Nandini Pov.

Mukti sat next to Neyonika aunty while Raj uncle took the opposite seat.

I sat in the arm chair across them.

I didn't wanted to be rude.

But still I was really upset.

Especially by the Malhotra's.

Why were they here now.

They had refused to recognized me back then and Manik didn't care at all and these people were showing concern.

You may think I'm judgemental but you don't know what happened three years back.

How did I develop all these ill, hatred feeling.

Three year back.

Nandini Pov.

I sat on the bed while Manik stood near the window facing his back towards me.

I had red eyes and still tears were flowing from my eyes.

My brother had made it very clear for me to leave as soon as possible.

He didn't ask me the stay for once.

Even if I told him

I didn't wish to leave.

He didn't answer to that infact he just told me to talk once to Manik.

If he agree to marry me

I can stay back for the time until he gets me married to his friend.

How grateful of him.

Nan: I was just trying to help....
I told Manik all from start to end while he was quite all the time.

Nan: Just talk to him once.
I said holding back my tears which couldn't stop.

Nan: I can't stay away from him.
I said while he still kept quite.

He came here from Mumbai two hours back.

Maria didn't come along because his parents were there to look after her in Mumbai.

They had decided to come and meet their son and grand daughter last month and now decided to stay here along with him forever.

Nan: Manik please say something. I told you all what had happened. I can't find any of my mistake. The only person who is wrong right now is Mukti.
I told moving towards him.

Nan: You will talk to him right ?
I asked with lots of hope as I stood next to him looking at his face which was rigid with no emotions.

Nan: Manik....
I asked again now shaking his arm.

Man: He has asked you to marry me. If you want to stay back.
He asked looking at me angrily.

Nan: I'm ready to marry you anyways.
I said taking his hand in mine

He was getting it wrong.
He thought my brother was again keeping conditions and messing up with him.

They had this on and off relationship from past few months.

Nan: I told you this two months back. When I came all the way to Mumbai to apologies for the whole Trilok situation. I told you I love you and can't wait to spending my entire life with you.
I said giving him a pleading look.

Man: And what did I say to that Nandini....
He shouted pulling his hand away.

I looked away

Man: Answer the god damn question
He shouted holding my both arms

Nan: You didn't want to marry me now but some day in near future.
I spoke softly.

Man: Right.
He said removing his hands from my arms and giving me a slight push.

Nan: You were okay to marry me before the entire revelation then why not now.
I asked again the same question.

Man: I already told you, Why ?
He said angrily.

But I still don't believe what he told me about his parents not wanted him to marry me as they think he is not prepared for a marriage so soon after suffering for so long.

They think he need time to sort himself first.

To relax and decide what he wants for real.

At that time I agreed to them.

He is really exhausted with all the drama going around.

And I too haven't given him less stress but now the situation is different.

As I think now

He would never listen to anyone if he wanted something he would get it.

And I was the one he so badly wanted in his life.

During Trilok drama he asked me to let him in.

He even proposed me.

Asked me to think about a marriage for once.

He would to anything as long as I was with him.

But now when I'm telling him to marry me orelse my brother will send me away.

He has turn deaf ear.

Nan: I know but now situation is different. I need you to support me.
I told holding his hand again.

Man: I think you will figure out and be just fine with or without me.
He said pulling his hand.

Nan: You promised me of a 'forever.'
I accused him with tears.

Man: And I intend to break my promise.
He said looking away.

Nan: Why ?
I asked while he just kept quite.

Nan: Why push me away now when I need you the most.
I cried pulling him by his arm so that he faces me.

Nan: I don't have anyone except you.
I cried.

I felt so helpless.

I had only bhai.

I didn't know where and how will I survive without him.

And the next person I trusted more than anything was him.

Manik

My lover

My life

My world

And now they both were pushing me away.

Toying with my feeling.

One just told me to leave.

While other backout with all his promises.

Man: I was ready to marry you because your brother asked me to and now again he is playing the same game by using you. He is just bluffing.
He said casually making my eyes go wide.

Man: And the person who is more important to me is Maria you know.
Maria needs to have a family. And my parents being around is just doing fine. She is happy with all the time and attention I give her. I just don't want to marry now. I want to think and take no haste decision. And the marriage will only make things complicated.
He said while I looked at him shocked.

Man: Nandini I love you and will always but I can't be with you. I will always wait for you but when you come back I can't promise to be there in the way you want me. I need to sort out myself first. I don't even know what I really want. It's not you but me as clingy this sound but this is the truth. You may think I'm being jerk to you but I'm looking out for myself for first time.
He said and left at that instant.

Present Day.

So when I said before that he promised to wait for me forever this is what I meant.

I wanted to stay in my bubble.

Of him waiting and I not returning to him.

I said that day,

I had only two person in my life as family.

Abhimanyu

And

Manik

But they both pushed me away on the same day.

Not for once asking me what I wanted

They decided what they wanted and told me to do that according to their will.

I was even ready to fly back to Mumbai and beg Manik to marry me.

Beg his patents to asked their son to marry me.

As begging to my brother wasn't working he simply was as rigid as stone about his decision.

And the only person who helped me to pick a place and think clear was Arnav.

And the one who kept me in her pray and contact was Amms.

For others I was death or never existed.

And for my own peace of mind and love for them I made two theories in my head.

1. My brother love me alot but I couldn't get over the fact that he kept my parents death hidden from me for so long and the nameless man involvement in it.

2. Whenever I return, Manik will be there waiting for me and he would still love me.

Having these illusions my life became easier as I couldn't hate them both even if I tried as I would end up being a crying mess by end of the day.

Back to world

Amms had told me not to beg Manik to take me in.

But my love for him refuse me to not beg for his love.

So spending one and half year in Canada I had called Neyonika aunty and Raj uncle to asked about Manik and Maria whereabouts and after telling my Name all I heard from them was an end tune pretending they don't recollect me.

They both had answer my call once.

As I had taken their number from Amms.

But I was too stubborn and wanted to once just try.

What if Manik had changed his mind.

With guts I tried to call Manik after two years. Yes it took me more six months after talking to his parents to call him directly.

But thrice it went on voicemail.

Twice out of coverage.

And once he actually picked up.

Having an international new number he didn't recognise 'it was me' I thought

Nan: Manik.
I said nervously.

Man: Yes, it's me Manik Malhotra, who's this ?
He said making me surprise

His voice was same rich, charming and as beautiful as I remember.

Nan: It's me Nandini.
I said holding my breathe while his next words broke my heart.

Man: Nandini who  ?
He asked as I heard ruffling of papers

Before I could answer he spoke back.

Man: Ohh the advertising girl of Mr Patel. I'm sorry but I had words with your boss and I intend for no other meeting about product description. I'm not interested. Have a good day.
And he ended the call.

While I was frozen with broken heart scattered into pieces.

It was so easy for him to forget my voice.

And I holded back myself each day for him.

Remembering

Crying

Loving

Dwelling over him

Six months I stayed like a living parasites with long hospital shifts and studies putting in extra efforts.

Until after those six months I decided to move on and let in Arnav.

So out of three years I spent two years loving Manik, six months trying to forget him and another six months loving him again but being rigid to not make him part of my present.

And as of his parents

Now they were sitting here asking me how was I keeping and pretending nothing has happened.

I pity them now.

Neyonika aunty kept consoling Mukti who now cried on her shoulder while Raj uncle sat with sad eyes looking at them.

Why is this world, two faced.

To be continued....

Unedited.