Manan ff : College Diaries

chapter 27 ( b )

Well, our ignore games was disturbed by the sound of the door bell.
Grandpa ( ordering ): Nandini. ...jaake darwaza kholo. ....
I immediately stood up and moved towards the door.
Opening the door, I found a beautiful lady ,in her 40 's ,looking at me, with a warm smile.
The lady carefully looked at me and then asked " Nandini? ???"
I confusedly nodded my head in a yes.
But on my reply, the women took me in a bare hug and I was feeling numb, for few seconds.
There was something. ...something very peaceful in this women's hug, which I was really liking.
The lady broke the hug and again looked at me, with her loving eyes.
My trance was broken, when I heard Maniks disturbed voice "Mom? ?????......aap yaha? ?????"
After knowing the identity of the women, I immediately looked at Maniks face. But ,Manik was really good at guarding his emotions and I couldn't gauge his reaction.
It was really difficult to make out, whether Manik was scared, happy or depressed.
Nyonika ( faintly smiled ): kaise ho Manik? ????
Manik ( calmly ) : theek hu. ....
It was clearly visible to me, that nothing was ok between the mother and son.
To handle the situation, I stepped in.
Me ( cheerfully ): arrey Aunty ......aap yaha kyon khadi hai. .....please andar chaliye. ......
Giving me a broad smile, she happily followed.
Grandpa ( smiling ) : waqt pein aa gayi Nyonika. ...
Nyonika ( happily ) : aapne bulaya tha. ....kaise nehin ati! !!!!!
Dadaji ( with tears ): accha hua ki tu aa gayi. ...warna tujhe dekhne ke liye toh meri ankhe taras gayi! !!!!
On listening to this, Nyonika Aunty bended a little and hugged Dadaji.
While this family reunion was going on, I constantly gazed at Manik, to make sure, whether he was fine or not.
But Manik, just stood over there with a blank face.
After everybody settled down on the sofa, Dadaji commented " toh Nyonika. ...mili aapni hone wali bahu se? ?????"
On listening the word 'Bahu ',I started fidgeting . While, Manik looked nervous.
Keeping quite for few seconds, Nyonika Aunty said, with a satisfied look on her face " haan. ....mili main Nandini se. ....and I must say. ...she is just perfect for Manik! !!!!!.....aur mujhe woh bahut pasand hai. ...."
I just gave a shy smile to her. While Manik was blushing like a fool.
Nyonika Aunty lovingly took my hand in her's and said " beta. ....ab tum humare family ka ek important part ho. .....aur aaj se main tumhari bhi Mom hu! !!!!"
On listening to the word 'Mom ',I was getting emotional.
I really didn't have any happy memories related to the word 'Mother '. But now, for once atleast, my heart wanted to believe her every word.
Nyonika ( happily ) : main tumhe kuch gift karna chahti hu. .....ek chhota sa shagun. ....please Nandini. ...baatao tumhe aapni nayi Mom se kya chahiye? ??????
Nyonika Aunty anxiously waited for my reply. While, I just instinctively looked at Manik.
I took a deep breath and replied " mujhe bass. ....aapka thoda sa waqt chahiye! !!!!"
On listening to my demand, Nyonika Aunty was speechless and tears started to fill in her eye's. While, I continued in the same tone " main chahti hu ki aap har month aapna thoda sa time mere aur Manik ke saath spend kare. .....that is what I want! !!!!"
With tears in her eye's, Nyonika Aunty happily said "zarur beta. ...."
But, before I could say anything, Manik hastily moved towards Nyonika Aunty and engulfed her in a hug.
Soon, both the mother and son were crying, hugging each other.
On seeing Manik happy,I really felt reliefed and offered a silent prayer to ayyappa, for his happiness.
Finally, breaking the hug, Manik kissed his mother's cheeks, to which Nyonika Aunty just patted his shoulder.
Sitting by my side, Manik was all cheerful and mouthed a "thank you ". While, I just gave him a shy smile.
Manik ( pov ) ( gratitude ): thank you bhagwan ji. ....aaj kitne saalon baad. ....Mom ne mujhe gaale laagaya. ....and this is all because of Nandini! !!!!.....she is my Angel.......my shining Angel. ....
Grandpa ( authoritatively ): Manik aur Nandini. ....mujhe tum logo ko kuch baatana hai. ...
The tone in which Grandpa said this, only meant 'DANGER '.
Grandpa ( continued ) : main aur Mohit (Dadaji ) kuch dinno ke liye Pune jaa rahe hai. ....
On this statement, Manik was looking restless.
Pop's ( added ) : aur main. ....business tour ke liye. ...kal hi London jaa raha hu. ...
Me ( assuring them ): don't worry Pop's. ....main aur Rishab acche baccho ki tarah rahenge! !!!!
But, the next statement was a shock.
Grandpa ( calmly ) : tum Rishab ke saath nehin reh sakti! !!!
Me ( instinctively ) : kyon? ???????????????
Pop's (concerned ) : kyon ki woh boy's hostel jaa raha hai! !!!!
First, I had the yeh -kab -hua wala look and then, the realisation hit me.
Me and Manik ( in unison ) : toh phir hum kaha rahenge? ????????