A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 39- Hanging in

''Haven't we become so manipulative to do this to our own families?'' Nandini asked Manik. ''But did you realize that our own families are making us go through all this'' Manik said. ''How can you be so calm. My blood's just boiling when they are trying everything to get us married'' Nandini said irritated. ''Oh, so what's your blood boiling point'' Manik joked. ''Don't you dare to play jokes on my blood ok! My blood group is O negative, very rare uh'' Nandini replied. ''Your blood group is O negative! Tum pehle bataya kyu nahi'' Manik rose up immediately from his seat as if he remembered something. ''Pehle batana matlab?'' Nandini asked. ''Arre get up now! We're going out'' he took her hand and instantly realized that he isn't supposed to touch her. ''Sorry, but please hurry up'' he hastened her. ''Ok, but let me change my dress at least'' Nandini said and went inside. 

''Aunty, uncle main Nandini ko baahar le jaa raha hu, I hope you have no problem'' Manik said while Nandini got ready. Anitha and Mohan looked at each other and nodded ok in confusion. ''Shall we?'' Manik asked Nandini as she got ready. They both started off and Manik did not tell her anything when she asked where is he taking her. After some time, Manik stopped his par in a hospital parking. ''Are we going to visit someone in the hospital? We should have carried fruits, aise khaali haath acha nahi lagega'' Nandini kept on saying while Manik walked taking big foot steps. Nandini had to run to match Manik's speed. ''They will give us fruits here and wait now'' he said as he stopped walking. ''Is your doctor there inside?'' he asked a nurse passing by. ''Ha'' she nodded and Manik barged in along with Nandini, ignoring nurse's words who said that there are already patients inside. 

Nandini didn't understood whether she has to be surprised or shocked to find that it is Dr. Jahnavi's cabin. ''Nandini's blood group is O negative, she's ready'' Manik said to Jahnavi. Nandini had no clue what they are talking about. Jahnavi stood up from her chair and asked her patients to wait and she came out taking Manik and Nandini out. All the three of them stepped out from the cabin. ''Nandini, have you given blood in the last 6 months'' Jahnavi asked and Nandini nodded no. ''Good, nurse! please take her in'' Jahnavi rushed Nandini to one of the wards. Manik sat relaxed while Nandini is still waiting for him to come. As there was no clue of what is happening, Nandini urged Jahnavi that she wants to see Manik. Jahnavi came out to meet Manik. ''Manik, Nandini wants to see you'' she said. Manik nodded and joined Jahnavi to see Nandini who is in bed now. 

''Nandini, are you comfortable'' he asked concerned. ''Hmm'' she nodded. ''It will just take half an hour Manik'' Jahnavi said. ''Ok, I'll be beside Nandini then'' Manik said looking at Jahnavi. Nandini was just observing an awkward silence between Manik and Jahnavi. Jahnavi walked out from there and Manik settled beside Nandini in a chair. Manik chuckled seeing Nandini. ''What did you thought when I spoke to Jahnavi about your blood group'' he asked still laughing at Nandini's reaction. ''If I can get off free after a murder, I would kill you now. I literally thought you're selling my organs to this hospital and your god damn ex fiancé'' Nandini said. ''Itna bhi criminal minded nahi hu, last night I saw Jahnavi's whatsapp story for O negative blood group, a pregnant woman needs it for her delivery. Luckily I got to know your blood group'' Manik said. ''Tell me something, why do you still have Jahnavi's number?'' Nandini asked. 

''Out of everything you are asking me this! So typical fiancé type question'' Manik retorted. ''I'm scared now, are you using me as a rebound with Jahnavi?'' Nandini asked. ''What! are you crazy? Jahnavi se mera koi relation nahi hai, there's no scope for rebound with Jahnavi'' Manik said. ''If Jahnavi had accepted your previous relationship, would you be ready to marry her'' Nandini asked. ''Maybe or maybe not. Then I would have a soft corner for her, I mean do you think I would like to spoil her life'' Manik said. ''I won't be fun to kill you only once Manik'' Nandini said. ''For now Ms. Reddy, take this ball and squeeze it. You'll feel better. Blood donation ke baad ye nurse khud fruits leke aayegi'' Manik said. ''Get out from here, now'' Nandini said. Manik came out and waited for some time. Jahnavi completed her out patient duty and was on rounds when she saw Manik. ''Hi Manik, thank you for the help'' she said. ''Is that pregnant woman and her baby safe?'' Manik asked. 

''Uh, Nandini's blood is just sent and the OT is ready for an emergency C section, mother and baby both would be fine, I assure you'' she said. ''You're doing a great job'' Manik complimented her. ''I shouldn't have been rude that day!'' Jahnavi confessed and hugged him. Manik hugged her back when Nandini came out. Jahnavi realized Nandini's presence and broke the hug. ''Thank you so much for saving not just but two lives Nandini'' Jahnavi said. ''My pleasure'' Nandini said formally. ''I heard something about both of you. You're really lucky for having Manik in your life'' Jahnavi's face showed a hint of regression and she went away. ''What is she doing? You both are unbelievable'' Nandini said. ''Don't act like a possessive girl friend, that was just a hug'' Manik said and they walked towards the exit of the hospital. ''Walk slowly, I don't have energy to run behind you'' she said. He slowed down and walked alongside. ''Acha! tell me something, what was her name? Who was not just your friend?'' Nandini stressed the word friend. 

''I won't ever tell you that, it is like digging my own grave'' Manik didn't tell her name to Nandini. Manik and Nandini started off in the car. ''Where are we going? Please mujhe ghar drop karo'' Nandini said. ''You look so tired, your parents might get scared seeing you like this. Isliye, do spend some time at my place and then I'll drop you home. That way, my family also will get time to spend with you'' Manik said and Nandini felt he is right and she agreed with him. ''This is the first time you are coming home as a family member''  Manik said. ''Even I am worried for the same. God knows what will I answer if anyone ask something'' Nandini said not getting down from the car. ''Don't worry, now you know the drill also'' Manik said. Nandini nodded before she entered in. ''Arre Nandini!'' Mukti saw Nandini and went to hug her. ''Nandini nahi, Nandini bhabhi bolo'' Aryaman said to Mukti. ''Aao bhabhi pehli baar jo ghar aa rahe ho'' Mukti invited her inside. 

''Guys, you know that I'm not coming here for first time'' Nandini said reacting to them. ''Ha par tab hume kya pata ki tum humari bhabhi banne wali ho'' Aryaman said. ''Hi Nandini'' Abhimanyu greeted her. ''Mukti, Aryaman! Nandini is little tired, let her sit please'' Manik said. ''Oh Manik is being possessive of Nandini. New angle but I like it'' it was Abhimanyu's turn to tease them. ''Ruko, main mom ko le aati hu yaha'' Mukti said and left to get Nyonika to meet Nandini. Meanwhile Manik got a glass of juice for Nandini. ''Dekha mumma, Manik ne Nandini ko juice pila rahe hai'' Mukti said and Nandini stood up to wish Nyonika. ''Sit Nandini, it's good to see you here'' Nyonika smiled warmly. ''Manik ne insist kiya aunty'' Nandini said. ''Aunty! No beta, call me mumma'' Nyonika said and Nandini felt strange. ''Ok mumma, I'll try'' Nandini smiled sheepishly. The entire family was all laughs and smiles until Shrikant entered.

''What the hell is wrong with you?'' he shouted at Aryaman as soon as he came inside. ''Why are you raising your voice against Aryaman! Dekho Nandini aayi hai humare ghar'' Nyonika tried to calm him down. ''Don't forget that I'm your boss at the office. You are still an employee and I'm the chairperson. How could you let the senior production manager resign and why didn't she even serve her notice period?'' he asked Aryaman. ''Dad wo!'' Aryaman stammered to speak. Manik, Mukti, Nandini and Aryaman were just staring at Shrikant. ''Itna sab kuch ho raha hai and mujhe koi idea nahi hai. You were not even seen in the office from last one month. What the hell is going on! Why did you accept her resignation in the first place?'' he asked again. ''Dad, she had her reasons and being a CEO, I had the power to let her go''  Aryaman said. 

''Letting go is so easy, trying to hold on to something consistent is the real challenge'' Shrikant said throwing papers at his face.