A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 49- Thoughts and Feelings

''But I don't need new ones, toe rings are supposed to be bought by my parents'' Nandini said. ''Then?'' Manik asked. ''You know what the best part about a metal, it can be moulded even after breaking'' Nandini said. ''It's more beautiful when something comes back to its original after breakage'' Manik said. Nandini smiled and said, ''good night'' and Manik went to bed with a smile on his face. He woke up with a smile and was about to step out of his room. ''Agar main baahar nahi gaya tho, Nandini will come to my room for coffee'' Manik rolled on the bed, waiting for Nandini. She made coffee for Manik but waited for him. She heard a knock on the door and she knew it is Inaya. ''Itni subah subah Inaya kyu aati hai'' Nandini murmured about Inaya and opened the door to find Aryaman. ''Surprise!'' Aryaman said. She looked at the watch and saw it is already 10 am. ''Oh shit, did I sleep so long?'' she said. Confused, Aryaman entered in. ''Good morning'' Nandini wished Aryaman. 

''I thought you and Manik will be surprised to see me here'' Aryaman said. ''Surprise! Kyu?'' Nandini asked. ''It's Lohri and Makar Sankranti tomorrow, both of you can't come to Hyderabad so I thought I should surprise you'' Aryaman said. Nandini then understood that Aryaman wanted to surprise them and he doesn't know that they know about his arrival. ''Sorry Aryaman, I overslept and Manik also'' Nandini was explaining to Aryaman. ''Are you injured again?'' Aryaman asked referring to her bandage. ''A small accident. Let me talk to Manik first'' she said and went inside his room. Manik sat straight as she came in. ''Aryaman, aa gaya'' she blurted out. Giving him no chance to speak, she continued, ''Tell me something, doesn't Aryaman knew that his credit card statement has your phone number connected'' Nandini asked. ''Why are you asking me this?'' Manik asked confused. ''Aryaman wanted to surprise us but we already knew that he booked a ticket to Bengaluru'' Nandini asked. 

''He doesn't know this'' Manik said. ''How can you spy on your own brother?'' Nandini looked on to Manik. He pulled her wrist and made an eye contact with her. ''Nandini, ye koi galat intention se kiya nahi. It wasn't deliberate. I was just keeping a track of him, ye credit card tho wo college ke time se use kar raha hai. I'm not even keeping a track now. It's just that you saw the message, don't judge me now'' Manik said what he wanted to convey. ''He is waiting, we should go out'' Nandini said and Manik followed him. Aryaman saw both of them coming out. ''Pati patni ka discussions ho gaya!'' he asked. Manik hugged Aryaman. ''Bhabhi ko phir se chot laga!'' Aryaman asked. ''Ha President uncle ke dog ko bacha liya isne and met with an accident'' Manik said. ''Dog nahi Noodle'' Nandini corrected. ''That's because Manik doesn't like pets'' Aryaman said to Nandini. ''How can someone not love those cute tails wagging!'' Nandini said giving coffee to both of them. 

''Manik was bitten by a dog in his childhood, he is scared and hates dogs'' Aryaman said. ''Oh, I didn't knew'' Nandini smiled at Manik. ''Ok, that is not something to boast about, go and freshen up'' Manik said. ''Ok'' Aryaman kept his cup aside and moved towards Nandini's room. She signaled Manik to stop Aryaman. ''Aryaman, you can use my washroom'' Manik said stopping him. ''I always use this room, whenever I come'' Aryaman said. ''Ha but there's no water supply in that room. I think you know about Bengaluru's water scarcity'' Nandini said. ''Oh yeah, is it really that crucial problem?'' Aryaman asked concerned. ''Ha, at times water supply is hindered but it is manageable yet in this society. Thanks to President uncle but the maintenance cost is quite high'' Manik said and Aryaman went to use washroom. ''Good job'' Nandini shook hands with Manik. ''You too'' he said. ''Now, go get your things from that room ASAP'' Manik said. Nandini was in dilemma to shift to Manik's room but did as he said. She quickly emptied the wardrobe and her things from that room. After taking bath, Aryaman went to his room. 

''What you're cooking today?'' Nandini asked. ''Banana oats pancakes'' Manik said and Nandini's face fell. ''Can't I get normal breakfast?'' she asked. ''Breakfast! It's almost 11:30 now'' Aryaman said. ''Let's have Saturday special brunch, we'll order something from outside'' Aryaman said taking out his phone. ''Nahi, nahi. I'll make whatever you want at home'' Manik said to Aryaman. ''But please make something which normal humans can eat'' Nandini said. ''Manik is a great cook Nandini'' Aryaman said. ''When we were in Hyderabad, I used to always eat tasty food at your home, but Manik tho humesha diet food ke alawa kuch nahi banayega'' Nandini said in a complaining tone. ''Does this mean, it is Manik who is cooking everyday?'' Aryaman asked. ''Kyunki madam ko khaana banana nahi aata'' Manik said. ''But is good at reviewing your food'' Aryaman said. ''Ok, I'll make whatever you ask for'' he said to Nandini. ''Can you make something spicy and yummy, dessert is a must'' she said.