A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 37- Time for wedding?

''Why is your mom talking about engagement?'' Nandini freaked out on Manik. ''Mujhe kya pata hai, I just asked her to speak with your mom and dad. This is totally unexpected'' Manik explained. ''You should have talked to her before coming here'' Nandini said. ''Like I dreamt of my mom saying this! It's your mom who spoke first.  My mom responded with that'' Manik defended his mom. ''You're a two tongued person. Your words and actions doesn't match. Tumne khud promise kiya mujhe ki shaadi postpone karwaoge but your mom is speaking of engagement. Iss hisaab se tho wo shaadi bhi jaldi karwayegi'' Nandini said. ''Oh, now you put the whole blame on me! And what about you! You don't even think before you do something. Like Navya said last night, you didn't figure out those questions which she asked for you!'' Manik blamed Nandini. They both stood and looked at opposite directions that their backs faced each other.  

Manik turned to speak something and saw Aryaman approaching them. ''Aryaman aa raha hai idhar'' he whispered in her ear making her jump. ''Love birds! Kya kar rahe hai idhar'' Aryaman saw Manik very close to Nandini. ''Hum koi love birds nahi hai'' Nandini retorted. ''What?'' Aryaman gave a shocking expression. ''Please give us 5 minutes'' Manik asked in a requesting tone. ''What will you do in 5 minutes?'' Aryaman asked. ''Hone wali biwi ko manaana padega na'' Manik faked a smile. ''Ok, I'll go and stand near the door until you're secret couple talks are done'' Aryaman said. He went far from there. He couldn't hear them but still see them. Manik pulled Nandini's hand. ''See Nandini, we can't back out now'' Manik held her arms as he spoke. ''But will you sign the agreement, Navya will get it today'' Nandini asked as she isn't ready to risk her life with Manik. ''Anything for you, as you wish'' Manik said sugarcoating his words. ''What if your mom plans wedding like she planned our engagement tomorrow'' Nandini doubted.

''Mujhe bhi yahi doubt hai. I'll try to stop this wedding at any cost. I have an idea and let us see if it works'' Manik said and Nandini was about to speak but he cut her off. ''Ab main kuch nahi bolunga tumhe'' he said being cautious about Aryaman standing there. ''Aryaman wahi kyu khada hai, why isn't he going away?'' Nandini asked Manik as he is observing Aryaman. ''Ye ab tumhara friend ya mera bhai nahi mummy ki jasoos bankar aaya hai'' Manik said not looking at Aryaman. ''Don't look at him. My mom and Aryaman aren't convinced that we are really marrying. That's why Aryaman is spying on us'' Manik said. ''At least un dono ko mere choice pe vishwas hai. In this last one month, they got to know what's in my heart. Really, I would have never chosen you'' Nandini said. ''Me neither'' Manik said with equal energy as Nandini. ''Last night bade emotional banke eternal love story sunaya tumne. I really thought you were so serious about your relationships but then you proved me wrong. Friends with benefits'' She stressed on the last words. 

''My dada dadi died just 3 years before and my relationship ended five years ago. How are they both related even?'' Manik said. ''And I don't want to listen to any of your explanations. Please do whatever it takes to cancel this wedding'' Nandini ordered. ''Cancel hi karna hai tho ye sab drama kyu, main sirf postpone karne ka koshish kar raha hu. Call me once your agreements are ready, I'll come and sign'' Manik said. Nandini nodded. ''Now come and hug me like a good girl'' Manik asked sweetly. ''What? I'm not doing that'' Nandini said shocked. ''Aryaman is watching Nandini, so you have to hug me'' Manik smiled and Nandini cursed him. ''No problem, I will hug you'' he said and without waiting for her he hugged her. Nandini was speechless and he broke the hug. ''Be ready for tomorrow, soon to be Mrs. Malhotra'' he winked at her and Nandini fumed inside. 

''Ho gaya tum dono ke baatein'' Nyonika asked as they both came inside from the garden. ''Yes mom. Nandini wasn't ready for engagement, usse dar lag raha hai shayad'' Manik said. ''Nandini, maine tumse kabhi kaha nahi beta but you are now as important as Manik, Mukti and Aryaman to me. Tum aur Abhimanyu bhi ab humare family ki hisse hai. Tum sab log dil ke tukde nahi poore dil ban gaya mere'' Nyonika said emotionally. ''On this happy note, hume yaha se nikalna chahiye before my biwi turns over dramatic'' Shrikant said getting up from his seat. ''Ha hum sab kal aayenge pandit ji ko leke'' Nyonika said. ''Sure, we will be ready with the arrangements'' Anitha said. ''Ma'am, please keep it simple. You're not fully recovered'' Manik said. ''Abhi bhi Ma'am and sir bologe Manik?'' Abhimanyu said. Manik smiled looking at Anitha. ''Bye'' he warmly smiled at Anitha before leaving. 

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Nandini called Manik in the evening to a restaurant to sign the agreement. ''So, finally it is ready to be signed'' Manik said to Navya and Nandini. He started to read the clauses of agreement while he eyes stopped strolling near a clause. ''Manik is not allowed to touch Nandini at any cost'' it read. ''Ye kaisa clause hai. Engagement ring pehnane ke liye haath pakad tho loonga na'' he said. ''It means that you're not supposed to touch her in any way when she is alone with you. Like you've hugged her today'' Navya said. ''So you've told her everything that happened in the morning'' Manik asked. ''Of course, she is my bestie'' Navya justified Nandini. ''Maine isliye hug kiya because Aryaman was watching us'' Manik defended himself. ''Don't do that anymore, she might not be feeling safe with you'' Navya said. ''Then you should have directly told me about it, agreement me likhne ki kya zarurat thi'' Manik felt dejected as Nandini thought he will take an advantage. 

''I hereby promise that I will never touch even your shadow without your consent'' Manik said with conviction. ''Good for you'' Nandini said. Manik signed after reading the remaining clauses and then Nandini signed. Navya took the papers and signed on it. ''Tum kyu sign kar rahe ho?'' Manik asked. ''Witness'' she said and signed. ''I'll make three copies of it. Original will be with me and both the duplicates copies with you'' Navya said and Nandini instantly agreed. They both hugged each other. ''I highly doubt that you're both lesbians and apne sach chupaane ke liye mujhse ye sab karwa rahe ho na'' Manik widened his eyes. Navya was about to speak but Nandini interrupted her. ''Let him think whatever he want to'' Nandini said. ''Agar sach me ho tho bhi mujhe koi problem nahi hai'' Manik announced. ''So, bye then hum kal milenge'' Manik said ready to leave and they nodded. 

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Nandini woke up to the thought of marrying Manik and sat straight in her bed. ''Oh god, was it a dream?'' she thought to herself. ''Nandu, wake up and get ready. They will be here by 10 am'' Anitha said. It was just 7 am in the morning and she looked all ready for the ceremony. ''Don't you think this is going too fast amma?'' Nandini asked. ''Fast kaha, it's just 3 hours and go get ready'' Anitha said. Nandini couldn't speak seeing Anitha's excitement. She went inside the washroom and a lone tear escaped her eyes. ''What's happening in my life'' she thought looking herself in mirror. She wanted to shout and cry her heart out but pressed her eyes to stop herself from crying. Nandini was draping the saree and Anitha came inside. ''Why are you wearing my saree Nandini?'' Anitha said and looked for a new saree in her wardrobe. 

''I love your saree mom, please I want you to drape this today'' she asked. ''Ok then, let me help you'' Anitha draped her saree to Nandini. After getting ready Nandini came out. Mohan was surprised to see Nandini. ''This saree!'' he looked so excited. ''My wedding saree'' Anitha said with tears in her eyes. ''Nandini is looking so so beautiful in this saree. Just like we thought we will have a piece from the moon, chandamama!'' Mohan said. ''Ha Nandini is our chandamama'' Anitha and Mohan kissed her. They heard the knock on the door indicating that the guests are here. Anitha and Mohan welcomed Manik and his family. The engagement ceremony was a low key event with only family members. ''Humare hone wale bahu kaha hai'' Shrikant asked. Nandini came out to greet them. ''Kitni sundar lag rahi ho Nandini'' Nyonika kissed on her forehead. Navya was at the doorstep when Nyonika did that. 

''Thank god I was on time'' Navya said. ''Aur koi aayenge?'' Nyonika asked. ''No, hum kisi ko nahi bulaya'' Mohan said. ''Hum bhi kisi ko nahi bulaya, Mukti ke sasural wale ab Hyderabad mein nahi hai'' Shrikant said. ''Hum ring ceremony shuru kare'' Nyonika asked. Pandit ji made a pooja and asked them to exchange rings. ''Manik, take her hand and put the ring'' Aryaman said. Manik extended his hand to take Nandini's hand in his but instantly backed out. ''What's wrong Manik? Take Nandini's hand'' Mohan said. Manik looked into Nandini's eyes. She looked like a lifeless doll. He felt guilty for doing this to her and his family. He remembered how skeptical she was about her safety around him. Nandini extended her hand for Manik. He then put the ring on it. It was Nandini's turn to make him wear the ring. She took his hand and he is looking away from her. ''Pandit ji shaadi ke liye muhurat bhi dekh lijiye'' Mohan asked. Nandini and Manik didn't move an inch or looked at each other. ''December 31, morning 9 am will be perfect as per their horoscopes'' Pandit ji said. 

''But Manik has to report in office after New Years' eve on January 2nd. I think hume shaadi postpone karna padega'' Nyonika said worrying.