Manik and Nandini were lost in their intimacy when there was a knock at the door. Manik quickly got up from over Nandini, who was flushed. Manik was so into his emotions that he didn't even had the courage to look back at Nandini. Nandini on hearing the knock went back to the washroom taking her clothes. She stood against the door calming her racing heart down. She looked at the mirror in front of her and her eyes got stuck at the exact spot where Manik had kissed. A cute blush adorned her face and her cheeks lit up red like tomatoes. In just a moment she was transported to heaven. She quickly changed and came out.
Outside Manik's breath too were out of his control. He bite his lips to control his blush and embarrassingly creased his hairs. Again there was a knock at the door and Manik went to open it. As he opened the door, a servant stood in front of him carrying a glass of water as asked by him. He said a quick thank you and closed the door to find Nandini coming out of the bathroom, dressed up this time. She was ready to leave for her office.
Nandini's attire
Nandini saw Manik holding a glass of water and thought that he had asked for it for himself, but to the contrary Manik forwarded the glass to her along with a tablet and said, "Take this you'll be relived from your headache. " Listening to the word, as if by magic her hangover pain came back like a throbbing sensation. She held her head between her hands and sat down with a thud on the bed. Understanding her situation Manik sat down in front of her on the floor and forwarded the glass as well as the medicine with a cute smile. Even Nandini wasn't able to deny such a cute plea. With a slight smile adoring her lips she took it. Manik got up and sat beside her. Their shoulders were touching each other. Nandini, suddenly realizing, asked, "How did you know I am having a headache? " Manik smiled and replied, "You drank 3 bottles of Vodka Nandini! What else do you expect? Tum talli thi poori kal" , being very embarrassed she asked, "Manik...vo...umm...did I trouble you a lot yesterday? " Manik smiled gracefully at her and teasingly said, "Yeahhh very very much, " Nandini looked down to the floor not able to lift her eyes,"Manik i am so sorry, I didn't mean to i swear I didn't I don't..." Nandini's words trailed off as Manik's fingers landed on her lips ,"sshhh baba. Are you sure you're not drunk now naa? " "Yes I am sober now, why are you asking? " "because only talli Nandini speaks this much, the sober Nandini is not an all india radio. " Nandini fake glared at Manik but then she too started laughing. Seeing her laugh, Manik's eyes were transfixed at her. Neither moving nor blinking. Just staring at the heavenly beauty in front of him. Nandini too looked at him and upon finding him stating at her , she looked down blushing. "Waise you look beautiful when you blush like a normal girl not like a rock solid business women. " Nandini took a deep breath and then said, " I have to be like this Manik. If I am not like this then anyone can take advantage of me just like Harshad did. Ab itni himmat nahi Manik to endure more. I just can't. " Nandini almost choked on her words. To make her feel better, Manik held her hand near to him and started creasing it. One look into Manik's eyes made Nandini feel better. Inhaling the stuck breath, Nandini held his arms with her other hand and kept her head on his shoulders. Nandini was not thinking like a rational person but just like a dreamy person. She didn't think why and what she was doing, she just did what her reflexes permitted her to do. At that moment, Nandini was not a tough women who manages an empire on her own, but she was just a broken girl who needed some comfort and courage. Manik was utterly surprised but he didn't want to disturb the moment, so he let her be. He was definitely confused but his confusion was not more than his will to make Nandini feel better.Nandini's eyes were closed and her breathing was even. By looking at her face anyone could tell that she was FINALLY at peace. Manik's other hand found it's way to her free hand and he held it tightly assuring Nandini of his presence . Both of them were at peace. They were each other's peace.
(from back Nandini keeping her head on Manik's shoulders)
(From front Nandini holding Manik's arms)
Manik and Nandini were unsure. Unsure of what's between them. But at that moment nothing mattered. Neither their relationship status nor their messed up lives, what mattered was just them and their togetherness.
After a few minutes of silence Nandini opened her eyes but still didn't move from her place. She was staring at the wall and Manik was looking at her. Without taking her eyes off the wall Nandini said, " He forgot Manik. He forgot that incident which turned my life around. " Manik was listening with utmost attention to Nandini, "Which incident Nandini? And who forgot? " " The incident which changed my life. The incident which showed me the true colors of my family and loved ones." "Dhruv . He forgot Manik. He forgot what I did for him. I don't want his thanks Manik. No I don't. It just came as such a shock to me that...that, " "that you weren't able to bear it and drank to reduce the pain," said Manik completing her sentence. She just nodded a silent yes. He made Nandini look at him and cupping her face he said, "Nandini listen to me, I don't care if you want to tell me your past or no, I just don't wanna see you upset, when you're in pain please come and share it with me, I'll leave everything and be there for you. I want to share your pain Nandini, I don't know if you are aware of it or no but yes you are an indispensable part of my life now. I can't let you bear all this alone. I can't let you suffer and punish yourself like this. Promise me Nandini when something happens which takes you back to your hurtful past you'll come to me and share with me," Nandini was overwhelmed by Manik's words. Tears were about to make their way from her eyes. "Arey I thought that THE Nandini Murthy doesn't cry and is very tough and look from the time you're with me you're just crying. Am I that bad? ", said Manik making a fake crying face.
Seeing his face Nandini broke into fits of laughter along with Manik. Unknowingly Nandini pulled Manik's cheeks saying, "you're tooo cuteee", giving Manik another shock. Manik was quick to absorb this shock but his eyes were still widened and staring at Nandini. She too realized what she did making herself a little uncomfortable. She got up and said, "I think I'll have to leave now. But thanks for handling me yesterday. And also vo pav bhaji bahut tasty thi and the artificial rain idea was too good and my feet is also good now. I really respect you for not touching me without my permission. You are truly a gentle man. " Manik looked at Nandini with his mouth open. Nandini was giving him shock after shock. Nandini just smiled slyly and came near him and closed his mouth saying, " I remember everything. "
She stood at the door way waiting for Manik. As soon as he was out of shock, he ran to the place where Nandini was standing giving Nandini another reason to smile, his kiddishness.
Nandini moved ahead of Manik while he was coming down admiring the interiors of Nandini's mansion.
One thing that Manik noticed was that her house was just a mansion with walls not a home. It lacked that warmth and familiar sense of belonging. There were no pictures no photo frames just some random painting hanging here and there to show how rich they were.
If a person looks at Nandini's house from outside he could tell how filthy rich Nandini is.
An ariel view of her house.
Aryaman's bedroom
Guest rooms
Room which Manik thought to be Nandini's
Kitchen
Garden
Patio in the garden
Bathrooms
Walk in closet for Nandini.
Living room
(really sorry if you don't find the interiors and exteriors up to the mark i am really bad with this. You all can always tell me if you don't like it I'll change it)
One more thing that came to Manik's notice was that the room in which he took Nandini mistakingly was different from other rooms. Other rooms had modern interiors while that room had victorian interiors. He also noticed a room which had a lock. He was intrigued and curious to know what was behind it. He moved towards the door and was about to open it when he heard Nandini calling him. He left it for the time being and rushes downstairs.
Nandini's call was a desperate one which had some what scared Manik a little. As he reached the living room he found Nandini looking at the newspaper in her hands with a stumped reaction. He took the paper from her hands and read the news on page 3. The headlines was
"Manik Malhotra caught on a late night date with a mystery girl at JUHU Chowpatty"
Below it was a blur picture of Manik eating with a girl whose face was not clear. She was in a blue lehenga amd Manik himself was in sherwani. They both looked at each other's face, trying to read expressions.
Both of them exchanges glances and their faces told that they were in trouble deep trouble. Not from the media but from their friends. Nandini folded the paper and kept it in her bag so that Aryaman doesn't reads it, but Aryaman stood at the stairway smirking and took a seat in front of MaNan after he came down. He passed on a smile to them and then out of the blue said, " yaar Manik i wish to have pav bhaji from juhu." Manik and Nandini both startled by Aryaman's word again looked at each other as if asking each other how he knows about it. Aryaman was having a joyful time looking at their faces. He to tease them further asked,"What happened why are you both looking as if you both have already eaten it without telling me." Their eye balls were ready to come out of their sockets anytime. Nandini instantly spoke, "Naa...not at all Arya...why will we have it alone? Baas yeh weird wish naa that's all. " she tried covering up but Aryaman was in mood to irritate them. "Manik let's have breakfast together." proposed Aryaman. Manik hesitantly said yes. The trio sat down at the dining table and soon were served with delicious dishes. "this pancake is deliciously toxic, just like vodka is hai naa guys? " Aryaman was having a pretty happy time watching both of them come closer to each other's ears and saying how does he knows?
Manik was in a reckless hurry to head home. He didn't want to stay with Aryaman. He had almost taken him as a threat to destroy past untill now. He was wondering how did he came to no conclusions.
As soon as Manik was finished he rushed towards his car and sat inside. As he seated himself he sneezed loudly twice. "Bless you. " ,They both smiled at each other and passing on a smile they both left. Nandini stood at the entrance till she saw Manik disappear into the path. As he was going she felt a little empty she wanted to be with him again see him again. She let it go for the time being. As she came back Arya and she moved for their office.
*after two hours*
Nandini was busy in her work when she received a call. As she answered it she recognised the voice immediately. It was Mukti.
Mu:Hi Nandini
N: hi mukti
Mu: hey I just called to say thank you. All the attires were so beautiful and specially my lehenga.
*sneeze in background *
It was really as if my imagination had come true. And Abhi and Manik too looked handsome.
*sneeze again 3 *
N: it's my pleasure Mukti to design for you. I'll come soon to take your ideas about your wedding dress.
Mu : Yeah why not please come asap.
*sneeze again*
N: Don't mind Mukti but can I ask who's sneezing so loudly who has got cold.
Mu: Aahh Nandini it's manik. He told that he had a night out with his friend and there he got wet and he carelessly like he is slept in those clothes. He has a running temperature and cold.
A sudden Pang of guilt invoked in her. It was true that because of her his sleep has been disturbed. She quickly made up her mind to make it up to Manik and then she was thinking how he made her sleep in dry clothes and he himself slept in wet clothes . She took her car keys and called Aryaman at Manik's house and stormed out to meet him and reduce her guilt. But what she didn't realize was that is it only out of guilt that she's going to meet him or was there some hidden care too.
Phewwww Doneee. please bear with me for a time being I hope I'll be free soon. Thank guys for reading . Let's see which new side of Nandini is unveiled in front of Manik. Willl they be able to handle Aryaman's and Cabir's teases? . Keep reading guys thanks for support. I love you all. Next update will be up soon. ❤❤❤like if you feel it's good enough for your likes and comment to tell me your favourite moment from the update.