MANAN - Cloud with a Silver Lining

17-The Delima of revisiting

........Nandini's POV...........

I was busy packing my bags...Well actually I was busy rearranging the stuff already packed...I was laughing at my own self since I was doing this rearranging of the stuff for the fifth time now...What else could I do...I wasn't trying to kill time by doing such useless things.. Honestly it was the only way to keep my mind and heart off the jitters it was feeling due the prospects the impending trip had in store for me... Oh I forgot to tell you..!! I was visiting Mumbai during my extended Diwali holidays... My last clear memory of Mumbai city was the lawn where I bade my friends Goodbye... I did stay in Mumbai for two months post that but the tears that escaped my eyes in those two months had made that phase all blur in my memories...

Mumbai city, the city of dreams, but unfortunately for me it brings with it some haunted memories.. Memories I do not want to go back to..but I knew that was inevitable since My brother was waiting for me to come and explain to him in detail the reason for my fallout with Manik...Damn you Abhi..!!..I mean it is Diwali and I should be excited about celebrating it with my family after so many years.. But instead of being happy with this fact and allowing me to be happy, my brother wants me to revisit the sad memories...seriously Damn You Abhi..!!.. And on the top that Manik...Oh Yes...How can I forget Moron Monkey Manik Malhotra...!! You know what I shouldn't have forgiven him... As if Abhi's demand wasn't enough to keep me on my toes, this guy he literally, like literally warned me just before leaving..I was hugging everyone goodbye when Manik came over and said "Nandini I'll wait for your turn"... I looked at him surprised since I couldn't understand his words and asked "Turn to"...Manik smiled, no wait, smirked, no actually probably he smiled but I perceived it as a smirk....But it wasn't his smile or smirk that unnerved me..it were the words that followed it.." Turn to let it all out..!!...You know you need to stop hurting for healing to occur"...That's when it struck me...He was waiting for me to actually take the break that he took...Why Manik...Why can't we just let it be...??.. I am scared.. I am scared of the malice that I had kept closed somewhere in heart, I am scared of the bitterness that had turned toxic... I am scared what if it destroys me again... I know Manik is right... I need to let out but what if unlike Manik's my let out worsens the situation and the equations...

Nonetheless, keeping all the negativity aside, I tried to capture a few hours of sleep before catching the flight that would take me to the Mumbai..

............Nandini's POV ends...........

Everyone in Mumbai was relaxing post breakfast waiting for Nandini's flight to land. They were at Mukti's house, since it was closest to the airport. Mukti's parents had gone to a formal lunch they were invited for while her Dadi was busy instructing the cooks about the lunch arrangements.

Mukti – Dadi relax..!!..It is just Nandini, why are you getting so worked up..!!

Dadi – Oye chup...it is not just Nandini...it is MY NANDINI...haye meri kuddi kinne saalon baad usse milungi main..Haye..!! (Shut up... it is not just Nandini...it is my Nandini...oh..i would be meeting my daughter after so many years)

Abhi – Oh my sweet Dadi..!! I am feeling a little left out right now..chalo in sab se toh aap milte rehte ho toh kya special treatment...par aapne toh aise kabhi mujhe bhi treat nahi kiya jaise meri behan ko karne ki taiyaari mein ho..!! (You keep meeting these guys so they don't really need any special treatment but you never treated me just how you are busy preparing for my sister's welcome)

Dadi – Treat..Treatment chahiye tounu...abhi deti hoon..ruk khote...Cabir zara meri chappal fadiyo (laiyo)..wahan kone wich rakhi hain...abhi treat karti hoon ounanu..Nandini iski behan hain khotte ne aj tak nahi dassiya...or treat chahiye isko..!! (Treat...you need treatment...wait I'll give it to you...Cabir pass me my slippers kept in the corner...I'll treat you wait...Nandini is his sister and this stupid guy never told me...on the top of that he wants to be treated)