MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

33. A bittersweet experience!

~ Let me take your hand, because nothing in this world is harder than handling your demons alone~

The whole clan was happy with the upcoming marriage and the most excited person of all was the bride herself. Always having been the drama queen, the black and white Madhubala, Navya had always wished for a dreamy filmy marriage with lots and lots of cheesy elements. A true, big fat Indian wedding, in every damn sense.

From the heavy traditional lehengas of various colours as per the rituals to be followed to the extensive jewellery, from booking flower ornaments for her Haldi to flowery decorations for her engagement - western style! She had dreamt of every minute thing so extravagantly that even Nandini and Kabir were surprised. Her excitement was contagious, she had knitted so many dreams around her marriage. Also,  Nandini had promised her to do the best they could do for her and she was adamant on fulfilling her promise. She wanted it to be the best few days in the life of her best friend Kabir and his would be, because Kabir too deserved the world's happiness. He had always looked out for her, for Manik, and for others. Now, it was their turn to bring the heaven on earth for their wedlock!

The first ritual to be was the ROKA or the engagement ceremony. Navya had imagined a garden ceremony with orchids, carnations and lilies- natural and soothing look! And Nandini who was already fond of nature and natural beauty readily agreed for it. The ceremony was to be held in Kabir's Lonawla farmhouse - as a tribute to the moment that brought them together during Kabir's birthday! Preprations began in full speed under the supervision of Manik and Kabir. Navya's immediate family was to arrive by Saturday morning and Kabir's family was to be here by Friday evening. Nandini's parents could not come because her younger sister Naina had exams going on. But they had promised to attend the full fat Punjabi wedding, because Kabir won't let them deny it either way. He loved Nandini's family as his own, and their presence meant the world to him.

It was Thursday, early morning and Nandini woke up a little tired and irritated. She could not sleep properly last night majorly because she was at her own apartment after a really long time as Manik had informed her he would be late from office and she should not sacrifice her sleep. But even then, she could not get any proper sleep, courtesy the habit of sleeping in the cage of arms of one particular someone, all these days!
She quickly freshened up and went to mansion to have breakfast with Manik and Maa, so that she could spend some time with Manik who had been running busy the entire week.

Veebha had insisted her to call her Maa and Nandini, although blushing deep red, had agreed, and hence 'aunty' had become 'Maa' overnight.

But she reached the mansion, all her hopes went deep into the gutter as Veebha informed her that Manik had left for office early. These days were little hectic for him as he had to wrap up the office work before Kabir 's marriage so that he could enjoy the leisure time properly. Even Nandini was working half time as she needed to do the engagement preprations and all and that made him more busy. Nandini understood his situation and never complained but somewhere deep down, she expected him to take out a little time for her too. Anyway, gulping down all those tears that threatened to fall down, she prepared the breakfast with a smile and packed it in a tiffin. Serving breakfast to Veebha, she informed her that she was going to office and would have her breakfast with Manik. Veebha happily agreed and Nandini left for office. She entered his cabin only to find it empty and then she saw his schedule and found that he had a meeting at that time. She patiently waited for him to be back after the meeting, which seemed like an eternity though, but it was worth it when she saw him entering the cabin, looking dead tired. Manik was shocked to see her there but responded with a warm smile.

" Nandini?", He frowned watching her, since she was on leave for three days, but on reaching, he smiled in content, leaning to kiss her forehead. She smiled wider, as he settled on the couch beside her, and rested his head on her shoulder, which was when he noticed the huge tiffin box.

"Work doesn't mean avoiding food", she shrugged, as she started to open the tiffin, " you need energy for working too".

" I need energy for so many other things too", he winked, before leaning towards her, and that stunned her, as she opened her eyed wide, her cheeks red.

But before anything could happen, somebody knocked the door breaking the moment, thereby also informing him about the emergency conference call from the overseas. Manik apologized to Nandini, and told her to have her breakfast and he would have it later, before running out. He also promised her to have the lunch together as for now he needed to rush. Nandini agreed but as Manik left, she packed up the breakfast back. She did not feel like to eat. Instead, she sat down on her desk and finished some of the pending work of Manik as it would relax him a little.

By the time she was done, it was a quarter to four and almost all the paper work had been done but there was no sign of Manik. She sighed and came down only to be informed about the lunch meeting Manik had. She said nothing, replied a smile to Mrs Kavita, the receptionist and left for home. Her mind was fidgety though, she was distracted. So instead of home, she went to Marine drive and simply sat at shore, enjoying the pleasant weather and trying to calm all the voices that were raising in her head.

At that moment, She wanted Manik to hold her tight and let her cry but he was not around. She kept sitting there for a really long time, fighting the inner demons, trying to rationalize between her mind and heart. She knew he was not purposefully ignoring her, but she was missing him, and also was scared. Like she knew something was about to go very wrong, and all she wanted was to have him in front of her eyes, all the damn time. She had grown habitual of him, his presence, his love, and even a day without him got into her head.

Around eight in the night, she got up and left for her apartment. Reaching there, she took a hot shower and had some maggi as her stomach was shouting at her due to hunger. Then she sat down and finalized the list of items she needed to buy for the perfect decoration and tried to concentrate on the work but it didnot help her! Finally seeing no other option as she wasnot able to concentrate on anything, she decided to wrap up everything and go to bed. She silently said her prayers to Aiyaapa, and went to bed. As soon as she closed her eyes, god knows what choked her and all her feelings came out through the black shiny orbs wetting the pillow, which she clutched tighter and cried her heart out. She didn't know why she was crying, but she knew she wanted to cry.

Manik entered his office at 9:30 at night, finally free from the day's work. He was too tired and all he wanted was to crash in bed. He took his laptop and as he was about to leave a box, more precisely a tiffin box gained his attention. He picked it up and sighed to see it full. He knew her, she won't complain ever. But he also knew she needed him. She was his baby sometimes in real terms and she needed that care and pampering. She had never demanded it, but he knew that was because she never expected it from any oneelse, before him. Manik knew Nandini and he immediately left for her house and when he reached, he found the lights off. He opened the house with his set of keys and entered inside. He moved towards her room only to hear some sniffing and sobbing sounds and all he could do was to slap his forehead for being so irresponsible. He very silently kept his belongings aside and without making any noise reached her bed, quietly entered the bed and hugged her from back. She immediately stiffened at the touch but as her petite frame recognized the touch, she relaxed and immediately turned to hide her face in his chest and broke down into more sobs. He let her cry, but kept rubbing her back and Kissing her hairs every now and then, whispering sweet nothing's in her ears. As she calmed down, she looked up at his face, with big child like eyes and a innocent pout only to find him staring at her already, with lots of love in his eyes.

Her eyes complained, his orbs apologized!

She was embarrassed, he had a evil smile!

Her lips crumbled into a shy smile, his were into a peaceful one!

None spoke a word, silence talked a lot!

" Missed me?", He whispered into her ears, his warm Breath tickling her.

" You have no idea!", She hid her face in him again, holding him tight, and kissed the top of her head.

" There is some maggi for you in the kitchen, your favorite way!", She mumbled, and he raised his eyebrows in question.

" I knew you would come!", Her answer clean bowled him, as a smile took its place before him leaning to finally taste his favorite thing in the world.

Love is always, bittersweet, isn't it?