Arranged Marriage

part 8

Manik's pov

She looked at me with surprise..

Of course..this is the first time when I am helping her out with my own wish...

Aisa ni tha ki maine uski help ni ki pahle but today I had something else in my eyes..which she could sense perhaps..

She took my hand with little hesitation...

I was feeling different ...I felt like I had hold her hand for the first time...

I felt something in my stomach...some feeling which I can't understand yet...

Neyonika's pov

Chalo accha hai...let Manik help her..
I should move...

I stepper towards temple ..I was happy to see my son and daughter - in - law together...

I wish They soon become one...

Nandini's pov

I know Manik does not feel anything for me but what I am seeing today is totally different...

Nandini you should not get your hopes high...he always helps me out ..
That's it...
kyu feel ho rha hai mujhe aaj?

Nandini Chale....mom aur mukti chale gaye...he said when I was lost in my thoughts..

Ji - I said in meek voice..

Manik was ahead me ...I was following him...

We went inside the temple...it was crowded...

Manik came and put his hand around my shoulder...I was dumbfounded..
I felt butterflies in my stomach..
For the first time he touched me willingly...I felt protected in his company at this moment
I blushed like a teenager ...

This way...aao...yahan bahut bheed hai..dhayan ...careful...he said in clam mind.his voice had concern for me...

We stepped forward where mom and mukti was waiting for us with a huge smile on their face...

We offered our prayers....

Nandini closed her eyes and folded her hands in front of Ganpat idol n prayed ...

Hey ganpati baba..mujhe ni pata ki jo aaj maine feel kiya woh sahi hai ya ni...
Manik ke najare mere liye kuch alag thi kya ..pata ni woh din kab aayega..
Aayega bhi ya ni...aaj ek pal ke liye hi sahi mujhe bahut khushi mahsus hui..
Manik ko aap hamesha khush rakhna .woh bahut acche hai..
Woh mujhse pyar kare ya na kare woh bahut acche insaan hai...haan shyad past ki kuch bitterness hai..
Hey bappa...manik ki zindagi me khushiyan lana...jai ho bappa ki

Neyonika's pov

Hey ganpati bappa ..mere manik and nandini ki jodi hameshaa banaye rakhna..
Nandini bahut acchi hai...woh sari khushiyan deserve karti hai..
Un dono ko hamesha khush rakhna..

Neyonika left after prayer ...

Manik's pov

I am standing in front of ganpati ji...
But I don't believe much in god..
I came here for sake of mom...but I am just looking at Nandini..

She is standing with her hands folded in front of ganpati ji...she looks so innocent...

I was busy staring at her then she opened her eyes..and looked at me..

To hide my embarrassment I immediately rolled my eyes and pretended that I was looking for mom...
I rubbed my jaw with my hand being embarrassed...

Shhh Manik she saw you..you were staring at here...god..what will she think..I mentally slapped myself...

Meri puja ho gayi..mummy ji kahan hai..she said coming towards me

Main bhi unko hi dekh raha hun....
I said pretending...

Then I saw mom.coming towards us ..
Here she comes

Mom came towards us where we both were standing...

Beta come you both... aashirwad le lo baappa ka saath me.....mom said..
We both went with mom for darshan..
I bent down on my knees folding my hands..
Nandini also did the same besides me..

We touched the floor with our foreheads..

Bappa aapki jodi hamesha banaye rakhe...pandit ji said putting his hand on our heads...

We left after all this..

Settled in the car and came back home...

We all came and sat on sofa...

Satish dinner laga do ..mom said calling satish...

I am going to freshnup...I said to mom..

Okay ...she said..

We all had dinner and I came in my room..

Nandini's pov

Aaj maine kuch alag dekha - mom said looking at me with hope..

She cupped my right cheek

Beta Manik is changing....I saw his care for you today..and I am very happy...

I smiled meekly..

Beta bappa tum dono ko hamesha khush rakhe..bas main toh yahi chahti hun..
Accha chalo so jao..tum bhi thak gayi hongi..

Ji mummy ji..good night ..
I said and left towards my room..

Nandini's pov

Mummy ji ne bhi woh dekha jo mujhe bhi laga...matlb woh sach me sahi tha..
Do Manik??
With this thinking I was going up towards my room.
.

I was happy ..

I entered into my room with smile..
He was working on his laptop...he looked at me when I was entering...

Though he never looks at me whenever I enter..he is always engrossed in his work...
My presence never made any difference to him but today he is watching me...

We avoided eye contact...

I will go in study room,tum light off karke so jao...he said in soft tone...

Nahi. Aap apna kaam khatam kar lo..
I have no problem with lights on..I can manage...I said without looking at him...

Okay ..he said and he was back to his work...

I changed myself into night dress and I lie down on bed...

I was happy ...I felt the change in him..
I was tossing on the bed...

Nandini I think you are unable to sleep with lights on..he said  in sharp tone seeing me tossing...

No..I am sleeping ....woh I slept in day time ..light is not distrubing me...

I quickly closer my eyes tightly to pretend that I am sleeping while I was not...

Mujhe toh khushi ke mare neend hi ni aa rahi thi...I don't know how long will it last..
But I want to enjoy this moment..
His care , concern, his softness towards me..I want to relish...