Nandini drove to the Malhotra Mansion directly and reached there soon. She got out of her car on the door itself and passed on the key to the guard.
Nandini: Plz can u get the car parked for me...

The guard nodded at her, acknowledging her as Nandini moved towards the house. She stood in front of the glass door and rang the bell. Waiting for it to be answered, she saw herself on the glass and frowned as she muttered to herself,
Nandini: What was I thinking? Uncle and Aunty might also be at home, I look so crappy!!

Just then the door was opened and a servant smiled at her.
Servant: Good evening Ma'am!

Nandini: Hello... Is Manik Home?
Nandini asked him, walking inside. The old servant nodded at her, his smile flattening a bit.

Servant: He hasn't left his room all day...

Nandini stopped walking frowning at his words and was about to ask him something when she heard a voice,
Nyonika: Nandini...

Nandini turned around to see Nyonika walking down the stairs with Harsh, both of them seemed to be ready to go out somewhere.

Nandini: Good evening Aunty, Good evening Uncle....

Nyonika: What a pleasant surprise!! If I knew u r coming then I would hv stayed back home, and cooked something for u.
Nyonika said as she reached downstairs and stood directly in front of Nandini.

Nandini smiled broadly at her endearment.
Nandini: Its ohk Aunty... I might trouble u with that some other day. I just dropped by to meet Manik, he hasn't been picking up my calls the entire day.

Nyonika's smile disappeared by his name as she said softly,
Nyonika: He is just not himself today. U may try but I m not sure if he will open up his door or not.... Cabir too tired this morning!

Harsh: Nyonika....
Harsh said softly patting over his wife's shoulder. Nyonika nodded at him slowly as she gave Nandini a small smile.

Nyonika: Anyways... We r getting a bit late dear! I'll see u soon... Probably on Sunday!
Nyonika said as she walked ahead with Harsh.

Nandini: Sunday??

Nyonika: Ohh yes... I forgot to tell u, there is small pooja on sunday evening, I would like it if u come by... Anyways see u!!
And before Nandini could say anything they were off to wherever they were going.

Nandini: Ohk.... Lets kick someone's ass now Nandini Moorthy!
She muttered to herself as she walked upstairs towards Manik's room. She reached his room to hear rustling voice from inside as if things were being thrown on the bed. She thought what could it be as she knocked on the door.

Manik: I don't need anything.... Take it away!
Manik shouted from inside making her flinch.

She took a deep breath as she knocked again.
Manik: I said I don't-

Nandini: Manik...
She called him out, stopping him in his words. A pin drop silence feel across the room. Nandini waited for the door to open up, but nothing happened. She held the knob, twisting it around to find it locked.

Nandini: Manik... Open the door!!

Manik: Nandini... I m a bit busy at the moment, plz leave me alone!
Nandini could make out the coldness in his voice but still she knocked again.

Nandini: Just open it Manik.... U hv not been answering my calls as well, I know u r not busy....

Manik: Just leave me alone Nandini....

Nandini: I m not going anywhere Manik Malhotra.... Not until u open this damned door and meet me!
Nandini snapped back at him. She folded her arms on her chest waiting for him to open up.

But Manik seemed to ignore her as she heard the rustling noise start back. Twenty minutes later, the door swung open as Manik moved out with a small bag with on his shoulder. He closed the door shut behind his back and turned around only to widen his eyes in shock.

Manik: What The Hell Are U Doing Here???

There on the floor, right in front of him was Nandini sitting crossed legged with her face resting on her palms in boredom.

Nandini looked at him as a dazzling smile crept over her face.
Nandini: Yeyyyy....

She jumped up on her feet and threw her arms around his shoulder. Manik stumbled at her sudden action but still managed himself as he held her from falling.

Nandini: 20 minutes Malhotra..... I would hv killed u for making me wait any longer!

Manik pulled away from her glaring at her.
Manik: Nandini, I asked what r u doing here...

Nandini frowned when he pushed her away but replied nonetheless.
Nandini: I told u, I wouldn't leave until u open up!!

Manik groaned at her words lacing his fingers through his hair. Nandini noticed the tired look on his face, dark shadows under his eyes but still kept her smile intact not wanting to ask him directly. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't want to force him to tell her until he himself wanted to. But then she noticed the bag on his shoulder.

Nandini: Why r u carrying a bag?? Going somewhere!

An alerted look took over his face as Manik looked between the Bag and Nandini, before looking elsewhere,
Manik: Yes... I m going out for a few days will be back soon!

Nandini: Few days??

Manik: Yeah... A week or so!
He replied nonchalantly as he started walking. Nandini followed his steps as she continued,

Nandini: A week!! But randomly like this?

Manik: Yeah... I hv some work!
Manik said in a small voice clearly lying as he refused to look at her for even a second.

He walked down the stairs without even saying a word with Nandini right behind him. They walked outside the house when Nandini saw his car waiting for him right in the front.

Nandini: Umn... Can u drop me back home??

Manik stopped walking as he turned towards her.
Manik: Ur car?

Nandini: It broke down this morning!
Nandini lied confidently but convincingly,

Manik: How did u get here?

Nandini: I took a cab!!
Manik frowned at her words moving around his car as he threw in his bag at the back seat and sat in followed by Nandini. The engine roared to life as he pulled out of the Mansion muttering,

Manik: Try and avoid those cabs, will u?

Nandini hummed slowly at his words as he drove slowly through the evening traffic. Manik cursed at the traffic under his breath and looked at his wrist watch as it flashed the time to be 7:30 in the evening.

A few minutes passed by in silence, but unlike their usual habit, this silence was not peaceful, it was awkward, it was disturbing and it made them uncomfortable.

The car stopped at a traffic signal as Nandini looked at Manik.

Nandini: I won't ask much.... But just tell me once that u r fine Manik!!
Nandini said in a very slow voice, unsure herself if he heard it or not. But then she saw him turn to look at her as he nodded slightly.

Manik: I m as fine as I can be on this day Nandini....

She nodded back towards him not saying anything more than that as the signal cleared and they moved forward. She looked down at her knee, which usually supported Manik's hand whenever he drove her around. And suddenly it felt empty, though she never actually paid attention to those casual things but today, it came on as a realization to her.  She held up her hand towards the gear box, as she kept it over his, entwining her fingers with his.

He was a habit now and she didn't actually want to change that habit.

An unknown sadness filled up her face as Manik didn't hold her hand back. She was about to retract her hand but the moment she moved it Manik entwined his fingers tightly around hers, almost caging her hand. And suddenly, just like that there was nothing awkward in that car. There hands connected together talking to each other.

A few minutes later, Manik picked up their hands and rested hers on his thigh as he moved his hand back on the gear box, turning the car around. He kept on driving when Nandini said,
Nandini: Can I at least ask u where r u going?

Manik sighed at softly as he shook his head in a No.
Manik: I... I can't tell u!!

Nandini nodded at him and sat back again. None of the two said anything for the entire ride back. Until the Kapoor Mansion came into view when Nandini asked,
Nandini: Can I come along?

Manik: I can't Nandini.....
Manik whispered, almost forced out as he pulled into the Mansion and stopped the car.

Nandini picked up her purse from the dashboard and turned towards Manik as she slowly bent forward hugging him.
Nandini: Just take care of urself..... And I m just a call away if u want to talk okay?

Manik nodded at her with a soft sigh as he wrapped his arm around her lightly.

Manik: I might not pick up calls.... Don't worry! I'll call u when-
Manik stopped in between his words. Nandini broke the hug and noticed his hard gaze behind her. She turned around following his eyes and looked outside her window to see Mrs. K standing there almost glaring at her.

Nandini: Ignore her....
Nandini muttered turned towards Manik and held his hand.

Nandini: Call me whenever u feel like ohk! And be back soon....

Manik didn't say anything at it just kept looking at her. Nandini moved back and opened up the door. She took a step oitside and was about to get up when she felt a grip around her arm as she was pulled back inside.

Manik: U r coming with me!!
Manik declared in a stern voice as he bent towards her door and pulled it close, making sure not to hurt her.

Nandini looked at him confused as well as shocked at his sudden change of mind but before she knew the car got back to life as manik reversed the car outside. Nandini looked ahead to see Mrs. K scowling at her while Manik kept on giving her hard gazes before she went out of their sight.

Manik moved out of the Mansion and soon they got into the busy traffic again, this time to a destination which was quite unknown to Nandini. Nandini leaned back on the seat throwing her purse at the back seat.

"That was quite..... Unpredictable!!"
-----------------------------------

Manik stressed over something! Manan alone together on a week's trip.....

This was just a small update specially to wish u all A Very Happy Diwali !!!

The next part will be updated tmrw evening!!😉😉

Love,
Navya!