A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 47- Miss and Run

Nandini woke up with a knock on her door. She opened the door still feeling sleepy. ''Good morning'' Manik greeted her. ''Neend se uthake good morning kyu?'' Nandini asked. ''Coffee is ready, it's in flask. Breakfast and lunch are also ready, it's in casseroles. Eat on time'' Manik said and Nandini nodded. ''Bye, lock the door once I leave'' he said. ''Manik, I want to tell you something'' Nandini is now fully awake as Manik bid bye. He stopped. ''I can't go back to Hyderabad now'' she said. ''What did you think then?'' Manik asked. ''Yahi kahi PG mein shift ho jaungi'' she said waiting for him to speak. Manik thought for a moment and said, ''I have a hectic schedule at work, Inaya will help you out'' he said and left for work. And she was all alone again for a whole damn day. She ate, slept, cleaned the house, laundry and dishes were done.

Manik would return only after 8 and showed up for dinner. He barely spoke to her during dinner and would retire to bed tired. This continued for days together and turned a week. Her days became boring and nights turned sleepless as she overslept during day time. Anitha, Mohan, Shrikant, Nyonika, Mukti, Navya and Aryaman would call her every day but she only knew how she yearned for attention from Manik. He used to cook for her every day and she is tired of eating bland food in the name of healthy recipes. She craved for her mom's food. 

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''Inaya, the maid you're sending, she is actually so good. My house is looking very clean and tidy. Wo Shivani tho kaam chor thi but this one is good'' Manik said to Inaya when they both returned from work. ''Maid? Which one are you talking about! I couldn't find anyone new. In fact, I'm taking off tomorrow just to clean home tomorrow. Do let me know if you have really find one'' Inaya said ignoring Manik's words. ''Who is cleaning the house if you didn't hired any'' Manik asked. ''Wo ladki hai na ghar mein, jaake usse pucho'' Inaya said and bid bye to Manik. He went home and had dinner with Nandini as usual. ''Ghar itna clean and neat hai, who is cleaning?'' Manik asked after dinner. ''Thank you, I'm cleaning it'' Nandini said. Her face glowed when Manik finally noticed it. 

''Why would you clean my home? You should have told me so that I would arrange some one to clean'' Manik said. Nandini's thousand watts bulb face turned dim all over again. ''Then what am I supposed to do at home all day alone?'' she asked. ''Kuch bhi but why are you taking stress to clean the dishes, do the laundry and all. I'm sorry I should have stopped you but I didn't knew it's you doing all this'' Manik said. ''It's been a week since I came here Manik. Neither you properly conveyed something nor you listened to me. Upar se tumhara wo friend Inaya, she never responded when I asked for going on a PG hunt'' Nandini ranted. ''I'm sorry Nandini'' Manik said hanging his head low. It was Nandini's turn to go to her room and banged the door on his face. Next morning, she woke up early than him. ''Good morning'' he greeted as he saw her in the kitchen. ''Coffee bana rahi ho?'' he asked but she silently placed coffee cup in front of him. Manik held her hand when she placed her cup in the sink.

''You don't have to do this Nandini. You are not here for this'' Manik said. ''Why am I even here? Amma Nanna ke paas jaa nahi sakti, par yaha reh nahi sakti'' Nandini frowned. ''Why do you want to move into a PG? Waha jaake kya karogi?'' he asked. ''Pata nahi'' she said looking at a wall aimlessly. ''Do you want me to find a job for you?'' he asked. ''This 9 to 5 corporate jobs aren't my cup of tea'' Nandini sighed. ''Then you can start working as wedding planner again'' Manik suggested. ''I don't have enough capital for that. Neither I have any contacts here'' Nandini said. ''Kahi na kahi se start tho karna hi hai. I'm sure you knew nothing when you first started it, but now you know it all but contacts and capital hi tho problem hai. Apply for a loan, start it small. Not just weddings but try to handle every small event. I can help you with corporate events, social events or for that matter, humare building ke society mein bhi'' Manik gave a hope to Nandini. She thought over it for some time.