Last night while everyone in deep slumber, two souls were wide awake. When the dawn finally came up, along with the comfortable blue sky, a sense of easiness too made comeback in their life. Last night Manik and Nandini decided to let go of the discomfort they felt or at least they "tried" to overcome it. Though they knew "being normal" was not a cakewalk rather it was a ride full of prickly thorns with rose petals easing the pain every now and then, still they took the first step towards it together. Their minds held grudges against each other, their hearts carried pain, and somewhere they knew being silent will only turn it into venom so toxic that it would prove fatal for all relationships surrounding them. This small move might help in saving other relationships but this could prove detrimental to their own relationship since talking would in a way surface the agony which the silence concealed. Nevertheless neither of them was concerned about the future of their relationship since in their thoughts it had already hit rock bottom, it couldn't go any worse but then this was what they "thought".
Anyways, as the sun moved higher in the sky, the others too woke up. The first one was Mukti. She came out rubbing her eyes but stood shocked with what she saw next. Navya and Cabir followed her and were pleasantly surprised looking at Mukti who was standing like a statue. They moved their gaze to see what her eyes were busy admiring and the moment their visions met, their jaws dropped. Soon Abhi joined them,
Abhi – Release
None moved
Abhi (Shaking Cabir) – Release
Cabir – Hmm..(getting his sense back and says in louder voice) What
Cabir's words brought Navya and Mukti back to the reality as well. They all glared at Abhi
Abhi (casually moving) – What..why are you guys staring at me...You were standing like an statue..i thought some game was going so I released you guys...
Mukti stepped on Abhi's leg in annoyance.
Abhi – Mukuuu..!! What the hell...!!
Nandini and Manik too noticed their presence after hearing Abhi's shout.
Nandini – What happened Abhi..are you Okay..??
Abhi – Ya Ya...nothing to worry about (glared at Mukti)...Waise Babydoll...I hope you and Manik are not on a early morning coffee date since I don't want to be a intruder...you know..!!
(Okay so, Nandini and Manik were having coffee together on the in the balcony which obviously was a rare sight to watch. It was pleasant shock for everyone since they were unaware of what all had conspired last night (somewhat like the picture below just ignore the clothes))
Manik – Of course Abhi, we were just waiting for you guys to get up...Right Nandini
Nandini – Absolutely wait let me get coffee for everyone..
Abhi came and sat beside Manik.
Abhi – So how was the night
Manik – Quite decisive...you say had a sound sleep
Abhi – Oh perfect...slept well after a long time..!!
Just then, Nandini entered
Nandini – of course..!! after all you had such a good company... right Mukti..!!
Mukti – Nandini please don't start with your teasings so early in the morning..!!
Nandini – Oh my God...Mukti you are blushing again...Okay I haven't said this before but I never thought that I would see you blushing...Abhi what have you done to my Lady Hitler..!!
Everyone laughed and settled down to have coffee.
Nandini – Guys where is Dhruv and Alya...with let me go and wake them too..!!
Manik – Nandini wait..!!..(Nandini stopped and turned around while everyone else look in shock) I guess we should let them sleep...they might have slept late otherwise in general they are early risers...so I think we shouldn't disturb them.
Nandini – Hmm..Okay..so guys what is the plan for today..??
Abhi – Nandu, I was thinking of chilling out at home..what say..!!
Nandini – Not bad..listen I have a meeting at 11:30 which I can't avoid...so I'll have to go to office..Sorry guys..will see you in the evening..!!
Navya – Why evening...lets meet once your meeting gets over..
Cabir – Ya Nandu..it would be great but hang on ...!! me and Dhruv... we too have a video conference around the same time with some new investors..we would be busy too..Damn..!!
Mukti – What yaar we are meeting after so long and we can't even spend time together..thanks to our work..
Manik – Wait guys... All of us have work right so I have an idea..let's try and finish off our work as soon as we can and then meet up here...Nandini you too can take your own time and join us whenever you get free
Nandini – That sounds like a good plan..i'll message you guys when I am done and then I'll join you too..any ways..chalo let me get ready..
Abhi – yes we should also freshen up...will meet you for the breakfast..!!
Around half an hour later, Manik entered the kitchen only to see a nervous Nandini.
Manik – Need help
Nandini – No...I'll manage...Actually I was planning to cook breakfast based on everyone's choices and till now I haven't come up with a single dish..Also this stupid clock it just keeps moving..I mean can't anyone just halt it for a while..
Manik – Relax Nandini..i would suggest Don't overthink...just try and cook something which you would have cooked for yourself..they are your friends...I don't think they will mind..
Nandini – Manik but they have come over to my place and as a host it is my responsibility to make them comfortable..
Manik – I don't think that should be a problem..I think everyone is comfortable here...and what they have in breakfast won't change that ..anyways...you decide..let me know in case you need any help
Nandini – Umm...Manik (Manik turned )...if you are free can you please set the breakfast table...I mean arrange the plates and all, in the meantime I can decide what to cook..!!
Manik – Okay
Manik got himself busy with arranging the table when Alya and Dhruv enter the dinining area. They too were surprised but later got shocked when they heard Manik calling out Nandini
Manik – Nandini...I can't find the spoons...
Well, they weren't still out of it and slipped into another shock when they heard Nandini replying
Nandini – Manik..please check the top most cabinet of the cupboard, the maid must have place it there.
Manik (after checking) – yup found them,,,The table is ready...!!
Nandini – Thanks, I'll get food in 10 min..!!
Manik – Ok
Saying this, Manik moved to the couch and noticed Dhruv and Alya staring at him..
Manik – Good morning sleepy heads..!!
Dhruv and Alya were too shocked to reply. Manik stood in the centre and tapped on their shoulders
Manik – (A little louder) Good morning guys...still sleepy kya..!!
Dhruve and Alya (came out of their trance) – Good Morning Manik...!!
Manik – Are you guys okay...?? Acha listen I need to speak with you regarding something..let me know whenever you are free
Just then Cabir Called from behind
Cabir – Dhruv glad you are up..listen we have the concall with the investors...have you gone through the presentation
Dhruv – Yes I did...I was looking for you..need to discuss a few points..(Looking at Manik)Buddy excuse me for a while..I'll join you in some time..(Saying this Dhruv Left)
Alya – Umm..let me check if Nandini needs some help in the kitchen..Manik I'll see you around (Saying this she also left)
Manik – (in a slow murmur, like talking to himself) Ignore as much as you can..I'll catch hold of both of you real soon..
Saying this, Manik too left the dining area. A few minutes later Nandini called everyone
Cabir –Wooah Breakfast time..so Nandu what have you got...??
Nandini – Ok guys..I am sorry...please don't keep your hopes high...Since I am in a hurry today, I couldn't treat you with a proper breakfast...All I could manage was Poha, Idly, some sandwiches..and in case you guys don't like it you have cereals or bread jam too...
Mukti – Are you kidding me Nandini...this is freaking awesome...Come lets have breakfast..!!
Manik (in a slow murmur) – This girl is impossible...I have no idea what she is trying to prove..O God...relax Manik remember you have to be Normal...just be normal..!! (Saying this Manik settled on the breakfast table)
Everyone was having their breakfast, when Manik spoke
Manik – Nandini, can you please pass some jam..!!
Nandini – Sure Manik, Wait I'll get juice too..
Abhi - Seriously Manik, no matter what you eat, your breakfast is incomplete without a bread jam and juice right..!!
Nandini – Well old habits die hard...!!
Maniks lets out a laugh..everyone look at him with horrified faces..
Alya (in a slow murmur) – I am not dreaming right..please someone pinch me..(someone pinched her and she turned her face to look at the culprit, in a slightly higher tone)AAuuww.. Navya...what the hell...??
Navya – Shshhh...don't shout...you only asked someone to pinch you..
Alya – It was a phrase
Navya – Oh...now that you are out of your dreamland ...can you pinch me in return too to make me believe thtat all of this is not a dream...!!
Cabir (who was sitting next to Navya) – In that case don't pinch me ladies because if this is a dream I would never want to come out of it...it is beautiful..!!
This time Nandini heard it
Nandini – What is beautiful Cabir..??
Cabir – Umm...woh...umm....your house, everything is so beautiful...nice place Nandini..!!
Nandini – My place...beautiful...house...all of the sudden...it doesn't make any sense ..are you fine Cabir..??
Manik – Nandini...like seriously you are trying to find sense in Cabir's talks.. his talks never make sense any which ways...and you Cabir My friend...please concentrate on your food..it suits you better..!!
After finishing their breakfast, everyone settled down in the living room while Nandini went to change for office. Soon she changed into office wear and joined everyone outside.
Manik – Damn yaar..!!
Abhi – What happened Manik...all okay..??
Manik – Nothing yaar I jus thought of finishing off a work...but damn no cabs are available.
Nandini – This is peak time Manik...if it is okay, you can come with me..
Manik – No Nandini, I don't want to trouble you...besides dropping me would make you late for your meeting
Nandini – I shall get off at my office first and then my driver shall drop you to your location...I don't think it should be a problem..rest it your choice...!!
Manik – I guess you are right...give me 5 mins..i'll just come ...!!
Nandini – Sure I'll wait..!!
A couple of minutes later, as soon as Manik and Nandini walk out, mukti started
Mukti – What the hell just happened...for that matter what is happening since morning..!!
Navya – Guys did something happened last night..I mean did we miss out on anything..??
Cabir – I have no freaking idea...
Alya – But the good thing is they are talking...I don't care how but I am just glad it happened.
Everyone smiled and got back to their chores..
Meanwhile, in the car, an unusual silence had gripped the environment yet again as the two souls were busy in their own thoughts
.........Nandini's POV..........
A lot has happened since last night...we had our first normal conversation...you know never in my dreams I thought being normal would be so difficult...our conversations might look regular and effortless but in my head I had processed every sentence at least 10 times before speaking as if I was giving a presentation...and many times refrained myself from saying something that might change the mood even for a while...I couldn't help but wonder at the change of events or in our case change of fortunes..I mean I remember we always had lots to share with each even if we were meeting after a day but now that we met after 5 years we just don't feel like sharing anything...we were always carefree around each other, we were comfortable in voicing our opinions, speaking our minds unlike today where our words are calculative, moves are conscious and emotions are controlled. For instance, in the morning when Manik came in the kitchen offering me a hand, I wanted to shout and ask him where was he all these years when I needed his help...?? Why is he showing this concern all the sudden..?? But I kept quite instead asked him to set the table. I know even Manik controlled himself not once but many times since morning..!!..Yes we had agreed to converse with each other little did we know it would become so formal..!!
Anyways, I reached office, bade him good bye and got myself busy with work as this was the only think that could keep my mind off Manik...
..........Nandini's POV ends..........
...........Manik's POV...............
I was with Nandini, alone in her car and that's when I realize how difficult it has become for both of us..we can pretend..well that's what we were doing since morning..pretending for our friends and family..but the question was how long..for how long will this pretence mask stay intact... ??..One day or the other it would come off....It was like we were staring to weave our relationship from scratch again...but as they say a thread that is broken can be joined but you can't get rid of the knots...same was the case with me and Nandini...8 years back our conversations were aimed at understanding each other...we didn't have any baggage back then but today either of us were carrying heavy load of past baggage which was unpleasant and painful at the same time..But right now I couldn't think of what the future held..i just didn't want mess up the present and hence I restrained myself on a lot of occasions...like when Nandini was unnecessarily worrying over breakfast I wanted to give her a piece of mind and tell her to worry about more important things on her platter than just the breakfast...but then I knew it wasn't my place...I couldn't ask Nandini to do anything...I had lost that right...I had lost it long back..!!
But one thing I knew I couldn't let my thoughts and feelings overpower and ruin the happiness of my friends..especially Mukti and Abhimanyu...I am not sure if I can ever have a normal conversation with Nandini any time soon and hence in retorted to formal conversations....At least in our years of separation being formal was one thing I had learnt effectively..!!
...........Manik's POV ends..........
It was around noon, everyone except Manik and Nandini were watching a movie at Nandini's place. They were waiting for them to come back and join them.
Mukti – Abhi..there is message on your phone
Abhi – Check it and tell me what and who is it..
Mukti – Its Nandini's..I hope she's free now..(Mukti took a pause after reading Nandini's message)
Abhi – Mukti what is she saying..
Mukti – Nandini wants you to message her Manik's number...!!
Abhi – Oh so they have started talking but they don't have each other's numbers..weird..send her his number...(Abhi also took a pause)...Guys I wanted to say something...I don't know why I feel there is a lot of formality involved when Manik and Nandini talk..!!
Cabir – I understand what you are trying to say Abhi...may be are trying to create a sense of normalcy around
Abhi – That I understand but their equation with each other is a bit different from what they share with the rest
Navya – May be because they were somewhere in touch with all of us except each other...so I guess a little bit of formality is okay in order to have a normal environment...
Alya – And as I said in the morning, normal, formal, weird, surprising whatever it is, the good thing is that they are talking
Everyone's phone beeped and also the bell rang at the same time. Nandini entered the house
Abhi – Wow Babydoll...good that you've made a what's app group including all of us...
Nandini – I thought with the wedding and everything...we should like stay in touch with each other as group..so
Just then Manik too entered
Manik – Hey Nandini..thanks for adding me in the friends group..
Nandini – You are welcome Manik
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 13-------
This brings us to the end the chapter 13 ...!!
Guys...I am unwell since last week and plus the response to the last chapter too wasn't as per my expectations so was bit upset too..I hope this chapter is at par your expectations...sorry if you find it a bit boring...on a lighter note well in case you do find it boring, I would blame it on my sickness and gloomy mood..;) :)
Once again Thank You everyone for the support..!!
That's it from me for today...See you guys..Cheers..!!