MaNan- She is to be Loved

Chapter 23- Confused minds!

~When she stepped back, I held onto my breath, for the heart was never at ease when she's away~

-Affu-

In India

Lifecare Hospital

"Hey!" Manik let go off Nandini, and stepped ahead to shake Aadit's hand, who smiled at him before reciprocating to the gesture. "Hey Manik! It's been a while since we've met." 

"Yeah! Work gets better every day." Manik chuckled, and Aadit joined him, but his smile was a bit strained, when he moved his gaze towards Nandini, and then back at Manik. "Uh...you know Nandini?" Aadit questioned, and Nandini stood still, staring at the guys blankly.

"Yeah!" Nandini answered, before Manik could, who glanced at her way. "But how do you guys know each other? I mean, clearly not College friends. Yeah?" she pointed out, noticing the fact that Aadit is a Doctor, while Manik did Business. Does India have Universities where they teach both Medicine and Business?

She doubts it!

"No, Nandini." Aadit smiled charmingly at Nandini, chuckling lightly. "We're family friends." he added, and looked at Manik, who was staring a bit closely towards Aadit. The Aadit Sharma was never known to be an all-smile-personality. So what changed, now?

"That's right." Manik turned towards Nandini, who was nodding in understanding. "That explains the pleasantries, then." And the way Manik is claiming her to be his girlfriend. She nodded at the guys, who smiled at her. "Uh...but how do you know her, Manik?" Aadit looked at Manik. "She's from London, and been here only for a month."  Aadit added, and Manik was about to speak, when his eyes widened a bit, in realization.

While Nandini thought about a good reply that she could give to Aadit. Clearly, she can't speak about her family problems to Aadit, and how she met Manik, and how they've been in a fake relationship. That's too personal to share with Aadit.

"Well, actually we j--" she was cut off abruptly, by an arm shooting towards her, curling around her waist, pressing her to a chiseled chest. She breathed out rapidly, before looking up at Manik, who was smiling down at her, and the looking up at Aadit.

"Oh, I would know her better than anyone else." Manik said, while Nandini stared at him aghast. "She's my girlfriend, after all." he announced, and she couldn't help, but notice a tinge of pride in his voice, and she wondered what wrong went in his head.

"Wh-What?" Aadit questioned, almost breathlessly, staring at the duo in front of him. "G-girlfriend?" he asked, staring at Nandini, with his eyes squinting at her, almost on the verge of breaking down.

"Yeah! For 3 months, now. She flew to India, just to visit my family." Manik said, nodding his head. "Oh! I thought Navya would have already told you about Nandini." Manik added, and Nandini who was still gaping at him, straightened up.

"Navya?" Nandini questioned. "Oh yeah, Li-AHEM-Nandini." Manik cleared his throat, before continuing. "Our Navya. Cabir's girlfriend. Aadit is Navya's brother." Manik looked back at Aadit, who was still holding onto his broken heart.

For sure he heard about a certain NANDINI BHABI from his little sister, but he never thought it would be his CRUSH.

"Oh!" Nandini exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Now, that's a heartbreaking news. I mean, how come you're a brother of such a sweet girl? I almost thought that you were a single child until you told me about your sister, but heck, I never knew your sister was sweet." Nandini continued, babbling, remembering about the times she witnessed Aadit scolding his subordinates.