already Nandini ke dad ko bataya ki I wanted to marry Nandini'' Manik said. ''But log kya kahenge!'' Nyonika said.

''Mom, do you really think I care if her engagement broke and that would stop me from marrying her?'' Manik asked. ''Maan jao na mumma'' Mukti asked taking Manik's side. ''Nandini achi ladki hai, par maine kabhi usse bahu ki nazariya mein nahi dekha'' Nyonika said and Manik sat down on his knees near Nyonika. ''Remember you've even said that Nandini reminds you of our dadi'' Manik said. ''You even said to Nandini that she is like your daughter, ab beti ko bahu hi banalo'' Aryaman said. ''Ok ok! It's not like am against all of you. Let's talk to her family first'' Nyonika approved Manik's request with a kiss on his forehead. ''Thank you so much mom'' he hugged her. ''Congratulations Manik, here comes the girl of your choice. Waise tumhare mom ki choice se Nandini hi better hai'' Shrikant said while she glared at him. ''Why didn't you say it when I got Jahnavi home?'' Nyonika asked. ''Because you've never gave a chance to say it'' he said casually. ''Manik and Aryaman, ek baat yaad rakhna! Shaadi tho apni mann pasand ki ladki se hi karna. That's the only way your marriage will last forever'' Shrikant said.

Manik hugged his dad and felt guilty to lie to his own family members. ''What if they find out that this is just an adjustment with Nandini!'' Manik thought. He always thought of how he would make Nandini's family convince but now after seeing his family's concern over his marriage, he was guilty and overwhelmed at the same time. ''Dad, if you ever come to know that I was wrong, will you always be my side?'' Manik asked involuntarily. ''Ek baar shaadi ho gaya tho, your wife will be the only one who is going to be on your side. Hum sab ek taraf aur tumhare biwi ek taraf hoga'' Shrikant didn't understand what Manik meant to ask him. He thanked Nandini in his heart as she is the reason for his family's happiness now. 

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Manik and his family reached Nandini's home. Mohan was sitting in the drawing room when they entered. Anitha is taking rest in her room while Nandini sat with her. Mohan stood up seeing Manik and Nyonika entering inside. ''Aap log yaha!'' Mohan said welcoming them. He is a bit surprised to see all of his family members and understood what they might have come for. ''Anu, Nandu!'' he called them out. Nandini and Anitha came out. ''Mohan ji, aap baitiye. We will make ourselves comfortable, don't worry'' Shrikant said. ''Aapka ghar bahut acha hai'' Shrikant said looking around. Mohan smiled courteously. 

''I know this is so awkward, coming straight to the point. Hum sab yaha Nandini ke haath maangne aaye hai Manik ke liye'' Nyonika said breaking the ice. ''Ha Manik ne hume bhi bataya'' Anitha replied. Mohan and Anitha looked at Nandini. ''Nanna, I said yes to Manik'' Nandini said. Everyone is surprised to hear from Nandini. ''I want to talk to my daughter once'' Mohan excused himself and took Nandini aside and Anitha joined them. ''What do you think is going on?'' Abhimanyu and Aryaman started to gossip. ''Will you both please shut up, humare haal bhi aise hi tha when Manik suddenly said that'' Mukti said. 

''Nandu, are you sure you want to marry now?'' Mohan asked. ''Nanna, do you think I didn't think about my future?'' Nandini said. ''Don't look here and there. Look into my eyes'' Anitha said. ''Amma, Nanna! Sit down. I'm pretty much aware what happened with me. It wasn't my fault or yours if they cancel the engagement. I have my right to marry anyone I like'' Nandini said. ''But why did you chose Manik out of everyone'' Mohan asked. ''Because I liked his approach towards me. He said he wants to marry me as we can make a good pair. And you told me this is how arranged marriages work!'' Nandini said. ''Arranged marriages are chosen by the family Nandini. If both of you doesn't like each other, you don't need to do this'' Anitha said. ''Amma, it's not like me and Manik love each other but both of us are ready to give it to a try'' Nandini said convincingly. ''I don't know what to say'' Mohan said. ''I think we should also say yes, Manik convinced his family for Nandini'' Anitha said. Nandini felt low when Anitha looked desperate to get Nandini married.

''Ok, let's go inside, we're making them wait'' Mohan said and returned to drawing room. ''Uncle, aap logon ka discussions ho gaya tho humse bhi baat karlena'' Aryaman said. ''Manik asked me if he can marry Nandini and if she is fine with it, we don't have any problem'' Mohan said. ''But Nandini's engagement cancelled very recently. I don't know what will everyone think of'' Anitha said. Her face instantly turned down as she remembered that night. ''Anitha ji aap pareshaan mat hona. In fact, I have a better idea to make you feel good. How about we get Manik and Nandini engaged tomorrow!'' Nyonika asked. 

Manik and Nandini looked at each other shocked, as Nyonika pulled off an unexpected move.