Heartstrings

~Chapter 3~Need Sometime

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. But, it turns out to be a nightmare when they leave you.

The situation was no different for Rajesh Malhotra who came to meet his best friends after so many years, but the news of their demise had left him perplexed. He was unable to come to the fact that his best friends were no more. He was guilty of not being there with his friends when they needed him the most specially during their last days. He was drowning in guilt and the Kapoors did not know how to console him. Not only did his friends die,but a part of him did. He came to meet his best friends and discuss whether the pact they made was to happen or was it all an immature act but after reading Viren's letter he was sure to go ahead wit it as now it was not only a silly promise but his best friend's last wish. The silence in Kapoor Mansion was broken by Rajesh.

"I just can't believe ki ab Viren and shashi are not with us..I could not be with them during their last days. I failed in being a best friend." a guilty Rajesh spoke blaming himself.

"Please uncle sambhaliya aapne aapko. I know how you must be feeling but you know na ki Papa aisa kabhi nhi chahenge ki aap aapne aapko aise blame kare." spoke Raman trying to console Rajesh.

"Haa uncle, Raman thik keh rahe hai ... Please handle yourself. Isme aapki koi galti nahi hai..Stop blaming yourself. Pleasee!" Ishita said.

"Haa but how do I come to the fact that i will never be able to see my friend who was more of a brother to me ever again..even though its been ages since we last met but at least main sukoon main toh tha knowing that i will soon meet him but ab.." Rajesh did not know how to express the turmoil going on in his heart..

"Hum samajh sakte hai uncle..We have ourselves gone through this phase. We can clearly understand you state of mind because we have been in your shoes..But aise apne aap ko blame karne se toh nahi hoga na..Dad left , but you are here with us..aapki blessings is with us." Raman said as he knew that the bond Rajesh and his dad shared could never be explained in words..

You are right Raman! Though I was not with him during his last days but i want to fulfil his last wish..Toh kya socha hai tumlogo ne iss proposals ke baare mein. Dekho bachho, mujhe pata hai you all must be thinking it to be silly and immature but,Viren ki last wish ke baare mein hi sochlo. I won't force you all as it is about your daughter's life here but all I am saying is think about it once. And phir final decision toh bachcho ka hi hoga..." Rajesh said while wiping his tears and asking them to give it all a thought.

"Main samajh raha hoon uncle but.." Raman was about to say something but was cut by Mahir..

"Sorry to interrupt Dad but I want to say something."

"Haa bolo na beta.." Rajesh encouraged Mahir to go on..

"Uncle, Papa!.... Its about Nandini's life we are talking about so before anyone of us it should be her decision. Usse nibhana hai yeh rishta toh the decision should also be hers right? Sorry agar aapko bura laga toh." Mahir said snapping Nandini out of her thoughts. She immediately looked towards Mahir as her name came up.

"There is nothing to be sorry about beta.You are absolutely right it should and it will be Nandini's decision." Rajesh supported Mahir and stood up to sit beside Nandini.

She was sitting quietly gazing down at her lap not being able to face anyone when Rajesh came to sit beside. She immediately looked towards him when she felt someone's hands stroking her hairs..His mere touch made her remember about her daadu as he used to do the same whenever she was confused. It seemed to her as if her daadu was there and not some stranger. Her eyes started to tear up but she held it back trying to act all strong.

"Nandini beta, I know aapko gussa ah raha hoga humpe because of what we did but you need to understand your daadu's point of view as well..all he wanted to do was secure your future. Tumahre grandparents along with me and my wife, hum charo same college mein the. We had an amazing bond which gradually turned so strong that it became difficult for us to stay away from each other. But then career and family main we got so busy ki hum ek dusre ko time nahi de paaye. Then mere grandson ki naming ceremony mein when your dadu came toh in order to give one more name to our relation he told me that if a granddaughter is born to him she will be the one to be Malhotra's daughter in law. We sealed our promise and as God wanted it next year you were born. I just want to say ki even though I am not your daadu you can consider me one..And no one will question your decision. It will entirely be upto you but just give it a thought" Rajesh affectionetly told Nandini. Rajesh's words bought back the tears in her eyes and this time she could not hold it back. She hugged him as his arms had the same warmth like her daadu's..Rajesh wiped it and gestured her to smile making a 'V' out of his thumb and index finger just like her daadu! No doubt they were best of friends..She smiled but quickly hid it..

"I need sometime...." Nandini replied as she did not want to come off as rude in front of Rajesh and quickly rushed up towards her room.

In Malhotra Mansion

Rajesh returned back to Malhotra mansion after his meeting with the Kapoors. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't see nyonika coming from the other side of the living room engrossed deep in her phone due to which they were about to collide but nyonika stopped just on time which snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Papaji kya hua... Aap thik toh haina... Kahi lagi toh nahi?. Where were you lost?" a concerned Nyonika asked him.

"Haa beta main thik hoon its just I want to talk to you people. So tell everyone to meet me in the living room within 10 minutes." Rajesh spoke in a bossy tone, moving towards his room..

While Nyonika was confused but called everyone and informed them about Rajesh's unusual behavior. Exactly after 10 mins everyone gathered in the living room and was waiting for Rajesh. Soon he joined them. Everyone was confused regarding his sudden change in behaviour.

"Dadu What happened where are you lost? Aisi kya baat karni hain aapko jo aapne humein itni urgently bulaya." asked Manik being curious as well as tensed.

"Main jo abhi tum sabse kehna chahta hoon is important.. so here me out before jumping into conclusions and interrupting me...specially tum Manik... "
Raj said to which everyone nodded while Manik's curiosity reached another level.
Rajesh started narrating everything starting from his friends to the conversation with the Kapoors.

As soon as he finished his side of story they heard a loud gasp of two people and they were none other than Manik and Cabir.

"F**k ! What the hell? yeah kya bol rahe ho aap Dadu. How can you do this? You cannot even call it an arranged marriage. Isme and arrange marriage main bahut farak hai. It sounds to me as a forced relation." Manik scowled

"Maanikk! Language..Dont forget you are talking to your daadu and not some of your friends." growled Nyonika not expecting such a response from him.

"But Mom, Manik is right! Yeh aaplog ka era nahi hai dadu." spoke Cabir receiving a warning glare from Nyonika who was ready to smack his head.
Manik and Cabir were never the kids to disrespect their families or talk to them in such a manner but the situation forced them to..They were beyond shocked with all the information.

"I know bachchon what you must be feeling but there is no pressure on you Manik. It will totally be your decision jo bhi tum kahoge waisa hi hoga." saying this Rajesh dispersed to his room leaving the 4 of them in the living room.

"Ismein sochna kya hai Bhai just go and say no to this marriage bas." said Cabir.

"Its not your say Cabir infact no even ours. Manik has to be in this relationship so it will entirely be his decision..toh stop your interference." Nyonika warned Cabir.

"Manik .... " Raj whispered in a order to gain his attention but was interrupted by Manik who cut him off "I need sometime to think.. Please excuse me." saying this he left towards his room before anyone could stop him.