Hello bachoon! Missed me? Well i did!
*****

I was busy working when my mother called. She never calls in office hours.

"Nandu, Manik's mummy called. Manik ki dadi off ho gai..." my mummy said.

"Ac thin kya k off ho gai..." I chuckled. Shit, i face palmed my self. I should get control over that mouth of mine.

"Nandani koi tameez hai, k bech k chane le lie?" My mummy was angry. Well she had a reason to. Shit.

"Sorry." I said in a guilty voice.

"Kavitaji called because she wants you there. And I said yes." She said. But Manik didn't say anything.

"Mom what will i do there?" I said. I have never ever ever attended someone's funeral. Not on my own. My parents never took me to one.

"Nandani, it's your sasural. Manik's dadi, your father in law's mother has died. You have to go." My mother all most stressed every word. But Out of everything my mother said my focus went on saural. Wow i am getting married.

"Haan.. I'll take a leave and come." I said and hanged up.

Luckily my boss is married and understands the gravity of the situation of when your mother-in-law's mother-in-law's death, so she granted me leave.

I took the bus from Mugalsarai to varanasi.

My mom told that Manik's grandparents lived in Lucknow so booked bus tickets to Lucknow.

I packed my bag and my mom gave me sarees too. She told me that she and dad might come on the chautha ceremony.
*****
It was raining when I reached Lucknow. I have never been to Lucknow. Cabir was already waiting near the bus stand for me. He called my name as soon as he saw me.

"Hi..." I said getting in the car.

"Hello." He was in a white kurta. I gave him a weak smile. The ones you give to the members of the family who has suffered a death.

The drive was silent. I saw the surrounding of Lucknow. The house was in the core Lucknow.

We soon reached the place. There were many people around. The was really big. It was in a small lane with houses on both sides. The house had this old touch to it. My heart was so beating a little fast. I was a little scared, I missed my mom. I don't know anyone here. How will I manage? But my greatest fear was; what if muje rona nai aaya toh!

I walked in and there was a corridor continuing to a big open area in the middle surrounding was the two floored house.

The courtyard was filled with people around, in white, light blue and peach coloured clothed people. But My eyes searched for one. But couldn't find him.

But Manik's mom came inti vision. Her eyes said she had been crying. I touched her feet and she blessed me.

"Cabir, Nandani ka saman upar rakh aa. And Nandani, beta come with me." She said and lifting her eyebrows pointing at my head. I didn't get for a second but understood seeing her head. I covered my head with the dupatta and walked with her.

There was Manik's dadi laying there wrapped in white. Manik's mom eyed to the laying dadi. But I didn't knew what to do and i was sure my face said it all. "Offer few flowers and touch her feet and come back." She whispered in my ears.

I nodded and did the same and came back to stand beside her. She blinked in assurance and smiled a little. And that was enough for my breaking the increasing pace of my heart beats.

Manik's cousin bhabhi was serving water to some people. I think I sound help. "I'll help her." I said to kavita auntey and she nodded in yes.

Bhabhi's name is Pragati. She met me in the engagement. She's very warm and humble. I helped her in fetching water to guests. Roaming around made me realise Manik's isn't here.

We finished work and stood with elders. Manik's Mom was looking here and there searching for someone may be.

"Cabir." She called out and he came.

"Where is Manik? Call him. Kaha hai ab tak?" Manik's Mom asked.

"I called but it's unavailable." He said.

"Oh god where is this boy. Are you sure he is actually coming? Call him again and tell him everyone's waiting for him." She said.

But i saw at the door and he's here. My heart flutters seeing him. "He's here." I said.

He came to us and his dad came too.

"Go and change, fast." His dad said to him.

"No it's fine. Black chalega na?" He asked.

"Ha chalega." His mom said. "Nandani take his bag." She added. And that was when he saw me. Finally.

I took the bag and he smiled a little. He seems disturbed. May be due to her dadi.

All men went to dadi. And the women around started wailing again. And looking at them cry, makes me cry too. Well some of them were definitely overacting. Nandani stop being judgemental!

The men left the house for rituals, while we waited.

The others left eventually bidding families bye. The neighbours insisted on cooking dinner for us. But Manik's chachi denied. 

Manik's dad called and informed that the rituals were done and we had to clean the courtyard and sprinkle ganga jal all over the places. Me and bhabhi were on it. There was also a maid who was helping us.

We were done and my back aches. I have this new found respect for my mummy today for not making me work that much.

Manik and the other family men returned. Manik was on his phone. He just gave me a glance and went out again. How rude.

But then I wasn't in my most tempting site too. I mean a woman in a kurti mostly wet, dupatta tied crossbody, messy loose bun, and a wiper in hand. Not tempting at all.

I looked up to the open sky above courtyard. It was evening. I was sitting on the floor leaning my head on a pillar watching Manik pacing left to right talking on the phone. His hair was all messed up. Awww such a hot man.

"Ooh hoo.. my brother seems to have an admirer han..." i was caught by Cabir, he sat down beside me while I tried to hide my blush.

"Are sharmao mat, hone vala pati hai tumhara." I smiled awkwardly.

"It's not like that.." i said trying to cover up for staring someone who hasn't bothered talking to me, or atlest a hi.

"Oh it clearly is." But before he could tease me further his mom came out from kitchen and she looked a bit pissed, maybe.

"Cabir! You can't sit here go have a bath." She semi scolded him, well she is definitely pissed off.

"Nandani, beta can you please chop this?" She asked handing me a bowl, plate, knife and a polybag full of tinde!
(P.S : those who don't know what is tinde, leave wattpad for a day and go to kitchen)

"Han.." I obeyed. Ofcourse  kyu nahi me yaha tinde katne to aai hun!

"Bathroom khali nahi hai...." he said not standing up. Just then bhabhi came with a few potatoes and knives and sat beside me helping me out.

"Cabir, bahane mat bana aur ja. And where is this Manik? Still on the phone? Tell him to go and shower. Just go and don't make me angry." She said but she was already angry. He stood up and and went upstairs with Manik.

In a while he came back still didn't shower. Manik's mom was writing something in a diary with calculator.

"Nandani, bhai needs towel, give na." Cabir asked and my heart fluttered. Can i go!

"Tu abhi tak nahi nahaya? And ye Nandani Nandani kya hai? Tere jitni hai vo? Bhabhi bol.
And you go to the backyard, go shower there. Nandani will give Manik the towel." Manik's mom said. Woopieee!!

She went to get the towel. "Anything happened?" I asked bhabhi.

"My mother in law happened to your mother in law. Don't worry, my mummyji is a bit weird. Don't get into this house politics, you enjoy." Bhabhi winked.

I tool the towel for auntey and went up to the told room. I didn't knock and just pushed the door open. But I gasped loudly at the site. Manik to jumped a bit Listening me. But was relieved when he saw me.

He was sitting shirtless and his back was bleeding. "Kya hua apko?" I asked shockingly. When did he get hurt?

"Nothing, and close the door if you are coming in." He said curtly. Why that tone? Obviously i was coming in.

He was trying to clean his wound. But he was clearly struggling with it. I went near him. He had some really deep cuts. They weren't bleeding now but needed to be cleaned.

"How... how did it happen? And when? Did you told mom about it??....."

"What is there to tell mom about it han?"before I could ask further he shouted on me. He shouted. His eyes were already red.

"Don't you dare say anything to mom." He shouted again. Like why? I wasn't going to tell her anyways. Why shout unnecessarily?

"I wasn't going to tell anyone. I was just here to give you the towel." I threw it on the bed and went downstairs. I felt a heavy urge of crying. Like why would he shout on me. What did I do?

I was blinking too many times to control my tears from sliding down my eyes and drank two glasses of water to get a grip on myself.

Everyone was on the dining table finally when I saw the whole Malhotra family together finally. Spending whole evening in the kitchen finally I recognised everyone, buas, chachis, bhabhi, kids, cousins.

Manik was the last to come to the table. He took a chair besides Cabir. Me and bhabhi were serving when bua said, "beta, you both also sit, everyone will self serve."

I was looking at Manik who would steal glances to me once or twice. But i was very angry on him. Like we have hardly met five times. And you shout on me for no reason, Sorry but I don't entertain such stuff. But how did he get hurt? He was sitting cautiously not leaning on the chair. He might be hurt. And now I feel bad. See , this is why women empowerment is a slow process. We get sympathised so easily.

"Manik ki shaddi ki taiyariyan shuru kar di chachi?" One of his cousins asked.

"Karne vale the, but now may be we'll postpone the weeding few months." Manik's mom said, and i don't know why but, I felt bad. I looked at Manik who was eating his food, but then glanced at me too. Huh! He shouted on me. Like seriously. For no reason. Here I am washing courtyard, making dough for almost 30 people. Making chapatis and he is shouting on me. Wow!

"Are, Raj don't, look wedding is anyways after two months, and mummy was 89, she passed away happy. Don't postpone." The bade papa said.

"We'll talk to Nandani's father and decide whatever it is."

And then the dinner continued. I had to sort out aloos from the sabzi and eat it. But again you can't eat food leaftover according to my mummy so i just gulped down the rest.

I cleaned up the kitchen at end. The men were sleeping on the terrace and the women in the courtyard. Bhabhi And Cabir were making beds. Manik was Mr. India.

I was moving towards the courtyard scanning upstairs to find Manik but he wasn't anywhere in sight. Perfect! Why? Why do i have an urge to see him and talk to him. He just doesn't care. Leave it. Ab call krne do. I won't pick up any.

"Nandani, beta please can you go and give this bottles and blankets upstairs?" Manik's mom said as she saw me.

"Jee." I said smiling. I extended my hand to get the things but she grabbed my hand in hers. "Thank you beta.. you worked all day. Thank you so much. And sorry, you must be tired too na?" She asked lovingly. I miss my mummy!! Well my mummy doesn't get all sentimental when I work, she just thinks that I need something.

"Are, auntey please don't say thank you." I said, well auntey was deliberate. I needed her to tell me, what she was going to say next.

"Auntey? Call me mummy re! Well Manik calls me mom." She smiled and I blushed.

I took the stuff from her hand and walked towards the backyard to the steps. Cabir was standing at the other end and I handed him things.

In the backyard were line of bathrooms. And i saw Manik get into one with his towel. Kitna nahate hai ye? For me bathing is a task. Once done, half of the day is conquered.

"Ye baba ko kuch hua hai kya?" Cabir asked breaking my trance.

"Hmm?? What?" I asked.

"Manik bhai ko kuch hua hai? He's acting weird. Like why is he showering again?"

He hasn't bandaged yet! Oh god. How will he! He wasn't able to first also. I should help him. But if lets me then. I think i'll just go in then. But Cabir? What will he think? I looked at him, and he lifted his eyebrows asking what.

Cabir doesn't get to judge, he's a DJ. He has no right to judge. Nandani, you can do it. He's gonna be your husband. Claim your rights.

I with all the new found strength just straight went down and knocked the door. I could here Cabir gasp in shock, I glanced and he was mimicking koi dekh lega types. And i was like what are you for, dumbo!

I knocked again.

"Hmm..." Manik replied.

I knocked again.

"I am in here, who's this?"

I knocked again.

"What the ...." He murmured and opened the door a bit and peeped out.
Ooh fuck he is in a towel. Wow. Nandani, focus.

He was shocked to see me. I stepped a stair and pushed the door in. "Nandani???" He was more shocked.

I just pushed him and the door, and went inside and locked the door. "Nandani, i am...."

"Shut up. You have seen me in a towel, if i see you no big deal. Okay. Now turn." I shushed him before he could speak more.

He pressed his lips to control his smile, but his eyes were smiling, so cute! Nandani, focus. I just heard his shoulder and turned him. Wow the feel of his skin. It's giving me feelings in my stomach!!

He leaned his hands taking support of the basin platform and bent a little forward. I took detol from the platform and dipped in cotton. Who uses detol? It burns as hell !

I slightly pressed it on the wound and he winced a little and so did I. I just placed my palm flat on his back to soothe the pain, "Sorry!" I whispered.

He looked up and so did I, our eyes met in the mirror front of us. My heart skipped a beat. These fellings, were so surreal.

I cleaned further, and felt something hard under his skin, something sharp. I touched it with my finger lightly. "There's something inside here.." I said still figuring out how to pull it out.

"Hmm, here use this.." He handed me a forceps.

"But it will hurt... i mean..." I hesitated.

"It won't.." he said huskily.

And with shaking hands, I placed one palm firmly on his well toned back. The feeling of his skin under mine, was something that I had never felt. This is what me and Rukhsat termed as adult feeling. And they, my friend, are amazing!

But i again focused on removing the foreign object stuck under his skin. I carefully plucked the sharp object out which seemed like a glass. It was a glass smeared in blood. He winced and I pressed my palm more to his skin. "Sorry..." I whispered.

I cleaned the wound completely with detol. And he held the platform tightly, may be due to the burning sensation.

"Nandani, please take your hand, it's not helping but messing around!" He said huskily, passing the bandages to me. I took my hand back blushing hard, and couldn't look up into his eyes. Nandani you were angry. Focus Nandani. Focus.

I applied the medicated bandage. "It's done." I declared feebly. I hated going back. I didn't want to. But Nandani you have to be angry. So with a heavy heart Nandani Arora leaving the ground, pack to pavallion.

"Hey.. hey.." he stopped me, holding my hand, before I could open the door. I gave him a look that was sad/angry/questioning.

"Amm.... thank you..." he said and I just hmmed. Indicating i am angry and you should get that. Now ask me why!

"Hey, I am sorry... about evening...." he said holiday both my and in his. God he is too hot shirtless to resist. I can't even believe I'll be married to such a handsome man. Nandani focus.

"Ooh, well, it's not okay..." I said and tried to move away but he still kept me pulling towards him, trying to place my hands on his bare chest, but I wasn't allowing. Sorry you ain't getting any free hits boy!

"Why would you shout for no reason? I am not a kid that I'll tell things to mom. And you were hurt, so got a little paranoid. If It wasn't for me finding out you wouldn't have told me. And still you would spend hour in bathroom doing yoga poses to bandage yourself. And some other day would have been fine, but today, here I knew no one. I have just met some of the people once in my lifetime. I felt so awkward and alone, I just wanted to talk to you and you shouted on me so loudly for no reason..." well now that it's all out, shouting doesn't seem too big crime for not keeping my hands on his chest. Oh my fingers ached to touch him.

No Nandani. Focus.

"Sorry.... I shouldn't have done that, it's just all this...." he said. He still was holding my hands.

"I'll go out, varna koi dekh lega..." I said and moved out and he sighed in irritation.

I took the mattress beside bhabhi. And hugged the pillow seeing the sky. I so wanted to be hugged by Manik. How would it feel when he would hug me while sleeping... my stomach was already at

I was looking at the sky when Manik appeared on the parapet of terrace. He saw me, i saw him. "Sorry...." he mouthed, in the faint lights.

"So jao..." I mouthed.

"You too..." and he smiled, but didn't leave. I closed my eyes and i had such a tiring day that i didn't even knew when I drifted to sleep.

*****
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