Nandini: Manik... I m saying na, u go home, I'll see the work!!
Nandini said for the tenth time, as they sat in his cabin the next day. Fab5 were waiting for Manik in the Malhotra mansion for practice while Manik was busy in work.

Manik: Nandini... U r not understanding, this is important and plus those files need my immediate attention. I hv to wait for the managers.

Nandini: Manik listen.... I know its important and I promise u I will handle it, so u relax and go!! And about the files, I will study them too and then u could just sign them off later...

Manik: Are u sure?? I mean its a lot of work, I don't want to burden u.... U r already doing Cabir's work too!!
Manik asked getting up from his chair as he moved towards her. Nandini stood up in front of him and asked,

Nandini: Manik.... Do u trust me??

Nandini looked straight into his eyes trying to read them​ when he smiled slightly and nodded. His eyes glistering with sincerity, showing that he actually meant it.
Manik: Yes...

And within a second a broad smile crept over her face,
Nandini: Then go and practise.... Live ur dream!! Go...

Manik hugged her swiftly as he picked up his phone and turned to leave.
Manik: See u later... Meet me after work Ohk?

Nandini: I will...
Nandini smiled and within a second he was out leaving her alone in his cabin when she asked herself nervously,

Nandini: How will I handle everything??? I hv never done this before.... I just hope I m able to mark up to ur trust Manik!!

The day at work after that seemed like a hurricane​ to Nandini. She was a designer, and she was comfortable living with all those sketches around her, but now all that she saw in front of her on the table were figures and files...

Ohk, thats boring... Admit it or not, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. Especially for someone who is used to creativity.

Nandini: Music and sketches are so much better!!
Nandini muttered to herself as she finished off the first file and took the next one from the stack of 5.

It was 5:30, her usual time to leave but she was still in her cabin with her head dug into the papers around her.

At around 6 the guard came to her,
Guard: Ma'am u still here?? I was here to close the office.

Nandini: Not needed... I still hv some work, it will take some more time. U can close up after that.

The guard nodded at her and walked back outside, at his place. It was around 8 when Nandini finally closed up the file.

Nandini: Hush....

She wrapped up everything and kept those files in her bag. Taking up all the stuff she walked through the empty office corridors to Manik's cabin. Keeping some stuff off she locked his cabin and soon was on her way back home.

She freshened up and changed into some casuals before walking back out.

She walked out of the house taking out her car keys when she collided with someone.

Nandini: Ohh sorry...
Nandini said before looking up as her smile drained off her face.

Person: Nandini.... So good to see u!!
The person smiled at her while she remained still.

Nandini: I m glad this is good to u Mr. Kapoor....
Nandini nodded at him. And moved aside to walk away.

Mr. Kapoor: Come on Nandini... Lets talk, I hv hardly seen u hardly twice even after living in the same house for more than two months now!!
He insisted holding her hand, Nandini stopped at her track and turned towards him as she very politely said,

Nandini: I m sry Mr. Kapoor, but neither am I free and nor am I interested. So if u will plz excuse me??

He looked at Nandini for a few seconds before simply nodding and leaving her hand.
Nandini: Thanks...

Nandini muttered and moved away from there, getting into her car and driving off.

It took her a few minutes to calm herself down after which she picked up her phone and called someone.
Nandini: Hello!!

Manik: Hey... I m just on my way, hv u reached the cafe??

Nandini: Umn.... Can we meet at the cliff instead??
Nandini said slowly.

Manik: Nandini... Are u fine?
Manik's voice came back to her and she could easily feel the concern in his tone.

Nandini: Yes... I m fine....

Manik: Ohk.... U reach the cliff, I m right on my way!

Nandini agreed to him and continued driving, 15 minutes later she reached the place where Manik had got her a few days back. She parked her car and got out, deciding to wait for Manik and the road itself.

She stood there, leaning onto her car when 5 minutes later, she saw his car park right behind hers.

Manik got down the car smiling brightly at her. As they walked towards each other. His bright smile filled up her heart as her lips unintentionally curved into a smile.

Manik: U look tired....
Concern dripped his voice as he watched her closely on reaching in front of her. Nandini shook her head in a No smiling sweetly at him and said slowly,

Nandini: Not at all.... Shall we??
Nandini asked turning to a side as Manik said,

Manik: Yup... One sec!!
Manik moved to the back of the car and pulled out a matress as he handed it to her.

Manik: Hold it for me plz...

Nandini nodded as she saw him taking out two paper bags from the front and soon they walked into the woods. The silence around them with only the sound of dried leaves under their feet as they moved forward. Soon they reached the opening to see the breathtaking view as the moon shined into the black sky while the silence of the ocean beneath them made her smile broaden.

Nandini spread the matress at the ground and threw her purse over it as she walked straight to the edge. Manik kept the bags on it and sat down to remove his shoes only to look up later and find Nandini sitting on the extreme edge with her legs hanging down.

Concern got over his face as he rushed to her. Not wanting to startle her he kneeled down slowly and said,

Manik: Nandini... Move back!! Its dangerous....

Nandini smiled at his words and turned to look at him,
Nandini: Sometimes its important to be on the edge Manik.... It helps us think that which side is better for her to choose.

Manik frowned at her words but still sat right next to her hanging his legs down, and looking forward. None of them said anything for a long time and kept on looking at the moon. Quite sometime passed by after which manik finally broke the silence.

Manik: Nandini... What happened?? U don't seem urself today....

Nandini sighed listening to him and finally moved back,
Nandini: Lets sit back comfortably...

Manik followed her as she moved towards the matress and took a seat. Manik moved closer to her and took a seat next to her deciding to change her mood as he said in a cheerful voice.

Manik: So Ms. Moorthy.... What would u like to have today?? Tea, coffee, juice??

Nandini looked up at him surprised as a smile crept over her face.
Nandini: Here??

Manik: Yes Madam... Right here, right now!! Manik Malhotra at ur service Madam...

Nandini chuckled at his words when her eyes fell over the bags. And her eyes widened,
Nandini: Manik, don't tell me u actually got all of this out here??

She looked up at him to find his ever charming smile as he grinned,
Manik: Well at first I thought to get it all but then I realised that by now, I knew u too well, to guess ur preference. So here for u is a special chocolate cold coffee with no sugar.

He took out a take away cup from the bag and passed it to her.

Nandini grinned at it and took it.
Nandini: U r the best!!

Manik: I know...
Manik winked at her pulling up his collars as he reached for the other bag.

Manik: And to go along with it and fill up ur super empty stomach I hv home made vegetable cheese sandwiches and my favorite garlic pasta.

He emptied the other bag taking out the containers as he continued,

Manik: Mom cooked for everyone, after practise today.

And this made her smile finally reach up to her eyes as it broadened from ear to ear.
Nandini immediately grabbed one of it and opened up the still hot food as she dug herself into it.

Manik smiled at her childishness as he took picked up a spoon and started eating.

Nandini: How come u didn't eat it with the others??
Nandini asked in between chewing the food making him laugh.

Manik: Nothing special..... I just thought to eat with u!!

His words made her stop as she asked,
Nandini: And what if I would hv cancelled meeting u today??

Manik: Well then I would hv crashed onto ur place unannounced with all this and then we would hv ate it in ur room or either on ur terrace with these stars shining over us.
Manik snapped back eating making her laugh out loud.

Nandini: It would hv been worth!! This is so tasty....

Manik watched her eat as he noticed finally noticed that twinkle in her eyes that was usually there. It was something which always pulled him towards her. Her eyes which were like a mirror to her soul, telling out everything that was hidden in her heart. The moon shining over her making her glow in the darkness. Soon they were finished eating as Nandini packed back the stuff into the bag.

Nandini: I m surely gonna thank Aunty for this...

Manik: Sure...And No thanks to the person getting it for u???
Manik pouted while Nandini playfully hit his arm.

Manik: Ow!! What??

Nandini: Exactly, what?? It was ur duty to get this for me then why should I thank u.... After all what are Best Friends for?

Manik made a bad face at her while Nandini simply smiled as she turned her face back to the ocean. Silence stretched between them again but this time Manik could see a small smile playing on her lips.

None of them said anything for a long time until Nandini suddenly rested her head over his shoulder. Manik look down at her face to find her eyes still fixed over the moon.

Nandini: Thank u Manik....
He heard her whispered making him confused. Nandini sensed his gaze as she continued.

Nandini: Thanks for understanding me so well.... Even when I didn't say anything.... U were right!
She whispered the last part only to herself as if still unsure about what she was going to say, but still he heard it.

Manik: Right about???

Nandini: U were right... I m tired!! I m very tired now.... Not physically, not mentally..... I m tired Emotionally!!!

Manik shifted his gaze from her face to the view in front of him. He was glad that she was finally opening up to him and he wanted her to continue which she did.

Nandini: U remember... The first day in office!! U had asked me why I use Moorthy as my surname personally while Kapoor on a professional front...

Manik: Hmn??

Nandini: Mr. Kapoor isn't my father.... My mom remarried!!
Nandini whispered slowly making him shocked.

Nandini: All my life, I hv been praised in school n clg for hving an amazing memory.... No one knew that this was the same thing that proved to be the worst fact about my personal life. I was just four when my Dad passed away in an accident, and ironically I remember each and everything that had happened before and after it.

Nandini choked at the last word when Manik wrapped his arm around her shoulder, slowly rubbing her arm willing her to continue,

Nandini: We were a perfect Family. Mom, dad and Me!! I was the princess of my Dad.... Probably, the luckiest girl. Both of them loved me like anything and even each other. Even at that age, I had started to ideal them as the best couple ever.

Manik heard a smug smile in her voice as if laughing at herself.

Nandini: "So idiotic right?? Well, I didn't realise it that soon.... After my Dad passed away my mother sent me to boarding school, not wanting to hv to deal with me while still going through the grief of loosing her husband. So I was sent away, it seemed to be a distraction to me too, as I missed Dad too much.

I was 5, exactly one year later when my teacher taught me that my full name was Nandini Kapoor and not Nandini Moorthy. I didn't budge coz I wanted to know it from my mother. Days, months and years passed away but she never came to even see me once. I received exactly one call from her every year wishing me on my birthday and that was it.

At the age of 10, anger budded inside me and I reached home during my term holidays with the help of my teacher. I entered the house to witness a massive party going on, I pushed forward through the crowd and there she was, my Mom, holding her Son in her arms with her husband's hand wrapped around her waist as they celebrated their son's 4th birthday.

What reaction do u expect from a mother on seeing her daughter after 6 long years??"

Nandini asked still looking in front focusing on the darkness around as a chuckle escaped her mouth.

Nandini: "My mother slapped me on seeing me for the first time, that too in front of all those people around. Her husband controlled her and saved me, though it was just to save his so called Image. I stayed with them for the holidays and even after all the hurt, I was happy. Happy for my mother to hv found her love again, they seemed happy together. At least one of us, found back her happiness. I got attached to my brother a little too soon and that proved to me a cherry on the cake. Though I never accepted him as my Father, but I was happy for my Mom. I went back to school only to come back every few months and live with them, as the picture got clear in front of me, seeing the fakeness in the two of them.

My mother married him just for his name and fame, while he did so to get the money that came along. Though it all went into drain when all my fathers property came to me when I reached my teen age, though the attorney still stayed over my Mom till I get married but eventually they knew they won't get much.

My mother betrayed me only to get betrayed back. I was angry, she was angry. She pushed me away saying that I spoiled her life, and I happily went away.

I went to London for higher studies and shut myself off. Not just from them but from the entire world. People always called me quite since the time my father passed but I was still visible, but after this I made myself invisible. I learnt Music to be close to my Dad, I learnt shooting to channel my anger and then decided to never come back.

But that didn't satisfy them, now they wanted the daughter of Mr. Kapoor to live with them so that they could flaunt their perfect family to the world and eventually get me married to someone who'll match their status and name.  My mother threatened me to sell off my Father's house to call me to India. She knew that house was the only place that made me feel him around and it was my weakness which she used against me....

And here I m, fighting with myself everyday, to bare the deals with my own so called Mother. The relation that is supposed to be so pure, yet in my case it's all a big lie. I try my best not to see their faces even after being in the same house, roaming around in the entire city the whole day like a bloody hippy to avoid them. But who cares.... They make it seem as if I m the villain out here!!"

By the time she finished Nandini was badly in tears. Manik hugged her closer to himself as she dug her face into his chest to cry her heart out. Manik kept on consoling her while she continued for what seemed like hours and hours together.

As she broke the hug Manik looked down at her as he cupped her face,
Manik: Feeling better??

Nandini nodded at him as she whispered,
Nandini: Manik everyone has a chapter in life,  which they don't read out!!! This is mine.... Thank u very much for listening, coz u r the only person I hv ever shared this to.

Manik's eyes glittered at this news as he smiled and wiped off her tears.

Manik: And I m glad that u did share it to me!!!  Nandini if I say that I know what u might hv gone through then I would be lying....  But, u don't hv to live like that now...

Nandini: As if I hv a choice Manik....
She replied shaking her head sarcastically and looking away when Manik held her hand.

Manik: U always hv a chance Nandini..... We r not that helpless!! Think, I m sure there must be someway to get them off ur back. There has to be something, there always is!!

Nandini: And u think, I hvn't thought about it. I tried everything I could not to come back here to India, but see here I am.

Manik: Fine... We'll think this through but till then, U R Not Alone Nandini..... U r not gonna be alone in anything, U hv me by ur side.
Manik said holding up her shoulders as he looked right into her eyes.

Nandini: U don't hv to do that Manik...

Manik: I know I don't.... But I want to!! I want to be there Nandini, I really do....
Manik whispered. Nandini shivered at his words as the intensity in his eyes scared her. She knew he was saying the truth with at most sincerity. And also that he will always abide by his words. But something was there about in intensity his eyes that she couldn't understand. 

Manik felt her shivering and rubbed her arms,
Manik: I think u r getting cold... Lets go!!

Nandini didn't say anything and simply nodded as they got up and wrapped up the stuff as they moved towards the cars. They reached the road when Nandini noticed Manik's car missing.

Nandini: Ur car??

Manik: I had asked the driver to take it away... I was hoping that u would show ur concern and drop this amazingly Handsome guy back home.

Manik said sweetly while Nandini looked at him dumbstruck. She continued looking at him for a few seconds before hit him on his shoulder and laughing out loud.

Nandini: U r unbelievable Manik....

Manik laughed along with her, feeling relieved that she was finally got her mind onto something else. Just then she popped the key towards him.
Nandini: U r driving....

Manik: With pleasure!!
Manik said as he catched the key and saw her getting into the passenger seat. He took the driver's seat and saw her turning on the music system.

Nandini: By the way how was practise today???

Manik: Ohh amazing.... I just can't wait for this event.
Manik said excitedly.

Nandini: Neither can I!! By the way what songs are u guys performing on??
Nandini said making Manik smile as he looked at her from the road.

Manik: Ohh I m not telling u that, its a surprise.

Nandini pouted at him as she turned to face him.
Nandini: Come on Manik.... I should be getting some preferences, we r friends right!

Manik: U very well know, ur cards r not gonna work over me Nandini.
Manik smirked making her sit back with a pout which soon turned into a small smile.

A comfortable silence filled into the car with Manik taking a few glances over her every few seconds until he saw that smile fade away as she got lost into thoughts. He knew she was thinking about her family as he reached his hand forward and held hers which was lying on her thigh.

Nandini looked up at him, to find a sweet smile playing on his lips which was immediately reflected over hers.

Manik saw her smiling again and looked back at the road when he felt her interlace her fingers with his as she kept his hand closer to herself on her thigh.

Just a small action from her made his heart melt as his eyes swooned.

The rest of the drive went by in silence as a smile played on both their faces while the hands still stayed entwined with each others. Soon they reached their destination as Manik entered the Malhotra Mansion. He turned off the engine and turned towards Nandini.

Nandini: So now that I hv dropped this amazingly Handsome guy safely to his place, I think I should head home....

Manik laughed at her words as he saw her moving away to get out of the door, when he jerk her hand towards himself which was still entwined with his.

Manik: Dinner??

Nandini: No manik... I should head back, ur parents must be waiting for u.

Manik: Mom-Dad are out for some charity event. Accompany me inside for dinner Ms. Moorthy, I seriously am not willing to eat by myself...
Manik said looking at her with puppy eyes making her smile.

Nandini: Stop making those faces Manik... U know I won't say no to that face!!
Nandini said sternly making him pout before the two of them laughed out loud.

They headed inside together and soon settled down on the dining table for dinner. They were busy in their talks, laughing at each other and pulling their leg that they completely forgot the time until they heard a voice,

"Nandini...  What a pleasant surprise!!"

Both of them looked up to see Nyonika and Harsh smiling at them.

Nandini: Ohh hello Ma'am!!
Nandini greeted as she got up and moved towards them. When Nyonika glared at her.

Nandini: Ohk ohk Not Ma'am, Aunty.... So Namaste Aunty!!

Nyonika: Hello to Ma'am and Namaste to Aunty..... Amazing!! Manik learn something from Nandini.
Nyonika said caressing her hair.

Manik groaned listening to it as he walked behind Nandini.
Manik: Hi mom, Hi dad!!

Nandini: Namaste Uncle...

Harsh: God bless u my child...
Harsh too blessed her when Manik asked.

Manik: But how come u guys are home?? Didn't u hv an event to attend?
Manik looked both of them confused while Nyonika looked at harsh once before turning back to Manik.

Nyonika: Manik..... We did go there and it got over way back!! Have u checked the time??

Both Manik and Nandini looked at the clock as their eyes widened.
Nandini: 1 am???

Manik looked at her horrified expression and immediately got into a feat of laughter.
Manik: "Manik... I should head back now!! Its already late..."
He mimicked in a girly voice indicating her words from before.

Nandini glared at him seeing him laugh when he somehow controlled himself.
Nandini: Manik shut up!!! U know I should hv never listened to ur dinner plan at the first place.... See we didn't even realise, when the half an hour dinner got extended to more than two hours!!

Manik couldn't control himself listening to her words as he again started laughing this time joined by his parents.

Nyonika: U both r sitting here for more than two hours???
Nyonika asked surprised.

Nandini: Yes Aunty coz ur son here was too cranky about hving dinner alone!!
Nandini said still glaring at a laughing Manik before turned back to Nyonika, she softened her expressions as she said,

Nandini: Aunty... I'll see u later, I should head home!!

Nandini said and turned to leave when Manik immediately held her hand.
Manik: STOP.... What do u mean head home?? U r not going anywhere!!

Nandini: Manik I-

Manik: I said u r Not going anywhere and its Final. Stay here tonight!!

Nyonika: Manik.... At least let her speak, she has to think about her family too!! They will get worried.
Nyonika said looking between both of them.

As soon as her words came out both Manik and Nandini looked up at each other as he saw the pain creep into her eyes. They kept on looking at each other forgetting about his parents until Nandini felt a tears starting to dwell up in her eyes again.

Nandini looked down breaking the eye contact and controlled herself when Manik saw his parents looking at them. They didn't noticed Nandini's tears but just saw them hving that eye contact.

Manik: Mom its too late... And there is No way I m letting Nandini go at this time!! I m sure she can leave them a msg and stay back here for a night.

Harsh: I think Manik is right... Nandini, U should stay here itself tonight.
Harsh supported Manik when Nandini looked up.

Nandini: Ohk Uncle as u say!!

Nyonika: Manik, show Nandini her room ohk?
Nyonika said softly. Manik nodded at her when Nandini turned towards him, her eyes guarded as always, having a blank expression on her face.

She smiled slight at Nyonika and Harsh as he lead her upstairs.

-----------------------------------

Ohk guys....

So Nandini's story out.... What do u think? How was it!!

Nandini at the Malhotra Mansion!! What do u think is gonna happen now??

Do share ur views and yes if u liked the chapter, don't forget to vote.

Love
Navya😘