A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 45- Regrets

''But I already have booked my flight ticket'' Manik said. ''Nanna, its already decided that Manik will go alone this time'' Nandini explained Mohan. ''Bengaluru is just a neighboring city, he is not going to US, you should go with him'' Mohan said to Nandini. ''Shrikant ji, Nyonika ji! Don't you think Manik should take Nandini along!'' he asked them. ''Ha aap sahi tho bol rahe hai. Hum actually kuch post wedding rituals ke liye Nandini ko rokhna chahthe the but nothing is more important than them being together'' Shrikant said. ''But Nanna all of a sudden another city shift hona is not easy as you made it sound'' Nandini said. ''Manik will be there with you and anyhow you were ready to relocate even if you marry someone else'' Nandini had to choose  words to speak with Mohan. Manik and Nandini tried to convince their families to escape from going to Bengaluru but nothing worked. 

''Uncle, Nandini wants to stay with you. She doesn't want to shift with me'' Manik finally gathered his courage to say it to Mohan. ''This isn't a job and I'm not her manager. Every wife would want to stay with husband after marriage. Two people marry to start a new life together'' Mohan argued with Manik. ''Uncle, you know about aunty's medical condition, Nandini can't leave aunty like this'' Manik said. ''This is why I want Nandini to be safe, don't know how will Anitha react with Nandini. Please take her with you Manik'' Mohan said in a worried tone. Manik and Nandini had no option than to leave to Bengaluru. Manik and Mohan ended their conversation.

''Dad, it is nearly impossible to get a ticket for Nandini today'' Manik stated. ''It's better you cancel your ticket and both of you can take my car'' Shrikant said. ''What? How would I go by car? I have to go to office tomorrow'' Manik expressed his displeasure. ''You have no other option Manik'' Nyonika said in a low voice. Nandini has packed her luggage within some time. Clearly frustrated with Mohan and Shrikant, Manik was all set to go to Bengaluru. ''Road trip with biwi, interesting'' Aryaman said. Nandini and Manik had set their luggage and started around 3 pm. ''Everything is over now'' Nandini said with tears in her eyes. Manik felt helpless and guilty seeing her in tears. ''Why did you accept dad's request? Why did we marry in the first place? This whole marriage thing is going to be the end of us'' Nandini's head spun thinking about these new changes in her life. 

''Bengaluru is just a night away from Hyderabad Nandini. I wasn't going to any foreign country to leave you behind'' Manik stated obvious. ''If you knew this coming, why didn't you stop this?'' Nandini asked frustrated. ''I thought I could just manage my family and even I did but your dad came out of syllabus'' Manik said. Nandini let out a sigh, ''so now you're blaming my dad for this'' Nandini said, being unreasonable. ''Kaha ki baat kaha le jaa rahi ho? Listen, calm down. Even I didn't expect this but there should be a solution to this'' Manik tried to reason with her. ''I couldn't imagine what mom and dad will be going through. They need me Manik'' Nandini said. There was dead silence between the two. Soon, Nandini drifted to sleep and sudden jerk woke her up. She sat straight and was alone in the car. She looked around and found nothing. She banged on the window of the car and then looked for her phone. She searched her seat and then in her bag. Though she found her phone, there is no network connection to call or message. She was sweating profusely and panicked for a while until she found her car door unlocked.

Manik then came back to car. ''Where were you? Why did you lock me in the car?'' Nandini shouted madly at Manik. ''I just went to have coffee. You slept peacefully and I'm the only one driving. Moreover you could have unlocked and come out'' Manik said. ''Can't you just inform before going out?'' Nandini said wiping her sweat. ''Listen Nandini, tum so gayi thi and I didn't knew you will panic like this. Jab se journey shuru hua tha, tab se all you were doing is to blame me for every single thing'' Manik said. ''Now do keep your mouth shut until I stop somewhere for dinner'' Manik said. Nandini kept calm and he started his car. ''Do you regret marrying me?'' she asked looking into his eyes. Manik isn't distracted but answered after a pause driving. ''Look who is asking! Agar hum mein se koi regret kar rahe hai tho wo tum ho'' he said. ''And you?'' she asked again. ''Not just regret but feeling guilty for all of this being happening in our lives'' Manik said. ''And don't sleep, I might also fall asleep seeing you'' Manik said. ''I didn't sleep last night, so I might have fell asleep'' Nandini said.

''Even I didn't sleep properly'' Manik complained. They did not talk all along the way. Nandini glanced through the window. Soft music was being played in the car and the distant city lights seemed fascinating. Car speed was around 80 kmph, while both their thoughts were 1000 kmph. Nandini was hurt as he mentioned that he regretted marrying her but managed not to show it on her face. Manik didn't try to disturb her as she seems to be in a bad mood since they have started. Tinkling sound of her glass bangles seem to make peace with him. Nandini was lost in her thoughts when Manik suddenly stopped. ''What happened?'' she asked. ''It's dinner time'' he said.

''Mujhe bhook nahi hai, I don't want to eat anything'' she said. ''It's been hours since you sat in the car, just stretch a bit and have something'' he said. She remained silent. ''Khaate waqt tum mooh khol sakti ho, if you don't eat, you tend to eat my brain'' he joked to break the ice. ''Mujhe bas ghar wapas jaana hai, wahi soch rahi hu'' she said. Manik is disappointed to see that look on Nandini's face. Manik quickly got down from the car. He felt like Nandini pinched his heart as she mentioned about going back to Hyderabad. She got down after a minute. ''I just want to breathe fresh air'' Nandini said. Manik didn't react but went on to order food for himself. Nandini followed him like a kid who followed its parent. ''You can order what you want'' Manik said. ''A lemonade'' Nandini said passing the menu to Manik. He noticed that Nandini removed her bangles. Manik was hurt as he then looked at her neck where he found mangalsutra missing too. He quickly had his dinner in silence and went back to his car. Nandini ran behind him as he didn't wait for her.

''Wear seat belt'' he said. Nandini reluctantly put on her seat belt as Manik started the car again. His rage was clearly seen on road. ''Why are you rushing?'' she asked as he held the handle above her seat for support. Manik didn't speak. Nandini's head is spinning as Manik went overboard with his speed. Exactly after an hour, he stopped car and Nandini felt like her heart stopped. The place was crowded and Nandini looked at him. ''This is Majestic bus stop, you can get a bus to Hyderabad now'' Manik said. ''I will get you a ticket, you can reach by morning'' Manik was about to get down. ''Manik, I'm already tired of all this journey'' Nandini quickly said. ''But you said you want to go home'' Manik asked with a hint of doubt. ''Ha, but aise immediately nahi'' Nandini said with an innocent house. 

''Where will we go then?'' Manik asked. Nandini was scared of Manik by the way he screamed at her. ''Can't we go to your place?'' she asked. Manik turned back to see her with a weird expression on her face. ''Are you for real?'' he asked and she nodded. ''Pehle kehti ho ki ghar jaana hai, ab ghar lautne ki baat ho rahi tho ye tumhara idea hai. First, you decide what to do. Think before you speak Nandini''. She was too tired to listen to his lecture at midnight. It is already 12:15 in the midnight and after almost 15 minute ride, they reached an apartment. Both of them carried their respective luggage and walked towards the lift. He walked towards his flat and Nandini followed him. He unlocked the door but then Nandini heard someone screaming. 

''Manik, Happy New Year'' a girl came running to Manik and hugged him.