CHAPTER -36

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In Manik's car-

Nandini was silently looking outside through the car window.

Manik thought to start the conversation.

Manik - Nandini how was your day?

Nandini - It was good.

Manik - Just good. That's it....

Nandini - Haan .....

Manik stopped the car at the roadside.

Manik - Kya hua hai tumhe? Abhi thodi der Pehle to Khush lag rahi thi. Suddenly why this frown.

Nandini - Aisa kuch nahi hai. I m happy.

Manik - Acha to fir dikh kyu rahi ho happy.

Nandini - Wo.... leave it. Aap bataiye. Aapka first day kaisa tha office me.

Manik - Oh fantastic. Pucho mat. It was just super amazing.

You know something. Impressed by my work, the MD of the company gave me another project.

Nandini - That's great. Congratulations. Waise yeh naya project kya hai?

Manik - I have to do a photoshoot of top model for a magazine cover.

Nandini- Nice.

Manik- Hmm. So this calls for a treat. What say?

Nandini- But Hume to ghar pahuncha hai ? Buaji wait kar rahi hogi.

Manik- Arey yaar. Bua ko mai call karke bol doonga ki we will be late.

Manik took out his phone and informed Shanti that they will be late and not to wait for Nandini at lunch.

Manik to Nandini- Happy. Ab chalein....

Nandini- But hum kaha jarahe hai?

Manik- Wo to Wahan jake hi pata chalega tumhe.

Nandini - Manik batao na please.....

Manik - Have patience Nandini.... We are almost there.

After 10 min they reached the city outskirts.

Manik - Nandini Chalo. Let's go.

Nandini got down and saw that they were standing infront of a dhaba.

Nandini got down and saw that they were standing infront of a dhaba

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Nandini - Manik ye to Dhaba hai....

Manik - Haan it's my favourite place. College bunk karke mai mere friends ke sath yahi aata tha. It's a peaceful place. After that I have never been here. But now I have you as my best friend. You are special. That's why I have brought you here.

And the food..... it's super tasty. You have to try it.

Nandini's face lit up hearing this.

Nandini self thought- Manik considers me special.

Manik - Hello..... Kaha khogayi. Chale andar ya yahi pe khade Rehne ka irada hai.

Nandini - Haan Chalo.

Manik and Nandini went inside and occupied the seats.

The waiter came and took their order.

Manik - So Nandini kya khaogi?

Nandini - Kuch bhi. Aap treat de rahe ho to order bhi aap hi karo na.

Manik -Acha. Fine.

Manik gave the order for both of them.

Nandini- Aap apne friends ko bahut miss karte ho na?

Manik - Not much. Coz tum ho na meri friend.

Nandini - Manik I can see it in your eyes. You can't hide it.

Manik - Acha...... To be frank I do miss them but life goes on. Hum hamesha to sath nahi rehsakte na. They are busy in their own lives.

Till then the waiter brought the food.

He served the food and asked - Sahab aur Kuch lau kya?

Manik - Nahi abhi ke liye to bas. But khane ke baad do glassi leke aana.

Nandini was eating very slowly.

Manik - Hello Madam. Itni slowly kyu kha rahi ho. Tumhe ye sab bhi finish karna hai abhi.

Nandini - Manik aapne to bahut Kuch order kardiya. Hum nahi kha payenge.

Manik - Kaise nahi khaogi. You have to taste each and every thing that is ordered. Warna mai zabardasti khilaunga. Soch lo.

Nandini - Humse nahi hoga ye sab khana.

Manik - Ok fine. But lassi to peeni padegi. And I don't want to hear any excuses.

Nandini protested but Manik didn't listen to her pleas.

Nandini - Manik .. no.... Mai khud peelungi....

He himself took the glass of lassi and made Nandini drink the whole glass of lassi.

Manik - Good girl.

Then he drank his lassi and wiped his face with the back of his hand.

Nandini didn't realise that her mouth was covered with lassi.

Manik wiped Nandini's mouth with his hand.

Accidentally his index finger brushed her lips.

Suddenly something struck in his mind.

Nandini removed Manik's hand from her face and turned to the other direction.

Manik was lost in his thoughts when the waiter brought the bill.

Manik came out of his thoughts and paid the Money.

Manik and Nandini left the place and drove away in their car.

The whole journey was silent.

Manik kept stealing glances of Nandini in between. But Nandini was just looking out of the window.

As soon as they reached home, Nandini got out of the car and rushed inside the house.

Manik - Nandini listen.......

But Nandini had already gone inside.

Manik also went inside and went directly to his room.

He tried hard to understand what had happened back at the dhaba. But he couldn't figure out what it was.

In the meantime Nandini ran to her room and closed the door.

Nandini - I can't keep running away from the fact that Manik considers me as his friend. I have to just forget Whatever happened that night. But I can't. Mai kya karu. Please God help me.

Manik and Nandini are both lost in their own thoughts.......

Done with another update.

Hope you guys like it.




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