MaNan-Colors Of Destiny

Chapter 1

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(In California, U.S.A., it is 6:30 a.m. The alarm starts ringing.)

~~Nandini's POV~~
"Ayyappa! Itni jaldi 6:30 ho gaya? Oh god! I just fell asleep a few minutes ago."

I turn the alarm off and find myself in between both my angels, my son Naman and my daughter Nidhi. Basically, Naman looks exactly like his father. His hair, his face, his cute smile, and the way he sleeps, hugging me tight by my waist, is exactly like his dad. His behaviour is also similar. He is very possessive, short-tempered, impulsive, very naughty and he troubles me a lot. Nidhi, on the other hand, is exactly opposite. She looks a lot like me. In terms of behaviour, she is very polite, calm and consoles people. She is more like a 'little-mom' to my son. She takes care of Naman when I am not around.

Also, I would also like to convey to all of you that a mother's love will always remain. I am saying this through experience. Even though, I didn't want to be a single parent, I never thought of abortion. I couldn't and I can never bear to kill someone for my happiness. No mother can ever hate her children too, no matter how much they trouble their mother. Except for Nyonika, who doesn't care about her son.

"Nandini, stop thinking about him. He doesn't love you anymore. He dumped you. He must have moved on and he must be married too. You shouldn't be surprised even if he has children. Try to get over him."

It has been 10 years since I last met him. In these 10 years, my love for him has just grown stronger. I miss him very much. Did I mention that 'Naman'=Nandini+Manik and Nidhi means treasure, which somewhat means Manik? Okay, at least now I did.

Seeing my children, tears start rolling down my cheeks. I am so cruel to keep them away from their dad. I quickly wipe my tears as Aryamann enters the room.

Aryamann: "Good morning Nandu."

Nandini: "Morning Arya."

Aryamann is my husband. We got married 9 & 1/2 years ago, when I was 3 months pregnant. It's a long story. I'll tell you later. And let me tell you, I got pregnant when I was 19. So now I am 29.

Aryamann: "It's almost 7, darling. Tum abhi tak ready nahi hui? What happened to you? Your eyes are bloodshot!"

Nandini: "Nahi... actually I slept late last night so I didn't get ready yet." I don't want him to know the truth and he isn't so connected to me to understand whether I am lying or not.

Aryamann: "Okay, I'll make breakfast for everyone. You get ready. We need to leave for India this afternoon, remember?"

Nandini: "Yeah..."

Aryamann: "Are you going to meet him?" A small tear rolls down my cheek. I try to hide it but Aryamann sees.

Nandini: "I don't think so. He must have moved on. Shaadi hui hogi uski. Bacchhe bhi honge." By now, tears are flowing down like waterfalls. I try hard to control it, but it just doesn't stop. He still affects me. He still does. Aryamann comes running to me.

Aryamann: "Ssshhh Nandini... don't cry." He puts his hand on my cheek and cups it. He wipes my tears with his thumb. This gesture also reminds me of my Manik. Manik can't see me cry either. I quickly try to divert my mind.

Nandini: "Aryamann, just give me 20 minutes... I'll get ready and wake the kids up. Tab tak unhe sone do." He nods and smiles at me. I go inside the bathroom. I freshen up and take a shower.

One reason I love taking showers is it helps me drain myself from all my sorrows. I can cry, shout, scream and do anything in the bathroom and for some reason nobody can hear me. That's what I need... especially with kids at home. I cry in the shower. Tomorrow is going to be one of the worst days of my life. I am going back to the place where I have all my good and bad memories attached. The thought makes me cry. "Ayyappa, please give me strength to face them again."

10 minutes later, I come out, dressed in a blue crop top that comes off shoulder on both sides and shorts. The top reaches below my belly button, just above my belt. I go to the mirror to have a look at myself.

If you all are wondering, yes... I have changed a lot since I have left Mumbai. I am not the same Nandini Murthy I was 10 years ago. My dressing style has changed. I have gone from kurtis and leggings to crop tops and shorts. I'm more like Mukti now. My ambitions have changed. I went from Science to Modelling. Altogether, my life has changed ever since our breakup. I am a mother now, that too, for 2 children; both who are 9 years old. Yet, there is still one constant in my life. My love for Manik still remains the same, actually even stronger now. I love him from the bottom of my heart that even my children cannot replace him. But, I need to forget him now. He isn't mine anymore. He is the dad of my kids. But apart from that, he isn't related to me in any way because I am married already and he ditched me, or rather should I say, let me go?

I apply makeup to conceal my puffy eyes. I tie my hair in a ponytail. Ponytails are my type now. I braid my hair once in a while. I don't let it loose though, unless I am compelled to because it reminds me of the time I spent with Manik. I get ready quickly and turn to look at my angels.

I see their cute, smiling, sleepy faces and smile. They are the most beautiful gifts that Manik has given to me. Both my kids smile in their sleep. It's a habit from their birth. I don't feel like waking them up from their beautiful sleep, because I don't get to sleep so peacefully. But we have to leave to India today and we must get ready soon.

Nandini: "Naman, Nidhi... wake up guys. Its 7:15. Utho baba."

Naman: *imitating Manik* "Mom, please mujhe sone do." He speaks just like Manik, except for Manik calls me 'baby' and my son calls me 'Mom', of course. I can't help but smile. Nidhi wakes up like a good girl.

Nidhi: "Mom, you go have breakfast. I will bring this lazy boy." She pats his head. I smile at her responsible character and kiss her on her forehead.

Nandini: "I am going down haan... Aur tum dono jaldi aa jaana." Nidhi nods and I walk downstairs.
~~POV ends~~