A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 115- I'm All Yours

Manik's POV:

Even before the sunrise I heard my phone ringing and with sleepy eyes, my lips curved into a smile seeing her name on my phone screen. "Hello" I said my voice still sleepy. "Are you still sleeping?" she asked the same thing but before I could answer, her voice came from the other side like an order, "go get ready and come down soon, I'm already here" she said. I got up from the bed and looked through the window to get a glance of her but she seemed impossible. "Don't peep through the window, you can't see me. Go get ready and wear the kurta I've sent you yesterday" she said. "Ok ma'am, as you say" I said and she hung up the call. It was a simple deep maroon raw-silk kurta with handpainted Tanjavur motifs along the borders with gold embroidery. It was so simple yet elegant. I got ready in 20 minutes and I saw her outside the door, struggling with the mango torans.

She wore the yellow kanchipattu saree as I told her last night. Early sunrays fell on her making her look elegant than she already is. She complimented the saree with the same yellow blouse that she looked like a ripe mango in summers. She ditched mogra or jasmine and adorned Tangedu flowers available locally in Hyderabad and the bright yellow flowers complimented her look. She wore Kaasu maala which ran just below her chest and paired it with temple jewelery bangles and ear rings. "Will you just stare at me or would help me too?" she snapped at me while I was lost in her. She struggled as her hands didn't reach the thorans but it was easy for me to tie them. "You seem ethereally beautiful" the words escaped my mouth unintended. "Ye tho tumhara roz ka aadat ban gaya" she said smiling. "What to do if you really look beautiful every other day" I said. Our flirtareous moments were short lived as my mom invaded our privacy.  

"I'm glad you're on time" mom said. "Tum kyu itni jaldi ready ho gaye?" mom asked seeing me ready by 6 am for the function which would start after 8 and I then found all my family members are still in their night wear. "Kuch nahi mom, I'm going out on some work" I said. "Aaj tum kahi nahi jaoge" she said. "But catering tho Manik ki responsibility hai" Nandini intervened. "I've asked you to do the work and you're saying to my son" mom asked Nandini. "Main aapke bete ko nahi mere partner se help le rahi hu, outsider nahi and mera partner bhi hai" she said. "Partner?" mom asked with a confused expression. "Business partner" Nandini clarified. "Ma'am," the flower vendor interrupted Nandini, "the jasmine strings are shorter than ordered. The garland for Tara won't reach". This guy exactly gave mom what she wanted, an excuse to get back at Nandini. "A shorter garland would be noticed by everyone. Use the backup strings from the doorway torans, combine them. No one will know the difference" Nandini said confidently in front of mom.

"Phir door pe thorans?" mom asked anxiously. "Door pe jasmine flowers lage ya nahi ye koi nahi dekhega but Tara ke garland ko sab notice karenge. Jugaad is the need of the hour now" Nandini explained. "Manik please make sure catering mein kuch gadbad na ho" Nandini turned towards me. I nodded positively as I made my exit from there.

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Nandini's POV:

I guess there are too many problems to be solved today and Manik's mom won't leave me today if she find any more mistakes. I checked the seating arrangement one more time. The first guests began arriving at 8:30—A procession of elderly aunties, their silk sarees rustling like autumn leaves, their eyes bright with anticipation and the particular joy that comes with celebrating new life. And that's when Tara came down. I glanced at Tara, radiant in her red silk saree, already seated on the ceremonial bed while women began arranging themselves for the blessing ceremony. Manik alerted me as I looked at Tara. "What happened?" he asked. "Tara is really beautiful na, Nazar tho utarna hi hai" I said, "why are you back so soon?" I asked him if everything is fine. "Catering is sorted. Men are having breakfast in the backyard" he said. I nodded and he looked at me as if waiting for something.