"Marry Me Nandini!!!"

Her had whipped towards her instantly as her eyes broadened at his words.
Nandini: What?

Manik: Yes, Marry me Nandini Moorthy!

Nandini heard him say again confirming that she had heard right. She continued looking at it, kinda waiting for him to laugh out loud or say that he was kidding but then the seriousness in his eyes told her otherwise. Her eyes moved off his face as she looked ahead, still the shock clearly visible on her face.

Manik waited for her to say something and respond to him but he stayed shut giving her some time to think about it. Five minutes passed away with literally no words between them when Manik finally broke the silence,
Manik: Nandini say something, what r u thinking?

Nandini: Manik What Are You Thinking?? Are You Mad?
She suddenly shouted as she got up from his side and said,

Nandini: Manik, this is seriously not a joke. Marriage is not a solution, it never is!

Manik sighed at her words and got up as well as he folded his arms on his chest.
Manik: Fine.... Great! So u tell me a solution for this, bcoz one thing is for sure, I don't trust ur parents an ounce!

Nandini groaned at his words and shouted,
Nandini: I hv no solution Manik! The only solution I had was to stay away from India and never come back but see where I m stuck now.... But the thing that u r suggesting, that's impossible.

Manik sighed at her words and calmed himself down.
Manik: So u mean, u r gonna continue living in the same way!

Nandini: Manik ppl change.... They will also ch-chan-change!
Nandini shuttered in her words holding back her tears. Manik walked closer towards her holding her shoulders,

Manik: Till when will u continue this Nandini. U r not convincing me here, u r convincing urself.... In the same way as u hv done all ur life. No matter how much u keep standing strong, I know U love ur mother and it hurts u everytime she looks at u with those hurtful eyes.

Nandini: I don't love her! My love for her vanished the day she choose to abandon her daughter.
Nandini said immediately, her face hardening again.

Manik: Try telling that little girl in u, who is still waiting for her mother to come and hug her tight like nothing ever happened!

Manik saw Nandini's wall breaking down at his words as she kept her gaze fixed to the wall behind him. He knew it was hard for her but he didn't want her hurt in any way. He moved forward wrapping his arms around her as he hugged her.

Manik: Let Go Nandini... Let go!

It took her a few minutes before she hugged him back tight, hiding her face into his chest.
Nandini: Don't do this Manik.... Don't take away the little hope that is left in me for a family. I won't be able to breath anymore, I'll die without it.

Manik grip around her increased at her words. After everything, it again came to the point which he dreaded the most. He couldn't let her break down, he couldn't.

Manik: I m not taking ur hope away Nandini, I m giving u one..... Yes, ppl do change and so can ur mother! She can... I m not denying that!

He whispered to her even though he didn't believe in his own words at all. Family had always been her weakness and he knew he had to handle it well.

Manik: Just hear me out for once plz?

No reply came from Nandini at his words until he felt her nodding slightly into his chest. Manik tried to break the hug to talk to her, when she gripped his shirt tightly into her palm not letting him go. He sighed as he walked her to the bed and sat there, resting his back on the headboard while Nandini still stayed stuck not daring to look up at him or move away. As they settled down Manik said softly,

Manik: Nandini.... For now, it all seems bearable to u and I know u r strong enough to handle them all by urself. But how long Nandini??? Do u realise what will happen if one of these days, ur life will become a part of a business deal and I won't be surprised at all if they convince u to get married in the same way as they did to get u back to India!

Manik felt a shiver pass through her and he knew that she was listening to him intently. He rubbed his palm through her arms taking her further in as he continued,
Manik: Nandini, I m not forcing u and nor am I trying to convince u for this.... But just hear me out for why m I giving u this solution, rest is all up to u! Getting married won't take away ur mother from u, it will just take away the constant trouble and arguments that u are going through. U also wanted to move out na, this is it, u will just be moving out from his house. The only benefit would be that they won't be able to stop u and it will take this Kapoor out of ur name which Mr. Kapoor too wants.

Nandini broke the hug at it as she looked up at him and spoke.
Nandini: What about U Manik? What about ur family? Do u realise what u r putting at stake here....

Manik smiled softly at her words as he cupped her face,
Manik: U think I hvn't thought about this? My Parents Love u Nandini.... Ohk now answer one thing very honestly, Do u see urself falling in Love maybe a few years from now?

Nandini: There is nothing like Love... Its just. a delusion.
Nandini said immediately making him smile broader.

Manik: Nandini, my mom has already started hinting me of finding someone for myself and settling down in life. And I know soon enough these hints will turn into full fledged conversations. So if a year or two later, I hv to get married anyhow, then I'd rather do it with someone who understands me, who knows me and whom I know too. Someone with whom I feel compatible enough to be living together for the rest of my life. And for a fact I know No One could be better than U for this. The bond that I share with u is not something that I find everyday. I know I can come and share anything with u without thinking twice and I hope u know that u can come to me too.

Nandini sighed at his words before shaking her head in a No. And as for Manik, he already knew he would never try to change her decision once she says anything. He sighed looking at her when she said,
Nandini: I don't know Manik... I... I need some time to think about this!

Manik smiled broadly knowing he still has a chance and assured her.
Manik: Nandini... I promise u, this is the first and the last tym we r hving this conversation. From here, u can take as much time as u want for urself, I would not ask u for an answer. If u feel its right, come and tell me. And if its not, u don't even hv to come and say so, consider it forgotten. We r friends Nandini,  I know this is difficult for u, and I will be there for u anyhow.

Nandini gave him a small smile as she squeezed his hand softly.

Soon Manik went back home to give her some alone time to think. Nandini spent almost the entire night thinking about it before finally going to bed frustrated about her confused mind.
----------------------------------

Nandini's Pov:

I was reading the file for the mall renovation contract when my phone vibrated with a msg. I picked up my phone to find another msg from Manik,
"Enough of this! We will be going back together today. We need to talk. And don't u dare try to ignore me again...."

I sighed at the msg and looked at the time.
15 mins to go before the working hours get over. I had to rush before Manik finds me.

I got up from my table and sorted out my stuff before moving out of my cabin. I checked around for Manik inn the corridor, and sighed to see the coast clear, before I dashed towards the elevator. 5 minutes later, I was in my car, moving out of the building.

Yes, He is right. I m ignoring him.

Why? I don't know.

The last we talked, apart from the work, was the day he came to my place and we had THAT conversation. Its friday today, and I can't even begin to explain how difficult it was for me to ignore him all through wednesday, thursday and today as well.

Yes, I m going to talk to him, that too today itself. But before that I need some time. Some time with myself. All these days it has been very difficult, and frankly I still don't know what we r doing.

Never even in my dreams I had any thought of  getting married. And after all this too, the only relief in all this drama is that at least its Manik. I know him, I understand him, but still, is it enough for is to get married?

I drove my car straight to the place where I knew I would get my peace. I had spent the past few days out here. This was my hide away from everything, and I m kinda glad no one knows about this place, otherwise Manik would hv easily got here.

I thought to go to the hill the other day, but couldn't!! It was Our place and without Him, I knew it wouldn't be as peaceful as it was supposed to be. Moreover, I was sure he could eventually get me there.

It would be a complete Lie if I say that I didn't miss him. Even in just a few months, Manik had grown much more closer to me than I could ever think anyone else to. Talking to him kinda calmed me down, as I know I can say anything to him, but then this time, its related to him and I know I won't be thinking well if he is with me.

I reached my destination and sat at my usual place. A smile forming on my lips without any effort. 'Dad'.... He used to bring me here when I was a little kid, holding his finger in my entire little chubby hand, it was one of the most beautiful memories I have with him. The only two places which make me feel his presence around me are this one and our Home.

Living in London, I knew when I get back to India, this would be my favorite place but then Manik came into the picture and before I knew it changed. We literally spend almost all our time together and it was now that I finally started coming here.

Well, as for the reason of why I m here..... I m still quite confused!

Pov ends!
-------------------------------------

"Fuck!" Manik muttered as he realised that Nandini again left early, even after his msg.

He walked to his car in anger and slammed the door close as he sat in.

"Why Nandini why??? Where the hell are u...."
He said to himself as he started the car, only to be stopped as Cabir knocked on his window.

Manik pulled the window down when Cabir said,
Cabir: Whats the hurry Man? Where r u going?

Manik: Home... Why?
Manik said slowly without any interest.

Cabir: Great... Everyone is coming to ur place!
Cabir smiled broadly.

Manik: My place? Why?

Cabir: Nothing special... I called them, its been long since we had a get together. Lets go!

And before Manik could say anything cabir was already walking towards his car.

Manik shook his head at him and drove back home, his thoughts again drifting off to Nandini.

Its been more than two days and he didn't even know what was going on in her head. When he talked to her that day, he didn't even imagine that Nandini would start ignoring him bcoz of all this. And as much as it irritated him, he felt more concerned than angry at her.  The more he was trying to talk to her, the more she was running away, she didn't even enter his cabin these days until its not with Cabir or anyone else.

He picked up his phone and called her but again the call went unanswered as usual, making him throw his phone at the passenger seat as he continued to drive back.

He reached back home to see Mukti already in there talking on phone.
"No worries yr.... We are here only! U finish off whatever u r doing in college and then get here..... Yeah.... And yes, get Nandini as well ohk, she wasn't picking up her cell.... Chal see u!"

Nandini's name immediately alerted him as he saw Mukti disconnect the call.
Manik: Hey who was that?

Mukti: Ohh yeah... I invited Rishab! Hvn't see him after Goa...
Mukti shrugged keeping her phone aside while she looked up at Manik.

Mukti: And u... No Hi no hello!! Tujhe kya hua?

Manik: Umn Nothing... U say, what's up? Where r the others?

Mukti: Cabir went to pick up Navya.... Dhruv- Aliya on their way and Abhi will come later, he is still at the hospital, had come appointments scheduled.

Manik: Ohk... Achcha, just gimme 5 minutes, I'll freshen up and join u back.
Manik said to her as he rushed back to his room with only one hope that he'll talk to Nandini when she gets there.

About two hours later, Nandini entered the Malhotra Mansion with Rishab to hear the noise of laughter from the living room, immediately making a smile on her face.

They reached inside when Nandini said loudly,
Nandini: Woah... What's so funny guys?

The laughter continued at her words but she didn't miss the instant smile on Manik's face at her presence. When Aliya said between her laughter.
Aliya: Nandini... U need to look at this!

She passed on a picture to Nandini while Cabir said,
Cabir: That's our very own Manik Malhotra, the hulk... That too wearing a girls frock!

Nandini looked at the picture as she too joined the laughter looking at the very cute 3-4 year old Manik in a white-pink frock.

Nandini: That's soo cute!

Manik:  No its not....
Manik snapped snatching away the picture from her as they all laughed out again.

Manik: Seriously Mom, I m never forgiving u or Di for this....
Manik said to Nyonika as he kept the picture aside and sat on the sofa. Nyonika was about to say something when Mukti said,

Mukti: Aww... Manik baby gussa ho gyi?
Mukti said laughing with her tears and received a pillow right on her face by Manik.

Manik: Stop laughing guys...
He said but no one heard him. Until Nyonika noticed Rishab, Nandini followed her gaze and said,

Nandini: Aunty... This is Rishab, my brother. Rishu, Manik's mom.

Rishab greeted Nyonika before everyone else while Nandini took a seat. Soon he to joined then as he sat with Cabir and Dhruv on the floor comfortably.

Nandini noticed Manik's gaze fixed on her as he lay there on the sofa with his head on Nyonika's lap. He seemed willing to talk to her when she smiled softly looking at him, the relief on his face wasn't missed by Nandini.

They all sat together and chilled while nyonika continued with Manik's childhood stories, which much to Manik's annoyance were all very embarrassing for him. About an hour passed away in this when Manik's phone vibrated.

He picked it up to see a msg from Nandini.
"Yes! "

His head immediately snapped up at Nandini who was also looking at him to see her nod slowly at him.

He looked back at her phone and typed his reply,
" Are u sure? U weren't much urself lately Nandini.... U know this isn't a pressure on u right?"

He sent the msg and looked at her as she read it. He saw her gaze shift over to all their friends sitting around them and finally settling on Nyonika with a smile on her face.
"Yes I know... And I m sure! Let's get married...."
Came her reply the next minute making Manik smile broad.

" Let's get married! "
He replied to her finally!

(vidzy_vidhu Now ur guess seems right girl😂😂😂 Stop reading all the ideas from my mind even before I pen it down...😉)
--------------------

Done deal!!!!

Finally, a yes.... But any guesses, what made Nandini's decision so easy at the end????

Do think about it... And yes, don't forget to comment and vote ppl....

Love,😘
Navya