Being the ever advanced and prepared person by personality and also; at the present moment; an ardent and eager Lover - Manik had already conversed about his wish to marry Nandini and to take her along - with Ms. Shrijha.
Ms. Shrijha.
The Matron of the orphanage and an extremely gentle dame who was a mother for Nandini and the only person to whom Manik Malhotra was indebted for the favor she had done on him by giving his Nandini shelter when she was left alone in the world.
A couple of months after their confession; when they had decided concretely on getting together for a lifetime by tying the sacred knot; Manik had personally flown down to Lucknow from Mumbai to meet only Ms. Shrijha and gain her required consent.
She had been emotional when Manik; the famous former Musician and leading business tycoon of the country; proposed to marry her sober daughter with a promise of providing her all the happiness of life and deserved luxuries. Those par for the course doubts of a mother who has raised a daughter had cropped in her heart too but the mere fact that he hadn't seen her or even ever heard her and still loved her - which was evident in his eloquent eyes - eliminated all the ifs and buts and she wholeheartedly; after having a word with Nandini; assented for the alliance and gave her choicest and much needed blessings.
She was well aware of their decision to stay apart for 8 months and also about Manik's arrival to meet his Love and was too much; like a typical mother; enthusiastic for their union.
. . . .
With a giddy excited mind, an erratically thudding heart that was swelling to infinity with joy and a mild smile on his lips; he stepped out of the car and walked to the door of the old bungalow where Ms. Srijha stood along with some other people of orphanage to receive him and politely greeted her. After a brief ritualistic welcome; they led him to a small but neat hall and offered a seat on a sofa.
He had shown up a little too early; deliberately; of course; because of the zing to see his Lady Love - who he was sure wasn't even aware of his advent as he had strictly appealed the matron to keep the timings hidden from her.
'Nan .. '
Just when he was about to openly put up the question that had been on the tip of tongue since he had entered; after a half an hour long head - to - head with Ms. Srijha who was speaking about anything and everything but Nandini; when a euphonious sound of someone's Payal fell in his ears and automatically caught his attention.
Surprisingly, out of nowhere; a thought that it could possibly be her cropped up in his mind - his cognizance to the fact that she loved wearing anklets acting as a favorable factor - and this only possibility made him hysterical and delirious.
Understanding his unspoken eagerness that his impatient squinting eyes exhibited; Ms. Srijha smiled and said Aap toh jaantey hongey ke Nandini ko raqs; mera matlab; dance karna bohot pasand hai. Yeh waqt uske practice ka hai. Ussey maloom nahi hai na ke aap aa gaye hain - isliye shayad. Aap chahey toh ussey jaker abhi milsakte hain. Woh peeche baramdey mein milegi aapko.
Controlling his emotions - that were pushing him to cut a mad rag right then and there as he had an image to be maintained before the Old lady - he gave her a smile and hoofed it to the Veranda for the first meet with Love; With her.
. . . . .
His breaths that were radged and heavy till seconds back; now hitched and got stuck in his throttle as his eyes caught the first sight of a svelte and gracile figure; of hers; swaying alone in her own music and in sync with the gentle flowing zephyr that also played with her long open luxuriant hair - making them kiss and tease and hide her face behind them.
