Strings Attached (ON HOLD)

"All Sorted"

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NEXT MORNING... SUNDAY..!

Abhi was as usual at Nandini's flat in the morning and helping her in the breakfast whereas Navya was occupied in some own work. She looked disturbed which didn't went unnoticed by the two.

"Navya, Is all ok? Why are you tensed in the morning." Abhi asked and Navya relaxed herself on the dining chair.

"Nothing serious Abhi, it's just that I applied for the job in a new company and got the offer also. I was supposed to join from tomorrow but they have postponed my joining by 2 weeks due to some project. I got the mail yesterday which I didn't checked and Friday was my last working day at the previous one. Now I have to sit idle for two weeks." She stated in a sad tone which made both of them smile.

"It's ok Navya, you will feel relax and fresh when you join next. Don't worry." Nandini said to which Navya smiled back at her and three of them had their breakfast with various discussions and chats. 

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At around 11, the door bell rang and Abhi opened the door to find Manik there. Both smiled at each other and Manik entered inside while Abhi's eyes kept searching something outside. Manik turned and noticed this an tapped his shoulder.

"huh.." Abhi said turning to him and raising his eyebrows. 

"should be here in an hour. Had some work." Manik whispered to Abhi and he became conscience.

"I didn't asked about Mukti." Abhi said nervously looking here and there and Manik was trying hard not to laugh.

"When did I took her name?" Manik said cheekily and went inside winking at him. 

Abhi slapped his forehead on his stupidity and he too went inside after locking the door.     

"Good morning ladies." Manik wished Navya and Nandini and they smilingly wished him in return. 

He came towards Nandini and they hugged each other. "How are you?" He asked after kissing her head and she replied with a smile, "good."

"Here take this." He handed her a bag of fruits and she took it happily and started arranging it in the basket.

"Manik, Mukti didn't come with you?"  Nandini asked while arranging the fruits and Manik looked at Abhi who moved his gaze from him. Manik smiled evilly seeing this and sensing something fishy. 

"Manik, I asked something." Nandini called him again when he didn't answered her back.

"yeah, she will be here soon. Had some work." He replied to her and again looked at Abhi who again started fidgeting with the newspaper. 

"Ok guys, we discussed this vacation plan yesterday, so I have short listed few places that will be near Delhi. Here, have a look." Manik said sitting on the dining chair and passed his phone to Nandini. 

Three of them started checking out the places whereas Manik was calmly sitting there.
After checking all the places, they were confused as all the places Manik has chosen was beautiful.

"I think we should wait for Cabir and Mukti and then decide." Navya said and thy agreed to her.

"OK you guys enjoy, I have some work , will come at lunch time ok." Abhi said getting up from the dining table and left the flat.

"I also have to call mumma , so I'm in my room ok." Saying so Navya left from there leaving the two alone.

"Yesterday, bhai said that I should think about quitting the job and should rest till the time my treatment gets started." Nandini said looking to Manik and he was a bit surprised hearing the word treatment.

"Treatment?" He asked her in surprise and she nodded, "bhai told that he discussed my case with his seniors in France and he is very hopeful." She said in a low tone and Manik was super excited.

"That's great Nandu. See I told you na you will be alright. I'm sure this treatment, this will surely work." Manik said in an excited tone holding her hand and Nandini was overwhelmed to see happiness. She smiled and nodded her head.

Manik got up from his chair coming to her side and Nandini hugged him from his waist.

After a while, Manik broke the hug and sat on the chair beside her.

"So, what have you thought about the job thing?" Manik asked and she was lost in thoughts.

"I know bhai is right so I guess I should quit." She replied thoughtfully.

"You should, that would be best at this time." Manik replied and she nodded.

They continued talking to each other and after some time, moved towards Nandini's room and settled themselves on the swing in the balcony. They sat cuddling each other when Manik recalled his encounter with Abhi.

"Nandu" he called her while she was peacefully sitting with closed eyes and lazily hummed on his call.

"What you think about Abhi and Mukti?" He questioned her and she snapped open her eyes on this. Straightening herself she faced him and stared at him blankly.

"What you staring for?" He asked unsure of what's going on in her mind.

"What did you just tried to say?" She asked him sensing the meaning of his words.

"I meant that I think there's something cooking between the two. I can guarantee that." He replied and this made Nandini too think about it.

"Bhai and Mukti. Seriously ?" Nandini murmured thinking about them.

"We need to find out." Manik said in excitement and Nandini looked at him in surprise.

"But how?" She asked and he smiled.

"Vacations. This vacation plan will help us. We can easily figure out there what's exactly going on." He replied with a smile and she too smiled widely listening to him.

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I know I been a big _________( fill whatever you want) all this while and made you all wait. Many of you asked me where I am and why not updating but I didn't replied coz I had no answers . But now will update and try to wind up all the short stories soon.