"So Manik I was not expecting you to meet here. You know I have never seen Nandini  interacting with her friends. She would always stays alone. But now seeing you here it felt good. This way Nandini di will feel better" Sneha said as she took bite of her burger.

Manik smiled, "well I wasn't expecting it too. I had some business to handle here. And when I saw you two I couldn't hold myself back from saying hi"
He said as he looked at Nandini.

"Good, good. Like this I have also got the chance to meet you. Nandini di is always aloof. She would always stays alone" Sneha shook her head.

Manik pursed his lips and looked at Nandini. Sneha don't know what's happening with them but how could Manik be oblivious of it? It pained him seeing Nandini's dejected look. He sighed in his heart but the current situation is not under their control. And sometimes he fears that something would change that will seperate them forever. He had lost her once but he couldn't think of it anymore.

"Oh, I forgot to order for drinks. Excuse me" Sneha got up and hurried towards the counter.

Manik hold Nandini's hand and said in assuring tone, "why are you worrying so much? When our feelings and intentions are true nothing could seperate us. All you have to do was have a little faith"

Nandini looked at him, "I am trying don't I? But I know my father well. Even if the engagement was broken he would never—"

"What did you say? Your engagement is broken?" Manik asked her with shock. Did he heard right? Her engagement is broken?

Nandini nodded her head, "yes, even I still have doubt in this. I don't know why suddenly the Bhatt family broke the arrangements. I was so shocked when mom told me. Dad was furious at the news"

"Did they gave any reason?"

"I don't know. Mom didn't say much. But she only said that the Bhatt family suddenly came and broken the engagement. They even suggested that dad should marry me to you"

Manik frowned. How come situation changed like that? He was trying to persuade her father. He wanted to show his feelings and sincerity. But Manik never thought in the mean time something like this will happen.

"How did your mom react to it?"

"Mom looked fine but dad would always be angry. He would snap other at small things. It was more like he was throwing the anger of Bhatt family on us. Looking at his condition I don't think that he is ready for hearing any explanation or something"

"Maybe he is disturbed that's why he behaved like that" Manik told her making Nandini look at him, "I mean he dreamt of you getting married with the man he arranged for you isn't it? Now that it has broken like this it's obvious that he will be angry"

"You are right. Mr. Bhatt was dad's good friend. They wanted to expand their friendship to close relationship" Nandini sighed. "Aniket was also agreed to this marriage. He even tried hard to win my heart. When I think of it, I know it wasn't right to ignore his approach and turn him down everytime. But the fact I couldn't accept him from heart always gets on the way. And that's also the reason that everything he had done would always appear annoying in my eyes. I had not right to insult him but I couldn't also accept him. I felt so forced, pressured that it made my heart unwilling to everything my parents wanted me to do. I just couldn't —"

"Okay you don't have to explain to me" Manik stopped her. "I know it's hard when our decision don't match our parents desire. I could take you away, away from your family, away from all this mess. But I know, this plan may seem suitable at this moment to start a happy life but what about after next few years? We can start our new life escaping the situation but we can never be happy. The fact for our own happiness we hurted the people who made us see this world is not worth at all. And in future when our children hear this they would repeat the same thing if the situation would arise like this. At that time what will feel? That's why I wanted to make things right by going on the right path. If we can find our love then we can definitely fight this together"

Nandini looked at him and nodded with a smile. "yes, it's easy to love but the fulfillment to make it worth is hard"

They looked at eachother, "you trust me don't you?" Manik asked which she nodded.

"Then I don't fear anything. Last time I was not able to fight for you because of my selfish reason. This time I am selfish again because I don't want to lose you no matter what. At the cost of anything I won't give up at anything"

The promise made her heart flatter and at that moment Nandini knew she chose the right man for herself. Though she don't know if she could ever have any future with this man but the fact she got the chance to feel his love is enough for this one life.

After all every girl is not lucky to have a man like him who loves her like this.

"I am sorry, because of the line I had to wait for long" Sneha returned with her drink and frowned when she saw their expression. "What happened you two looked so serious. Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine. Have you got what you wanted?" Nandini asked.

"Yeah, it's my luck that I got my favourite flavour" Sneha grinned sitting down.

Nandini smiled, "I am happy for you"

"Why are you two not eating anything?" Sneha asked looking at their untouched plate.

"Um... Nandini didn't liked the flavour of the pasta so I was about to order something new" Manik said.

"Great, I want something too" Sneha grinned making him chuckle. He looked at Nandini.

"I didn't know your sister is this foodie"

"She is always like this" Nandini replied.

"Okay, I will order something then" he got up and left.

"So what happened?" Sneha asked as soon as Manik left.

"What are you talking about?" Nandini frowned.

Sneha rolled her eyes, "oh please, I am not blind you know. I can see it clearly that he is not your friend only. So don't talk to me like I am innocent"

Nandini sighed, "if you know something then keep it inside you and don't let it out"

"Well, you know me sister, I can keep it a secret for you but it won't be free" Sneha smirked.

Nandini fought the urge to roll her eyes, "fine, what do you want?"

Sneha grinned, "I want a huge teddy bear"

Nandini frowned "huh? Teddy bear?"

Sneha nodded, "I was thinking of buying one for a year already but my pocket money is not enough. So I want you to buy it for me in exchange"

Nandini heaved a sigh, "you are still not better than a child" then rolled her eyes.

"Child or not, if you are buying it then I will seal my lips, of not then...."

"But what thing?" Manik returned with food.

"Oh, it's a sisters secret" Sneha winked at him.

"Oh, is that so?" Manik looked at Nandini who just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, so Manik since when you know her?" Sneha asked excited.

"We shared the sabe college" Manik smiled.

"Really? Wow, it's such a long time then. Have you two always in contact after the college graduation?"

"Well, no, we had some misunderstandings"

"Oh, then .."

"We met in the company again. Nandini was already working in there when I was transferred" Manik replied patiently.

"Wow, it sounds so romantic. Umm...like those in  the books—"

"Will you shut up now and eat?" Nandini interrupted.

"Calm down I was just asking" Sneha rolled her eyes and started to eat without words. While she was engrossed in eating Manik leaned towards Nandini slightly and told her.

"Wow, you really know how to stop a talkative machine"

Nandini glared at him "shut up".

Later after the meal they decided to call it day. Manik insisted on paying. After they left the mall Manik departed. Nandini took Sneha to a toy store to buy her a teddy bear. Sneha was beyond happy and brought a huge teddy bear for herself. After they were done they sat in the car.

"Thanks for this di" Sneha grinned widely. Her teddy bear was sitting in the back seat.

Nandini rolled her eyes, "you better remember your promise". She knows her father aware about her relationship with Manik so does her family but she just don't want to complicate things so she had to stop Sneha from talking about it.

"Don't worry. My lips are sealed. I even forgot about it" Sneha replied.

"Good" Nandini said then their car left the parking area.