#THREAD 3 Humsafar...CHECK PG 49 - Page 28

Originally posted by: ankita_t

Hi,

Finally, I have managed to write half of the chapter and would soon complete it. It's the important chapter in the current track. Please, be with me and this weekend (by tomorrow) get ready to read one of the last few chapters of this story.

Take care.

NOTE :

1. This chapter was very lengthy so I have to break it in two parts.. Chapter 30 will be the last chapter in the present track... This chapter has not been edited, so please do forgive me for errors. I will edit it as soon as I would get some time.

2. PM's will only be send to readers who are interested and comment on the chapter.

CHAPTER 29

The time stopped for me when our eyes met and finally I could see my reflection in her beautiful eyes. I just kept starring in her eyes and a faint smile crept on my lips. I traced my fingers on her face and her breath hitched. Her lips were shivering and before I could trace her lips, she pushed me suddenly that left me hurt. It twitched and wrenched my heart when Nandini said; "I don't meet clients in my personal time". I kept starring at her leaving without even glancing at me once. I didn't know she would be so cold and indifferent to me; it just broke my heart into pieces. We sat outside the hotel and I asked my friends to leave me alone for sometime.

However, FAB 5 had a rule if you are in pain they won't leave your side. They came and hugged me. A lone tear meandered on my cheek and I said, "I am now just a client for her, don't I mean anything to her now??? Just because we were not together for a few months she went away so far from me. I am just...just a client..." The pain inside was brewing and I lost my temper. I got up and kicked the bench next to the one we were sitting on, as if that could bring some satisfaction to my heart. Alas!! It didn't and it could never coz my life and peace was Nandini.

In the next 2 days I tried calling her to apologize, but she never received my calls. I messaged her and even sent her favorite flowers, but she didn't acknowledge them. It was just building frustration inside me, as I was not able to get through the walls she had built around her. The only thing that kept her occupied was the work in office and there she royally ignored me as if I didn't exist for her. I wanted to look into her eyes and speak to her, even if it was about work. She did answer me but never spared to glance at me. She really knew how to test my patience.

It was Saturday afternoon when we wrapped up our work and Dad called me to reach home soon. He sounded quite serious and that left me a bit worried. I left for home and thought of meeting Nandini later. All through the drive I just kept thinking why Dad had asked me to reach home urgently. I called up Ridhima to know if she had any idea and she too gave me the same answer. This only escalated my tension and I paced up to reach to home quickly.

MALHOTRA MANSION

I parked my car and rushed inside and found everyone sitting in living room. They all looked serious and Sid jiju made me sit on the couch. He patted my back and assured me with his eyes to calm down. I really didn't understand what the matter was as no one was speaking to me. So I asked them "Dad what happened??? You sounded so serious on the phone, is everything ok???" Dad sighed and removed his reading glasses holding it in one hand. He looked at me and said..."Manik, we all want you to settle down in life, it's high time son. We want you to marry and move on in your life." My eyes met Dad's when he said 'move on' and was a bit confused what he meant by it.

Dad- Manik look we know you love Nandini, but till when are you going to keep waiting for her. We want you to move on in life coz maybe Nandini doesn't feel the same way for you. Your mother and I feel high time you marry someone and settle down.

I was startled by my Dad's words coz he knew I loved Nandini with every cell of my body and he thinks Nandini doesn't love me anymore. I replied back, "Dad, what's wrong with you, how could you think like that??? You know I love Nandini and will never be able to love anyone else..." I got up and sat on my knees in front of my Dad. I held his hands and said, "Dad, I know you must be hurt with the way things are between Nandini and me...But that doesn't mean she doesn't love me... Dad she is angry with me and I gave her every reason to be angry on me. I can't think of anyone else ever... No Dad, I can't do this, never ever. I will only marry Nandini. Please Dad, you we have waited for so long, just a few days more please Dad..."

My Dad removed his hands and stood up. I really didn't understand as to suddenly what happened that made my family think of making me marry someone else. How could they think I would leave Nandini and settle down with someone else??

Dad- Manik enough of this madness... If you care about us and which I hope you do son, then get ready we are leaving in some time to meet a girl we think would be a great match for you...Only if you think we are important in your life...

My entire family left me bewildered and none was ready to listen to what I had to say. I didn't understand as to what happened to them all of a sudden. What my Dad said just left me baffled and I thumbed on the floor. My parents were one part of my heart and the other part was Nandini. How could I chose between the two and now I had too. I tried calling Nandini and speak to her just in case she would agree to meet me and we could resolve this issue. But, to my bad luck she didn't respond as always.

WRITER'S POINT OF VIEW

Manik had no idea what made his family think this way when they considered Nandini as a part of the family and all of sudden he had to meet some other girl. He was unable to figure out what really happened and couldn't understand the melodramatic behavior of his family. Ridhima and Sid didn't help too and just gave him a weak smile. He was full of rage and left with his family while trying to figure out ways to make that girl deny this marriage. He had loved only Nandini and he was firm about marrying her only. He only left coz his father had put him in such a spot to choose but, he was his son and he had to come up with something soon.

HOTEL PALLADIUM (Nandini's Hotel)

Nandini's family had come down to Mumbai on Friday evening for a few days and they were slowly getting along as a family.Though, Nandini was trying yet, a part of her was making her held back. She wasn't able to strike a conversation on her own with her parents and her brother. Somehow, they understood her hesitation and gave her space. Nandini's Dad had approached her on Saturday morning while she was getting agitated by repeated calls from Manik. Her heart was breaking inside and her Dad could see something was bothering her...

He sat with her in the balcony and took her hands in his large protective fingers. He sighed and took a deep breath.

Nandini's Dad (Rishi) - Princi, I know it's been tough for you and I completely understand your situation. But, I am going to ask my daughter for something and please do not deny me of what I am gonna ask you.

Nandini gave a weak smile to her Dad and assured her loving father that she would comply with his request.

Nandini's Dad (Rishi) - Thanks Princi... We are getting old and want to see our kids settled... I want you to meet someone today and please do not say NO. I know what your heart desires but for us just meet this family and their Son. I promise you we won't force you for anything. I committed them this meeting, please don't get angry on your Dad. I love you Princi and I hope you will not take us wrong. Please, Nandini just come with us and meet them once. I will respect your decision and would be with you, but just meet them for our sake.

Nandini was speechless and could see the sadness in his eyes. She remembered her father's words that 'he failed her' and she didn't want her Dad to go through that again. She nodded her head and a lone tear escaped rolling on her cheek.

MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW

We were on the way to Hotel Taj and I tried to contact FAB 5 but none replied to me which was strange. Mom did try to strike a conversation with me about the girl and I snapped at her. My anger was brewing and I glared at them to find out the catch in this entire drama when I found my parents share something secretly through their eyes. FAB 5 wasn't helping either as their phones were switched off. My parents were adamant and they said things to which I just agreed to go with them, but they knew my answer. I will never let any girl's thought cross my mind ever.

Finally, we arrived at the destination and mom tried to fix my blazer but I immediately left the place. They settled in the reserved area in the lounge and I was pacing in the balcony trying to reach Nandini and FAB 5. "Why the hell these calls aren't connecting dammm..." I took a deep breath to calm myself so that I could handle the entire thing more maturely.

NANDINI'S POINT OF VIEW

We were on our way to Hotel Taj and somehow I was getting very restless about this entire meeting. I was doing this for my Dad and that was it coz I could never marry someone. My parents informed that Navya, Aarav and Sanjana were waiting for us at the hotel. I was a bit confused as to what they were doing here and my family said that they came for Aryan's wedding which was in a few days. I knew the wedding was in sometime but couldn't understand why they didn't inform me they were coming to Mumbai. Everything around me was a mess and I was not in a frame of mind to understand things.

We had finally reached the hotel and I met with my friends and hugged them. They wished me good luck and I didn't know how to respond to their enthusiasm. My mind was muddled with different thoughts and I was not able to understand my feelings. Manik was constantly on my mind no matter what happened between us. The day when we got separated was constantly playing in my mind and I knew I would lose myself any moment. My parents asked me to go towards the poolside as the guy was waiting for me. I was a bit startled as to I didn't meet the family first, but I just nodded my head and went ahead.

MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW

I was preparing myself to say No to the girl I was about to meet and tell her that I loved someone else. I would wait and only marry her. Ridhima informed me that the girl would be coming near the poolside in a few minutes. I gave a deadly glare to my family and then left. I was fidgeting with my phone when I felt someone behind me. I knew it must be the girl I had come to meet. I sighed and took a deep breath before I decided to face her. I was feeling bad about breaking her heart, but I was helpless coz I had just loved one girl with every cell of my body and that was Nandini.

I turned back and was shocked to see her in front of me. I was startled to see the face I had seen every night and I couldn't breathe anymore. I gazed in her beautiful eyes and didn't realize when tears meandered on my cheek. A faint smile crept on my lips and I whispered her name...

"NANDINI..."

I knew she was shocked to see me too but this time she didn't run away from me. My parents knew me well and now I understood their words better... Yes, the girl was Nandini, who was my life and my soul mate. She was numb and our eyes communicated in the silence between us. I was trying to trace every feature of her face with my eyes and capture it for forever. I took a step ahead only to find her not moving which gave me the courage to minimize the distance between us.

Her face had a hidden pain and it reminded me of our first meeting on Tower Bridge. She was wearing a white suit and it reminded me of the day when I had met her in Mumbai after 6 months. Her hair was open just the way I liked and reminded me of the day when I had asked her to open them on our trip to Lonavala. She clutched the helm of her kurti when I took another step towards her. She looked mesmerizing just as she did before. There was a slight sound of her bangles and it reminded me of the day I had lost my heart to her on Akshay's wedding. Every single memory just flashed in front of my eyes... Our friendship, misunderstandings, our patch up to our indirect confession and the days that followed just flashed in front of my eyes.

I took another step and could feel my heart thumping and I noticed her lips shivering which reminded me of our first kiss. I finally saw some emotions cracking on her face and tears welled up in her eyes too, but she controlled them from spilling. She was my life, my peace, my other half and my soulmate. Our wait was over and I couldn't ask for anything more from Bappa.

My hands were shivering when I tried to lift them to trace her serene face. I brushed my fingers on her forehead, her eyes and then her cheeks. A smile crept on lips and tears of happiness were flowing. I wanted to live in the moment and never wanted it to end. I placed a strand of hair behind her ear and she shivered with my touch. I wanted to speak and I couldn't say a word. I was speechless as I couldn't believe she was standing in front of my eyes. All I managed to say was her name... "Nandini..."

I felt tears on my palm and raised my hand to wipe them but she stopped me. She began to tremble and I held her wrists as I feared she would run away. I couldn't let that happen again and spoke to her... "Nandini please don't cry..." But, she didn't stop and her body was shaking which made me scared. I had never seen her like that and I tried to take her in my warm embrace but she pushed me away. She was crying profusely and started to take a few steps back. I tried to hold her but she pushed me again and it was scaring me as to what was happening to her. I grabbed her shoulders and she screamed at me...

Nandini - Leave Manik, just go away... Go away... I... I... I... you... You left me...

I was stunned by her words and it reminded me our day when we separated. I saw some other emotion her eyes now and I couldn't believe it. She kept crying and kept shouting...

Nandini- You left me Manik... You left me...

The pain in her voice was tearing me apart and I couldn't say a word to her as I was numb. She was crying and then she started to walk away. I wanted to stop her and explain her, speak to her and I didn't want to lose her again. I tried to stop her but she shrugged me away and started to run. She screamed on me again...

Nandini- just leave me as you did before...

She wasn't giving me a chance to speak and that was raising the anger inside me. She had to listen to what I had to say and she couldn't walk away. She was running towards the lounge area and I paced up. I grabbed her hand and spoke... "For heaven sake Nandini please listen to me... I have been trying to speak to you and all you do is ignore me... Atleast listen to what I have to say..."

She jerked my hand and tried to walk again, but I held her by her arms tightly and spoke... "I know Nandini that you are hurt and so was I, but that doesn't mean we keep running from it... I have been trying to apologize but you don't even look at me, Nandini I am sorry and I mean it... Nandini for heaven sake look at me..." I know I had to be gentle, but here I was losing it coz I was scared to death she would go away from me.

She freed herself and reached the lounge only to witness that our families were chatting. FAB 5, Navya, Aarav and Sanjana were present there too. When we appeared they all got up from their seats. We both were stunned to see them all and then Cabir spoke...

Cabir- so finally you guys are here... Sorry it was a surprise for you both...

Everyone was beaming with happiness and we both tried to compose ourselves. Nandini wiped her tears and took a deep breath. I sighed and then Rishabh walked towards us and hugged me. I reciprocated the hug and gave him a faint smile.

Rishabh- I am so happy for you both... Nandini aab toh khush hai...

I looked at her when Rishabh spoke, but she didn't say a word back. Ridhima hugged her and then my Mom made her way and hugged Nandini, but she just stood there like a statue.

Mom- So Manik kaisi lagi humari choice...

Everyone chuckled and then Nandini's father came and hugged me. I just didn't know what to say to him and just managed to smile back. He then went and held Nandini's hand and spoke...

Nandini's Dad (Rishi) - Princi, so how do you like the guy we chose for you... Princi so what's your decision...

My breath was caught as to what she would say and she didn't speak for a long time. I knew I skipped a heartbeat and we all were looking at her, waiting for her answer to the most important question of my life...

Nandini- my answer is NO...

...

Apologies for the delay in the update and Chapter 30 will be updated soon... We will then see why Nandini said ''NO' as her answer... I will edit this chapter later and might add some paras more, i will notify you about the changes...

Please, do like and share your views and do comment...

Take care.

Originally posted by: Knight99

Amazing update
Loved it
Update soon
Waiting

Originally posted by: sabhanamh

Awsm

Amazing