Timeless: A MaNan Historical

Chapter 41: Brothers

Nandini was touched hearing Manik's words. She ran towards him, he picked her up and spun her around. Both of them were lost in their beautiful world when they heard Nandini's crippled brother Rishabh scream. Manik put Nandini down. She removed the drumstick samabar from the flame
and both of them ran to see Rishabh.

Nandini: Rishabh... Rishabh...

Manik: Are you alright?

They saw Rishabh smiling on their arrival. Both Manik and Nandini were puzzled. They thought he screamed out in pain, or he was in danger, but here he was smiling at them.

Nandini: Tell me what happened? Why did you scream? Are you fine? Did anything happen? Is your leg hurting again? Manik, can you help him like last time?

Rishabh: Akka (Sister)* slow down please. If you ask so many questions how can anyone answer them? I really wonder how he (Manik) handles the number of questions you string together when you are anxious!?

Nandini looked at Manik, remembering their first kiss and their second one after her seemingly uncountable questions. Manik nudged Nandini and whispered to her.

Manik: Should I tell him?

Nandini pinched Manik's hand to stop him from flirting with her in the presence of her younger brother who was in pain. Manik moved his hand away and exclaimed immediately reacting to her pinch.

Rishabh: What happened?

Manik: Nothing, I found a method to answer all your sister's questions. I wanted to shared my technique with you, but your sister doesn't want me to!

Nandini glared at Manik and then looked at Rishabh. She was stunned by the cryptic reply Manik gave Rishabh.

Rishabh: Nandini Akka! Please let him tell me....

Nandini: No.

Rishabh: Please...

Manik: Let me.

Nandini: Both of you stop it now. Rishabh, tell me what happened? Why did you scream?

Rishabh let go of finding how to answer Nandini's questions. He decided to share why he called them both here.

Rishabh: I had no other way to call you. I heard you scream and shout. I was worried.

Rishabh heard Nandini laugh and scream when Manik was tickling her. He knew that his sister was not in danger, but he wanted Nandini to confess the fact that Manik and her are together and will be for the rest of their lives. Nandini looked at Manik and remembered the incidents and the conversation she had with him prior to Rishabh's call. She turned crimson not knowing what to tell her brother. Manik didnt know what Nandini had told Rishabh about them, so he thought Rishabh was really worried about Nandini's safety around him.

Manik: I think this is a conversation between you and your sister. I will take your leave.

Nandini was hoping Manik would help her out and save her from explaining why she was screaming. To her dismay, Manik started to walk out.

Nandini walked closer to Rishabh and sat down beside him. She held his hand and spoke.

Nandini: Please don't ask me why I was screaming. I am not in danger and I will never be when Manik is around me.

Rishabh: Accept it, he is your soul mate.

Nandini: I never denied it. He was the boy our father and I saved 10 years back. I knew the instant I looked into his eyes then that he was my soul mate.

Rishabh: Then why are you hiding?

Nandini: I knew that you figured it out the last time you asked me about him. So, I am not hiding anything.

Rishabh: What about yourself? Why are you not accepting, announcing and rejoicing that you found your soulmate? Why are we not planning your wedding. You do know that Uncle is concerned that you are too old to be married off given our financial condition. He will be happy to know that Manik brother-in-law is going to marry you. He already approves of him, otherwise no man will have the privileges brother-in-law enjoys in our household.

Nandini: I know and understand what you are saying Rishabh. I have accepted that he is my soul mate, but I have no idea what he thinks? How can I tell everyone that he is the man I am going to marry when he hasn't said a word about it to me?

Rishabh: Then why don't you ask him?

Nandini sat with Rishabh for a while and then walked out still taking in everything Rishabh said to her. His words made her reconsider the relationship she had with Manik. I know he cares for me. He does so much for me and my family but he had promised me nothing. Why do I let him behave as my husband? I let him touch me in ways only my husband should. I believe that he is my spouse, but does he feel the same way about me? What if I am just a girl he wants to conquer? What if he leaves me after he gets what he wants? No... He is my Manik. He can not do that. I can see how much he has changed from when I first saw him in Azianagar as Crown Prince Manik. Or is this all an act? Like his mother's companion said?

Manik walked out of Nandini's hosue feeling happy that Nandini had a brother who was concerned about her safety and wellbeing even though he could do nothing as he was crippled. He started to think of his relationship with his brother, Vedant. I always love people dear to me, but none of them except Nandini show that kind of love and concern back to me. No one trusts me or believes in the good in me. No one except my saviour, my shining star Nandini.

Note
* Akka/ Sister- I have been using English translations for most words and relationship names. Somehow sister reminds me of nurses in hospitals. So, I am using Akka here. Let me know which one you prefer.

--- SPOILER---

No MaNan separation ahead!