Part 4

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A few weeks passed, Manvi and Virat, rather than coming close to each other, were drifting apart. The new relationship has been very confusing for both of them. Even though they stayed in the same room, they missed each other. However, Virat got very busy with his residency. His attending doctors told him that he needed to put in a lot more work if he wanted to pursue his MD in neurology abroad. That was his dream, to become a brain surgeon. He basically lived in the hospital since then. Manvi missed him a lot. She also decided to focus on her work. This made Virat very happy.

It was morning time and as usual Virat was leaving early. As he was leaving, he was surprised to see most of the family in the living room in a serious discussion.

"Howdy people!! what's happening?" he asked casually walking upto them.

Everyone looked at him seriously.

"Koyi mar gaya kya? Aap log mujhe aaise kyu dekh rahe hai?" he looked at his brother.

"We were discussing about you and Manvi" Buaji replied looking at Manvi who just joined them.
Virat knew where this was heading. Over the past few days, the people in the house were not happy about their long hours outside, mainly Manvi's. Virat would always get serious when they tried to say something about it, either to him or Manvi.

It was exam time and Manvi had forgotten about Matha ki chowki yesterday evening. She came home late and a bunch of her friends, including a couple of guys accompanied her for a combined study session at their home.The family members felt embarrassed about how it must have looked in front of the guests and were very upset about it. Virat didn't find anything wrong with it; he happily helped her and her friends when they were stuck with something while studying. Buaji tried to have a serious talk with Virat and Manvi but Virat would'nt listen to anything. He scolded Manvi for apologizing to buaji.
These kind of situations were becoming the norm in the Vadera house. It seemed like buaji was bothered by everything Manvi did and all the more displeased that Virat defended her every single time.

"Why can't you people just back off and let us be?" Virat was getting really annoyed with this melodrama. These people had a new complaint everyday and it was getting on his nerves.
He looked towards his mom and brother but they remained silent.

"This is no way to talk to elders Virat!! You have been nothing but dismissive and arrogant about all of our opinions. It is high time you sit back and introspect yourself. We have been really disappointed in you." Dadaji shouted at Virat.

"Living in this house comes with a responsibility; there are rules that have to be followed. The opinion of the elders must be given due importance. When the rest of the people in the house can follow the rules why can't you both? We cannot allow you both to disrespect us in our own house." added buaji.
Manvi got really worried, she knew Virat had been crossing a lot of lines recently. "I am sorry about what happened yesterday buaji, it honestly slipped my mind..."she tried to pacify the situation.

"Do not apologize for that again Manvi" Virat cut her off.

He didn't sound angry or annoyed, infact he was extremely calm. "Everybody, I am sorry if we are causing you so many problems. But nothing is going to change. I am only going to get busier and so is Manvi. If you haven't noticed, she is studying to be a doctor. It is not a nine to five job. It requires a solid commitment. But, that is what she wants, and if our goals are not in alignment with the ideals of this house, maybe we should stay apart for some time; atleast until we are settled in our careers." He was explaining his point of view rationally.

Manvi looked at him pleading him to stop.
The fact was that Manvi did not even remember seeing her dad; he had died of cancer at a very early age. So when Manvi had to choose a career path, she did not have to think about it. She had wanted to become a doctor, a cancer specialist. Only Virat and Jeevika knew how smart she was and they both always encouraged her to go after her dreams. But Manvi, having been brought up in a small town, never went against her family. Beeji never stopped her when she was alive.  But now, she was the bahu of Vadhera khandan; if there were certain expectations of her, she did not mind fulfilling them. She would do anything she was asked to by the elders, even if that meant giving up her goals. Virat hated that about her. He didn't want anything in Manvi's way and he hated the conservative and old-fashioned outlook his family had. He wanted to put an end to it once and for all.

All the members stood dumbfounded at what he said. Dadaji, dadiji and  buaji were extremely hurt. His mom and brother tried to convince him out of it but Virat had decided. There are bigger things in life and he didn't want to have this daily dose of drama and complaints; it has become very disturbing. And most importantly Manvi would never be able to peacefully focus, they wouldn't allow her to.

"Mom, it is for the best. I need some time away to focus on my career, so does Manvi. Please don't stop us." he said to his mom.

Manvi stood there numb, she just got the shock of her life. Virat dragged her inside. She just sat there, hands on her head. What is she supposed to do now? He wanted to leave his family for her?

"Manvi, pack up your stuff, you heard everything." He said, getting his stuff together.

"I am not coming; you can go anywhere you want." She said firmly.

He looked at her, she was looking so clueless. He kneeled in front of her "Manvi, you have to trust me on this one."

"But Virat, my di is here, everyone is here. This is your family, our family. We can't just leave because you don't like what they say. I will be the new wife who broke the family. Why are you doing this to me?"

"Manvi, we need this, we need time away from all this. We need to figure out ourselves, our goals and career. We are so young, you are so young, I can't let you get lost in these stupid rules and regulations. I promised beeji that I will take care of you. And this is not just for you. This is for me too. This is for us. We will come back soon. Trust me, I know what I am doing." He was holding both her hands tightly, comforting her. She looked into his eyes. All they were reflecting was care and concern. He was leading her. Should she allow him to?

"No Virat. This is not done." she pulled away and started crying helplessly. She didn't know what to do. She knew he had decided and will not listen to anyone. As if things weren't bad enough; he had to blow up the already confusing situation into chaos.

"No Manvi, I am not listening to another word. Pack your stuff, we are leaving." He got up and ordered her.

They left the Vadhera house that day.

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