A/N: Hello dear readers, I know it's been very long indeed and I'd like to offer my deepest apologies for not publishing sooner. Actually, I have not been able to write at all since July, when I wrote this chapter. The idea was initially to publish both parts one day apart, so I withheld publishing the chapter for so long..but looks like part two will take some more time to come.  :(

Sharing a little bit about my cause of delay..well as many of you always knew, our family was based out of Bombay, but about 2.5 yrs back, I had gotten a great opportunity at work and moved to Delhi. Needless to say, the husband & children moved along, but we've never really been able to settle in Delhi as a family (although having the in-laws a 30 mins drive away has it's perks ;P); so with a new opportunity, I decided to move back to Bombay this August. My life until now, is all about settling in, getting the older kid to rejoin her old school, getting the younger one his new mid year admission, ensuring the move is smooth for the husband and he doesn't miss his mom cooked food too much!

Honestly, this has been all so overwhelming that I kinda lost touch with the story. Although, I have notes, and I know exactly what I want to write, but I feel the emotional connect is gone. So I plan to read the whole story once, and reconnect and start writing the next part of the Epilogue and the few bonus chapters, I intend to publish..although, I still need more time to break into my old home, and have things running smoothly, so I can't promise a timeline, although I intent to publish the next part before New Years!

Anyway, if you're still up for it, and you wanna know what's up with MaNan, then this is where you can find out! :) 

Thank you, for your patience, and happy reading!

***

"Nandini, I really want to collaborate with you two, one more time. After our last movie was leaked, it didn't impact either of you; Manik Malhotra was too big a name to dim with one movie not making the numbers, and you..well, Manik ensured it led you straight into super-stardom; guess who bore the loss? It was me. In this last one year, you have grown from strength to strength and as for Manik, he has kind of flown off the handle completely; but, if there is one thing that didn't die down at all in one whole year, it is the public's curiosity about you both; you both owe me big time, love! So, it is time, I relaunch you together after Manik's year long hiatus from showbiz, so that we can make a superhit movie & I finally get my money's worth..!" Nandini smiled at Dhruv, as he ranted. In the last one year, she had seen a lot of success, found a lot of work & was lucky enough to find a few good friends too. True, showbiz was still as manipulative as ever, but her immediate circle was secure with the Senior Malhotra's gone.

Alia and Aryamann had become more family than friends now, Mukti was in a happy place with Zubin, and strangely, Ranbir and Navya started seeing each other soon after their lives started getting back to normal! Cabir of course maintained, he was too hot to settle too soon, but the word in the out was that, he was casually seeing someone too! A new addition to her bunch of crazies was Karan Chopra, and that mainly happened because she had worked with him a lot recently; one movie, a couple of television commercials and it turned out that man could really make her laugh!

Amongst the Malhotra's, she was very much in touch with Nyonica Malhotra, and she made sure her 'mom' was dealing with all the sudden changes in her life well; and occasionally she even interacted with Manik through Instagram. Ever since the court hearing where the Senior Malhotra's were imprisoned, and Manik and Nandini had taken a critical decision about their life and choices, Manik had been around just for long enough to handle the media repercussions, before posting a message from his social media account that, in light of recent events, he needed a break and was taking one!

That was it. Manik had been travelling the world ever since, stopping in whichever place that held his heart ransom. As Nandini focused on her work and finally started enjoying her career, they both were not in touch for the first few months; it was not like Manik's thought never crossed Nandini's mind, but they didn't pinch her anymore, she remembered their good memories fondly; she was healing and it felt right. It was only after the teaser launch of one of her movies, she had one day found a DM from Manik on her Instagram, congratulating her for the movie, saying it looked promising. After that they had exchanged a few pleasantries over DM and Nandini had scrolled through his account to see all the travel photos he had posted. In the last five-six months, she had liked a few photos he had posted, and sometimes, he'd DM her some random clicks of his travels that he didn't post publicly. That was that. That was their equation so far; and going by his travel enthusiasm, it didn't look like Manik Malhotra had any plans of returning back to Mumbai, anytime soon.

"So, I take your silence as a yes?" Dhruv's voice broke her chain of thoughts, as Nandini smiled and took a sip of her wine and turned her focus towards the stage of the social event she was attending. Some dancers were performing on stage to a Manik Malhotra hit number.

"That depends, Dhruv. Are you willing to wait for another year to start shooting?" Nandini asked, eyes still gazing at the performance.

"If this is about date issues, my office can handle that Nandini, we will fig.." Dhruv began, but Nandini shook her head, stopping him.

"No Dhruv, it's not that. It's a Manik Malhotra issue." she replied, hiding a smile. Dhruv looked surprised.

"Dhruv, Manik is currently functioning in auto-pilot mode, and isn't likely to set foot back in the country anytime soon; and I can't block dates indefinitely for this collaboration..so unless Manik actually comes back and decides to work, I can't promise anything.." Nandini replied. She wondered if she would feel okay playing Manik Malhotra's leading lady, romancing him on screen, after all that they went through. Was working with Manik a good idea at all? That too, so soon? Thankfully, she didn't need to break her head about it right now, since Manik wasn't returning anytime soon.

"Oh, it's been a year, it's about time he returns.." Dhruv replied, hiding a smile.

"Dhruv, a week back, your Manik Malhotra was trekking to Machu Picchu, he was on a four day Inca trail; have you seen the photos? He is tanned, wait, tanned is an understatement, he is sun burnt! He hasn't shaved in weeks, his matted untamed hair has grown so long, that he needs to tie a man-bun! Have you ever seen an unkempt version of Manik Malhotra in your life? Doesn't that tell you anything about his desire to return?" Nandini asked Dhruv, rolling her eyes.

"Well, somebody has paid close attention to his looks." Dhruv's sly dig irritated her. Of course she paid attention to every tiny detail about his looks, but that was just to ensure he looked healthy and okay, not for any other purpose. Although, erm..the man-bun kind of, suited him.

"Dhruv, all I am saying is I can't promise anything to you, unless he comes back, we have a look at the story you have in mind, etc." Nandini snapped a little this time, widening Dhruv's smile further.

"Just the chemistry I want" Dhruv thought to himself, before clearing his throat and responding. "Sure, I understand love, we will wait for Manik's return." With that he turned to leave, but he stopped for a moment and looked back at Nandini, his face hid a childlike amusement when he added, "By the way Nandini, do you only follow his posts, not his stories? Trust me the stories are way more interesting & informative! Otherwise, I'd never know Peru had such great strip clubs!" With that he left, leaving a fuming Nandini standing and scurrying for her phone inside her minaudiere!

***

[Few months later]

The old man by the centre of the Palazzo played a lazy tune on his accordion that matched with the theme of the drunken, cheerful evening. Manik sat there lazily in a tavern, watching the world passing by. The last few streaks of amber orange sun rays were steadily giving in to purple and then azure overcast of the night & slowly the lines of taverns were switching on their lights to welcome the breezy night of amazing food, drinks & delight. Verona was indeed a city of romance; this city didn't exuberate the kind of intense love and passion that Manik felt for Nandini in his life, the love in Verona was light, friendly, young. Love in Verona came in the face of young, beautiful women, walking around in the Palazzo on a lazy Friday evening; some looking to meet a special lover, some looking for a night of nice & easy frivolity and some for business. Manik felt at ease; these women weren't expecting promises, they didn't move mountains for him either, they were just a beautiful company for men for a night; come morning, they leave and one wakes up happy and without any emotional baggage.

Ever since Manik came to Verona a couple of days back, this palazzo was his favourite, he visited it every evening and sat here with a drink watching the evening turn to night, with the life of the place growing as the clock stuck deeper into the night.

"Salve, Signore" , a sweet chime-like voice caught his attention, as Manik turned to see a young woman standing by the chair opposite him.

"Salve" Manik greeted back and smiled.

"Parli Italiano?" the woman asked with a soft and surprised smile.

"I don't speak Italian, I just know some basics" Manik replied back in English with a smile. The woman smiled back.

"Do you mind, if I share your table, everywhere else is full.." she asked in a very heavily accented English and Manik nodded in affirmation.

She sat down and glanced at Manik, taking in his appearance and soon a soft red blush took over her face. Manik tightened his lips, fully enjoying the attention. The woman softly gulped, as she noticed Manik eyeing her, and quickly ordered a cup of Irish coffee.

"Hi, I am Sofia" she spoke after a few minutes and Manik smiled and responded, "I'm Manik."

"Maneek, that's a nice name. So Maneek, are you visiting Verona for work or.." she asked with a shy smile.

"Leisure. What about you, Sofia?" Manik asked, with a smile.

Sofia's ears turned red, like she was caught in the act, as a naughty smile grew on her face. "I come here every night, Maneek, for business and..." she whispered, "pleasure".

"May I interest you in a night of pleasure, to remember Verona by, Maneek?" she asked after sometime, sipping into her coffee and Manik kept looking at her intently lost in thought.

She was a beautiful woman. A literal personification of Verona. Easy, light, no promises, fun, and full of raw attraction. Manik had no reason to refuse. He could spend a night drunk in a feeling that was a lot like love, but not quite love, couldn't he? There she was in a soft white dress, wavy tresses freely dancing in the soft evening wind. Her almond shaped greenish-blue eyes looked ethereal, with her pointed nose and sharp jawline. Sofia was one of nature's near perfect designs. If only those tresses were jet black and shiny, those eyes were dark chocolate brown, that jaw-line less sharp and that nose button-like, she would be perfect. She'd be perfect then, because she'd not look like Sofia anymore, she'd then look like his Nan..

"Make love to me, Maneek.." Sofia smiled at him seductively, as she advanced her hands, and slowly drew circles on the back of Manik's palm.

"Make love to me Manik. I want my baby back."

That sudden memory ran a current through his spine and Manik jolted his hand out of Sofia's reach.

"Don't you think I am gorgeous, Maneek?" Sofia asked, a little startled at his sudden gesture.

Manik sighed. "I do think you're gorgeous Sofia"

"Then, what's the problem, Maneek?" she urged.

"..but you're not her.." Manik whispered.

This isn't happening for the first time with Manik. In the last whole year, he had travelled across the world and with his looks and boyish charms, he had caught a lot of attention amongst women; but every single time, he had found a reason to not pursue. Some spoke too loudly, some spoke too confidently, some were too blonde, some were coming onto him too strongly, some just wanted hard cash, some were too tall, some were too short, but today he finally acknowledged the real problem - all these women were too different from her, or some too like her, but none were her - his Nandini. So he couldn't go ahead with any. He felt a warmth spreading inside him, realising that he was not indifferent to Nandini, he never was. He just had so much emotional baggage on him, that he felt distanced from everyone. His travels had healed him and when healed, he realised Nandini was right there in his heart, waiting for him to uncover her and realise that she was all he still needed, to be happy; to live.

It was time to go back home.

"..Maneek, you'd not be here in Verona alone, if she was in your life. You can't have her in your life, but you can have me for a night and make a beautiful memory.." Sofia's alluring voice brought Manik back to the present; he smiled.

"Sofia, I will make a promise to you tonight. I will be back here with her in this same tavern, at the same time on this very date next year, to meet you; be here. We'll drink together like old friends and make a beautiful memory." Manik whispered, holding her hand.

Sofia smiled. "You now owe me a beautiful memory, Maneek". Manik then dug a hundred euro bill out of his pocket and put it in her hand. "This is a token of appreciation for the terrific business woman you are. If I was not so drunk in love already, I'd have fallen for you, Sofia..thank you for spending this time on me, during your business hours. You will never know how much you helped me." Manik spoke, with a genuine softness in his eyes.

"I have business ethics Maneek, I don't take money without providing service." Sofia replied, with a small smile & before Manik could respond, she added, "I also provide 'make-your-girl-jealous' service on request, so maybe you can take a snap with me and keep, just in case your girl is headstrong and refuses to give in to your love, and you need to play the jealousy card to swoon her?" Sofia laughed.

Manik chortled too, adding, "Yes, I think that's a great idea. Come let's take a photo together".

***

As Manik waved goodbye to Sofia, he sat down again, and flicked through his phone to see the photos he just clicked with Sofia, and then logged on to Instagram out of habit. The coffee in his mouth tasted like mud when he saw Aryamann had DM'd him some photos, and he opened them. These were photos of Aryamann and Alia's private Roka event. Aryamann had sent him those along with a few lines of abuse for him not being present with them and asking him to come back in good time to ensure Manik is there for their wedding, which they were planning for soon. Well, all that was fine, what was not fine, was one particular picture of Nandini and Karan, both attending the event in gorgeous outfits, looking flawlessly attractive; in the picture, he was kissing her tightly on her cheeks, and both were smiling like a bunch of happy idiots, staring at the camera! Morons.

Manik glared at Nandini's happy, chirpy face. Never had he felt so angry seeing her happy. Why did that moron have to kiss her off screen? Was on screen not enough?! Fine. He was Manik Malhotra, he was not going to give in easily either. Hmph.

***

Nandini woke up lazily and glanced at her phone. It was past ten in the morning, but she still felt like staying in bed. Thankfully, she had no work commitments & after the amazing time she had at Aryamann and Alia's Roka last night and the amount of drinks they had, she didn't think she'd be able to walk straight for at least the next couple of hours too. Damn.

As she was up now, out of habit, she opened Instagram and scrolled through to see if there are any new stories from Manik. Ever since Dhruv had teased her about Manik's Instagram stories, she had been keeping a close tab on the stories but she eventually concluded Dhruv was only pulling her leg. As in, yes, Manik did visit a strip club, and often enjoyed a few drinks in clubs with friends if he had any, in the city he was travelling but none of his pictures were shady. Then again he was Manik Malhotra, obviously he would think twice before posting a picture out in public domain. He may have taken a break from showbiz, but showbiz never took a break from him! Anyway, his profile looked clean, she thought as she swiped left to scroll through his carousel of new images from Verona, until her finger froze.

What.The.Hell?

There he was flashing his teeth like a monkey while side hugging a woman! Who was she? Did he know her from earlier? Did he just meet her? She sat up on her bed and scrutinised the kind of side hug they were sharing..it was definitely not platonic. The woman was looking like she'd choke herself to death in happiness & Manik? That moron always enjoyed attention from pretty women! Nandini then tried to locate the ring finger of her left hand, just in case she had a ring? Could Manik drunk-propose and get engaged to a random woman? Yikes, Aiappa!

As Nandini munched through her pancakes with chocolate syrup and two scoops of vanilla ice cream (after seeing what she saw in the morning, of course, it was a cheat day for her to emotionally cope), she thought of various ways to mitigate this possible disaster, galloping towards her otherwise peaceful life. After six pancakes, a great plan came in her mind, she had to execute it correctly now. It was time to text Dhruv Vedant.

[Dhruv, you had asked me if I was open to collaborating with you and Manik for your next movie, right? I can commit only if you can make it happen in the next two months, a project has gone on hold and these dates are released; after that I am not available for a year and half.]

In the next fifteen minutes, Dhruv responded.

[That's great Nandini. I will get Manik back in town in no time and we will begin script reading! Thanks, love.]

***

Manik was scrolling through North Pole luxury cruise options when a DM notification from Nandini caught his attention. He waited for a record three minutes to not look desperate before opening it. He was quite disappointed to see that she shared a silly meme, but upon focusing on it, he saw it was a meme of the cult rom-com Friends, taking a dig at the famous Ross-Rachel 'we were on a break' sequence. Manik rolled his eyes and was about to close the page, when something struck. Why was Nandini sending 'we were on a break' jokes to him? They were technically on a break too, right? Also why was she sending him this right after clicking that sickening kiss-on-cheek photo with that moron, Karan? Was she implying something? Was she on Team Ross or Team Rachel on this? There was only one way to find out.

It looked like the North Pole Luxury Cruise had to wait until Manik decided to take a break from showbiz or life the next time; for now, he was taking the first flight home!

It was time for their new beginning!

***

Word Count: 3,140

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and are still wishing to read more?

Oh sweet jealousy, hope you have an appetite for it!

I won't ask too many questions on this chapter, but I am hoping, you folks will still leave me comments saying what are your thoughts on how MaNan are placed in their respective lives, and how did you imagine them to be?

May I just remind you, I truly appreciate your in-line comments and votes, so if you're still with me, do show me some love!

See you soon,

A.