I want u to be there.... For a little more than Always!!
Part 33:
Nandini entered her room and sat on the bed thinking about Manik's parents.

Nandini: How Ayiappa..... How can they just come here suddenly and expect him to forgive them?? If i was not an employee here na then i would hv literally shouted at them right then. Why is it so easy for ppl to just break someone's trust and then come back and ask for forgiveness??

Dadi: Its not easy my dear!!

Nandini looked towards the door to find Dadi standing there smiling at her.

Nandini: Arey Dadi... Why r u standing there?? Plz come in na!!

Dadi walked inside and sat beside Nandini.

Dadi: I know what u r thinking!!

Nandini thought for the second and remembered what Manik had told her that no one knew what his father did to him.

Nandini: me... No nothing dadi....

Dadi: I know it all my child!! I agree that Manik​ didn't tell me but Raj did.

Nandini looked down having no words to say, she knew she had no right to interfere in their personal matters.

Dadi: Ok nandini... Tell me what will u do, if u know that ur child has stolen something from somewhere??

Nandini looked at her surprised and confused by the sudden question,
Nandini: Stolen?

Dadi simply nodded at head when Nandini said,
Nandini: I'll scold him, explain him and then even punish him so that he doesn't repeat it ever.

Dadi: How long will u punish him for that??

Nandini: Until he realises his mistake.

Dadi: Then if a parent can forgive his child for a mistake as big as theft, then can't a child forgive his parents.... Everyone does mistakes... No one is perfect.

Nandini stayed shut understanding her point of view but still she wasn't satisfied.

Nandini: Do u really feel that it was a mistake Dadi?? Can breaking someone's trust be so easily termed as a mistake?

Dadi: My dear... We never know what is going on in a person's mind at a point of time. Raj didn't think that Manik was thinking so seriously about Music, to him it was like just another passing hobby. So he wanted his son to hv a stable work starting. Is that wrong for a parent to think so!!

Nandini: Couldn't he hv just talked to him once instead of playing such games on his own son.

Dadi: And that is where he went wrong.... He did wrong!! And he didn't realise it until Manik left talking to him.

Nandini was silent again when Dadi continued,
Dadi: Nandu... Raj is guilty for what he did, and Manik has been punishing him for too long now!! But where is Nyonika's fault in all this stuff. She also didn't know anything then why was a son taken away from his own mother... Think about it!!

Saying so Dadi simply got up and left the room. Nandini lied down on hheer bed thinking about all of it when she unknowingly fell asleep.
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Manik was sitting in his balcony staring at the stars simply, willing to calm himself down of all the mess that was going on in his mind.
He felt someone's hand caressing his head, he looked up and saw her,

Manik: I knew u would come.... But I don't wanna talk about it.

Person: They are ur parents Manik!!

Manik: We hv had this conversation before as well Dadi...

Ohh yes it was Dadi, now that our Nandu is sleeping who else would it be.

Dadi: Manik....

Manik: I m not saying anything!! And neither am I going to agree to u and talk to them.

Dadi: I know it all Manik...

Manik looked up at her shocked, at which she simply nodded and caressed his face this time, when Manik suddenly moved away.

Manik: And still u r here to convince me??
He whispered out of shock. He just couldn't believe that Dadi, even after knowing the truth was approving of his father.

Dadi: Manik... Listen to me I-

Manik: NO.... NO!!

Dadi: Listen to me son...

Manik: Just Leave Me Alone....
Manik shouted. He controlled his voice and then said in between his tears.
Manik: Leave me alone before I do or say something that I shouldn't.

Dadi simply left the room while Manik stumped himself on the couch in the balcony.
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Later that day, it was about 9:30 in the night even Nandini woke up. She freshened up and moved out of the room to see Nyonika in the living room.

Nyonika: Nandini...

Nandini: Good evening Ma'am. U need something??

Nyonika: No dear... I m gud!! I was just willing to know if u could tell me at what time do Mom and Manik hv their dinner??

Nandini: Ohh that... Yes at 9! I think today Manik would hv slept thats why he didn't come.

Just then simi passed through the hall so Nandini said,
Nandini: Simi.... Plz go and call Manik for dinner.

Simi: Actually Ma'am... I did go but sir sent me back telling me not to let anyone go to his room.

Nandini: I'll get him.

Simi: Umn... Ma'am he wasn't in a really pleasant mood. He asked me not to even let Dadi enter.

Nandini looked at her shocked for a second but then composed herself.
Nandini: Ohk... U go and call Dadi and Mr. Malhotra for dinner. I'll see if everything is ready in kitchen and then I'll go to Manik.

Simi: Ohk Ma'am...
As she went away, Nandini turned towards Nyonika.
Nandini: I'll see the dinner arrangements till then.

Exactly 10 mins later, the servant arranged the table while the others sat quietly. Just as he was about to serve for Dadi, she asked,
Dadi: Where is Nandu??

Servant: Ma'am she said that she would hv dinner after everyone hvs it.

Dadi: But we all r sitting here na... Go and call her.

Nandini: By everyone... I mean it Dadi!!

Dadi turned around to see Nandini standing by the kitchen door with a tray in her hand.
Nandini: U don't worry about me and plz proceed. Plz excuse me!!

Saying so she simply walked past them and took up the stairs. She slowly walked up as her legs were still paining and reached upstairs. While the servant too went away.

Nyonika: I really think we should give Manik a little time alone...

Dadi: He got that alone time till now Nyonika. Now he needs to let his heart out, and he wouldn't do that to anyone other than her.

Raj: Her?? Nandini.... Why??

Dadi: He loves her Raj... Ur son is finally in love.

Nyonika: What??

Dadi: Yes Nyonika.. Did u notice the smile on his face this evening?? That smile is given by Nandini.... Ur son has changed and he has changed for good. I have never seen him so happy in his life ever before.

Raj: And what about her.. Does she??

Dadi: I think so... But we don't know!! None of them have spoken about it yet.

Raj: But mom.. How can u be so confident??

Dadi smiled at him and then said,
Dadi: U know ur son Raj... He is a closed book. And then out of everyone else present in his life, he chooses to open up to Nandini. Not me, not Nyonika, not Fab5... No one knew what happened back then but nandini knew it.

Raj: She did??

As Dadi nodded Nyonika exclaimed with tears in her eyes,
Nyonika: I don't care about anything... I m just so happy that my fun has finally found someone.
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Nandini knocked at Manik's door as she reached up with his dinner.

Manik: I SAID I WANT TO BE ALONE.... Go Away!!
Manik shouted from inside. Nandini sighed listening to his angry voice and knocked again. She waited for a few more seconds but she knew that he wouldn't open up so she slowly pushed the door open. Thankfully, it wasn't locked.

Manik heard the door being opened and picked up the glass kept at his side. He turned around and was about to throw it when Nandini shouted,

Nandini: Wait wait wait.... Its me!! Don't kill me plz!!

Manik saw her and lowered down the glass.

Manik: Nandini.... What are u doing here?? And why did u climb up the stairs?

Nandini smiled as she kept the tray on the table and sat on the couch while saying in a cheerful voice.

Nandini: Arey... What's my fault, u didn't leave me any choice . First u only spoilt my habit of eating alone, so now u can't ditch me!!

Manik gave out a tired sigh and said,
Manik: Nandini plz... I m not at all in mood. I just want to shut out my mind.

Nandini held his hand and made him sit beside her,
Nandini: Then do that... U want to shut out your mind, cool enough. I won't stop u. I m not here to force u, to leave this room and sit out there with ur father, i m not here to call u for an elaborate dinner, i m not here to make u talk, or to make u understand anything... I know for this moment this room is ur area of comfort and i understand why!! All i want is to make u eat, as u won't gain anything by missing out a meal.

Manik just kept on looking at her without any expression, when she again returned to her cheerful also.
Nandini: And i m here... Coz frankly i don't really feel much comfortable to eat with ur parents. I don't gel up with ppl that soon. So being here gives me company and saves me from a super awkward dinner.

And finally after spending an entire evening in a disturbed mood, this brought a smile on his face.
Manik: U know.. u r crazy!!

Nandini looked up at him and smiled broadest.
Nandini: Yes i do!!!.... And there it is...
She said pointing at his face.

Manik: What??

Nandini got back to serving their food and continued saying,
Nandini: The smile that I love a lot, the smile which i can stare at for hours or even days together without even getting tired..... U serious face scares me!! Well i m not saying u don't look handsome like hell with that serious look, but still i would prefer this one.

Manik: Ohh handsome like hell... Miss Moorthy!! I didn't know u hv been checking me out...

Nandini heard him and realised what she just said, and looked up to see a naughty smirk on his face.
Nandini: Huh!! Checking u out?? No never..... I never did so!!

Manik: So in that case, what did u just say...

Nandini: Me?? Nothing..... I didn't say anything!!!

Manik: Ohh really...
Manik said as he bent forward to hold her hand, but before he could Nandini got up and moved away.

Nandini: Manik plz na... It's time for dinner.

Manik too got up and moved towards her as she moved backwards.
Manik: Not until u accept that u just said it that u do check me out and also that u find me handsome... Ohh no no, handsome as hell!!

Nandini: Ohh please... In ur dreams Mr. Malhotra!!!

Manik: Well.. U know!! I believe in making my dreams come true.

Nandini laughed at it and turned around as she moved away from him. Manik followed her as trying to grab out her hand. Manik was moving slowly keeping in mind her leg as he didn't want her to hurt herself unknowingly again.

Nandini moved further away as they moved around in a entire room when finally he somehow trapped her in between the wall. He held her tight by her waist and picked her up.

Nandini: OUCH MANIK... Put me Down...
Manik didn't pay any heed to her and twirled her around.
Nandini: Hahaha!! No.... MANIK STOP!!

While at the same time, Dadi, Nyonika and Raj who were just finished with their dinner heard her voice and stopped.
Manik: Hahaha.... Now u hv to say!! What were u saying?? Haan... SAY!!

Nandini: NO NOTHING!! MANIK STOP.... Plz... Stop!!!

Manik: Say!!
Manik continued twirling her around in his arms while both of their laughter filled the entire room and even the corridor outside. Nyonika had happy tears flowing down her eyes as she kept her head on Raj's shoulder.

Raj: 15 mins with him and she made him laugh out even after his worst mood.

Nyonika: She is perfect for my son Raj.... Just perfect!!!
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Nandini: Ohk ohk... I AGREE.... I said so....

Manik heard her voice and stopped immediately holding her firm as both of them relaxed for a while. As she caught her breath, she said,
Nandini: U got what u wanted!! Now not a word about this topic, i won't let u tease me for this Mr. Now put me down and hv dinner with me.

And once again she made him fall for her all over again by her confidence and attitude.

Manik put her down and both of them had their dinner in silence, stealing glances at one another while Nandini continued to blush. This time with no intention to try to hide anything.

Manik too had a smile on his face, for that time he simply forgot about is worries and lost himself into her.

They were going on with the dinner when Manik suddenly realised something.
Manik: Oh... How can I forget it??

Nandini: What??

Manik got up from the couch and moved towards his bed side chair, he picked up his jacket and took out something from the pocket.

Manik: This....
He said showing her the gift that she gave him.

Manik: Its time to open it In guess!!!

Nandini: Open it when I m not here....

Manik: Why?? Don't u wanna see my expressions as i open it??

Nandini made a nervous face as she saw Manik opening the ribbon tied over it. As sit opened up the box, he looked at nandini's nervous face and then saw the contents.

It has 5 guitar chips with modern artifacts designs. It was a simple yet a very thoughtful gift. Manik loved the different designs as each one depicted something or the other.

Manik: This is amazing...

Nandini: No need to act.... I know it's not that good!! But it's ur fault, u weren't letting me go anywhere alone.

Manik laughed at her cuteness while nandini got up.

Nandini: Ohk... Now I'll leave u to rest. And just a reminder that u hv a meeting with the accepter technology investors tmrw mrng at 8:30.

Manik: Oh yes.. Thanks!!

Nandini: Ur welcome... Good night Manik!!

Nandini walked towards the door limping even more this time. And the next minute manik again picked her up in his arms.

Nandini: Manik!!

Manik: U have stressed ur leg enough for today... First the journey and then all this!! I'll drop u off to ur room.

Nandini: But i can walk!!

Manik: What if I say that i still want to come with u. Maybe just so that i get a little more time with u.

Nandini blushed at it while he started moving downstairs. Nandini noticed Dadi and his parents sitting in the living room and felt shy but then she noticed Manik's face hardening on seeing them. All the shine in his eyes went away while he simply turned and moved towards Nandini's room.

As they entered the room, Manik made her sit on the bed and stood straight. He was about to turn around when Nandini held his hand and stopped him.

Before he could say anything, he felt her hugging him tight, clinging closer to him.

After recovering from the sudden shock Manik too hugged her back tight and inhaled her fragrance through her hair.

Nandini: No matter what happened in the past, they r an integral part of ur life..... U hv to be around them!! At least try to get used to it.

Manik knew she was right at some point but still he had no words to say. He simply hugged her tighter digging his face down in her neck.

Nandini: Tell me that u'll try!!

Manik: Hmn

Nandini: Nandini promise??

Manik smiled at her and broke the hug,
Manik: Nandini promise..... Now u take rest.

Nandini: Yeah... Goodnight!!

Manik: well... I liked yesterday's goodnight more!!
Manik whispered with a wink and before Nandini knew he kissed her check and moved out of the room.

Nandini smiled to her broadest at it and lied down on her bed.
Nandini: Thank u Ayiappa!!!