A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 66- Misunderstandings

''So Mukti ghar pe kisiko kuch nahi bataya?'' Abhimanyu asked Nandini in horror. ''I don't know but no one hasn't told anything till now'' Nandini said. They have both met in a restaurant. ''Manik isn't getting any chance to speak to Mukti, so I thought it would be better if I talk to you'' Nandini said to Abhimanyu. ''Why did Mukti took such a drastic step of leaving your home?'' Nandini asked. 'Maine bhi ye kabhi nahi socha ki Mukti will leave home'' sadness was evident on his face. ''Mukti aise hi kisi choti wajhe ke liye ghar chod ke aayegi ye koi nahi maanega, so tell me what happened?'' Nandini asked him. He stayed silent. ''Mukti is not talking anything there and you too are silent now, aise hai tho kaise chalega'' Nandini asked. ''Mukti and mom had a fight, ye koi nayi baat bhi nahi hai'' Abhimanyu said. ''Mom ne Mukti ko bahut sunaaya but then Mukti wanted us to leave home and live separately'' Abhimanyu said.

''Har roz kisi naya jagda hone se better tum dono ko alag ho jaana'' Nandini said. ''Its not easy Nandini, aise kaise alag ho jayenge hum. I tried to explain the same to Mukti, shaadi se pehle bhi maine ye bataya usko ki hum kabhi bhi parents se alag nahi honge. She agreed too'' Abhimanyu said in his defense. ''She might have agreed with you before marriage but after multiple fights at home, she might have thought much before taking this decision'' Nandini said supporting Mukti. ''I know tum log Mukti ko hi support karenge, wo apni baat manaane ke liye hi mayke chali gayi'' Abhimanyu said. ''How will you both stay together if one of you don't compromise'' Nandini asked. ''I'm the only son Nandini, I can't leave my parents. Mukti ko tum samjhaana, I can do anything for her but not this. I know my mom and Mukti has issues but I will try to resolve them soon. I'm ready to support her'' Abhimanyu said. ''Abhimanyu please listen'' Nandini was saying something but Abhimanyu excused himself as he said he had some work. 

Disappointed, Nandini went home and saw Manik at home. ''Where were you Nandu? Your phone was not connecting too'' Anitha asked Nandini. ''I was with Navya'' Nandini lied to them and they all look at her. ''Ok, let's have an early dinner, Anitha could you serve dinner please'' Mohan said. ''Why are you here?'' Nandini asked Manik hastily. ''You live with me everyday at my place and why can't I come here?'' Manik said. ''There's a huge difference between you staying here and me staying with you'' Nandini's voice has a serious tone. ''Ok, let me tell you something first, when your phone wasn't connecting, it was Navya whom aunty uncle called first. We all knew that you are not with Navya'' Manik said. ''I don't care, amma nanna would understand even if I lied'' Nandini doesn't give a damn. ''Ok, may I know where you were?'' Manik asked but Nandini doesn't tell him. She doesn't want to tell Manik that she met Abhimanyu until he accepts to take Mukti with him.

''You know how my mom is! Staying here isn't safe for you'' Nandini expressed her concern. ''Don't you think I knew you so well, aunty ke treatment ke baare mein baat karne hi aaya hu'' Manik said handing her over a brochure. Nandini goes through the brochure and comes to know that Manik is really trying to help her mother. ''I'm sorry I didn't think of this'' Nandini realized that she shouted on him and asks for apology. By then Anitha serves the dinner and they become silent. Nandini feels guilty and Manik remained silent all the while having dinner. Nandini waits for Manik in her room but there is no sign of him. Tired of waiting for him, she goes down the stairs and sees Anitha. ''Amma, Manik?'' Nandini asked her. ''He went home after dinner'' Anitha didn't turn towards her. ''Why did Manik leave all of a sudden? Did he feel bad! I shouldn't have shouted on him'' Nandini's thoughts took a U turn when she saw Mohan and Manik entering in. 

''Manik'' Nandini called him with a concerned voice. ''Looks like your biwi is in gussa mode'' Mohan whispered to Manik. ''Again?'' Manik wondered. ''Biwiyon ha haq hai gussa karna, jao'' Mohan said to Manik. He silently followed her till the room. ''Amma said that you've left'' Nandini asked. ''Thought of leaving but your parents asked me to stay back'' Manik said. ''Would you leave otherwise'' Manik realized that they are still standing at the entrance of her room. He nodded yes in confusion but was unable to read her expression. She immediately hugged him. ''Sorry if I had hurt you'' she said closing her eyes in regret. ''Andar chale, koi aayega'' Manik said and took her inside. ''Still angry with me?'' he asked a silent Nandini. ''Nahi'' she said. ''I'm really sorry for not telling about Alya'' Manik said. ''It's okay'' she said smiling and made bed for him. ''Nandini, can I ask you something?'' he asked. ''Yes'' she said. ''Inaya said that you can't accept this pregnancy thing, but you really seem fine with it'' Manik asked. ''If you had told me this before our contract, I might have freaked out but now I'm fine with it. But really, am not fine with that concept of having baby before wedding but everyone has their own reasons and I won't judge you'' Nandini said.