Manik: Put ur feet down Nandini!
Manik muttered for the fifth time in past half an hour.

Nandini turned towards him smiling brightly but kept her legs intact over the dashboard. He simply rolled his eyes at it knowing she was simply trying to mess around with him.

Nandini: U know what to do to get my feet down!!
Nandini said in a sing along tone which he ignored.

As they left the Kapoor Mansion, it kinda lead to half an hour of complete silence into the car, with none of the two saying anything until Nandini finally broke the ice to ask him where were they headed to. Again Manik refused to tell her anything which made her try to do something or the other to irritate him and make him tell her.

She straightened down her seats back rest, lying down straight over it, lifting up her legs on the dashboard as she opened up some game on her phone to pass her time.

Nandini groaned again as he didn't tell her anything. It had been an hour of sitting there as it is, she kept down her phone and looked over to Manik. And just the look on his face was enough to make her feel guilty. She knew there was something wrong with him and all she wanted was to cheer him up and distract his attention, but she was failing miserably.

She didn't realise when sleep took over to her while looking up at him.

Manik's pov:

It was as if suddenly the silence seemed too much to handle. I had heard Nandini groan in annoyance when I refused to tell her where we were going but after that she had been surprisingly quite.

I peeked over my shoulder to catch a glimpse at her in curiosity to find her sleeping on the seat in an uncomfortable position. Pulling down the breaks softly, I stopped the car at a side as I bent towards her, tilting her head in a much comfortable way and saw relief spread over her face as she snuggled her hands under her face. Removing my jacket, I wrapped it around her petite figure carefully not willing to wake her up. I moved back to my original position and tightened my dear belt again as I turned the AC temperature a bit up to make it soothing for her, before starting the car again.

I didn't know why was I even taking her along with me. For one, she doesn't even know what's going on. I was kinda relieved when she said that she won't ask me anything. I knew she was dying to know everything but she was just trying to give me my own space. She couldn't even begin to know how much that support meant to me.

When she asked me, if she could come along, I instantly refused. This has always been something that I do alone and I wasn't sure if I was ready to let anyone know this. But something within me stirred at her request. She had nothing to do with it, and still she was ready to come along, just to be there for me.

Her hug was the one full of concern and even if I wasn't in a mood to say anything, I felt it necessary to tell her not to worry for me. I don't know what it is, but Nandini has taken up a place in my life that makes me wanna answer her. She has proved to be the best friend herself that she usually calls me.

And somehow, I guess that was the reason why I suddenly decided to take her along. I just knew I wouldn't be able to get my mind off her and her family, which probably should be the last thing to be concerned about at this point. Maybe hving her there with me, can at least take one thing off my shoulder.

Pov ends!

Nandini woke up about an hour later listening to Manik's voice as he softly patted her cheek.

Manik: Nandini... Wake up!!

She opened up her eyes slowly, adjusting herself into the darkness of the car when she noticed Manik standing outside the car, right by her door.

Nandini: Are we there?
She asked rubbing off her eyes when he saw him shake his head,

Manik: No, I thought u might be hungry.... Come lets hv dinner!

Nandini sat up straight on the seat to see the car parked right in front of some tourism hotel. There were a few cars parked around by other travellers, while the rest of the highway seemed totally empty.

She nodded up at Manik and got out of the car, picking up her purse. They moved inside the Hotel and Nandini looked around to see the average surrounding. Even though it wasn't the best, but she knew she couldn't expect more than this on the Highway anyways.

Manik as about to enter the seating area when Nandini held back his hand stopping him.
Nandini: I need to use the loo.... I probably look like a walking ghost right now!

A small smile stretched over Manik's face, probably the first one she had seen in the entire day as he shook his head in a No.

Manik: Not like a ghost but like a cute little child who is pulled right out of her pram....

Nandini pouted at him, still quite sleepy to say anything while Manik looked around as he spotted the restrooms.
Manik: There.... U go freshen up, I'll take up a table!! 

Nandini nodded at him and walked away to freshen up and look presentable. Manik took up a table and looked around once to make sure that a decent crowd was present around. 10 mins later, he looked up at from the menu to hear Nandini's voice.

Nandini: I can't believe u didn't wake me up for 2 hours.... Its 10:30 Manik!

She took a seat in front of him as he shook his head.
Manik: I thought u might be tired after the entire day at work. Now, tell me what do u want to eat!

He passed on the menu card to Nandini as she scanned it on.
Manik: Order something for me as well plz, I'll also freshen up a bit.

Nandini nodded at him as he walked away. Soon the two of them were sitting together as they had their dinner in silence with only Nandini talking a little about whatever happened at work in his absence. As they finished their dinner, Nandini ordered for some cold drinks as Manik cleared off the bill and they walked out. Manik was about to get into the car when Nandini stopped him,

Nandini: Finish off ur drink at least.... Then we'll go!

She hopped onto the bonnet while Manik just stood there None of the two said anything until a few minutes later when Nandini got down and threw away their bottles in the dustbin nearby. She was about to get into the car when he suddenly said,
Manik: Her name was Mansi....

Nandini: Huh?
Nandini asked confused, slowly turning towards him to find him looking away into the darkness.

Manik: I had an elder sister.... Mansi!! Its her sixth death anniversary this Sunday..... Mom Dad keep some Pooja every year, I never attend it!

Nandini was stunned by his words. She had not expected something like this coming up. She walked closer and stood in front of him.

Nandini: I.... I shouldn't have come along!

Manik looked down at her as he shook his head in a No.

Manik: I didn't expect this.... But I m glad that u r here!

Nandini moved closer as she wrapped her arms around him. She felt Manik stiffen beside her before he relaxed and pulled her closer, hugging her back.
Manik: I miss her....

She heard his whisper making her nod.
Nandini: I know!

Manik: I love her....

Nandini: I know!
She knew there was nothing she could say at that moment, which would make him feel better. She too had lost someone very close to her, Her father... And she knew all he needed at that point was her silence and support.

He stayed like that for a few minutes before pulling away. Nandini gave him a very small smile as she said,
Nandini: Lets go!

Manik nodded at her and removed his hands from her waist, standing straight. He was about to move towards the door when Nandini held his hand and said softly,

Nandini: I know u didn't sleep the entire night yesterday.... Try to take a nap for sometime, let me drive.

Manik: Nandini I-

Nandini: Just take some rest.... Then u can drive.
Manik looked at her for a few seconds before sighing as he nodded. They both got into the car as Nandini tightened her seat belt.

She turned towards him and smirked,
Nandini: U realise that I need to know the destination to drive there right?

Manik shook his head in annoyance but she saw a small smile playing on his lips as he muttered,
Manik: Bangalore!

The smirk on her face straightened as she turned towards him before shouting,
Nandini: Are U Insane???

Manik flinched at her while she continued,
Nandini: U r telling me that we r going to drive the entire night rather than taking up a few hour flight!

Manik: I drive there every year!
Manik said casually making Nandini frown as she looked ahead and started the car.

Nandini: Yeah... Tell me why am I even friends with u!

Manik: Coz u love me....
Manik replied back immediately with a smile.

Nandini: U wish.... I hate u! Idiot....
Nandini muttered back as she pulled onto the highway again while Manik chuckled.
------------------------------

A few hours later, Manik stirred in his sleep at some bright light as he groaned and opened his eyes.

Nandini: Sorry.... Toll booth!!
Nandini muttered as she continued looking for change into her purse. He sat up straight as she handed over the money to the guy outside and he passed her a ticket.

They drove forward when Nandini turned off the light inside the car.
Nandini: Its good u woke up!! We need to stop. I m hungry and I need the loo! The toll guy said there is a restaurant ahead.

Manik: Ohk! What's the time?

Nandini: 3:15, I guess....

Manik: What.... Why didn't u wake me up??
Manik asked checking up his phone.

Nandini: U seemed peaceful and I wasn't tired. I bought some coffee from the petrol pump.
Nandini shrugged taking a glance at him.

Manik: U should hv woken me up for fuel... It's not quite safe at highways!
Manik said softly looking over at her.

Nandini: It's fine....
Nandini waved off as she pulled along side a restaurant.

Nandini: Not as good as the last one... But this will do I guess!

They had some light food before getting back again, this time Manik driving. Nandini got into the car as she turned on some music. Tuning into some soft 90s tracks she opened up the windows, welcoming the chilled air inside.

Manik: U'll catch cold Nandini....

Nandini: It feels good... Let it be for a few minutes!
Nandini said as she rested her back on the seat closing her eyes. The song on the radio changed into as a slight smile came over her face.

"Tumse milke...." she sang along in a soft voice making Manik turn towards her. He saw her gaze fixed outside the window, with her hair flowing backwards by the wind as she sang softly while he turned back towards the road.

"Tumse milke aisa laga tumse milke
Armaan huye poore dil ke
Aye meri jaan-e-wafa
Teri meri meri teri ik jaan hai
Sath tere rahenge sada
Tumse na honge juda

Tumse milke aisa laga tumse milke
Armaan huye poore dil ke
Lala lala la la la la....
Hmnhmn hmn hmn hmn."

A small smile came over Manik's face as well while the song continued breaking the silence of the night. A few minutes later, Manik looked towards her to see a beautiful smile on her face while her breathing seemed quite. He knew she was asleep as he closed the window of her side and turned the music a little down.

Nandini woke up a few hours later to see herself alone in the car, she panicked immediately as she sat up straight only to sigh a relief as she saw Manik right in front of the car talking the vendor at a small tea stall. She got down the car, making Manik turn towards her as she stretched out her legs.

Manik: Good morning.... Its about time for sun rise!

Nandini: Morning....
Nandini wished back pulling up her hair into a bun as Manik walked towards her and before she knew he lifted her off the ground making her squeal and made her sit on the car's roof.

Manik: U can't miss this!
He said to her as he joined her up on the roof and pointed out to the far corner over to the horizon where a slight light was visible indicating the sun.

Soon they were served their tea as they sat there in silence, sipping on it and enjoying a beautiful sun rise.

Nandini: It's beautiful....
She whispered at the color of the sky turning on from black to dark purple to dark blue to reddish orange to orange to yellow....

It was something she was witnessing for the first time and she knew that this was a moment she would want to remember all her life.
----------------------

Manik: We r here....
Manik declared as he pulled up the car at a side while Nandini looked around to check out their destination.

After enjoying the amazing Sun rise they had continued their journey ahead. Though Nandini took up the wheel and asked Manik to rest, he wasn't feeling much sleepy and hence they finished off the rest of the journey enjoying with music. Though Manik's mood didn't lift off much, but Nandini was happy to see him trying to be normal.

Her happiness didn't last longer though as they reached Bangalore at around 10:30 am and Manik took up the driving seat again. His face clearly showed how much the entire ordeal was affecting him but Nandini decided to stay shut.

And at that point, they were standing in front of this small shabby looking hotel building as Manik got down and took up his bag from the back seat. Nandini too got down, looking ahead. She wondered why Manik had stopped at such a shabby place inside of some decent hotel but still stayed quite.

Manik: Come...
Manik said to her locking the car as he walked towards her. They moved inside the hotel as she looked around to find herself in front of a old dusty wooden desk with a middle aged guy sitting behind it. The guy looked up at them as he stood up.

"Manik.... Back again!!"
The guy greeted in a rowdy tone getting a curt nod from Manik. After which his gaze shifted off towards Nandini. He looked at her from top to bottom, staring at her weirdly making Nandini cringe. His eyes stared onto her legs a little longer before moving a little up to her waist when Manik said loudly,
Manik: Her Eyes Are Up Here....

(I hope u guys remember Nandini's attire from the last part)
The guy snapped up towards Manik who walked ahead in front of Nandini and slammed his hand on the table.

Manik: Keys?

He handed over a couple of keys to Manik, who continued giving him a hard glare. Manik turned towards Nandini, handing her over the keys as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her along.

Manik: Such a spineless Jerk... Couldn't hv dressed appropriately Nandini....

Nandini: I dressed to come to ur house Manik... I didn't know we would get on a trip!  Relax....

They moved ahead towards the back side door and moved out of the building when Nandini noticed a line of small wooden cottages at the back side of the hotel. Manik walked towards the last one as he opened up the lock and entered the door with Nandini following him behind.

She entered the cottage to see it to be a very small place. With a stylish wooden flooring, a modern kitchen followed by a washroom, a small couch right next to the entrance door accompanied by a set of stairs which lead to a bed upstairs. A smile took over her face at the comfy homely feeling of the place.

Nandini: It's beautiful... So homely!

Manik: Yeah...

Nandini: The keychain had ur name on it?
Nandini asked him looking over the key in his hands.

Manik: I bought it 5 years ago.... I stay here every year. They are just the care takers now! The rest of the cottages still belong to hotel owner, he leases them off to the clients.

Nandini nodded at him as she looked around talking in the details of the place. While Manik walked towards the closet under the stairs and took out another key from his pocket to open the cupboard.

Manik: U stay here.... I'll take up a room in their hotel! None of the other cottages is free...

Nandini: Manik.... It's alright! We can share this place. This couch is quite big enough for me, in fact its a sort of a single bed and it seems comfy. Moreover, I really don't think they'll hv any decent rooms out there, the place was literally stinking.
Nandini said as she took a seat on the couch.

Manik: But Nandini-

Nandini: No buts... We r staying here itself and I m gonna take up this couch. U anyways r not gonna fit into this, thanks to ur height, so don't even try to argue.

Manik sighed at her but nodded nonetheless.
-----------------------

How did u like the cottage guys??

Cute right!! I so wish to be at a place like this...

Do comment ur views about this part guys!
Love,
Navya!