A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 82- The Road Trip

''Mukti, I'm sorry that she went out'' Manik said to his sister. ''Isme aisi kya badi baat hai, you don't worry! She said that she will try to come back soon. Kaunsa friend hai ye, aur ye accident kaise hua?'' Mukti asked. ''Koi hai Holi ke event pe building se gir gaya tha'' Manik said. ''Seems like Nandini baahar jaane se mujhse zyada tumhe problem hai'' Mukti said trying to decide her brother. ''Mujhe kya problem hoga! I thought you'll be all alone. Main bhi office ke liye nikal raha hu'' Manik said. ''Ok, no problem'' Mukti said sipping her coffee. Manik knew that he is going to office but his mind will be full of questions about Nandini and Daksh. The more he tried to keep both of them apart, the more he failed. Work kept piling up at office due to Daksh's absence. Amidst the tensions at office, Manik's mind is constantly thinking about Nandini. He dialed Nandini's number but controlled his enthusiasm and instead called Mukti. ''Did Nandini come back?'' he asked and Mukti said no. 

''How's Mukti?'' Inaya asked. ''Hmm akeli hai ghar pe, Nandini Daksh ko discharge karwane gayi aur ab tak ghar nahi gayi'' Manik said. ''Oh God, why are you even trying to keep Nandini away from him? Both of them would never come to know their relation with you. So chill!'' Inaya said. ''I can't be at peace when it comes to Daksh'' Manik said. He didn't try to call or message either Mukti or Nandini. Manik was fully exhausted by the time he returned home. Abhimanyu opened the door for Manik. They exchanged smiles and Manik felt relieved when Nandini and Mukti were seen chilling in the balcony. ''When did you come back from your conference?'' Manik asked. ''Just an hour ago, and why are you late?'' Abhimanyu asked. ''Tumhe kaise pata hai ki main late aaya hu'' Manik asked. ''Nandini said that you're late. You usually come early right'' Abhimanyu said hesitating. Manik suddenly hugged Abhimanyu and said, ''thank you''. Abhimanyu is confused and overwhelmed. ''It's okay if you don't want to hug me back but thank you. If Mukti is so happy today it's only because of you. I accept it now that I wouldn't find someone for Mukti who loves her as much as you'' Manik said. 

''Manik, what is this!'' Abhimanyu asked, ''I never had any complaint on you. If I had a sister, maybe I would behave like you. You have set a standard so high that I found it so difficult to impress you, and I can't believe you said it finally'' Abhimanyu said hugging Manik. ''Ye hum kya dekh rahe hai, Manik and Abhimanyu!'' Mukti was in all smiles when she witnessed their hug. ''Kuch nahi tha, I knew the bond between Abhi and Aryaman, mujhe bhi isse hug karne ka haq hai, mere bhi jiju hai na'' Manik said. ''Main freshen up hoke aaunga. Nandini can you just come inside!'' Manik asked Nandini. ''Hmm aate hi biwi ko room mein bulaana, hume pata nahi ki Manik itna romantic niklega'' Abhimanyu said. ''Abhi! that hug we shared doesn't mean you can blurt out anything about me'' Manik said and Abhimanyu cursed Manik for his attitude towards him. Manik and Nandini went to their room and Nandini said, ''really Abhimanyu aur tumhe hug karthe hue dekhi tho, Mukti bahut khush ho gayi'' Nandini said smiling. 

''When did you come home from hospital'' Manik asked straight. ''3 o clock, but why are you asking me now?'' Nandini's smile vanished from her face. ''I told you to come back soon as Mukti is alone at home'' Manik raised his voice. ''Don't raise your voice Manik, Mukti-Abhi can hear us'' Nandini said in a low voice. ''I know but why are you being so irresponsible. Last night you've forgot your phone and now you didn't even think about Mukti who was all alone'' Manik said. ''It's not like I intentionally left phone at home, I just forgot to take it with me. And what is this Mukti is alone. I'll be home alone when you go to office, Mukti is alone in Hyderabad also. What's the big deal?'' Nandini didn't understand why Manik is making an issue out of nothing. ''There's a difference in being alone at your home and being alone when you're a guest. What if you're left alone at Mukti's place, will you feel like staying there?'' Manik asked. ''I even spoke to Mukti, she had no problem. Problem sirf tumhara hai. At this point, I highly doubt what's your problem even! Mukti akeli ghar par thi ye tumhara problem hai ya main Daksh se milne gayi ye hai?'' Nandini asked.