A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 81- On and Off

After a long and tiring day at work, Manik had hit the couch after coming home. He closed his eyes in peace. Nandini, who observed him from the kitchen waited for a few minutes. It wasn't usual for her as Manik isn't the one who doesn't feel exhausted easily. ''Why is he feeling so tired these days?'' she thought but got immersed in her chores. Manik didn't move from there when she saw him again and she found it so unusual. She stepped towards him and put her hand on his forehead. He opened eyes and held her hand. ''Is everything okay?'' she asked concerned. Manik saw her decked up to go out. ''Going somewhere?'' he asked unintentionally but he knew where was she going. ''Ha, tonight will be the last, he is getting discharged tomorrow'' she said. She brought a coffee for him and left home to meet Daksh. Manik always hated when Nandini left him for Daksh but he couldn't express himself. 

''She isn't even caring for me anymore'' Manik thought. He freshened up and went on to have dinner when he heard the phone ring. He checked his phone but it wasn't ringing and then found out that Nandini's phone was ringing in the kitchen. It was Anitha who called Nandini. ''Hello aunty'' he said. ''Hi Manik'' she spoke on the phone. ''Nandini just went out and forgot her phone'' Manik said politely. ''Ok, I just called out of boredom, its not that important'' she said. ''Aap kabhi bhi Nandini ko call kar sakte hai aunty, mujhe explanation dene ki koi zarurat nahi'' Manik said. ''Thank you Manik, really thank you for everything'' she said. ''Itni si baat ke liye thank you kyu?'' Manik asked clueless. ''I got to know that you gave a doctor's contact to Mohan. I've been regularly visiting the doctor'' she said. ''Matlab aapko sab pata chal gaya!'' he asked. ''Yes, I really feel guilty to have not known this from Mohan or Nandini, when the doctor said everything, I was really....'' Anitha couldn't find words to speak. ''Aunty, it's ok, you're responding to the treatment and yahi badi baat hai'' Manik added. ''Manik, Nandini ko iske baare mein kuch pata nahi hai, usse kuch mat bolna'' Anitha requested. ''You can trust me on this! Nandini ko main kuch nahi bataunga'' Manik said.

''I feel really lucky to have such husband and daughter who really cared for me'' she said. ''What about me! Main bhi tho caring son-in-law hu na! Along with husband and daughter, you should have taken my name also!'' Manik asked her playfully. ''Ok, ok. Tum bhi'' she giggled. ''You know tum good son-in-law tab banoge when you take care of her like Mohan is taking care of me'' she said. ''Matlab aap logon ke expectations tho main kabhi bhi reach kar paunga ya nahi! Mohan uncle had really set the bar too high!!'' Manik joked. ''Will you be there for her always Manik! Just like Mohan was there for me!'' Anitha got carried away. ''Aunty, I promise I'll always be there for her, no matter what!'' Manik promised. ''Thanks to you that we can live in peace not worrying about Nandu! Kal hum na rahe tho bhi hume tum par trust hai ki tum ho uske liye'' Anitha said emotionally. ''Aap ye kaise baatein kar rahe hai! Abhi abhi tho humari shaadi hui, you'll have to feed me with all the delicacies you knew to cook. Din bhar yaha main aapki culinary skills ke baare mein sunta rehta hu'' Manik said trying to calm her.

''Now you know how new daughter-in-laws might be feeling if boys compare their new wife with their mom'' Anitha said. ''Don't worry aunty, I'll win over her with my food'' Manik said confidently. ''Ok just ask Nandu to call when she come back'' Anitha said and hung up on him. ''Nandini ab tak kyu nahi aayi hai?'' Manik decides to go and get Nandini himself. He drives to hospital and finds Nandini in the reception of the hospital. ''How irresponsible you are! Phone ghar pe bhul gayi aur ab tak wapas nahi aayi'' Manik asked angrily. ''Kyunki mujhe pata hai ki tum aaoge. I didn't had my phone to book a cab or to track the location'' Nandini said. ''You should be more careful Nandini, what if something goes wrong?'' Manik said and Nandini hugged him. ''Jab tak tum mere liye ho, tab tak kuch nahi hoga'' she said looking into his eyes, still hugging him. ''So, will you ever learn to take care of yourself or forever wait for me to come?'' Manik asked her. ''I'll wait for you Manik, forever and ever'' Nandini couldn't gather courage to say it to him. Manik held her hand and walked her towards the car.