" Nandini, you know, when fab5 was formed, at the early stage we used to take part in college, inter-college competitions. Then as we gained confidence, we started performing at night clubs and a few private events. It was after three years , that we began looking for producers for our first album. At this moment we met a producer, he not only outrightly refused to produce but also humiliated our talent. He said ase bachche Wale lyrics likh kar kaha tak pahunchoge tumlog? It was so humiliating and my friends were hurt. I had always been the shield , the protector and that day I couldn't shut that f****r, but I promised myself that I one day our band will be known all over the world. It's been 4 years to that day and I have the opportunity, but I am not sure about it because many things have changed in these years. We are popular already, and I have a perfect plan to bankrupt that as****e in just 6 months time. And most importantly I have you and our soon to be baby. I don't want to do anything that upsets you, but..." Manik trails off, he doesn't know how to explain his dilemma.
Nandini, wrapped up in his comforting arms, silently contemplates his words. He is stroking her naked arms , while her head is on his chest. She can feel his emotions through his words. This international concert really means a lot to him.
" I could take you with me, but I will be traveling every other day from one destination to other and it will surely mess with your health. Mom doesn't approve of it. This is her first grand child and she is no mood to take risk. Frankly speaking I too agree with her, on some level she is right"
Nandini breaks her silence, decision reached " Manik I want you to be Happy. I don't want to hold you down from achieving anything. So you can go. I will spend one month , thinking about you and taking care of our child. He / she will keep me company" she says holding her belly. He is at a loss of words. Clearly torn between his love and his ambition. In life, surely you have to choose , in order to succeed. It's his turn to choose. He knows she is doing this for him. He will live forever in regret , if he doesn't fulfill a promise that he made to himself. So he takes a deep breath, before uttering the final word "okay".
She smiles at him and he kisses her forehead.
" So...When will you be leaving?"
" In a week"
"Okay"
" Once I come back we will make sure to spend most of our time together."
" Hmmm"
" Once our baby comes, tumhre paas toh mere lye time hi Ni hoga" he pouts. She giggles looking at him.
" Right" she teases.
" Nandini are you serious?How will I live!" He whines " you know this thing has been eating my head. I don't know anything , you will have to make time for me"
" Manik, tumhe Ni pta new born babies kitna pareshaan karte hain!! Atleast for a few months you will have to adjust" she knows she is adding fuel to fire and this makes her smile inwardly.
Manik looks horrified at her " few more months??? Are you crazy? I am already adjusting so much...Aur Ni hoga mujhse! "
Somehow his reference to the adjustment, irks her and she snaps " adjustment karne mein problem ho Rahi h toh go to that Soha na...She is already propositioning you"
He looks stunned at her while she moves away from him and starts putting on her underwear picking them up from the floor beside the bed. " You want me to go to Soha? Are you sure?" He asks feighning seriousness, testing her.
" Yes, very sure" she blurts without a second thought.
" Okay then" he says and puts on his boxers and searches for his jeans. Nandini turns to glare at him " where do you think you are going?" She seethes.
" Tumhi ne bola na to go to Soha" he says nonchalantly and pulls up his denim jeans.
She stalks like a hungry lioness towards him and he smiles within.
" Manik tum yaha se hiley bhi na toh I will kill that Soha!!" She threatens blocking the door. He laughs unable to control his amusement anymore.
" Nandini tum pehle decide kar lo...What do you want?" He says smiling and her mood shifts seeing him laughing. His smile dazzles her and she says softly " YOU" when he doesn't understand she elaborates " I want you and only you, Manik."
" Me too, Babu" he says caressing her cheek. She leans into his touch.
" Babu? Why this endearment?" She asks softly.
" Because you are behaving like a kid and truly speaking I like that"
" Like what??"
" Your insecurity for me"
" Why?"
" Because that vouches for your love towards me"
" Of course, I love you. You don't believe my words?"
" I do, sweetheart, I do. Tell me don't you like that endearment?"
" Yes I love it"
" And you are good like this all wild and fiery. Rote hue tum achi Ni lagti. Moreover I want my kid to be emotionally strong and if you keep crying like this whole of the time toh our child will also be rondu- molu"
" How do you know?"
" I did research on the net and I found very interesting facts."
" Like???"
" It says that it is a general belief that the face of the foetus, shapes like the person whom the expecting mother sees 24*7"
" Hmmm I too have heard that"
" That's why I am thinking to put up some pics of healthy, cute babies in our bedroom so that you see it every waking moment."
" But I want the baby's face to be like you. Expressive eyes, thin lips , chiselled jawline and this mole...I so want this mole on our baby" she caresses the mole above his lips. He smiles indulgently at her.
" You are making me hard just by your words....But but...Before I get carried away, you need to eat and it's time for your meds too!"
" Oh shit!" She curses.
He is confused " what?"
" Don't be angry but I forgot to keep the meds" she pouts cutely. He smiles
" don't worry , I have it covered"
Her heart fills with joy seeing his care as he takes out the medicine box from the duffel bag that he has carried.
" These are last piece. I think tomorrow when we see doctor Anjana, she is going to prescribe new ones" he says as he holds the box in one hand while his other arm is round her shoulders and they make their way to the kitchen.
" Hmmm tomorrow is the first ultrasound due. We will see our baby!!" She exclaims. He plants a soft kiss on her lips " I hope the baby is healthy" he says a little warily.
" Manik, baby must not have fully formed yet."
" Oh" he says surprised by the information.
" It will be so much novelty for both of us! I am excited" she says happily.
" Hmmm...Me too...Now eat" he orders and she rolls her eyes at his bossy tone. They both eat in silence.
The talk seems to have settled the tension between them. Nandini has made up her mind to not make the issue of his tour a fuss. She will let him go, happily.
On the other hand , Manik is relaxed too. Talking helped! Now everything is falling into place. Nandini has taken the news on a much more positive note than he had expected.
All is well!!
.......
The surprise????
It's not in this update too...But I have dropped a hint. Let's see how many are intuitive enough to catch it. * Giggle*
Till then...
#OKTHANKSBYE