A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 123- Cleared Fog

Nyonika's POV:

"But Manik! All of this is just a sham when she will know that we lied to her" Nandini said with concern written all over her face. The way Nandini's shoulders, tense and defensive for days, finally relaxed. The way Manik leans toward her, his entire posture radiating promise and commitment. The way their fingers intertwine, a gesture so natural. And then Manik lifts her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles, and even from this distance, I can see the love in that gesture. The absolute certainty. "Hum dono milke mom ko sab kuch batayenge" he said as smiled crawled on their lips. I've spent so much time fighting against this relationship. So much energy trying to protect Manik from what I assumed would be heartbreak. So much focus on Nandini's perceived inadequacies, her complications, her inability to fit the mold I'd created for my son's perfect wife.

But watching them now, in this unguarded moment when they don't know I'm watching, I finally see what I've been refusing to acknowledge: Manik is happy with her. Not despite who she is, but because of it. She challenges him, grounds him, makes him better. And he does the same for her. They're not perfect. Their relationship isn't easy. But it's real. And maybe that's more valuable than any carefully constructed ideal I'd imagined for him. I think about our afternoon making avakaya, about Nandini's hands working beside mine, both of us stained with spices and memory. About the way she listened to my stories about my mother-in-law, really listened, without judgment or competition. About how she'd remembered something small I'd mentioned once and turned it into a bridge between us. Maybe I've been wrong about her. Not partially wrong, but fundamentally wrong. Nandini is a stubborn girl once I've liked. But she was the reason Manik went away from me. So finally Nandini is going to win tomorrow and for the first time her win feels personal and when Nandini is winning over Manik doesn't mean I'm losing my son. 

Tomorrow, when he comes to tell me the truth about the pregnancy lie and I know he will, I can see the determination in his posture. I'm going to listen. I'm going to be angry, yes, because the deception hurt. But then I'm going to choose forgiveness. I'm going to choose my son's happiness over my pride. I'm going to break the cycle that my mother-in-law warned me about. Manik and Nandini vanished from home and he appeared again late after dinner. "Manik" I called when I caught him entering home. "Maa, you haven't slept till now?" he asked sitting beside me. "I was waiting for you" I said turning my attention towards him. "I went to drop Nandini home" he said. "Tu bahut bada ho gaya" I caressed his cheek and he is no longer just my son but I'm willing to make him Nandini's husband too. "I know how a husband feels when his wife is pregnant, you gotta be with Nandini all the time. Bas kuch dino mein tum dono ki shaadi honewali hai" I noticed a sudden shift in his expression. Guilt, regret was allover on his face. "Maa, wo..." Manik tried to speak something but I can't be so cruel to him to let him answer everything now. "Acha hum ye sab baatein kal karenge. Its already late, you should go and rest" I said and he quickly escaped.

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The next morning not only brought new sunlight, but a change of heart. An acceptance towards a change. I'm in the sitting room with my morning chai when Aryaman appears in the doorway. Something in his expression immediately sets off alarm bells. He looked pale, anxious, and he's avoiding my eyes. Is it something about Tara or Aarav! My instincts kicked in instantly. "Mom," he says, coming to sit beside me. "I need to talk to you about something" he is scaring me now. "Tara aur Aarav theek hai na?" I was anxious for a minute. "They're fine mom, she is goingto Tirupati with her family. They will be back in a week" he said. "This is about Nandini" he said firmly. What about Nandini? Isn't Manik going to talk to me. My stomach dropped, but I keep my face neutral. "What about her?" I asked. "The pregnancy," he said, and his voice is too careful, too rehearsed. "There's something you need to know". I thought even Aryaman is going to confess but he does something unthinkable.