“Last but not the least..” Manik said and pointed to a person that brought happiness to Nandini’s face.

“Pinky ji!!!!!!” Nandini exclaimed happily.

“Acha morning (Good morning) Bro’s wife..” Pinky said in broken English making Dadi, Manik and Maya aunty roll their eyes. She’s back!

“She will help..”

“No main alone introduction.. At Chennai main maid, here main master of waiters.. Pinky will supervise everything from tables, utensils, if everything is properly cleaned ya nahin, if clients are khush (happy) ya nahin, if employees kaam (work) good or not.. sab will see this Pinky (everything will be seen by Pinky)” Pinky said proudly.

Everyone laughed at her and Nandini rushed to her and hugged her tightly, “I missed you so much Pinky ji..”

“Even I missed you a lot Bro’s wife..” Pinky hugged her tightly.

“She will add comedy element in our restaurant..” Neil commented.

“You’re not less..” Avni glared at him.

“Let’s set to work guys..” Akira shouted and extended her hand.

Neil happily placed his hand on Akira’s hand, followed by Avni, Nakuul, Pinky and last by Nandini who held them firmly and confidently.

The six smiled to each other and got the energy to start the first day in the new restaurant, Nanik!

Manik, Aman, Dadi and Maya watched them overwhelmed. They looked like a big team which could be expected a big success.

Nanik’s kitchen

There were many chefs working here and there and being instructed by Nandini and Nakuul how the dishes should be prepared.

“Add salt in this..” Nandini said tasting it, then moved to other watching over them.

While Nakuul was more strict with the employees, he wanted everything perfect and in his way only.

While at front side, Pinky was handling the costumers by greeting them and making them feel comfortable. She was watching over the waiters if they were treating and serving guests properly.

Nandini also came and talked with few guests, as she was the owner of Nanik and guests also felt good that she wasn’t treating them equally. She smiled to everyone and cared for every costumer as they were family one, she didn’t see who is rich or not, she welcomed all of them with whole heart and that’s what made them feel more comfortable in her restaurant and they also made up in mind to visit it regularly for the great hospitality and amazing food.

“Do you need any help ma’am?” Neil asked as he stood beside Nandini who was watching the restaurant filled with people and remembered when she asked Manik that no one was there, and he said once she steps in the restaurant would never be empty again.

“Nahin..” Nandini nodded sideways, “You can call me Nandini..”

“Cool..” Neil smiled, “I was also wondering why should I call you ma’am when we are almost same age? It feels like I’m calling an old woman..”

“Did you finish your work?” Nandini asked smiling.

“Nandini you don’t know how much it’s irritating to stay in front of a laptop in your cabin alone.. I needed some fresh air so came to see how things are working in the restaurant..” Neil said making allot of Faces.

“You’re right.. even I was tired of seeing so many chefs cooking so that’s why I came outside..” Nandini giggled.

Both high five smiling.

Pinky came and dragged Nandini along with her to meet the new costumers and Neil pouted.

“I was having cool conversation with Ma’am.. oops Nandini but this Pinky na.. I have to find a Blue bhaiya for her so that she stops interrupting my conversation with Nandini..” Neil said to himself.

Saying so he went back to his cabin which had no much work since it was first day.

At lunch time Manik came with his business partners to have lunch at the restaurant.

He wanted to see Nandini but seems she was busy in the kitchen and he too got engrossed in talking with his partners.

“Bro should I call your Biwi?” Pinky ji came to him and whispered on his ear.

“Is she busy?” Manik asked.

“Nahin, she’s only chatting with Naks bro in kitchen..” Pinky said.

Manik nodded his head sideways, “I’ll go inside and meet her..”

“Okay ji..” Pinky smiled and went from there continuing her work.

Manik excused himself and went to the kitchen side, where he found Nandini chatting so freely and laughing with Nakuul.

For a moment he felt jealous that she isn’t like this with him anymore, but he reminded himself that it’s only because of him that she’s changed.

“Nandini..” he called her.

“Manik..” Nandini turned to him surprised to see him here.

“Nandini you should scold your husband because he’s a client here and he cannot enter in our kitchen like that..” Nakuul said.

“That’s true.. Manik you can’t enter here!” Nandini giggled and walked to him pushing him away from the kitchen side.

Though it was a joke, Manik felt that she was pushing him away from her life and it hurt him like never before.

“Go back to your table.. Have you been attended? What was your order?” Nandini asked.

“I already had my lunch.. only came to see you!” Manik replied still hurt.

“I’m busy right now Mr. Malhotra..” Nandini said pressing her lips and acting busy.

Manik nodded and left from there leaving Nandini startled, she never thought he would agree this easily to leave her just because she said it.

AT EVENING..

Manik parked his car and peeked to see the restaurant was closed already, he frowned and called one of the guards.

“Is anybody inside there?” Manik asked.

The guard nodded his head in no, “No Sir, ma’am already left with everyone..”

Manik nodded his head, he looked away sighing, “Seems like in your new life, you don’t have any place for me Nandini..”

He also went to Sheesh Mahal and directly put his feet in direction of his room but a giggle sound made him stop on his tracks.

He turned back to the living room and found his Doll giggling while watching cartoons on TV.

“Mahi..” he walked towards her leaving his bag on the couch on the way.

Sitting beside her, he picked her up and made her sit on his lap, “What is my baby doing here?”

Mahi before replying to him, wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and tightly hugged him. That’s what Manik needed today, a comfort and love filled hug.

He hugged her back and kissed her hair, Mahi smiled , “ Mahi miss you a lot Mamu.. “.

“Mamu also missed you Baby..” he said sincerely, pulling her into a hug again.

“Who brought you here?” Manik asked raising his eyebrows.

“Mumma..” Mahi smiled and Prerna came in front of them holding a tray in her hands.

“Chiku how are you? How was your day? You must be tired right.. see what I have made for you and Mahi.. kheer.. tumhe bohot pasand hain na? (You like it a lot, right?)” Prerna smiled.

Manik glared at her and looked away not believing after everything that happened, she still had courage to come here and behave like nothing happened.

“Mamu let’s eat kheer..” Mahi squealed clapping her hands happily.

Not wanting Mahi to witness their fight, Manik took his bowl and started feeding Mahi and Mahi feed him also.

“Did you like it Chiku?” Prerna asked.

Manik looked at her sternly but didn’t reply anything and she understood that he didn’t want to have any conversation with her. She sighed sadly.

They stayed in silence with Mahi watching cartoons and since both didn’t talk with each other, they had no option but to watch cartoons along with Mahi.

A knock on the door made Prerna hurriedly stand up, “Must be Rishabh.. he came to pick us up..”

She went to open the door for Rishabh, and both walked back to the living room.

“Manik.. How are you?” Rishabh hugged Manik, who smiled in return.

“Fine..” Manik replied but the truth was visible to everyone.

They both chat for a while, then Rishabh looked at his phone seeing time, “Manik it’s late now and it won’t be safe to walk with Prerna and Mahi on roads too late.. so we will get going..”

Manik nodded understanding their situation, “Don’t worry.. driver will drop you guys..”

“Thanks yaar..” Rishabh smiled as Manik accompained them to the door.

Prerna turned to Manik with moist eyes, she let Rishabh and Mahi go to the car.

“Chiku..” Prerna said with a sob threatening to escape from her mouth.

“It’s Manik for you..” Manik replied in serious tone.

“But it will always be Chiku for me..” she replied, “Everyone does mistakes Chiku, even you did with Nandini.. I did with you.. Will we stay hurt with each other forever? Don’t we deserve a second chance?”

“Nandini hasn’t forgiven me yet..” Manik said.

“But you’re trying to get her forgiveness.. let me try too..” Prerna said.

Manik sighed, Malhotras have one thing in common “Stubbornness”.

“You can try..” Manik said.

Prerna smiled and almost squealed in happiness but seeing her Chiku’s glare. She stood quietly and went from there, then came back and quickly kissed his cheek and left from there running.

“What Rubbish..” Manik touched his cheek with wide eyes.

“Chiku..” she came back again smiling and Manik took a step back before she kiss him again.

“Can I help you to pacify Nandini?” Prerna asked.

“Nahin..” Manik nodded sideways.

“Then keep TRYING..” Prerna said glaring at him and was about to leave when Manik cleared his throat.

“How will you help me?” Manik asked. For Nandini, anything he can do!

“We will meet tomorrow and I will tell you everything okay..” Prerna patted his cheek smiling and went from there shouting, “Bye Chiku..”

He closed the door and sat on the couch watching cartoons and having his Di hand made kheer.

After finishing it, he went to kitchen to see if it had anything he could eat but nothing was made. He cursed himself for granting leave to HP today, he thought he would have lunch and dinner with Nandini at Nanik. But she already left at evening time and he didn’t got his dinner.

Too tired to order something from outside, he left to his room and jumped on his bed not even caring to change his clothes from office, his eyes turned moist feeling lonely and empty again.

No one was there for him, he’s all alone in this empty big mansion who once was filled with a loving and caring family, his beautiful, innocent and comedy piece. Everything was so light and now it’s so dark.

Thinking about his life, neither he knows when he fell asleep like that only.

NEXT DAY

GALAXY..

Nandini was making breakfast along with Maya and Pinky.

She was constantly staring at the door side of the kitchen expecting Manik to come but he didn’t.

“Kya matter Bro’s wife?” Pinky asked frowning.

“Nothing..” Nandini nodded sideways and concentrated in cooking.

“Are you missing Manik, Nandini?” Maya asked caressing Nandini’s cheek smiling.

“Nahin toh.. Why would I miss him?” Nandini shrugged faking a smile to Maya aunty.

“I know everything Nandini.. even before you both fall in love with each other, I already know about it..” Maya said.

“And I always doubted about your fake shaadi.. See Pinky’s eyes aren’t weak, I always said that there is kuch na kuck wrong with you both when you came to Chennai..” Pinky said proudly of herself.

“Shut up Pinky.. Now they are married in real only..” Maya said shaking her head.

“But you’re hamesha scolding Pinky.. this not fair..” Pinky pouted.

“You always speak at the wrong time..” Maya argued.

Both kept discussing while Nandini got lost in Manik’s thoughts.

NANIK..

At lunch time, Nandini was waiting eagerly for his arrival. She twisted her lips annoyingly seeing everyone coming inside but him.

“Hello Nandini, right?” asked a lady dressed in formal outfit.

“Yes.. Hi..” Nandini smiled brightly shaking hands with the lady.

“I just wanted to say that I love your food.. this restaurant service is amazing also..” she said.

“Thank you so much.. Keep visiting us..” Nandini replied proudly of herself. Today she is being recognized by her name and talent and not as Mrs. Malhotra.

“Sure..” the lady smiled but glanced behind Nandini and glared at the person she just saw.

“Tum..” she gritted her teeth.

Nandini took a step back scared of the smiling lady turned to angry lady.

“Tum.. What are you doing here?” Nakuul came towards them angrily.

“Oh hello Mister.. This is a restaurant and of course I have come here to have my lunch ok..” she replied.

“There are so many restaurants in Delhi and you only find this one where I’m working.. wah Anika.. wah!” he smiled sarcastically.

“Wah Nakuul wah.. You think too high of yourself, do you think I’m behind you?” she glared at him.

“Of course you’re..” he smirked, “You can’t forget me, it seems..”

Anika rolled her eyes, “In your dreams.. I’ve moved on in my life and even forgot that a chef who cooks horribly came into my life..”

Nandini was just staring at both fighting in front of her, not knowing what to do.

“That’s why you were appreciating my food with Nandini right? Anyways I don’t want to fight with you here so you better leave!” Nakuul glared at her.

Anika frowned and went from there cursing him under her breath.

“I’m sorry Nandini.. I didn’t want to create a scene here but this girl manages to bring the worst Out of me..” Nakuul said in apologizing tone.

“It’s okay.. I can understand..” Nandini said thinking about her silly fights with Manik.

“Do you love her?” Nandini asked.

“Err.. It’s better we talk about this once we’re outside Nanik.. What about a dinner tonight in my house?” Nakuul asked.

Nandini agreed smiling, “Okay.. It seems to be a long story na..”

“Yes, it is!” Nakuul nodded his head and both walked inside the kitchen again.

Nandini looked back at the door on the way, but no sign of Manik.

“Did he forgot about me so soon?” Nandini thought while wearing her apron in the kitchen.

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KEEP LOVING AND SUPPORTING MY WORK ✨🥰