Neyonika was 19 years old when she got married to manik's father. Hailing from village background, when she settled in city after marriage, she had a lot of expectations and desires from her married life.  Apna ghar hoga. Bahut pyar karne wala pati hoga, things like that! But when she started her married life, she realised that her husband is a broke. He has spent all his savings in marrying his 4 sisters and even has burden of paying off loans that he had taken from other people. His economic condition was so worse that he had only 2 set of clothes that he wore  alternatively to office. There was nothing that he could give her except love, but it seemed her fate was not on her side, since they constantly had difference of opinions and heated arguments. Her dreams had shattered even before flowering. In just 3 months of marriage she was pregnant. And when Manik joined her world, she pinned all her hopes on him. That unlike his father, Manik will be devoted to her! It became her life's mission to give a good upbringing to Manik and mould him according to her wishes. To some extent she was successful in this and she was happy, but today watching him with the girl, watching the sparkle in his eyes whenever he looked in nandini's direction, gave neyonika a feeling of loss. She felt she had lost the hold on him. She had always thought that she will get married Manik to a simple, docile girl who wouldn't be a threat to her position. But who was she kidding! Luck has never favoured her , so how will it this time! And Manik has found a girl for himself!! Although he is hesitant to admit it but she knows better.

After Arzoo's Bidaai, as ordered by his mother, Manik entered her room. 

" Maa..." He spoke to his mother who was lying on the bed, eyes closed. She opened her eyes , looking tired and haggard. The tears after the Bidaai of her daughter, had stained her cheeks and made her eyes puffy.

He moved forward, and sat on the bed and started pressing her legs. She just gazed at him for God knows how long. Manik didn't speak either, he was not sure about the reason why she had called him.

After sometime she tried to sit up and so Manik paused and When she sat up, he began pressing her outstretched legs.

"Manik" she spoke , melancholy colouring her tone.

He looked up.

"Kuch hai jo tu mujhe btana chahta h??" She asked.

Suddenly Manik was thrown aback at her question. He was unable to gauge her mood. Should he tell her about Nandini? Is she referring to that only? Of course she has seen me and Nandini together, so definitely she is referring to that only! 

" Maa...." He stopped , taking a deep breath and steeling himself. Just say it Manik!! " Main aur Nandini , ek dusre Ko pasand karte hain, aur shadi karna chahte hain" he said softly, almost a whisper, but audible to neyonika. 

She closed her eyes. Her worst fears realised. This is it! What can she do now? If she disagrees, she is not sure how Manik will react! What if he decides to leave everything behind for this girl? What will be left in this world for her??....NO NO NO...She can't let this happen. Atleast if she acquiesces , he will be in front of her eyes

Watching her reaction, Manik quickly tried to convince her" maa...Nandini ek achi larki hai...Ek Baar usey chance de kar dekhiye...I am sure you will be happy with her."

" Okay" she said, slowly opening her eyes but without any emotion.

Manik looked at her dumbstruck.

" Okay???" He asked " aap agree kar Rahi h?"

" Agar tumhe lagta h tum uske sath Khush rahoge toh thk h. Main tumhri Khushi mein Khush Hun"

Manik had a face splitting grin, which he was trying to contain desperately!

" Maaa...Thank you...Thank you thank you!!"  He exclaimed and neyonika had to force a smile. She caressed his cheek " larki k gharwalo Ko baat karne k lye bulao. Aur Abhi ja kar thori der aram kar lo. Kal subah arzoo Ko pag phera k lye lane v Jana h tujhe. Aur Ha av shadi ki baat ka Halla Mt karna bahar. Sab fix ho jae, uske Baad parivaar walo Ko btaenge. Thk h?"

" Jee....Maa!"

" Jao...Ja kar araam kar lo"

......

" Nandini, ye kya halat Bana kar Rakhi h tuney room ki!!" Her mom chided.

" I was so tired mom. I was awake whole night...But now that I have slept peacefully, I will arrange these clothes , don't worry!" Nandini replied shaking off her slumber.

" Manik ki family se Mili tu? Kse h wo log?"her mom asked trying to hide her concern.

" Ha Mili main unse. Ache hain sab, specially uski sisters. Aur mom hamare cultures mein thore differences toh hai hi toh wo log thore alag hain, obviously!"

" Alag?? MATLAB?"

" Mom!! I mean...You know they are very traditional, specially Manik ki maa."

" Oh. Manik ka rishta ksa h unse?"

" Mom jitna main Jan payi hu itne years mein, wo ye h ki Manik apni maa ki taraf bahut devoted h. Eventually, asa islye h qki unhone bahut struggle kar k Manik Ko raise Kiya h...." Nandini replied thoughtfully.

" Struggle toh har maa- baap karte hain beta, some more than others, but iska ye matlab Ni ki Bachche Ko unke taraf koi obligation ho. Ye koi bargaining thori h ki Maine itna Kiya toh Tum v itna karo. Ye toh bachcho Ko naturally ana chahye ki how much they love and respect their parents!" Her mother explained.

" Mom...Whatever...Mujhe ye sab Ni pta ! Apne pucha islye Maine bta diya!" Nandini said shrugging.

" Ok....But mujhe ab lag Raha h ki tumhri aur Manik ki shadi ki baat chalni chahye...Tumlog sath mein bahar rehte ho, islye relationship Ko Naam mil jae toh better hoga. Ni toh kuch idhar udhar hua toh badnaami toh sirf tumhri hogi" 

" Mom plz...Don't start again. I don't think Manik av shadi k lye ready h....We have to achieve a lot professionally...Aur av toh bas start h!"

" Beta...Jo achieve karna h wo shadi k Baad v kar sakte ho!...Tum meri baat Manik se karwao..." And just as she said it, nandini's phone started vibrating. She checked and blush stole across her face. She bit her lips to stifle her smile. Her mom watched her reaction , then got up and left the room, knowing full well who the caller is!

" Hi" Nandini spoke smiling.

" Hi yourself! Miss Murthy!"

" What's the matter? You sound very happy!"

" Khush hone wali baat Hui h....Guess karo"

" Ummmm...I don't know. Tum hi bta do"

" Ok...Listen to me carefully and don't faint!" He teased and Nandini rolled her eyes " maa hamari shaadi k lye Maan gyi hain" he declared and Nandini was stunned.

" What?" She whispered with whatever breath was left.

" Yes! Nandini...We will be husband and wife soon!"

" Oh my god! Manik I ...I..I am so happy!!" Suddenly she erupted in joy and bolted out of bed to her mother and hugged her tightly " mom , mom!!!"

" Arey arey kya hua??" Her mother asked.

" Mom....Manik ki maa..Hamari shadi k lye Maan gyi hain!"

" Sach me?? Ye toh bahut achi news h"

Manik was hearing all this on the other side, so he spoke to Nandini " aunty Ko phone do, Nandini"

Nandini gave the phone to her mom and started day dreaming, standing there itself.
......