UNINTENDED LOVE - (MaNan)

Chapter-3

It was 6pm, and Manik was feeling exhausted calling Cabir. If he knew his new house then he would've gone there and kill Cabir. It's been 3 hours since he landed here and still he didn't show up. Didn't meet him. Didn't answer his calls. Where he is? Is he okay? His chain of thoughts broke when he heard noise. He came out of his room to check Nandini in her sweatshirt and joggers going out. He thought - "where is she going at this time?". Before he can ask anything she turned back and replied - "Don't worry, you don't need to stay awake. I have my own keys. I kept your set of keys in the left drawer of your room if in case you had to go out somewhere".

Manik asked with hesitation - " Where are you going? I mean I know I'm no one to ask but if it's okay if I join you?" Nandini didn't know what to reply. She smiled and said- "I'm actually going to Wilson's house. I work there as Nanny. Like a part-time job". He was amused. She is all alone in this foreign land. Studying and working. Even it is a part time job but having that sense of independence to earn your expenses it must be great. Manik said - "then I also would like to meet them. After all I'm living in their house." She was in dilemma but eventually said yes and they both went to Wilson's house.

At Wilson's Nandini was busy playing with Joey. He is so cute. Not very cranky. She feels as if he is more mature than his age. Very curious. Manik was being interrogated by Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson kind a liked him for his carefree nature. He talks whatever comes to his mind. Mr. Wilson didn't talk with him much. Just asked him about his stay in New York.

After making Joey sleep Nandini and Manik went from there. They were walking to their house. Silently. Manik was glancing at her in the middle and finally asked - " why don't you buy a car or a bike?". Nandini just sighed - " it is just 2km. And moreover everything is near to my... I mean our house". Manik heart skipped at "our house". Till then no one said "our house" to him. Earlier he used to live in Malhotra house. It was Nyonika's house. Not his. He never felt like it is his house too. Sometimes he stay at Soha's place. Khurana's mansion. But this is the first time he was feeling this different feeling. He is not able to name this feeling. But whatever it is, he felt nice. Special.

He came out of his thoughts when Nandini shook him. He looked at her. " Where are you? Are you even listening?". He didn't have any clue what was she talking till then. Was she saying something before?. Again she asked him-" Do you need something from the store or shall we go home?". He just replied - " no nothing". Nandini just looked at him weirdly. Maybe she will never understand this man. Finally they reached their home and went to their respective rooms.

Nandini in her room sat in her study table looking at her family photo. She took her mobile and called her chachi. Shannu Murthy. She is Punjabi. She met Chacha, Venkatesh Murthy in her college and they fell in love. After college they've decided to get married. There was no south-Indian and North-Indian issue. Nandini's parents were the one who supported their relationship throughout.

Chachi in her sleepy voice - " hello Nandu". Nandini bit her tongue. It's early morning in India. She said- " sorry chachi I didn't check the time. I'll call you later." but her chachi cut her off. "I'm always available for my Nandu. Tell me how was your day?". Nandini got all excited and started telling about her whole day. She took a pause and said- " chachi actually I got one paying guest." Her chachi started screaming in joy. Chachi said-" thank god Nandu you finally got one. What's her name? ". Nandini hesitated- " not her name. His name. His name is Anant. Anant Kashyap".

Chachi didn't know what to reply for a minute. Living with a guy that too when she is not in India. It is not like she didn't trust Nandini but she can't help with her Indian mind set. Chachi finally asked-" what does he do?". Nandini was speechless. She didn't asked anything about him. All she knew about him was he is Indian. That's it. Chachi said -" listen Nandu, I know you won't do anything that will hurt me and your chacha. We trust you. But Nandu you should know something about him right. It can be dangerous". Nandini gave it a thought and agreed to it- "Don't worry Chachi I'll talk to him tomorrow". And they ended their call.

In the other room Manik was shouting on his phone for obvious reasons. His friend who was supposed to meet him, who was supposed to pick him at airport finally got some time to answer his call and voice notes. Manik shouted -" what is wrong with you Cabir. You said we'll figure out something when I come here but you... ". But he was cut off by Cabir - " Sorry buddy. Actually since morning I got stuck with some work. I'm really sorry. Where are you now? I'm coming right now". Manik sighed - "I'm staying at the address you've sent".

Cabir got confused. He checked his phone and was blank. Manik is staying at Nandini's house. He have to do something. Cabir said - " Manik that address I mean that area is not that good. We'll look for other place tomorrow". Manik questioned him- " are you not coming here? You just said you'll meet me".

Cabir stammered - " yeah... No... I mean it's too late right. It wouldn't be nice if I come there. Nandini won't allow guests at night". Manik was confused - "Nandini won't allow? Did she mention that to you?". Cabir immediately said-" no she didn't. I never met her. I don't know her." Manik was getting pissed at his replies. He thought maybe he is sleepy so he just told him that they'll talk tomorrow when they meet and hanged the call.

Here, Cabir was walking to and for in his room. He said to himself -" I can't let Manik know about this. At least not now. I'll tell him when the right time comes. Till then I have to make sure Manik doesn't stay there. Sorry Manik but I have to do this buddy".