A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 40- A Christmas Kiss

''Dad, you shouldn't have spoken to Aryaman like that'' Manik confronted his dad in private. ''Even I didn't believe anyone when they said that. Maine khud check kiya and then I knew about it'' Shrikant said. ''Even then, you should have asked him for an explanation'' Manik defended his brother. ''If he had any, he wouldn't be silent when I asked him'' Shrikant said. ''Jo bhi hai office main, you're not supposed to do this to him dad. Aapko sorry bolna padega Aryaman ko'' Manik said. Shrikant did not speak but Manik made sure to ask his dad to apologize to Aryaman. He went to speak to Aryaman. ''Yeh ladka bhi na! Aise andar kyu bandh kar liya apne aap ko! Aryaman, open the door'' Nyonika said knocking on the door. Mukti, Abhimanyu and Nandini stood beside her. ''What's going on mom? Isn't he coming out?'' Manik asked. ''Papa shouldn't have scolded him like that!'' Mukti said. ''I've asked dad to apologize to Aryaman, but first we should know why he did that too'' Manik said. 

''Nandini, let me drop you home'' Manik said to her. ''This is an emergency here Manik, I can go by myself now. I'll take a cab'' she said taking her phone out but Manik insisted to drop her. ''Ha Nandini, Manik sahi hai. Jab Aryaman bahar aayega tab main usse baat karungi'' Nyonika said. Manik took Nandini's bag in his hands and she walked out along with him. They both sat in his car. ''Yeh kya ho raha hai Aryaman ke saath?'' Manik sighed holding his head. ''Relax, usse baat karo, gusse se nahi. Try to figure out what's wrong with him'' Nandini said. ''Kya main humesha gusse mein rehta hu? Hmm!'' Manik asked. ''Of course, always'' Nandini said. ''Now you're making me feel like a khadoos uncle ji'' Manik said. ''Tum khadoos uncle ji nahi but you're manipulative and hot young guy'' Nandini said. ''Now I need to deeply think whether it is a comment or a compliment'' Manik said. ''Definitely not a compliment'' Nandini clarified. ''I don't know how we both dared to marry each other'' Manik sighed. ''It's definitely energy draining for both of us to discuss this'' Nandini said as she was about to get down. 

''Nandini! It's not just Christmas party, ussi din humare pharmaceutical industry ka inauguration hua. So it's the founders day too'' Manik said. ''Ok, I'll be there'' Nandini said. ''Nandini'' he called her again. ''Kya hai?'' Nandini turned to him. ''It's a theme party, dress code nahi poochogi?'' he asked. ''Christmas party mein kaisi dress code, white and red. It's a universal code'' she said stating the obvious. ''All the best my dear wifey, take care'' Manik said sarcastically. ''Don't ever call me that, bye'' she said and left. 

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On Christmas Eve:

''Isn't everything ready?'' Manik asked Aryaman. ''I'm not even a percent interested in this party'' Aryaman stated. ''Wo tho dikh raha hai tere chehre pe but please act like one'' Mukti said. ''Yaar tumhare in-laws wapas kab aayenge?'' Aryaman asked. ''Not anytime soon. Don't worry main kahi nahi jaane wali'' Mukti replied. ''Bhabhi kaha hai? Abhi tak aayi kyu nahi'' Aryaman asked Manik. ''Isn't it too cheesy for you to call her bhabhi too soon? I mean we aren't even getting married now'' Manik said. ''Not getting married matlab! Are you planning to ditch her?'' Aryaman switched on his spy mode. ''Why would I? I obviously want to marry her'' Manik said covering up. ''Mujhe nahi lag raha hai tumhare baaton se'' Aryaman said. ''What should I do to make you believe?'' Manik asked. ''You wouldn't even say that if you are true'' Aryaman is trying to hit the bullseye in a darkroom. ''Hey'' Nandini greeted while their discussion took a turn towards a heated argument.

Manik stared at Nandini from her head to toe. She is dressed as an angel in white gown. Manik was awestruck for a second and then burst into laughter. ''Hass kyu rahe ho?'' Nandini asked. ''Look around and you will know'' he said. Nandini turned around to see everyone in red and black. She has mistaken the dress code of the party as white and red. ''Manik, didn't you inform the dress code to her'' Aryaman asked. ''You're bhabhi is so intelligent ki unhone khud dress code figure out kar liya. After all, it's just a Christmas theme party for her'' Manik teased her. ''Sorry, I didn't knew that I wasn't supposed to wear white'' Nandini said with her head hanging low. ''Uh oh! Ab kya karna hai?'' Anitha asked as she understood the situation. ''Don't worry aunty, rules tho humne banaya. Nandini is the center of attraction of this party. Isn't my fiancé looking like an angel'' Manik stood behind Nandini and asked Anitha. Mohan and Anitha looked at each other and smiled.