Notes of Love

love in the pause

The silence between Manik and Nandini was becoming more palpable with each passing day, despite them living under the same roof. It was as if they were sharing a space but not truly inhabiting it together anymore. The walls they'd tried to break down were not of brick or wood, but of unspoken words, unmet needs, and misunderstood desires. Each day, they moved through the motions, exchanging the occasional smile or casual conversation, but the distance was becoming harder to ignore. It was as though they were trapped in their own separate worlds, both desperately reaching out but unable to bridge the gap.

Manik found himself increasingly restless, caught in a cycle that he couldn't escape. For years, he had put in the effort, honed his skills, and sacrificed time with Nandini to prove his worth at Malhotra Industries. He had followed the path laid out for him—the one that promised security, stability, and a future he could share with Nandini. His training in the United States, the countless hours spent learning the ropes of the corporate world, had been geared toward this. And yet, now that he had finally stepped into the job, it felt suffocating, like a well-tailored suit that didn't fit. The corporate grind, the endless meetings, the pressure to perform, the constant chase for the next promotion—felt like a never-ending loop. He had told himself that it would get better, that he would find meaning in the work, but deep down, he knew he was just going through the motions, counting the days until he could go home. But going home didn't feel like an escape anymore. Even when he was with Nandini, the exhaustion of his work followed him, and he could feel her own frustration bubbling just beneath the surface, even if she didn't say it. He tried to push through for her, for their future together, but every day, the weight of it all bore down harder. The thought of leaving the job, of admitting that it wasn't for him after everything he had invested, seemed impossible. And yet, the thought of continuing in it for years, drained and disconnected, was even more suffocating.

Nandini, on the other hand, was caught in the whirlwind of her own ambitions. She had started at Y.G. Fashions as a novice, fresh and eager, unsure of herself but determined to make a mark. Over the past two years, she had climbed the ranks, first as an assistant, then a junior designer, now a team leader—and with each new step, her passion for fashion design had only grown stronger. The long hours, the deadlines, the late nights spent sketching and brainstorming, had all been worth it. She loved her work. She loved the creativity, the challenges, the constant push to grow and learn. But as much as she adored her career, the cost was undeniable. She had made sacrifices, and the biggest one was Manik. There was no escaping the guilt that gnawed at her every time she came home late, every time she missed their weekend plans because of a last-minute design review or an urgent meeting with suppliers. She knew he was patient, that he understood her drive, but she could feel the patience wearing thin, just as his silent frustration grew. She knew Manik loved her, but she also knew that love wasn't enough to fill the empty spaces in their relationship the empty spaces she had unintentionally created. Sometimes, she would catch him staring at her, his expression distant, and it would break her heart. He wasn't angry; he wasn't accusing her. But she could see it in his eyes the same loneliness she felt every time they sat across from each other, sharing a meal without truly connecting.

For both of them, the future was a puzzle they couldn't quite solve. Manik had imagined a future with Nandini by his side perhaps marriage, children, a comfortable life. But he couldn't help but wonder if this career, this life, would be enough for him. Would he always be this tired? Would the corporate world continue to drain him, leaving him hollow inside? Or would he find the courage to leave it all behind and chase something that actually made him feel alive? But the fear of failure, the fear of letting Nandini down, held him back. He had been trained to succeed in this world, and to turn his back on it now felt like he would be throwing away everything he had worked for everything he had promised her he could provide.