The Impulsive Soul-Mates

Chapter 28 - Present Beckons

I pulled out a stack of tissues from the dash board to clean my face. Manik had got 2 kulfi's and 2 strawberry flavored ice creams for me. He remembered that I liked strawberries. I had rolled my eyes at first and then grabbed them and happily finished all of them one by one. Half of it melted and reached through my elbows to spoil my dress. I was busy cleaning them while Manik looked at me like I was the cutest teddy bear. He took a tissue and cleaned my cheek that I had missed.

"I will do it myself", I took the tissue from his hand breaking our gaze at each other and finished cleaning.

We had not reached home yet and Manik suddenly stopped the car midway.

"What happened?? Why did you stop here??"

"You will go back like this???", he said looking at me carefully.

"Sorry??", I couldnt get him

"What did you say to your mother while you were coming out??", He gave me a look to remind me of my own excuse. He always had his eyes on me. I didn't know how I would manage to hide the truth from him for long.

"Go now..there is a parlor over there..get done with whatever you have to do, I will wait here."

I got down from the car and bent down to see him, "You go I will come by myself"

"I am waiting here..finish your job and come I will take you home", his tone clearly said he was not requesting.

I knew it was pointless arguing with him. I went inside and opted for a quick facial. Well the attendants suggested me other stuffs but honestly I didn't have the patience to sit through them besides Manik was waiting outside. I finished it fast and came to Manik. He had slept off in the car. I called softly to wake him up and we went back home.

"Listen you come after some time..no one should see us together.."

Manik rolled in eyes in annoyance at my insistence but thankfully he didn't argue. It was strange but off late we were listening to each other quite a lot. When I entered I saw Mom pacing to and fro and as she saw me, she charged towards me directly.

"Where were you for so long??"

"Mom I told you I was going to the parlor."

"But Varsha told that you were not together"

"Did you call her to cross check if I was lying to you??"

Mom didn't respond but just looked at me. The very moment Manik entered calmly. He glanced at me thoroughly to learn if everything was okay. I didn't react to his stealthy gestures because Mom was closely observing us.

"She had some work so she didn't turn up and I had to go alone..if you want you can again call her and confirm if I am saying the truth or not."

"Amm.. sorry to disturb you both but can I have something to eat..actually people I hang around with don't even bother to offer me ice creams so...", he said raising his eye brow to me.

I ignored him and spoke to Mom.

"Mom I have called Varsha to come and stay with me till the wedding..I hope you don't mind."

"Its okay..the wedding cards have come..you can invite your other friends too..just make sure there are not too many of them..it is going to be a quite affair, there will be only a few more people except family", she glared at Manik as she said that.

I saw Manik's expression change from relaxed to a bit tense at the mention of cards and invitations. He registered that the wedding was actually happening and the preparations were in full swing. Mom left to get something for the glutton.