A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 91- Holding on

Manik broke the kiss as he opened his eyes. He held her shoulder and said that he will come back freshened up. Nandini had set the dinner table as Manik came back. "I've made your favorite dessert tonight" she said. "Nandini, we need to talk" Manik said in a serious tone. "Ha bolo" she said serving him. "Sach bataogi?" he asked turning her attention onto him. "Of course, I know you'll tell me truth" Manik made her sit in the chair, and he sat on the floor in front of him. "What happened Manik, aaj kuch ajeeb behave kar rahe ho" she said. "Did you meet Daksh today?'' he asked. "Ha, tumhe kaise pata" she asked surprising. "Agar aaj usse hi milna hai tho ye kiss kyu?" Nandini didn't process his question. "Matlab?" she asked. Manik tried to ask a clearer question.

"Why did you kiss me when you like Daksh?" he asked. His question triggered her, and she stood up. "Maine kab kaha ki mujhe Daksh pasand hai?'' Nandini said. "I saw Nandini, I saw everything in the café today" Manik asked her. "So?" she asked. "How can you just say that you know what this is called, hmm! This is called two-timing" he said. "Manik, two-timing and me?" she asked him furious. "Chod do, I can't help if you are skipping to answer anything" he said and unlocked his room. The room was fully decorated with red heart-shaped balloons. Teary-eyed Nandini came back to him. "I Love You Manik" she said hoping he will understand her. "It shows that you don't know what's love" Manik said. "Why don't you get it when I said I love you" she asked. "Because this isn't love Nandini but I'm sorry this is called lust" he said.

"Stop it! How can you say that Manik" she asked as her tears rolled down. "Truth is always hard Nandini, I can understand your state of mind. Maybe you're feeling trapped between me and Daksh and" Manik said but Nandini showed her hand to stop him from speaking further. "Don't speak anything, I'm really shocked to know that you think I can't even decide whom I love" Nandini said in between her sobs. She moved towards his room and he stopped her. "Hum ek hi room mein so nahi sakte, so please" he said. "Aur mujhe sona bhi nahi hai, I'm going to get my things" she said pushing him aside. 

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Next morning, Manik knocked on Nandini's door. He kept knocking it until she opened it. "What were you doing inside, main kab se door knock kar raha hu" Manik said and her eyes were swollen. "I was in washroom'' she said. He gave her coffee and asked to sit. "Have you slept last night, aisa lag nahi raha hai mujhe" Manik asked. Nandini didn't answer him. He kept his hand on her hand. "Last night project submission hua hai and it was a grand success. Aaj milega mujhe most awaited promotion. Wish me luck" he asked extending his hand. She took it and said, "I know you've worked hard for it". "Breakfast!" he asked her to eat. "I'll eat in some time" she said. "I'll take a leave tomorrow, hum Daksh ke ghar jaake baat karenge" he said with a pause. "I'll tell him what happened between us and get divorce. You can marry him then. I'll talk to your parents too" Manik said and Nandini stood up in shock. "Have you gone mad! Ye kya baat kar rahe ho tum?" she asked. "Nandini, please think over it. Be ready by evening" he said trying to convince her but she went inside her room. He tried to convince her but she never came out. 

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"I've decided" Manik said. "What?" Inaya asked as they were leaving to office. "Aaj ke promotion ke announcement ke baad, I'll tell everything to Daksh" he said. "What if Daksh gets promotion instead of you?" Inaya asked looking at him. "Let's not fight over it, jo deserve karta hai ussi ko milega ye promotion" Manik said firmly. "I love you Manik" Nandini's words were still running in his mind. "Wo kya sach mein mujhse pyaar karti hai?" he thought. "But why would she hug him if she loved me? She kissed me but loves him? Nandini ke mann mein kya hai?" Manik's thoughts made him restless and Inaya screamed, "Manik, car!". Manik was quick to react and turned the car's steering around and narrowly escaped a minor accident. ''Dhyaan kaha hai tumhara?" Inaya asked panting. "Sorry" Manik asked her to drive to be on safer side.