VirMan : Sanjog Se Bani Sangini (Part 5 Updated -Pg 29) - Page 22

Virat expected Manvi to be busy getting ready for their dinner but here she was busy struggling to undo the mess as her salwar doris got entangled with her mangalsutra "You need help?" he asked looking at her helpless attempt. His question startled her that she actually tightens the knot instead of easing it in shock. She had her hair clipped up, her face was red in frustration and she indeed looked like a cute puppy entangled in buddle of knots. Virat tried hard to suppress his laughter at the sight of his wife but he couldn't; that made Manvi turn even redder. "No, I will manage it" she replied curtly and resumed her attempt. She cursed Dabbu for insisting that she wore the salwar that he bought for her and the designer who complicated it with so many strings. Now she can't untangle the mess nor can she get out from the dress without tearing it apart. "What mess did I get myself into this time? Yeh Virat be ek... He needs to walk in now and savor his eyes by looking at my suffering" she cursed herself. "Concentrate Manvi, concentrate... Don't make a fool of yourself" she kept on reminding herself as she tried her luck again. Although he enjoyed watching Manvi's attic but it with the rate she is going she will definitely end up with stiff neck. Manvi's whole body stiffened as Virat neared her, "Let me take a look" he declared as he started examining the mess. "No... I will maanaageee" her voiced cracked. "Damn, his proximity is killing me again" she cursed herself. "The rate you are going, is either you are going to hurt your neck or tear the salwar apart and Dabbu is will kill you for that" he replied and started examining the complexity of the situation. "You are not defusing a time bomb here. You just need to undo the knots!" Manvi told him irritatedly. "By any chance, were a girl guide back in school?" he asked curiously. "No, why?" she wondered. "Thank God, else you would have failed your test very badly. The knots you have made a worse than dead knots!" Virat teased and he got a stern glare from her in return. Virat needed to untangle the knots delicately so that he doesn't tear her dress or break her mangalsutra. "I know you have been in this uncomfortable position for a while but I need you to be steady in this position for a while else you are going to make it difficult for me. I'm trying to minimize the damage here." He instructed her as her brought her closer to the wall for support and she nodded in agreement.

Virat noticed how Manvi's body flinched as his fingers touched her bare back. It was as if his forbidden touch scorched her skin. He saw her reflection on the mirror, her eyes were shut tight; her fist was tightly balled as if she was withstanding a sharp pain without breaking down. "Does she despise me so much that even my touch is causing her so much of uneasiness?" he wondered. Virat worked on the mess delicately, trying to avoid more discomfort for her; the least he could do for her. "Hogaya...I managed to salvage both the salwar and mangalsutra for you" he finally told her, stirring her from her position. Manvi was grateful because the few minutes which seemed eternity for her has finally ended. She didn't know how long she could hold herself together. His touch, his proximity and closeness was whisked the forbidden emotions within her. She literally felt the heat from his breath boring into her, melting her chillness towards him. "Thanks..." she managed to murmured softly and started to get ready as soon as she can. "How are you feeling, Manvi?" Virat asked breaking the silence between them again. His question startled her; she ended giving him a confused look. "I meant how is your headache now?" explaining himself. "Oh, it's gone. Thanks for asking" she replied curtly.

Dinner was an awesome; it was good food and great company. Virat never missed his chances to steal glances of Manvi throughout the night, she indeed looked ravishing. Her laughter and smile brought so much of joy in him. It was Dabbu's naive question that placed both of them in a fix. "Waise Virat jiju, how do you tolerate Di's not stop rattling?" "Actually, your Di is a woman of few words when it comes to me" he responded with a tinged of disappointment in his voice. "You got to be kidding Jiju, Manvi Di and few words never jive together. Given a choice, Di would even talk to a wall and you are telling me that she hardly speaks to you" he responded naively and in return he got a dagger glance from Manvi in response. Dabbu finally got the cue and tactically diverted his conversation. Viren bumped into an acquaintance in the restaurant and decided to stay back with Jeevika while Virat, Manvi and Dabbu headed back home because Dabbu had morning flight to catch to Rishikesh

Manvi was helping Dabbu with his packing when he popped the million dollar question. "Di, have you given a second thought about your marriage?" "What makes you think I should give it a second thought?" she questioned his back. "Woh... I mean..." he stammered as he tried to rephrase his mind in the most diplomatically way. "Dabbu, just say what you have in mind." Manvi snapped at him. "Actually Di, I was surprised when I saw Virat Jiju this time. He seems so different; he isn't as cold as how he was initially. I mean there is a kind of warmth in his eyes, maybe he has accepted you and is trying to move on. I don't know how to put it to words but I think he kind of beginning to like u Di" Dabbu explained. "Dabbu, I would just say that we have improved our skills in impersonating the perfect couple role over time." Manvi replied without looking up at him. "But Di, it's not the same. I mean have you really noticed Jiju? There were so many instances today when I caught him stealing glances at you when he didn't need to." Dabbu argued. "He still loves Maya as much as he did before we got married. You have not seen the spark in his eyes, the love for her in his eyes when he sees her." Manvi's voice cracked as she uttered those words, somehow it hurts her more than she expected. "You saw them together?" Dabbu questioned her. "We went out for dinner a few days ago, that's where we met Maya. He took me to her favorite restaurant and he also booked the table which was her favorite spot as well. How can u say that he may have moved on when his basic preference still revolves around her?" she vented out. "Like I told you before, I don't expect you to support me in my decision but you are the only person whom I can discuss this. Since we are already discussing it, I was actually considering talking to Virat about the divorce soon. Di is well settled; everyone adores and loves her so I think there is no point in dragging it further. The sooner it is, the easier it is for everyone to move on" Manvi finally broke the news leaving Dabbu speechless.

Dabbu's hope was dashed by Manvi's words as his secretly wished that both his sister's marriage would be blessed with all the happiness they deserved. He didn't know whether to rejoice Jeevika's wedding or to feel sorry for the state Manvi was starting a new phase of her life. At that point of time, he felt that Manvi's decision was justified but today he thinks otherwise. Today he realized that the change was not only with Virat but also with Manvi, her revelations lead him to the truth that maybe Manvi failed to realize. Manvi was already falling in love, there was more pain in her voice today then there was a year ago but he didn't know how to make her understand. "Tumara khamoshi ka matlab kya hai" Manvi grew furious with Dabbu's silence. "Nothing Di, was just lost in some thoughts." he replied solemnly. "Silence and seriousness doesn't suit you Dabbu, so spill the beans" Manvi told him as she knew something was bothering him. "Di, I think you are rushing for the divorce because you're scared." His reply left Manvi perplexed. "You are beginning to have feelings for Jiju, and you are worried that the longer you stay with him, the stronger your feelings for him will grow and it will be difficult for you. I really hope that both of you will put your difference aside and open up to each other but as I told you before, I will be by your side no matter what is your decision. After all, I'm your bodyguard nah di?" Dabbu replied. Both of them faked a smile to comfort each other and continue with the packing.

Manvi went to the terrace instead of her room that night, she was again overwhelmed by her emotions. She looked up to her parents amongst the millions of stars in the sky. "Mummy Papa, after so many years, I'm feeling very vulnerable today." Manvi cried with hope that her words would reach her parents and they could show her the right path. She could vividly recall all the incidents that lead to her marriage. She was back to Rishikesh as her Di's wedding preparation was on full-swing. There was only 2 weeks left and there was so much to be done. Manvi never misses the evening aarthi whenever she was back home; the atmosphere always gave her the serenity and brought her closer to her parents but that evening brought hurricane that changed her life. Dabbu came running as to her, he was panting and she couldn't understand a single word he was blaring out but the tension was evident was on his face. "Dabbu, shant ho jao. What happened at home? Explain to me calmly" she told him. "Dabbu took a few moments to catch up with his breath but the news he delivered took away Manvi's breath. "Manvi Di, Swamini bua is here. She is talking about your Shaadi with Virat bhaiya with Beeji. They want both wedding to take place the same time" he told her. For a moment, the whole world came to still for her. "Shaadi? Mera Shaadi" was the only thing she managed to utter when Dabbu shook her to bring her out from her trance state. "Haan Di that is what I heard. Come Di, let's go home before they decide on anything drastic" Dabbu dragged her back to the house. Throughout the journey, Manvi was in a state of confusion. There were thousands of thoughts in her mind. She was hoping Dabbu misheard the news. Marriage was never in her cards, there was so much in life that she wanted to accomplish. She wanted to pursue her career and studies "Why me? Will Beeji agree for the proposal? Will any of this affect her Di's marriage?" she questioned herself. The house was literally empty when she entered, she was glad that Swamini bua has left and the rest of the ladies were not back from their shopping.

Manvi was about to enter Beeji's room when she heard the conversation between Madan Chachu & Beeji. "Beeji, I really don't know how to react to Swamini Ji's proposal" Madan word's broke the old lady's train of thoughts. "Mujhe be Madan. No doubt that the Vandhera's are a great family and what could be a better proposal for Manvi. She will be together with Jeevika, they will be able to look after each other even at their sasural but I don't want to impose any decision on Manvi. She shouldn't feel that we are trying to marry off the girls and get over our responsibilities just because their parents are not alive today. Seriously, I never thought of Manvi's marriage because she is the same old little girl who runs around me and fights with Badi Beeji for her gold kangan but today's proposal have reminded us that our Mannu is no more our little girl" Beeji told Madan. "I understand Swamini ji's proposal and reason behind it but this decision revolves around Manvi's future and happiness. As much as I'm delighted to get such a good proposal for Manvi, I'm equally worried. I'm sure Virat is no less than a gem than Viren but what if Manvi doesn't see it that way. Will this decision in any ways hampers Jeevika's marriage or her future?" Beeji expressed her concern. "That was also my worries Beeji" Madan agreed along with his mother.

Initially Manvi wanted to run to Beeji and tell her that she is not ready for marriage but now she refrained herself as it is related to Jeevika's future. She quietly walked back to river bank, the only place where she felt connected with her parents. As her teardrops merged with the Ganges river, it felt as if the water was trying to take away her pain, the water ripples were slowly stroking her in comfort. She was at the peak of her happiness when her Di's marriage was finally fixed with Viren Jiju. Jeevika has always set aside her preference and happiness after her parent's demise, her life begun to revolve around Manvi. She stepped in as a mother, a friend, a teacher, and a guide whenever she needed one. She tried to ensure that Manvi still enjoyed her childhood as she sacrificed hers. She didn't know whether the marriage was what she wanted now but she knew that she can never be happy in her life on the expense of her Di's happiness. Madan sat next to his niece and gently placed her head on his shoulder as stroke her hair, he has always loved both the girls as if they were his own. "Dabbu told me that you will be here" he told her. "I never realized that it was so late Chachu, sorry to make all of you worry. I just lose track of time whenever I' m here." Manvi apologized.

"There is no need to apologize Beta, I can understand. After a long silence, Madan initiated the topic that they both dreaded talking about. "Mannu, I'm sure you would have heard about Swamini Ji's visit" Manvi nodded in response. Beta, l don't want you to rush into a decision but we also need to know what is in your mind. I'm sure every girl has her dreams on her marriage and future; I want to know what my Mannu's dreams are" Madan asked her. "Chachu, you and Beeji always know what the best is for me and Di. I trust your decision Chachu." Manvi tried her best to mask her emotions. "Mannu, I only know very briefly of Virat ; he broke his family tradition of lawyers and successfully ventured into his own business in Mumbai. He has crafted his name in his industry. Both brothers are very attached to each other just like you and Jeevika. I have met him couple of times and he seemed like a nice guy as Viren. We just realized that both of you have not even met each other, so do you want me to request for Swamini Ji to arrange for a meeting? You should at least meet each other before deciding. What matters to us is the happiness of our daughters and nothing more." Madan explained to her.

Madan has always strived to ensure that Manvi never felt the absence of her parents especially her father; and he proved it again today. He was there when Manvi needed her parents the most. "Chachu, that will not be necessary on my side. I trust your choice. What else do I need when I have such a great family and Di will be there as my pillar of support at my sasural." Manvi assured him. Madan's eyes was glazed as he heard Manvi's words, "I don't know how I'm going to get accustom to the fact that both my daughters are grown up and will be married soon" he told her. "No matter what happens, I will be your Mannu." She cheered him. "Beta, you also should remember that your Chachu is always there for you whenever you need me" he assured her. The night was a new beginning in Manvi's life.