A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 78- Holi Celebration

''So this means Manik doesn't believe in love'' Navya asked Nandini. ''No, he believes in true love, he believes that dada dadi ka pyaar is beyond life, even though they were living apart all their life but they were in love'' Nandini said and added, ''but problem ye hai that Manik doesn't think aise true love ab ki zamaane mein exist hi nahi karti hai'' Nandini said. ''Wow Nandini, you are in love with a person who neither believes in love nor marriage'' Navya laughed at her. ''I'm already irritated Navya, don't annoy me more'' Nandini said still in bed in the morning. ''Because of that kiss with Jahnavi?'' Navya asked. ''Ok, seems like Manik came out of his room, I should go out now, bye Navya'' Nandini said and went out of her room. Manik got ready to leave to office and Nandini asked for a coffee. ''Khud banake pee lena, breakfast bhi'' Manik said. ''Why! You already made coffee'' Nandini asked. ''Ha but I think tumhe khud banana chahiye, I wouldn't have a clue when you'll be angry and cry all over again. Tumse baat karne ke liye bhi mujhe dar lag raha hai'' Manik said. 

Nandini went and stood in front of him. ''Manik, I was born and brought up in such a setup where all these things were taboo for me. I know being in love, premarital sex everything is not wrong until both partners are consensual. Ye sab sink in hone ke liye mujhe time lagta hai, having multiple love interests in not wrong but ye sab samajna mere liye thodi mushkil hai. Sorry that I have been judging you, and I'll try and not annoy you since next time, I promise. Please don't be mad at me'' Nandini asked. ''Finally you spoke your heart out, I'm not expecting you to understand me, we are different individuals and its completely okay to not agree with me. Bye'' Manik said patting her cheek and went out. ''Humara future kya hai Manik! How would I convince you that we both are made for each other'' Nandini thought. ''How could I tell you that your touch makes me feel so good but when I knew that it isn't out of love, I'm feeling guilty. Jab tak you don't touch me with love, I won't even let you touch me'' Nandini said to herself determined. 

Manik was silent and didn't speak anything while going to office. ''What's up?'' Inaya asked him. ''Is it Nandini again?'' Inaya asked as he didn't speak anything. ''I don't know what does she want!'' Manik said. ''Not again Manik, it's always her'' Inaya said. ''Kya hua iss baar?'' she asked again. ''Intentionally she asks me about my previous relationships and gets annoyed for no reason at all. I would have an instant regret to tell everything about my other exes. Jahnavi tho mera ex bhi nahi thi phir bhi wo Jahnavi ke baare mein sunn kar bhi aise hi react kiya. But finally she spoke about it today'' Manik said. ''What did she say?'' Inaya asked. ''Kuch nahi she said she wants some time to take all this'' Inaya found that something is off with Manik and Nandini. ''Acha mujhe tumse kuch kehna tha, holi is around the corner and apartment committee decided that they would do it at some other venue and not in apartment'' Inaya said. 

''Ok, at least cleaning ke liye hume kuch nahi karna padega na'' Manik sighed. ''It's not just it, President uncle said they would hire an event manager to organize this and I said Nandini is also an event manager and she would look after it'' Inaya said. ''No, Nandini was a wedding planner, usne kabhi aise events organize nahi kiya hoga, usse ek baar pooch tho leti'' Manik said. ''Wedding planner hua tho kya hua! she had an experience on how to manage or organize an event, committee had pre-decided vendors and venue, she just have to co-ordinate and moreover this will keep her busy and issi bahane wo Daksh se dhoor rahegi bhi'' Inaya said. The last thing Inaya said was about Daksh and Nandini ko usse dhoor rakhne ke liye Manik said yes. ''Perfect plan, I would call Nandini and inform then'' Inaya said but Manik said that he would break the news to her. Manik made sure Daksh is in office and Nandini didn't meet him that day.

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''Manik, what if I couldn't manage such an event, mujhe experience bhi nahi hai, team nahi hai'' Nandini said to Manik. ''Relax, committee members tumhe help karenge and you're not alone in this, we're all with you. Main hu, Inaya hai and committee mein bhi humari baat hui na, you can do this Nandini'' Manik encouraged her before she signed the contract. Manik was very sure that this would keep her busy so that she don't meet Daksh. But Daksh and Nandini were in touch through calls and messages and Manik couldn't stop it. Manik has put all his efforts in helping Nandini. Her confidence was boosted up as the event date approached but she was always nervous. She made sure nothing goes wrong from her side. Finally, her day was here to celebrate Holi.