MALHOTRA  HOUSE

When Neelima came back to kitchen, she found the coffee was ready but Nandini was not there. She didn't find her as it's not the first time Nandini had come here and she must be around.

When she went back to Manik's room to serve the coffee, Manik asked, "Mom, where is Nandini? She went with you and didn't come here after that even for once."

"She was with me only. But when I go back to kitchen again, she was not there."

"Where did she go?" Siddharth frowned.

"Where will she go? She must be around." Manik replied.

Neelima supported him. "Yes, she would be here only. You all have the coffee, I'll check on her."

"Aunty, let's go. I'll help you." Avneet got up. 

"Mom, Avneet, stop." Manik stopped them as he got from his place. "You don't need to go anywhere. Maybe I know where's Nandini. I'll check there."

"Where is Nandini?" Sid teased him with a smirk.

Manik looked at him with the corner of his eyes and glared at him. "Shut up. I'll just be back."

Then Manik went out of his room. He directly walked out of their house and went to backside to their garden. There were plants of various flowers apart from some tress. Nandini loved this place a lot. She had helped Neelima to make this garden and since then she is really attached to this garden.

Manik was well aware of her liking towards this garden. At the middle of the garden, there is a swing which Manik had to get as per Nandini's choice. He could see the swing moving slowly even in the darkness. Manik let out a sigh knowing it's Nandini. He walked closer to her and stood just at her back.

Nandini has always been very fond of nights. Also this place, she enjoyed the stars shining over them and their lights peeking through the leaves of the trees. She was staring at the night sky gazing the stars which is her favorite job.

Suddenly Nandini felt a touch on her shoulder. She turned back with a jerk but relaxed seeing Manik standing there. "Mani, you're here?" She got a smile seeing Manik there.

Now Manik came in front of her and settled beside her. "Why? Were you expecting someone else?"

Nandini nodded in no. "No. Who else will I expect?"

"What are you doing here?" Manik placed his one arm around Nandini's shoulder.

"Nothing. You know how much I like this place, so I was just..."

"I know."

"Was mumma calling me?"

"No, she didn't find you in the kitchen, so she was a little worried about you. But I knew where you might be. That's why I thought let's go where you are." Manik smiled.

Nandini smiled as well. In this dark moonlight, even that little smile on Nandini's face made her look exceptionally beautiful. Manik noticed the smile on her face and he forgot to even blink. He couldn't take his eyes off her. 

Nandini could feel his gaze on her. "What are you seeing like this?" She raised her one eyebrow.

"My favorite sight." He whispered.

"Really!" Nandini pretended to be wondered. "Since when you started seeing people's face instead of brain?"

Manik smiled biting his lowed lip. "Maybe from now only."

"I see." Nandini nodded her head. "I think you should be a little careful from now onwards. I know you love your profession a lot but that doesn't mean you'll behave like your patient by staying with them."

"What to do you're messing with my mind and I can't help being the patient of your love."

Nandini was surprised with Manik as it's very rare when he vocal out his feelings. But whenever he does, it never failed to make her feel special.

Manik cupped Nandini's face and pecked on her forehead lovingly. Nandini closed her eyes to feel his touch as his lips lingered on her skin usual then usual. Nandini felt as if a sweet, gentle wind was blowing all around her. The flowers of the tree seem to be hiding on this earth of love. 

"Can I say something?" Manik asked moving away from Nandini.

Nandini nodded her head gesturing him to continue.

"Never leave me alone." He took her palms in between his.

Nandini was surprised. She stared at his face for a while before breaking the silence. "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Manik didn't say anything but his eyes never left her sight. "Now when you have said this already, let me reply. I never leave the one I love and I love you a lot. You're very precious to me. I'm not gonna leave you ever. Because you're everything to my life."

Manik pulled Nandini in his embrace. "You're more precious to me, Nandini. I don't know what I would have done, if you were not there in my life. I don't know how to handle my life without your help. You're the color in my colorless life, you're the reason of all the joy in my life. You understand the language of my silence which no one else did. I can't live without you."

"I'll never leave you, Mani." She pecked on his heart. Nandini then put her head on the chest of the love of her life where she felt peace of the whole world. In this fast forward city maybe this gentle love is also an achievement.

They stayed in each other's embrace for a long time before Nandini decided to pull away from the hug. Manik gave her a confused look as if asking what.

"I think we should go inside now. Everyone must be waiting for us. We've here for so long." 

Manik too agreed to her and they both walked inside. They joined others in Manik's room. They all were having fun when Nandini's phone buzzed with a call. 

"Who's calling now?" Nandini frowned and got up to get her phone which was kept a little away from her. 

Her mood changed seeing the caller id. Looking at other's smiling face, Nandini walked into terrace to pick up the call. 

"Hello." Nandini spoke in her cold tone.

"Do you have any idea of the time?" Nandini heard Sanjay's voice from other side. "What are you still doing at that boy's house?"

Nandini ignored whatever he said. "Why did you call me? What do you want and you don't have to worry about my whereabouts. I'm an adult and I can take care of myself."

"Why don't you understand me, Nandini?" This time he tried to speak calmly. "Why will you stay out till so late? You know about our standard, don't you? You should be at your home right now. Here you'll call your friends who is of your class and you can chill or party with them."

"Don't worry I'm with my friends only and we were having fun only until you called and spoiled my mood."

"You were at someone's place who is not worthy you. He is not even worthy of being your servant."

Nandini couldn't bear anymore. She was bursting in anger and contempt. It was as if her eyes were burning in the fire of envy. "Shut up! Just shut up. How dare you say that? First of all, how dare you quantify the one I love? Probably you're not worthy him either, he has a beautiful heart. He loves people around him which you don't have. Neither you had ever nor you will ever have. And let me warn you once again, never have these kind of ideas for me or try telling me what should I do and whom I should meet. I'm telling you again, it won't be good to you." 

Then she didn't give him any chance to say anything. She was not in a position to hear his craps anymore. Till now she managed to keep her voice in control suppressing her inner turmoil but she was on the verge of losing control. She could never bear anything against Manik when he has been the best person she has ever come across. No one could have loved or cared for her the way he did. 

Nandini walked inside Manik's room again but now the smile she was having on her face till now was gone. A ting of sadness has covered her face. She was breathing heavily trying not to lose control over herself which would result in something really bad. She didn't want to show her weak and broken side to anyone.

When Nandini stepped inside Manik's room, she found others laughing on something. But Manik's eyes were looking for her only. He didn't notice when Nandini had gone away. As soon as he noticed her missing, he was about to go and look for her but he saw her coming back then only. 

Manik noticed the change in Nandini's face. The face which blooming till a few minutes back was filled with shadow of darkness. Her red tear filled eyes didn't go unnoticed by him. Before he could ask her anything, Nandini took her bag and ran out of Manik's place. 

Everyone was shocked seeing Nandini going away like this. They called her so many times from back but she didn't stop. Manik too ran behind her but she was out of his sight already. 

~~•°•~~

That's all for now. I guess you guys aren't enjoying the book much. So, I'm planning to end it soon.

07.07.2023