03. Entry

F L A S H B A C K

M A N I K

When I got down from the cab at the mentioned place, the darkness of the night had already engulfed the daylight, just like my life.

I'm standing in front of my step uncle's home whose family is currently mine too. He is not blood related to me. My father's mother married my uncle's father after they fell in love. Like that he is related to me. I haven't met them in recent years after my family shifted to Florida from Texas. Now I’m back here in Texas again. 

My parents died in a car crash a month back. Though I’m 25 now and I didn’t need a guardian. But Kabir uncle flew to Florida as soon as he heard about my parents' departure. I had to inform him as I don’t know any other relative of ours. He wanted me to come with him only but I needed to stay there to complete some paperwork and it was not easy either to shift to a new place. So, I took some time before shifting here completely. 

I needed to look for a job as well. I dropped my CV in a few firms from there only. As my result was quite good and I was for a big firm here, I was selected in a few of them already and they called me for an interview.

I was holding the handle of my luggage firmly. I stared at the mansion in front of me. It was lavious. It was huge and I loved the way the big garden was surrounding it. I got busy admiring the mansion in front of me.

My home back was not as big as it is but my parents were there. I surely had a happy family and I can’t guarantee this. I only met Kabir uncle. I don’t remember her wife, Pallavi aunty. I heard I have a step sister as well. Nandini. I don’t have any idea either how she was going to accept me. 

The cold breeze fanned my face, breaking my trance. I realized I was standing for a while now in front of the mansion. I don’t know what everyone must be thinking of me. Inhaling a long breath, I looked around once again and moved ahead. 

I began to pull my luggage towards the door. I wish my parents didn’t leave Texas and lived in Florida, then I might have some connection with my step uncle’s family and things wouldn’t have turned this awkward. I could have been with them without having so many thoughts. Right now my head is bursting with numerous thoughts. 

The watchman opened the gate for me as I gave my identity. He passed me a smile before passing a pity look. I let out a breath realizing what he must be thinking. I don’t want them to pass these pity stares at me but I can’t help it at this moment. 

Reaching the door, I pressed the doorbell and I heard the sound from inside and waited for the door to be opened. The door was opened and it was my aunt. 

I stared at her awkwardly as I quickly took a glance at her from head to toe. She was beautiful even in her forties and she looked classy in that evening gown. 

I noticed her confused face at the beginning. Before I could say anything, she realized who I was and I noticed a bright smile appearing on her face.

“Manik?”

I nodded my head awkwardly. 

“Finally, you’re here. We were waiting for your arrival.” She beamed in joy seeing me.

I don’t know what I should feel about it. 

“Hello, aunty. I went in some direction. Sorry for making you all wait for me.” I greeted her with a polite smile. 

“That’s totally okay. It happens. You’re new here.” 

She completed when Kabir uncle showed up behind her snaking his arm around her waist. Aunty turned her face and they both shared a smile. I remembered my parents looking at them. I only clenched my fist on the handle of the luggage, trying not to react.

“Manik, come inside.” 

He called me inside and walked inside silently nodding my head a little. 

“Welcome, Manik. It feels nice to have you here. We’re your family. You’re just like Nandini to us. Never think that you’re an outsider. You’re a part of us. I know what happened is unfortunate but we can’t change anything now. I understand you need some time to get used to this new place and with us as well. After all, we had never met before. But we’re always there for you. Take your time and everything will be okay. Time heals everything.”

Aunty spoke politely, patting my back. The warmth in her voice touched me for sure. 

“Thank you.” I smiled. 

“Your aunty is right. Don’t hesitate here. We’re your family now. Though we can’t take your parents’ place, we’ll be there for you. Now let’s go. I’ll show your room to you. You must be tired after such a long journey.”

Kabir uncle suggested calmly and I nodded as he began to climb the stairs while I trailed behind him. He opened the door to my room and I took my time studying how neatly arranged the room was in white, gray and black. The room seemed familiar as my room back my old home was almost the same. I’m sure Kabir uncle had noticed that and renovated the room for me. 

“Thanks a lot, uncle. It’s amazing.” I appreciated him. 

He sighed in relief. Maybe he was thinking I might not like it. But it was actually so nice of them that they were trying their best to make me feel homely already. 

“That’s nice to know. By the way, could you complete everything in Florida?” 

“Yes. It took longer than I thought. But everything is done there.”

“Great! Go and freshen up. Pallavi is arranging dinner. You must be hungry. Nandini will be home soon. Then you can meet her as well.”

“You both are doing so much for me. I can’t thank you two enough for this. I just don’t know…”

I couldn’t complete it as Kabir uncle started speaking. “Shush! Don’t say that again. We don’t say thanks to our parents.”

I nodded.

“Freshen up. I’m waiting downstairs.”

I nodded once again. I closed the door as he left and looked around the room once again. It was exactly the same to my taste. 

I opened my luggage and took out my change. I was damn tired and didn’t have the energy left to arrange my stuff right now. I’ll do that later. Right now I need a shower and then a nap after having something. I took a nice shower and went down. 

I could already smell the aroma of the food. It was already making my mouth watery. It seemed so appealing that my stomach growled impatiently for me to start eating.

“You got your mother’s eyes. I met her once before you shifted to Florida. She was a nice lady.” Pallavi aunty commented looking at me as she arranged the dishes. 

I didn't know what to reply, so I only smiled.

“Not only his eyes. Look at him, he has grown into a really handsome man.” Kabir uncle added with her. 

I guess they were trying to start a normal conversation and make a bond so that I don’t feel awkward with them. They were talking and asking me questions, so I just answered them. 

“Nandini, will be really happy seeing you. She stays alone most of the time as we’re busy. She will have your company at least for a while. She was eager to meet you when we told her about you.” Pallavi aunty spoke about their daughter. I heard a lot about her but never saw her. 

“Where is she by the way? It’s so late and she hasn't returned yet.” Uncle asked, glancing at the clock then at aunty. 

I was feeling a little uneasy with the thought of staying with a teen young girl in the same home. It’s not that I was not used to having girls. I have had girlfriends but it was different here. She was my sister. Step sister. But I doubt it. She was nowhere related to me by blood. 

“She should be here soon. I told her in the morning that Manik is coming today. She also promised to be back early from her friend’s place.” She answered and glanced towards me as I looked away and continued eating.

Nandini knew about me and according to them, she was eager to meet me. I wonder why. She never saw me. Also, I have no idea of what she thinks of me. Does she consider me as her brother already? 

I scolded myself and focused on my food. I don’t care what she thinks. I’ll think of it once we meet. 

I was about to shallow another spoon of my meal when I saw a girl wearing a one piece dress run inside with her hair almost messed up. I got a clear view of her face when she came closer. She was no doubt one of the most beautiful girls I have come across in my whole life. Her eyes were brown and lips were pink with a mole near her eyebrow which was enhancing her beauty. 

I choked as I gulped my food while staring at her. 

"Here!" Pallavi aunty quickly offered me a glass of water, I gulped the water down my throat before feeling relieved.

“I guess Manik was stunned as well seeing Nandini.”

“Kabir, I think Manik was startled seeing your daughter. After all, she couldn’t just walk inside like a normal human being.” Pallavi aunty glared at Nandini who was standing behind her father’s chair and she was smiling mischievously looking at her mother. 

He chuckled as I saw Nandini making a pout. Then she pulled out the chair opposite me while I cautiously stared at her.

“Manik, meet Nandini. She is a little childish and keeps doing these impulsive things. Don’t mind. Though you’ll be used to these things soon.” Kabir uncle smiled at us.

I nodded. “Hello, Nandini.” I greeted her. 

“Hello. It’s nice meeting you.”

I passed a smile to her but I could feel her staring at me. Yet I didn’t look at her again.

Aunty was about to dish out her dinner but she denied. 

“I’m not hungry right now, mom. I had heavy snacks, so my stomach is filled already, just wanted to inform you about that.” She announced and her voice was as sweet as her beauty. 

She then stood up running her fingers through her long hair. 

“Nandini, at least have something. You’ll be hungry later.”

“No, mom. I’ll be fine.” She moved away. “Excuse me.” Then she didn’t wait and walked away from the dining room.

Kabir uncle and Pallavi aunty shared a look.

“I can’t understand what happens to her mood. She is okay now, then at the next moment, she acts all strange.”

“It’s all because of you. You’ve spoiled her.” Pallavi aunty glared at him.

I was done with my meal. I took the last morsel and left from there after bidding them good night. They didn’t mind either, thinking I was tired that I was undoubtedly. I went directly to my room and fell on my bed. Before I knew anything, I fell asleep and the last thing I remembered was Nandini’s face flashed behind my closed eyes for some unknown reason.