Thursday isn't over yet-IST zone. We're #136 on Fanfiction <3 Thank you for being here. Inline comments are wonderful :*

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Nandini

I was walking out of the office building on a sunny Thursday afternoon. I wasn't feeling good all morning and I couldn't stand the AC in my cabin. It had been a few days since I'd seen Manik too, especially after that moment in his cabin that day. I had decided to head home just when I spotted Manik entering his car. This is the chance, GO!

"Manik, wait..." He turned around in a rushed motion. I almost ran towards him, and he did his part by walking towards me, to save me some trouble. Maybe he forgot about that incident. Why not? I said and did worse things to him than just walking out on him. "...where are you going?" I gasped for breath and a subtle change could be seen in his eyes for me.

"I'm heading to the supermarket. I gotta get some groceries and some baby stuff for Naina. Do you need something?" He pointed to the car that he'd left open, just so he could be there if she needed anything. Nobody could believe how responsible of a father he was. He wasn't like my family, my parents. He was different. That was why he caught a special place in my heart. He seemed fidgety and I got the hint that he was in a hurry. Say something, quick. Anything.

"Mujhe on the way ghar drop kardoge? Please?" (Will you drop me home on the way?) What the hell, Nandini? He was busy and clearly he wouldn't entertain me but surprisingly, he agreed. Why did I leave such a beautiful person?

"But it might take a while, the supermarket visit is urgent." I nodded. I was moved and guilty. I should've been like: Yay! Another chance to be with him and the baby, but I didn't think I deserved that happiness. I was a stupid woman. I craved for their presence in my life yet I didn't gather the courage to approach him and 'sort' our issues. I feared rejection a lot, most of it was to do with my upbringing and I felt we'd already crossed the feelings phase. Now we were just acquaintances, with him hating me and me desperate for him. I didn't want to make a move until I was sure I could. If only I knew I was delaying the process further.

I hopped in the backseat, awestruck by the cuteness of that little angel. How was she my daughter? I looked nowhere close to her. Oh yeah, she had most of her Daddy's features. Mr. Perfection. I occasionally caught a few stealthy glances of Manik through the rear view mirror and got caught too a couple of times. Embarrassed by my act, I looked out of the window, smiling. As soon as my focus shifted, he smiled at me but I didn't catch him doing that. 

We got off the car at the entrance, the baby and I and Manik suggested he'd join after he parked the car. I rocked our baby gently and chattered to entertain her a bit and then struggled to pull out a cart with my feet. The security helped us and I was glad. Her face was over my shoulder and my baby was drooling and smiling at the security behind me. I smiled at him and then pushed the cart inside with much effort. How did Manik do this multitasking business, with a baby, every day? I was constantly worried that I wasn't supporting the little one enough and at the same time, the cart was one creaky weird cart to push.

I'd barely made it through the entrance, when I felt someone touch my waist. It didn't take me a moment longer to realize who it was. It was just a touch, it was instinctive, he had withdrawn instantly but I felt that area of my body blaze. He offered to carry the baby but I refused and so he pulled the cart along, matching his pace with mine. I felt pleased at the idea of Manik's compassion for me, more because I hadn't felt it for long. He gave me a few empathetic looks every now and then as I rubbed my baby's mouth with my hand and wiped it on my pants. Who cares, I could wash them later.

"Will you be able to carry her, you sure? She squirms a lot and..."

"I'm her mother, Manik." I said in a very low tone and it took both of us a moment of realization. "Acchha, what are we buying?" His eyebrows rose in shock and then he headed to the baby section, with me just behind. He picked a few packs, some baby rash cream; some baby wipes and then scanned the formula tray. Mommy and Baby made noises at Daddy every few seconds to distract him but all he did was smile in response. I was starting to like how Manik and I were. He began re-reading the nutritional information on each tin. A few assistants came to help him out but he shooed them away. I gave him a suspicious look and then complained to my baby who keenly stared at me and then gave me a wide smile. We'd been in that same section for about ten minutes but Manik took his own time to make some comparisons.

"Haha, you're a lucky woman, your husband is such a protective father." A woman by the aisle whispered and I found myself staring again. Was I lucky? I had just let go of such a beautiful man. How could I be lucky? Manik's attention was diverted at the word 'husband'. He gave me a cursory look as I muttered something back to her and then he chose a tin by his paternal intuition.

"Kya bol rahi thi tum?" (What were you telling her?) I shook my head negatively, avoiding eye contact. I picked out a pacifier from the teether rack and ripped it open right there. Manik panicked. "Nandini, what are you doing? We've not paid for that." He snatched the wrapper from me, but I pulled the pacifier out. I rubbed it on the back of my hand and placed it into my baby's mouth after wiping her saliva.

"Now we will. She's drooling from that time. Did you feed her yet?" I mumbled as if I was complaining to him. He checked his watch quickly. 12:40.

"Her lunch time isn't until another 20 minutes." He whined and then forced her out of my arms. "Give her to me! Tumse nahi hoga, I knew." He pressed his lips together and brushed her hair away from her face. Somehow, he managed to efficiently carry her with just one arm, and that too securely, with her neck resting by his shoulder. She was also learning slowly to hold her head up, which was a plus. I helped him out by pushing the cart but it creaked and yanked around, pissing him off. He dragged it effortlessly and I hurried behind. Shopping with Manik always taught me something, since old times. I picked a few veggies for him while he pointed at random things and taught our baby colors. She stretched her arms at them and cooed along to express her interest. He sure knew how to keep her entertained. I didn't want to disturb them and so I headed to the billing counter, paid for everything and then walked back, wrapping my hand around his free forearm.

"Chale?" (Shall we leave?) He seemed happy, after all he was with his favorite person, his daughter and she was elated. What more did he need?

"Billing..." He groaned at the cart that had a bunch of things in bags already. Confused, he looked at me and I spoke in a reluctant manner, afraid of the true consequences of my actions.

"Tum busy the toh maine khud... Manik, please. I'm serious I..." (You were busy so I...) I held his arm but his temper had already risen beyond normal anger limits. He was an angry man and his anger was perhaps the only thing that I disliked about him. It was something he couldn't keep under his control and that wasn't a good trait.

"Nandini, tumko ek baar main samajh main nahi aata hai? I don't need your money!" (Nandini, can't you understand?) He shoved my hand right at my face. I tried to convince but he already had a set of defenses ready.

"Manik..."

"Tumko toh yahi lagta hai, ki maine tumse paise ke liye pyaar karta tha, HAI NA?!" (This is what you think right, that I loved you for your money, RIGHT?) I was dumbfounded. Manik never screamed at me like that, ever.

"Nandini, get one thing straight... I DON'T NEED YOUR FAVORS TO LIVE MY LIFE!" He stormed away with the cart, over to the parking lot. I watched him leave as my baby stretched out to me and then turned away eventually. Even my daughter didn't love me. What was I living for? The whole breakup was making me lose myself.

I had left some important files in his car. After the incident, I didn't think it was a good idea to go back and coax him anyways but Manik halted the car right next to me. I felt like the mild headache I was suffering from had gotten worse. With his eyes fixed at the road, he tapped the steering impatiently to vent his anger somewhere. I hesitantly stepped in, rethinking if I should go home or elsewhere. The ride was silent though and dropped me home safe and sound. He got out of the car with me, which made my heart flutter, but only to get into the backseat and fetch our daughter.

Step away, he is happy now. Baby and Daddy love each other. You weren't a part of this earlier, you shouldn't be ever. Step back, Nandini.

With that, I smiled slightly to myself and turned around, withdrawing, but not for long.

***

Manik

I pushed the stroller slowly, along the footpaths of the public park next to my apartment. It was a lavish piece of land, surrounded by lush greenery. Tall neem trees formed cool thickets on either sides of the footpath, spaced at a feet distance from each other, creating dense shady spots. It was my favorite spot in the city. Even in Mumbai, that was one of the places where the humidity content in the air was at the lowest levels.

A few of my neighbors smiled at me. I got a lot of sympathy from most people in my neighborhood for obvious reasons. It bothered me but I was helpless about it. All I could do was display a stronger front at them, and prove that the separation made me more independent. I didn't want their sympathy.

I parked close to a bench, sitting on it and placing my face close to my child's, where she could see me. I kissed her a few times and she waved around, patting my face in appreciation. The only person missing in the frame was Nandini. The happiness in my face vanished. "Is it true that your Mommy doesn't want you at all, baby?" I whispered at her, and she paused her action, gaping at me with her bright brown eyes. Perhaps she knew otherwise. "Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? I know she hates me, but you..." (How can it be?) I was pulled into the past.

"Manik... Manik, we're late already!" She adjusted her watch around her wrist, tapping her foot restlessly in the living room. Adjusting my collar, I 'majestically'-as she described it-descended the staircase. I was wearing a black Burberry tuxedo with a tie, replacing the conventional bowtie. Her face lit up seeing me wearing the gift she'd bought for me.

With a smirk plastered over my face, I approached, my eyes first falling on hers gracefully, and then over the slight bump over her loose long-sleeved chiffon blouse.

"You look... handsome, Manik." I pecked her cheek and then went on my knees, kissing the bump to which she smiled in response.

"Let's go, honey." I hooked my arm out for her, and locking hers in mine, we left the premises. It was the day she was going to hand me her MD role instead because I'd convinced her to look after herself and our baby only and literally nothing else. After a lot of contemplation, she actually gave in, which meant my happiness knew no bounds.

As we entered the campus, arm in arm, the staff was pleased. We were an 'official' married couple soon after Nandini was confirmed pregnant. Nandini slowly leaded, making an announcement to all the employees assembled there on prior notice.

"Morning, staff!" With a warm smile, I stood in the crowd, clasping my hands together. I was so proud of her. She went on saying something, pausing and smiling often. She was so happy, ever since she learned she was pregnant and it only reflected on mine. "Without further ado, I'm happy to announce to you your new MD, Manik Malhotra." She pointed her hand at me and began clapping to start off the applause. Pulling on my coat taut, I took a confident step closer to her. She shook my hands formally, and trailed it to one side of my waist while placing a soft kiss on my cheek in appreciation. "Thank you for everything." She breathed into my ear.

"Anything for you, honey."

I couldn't think of her not loving our child. Nandini and Naina were for each other all the time, even when I wasn't in the picture. There was something I was missing. Another look at my child swept all my doubts away. Her baby slaps were getting fiercer as if she was trying to deny my assumptions.

A voice interrupted my moment with my daughter. "Hey Manik! How's everything going? How's the baby?" He closed in towards the little one, tapping her plump cheek with one of his fingers. I smiled.

"We're both doing great, Dhruv." I looked behind him to see Alya, his girlfriend. They were in a live-in relationship in my apartment, and had so many issues in the process. People objected them moving in together before getting married and it was almost like a riot. Society needed to change, honestly. Nandini and I were part of the minority who supported their decision and ever since, we've bonded pretty well. "Hi Alya."

Alya's attention was however focused at the little one whose bright eyes were blinking slowly, gawking at the unfamiliar faces. Her legs kicked at them and then bent back, as she tried to read their faces. Alya was overwhelmed. "Aww... she's such a cutie pie! Can I lift her?" She squealed and that noise made Naina excited. She loved high-pitched tones. Maybe it was because only women made it sound appropriate and she was missing her Mommy too much. "Oh my!"

"Sure, you can." I stood on my feet, slipped a hand under Naina's head and another under her lower back. She cooed and giggled while I smiled, gesturing Alya to take her. Alya was a little frightened at how small Naina was, but my facial expressions seemed to lift her esteem. Dhruv eagerly watched as Naina was passed into Alya's cradled arms.

Alya almost began crying when Naina looked stupefied again. Dhruv was in all admiration for the two girls. He was probably imagining how it would be if she was carrying his baby-not blaming him, I'd been there, I'd felt that. Alya kissed Naina's forehead and Naina's response of touching Alya's face made her adore the baby even more. Naina always knew how to make people around her feel loved. She'd never disregard anyone's attempts to shower love for her. She was the most lovable baby on Earth.

Naina however caught onto one of Alya's earrings, almost pulling them in happiness. Dhruv came to her aid and removed them for her but Naina's eyes didn't seem to trail away from them. Her earrings were big plastic daisies, hanging on a delicate chain from her ear. I smiled as I realized. "She just loves flowers."

Alya smiled happily. She was a florist and she was over the moon that there was another person she knew who loved flowers just as much. She held Naina carefully with one strong arm and taking the earrings from Dhruv, she wiggled them before my baby's eyes, making her scream and hit it with excitement. She handed the pair to her, and Naina carefully clasped them in each of her hands, completely thrilled. "She can keep them. When she grows up, you can tell her about me!" I smiled in acceptance of the little gift while the baby sighed, tasting them.

Dhruv turned to me. "How's Nandini? Stillrough?" I nodded sadly, letting out an exasperated sigh. I couldn't go a shortwhile without thinking about her, could I? I garnered myself on the benchbehind me, with Dhruv compassionately putting an arm around my shoulders. Wewere there for them when they needed us, and maybe they were trying to repaythe favor. I composed myself, unsure of whether I should tell them. Hastily glancing between the two, and then my child, I sighed.

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Hope you enjoyed!

Question: Have you ever said anything you regretted, but didn't really mean it?

Have a wonderful weekend, babies!