Serendipity

✧ Chapter - 5 ✧

Happy Diwali- belated- everyone! Hope you all enjoyed and had a blast.

◍ THE TALKS ◍

"A tea stall by the beach!", Nandini exclaimed. But, Manik misinterpreted it and asked nervously, "Didn't you like it? It's okay agar pasand nahi aaya ho toh. We'll go, have coffee, where you want to."

"Arre buddhu! Mujhe bohot pasand aaya, infact this- this is my ideal place for any situation," said Nandini with twinkling eyes.

"Toh tumne mujhe coffee pe chalne ke liye kyun poocha?", asked a confused Manik.

Nandini looked down her nervously, started playing with her hands, and said, "Woh, I thought ki you would like that sort of places, and ideally toh kisi ko bhi coffee pe hi puchte hain na."

Manik laughed while shaking his head and gestured her to sit down. It was then that Nandini realised that they had reached the stall.

It was a small stall, about three quarters of one's bedroom. At the front, glass cups and a steel kettle were kept. There were a lot of biscuit packets placed on the shelves in the stall. A few chips and munching packets were kept hanging from the top of the stall were the glasses and the kettle were kept. There were plastic containers half filled with small candies and mouth fresheners. A man- in his mid-fifties- stood in the stall, serving the people who came there.

There were three wooden benches placed parallel to each other, looking as if they were three lines extending vertically from the stall. Nandini sat on the one placed to the extreme right, while Manik went to order for two cups of tea.

It was six in the evening. The Sun had started to set making the sky glisten with a beautiful orange hue, with patches of yellow and pink. The breeze moving from land towards the sea was very soothing and pleasant to the people in the beach.

Nandini sat there with her eyes closed, humming a soft tune while moving her head, waiting for Manik. Her face reflected nothing but peace and serenity.

Manik brought the cups and sat beside Nandini. Sensing him, Nandini opened her eyes and smiled at him. He smiled back and handed her the cup.

Both of them sat there sipping their tea, quietly, enjoying the comfortable silence and the pleasant weather. None of them was willing to break the tranquil silence and move into a chaos.

Once they were finished, Manik handed the cups to the man, payed him, and returned to where they had sat.

By then the Sun had almost set. It looked as if the Sun was drowning in the sea. The sky was a beautiful, dark blue, with a vermillion hue were the Sun was. Nandini was staring at the mesmerizing sight above her, and Manik was staring at the mesmerizing sight beside him.

"Manik, this world is so pretty na," whispered Nandini, still looking at the sky.

Manik sighed and said, "This world is pretty, Nandini, but that world is not pretty. Everyone only sees the pearl and not the oyster that carried it. One ought to be strong and alert here. Enjoy this world, Nandini, as much as you can. Once you step into that world, everything is just dark and hollow."

Nandini just looked at him and said nothing. She knew what he meant, but she also knew that she was strong enough to survive that world- with Abhi and him by her side.

The Sun had set and the winds had gotten very cool. Manik and Nandini didn't even realise where the time flew by. Manik stood up and offered his hand to Nandini and said, "Andhera ho gaya. Pata nahi time kahan chala gaya. Chale?"

"Chalo. But my heart doesn't want to leave. But kaam bhi toh hai. And I love my sleep a lot." Nandini smiled at him. She never knew that just having tea and sitting in silence, making small talks occasionally, could be so refreshing and soothing.

"Accha, Manik, you will have to come to my office tomorrow. There are some formalities that need to be completed. They're like a confirmation," said Nandini, thoughtfully.

"Okay. At what time?"

"Between 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or between 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m."

"Okay. Done! I'll try coming early. I get lazy after lunch," Manik said casually.

"Okay, Mr. Lazy Ass Malhotra," giggled Nandini.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever helps you sleep," said Manik, rolling his eyes.

They had reached the car. Manik seemed tired so Nandini offered, "Can I drive?"

Manik looked at her, taken a wee bit aback. He asked if she was sure. When she nodded her head in positive, he gestured a 'go ahead'.

Nandini was a very good driver, which Manik noted. She was completely focused on the path, while Manik was humming to the soft music which was being played in the car.

"We've reached!", chirped Nandini.

Manik looked to his left and was surprised to see his house. "Ye toh mera ghar hai?"

"Toh tumhe kahan jaana hai?"

"Arre, but I thought ki you will drive to your place, then I'll come here."

"It's okay, Manik. You are tired. Aur waise bhi, mera vehicle yahan hai; I'll have to take that too na. Toh main usmein chali jaungi," saying so, she got out of the car the opened the door for Manik.

Manik's heart was warming up at the small but deep gestures Nandini made to show that she cared. He got out and smiled brightly at her.

Nandini got into her car. She rolled her window down and said, "Bye Manik! I loved every second of today. I'll am looking forward to more such dates with you. Good night."

Manik's cheeks warmed up. He composed himself and he said, "Bye Nandini! I'm glad that you enjoyed. Aur itni khubsurat ladki ke saath dates pe jaane ka mauka main kaise chod sakta hun? Good night."

Nandini laughed, with her cheeks turning pink.

Manik turned to open the door when suddenly Nandini called out his name and screamed, "You're welcome!"

At that moment Manik realised that Nandini was someone he could never want to lose. She was precious, very precious.