A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 62- Something's Fishy

''Was it a bad joke? Tere chehre pe baarah kyu baj gaye?'' Manik said to break the ice with Nandini. ''It's already very late'' Nandini said. ''Yeah, we should go to sleep'' Manik said and they left to their respective rooms. Nandini understood how Manik loves his family. She got to know that he will go to any length to safeguard his family members. Nandini felt sad for Mukti who had to take a bold step to leave home but she didn't want to judge without knowing Abhimanyu's side of story. With these thoughts running on her mind, she drifted to sleep. As Nandini rolled on the bed before she is fully awake, she heard a beep on her phone. ''Who is it messaging me early morning'' she wondered and took her phone. ''Aren't you in the park today?'' she saw a message from Daksh and then her eyes checked for time. ''Oh shit! It's 8:30 already'' she woke up all of a sudden and her neck muscles got twisted.

Trying to relieve herself from wry neck, she saw Manik having his breakfast. ''Looks like you're going back to your old habits, breakfast is hot, eat it soon'' he said and within minutes he left. Now the house is all Nandini's to be explored. She saw around her and realized that its her duty to sweep and mop the floor, do the laundry and dishes. Helpless, she laid down on the sofa and started to prep up herself for cleaning the house. She had hot coffee which Manik kept in the flask for her and ate her breakfast late. She then remembered the text message Daksh had sent her. ''Just a little busy with the things'' she texted him back. Nandini sat down leisurely on what to gift. She sat with a pen and paper to write. Just then, she heard a knock on the door and wondered who can come home almost when it is afternoon. She opened the door only to be surprised by Manik's visit. ''Why are you home at this hour?'' she asked him. 

''I can't be at peace in the office'' he said dropping his bag. ''Ghar pe baithne chain milega kya?'' Nandini joked at his condition. ''You're right, and that's why I booked tickets to Hyderabad'' Manik said casually. ''Achanak'' Nandini is shocked and surprised. ''Something is not right Nandini, I think I should see Mukti, pack your bag. We'll leave by evening flight'' Manik announced. Nandini was in dilemma whether to leave with Manik or not as now she has a task to complete. ''What are you looking at! We just have 2 hours to leave for airport'' Manik hurried and Nandini, with a hope to source from Hyderabad. She nodded in confusion which is evident on her face. ''I thought you'd be happy to see your parents'' Manik said as he read her face. ''Nothing like that, I'm really excited to go'' Nandini said, deciding to live in the moment. She tried to message Daksh that she would be unavailable, but Manik asked her to rush giving no time for her. 

Within a few hours, they managed to cross the hustle-bustle of the Bangalore and reached airport. Nandini waited for some time to message Daksh. As they passed out of security check and luggage checking, they sat down. ''Do you want to have something?'' he asked her. She nodded no and he continued exploring the airport. ''I think I should inform Daksh about my absence here'' she thought and took her phone. ''Hi Daksh, I'm unavailable in Bangalore for a few days'' she texted him but he didn't see it. Nandini waited for him to reply but of no use. Within an hour and half, they have landed in Hyderabad. Manik took a cab home. ''Do you want to go home?'' he asked her. ''I'll see Mukti first, mumma papa se milne kal jaungi'' Nandini said. ''Ok, it is already late, let's go to my place'' Manik took Nandini with him. They reached home and collected their luggage. 

''Surprise'' Mukti and Nyonika opened the door as Manik rang the doorbell. They're ready with a aarti plate. ''Mom, what's all this?'' Manik asked seeing them celebrate. ''This is the first time you're coming home after you marry'' Mukti said. ''Not a first time'' Nandini said, ''technically, second'' she added. ''Ha ha, pehli baar shaadi ke baad, but this is the first time after wedding'' Nyonika explained. ''Aarti utharne ke liye itna explanation dena padega kya?'' Shrikant intervened. ''How did you know that we're coming?'' Manik asked. ''We tried calling you both and your phones are off. So we called Inaya and she spilled the beans'' Mukti said and hugged Manik, Nandini. They heard the door bell again. ''Nyonika, it seems they have come'' Shrikant said and they hurried to open the door. Manik and Nandini had no clue what's going on. 

They opened the door to welcome Anitha and Mohan. ''Amma! Nanna!!'' Nandini ran to hug them. ''I thought we would surprise you, but its us who are surprised'' Nandini said. ''As soon as we got the call from Shrikant ji, we're excited to see Nandini and Manik'' Mohan said. ''Bava garu, now that our children are here, we don't want Nandini and Manik to juggle between you and us. Isliye jab tak Manik aur Nandini yaha hai, you'll have to stay here with us'' Shrikant said. ''I'll make dinner, meanwhile you guys can have a chat'' Mukti said. ''Ok, I'll join you'' Nandini offered to help Mukti but she insisted that she wanted to cook alone. Nandini is skeptical about Mukti's indifference. ''Manik, you came here to talk to Mukti, but why aren't you even going near her?'' Nandini whispered to him. ''Time hi nahi mil raha hai'' Manik said. Nyonika and Mukti had set the dining table for dinner. ''Itne saare special dishes!'' Manik said rubbing his hands seeing delicacies in front of him. ''Isme sab kuch maine hi nahi banaya, we've ordered a few dishes from your favorite outlets'' Mukti beamed with happiness. 

''Where is Aryaman? Isn't he at home?'' Nandini asked as she found him missing. ''Pata nahi wo akela room mein kar kya raha hai'' Shrikant said. ''What! He is at home but didn't come to meet us'' Manik said and went to Aryaman's room. Nandini accompanied him to see Aryaman. They knocked on the door and Aryaman opened the door after few minutes. ''Manik! What a surprise!'' Aryaman said in a sleepy tone. ''Main bhi hu'' Nandini said. ''Bhabhi, when did you and Manik had come here?'' Aryaman asked surprised. ''Ghar pe sab humare wait karke grand entry karwaya, aur tum so rahe ho?'' Manik asked. ''I was tired a little bit, so I slept soon. I have no idea that you and bhabhi are expected here'' Aryaman said. ''Chalo, let's have dinner'' Nandini said. ''No bhabhi, you enjoy dinner. Mujhe bhook nahi hai. I really feel sleepy'' Aryaman said. ''Ye kya faltu ki bahaane bana rahe ho'' Manik said. Nandini and Manik had no other option than to leave. 

''Don't you think there's something wrong here'' Nandini said. ''I thought Mukti will be sad but she is happy. Ye Aryaman, he looks sad'' Nandini said. ''Aur ghar wale, they won't allow us to speak to Mukti about anything. They even called your parents to not let us talk to Mukti. Aunty uncle ke aa jaane se tum busy rahogi, aur mujhe time hi nahi de rahe hai'' Manik said. ''Exactly'' Nandini said as Manik's words made sense. ''Amma Nanna ko yaha rokhna acha nahi hoga'' Nandini said and Manik understood why she is so concerned about them. ''Don't worry, aaj raat yahi sone do, I'll send them home tomorrow'' Manik said. They reached the dinner table. ''Wo Aryaman nahi aa raha hai dinner ke liye'' Nandini said. 

''God knows what's wrong with him, office se roj jaldi ghar aa jaata hai. And he locks himself in the room. Sometimes I take dinner for him and sometimes he doesn't let me in'' Nyonika complained. ''Maybe he is too stressed at work'' Manik shrugged it off. They all ate dinner. ''Nandini'' he stopped her. ''Yes'' she turned to Manik. 

''Mom and dad are already worried for Mukti and Aryaman. Will you please sleep in my room tonight'' he requested Nandini.