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"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

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New morning,
In Nandini's room,

As soon as she opened her eyes she saw her whole family sitting in front of her and smiling. Seeing all of them gathered there, she was confused.

Nandini - Good morning everyone, why are you all gathered like this over here?

Everyone together- Good morning Nandu!!

And they all hugged her together.

Nandini - *still in the hug* I...I am not a..able to bre...breathe.. leave me...guys!

Everyone left her but Abhimanyu was still hugging her tight.

Nandini- IDIOT! Leave me!!! Bhaiyu chodo mujhe! I am not running anywhere.

Everyone laughed seeing this including Abhimanyu.

Raman- Nandu, chalo freshen up and come down for the breakfast. We are waiting for you.

Ishita - Ha come fast, maine aaj tumhara sab kuch favourite banaya hai.

Nandini - Ok, give me 20 minutes.

Everyone left her room.

Nandini's POV,

As soon as I woke up, I saw my whole family sitting in front of me. I was surprised. They all were behaving very weirdly. But chucking my thoughts I went to complete my morning chores.

Downstairs on the sofa,

Navya- I know that Nandini is still upset about what happened in the last two days but she is still pretending to be strong.

Abhimanyu- Yeah! You know, I feel so damn miserable right now that I was not able to protect my sister from that jerk.

Ishita- Abhi, tumhari galti nahi thi yeh, please stop blaming yourself beta.

At the same time they heard some voice from the door.

Person- Aree, mere yaar! Kaisa hai tu?

Seeing the person standing on the door all were very happy.

(Any guesses who it could be? Vaise toh I guess you all know the answer already!)
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Raman - Raj! How are you?

At the same time he saw the whole Malhotra family entering inside.

Manik👆

Cabir👆

Nyonika👆

Raman- Namaste bhabhi ji, Hello beta, how are you both?

Nyonika smiled and Manik and Cabir wished him back.

Ishita- *smilingly* What a pleasant surprise!

Nyonika- Voh hum Nandini se milne aaye hai. Manik told us everything.

Raj- Yes Raman and bhabhi ji, we are really very sorry! Please forgive us. Party was at our place and we should have been careful with all the things.

Raman- Raj, what are you even saying? It was not your fault. This could have happened anywhere be it our place or somewhere else.

Abhimanyu- Yes uncle! Infact we are very thankful to Manik that he saved our Nandu. If he would have not reach the terrace on time, I can't even imagine what could have happened.

Manik- It's ok Abhi. That was my duty and besides I can atleast do this much for my friend.

Cabir- *sarcastically and whispering in Manik's ears* FRIENDDD! Yeh kab hua and how? Kuch jyada hi slow nahi jaa rhe tumlog?

Cabir said the last line sarcastically.

Manik- *Playing along* You seriously think Cabir that we are going too slow? If that's the case then, if  you insist, we will go a little faster! What do you think about a wedding?

Cabir- Itna bhi fast nahi bola tha!

Manik- By the way bro, can you please do me a favour?

Cabir- ha ha bol na, tere liye kuch bhi bro!

Manik- PLEASE KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT FOR SOMETIME!

Cabir made a bad face listening to this.

Raj- Raman, Nandini kaha hai? Voh hospital chali gayi kya?

Navya- Nahi uncle, she is coming down.

Nandini 👆

Navya👆

Abhi👆

Ishita👆

Soon Nandini came down and was surprised to see the whole Malhotra family present there. She took Raj and Nyonika's blessing. But Raj stopped her in between.

Raj- pair mat padh puttar! Gale lag!

Nandini smiled hearing that.

Ishita- Chaliye saab, breakfast is ready.

All settled for the breakfast. In between Raj and Nyonika asked Nandini if she is fine or not. They apologized to her, which she refused them to do saying it was not their fault.

Soon after the breakfast was over, everyone dispersed for their respective works. Manik and Cabir asked Nandini and Navya to join them as they would drop them to the hospital on their way to the office.

In car,

Manik was on driver's seat, Cabir occupied the Passenger seat and Nandini and Navya on the back seat. There was a pin drop silence in the car which was broken by Cabir.

Cabir- Nandini and Navya, if you guys are free today during lunch time, please join us for lunch. We all are meeting in the office itself.

Nandini- Hum? You guys toge...

She was cut in between by Manik.

Manik- *Intensely* Please aao...

Hearing the intensity of his voice a shiver rane down her spine.

Manik realised what he said, so to cover up he said

Manik- Mera matlab hai, come na, it will be fun. I am sure everybody will be very happy to see you both. What say Navya?

Navya- Umm, Sure! We will be there around 1:30.

Cabir- That's great! I will text you the address.

Soon they reached in front of the hospital. Biding a bye to both the boys, they went inside the hospital and the two left for office.

Around 1'O clock,
In hospital,

Nandini- *while entering into Nandini's cabin* Nandu...

As soon as she entered Nandini's cabin, she saw her sitting with a patient.

Nandini - Oh I am so sorry! I did not see. Sorry to disturb, I will wait outside.

It was nearly 1: 30 when Navya got a call from Cabir.

Cabir- Hey! Where have you guys reached?

Navya- Voh sorry Cabir, actually..

Cabir- * In an over dramatic way* What! Don't tell me that you guys are not coming!

Listening to Cabir, Manik who was there only listening to their talks, got up from his chair. Sadness was clearly evident on his face.

Navya- CABIR! Listen to me first, actually Nandu is busy with a patient from last half an hour. So maybe it will approximately take another 5-10 minutes for us to leave from the hospital. We will be there by 2. Don't worry and sorry for the delay. If you guys want, you can continue with the lunch.

Manil got relieved listening to Navya.

Manik- *Snatching the phone from Cabir* It's ok Navya, we will wait. You guys come, we will be waiting for you. No hurries.

Navya- Thanks Manik. We will be there soon.

After 5 minutes, Nandini and Navya left for Malhotra Industries. They stopped in front of a lavish building which screamed richness.

Nandini - *To receptionist* Hello, Can you please tell me the way to MR. MANIK MALHOTRA'S cabin.

Receptionist- Do you have an appointment ma'am?

Navya - No, but we know him personally.

Receptionist- Ok ma'am, give me a minute, I will call sir and confirm.

After the call Receptionist said

Receptionist- Soorry for keeping you wait ma'am. You can go. I did not know that you are a very close friend of sir.

Nandini- Close?

Navya- No issues.

Receptionist smiled and directed them the way towards Manik's cabin.

Nandini - Why did you stop me Navya?

Navya- Aree, aur nahi to kya! What were you going to ask, we are close friends or not!

Nandini - Toh aur kya bolti, accha fine leave it. Let's go.

They reached in front of a cabin where it was written,

"Manik Malhotra"
Chief Executive Officer

They knocked and on getting a positive response they entered only to get a shock.

So I end the chapter here.

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How was the chp?

Malhotra's and Murthy's bonding?

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Pics credit:. Lost_Soul_in_city
(Outfits)
_khusiyaan_

Love,
Radhika😘 😘