Manan: Epitome of Love

Together Always

"Good morning my beautiful life. Can't wait to see you. Love you Shona."
Manik sent this lovely message to Nandini before slipping out of the bed.
It was Sunday. The clock was already ticking 8:30 am but there was no hustle bustle in the house except few servants quietly busy doing their daily chores . Most of the relatives had left yesterday night only except Pammi aunty and her children. All were still sleeping as yesterday's event went on till late night and left all of them hell tired. Manik was the only one to wake up early. He after getting fresh came downstairs.

"Ramesh, ek hot coffee please"...Manik asked the servant who at once went into the kitchen to prepare it.

Manik picked up the newspaper and slouched on a nearby sofa in the hall. His lips immediately curved into a smile after seeing the pic in the newspaper along with the details of their engagement.

"Ah! How I love her!"...his mind spoke while his fingers caressed Nandini's pic.

"Baba, aapki coffee."...Ramesh (servant) broke his trance as he handed the coffee mug to him.

"Hmm...haan thanks"...he took the coffee and sipped it still gazing at the pic.

"Manik, tum itni jaldi kyun uth gaye?" Nyo's voice forced him to shift his gaze from the pic.

"Bas maa, neend khul gayi"...he handed the newspaper to Nyo.

She smiled seeing their pic, "Kitne pyaare lag rahe ho tum dono...bas ab toh Nandini ka hamesha k liye iss ghar mein aane ka intezaar hai."

"Mujhe bhi"...Manik murmured under his breath non audible to Nyo.

"Kya baat hai, yeh aaj subah subah maa-bete mein kya khichdi pak rahi hai."...Raj walked towards the duo holding his spectacles in his hand. He made himself comfortable on a nearby sofa.

"Good morning Paa"...Manik wished him.

"Morning beta. Lagta hai baaki sab abhi bhi so rahen hain. Chalo acha hai. Waise bhi unki dopahar ki flight hai tab tak aaram mil jaayega."...Raj wore his glasses and picked up the newspaper.

"Ramesh, do chai laana."...Nyo ordered the servant. "Raj, mein Manik se Nandini k baare mein hi baat kar rahi thi. Usse iss ghar ki bahu banane k liye ab mein zyaada wait nahi kar sakti."

"Manik se zyaada toh tum excited lag rahi ho shaadi k liye."...Raj mocked.

"Kyun na ho excited. Tum toh jaante hi ho ki meri kitni ichcha thi Nandini ko iss ghar ki bahu banane ki...aur ab jab engagement ho hi gayi hai toh mein ab aur wait nahi kar sakti Nandini ko hamesha k liye iss ghar ka hissa banane k liye"...Nyo's these words made Manik jump in joy from inside. He too wanted the same.

(Ramesh came and served tea to both Raj and Nyo)

"Nyonika, mein bhi wahi chahta hun jo tum chahti ho...lekin tum iss sab excitement mein ek baat bhul rahi ho...Mukti." Raj's statement made both Manik and Nyo hold their happiness for a while. Raj continued, "Tumne socha hai, Mukti ki sagaai ko kaafi time ho gaya hai...ab hume uski shaadi k baare mein sochna chahiye. Main chahta hun ki Manik se pehle hum Mukti ki shaadi karde." Raj then looked at Manik who seemed to think something, "Sorry beta, if I have hurt your feelings."

"No-no Paa, aap aisa kyun keh rahe hain. Infact you are right. Bade Bhai hone k naate mujhe pehle apni choti k baare mein sochna chahiye. So it's decided. Maa pehle Mukti ki shaadi hogi aur phir meri."...Manik spoke agreeing with Raj's suggestion.

"Manik, Raj sahi keh rahen hain. Mujhe Mukti k baare pehle sochna chahiye tha. But Raj, ab mein Amms ko kya jawaab dungi. Meri tarah woh bhi yahi chahti hain ki Nandini ki shaadi jald se jald ho jaaye. Aur unhi k kehne par maine aaj Panditji ko bhi bulwa liya hai. Maa aur Nandini bhi bas thodi der mein yahan aate hi honge."...Nyo said worriedly.