A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 55- Confessions

''Did she leave?'' Nandini asked Manik. ''Ha, she's throwing a party tomorrow, needs our help. Catering, lighting and all'' Manik said. ''If we are in Hyderabad, I would have done it'' Nandini said missing her days in Hyderabad. ''Don't worry, tum phirse career start kar lena'' Manik tried to uplift her mood. ''Acha, Inaya is very infamous for her party nights. So let's select our dresses before hand, warna time hi nahi milega'' he said taking her to her room. She opened her wardrobe and said, ''anniversary party hai tho, ye saree theek lagega na''. ''This is just namesake anniversary party, but it will be more like a wild bachelorette'' Manik said. ''Why do you call a party, wild?'' she asked innocently. ''I would love to see you in a saree, but iss party ke liye ye appropriate nahi hai, let's go shopping tomorrow then'' Manik said. ''And wild party matlab, alcohol will flow like water'' Manik said. 

''We'll see that tomorrow but right now, I'm starving. Please can we order food from outside!'' Nandini almost pleaded but Manik didn't budge. ''No, I will cook something which you'll like'' Manik said and Nandini is disappointed. ''I thought tumhara mood aaj theek hai tho, you'll accept today at least'' she said. ''You just chill in your room, I'll call you once dinner is ready'' he said. ''I can also help you, anyways I'm bored'' she offered to help but he denied. ''No, tum bahar nahi aaogi, ek surprise hai'' Manik said and she didn't come out of the room. After almost an hour, Manik knocked on the door. She changed her clothes in to her comfy pajamas. ''Dinner is ready'' he said excited but Nandini's expression told him another story. She looked least interested to eat but sat for dinner. Her eyes lit up when he took out the lid. ''Ulavacharu Biryani'' she said feeling the aroma of the dish. ''Yes, maine hi banaya tha'' he is so proud of himself. 

''Kaise?'' she asked. ''Saare questions abhi puchna hai kya? Taste tho karo, aur bhi surprises hai'' he said feeding her spoonful. ''Uff that's hot, but very nice'' she said as the rice grains danced on her taste buds. She slowly savored and relished its taste. Manik finally looked satisfied as he could make her happy with his food. ''This is really tasty Manik, I didn't think that you can cook something like this'' she said having her food. ''Aur surprise kya hai! Dessert mein bhi kuch banaya hai?'' she asked excited. ''Ha dessert bhi banaya maine, your favorite kheer but the surprise is here'' he said taking his phone in his hand. ''Hi Nandu'' Anitha and Mohan waved at her. ''Amma, Nanna!'' she looked surprised and realized they were on video call since long time. ''So Manik took your recipe to make this!'' Nandini understood why he didn't let her out of the room. ''Ha, how's your food?'' Anitha asked. ''Amma, it's your recipe, definitely will taste good'' she said. ''Liar, you were praising your husband till now, we saw everything'' Anitha said. 

''Mom, this is the first time, he made something like this. Usually he makes healthy food'' Nandini said in a complaining tone. ''but beta at least appreciate his efforts, how many times have I told you to learn cooking'' Mohan said. ''Ha, I should have learn it from the best Amma'' she said. ''But koi baat nahi, Manik hai na, he will take notes from mom to cook for me'' she said. ''Of course aunty, I would love to take notes from you about your recipes, and don't ask me how your daughter is treating me for cooking just healthy food'' Manik said to Anitha. ''Anu, this sounds like a good idea, why don't you really write all your recipes in a handbook'' Mohan suggested. ''Ha handwritten, personalized feel bhi aayega'' Nandini added. ''Handwritten?'' Anitha gave a thought to it but Manik interrupted. ''Aunty, if you're thinking of keeping a record of your recipes, let's just make a series of videos, which you can upload on public platform too. That will generate a source of income to you and will be helpful to people like us'' Manik suggested. 

''Actually Manik ka idea best hai mom'' Nandini approved of Manik. ''But who will watch these silly cooking videos on YouTube?'' Anitha chucked it off. ''No, no! Koi dekhega ya nahi, we can keep a video record of it anyway. Agar aap dil se recipes banayenge tho log dekhenge hi. Apart from the dish, you can add a personal touch to your recipe. If it is a generational dish, if it has any originated stories or if you have any fond memory attached to it. You can record them all. Trust me this will work. I've learnt cooking from my dadi and mom, and they always cooked some stories along with food. Khaana tho dil se aur humare yaadon se banathe hai na'' Manik sounded excited. ''Ok, I'll think over it, but both of you enjoy your food. Take care, bye'' Anitha said. ''Ha ha, now we need to cook for ourselves too'' Mohan said. ''But uncle why don't you come over here to meet us! It'll be fun, whenever you're free, please come and spend time with us'' Manik invited them. ''Yes amma, I'm missing you both so much'' Nandini said. ''Yeah, we've been missing you too. We'll come soon'' Mohan said and bid them good night.