A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 114- Hustle and bustle

Manik's POV:

"They knew you loved me Manik, even before we realized, even before we said with each other" Nandini's teary eyes sparkled. I know how emotional of this moment is this for her. We want back to keep the pen drive in place. I pushed open the door gently, moonlight illuminating the space and suddenly it felt so lively like having Nandini's parents there and I was surprised that I've never paid attention to the magnificent carved wooden bed. "Wow," I breathed, stepping closer to examine the intricate carvings. "This is incredible. Is this teak?" I asked her. "Rosewood," she said, running her fingers along the smooth posts. "It's called a pandiri mancham—it was the first thing Amma and Nanna bought after their marriage it seems" she said excited. I traced the delicate floral patterns carved into the headboard with obvious appreciation. "It's beautiful. The craftsmanship is extraordinary". "The tradition is that it's gifted to newlyweds," she continued, "but as there was no one to gift them, Nanna bought it for mom" she said. 

"It's meant to bless the couple with prosperity, happiness, and..." she trailed off, blushing as I realized where that sentence was heading. Manik's eyes lit up with understanding and unmistakable mischief. "And fertility?" I supplied helpfully, as her cheeks grew pinker. "Manik!" she playfully hit my shoulder. "What? It's a beautiful tradition!" I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "So this bed is supposed to be blessing couples with babies". "You're being ridiculous," she protested, but couldn't stop smiling. "I'm being romantic," I've corrected, reaching for her hands. "And maybe a little hopeful. Because someday, Nandini, when we're ready, when the time is right..." I glanced meaningfully at the carved bed, then back at her. "I'd be honored to continue that tradition with you. On that very bed" she blushed again. "You want to make babies with me on my parents' bed" she whispered, half-scandalized, half-delighted. "I want to make everything with you," I said softly, pulling her closer. "Babies, memories, a lifetime of New Year's cakes and family traditions" I've said and she pulled apart. 

"Oh that reminds me that you said you've been craving for a homemade cake" she said, "let's make it now" she announced. "But I thought you're too tired to bake one" I said. We moved to the kitchen and Nandini arranged for all the necessary ingredients. We worked together in comfortable synchronicity, measuring flour and cracking eggs while the radio played soft jazz in the background. Nandini proved to be surprisingly competent in the kitchen, following my instructions with careful attention and only making one major mess when she got too enthusiastic with the mixer. And then she got her childhood pictures to check and she was really too cute to handle. As we pulled the golden cake from the oven, perfect and fragrant, I couldn't help but think that this was exactly how love should be—patient enough to wait for the right moment, sweet enough to savor, and strong enough to carry the weight of all our hopes for the future. "Happy New Year" we wished each other as we cut the cake and savored it. And when we finally looked at the clock in the living room, it was already 4:30 am in the morning. "I think you should go to sleep" I suggested and she asked me to go home before anyone notice that I was missing from home. 

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My family decided to visit the resort as it is New Year and except for Aryaman and Tara no one has visited it. "It's bigger than I imagined," mom said from the middle seat, craning her neck to take in the sprawling gardens and the main building that rose elegantly from the landscaped grounds. "The pictures don't do it justice," Mukti added, her artist's eye already cataloging details. "Manik, the architecture is stunning". "But the interior design was a collaboration between Cabir, myself, and..." I paused, glancing toward the figure I could see moving between the outdoor event spaces, "and Nandini". We parked near the main entrance, and I watched as my family emerged from the car, taking in their surroundings with expressions ranging from dad being impressed and mom is cautiously interested and Mukti and Abhimanyu looked openly delighted. "Welcome to Country Vibe," I said, spreading my arms to encompass the entire resort. "Your New Year's venue for today".