From days to weeks passed. ....but the equation between Manik and Nandini, never changed. ....they were still two stranger's staying under one roof. ...
Entering the house at 12 '0clock in night, Nandini started heading towards the stairs. But automatically her eyes moved in the direction of the dinning area, where Nandini found a sleepy Manik, waiting for her.
Nandini sighed on seeing Maniks stubbornness.
Yes, stubbornness,because everyday Manik waits for Nandini like this only, even after she asked him to stop doing it.
Nandini cleared her throat, in order to gain Maniks attention.
Standing up from the chair abruptly, Manik rubbed his eyes to brush away his sleep.
Manik ( sleepily ) : tum kab ayi? ???....tumhe bhukh laagi hogi...ruko main bass abhi khaana garam karta hu. ..
Nandini in her usual cold tone replied " usski koi zarurat nehin hai. ...I am not hungry. .."
Manik really got concerned about her health and said " aise kaise you are not hungry? ????....5 minutes ruko. ...main abhi khaana laagta hu. ..."
Getting annoyed by Maniks constant nagging, Nandini barked " maine pehele bhi kaha hai . ...aur aaj phir se keh rahi hu . ...stop showing me your fake concern ! ! ! ! ! ! "
Manik was hurt by Nandini's word's and just managed to mouth" fake concern? ????????....do you really feel ki tumhare liye mera concern fake hai???????"
Losing her calm, Nandini just burst out " What is wrong with you? ???.....tumhe main kis language mein samjhu ....ki mere liye aise har raat dinning table pein wait karna bannd karo! !!!....kyonki main kabhi nehin aungi! !!!.....so just stop with your drama! !!!"
Manik was on the verge of crying. But somehow he composed himself and said " tum aao yah naa aao . ....woh tumhara decision hai! !!!!. ...par main hamesha tumhara unn hi intezaar karunga . ...kyonki woh mera haq hai ..."
Giving Nandini a piece of his mind, Manik left from there. While, Nandini was confused with her and Maniks relationship status.
Taking out his mobile, Manik stared at the single picture of Nandini he had. While, tears started rolling down his cheeks.
Manik ( confused ) : sahi toh kaha tumne. ..ki mujhe unn hi har raat tumhari raah nehin dekhni chahiye! !!!.....Bilkul sahi kaha! !!!....humari shaadi toh sirf 6 months ki hai naa. ...usske baad tum aapne raaste aur main aapne raaste! !!!.....yeh sab jaante hue bhi. ...aaj mujhe itni taklif kyon ho rahi hai? ???.....kyon mujhe tumhari baaton ka itna bura laag raha hai? ???....akhir tum hoti kaun ho meri? ????.....tumhara meri zindagi mein kya ahamiyat hai? ???....
Pouring his heart out for the first time, Manik cried himself to sleep.
While, in Nandini's room, the situation was not quite different. Tossing on the bed, Maniks word's just keept on buzzing inside Nandini's head.
Nandini ( confused ) : why does he even care? ???....yeh shaadi toh usske liye sirf ek agreement thi naa. ...phir acchanak se usska mere liye itna concern kaha se jaag utha? ???.....I guess. ....yeh bhi mom dad ki tarah manipulative hai. ...ek baar zarurat khatam ho jaega. ...toh laath maar ke aapni zindagi se nikal dega! !!!
Unable to take it anymore, Nandini decided to go for her last resort.
2 : 00 am.
Feeling hell thirsty, Manik headed towards the kitchen ,to grab a bottle of water. After drinking water, Manik was coming back to his room only, when he found the door of the backyard ajar.Manik ( confused ) : yeh darwaza iss waqt kaise khula hai? ???....Jane bhi naa ...koi kaam theek se nehin karti. ...
As soon as Manik stepped out in the backyard, the strong smell of cigarette, hit his nostrils.
Immediately Manik covered his nose and raised his head to get shocked.
Standing in front of him,facing her back, Nandini was looking at the sky and smoking.
Instinctively, moving towards her, Manik took hold of the cigarette and threw it away.
While, Nandini shockingly yelled "what the hell! !!!!!!"
Manik ( super pissed ) : are you mad! !!!....adhi raat ko cigarette kaun peeta hai? ???
Even Nandini replied back in the same tone " tumhari himaat kaise hui mere cigarette ko haath laagane ki? ???....I mean. ....what is wrong with you dude? ????"
The word ' DUDE 'just freezed Manik.
Getting out of the shock mode, Manik cribbed " firstly ....smoking is injurious to health! !!!!.....and secondly. .....I AM NOT YOUR DUDE! !!!!"
Pissed with Maniks super weird behaviour, Nandini barked " WHATEVER! !!!!!!"
Unable to stand Maniks presence anymore, Nandini angrily left. While, Manik just stared at her retreating figure, trying to cope with the fact that his own wife called him a ' DUDE '.