A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 48- Close Yet Far

He sat beside Nandini and held her hand. She felt dizzy and looked weak. ''What happened Nandini?'' Manik asked. ''A car had almost hit me but someone pushed me onto pavement, that's when I got this wound'' she said touching her bandage. ''Manik, she tried to save my Noodle and unfortunately she fell off. It was miss and run accident'' President said. ''I told you not to go out without me'' Manik said. Nandini is surprised to see Manik. ''Is he the same Manik Malhotra who is ignoring me since a week?'' she thought. ''Thank God, a guy saved her on time and helped me to take her to hospital. Acha hua ki iske paas maine humare society ki chaabi dekh liya, warna I didn't knew who she is!'' President said. ''Chalo, you should rest now'' Manik helped Nandini to get up and held her shoulder for support. ''Manik, aunty will be so happy to learn that your wife have saved our Noodle, tum dono aaj raat humare ghar aana, dinner ke liye'' President said. ''Uncle, Nandini is injured. She might need rest'' Manik tried to deny but President insisted that they should come home for dinner. 

Manik agreed half hearted. They both took lift to reach home. ''Slowly'' he instructed Nandini. ''It's okay Manik, I can walk. This is just a wound'' she said. Nandini eyed Manik but he did not understand her expressions. ''Do you want to say something?'' he asked her. She went home without speaking a word. ''Sab ko pata chal gaya ki hum shaadi shuda hai'' Nandini said. ''Aaj nahi tho kal sab ko pata chalega hi'' Manik casually said. Nandini was about to say something but Manik cut her off. ''Itna mat socho, go and take rest. You really look tired'' he took her to her room and she laid down. He then heard calling bell ringing. ''I think there's someone at the door, I'll go check'' Manik excused himself. He opened the door to find Inaya. She hit on his arm instantly as he opened the door. ''Inaya, pagal ho gayi ho?'' Manik said defending himself. ''You married her! And on the top of it, you lied that she is Abhimanyu's cousin. Itna bada jhoot aur wo bhi mujhse! I was making a fool out of myself when you were showing those wedding pictures to everyone'' Inaya said. ''Maine kuch nahi kiya, it's you who told everyone that we're married'' Manik said. 

''I thought I was just lying to cover you up, but guess what, it was me who got fooled'' Inaya said. ''I knew it. Chehra dekhne layak tha tumhara'' Manik laughed when he remembered her face a few minutes ago. ''Tell me something, are you both really married?'' she asked again. ''Let me show you the photos again'' he said taking out his phone. ''That means you are really married. Why?'' she asked confused. ''I mean how? How could you just marry her?'' she had weird expressions on her face. ''Hot girls would throw themselves on you! Ek se ek ladkiya marti hai tujhpe! And out of everyone, you married her? Such middleclass, typical aunty wale vibe aa rahi hai mujhe usse dekhte hi'' Inaya said. ''You said that you're never going to marry anyone until you find the ONE. Phir kya hua? Is she the ONE?'' Inaya asked. To Inaya's surprise and Manik's shock, they both saw Nandini hearing out their conversation. Nandini looked at both of them for a moment and spoke. ''Sorry to burst your bubble, we are not married. Technically yes but in reality, no. We aren't married. Whenever I asked you to help, you denied. I thought you were busy, but the fact is you don't like me'' Nandini said. Inaya avoided looking at Nandini as she was caught red handed. 

She glared at Manik before she left from there. Manik quickly composed himself and went behind her but it was too late as she closed the door. ''Nandini, please open the door'' he knocked but there is no reply. ''Rehne do, she will have to open it eventually'' Inaya said. Manik took a deep breathe. ''Can't you wait for 5 minutes, why did you back bitch about her?'' Manik asked but she didn't seem to care. ''Kya ho raha hai yaha?'' Inaya asked after she heard Nandini. ''Ok, let me tell you something. Long story short, we both had to marry each other to avoid marriage discussions at home. My mom caught me when I spoke to you on phone that I would never marry anyone. She had set me up with a random girl. She eventually broke up after knowing about me, and Nandini's engagement broke for some other reason. Now both of us had a common problem, marriage. We are married then and having no other option, she came with me'' Manik said. 

''Ye short story tha tho, long story kya hai. I have time'' Inaya insisted. ''Nandini has already faced so much yaar, I don't want to cause trouble for her anymore. Unknowingly, I've caused too many problems in her life. I shouldn't have asked her to marry me. She doesn't like me at all. While coming here, she took off her mangalsutra, toe rings and wedding bangles too, maybe she doesn't want anyone to know that we're married even. Ab tumhari wajhe se sab ko pata chal gaya. She wants to start afresh in her career. She is a wedding planner in Hyderabad. Ab tak jo hua I cannot change anything but I want to be on her side at least from now on'' Manik said emotionally. Inaya thought for a minute. ''Did you just say that you're faking your marriage with her but still feeling sad that she doesn't give a damn about this marriage thing'' Inaya said. ''Did you just hear what you said! Aren't you also supposed to do the same like her if it is a fake marriage'' Manik had actually realized for the first time that he is feeling bad as Nandini took off mangalsutra and toe rings. 

''Ye sab mujhe pata nahi, what do I do now? President uncle ne tho mujhe aur Nandini ko dinner pe bulaya bhi'' Manik tried to knock on the door but Inaya stopped him. ''Just go for a walk and come back after some time. Her anger should subside by then'' she gave a friendly advice to him. He did as she asked him to do. Even after some time, Manik had to plead in front of the door and Nandini opened the door. ''Hmm, look at this'' Nandini said handing over his phone to Manik. ''When did I leave my phone here?'' Manik asked. ''I came to give your phone when I overheard you and Inaya'' she said. ''Inaya ko kuch pata nahi hai, she should keep her unfiltered words to herself'' Manik apologized on behalf of her. Nandini signed to look at his phone. ''Kya?'' he asked. ''Aryaman has booked a ticket to Bengaluru'' Nandini announced. ''How do you know?'' Manik asked. 

''You have a text message that Aryaman had spent for a ticket'' Nandini said and he checked his phone. ''Yes, Aryaman's credit card is linked to my phone number, but wo ab kyu aa raha hai'' Manik felt like he is being overburdened. ''Tell him everything tomorrow'' Nandini took her decision. ''Then are we ready to announce it to both our families?'' Nandini fell in her thoughts. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. ''Let's not overthink and spoil anything. Please remember to think once before you say or do something. Please stay with me, don't go anywhere'' Manik said. His words worked wonders on her. ''Ok'' she said without any argument. ''Shall we go for dinner?'' he asked and she nodded. ''Ok, get ready. I'll be waiting for you'' he said. Manik was awestruck to see Nandini in a saree. He can't take his eyes off her. ''Kya hua? am I overdressed'' Nandini became cautious as Manik looked at her. ''No, shall we?'' he asked opening the door for her. 

President and his wife were happy to welcome both Manik and Nandini. ''Thank you beta for saving our Noodle today'' the doggo wagged its tail on seeing Nandini. She took him in her arms and patted his fur. ''He is such a sweet boy'' she said. She wanted to pass him to Manik but he wasn't ready to take him. Nandini understood that there is something wrong. ''I'll serve dinner'' she invited them to the dining hall. Nandini's heart filled on seeing the dishes. ''We never thought Manik will surprise all of us here by marrying secretively'' she commented. ''Aunty, kuch situations aise the'' Manik covered it up. ''Shaadi kab hui?'' she asked. ''Just a week ago'' Nandini said. The lady suddenly looked differently at Manik. ''Just a week?'' she asked to reconfirm. ''Aunty, shaadi ke ek din baad hum yaha aa gaye'' Manik said. ''Galat mat samajna beta, 1 week hi ho raha hai, nayi nayi shaadi, na sindhoor lagayi tumne, na mangalsutra'' Manik coughed at aunty's remarks and looked at Nandini. 

''Aunty, sindhoor tho main lagana bhool gayi'' Nandini felt uncomfortable at her question. Manik awkwardly smiled. ''Humare yaha mangalsutra ko flaunt nahi hide karte hai'' she said showing her thaali in her neck. Manik didn't expect this from her. He felt guilty for he misunderstood her. ''Matlab tum Punjabi nahi ho?'' she asked. ''She is from Hyderabad, Telugu girl'' Manik said. ''Oh, I'm sorry beta. Don't take me wrong'' she quickly apologized. They ate dinner as they talked about random things. ''Khaana bahut hi tasty hai aunty'' Nandini thanked her for dinner. After all, she ate such tasty home made food after a week. ''Tumhe dessert pasand aaya na, wait I'll pack some for you'' aunty was sweet enough to pack a few gulab jamuns for Nandini. They finally bid bye to the couple and retired home. ''I didn't knew you were hiding mangalsutra. I thought we're caught'' Manik said. ''How did you think I will remove my thaali'' Nandini said. ''But you've taken off your bangles and toe rings'' he asked. She quickly went inside and came back. She showed him broken toe ring. ''This was broken, so I couldn't wear them'' Nandini said. 

Manik immediately stood up and cupped her face. ''I will get a new one for you'' he said.