Manik's POV

I'm sleeping peacefully holding her in my arms... when the ringtone of her phone disturbs our beauty sleep.
She stirred n picked up the call opening her eyes slightly.

Her eyes got wide open listening to something on her phone, she immediately glanced at the wall-clock to see it's past 10 am in morning n we both are sleeping as we hadn't slept in the night due to her fight.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I'll be late today. Can u push the appointments till 12noon? And in case of emergency, contact my senior doctor. ...Thank u" She ended the call n got up from the bed in a hurry to the washroom with her fresh clothes.

I stretch my arms n stood up from the bed. As I don't have to work, I planned to spend my time with Arjun n Navya at home. And also write some songs too. And then plan a date with Nandini.

I think If I confess my love to her suddenly like this; she will find me weird. We just got friends a few days back. I should take this slow & confess in perfect time. Right!

My thoughts get rest when I saw her coming out of the washroom with a towel wrapped around her wet hairs, wearing golden bordered white Anarkali n light pink dupatta.

"Manik, we r already late. Go n get fresh soon" She said walking to the dressing mirror n wiping her wet hairs with the towel.

But I was to lost in admiring her fresh face with few water droplets falling on it as she's drying her wet hairs, that I didn't hear her but stood rooted at my place staring at her.

She then dried her hair with hair-dryer, then applied some powder, wore ear-rings, eye-liner, lipstick n then bend down to apply the Sindoor when she finally noticed me standing n staring at her, through the mirror.

"What happened, Manik?" She asked turning her neck to face me.

Without answering her I walked to her n took the sindoor box from her hand, pinched a bit of it n applied it on her hairline. She closed her eyes at that time.

This Sindoor is what shows that u r mine. U r married n not available... My mind drift o the moment when Aryaman's face changed seeing this.

"Um-I'm late" She muttered n walked aside picking up her bag, files n white coat.

"I'll pick u up today." I spoke as she's about to open the door.

"But I'll be late today as I'm starting late" She informed turning to me while unlocking the door.

"No problem. I've no shooting today. Call me once u r done" She nodded before walking out while I went to the washroom to have a bath.

----------------------------

Nandini's POV

I stretched my arms n neck as I entered my cabin. It was a hell of a busy day today. Now at 7:30 pm in the evening, after 3 surgeries n 25 appointments without any break, I'm finally free. Phew!

Inaya was calling me for lunch but as I already came late so, I just ordered a sandwich n have it during the gap time of patients visit.

Picking up the files to take home for review, I placed it in my bag n then took off my coat, folding it on my arm when my phone on the table vibrate with a message.

"I'm coming in 5" Reads the message, from Arya.

Oh ya! He'd called in the lunch break n was calling me for a talk but since I was busy, I told him so.

"I'll wait" I messaged back.

I packed everything n checked around to see if anything's left, then picked up my bag, vanity bag, and coat on my arm and my phone in hand n walked out of the cabin locking it.

Coming out of the entrance of the hospital, I waited for Arya, looking around for him... that's when it clicked me...   Oh shit!

Manik!

Immediately I called him.

"Yeah! I'm just leaving. Will reach in 20mins." He spoke as soon as he received. I felt guilty for not informing him ahead.

"No... Actually I called to tell not to come; Arya's called to meet up. So, he's picking me up now." He went silent for a while.

"Manik? Are u there?" I asked.

"Hun!... So, when will u come?" he asked but he sounded a bit different. Maybe it's in my mind!

"Well, we have a lot to catch up so, I might not make it for dinner. But don't worry, I'll call u if needed."

"Okay!" he said.

"Fine then... Bye." I was saying but before I complete, he cut the call. Rude!

...Honk...Honk...

I looked up from my phone, only to see an Audi in front of me and inside it is Arya. I smiled sitting in the front seat n we drive to a nearby restaurant.

Sitting on the table with a clear view of the night city and cool wind blowing steadily. We ordered some pastries for the start.

"U look beautiful in this dress." He stated while I acknowledged my dress.

"U yourself don't look that bad!" I commented while he gave a blushing smile! Cute!

"So, when r u sifting to ur new bungalow?" I asked drinking the water kept on the table while he kept on looking at me.

"most probably the day after tomorrow. And tomorrow, I'll be joining the office officially."

"that's good. So, now tell me, what did u do for 6 long years in Canada?" I initiated our talk as I'm so excited meeting him after so long. After all, we are besties.

"As u know, first 2 years I gain from Dad to fulfill my dreams n did Web designing course, after that, I learned business n now I'm gonna take off Dad's business, and the good news is, Dad gave me permission to open a separate branch of technology n enjoy my interest"

"Wow! That's great news. I mean, living ur dream is not everyone can fulfill. Congrats!" I'm genuinely happy for him but he understood my unspoken grief behind my words.

"Not everyone can fight on with all the hurdles in life n move ahead like u. I'm proud of u." He said smiling to which I smiled too.

"Are u doing well as a doctor? I've seen ur news a few times too. U r famous!" he commented making me laugh at his words.

"I'm not that famous. And I'm just working hard to get the senior doctor post n certificate as soon as possible so that I can proceed forward with the plans." he nodded in understanding.

By this time, our order came n we started taking a bite of it. Mine is strawberry flavor n his pineapple; his fav.

"Have u thought of disclosing ur identity of a singer? U r in demand right now n all ur songs are heart-touching." He asked bitting a piece.

"Oh! So, my Bestie is also my fan!" I said playfully.

"I'm always ur fan... even I've read all ur stories n commented too." he said surprising me. I don't know he's commenting on my stories. I read n reply all my comments though.

"Really? But I don't have any reader named Arya... Wait! What's ur username?" I narrowed my eyes n he laughed.

"Find it urself!" He challenged me & I gave 'I-will-definitely' look.

Then we talked generally remembering our school memories, cracking jokes, talking about our professions n all while having our 3rd slot of pastries. Actually, it tastes good!

"U remember in class 10 we played Romeo-Juliet and the Playmaster changed the last scene to a happily ever after."

"Of course! How can I forget how Nitu burst on him for this! She believed the original ending is what makes Romeo-Juliet plot unique n perfect. Even our principal came running to see who's shouting. She always stood for right!" I voiced remembering those days!

"She's the only mature n dutiful one among we three musketeers!" He smiled remembering her. I too smiled but there was a pain in a corner of heart too.

"U kno.." he got cut off the ringing of my phone which I picked up.

It's Cabir!

"Hello!"

"Hey, Nandini! I called u to ask if u r joining us for dinner. It's 10 already so... we r planning to eat soon"

"Oh! I didn't realize it's already 10. Um- No need to wait for me. I'll have my dinner here only n please tell Manik to don't worry, Arya will drop me home in an hour. ... Ok... Bye!" I cut the call.

"I didn't realize we've been talking for 2hrs. ...Let's have dinner." I said checking the time n Arya nodded placing the order.

"So, U didn't tell me that u got married?' He asked n even if he tried, he couldn't hide the sadness in his tone. I looked at him seriously.

I won't say that I know how he's feeling, because I really have no idea!

"Am-Yes! It's a month back, arranged marriage. Actually, Dad suddenly announced that I'm getting married the same day n have no choice. Everything is so fast n compelling that even I didn't get the time!" I replied truthfully.

"As far as I know u, even if u r forced with no choice, u would have run away from ur house instead of getting married to a complete stranger. Then?" I knew this question will come. He knows me in & out after all.

"I planned, but Dad..." I paused when the waiter came with our dinner. He arranged it in place n left.

"Dad promised to get me that 100 acre land in West Mumbai if I oblige n get married to Manik, the man he chose. So, I did." He knew what value that land held in my life.

"So for that land, u kept ur whole life at stake? Were u even thinking straight, Nandini?" I asked agitatedly in a bit loud voice.

"It's not like that Arya! U know how much I want that land. And moreover, my in-laws r so loving n sweet. They didn't make me feel like an outsider, but their own family. "

"And what about ur husband? Manik Malhotra, a budding actor. There are articles of his n his co actress's affair n also cozy picture with his producer...Are u happy with him?" He asked. Well, telling honestly, I'vee not searched any news about him; I didn't get time or mostly I'm not interested. So, I've no idea.

"Arya, entertainment news r not always true. They r spice-up'ed & about Manik, I think, he's a good person, he cares about his families dearly. So, we decided to give this marriage a chance!" I said it clearly n picked up my spoon to start eating.

I could feel his glares on me for sometimes before he too digs into his food n we drive home as soon as we finished.

He stopped his car in front of my gate and I came out of the front seat. I saw him coming out of his driver seat n walking to my front.

"Bye then... see u soon" he spoke after a quite long silence.

"Ya! U've office tomorrow, so let's meet up in the weekends." I said hugging him; friendly hug which he responded.

"Goodnight! Drive safe" I waved as he walked to his seat.

"Goodnight! Go inside" I nodded n walked in while he drove away.

-------------

Manik's POV

"Oh! so he's ur Soutan(love rival). He looks handsome though!" Comes the comment of my ever-so-enemy-cum-friend, Cabir.

Right now, I & Cabir r standing at the terrace n waiting for Nandini to come.

Actually, ever since this morning, I was so excited to plan a date with her when she's done with her work. A dinner date; flowers, music, her favorite dishes; only she n me.

But, that bastard friend of hers. I just... I feel like... Arrgghh...

She just called me & informed me that she's going on a dinner date with her long-lost friend, Aryaman. Hun!

I just don't wanna lash out on her, so I cut the call and since that time, I was with my guitar.

Cabir came calling me for dinner, that's when I asked him to call her n ask her whereabouts as I don't know if I should call her? what to ask? how?

Then Cabir kept on bugging to tell him what's going on... and not having any choice I told him everything; but not that 'I love her'. I wanna tell Nandini first!

Before that Arya left, they hugged n I was glaring at them from the top like 'I'll kill u with my look'

"It seems like a friendly hug, I think!" Again came Cabir's voice.

And this time I gave him a deadly look before dashing out to my room, changing fastly n slipping into the bedsheets before she enters.

I don't want to do something stupid or say something that I'd regret later. So, it's better to avoid her right now.

How do u feel about this update?

What do u feel about Aryaman? n His & Nandu's friendship?

What do u think, why is that 100 acre Land so much important to Nandini? Any blind guess?

One request:

I've penned down a short 'one-shot' story based on a disabled n anxious musician. She practices and when she finishes her piece, she heard someone clapping for her. Although she's alone...
(Not a horror story!) Do give it a read and let me know how you feel?

Story name- Putting Hands Together!

My Id Link- EmpireBlueBB

Also, Do not forget to vote n comment...

Till then...

Stay home! stay healthy!

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