A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 72- Seeds of Doubt

''Tonight Manik wants to me to take to a party, so we're leaving tomorrow morning'' Nandini said to Mohan. Nandini's phone rang as she was speaking to Mohan. She came to see off her parents before she leave for Bangalore. She looked horrified as it was less of a phone call and more of a wakeup call as she saw Daksh name on phone caller ID. She walked out and went to garden to attend the call. ''Hello Daksh!'' she spoke politely. ''Nandini, where were you? You aren't coming to the park these mornings'' he asked. ''I'm little busy on some important work'' she said. ''I know you must be busy with sourcing the gifts, send them to office by tonight'' he said. Nandini was shocked as she can't meet his demand. ''Sorry, I can't send them today, I'll come to Bangalore tomorrow by afternoon. I'll send after packing them'' Nandini is skeptical about his reaction.

''What! You're going to pack them tomorrow! Its ridiculous of how careless and irresponsible you are!'' Daksh said. Nandini felt ashamed of herself as she is at fault. She felt Daksh's anger is justified as he was the one who believed in her and gave an opportunity. She felt guilty for not living up to his expectations. ''I don't even have time to recruit anyone at this point of time'' Daksh said disappointed. ''Daksh, I'll not let you down nor I'll lose this opportunity, please give me one last chance'' she spoke but later realized that it was of no use as he had already hung up on her. Mohan observed that Nandini looked off. ''Is everything okay beta'' he asked her. ''Ha nanna, everything is good. I'll have to leave now'' Nandini bid bye to her parents and left from there. 

***********************************************************************************************

As Nandini returns home, she saw everyone just chilling in the drawing room. Nandini feels that Manik is a blessing in her life and is determined to express her love for him. ''Nandini, beta aa gayi, we were waiting for you'' Nyonika welcome her home. ''Bhabhi you should get ready soon, party ke liye bhi jaana hai na'' Mukti said. ''Party tho 10 baje se pehle start hi nahi hoga na'' Nandini said casually. ''Nandini has become so smart, sangath ki asar hai'' Abhimanyu said. ''You're right Nandini but ready hone mein time lagega na, venue is also in the outskirts'' Manik said. ''Come on Nandini, I'll help you in getting ready'' Nyonika feels excited. ''No, no. First I will go and talk with her'' Manik interrupted Nyonika and turned towards Nandini. ''Nandini, come with me'' he said with a smile and takes her to their room. 

''Manik'' she walks behind him and he doesn't listen to her until they both are alone. ''Why did you get me here?'' she asked him. ''You look off, it's not the usual you. Is everything okay? Ghar pe sab kuch theek hai na'' Nandini is relieved and takes a deep breathe and smiles. ''Everything is fine back home, amma nanna are fine and they're happy'' she said and added, ''thank you for asking Manik'' she hugged him tightly. ''Hmm, thank god you're okay, I was so scared when I first looked at you'' Manik reciprocated her hug. He circled his arms around her shoulders. ''So shall we go down?'' she asked. ''Ha let's not give any wrong ideas specially when Abhimanyu is around'' Manik said. Nyonika and Mukti were excited to dress up Nandini. ''The dress code is black Nandini, quickly take out a black one'' Mukti said. ''Black! Mere paas koi black kapde nahi hai'' Nandini said. ''You bought a black dress for Inaya's party that day'' Manik reminded. ''That dress is in Bangalore'' Nandini said. ''No problem, I've got few dresses in my wardrobe, come with me'' Mukti took Nandini with her. 

Manik went behind them after a few minutes. He saw a bodycon mid-length dress and a short backless black dress. Nandini wasn't able to select any dress from the choices Mukti gave her. ''I don't know which dress I can wear'' Nandini said. She felt that she couldn't be comfortable in those dresses but then she found Manik interfering there. ''You're not wearing any of these'' Manik declared. ''Tho kya pehnegi ye'' Nyonika asked. ''Saree'' Manik said. ''Even mom doesn't wear sarees to these parties Manik, come on'' Mukti said. ''Har baat pe argue mat karna Mukti, Nandini maa se koi black saree leke pehno'' Manik said to Nandini. She wanted to ask why she can't wear the dress Mukti gave her. ''Bhabhi, bhai ka har baat maan na teri duty nahi hai and why can't she wear this Manik?'' Mukti stopped both Manik and Nandini. ''Mom, please ask Mukti to not interfere in everything'' Manik said to Nyonika. He sent Nandini out of the room.