Nandani kept looking at her phone in the office. She did not want to miss Manik's call again, but he did not call. At 2 p.m. nandini had an appointment with someone from Malhotra's to show her the blue print of the resort and explain the basics. At 2 exactly, nandini received a call from the reception

Rec: ma'm Mr. Malhotra is here to see u regarding some project. Shall I send him in?

Nan: bring him in and I want u to make sure that malhotra's should not wait from next time. They don't need appointment to meet me. Am I clear?

Rec: yes ma'm

Nan: now send him in , quick.

Nandini was so happy that manik was here to meet her. Even if he had not called , he made sure to make it up for her. Despite being so busy , he took time out for her, this proves he cares and also that she is really lucky to have him. She fixed her dress properly and ran her hand in her hair to make it perfect and went towards the door to welcome him . she heard a knock and she quickly opened it.

There stood manik looking ever so charming in formals. He had the looks which gals could die for. He smiled formally as he was accompanied by two other people and they were not aware of our relationship. I smiled back and welcomed them in the cabin and shook hands with them as I got the intro of the two other people, one was the manager of the resort and the other had made the blue print. The meeting started and they informed me every detail. Basically manik was quiet all the time and was just using the opportunity of checking me out , to the fullest. After half an hour they were ready to leave. I looked at manik disappointedly that I had no opportunity to talk to him. He sensed it and in fact I felt he was enjoying my state .

Manik: ok people as you are done, you push ahead, go and submit the details and report of the meeting to my secretary, I have some work with ms. Murthy , I will come later.

He gave me a notorious smile and the others left. Now only me and manik were left in my cabin. We moved to the sofa and i sat beside manik . whenever he is around i feel nervous, but y? These butterflies in my stomach keep dancing till the time he is near me. He was looking at me waiting that i would say something but i was busy controlling the emotions and the raging harmones. I felt a strong desire to touch him , to know how it feels. The mole above his lips keeps distracting me. "Uhhh !! control nandini control!!" I commanded myself.

Manik: so are u pissed at me that I didn't called you ?

Nan: no of course not, i can understand u must be busy. But what made u think so?

Manik: because u were not speaking anything. Ok so if u r free can we go for lunch , i m very hungry.

Nan: i wanted to go but what about the media and ur fans? If someone spots us together then?

Manik: hmmm! You are right. Sometimes it such a pain to be a celebrity. But i am really hungry. Wat do we do? U had ur lunch?

Nan:u r looking at the drawbacks of being a celebrity, look at the positives too. U have the prayers and wishes of so many people, isn't it great? And by the way, i am also hungry. I will do one thing , i will order from canteen and we will eat here together. Wat say?

Manik: that sounds good.

Nandini ordered a peon to bring lunch from canteen and then she told the secretary to cancel her meetings for today. Till then lunch came and they started eating.

Nan: umm! manik tell me one thing, ur p.a. was to attend the meeting with me. How come u r here?

Manik: actually when i came back from the meeting for fab 5 concert, my p.a. informed me that he is coming here. How could i miss an opportunity to be with u, so i told him, i will go and handed him some other work. ( he winked at her, she blushed)

Nan: any info about...our marriage dates?( little hesistantly)

Manik: tum bolo toh kal hi karle (she hits him playfully on his chest and he holds her hand before she takes it back and pulls her towards him with a jerk)

They have an eyelock and manik moves towards her lips without breaking the eye contact, she doesn't protest and waits in anticipation, as he comes more closer she closes he eyes, manik instead of kissing her lips moves and plants a long open mouth kiss on her right cheek.

Nandini realises wat just happened and smiles and she too places a long seductive kiss on his left cheek. Manik closes his eyes to feel the kiss. She moves back a little and looks at him having his eyes closed and she thinks he is cute and pulls his cheek affectionately, he opens his eyes and smiles on her act. He looks at the time and says

Manik: i m sorry but i will have to leave, i have a meeting at 4:30. And yeah about the dates, i have no idea, i will let u know if i have any info. Come i will meet ur dad and abhi too before leaving .

Nandini had so many emotions flooding her heart at that moment. She realised she did not want him to leave but she also knew she could not stop him . but she could definitely...do this...and she stopped manik by holding his hand , he turned around and she took him in a sudden hug. She felt it was the right thing to do , to convey her feelings, to say thank u for coming to see her. Manik understood her feeling even he did not want to leave her. The hug became tighter as seconds ticked by, neither willing to give up, both trying to understand as to how come in just 4 days they are so close to each other , feeling that they cannot live without each other? But then nandini regained her composure and broke the hug and took manik to meet her had and abhi. After that manik left . Murthy's came back home in the evening and so did malhotra's.

Malhotra's later that night informed murthys that after consulting pandit and wedding planner, they have come up with 2 dates. One is after 2 weeks and the other is after 1 month. The malhotra's said that they were confused as both the dates were feasible and they also informed that the date after 2 weeks is being preferred by malhotras but if murthys have any objection , they can let them know.
Murthys got into a discussion barring nandini. She did not know whether she should be happy that she will be with manik so early or to be sad that she will leave her family so early. Murthys asked for her opinion and she said one month later will be ok with her. Murthys knew that she is taking an emotional decision , so they convinced her against it saying that they are in the same city and they can meet whenever they desire. Nandini agreed reluctantly and the murthys informed malhotra's that they also agree to the same date.

SO FINALLY THE DATE WAS SET FOR 2 WEEKS AFTER.

Later when nandini was on bed she received a text from manik asking if she was free. Nandini called him. Manik was elated with the dates being fixed so soon and expressed the same to nandini. But nandini did not reciprocate his happiness and he noticed it. He noticed that she was aloof and was not replying. He got worried if he had done something or she was having second thoughts about their marriage. Did she not like him? But when we met today she seemed happy and we had good moments too. He finally being impatient amalhotras

Manik: what is the matter nandini? R u not happy with the marriage thing? Tell me if there's anything bothering u..

Nandini realised that manik had misunderstood her silence and she assured him that it is nothing of that sort," its just the thought of leaving my family behind that makes me sad, nothing else". Manik understood her emotional turmoil and comforted her by saying the same thing that her mother told her and also added that he is waiting to have her in his life , near him FOREVER. This thought cheered her up and she kissed him over the phone.

Manik: ahaaa Ms. Murthy , this is not done !! u have to kiss me for real, not over this stupid phone. And listen since we have very less time for the marriage , i want u to come with me for lunch tomorrow in one of my hotels and so there will be no security issues.

Nandini blushed hard thinking how she will kiss him!! How means , of course i know how to kiss but ...but ..but what nandini!! U r not some 17th century shy type of girl...u are bold and he is not some random guy, he is going to be ur husband and as much as i can feel, he LOVES me...wait what!! LOVE ...r u serious its too early for that..it will happen over time slowly, slowly but he definitely has something for me in his eyes, i can see that...

Manik: hello where are you lost? I asked you something. Please do the honours of answering me, u will have lots of time to drool over me later..(sarcastically)

Nan: if u don't mind can we go on Sunday, i have meetings tomorrow and u also must be having work...i don't think its good to ignore work or keep it pending before marriage, because we will have to take leave during marriage, u understand na what am I trying to say?

Manik was really impressed by her thoughtfulness and he agreed for Sunday and he also informed her that rest of fab5 wanted to meet her, for that also she should take out time.

Nan: manik can i come to your studio tomorrow after 4 , I have an off till 5:30, i can use that time to meet fab 5 and also see your studio and practice. Will it be fine?

Manik: yeah of course that will be superb and the studio is just at 10 mins drive from your office , i will come and pick you up ok?

And then they agreed to meet tomorrow and slept off.

NEXT MORNING

Manik messaged nandini early morning
"Good morning sweetheart
Waiting for the pending kiss..;-)"

Nandini was up till then, as soon as she got the msg , she called him and wished him good morning and also passed a kiss over the phone, he did the same. He asked her why she was up so early , she told him about her riyaz and manik got to know that she is a classical singer.

Manik: why didn't u tell me before? Its such a great news, u also sing , we can sing together wow!! I m so happy

Nan: i have not taken my singing seriously i just practice to keep in touch with music , thats y i didn't tell u and singing with u...well that we can do in private , i wont mind.

And then they chit-chatted for a few minutes and went back to there daily routine ...!
___________________________________
Credits to the writer- Manini Mehra