A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 54- Changing Equations

''Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai'' Manik said. ''So you must be looking forward for Nandini to go on dates'' Inaya asked and Manik said no instantly. ''Why is that a problem to you? how much time she should be wasting in her life?'' she asked him. ''She isn't wasting any time, wo apni career pe focus kar rahi hai, being independent is so important. Main bhi apna startup ke liye excited hu, hopefully next year, I would try. For now, its not even safe for her to go on random blind dates, that's it'' he said. ''Kisne kaha ki wo aise hi random blind dates pe jayegi, hum bhi uske saath chalenge, we'll sit at a distance and watch her'' Inaya said. ''How creepy would it be to keep an eye on her'' Manik said. ''Sach sach batao! Will you ever let her date someone?'' Inaya asked coming straight to the point. ''Of course, why will I stop her?'' Manik shrugged off. ''Fine then, I will get a date for Nandini'' Inaya said leaving from there. 

''Inaya, by any chance do you know any flower market nearby?'' Manik asked Inaya. ''Ab flower market kis liye?'' she asked. ''Nandini ko kuch phool chahiye thi, so just wanted to take flowers home'' Manik innocently said. ''Did you hear what you said! Abhi toh tumne kaha ki you'll let her date'' Inaya asked unbelievably. ''Main kisi aur ki date ko flowers nahi de raha hu, she is still my wife'' Manik said. ''Fine, address bhejti hu'' she said. ''Koi flower bouquets shop nahi, mujhe jasmine flowers chahiye local market se, taaza'' Manik said. ''Manik, I'm not still your intern jo tum aise orders pass kar rahe ho'' Inaya said. ''Kya tum Nandini ki love guru ho jo uske liye date dhoondne wali, nahi na! Tho tum mere liye ye kaam bhi kar lena'' Manik said. 

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''Aaj jaldi aa gaye'' Nandini asked seeing Manik. ''Little headache, so just came in'' he said. Manik hid the flowers in his bag and tried to take them out. ''Oh, then I'll make a strong coffee for you'' she said going into kitchen. ''Chali gayi!'' he thought and went to his room with his bag. Nandini wore her T shirt and pajamas and Manik thought that flowers won't go well with her dress. ''Nandini, will you wear a saree?'' Manik asked and Nandini looked confused. ''Saree!! Why?'' she asked. ''Just wanted to see you in saree'' Manik blurted out. ''Is it necessary to wear a saree now?'' Nandini asked Manik giving coffee. ''Last time you wore a saree was in our marriage and you look beautiful'' Manik said. Nandini paused for a moment and said ok. Manik waited outside till she came out. Nandini came out wearing a pink saree. Manik stood up seeing her and hid flowers in his left hand. He quickly shifted to her back. 

''What are you doing? Hum kahi jaane wale hai?'' she asked. Manik showed flowers to Nandini. ''Mallepoola? (Jasmine)'' Nandini asked excited. ''No, these are sanna jaaji flowers'' Manik said. ''Are you for real! You got them for me?'' she asked him. ''Shall I?'' Manik asked her if he can put them in her hair. She turned around and he struggled to keep them in her hair. ''Aise loose hair hai, koi pin chahiye hoga'' Manik said as he gave up. ''First time hai na, I'll excuse'' Nandini tied her hair into a braid and put flowers in it. ''Manik, this is the first time you came home so early, I'm ready too. Shall we go to a temple?'' she asked. Manik denied initially but Nandini insisted to go out. He couldn't say no to her. ''Ok'' he said. Nandini checked nearest temple in maps and found one. Manik took car keys. ''Manik, it's just 300 meters away, we can just walk and go'' Nandini said. 

''I've never been there'' Manik tried to reason with her. ''This temple is so near to your place, you should have gone'' she said. Manik is an ashiest and has never been to any temple since he remember even as a child. She didn't understood what he meant to say but had to follow her. After walking for a while, they finally reached temple. He untied the laces of his shoe and removed them and was about to go inside. ''Manik, wash your feet before going inside'' Nandini said already soaking her feet under the tap water. ''Maine abhi nahake aaya'' he said. ''Phir bhi mandir mein enter karne se pehle, always wash your feet'' she said. ''Kyu?'' he asked being stubborn. ''So that you ward off your negative energy and go inside'' she said. ''Good, if you don't have any reason, I would have not washed my feet'' he said and followed her. She went inside and joined her hands to pray God. She closed her eyes and prayed. Manik looked at her innocent face and smiled. 

''What did you pray to God?'' Manik asked. ''Wishes don't come true if I say them to you'' she said. ''Oh so you mean to say that God is so selfish that he is eyeing on you, so that he can punish, come on! Do you really think there's a logic behind what you said'' he asked. ''Ok, I've prayed for you'' she said. Manik laughed and said, ''itna bada jhoot!''. ''Why will I lie, I prayed to god that you should always be happy'' Nandini honestly said.  ''Nandini, tell me honestly, why did you do everything I asked you to'' he asked. ''In fact I'm surprised that I never denied anything'' she said. ''Actually mujhe tumhe thank you kehna hai, just because of you, mom and dad are at peace. I can't even imagine mom's condition after that engagement broke'' Nandini's voice lowered and Manik put his hand on her shoulder. ''Don't worry, I'm with you in this, we'll sail together, bas issi baat ka dar hai ki I don't know humare parents shaadi ke baare mein jaankar kaise react karenge'' he said. ''I'm not scared, I know you'll do some magic'' she said. ''Magic?!'' Manik asked. ''Aur nahi tho kya, you make me do everything which I haven't even thought of doing before. You'll do some magic on everyone and make everyone on your side'' she said. 

''I don't know if that's a compliment or not'' he said. ''Chalein?'' she asked. They were about to get out of the temple. ''Nandini, I have something for you'' he said and she looked at him asking what is it. Manik took out Nandini's toe rings from his pocket. ''Oh, you got them again'' she looked excited. ''Ha'' he said giving it to her. ''Why are you giving them to me? You should make me wear this, wives never wear them alone'' Nandini said. ''Okay, ghar jaake pehnaunga'' he said. ''No, we're in a temple and what more a better place for put on my mettelu again?'' she said. ''Nandini, if you hold your feet, everyone will look at us'' Manik hesitated. ''Manik, this isn't new to anyone, this is normal. Sab husbands aise hi apne wife ko ye pehnaate hai'' Nandini convinced him. She then comfortably sat and he kneeled in front of her. He took her feet in his hand and put the rings on her toes. ''Ache se adjust karna please'' she asked. Manik caressed her feet while she felt ticklish. ''Manik, tum kya kar rahe ho?'' she asked trying not to laugh. He then got back into this world when she called him. ''Please don't tease'' she said and took her feet from his hands. 

''On this note, can we make a promise to ourselves?'' she asked. ''What promise?'' he asked. ''That we will not fight with each other anymore, hum ache friends ki tarah, in fact like best friends, hum ek doosre ke ha mein ha milaye?'' Nandini asked asking for his hand. Manik's lips curved to smile. ''Sochna padega, that's the only source of entertainment at home'' Manik said. ''Such a terrible guy you are!'' she said. ''Okay, ok. I'll never fight with you but don't ask me not to annoy you'' Manik said. ''That's my job, Mr. Malhotra'' Nandini said boasting about herself. 

Both of them leave for home and then met Inaya near the lift. ''Oh Manik, where were you? Main mom dad ke paas jaa rahi hu, its their anniversary today and I've completely forgot about it'' Inaya blabbered. ''Oh, convey our wishes to your parents Inaya, kitne dinon ke liye jaa rahi ho?'' Nandini asked. ''Sorry to disappoint you darling, I'll come tomorrow. My parents are just living on the other side of Bangalore'' Inaya smiled at Nandini. ''Take this Prasadam to your parents'' Nandini said. Manik hugged Inaya and said, ''convey my hearty wishes to uncle aunty''. ''So, you've been to temple huh!'' Inaya eyed Manik. ''Nandini, you go home, I'll come in 5'' Manik sent away Nandini. ''Nandini was going to temple alone, so I just went along with her'' he explained. ''Mujhe kyu explain kar rahe ho? She's your wife and you're free to go anywhere with her. I don't want to spoil your moments with her being kebab mein haddi'' Inaya said. ''Cool! Bye then'' Manik said accompanied her till the car. ''Bye'' Manik said. ''Manik, I need your help. Tomorrow I've planned for a party. I'm counting on you and Nandini. Kuch arrangements kar lena please mere liye'' she asked in haste. ''Sure, no problem'' Manik replied. 

''Manik, I'm going to get a date for Nandini tomorrow in the party, bye'' Inaya said as she left.