This update is for srishti_chakraborty , a constant supporter of me and my stories, sorry for disappointing you time after time yet you never let my side. Thank you for that !! 

The update was supposed to be up by 5 today but I couldn't write much today owing to headache, however here's what is written, hope you like it..!!

Unedited !!

---------------

Back in Mumbai, Neyonika was busy instructing the workers at her home when someone hugged her from behind taking her by complete surprise. Scared for a second, she a took a few seconds to calm herself down for she not only realized who the person was but also being a mother understood that the hug was anything but a happy one. Placing her palm on the hands and other on the face of the hugger, she spoke;

Neyonika – Manik !! Bache you scared me !!

Manik – Sorry Chachi !! I didn't intended to (he spoke removing the hold around her waist, when Neyonika stopped him)

Neyonika – You seriously need to learn to let people finish their sentences. (She removed the hold, turned around and cupped his face) You did scare me but what's more important than that is something that's scaring my son...What's wrong ?? Is Nandini okay ??

Manik – She is fine now...but I am not sure if we are fine !!

Neyonika knew the troubles brewing between the couple, Mukti and Abhi had filled them in with the information. She wanted to speak with Manik but then hesitated to call him. Often in relationships, our mind creates lines not be crossed unless the one on the opposite side crosses the same for otherwise you might become too intruding in other's space. In Neyonika and Manik's case, six years ago the line was pretty blur to extent of non-existence but over the years it had thickened enough to be visible from distance. Neyonika knew it was her fault, she and Raj should have taken that step towards Manik after his parent's demise but they chose to heal themselves first and by the time they recovered, Manik had gone too far away. But then Neyonika was a mother and Manik was the first child who had introduced her to the feeling of motherhood though she wasn't the one who had given him birth. The hesitation she felt while calling him was the wakeup call. She knew though it was late, she can't just sit down and crib about it, she had to act to erase and make the line blur again and so late that night, she called up Manik asking him to come and meet her. However, the next day Manik had to fly down to Gurgaon owing to Nandini's health, so he called her on the way and promised to meet her as soon as he returned. All through the week, Neyonika had wondered on how to initiate the conversation with Manik, Should she go all guns blazing or go with the flow and gradually bring it up, realizing this to be another wake up call. Parents don't have to think twice while discussing issue with their kids but here the case was different. These wake up calls did nothing but strengthened her resolve to make things better and Manik's self-confession of the trouble just aided the entire process. Not wasting a single moment, she held Manik's hand and moved towards her room. However, just as she was about to turn left for her room, Manik dragged her towards the library for that had always been Chachi-Nephew spot. Manik had spent hours of his childhood and teenage with his Chachi at the little library she had made for herself, sometimes studying, sometime conversing, sometimes just sitting next to each other; this place always fascinated him.

Actions often speak louder than words. Neyonika noticed Manik's every single action, him dragging to her to library, then making her sit next to the window, followed by him placing his head on her laps and taking her right palm in his and placing her left one on his hairs directing her to gently caress them. A rush of memories hit her hard as she saw a glimpse of young Manik who loved talking to his aunt in their favourite spot, next to the window in the library. It was also an indication that unlike last few times ever since she tried to mend the distance, Manik was not shutting her out rather letting in.

Nostalgia had hit someone else too, a figure who was watching all actions standing at the library door. It was Raj. He had entered the house to sight of Manik pulling his wife to the library. He followed them and stood at the door. He was about to call a butler for a chair but then refrained because he wanted to take that chance. A chance he hadn't really given a shot in all these years, he wanted to be a part of the conversation just as old times, he wanted to be Manik's friend as he was in the past before things went out of hands and Raj wasn't under illusion if who was responsible for the shift, he knew it was him and the guilt of being a confused coward was hurting him day by day. After the demise of his brother and sister in law, he was in a very bad state not more than Manik though. He saw the wall building around his nephew, and everytime he thought of jumping over he backed off thinking what if Manik doesn't like him trespassing. Raj was guilty of not trying enough and he didn't wish to add one more day to it. I went in thinking of the worst possibility, Manik not accepting his intrusion and he decided in case that happens he would walk out leaving Manik and Neyonika to talk.

Raj – Can I join in too ??

Neyonika – No you can't..!! It is me and my son's time, you take another appointment

Raj – I will madam only if my friend asks me too.

Manik did nothing except moving his legs closer to the window, making space for Raj to sit. Raj smiled;

Neyonika – Manik your Chachu has gained weight in these years, he won't fit in !!

Manik – Let me get a chair then !!

Raj – Wait I'll get it myself !!

Manik (trying to get up) – No chachu..!!

Neyonika (interrupting him) – Let him Manu, anyways he's become too lazy to move around..!! Let him do some work !!

Raj(spoke while dragging the chair and getting comfortable on it) – Stop nagging my son with your stupid complaints !!

Neyonika – I complain ??

Raj – Of course you do !!

Neyonika – I will see you later !! Manik what's wrong ??

Manik – Chachi Nandini doesn't trust me !!

Raj – What makes you think that ??

Manik – She thinks that history will repeat itself, she thinks that circumstances will make me leave her again. She doesn't want to apply for Harvard only because she thinks distance will create trouble in our relationship.

Neyonika – Who told you this ??

Manik – Nandini herself (And then he continued telling about everything he and Nandini discussed when she wasn't well, from her dream to her fears)

Raj – The word you are looking for is insecurity, not lack of trust for if she didn't trust you, she wouldn't have shared her fears with you

Manik – But isn't it the same Chachu, she is insecure because she doesn't trust me !!

Neyonika – No!! It isn't, her insecurity is not because she doesn't trust you, it is because of the fear in her subconscious which keeps poking and telling her that happiness in her life won't last forever. Manik she had lost her parents a very tender age of eight. While her grandmother, Chacha, chachi, Abhi and Rishab were there to add in positivity to her, there was her Bua too who made blamed her. The thing about negativity is that it is like that ultimate weapon in the mythological stories which has the power to destroy many other weapons in a single shot. Similarly the impact of one negative moment or incident is way more than thousands of positive. Remember you mom used to say always be cautious of negative emotions (Manik nodded). Choti si chot is always more painful than the happiness received through choti si khushi. That is exactly what has happened with Nandini

Raj – Exactly, over the years her family love helped her to overcome grief and cynicism of her scarred childhood but then she broke down again with the mishap of the past. She tried to move on and build up her life again, but then Madhyam happened. All of it has created a fear in her mind that things will not get better and happiness is just an illusion

Manik noticed how his Chacha-Chachi didn't emphasize too much of his fall out with Nandini, may be they refrained themselves from making him guilty. But that doesn't mean he wasn't, does it ??

Neyonika – No it doesn't (manik looked up at her thinking had he spoke it out loud) No you didn't speak it out loud Manik, it is just that you've got an expressive face and we can easily make out when you are happy or when you not or what are you thinking !! Yes whatever happened in the past, you were at fault but you had repented enough, yes you pushed Nandini into that darkness but you brought her out of it as well. Unlike you, (Manik look at her surprised) It wasn't Nandini who pushed you in darkness, it was us but fortunately for us Nandini came back to pull you out of it.

Manik – No Chachi it isn't like that !!

Raj – You saying no will not change the truth Manik, the fact is we took you for granted and we are ashamed of it. Pardon us Bacha.

Manik – Chacha please don't say sorry !! And why are we talking about me, we are here to talk about Nandini !!

Neyonika – Nandini believes in you Manik. She really does, trust me as a woman, as a mother I can vouch for it. But then she is just scared which is quite natural. All you need to do is to stand by he, be a little patient with her. In case you feel she isn't fine, ask her rather than hoping for her to come out herself. Rome was not built in a day Manik, it's just been a year that you all have reconnected and things have happened so fast that now when the pace is slow they are making you uneasy.

Raj –Look at it in this way,you are an architect right, so when you start designing a new building, the initial few months you lay the foundation, face a lot problems, you solve them, the process is fast paced. But when the building is made, probably in a few months there would be a leakage in one of the walls, or may be the slight crack on the floor marble, does that mean that the building has collapsed, No right!! They are just the a few hiccups, you look into the same and resolve them. Similarly for your relationship, last year was the year for reformations, things were moving at a fast pace leaving no room for these little insecurities but today when everything is settled, these things sprung up. It doesn't mean that the foundation is weak, it is just a part and parcel, you mend it and move on. Trust is the foundation of the relationship not the fixing agent.

Manik – I have understood, I wish I had this conversation with yo or mon dad years ago, things wouldn't have sprawled down.

Neyonika – Better late than never right

Manik – Right and you guys need to chill too. I always knew I could come to you but never gave it a shot. If you are at fault, then I am too. I think we should stop playing this "Nahi main-Nahi main Game"

Raj – How about a game of chess then !!!

Manik – Be ready to loose Chachu..!!

Raj – let's see who loses !!

--------------------------

Meanwhile in Gurgaon, Nandini did exactly what she had to do and couldn't wait to share it with Manik. She packed her bags and rushed to the airport lest she would miss the flight that would take her to her man. She was landed in Mumbai and moved to Manik's parent's house with Cabir who came in to pick her up. There she met the entire gang and began with night celebration. Raj and Neyonika had the duty to keep Manik busy till midnight. Manik wasn't oblivious to his friend's plans but Neyonika had shut him up saying it is important to let a surprise be a surprise even if you know it is a surprise.

Mukti message Neyonika at 11:30 to bring Manik to his parent's house. The trio entered the house at 11:45 and there was a round of talking and chatting. Right at 12:00, Manik's phone rang with an email notification "Acceptance of your application at Harvard", the sender was Nandini who had forwarded the mail to him taking him back to years when she confessed her love through a sms. He turned around only to see her entering in the hall with a cake and smile on her face. After about half an hour into celebrations, Manik and Nandini were able to find time for themselves.

Manik – What made you agree ??

Nandini – you said we both have to fight it right...So we both will but I have few conditions !!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————end of part 29.2

Stay blessed..Cheers