"What's cooking, Maasi and her niece." Navya entered the kitchen looking for Mishti when the maid informed her that Nandini and Mishti both were in the kitchen. Coming here she saw both of them looking around with a confused pout on their faces making her chuckle and question  them. 

Nandini and Mishti snapped their heads towards the source of voice to find the voice to be Navya's. "Umm... Hey Navya." Nandini gave her a nervous smile and stood their awkwardly. Navya smiled and moved towards her daughter and picked in her arms, kissing her rosy cheeks she looked at Nandini and reverted, "Hey Nandini, you needed something?" 

"Mumma, Nan-ini maasi said she wants to make something." Mishti spoke defeating Nandini even before she could say something both the ladies smiled at her cuteness and excitement. Navya  gave Nandini a questioning look silently asking what she was searching for. 

"Wo, today I got a big client for We Got You hence I decided to make something sweet so I was searching for the ingredients to make Gulab Jamun but no one was present in the kitchen and I didn't wanted to disturb any one so..." Nandini came to halt not knowing what to speak further. 

"But Maasi you said you wanted to make it to say thank you to chocolate boy na?" Mishti asked tilting her face giving Nandini confused look, while Nandini was looking here and there avoiding looking at Navya who was wearing amused look. Nandini cursed herself silently for saying this to Mishti and now her little secret was out.  

"Umm...yeah, that too." Nandini chuckled nervously and finally mustered up the courage to look at Navya who gave her the genuine smile not to make her more uncomfortable. Nandini was opening up slowly and the last thing anyone in the house wanted was to make her uncomfortable. Nandini gave a grateful smile to Navya knowing that she wasn't teasing her, 

'But why was she expecting Navya to tease you, Nandini? Its not as if you are cooking for your love interest or something.'  he conscience butted making her aware of her own thoughts. 

"But Nandini, you aren't feeling well that's why Manik gave you half day young lady, so rest I'll order it or ask someone to bring the sweet from the market." Navya suggested. as far as she knew Nandini she won't demand half day just for trivial reasons not even when she is off colour and if she is here now there must be a big reason behind it. 

Nandini's heart warmed at her thoughtfulness, "I'm feeling good now Navya, I want to distract myself so I thought why not, there is an occasion and I'm in the mood too and cooking will be a great distraction for me, only if you are okay with this" She rushed with the last when a thought came in her mind that Navya may not like her prying into the kitchen. 

Navya nodded her head in disbelief and gave her are you serious look, "You are a family Nandini, I will never stop you from doing anything in this house as it belongs to all us, and if you seriously need permission you need to ask Meher as the Mansion is on her name but knowing her she'll hit you on your head first then get angry on you, throw tantrums at you and then finally after you manofy her she'll sweetly ask you to make the sweet for her and that's the long" Navya closed Mishti's ears and continued what she intend to speak "ass process so why not I give you the ingredients and you get started. I can't wait to taste Gulab Jamun made by  you! Navya exclaimed.

Nandini chuckled and nodded her head agreeing to everything that Navya said.

"Me too Navi" Mishti cheered understanding what her mumma said but bit her tongue remembering she called her the secret name which is between her and her dadda "I mean mumma." She corrected herself immediately but it was too late, Navya was already glaring at her toddler. 

"You little mouse stop calling your mother with these names." Navya warned her in strict motherly tone causing Mishti too look down as Navya's saree fascinated her more then her momma's strict face and warning eyes. 

"Papa is right, Navi always shouts!" Mishti mumbled not knowing her mumma was able to hear her words and that caused Navya to fume more at her husband. 

"What papa told you this?" Navya asked gaping at her daughter who meekly nodded her head knowing both her and her dadda are grounded now. 

"You come home Cabir I'll show you!" Muttering under her breath Navya stomped her foot and went away cursing Cabir more but not before giving Nandini all the ingredients saying all the best and leaving an amused chuckling Nandini behind. 

'Come home soon Manik there is a big surprise waiting for you' Navya messaged on the family group as soon as she reached her room and right after she sent the message she typed another one for Cabir, 'And you Mr. Dhawan be prepared for tonight!'

Making the group flood with thinking emojis for Manik and teasing one for Cabir as everyone including Cabir though he is gonna have some action tonight, only of he knew what know of action was waiting for him. 

'Aww Navu baby I didn't knew you were so eager for baby number two.' 

⋆✦⋆　

It was late night and everyone was asleep except Nandini and Manik because he wasn't home yet. Nandini was slightly annoyed with him. At dinner table all the people present appreciated her for her Gulab Jamuns even her mother who always gave her Nandini positive and negative feedback for her cooking skills but today even she didn't have anything negative to say and seeing the smile on everyone's face she knew she succeeded in making the Gulab Jamun the best she can.

It was arduous for her to save some for Manik especially from Meher, but she succeeded in it when Aliya gave her another bowl to keep it in the fridge for Manik and herself as she wasn't in the mood to eat because the person she did all this hard work wasn't present because of his important meeting. 

She blew yet another annoyed sigh and tried to sleep again but it was as if the sleep wasn't in the mood to lull Nandini just like Manik wasn't in the mood to come home. She saw the time on her mobile screen which showed 2:22 am. 

"Tch, Manik Malhotra, ajj ke din agar jaldi aate toh kuch chala jaata tumhara?"  she pouted "And Nandini Murthy what the hell is wrong with you, its not like Manik has left you he'll come back to you, till the get some sleep women, he..." Her words came to sudden halt when her own words rang in her ears making her shriek, "Oh my god, what the fuck am I speaking?" Nandini jerked up and sat on the bed and cupped her face in pure horror. 

Her attention got diverted by the toddler who was sleeping snuggling to her but due to the noises and moments Mishti started squirming in her sleep.  

"Great now I'm disturbing the little child's sleep now. Aggh! This is all because of you Manik Malhotra." After dinner Nandini requested Navya to take Mishti with her and spend some quality time with her, and Navya who was all ready for punishing her husband instantly agreed to it. But then both Nan-ini Maasi and her Mishti were lost in their own world to notice the time, only when Navya knocked the door Nandini looked at the time which showed 11:00. Biting her tongue at her remissness Nandini allowed Navya to enter and take Mishti to her room for much needed sleep, but Mishti was being cranky and demanded to sleep only with her nan-ini Maasi and Nandini's heart melted there so she again requested Navya to let Mishti be and she'll take care of her. 

"Nan-ini Maasi." Mishti's small sleepy voice brought Nandini back from her thoughts. She smiled at Mishti and scooted more closer to her.  

"Yes baby, I'm so sorry but did Maasi woke you up?" Nandini asked gently caressing her hairs. 

"No, but I'm thirsty." She looked at Nandini with her small sleepily eyes which were begging her to back to sleep but the signal from her brain to quench her thirst for water wasn't letting her do so. 

"Oh wait a minute," she looked at her jug but it was empty, she forgot to fill it back. Nandini hates when being dependent on someone for her work no matter if its small or big, but here in Meher Mansion as per Manik's order she can't even wash her own clothes but then she warned him to let her do some small chores or she'll gladly leave and filling the jug for herself was one of them which she forgot do to... again this was because of Mr. Malhotra. 

"Mishti, baby wait here for 2 minutes I'll bring a glass of water for you." Nandini got up from her bed in haste but not before securing Mishti properly so that she doesn't fall in sleep. 

"Massi no... bad doggie will come. Don't leave me alone. Pleash." Mishti also got up from her bed as soon as she heard Nandini was going and she'll be alone in this room. He eyes were pleading with her chin wobbling indicating that any moment she'll burst into tears. 

"Okay...Okay Mishti baby, no crying. maasi isn't leaving you alone. Okay?" Nandini picked Mishti in her arms and Mishti snuggled in her neck for the much needed warmth and assurance. 

Still in her arms Nandini filled the glass of water and made her drink it sip by sip. Mishti let out a tired sigh and leaned on Nandini's shoulder till Nandini too had a glass of water, when Mishti's eyes roamed in the kitchen and she saw the packet of Maggie on the counter. 

"Maasi bhooki lagi hai?" Automatically words left her mouth as soon as she saw the tempting Maggie picture on the cover. 

"Kya khana hai mere baby ko?" Nandini looked at Mishti and asked not knowing Maggie was the one speaking for her and not her tummy. 

"Maggie aur Gulab Jamun!" Mishti's eyes twinkled as soon as Nandini asked her preference but that made Nandini slightly worried. Both the items were not so healthy to give to a baby at night, plus Nandini didn't knew anything about Mishti's diet any wrong move can cause her to fall ill and Navya may never trust her with Mishti, but right now she can't even go to Navya as she forgot the way to Navya's room in this big ass Mansion as she never required to go to anyone's room other than Meher and her mother. 

Nandini looked at Mishti who's eyes were still drilling on the Maggie packet making Nandini follow the trail and that's when she understood who was speaking. It was the mid night craving Mishti and not hungry Mishti, that's when an idea clicked her mind.  

"Itna saara unhealthy food, Mumma will be angry on both of us baby and aapke teeth bhi khrab hojayege and it will pain you too, do you want that?" Nandini tried tricking her with an hope that Mishti will agree and give into her. 

Mishti's eyes were wide and she immediately shook her head and said, "Nahi Maasi, par meko sacchi bhooki lagai hai!"

"I trust you baby. How about milk and Gulab Jamun and I'll prepare Maggie for you the day after tomorrow with your Mumma's permission?" The grin that speared across Mishti's feature gave the answer to Nandini.  

Mishti jumped in her arms and answered, "Yesssss, Maasi. But can I sit there?" She pointed at the counter table settled in the middle of the kitchen.

Nandini smiled and nodded her head, making Mishti comfortable on the counter table Nandini moved towards the refrigerator, finding the things she needed, she gave the bowl to Mishti who's eyes widen in happiness she forwarded her hand waiting for Nandini to give her the bowl. Nandini smiled at her eagerness and said, 

"Chalo aap tab tak gulab jamun khao, I'll warm the milk for you." Mishti nodded though her whole concentration was on the bowl she had in her hands. 

"Maasi." Mishti forwarded her spoon with a piece of Gulab Jamun in it. 

"Thank you so much my little munchkin." Nandini  said and flicked Mishti's nose causing her to erupt in fits of giggles. Mishti too copied Nandini and flicked her nose with her already ruined fingers due to the sugar syrup. 

"Woah. Masti without me. You already forgot your chocolate boy Mishti." Manik had a bad night night, he so wanted to come home after his office but of course his other work needed his attention too. Legal or illegal both of them requires hell lot of paper work do to. Checking the shipments, checking in with the smuggling bodies, keeping up with his clients and partners, giving attention to the problems that arises with the shipments, police and much more which he was neglecting but can't anymore. He was currently pissed at his smuggling gang for messing up again and almost getting caught by the police, if not for his spies and his team, he would have being threating commissioner and ministers right now. 

Sighing he entered his home, wanting to just crash on his bed but the warning growl from his stomach made him take the U-turn towards kitchen when he heard the giggling voices. No even in his dream he though that he'll be witnessing something like this today.  

"Chocolate boyyyyyyyyy." Mishti squealed in happiness seeing her chocolate boy after so long, it felt like it was so long but only three days, as Manik was busy and by the time he came home Mishti was asleep he only saw her on the breakfast table siting next to him and him feeding her other than that he did not spend any time with his baby. 

"Arey Arey aaram se baby."  Manik spoke when he saw Mishti wriggling in her seat wanting to her down and run towards her chocolate boy, Nandini saw this and made her stand on her feet. As soon as she did that Mishti ran towards Manik making him scoop her into his arms and give a loving kiss on her forehead and cheeks while she did the same with him making him feel blessed. 

"What was my baby doing?" Manik asked moving towards Nandini and adjusting Mishti properly in his arms. 

"Me was hungry Chocolate boy so Nan-ini Maasi was giving me Milk and I was eating Gulab Jamun." Mishti explained pointing towards her tummy, then Nandini , then the milk and finally the Gulab Jamun bowl. 

"Really? Did you thank your Nan-ini Maasi?" Manik asked keeping Mishti on her former place that is on the counter top while keeping his moth the hands on her sides. 

Mishti shook her head and bit her tongue looking Manik and then at Nandini, who was smiling warmly looking at the duo, "Oops! Thank you Nan-ini Maasi." Only to get "your welcome sweetheart" in return. 

"You want to eat Gulab Jamun Chocolate boy? Nan-ini Maasi made it for you." Nandini closed her eyes and looked down again sighing at her little secret keeper who really isn't one but she can't be angry or irritated at Mishti too, she is a baby who looks cute all the time and behaves cute all the time, the only thing she can do now is sigh and answer everything truthfully. 

"Really?" On the other hand Manik stood astonished looking at Nandini with wide eyes and mouth hung open. "You. Made. Gulab Jamun. For. Me? Manik asked slowly stressing on you and me still not believing on the information he got. 

"Wo, for our new start as friends as well as I wanted to thank you and yesterday afternoon I got to know that you love Gulab James hence here they are." Nandini shrugged and explained herself making Manik speech less again. 

"Woah, umm... Can I have a bite Mishti." He looked at Mishti who finished her glass of milk and back to her devouring Gulab Jamun session. 

"NO!" Both Mishti and Nandini shouted at the same time. Mishti even hid the the bowl behind her back. 

'What with the people changing parties in his house now-a-days?' Manik thought slightly pouting at Mishti. 

"What why? Dekho Nandini I know I'm little late..." Nandini narrowed her eyes after listening little late making Manik correct himself as son as he saw her eyes, "Okay I mean very late but that doesn't mean you'll do this to me. It was for me, my surprise and you aren't letting me taste it, yeh to na-insaafi hai na! Haina Mishti?"  

"Saafi who chocolate boy?" Mishti asked tilting her head and chewing the last bite of her Gulab Jamun. 

"Saafi nahi baby na-insaafi meaning injustice." Manik explained coming back to his previous position.  

"Oohh!" Mishti nodded her head as if she understood what Manik said. 

"Dekho ek baccha bhi samjh gya Nandini." Manik gave her the smug look making her roll her eye but his smug-ness went into drain when Mishti asked next question. 

"Inustice matlab Chocolate boy?" Now it was Nandini's turn to be smug and Manik to avoid her eyes. 

"Bacche ko bhi nahi samjha chocolate boy." Nandini chuckled. 

"Mishti." Manik groan her name for making his fool in front of Nandini and that poor child was waiting for someone to say what injustice meant. 

"Nandini please, I love Gulab Jamun and tumne banaya hai toh I want to taste it, though I know bohot acche bane honge. Please." Manik pleaded making Nandini's inside melt. 

"Accha jaao jaao maaf kiya tumhe itna makkhan lagane ki zarorat nahi hai, go freshen up and come down, tab tak I'll warm the dinner for you" He was about to interrupt but before he could Nandini spoke knowing what he wanted to say, "With your Gulab Jamun, go now!" 

"Aur suno, Mishti ko bhi le jao and give her to Navya, she is sleeping, and tell her that I gave her a glass of Milk and Gulab Jamun toh ho sake toh make her brush her teeth."  

"Don't worry, I'll make her brush her teeth and then take her to Navya and Cabir's room." 

"Come Mishti, lets get you cleaned." Picking now drowsy Mishti in her arms he turned towards his room. 

"Yeah that's the better Idea. Thank you." 

"No need, just give me my Gulab Jamuns and I'll do anything you say." While all Nandini did was shook her head and sigh in happiness. 

⋆✦⋆

"Hmmmm... You should be a chef Nandiniiiiii!"  Manik moaned for the nth time since he tasted the Jamuns making Nandini smile at his antics. 

"This is so delicious." Manik said licking all his fingers and then he looked at Nandini who still had a smile on her face and asked with puppy eyes, "Aur mil sakta hai please?" 

"I'm sorry, this were the last ones." Nandini gave him an apologetic face, she really was sorry for not making enough and disappoint Manik, there was a crick in her heart seeing his sad face which made her mutter the words next moment, "Next time, I'll make more, and make sure you have more." 

"Meher and Cabir!" Manik cursed under his breath knowing the two major hungry bhukads of the house. 

"Aye don't say anything to them." Nandini said trailing behind Manik who kept his dishes in the sink. 

Nudging his aside she picked up the dish to wash when Manik stopped her, "What are you doing?" 

"Washing the dishes. Duh!" 

"I can see that miss sassy but why?" Manik raised her eyebrows 

"Why not?" And Nandini copied his actions. 

"There is a dish washer Nandini and maids are there too." Manik said with a sigh making Nandini look at him weirdly. 

"Manik do bartan ke liye why to trouble someone or the poor dishwasher? And I hate keeping utensils in the sink." She said and again picked up the scrub only to be brutally snatched from her. 

"Okay fine, I'll wash them you wipe, now you better agree to this or you aren't doing anything." Its was now Manik turn to nudge Nandini. Nandini huffed but agreed to him nonetheless. 

"You are so bossy Malhotra." Nandini said and picked up the cloth to wipe the vessel as soon as Manik gives it to her. 

"Who knows that better than you Murthy!" Manik sprinkled some water on her making her cower and groan

"Manik!" Nandini yelled at him 

"Sorry!" Manik to yelled in the same voice and tone as Nandini did making her huff again and lightly swat him. Laughing he continued washing the vessels. 

"Manik?" 

"Hmm?" 

"What about Nishant?" Nandini asked the question which was bugging her since afternoon. What are they gonna do now?

"I have an idea in my mind Nandini." Manik said but Nandini didn't miss the nervousness in his voice making her look at him with doubt. Whenever Manik goes nervous something life changing comes for Nandini. 

"See, I know you have started trusting me a little and I would never ever want to harm the trust your are investing in me but we don't have any other option other than this, if we need to expose Nishant and saved the women he is using." Manik tried explaining himself before he explodes the bomb. 

"Don't beat around the bush Manik, I didn't understood even the A of what you are speaking." 

"You have to move in with me Nandini." Manik spoke not for once looking at Nandini. thank god for the dishes if not for them he would had to look into Nandini's eyes now. Bless the soul of whoever made the dishes, washing bar and scrub too. 

Nandini looked at him and then around the kitchen and asked, "Aren't I already? I live in your house Manik." 

"Not like that Nandini."  He thought Nandini understood what he was trying to say but now it feels like saying it in crystal clear words. 

"We need to shift to another house, Only you and me." 

Haash! After so long I'm little satisfied with what I wrote. Hope you people enjoyed it too! 

What do you think Manik's plan will be and will Nandini give in to his plan and move in with him? 

Do let me know what specific MaNan scene you want to see if they move in together. Thank you so much for your lovely comments and votes on previous chapter. I'll be replying back to them now. The previous chapters needed lot of editing hence I'm editing and publishing it again. 

Now time for some shout-outs to some talented authors. 

Mish_tee and the_stellarflower have published some amazing books do give it a chance. 

And my lovely aww-dorable heart __serratedshadow__ has started a new story called 'Loveswept'. I'm so sorry for being so late you guys. I wish you all the success and love. Keep writing such amazing stories. 

Also before I forget this again special thanks to,