I Need You To Be There.... For a little more than Always!!!

Part 69:

Manik: Good morning guys....

Manik greeted everyone as they settled down for breakfast the next morning.

Abhi: Morng Manik... Come sit!!

Manik smiled at him and took his seat as his eyes flickered to the chair right in front of his. Abhi noticed his gaze and said,

Abhi: Nandu is with Amms this morning!! She won't come for breakfast...

Cabir: But when did she return last night....

Cabir asked finally looking up from his food.

Abhi: The driver told me that they reached back at around 1:30. Well, knowing Nandini... I know this too was quite early, so it's cool!!

Abhi shrugged when Manik's phone rang.

Manik: oh excuse me!!

Manik said as he got up from the table and moved two steps back. He takes over the call for less than a minute when they heard his surprised voice.

Manik: What??

Person: Yes sir...

Manik: Ohk hang on for a sec

Manik smiled brightly as he moved towards the table and asked everyone to stay quite as he turned the phone on speaker.

Manik: yeah Shubham what were u saying.... Come again!!

Shubham: Sure actually the file that I mailed u, that has been edited now so I will hv to send u the correct one now!!! Actually Nandini ma'am has called me today during office hours and she checked the entire file and found a lot of mistakes.

Manik: Office hours?? U know right its night here...

Shubham: Yes sir I know... I asked mam but she didn't listen to me!! She stayed up all night. After correcting the file, she had asked me to arrange a video conference with all the team heads and even her team. And then asked me to send u the revised edition.

Manik's smile could be explained as it passed from his ear to ear.

Manik: Ohk ohk u do that!!

Shubham: Sir... Actually, I called for another reason....

Manik: Yeah say...

Shubham: Sir, I hv sent u the termination letters of two of our employees, I needed u to sign them and mail it back so that I could send it to them....

Manik: Termination letters??? Who fired them?

Manik asked confused finally fading out his smile but it didn't last longer as he heard his reply,

Shubham hesitated a bit at his question after which he answered.

Shubham: Sir Nandini Ma'am.... They had done major mistakes on the project and then she heard them unknowingly passing on our company and U... So....

Manik: Ohk I'll send those back to u....

Manik said swiftly as he disconnected the call and smiled broadly.

Abhi: Wow...

Cabir: Thats progress Manik.... Nandini couldn't keep herself from work, she even forgot that she had resigned before leaving!!

Cabir exclaimed making Manik glare at him.

Manik: I'll kill u right here, if she remembers it bcoz of u.

Cabir chuckled at him hard as Manik took his seat and started eating again.

Just then Nandini returned after meeting Amms and was moving towards the dining table to wish them all. When she heard Mukti say,

Mukti: Manik.... I think u can use this!! I mean we all know, Nandini wants everything to perfection, she can never decline work. Why don't u take some help from her in work!! She will have to talk to u bcoz of it.

Nandini stood back on listening to her words when she heard abhi say,

Abhi: Great.... This way Nandu won't even mind. U know what I think u should-

Manik: No abhi....

Manik immediately stopped Abhi in between as he continued,

Manik: Guys I know u all r concerned about Nandini and me..... But plz understand one thing, I m not doing any such thing. I want Nandini back in my life and I want to win her back, not steal her back. I know I m totally at fault out here and now, its time to be honest.

Nandini was taken aback by Manik's words while she continued standing there.

Dhruv: So whats ur plan??

Manik: I don't hv any plan Dhruv.... And neither am I gonna hv one ever!! For all I know right now is that I almost lost the Girl I love. And I m thankful to everything out there that she is still here in front of me, safe and sound.... Coz, I just can't even think about those 2 days that I had spent with her absence eating me up each second. I don't know what am I doing here!! I just know that I can't live at any place where she isn't present.

Aliya: And what if she doesn't get back!!

Aliya said slowly taking up all their attention as the entire room fell silent. None of them said a word until they heard Manik say slowly,

Manik: I guess then this is where I m gonna stay.... Coz no matter how long, I m gonna wait for her.

Cabir: But Manik-

Manik: No Cabir.... My decision is final!!

Manik said sternly and got up as he moved out of the room immediately, and saw Nandini standing there.

He stopped in his tracks looking at her when he saw a tear fell down from her eyes.

Manik: Nandini I-

Manik said slowly as he took a step towards her to wipe her tear when Nandini threw his hand away and ran towards her room.

Manik: NANDINI... WAIT!! Listen...

Manik called her out but it was too late when he heard the door slamming close.

All the others saw this and shook their heads, as they saw Manik move out of the house.

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Later that day, it was around 5 in the evening when Manik got back to see an entirely different view in the living room.

Cabir and Dhruv were sitting on the couch and playing with Nayan, who was giggling at the expressions on Cabir's face.

While Nandini sat in front of them on the couch, and just the sight of her made him smile. She was cuddling with a cute little dog with a bright smile adorning her face.

Manik walked closer towards them and stood beside Cabir and Dhruv, as he bent towards Nayan and moved his hand forward.

Manik: Hello Nayan....

Nayan smiled brightly at him and held his hand when he picked her up in his arms.

Manik: Who got this little princess here today??

Nayan: Nandu Boo....

Nayan pointed at Nandini making Manik chuckle.

Manik: Bua... Say bua...

Nayan: Bua!!

Nayan chipped happily making all of them smile.

Manik: Very good...

Manik praised her pressing a kiss on her cheek which she delightedly returned to him over his cheek.

Manik sat down passing her to Cabir as his eyes flicked to Nandini. Who was watching him, still cuddling to the dog.

Dhruv: Manik... Isn't he cute?? It was Nandini's when she lived back here, Abhi just got him back today from their farmhouse...

Dhruv said looking at the dog.

Manik: Yeah... Very cute!!

Manik said slowly looking at both Nandini and the dog.

Manik: His name??

He asked slowly looking at Nandini, praying to God for an answer from her as Nandini looked up at him, right in his eyes and said,

Nandini: Adore....

She let go of Adore and passed him over to Manik,

Manik caressed the dog lovingly, with a broad smile on his face on getting a normal answer from Nandini when adore wailed his tail on Manik's lap.

Nandini: He likes u!!

Nandini said smiling it she got up from her place to move inside when it barked slowly looking at her. Nandini smiled broadly at the it as she sat down on her knees in front of Manik with Adore on his lap.

Nandini cupped its face as she kissed on top of its head. As she said sweetly,

Nandini: I will just be back baby.....

She lifted up her eyes to see Manik smiling his famous one in a billion smiles at her, which always made her heart melt at him. Her smile from earlier still stayed intact looking at his smiling face as the two of them looked into each others eyes.

They broke their eye lock a few minutes later when they heard Cabir say,

Cabir: Wow... It had been so long that I had clicked these usual cheesy romantic, lost in love picture of the two of u!!! And see as always, this too is Perfect!!

Cabir turned his mobile screen towards them and they actually saw a Perfect Picture.... Both of them looking deep into each others eyes, with broad smiles on their faces with only a very cute adore separating them as he looked at Nandini innocently.

Manik's smile broadened at the picture while Nandini turned red from embarrassment as she tired hard to hide it behind her straight face.

Manik: Cabir bro.... U r free to fool around for the next two days!!! Thanks....

Manik said happily holding Adore closer to himself.

Nandini's eyes broadened at his words as she looked at him. Manik saw her expressions and winked at her when Cabir said,

Cabir: Oye hoye juliet, ab tu bhi Thank u bol de...

Both Cabir and Manik laughed at her expressions as Dhruv too joined. While Nayan looked at them confused.

Nandini: Bloody Idiots!!

Nandini muttered under her breath as she got up and moved upstairs to her room leaving the boys laughing.

Soon their laughter died when Manik asked,

Manik: Where r Mukti and Aliya??

Cabir: Ohh Mukti is helping Aliya to get ready!! The love birds are going for a romantic date night, Nandini booked them some place.

Cabir said winking at Dhruv who smiled shyly as Nayan played over his phone.

Manik: Wow... Thats amazing!! Ohk then lets see what r we doing this evening.

Cabir: Simple... We r gonna sit, drink, sing and irritate these two siblings.... Its too fun to see them frustrated.

Cabir and Manik laughed when Adore too licked Manik's hand.

Manik: I guess we hv another member...

Manik said looking at adore.

Adore snuggled into his lap further while they talked about some other stuff. Soon Mukti and Aliya moved downstairs with Aliya looking magnificent in a light blue-white netted dress which fitted her figure at all the right places.

Dhruv: Beautiful!!

Dhruv whispered making her blush while the other three smile at them.

Just then they heard Nandini shout from Upstairs..

Nandini: Adore... Come here!!

Adore wriggled out of Manik's lap listening to her voice and moved to the stairs as Nandini got down. She met him half way and picked him up in her arms,

Nandini: Come lets go meet Amms... Nayan come...

Nandini looked up to find Aliya and Mukti standing with them as she smiled,

Nandini: Wow Aliya.... U look amazing!!

Aliya: Thank u Nandini... And yes, thanks for the dress...

Nandini: Ohh no need to thank me plz....

Nandini waved her off as she called out for her driver from outside. 5 minutes later he stood there in front of her as she ordered him,

Nandini: U already know the address... Take them and don't forget to drop off all the necessary stuff before returning back. Is that clear??

Driver: Yes Mam!!

Nandini turned towards Aliya and smiled,

Nandini: Enjoy!!

She winked at dhruv as the couple moved out while Cabir and Mukti hooted for them.

Abhi: Woah... Greetings over, may I now know when Can I take u out for a romantic date like this my lady...

Abhi said as he entered the house and walked straight to Mukti.

Mukti rolled her eyes at him as she sat on the sofa.

Mukti: Tonight... In ur sweet dream world!!

Abhi: Ohh come on Mukti... U really think that in my dream world I take u out just for a date. Well, that I did at the very first day I saw u!! Now things hv advanced there....

Abhi said teasingly making cabir laugh and high five him.

Nandini: Abhimanyu.... Shut up!! There's a kid here...

Nandini said eyeing Nayan when Abhi smiled,

Abhi: Ohh I know u r here kiddo!! Don't worry, u will learn it soon by my grace....

They all laughed at it while Nandini glared at him.

" So its True!!! Nanz just got back.... "

They all heard a voice from the door as they turned around and saw a guy standing there.

Nandini: OMG... Kartik!!!

Nandini exclaimed as she let go off adore on the floor and rushed towards the guy who immediately engulfed her into a tight hug, taking her feet off the ground and picking her up.

Manik's fists tightened at this while Mukbhi stayed confused as they saw Abhi roll his eyes. Nandini broke the hug and asked excitedly,

"How r u??"

Kartik: How do u expect me to be when u were long gone, without even telling me anything!! I can't tell u how happy I was when I saw they news about u getting back. I m so happy to see u!!

Nandini: So am I!! Come na, why r u standing here??

Nandini held his hand and pulled him behind her, much to Manik's annoyance. Kartik noticed Abhi and smiled,

Kartik: Oh Hi abhi... Long time!!

Abhi rolled his eyes again at him as he sat next to Mukti.

Abhi: Yeah... I wish it would hv been longer...

Nandini: ABHI.... Behave!!

Kartik laughed at it and held her hand again,

Kartik: Chill Nandini forget it...

Manik raised his eyes noticing that this guy knows Nandini's real name when Nandini said,

Nandini: Umn Kartik meet Cabir, Manik and Mukti, they r my friends from India.

Kartik smiled at them as they smiled back until he turned back to Nandini.

Kartik: Ohk now get ready, I m taking u out!!

Nandini: What now??

Nandini said shocked.

Kartik: Off course... Its been so long, we hv a lot to catch up...

Nandini: But kartik-

Kartik stopped her from saying anything and got up.

Kartik: No ifs or buts.... I don't care!! U r coming with me and that's final...

Nandini huffed at him and then smiled.

Nandini: Fine... I'll be back!!

Kartik: Great... I m outside, I need to make a few calls!! Bye guys, it was nyc meeting u all...

All of them nodded at him while Manik continued glaring at him. Nandini noticed it but still simply moved up the stairs when she heard Kartik's voice from behind.

Kartik: Nanz.... Its a date!!!

Nandini rolled her eyes and shouted back,

Nandini: If it is then make sure it doesn't get u to hell kartik....

His laughter echoed the house until he got out.

Manik: What The Hell.... Who is this guy??

Abhi: An irritating friend of Nandini. One of the very few people who know her real name. And the one who has a biggest crush on her since like Forever.

Abhi informed him picking up Nayan in his arms. Who smiled broadly at him and kissed his cheek.

Manik: Then why the hell is Nandini being so nyc to him??

Manik grunted as he took a seat.

Abhi: Coz she always is.... Kartik was one of her first friends here and he helped him a lot to release her first album. She kinda ignores the fact that he is too clingy!!

Mukti: Clingy!! Woah...

Nayan noticed something as he left Abhi's lap and shifted to Mukti getting hold of her neck piece as she played with it.

Abhi: I hate him... Albert, one coffee plz!!!

Abhi muttered before shouting for the servant after which he rested his head over Mukti's shoulder.

Cabir: Bad day at work??

Abhi: Oh super bad.... Rishab is going crazy thinking about Nandu to concentrate on anything else.

Nayan: Dadda....

Nayan chipped listening to Rishab's name making everyone smile. Mukti pressed a kiss on her cheek,

Mukti: Yes baby... Dadda!! Do u wanna see if he back from office or now??

Nayan nodded enthusiastically at her when Mukti said,

Mukti: Come today I will take u back home... Ur bua is busy.

Abhi: Mukti are u sure??

Abhi asked lifting his head from her shoulder.

Mukti: Yes abhi... Plus, I'll meet Anjali as well.... These two idiots r already boring me.

Mukti looked at Manbir.

Mukti got up taking Nayan in her arms when she heard Nayan say happily,

Nayan: Mukti bua....

Mukti smiled when Abhi shouted,

Abhi: No no... No bua!! Nayan call her didi, aunty anything... But no bua ohk!!!

Manbir laughed at him while Mukti rolled her eyes, just then she saw Abhi smirk as he got up and faced Nayan.

Abhi: Nayan Baby.... U love Chachu right??

Nayan nodded in a yes confused at him when his next words shocked Mukti.

Abhi: ohk so now.... Call her Mukti Chachi!!

Mukti: ABHI... Shut up!!

Mukti said and immediately walked away as the three guys laughed. She took adore's leash in her hand and took him along.

Mukti walked into the Moorthy Mansion talking to Nayan as she kept on saying about her school.

Anjali: Mukti right??

Anjali said looking up at her. Mukti smiled at her and put Nayan down on her feet as she rushed inside.

Mukti: Yeah.... Hi!!

Anjali: Hi.. Come sit...

Anjali called her, Mukti smiled walking towards the sofa when she noticed Amms too sitting there.

Mukti: Hello aunty.... Umn... I mean Namastee Aunty!!

Amms smiled at her and patted at her side.

Amms: Namaste beta... Come!!

Mukti sat by her side now fairly conscious about her cloths as she wore a pair of shorts with a crop top. Amms noticed it and smiled at her.

Amms: Relax my child.... How do u think Nandini lived her being Nanz!!! I know what u girls like to wear these days and believe me none of it matters if u r good at heart.

Mukti smiled broadly at her words and got comfortable while Adore jumped on her lap. And Anjali said,

Anjali: U sit... I'll just get something for u to eat.

As Anjali moved inside Amms smiled at Adore.

Amms: So he got familiar with u all also!!

Mukti: Yeah its such a lovely dog. Goes along with almost everyone...

Amms: Just like what my Nandu used to be....

Amms said slowly as Mukti heard sadness in her voice.

Amms caressed her hair as she said,

Amms: Mukti... U r Nandu's frnd na! If I ask u something will u answer me??

Mukti: Off course...

Amms: Nandu.... How is she?? I know she keeps on smiling broadly in front of me no matter what she is feeling.... She was in Mumbai na with all of u, was she happy???

Mukti looked up at her looking at her as she smiled at her expectantly.

Mukti smiled back as and held her Hand.

Mukti: Ur nandu was very Happy Amms.... Umn, I hope u don't mind me calling u Amms.

Amms: Not at all...

Mukti: Ohk then Amms... I assure u, Nandini was really very happy in Mumbai. Apart from the fact that she missed u all a lot, she was the happiest she can be. Mostly in the last one year.

Amms smiled happily as a tear spilled her eyes,

Amms: Then why do I see that sadness in her eyes, as if she is stopping herself from something.

Mukti: Amms, Nandini is a very strong girl. And u don't hv to worry about her at all.... And whatever is happening with her right now, about that I can guarantee u that it will all be ohk very soon....

Amms: Are u sure??

Mukti: Yes Amms... I m sure coz I know that Manik will set it all right. No matter what he won't let any pain come across Nandini for any longer.

Amms looked up at her listening to Manik's name when Mukti smiled at her reassuringly and pressed her hands. A broad smile crept over Amms' face listening to it.

Amms: So my daughter has finally grown up!!!

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As soon as Mukti left Nandini got down the stairs ready to leave in a casual outfit when Manik got up from his seat.

Manik: U look beautiful!!!

Nandini simply nodded at his words not looking into his eyes when Manik said,

Manik: I will be waiting for u.... Come back soon!!

And with that he left the place walking up to his room while Nandini stood there looking at his retreating figure knowing what his words meant was not to be waiting for her to return that night, it was to return back to him.

A tear fell off from her eyes as she rushed outside the house.

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A few hours later, Nandini reached back home a few hours later when Kartik got out of the car behind her, she was about to walk in when he said,

Kartik: Nandini for the entire day, all u talked about was Him..... Do u really think u can be happy even for a second without him??

Nandini turned back and looked at him.

Nandini: Honestly..... I don't know Kartik... I really don't. And for now, I m not even strong enough to try to find it all out. I m tired. Anyways...... It was nyc seeing u again, Thanks!!

Kartik smiled at her and entered the car as he left while Nandini stood there for a second before smiling broadly and entering the house only to be confused.

There in the living room sat Fab5 along with a guest, whom she recognised as an event management head, Mr. Desai!

Manik: Listen, this is not happening in anyways. We r not-

Manik stopped as he noticed Nandini and the others turned towards her. Mr. Desai saw her and stood up.

Mr. Desai: Nanz... Wow so nice to see u again.

Nandini: Hello Mr. Desai! May I plz know whats happening out here?

Nandini looked at the others behind him and walked forward when Mukti said,

Mukti: Actually Nand-

Before Mukti could continue Manik interrupted her.

Manik: NANZ.... Yeah Actually Mr. Desai is here coz he wants Fab5 to perform at an event here. As in for a concert.

A real smile crept over Nandini's face listening to this as she looked at Fab5 before getting back to her plain expression as she turned.

Nandini: Well thats Amazing.... But why is this meeting happening at 10 in the night, at my place Mr. Desai???

Mr. Desai didn't say anything and flicked his eyes here and there.

Nandini: I know u would hv followed Dhruv and Aliya back here but I don't care if they agree for this or not. But the next time this meeting should be preplanned and at a proper hotel or something, not my living room.

With this she turned around and winked at cabir with a thumbs up as she walked towards the stairs.

Mr. Desai: By the way Nanz... On second thoughts why don't u collaborate with Fab5 on this event.

Nandini stopped in her tracks and turned around immediately,

Nandini: NO..... Not interested thanks....

Mr. Desai: Common Nanz.... Everyone knows that ur Music Career is almost finished. So maybe this can-

He said until he was stopped by Nandini's angry voice.

Nanz: What did u just say??? My career!!! And who r u to say if its finished or not??

Mr. Desai: The truth can't be declined Nanz..

He said with a smirk when he saw Nandini walking towards him. She reached closer as Fab5 too got up.

Nandini: May I plz hv ur phone Mr. Desai??

Nandini said sternly. Fab5 looked at each other surprised by her tone while Mr. Desai handed it over to her with shivering hands clearly intimidated by her voice now.

Nandini searched something on it before flashing it out for him.

Nandini: Just a small shitty informal performance at a club and I take all the news channels of the country over me. Fans stalking all of them out, what do u think will happen at a real concert??? I m sure, u can very well tell, how easily I can flush u out of this industry even if u point a finger at me. Right???

The man literally gulped at her tone while Manik smirked at him.

Nandini: Now finish off whatever u r here for before I throw u out of my place. And yes, one word in the media having Fab5's name with Mine.... Either professionally or personally and u know what I will do!!

Mr. Desai: Yes....

Nandini turned around in anger and stormed up the stairs when she heard Manik saying,

Manik: Look Mr. Desai as I said earlier..... We r not interested in anything for the time being. We r on a break and clearly not interested in ur offer.

That was when Nandini slammed her door shut as she threw her bag over the bed furiously.

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Ohk guys, thats it for today....

I M really sorry for the late update, but I hope u all like it.

Do share ur views!!

Love

-Navya