Nandini: Manik... Its seriously late, u should go home!!
Nandini said as Manik pulled her out of the Kapoor Mansion.

Rishab: Come on di... Stop being such a bore!!  Its just an ice cream...
Rishab supported Manik earning a glare from Nandini.

Nandini: Manik, Aunty and Uncle must be waiting for u!!

Manik: Well Mom knows I m with u... And that clearly means that they shouldn't wait for me...
Manik smiled winking at her as they reached his car and he opened up the passenger seat door open for her.

Nandini stood there glaring at him when Manik sighed finally and held her hand,
Manik: Nandini..... Why r u letting them get over u?? U only say that they don't affect u then why r u proving urself wrong..... Let them be!!

Nandini calmed down at his words and took a deep breath.

Manik: Shall we??
Manik said holding the door again making her smile finally as she got into the car. Manik winked at Rishab and motioned him towards the back seat door as the two guys enter.

Rishab: Wow.... Finally I meet someone who can handle u di!! I think I m gonna need ur help a lot more often Manik Bhaiya.....

Manik chuckled at his words and started the car,
Manik: I m just a call away Rishab!!

Nandini rolled her eyes at the two of them but still smiled. The car moved through the almost empty roads in the beautiful night when Nandini bent down and removed her heels, pulling up her legs on the seat.

Manik: What r u doing??

Nandini: Since u insisted so much for this ice cream treat, I don't think u will hv any problem in delivering it to me over here!!
Nandini gave him a cheeky smile.

Manik: Ohh hello Madam.... I m not ur waiter!! U hv legs and u will walk urself!! And plz get ur feet off my seat...

Nandini: Come on Manik... My legs hurt due to these freaking heels and plus, don't u think I m a bit too over dressed for an Ice cream parlour...

Manik rolled his eyes at her whining self and simply pulled into the parking lot.

Manik: Stay here... We'll be back!!
He said simply, making Nandini smile broadly.

5 minutes later, they returned when Manik opened the door for Nandini, she looked at him confused when he suddenly picked her up in his arms.

Nandini: Manik!!!
Nandini shrieked in shock while Rishab took a step back in surprise.

Manik made her sit on the bonnet and moved away.
Manik: There is no way, I m letting u eat in my car....

Rishab laughed at it after handed over they ice cream to her when Nandini muttered,
Nandini: Jerk!!

Manik: I heard that...

Nandini rolled her eyes at him and turned towards Rishab as he said,
Rishab: So Di.... When r u guys going to return from Pune tmrw??

Nandini was about to answer something when Manik said first,
Manik: No champ.... We rn't going to Pune.!! Its just some site on the Mumbai-Pune Highway..... We'll be back by the evening, in the office hours itself.

Rishab: Ohh....
Rishab said slowly thinking about something which was noticed by the two of them.

Nandini: Why Rishu... U needed something??

Rishab: No actually I had to visit the Space Academy. Actually the clg needs various formalities completed before the final admission, I hv just filled up the online application yet. I could go alone but then I'll need to get back again with all the parent signature and stuff, I wanted u to sign instead.

Nandini: Ohk then, no problem.... I'll come with u day after tmrw!!
Nandini said simply and smiled at him.

Rishab: But ur work???
Rishab asked.

Manik: Relax Champ.... Its ohk!! She can skip it for a few hours, and U know what, I will also accompany u there, I already know all the procedures, it will be easy for u....

Rishab: Really.... U can??

Manik: Of course.... So, its decided!! Both of us r coming with u day after tmrw....

Manik said making him smile and looked at Nandini. She sat there ignoring the conversation between the two of them, totally engrossed in her ice cream.
The spoon was lying untouched, beside her as she ate directly by licking her fingers. She seemed so innocent at that particular moment, without the concern of anything happening around her. Just like a 5 year old.

Suddenly something came onto him, as he took out his phone and clicked a picture of her, making sure Rishab doesn't notice him. Keeping the phone back, he concentrated on his own ice cream talking to rishab as he took side glances of Nandini, time and again.

The blowing air, made her hair disturb her, when she shoved them aside getting some of  the ice cream on her cheek. Manik shoke his head on her childishness and moved closer to her.

Nandini looked up, alerted by his closeness when Manik brushed her hair to a side, tucking them behind her ear. He smiled at her and pulled out his handkerchief, wiping off the ice cream from her cheek. When he hit her head slightly on the side,
Manik: Such a kiddo!!!

Nandini: Hey... I m not a kiddo!!
Nandini immediately replied to him making a cute pout. Her lips stuck with ice cream all over.

"Yeah... We can see that!!"
Said the two guys together, smiling at her.

Nandini: Rishu.... U can't team up with him like this!!

Rishab smiled broader and lifted up both his hands in surrender.
Rishab: Keep me out of this plz....

--------------------------------
Manik: And here u go!!
Manik said as he parked his car in front of the Kapoor Mansion.

Nandini: Bye!!
Nandini said yawning a bit making the two guys chuckle.

Rishab: Bye bhaiya... And yes, Thanks for the ice cream...
Rishab said to Manik.

Manik: Chill champ... Don't be so formal!! And before ur di sleeps right here in my car, I plead u to take her away.

Rishab laughed at it while Manik turned towards Nandini, who had her eyes closed. He patted on her shoulder twice,
Manik: Oo Madam!!

Nandini opened her eyes slowly at it and looked at him when he gave her a sarcastic smile,
Manik: Get out...

Nandini frowned at his flat tone and opened up the door, stepping out of the car. She moved forward towards the house when Manik called after her again.

Manik: Nandini I m not going to wear ur sandals.... Take them along!!

Nandini ignored his words and continued walking when Rishab bent and picked up her heels and chuckled,
Rishab: She was up all night with me yesterday, bcoz of my ill timing..... I guess she is already half asleep!!

Manik: Crazy girl...
Manik laughed as Rishab closed the door and rushed after Nandini, with her heels in his hand.

He shook his head looking at her retrieving figure. He started the car as they entered the house and drove off.
-------------------------------------

The next morning, Nandini reached the Malhotra Mansion to be warmly welcomed by Nyonika.

The two ladies moved to the kitchen as Nandini started helping Nyonika to prepare breakfast. They talked a lot and had a gala morning tym together when Nyonika said,

Nyonika: U know what Nandini, u should come here more often..... I get bored with these two boring men!! I always wished to hv a daughter.

Nandini laughed at it when they heard a voice behind them.
"Come on Nyonika.... U can't call us boring like this!!"

They turned around to see Harsh walking towards them while Nandini smiled at him.
Nandini: Good morning uncle!!

Nyonika: Chalo gud.... U r here, now where is ur son!!

Harsh: No idea....

Nyonika: Nandini.... I'll serve the breakfast, can u plz go and check on Manik till then!

Nandini: Sure Aunty....
Nandini smiled at them and walked out of the kitchen heading to his room.

Nyonika looked at her walking upstairs and turned towards Harsh,
Nyonika: U know.... I feel like I could get used to this!!

Harsh smiled knowingly at her and nodded his acceptance to her thoughts.

On the other side, Nandini entered Manik's room to find the room empty, though the noise of the shower running told her, Manik's whereabouts.

She was about to leave the room when her gaze fell over something as a wicked grin spread over her face.

A few minutes later, Nandini walked back downstairs and joined the couple on the breakfast table.

Nandini: Aunty, he was in the shower.... He should be down soon!!

They started with the breakfast soon after which they heard footsteps from the stairs as Manik walked down taking over the phone.

Manik: No cabir it's fine!! Nandini and I will manage, u don't worry and just send in the files.

He walked towards the table when Nyonika and harsh noticed his steps and looked at each other confused.

Manik: Ohk fine... Bye!!!
Manik said and disconnected the call.

Manik: Good morning!!

Nyonika: Manik.... What happened to ur shoes??
Nyonika asked looking at his shoes. Manik stopped walking and looked down to see his shoes leaking with some liquid.

Manik: What the...
He turned around and saw the entire stairs showing the wet footsteps. He bent lower and  took a bit on his fingers, as he smelled it.

Manik: Orange juice!!

Harsh: Son.... It was for u to drink, not for ur shoes!!
Harsh said as all of them chuckled.

Manik: But when I took the shoes out... It was normal and then no one came into my room!!
Manik thought out loud to himself when his eyes fell over Nandini, who was trying hard to control her laughter.

He narrowed his eyes at her making his parents understand the situation as they laughed out loud with Nandini joining in.

Manik: Nandini!!!

Nandini: Aww Manik... U r so heavy that ur shoes started leaking!!
Nandini teased him as she got up from the chair.

Manik: U r so dead...
Manik muttered as he ran towards her. Soon the dining area was converted to a Play ground with Manik and Nandini running around the table.

The house echoed with the laughter of both the couples as the servants too came into the corners admiring the view. A lot of running and laughing later, Manik finally caught hold of Nandini's hand.

He pulled her towards himself making her back bang into his chest, as he wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her up.

Manik: Orange juice right... Now I m going to make u bathe with it!!

Manik said moving towards the table, carrying Nandini along. Nandini wriggled her legs furiously, trying to free herself.

Nandini: Manik...Manik.... No!! Manik plz!! I m sorry....  I really am!!

Manik: No ways Nandini....

Nandini: Manik plz... We have to go to work and I don't have any changes also Manik... Plz... Plz!!
Nandini whined trying to put some sense in him.

Nyonika: Manik... It's Ohk!! Leave her now...
Nyonika said to him still laughing at the two.

Manik made her stand, unwrapping his hand from her waist, while Nandini immediately moved away drink him.

Manik: It's not over Nandini...

Nandini gave him a cheeky smile making him groan as he turned around and moved back up to his room to change his shoes and socks.

All the others laughed at him and sat back for breakfast. Manik moved soon after that and sat in front of Nyonika.

Nandini was sitting right next to him smiled at him and picked up a glass of juice,
Nandini: Manik... Orange juice!! Interested??

Manik glared at her while the rest giggled.
Manik: It's not funny!

Harsh: Um hn... Believe me, son, it is!!
Harsh replied to him while Manik shook his head.

Manik: U know what guys...  Stay away from Nandini, she is spoiling u both as well!!

Nandini: Says the devil himself...
Nandini muttered earning a glare.

Manik: I heard that...

Nandini: Ohh really baby!! So sweet...
Nandini smiled at him when Nyonika said,

Nyonika: On a serious note... Thank u Nandini!! I really don't remember if I hv laughed so hard in what seems like forever!! I still can't believe this is the same family of mine, in which we could even hear the noise of a spoon touching the plate on the table.

Nandini smiled at her as she replied,
Nandini: No need to thank me, Aunty... And knowing ur son, I know he would slip up real soon, and then I'll be back with another such revenge.

Manik: Ohh hello!! What revenge?? What did I do?
Manik asked looking at her.

Nandini: Well this was for the very sweet goodbye that u wished me, to get me out of it car last night!!
Nandini smiled at him.

Manik sat there looking at her dumbfounded and then asked,
Manik: Are u serious??  All this prank was just for that "Get out!!"

Nandini smiled broadly at him and continued eating telling him that he is right.
------------------------

Well, that was it for today!!

How was it guys?? What do u think about Nandini's little prank??

Do share ur views and don't forget to vote!

Love
-Navya!