His mind was buring.He too was buring in it.His Phone rang again. Seeing the name which was on display, his whole body shivered.

"Prerna" whispered manik.

The phone stopped ringing after 30 seconds. He sighed in relief. "Prerna... what is she upto? what does she get by doing this? His mind flooded with lots of questions which he hasn't any answer.

He walked to the cool and gracious balcony which was adjacent to the room. His favourite place in thier house. Balcony is fitted with a rope swing bed adorned with plush white cushions and  navy blue striped pillows. Infront of the swing, there is a wooden tea poy with glass top.

He sat down on the swing and thinks, "Whatever it is, it will hurt Nandini. And I can't let that happen, When she's sure she won't get love from me, she herself will leave me. If I had to walk away after I showed my love to her, she would not be able to bear it and... I can't afford it too. He arched his head backwards on the swing and closed his eyes.

His phone rang again putting an end to his thoughts. The name displayed on the screen made his body droopy. Knowing that it wasn't good to not pick up the phone, he took the call and brought it near his ear.

"Hey baby, why it took so much time in picking up the phone" Prerna started the conversation with a ridiculous flirting tone.

Manik gritted his teeths in anger, but said nothing.

"If you're wondering how to get rid of me,then forget it all. Just keep in mind what I said. I'm waiting  for a wise decision. If you didn't do as I said within a month, then do I need to tell you what's going to happen ??" Prerna said in a challenging way.

"Prerna please, Why are you playing with our lives?? Nandini... she is innocent. Usse toh chod do, Tumhari Problem mujhe se hai na , then why are  you dragging her in to this??" Manik said controlling his anger, but ended up in shouting.

"Manik..Manik..Manik.. Have you forgotten what I said?Are you not convinced of the consequences of Nandini knowing the truth?? Just imagine her reaction at that time. If you do as I say,then its good for you. Otherwise..." Prerna stopped abruptly.

"Otherwise...? Otherwise what? Kya karlongi tum?"Manik countered back unble to hear her threaten.

"Zyada kuch nahi... seedha tumhara ghar aavungi.. Nandini ko sab kuch batatungi. Cool na?" Prerna answered back heedlessly.

"Prerna tum.." Manik's screaming got interrupted by her faint chuckle.

"Oh baby, Itna gussa? Voh bhi us ladki ke liye?? Mocked Prerna.

"Voh ladki meri Biwi hai. Manik Malhotra ki Biwi!! Aur uska ek naam hai NANDINI  MANIK MALHOTRA!!! Izzat se baat kiya kar." Manik said aloud stressing his wife's name.

"No... her name isn't suiting with your name. How would be Prerna Man......" Prerna's ranting stopped as Manik yelled from otherside,

"Prernaaa..." He is going out of control.

"Offo baby, I know you like chanting my name, but my cheeks are burning now... I can't stop my blushing. You know, your chants made me blush." Prerna said lovingly which he could clearly sence she is faking.

"What you want, Prerna?? Manik asked helplessly.

"You" Came her instant reply.

He palmed his face being frustrated.He is tired of her drama.

"Think Manik, Think thoroughly., Then take a decision.. I know you won't disappoint me."  And before he could speak anything the call got disconnected. He threw the phone on the bed.

He is pacing here and there from past fifteen minutes. His mind is exploding with lots of thoughts.

"No.. Nandini shouldn't know anything, never. Its not too late. I should get her away from me as soon as possible. Yes I should do this." He said himself.

He held back his tears which threatened to trickle down. He sat down on the bed palming his face.Just then he heard the voice of his mother calling for dinner.

He stepped down the stairs slowly, meantime his eyes serached for Nandini. Everyone is there except his wife. He felt he could not breathe without seeing her. Just then she came in holding a glass bowl. He stared her for a few seconds before averting his eyes at the plate.

"Ye sab kya hai Manik, Tumhari waja se is ladki ko bahuth takleef hoti hai, pata hai tumhe? Aaj tumne acha nahi kiya Manik. Even after so many days of your marriage, your behaviour towards her has not changed. Why are you killing her like this? Isse behtar tum isse vaapas iski ghar bejdo. Kam se kam is tara roz udas nahi hogi voh." Frustrated with his son's behavior, Srikant said.

"I haven't tied up anybody. Anyone who wants to stay here can stay, Others can go. It doesn't affect me.This is how I'm. Loveless, cruel. It is not going to change, in future too. Manik retorted.

"Manik...," Shouted Nyonika. Kya bol rahe ho ? tameez se baat kar, Biwi hai tumhari.Does she at least get that consideration? " Nyonika added further.

"Biwi" He chuckled mockingly.

"Kya Maine aapse kaha tha ki isse mere sar mein bandho" Nandini looked up at him with shocked face. She held back the tears which brimmed in her almond shaped eyes.

From the corner of his eyes,Manik could see her shocked face. It pierced his already burning heart, but he stood there unaffected.

"Kya maine nahi kaha tha ki main shaadi nahi karna chahta? Mom, Aapki zid thi ye shaadi. Doesn't she know I'm like this, then why did she jumped into my life? Ab sab mujhe kyu dosh de rahe ho? Zindagi ki sabse badi galti thi ye shaadi.. barbaad kardiya meri zindagi ko..khud toh badkismath hai, aur mujhe bhi bana diya.."  yelled Manik.

"Manik.." his father's voice trembled throughout the house.

Nandini's eyes began to flow hearing Manik's heart piercing words. Manik  looked up at his father, who was looking at him angrily. Behind his father, he found Nandini staring at him all broken. His facial expressions softened for few seconds finding her tear filled face, but immediately changed.

Glaring at her in anger , Manik pushed away his plate harshly and stood up.

He didn't looked at Nandini. He knew he will fall weak. Due to lack of courage to look at Nandini or to hear her sob, Manik went to his room. With Manik's departure, Nyonika embraced her affectionately.

"Koyi baat nahi Maa.. Mujhe bura nahi laga.. Unko hospital mein koyi pareshaani hoga... shayad isliye gusse mein hai .. aap tension mat lo, main teek hu.." Nandini said hiding her tears which didn't go unnoticed by Nyonika. It look like Nandini was convincing herself more.  Nyonika stared at her naive daughter-in-law.

Finishing the remaining kitchen chores she walked towards their room.

When she went to bed , all her wishes had been begun to crumble. Slowly she pushed door and scanned the room .Nandini struggled to stop her tears looking at Manik who was sleeping on his stomach.

She took slow steps towards Manik and sat down on the floor infront of him. Staring at him, she ruffled his hair soothingly. She brushed his hair which was lazily fallen down on his forehead. Bending down Nandini pecked his cheeks slowly. Couldn't control her tears any more, she ran to the couch which was her mattress since five months.

She feared that he may wake up and scold her hearing her sobbing. In order to control her wailing, Nandini pressed her mouth with saree pallu. She bursted into tears remembering today's occurrences. How Manik scolded her, how he back answered to his parents just because of her. She clutched her mangalsutra tightly when more tears trickled down from her eyes. Slowly sleep took over her.

Manik opened his eyes and sat on the bed making sure that Nandini was in deep sleep.It was her tears that fell on him more than the kiss on his cheeks. Unknowingly his eyes welled up too.

Manik slowly walked towards her. He lovingly kissed her forehead without disturbing her sleep, while his eyes started to flow. He released her grip from the Mangalsutra and kissed her knuckles numerous times.

"If I begun to show my love , one day I will lose you Nandini., You will leave me alone. I can't afford it. I have to Keep you away." Manik said in low voice, not to wake her up.

Kissing her cheeks once again, he said"Bahut pyaar karta hu tumhe Nandini.."

                                      
                                        ~~~
                                  04/02/2020

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Hey, any Malayali here???

Well, here is the second part..

Desperately Waiting for your feedbacks..

If you liked the story, don't forget to hit star button..

Last but not least,  Thanks to all who read, liked & Commented my story!!!