A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 65- Newfound Feelings

''I don't think you've done anything wrong'' Manik said to Nandini. ''But I'll regret that day forever'' Nandini's eyes filled with tears but controlled herself to not lose her cool. ''Har insaan ke life mein aise din hote hai Nandini. You're not at fault, it was bound to happen'' Manik kept his laptop aside. He didn't knew how to calm her down. ''Was it Jahnavi in your life?'' Nandini asked Manik. ''What? Jahnavi! She was just a passing cloud'' Manik gave a sarcastic smile when Nandini took Jahnavi's name. ''Mere life mein aise din aaye hai Alya ke wajhe se'' Manik finally confessed. ''Who's Alya?'' Nandini asked. ''I met Alya for first time in New York. We were really good friends in the beginning, hume pata hi nahi chala ki humara relation kaise aage badh gaya'' Nandini understood that Manik was telling her about the girl who he referred earlier as friend with benefits. 

''Maybe we didn't have any feelings for each other but our relationship turned drastically overnight. It was so quick that we've decided to live together. Ye sab mujhe tab normal lagta tha and she was just going with that flow. We liked each other's company, slowly we shut the world down to spend time with each other. It was Alya who spoke about our feelings. She wasn't ready for a relationship and so was I. It was all fine until one day'' Manik said staring at an empty wall. ''What happened that day?'' Nandini asked interesting. ''She got pregnant'' Manik said looking into her eyes and Nandini was shocked. She couldn't speak as he confessed it. ''It would always be a woman's choice to keep or not to keep the baby and Alya chose to have an abortion'' Manik said. ''And you!'' Nandini's voice clearly showed a disappointment. ''I wanted to have my baby. I didn't want her to abort. After much thought and consideration, we've decided to marry'' Manik said. 

''So tumne ghar pe sabko bata diya iske baare mein'' Nandini asked. ''No, it was when I got a call that dadi is not well and she wants to see me. I flew back to India, I thought I would tell everyone that I wanted to marry Alya but dadi was dead on that day when I came to see her. Phir mujhe pata chala dada dadi ke baare mein and then I realized what true love is! I know that I don't love Alya but still decided to marry for the baby'' Manik said. ''Then why didn't you marry her?'' Nandini asked. ''Alya aborted the baby in my absence. She was never ready to marry me!'' Manik said. ''Did you meet Alya again?'' Nandini asked. ''No, I didn't go to New York after dadi's death. She wasn't ready to meet or talk to me. Inaya knew about Alya as they were still in touch. Jaise you regret your engagement day, I regret the death of my unborn baby'' Manik said. 

''Did you tell this to Jahnavi?'' Nandini looked at his eyes as he nodded yes. ''And that's how you both broke up?'' he didn't answer but nodded as yes. ''Why didn't you tell me this before? You said about this girl on the day we've signed our contract, but poore baat nahi bataya'' Nandini felt betrayed. ''I know Nandini I'm sorry. I should have told you this before but tab ki baat alag thi, I was so scared that you might not marry me or you might just hate me'' Manik apologized. ''Alya chali gayi, Jahnavi chali gayi so you didn't tell me so that I can't leave'' Nandini was upset. She held her head in disbelief. ''I know this confession is such a huge thing for you, but I always wanted to'' Manik was telling something when she spoke, ''hide it, right. You always wanted to hide it. Maine tumse Alya ke baare mein bahut baar poocha na, tab bhi tum nahi bataya'' Nandini said. ''I was so scared and guilty Nandini'' Manik said. She stood up and drank some water. She walked to and fro in the room and Manik's eyes followed her. She stayed silent and Manik didn't try to speak. 

Much to his surprise, she came and slept beside him. ''Kya hua? Kuch nahi bologi?'' he asked as he bent over her ear. ''Mujhe neend aa rahi hai'' she said. He pulled the quilt over her and wished ''good night''. Manik was confused for Nandini's behavior. He vaguely saw Alya in front of him. Seeing Alya, reminded Manik of the baby. He was guilty for not saving the baby. Alya's image faded out slowly and then he saw Nandini taking over Alya's place. Manik woke up from his dream and is startled. He shook his head to ward off his thoughts and looked aside only to find Nandini missing on the bed. He got up and found that she isn't there in washroom too. He realized it's already morning and thought Nandini would have went down. He didn't knew how to face Nandini after his confession. As he got ready he came down and searched for Nandini. ''Good morning'' Aryaman wished Manik while having breakfast.