A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 90- Uninvited Troubles

As Manik and Nandini started off from Hyderabad, it was late in the afternoon as he wanted to reach there by late in the night at least. "Nandini! Is something wrong?'' Manik asked looking at her. "Kuch nahi" she said absent minded. Manik stopped the car and asked her to get down. "Kyu?" she asked. "Because I deserve a coffee" he said. "Ab bolo kuch tho baat hai" Manik insisted her. She nodded negatively but Manik sensed something is off with her. He leaned in towards her and was about to kiss her. She pulled herself back. "Manik, we're in a public place" Nandini said. As soon as they got into the car, Manik pulled her for a kiss. "Manik, this is still aashadam" Nandini said after her inner turmoil. "Tho kya ye hai tumhare dull face ke peeche ka raaz" Manik asked. He remember how Anitha insisted Manik to leave Nandini with them when they came last time to visit Mohan.

"What's your obsession with this month? You and your mom" Manik said. "Mom believes that newly weds shouldn't be together in this month. She said it's not good for their married life" Nandini said. "Do you really believe this bull shit Nandini?" Manik asked. "Don't call it that. My mom believes it and don't say that again" Nandini said. "What happened when I kissed you in the morning? Did you forget this is that month" Manik asked. "Leave about it, tell me something about Aryaman's girlfriend. Do you know her?'' Nandini asked. "Ha, maine dekha hai usse, baat bhi kiya" Manik said. "What's her name?" she asked excited. "That's for you to know when Aryaman gets her home" Manik said. "Tum bata sakte ho na, please. I really want to see how Aryaman's choice is! I knew he had a girl in his life, he is always busy with her" Nandini said. 

Late in the night, Manik suddenly woke her up. She woke up and looked around. "Ghar aa gaye hai. Come out" Manik said. "I wish you just carry me to home" she said in her sleepy tone. "Ayyo Nandini, this is aashadam!" he said winking at her. She nudged at him playfully and walked beside him. As soon as they opened the door, she walked to her room. Manik thought she would come to his room after their growing closeness but he thought maybe nothing is changed even now. He went inside the room and it was almost past midnight after 2 am. He couldn't sleep and scrolled through his phone when he heard a knock in his door. "Manik, my room's AC isn't working, can I sleep here?" she asked. "It's raining outside, why do you even need AC! Go and sleep" he said and closed the door. He sat on bed and thought for a second. He can't believe how dumb he might have sounded to Nandini. He quickly opened the door to find her walking in the balcony. She rolled her eyes to ask him why he came out. 

"I came for water" he said and walked towards her. "I forgot to tell you, AC in that room is permanently out of order, why don't you shift to my room" Manik said. Nandini couldn't hold back her smile and hugged him. They went in their room and Nandini slept beside him. They looked at each other. "Baahar baarish ho raha hai" he said. "I know" she said. He engulfed her in a hug and pulled her near. His breath tickled her neck. He tucked her curl behind her ear and kissed on it. She slowly started to loose her grip and melted in his arms. They kissed like there is no tomorrow. He took off his T-shirt and became half naked on the upper body. What started as a light drizzle turned to a heavy downpour and their slow burned romance turned to hot ignited desire. With each kiss, the distance grew closer. He tried to unbutton her night suit and she held his hand breaking their eye-lock. A sense of disappointment washed over their faces and Manik turned away from her in the next moment.

"Why did I do that?" Nandini had a quick regret. He wore his T shirt again. "I'm sorry" Nandini murmured. "Don't say sorry, it's not your mistake. I know this is your first time and it's okay, if you're not ready" Nandini didn't expect him to understand her. She got relieved. "I don't believe in these superstitious things but I believe you" he said kissing on her forehead. "Shall we sleep?" he asked. She nodded and they slept hugging each other. Sukoon was the only thing she experienced in his arms.