Notes of Love

together, always

Manik paced anxiously in his room, glancing at the clock every few seconds. Each minute ticked by, slower than the last, and with every second, the knot in his stomach tightened. His eyes darted around the room, making sure everything was in place, even though he had already checked a dozen times. The bed was perfectly made, the books on his desk arranged just so, the curtains drawn neatly—everything in its rightful place. Yet, the sense of urgency, of anticipation, wouldn't leave him.

He couldn't help but feel jittery. His palms were clammy as he ran his hands through his hair again, trying to smooth it down as though that would calm his racing thoughts. The yellow shirt he had picked out earlier now seemed too bright, too bold, as though it were calling attention to his nerves. He looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting the collar once more, even though it was already straight. His blue jeans, well-fitted and clean, seemed too casual for the moment, but it was all he had settled on.

He wasn't ready. He wasn't ready for this. For them—his parents—finally meeting Nandini.

The thought of it was making him restless, and his heart began to race faster. He had never been this anxious before, not even before school presentations or exams. But this... This was different. This was important.

As if on cue, the door creaked open, and his mother, Neyonka, stepped in, her gentle presence immediately filling the space. She observed him silently for a moment, her eyes softening with understanding. The concern on her face was clear, but it was also tempered by a hint of amusement.

"Manik, don't stress yourself out," she said, walking over to him. She placed a hand on his arm, her touch warm and calming. "I know you're nervous, but Nandini is a wonderful girl. Your father and I both love her. We just want to meet her, to let her know how much we support you two. It's all going to be fine."

Manik looked at her, his brow furrowed in frustration. "But, Mom... you don't understand. Dad—he wants to prank her. You know how she is! What if she gets hurt? What if she thinks we're all making fun of her?"

His voice cracked slightly, betraying the anxiety he was trying so hard to keep in check. He couldn't shake the image of Nandini's face falling, of her not understanding the humor behind it. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. He didn't want her to feel like an outsider in his life, not even for a second.

Neyonka sighed, her gaze softening with a maternal tenderness. She understood her son's worries all too well. "Manik, it's just a small prank. Just a little fun. We'll make sure she knows it's all in good spirit. We wouldn't do anything to hurt her. Trust me. Your dad has a funny way of showing affection, but it's all in jest. You know he's harmless."

Manik opened his mouth to protest, but his mother quickly placed a finger on his lips. "I understand your concern. But Nandini is strong. She'll be fine. And your father and I both like her—no, love her. We see how happy she makes you, and that's all that matters. You can relax, beta. We're doing this because we care about both of you."

Manik's eyes lingered on his mother, unsure whether he could ever relax about this. The fact that his father—Samir—was already down there, setting up whatever "prank" he had in mind, didn't help. Manik could already imagine the schemes running through his father's mind. Samir had a wicked sense of humor, but he also had a way of pushing boundaries, making things awkward when he didn't mean to.

"Mom, you don't know him like I do," Manik muttered under his breath, half-exasperated and half-amused.

Samir, who had been quietly observing the scene from the doorway, finally stepped forward, crossing his arms with a smirk on his face. He'd been listening from the hallway, clearly amused by his son's nervousness. "What's all this fuss about, Manik? It's a prank, son, not the end of the world. We're just going to have a little fun. Nandini's a smart girl—she'll get it. She'll understand that we're just trying to show how much we care. A little humor never hurt anyone."