One month's time passed swiftly. Both of them had settled to a routine now and were comfortable in California. Every night both would call at their home in India, because it would be morning then, and after knowing their well being , they would cut the call. Life at office was extremely draining for the first few days as they were not used to sitting on chair for nearly 10 hours at a stretch. This was effecting their health too but when both joined their respective sports club, it became easy. They made friends too, Minh, Masaba, and Nandini were quite good friends now. On the other side Manik could gel up with only Sheeran. 

Mostly Manik would be at Nandini's house. He went to his home only to sleep. He would help her to cook and clean the house and even laundry. 

Life started moving smoothly but the discussion done in the kitchen in the past was not forgotten. It was at Nandini's back of mind every single second. She just did not know what to do. She had known this much that he is afraid of commitment and that too because he thought his parents especially his mother wouldn't accept her. Apparently, his mother has done a lot for him and he doesn't want to upset her.

At the end of the month, they received their first pay. Manik only kept one-fourth of it, rest he sent back home in India. Nandini too sent some amount to her parents. Then they went for shopping although separately. Minh and Masaba took Nandini forcefully leaving no option for Manik but to go with Sheeran. Nandini had returned that day with 10's of bag. Manik was amused.

" Did you spend all your salary on clothes Nandini?" He had asked sarcastically then.

" No...Thora sa save kar Liya Maine" she said embarrassed. He had chuckled at her expression.

Fresher's party

After getting ready at his own home, Manik made way to nandini's home and knocked at the door. When the door opened, he literally couldn't recognise the girl standing in front of her. He had gaped at Nandini for several seconds. Finally she had to pull him in by holding his hand and then she shut the door.

"Manik why are you looking like that? Am I not looking good??" She asked nervously.

" No...I mean yes..Yes you are looking good but...Itna loud makeup karne ki kya jarurt h??" He replied.

" Oh make up!! Leave that ...Tell me how is the dress?" She said and twirled in front of him giving a view of her naked back. Manik's eyes popped out of his sockets. In that moment he realised that he had never seen her like this- a sensual creature! She was always the cute,sweet, little Nandini for him.

She was enjoying his expressions.

" So??"

" Ummm don't you think the dress is too short and so much of your skin is exposed??"

" I know "

" What do you mean you know? I don't want people ogling at you!"

She moved forward and snaked her arms round his neck and instinctively his arms held her from her waist. She looked coquettishly at him " Manik...Since you don't ogle so atleast someone should ogle ....I want to feel sexy and hot!"

" Of course you are sexy and hot...And I am here to tell you that..." He whispered.

"Acha??"

" Hmmm"

With that he bent down And kissed her. When he pulled away her harlot red lipstick was totally smudged.

His hands were stroking her naked back. Neither of them wanted to pull back. Desires started pooling up in manik's heart, all those feelings he had buried started coming up in that moment. Nandini could see his desires in his eyes and she was sure he could  read her eyes which was a reflection of his!

But they had to attend a party. 
......
6 months later....

Manik had returned after playing cricket match. He took out a water bottle from the fridge and settled on the couch , switching on the television. He was surfing through the channels when his phone started ringing. Manik was surprised to see that it was a call from Nandini's parent.

" Hello"

" Hello Manik beta, Nandini kaha h? Hum usey kab se call kar Rahe hain, wo pick hi Ni kar Rahi h" said her father in a slightly panicked voice.

" Uncle, relax...Main dekhta Hun...Aur apko call karta hu" Manik said getting up from the couch. He slid the vest down his body and locking the door behind him, he left for nandini's house.

Last he knew, Nandini had gone to play volleyball. Has she not returned yet?? As he reached her house , he saw the lock on the door. He tried her number but it went unanswered. To his dismay he didn't have Minh's or Masaba's number. He was growing anxious now. He sent a few texts to her " Nandini where are you?" " Nandini please pick up the call"" I am getting worried now please tell me you are ok??" Getting no reply,  He decided to go and see at the volleyball court. When he came out on the road, he saw Nandini coming on someone's bike. It boiled manik's blood. At the same time, his phone rang and it was her dad. Manik picked the call and informed that she is ok, managing to speak as calmly as possible. Her father breathed a sigh of relief and said that he will call and talk to her.

She is with Sam! Manik saw his face when he took off the helmet. Nandini frowned watching Manik standing on the road. Nevertheless she got down the bike and waved at Sam as he drove away.

" Hi Manik!! Tum yaha??" She asked chirpily. But his glare made her heart sink.

" Phone kaha h tumhra??" He asked in a menacing tone.

" Phone?? Oh shit! It must be on mute. Tumne call Kiya tha?? I am sorry, sorry..." She said panicked while searching through her bag.

" Yeah shit" he mocked at her " your dad had called because he was worried for his daughter but here you are..." He didn't complete the sentence , instead said " call and speak to him. I am going , good night!" He said and without giving a glance at her , he stormed off from there.

Nandini stared at his retreating figure. Why is he so angry?? Just then her dad called " yes Papa"

" How irresponsible behaviour is this?? Kaha thi tum?? Pata bhi h hm kitne pareshan ho gye the!! Manik Ko call karna para ....Thank god wo waha par h tumhre sath Ni toh Abhi tak hm stress se mar chuke hote!"

" Papa ye ksi baatein kar Rahe ho aap!!" She scolded.

" Ksi baatein kar Rahe h tumhre Papa??" Fumed her mother " tumhe andaza bhi h tum hmse kitni dur ho? Hamara kya haal hota h yaha par jab hum Tum tak pahunch Ni pate h!"

" For god's sake mamma main Khel Rahi thi toh phone silent kar diya tha...Fir main mode change karna bhul gyi...Bas itni si baat h ...Aaplog itne hyper q ho Rahe ho!!"

" Nandini tum jab maa banogi tab tumhe samajh aega!"

" Mamma main ab bachchi Ni Hun...Main apna khayal rakh Sakti Hun"

" Thk h. Bye!" Her mother said and cut the call not bothering to listen nandini's reply. Nandini too fumed and angrily entered her house. She threw her bag on the couch and started pacing the room. 

What is wrong with everyone!! Ek din call receive ni Kiya toh sab ase gussa ho Rahe jse Maine koi crime kar diya!! Aur Manik ki problem kya h?? Usey toh PTA tha main volleyball khelne gyi Hun...Fir wo q itna hyper ho Raha tha?

She picked up her phone again and saw that there are atleast ten missed calls of her parents, two from manik and a few texts from Manik. Reading the texts she realised how worried he is sounding.

She sat down on the couch and closed her eyes, reflecting on the moments that had passed. She began regretting the way she talked to her mother.  Of course they will worry. It is a foreign country. We don't know anyone here. Taking a deep breath , she called her mother.

" Hello mamma...I am sorry!"

She could hear only silent sobs and no words.

" Mamma please I am sorry! Don't cry please...Mamma!"
  Tears began trickling down her cheeks now.

" Mamma..."

"Beta...You are our only child...And you are growing apart from us...Please come to India, you have been away for so long. We don't want to lose you" her mother said amidst her sobs.

" Mamma...Please don't say like that...You will never lose me...I will always be your daughter..."

" Please come to us for atleast some days. We miss you beta"

Nandini realised how insensitive she has grown towards her parents in these last 6 months and in that moment she admired Manik for being so devoted to his family. In these 6 months, a day had not passed when Manik didn't dutifully call his mother at night. Even when he would be with her , he would excuse himself for sometime to call his mother.

" I miss you too mamma...Main leave k lye apply Karti Hun and then I will inform you" Nandini said lovingly " please don't cry now.."

" Ok beta...Ab tum so jao ...Waha toh raat ho gayi hogi"

" Jyada Ni bas 8 baje hain av..."

"Oh acha...Aur Manik Ko thank you bol Dena hamari taraf se"

" Ok mamma...Tell dad I love him...And you too...Bye"

They hung up.

"Manik! Hmmmm" Nandini mused in her mind.