A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 42- ̶L̶o̶v̶e̶ Marriage is in the Air

''I'm so sorry Nandini, without your consent I've committed to your parents that we will get married in 4 days'' Manik said. ''I hope this will fix mom's health at least'' Nandini said. He held Nandini's hands in his. ''I feel so guilty for taking advantage of your situation Nandini. I've just thought our parents will be happy if we get married, but without knowing aunty's condition, I've taken an advantage of your situation'' Manik genuinely felt guilty for asking Nandini to marry him. ''But we can't go back on our words now'' Nandini said. ''I messed up everything, pch'' Manik regretted after knowing about Anitha. ''4 din mein shaadi kaise hoga?'' Nandini asked worried. ''I'll talk to my parents, 31st December ko shaadi hoga, phir grih pravesh and then the next day, I'll leave to Bengaluru. This should solve all our problems for now'' Manik said and Nandini anyway had no option than to agree. 

Manik left from there and Nandini wondered about him. Why is he doing all this? Will he tell someone about mom? Why didn't I object when he asked me to marry him in 4 days? Will mom really be happy after this decision? Many questions had crawled her mind but Nandini didn't have any answers. ''I can never see your tears Nandini'' Manik's words rang in her ears. Even when Manik is not in his senses, he kept saying the same, does that mean he really cares about me? Nandini asked herself. If that is true then why did Manik say that he wanted to kiss her when they first met each other. The more she thought of Manik, he seemed more mysterious. She finally gave up on her thoughts. 

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''4 din mein shaadi?'' Nyonika's reaction was unexpected for Manik. ''Mom, if I get married you're shocked and if I don't marry, you will be worried. Honestly, mujhe aapke reactions samaj hi nahi aa raha hai! Let's just fix the date as we decided first, 31 December'' Manik said. ''Ye shaadi hai Manik, you just go out and take a decision! Are you really thinking about us?'' Shrikant asked. ''Dad, I promised Nandini and parents that I will convince you all for the wedding in 4 days'' Manik said. ''Aisi kya jaldi hai?'' Nyonika asked. ''Manik isn't hurrying, it is me who seems to force him'' Mohan and Anitha were standing at the door step. Nyonika and Shrikant welcomed them. ''Lagta hai maine Manik ko kuch zyada hi force kiya'' Mohan hesitated to say. ''No, not at all. Just wondering why is Manik so furious about this marriage'' Shrikant said. ''From the time, we wanted Nandini to get married, everything is going wrong, pehle engagement toot na aur ab pata nahi kya hi hone wala hai'' Anitha said. 

''Aunty, I don't believe in these superstitions. Nandini and I are completely fine, and we both are ready to get married'' Manik said. He is deeply upset with the way both of their parents are worried about their marriage. ''What will happen if they get to know that it is a fake marriage?'' he thought. His conscience will never let him live in peace with all his thoughts. Now, after getting to know about Anitha and her mental condition, he definitely has to be careful with his decisions. ''Even I'm happy that bachchon ne sahi time pe sahi decision le liya, iss muhurat nikal gaya tho hume kuch aur months wait karna padega. I think we shall go with this muhurat'' Nyonika finally gave a green signal. ''Oh great! Aunty uncle, don't you worry for the arrangements, we'll take care of everything'' Aryaman said excited. 

''No, no. Hum ye simple court wedding karenge'' Manik intervened amidst everyone who are excited for the wedding. ''Court wedding kyu? Hum ye shaadi dhoom dhaam se celebrate karenge, like Hyderabad style. Mukti ki wedding tho Punjabi shaadi hui na, iss baar kuch alag karte hai'' Aryaman said. ''No, we've decided not to spend much on the wedding. Bas kuch family and friends that's all'' Manik strictly said. ''We have decided! I'm sure Nandini bhabhi ko bhi tumne force kiya hoga to have a court marriage'' Mukti said. ''Saare statistics dikhaya hoga Nandini ko, on how an average Indian spends on a wedding'' Nyonika said. ''Will anyone ever in our family accept anything at once'' Manik is fed up of everyone as no one is ready to listen to him. He had to convince everyone for everything. ''But Manik, Nandini is my only child. All my savings are for her big day'' Mohan said. ''Uncle Nandini ke liye aap hai ye sab karne ke liye but what about those girls who don't have parents'' Manik asked.