Finding You Again( Sequel To IFY)

part13_Torn to shreds

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Daniel led the way towards manik, all the while muttering soft things to Aaron. Daniel stopped near manik and tapped his shoulder. Manik turned his face back towards Daniel and his eyes moved towards the Aaron in his arms. Only then did everyone realise that their hearts were beating faster from the excitement.

Nandni stood up from her chair, totally unaware of her restlessness. She couldn't miss the shock and then some softness in Manik's orbs as he kept looking at Aaron.

“Awww momma he’s ditto copy of manik....!” mukti’s exciting voice forced everyone to compare manik and then Aaron. No doubt they both have same, chocolate brown eyes, sharp nose, same black hairs. It’s just Aaron have chubby cheeks like mommy.

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“If you dont want to eat at least you can do a favour. Please can you hold this baby so that his mommy can have dinner peacefully....!” Daniel asked manik and without listening his reply he just Aaron placed in Manik's arms.

Seeing Manik's confused expressions every one laughed. Manik looked at Aaron and then back towards Daniel.
As soon Aaron came into manik’s arms he kept looking at him like trying to recognise that familiar face. Nandni was surprised as Aaron smiled, grabbing tightly onto the collar of his shirt.

Suddenly parul’s giggles moved their attentions back towards herself. When nandni looked back towards manik he was looking straight towards her. She was worried that, was he angry that she sent her baby towards him to handle. His blank face made nandni ore worried. But as soon manik diverted his eyes back towards Aaron who was giggling and talking in his toddler voice, manik couldn’t hide his smile. Nandni could feel her entire body got relaxed. She let out a breath of relief almost like She had been holding it since ages.  

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“They are very nice people. I can’t return their favours my whole life. They took care of my son when no one from us was with him....!” Raj said still looking at Daniel and Victoria who were laughing standing near manik.

“Mom dad look at him....!” nandni said while looking at Manik and Aaron. Manik was holding him in his lap. Aaron’s back was against his chest. Manik was whispering something in Aaron’s ear while wrapping his arms around her tummy. They all were surprised that how Aaron was comfortable and happy. In his toddler voice he was talking to manik while playing with his fingers. No doubt there was a natural attraction between father and son.

“I missed you. I missed these moments....!” nandni mumbled under her breaths. She was standing in one corner, at safe distance where she could see manik and Aaron clearly but they couldn't see her. Her little boy in Manik's arms felt like, something warm pulled her soul out of the cold. The darkness around her was being fading away. Overwhelmed feelings started growing as soon she witnessed manik gently brought his palms up and kissed them softly.

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No one ate properly because the distraction of manik and Aaron had kept the whole family preoccupied. She turned her eyes back towards manik’s table. But he wasn’t there. Daniel was standing far away with Aaron in his arms. Her heart fell deep into her stomach as she imagined what if he already left the party.

Nandni started looking for manik everywhere. She went towards balcony. But there was also no one. Turning around she banged into someone. Before she could fell down he held her arms securely. 

“Nandni are you ok. Why are you running like this....?” cabir asked steadying her at her feet. 

“Ma-manik, he left already...?” she asked still looking around. Her each breath was rattled as she tried to catch them. Cabir smiled seeing her concern. Cabir shook his head and turned her face in the direction where she found him. She took a deep breath after seeing him sitting far away with Victoria while Daniel was busy talking to Raj.