ANAM CARA || A MaNan Fanfiction

Chapter 32: The Family Brunch

The most awaited wedding of the year was finally over and Malhotra's have added a new member to their loving family. It was the next day's morning, which was supposed to be a family brunch but even Nandini and Aryaman along with Manik's friends like family were invited.

A huge table was spread out in the garden and the whole set up was given a rustic look by Mukti. She had taken pains to design the set up keeping in mind everyone's choice.

It was around 12 in the afternoon but the sun decided to not to ruin the plan and remained hidden behind the clouds giving a cool shade and climate. Everyone closely related to the Malhotra's were present on the table. At one side of the table, on the head chair was seated Raj and opposite to him was Abhi. On Raj's left was Nyonika, then Ammu followed by Navya Alya and then Dhruv. From Abhi's left was Mukti then Cabir next to him was Arya followed by Nandini and Manik, thus completing the circle.

Nandini's attire

Manik's attire

The whole bunch was having gala time teasing Abhi and Mukti, obviously because they were too interested or were atleast pretending to be very interested in knowing what all they did at night.
While everyone was teasing them Manik was comparatively less talkative than his normal self. Nandini, who was gelling seamlessly with Manik's family, was also aware of this change in his behavior. She found it to be strange.

Manik, on the other hand, was thinking about what to do next . In just a day a lot had changed for him. All the relevations at once have tensed him a little. He was very happy to have given his feeling for Nandini a name but was equally confused on how to bring music back in her life and tell her about his emotions. For Manik, bringing back music was more important than telling about his feelings. Afterall that is Manik nature. He always thinks of others before himself. He has spent his night imagining how Nandini must have been?

Manik absent mindedly forwarded his hands to grab a glass of water but fell short a little. He tried again but this time his hand landed on something smoother than glass. He looked in that direction and saw his hand on Nandini's. He moved her eyes towards her face and asked in gestures,"What? " She smiled and nodded saying nothing and gave him the glass of water. He smiled inwardly and drank all of it. He kept fiddling with his spoon. Nandini observed it and leaned in a bit. "What happened? Why are you not eating? Is something bothering you? ", whispered in his ears and kept her hand on his knees casually.

On feeling her hands and listening to her questions Manik was quick to respond, "No I am fine. Just a little tired", though Nandini felt something was wrong she took his excuse to be true and simply smiled at him and focused back on the discussion, but what remained at its place was Nandini's hand. Neither was Nandini willing to move it nor did Manik want her to. Manik's eyes would occassionly fell on it and he would smile to himself. In a sudden adrenalin rush, Manik too kept his hand on hers and slowly let his fingers entangle themselves with hers . The visible change in Nandini's expression was a treat to watch for Manik. Nandini went from talking to getting extremely quiet that also suddenly. The escalated heartbeat and laboured breaths didn't let her speak. She looked down but saw their hands like that from the corner of her eyes. Just the sight put up a red blush on her cheeks. Manik was smiling whole heartedly looking at her. He thought that maybe Nandini will push his hands away but taking him by surprise , she didn't. Manik decided to push his luck further. His thumb pad started to make circles and rub itself on the back of Nandini's hand. It did nothing more than increasing the intensity of the blush.

Nyonika out of no where asked Nandini, " Nandini tell us about yourself. We know nothing about you and Arya. You both are now equal to our family. " This sudden question from Nyonika bemused her. She hadn't expected someone to ask this question to her. The smile which she had on her face was long forgotten. Aryaman was looking at her hopefully, that maybe she'll disclose her past to them and let the burden from her shoulders. Her grip on Manik's hands tightened a little. Manik sensed her discomfort and was going to ask Nyonika to discard the topic but Nandini started speaking, much to Aryaman's and Manik's surprise.

"Aunty, I used to live in Belgium, with my  family, just me my father and my mother. We were a small happy family with our share of ups and downs. It was almost like movies. But then life took a turn, My father met with an accident when I was 12 and went into coma for almost six months. That also wasn't tough for us. Even if he wasn't there right beside us we knew he is atleast physically present in this world. His chances of recovery were less but still they were there. One day, when I came back after meeting him, just after an hour of coming back I was told he's no more with us. It was hard, very hard but we some how came beyond that. I spent sleepless nights thinking about him crying my eyes out for him, but finally I accepted the fact that he isn't coming back. I also joined my father's business and helped my mom thinking it to be my duty as a daughter. I left all my hobbies and everything I loved just to help her prosper. Everything started to fall into place again, but another storm was on its way. My amma was taken away by me, the one who... Who told me how to live left me to live alone, forever. After she was gone, I was left with no one of my own leaving Aryaman. He sticked to me like a vine. Never leaving me alone, always putting me before himself, to summarise i was his life line and he was mine. The last nail in the coffin was put by Harshad. My umm... Ex. He left me because I refused to take over the property and money of my father. The day he left me, the old me died and the Nandini you're seeing today in front of you is the Phoenix that had risen from its ashes. I completely focused on growing my company ,nothing deviated me from taking it to the place where it is today. Everything was normal but then your son came in intruding my personal space ( she pressed his hands and passed on a smile to him which he returned back sparkling) Now things are a bit better than normal. I've started to again see the brighter side of the world and embrace them. I have started to look forward to start my days with a smile and end them similarly. I've changed...certainly i have changed, not much but yes I have changed and I'm liking it. It's all because of Manik's persistence. He made a stubborn person bend down and change myself for good. "

As a glassy eyed Nandini finished her monologue, the table remained silent. Manik was holding Nandini's arms and rubbing it to soothe her , his one hand remained entwined with hers. Everyone present there was thinking how was Nandini able to take in that much of pain. Nyonika spoke up, " Nandini baccha, forget all that has passed, see you have a family in us. We toh always wanted a daughter but god gave us these two idiots ", Nandini smiled listening to it whereas Nyonika continued, " You are like my daughter baccha. " Nyonika kissed her forehead and then gave her a tight hug. "Arey she's my daughter too", said Raj and joined the hug. " Toh she's my sister ", said Cabir and Abhi in chorus and joined. Cabir thought to tease Manik a little, "Manik Nandini Abhi ki behen toh teri bhi... " "Chuppp saale", The whole group along with Nandini laughed and Manik scratched the back of his neck embarresed a little.

While everyone along with Nandini were very happy Aryaman was seething in anger. For the first time in his life he wasn't feeling good for Nandini, instead was angry at her.

Hiii guysss!!! I'm sorry for being gone for long. I was really busy with all the Diwali work. Perks on being in a big joint family 😅 it's a short update but I'll post the next one after 45+ votes and 10+ comments till then keep thinking What made Aryaman so angry.