Perfect Strangers ✔

|| 23 ||

They get in. Nandhini sitting near the bed and crying.

Nandhini bursts out!
Nandhini: I am sorry! I know no one is happy with this wedding! I find it tough to approach or mingle with you all... i am feeling lonely and alone... i couldn't express this to you all... i don't know what are you feeling about me... I can't stand if anyone speaks against my mother.. she has taught me everything thats good and needed... no one can point out her like this... my family sacrificed and strived a lot for me after my mother passed away... (snifs) i am very sorry for behaving like this today! I couldn't control myself... cries..

They pity on her. They understand her and surprised that she has been hiding these.

Chandra goes and sits close to her.

Chandra: Nandhini! We understand what you are feeling. No one was aware of what's going to happen. I know we wouldn't have imagined this would happen. (Sighs) Now everything has happened and we have to accept and move on with it. I understand when someone leaves
us how it hurts. We all have experienced the pain. Now we all have to live together...

Lalita: dear! I know its tough and harsh but "life is full of surprises and miracles" (from Dia movie, one of my favorite) We can't change some situations but being happiness is in our hands. We all have accepted you in our family.

Shylok: yes! You be free with us. Now we all are a family together.

Ratan: Anni! Don't cry we all are for you!
Ratan sits near her, holds her hands. Nandhini feels elated.

Durga: now! Have some food! This is my order! (Laughs)
Chandra gets the plate from Durga and hands it to her.

Nandhini: did you all had dinner?

Chandra: we will have now! You have this.
She takes the plate and starts to eat.

Ratan: (tries to cheer up) ok! tomorrow we will play cards for sometime! Ok?!

Shylok & Chandra: double ok!

Lalita: you didn't even have lunch! How hungry you would have been?! Eat well.

Ratan: I am also very hungry! Please get me food nah?

Shylok: get up and walk down you sluggard!

Ratan: 😏😖

Durga: ok all come down to have dinner.

Lalita: Nandhini, you have food and rest! Tomorrow you have college la!

Nandhini: yes paati!
All leave except Chandra, he gets a glass of water for her from the table near and gives it to her.

Chandra: i will have food and come!
He leaves.
Nandhini feels grateful.

After dinner, Chandra comes to the room, Nandhini is keeping things ready for next day.

Chandra: hmm... how will you go to college?

Nandhini: through college bus!

Chandra: oh! Okay.

Chandra starts to work on laptop.

Nandhini: umm... so much work ah?

Chandra: yea, project needs to be finished.
Again focuses on work.

Nandhini: (mind voice: hmmm... so boring... is he trying to be busy or... whatever! Let me have a good sleep!)

***

Next morning, Nandhini gets ready for college and others for daily routine.

Nandhini calls and informs Ravi and family about her plight. They wish her luck.

She leaves to college.

4 pm, college ends.
Sara gets to know what happened on her wedding and how's all going right now.

Sara: so, according to what you said, they seem to be very humble and good persons. These kind of family is really hard to find dude!

Nandhini: yea! They are supportive and kind..

Sara: (fumes) how dare Ayush do this? Whatever he should have told you earlier. You said he is excited for this! But what suddenly stopped him! I couldn't understand...

Nandhini: hmm... leave.. leave it...

Sara: ok... how's your hubby?!

Nandhini: hmm.. very boring
24/7 WORK! WORK! I don't know how will i live with him!? He's good but..

Sara: did you have a talk with him?

Nandhini: no...

Sara: then don't come to a judgement! You should have a casual talk with him.

Nandhini: hmm... yea.
(Mind voice: with this person ah) we are going to miss our days la!

Sara: yea! Few days to go! Then final sem!

Nandhini: then madam, what plans for future?

Sara: don't know! Need to apply for job and...

Nandhini: get married!

Sara: hey!!! No no! I'm not like you!

Nandhini: hello! I wasn't interested in marriage.. Appa asked me i accepted... but I will definitely open my new business!

Sara: haan! Lets see! But I will miss you!

Nandhini: mee too darling! Hey its time for bus to leave! Come!

***
7 pm. Ratan, Durga, Nandhini start to play rummy.
They sit in the lawn and enjoy!

Nandhini: this time I am going to win!

Ratan: haan! Lets see..

Durga makes gestures of happiness which makes the two scared.

Durga: oh! No! This is not the card I want!

They both breath sign of relief
Ratan peeps through Nandhini's cards.

Nandhini: hey!

Durga: No! No cheating!

Shylok: this is what this idiot does always!

Shylok and Chandra return home.
Shylok hits him on head.

Ratan: always targeting me!
Nandhini and Durga laugh.

Chandra see Nandhini laughing for the first time. He too laughs.

Chandra: ok! Join us too!

The two join and all have a great evening!

***
Nandhini in restroom. See her face on mirror and smiles. She feels happy.

Nandhini: all is getting way better! I didn't expect this to happen
But I need to pay visit to Ayush's parents... (gets serious) I need to visit them soon....

TBC