Nandini's POV

MEETING ROOM 

"What do I have to do now?" I asked somewhat clueless. 

Raj-" You will be meeting your Great-grandmother soon Nandini but before that we need to prepare you a bit. We will have this meet next week but before that lets make you fully ready as you will be the one who will negotiate with her and make her understand and for that you need to know the detailings which Manik will help you with." As soon as Mr. Malhotra took Manik's name we both shot each other a look. I really didn't want to learn anything from him and I an sure he was also not interested in helping me with anything.

Manik-" Uncle I already have loads of work and responsibility, I don't think I can take this up. Moloy uncle is best for this he will guide Nandini as it is I guess she will be more happy having him as a guide." He gave me a look which clearly said he was not interested while I just turned my head to other side. 

Moloy" Manik I know you have a lot of work but you have personally met Mrs. basu and it will be easy for Nandini to know clearly about how she is as a person and about the details of the events then even you know them well. You both are partners for this mission and you need to work together and coordinate with each other. This can be an opportunity for even knowing a bit about each other. You had great repo with Alia but now you will have to try being friendly with Nandini as well. She is new to this and you should help her in every way possible." I was really feeling like running away from there. This brainless Eiffel tower can never be my friend because I dont be friend with rude people. Just the mention of Alia made me snicker but I let it go. 

Raj-" Do you have any issues Nandini?" I just nodded my head in no. Manik sighed and agreed. 

Raj-" So lets end this meeting here. You all can leave now and Nandini please stay back, I need to talk with you." I was relieved when Mr. Malhotra dismissed us but was surprised when he asked me to stay back. Now what did he had to talk with me? Nevertheless I waited back while everyone left the hall.

Raj-" Well, please have a seat Nandini you have been standing for so long." He gave me a warm smile and I took a seat murmering a quick thank you. 

Raj-"I hope you are not having any problem here, if anyone says something to you or you have any doubt you can come to me Nandini I will help you beta. I know this is the first time we are having a direct conversation." He was warm as well as seemed a bit hesitant. 

" I know a lot of things happened in a short timespan and you being the guardian have many responsibility at present and I understand that. I'm trying my best to adjust Mr. Malhotra and about my doubts then there are so many that it will take you a whole day to clear them hahaha.. but not to worry I will come to you if anything comes up." I smiled at him he was so good and friendly. 

Raj-" Am I strict? are you scared of me or you dont like me? " He suddenly asked me making me confused. 

" No Mr. Malhotra you don't scare me and you even don't look a strict person infact now talking with you made me a bit more confident and relaxed." 

Raj-" So why are you calling me Mr. Malhotra? I saw you call Moloy dada as Moloy uncle and not Mr. Banerjee. then why a formal name for me?" he make a sad pout and hearing him my face went from confused to surprised and finally I laughed looking at him. 

" Hahhahhaa now you scared me Uncle. I thought you are the Guardian so I should behave in a particular formal way that is why I was calling you like this. Moloy uncle told me not to call him with his surname so I don't."

Raj-" So you will now call my Raj Uncle, okay?" He forwarded his hand infront of me and I put my hand on his smiling. 

"Okay done deal. Waise toh you don't even look like Uncle you know you are so handsome." I winked at last making him laugh. 

Raj-"You don't have the same hair colour like Nidhi but your brain is definitely like hers, so sweet at the same time mischivious just like her." He laughed taking my mother's name and then stopped abruptly looking at me. 

" Ofcourse I will be, afterall I'm her daughter right. Yaa though I agree I don't have much similarity i.e. a brown hair like her and everyone in the Basu house as that I have inherrited from my father but surely my nature is like hers" I laughed 

Raj-"Yes right I had noticed you are the only girl who has black hair in the Basu family because mostly everyone has brown hairs. We use to term it as a certification of Basu girls by their brown hair. But yours look amazing on you." I smiled and thanked him.

Raj-" How is Nidhi now? I mean to say ...she was worried about all this, I hope you made her understand that you are fine here." He was hesitating while asking about Mom but his voice held concern for her. I smiled looking at him.

" She is fine and yes she knows that now things have changed and also regret of not telling you people about me earlier but she knows that I'm in the best hands now and you will take care of me." I intentionally took only his name just to see his reaction and he looked visibly happy and nodded his head. 

Raj-" Nandini one more thing, I don't know how much you heard today of mine and Mnaik's conversation... I know it was unintentional but don't think or take things wrong my child. I know what Manik said was very rude. But I will say the same to you Nandini, do not get your feelings come in between because the mission we are in needs all your mental and physical self on track and the history of Basu and Malhotras have not been very pleasant, I will never want to see you hurt so just concentrate on the mission but that doesn't mean you people despise each other but you need to know and trust one another because you will work in team." He made me understand and somewhere he was right, though I know that Manik and I can never be a thing but we have to work together and for that we need to trust each other but that idiot doesn't behave properly with me which makes me angry.

" I understand Uncle and I will do my best from my side but I don't know about Manik. He is too rude with me for no reason and thinks I'm an immature kid who won't get things." I made a face at the mention of his name and saw Raj uncle smiling. 

Raj-" He can be a bit difficult at times Nandini and takes time to adapt new things or open up to new people and that is why he behaves that way but he is not bad at heart just is a bit straightforward. You don't worry I will make him understand and he will behave nicely with you." I just smiled and nodded my head. Raj uncle is so sweet and understanding and his nephew a complete jerk. 

Nandini's POV ends

                   ************

Manik's POV 

Manik's  House. 

I entered my apartment with a tired face and drained out body. As much as I like being a time traveler and skip into different eras, I can't neglect the fact that its really tiresome task specially from a couple of days after MISS. QUESTION BANK has arrived. I was not able to sleep last night because I had to meet the ancestors and convincing them has really been a task. I entered my apartment and just dropped myself on the couch closing my eyes. I live alone in this not so big 2BHk flat like any other bachelor though Raj uncle wanted me to stay at his mansion but I never wanted to be a burden for him, already he had done a lot for me. 

I was about to head for my room when I heard the sound of a crow who just now was sitting on my window making me snap my eyes open and I heard the door open.

.

.

.

.

.

" Hello Buddy" There stood a guy in a black jeans and T-shirt with black leather jacket smirking making his baby-blue eyes shine in the dim light of my front door. What caught my attention more  was him holding another guy dressed in a blue denim and white tee and green half jacket and he was unconscious. 

" DAMON!!!!!" I was out of words and him standing there with the other guy just made me loose it. 

Damon-" Hey, and for godsake do not ask ask me questions. Lets just get him laid first." He zoomed off into my living room and now laid the guy on the couch. 

" Wait a second man, what are you doing here? And he how is he here with you?" I couldn't help but ask him. He just slipped on the other couch spreading his legs and smiled at me. 

Damn-" Ahh.. nothing to worry Mr. Travellie your bro is completely fine and he got rescued from a vampire attack by ME." And there goes his ever calm and sassy answer for my question making me horrified. 

Manik-" What?" I went straight towards ARYAMANN and checked him but didn't find any marks.

Damon-" He is healed already from my blood just a bit unconscious. he will be fine in a while. I luckily happen to be coming from the same route as him and saw some people you know..." He gave his mysterious but quirky smile making me sigh. 

" Gosh!!! I cant tell you how much I owe you for this buddy. I don't even want to think what would have happened if you hadn't been there." I hugged him instantly making him stand up while he just pat my back to calm me. 

Damon-" You know right I'm straight Travelie. In fact I have a girlfriend dude whom I love a lot." here he starts again earning a punch from me which caused nothing to him but he pretended to have got so much hurt. 

" Shut up you Vampie and even I'm straight. I really pity your girl for having you who is a drunken clown." He laughed sarcastically and moved towards the mini bar at the farthest end of my hall to make himself a drink. 

Damon-" Atleast I have a girlfriend unlike you who is still single and boring. You better get someone or you will die as a bachelor." He booed me while I threw a cushion at him making him catch it. 

" Ahh.. my head hurts. Where am I." there I saw Aryaman up holding his head. He saw me with wide eyes and was visibly really happy to see me but just quizzical as to how he reached my house. I guess Damon has compelled him to forget what happened there. 

"Aryaman I'm so happy to see you bro." I gave him a brotherly hug and he was equally happy to meet me. 

Arya-" Bro how did I reached here? My car broke down at the middle of the road right." He looked at me with questioning eyes and then he heard Damon's voice.

Damon-" I got you here Arya. You had passed out on the middle of the road and I saw you there so got you with me." He said coming towards Aryaman while he looked happy to meet Damon.

Arya-" Damon what a surprise, I thought that I will give surprise to Manik by coming here but I got double surprise by meeting you too." 

Aryaman is actually my own brother but he has been adopted by my step dad. My mother was expecting him when she got married again. I was taken care of by Raj uncle and Aryaman had grew up with my mother and her husband. As much as I hate my mother for leaving me just after Dad's demise but my love for my brother can never be reduced. I had always been protective of him. We are each others secret keeper, buddies and brothers of course. 

 " How come you suddenly decided to come here? You should have told me that you will be here I would have come to receive you. But wait you planned to come all the way from Delhi to Kolkata by car? Are you insane?" I just now realised Damon telling me he saw him in a car.

Arya-" Bro relax, technically I did come by road but not from delhi. Actually I was in Guwahati for a camp that was by flight okay. So I thought why not come here and surprise you. But my surprise got spoilt." He pouted and seemed upset while Damon gave him a drink with a sympathetic look. 

" Ohh... Then thats fine. I'm so happy to see you though." I smiled fully giving him a hug while he laughed being happy again. This felt good all my tiredness went away having my brother and buddy with me.

Manik's POV ends 

               *************

BASU HOUSE 

Alia was in my room helping me with history lessons which Mr. Raghav had taught me today. It was a bit of a shocker when Alia came on her own to help me with it and did not pass any rude comments on my less knowledge about history. 

" Alia, thanks for helping me with all of this. I know you despise me even more now after what all has happened but trust me if it was in my hand I would have surely given you this time traveling thing."

Alia-" Nandini please can we not talk about this now. Things have changed very suddenly and I need time to get used to it. I don't need your sympathy or something. You are a traveler its fine with me and I'm doing this because I don't want you to destroy the hard work of so many people because of you being unprepared. In all these years I have seen them work day and night, saw Manik elapsing every day to convince the ancestors to give him some of their blood to get read in the machine. You being a part of this is destiny which you have no power over. So just leave it." Her tone held something different today. She was sounding more hurt than being angry. I know she doesn't care about me but others who are now connected with me. I really hope one day we mend our differences and be the same way we use to be before she started taking those secret classes of time traveling and finally this revelation. 

We were back to studying after our little talk. Suddenly I heard a fall on the ground which made me look up and what I saw made me freeze. 

The book which fell was of Alia's and right now she was sitting on the chair with her eyes wide open staring blankly at the wall in front. I moved towards her to shake her a bit. 

" Alia, what happened? Alia!!!" I touched her hands to feel it completely cold as ice. Her entire body was stiff and skin pale with eyes wide open. I snapped my fingers once but nothing working and suddenly I heard her scream..." 

"NO DON'T!!! STOP DON'T KILL THEM." 

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

TANTANAAAA.... sO DONE WITH TODAY'S CHAPTER.

New characters- 

Damon Salvator and Elena Gilbert

Manik's best friend whom he met during his college days. He is a 160 yr old Vampire in the body of a 22 yr old guy. His meet with Manik was a very interesting one ( Naaaa... I won't tell you the story they both will *wink*). He knows about Manik being a time traveler. Has a girlfriend named Elena Gilbert who is like a sister to Manik. She also has some power. What is it you will know it soon. Let's see what happens when they are here. 

Aryamann Khurana

Manik's brother who is been adopted by his step father after her mother married him which is why he is a KHURANA AND NOT A MALHOTRA. Manik treats him like his child but when it comes to food these two behave like toddlers ready to rip each other for food. He is the closest to Manik and the same goes for Manik. He is a complete Casanova but knows his boundaries with girls. He knows about Manik and Damon's secret and wished he had an interesting life like theirs. Currently he is here for a reason which no one knows. What is it? What will his entry play a part in this story? 

*****************************

Two new characters added. Now it will be fun. 

Are you excited to see the 2 hotshots Manik and Damon together?

What do you think about Raj's warning for Nandini?

We will see the AryaMan bros bonding very soon. 
anu_champ this one is for you😉

What exactly happened to Alia? 

I will see you soonish. 

TOODLES!!!!! ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND

WITH LOVE, 

NEHA(SATAKSHI)