After punching in the code Nandini asked Manik to finally open his eyes and as soon as he did that he was greeted by the door of a house.
A house?
Manik: Nandini yeh kiska ghar hai? Why are we here?
Nandini: Manik how do you manage to be so stupid all the time? Tumne koi special classes li hai ya you just pretend to be so stupid?
Manik: oh hello...stop mocking me ok and answer my questions
Nandini: Didn't you see the nameplate dumbo?
Manik cringed his brows together as he tilted his head to look the nameplate.
MaNan -the nameplate read.
Manik*confused*: agar yeh ghar humara hai toh how do I not know it?
Nandini: Wait, you'll know soon
She smiled increasing Manik's confusion.
Nandini opened the door and asked Manik to enter in first. Manik frowned but anyways shrugged and was about to enter in when a dried cement plate sitting right near the entrance caught his eye. The plate had two pairs of tiny feet embossed over it. Manik halted his steps, confused but soon enough his eyes twinkled and Nandini knew Manik had realised where they were.
Manik: Nandini yeh toh humare foot prints hai na jo Amma ne liye the? She always wanted to place this in her- OH MY GOD! Yeh...yeh Amma ka school hai na that she always dreamt of making?
He asked all excited.
Nandini: Ha this is the same school Manik
Manik: But agar yeh school hai then how does this look like a house? I am so confused Nandu
He pouted cutely.
Nandini: I'll tell you everything but let's go inside first
Manik nodded as they stepped inside the house together and the first thing Manik did was keep the cement plate carefully on the table so that it doesn't break. Once satisfied, he tilted his head upwards and his eyes started wandering around the place.
The flat was a simple one. The living room had vibrant colours everywhere as if a rainbow had just spilled around the place with white furniture. He further walked in towards the kitchen which had smilies all around with some quotes about spreading happiness that brought an instant smile on his face. He turned around and walked towards the balcony that was decorated beautifully with different plants and fairy lights. He sighed at the view of the silent night as he realised the location of the place. It was right next to the Marine Lines, exactly where Nandini's amma wanted it to be since she loved the sound of those wild waves hitting the shore. His smile just widened thinking how Nandini had taken care of everything. He then made his way towards the rooms. All this while Nandini was silently following him and observing all his expressions, also the ones he didn't express but his eyes did. She clearly saw how his face shined with happiness when he saw the kitchen and the living room, how his eyes were momentarily moist when he carried the cement plate to keep it safely on the table and that peace he felt when he stood in the balcony. She saw it all and she was glad that she was somewhere the reason behind it.
Living room
Walls in the kitchen
The fridge in the kitchen
Manik started walking through the passageway that led to the rooms and noticed the walls that were filled with family doodles and pictures of their family on either sides. His steps paused again as he stood there caressing each picture with all the love. After a few moments, he walked ahead and entered the room. The apartment wasn't too big and had only one room which was big enough to occupy at least four people in it. The room was a shade of red and black including the decor and furniture with some things made purely out of wood, decorated with yellow lights. Manik looked around the room in awe when his eyes stopped on a wall that had a guitar hanging there and a veena kept on a table sticking to the wall.
Family doodles
Room
Finally after the entire tour of the house, both of them were now sitting in the balcony, admiring the sea when Manik decided to clear his confusions.
Manik: Now tell me everything. Agar yeh Amma ka school hai then why does this look like a house?
Nandini*shrugs*: Because it is a house Manik
Manik: Nandini stop these games and tell me clearly varna curiosity ke maare aur kuch soch hi nahi paunga and then our date will be ruined
He pouted making Nandini chuckle.
Nandini: Yaad hai after Amma Appa left us...uske kuch saalo baad we got her documents and her diary jaha unhone likha tha that she wants to build a day and night school for underprivileged kids and also provide them shelter isliye we had decided that we will try to complete her dream? (Manik nods) You remember I used to write blogs?
Manik: Ha but how is that related to any of this?
Nandini: Unn blogs se I earned a very decent amount of money which I started saving aur mere pass tumhari bhi kuch savings thi jo tumne mujhe di thi so I used them to build this place. Yeh ghar school building ke top floor pe hai taaki whenever we come here and feel like staying, hum yaha reh paaye. Abhi most of the time Mangalore me rehta tha so he isn't that attached with this project like we are and so I knew ki tum mind nahi karoge if I use your money without asking you
Manik: Ofcourse I wouldn't have minded Nandini but tum mujhe bhi batati na...I would have loved to help you in this
Nandini: I know but I wanted to surprise you aur vaise bhi tum fab 5 ki album deal me busy the so I didn't want to stress you more
Manik*sighs*: okay fine but next time aisa kuch hoga toh promise me ki you'll tell me
Nandini: Nandini promise!
Manik smiled.
Manik: Iss ek mahine me kitna kuch ho gaya na? That Pandit fir Maddy aur Sanjana, Musicana aur Fab 5 ka album...such an eventful month!
Nandini: I know but jo bhi hua na sab ache ke liye hua
Manik nodded at her as they settled on the couch in the balcony and remininsed the eventful one month together.
Flashbacks coming up soon!
Just a few chapter to go until the story ends.
Happy reading.
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