Entering inside the house he saw the dinning table set up beautifully with different dishes in new crockery set. There was a white lilly bouquet in the middle of the table with scented candles. With new red table cloth and napkin. Set up perfectly.
He stared at it and walk towards it taking the jung of water he filled a glass taking a sip he stared at the set up, his eyes didn't leave from the sight of the dinning table.

Nandini wiped her eyes and walk inside.

She saw him staring at the dinning area. She was happy atleast he noticed it.

With a ray of hope she went and stood beside and asked looking at his face with her specious smile.

Nan: You liked it ?

Manik frowned, first time he looked at her while she too looked into his eyes for an answer.
He kept the glass back.

The next words which came out from his mouth broke her heart into thousands of pieces it would be better if he remain quite but he decided to speak.

Man: Liked it ???
He chuckled.
It sounded as if he was questioning her back.

Nandini looked at him being confused

Man: You really think....I Manik Malhotra will like this
He pointed out at it with a disgusting face.

Man: I have a class....unlike you.....This is so middle class, just like you.
He frowned and said all this furiously.

While Nandini stood there in shock, with wide eyes. She could not belief he spoke such a thing. Class really....the things which she does with so much love, sacrifices, care, affection, hardwork....should have a class, which should be up to his mark.

She didn't want to cry, not atleast infront of him, but his words stabbed her heart, with knife.
Unknowingly a drop of tear fell from her eyes.

The man she love's so much was right now talking to her about his class and her class.

She kept on staring at his face, trying to find out answers whether he really meant that, or it was just a myth but his face was straight, blank with not a single expression of any regret.

To ignore her, he started walking upstairs while Nandini composed herself and spoke making him stop in middle of the staircase.

Nan: But you used to like....like this
She asked stammering in her weak audible voice trying her best not to cry out loud infront of him.

Manik without turning answered in his cold voice

Man: used to nandini these cheap tricks don't impress me......not anymore.

Nan : Man...Manik what's wrong...
She was cut in between by him.

Man: I am tried, sleepy. I don't come home to answer your silly questions. Which are baseless, not of any use to me. And most importantly I am not answerable to anyone.
He said facing his back to her and walk to his room not waiting anymore for her reply.

Nandini stood there shock, she covered her mouth to keep her sob voice low, to cover up her scream...her silent screams.... is this what she deserves his cold and heartless behaviour. His never ending rude words.

She took the support of the chair and stared at the dinning table with tears flowing from her eyes.

She went near the dinning table, strated caressing the things. The crockery set which she used for dinner, her mother in law had given to her as her birthday gift which she kept safe and used it for only special occasion which were now rare.
Was her birthday gift cheap and middle class. Or was her idea middle class of surprising him with a dinner which she cooked herself specially for him with all his favourite cruise, which he didn't even look at it for once.

She take so many efforts to make their relationship better, to decrease their distance, to bring back that sparkle. And what he does insults her, make her cry and does not even regrets after using such harsh words.

She cleaned the table and kept the food back inside the refrigerator like always untouched.

She came back outside and looked at the lilly remembering her old good days when he used to bring lilly for her every evening while returning back from work.

She stared at it, caressing it with her fingers, she broke down again. Crying out loudly holding the chair as support and sat down on the floor. Closing her eyes tightly she hugged them and again his unpleasant words rang in her head making her cry even more.

After what felt like a hour for her, she got up, throwing them in dustbin she climbed the stairs, to go to her room or his room.

Manik Pov

Today again her stupid idea, a dinner setup and that also she had to plan it today like serious after what happened during lunch....okay she didn't knew anything about it but she was the reason for all the drama.... yup....
I had lunch date with Amaya, well she made it look as a date orelse it would be simple lunch according to me. It was peaceful untill my stupid friend Cabir turn up to destroy it. With his same shitty talk of me cheating on Nandini. Like really what have I done, what's wrong with him I can't understand. If I spend some time with Amaya how come I am cheating Nandini as if I am sleeping around with her. Like seriously. He has turned so orthodox after marrying that stupid madhubala her totally filmy wife. Navya, Nandini's cousin and my best friend's wife. Because of his stupid wedding, God know why I decided to attend....infact what was the need.....over there I met her.....Nandini Murty.
My dad's best friend's daughter and my mom favourite pet. They had decided my wedding with her long back. They just wanted me to come to India once so that they can put their plan into action. And Cabir's wedding was for them the right opportunity and him getting married to Navya her cousin sister was a cherry on the cake. It was like my destiny had made up plan for me to cross her path. But yet I don't understand my father being one of the top businessman in India and having his ventures spread out across the world how come he is Nandini's dad best friend okay you don't make friend seeing someone bank account balance but yet there should atleast some common points he being some small town bussineman how come they could be so true best friends. It was one of the shocking news I had got from my chachi. And Navya her family too were well to do but Nandini family was middle class, they were down to earth, humble people and I being surrounded by spoil rich brat in USA, it was fascinating for me to meet them and come across her. Cabir's wedding brought us near, mom was happy and dad he was toh making arrangements and preparation for my wedding.
But I, I was not yet sure.....I was confused....it was too difficult for me to decide.....she was good, beautiful, caring but not my type's.....for me to decide on this was like scientists searching life on Mars. I had asked for time to make up my mind, was I really ready for this, or was it a hasty decision.
But mom her emotional blackmailing worked.....she very well knew if I return back to USA I won't come back any sooner and my dreams out here to be best to climb up success ladder, be successfully by hook or crook would never allow me to take decisions in their favour. So she convinced me. That does not mean I was not happy, I was happy with her....she was caring, affectionate and a very good cook....We stayed one month out there in Mumbai....and she being from a small town ie Mangalore, it was difficult for her to adjust with my family with our status, dressing style, habits. Well Mangalore is small as compare to Mumbai and then it's nothing infront of USA and her life style was way too simple. Later on I had decided to come back where I belong US, California which I told her.....she agreed. I was happy that I got a companion for my lifetime. A true lover and I liked her yes I did.....but now do I like her is a big question mark. Years past....I took over dad's business over here in States along with the small business which I had set up on my own....she too wanted to pursuant her study's in Medical field which I encouraged her.....I got busy in my work but made sure about her needs....we didn't had child in our first 4 years of marriage beacuse she was studying and it was a big responsibility to nurture a baby....and more over we both were too young.....but soon I realized we were so different she was so pure, simple, kind, humble and I was completely opposite when I was going to tell her that, she surprised me by saying that she is pregnant and gave birth to my son.....I was the most happy man at that point of time it was start of a new phase of my life....after all he was my part.....my son....my pride....and moreover he is like me strong, practical, arrogant, handsome, not like her fragile and emotional fool. I tried to look at bright side of taking responsibility of my son I love him yes I do and adjusted with her... okay....I agree she is a great person with my arrogant and jerk behaviour yet she does not complaints but she is adjusting with me.
With passing days I started going further apart from her.....if I was north pole she was south well she is afterall really from south, a South Indian. I yet remember during my wedding one of my friend Aryaman had called them Malyalis and how her aunt had reacted, it was start of world war 3....she claim that they were Tamilyan's....it was epic if he see her now also as when he visits me at home or somewhere outside....he remember that incident and call's her Tamilyan while my dear wife just frown looking at him. 😂 My marriage was not so bad or disastrous until Amaya Matur entered my life. I don't blame her but I feel depressed after meeting her that I made such a big mistake marrying Nandini. A weak, dumb, fragile, antisocial,orthodox, emotional, cranky woman. Amaya is perfect she is strong, social, beautiful, smart, intelligent, emotionally stable, woman. She has groomed herself so well both mentally and physically. A perfect woman for any man. A dream girl. Her dad and I came into a collaboration term 2 years back when I met her. We work together our thinking, mind set, personality, compatibility meet's so well unlike nandini....and Cabir's false claim make me more angry.....I feel suffocate....especially when I see Nandini....

Nan: Manik...(knock).....Manik... (knock)

My chain was thoughts was broken by her voice she was knocking the door and soon I realized so long I was standing under the shower remembering this stupid marriage......well our old stupid times.

I turn off the shower and after wiping myself I realized I didn't carry my clothes. Tying the towel around my waist I step out to find her setting our bed. After looking at me she put a gaze down and probably was blushing.....which made me roll my eyes in annoyances she can't be more clumsy.

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🌹May This Special Occasion Bring You Untold Joy, Immeasurable Happiness, Lots Of Fun, Renewed Love And ALLAH's Endless Blessings. Receive All The Best Wishes.🌹

Eid Mubarak! 🌙