*Manik*

The next day, I got ready and went out of the room, after so many months.

Mom was crying bitterly seeing me moving on. Little did she know, what was going on in my mind.

"Beta bhul ja use. Yahi Sahi hai hum sab ke liye."

Mom said

Bas bhula hi to nahi Sakta mom!

Dad was quiet, he was behaving strange nowadays.

I touched his feet and he blessed me by putting his hand over my head. He then hugged me tightly, very tightly. As if ... there was something he hasn't told us.

I ignored and went to the dining table for lunch.

"Mom, main office jaa Raha Hun!"

I said after having lunch. Mom looked at me surprised and said,

"Beta, tu ja..Han! Bahar ghum, fir, Jo karna hai kar beta!

I smiled and looked at Cabir who had a smile plastered on his face. I know what he was thinking but..I have to find Nandini out! Whether someone feels bad or not.

I looked at Dad who ate quietly and didn't even look up when I said I want to go to office.

After hugging Kavya, Cabir and I left in the same car.

Today, Instead of AC, I opened the windows, breathing the fresh air which I hadn't since 6 months.

Nandini! Ab tum duniya ke kisi bhi corner me ho, Manik Malhotra will find you!!!

"So, what is our first step?"

Cabir asked.

"Nandini used to work with us in office! And us din Navya ki baby shower ceremony thi. Main office me Kam kar raha tha aur Nandini kuch Kam se bahar gayi thi. Then she called me and said she wanted to tell me something very urgent and asked me to stay in office! Par..woh who hi nahi! Security guard ne kaha woh office ayi thi! Toh fir, why didn't she meet me??"

I said, thinking about the plan.

"Toh ...tu soch kya Raha hai?"

Cabir was suspicious

"Pehle Hume CCTV footage nikalni hogi! Us din ki taki Hume pata chale ki Nandini us din office ayi thi ya guard was lying?!"

Cabir hmmed and I was trying to be positive all this while.

We reached office and it seemed like I haven't been here for ages!

Every member of the staff greeted me warmly and I was happy to be there after long.

I was walking through the corridor, on the way to my cabin I saw her cabin.

It was empty, just like my life. I touched the walls and closed my eyes feeling her presence.

I went inside and I could still smell her fragrance. I picked up the name plate, Mrs. Nandini Malhotra, it said. I caressed it while a drop of tear escaped my eyes.

I opened the drawer where she always kept our photo, and yes, it was still there.

"Manik!"

Cabir came and I gathered myself. Its not the time to break down Manik!

I went to my cabin and over there too, I felt all the memories coming back! When she brought a pile of files and fell on my lap! Or when we met for the first time. When she asked if she could go early.
Everything.

Mom asked me to forget her! But how can I forget my life? She wasn't a part of me. She WAS me.

"Chal Manik! CCTV footage Nikal gayi hai!"

_____

*Nandini*

"Yes, get the files in my cabin in 20 minutes!"

I said and walked to my cabin. Six months but still doesn't feel familiar. Malhotra industries gave me what I am. It gave me opportunity, fame, my love Manik, everything.

And I just left all of it in a few seconds. Why??? Maine kaha tha Manik Ko...I don't deserve him.

No..no..no! I can't become the old Nandini!

Manik ke sare efforts waste ho jayenge!
I..I have to be positive.

"Nandini, are you fine?"

Aryaman came and asked.

"Yeah, Aryaman."

I said and smiled forcefully

"Tum use bhula Kyun nahi deti?"

He asked.

I smiled a bit and said,

"Bhula dun? Kise? Khud Ko? Kyunki Manik meri life ka part nahi tha..meri zindagi that aur humesha rahega!"

I said.

"I am sure, woh mujhe ek din dhundh lega!Kash main use Bata pati ki Kyun Kiya Maine Aisa!"

_____

*Manik*

"Han. Ye..pause it!Zoom..yes!"

We were watching the CCTV footage and it seemed we got the slide which we wanted!

The guard was right. Nandini office ayi thi. Looking at her after so long, made me feel happier but the next moment I was sad thinking she isn't with me.

She was looking so happy in the picture. Fir achanak Aisa kya hogaya Nandini?

We watched the footage of that time captured inside the office. And what??

She was coming to my cabin and..dad! Dad ke cabin me Chali gayi.

And then what we saw next was enough to leave me shocked.

She came out with dad, who held her by her arm and she cried but didn't shout, even once.

"DAD!!

IS HE BEHIND ALL THIS??"

I looked at Cabir who looked at me surprised.
_____

H

ere is the second update!

Thanks for the awesome-blossom response on the first chapter. I am overwhelmed. ♥️

Incase you don't understand awesome-blossom, you must read my story MaNan- Love in Seven Days

And yes,

°Rate the chapter from 1-10
° Do you think Manik's dad is involved? If yes, how?
°Will Manik find Nandini?
°What is the relation between Aryaman and Nandini?

If you don't have the answers to these questions, stay tuned!

And from now on, the story will be regular.

Comment below and tap the star 🌟