A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 43- I'll Miss you

''Nandu, Manik come in, have dinner'' Anitha called them for a dinner. This dinner is so special as it is more like a wedding feast. ''Itna sab kuch!'' Manik was in awe looking at the items served in his plate. ''Are you sure you cooked all these?'' Manik asked aunty. ''Ha sab kuch ghar pe hi banaya hai'' Anitha said. ''Can't believe these all are made at home'' Abhimanyu said. ''Sach mein do theen varieties banaane mein mere din nikal jata hai, phir ye sab'' Nyonika is astonished as Anitha said. ''I'm from Godavari delta region in Andhra Pradesh, humare yaha mehmaan nawazi comes first and anything else can wait. I've learned all these from my mom, grand mother and all my mother's cousins'' Anitha said remembering her days before marriage. ''After marriage, food is the only option for me to get destressed'' Anitha said. ''Oh aunty, now I understood why you have easily agreed to cook without any caterers'' Aryaman said. ''You know, there is a saying that you should be lucky enough to marry a girl from Godavari districts of Andhra, and here I am, one among those few lucky guys'' Mohan boasted.

''Main bhi tho hu lucky, damaad jo ban gaya. You know you're missing out on sweets and Nandini is missing out on non-veg uncle. But whenever I come here, I'll make sure not to miss anything which aunty make for me'' Manik said. ''Itne saare items, mujhe kuch items ka naam bhi nahi pata'' Manik said. ''Oh then, I should let you know. You have Panasakaaya biryani and Ulavacharu Biryani in main course. Chapati, Gutti Vankay curry and mixed vegetable curry. In starters you have alasanda vadalu, minapa gaarelu, chitti ullipay samosa. In desserts, thaati rotte, payasam, Gulab jamun, Halwa and bellam thaalikalu along with tomato, cucumber and beerakaya pickles, Rasam, Sambar, Majjiga pulusu and Appadam'' Anitha finally made every mouth watered with her menu. ''Itna acha khaana khaane ke baad bhi bhabhi moti kaise nahi hui'' Aryaman said. ''Nandini ka nahi pata but I will definitely have to keep my calories in control when I come here'' Manik said. ''Hmm Manik, jab biwi ki maike gaya tho calories count nahi karna hai'' Shrikant said. ''True that'' Abhimanyu seconded with Shrikant.

They all ate amidst laughter and fun banters. ''Nyonika ji'' Anitha called after dinner. ''Maine Nandini ka room ready karwaya hai'' she said hesitant. ''Main bhi Manik ko bol dunga ki wo ready ho jaaye'' Nyonika said. Nandini and Manik got ready as they had no option. Nandini's room is filled with floral scented candles and the lights were dim. Manik was first to enter her room and she wasn't still there. The room was well organized and has an aesthetic appearance. Nandini came after few minutes with a glass of milk. ''Hi'' Manik wished with a pleasant smile. She hastily put the milk glass on the desk. ''Tired?'' she asked him. ''Little bit'' Manik said. ''My battery is dead'' Nandini said. ''Your room is so good, never noticed but it really looks aesthetic'' Manik complimented her. ''Thank you, I'll just go change and come'' Nandini excused herself. ''But you just got ready'' Manik asked. ''Don't know when these wedding festivities will be done!'' Nandini said and tried to remove her bangles. 2 bangles broke and a small piece of glass pierced her skin. ''Can't you really be careful for once?'' Manik asked and held her wrist. ''Ahh!'' Nandini winced in pain. ''Wait, do you have band aid here'' Manik asked. ''No need'' Nandini went and washed her hands. 

''Don't you like bangles?'' Manik asked. Nandini looked at her hands. ''Acha lag raha hai na, new bride wali feeling tho ye dekh ke hi aayegi. Humare yaha dulhan chooda bangles hi pehenti hai bride'' Manik said. ''Aadat nahi hai na, isliye nikal rahi thi'' Nandini said. ''Aadat hi tho hai, badal jayega'' Manik casually said. Nandini smiled and went to change her dress. She changed into her comfy pajamas. Manik scrolled his phone and kept himself busy. ''Do you have to leave to Bengaluru tomorrow?'' Nandini asked after some time. ''Ha actually I had to go after Makar Sankranti but I had preponed it to January 2, I have a new project to work on. I can't afford to miss that'' Manik cleared. ''Ohh'' Nandini said. ''Shall we go to bed?'' Manik asked and Nandini's eyes widened. ''What?'' she asked. ''I mean if I can sleep on couch and you on bed'' Manik clearly said. ''That's better'' Nandini said. ''But that couch is so small, you won't fit in'' Nandini said. ''At least I will get to sleep some time'' Manik said. ''No, you can take my bed for tonight. I will sleep on the couch'' Nandini offered. 

''No, I can't make you feel uncomfortable in your own room, no problem I can adjust'' Manik said. ''Are you sure?'' Nandini asked again. ''Yes, of course'' Manik said adjusting on the couch. Nandini switched off the lights and Manik struggled to fit in the couch. After few minutes, she got up from the bed. ''Are you really fine?'' she asked. ''Ye kurta, this couch and the mosquitos. Deadly combination'' Manik said helplessly. ''It's okay you can take off that kurta if you don't feel good'' Nandini felt bad at his condition. ''Thanks'' he slipped of his kurta and remained on his vest. She switched on the mosquito coil. ''Ab ye couch ko kya kare?'' Nandini thought and she got an idea. ''How can we forget that it's New Year's eve'' Nandini said and creaked open the door. ''Lagta hai sab log garden mein hai, no one's here'' Nandini said. ''So?'' Manik had a question mark on his face. ''Let's go on the terrace!'' she said. ''Abhi, no!'' he was against it but eventually gave in upon her request. ''Kitna acha mausam hai na'' Nandini asked. ''20 more minutes for the new year'' Manik said. ''I hope this year brings us all the happiness'' Nandini said.

''Duniya ke liye kal first night hoga but tonight is ours'' Manik said. ''Have you never thought of improving your flirting skills?'' Nandini said. ''Yes, just like you can never improve your sense of humor'' Manik countered. ''Look at those stars, I like it this way, calm and peaceful. What else do you want in life?'' Manik inhaled fresh air. ''Ha ye raat aur ye mausam dono hi bahut khoob surat hai'' Nandini said and lost herself in the cold breeze. ''Nandini'' he spoke. She turned to him. ''I have a confession to make'' he said. ''What?'' she asked. ''I have known you for almost 2 months now. Ab tak jo bhi journey tha humara, bahut acha laga mujhe. Kal se hum dono ka lives change hoga. I'll miss you from tomorrow. Will you miss me?'' Manik asked honestly. He can't beat around the bush with Nandini now. 

''Of course Manik, I'll miss you once you go back'' Nandini said.