Hello Fam. :)

I know the chapters are boring, but please wait till these introductions are done. 

Happy Reading...

Nandini's cabin

Manik(scared): Nandini..

Nandu(typing in her laptop): Get me the list of the companies attending the conference. Also, get the file ready. I am going with uncle to drop him at the airport so, get these works to home. I will check there.

Manik just nods scared of uttering any word that would irk her more.

Nandu(warned after looking towards Manik): One more thing. Look straight and walk. I don't want you bumping around people in office.

Manik nods and sighs in relief that she isn't as angry as expected.

Nandu(in a dismissing tone): You may leave.

Manik turns to go but stops as he remembers something.

Manik(hesitantly): Nandu

Nandu(snaps): What?

Manik(stuttered): Can I come to the airport too, for dropping dad?

Nandu(getting back to her laptop): We are starting in half an hour. Complete everything before that.

Manik(grins): Thank you. You are the best.

He runs to his cabin to complete the work given to him while Nandu nods her head in disbelief.

After half an hour, Nandu gets her mobile and leaves where she meets Raj just outside her cabin.

Raj(questioned): Princess, shall we leave?

Nandu(smiles): Yes, Uncle. Let me call Manik.

They both go to Manik's cabin where they find him looking at his table with one hand on his waist and the other scratching his stubble as if thinking something.

Raj(curiously): What are you doing?

Manik(whispered): I can't find my mobile.

Raj(scolded): Agar table ki yeh haal bana hai, toh kya milega tumhe? Is this even called a table? So disorganized.

Nandu(softly): Uncle, late ho jayega aapko. Manik, did you check the drawer?

He checks it and finds it there.

Manik(surprised): How do you know?

Raj(rolling his eyes): Because only you can have the world record in misplacing things.

Nandu(holding his arm): Uncle, chale.

He nods and all the three leave from there. Manik was sitting beside the driver while Raj and Nandu were at the back with Raj giving a list of instructions to her.

Manik(pouts): Aap mujhe bhi chod kar ja raha ho. Mujhe bhi kuch bolo.

Raj(warned): Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding. The only instruction I have for you is, take care of Nandini. Otherwise, I will throw you out of my house.

Manik(muttered): hadh hai. Mujhe koi pasand hi nahi karta.

He makes a grumpy face crossing his hands across his chest. Nandu was about to say something when Raj interrupted,

Raj(caressing her hair): Ignore him. Tu over stress mat kar aur don't skip your meals. Time par so jana.

Nandu nods for everything while Manik was busy glaring at his dad who isn't giving him any attention and Raj was still ignoring him.

Manik(disbelievingly): I am glaring at you. Kuch toh react karo.

Raj(with an attitude): Main faltu cheezo ke liye react nahi karta.

Manik opens his mouth to reply back but fails to find proper words so closes back. They reach the airport. After taking his lugging, Raj first hugs Nandu and pecks her forehead. After which he goes towards Manik and whispers in his ear while hugging him.

Raj: Dhyan rakhna. Dono ka.

Manik nods and they break their hug. He pats Manik's cheek affectionately and leaves soon after. They too leave for home. After reaching home, Nandini goes to her room while Manik follows her with the files and details of the conference.

Nandu's room

Manik(informs): Vedant's, Vardhan's and Saxena's are the main people for the conference.

Nandu(puzzled): And Dhawan's?

Manik(frowns in confusion): I don't know. They haven't yet confirmed it. But, as far as I know, they will be present too.

Nandu: The file?

Manik(hands her the files): It's done. You just need to check and sign it.

Nandu(turning the pages): Did you send the details of today's meeting to Cabir?

Manik(nods): Yes, that's done too. And he asked me to remind you once again about talking to Navya.

Nandu: Oh yeah. I will call her.

She takes her mobile to call her. Taking the cue, Manik leaves the room.

Before Nandu could speak, Navya starts her blabbering.

Navya(fake sadly): Hii Nandu. Bhul gayi na mujhe? Ab kya bas tujhe aise messages pass karna padega?

Nandu(chuckles): Saans toh le lo Navya. Tujhe kaise bhoolungi? And instead of passing me messages through your husband, there is an option called calling.

Navya(excitedly): Acha yeh sab chod, ek baat bataun?

With that they talk rather Navya talked about everything under the sun and Nandu was listening. She only stopped talking when she heard Cabir calling her for dinner. Nandu laughs at her crazy friend and got busy with her work. A knock disturbed her after an hour. She looked up to find a grinning Manik, excitement all over his face. Seeing him behaving as a kid, she chuckled before questioning him.

Nandu: Ab kya kiya tumne?

Manik(excitedly): Let's have dinner.

Nandu(whines): Manik, mujhe bhook nahi lag raha.

Manik(blackmailed): Oh. Stop lying. I know you are skipping your meals. Jab tak tum dinner nahi karogi, main bhi kuch nahi khaunga.

And he goes and sits on her bed looking away, showing her that he is upset. Peeking through the corner of his eye, he again says,

Manik(dramatically): Bhook ke mare mera pet dard kar raha hai. It's ok if I don't eat. Kya ho jayega. Pet mein jo chuhe daud rahe hai, woh mujhe kha jayenge. Bas na. Kisko kya pharakh padta hai waise bhi no one cares for me.

Nandu was smiling by the end seeing his cute antics but soon hide it.

Nandu(fake glares): Kitna drama karte ho? Acha go. I will just freshen up and come.

Manik(declared): I don't believe you. You go, freshen up. Tab tak main yahi wait karunga. Saath mein chalenge.

Nandu nods. She comes after some time and they leave for having dinner.

At dining table

Nandini finds all Chinese on the table. She looks towards Manik and he shrugs it off.

They sit and start eating.

As soon as she takes a bite, she closes her eyes relishing the taste while Manik was busy observing her expressions.

Nandu(smiles): Yeh tumne banaya?

Manik(nervously): I will ask kaka to prepare something else.

Nandu(teased): Kyun tumhara banaya hua tumhe pasand nahi aaya?

Manik(sadly): Nahi. Tumhe pasand nahi aaya na.

Nandu(smirks): Tumne kaise decide kar liya?

Manik grinning widely.

Manik(hopefully): Did you like it?

Nandu(smiles): Could I ever ignore food prepared by you? Now, stop talking and let me concentrate on my food.

Manik chuckles and both finish their food without a word.

Nandu(concerned): Thanks for the dinner. But Manik, you didn't have to do it. You too were tired after office. It's..

Before she could talk any further, Manik interrupted her.

Manik(grins): I didn't have to. But, I wanted to. When did you last eat your food properly? And Chinese is one thing, you can never say 'no' to.

Nandu(smiles): Thanks again.

Manik(hesitantly): Nandu...Can I know the reason why you are so stressed?

Nandu(sternly): Goodnight Manik.

She didn't wait for his reply and left for her room. Manik sighed helplessly. How much ever efforts he puts, he manages only to bring a smile to her face but couldn't make her share her problems with him. She never lets him in, ever. But he wanted to wait, whatever time it takes.

He too retired for his room.