A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 120- The Engagement

Nandini's POV:

"You have no idea of how scared I was!" he said and took out a dress for me to wear. "Go hurry up, everyone is waiting for us at the resort" he said and I went to restroom for a shower. Why didn't she tell anyone about what happened between us yesterday. If she hasn't cancelled, that doesn't mean this is her acceptance. Her silence is worse than anger. Anger I could understand. Anger I could prepare for. But this... this void of communication feels like being held underwater, waiting to see if I'll be allowed to surface or if I'll finally be released to drown. "Chalo, chalo" Manik helped me wear bangles and put on my ear rings. I can see he is in haste. I quickly done my hair and went out with Manik. Aryaman sat in the front while Manik and me were sitting in the back seat. What must she be planning? I have a gut feeling that something is worse is going to happen. My intuitions are never wrong with maa. "I used to take you guys like this, even before!" Aryaman reminded me of the days when we're together, like a family. "I wish those days are back, I wouldn't act stupid but confess my love to you" Manik held my hand and kissed it. I watched him in silence. I wish I could tell you what's going on in my mind. 

"Manik, I'm still in the car!" he narrowed his brows and I could see him through the rear view mirror. He smiled at me. "Bhabhi, are you fine? AC isn't working?" he asked as I was sweating in an AC car. "Nothing" I managed to smile. "Nandini? Why aren't you speaking anything?" This was the 16th time Manik has been asking me the same question since this morning. "Bhabhi, aunty uncle might not be physically present, but their blessings will all be with you and Manik" Aryaman's assurance almost moved something in me. I couldn't help but break into tears. "Nandini, tum ro kyu rahi ho?" Manik said and Aryaman stopped the car taking it off road. My hands were shaking as I held Manik's hand. "Manik, hum phirse alag tho nahi ho jayenge na?" I stammered as I couldn't form a sentence while speaking. Aryaman and Manik looked at each other. "No, never!" Manik immediately hugged me. "Bhabhi, mom ko hum samjhayenge! She won't listen but we'll try. Me, Mukti, Tara, Manik and Abhimanyu, we would convince her. Aise bolenge ki aapka miscarriage ho gaya! But please aap dono kuch ulta seedha mat kijiye, shaadi tak" he said. 

He didn't wait for us but drove till the resort. "Tara and Mukti are waiting for you, mom bhi! You should go!" he said as they dropped me. I was searching for maa like a maniac. Tara and Mukti wondered why I ignored them. I was then collided into Navya. Oh my god! how could I forget my best friend's wedding. I had tears looking at Navya as she decked up as a bride. She immediately hugged me. "Today is my wedding and your engagement, how lucky that we don't miss each other" she said smiling. Her smile brighter than any other star. "I'm so happy for your wedding Navya" I said as I hugged her. Par pata nahi meri engagement hogi ki nahi. "Nandini, you look beautiful," Navya said, turning to me with a smile that's so genuinely happy it almost hurts to look at. "Are you ready for your turn in the spotlight?" I managed a smile. "Your turn first. Let's make sure you get your fairy tale". "Our turn," Navya corrects, taking my hand. "You and Manik. Today. It's going to be magical, I can feel it". 

I squeeze her hand, not trusting myself to speak. Because while Navya is glowing with the simple certainty that love conquers all, I'm suffocating under the weight of everything that could still go wrong. Navya doesn't know about the fake pregnancy. She doesn't know about the lies, the manipulation, the way I manipulated Nyonika into acceptance. She just sees a beautiful love story, Manik and I finding our way back to each other, the universe bringing us together at exactly the right moment. If only it were that simple. As Navya's bridesmaid, I'm positioned beside her as we prepare to walk down the resort's garden aisle. The space has been transformed, flowers everywhere, chairs filled with smiling guests. In one hour, I'll be celebrating the same kind of union with Manik, just a few yards, away from Navya's happy nest. 

I adjusted her dupatta one final time. My hands are steady even though my heart is racing. I've gotten very good at appearing calm when internally I'm falling apart. "Here we go," Navya whispers, squeezing my hand one more time before I step away. As the music starts and Navya begins her walk, I follow a few steps behind, my own lehenga, a soft rose pink that Nyonika maa carefully chose for me so that it doesn't feel heavy for a pregnant lady. The guests turn to look, and I scan the crowd with my heart in my throat. Looking for her. Always looking for her. Waiting for the moment when Nyonika maa stands up and announces that she's changed her mind. That she can't go through with this. That she's realized the acceptance is a mistake. And there she is. In the third row, wearing a beautiful Royal blue saree, sitting next to papa. She catches my eye and nods. A small, almost imperceptible gesture of acknowledgment. Not a smile. Not warmth, exactly. But presence. Commitment. A promise that she's still showing up. The relief I feel is so intense it almost makes me stumble.