Manik took the phone from Nandini and received the call.

Manik:- Hello Abhi, it's Manik here.

Abhi:- Where the hell were you Manik? I was trying to call you but your phone was unreachable. Anyways where did you reach?

Manik:- Abhi actually……

Abhi:- What?

Manik:- We have missed the train.

Abhi:- (angrily) What? You guys missed the train? Manik why are you so irresponsible?

Manik tried to convince him and said,

Manik:- Abhi, please listen to me.

Abhi wasn't letting him speak because he was very anxious about his sister and continuously scolding him. Nandini looked at Manik helplessly because she knew her brother very well.

Abhi:- What's more there to listen to? I gave my sister's responsibility to you and you are so irresponsible and careless about her. I made a mistake by trusting you with my sister.

Manik:- (angrily) Abhi you are forgetting that I had promised you something. I told you I will bring her home safe and sound. You don't need to worry about her because she is my responsibility now. I won't let anyone or anything hurt her. Every difficulty has to face me before they face her because I…..

Sometimes we don't have control over our feelings and the same was happening with him. He was going to say that he love her but he controlled himself by looking at Nandini who was staring at him only and say,

Manik:- Because I have promised you and I never break my promises.

Abhi:- I am sorry Manik. I know I was so rude with you. Please forgive me and take care of her.

Manik:- I know you are very worried for your sister and it's absolutely alright. But you can trust me, I will never break your trust.

Abhi:- I trust you Manik. Bye.

Manik:- Bye.

Manik disconnected the call and gave the phone back to Nandini and started walking on the road.

Nandini:- Bhai was so rude you right? I am so sorry. Actually he cares for me too much, that's why he behaved like that. Please forgive him.

Manik:- He is your brother and It's very natural to be so worried for our siblings. So you don't need to say sorry for his behavior.

Nandini:- You know Manik when I lost my parents he took care of me as if I was his own baby. He never let me feel lonely and always treated me like a princess. Yes he is very possessive and has anger issues but trust me he has a golden heart.

Manik:- Oh really? If he has anger issues then how will he manage with Mukti because as far as I know her, she is also a short tempered person. If your brother is a green hulk and my friend is an angry bird. They will be a neck to neck couple. I just can't hold my laughter thinking about their future.

Nandini:- That's love Manik. It's true love. They don't need to adjust with each other, love will automatically make adjustments between them.

Manik:- How?

Nandini:- Love always finds its way. Got it?

Manik:- Wow, what a philosophy. Nandini, you have chosen a wrong profession for you. You should be a philosopher not a doctor.

Nandini:- Very funny.

Manik:- Anyways the sun is about to go down and if you don't want to spend this freezing cold night in this jungle then please walk fast. We have to find a hotel before it gets dark.

Nandini:- Look at yourself. If you go to a hotel like this, trust me nobody will give you a room to stay.

Manik:- Why?

Then Manik noticed himself. He was all wet by roadside dirty water. Nandini laughed out loudly seeing his condition.

Manik:- What's so funny?

Nandini:- You are looking funny.

Manik noticed an old hut beside the road and said,

Manik:- You stay here, I am going there to change my clothes.

Nandini:- Okay.

Manik went there with his bag. When he removed his shirt and kept it in his bag Nandini came running and hugged him tightly.

Nandini:- (scared) Manik, Manik please help me.

Manik also hugged her and tried to hide her in his chest.

Manik:- (worriedly) What happened to Nandini?

Nandini:- Outside there is…..

Nandini couldn't complete because she was panting badly. Manik rubbed her back and said,

Manik:- Nandini, relax. I am here for you. Tell me what happened?

They both came out of the hut. Nandini was still in Manik's arms. Outside Manik saw a small doggy was sitting and moving his tail left and right.

Nandini:- Manik, that doggy was following me to bite me. I am very scared of dogs. Please shoo him away.

Manik couldn't control anymore and blasts out laughing.

Manik:- Seriously Nandu, you got scared of a small puppy?

Nandini:- Manik, he will bite me. Please shoo him away.

Manik:- Okay I will shoo him away but first leave me.

Nandini left Manik and felt embarrassed for her behavior. Manik sat in front of that puppy and started to pet it.

Manik:- Hey cute puppy. I am Manik, Manik Malhotra. Why are you following her?

Manik took his ears to that puppy and said,

Manik:- Nandu, he is saying that he likes you. Will you be his girlfriend?

Nandini:- Manik, stop making fun of me and shoo him away.

Manik:- Nandu, his heart will break into pieces and it's very bad to break someone's heart.

Nandini:- (shouted) Manik….

Manik laughed out loudly and and said to that puppy,

Manik:- Look brother she doesn't like you so it's better if you find someone else and date her, okay?

That puppy made a sound as if he got it and left. Seeing that Nandini was relieved.

Manik:- See your lover has gone. Now can I go and change my clothes?

Nandini:- Go, who is stopping you?

Manik went to the hut and got changed quickly. Then they started walking together. After some time they found a hotel. A receptionist was sitting there. They went to her and Manik asked,

Manik:- Excuse me. Can I get two rooms?

Receptionist:- Sorry sir. All rooms are booked. We have only one room.

Nandini:- Then give it to us.

Manik:- Nandini….

Nandini:- Manik, please don't be so over smart otherwise we will seriously have to spend this night in the jungle in this freezing cold weather.

They both were tired so he didn't argue more and told the receptionist to complete all the formalities. Manik gave his credit card to pay the bill but the receptionist said,.

Receptionist:- Sorry sir, our machine isn't working so only cash is allowed.

Manik:- Is there any ATM booth?

Receptionist:- Yes sir. Go straight then take left.

Manik:- Nandini, you stay here I will be back in a few minutes.

Nandini:- Please come fast.

Manik:- Okay madam.

Manik left there. Nandini sat on a couch and started playing games on her phone. After some time a girl about Nandini's age came there and asked the receptionist.

Girl:- All the arrangements are done right?

Receptionist:- Yes mam.

Girl:- That's good.

She was about to leave when she saw Nandini and said,

Girl:- Who is that girl?

Receptionist:- They booked a room. Her husband went to the ATM booth so she is waiting for him.

Girl:- Oh okay. Did you complete the formalities?

Receptionist:- No Mam.

Girl:- Okay, give me the register and you go and attend our guests.

Receptionist gave the register to her and left. That girl took the register and came to Nandini.

Girl:- Hello mam. I am the owner of this hotel, Veebha saxsena. Can I know your name please?

Nandini:- Hello, It's Nandini Murthy.

Veebha:- Okay. Where do you come from?

Nandini:- Mangalore.

Veebha:- Oh Mangalore. My uncle lives there.

Nandini:- Really? You never go there?

Veebha:- Not yet but I am planning to go there very soon.

Nandini:- You should come. It's a very beautiful place and the food is amazing. You will definitely love them.

Veebha:- Yes I have already heard about South Indian food. As a food blogger I have tried a few dishes but I really want to get the actual South Indian taste.

They started gossiping about food and culture. After some time Veebha said,

Veebha:- Nandini, today is valentine's day and we have arranged a party here. Why don't you join us?

Nandini:- I would love to join you but I don't have party dresses with me.

Veebha:- That's not a problem. You go to your room. I will send a party dress for you.

Nandini:- Okay.

Then Veebha left there. Nandini went to the room. After some time Manik came to the room and what he saw made him a statue. Nandini was in a party dress and looking so beautiful that Manik couldn't move his eyes off her.

(Nandini's dress)

They had a cute eye lock for some time. But their eye lock was broken by a knock.
Manik opened the door and saw a waiter was standing there with some clothes.

Waiter:- Here is your blazer.

(Manik's dress)

Manik:- (confused) Are you sure it's for me?

Nandini:- Yes, Veebha has sent this for you.

Waiter nodded his head and left. Manik closed the door and said,

Manik:- Veebha? Who is she?

Nandini:- She is the owner of this hotel. When you went to the ATM booth we met and chatted for a while. She is such a nice person you know? And she invited us to join the party.

Manik:- (angrily) We are not going to that party and that's final.

****************★******************
Oh my god. I never wrote such a big chapter yet. So as a reward I want lots of comments and of course don't forget to vote.
Take care
Bye
Nahar....😘😘😘