MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

36. Broken Apart?

~ Sometimes it's not the lack of love or lack of trust that drift people apart, but the fear of destiny that plays it's card~

The whole family was busy in the marriage ceremony that was in its full swing. Kabir and Navya were stealing glances of each other in-between the rituals. The love that was shining in their eyes was indeed charming. The glow on their faces was evident. All the elders and family along with friends were busy enjoying the wedding ceremony to their fullest. Some guests were busy in the food section also. But there was one pair of eyes, sitting exactly behind the bride, fiddling with her dupatta, looking down. She was fighting with herself, wondering if her decision was right, or how was she supposed to disclose it to Manik. With the troll of the events that followed, including her mother's confrontation session, Nandini had been in constant doubt about herself and her relation with Manik. No doubt she loved him with all her might and she was confident he did too, but at that moment all her mind and heart was occupied with was fear.

Fear of loosing him!

Fear that if destiny snatched her from him, would he be able to overcome this time?

Fear that what if , as always , luck ditched her?

Fear that what if she is not good enough for him? May be he deserved someone better?

Although all her doubts were stupid and nonsense, for love do not see status equality or qualities in you. You can never decide and then fall in love. It's always instantaneous, not a choice.

But at that moment, she had decided to leave Mumbai for some time and go back to her hometown. Giving him enough space to see if he would overcome her with time. To see what they shared was out of habit, and if physical distance would fade it out, slowly without hurting the obvious way?

And now she was debating with herself that how was she going to tell all these to him? She desperately missed Alya, her bestie because always when she had been in a confused state like this, she had been the one to bring her out of such stupid despairs. But her fashionista friend was out in Paris, doing her internship. And this helplessness was making her more frustrated.

As the ceremony came to an end, with the final declaration of the couple as man and wife,the tired yet excited guests excused themselves to have some delicacies. As Nandini served a plate for the newly wedded couple, Damini, came towards her with a blank expression.

" What did you decide then beta?", she asked her pensive looking daughter. As a mother she wanted everything good for her daughter, but as a wife and someone who had always abided by the societal norms, she didn't want her to get hurt by them.

" I think I am coming home with you Maa, I haven't decided anything as far but this is the best I can do now", Nandini answered with a small smile that did not even reach her eyes.

Damini patted her head and then went away. Taking a deep sigh, Nandini served the plate properly and called the couple. As she stood watching Navya and Kabir, feeding each other, blushing at moments, she could not help but imagine herself and Manik in their place. A small smile instantly appeared on her face and at that same moment, she felt someone drag her hand away from the crowd.

Manik pinned her to the wall keeping both his hands on her side looking deep into her eyes while all Nandini was doing was avoiding eye contact with him. Softly, he tucked the strand of hair on her face behind her ear and again looked at her.

"What is wrong Nandini? I am noticing since yesterday. This is not your usual self, what happened?", he asked, concern dropping from his voice.

The tears that were stinging her eyes now managed to surface as they made their way out. She spoke nothing but her eyes spoke volumes, and she started sobbing in her arms. In her heart, she knew it was all a lost cause. She could not even imagine living away from her heart, and her heart had been occupied by this gentleman since a long long time.