Forever And A Day || Completed

3. A New Beginning?

~ Every scar tells a story, thats is if you find it at the correct time~

Imprinting her red Aalta stained hands outside the flat, Nandini stood at the doorstep with Manik, too bewildered, as Mrs Chatterjee stepped in to welcome the couple. Manik helped her as she held her heavy lehnga a little up, her milky white mehndi clad feet in show, ready to enter kicking the container filled with rice. Everybody clapped as she did, and the triumphant child like happiness radiating on her face, made Manik silently smile too. She was like this excited kid, who got something right at first attempt and the happiness of the victory showed on her preety face.

Mrs Chatterjee placed a white long cloth, from the entrance of the house till the middle of the drawing room, and Nandini was asked to soak her feet in Aalta again, before walking on the white cloth. It would keep her lucky foot prints preserved forever. Nandini did the same, happily, with Manik walking beside her holding her heavy dupatta knotted with the one he wore on his sherwani.

Once done, both sighed in relief for it was quite late, and everybody was tired. To say, there weren't many people, because the guests attending the marriage from Manik's side had mostly left directly from the marriage venue. It was just Abhik and his family, and a few more neighbours.

"Won't we have the ring game?", A small girl questioned, showing off her knowledge of the weddings, courtesy the Indian daily soaps, but the elders laughed at her.

" No baby, they are very tired, and see it's already around 2 am in the morning. We will just leave okay?", Her mother explained, and all the females of the society blessed Nandini before leaving, and at last, Mrs Chatterjee took her inside their decorated bedroom, helping her sit down on the bed and kissed her forhead.

"Nandini beta, I am like a mother to Manik, and I would be glad to be yours too! But I would let you know a few handy things today, before you start with your married life", she sat beside her, as Nandini looked at her intently, ready to hear her out. She had met Abhik and his parents before since they were the one who had accompanied Manik during the discussions about the marriage ceremonies back at her paternal home.

"Every girl has certain aspirations and expectations from her marriage and husband beta, I understand. So would you. But there are certain things I would like you to know about Manik first-", Mrs Chatterjee was cut off by a calling voice of her husband outside.

" Looks like this conversation has to wait a little. Don't worry, you have to come for a small dinner tomorrow, at our place, we will continue then. Okay?", She smiled at Nandini who was visibally moved by the motherly affection of the lady, so she nodded at her, and smiled back.

Mrs. Chatterjee left after a few minutes, with her husband and son. Manik locked the front gate like his everyday routine, and turned to stand still. What was he expected to do now? Should he go and talk to Nandini?

Nervous and somewhere sacred, Manik chose to drink a glass of water first, and then take a few deep breaths. He was about to stand and move when he saw Nandini coming out. She had removed the heavy jewellery she adorned, but was still in her wedding trousseau. She came up to him and stammered, biting her lip.

" Actually, is there something to eat? I am hungry!", She spoke in one breath, mentally face palming herself.

Who asks about food, as the first thing after marriage to her husband?

Manik cursed himself for not noticing how she had not got the chance to eat, in all that rush of bidding adieu ceremony. He nodded at her and went over to the fridge.

" Will sandwiches do?", He asked, unsure, but Nandini nodded excitedly. She was damn hungry and to her, anything would do at that moment.

Manik couldn't hold himself and chuckled at her expressions, before moving towards the kitchen, with the packet of bread, and some cheese. Nandini on the other hand was, mesmerized. This man for sure had an amazing laugh.