I was excited to write this chapter for no reason 🙃

Meri excitement ko kill matt karna

Better complete the target, warna this will be the last chapter I'll be updating. That means I'll stop writing

I've honestly had enough

Target: 90+ votes and COMMENTS

COMMENTS also!

Happy reading!

Nandini:

I sighed at my reflection. My hands worked to remove the earrings that adored my ears. The bindi that sat on my forehead. The saree that draped around me depicted the special occasion. I unwrapped it for the third time this week.

My eyes witnessed the normal self in nightwear. The lump in my throat made it difficult for me to breathe. I exhaled and inhaled heavily to prohibit the streams that threatened to fall down any moment.

"No, Nandini. It's okay. You are an understanding girl, nah. It's okay." I chanted monotonously, but today, nothing really helped. My heart felt heavy.

My eyes drifted to my phone, which had a pinged message,

From Manik,

I will be late. Please have your food and don't wait for me. ❤️

I chose not to pick it up and reply. Exhaling shakily, I stepped back and sat on the bed gazing at the floor continuously.

Manik has gone extremely busy for the last few weeks. He, dad, and Anurag are effortlessly working on some projects. There's no day and no night for them. Yesterday was the day when they had finally achieved what they were working on. Manik called us to inform us about it. My happiness had no boundaries.

Yet, they weren't able to make it before twelve due to formalities and preparations. Which is why Manik promised to take me out on a date because the last two to three months were extremely busy for him.

I am not complaining. My heart proudly stares at my husband who glorifies himself everywhere he goes.

My chest swells at the mention of Manik Malhotra.

It's just that, my heart is sore because this is the fourth time he wasn't able to come back for date nights. I understand his schedule and thus never questioned him about it. These plans were made by him, and he was the one who failed to show up.

It's okay.

He's busy.

The alarm in my phone rang, and the last string of my patience broke. I slumped on my pillow, and tears streamed down endlessly.

I miss you, Manik.

Today, you should've been with me. Celebrating.

I clutched the pillow and cried severely till my cheeks hurt and eyes swelled up.

It's okay

I understand.

"Get up, Nandini." I shuddered at my inner voice. "Wipe your tears and smile wide. You love him, nah. He isn't doing it deliberately. You know you matter to him." I do.

It's just that this distance between us is something I'm unable to bear. He leaves before I wake up but always texts me from his office. Although I waited for him at night, there were times when he came back home at two or three.

I miss our hugs, random kisses. Breakfast we used to have together. The late night gossip and cuddles. It's just this void that is eating me up. I did not break down until today. I sobbed, digging my face in my palms and fell on the bed, crying myself to sleep.

Happy six months anniversary, Manik.

End:

Manik:

I entered the house with my coat hanging on my shoulders and the bag that hung in my palm. The doors opened and revealed a pitch dark surrounding. The yellow lamp out of the kitchen was the only source of light.

But something was missing today.

The sofa was empty today. My wife wasn't there today, laying on that couch waiting for me.

I sighed on remembering the text I sent to her.

Good for her. She had sleepless nights because of me. My god knows the pain I went through seeing the dark circles under her eyes every night and those sparkling eyes missing the shine.

I haven't been able to give enough time for the past few weeks. My heart soared at it. But she never complained.

My day started when I left before her and ended by eating food from her hands. She was there beside me. Through every thick and thin. Through every mocks I got to every success I achieved.

Mrs. Nandini Manik Malhotra. You are extraordinary to me.

I shook my head at my girl and moved towards my room to freshen up. Gently opening the door, I walked inside only to see her crouching on the bed like a worm and sleeping carelessly. I blinked my eyes and softly smiled at her. I slowly stepped towards her side and pulled away the strand of her hair.

My smile immediately dropped as her tear stained cheeks came into view. My heart dropped to my stomach as I gently sat near her and attempted to wipe them off without disturbing her.

They didn't budge.

She cried to sleep?

The thought of her crying alone on the bed without anyone around kills me from inside. A huge part of my heart screamed that I was the reason behind it.

I quickly looked around the room and scanned through. My eyes landed on the broken bangles near the dressing table, saree thrown on the couch, her heels laying beside it. There were accessories on the top of the table too.

She wrapped the tie around my neck as I pulled her closer, "Aaj bahar chale?"

She looked at me and asked, "Kahan?"

I shrugged, "Date?"

"Kis Khushi me?" She asked, wrapping her arms around me.

I pulled her closer and rested my forehead on her, "Aise hi. Chalo nah."

She grinned, "Okay! I'll be ready!" I smiled and pecked her lips gently before pulling her in my embrace.

The memory of the conversation in the morning rushed through me like cold water.

Today, after weeks, I spoke to her in the morning. Promised her something and..

What did I do?

Reminiscent of several missed dates and outings in the past few days showed me the reality.

My vision went blurry. I gazed at her. How she would've felt?

I gave her hope only to shatter it down every time?

I was busy with a project but that doesn't justify my ignorant behavior towards her. She was busy too, but never for once did I have a chance to complain about anything.

But that's the thing nah

She doesn't even complain

Just bears and stays silent. I effaced my palm over my face, frustrated over myself.

My trance broke as my phone pinged out of nowhere. I could care less about it.

My mind wouldn't work. The project was successful today because of the women behind us who withheld themselves and us. My success is incomplete without her.

And the fact that she cried makes me want to tear away every single piece of the project.

My soul felt heavy all of a sudden. I felt something different. My heart gestured towards something but my mind couldn't gauge it.

Something went terribly wrong. I had a feeling. But what?

I exhaled shakily and looked around one more time to find anything. Something was wrong. I'm sure.

My eyes fell on the calendar.

I froze completely.

It is our..

Six month anniversary

Today

And I forgot?

My throat burned with the sensation. It heaved unevenly until my eyes chose to give up. When did I get so lost in myself that I missed the fact that I'm losing my life behind.

No.. this won't be

It isn't too late.

I'm going to make everything right.

I averted my gaze and looked at my heart sleeping.

I quickly moved towards my closet, slipped into comfortable trousers and walked out shirtless. I slipped into the duvet beside her. Gently sliding my hand under her neck, I pulled her closer to my chest.

She immediately wrapped her hands around my back and snuggled deeper.

I smiled at her act and pecked her forehead.

I promise my love

I shall make these few days the most memorable one.

End:

Nandini:

"Mmm." I moaned at discomfort when I felt something hard under my back. Just then a hand slipped under my nape and pulled me closer, "Shh.." That managed to calm the uncomfortable sensation.

Somehow I managed to flicker open my lashes. The blurry view in front provided me with no vision. I rubbed my eyes and as usual, that itching sensation erupted. "Oh god." I groaned as the sensation increased to ten folds.

A hand swiftly caught hold of mine and removed it before placing a cold ice pack on it. "Kitni baar kaha hai. Don't rub your eyes like that." My movements froze at the voice.

"Manik." I whispered quiet taken aback.

"Hmm." He asked before taking off the pack and blowing gently over my eyes. "Do you get Deja vu?" Memories rushed back to the first day of our marriage.

But I was too indulged in my own thoughts to go towards that path. It took me another few seconds to realize that we were in a car. He was in his driving seat and I was beside him. I was still in my nightwear and he looked...damn?

White shirt black leather jacket and blue denims

"My husband is hot." I cleared my throat when my inner voice muffled.

"I guess it's fine now." Huh? I looked at him trying to figure out what he actually meant. He kept away the ice pack and then I understood. He was speaking about my eyes.

I looked around to find the car standing on a highway. I frowned in confusion and looked at him, who was looking at my every action. "We are going somewhere?"

"Yes. Lonavala?" I looked at him, quite taken aback by his statement.

"What?" I shouted. "Kyuuuu? And all of a sudden?" I asked all at once. "You don't have a meeting?"

He leaned to his seat, sighed and looked down. "I'm sorry Nandini." I sat there looking at him, exactly knowing what he's apologizing for. He looked up at my silence. I bit my lips harshly to prevent my eyes from pouring down. He sensed my mood and immediately leaned towards me and cupped my face, "No no no, please not them." He caressed my cheeks, muttering softly. "Hit me, punch me, punish me. Ro matt bache. Please."

I sniffed, "Then what should I do? Your success means everything to me. You know that. I was there holding your back. And it isn't like I don't understand your work. But then, you gave me all the care, affection and attention in the initial months, and then everything suddenly became so distant that a part of me was afraid if..." I trailed off, even scared of uttering those words. His eyes shined with tears and he nodded in a no. I held his palm which was on my cheeks, "I don't even know if whatever I'm feeling is even justified given that you were busy with something important. But I do know that I'm unable to bear this equation. Please Manik.."

He immediately pulled me to his embrace.

Finally

I clutched his shirt in tight grip and let my tears flow down to the safe arms. I sobbed, cried out everything that was stored in. While he muttered soft sweet things and provided me with the warmth I was missing.

"I'm a jerk. I'm a certified jerk. I agree." I giggled in tears at his words. He pulled me out of his embrace and cupped my face. "And whatever you are feeling isn't wrong Nandini. I was at fault. My busy schedule doesn't justify my ignorant behavior towards my heart, my life. I don't even know where to begin from. I almost missed our six month anniversary..." His eyes drowned with shame. That bent eyes pained me more than his ignorance. "But I'm going to mend my mistakes, yeah?"

I sighed and shook my head, "You have to mend nothing Manik. Just give me some time from your busy schedule. I'm satisfied."

"Mera waqt kya, meri jaan aapki hai bache." He murmured against my forehead. I exhaled in contentment as his warmth was filling the void back.

We fit each other perfectly

Like the jigsaw puzzle with one missing piece.

End:

Precap: Love is in the air

Heyyyy

How was it

Good??

Satisfied?

Honestly I think it was neither of their faults. In a relationship, both of them understood the gravity of the situation and knew when to actually mend their relationship.

That matters!

Next chapter is one of the most awaited one.

Sooooo stay tuned

Lots of love

~
Mahak