Nandini's POV 

Today is the day when we are going to meet the Lord again. From the morning there was a chaos everywhere, be it my home or the Lodge. Currently I was on my way to the lodge with Amms who came in the morning and announced that she will go with me. I have been trying to ask her about Grand paa but could not do so. My last visit to the past in that cellar has not yet left my mind and the most important thing that grand paa was with Sanvi and Siddhant. The thing confusing me was when did this actually took place? Was it before all the fiasco or after they stole the machine? I was in my own thoughts when I heard Amms calling me. 

Gayatri- "Nandini? Nandu are you alright?" She asked again and I looked at her. 

" Yes Amms, I'm here only just thinking something." I gave her a small smile while she held my hand.

Gayatri -" I know my child you must be very nervous and it is completely alright. You are new to this and that too less prepared but then never forget that you are a Basu descendent and we never loose. Whatever happened in the past was not your fault but now you need to show everyone that even ladies are as much capable as men in this mission. And you can come to me whenever you are in need of help." She gave an encouraging smile and some much needed pep talk. 

" I know Amms, its just that I thought you are upset because I'm the inheritor and not Aliya--" 

Gayatri-" No Nandini why will I be upset about it? I don't have any grudge against you my child, it took some time to register that we trained a wrong person all these years just because of Nidhi's overprotectiveness, for me both you and Aliya are same. I know my strictness makes you all think I'm bad but I'm doing all this for you people only. After your Grandfather's demise the female hierarchy came in my control though the guardians don't take the females seriously but now you need to prove them that who you are and what importance do you hold." Now I got it that why Amms use to be so strict with us, actually it is her defense mechanism to make everyone believe that yes she can handle the family heritage all by herself.  

" Amms what if someday I bump into Nanu in the past? It will be so awkward right to introduce myself to him. Or have he known me before my birth?" I asked her timidly remembering the meet with him and his confused as well as shocked face. Though I wanted to know that now that I have met him he would be knowing about me from before hand only. 

Gayatri-" hahahhaha, No Nandini you won't be bumping into anyone in the past who is connected to your present and sorry to say not even your grand paa. We keep a record of every second of the past meet as well as the present happenings so that in future no one meet anyone who is yet to come in their lives which is also the reason why a time traveler is not allowed to go back in the time of his or her own life span and which can in someway affect the chronology and happening of the time." She explained me while now I thought that if people use to write every bit of the happenings in their own time and past then why didn't anyone in our time knew about nanu being present in the record room when I had gone?  As I was trying to think all this the car came to a halt and I saw that we have already reached the lodge.

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Mary's Dressing room

" I'm not going to wear this !!!!! Please Mary." I panicked seeing the outfit  Mary was asking me to wear. These people had told me that I was suppose to wear a lehenga which I had worn a lot of times so how the hell did the outfit turned into a Saree??

Mary-" But my Indian beauty you will look amazing in a saree." She tried convincing me showing me a beautiful red and white Bengali style saree and matching jewelry.

" Mary you are not getting it, I will fall flat on my face if I wear a saree, it has happened once and now if I trip in the past then what will happen? You give me some other ethnic wear I will wear." I was talking with her when I saw Amms coming inside. 

Gayatri- "Nandini you will have to wear this only my child. The function is suppose to be a Durga puja event and at that time all the Bengali ladies use to wear saree in festival. Now if you will go wearing a lehenga it won't look good. Don't worry, Mary will fix your saree in such a way that you will not fall. Get ready fast, we don't have much time to bicker on this." She handed me the blouse and skirt asking me to change. 

*Where the hell have I gotten myself stuck into. Durga maa save me from falling today.*

After what felt like ages I was ready wearing the saree in Bengali style with all the jewelry and and makeup done and Miss Mary had made sure to put extra safety pins everywhere possible so that it doesn't trouble me to walk. Amms looked so happy with the outcome and kissed my forehead not before putting some kajal behind my ears to keep me safe from evil eyes. 

Mary-" Ohhh my my, you look so gorgeous my darling, just like some goddess. I knew you will pull this off well  after all every Indian girl looks phenomenal in saree. And don't worry I have fixed your saree well, you won't fall and see I have given this waistband so that you don't have any issues while dancing." She explained while I just nodded while staring at my reflection in the mirror and taking some pics to send to Mukti.

Gayatri-" Let's go Nandini everyone is waiting for you." With this I bid bye to Miss Mary and went out with Amms. The guardians had decided that we will be going to the exact spot where the puja is suppose to happen in the past and with the help of chronograph we will land in the past so that no transportation is required for us. The last visit has really shaken up everyone and we decided to avoid any other attacks.

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Manik's POV 

Moloy uncle along with Raj uncle were with me fixing everything for our elapse in the past. I just hope that today things go the way we all have planned and we meet the two traitors. I'm sure the Lord would have planned something big and that is why he has asked us to be present there, but my main concern right now is Nandini. I hope she doesn't create any trouble even by mistake as it will cost us a lot. Currently we are in the Community Lodge which is in Howrah, this was the place where earlier big scale festivals were organized. If we travel from here in the year 1880 then the house is just some miles away which will minimize risk for both of us.

We heard the sound of a car stopping which meant Nandini's arrival. She entered the hall and the it felt like the time stopped. She was drapped in a beautiful white saree with red zari border and puffy red blouse. her long black hair flowing with the wind while he was holding her saree with one hand and taking small steps while walking being extra careful. She was cladded with jewelry from top to bottom making her look like a Royal Bengali lady. As I was lost in her I failed to hear Mr. Malhotra's voice from behind, it was after Moloy uncle shook me I came back making myself embarrass in front of everyone. 

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Edit by me. Hope you liked it)

Moloy-" Nandini you are looking so pretty in this saree, am I right Manik?" He asked me with a hint of tease while all I wanted was a place to hide myself. What is happening with me now a days. 

Raj-" Manik, Nandini I hope you people know what you have to do? You both are going there as the famous merchant  Mr. Anirudh Deb and his wife Anandita Deb. This is going to be the biggest Durga puja event so make sure you both be careful as many people will be present there. Nandini just stick with Manik it will be good for both of your safety. Manik behave nicely with her and you will meet the Lord direct in the pandal. I'm setting the timer for 3 hours as written in the letter. Are you both ready?" He asked us both while I looked at Nandini who was still fidgeting with her fingers. 

" Nandini are you ready?" I asked her keeping a hand on her shoulder. 

Nandini-" I guess I'm." She replied giving a low smile 

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Year 1880

We were standing in front of a huge haveli who had organized this entire puja, there was a lot of hustle and bustle. Well one thing that I loved about Kolkata was it had always been lively and jovial with love and happiness specially during Durga Puja. 

Nandini-" Manik this is so beautiful na, even in that time the craze for durga puja was the same as in our time. There are so many people." She chirped being all happy looking around but suddenly all her happiness vanished in thin air. I looked at the direction she was staring at only to find the Lord walking towards us. 

Lord-" Anirudh my boy, it's so nice to meet you. I'm so glad you could make it." He came towards us with a full blown smile and behind him came a man in his late 50's tagging behind him like his tail. I played along and wished him bowing in front of him and then doing a namaskaar. 

" Lord it's so nice to meet you. Well how could I decline you sir and my wife is a huge devotee of Maa Durga so I had to take time out and come here with her." I motioned Nandini to meet the Lord who also joined hands in respect while being silent. We could not reveal our identity specially in front of so many people thus acting according to how the Lord wants. 

Lord- " Mrs. Deb nice to meet you, Well Anirudh (Manik) let me make you meet the man who organized this puja... Mr. Mondol meet Anirudh Deb the famous merchant. He always moves from one city to another but still his roots are intact in his home town. He is being a huge help to us. I was talking about him only some hours ago.  Anirudh this is Mr. Prosonjeet Mondol who has organised all this." With the formal introduction and some small talks Mr. Mondol left us alone with the Lord. 

" My Lord why suddenly did you planned this? What is our next plan now, have they come?" I asked him while he took us to a corner so that none can hear us. 

Lord- " Manik I have spread the net and through my informer spread the words of you both coming to this place. If my men are right then those two will definitely try to meet Nandini atleast, as she is new and could be convinced but I hope Nandini you know where your loyalty lies?" He asked her while like always she stood like a statue for some second but nodded her head. 

Lord- "Look Nandini I know our last meet was not good and you are scared of me with my last time's  rude behavior. I apologize for that, well I don't want any more problems in this mission which is why I threatened you so that you won't try to backstab us like those two. But now I have understood that you can be trusted and even you would be knowing how important it is to close the circle of blood." He tried convincing Nandini while I stood beside her looking at her change of expression from scared to confused to thoughtful. 

Nandini-" My lord I don't know why you and everyone else finds me threatening but one this is for sure that I'm not a toy to be played with. If you all really want my help then you need to tell me things clearly. I agree I'm still new to all this and yes I got scared with our last encounter but  judging someone before knowing them is wrong. I assure you I will give my 100% to my duty but even you all will have to trust me." Her confidence not even surprised me but also brought a small smile on my face without my knowledge. Even Lord looked surprised as he patted her shoulder smiling. 

Lord-" So let's enjoy the event till my messenger give any information about them. You both mix with people and be all calm. I will be sitting on the first floor. " With this he took us back to the crowd. 

Mr. Mondol came near us along with a lady who was decked with gold ornaments from head to toe. 

Mondol-" Anirudh Babu Aasha kori tumi Aanondo koecho.?"

("Anirudh Babu I hope you are enjoying here.")

" Khub bhalo dada. Sajano bhishun bhalo hoye che."

( Yes, dada I'm enjoying here. The arrangements and decoration is really good." 

Mondol-"This is my wife Bindu and Bindu this is Anirudh Deb and his wife Anandita. Make sure they are being treated well. They are Lord's special guests." He instructed his wife who gave her ever so sugary smile. 

Bindu-" Anandita (Nandini) come with me let's go to the ladies group. The puja is about to get started so we will do the Dhunuchi dance." With this she started taking Nandini with her while she was declining but of no use. Nandini looked at me with frightful eyes while I blinked once to assure her I'm there. 

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Nandini's POV 

I really don't get this why the hell everyone is after my life? The first shock I got was the Lord speaking to me with so sweetly, it felt like he didn't even remember what he did with me 30 years ago. I mean according to him it was 30 years time. But then I think with time and aging people do change and maybe that is why he understood that what he did with me was wrong. Fair enough but even I gave my piece of mind to him and I'm so proud of myself for this. As I was being a bit comfortable with the surrounding when this man came with his wife and now I'm being dragged to the stage. 

I was handed 2 dhunuchi (Insence burner) and with this the sound of dhaak increased. There were many ladies present to start off the puja while the priest was standing infront of the idol worshipping Maa Durga. 

That is when I saw Manik coming and even he was carrying a Dhaak (Drum) and beating it perfectly tuning with the other professional people. He motioned me to start the dance while I looked one last time at him and then at the idol of Maa Durga. 

( Imagine Manik and Nandini dancing like this. Also a small glimps of Bengal style Durga Puja for my readers.  Hope you enjoy watching it.)

The sound of dhaak and Shankh was heard everywhere with ladies of all age dancing. I was trying to remember all the steps and tips that Devesh had taught me while dancing. The atmosphere had suddenly changed bringing everyone together dancing and getting themselves engrossed in the dance and devotion of Goddess Durga. I took some rounds around Manik with my hands balancing the dhunuchi perfectly. 

Manik smiled at me and then gave the Dhaak to the nearby boy and picked a dhunuchi from the side joining me in the dance. The shine in his eyes while he was dancing in front of Maa Durga was something magical. Some British officials who were standing in the corridor above had also joined to see us dance.

Suddenly someone dragged me from the crowd which led to the burner fall. I looked for Manik but nothing could be seen as the place was filled with smoke and the loud beating of the Dhaak minimised my shouts. 

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I know, I know I'm late. I'm so sorry guys but I was a bit caught up which is why I couldn't post. So how did you find today's chapter?

What happened to Nandini? Who pulled her from there?

Mrs. Basu is not bad, she is just over protective and reserved. Will she help Nandini?

Will Manik be able to catch Sanvi and Siddhant? 

What exactly does the Lord want? 

I will see you people next week with another chapter, till then keep reading this book and keep enjoying. 

TOODLES!! !!

With love, 

Satakshi (Neha)