Arranged Bhasad

6. Sharing Lives

Its been almost two weeks since they had their Karwa Chauth. Both were very busy with their professional lives that they didn't see their newly building personal life properly. All that could connect them was their 2 am calls which would last till 4-5 in the morning until Nandini's alarm clock disturbed them. Manik had continuous work shifts and Nandini was being offered a month of pay against which she had to teach the newly joined teachers all the ways and norms and all.

It was atlast a free Sunday for both of them and they had decided to meet at the ghat right at 7 pm.

"Maa! Mujhe deri hogi!" Manik shouted and was about to go when Cabir patted his back "Bhabhi se milne jaa rahe ho bhaiya?"

Manik glared at him when all the previous memories of their first date came up and he rolled his eyes "Tujhe kyu bataun be?"

"Aye suno! Aukaat pe rehke baat karo! Warna Bhabhi ko laptop ke D drive ke 'Microsoft files' ka sach bata dunga!" Manik glared at him "Dimaag kharab hogaya tha! Koi mila nahi tha tere saath dekh liya.. Galti ho gayi mere bhai! Kya chaiye?"

Cabir hugged him tightly "Ye hui na bhaiyon waali baat...suno na!" Manik hid his smile and acted all annoyed "Kya?"

"Navya mujhe bohot pasand hai!" Manik looked around "Navya?"

"Areey! Bhabhi ki best friend!" Manik pulled his ear "Tera bhai yeha arranged marriage karraha hai and laad sahab ko love marriage karni hai.. Jaa!" And Manik ran away, clad in his tracks and a black tee since Nandini liked black more.

It was just 15 minutes walk from his house to the ghat and 5 minutes from her home.

Manik quickly sat at one of the settings and found a much younger couple already romancing and hid his smile, looking at the Ganga and feeling the cold air touching his skin. He felt cold but forgot to get the sweater and cursed himself for that.



(He was sitting on a huge slop which gave a direct view to the Ganga)

"Hello!" She sat just beside him with her body touching him, and their legs hanging in the air to which he smiled and said "Heey!!" She sighed at him and said "Aap sweater kyu nahi laye? Kitni thand hai yeha!" Gritting his teeth out of cold he gave a sheepish smile "Haa wo.. Bhul gaya!" She smiled and covered her long shawl around him too which surprised him.

She smiled "Hum zindagi share karne waale hai Manik, yeh toh sirf ek choti si shawl hai!" Manik kept looking at her until a blush covered his lips and he wrapped the shawl around her.

"Toh kaisa chal raha hai sab kuch?" She broke the silence to which be answered "Chal raha hai yaar! Bohot kaam hai!"

"Haa Manik, mujhe bhi! Bohot kaam de diya!" Both shared a laugh and looked at the Holy Ganga for a minute "Aur ghar me sab kaise hai?"

"Shaadi ki tayyari chal rahi hai.. 3 hafte bache hai sirf!" Manik said meekily to which she nodded with a smile. They kept talking about things, the animals and what not.

"Areey! Hasee toh Phasee is literally such an amazing movie!" He was laughing very badly and she started laughing too "Uff!! Kya kiya hai dono ne!" Manik commented and stopped to catch his breath when while laughing, she wrapped her arm around his well built bicep and keeping her head on them kept looking at the Ganga. Her closeness shivered him but he controlled and kept a hand on her shoulder from behind and both kept looking at the Ganga "Shaadi ho rahi hai humari!" He spoke to which she giggled "Jee!"

"Tum khush ho na?" He asked caressing her arms a little to which she smiled "I dont know why.. Lekin I have started feeling something for you.. You make me so happy.. So proud.. So loved!!" Manik smiled at the confession "Aapne bhi bohot kuch kardiya humpe Juneja Madam! Abb toh tumse milne ka mann karta hai! And to be very honest, I want to marry you very soon!"

Nandini blushed and cuddled closer to him while he smiled.

"Manik! Mujhe shaadi ke baad bhi job karna hai.. Mujhe job nahi chorna!" Nandini wanted to talk to him very badly about his since day one but couldn't get any opportunity.

"Haan toh karna na! Maine mana toh nahi kiya.. I will love to see you working!! And trust me, I promise you support you every time!" Nandini couldnt hold herself anymore and quickly gave a kiss on his cheek which took him by surprise. He looked at her who was already looking at the Ganga to avoid the embarrassment and kissed the top of her head softly to which she blushed and looked down.

"Aah!" He shrieked in sudden pain to which she grew worried and asked "Manik, kya hua? Aap theek toh hai?"

"Actually continuous workshifts ke karan sar me bohot dard karraha hai!" She sighed and unwrapped the shawl and then moved behind while Manik kept looking at her in confusion.

"Aap yeha sar rakhiye, main daba deti hu!" Manik looked at her for a second as she pointed at her lap "Arey iski koi zaru-"

"Manik!" She glared at him to which he gulped his saliva and moved to her lying on the cemented slab (spoiling his clothes )  and his head on her lap while she started massaging him.

He closed his eyes and comfort took over his tired body and a smile graced his lips too which in turn, made her smile like anything.

The Ganga Chapter ain't finished yet.