#Mornings are always new and fresh; that's a vague statement because for anything to be anew, it should be decided by us#

"Good morning" I cleared my throat before passing on greetings to the people seated around the table.

People who were once close to my heart. And now?

"Annu kidhar hai, Chellam?" I looked up at Anna, before wiping down at my lips with the napkin in my hand. "She's sleeping, Anna! Kal so nahi paayi wo."

"Why?" I shrugged at Bhai's question. "Shes been a little cranky nowadays. It's okay, it's part of growing up." I further added on seeing worry on his face. Charan Bhai gets worried for no reason.

"If you say so," he smiled at me before his gaze flickering towards his right. "You don't like the food, Manik?"

I felt the grip that I had on my fork getting tighten. Chewing onto the morsel in my mouth, I tried hard not to concentrate on what they were talking about.

"N-Nothing like that, Mr. Murthy! The food is delicious. I'm just-just a little slow in eating."

His voice!

I shut my eyes tight on hearing him speaking. It was all like in the beginning of our relationship. Me listenin to everything he's gotta say, for anything related to him was always important to me.

But not anymore!

Shouldn't anymore!

"I'm glad to hear that. Although we could provide you with North Indian food if you're not comfortable in eating South Indian dishes. My wife and sister are good at the Mumbaikars dishes!"

Gulping the lump in my throat, my head shot up to where Bhai was sitting. Is he serious?

I looked at his left, to the person sitting opposite me in bewilderment, and she just blinked her eyes in assurance to which I could only look down in my plate.

"No, thank you, Mr. Murthy! I appreciate the offer, though!"

CLANK

Damn it!

"I'm so-sorry! I'm in a little hurry!" I babbled for dropping the spoon on the floor, while Manda Tai, the caretaker of this home, moved forward to where I sat with another pair of spoon and fork in her hands.

"Tabiyath teek hai na, Chellam?" She whisper-questioned, and I smiled feeling grateful at her care. "Ji bilkul!"

Concentrating back to my eating, I didn't miss the way Anna's gaze never left me. He knew something was up with me. He knew me better than anyone.

I need to get away from here!

~~~**~~~

"Waise all of you are well settled with a family. What about you, Manik? Any secret girlfriend?"

I heaved a sigh.

Does he have something against me? Why is he so much into me?

"Uh, no!" I wiped my mouth with the napkin kept on the table, and gave a nod to the ladies of the house. "Thank you for the breakfast. It was really delicious. It's been a while since I've had homemade food," I spoke genuinely before looking at Mr. Chaitanya Murthy. "Mera hogaya, so please excuse me. Thank you!"

And I left the place.

This place suffocates me so much.

What are you doing here, Manik?!

I let out a sigh of relief on getting out of the dining hall. Taking in the scenic view in front of me, at the balcony of second floor of this house, I realized I don't belong here.

Because she was here.

Stop!

I refrained myself from thinking about her. Nandini. My Nandini.

Is she now?

No, she's someone else's now. Someone's—-wife. Someone's—-mom.

And nothing to me.

"Hey!"

I looked behind to find the same pairs of eyes, that looked at me so curiously and a feeling of nostalgia hit me hard.

The only difference was that, this time it wasn't her looking at me.

"I know you! That park wala uncle?"

Yes! It was her daughter with the very same beautiful eyes that could melt even the mightiest man's heart.

"I was thinking ki mein kaha mili aapko! Ab aayi na baath samji mein!"

I didn't know when and how but I felt my lips curling upwards into a smile, and I bent down to let her have a look at me properly.

"Ab aayi na baath samaj mein, and not samji mein!" I corrected her in the beginning, and she looked hesitant before nodding at me. "O.Okay! So who are you?"

"Manik Malhotra! How about you?" I gave her a small smile, and she smiled widely at me. "That's my best friend's name." Her smile looked so fresh and sweet but it felt different. It did look a little like Nandini's but not completely.

"Oh, my name is Annahita Oberoi!" I smiled at her name. "Annahita! Nice name!" And she bobbed her head. "Yep! Mamma's choice."

And I didn't know if it's possible for me to smile at her that statement, because she was hers. Her blood but not mine.

And that pained me!

Letting out a sigh that distressed even myself, I stood up and nodded at her.

"Goodbye!"

I turned around to leave, feeling at short of breath. It's been a while since I've had one!

I need to get away from here!

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