Caught By Cupid's Arrow ✓

❝Aise Tera Main, Jaise Mera Tu❞

Nandini kept fidgeting with her pen, lost in her thoughts. The office hours were over and she was all ready to leave when her colleague / best friend with whom she would walk home every day, asked her to wait for a while as she had some last-minute work to do.

Nandini sighed as her conversation with Manik, the previous night, kept playing in her mind.

Flashback-

"Nandini, I am Manik 'Malhotra'. Do you know who Shrikant Malhotra is? I am his son. Manik Shrikant Malhotra." Manik said grimly.

Nandini's eyes widened at the new piece of information. Of course, she knew who Shrikant Malhotra was. In fact who didn't?!

Shrikant Malhotra was one of the leading business tycoons in the country. She had heard about him through various media reports and magazines. However, Shrikant Malhotra being a quite private person, the details about his family and personal life weren't out in open. All they knew was he was married and had a son, who was the only heir of the Malhotras.

Nandini kept staring at Manik, still trying to sink in the information. Manik chuckled at her expressions as he had expected it, which broke Nandini's trance.

"Relax. So what I am a Malhotra? I am a human only and not some Vampire.", Manik said.

Nandini looked away from him and shifted her focus to her jar of fireflies who were all glowing.

Manik sighed audibly before continuing, "My parents, Mr. Shrikant Malhotra and Mrs. Nyonika Malhotra they are the most adorable couple I have ever seen. And since I am their only child, I was pampered a lot. Even though I have been a Mumma's boy, Dad has always been my hero. But most of the time, he used to be busy with his work. At least once in three months, he used to be away from home for business tours. And whenever he was here, on weekdays, he used to leave early in the morning and be back by almost midnight. He hardly spent some quality time with us. I used to complain a lot about it but Mom made me realize that he was doing it for us only. So that we have a secured future. I understood but still, the little boy in me always kept craving for his father's warmth. But no matter what, I love him a lot. He will always be my hero.", Manik spoke, blinking his eyes to stop the tears threatening to escape. He was missing his parents and his home.

Understanding his inner turmoil, Nandini kept her hand over his to comfort him and looked up at the stars as she was missing her father as well.

Manik intertwined his fingers with hers before continuing with a small smile, "You want to know how I and Cabir met? Cabir's father, Mr. Sameer Dhawan, was one of the most trusted employees of Dad. They were more of best friends though, rather than just boss and employee. Eventually, Mom and Kiran Aunty, that is Cabir's mother, also became good friends. I was eight years old when Dad walked in at night with a crying Cabir in his arms. Even Mom was by his side throughout. I was jealous seeing the attention he was getting from them especially Dad. I refused to talk to Cabir. But then, Mom and Dad explained the situation to me. Cabir's parents had passed away in an accident an year ago. He only had his grandmother who too passed away that afternoon. None of their relatives were ready to take Cabir's responsibility and that is why Dad brought him home. I was reluctant at first but then eventually I and Cabir became buddies for life. He has been there by my side at every step I took and I know he will always be."

Manik's smiled widened as he recalled some of the happy moments from the past. He mentally thanked the Almighty for sending Cabir into his life. Nandini tightened her grip on his hand making him look at her and she gave him a beautiful smile which somehow managed to soothe his troubled heart.

"You and Cabir Bhai share such a beautiful bond.", she whispered making him smile.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, just gazing at the stars, still holding hands.