Manik Pov

I kept on staring at the paper which my lost beloved brother (sarcasm) gave me, for along time which seems like infinity. My Dad can think so low about me was the only thought that roam in my mind. Dad told everything to Abhimanyu that I understood by the way he gave me a disgust look as he entered. While leaving the words what he said after his endless accusations of me being a shameless ungrateful jerk were that I will repent my entire life and will cry tears of blood is what he told me.

He kept on accusing me for destroying Nandini life. Nah seriously isn't my life destroyed too. Why everyone can see only her life, her pains, her struggle what about me aren't I am too sailing in the same boat like her. Why do they feel that I don't have emotions or a heart to feel pain. Wow as if I am some immortal who doesn't experience this humanly feeling. The only difference is Nandini can express it while I don't know how to express them I hind them in my shot temper anger and arrogance.

Like really !!!
I destroyed her life I was the one right now ready to accept my fault and do every single thing right while she like a coward kitten ran away without even meeting or least even didn't dare to call me up to inform that she is leaving.

Has she gone forever or just for sometime ? Or is she expecting me to run behind her to India like old times to get her back and apologies for mistake which I have not yet done. They were mere words which I utter because of being in such a situation I was mad, shock and not emotional or mentally in stable state to think anything right and in anger I utter those stupid pessimist words. And what about the provocations and accusations which were put on me without me being at fault no one can see that I lost my sanity and said whatever came in my mind in anger yaar we tend to say thing what we don't mean sometimes.

But that time also I had clearly mention I am not leaving her. Didn't my parents tell her that or they said only the few golden words which hurt them so much that they decided to send these papers now itself to me, claiming this shit. They really think that I will remarry again if I decide to give Nandini divorce and will go through the same torture and blame games which I went through all these years. Marriage is a biggest joke of my life. Fine I don't care about their property Nandini can be happy with it forever. I don't want a penny. Like really if I marry again yet all rights of being my wife will be with Nandini as she will be only inheriting my worldly assets and my new wife won't have any rights. I was in this illusion relationship for so long with my own self because the other person my so called wife was into herself that she never for one's tried to solve the problems or say tried to give a meaningful shape to my endless efforts which I had made before. Yes after Naman I yet tried making efforts but then I stopped because I felt stupid or say it all felt useless. And afterwards her making efforts made me laugh as it felt like a joke to me where was she when I was alone holding the strings so now it was her time to alone hold the strings and feel the same rejection and unimportances what she made me feel all these years even if it was unintentionally yet I don't care. She tried to hold strings but ultimately she failed completely and in return blame me for my cold behaviour like seriously I was always this way for her I was changing but when she herself didn't acknowledge my efforts then why should I make one.

Whatever if I am to be blame fine I am the reason for all problem I alone am the reason for this shit which occurred. Nandini is saint and a woman who can never commit any mistake. She deserves better life and not a jerk like me in her life. So whatever happen ahead I will take the blame simple. If they all decide to make me a devil I am ready to be one.

And most importantly my marriage is a failure and will always be the one which Nandini proved today by running away from our problems just like that by showing me her back, if she thinks like old times I will again run behind her and ask for forgiveness so she is absolutely wrong I am never going behind her. Infact if she comes back it's fine orelse she can suit herself by staying forever there in India. But my son is coming back to me that's for sure. Whatever anyone wants to say for that they are free to say. Make me selfish, arrogant, egoistic, ungrateful, stupid, moron or whatever one suits I don't care.

He said with red blood shot eyes while grinting his teeths.

Manik was not ready to understand that this time it was his turn to bent and balance the down's of their relationship. He knew he was at fault but his ego was not letting him take a wise decision which his heart wanted to take. It was stopping him, a man ego is the most powerful thing to destroy the purest of purest relationship.

****

Manik didn't sleep the entire night, he kept on tossing around, roaming in the house like an owl with all possibility. Once he even thought to keep away everything all these differences between him and Nandini and just to India to get her back but the next thought stop him that what if she made a joke of him and refuse to come. And out there she will have upper hand as her entire family will support her and moreover his family is already supporting her only. This thought made him frown in short he doesn't have anyone on his side. Without trying to understand his point everyone has made him a culprit and judged him as one who is having extra martial affair because of him being associated with a woman and taking her side.

He kept on wondering in the lawn, backyard in short he had roam in the entire house for nth number of time and finally being frustrated he faced palmed and shouted.

Man: I AM GOING MAD. OHH GOD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO INDIA JUST GET THAT MANIK.
He said helpless and then lied on the couch being a stubborn head he kept on staring at the ceiling like a depressed soul and finally with lots of trouble he slept of sometime.

His ego won over his conscious. Huh the three letter words have so much power to destroy your sanity completely.

Nandini Pov.

The lonely night came to an end starting another painful day for me.

I feel so exhausted, Naman was yet sleeping I kept him gently on the seat.
To get freshen up I went in the washroom and saw my figure in the mirror. My eyes were red swollen puffy with dry tears and dark circles, my lips were yet trembling although I had stop sobbing long back and my figure had become thin. Wow I was going to meet my parents like this, appa would definitely come to know about everything only by seeing a glimpse of me. I can't make them feel guilty with such kind of appearance which will apparently scare them.

I washed my face with cold water with my trembling hands.

Ons splash
Two splash
Three splash
Four splash
Ahh and finally finth splash
Done no tears

I said and looked at my face with water droplets dripping down from my not so chubby cheeks.

Done fresh, now no more crying. You are strong Nandini so you won't cry. Everything happen for a reason so there will be something hidden behind this all also some reason behind so much depression and suffering. Ayyiappa has always a plan behind everything so trust him. Might be he is taking your test, that how much faith you have on him. Farewell Nandini to this old emotional fool and welcome a new confident and positive Nandini you have to be strong Nandu.

You are your appa strong daughter she said to herself in the mirror talking to her reflection.

I will meet amma, appa soon so infront of them I won't cry. Tomorrow itself after reaching I will leave for Mangalore. So you are going to smile now, she said giving her reflection a fake smile pretending her level best to smile.

Nandini never had to pretend to smile, she would smile always, her smile would come from her heart and twinkle in her eyes. But today the young girl was practicing standing infront of mirror how to smile this was the depth of damage which all this mess had created in her life. Destroyed her to this extent.

Nandini: Smile
She said pulling her cheeks then extending her lips in a smile shape and smiled she kept on doing this until tears started flowing from her eyes and she brusted down crying again. She felt on her feet crying her heart out at her own misery what has life given her back. What kind of sinner was she that she had to go through this pain. Although she had everyone by her side yet she was all alone in the long dark alley she just wanted that one person which was not ready to come back to her. She wanted MANIK only he could fix her, end her insecurities and bring back her old self where she was entirely dependent on him. She knew if anything goes wrong he is right behind her to hold her, to protect her. Only difference now was he was yet there but she didn't trusted him enough to know that, she still has his backing and always will.

That's the only reason a mere absence of her made him so restless that though he had such along tiring day yet he couldn't sleep and was awake whole night thinking of her only.

Her cry's didn't stop she sat down on the floor crying until she heard Neyonika's voice who was banging the door calling out her name.

Neyonika : Nandini....Nandini
She kept on banging the door restlessly being scared that she doesn't do any stupid act in her this trauma. A thought of suicidal tendency come to people in such a state and this thought had shooken her. If Nandini ever does something like that she will permanently damage her and she will never ever forgive herself all her life.

But she didn't have any idea how strong this girl was she was a hard tough girl with her own vulnerable shortcoming. If she ever get's any idea of her mental and physical conditions in near future she saluate Nandini.

Nandini listening to her shouts stood up, wiped her face and opened the door. She can't trouble her more.

Neyonika stood there staring at her face which had lost all it's glow and immediately engulfed her in her embrace while Nandini stood shock.

She could see the guilt and pain in Neyonika and Shivam eyes but right now she herself was not in a state to confront them and make them feel better by saying they should not blame themselves for this misfortune.

She just reciprocated back to the hug and buried her face in Neyonika hair to take out all her grief. While Neyonika too engulfed her entirely with her frame while crying.

This was witness by Shivam who stood there admiring both ladies.

He was already shock by Neyonika sudden change of decision of telling Nandini everything when she had convince him so much to not tell a word about Manik and now this, he admire his wife selfless attitude and she truely meant when she said Nandini is her daughter and not daughter in law.

Some people just say the words and make relations but when it come to express them and stand by it they back off.

Actions are more important than words.

Nandini sat next to Neyonika in rest of the journey while Naman sat next to his grandpa.

Neyonika from time to time would looked at Nandini who was aware of her gaze while she look outside the window to infinity with only blue sky and white clouds. In depress state you can stare at a thing for nth number of hour also. You feel you are at that place staring at a particular thing but in reality you visit the entire universe with your own thoughts thinking of all possibilities.

She hardly had any breakfast but just took alittle for the sake of having her tablets. Neyonika saw her gulping three tablets down her throat and stare at it doubting why she had them but didn't ask her anything about it. She thought it might be for headache or some flight sickness.

Soon there was announcement of fastening their seat belt the 21 hours journey was finally coming to end. With unsaid words but silence spoke volumes in such a situation for all of them.

As they were moving down Nandini felt goosebumps while her heart beating rate increased. She felt anxious, exhausted, tired, happy, sad, hollow, full everything at the sametime.

While leaving she was the last one to leave the flight as she was not in hurry today. If it would be someother day she would right now be the most excited soul but for now she felt nothing but yet so much.

They soon took their luggage and step outside. The humid wind of Mumbai Airport kissed her skin and soon she was standing in a crowded crossway of people who were so familiar to her afterall she always belong to this land from her heart and soul. She was an Indian and will always be one.

She looked around her for the first time with smile, there was familiarity there were no more only firangi's but her people. Naman was new to all this he kept on staring at everyone and the crowd. He was visiting India for first time and hence was shock to see the crowd and especially different people and their attires. He holded Shivam hand first but afterwards ran to Nandini and holded her hand tightly as if he will get lost in the new place. While Nandini after looking at this smiled more brightly and kissed his forehead. A child will trust her mother more than anyone in this world. Afterall a child is part of her mother itself a part which was attached with her for nine months and this much time is enough to build a trust for life long that this woman will never fail me ever and will put herself before me in every difficulty what I face.

Naman frowned while complaining it had not even being five minutes that they came out from the A/C yet he frowned and said grumpily.

Naman: It's so hot
Neyonika and Shivam chuckled on his comment while Neyonika started removing his jacket while pulling his nose

While Nandini could only think of one person after looking at his face and frown her beloved Husband. His face flashed infront of her eyes.

Shivam voice broke her trance when he announced that

Shivam: There they are ?

Nandini followed his gaze to find her appa and amma standing there looking at them with a bright smile.

The smile what they had on their face made Nandini eyes watered, that bright smile was she all wanted to see ever since what felt like decades.

Shivam and Neyonika walked towards them while Nandini stood there rooted on the floor. It was only Naman who pulled her hand dragging her there towards them.

As she came near them Maya saw her daughter face amd her facial expression changed immediately.

Afterall a mother can read her daughter face just like an open book without exchange of any words.

Vishnu engulfed Nandini in a hug kissing her hair continuously the happiness what he felt after seeing her daughter was beyond expression while Maya just stared towards Nandini.

Nandini too had tears in her eyes she was crying silent in her appa arms. This is all she needed right now. This ensures, acceptances and most importantly protection.

Vishnu broke the hug and kissed her forehead and cheeks continuously for him, his misti, doll had returned back he smiled looking at her.

Vishnu: My darling I missed you so much. I love you bete.
He said caressing her hair.

But before he could understand the smile what she gave to him had so much things hidden inside it but before that Naman voice distracted him and he paid attention to him. By carrying him and kissing his cheeks.

Nandini took steps towards her amma and then that was it. Maya facial expression changed more she became worried while Nandini crashed into her arms and broke down all her barriers while crying in her motherly warm. Maya too understood something big had happened she just kept on caressing her hair while silent tears flow more vigorously from Nandini's eyes. Vishnu and Shivam got along with their talks with Naman. While Neyonika stood there spectating Maya and Nandini exchanged non spoken words. Maya looked at Neyonika and asked with her eyes what has happened while Neyonika just looked away not knowing what to say.

Nandini: Amma I missed you.
She said sobbing in her arms.

Maya: I missed you too bete.
She said caressing her hairs.

Nandini: I just want to be here with you in your embrace. Hid me again in you amma please.
She said so softly in her ears but non of the words were missed by Maya who hugged her more tightly while Nandini kept on crying.

And then she just fainted in her Amma embrace making everyone shock.

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Long update for the delay.

Do comment and give your views but please don't make be feel offended I am just writing this with one storyline in my head. So it has nothing to do with one life. Be wise enough to take it wisely and by not getting offended.

Take care 😊😊😊